International

González Urrutia predicts an “overwhelming” opposition victory in the Venezuelan elections

The candidate of the largest opposition coalition in Venezuela, Edmundo González Urrutia, anticipated this Monday an “overwheating victory” for the formation he flags, the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD), in the elections on July 28, since – he said – the polls give him “a wide advantage” very “difficult” to reach for the other candidates for the Presidency.

“We trust in our victory, which can be an overwhelming victory. (…) And that opens up a new political reality and the Government will have to compromise (…), because there are sectors within the ruling party that are not willing to recognize an eventual defeat,” the candidate said in an interview with the national channel Televen.

Likewise, González Urrutia reiterated that, if he wins the Presidency, he will promote a “Government for all,” in which “sectors that at the time felt identified with the political process (in reference to Chavismo) and that are now disappointed” will be included.

The candidate did not rule out the creation of “spaces for dialogue,” which will result in the resignation of President Nicolás Maduro before the end of his term, in January 2025, or the transfer of power.

“I do not rule out what has happened elsewhere, as happened in Argentina in the 80s, when the president (Raúl) Alfonsín cut his mandate and transferred power to (Carlos) Menem. That can be part of some conversations,” said the candidate of the Democratic United Platform (PUD).

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In the face of possible conversations with the military sector, which has traditionally supported Chavismo, he said that “the military must return to their space” and “enforce the Constitution,” especially article 328, which states that its function “is at the exclusive service of the Nation and in no case that of any person or political bias.”

González Urrutia said that he is “very sure” that he will get a victory on July 28, when 21,620,705 Venezuelans are called to vote, who will choose from 10 candidates, including Maduro, who is looking for his re-election.

International

Iran Reports 201 Dead, 747 Injured After U.S. and Israeli Strikes

The Iranian Red Crescent Society reported Sunday night (local time) that at least 201 people were killed and 747 injured following attacks carried out by Israel and the United States against the Islamic Republic.

A spokesperson for the humanitarian organization said more than 220 rescue teams have been deployed across affected areas and that relief operations are continuing without interruption. The official highlighted the difficulty of treating the large number of wounded and the urgent need for additional resources in impacted provinces.

Out of Iran’s 31 provinces, 24 have reported damage, according to a statement carried by the Isna news agency. This marks the first overall casualty toll released by Iranian state-affiliated media since the launch of the offensive.

Among the dead are 85 schoolgirls from a school in the southern city of Minab, according to the country’s judiciary. “The number of martyrs at the Minab girls’ school has risen to 85,” the local prosecutor’s office said, as quoted by the judiciary’s website, Mizan Online.

Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian described the attack as a “savagery” that “constitutes a new black page in the record of countless crimes committed by the aggressors.”

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Meanwhile, the international community continues to monitor the situation closely amid concerns about possible further reprisals and the broader impact on Middle East stability, energy markets, and global security.

AFP noted that it was unable to independently verify the casualty figures or the circumstances surrounding the events.

International

Pope Leo XIV Urges End to ‘Spiral of Violence’ in Middle East

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday called for an end to the “spiral of violence” in the Middle East, following military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran and subsequent retaliatory bombardments in the region.

“Faced with the possibility of a tragedy of enormous proportions, I urge the parties involved to assume their moral responsibility and stop the spiral of violence before it becomes an irreparable abyss,” the pontiff told the crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican.

Speaking during the Angelus prayer, the U.S.-born pope said stability and peace cannot be achieved through threats or weapons. “Stability and peace are not built with reciprocal threats or with arms that sow destruction, suffering and death, but only through reasonable, sincere and responsible dialogue,” he declared.

The leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics also called for diplomacy to “regain its role” amid escalating tensions.

In addition, the pope urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to urgently resume dialogue after several days of clashes between the two countries.

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International

Security Council to Hold Emergency Meeting on Middle East Crisis

UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Saturday condemned the “military escalation in the Middle East” following attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory strikes, just hours before an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council.

“I call for the immediate cessation of hostilities and de-escalation,” Guterres said in a statement.

The Security Council is scheduled to meet on Saturday at 21:00 GMT (4:00 p.m. in New York) to address “the situation in the Middle East,” the United Nations announced.

The meeting, during which Guterres will deliver remarks, was convened at the request of France, Bahrain, Colombia, Russia and China, according to a diplomatic source.