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Former Peruvian president asks to be released from prison for cancer treatment

Former Peruvian president asks to be released from prison for cancer treatment

November 4 |

Former Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo requested Friday his release from prison to receive treatment for cancer, in his first intervention in the trial he faces for allegedly having received millions in bribes from Brazilian construction company Odebrecht.

“I ask you please, it has to do with the issue of my health, I ask you to let me defend myself in freedom (…) I have cancer,” pleaded Toledo, 77, his voice cracking as he addressed the court.

Toledo even suggested to be prosecuted “under house arrest” if he does not regain his freedom, according to the hearing broadcast by the Judicial Power channel, to which the press has no access.

The former governor (2001-2006) gave as an example the legal situation of two other former presidents who succeeded him, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski and Ollanta Humala, who are defending themselves in freedom in other trials derived from the Odebrecht mega-scandal in Peru.

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Toledo remarked that it is “vital” to have access to a clinic to treat cancer. However, he did not specify what type of cancer he suffers from, although he pointed out that for the last 15 years he has been suffering from “serious illnesses” that were treated in the United States.

The former president has been held since April 23 in a small prison for former presidents east of Lima, where he is serving 18 months of preventive detention, after being extradited by the United States. Also in the prison are former presidents Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000) and Pedro Castillo (2021-2022).

Toledo began his trial on October 17 for allegedly receiving a bribe of US$35 million. The prosecution has requested 20 years and 6 months in prison for the alleged crimes of collusion and money laundering to the detriment of the State.

According to the indictment, the bribe allowed Odebrecht to win a concession to build a section of the Interoceánica Sur highway between Peru and Brazil.

Toledo denies the charges since in 2016 Brazilian Odebrecht revealed before the US justice system a corruption scheme at regional level to obtain public works.

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The Odebrecht corruption scheme splashed four former Peruvian presidents. In addition to Toledo, prosecutors investigated Alan García (2006-2011), who committed suicide in 2019 before being arrested, Ollanta Humala (2011-2016) and Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (2016-2018).

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International

China calls for dialogue amid rising Iran-Israel conflict

The Chinese government emphasized on Monday the importance of “creating the conditions to return to the proper path of dialogue” between Iran and Israel, which have exchanged attacks in recent days resulting in more than 20 Israeli and over 220 Iranian deaths.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun expressed deep concern at a press conference over the Israeli attacks on Iran and the “sudden escalation” of the military conflict.

Guo called on all parties to “take immediate measures to ease tensions and prevent the region from descending into further turmoil,” stating that “force cannot bring lasting peace.”

“If the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to intensify or even expand, the countries of the Middle East will be the first to suffer the consequences,” he added, while noting that China “will continue to maintain communication with the relevant parties, promoting peace and dialogue.”

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke last Saturday with his Iranian and Israeli counterparts to condemn the Israeli airstrike on Iranian territory, which he described as a “violation of international law” with the potential to trigger “disastrous” consequences.

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In both calls, Wang reiterated China’s rejection of the use of force, defended diplomacy as the only solution to the Iranian nuclear dispute, and offered China’s mediation to prevent further destabilization in the Middle East.

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International

Suspect arrested in killing of Minnesota legislator and husband, governor Says

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced on Sunday the arrest of Vance Luther Boelter, 57, the main suspect in the killing of Democratic legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband in a Brooklyn Park suburb on Friday night.

Boelter, who also reportedly shot State Senator John Hoffman and his wife early Saturday morning, was apprehended in Sibley County following an intensive manhunt involving hundreds of law enforcement officers.

In a public statement, Governor Walz condemned Boelter’s “unthinkable actions,” which resulted in the death of a woman who “shaped the core of who we are as a state.”

“We cannot become numb to this. We are a deeply divided nation,” Walz said in a statement posted on his X account.

“We move forward not with hatred or violence, but with humility, grace, and civility,” he added.

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Expressing solidarity with the victims’ families, Walz said the entire state of Minnesota is in mourning. He also thanked law enforcement for their bravery and professionalism: “They have saved lives,” he emphasized.

“As we heal, we will not let fear win,” Walz concluded. “We must honor Melissa by moving forward with understanding, service, and above all, humanity.”

Throughout Sunday, police and sheriff units searched a rural area in Minnesota for Vance Luther Boelter, a security company director and preacher who, according to Governor Walz, acted out of politically motivated violence.

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International

40,000 tourists stranded in Israel amid airspace shutdown over Iran conflict

Approximately 40,000 tourists are stranded in Israel following the closure of the country’s airspace amid escalating hostilities with Iran, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism reported on Monday.

The ministry has set up a virtual office to provide information via email (virtual@goisrael.gov.il) and phone (+972-53-583-5808), as well as a Facebook page called Israel Virtual Tourist Office.

Israeli Tourism Minister Haim Katz is in contact with hotels and accommodations across the country to offer support to tourists in need, the ministry added.

Many stranded travelers are considering crossing overland into Jordan or Egypt to seek flights from those countries. The Israel Airports Authority reminded the public that land border crossings remain open.

Three German tourists stranded in Jerusalem told EFE today that they have not received any assistance from their country’s embassy in Israel, and their primary option currently is to cross into Jordan to catch a flight from there.

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Since early Friday morning, Israel launched operations against Iran, targeting military personnel and infrastructure, including energy and nuclear facilities, as well as numerous residential areas in Tehran.

In response, Iran has fired hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel, some of which have struck various locations across the country, leaving at least 24 dead so far, according to Israeli authorities.

Iranian health officials report at least 224 deaths, mostly civilians, including at least 17 senior military officials—nine from the Revolutionary Guard—and more than a dozen nuclear scientists.

The Israeli military has warned that many more “targets” remain, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guard declared on Monday that it will continue missile attacks against Israel until its “destruction.”

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