International
More than 5,800 detained in Ecuador in 27 days of “armed conflict” against criminal gangs
During the first 27 days of the declaration by the Government of Ecuador of an “internal armed conflict” against organized crime, a total of 5,804 people have been arrested. Of these arrests, 237 correspond to cases of alleged terrorism. The Ecuadorian Government, in a report published this Sunday, provided a balance of the police and military operations carried out in the country under this new categorization, where 22 organized crime gangs are considered terrorist groups and non-state belligerent actors.
During the period between January 9 and February 4, authorities reported six alleged members of these gangs now classified as terrorists killed, as well as two police officers murdered and eleven released from kidnappings apparently carried out by these mafias. In this same period, 1,889 firearms, 2,714 bladed weapons, 1,020 gun feeders, around 98,000 bullets and nearly 10,000 explosives were seized.
Additionally, more than 43.1 tons of drugs and more than $117,000 in cash were confiscated. During these 27 days, there were thirteen attacks against public and private infrastructure, as well as against police establishments. Law enforcement forces carried out 71,068 operations, seized 28 vessels, including a semi-submersible loaded with drugs, and detained three Colombian citizens who were on the vessel.
The president of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa, declared the “internal armed conflict” on January 9, in response to a wave of attacks and violent actions attributed to organized crime, which included kidnappings, explosion alerts, burning vehicles, and simultaneous riots in prisons. and the takeover of a television channel by hooded armed men. Gangs now classified as terrorists have carried out criminal activities and violent episodes in the country.
International
Police investigate deaths of Rob Reiner and wife as apparent homicide
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is investigating the deaths of Hollywood actor and filmmaker Rob Reinerand his wife as an “apparent homicide,” amid a wave of tributes to the director of classics such as When Harry Met Sally.
According to U.S. media reports on Sunday, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner were found dead at their Los Angeles mansion with what appeared to be stab wounds.
Several political figures shared messages of condolence following the reported deaths of the director of A Few Good Menand his wife.
While the LAPD did not officially confirm the identities of the victims, it stated that homicide detectives were dispatched to the Reiner residence.
“At this time, no additional details are available and the investigation into an apparent homicide is ongoing,” the Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement posted on social media.
LAPD Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton told reporters that no arrests have been made and that no individuals are currently being questioned as suspects.
“I’m not going to confirm whether anyone is being questioned at this moment or not. We are going to try to speak with as many family members as we can,” Hamilton said.
CNN reported that a family spokesperson confirmed the deaths of Reiner and his wife.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, former U.S. President Barack Obama, and former Vice President Kamala Harrisissued statements expressing their condolences.
International
U.S. and Mexico Reach Deal to Address Water Deficit Under 1944 Treaty
The United States and Mexico have reached an agreement to comply with current water obligations affecting U.S. farmers and ranchers and for Mexico to cover its water deficit to Texas under the 1944 Water Treaty, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a statement.
The department уточified that the agreement applies to both the current cycle and the water deficit from the previous cycle.
On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump accused Mexico of failing to comply with the water-sharing treaty between the two countries, which requires the United States to deliver 1.85 billion cubic meters of water from the Colorado River, while Mexico must supply 432 million cubic meters from the Rio Grande.
Mexico is behind on its commitments. According to Washington, the country has accumulated a deficit of more than one billion cubic meters of water over the past five years.
“This violation is severely harming our beautiful crops and our livestock in Texas,” Trump wrote on Monday.
The Department of Agriculture said on Friday that Mexico had agreed to supply 250 million cubic meters of water starting next week and to work toward closing the shortfall.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, quoted in the statement, said Mexico delivered more water in a single year than it had over the previous four years combined.
Trump has said that if Mexico continues to fall short of its obligations, the United States reserves the right to impose 5% tariffs on imported Mexican products.
Mexico’s Deputy Foreign Minister for North America, Roberto Velasco, said that a severe drought in 2022 and 2023prevented the country from meeting its commitments.
International
Several people shot in attack on Brown University campus
Several people were shot on Saturday in an attack on the campus of Brown University, in the northeastern United States, local police reported.
“Shelter in place and avoid the area until further notice,” the Providence Police Department urged in a post on X. Brown University is located in Providence, the capital of the state of Rhode Island.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social that he had been briefed on the situation and that the FBI was on the scene.
At 5:52 p.m. local time (11:52 p.m. GMT), Brown University said the situation was still “ongoing” and instructed students to remain sheltered until further notice.
After initially stating that the suspect had been taken into custody, Trump later posted a second message clarifying that local police had walked back that information. “The suspect has NOT been apprehended,” the U.S. president said.
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