International
Colombian JEP orders the arrest of Cauca’s governor
December 28 |
Colombia’s Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) on Wednesday morning ordered the arrest of Clara Luz Roldan, governor of Valle del Cauca, in a case regarding the lack of protection for victims.
According to the sentence of the transitional jurisdiction, which emerged after the 2016 agreements, the local policy “puts at risk the guarantee of victims’ rights and the materialization of the Final Peace Agreement.”
In that sense, the JEP points out that Roldán would have incurred in lack of control in the fulfillment of the functions delegated to the Governor’s Office by the JEP to protect areas of forensic interest where victims of enforced disappearance could be found in that department.
Given this, the magistrates considered that “his lack of care puts at risk the guarantee of the rights of the victims and the materialization of the Final Agreement for Peace”, signed in 2016 between the Colombian State and the then FARC-EP.
According to the sentence Roldán will be deprived of her liberty for two days by order of the JEP, although in the interim hearings will be held between the jurisdiction and the Governor’s Office to review compliance with precautionary measures.
The Governor’s Office of Valle, as well as those of other departments, had committed with the JEP to advance actions for “the protection of the rights to truth and guarantees of satisfaction for the victims of forced disappearance”.
The particular case in which Roldán will be deprived of her liberty for two days by order of the JEP is about hearings between the jurisdiction and the Governor’s Office to review compliance with precautionary measures. The Governor’s Office of Valle, as well as those of other departments, had committed with the JEP to advance actions for “the protection of the rights to truth and guarantees of satisfaction for the victims of forced disappearance”.
The judicial proceeding was to take measures in 36 cemeteries in Valle del Cauca since there could be bodies of the so-called “false positives” or other victims of the armed conflict in Colombia.
The so-called “false positives” were extrajudicial executions of civilians by members of the Colombian Army who were then presented as guerrillas killed in combat in order to receive rewards or benefits.
According to the JEP, at least 6,402 innocent young people were deceived with promises of false jobs and executed by members of the Army to improve anti-guerrilla statistics and receive rewards in return.
International
Portuguese Authorities Seize 2.6 Tons of Cocaine Worth More Than $550 Million in Drug Bust
Italian financial police reported Monday that Portuguese authorities intercepted a speedboat carrying more than 2.6 tons of cocaine, with an estimated street value exceeding $550 million.
Four people — two Spanish nationals, one Albanian citizen, and a man from Gibraltar — were arrested in connection with the operation, according to Italian authorities.
The vessel was intercepted off the coast of Lisbon by Portugal’s maritime police following an investigation led by Italian authorities.
Italian financial police estimated that the seized shipment had a street value of approximately 500 million euros ($570 million), making it one of the largest drug seizures reported in the region in recent years.
Portuguese authorities said the interception took place on Thursday, about 90 kilometers (50 nautical miles) southwest of Cape Espichel, during an operation targeting international drug trafficking routes.
International
U.S. and Iran Maintain Ceasefire as Trump Expresses Optimism Over New Talks
U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that there are “good chances” of reaching an agreement with Iran, as both sides maintained a ceasefire for the third consecutive day following weeks of escalating hostilities.
Trump expressed optimism about the possibility of resuming diplomatic negotiations aimed at ending the conflict, which began in late February and has raised international concerns over its impact on global markets and energy supplies.
The fighting has remained suspended since Saturday, after the United States resumed airstrikes against Iran amid a dispute over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments. The renewed military action had previously caused the collapse of an earlier ceasefire agreement.
Asked about the prospects for negotiations aboard Air Force One, Trump said: “I have a lot of patience… We’ll see what happens. I think there are good chances that something could happen.”
The U.S. president also highlighted Washington’s military capabilities, saying: “We have a lot of ammunition,” while adding that he would like to have more resources due to U.S. support for Ukraine.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said Trump was allowing diplomatic efforts more time, explaining that the president was “giving some space to the talks” while maintaining that Washington remains prepared to take action if necessary.
Meanwhile, tensions continue in other areas of the Middle East. Saudi Arabia reported that it intercepted drones launched from Iraq by groups allied with Tehran and urged the Iraqi government to take measures to prevent further attacks.
International
Police Investigate After Remains of Five Newborns Found in French Apartment
French authorities have opened a murder investigation after the discovery of human remains believed to belong to five newborn babies inside an apartment in the historic center of a city, the local prosecutor’s office reported Monday night.
According to prosecutors, a 32-year-old woman had given birth at home on Sunday to a healthy baby before being taken to a hospital for medical care.
The discovery was made after the woman’s 32-year-old partner began searching the residence after reportedly learning, once again and at a late stage, that she had been pregnant.
During the search, the man found what appeared to be human remains and informed the hospital, which then alerted prosecutors.
A forensic doctor determined that the remains likely belonged to five newborn infants. Authorities have not yet established the circumstances or motive behind the case.
Investigators have not been able to interview the mother, who remains hospitalized following the delivery.
Prosecutors also confirmed that the couple has two other children, aged eight and nine years old. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to clarify the events surrounding the discovery.
Portuguese Authorities Seize 2.6 Tons of Cocaine Worth More Than $550 Million in Drug Bust
U.S. and Iran Maintain Ceasefire as Trump Expresses Optimism Over New Talks
Police Investigate After Remains of Five Newborns Found in French Apartment
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