International
Venezuela installs 99 % of machines for referendum drill
November 18 |
The National Electoral Council (CNE) of Venezuela communicated this Friday that the Electoral Power has installed 99 percent of the electoral machines for the simulation of the consultative referendum in defense of the Essequibo, scheduled for this November 19.
The president of the National Electoral Council (CNE), Elvis Amoroso, informed that the decision of the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) will be respected, in which it granted the injunction action filed to protect the right of Venezuelans to elect and protect with their vote the inalienable rights over the Essequibo Guayana.
Amoroso detailed that “80 percent of the electoral schedule presented to Venezuelan men and women has been complied with so far. Ninety-nine percent of the electoral machines have been installed for the simulation of the consultative referendum to be held on November 19”.
Likewise, he detailed that everything is ready for the fulfillment of 100 percent of the foreseen schedule, with guarantees of legal transparency, necessary for the development of the electoral process.
“All the necessary adjustments are being made so that all the Venezuelan people may participate and know everything related to this December 3 process to defend the Venezuelan Essequibo”, added the official.
Likewise, he referred that high technology is available and explained that electoral centers will be set up in all the municipalities of the country in order to familiarize people with the process of the Consultative Referendum for the Essequibo.
In this sense, the Electoral Power will travel all over the country and will meet with political organizations and unions in order to familiarize them with this electoral process.
The President of the National Electoral Council (CNE), Elvis Amoroso, also informed that they received the sentence of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ), which declares the amparo action in favor of the referendum introduced by the National Assembly of 2020 to be admissible.
Amoro declared that the request for protection of the consultative referendum of the Essequibo of December 3, an area in dispute with Guyana for more than 100 years, was admissible.
The TSJ ruled that “there will be no validity or legal effectiveness” in the national territory, decisions or acts carried out by persons or states that prevent or hinder the referendum to be held on December 3.
The judicial body assured that the measure was intended to protect the referendum from any foreign act or decision, while awaiting a resolution of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The TSJ summoned the Venezuelan institutions not to recognize these acts, in case they occur, and instead, ordered the CNE to continue with this process that has no binding character and does not enclose in itself an immediate change in the disputed territory of almost 160,000 square kilometers.
“To continue with the protection of the rights and interests of the Republic around this historic cause in the defense of the sovereign rights over the Essequiba Guiana, as well as its independence, freedom, sovereignty, territorial integrity and self-determination”, Amoros stressed.
By means of sentence 1470, the TSJ ordered the CNE to continue in its competences with the actions that guarantee the nationals the right of political participation, in the consultative referendum to be held on December 3, 2023.
The Supreme Court orders President Nicolás Maduro to “continue with the protection of the rights and interests of the Republic regarding this historic national cause in the defense of its sovereign right over the Essequiba Guyana”, in accordance with the provisions of Article 152 of the Magna Carta.
International
Mexico and Guatemala Agree on Five-Point Binational Plan for 2027
Mexico and Guatemala agreed Tuesday on a 2027 Binational Plan built around five areas of cooperation, along with a schedule of meetings and initiatives aimed at making progress by the end of 2026 on security, border infrastructure, human mobility, development and technical and social cooperation.
The agreement was announced by the foreign ministers of both countries following a meeting in Mexico City.
Mexican Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco said the plan will establish the “direction and priorities” of bilateral relations for next year. His Guatemalan counterpart, Carlos Ramiro Martínez, said the meeting allowed both governments to make decisions, schedule activities and revitalize bilateral cooperation mechanisms.
Security and border infrastructure
In the area of security, the two governments have nearly completed negotiations on a new memorandum of understanding for the Mexico-Guatemala High-Level Security Group (Ganseg), which was reactivated in 2025.
The countries expect to sign the agreement in the coming months to strengthen coordination and their ability to respond to shared security threats.
Regarding their nearly 1,000-kilometer shared border, Mexico and Guatemala agreed to advance infrastructure improvements at border crossings and continue work on a joint cargo clearance program between Ciudad Hidalgo and Tecún Umán, two border areas separated by the Suchiate River.
The measures are intended to facilitate bilateral trade while making cross-border exchanges safer and more efficient.
The two governments will also continue defining a route toward a railway connection between their countries through Line K of Mexico’s Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (CIIT), with the aim of strengthening economic and community ties.
Migration and development
On human mobility, Mexico and Guatemala will maintain coordination to ensure safe, orderly and dignified returns, while strengthening protection for people in transit.
The bilateral agenda also includes a second phase of the Sembrando Vida program in Guatemala, which is expected to benefit 10,000 people across 15 departments.
Both countries will also advance initiatives under Juntos para el Bienestar, as well as six technical, scientific and energy cooperation projects approved by the Joint Commission.
The agreements seek to strengthen bilateral ties and establish concrete priorities for cooperation between Mexico and Guatemala during 2027.
International
France to Expel Two Iranian Diplomats Over Alleged Attack on French Officials
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced Tuesday, August 18, 2026, that France will expel two Iranian diplomats in response to what Paris described as an attack on two French representatives in Iran last month.
“Two French diplomats were scandalously and deliberately assaulted on July 19. I had announced that this intolerable act would have consequences. It has now happened. Two Iranian diplomats in France will be expelled in the coming days,” Barrot said in a message posted on X.
The two Iranian diplomats have been declared persona non grata and will be required to leave France within the coming days, according to the French foreign minister.
About a month ago, Barrot said that two members of the French diplomatic staff had been detained by Iranian security forces for several hours. One of them was also subjected to harassment, he said.
The French government described the incident as an “extremely serious act of intimidation” that violated diplomatic immunity.
The two French embassy staff members were working on programs supporting Iranian civil society, particularly initiatives involving artists and researchers.
Iran has denied France’s allegations regarding the incident. The diplomatic dispute comes amid already strained relations between Paris and Tehran.
International
Heat wave puts more than 70 million Americans under alerts as temperatures near 46°C
More than 70 million people remained under heat alerts Monday as an intense heat wave continued across the southern United States, particularly Florida and states along the Mexican border, where temperatures and heat indexes could reach as high as 46 degrees Celsius, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
Several cities recorded or tied temperature records over the weekend and into Monday, including Miami and Fort Lauderdale in Florida; Laredo, Borger and Austin’s airport in Texas; Atlanta, Georgia; Raleigh and Charlotte, North Carolina; and Memphis, Tennessee.
The NWS warned that the heat wave will continue affecting the southern and southeastern United States, with maximum temperatures expected to remain near 38°C to 40°C for several days. The heat index, which combines temperature and humidity to estimate how hot conditions feel, could reach 46°C.
The extreme heat is also spreading into the Southwest, where temperatures began rising again between Monday and Tuesday. Forecast highs in the region range from about 38°C to 43°C.
Heat alerts remain in effect across Nevada, Arizona and California, including areas in southern Arizona and California near the Mexican border, as authorities warn of the risks posed by prolonged extreme temperatures.
The NWS urged residents to limit outdoor activity, stay hydrated, ensure access to air conditioning or cooling centers, and check on vulnerable friends, neighbors and family members.
The United States is experiencing a summer marked by above-average temperatures and repeated heat waves. One of the most intense episodes occurred during the July 4 weekend, when extreme heat was blamed for roughly 30 deaths.
July was the hottest month ever recorded in the United States since measurements began, with the average temperature across the contiguous country approaching 25°C, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The combination of extreme heat and drought conditions has also fueled wildfires. Nearly 3 million hectares have burned across the country so far in 2026, making it the largest area affected by wildfires in a decade.
Mexico and Guatemala Agree on Five-Point Binational Plan for 2027
France to Expel Two Iranian Diplomats Over Alleged Attack on French Officials
Heat wave puts more than 70 million Americans under alerts as temperatures near 46°C
Trump warns Iran over nuclear ambitions as U.S.-Iran ceasefire deadline passes
Brazil’s Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro kick off election campaigns amid focus on crime
Actress Hayden Panettiere Dies at 36, Representative Confirms
Luigi Mangione Pleads Guilty to Killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson
ICE Plan to Equip Agents With Electric Shock Gloves Raises Abuse Concerns
France to Expel Two Iranian Diplomats Over Alleged Attack on French Officials
Actress Hayden Panettiere Dies at 36, Representative Confirms
Trump warns Iran over nuclear ambitions as U.S.-Iran ceasefire deadline passes
Heat wave puts more than 70 million Americans under alerts as temperatures near 46°C
Brazil’s Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro kick off election campaigns amid focus on crime
Mexico and Guatemala Agree on Five-Point Binational Plan for 2027
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International16 hours agoFrance to Expel Two Iranian Diplomats Over Alleged Attack on French Officials
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International3 days agoActress Hayden Panettiere Dies at 36, Representative Confirms
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International2 days agoTrump warns Iran over nuclear ambitions as U.S.-Iran ceasefire deadline passes
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International2 days agoHeat wave puts more than 70 million Americans under alerts as temperatures near 46°C
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International2 days agoBrazil’s Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro kick off election campaigns amid focus on crime
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International16 hours agoMexico and Guatemala Agree on Five-Point Binational Plan for 2027