International
Colombia’s House of Representatives approves Health Care Reform
December 6 |
The Colombian House of Representatives approved with 82 Yes votes and 37 No votes the Health Reform proposed by President Gustavo Petro, in said plenary they approved 133 articles and eliminated 10.
It took more than five months of debate to approve the reform proposed by Petro, on Tuesday two articles were eliminated, article 128 which sought to capitalize the new EPS and article 42 which modified the way in which the directors of public hospitals were to be delegated, where the merit-based competition would not be considered.
Likewise, Articles 122 and 123 were approved in a final vote, which would allow Petro to issue norms that “guarantee the consultation and free, prior and informed consent of indigenous peoples, black, Afro-Colombian, Raizal and Palenquero communities and the Rrom people”.
After this intense discussion, the reform has another litmus test ahead: the debate in the Senate, where it must first be discussed in the Seventh Commission and then in the plenary.
For his part, the Colombian Minister of Health, Guillermo Alfoso Jaramillo, welcomed the approval of the Health Reform proposed by the Executive.
“There are many changes in the bill and I believe they are for the better. We have managed to reach a consensus on many of the articles and we believe that this way, when it is reviewed in the Senate, it will be seen that we have accepted many of the points. So that we can continue working on the basis of what has been built and act to solve the serious problems that exist in the rural and marginalized sectors of the country”.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the coin, this proposal is rejected by the Democratic Center, which maintains a plan for public health money to continue to be managed by private insurance companies or EPS.
International
U.S. strike in Caribbean kills three suspected drug traffickers
A U.S. strike on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean killed three people on Saturday, according to Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth, marking the latest in a series of attacks in international waters.
The United States has deployed ships to the Caribbean and sent fighter jets to Puerto Rico as part of a large military force that Washington says is aimed at curbing drug trafficking.
“This vessel, like all the others, was known to our intelligence for being involved in illicit narcotics smuggling,” Hegseth stated on X. “Three narcoterrorists were aboard the vessel during the attack, which took place in international waters,” he added.
Experts argue that the attacks, which began in early September, amount to extrajudicial executions, even if the targets are known traffickers.
Washington has yet to publicly provide evidence that the targeted individuals were actively smuggling drugs or posed a threat to the United States.
Hegseth said the U.S. would continue “hunting… and killing” suspected traffickers. He also shared video footage of the strike, showing the vessel being hit and engulfed in flames. As in previous videos, sections of the ship were blurred, making it impossible to verify the number of people on board.
The United Nations called on Friday for Washington to halt its attacks.
International
At least 23 killed in Sonora supermarket blast, including minors
At least 23 people were killed and 11 others injured in an explosion at a supermarket in Hermosillo, in the northern Mexican state of Sonora, local authorities reported on Saturday.
“So far, there are 23 confirmed deaths and 11 injured, including minors,” said Sonora Governor Alfonso Durazo in a video message. He added that the injured are receiving treatment in various hospitals across the city.
“I have ordered a thorough and transparent investigation to determine the causes of the incident and assign responsibility where appropriate,” Durazo said.
The explosion occurred at a Waldo’s store in downtown Hermosillo. Local authorities confirmed that the incident was not an attack nor related to any violent act against civilians.
Meanwhile, Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences on X, offering sympathy to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives.
International
Floods in Central Vietnam leave 28 dead, thousands displaced
The death toll from heavy rains and flooding in central Vietnam has risen to 28, with six people reported missing and 43 injured, local newspaper VnExpress reported Friday night.
More than 22,100 homes remain flooded, primarily in the cities of Hue and Da Nang. Floods and landslides have destroyed or swept away 91 houses and damaged another 181, the report added.
Around 245,000 households are still without electricity, particularly in Da Nang, where over 225,000 homes are affected.
Additionally, 80 stretches of national highways are blocked or disrupted due to landslides. Authorities expect the flooding to continue for another day or two in the region.
U.S. strike in Caribbean kills three suspected drug traffickers
At least 23 killed in Sonora supermarket blast, including minors
Floods in Central Vietnam leave 28 dead, thousands displaced
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
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