International
Candidate Edmundo González Urrutia demands that Chavismo cease “threats” and insults
The presidential candidate of Venezuela’s main opposition coalition, Edmundo González Urrutia, asked Chavismo this Sunday to cease “threats” and insults against his adversaries in the face of next Sunday’s elections.
“Enough of threats, enough of insults, the people want a change in peace, the people want reconciliation, the people want to vote. Long live free Venezuela,” said the former ambassador in a video posted on social networks.
Likewise, the standard-bearer of the Democratic United Platform (PUD) told the members of the ruling party – who support the candidacy of the current head of state, Nicolás Maduro – that “they will be able to try (to put) new obstacles,” but this, he assured, “will not stop “a people that is determined to vote and change.”
“They have wanted to sow the fear of change, they want fear not to allow them to express themselves next Sunday, but what they do not count on, is the courage of the Venezuelan people. Don’t believe in threats and manipulations, they’ve been on that for 25 years, how long do they want to stay in power?” said the former ambassador in the video.
To the Venezuelans he pointed out that there is one week left until “the most important day in the democratic history of the country,” when he will begin to march along “the path of reconciliation of all.”
“That day will be the beginning of an era marked by peace, faith and hope for a better future for all. Let’s make that wish a reality,” asked González Urrutia, who leads the traditional and independent surveys.
The NGO Venezuelan Electoral Observatory (OEV) called this Saturday to condemn any speech that “incites division or violence” during the development of the electoral campaign, which ends next Thursday, and urged the use of a constructive and oriented language “towards the common good.”
Maduro, who is looking for a third consecutive six-year term in power, refers to his nine opponents as “patarucos” – alluding to the cowardly roosters that are not good for the fight -, while proclaiming himself as the “fine” specimen of the corral and the “only” with the ability to govern, and recently called opponents “children of his mother.”
In addition, the president and leaders of Chavismo usually refer to the opponent María Corina Machado – who supports the candidacy of González Urrutia – as “the sayona”, a character who, according to Venezuelan oral literature, appears in the form of a spectrum and punishes unfaithful men.
In May of this year, González Urrutia promised that, if he wins the elections, a president will rule in Venezuela who will not insult his political adversaries.
International
Petro expresses concern over fatal shooting during mass protests in Lima
Colombian President Gustavo Petro voiced his “concern” on Thursday over recent events in Peru, following the death of a protester reportedly shot during a massive demonstration in Lima against the government and Congress.
“I must express my concern over the events in Peru. A young artist has been killed in citizens’ protests,” Petro wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The Colombian leader also noted that in Peru, “a popularly elected president remains imprisoned without conviction,” referring to Pedro Castillo, who led the country from July 2021 to December 2022 until he was removed by Congress following a failed attempted coup.
“This is a blatant violation of the American Convention on Human Rights,” Petro stated, adding, “I hope Peru seeks social and political dialogue to legitimize its public institutions.”
On Wednesday, Peru experienced widespread protests in several cities, with the largest demonstration in Lima in recent years, driven by citizens’ concerns over corruption and public insecurity.
During the capital’s mobilization, the Ombudsman’s Office confirmed the death of Eduardo Ruiz, 32, and reported clashes that left over 100 injured, including 78 police officers and 24 protesters, as well as ten arrests.
The Attorney General’s Office, investigating Ruiz’s death “in the context of serious human rights violations,” confirmed that the protester was shot.
International
Peru’s interim president José Jerí refuses to resign after protester’s death in Lima
Peru’s interim president, José Jerí, stated Thursday that he has no intention of resigning from the post he assumed last Friday, following the removal of former president Dina Boluarte, despite growing unrest over the death of a protester during massive demonstrations in Lima on Wednesday.
“I will not resign,” Jerí declared outside the Government Palace in Lima, where he returned on foot after making a surprise visit to Congress headquarters alongside Prime Minister Ernesto Álvarez.
Earlier, after leaving the Legislative Palace, the president acknowledged that the country is going through “difficult times” and condemned what he described as “a small group attempting to impose an agenda different from the citizens’ expression of discontent.”
Jerí expressed condolences for the death of Eduardo Ruiz, a 32-year-old man who died during Wednesday’s protest against the government and Congress, amid growing anger over corruption and insecurity.
“We stand in solidarity with his family,” he said, without offering further details about the incident, which has sparked outrage among Peruvians.
The president also described the demonstrations as “a legitimate civic expression” that later turned violent due to “certain groups seeking to provoke chaos by exploiting a peaceful citizen movement.”
“In a state governed by the rule of law, the rights of both demonstrators and security forces must be protected,” Jerí emphasized, adding that “as a result of that situation, this unfortunate death occurred outside the main area where the protest was taking place.”
International
Mexican government prioritizes 191 communities after deadly floods
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed on Wednesday that the death toll from recent rains and floods across several central states has risen to 66, while the federal government has activated air bridges and prioritized assistance in 191 isolated communities.
“Unfortunately, 66 people have died, and 75 remain missing,” the president said during her morning press conference. She added that the official death toll will be updated later in a new report.
As of Tuesday, authorities had reported 64 fatalities. Sheinbaum also announced the creation of a public information center to centralize official data on the deceased, missing persons, damaged homes, and cut-off communities.
According to the president, the number of missing persons has decreased thanks to coordination with state authorities.
“Through calls to phone line 079, 103 people who had been reported missing have now been located,” she explained.
Priority Municipalities
The president noted that the federal government has classified 191 communities as ‘priority’, a designation based mainly on the percentage of homes affected.
Petro expresses concern over fatal shooting during mass protests in Lima
Panama’s president accuses U.S. Embassy official of visa threats amid China tensions
Peru’s interim president José Jerí refuses to resign after protester’s death in Lima
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
-
Central America3 days agoGuatemala arrests first escaped gang member after Barrio 18 prison break
-
International3 days agoMexico reports 64 dead, 65 missing after devastating central region floods
-
International3 days agoVenezuela calls for continued global pressure to secure ‘just peace’ for Palestine
-
International3 days agoPope Leo XIV to skip COP30 in Brazil but plans future visit, Lula confirms
-
Central America4 days agoFraijanes II prison in Guatemala reports gradual escape of 18th Street gang inmates
-
International2 days agoSheinbaum: Urgent to restore access to towns cut off by heavy rains
-
International4 days agoHeavy rains leave dozens dead in Hidalgo, Puebla, and Veracruz
-
International2 days agoArmed forces target illegal mines in Northern Ecuador with bombing raids
-
International2 days agoVenezuelan media faces fresh restrictions after reporting on opposition leader’s Nobel win
-
International1 day agoMexican government prioritizes 191 communities after deadly floods
-
International2 days agoCaracas shuts embassy in Oslo without explanation following Machado’s Nobel win
-
International1 day agoNew road and bridge explosions raise alarm amid indigenous protests in Ecuador
-
International2 hours agoPeru’s interim president José Jerí refuses to resign after protester’s death in Lima
-
International2 hours agoPetro expresses concern over fatal shooting during mass protests in Lima
-
Central America2 hours agoNicaragua grants 2,500-hectare mining concession to chinese firm in protected region
-
Central America2 hours agoPanama’s president accuses U.S. Embassy official of visa threats amid China tensions