International
Fifth cycle of peace talks between the Colombian Government and the ELN come to an end
December 18 |
The fifth cycle of peace talks between the Government of Colombia and the National Liberation Army (ELN) concluded this Sunday in Mexico City with six agreements that reinforce the willingness of the two parties to move forward in the negotiations, which began last year.
Of the agreements, the first is a reaffirmation of the agreement reached here in Mexico last March. Two, the suspension of withholdings for economic purposes as part of the extension of the ceasefire that ends in January and will now be extended.
Three, the creation of conditions for the extension of the ceasefire, a verification mechanism and measures against the actions of paramilitary forces and armed groups. Four, the creation of economic and financial conditions to materialize the Mexico agreement.
Five, the resumption of the process of participation of society to be designed in April of next year. Six, the creation of eight critical zones of humanitarian action. It was announced that the sixth cycle of dialogues will be held in Cuba on January 22.
The head of the government delegation, Vera Grabe, also announced that other agreements are the extension of the ceasefire, the creation of an observatory to work on the issue of paramilitarism, the consolidation of 8 peace zones, humanitarian actions for ELN political prisoners and the provision of information on people in captivity.
For his part, the head of the ELN delegation, alias Pablo Beltrán, affirmed that the guerrillas and the Colombian government are pursuing the same goal: peace.
“We are partners, we are responsible for building that mandate,” he stressed at the same event.
For this reason, he affirmed that the Peace Dialogues are a contribution to change the culture of confrontation and to seek conciliation in the South American country.
However, he pointed out that it is difficult to advance in the construction of peace when there are media wars and progress is forgotten, focusing only on conflicts and tensions.
“We delegations express our recognition and gratitude to the people and government of the United Mexican States, for their support to this process and for having hosted the V Cycle of Dialogues for Peace,” both delegations indicated after the closing ceremony of the event.
They also thanked Cuba for its support to this process and announced that the country will host the VI Cycle starting on January 22, 2024 and that it will facilitate the Inter-Cycle Contact Point of the Dialogue Table.
The text of the agreements was read in a ceremony attended by senior Colombian government officials, leaders of the ELN mission, guests from the group of guarantor countries, representatives of the United Nations and the Colombian Catholic Church, among others.
The guarantor countries are represented by Brazil, Cuba, Chile, Mexico, Norway and Venezuela, the permanent accompaniers are the Colombian Episcopal Conference and the UN Secretary General, in addition to the Group of Accompanying, Support and Cooperation Countries (GPAAC), made up of Germany, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
International
Kristi Noem credits Trump for mass migrant deportations by mexican president
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem claimed that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has deported “more than half a million” migrants due to pressure from former President Donald Trump.
During a cabinet meeting highlighting the “achievements” of Trump’s administration in its first 100 days, Noem asserted that under the Republican leader’s influence, “Mexico has finally come to the table” to negotiate on migration and fentanyl trafficking.
“The president of Mexico told me she has returned just over half a million people before they reached our border,” Noem stated, criticizing media reports that suggest the Biden administration deported more migrants than Trump’s.
“I wish those deportations were counted,” Noem added, “because those people never made it to our border—she sent them back because you made her.” She went on to thank Trump: “They never made it here because they got the message—because you were so aggressive.”
Noem has made controversial claims about Sheinbaum in the past, prompting the Mexican leader to refute them.
On April 1, Sheinbaum responded to one such statement by declaring, “The president answers to only one authority, and that is the people of Mexico,” after Noem said on Fox News that she gave Sheinbaum “a list of things Trump would like to see” and that Mexico’s actions would determine whether Trump granted tariff relief.
International
Vatican releases special “Sede Vacante” stamps ahead of papal transition
he Vatican’s post offices and select collector shops began selling special edition stamps this week to mark the period between the death of Pope Francis and the election of his successor.
Known as “Sede Vacante” stamps, they feature an image used on official Vatican documents during the interregnum between popes — two crossed keys without the papal tiara. These stamps went on sale Monday and will remain valid for postal use only until the new pontiff appears at the window overlooking St. Peter’s Square.
Until then, they can be used to send letters, postcards, and parcels. “Once the new pope is elected, the stamps lose their postal validity, but their collectible value rises,” said Francesco Santarossa, who runs a collectors’ shop across from St. Peter’s Square.
The Vatican has issued the stamps in four denominations: €1.25, €1.30, €2.45, and €3.20. Each is inscribed with “Città del Vaticano” and “Sede Vacante MMXXV” — Latin for “Vacant See 2025.”
International
Conclave to choose pope Francis’ successor could begin in early may
The conclave, which in the coming weeks must choose the successor to Pope Francis, will strictly follow a precise protocol refined over centuries.
The 135 cardinal electors, all under the age of 80, will cast their votes four times a day — except on the first day — until one candidate secures a two-thirds majority. The result will be announced to the world through the burning of the ballots with a chemical that produces the eagerly awaited white smoke, accompanied by the traditional cry of “Habemus Papam.”
The start date for the conclave could be announced today, as the cardinals are set to hold their fifth meeting since the pope’s passing. Luxembourg Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich suggested it could begin on May 5 or 6, following the traditional nine days of mourning. According to German Cardinal Reinhard Marx, the conclave could last only “a few days.”
Although the late Argentine pontiff appointed the majority of the cardinal electors, this does not necessarily ensure the selection of a like-minded successor. Francis’ leadership style differed significantly from that of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, a German theologian who was less fond of large public gatherings. It also marked a contrast with the popular Polish pope, John Paul II.
The Argentine Jesuit’s reformist papacy drew strong criticism from more conservative sectors of the Church, who are hoping for a doctrinally focused shift. His tenure was marked by efforts to combat clerical sexual abuse, elevate the role of women and laypeople, and advocate for the poor and migrants, among other causes.
Kristi Noem credits Trump for mass migrant deportations by mexican president
Vatican releases special “Sede Vacante” stamps ahead of papal transition
Conclave to choose pope Francis’ successor could begin in early may
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
-
International4 days agoCardinals seek a “unifier” as they prepare for conclave to elect new pope
-
International4 days agoTrump and Zelensky hold “very productive” meeting in Rome during Pope’s funeral
-
International2 days agoColombia sees deadliest surge in violence since FARC peace deal
-
International3 days agoNine dead after driver runs over crowd at Vancouver Street Festival
-
International3 days agoKing Charles III expresses deep sadness after Vancouver festival tragedy that left nine dead
-
Central America2 days agoGuatemala sees road blockades amid protests against lawmaker pay hikes
-
International2 days agoSpain’s PM calls for calm and patience amid ongoing blackout
-
International2 days agoConclave to choose pope Francis’ successor could begin in early may
-
International2 days agoMexican activist who exposed pornography ring found dead in Veracruz
-
International2 days agoMadrid carries out 286 elevator rescues amid massive blackout
-
International10 hours agoKristi Noem credits Trump for mass migrant deportations by mexican president
-
International10 hours agoVatican releases special “Sede Vacante” stamps ahead of papal transition