International
The Foreign Minister of Uruguay assures that Venezuela is consolidating itself as “a dictatorship”
The Foreign Minister of Uruguay, Omar Paganini, assured on Tuesday that Venezuela is consolidating itself as “a dictatorship” and that the electoral process of that country “has been completely distorted.”
This was assured at a press conference held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in which he emphasized that “the worst forecasts” were confirmed after the disqualification of María Corina Machado and that Corina Yoris could not register with the National Electoral Council.
“Yesterday the Government of Uruguay along with many countries in South America issued a statement very concerned about what is happening regarding the electoral process in Venezuela and unfortunately today the worst forecasts have been confirmed,” the chancellor stressed.
In that way, he referred to the statement in which the Governments of Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay expressed their “serious concern” about the “persistent impediments” in the registration of Venezuela’s presidential candidates before the National Electoral Council.
“They let some candidates register that evidently the Venezuelan regime has no concern that they can gather a flow of votes,” said Paganini, who recalled that “those who mean a risk” could not do so.
“The Venezuelan electoral process has clearly been completely distorted and unless these things are reversed, it does not admit a surprise but it also indicates that Venezuela is consolidated as a dictatorship that moves away from any possible democratic practice,” he emphasized.
Asked about whether Uruguay will recognize the result of that country’s elections, Paganini explained that that will be seen when the time comes, but said that the situation is very distorted.
“The elections are for people to choose between alternatives. The elections are not for people to choose what the Government of the day wants. It is not the attitude of the Venezuelan regime and therefore it is consolidated in a dictatorial practice,” he said.
Beyond this, the minister said that Uruguay understands it as “valuable” to have diplomatic representation in Venezuela, because relations are with countries and not with governments.
Machado ratified on Tuesday that he will remain on the electoral route ahead of the presidential elections on July 28, without explaining how he will do it, given the impossibility of the Platform of Democratic Unity (PUD) to register Yoris within the deadline established by the National Electoral Council (CNE), which ended on Monday.
On the other hand, President Nicolás Maduro made official on Monday, before the CNE, his candidacy for the elections of July 28, in which he will compete for a third term in power, which he has occupied since 2013.
International
Study finds COVID-19 vaccines prevented 2.5 million deaths worldwide
COVID-19 vaccines prevented an estimated 2,533,000 deaths worldwide between 2020 and 2024, according to an international study led by Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Italy and Stanford University in the United States, published in the journal JAMA Health Forum. Researchers calculated that one death was prevented for every 5,400 doses administered.
The analysis also found that the vaccines saved 14.8 million years of life, equivalent to one year of life gained for every 900 doses given.
The study, coordinated by Professor Stefania Boccia, revealed that 82% of the lives saved were people vaccinated before becoming infected with the virus, and 57% of deaths avoided occurred during the Omicron wave. In addition, 90% of the beneficiaries were adults over 60 years old.
“This is the most comprehensive analysis to date, based on global data and fewer assumptions about the evolution of the pandemic,” explained Boccia and researcher Angelo Maria Pezzullo.
International
Trump administration blasts judge’s ruling reinstating TPS for Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump criticized a federal judge’s ruling on Friday that reinstated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua, stressing that the immigration program was never intended to serve as a “de facto asylum system.”
On Thursday, Judge Trina Thompson extended protections for about 7,000 Nepalese immigrants, whose TPS was set to expire on August 5. The ruling also impacts roughly 51,000 Hondurans and nearly 3,000 Nicaraguans, whose TPS protections were scheduled to end on September 8.
Immigrants covered by TPS had sued the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), alleging that the program’s termination was driven by “racial animus” and stripped them of protection from deportation.
DHS Deputy Undersecretary Tricia McLaughlin issued a statement saying the decision to end TPS was part of a mandate to “restore the integrity” of the immigration system and return the program to its original purpose.
“TPS was never conceived as a de facto asylum system; however, that is how previous administrations have used it for decades,” McLaughlin emphasized.
She also criticized Judge Thompson, calling the ruling “another example” of judges “stirring up claims of racism to distract from the facts.”
McLaughlin added that DHS would appeal the decision and take the legal battle to higher courts.
The Trump administration has also terminated TPS protections for approximately 160,000 Ukrainians, 350,000 Venezuelans, and at least half a million Haitians, among other immigrant groups.
International
Trump to build $200M ballroom at the White House by 2028
The U.S. government under President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that it will begin construction in September on a new 8,000-square-meter ballroom at the White House.
The announcement was made by Karoline Leavitt, the administration’s press secretary, during a briefing in which she explained that the expansion responds to the need for a larger venue to host “major events.”
“Other presidents have long wished for a space capable of accommodating large gatherings within the White House complex… President Trump has committed to solving this issue,” Leavitt told reporters.
The project is estimated to cost $200 million, fully funded through donations from Trump himself and other “patriots,” according to a government statement. Construction is scheduled to begin in September and is expected to be completed before Trump’s term ends in 2028.
The Clark Construction Group, a Virginia-based company known for projects such as the Capital One Arena and L’Enfant Plaza in Washington, D.C., has been selected to lead the project.
The new ballroom will be built on the East Wing of the White House, expanding the iconic residence with a space designed for state dinners, official ceremonies, and large-scale events.
Study finds COVID-19 vaccines prevented 2.5 million deaths worldwide
Trump administration blasts judge’s ruling reinstating TPS for Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua
Costa Rica faces historic vote on lifting presidential immunity for Rodrigo Chaves
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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