International

Colombian government and ELN agree to create humanitarian zones

Photo: EFE

September 4 |

The Government of Colombia and the National Liberation Army (ELN) confirmed on Monday the creation of the so-called “humanitarian zones”, at the end of the fourth cycle of peace talks, which was held in Caracas, the Venezuelan capital.

The news was announced by Senator Iván Cepeda, one of the negotiators of the Colombian government, who specified that “humanitarian zones will be created in which there will be an intervention, not only of a humanitarian nature, but also through development projects that will embody many of the peace agreements that the (negotiating) table is reaching”.

In a ceremony held in Caracas, a joint declaration was released, in which the parties indicated that they will produce “humanitarian actions”, without specifying which ones, “that promote the bilateral, national and temporary ceasefire, promote the participation of the communities, peoples and other social, economic and political forces in these territories”.

Likewise, this new agreement includes humanitarian actions, with which the Government of Gustavo Petro and the ELN seek to “carry out social development projects (…) for implementation in the coming months”.

20260212_constancia_pagos_mh_728x90

The areas chosen were Bajo Calima and San Juan, localities in the department of Valle del Cauca, as well as Sur de Bolívar (Bolívar) and Bajo Cauca (Antioquia), territory in which violent actions were registered in the last weeks, despite the bilateral ceasefire agreed, which came into force last August 3 and will be extended until February 2024.

However, the parties will be able to define new “humanitarian zones”, if necessary, after analyzing the circumstances in these territories.

At the ceremony, the main ELN negotiator, commander Pablo Beltrán, referred that “the ceasefire has been under fire” and charged against the attacks to the process, of whom he said are “against Peace”.

He also pointed out that the negotiators have “placed emphasis on dealing with the critical zones, which are areas where there have been severe attacks”.

For his part, the head of the Colombian government delegation, Otty Patiño, pointed out that “in these nine months we have achieved a cease-fire, citizen participation to build a national agreement with thousands of voices”.

20260212_constancia_pagos_mh_728x90

Patiño pointed out that “we have initiated a process of participation that aims to be the meeting between a civil ELN and Colombian society. It is a scenario in which differences are conveyed in a frank, intelligent and non-aggressive manner that will help in the construction of a great National Agreement”.

In another intervention, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Iván Gil valued that “peace in Colombia is an urgent and necessary matter that cannot be postponed” and ratified that Caracas “is willing to host the necessary meetings”.

The main objective of this cycle, which began on August 14, was to address issues such as the bilateral cease-fire and the participation of civil society in the dialogues. The negotiators thanked the Venezuelan government for the facilities provided for this process.

International

Florida judge sets 2027 trial in Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against BBC

A federal judge in Florida has scheduled February 2027 for the trial in the lawsuit filed by U.S. President Donald Trump against the BBC, in which he is seeking $10 billion in damages for defamation.

Trump accuses the British broadcaster of airing a misleading edit of a speech he delivered on January 6, 2021, which, he says, made it appear that he explicitly urged his supporters to attack the U.S. Capitol in Washington.

The president filed the suit in December in federal court in Florida, alleging defamation and violations of a law governing business practices when the program was broadcast ahead of the 2024 election.

Trump is seeking $5 billion in damages for each of the two claims.

Lawyers for the BBC unsuccessfully asked the court to dismiss the case, arguing that Trump had not suffered a “legally recognizable harm,” since the investigative program Panorama, which included the edited footage, aired outside the United States.

20260212_constancia_pagos_mh_728x90

International

Head-of-state diplomacy key to guiding China–U.S. ties, Beijing says

Head-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable strategic guiding role in China–United States relations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Thursday during a regular press briefing, when asked about high-level exchanges between the two sides.

Lin added that in a recent phone call, U.S. President Donald Trump once again expressed his intention to visit China in April, while Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated his invitation.

Both sides remain in communication regarding the matter, the spokesperson said.

Lin noted that the essence of China–U.S. economic and trade ties lies in mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

“Both parties should work together to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, injecting greater certainty and stability into China–U.S. economic and trade cooperation, as well as into the global economy,” he said.

20260212_constancia_pagos_mh_728x90

International

Trump administration to end special immigration operation in Minnesota

The administration of Donald Trump is bringing to a close its special operation targeting illegal immigration in the northern state of Minnesota, border czar Tom Homan announced Thursday, following weeks of unrest and the fatal shootings of two activists by federal agents.

Thousands of federal officers had been deployed to Minnesota in December to carry out large-scale raids against undocumented immigrants.

The operations triggered strong reactions from residents and advocacy groups, leading to daily confrontations and the deaths of two people who were shot by federal agents.

“I proposed, and President Trump agreed, that this special operation should end in Minnesota,” Homan said during a press conference in the state capital, Minneapolis.

“A significant drawdown began this week and will continue into next week,” he added.

20260212_constancia_pagos_mh_728x90

Homan indicated that similar enforcement efforts could be launched in other cities.

“Next week we will redeploy the agents currently here back to their home stations or to other parts of the country where they are needed. But we will continue to enforce immigration laws,” he said.