International
The US sees “little hope” of free elections in Venezuela, but “there is still time”
The Undersecretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs of the United States, Brian A. Nichols, acknowledged that “there is not much hope for a free election in Venezuela,” but “there is still time to change route.”
In an interview with EFE, the head of the United States for Latin America stressed that, “fortunately, the elections are not tomorrow, but on July 28” and “international observers are going to be key elements in the process.”
Nichols is in Madrid on an official trip, with the aim of strengthening US relations with Spain, “which are very good” and allows the two countries to “work together in favor of democracy,” he said.
After a conference entitled “USA, Spain and Latin America: Collaborating to fulfill our common commitment,” which he delivered at Casa de América, the president gave an interview to EFE and referred to the Venezuelan presidential elections.
In his opinion, the Government of Nicolás Maduro “has breached the Barbados Agreements and has undermined the possibility of free elections.”
“We are very concerned that he has refused to accept the candidacies of the opposition parties and we are concerned about the arrests that are taking place,” he added, “but we will continue to support the democratic aspirations of the Venezuelan people.”
The Secretary of State recalled that Washington “changed its policy regarding Venezuela” and reduced the sanctions “in the hope that the democratic process would advance and the agreements would be complied with.”
Despite the fact that the opposition candidate María Corina Machado and her substitute Corina Yoris could not register in the elections, Nichols clarified that the margin established to rethink the return of the sanctions ends on April 18 and until then “no decision will be made.”
“Venezuela will have democracy if the candidates elected by the opposition can go to the polls, if there are international observers and if there is equity in access to the media,” he insisted.
Regarding the second point, he said that “Europe can play a key role” and, within Europe, Spain “is always a valuable country, because it has a lot of influence over Venezuela and because it has been a leader within the EU in favor of a transparent and democratic process” in the Caribbean country.
He also described as a “good sign” that prominent leaders of the Latin American left, such as the Colombian Gustavo Petro, have criticized the disqualification of María Corina Machado.
“The future of the Venezuelan people depends on more democracy and more international interconnection, but that the country takes that direction is not in the hands of the United States, but of the Government of Nicolás Maduro,” he concluded.
International
German Authorities Investigate More Than 100 New Cases Against Convicted Nurse
German authorities announced Monday that they are investigating more than 100 additional cases involving a nurse who was sentenced to life in prison in November for the murder of 10 patients.
The man, who was 44 at the time of his conviction, worked in palliative care at a hospital in Würselen, near Aachen. He was also found guilty of 27 attempted murders.
Aachen prosecutors are now examining 121 new cases, a spokesperson for the office said.
Prosecutors leading the investigation are preparing a new indictment that could be filed next year. Nearly 40 bodies have so far been exhumed as part of the investigation, which covers alleged incidents dating back to September 2022.
Meanwhile, prosecutors in the city of Cologne are investigating 18 additional cases. According to a spokesperson, the oldest case dates back to 2010.
Before working at the Würselen hospital, the nurse is believed to have worked at a clinic in eastern Cologne, according to local media reports.
At the time of his November conviction, the court ruled that the severity of his crimes was particularly serious, a finding that would make it difficult for him to obtain early release after 15 years in prison.
Between December 2023 and May 2024, the nurse administered overdoses of sedatives or painkillers to terminally ill patients, most of them elderly, according to the indictment in the original case.
His alleged motive was to sedate patients who required care so that he could minimize his workload during night shifts, prosecutors said.
According to the indictment, the nurse worked «without enthusiasm» and «without motivation». When faced with patients requiring extensive care, he allegedly became «irritated» and showed a lack of empathy.
The case has revived painful memories in Germany of Niels Högel, a former nurse and serial killer who was sentenced to life imprisonment in June 2019 for the murders of at least 85 patients.
International
Venezuela Raises Earthquake Death Toll to 6,301
The death toll from the earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 has risen to 6,301, while relatives continue searching for missing people among the rubble of collapsed buildings, parliamentary leader Jorge Rodríguez said Monday.
So far, the Venezuelan government has not released an official figure for the number of people missing after the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes, which caused around 190 buildings to collapse, most of them in the coastal state of La Guaira, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) from Caracas.
The latest figure represents an increase from the 6,125 deaths reported by Venezuelan authorities on August 3.
According to statements made to local media by La Guaira Governor José Alejandro Terán, around 1,400 people were still missing just over a week ago.
Thousands of homes remain at risk
In addition to buildings that completely collapsed, authorities have classified another 9,567 structures as being at «high risk». Meanwhile, 12,411 homes remain under a «restricted» classification.
As a result, many families who lived in these properties have been relocated to temporary shelters or have sought accommodation with relatives and friends.
Nearly 24,000 people left homeless by the disaster are currently living in camps in Caracas and La Guaira, a popular tourist destination whose economy has been severely affected by the earthquakes.
The situation sparked renewed concern among Venezuelans on Monday after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake, with its epicenter in Colombia, was felt across several regions of Venezuela.
The earthquake in Colombia left at least 111 people dead and dozens injured, according to preliminary figures released by authorities in that country.
International
CEAPI Backs Colombia’s New Government and Calls for Greater Public-Private Cooperation
The Ibero-American Business Alliance Council (CEAPI), led by its president, Núria Vilanova, participated in the inauguration ceremony of Abelardo de la Espriella as Colombia’s new president. The events were held on August 7 in Cali and brought together heads of state and institutional representatives from numerous countries.
CEAPI maintains a strong relationship with Colombia as part of its mission to serve as a meeting point between Ibero-American business leaders and the region’s main institutions and governments. The organization has more than 25 members in Colombia, including Jaime Gilinski, Luis Carlos Sarmiento, Omar González and Diego Urrea. In addition, Colombia hosted the seventh CEAPI Ibero-American Congress, held in Cartagena de Indias in 2024.
During his inauguration speech, President De la Espriella identified confidence and economic stability as key pillars of his administration and emphasized the role of private enterprise in Colombia’s future.
He also reaffirmed his intention to govern for all Colombians and strengthen institutional dialogue, while referring to Spain’s democratic transition and the leadership of former Prime Minister Adolfo Suárez.
Vilanova said she has seen this commitment firsthand during meetings with members of the new government, who have expressed their willingness to work closely with business leaders and the private sector to promote economic growth.
According to CEAPI, the government is considering measures aimed at strengthening legal certainty and business confidence, encouraging investment and promoting formal employment.
For Vilanova, Colombia’s new political and economic stage represents an opportunity to demonstrate that «when the public and private sectors are aligned, they can achieve more».
«Colombia has everything it needs to make it happen. And Ibero-American business leaders are ready to support it», she said, adding that CEAPI is already working with the government to organize a future investment delegation to the country.
The organization said the planned visit would seek to strengthen business ties and identify new investment opportunities in Colombia, reinforcing the role of the private sector in the country’s economic development.
German Authorities Investigate More Than 100 New Cases Against Convicted Nurse
Venezuela Raises Earthquake Death Toll to 6,301
CEAPI Backs Colombia’s New Government and Calls for Greater Public-Private Cooperation
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 agoAppeals Court blocks Trump’s White House ballroom project without congressional approval
-
International4 days agoAbelardo de la Espriella sworn in as Colombia’s president for 2026-2030
-
International4 days agoRubio warns Cuba U.S. pressure campaign will continue through Trump’s term
-
International3 days agoUS announces $1 billion security assistance package for Colombia under new government
-
International1 day agoColombia Earthquake Leaves at Least 22 Dead as Rescue Efforts Continue
-
International2 days agoJoe Biden’s Prostate Cancer Has Spread to His Bones, Son Hunter Reveals
-
International1 day agoRecord 230 Migrants Cross English Channel to UK in Single Boat
-
International18 hours agoCEAPI Backs Colombia’s New Government and Calls for Greater Public-Private Cooperation
-
International18 hours agoVenezuela Raises Earthquake Death Toll to 6,301
-
International18 hours agoGerman Authorities Investigate More Than 100 New Cases Against Convicted Nurse