International
Biden believes that Florida voters will vote in favor of protecting access to abortion
U.S. President Democrat Joe Biden defended women’s reproductive rights in Florida and expressed his confidence that voters in this state will vote in favor of protecting access to abortion in a referendum next November.
During a speech he gave to some 200 guests at an event at Hillsborough Community College, in Tampa, Biden alluded to a new state law that will enter into force on May 1 and that will prohibit abortion from the sixth week of pregnancy, when, he said, many women still do not know that they are in pregnancy.
“This extreme law will affect 4 million Florida women,” lamented the president, who added that access to the termination of pregnancy should not depend on the state in which a person lives.
“It’s about women’s rights,” she said, which should be protected at the federal level. To then warn that a new mandate from Donald Trump will bring with it a national ban on abortion.
With the restrictions of Florida, where a ban is in force from the fifteenth week, there are 21 states, or one in three women, who are under some kind of restriction on access to abortion, as Biden’s campaign team highlighted on Monday.
“It is not inevitable, we can stop it when they vote,” said the Democrat, who in the elections next November aspires to re-election.
He warned that a new mandate of Trump (2017-2021), the virtual Republican candidate, carries the risk of a ban on this practice of national scope. He added that if he maintains power, he will veto any initiative sent to him by Congress in this regard.
Biden insisted on the cases of women who are forced to travel “thousands of miles” in order to have access to “basic care.” Or doctors threatened with their prosecution if they go against state anti-abortion laws. As is the case in Arizona, where a law of 1864 was re-established that does not allow abortion in almost any circumstances.
In June 2022, the Conservative-majority Supreme Court of the United States ended the federal protections established by the Roe vs. Wade case and that prevented states from legislating on the matter, from which a cascading effect was generated in conservative states.
Since then, abortion has become a protagonist of the current electoral campaign, in which Democrats hope to attract voters to the polls of key states such as Florida, where voters will have to decide whether to approve a constitutional amendment that protects access to this practice.
In Florida, the inclusion of a referendum on the voting card issued in the state Supreme Court, after the campaign against the state governor, Republican and former presidential candidate Ron DeSantis, and prosecutor Ashley Moody, with a result in favor of the civil organizations promoting the amendment.
Florida media have echoed different polls about this referendum. Which reflect that the percentages of undecided about the question are not scarce, and that it could explain the presence of the president in this southern state.
After the event, held on the Dale Mabry campus of Hillsborough Community College, the president was part of a more informal event with Nikki Fried, the head of the Florida Democratic Party, and 50 other people, in which he said that Florida is still “at stake” in the November elections.
“These are basic and old-fashioned choices,” where the key is to get people to go out to vote, he said.
In the last electoral cycles, Republicans have won in Florida, a state that was considered “hinge” or ambivalent.
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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