International

Alarm in Mexico due to heavy rains in northern and central regions

Photo: EFE

August 5|

Given the alarming weather situation due to heavy rains in the northern and central regions of Mexico, authorities on Friday called on the population to take precautions and stay informed about the potential danger of a hurricane in the coming hours.

The general coordinator of the National Meteorological Service (SMN), Alejandra Margarita Méndez Girón, announced that “In the next hours, the cloud bands of low pressure with cyclonic potential, located in the Pacific Ocean, will cause clouds and rains in Colima, Guerrero, Jalisco and Michoacán”.

The specialist predicted that the oceanic low pressure system will maintain its west-northwest course, parallel to the coasts of Michoacán and Colima, with real possibilities of intensifying, presumably becoming tropical depression Six-E during the night or early Saturday morning.

Méndez Girón pointed out that the meteorological phenomenon would exhibit winds between 62 and 118 kilometers per hour and its center would be located approximately 200 kilometers off the coasts of Michoacán and Colima. If it intensifies, it would reach the category of tropical storm in a few hours, renaming itself Eugene.

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Meteorological sources emphasized that the rains would affect Baja California Sur, particularly in the municipalities of Los Cabos and La Paz, but that the phenomenon will gradually lose strength and organization, moving away from the Mexican coasts as of Monday.

The manager of Infrastructure Protection and Emergency Attention of the National Water Commission (Conagua), Leonardo González Neri, insisted on the high capacity of response to the phenomenon thanks to the existence in the area of Regional Centers of Emergency Attention (CRAE’s).

The official emphasized that these are in Guadalajara, Jalisco and La Paz, Baja California Sur, where there are specialized personnel and equipment to collaborate with the three orders of government in the attention of any adverse situation that may arise.

The authorities’ request to the population to be alert and informed of the recommendations, warnings and alerts on the evolution of meteorological phenomena is aimed at reducing risks to the greatest extent possible, emphasized González Neri.

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International

Spain’s irregular migrant population rises to 840,000, study finds

The number of migrants living in Spain without legal residency status continues to rise and has reached 840,000 people, with 91% originating from the Americas, particularly Colombia, Peru and Honduras, according to a report by the Spanish think tank Funcas (Foundation of the Savings Banks).

An estimated 17.2% of the non-EU foreign population living in Spain is in an irregular administrative situation. The estimate is based on the gap between the number of foreign residents effectively living in Spain, according to the National Statistics Institute (INE), and those who hold a residence permit, benefit from international protection, or are in the process of obtaining it.

The data, as of January 1, 2025, point to a notable and sustained increase in irregular migration since 2017, when the estimated figure stood at around 107,000 people, representing 4.2% of the non-EU population residing in Spain.

By origin, migrants from the American continent stand out, totaling around 760,000 people, or 91% of all irregular migrants. Colombians account for nearly 290,000, followed by Peruvians with almost 110,000, and Hondurans with about 90,000. Migrants from Africa (50,000), Asia (15,000) and Europe (14,000) trail far behind.

The figures predate Spain’s latest immigration regulation reform, which came into force in May 2025 and introduces measures to ease access to legal status through residency ties. According to Funcas, the reform would, in principle, tend to reduce the number of migrants in an irregular situation.

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International

Historic snowstorm paralyzes Toronto after 60 centimeters of snow

Toronto, Canada’s largest city and the fourth most populous in North America, was largely paralyzed on Monday after a historic snowstorm dumped up to 60 centimeters of snow and sent temperatures plunging to -15 degrees Celsius, authorities said.

Late Sunday, as the scale of the snowfall became clear, city officials declared a climate emergency, triggering extraordinary measures including parking bans on several major streets to facilitate snow removal operations.

Toronto’s public transit authority reported that while some buses remain immobilized, subway and streetcar services are operating with relative normality, though localized disruptions may occur.

A similar situation is affecting the city’s commuter rail network, which remains operational but is experiencing significant delays on its main routes due to the severe weather conditions.

International

Venezuela frees at least 80 political prisoners, NGO says

At least 80 political prisoners were released on Sunday across Venezuela, human rights group Foro Penal reported, as the broader process of detainee releases continues at a slow pace under the interim government.

Foro Penal’s director, Alfredo Romero, wrote on social media platform X that verified releases took place nationwide and that the figure could rise as more confirmations are completed.

Attorney Gonzalo Himiob, also from Foro Penal, said the excarcelations occurred during the early hours of the day and emphasized that the number is not yet final pending further verification.

The releases are part of a series of steps announced by Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, who took power after the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro in a U.S. military operation on Jan. 3, 2026. Rodríguez has pledged a significant number of liberations but has been criticized by opposition groups and rights organizations for the slow and nontransparent nature of the process.

So far, the Venezuelan government reports that 626 detainees have been freed since December, though independent counts by human rights groups suggest the number of actual political prisoner releases is lower and that many remain behind bars.

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Families of those still detained have maintained vigils outside prisons, hopeful for further releases even as broader concerns about political imprisonment and due process persist.