International
“Milei de Floripa”, the Brazilian candidate who joins the chainsaw trend
Ademar Rodrigues Meireles went down the stairs of his house rented for a few days in São Paulo completely dressed as if he were the Argentine president, Javier Milei, and, at times, his way of expressing himself was identical, even speaking in another language.
Better known as the ‘Milei de Floripa’, Ademar is a candidate for municipal councilor for the Liberal Party (PL) of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro in Florianópolis, capital of the state of Santa Catarina, in the elections of October 6.
A place of almost 8 million inhabitants in the south of the country that shares the border with the Argentine province of Misiones and, as the politician indicated, “is full of Argentines.”
The first time he saw the Argentine economist he was shocked by his “theatrical and dramatic figure”, then one day he decided to wear his wig and noticed that his image caused a furor in the streets and people stopped him to take pictures.
That’s how he began to attend all the demonstrations personified as Javier Milei, adding a garment for the occasion: first his wig, then his characteristic sideburns, a chainsaw with phrases and even the presidential band with the Albiceleste flag.
Laughing and with a Buenos Aires tone he said “there is no water” – referring to the famous “there is no money” – and looked at one of his advisors as a sign of complaint. He wanted to conduct the entire interview in Spanish since he considered that this way he “transmitted greater emotion.”
Ademar decided, before retiring, to throw himself fully into politics. According to him, to defend “the ideas of freedom” and fight a cultural, social and political “war” that is being lived in the world.
“It is necessary that we make the decision to be in all places as the left has done that for many, many years was taking the university, the culture, the artists (…) One thing is certain: those who are not in politics are dominated by those who are,” he said.
But his clothing, criticized by many people, hides a greater meaning: “In my private life I am Ademar, for me that is very clear. But this is a theater, a political theater. All politicians do theater. Politicians in elections pretend to be poor but they are not.”
And he continued: “It’s a cultural war, I’m dressed in the ideas and what Milei represents, like an icon, like an idol of the right. (…) We are going to use the same weapon that the left uses, which is art.”
Like his political idol, the Brazilian is an economist and said that he has two dogs, although he only highlighted his Rottweiler whom he referred to as “the guardian” of the hacienda.
With his chainsaw next to it, which has the inscription in Spanish ‘cut of expenses’ on one side, the ‘cosplayer’ candidate said that “Brazilian social contracts are broken” and raised the need for a new “liberating” constitution in Brazil since the current “has been very disrespectful.”
Last Friday, for an hour, Paulista Avenue, the most important in São Paulo, collapsed with cars and vans plotted with his face in a caravan celebrating his arrival in the city, where he went to participate in a demonstration called by Bolsonaro a day later.
Some passers-by laughed when they saw him, others threw an insult, while many greeted him fervently shouting “long live freedom, fuck.”
International
Chile enters runoff campaign with Kast leading and Jara seeking a last-minute comeback
Chile’s presidential runoff campaign for the December 14 election kicked off this Sunday, with far-right candidate José Antonio Kast entering the race as the clear favorite in the polls, while left-wing contender Jeannette Jara faces an uphill scenario, hoping for a comeback that some experts describe as “a miracle.”
The final polls released in Chile—published before the mandatory blackout on survey dissemination—give Kast, an ultraconservative former lawmaker running for president for the third time, a lead of between 12 and 16 points. His opponent, the communist former minister in Gabriel Boric’s current administration, is weighed down not only by the government’s low approval ratings but also by a fragmented electorate.
Although Jeannette Jara received the most votes in the first round with 26.9%, her lack of alliances beyond the left makes it difficult for her to expand her support. Kast, who secured 23.9%, has already brought key figures on board: ultralibertarian Johannes Kaiser (13.9%) and traditional right-wing leader Evelyn Matthei (12.4%), both now backing his candidacy.
Analysts note that although Kast’s support base consolidates more than 50% of the electorate, it does not guarantee an automatic transfer of votes. Populist economist Franco Parisi, who placed third with 19.7%, emerges as the major wildcard. His party, the People’s Party (PDG), is set to decide this Sunday through an internal consultation whether to endorse one of the two finalists.
International
Trump says asylum decision freeze will remain in place “for a long time”
U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Sunday that the suspension of decisions on asylum applications—implemented as part of his order to “halt” immigration from third-world countries following Wednesday’s shooting in Washington—will remain in effect “for a long time.”
The president declined to specify how long the freeze, imposed last Friday by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), would last. The suspension affects individuals waiting for an asylum ruling from that agency, though it does not apply to cases handled by U.S. immigration courts.
The delay is part of a series of measures enacted by the Trump Administration after a shooting on Wednesday in which an Afghan national allegedly opened fire on the National Guard in Washington, D.C., killing one officer and leaving another in critical condition.
Trump has ordered a permanent halt to immigration from 19 countries classified as “third-world.” He also indicated on Sunday that “possibly” more nations could be added to the list.
“These are countries with high crime rates. They are countries that do not function well… that are not known for success, and frankly, we don’t need people from those places coming into our country and telling us what to do,” Trump said, adding: “We don’t want those people.”
USCIS had already announced on Thursday a “rigorous review” of green cards held by migrants from 19 “countries of concern,” including Afghanistan, Cuba, Venezuela, and Haiti.
International
Sri Lanka and Indonesia deploy military as deadly asian floods kill over 1,000
Sri Lanka and Indonesia deployed military personnel on Monday to assist victims of the devastating floods that have killed more than a thousand people across Asia in recent days.
A series of weather events last week triggered prolonged torrential rains across Sri Lanka, parts of Indonesia’s Sumatra island, southern Thailand, and northern Malaysia. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said Monday in North Sumatra that “the priority now is to deliver the necessary aid as quickly as possible.”
“There are several isolated villages that, with God’s help, we will be able to reach,” he added. Subianto also stated that the government had deployed helicopters and aircraft to support relief operations.
Floods and landslides have claimed 502 lives in Indonesia, with a similar number still missing.
This marks the highest death toll from a natural disaster in Indonesia since 2018, when an earthquake and subsequent tsunami killed more than 2,000 people.
The government has sent three military ships carrying aid and two hospital vessels to the hardest-hit regions, where many roads remain impassable.
In the village of Sungai Nyalo, located about 100 kilometers from Padang, the capital of West Sumatra, floodwaters had receded by Sunday, leaving homes, vehicles, and crops coated in thick mud.
Chile enters runoff campaign with Kast leading and Jara seeking a last-minute comeback
Trump says asylum decision freeze will remain in place “for a long time”
Sri Lanka and Indonesia deploy military as deadly asian floods kill over 1,000
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 agoTrump Pardons Former Honduran President Hernández and Warns of Aid Cuts Ahead of Election
-
Central America5 days agoPanama reinforces security with new helicopters and Super Tucano Aircraft purchases
-
Central America22 hours agoHonduras Extends Voting by One Hour Amid High Turnout, CNE Announces
-
Central America5 days agoTrump urges hondurans to back conservative candidate Nasry Asfura in november elections
-
International5 days agoArchbishop Wenski criticizes Trump’s deportation policies, calls for stronger push for reform
-
Central America2 days agoHonduras’ China–Taiwan Future Hinges on Sunday’s Presidential Election
-
International9 hours agoHong Kong police arrest 13 over deadly high-rise fire that killed 151
-
Central America5 days ago
Washington calls for oversight as Honduras faces allegations of electoral interference
-
International3 days agoMeta Says Russia Seeks to Ban WhatsApp for Defending Secure Communication
-
International9 hours agoChile enters runoff campaign with Kast leading and Jara seeking a last-minute comeback
-
International9 hours ago
Trump says asylum decision freeze will remain in place “for a long time”
-
International9 hours agoSri Lanka and Indonesia deploy military as deadly asian floods kill over 1,000