International
Panama closes three access steps in the Darién to “channel” the flow of migrants
Panama closed at least three of the steps that migrants use to cross the Darién, which marks the border with Colombia, with a “perimeter barrier,” with the aim of “channeling” its flow to exert greater control over this irregular route that hundreds of people use daily on their way to North America, the Panamanian authorities reported on Wednesday.
The National Border Service (Senafront) of Panama said in a statement to which EFE had access that “measures were taken to control the massive irregular migration faced by the Panamanian State” in order to “channel irregular migration” to Bajo Chiquito, the first town that migrants arrive at after crossing the Darién jungle on foot for days.
These measures, he explained, are based on blocking “three unauthorized steps used by irregular migrants, which are identified as the passages along the Pacific coast and Caribbean coast (…), as well as the land passes that give access to the Chucurti Stopho sector, the latter was blocked with perimeter barriers that prevent the passage of migrants.”
As explained by Senafront, “with the previous control, security forces were available at multiple points, which dispersed the efficiency in the fight against transnational criminal organizations that benefit from human trafficking, illicit collections and other crimes related to this vulnerable population.”
Now, “by concentrating efforts in a single step, the provision of territorial control patrols, protection and multidimensional security related to migrants is exponentially strengthened.”
Until now, many migrants used to report being victims of theft or rape by criminal gangs throughout the Darién.
In addition, that border police announced that the new Government of José Raúl Mulino “plans the launch of a new campaign called ‘Darién’ that aims to guarantee a climate of peace and tranquility in this region of the country.”
The new president of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, already anticipated last Friday, during a tour to the Darién prior to his investiture, the placement of “speer fences” with “the spirit that people take the only way to get here, not scattered,” in addition to the police presence in some areas of that jungle.
The closure of those unauthorized steps or paths occurs in the midst of a large flow of migrants through that Darién jungle, through which this year more than 195,000 people have crossed, most of them Venezuelans, while in 2023 there were more than 520,000, an unprecedented figure, according to official data.
Mulino also referred to the problem in Darién during his investiture speech last Monday, the day on which Panama and the United States, the main destination of the migrants, signed an agreement to repatriate passers-by, for which the North American country promised to cover the expenses.
The new Panamanian president maintains a strong speech in the face of migration by the Darién calling it “illegal” and already in the campaign he had promised the “closure” of the Darién, something that he later nuanced as a concept of “philosophical” closure, in which more and more barriers are being put so that migrants do not follow that route.
“Panama will no longer be a transit country for the illegals. I will not allow local complicity,” he said in his possession speech.
International
Police investigate deaths of Rob Reiner and wife as apparent homicide
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is investigating the deaths of Hollywood actor and filmmaker Rob Reinerand his wife as an “apparent homicide,” amid a wave of tributes to the director of classics such as When Harry Met Sally.
According to U.S. media reports on Sunday, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner were found dead at their Los Angeles mansion with what appeared to be stab wounds.
Several political figures shared messages of condolence following the reported deaths of the director of A Few Good Menand his wife.
While the LAPD did not officially confirm the identities of the victims, it stated that homicide detectives were dispatched to the Reiner residence.
“At this time, no additional details are available and the investigation into an apparent homicide is ongoing,” the Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement posted on social media.
LAPD Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton told reporters that no arrests have been made and that no individuals are currently being questioned as suspects.
“I’m not going to confirm whether anyone is being questioned at this moment or not. We are going to try to speak with as many family members as we can,” Hamilton said.
CNN reported that a family spokesperson confirmed the deaths of Reiner and his wife.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, former U.S. President Barack Obama, and former Vice President Kamala Harrisissued statements expressing their condolences.
International
U.S. and Mexico Reach Deal to Address Water Deficit Under 1944 Treaty
The United States and Mexico have reached an agreement to comply with current water obligations affecting U.S. farmers and ranchers and for Mexico to cover its water deficit to Texas under the 1944 Water Treaty, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a statement.
The department уточified that the agreement applies to both the current cycle and the water deficit from the previous cycle.
On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump accused Mexico of failing to comply with the water-sharing treaty between the two countries, which requires the United States to deliver 1.85 billion cubic meters of water from the Colorado River, while Mexico must supply 432 million cubic meters from the Rio Grande.
Mexico is behind on its commitments. According to Washington, the country has accumulated a deficit of more than one billion cubic meters of water over the past five years.
“This violation is severely harming our beautiful crops and our livestock in Texas,” Trump wrote on Monday.
The Department of Agriculture said on Friday that Mexico had agreed to supply 250 million cubic meters of water starting next week and to work toward closing the shortfall.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, quoted in the statement, said Mexico delivered more water in a single year than it had over the previous four years combined.
Trump has said that if Mexico continues to fall short of its obligations, the United States reserves the right to impose 5% tariffs on imported Mexican products.
Mexico’s Deputy Foreign Minister for North America, Roberto Velasco, said that a severe drought in 2022 and 2023prevented the country from meeting its commitments.
International
Several people shot in attack on Brown University campus
Several people were shot on Saturday in an attack on the campus of Brown University, in the northeastern United States, local police reported.
“Shelter in place and avoid the area until further notice,” the Providence Police Department urged in a post on X. Brown University is located in Providence, the capital of the state of Rhode Island.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social that he had been briefed on the situation and that the FBI was on the scene.
At 5:52 p.m. local time (11:52 p.m. GMT), Brown University said the situation was still “ongoing” and instructed students to remain sheltered until further notice.
After initially stating that the suspect had been taken into custody, Trump later posted a second message clarifying that local police had walked back that information. “The suspect has NOT been apprehended,” the U.S. president said.
Police investigate deaths of Rob Reiner and wife as apparent homicide
OAS urges swift recount in Honduras as election results remain uncertain
Panama seizes over three tons of drugs hidden in Caribbean port container
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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