International
Álvaro Uribe, former president of Colombia, affirms that the trial against him has political motivations
Former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe (2002-2010) said on Wednesday that the trial to which he will be called for the crimes of bribery of witnesses in criminal action and procedural fraud has political motivations and lacks evidence against him.
“This trial is brought forward for political presumptions, for personal deception, for political revenge, without evidence to infer that I sought to bribe witnesses or deceive justice,” Uribe said in a statement read on his social networks.
The Prosecutor’s Office yesterday made an accusation against Uribe “as an alleged determiner of the crimes of bribery of witnesses in criminal proceedings and procedural fraud,” in a case that began in 2012 with a complaint against the left-wing senator Iván Cepeda and that, like a boomerang, was returned against him.
Uribe denied that he knew or had had contacts with several criminals cited in the process, some of them prisoners, whom lawyer Diego Cadena allegedly contacted to testify against Cepeda.
“I always asked for the truth, I never asked to lie or shut up,” said the former president and leader of the right-wing party Centro Democrático, who added: “I have never involved people in crime, except people of my children’s age.”
Uribe’s lawsuit against Cepeda, a senator who today is part of the ruling coalition Historical Pact, sought to demonstrate an alleged manipulation of witnesses in a complaint that he prepared 14 years ago in Congress against the former president for alleged links with paramilitarism.
However, the Supreme Court of Justice decided not to open an investigation against Cepeda and, instead, initiated a lawsuit against Uribe for manipulation of witnesses for alleged payments and offers to two prisoners to testify against the left-wing senator.
For that reason, Uribe questioned the actions of the Supreme Court, in particular of magistrates José Luis Barceló, Luis Hernández and César Reyes, some of whom he said that they have some kind of personal or work bond with their political enemies.
“What a difference in treatment; my accusers are allowed of everything and they accuse me without evidence for bribery of witnesses and deception of justice,” he added.
Uribe resigned in August 2020 from the Senate to stop being assed and that his case passed to ordinary Justice and then the Prosecutor’s Office, led at the time by Francisco Barbosa, a friend of the then Uribe president Iván Duque, decided that there was no evidence to prosecute him judicially.
The accusation against Uribe to take him to trial comes two weeks after the new attorney general, Luz Adriana Camargo, took office, which allowed the process to be unlocked, something in which Uribe also sees signs of animosity against him.
“The new attorney general of the nation has worked very close to the Minister of Defense (Iván Velásquez), it was his second in the (UN) mission in Guatemala, which I criticized. For no one is the Minister’s animosity against my family and towards me,” he said.
For Uribe, in this case the political origin of the process against him has become clear, which even linked him to the peace negotiations with the illegal armed groups, of which he has been a severe opponent.
“This manipulation against me gives signs of being part of the motivation to be part of a total peace agreement or for an end point law. So that they forgive the criminals as they did with the FARC and justify it with the fiction of forgiving those of us who have not committed crimes,” he said.
The former president also accused magistrates of the case of depriving him of the right to defend his honor because “if I do it bribe to witnesses and bribery to justice” and assured that “all the new evidence” carried out after the previous Prosecutor’s Office asked on two occasions for the closure of his case favor him, “however they dismissed them.”
“They open the doors of the prison for me without proof, with the evidence on the contrary, for assumptions, political spirits and the need to equalize those who have not committed crimes with those who have done it,” he concluded.
International
UN warns Venezuela earthquakes could affect up to 6.76 million people
Up to 6.76 million people could be affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24, according to an assessment released by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a United Nations agency.
The organization said the projections are based on available population data and damage assessments, and include up to two million people living in Caracas, the country’s capital.
The estimates highlight the potentially massive humanitarian impact of the disaster, the IOM warned.
Entire buildings collapsed in La Guaira, a coastal area north of Caracas, following the powerful twin earthquakes that reached magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 on Wednesday.
The national death toll has risen to 920, while rescue teams continue searching for people trapped beneath the rubble in coastal regions and other affected areas.
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher told AFP on Friday that more than 50,000 people were reported missing.
The IOM also revealed that it worked with Microsoft’s artificial intelligence laboratory on an initial satellite mapping analysis, which showed that 31.5% of buildings in the town of Catia La Mar had suffered damage.
Authorities and international rescue teams continue operations as Venezuela faces one of its largest humanitarian emergencies in recent years.
International
United Nations Coordinates Relief Efforts as Venezuela Death Toll Rises After Twin Quakes
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday expressed his condolences to the people of Venezuela following the two devastating earthquakes that struck the country and highlighted the ongoing coordination between UN humanitarian teams and interim President Delcy Rodríguez.
Speaking during the UN’s daily press briefing, spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said Guterres was deeply saddened by the loss of life and widespread destruction caused by the disaster.
“The Secretary-General is deeply distressed by the loss of life and the widespread devastation caused by the earthquakes that struck Venezuela yesterday. He extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured,” Dujarric stated.
Venezuela was struck on Wednesday by two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude. According to official figures, the disaster has left at least 164 people dead and 971 others injured.
Dujarric noted that preliminary reports indicate significant damage across several states, including the capital, Caracas. Numerous casualties have been reported, while other individuals remain trapped beneath collapsed structures or are still missing.
“Critical infrastructure has been damaged and essential services have been disrupted,” the spokesperson said.
The United Nations confirmed that its humanitarian team remains in close contact with interim President Delcy Rodríguez and other relevant authorities as emergency operations continue.
To support relief efforts, the UN has established a coordination center in Caracas and is assisting local authorities to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches affected communities as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Guterres also welcomed the expressions of solidarity and offers of assistance from countries around the world that responded following news of the disaster, underscoring the importance of international cooperation in addressing the humanitarian emergency.
International
OAS Secretary General Pledges Regional Assistance Following Venezuela Quake Disaster
The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Albert Ramdin, said on Thursday that the “hemispheric community” stands ready to provide “full support” to Venezuela and its people following the powerful earthquakes that struck the country overnight, leaving at least 164 people dead and nearly 1,000 injured.
Speaking at the conclusion of the OAS General Assembly, Ramdin expressed solidarity not only with Venezuela but also with Colombia, Curaçao and Aruba, where the tremors were also felt.
“Above all, our thoughts are with these peoples,” he said during his remarks.
Ramdin noted that while many details about the disaster are still emerging, countries across the hemisphere are prepared to assist Venezuela as it responds to the crisis.
“Much remains unknown at this stage, but the hemispheric community will be ready to support the people of Venezuela during this very difficult time,” he stated, reiterating the organization’s commitment to helping those affected.
According to updated information released by the Venezuelan government, the powerful earthquakes have been followed by at least 30 aftershocks. Authorities have also reported extensive structural damage, including numerous building collapses in La Guaira, the area considered hardest hit by the disaster.
Rescue efforts are currently focused on La Guaira, where emergency teams continue searching for survivors trapped beneath the rubble as officials assess the full extent of the damage.
UN warns Venezuela earthquakes could affect up to 6.76 million people
United Nations Coordinates Relief Efforts as Venezuela Death Toll Rises After Twin Quakes
OAS Secretary General Pledges Regional Assistance Following Venezuela Quake Disaster
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