International
UN Report Highlights Surge in Violence in Colombia Despite Government Efforts
The UN Office for Human Rights in Colombia presented its annual report on Wednesday, once again highlighting an increase in violence, such as massacres, which numbered 98 in 2023, and the growth of armed groups despite advancements in peace negotiations and a greater focus on human rights in government policies.
According to the annual report from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, in 2023, this entity was able to verify six more massacres than in 2022, resulting in 320 victims, and 105 murders of human rights defenders (eleven fewer than the previous year).
“Our assessment of the situation in 2023 is concerning because despite a decrease in some violence indicators, the territorial expansion and violent social and territorial control strategies of non-state armed groups and criminal organizations with serious consequences for human rights continue,” explained Juliette de Rivero, the office’s representative in Colombia.
While acknowledging steps taken by the current Colombian government toward human rights and efforts to reach the most neglected areas with social policies, the UN Office appreciated “important decisions made by the government to combat inequality,” including recognizing peasants as rights-holders and measures to enable access to university for those with fewer resources.
However, the violence persists, with the situation in regions either not improving or worsening. According to the UN Human Rights Violence Impact Index, violence now affects 206 municipalities in 28 of the country’s 32 departments, up from 156 municipalities in 2021.
“The consolidation of power by groups in some territories represents a risk to governance in Colombia and to the protection of the human rights of the population,” said the representative.
Tame, in the Arauca department bordering Venezuela, has the highest violence index, and the UN office is also deeply concerned about the situation of the Nasa indigenous people in Cauca (southwest), among other communities.
Moreover, 46 people with political leadership, including 11 candidates, were assassinated last year during municipal and departmental elections.
The UN Office also registered 53 cases of gender-based violence, including sexual violence and cases of human trafficking for sexual exploitation against girls.
Regarding the recruitment, use, or involvement of children in the armed conflict, the UN verified 134 cases (86 boys, 42 girls, and 6 without confirmed gender) by non-state armed groups and criminal organizations, more than half of whom were indigenous.
In light of these findings, the UN recommended “strengthening governance and the rule of law in territories given the worrying insecurity situation” through the implementation of new security, dismantlement, and drug policies.
Furthermore, it emphasized the importance of maintaining focus on the government’s responsibility to ensure security in regions and respond to attacks or human rights violations even while negotiating with armed groups.
“We believe that territorial peace dialogues should aim to strengthen the comprehensive presence of the state and the transformation of territories, with the active participation of grassroots organizational processes and local and ethnic authorities,” concluded De Rivero.
International
U.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute
The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday against a budget proposal in a move aimed at pressuring changes at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), following the killing of two civilians during a deployment of immigration agents in Minneapolis.
All Senate Democrats and seven Republican lawmakers voted against the bill, which requires 60 votes to advance, pushing the country closer to a partial government shutdown that would cut funding for several agencies, including the Pentagon and the Department of Health.
The rejection came as Senate leaders and the White House continue negotiations on a separate funding package for DHS that would allow reforms to the agency. Proposed measures include banning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing face coverings and requiring them to use body-worn cameras during operations.
The vote took place just hours after President Donald Trump said he was “close” to reaching an agreement with Democrats and did not believe the federal government would face another shutdown, following last year’s record stoppage.
“I don’t think the Democrats want a shutdown either, so we’ll work in a bipartisan way to avoid it. Hopefully, there will be no government shutdown. We’re working on that right now,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.
International
Trump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he secured a commitment from Russian President Vladimir Putinto halt attacks against Ukraine for one week, citing extreme weather conditions affecting the region.
“Because of the extreme cold (…) I personally asked Putin not to attack Kyiv or other cities and towns for a week. And he agreed. He was very pleasant,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting broadcast by the White House.
Trump acknowledged that several advisers had questioned the decision to make the call.
“A lot of people told me not to waste the call because they wouldn’t agree. And he accepted. And we’re very happy they did, because they don’t need missiles hitting their towns and cities,” the president said.
According to Trump, Ukrainian authorities reacted with surprise to the announcement but welcomed the possibility of a temporary ceasefire.
“It’s extraordinarily cold, record cold (…) They say they’ve never experienced cold like this,” he added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later commented on the announcement, expressing hope that the agreement would be honored.
International
Storm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power
Storm Kristin, which battered Portugal with heavy rain and strong winds early Wednesday, has left at least five people dead, while nearly half a million residents remained without electricity as of Thursday, according to updated figures from authorities.
The revised death toll was confirmed to AFP by a spokesperson for the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANPEC). On Wednesday, the agency had reported four fatalities.
Meanwhile, E-Redes, the country’s electricity distribution network operator, said that around 450,000 customers were still without power, particularly in central Portugal.
Emergency services responded to approximately 1,500 incidents between midnight and 8:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, as the storm caused widespread disruptions.
The Portuguese government described Kristin as an “extreme weather event” that inflicted significant damage across several regions of the country. At the height of the storm, as many as 850,000 households and institutions lost electricity during the early hours of Wednesday.
Several municipalities ordered the closure of schools, many of which remained shut on Thursday due to ongoing adverse conditions.
Ricardo Costa, regional deputy commander of the Leiria Fire Brigade, said residents continue to seek assistance as rainfall persists.
“Even though the rain is not extremely intense, it is causing extensive damage to homes,” he noted.
In Figueira da Foz, a coastal city in central Portugal, strong winds toppled a giant Ferris wheel, underscoring the severity of the storm.
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