International
Anti-chavista candidate promises a Venezuela with a president who “does not insult” if he wins the elections
The presidential candidate of the main anti-Chavista bloc, Edmundo González Urrutia, promised this Saturday that, in case of winning the elections of July 28, a president who will not insult his political adversaries will govern in Venezuela.
“Let’s imagine for a moment the coming country: a country in which the president does not insult or see his adversaries as enemies,” the former ambassador said in front of hundreds of supporters in the state of Aragua, where he held his first mass act since he assumed the candidacy, representing the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD).
He also pointed out that in that Venezuela governed by him “there will be electricity” and “there will be water,” in reference to the constant electrical and drinking water supply failures that are recorded almost daily throughout the country.
“A country in which health is not sick and education educates, a country without political prisoners (…), in which our airports and borders will be filled with our children returning home,” he said.
He also assured, “to those who still believe in the Government,” that he guarantees “an alternation in peace in which all political forces will be able to exercise their rights within the framework of the Constitution.”
“To the National Armed Forces, you play a fundamental role in the safety of all, I will be the guarantor of your institutionality,” the anti-Chavista continued in his brief speech, which he read pausing among the applause of his followers.
The PUD candidate, during his speech, remarked that Chavismo will not take away the “hope” of political change from Venezuelans, something that – he considered – “today lives thanks to the primaries of October 22 that recognized the brave struggle of María Corina Machado.”
“I never thought of looking for a popularly elected position, but, at this crossroads (…), we made the family decision to take a step forward for Venezuela and that step must all be taken to conquer and take care of our votes on July 28,” he stressed.
González Urrutia asked the international community to accompany “closely” the elections of next July 28, since he believes that they will be decisive in terms of the behavior of the migratory flow.
“To the international community, (I ask) to accompany us closely in this process because it will be decisive to reduce migration and make Venezuela a reliable partner,” said the former ambassador in front of hundreds of supporters in the state of Aragua, in the first mass act he has led since he assumed the candidacy.
Nearly 7.8 million Venezuelans have left their country in the last decade, mainly to Latin American countries, due to the economic and socio-political crisis, according to data from several governments and United Nations (UN) agencies.
González Urrutia was chosen as a candidate of the PUD in view of the disqualification that prevents former liberal deputy María Corina Machado from competing for public positions, despite having been elected in primaries as the contender of the largest opposition bloc.
At this Saturday’s event, Machado presented the former ambassador as “the next president of Venezuela” and asked his supporters to support this option with votes on July 28, when Nicolás Maduro, in power since 2013, will seek his second consecutive re-election.
International
Trump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election
U.S. President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubiocould potentially form a Republican presidential ticket for the 2028 elections.
Speaking during a dinner with law enforcement officials as part of National Police Week, Trump publicly praised both officials and said they could make “an ideal team” for the next presidential race.
“Who likes JD Vance? Who likes Marco Rubio?” Trump asked attendees before adding that the pair “sound like a good combination.”
The president highlighted his vice president’s performance in office, stating that their current partnership has been highly effective. “JD is perfect, that has been a perfect formula,” Trump told reporters later.
He further suggested that a Vance-Rubio pairing could represent a strong presidential and vice-presidential ticket, although he stopped short of offering any formal endorsement.
“I think it sounds like a presidential candidate and a vice-presidential candidate,” he said, while clarifying that his remarks should not be interpreted as an official backing of any future campaign.
So far, neither Vance nor Rubio has publicly confirmed any intention to run in the 2028 presidential election.
Rubio previously sought the Republican nomination in 2016 but withdrew after losing the primary race to Trump. Later, in a December 2025 interview with Vanity Fair, he said he would be among the first to support Vance if he decided to run for the White House.
Vance, meanwhile, has recently dismissed speculation of any political rivalry with Rubio amid growing discussion about potential future GOP leadership.
International
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Violating Victory Day Truce
Russia accused Ukraine on Saturday of violating a Victory Day truce that was reportedly agreed with mediation from the United States, claiming that Ukrainian forces carried out attacks on Russian territory as well as on the annexed Crimean peninsula.
Despite the declared ceasefire, the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement that Ukrainian forces attacked Russian military positions using attack drones and artillery.
According to the ministry, Ukrainian forces made twelve attempts to advance toward Russian-held positions across several sectors of the front line.
It also alleged that Ukrainian strikes targeted civilian infrastructure in Crimea, several border regions, the Caucasus, and other areas including Moscow and Perm in the Ural region.
The Defense Ministry estimated around 8,900 violations of the ceasefire in total, including more than 7,000 drone attacks and over 1,000 strikes involving tanks, artillery, multiple rocket launch systems, and mortars since the truce came into effect at midnight.
Russia said its forces responded “symmetrically” to what it described as violations by Ukrainian troops.
Earlier, the Kremlin denied claims that Ukraine attempted to sabotage a military parade in Red Square marking the 81st anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
“No attempts were made. Everything went well,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told local media.
International
Trump Says U.S.-Iran Talks Progressing, Signals Possible Deal on Strait of Hormuz
U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Washington is holding “very good” talks with Iran and stated that there is a strong possibility of reaching an agreement to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“We’ve had very good conversations over the last 44 hours, and it’s very possible that we’ll reach an agreement,” Trump said during an event held in the Oval Office at the White House.
The president’s remarks came just hours after he announced a temporary suspension of the military operation aimed at escorting vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf due to Iran’s blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Trump explained that the pause in operations is intended to facilitate diplomatic negotiations between both sides and prevent further military escalation in the region.
“We’re in good shape, and right now things are going well. Now we have to achieve what we need to achieve. If we don’t, we’ll have to go much further,” the Republican president warned.
In a post published on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump reiterated that if Iran accepts Washington’s proposed conditions, military operations and the naval blockade affecting the Islamic republic would come to an end.
However, he also issued a new warning to the Iranian government, stating that the United States would respond with attacks “of greater intensity” if Tehran rejects the agreement promoted by the White House.
Panama confirms drug contamination of El Salvador coffee shipment occurred on its territory
Trump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Violating Victory Day Truce
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
