International
Nicolás Maduro asks for “respect for the popular will” after being proclaimed re-elected president of Venezuela
The president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, in power since 2013, asked for “respect for the popular will” after being proclaimed as re-elected president, after elections in which he competed against nine contenders, including the standard-bearer of the majority opposition, Edmundo González Urrutia.
“That’s what I paint as president, I respect the Constitution, the public powers and the sovereign life of Venezuela, I respect the popular will (…) I will defend our law and our longing,” the president remarked before dozens of sympathizers who gathered near the presidential palace to listen to his victory speech.
He promised that, with this triumph, he will give “his entire life to carry out all the changes that this homeland needs,” which experienced an intense economic crisis between 2014 and 2021, from which it has begun to recover slightly.
Maduro assured that he will work in his third term “to rescue all the rights violated by the economic war,” alluding to the economic sanctions imposed by numerous countries in recent years, especially by the United States.
He considered that his re-election “is the triumph of peace, stability, the republican ideal, the ideas of equality.”
Around midnight on Sunday, the National Electoral Council (CNE), announced that Maduro was re-elected for a third consecutive term, in elections in which he obtained 51.20% of the votes (5,150,092 supporters).
The president of the electoral body, Elvis Amoroso, who announced the data more than six hours after the closure of the centers, said that the result provided corresponds to the scrutiny of 80% of the votes cast in this Sunday’s elections, which had a massive influx of voters throughout the day.
According to the first report, the standard-bearer of the majority opposition, Edmundo González Urrutia, obtained 4,445,978 votes, which represents 44.2% of the votes.
He assured that “in the next few hours” the CNE will publish on its website the details of the results, table by table, and will deliver to the 38 political parties that competed a digital report on the outcome of the contest.
Before providing the results, the president of the CNE assured that the data transmission system suffered an attack, to be investigated, which is why, he explained, the winner’s announcement took longer than expected, although he did not give more details about it.
During the campaign, Maduro already confirmed that he would win the elections, considering that he is the “only” capable of maintaining peace and prosperity in the country, on which numerous economic sanctions weigh, especially imposed by the United States, which are, according to the president, the culprits of the crisis in the Caribbean nation.
From January 10, the date on which the new term begins, the president will face a third six-year term at the head of the country, governed by Chavismo for 25 years.
International
U.S. strike in Caribbean kills three suspected drug traffickers
A U.S. strike on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean killed three people on Saturday, according to Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth, marking the latest in a series of attacks in international waters.
The United States has deployed ships to the Caribbean and sent fighter jets to Puerto Rico as part of a large military force that Washington says is aimed at curbing drug trafficking.
“This vessel, like all the others, was known to our intelligence for being involved in illicit narcotics smuggling,” Hegseth stated on X. “Three narcoterrorists were aboard the vessel during the attack, which took place in international waters,” he added.
Experts argue that the attacks, which began in early September, amount to extrajudicial executions, even if the targets are known traffickers.
Washington has yet to publicly provide evidence that the targeted individuals were actively smuggling drugs or posed a threat to the United States.
Hegseth said the U.S. would continue “hunting… and killing” suspected traffickers. He also shared video footage of the strike, showing the vessel being hit and engulfed in flames. As in previous videos, sections of the ship were blurred, making it impossible to verify the number of people on board.
The United Nations called on Friday for Washington to halt its attacks.
International
At least 23 killed in Sonora supermarket blast, including minors
At least 23 people were killed and 11 others injured in an explosion at a supermarket in Hermosillo, in the northern Mexican state of Sonora, local authorities reported on Saturday.
“So far, there are 23 confirmed deaths and 11 injured, including minors,” said Sonora Governor Alfonso Durazo in a video message. He added that the injured are receiving treatment in various hospitals across the city.
“I have ordered a thorough and transparent investigation to determine the causes of the incident and assign responsibility where appropriate,” Durazo said.
The explosion occurred at a Waldo’s store in downtown Hermosillo. Local authorities confirmed that the incident was not an attack nor related to any violent act against civilians.
Meanwhile, Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences on X, offering sympathy to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives.
International
Floods in Central Vietnam leave 28 dead, thousands displaced
The death toll from heavy rains and flooding in central Vietnam has risen to 28, with six people reported missing and 43 injured, local newspaper VnExpress reported Friday night.
More than 22,100 homes remain flooded, primarily in the cities of Hue and Da Nang. Floods and landslides have destroyed or swept away 91 houses and damaged another 181, the report added.
Around 245,000 households are still without electricity, particularly in Da Nang, where over 225,000 homes are affected.
Additionally, 80 stretches of national highways are blocked or disrupted due to landslides. Authorities expect the flooding to continue for another day or two in the region.
U.S. strike in Caribbean kills three suspected drug traffickers
At least 23 killed in Sonora supermarket blast, including minors
Floods in Central Vietnam leave 28 dead, thousands displaced
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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