International
Nicolás Maduro reaffirms his intention to be sworn in as re-elected president of Venezuela in 2025
The president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, reaffirmed on Tuesday that on January 10, 2025 he will attend the headquarters of the National Assembly (Parliament) to be sworn in as re-elected head of state, after his controversial triumph in the presidential elections of July 28, a result questioned by many countries.
In an event with the military, Maduro said that he has received an invitation from the board of directors of the Parliament, controlled by Chavismo, to go to take an oath on the date that the Constitution establishes as mandatory and that marks the beginning of the new presidential six-year term.
“I publicly confirm that I have received the invitation letter, that I will formally attend the fulfillment of the constitutional oath (…) before whom the victorious candidate is sworn in once promulgated” by the National Electoral Council (CNE), said the Chavista leader.
At the swearing-in of the new heads of the Armed Forces, Maduro remarked that his project is “deep, direct, popular, socialist democracy,” which seeks to “serve the great interests of the nation.”
Maduro and the Supreme
Maduro’s statements come after the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) rejected in the last four days two requests for review of the sentence that validated the official result of the elections, which was reported as fraudulent by the largest opposition coalition, the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD).
According to the coalition, its candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia, won the Presidency by a wide margin, a claim that has the support of numerous countries, some of which recognize the anti-Chavista – exiled in Spain since September 8 – as elected president of Venezuela.
Despite the fact that dozens of countries do not recognize Maduro as the winner of the elections, for not showing evidence of his victory with disaggregated minutes or results, all the institutions of the State – in the hands of Chavismo – have expressed unrestricted support for his triumph and denounce that the PUD and foreign powers are trying to carry out a coup d’état in the country.
International
At Least Eight Dead and 19 Injured in Deadly Bus Crash in Veracruz, Mexico
A tragic bus accident in the eastern state of Veracruz left at least eight people dead and 19 others injured on Wednesday afternoon, according to local authorities.
The vehicle was traveling through the town of Zontecomatlán when it crashed near a ravine, state Civil Protection officials reported late Wednesday night. “Regrettably, the prosecutor’s office has confirmed eight fatalities,” the agency stated in an official release.
Emergency Response and Medical Care Rescue teams worked into the night to assist the survivors. The 19 injured passengers were stabilized at the scene before being transported to hospitals in the nearby municipalities of Chicontepec and Huayacocotla. While the identities of the victims have not yet been released, Mexican press reports indicate the bus was en route from Mexico City to Chicontepec.
A Recurring Issue on Mexican Highways Road accidents involving long-haul passenger buses and freight transport are a frequent occurrence in Mexico. Experts often cite excessive speed, mechanical failure, or driver fatigue as the primary catalysts for these tragedies.
This latest incident follows another major disaster in late November, where 10 people were killed and 20 injured in a similar bus crash in the western state of Michoacán. The recurring nature of these accidents continues to spark national debate regarding the enforcement of stricter safety regulations for commercial transport units.
International
Jair Bolsonaro Hospitalized for Inguinal Hernia Surgery While Serving Sentence for Attempted Coup
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, currently serving a 27-year prison sentence for an attempted coup, underwent surgery this Thursday for an inguinal hernia. The procedure took place at the DF Star Hospital in Brasilia, according to his wife, Michelle Bolsonaro.
The 70-year-old former leader left prison on Wednesday for the first time since his incarceration in late November to prepare for the operation. “My love has just gone to the surgical center,” Michelle Bolsonaro posted on Instagram, where she has been documenting her accompaniment during his hospitalization.
Surgical Expectations and Health History Medical professionals treating the far-right ex-president (2019-2022) anticipate the operation will last approximately four hours. His recovery period in the hospital is expected to extend between five and seven days.
Dr. Claudio Birolini explained on Wednesday that while the surgery is standardized, it remains complex due to the patient’s history. Bolsonaro continues to suffer from the long-term effects of a 2018 campaign rally stabbing, an injury that required several major abdominal surgeries in the years following the attack.
“There is no such thing as a simple surgery. However, this is a scheduled and standardized procedure, so we expect it to be carried out without major complications,” Dr. Birolini stated.
Potential Additional Procedures Following the hernia repair, the medical team will evaluate whether Bolsonaro can undergo a second procedure: an anesthetic block of the phrenic nerve. This nerve controls the diaphragm, and the intervention would aim to resolve a chronic case of recurrent hiccups that has plagued the former president for years.
Bolsonaro remains under heavy security at the medical facility as he serves his lengthy sentence related to the events surrounding the January 2023 institutional crisis in Brazil.
International
Trump Orders Construction of New ‘Golden Fleet’ to Revitalize U.S. Naval Superiority
President Donald Trump issued an executive order this Monday for the immediate construction of two new warships that will bear his name. These vessels will be the pioneers of what he described as the “Golden Fleet,” a future generation of “Trump-class” battleships that he claimed would be “100 times more powerful” than those currently in service.
The announcement took place at his private residence in Mar-a-Lago, Florida. The President indicated that following the initial two ships, the administration aims to commission up to 25 additional vessels. He is scheduled to meet with Florida-based contractors next week to expedite production, criticizing existing defense firms for failing to deliver results efficiently.
This naval expansion is a cornerstone of Trump’s goal to revitalized the American shipbuilding industry and address the strategic gap between the U.S. and competitors like China.
The move comes amid heightened geopolitical tension. Just last week, Trump ordered the seizure of all sanctioned tankers involved with Venezuela’s “ghost fleet” to cripple the country’s crude oil industry. Since December 10, the U.S. military—deployed in the Caribbean under the guise of counter-narcotics operations—has already detained two tankers linked to Venezuelan oil transport.
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