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).
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
Meta Says Russia Seeks to Ban WhatsApp for Defending Secure Communication
U.S. tech giant Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, said that Russia is seeking to ban the messaging app because it “challenges government attempts to violate people’s right to secure communication.”
Russian authorities have encouraged citizens to switch to state-backed applications, and in August they already blocked WhatsApp’s calling feature.
On Friday, the communications regulator Roskomnadzor claimed that the platform was being used to “organize and carry out terrorist acts in the country, recruit perpetrators, and facilitate fraud and other crimes.”
“If the messaging service does not comply with Russian law, it will be completely blocked,” the regulator warned.
WhatsApp remains one of Russia’s most widely used messaging services, alongside Telegram.
Moscow is pressuring both platforms to grant authorities access to user data upon request for investigations into fraud and activities the government labels as “terrorist.”
Human rights advocates fear the demand could be used to target critics of the Kremlin, President Vladimir Putin, or the war in Ukraine.
International
Archbishop Wenski criticizes Trump’s deportation policies, calls for stronger push for reform
The Archbishop of Miami, Thomas Wenski, has called for increased pressure on the U.S. Congress to advance comprehensive immigration reform and criticized President Donald Trump’s mass deportation policies, arguing that they “do nothing to help.”
“We need to apply more pressure on Congress so lawmakers can make the necessary changes. It is also important for the Administration to listen to our voice. We do not want to be anyone’s enemy—we are Americans,” Wenski said in an interview with EFE.
The religious leader, who heads one of the dioceses with the largest Latino and Haitian populations in the United States, issued a call to defend the rights of migrants. He also emphasized that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has maintained a strong and public stance in favor of migrants for decades.
International
Trump relaunches diplomatic push to finalize U.S.-Backed peace plan for Ukraine War
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that his diplomatic team will resume meetings with delegations from Russia and Ukraine in an effort to pressure both sides to accept the peace plan proposed by Washington to end the war in Ukraine.
As part of this new round of talks, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll will hold discussions with Ukrainian representatives to narrow differences on the remaining points of the agreement.
Trump also confirmed his intention to meet personally with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and with Putin, though he emphasized that such meetings will only take place “when the agreement is fully finalized or in its final stage.”
The president claimed that his administration has made “tremendous progress” toward resolving the conflict and reiterated that the war “never would have started” if he had been in the White House at the onset of the crisis.
The U.S.-backed peace plan consists of 28 points and has been revised following feedback from both sides. According to Trump, only “a few points of disagreement” remain under active discussion.
One of the most controversial aspects of the proposal is the suggestion that Ukraine cede parts of the Donbas region to Russia and limit the size of its armed forces. Kyiv is working closely with Washington to soften these clauses in search of an arrangement that does not compromise its sovereignty or security.
With this diplomatic push, Trump aims to solidify his role as the main mediator in the conflict and steer the war toward a political resolution after years of devastation, humanitarian crisis, and rising global geopolitical tensions.
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