International
The former Chancellor of Peru asks the US and Europe to freeze assets of “corrupt jers of Venezuela”
The former foreign minister of Peru Javier González-Olaechea assured that “the United States is the country that has the most instruments to surround the summit” of the president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, and even revealed that he had delivered to the North American country “a list of 57 corrupt bosses” with the aim of freezing their assets abroad.
“I say it for the first time: I have provided you with the list of the 57 main corrupt leaders of Venezuela,” González-Olaechea said in an interview with EFE in Quito, after being decorated on Tuesday by the Government of Ecuador for strengthening relations between the two countries.
“They have current accounts abroad, some in the United States, others in some European countries. They should intervene. They should dry them up,” said González-Olaechea, in whose period as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Peru he advocated within the Organization of American States (OAS) for the recognition of anti-Chavista candidate Edmundo González Urrutia as elected president of Venezuela.
González-Olaechea’s statements
The former Peruvian foreign minister made these statements minutes before the United States Government recognized González Urrutia as president-elect, after elections in July where most of the international community does not recognize the official results of the National Electoral Council (CNE) of Venezuela that gave Maduro the triumph and asks for the dissemination of the electoral minutes, in which the opposition claims to have won easily.
He insisted that the banks that keep those funds “should not endorse or use those ill-held money, rather exploit them.”
González-Olaechea, who left the Government of President Dina Boluarte in September, also recalled that “there are multiple calls to the members of the Armed Forces themselves to put themselves on the right side of history,” because the military take an oath in defense of the Constitution and “the Venezuelan order has been absolutely upset, falsified and instrumentalized.”
“The first call is to the Armed Forces themselves, not to participate in the corrupt party. That they think of their children and their families, because when they have to continue repressing and end up being slaughtered a daughter, a son or a nephew (of a member) of the Bolivarian Forces, they will face divine justice and their own family,” he said.
Presidential project
Recently, González-Olaechea announced his intention to be elected as a presidential candidate of the Popular Christian Party (PPC) for the next elections in Peru.
“I am an aspirant who wants a radical cycle change to bury everything that hurts us and all the institutions that, in quotes, say they are defenders of human rights and that do nothing but profit from them,” said the former foreign chaill.
“I will do everything possible to lead that proposal for a change of cycle that, basically, is a new current also beyond America. In many countries there are clear signs of boredom of the total state of impunity, of attacking the rights of families and of practically burying religious beliefs and moral values,” he added.
For González-Olaechea, “lies and political persecution against those of us who love and defend freedom above any other consideration have been instrumentalized.”
Defense of freedom is not enough
The Peruvian politician said that “it’s not just about defending freedom, because “that freedom has to be translated into a responsible, honest and transparent exercise of power to serve the large majorities in solving the problems that afflict them such as insecurity, lack of food, lack of opportunities and queues in hospitals.”
Regarding the fact that almost all the heads of state that Peru has had in the last 40 years have ended up investigated or imprisoned, González-Olaechea replied that he faces his political project “with an incorruptible will.”
“I can guarantee in the honor of my family that no one can impute an act of corruption to me,” González-Olaechea said.
Nor does he fear the fact that he can be linked to the Boluarte Government, whose popularity according to various surveys does not exceed 5%, since he argued that he sought as foreign minister “not to be a notary of reality, but an agent of change” and a “worthy representative of Peru abroad.”
When asked if as president he would take the step of leaving the San José Pact as he had suggested as chancellor, González-Olaechea replied that he would decide when the time comes. “Sometimes I think it’s better to fight from the inside, knowing the monster a little, and sometimes I think it’s better to fight from the outside,” he said.
International
Sheinbaum highlights anti-drug gains after U.S. says challenges remain
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Friday highlighted her government’s achievements in the fight against drug trafficking, after the United States said challenges remain in combating organized crime.
On Thursday, Mexican Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente held talks with his U.S. counterpart, Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Following the meeting, the U.S. State Department said in a statement that “despite progress, challenges still exist” in addressing organized crime.
“There are very strong results from joint cooperation and from the work Mexico is doing: first, a 50% reduction in fentanyl seizures at the U.S. border,” Sheinbaum said during her regular morning press conference.
The president also said that authorities have seized nearly 320 tons of drugs and that there has been a “40% decrease in intentional homicides in Mexico” since the start of her administration on October 1, 2024.
Sheinbaum added that the United States should implement campaigns to reduce drug consumption within its territory and curb the flow of weapons into Mexico.
“There are many results and there will be more, but there must be mutual respect and shared responsibility, as well as respect for our sovereignties,” she said.
On Monday, Sheinbaum held a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss security issues. She said she once again ruled out the presence of U.S. troops in Mexico to fight drug cartels.
Security has been a recurring issue used by Trump to threaten tariffs on Mexico and to pressure negotiations over the USMCA (T-MEC) free trade agreement, which are scheduled for 2026.
The agreement is crucial for Mexico’s economy, as about 80% of the country’s exports are destined for the United States.
International
Canada accuses Iran of killing its citizen during anti-government unrest
A Canadian citizen has died “at the hands of Iranian authorities,” the Canadian government said on Thursday, amid ongoing protests against the government in Tehran.
“I have just learned that a Canadian citizen has died in Iran at the hands of Iranian authorities,” Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand, said, without providing further details. She added that Tehran’s response to what she described as “peaceful protests” has “led the regime to show a blatant disregard for human life.”
On Thursday, the United States imposed sanctions on Iranian security officials and individuals linked to the country’s banking networks, accusing them of orchestrating a violent crackdown on peaceful demonstrations and laundering billions of dollars in oil revenues. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the measures following what were described as the largest anti-government protests in the history of the Islamic Republic, although demonstrations have reportedly eased in recent days amid heavy repression and a near week-long internet shutdown.
“The United States stands firmly with the Iranian people in their pursuit of freedom and justice,” Bessent said in a statement, adding that the sanctions were imposed at the direction of President Donald Trump.
Those sanctioned include Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, whom Washington accused of coordinating the repression and the use of force against protesters.
International
Ukraine declares nationwide energy emergency amid russian attacks and extreme cold
The Ukrainian government on Wednesday declared a nationwide energy state of emergency amid continued Russian military attacks and extreme winter weather, with nighttime temperatures dropping as low as minus 18 degrees Celsius.
“The consequences of Russian attacks and worsening weather conditions are severe (…) Overall, a state of emergency will be declared for Ukraine’s energy sector,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement posted on social media following a meeting with senior officials.
Zelensky announced the creation of a “permanent coordination headquarters” to manage the crisis in the capital, Kyiv, and tasked former defence minister and current energy chief Denys Shmyhal with overseeing support efforts for affected individuals and communities, including addressing power outages, heating shortages and other “practical issues.”
“There are many problems that require urgent solutions,” the president said, noting that repair crews, energy companies, municipal services and the State Emergency Service are working “around the clock” to restore electricity supplies. Kyiv has been particularly affected after Russian strikes last Friday disabled key parts of the power grid, as daytime temperatures hover around minus 12 degrees Celsius and plunge to minus 18 at night.
Zelensky added that public authorities will “maximize efforts with partners to obtain the necessary equipment and additional support,” while the government will ensure “maximum deregulation of all processes” to speed up the connection of backup power equipment to the grid. He also confirmed that work is underway to significantly increase electricity imports into Ukraine.
The Ukrainian leader further instructed his Cabinet to review curfew regulations in light of the extreme cold, arguing that citizens must have the greatest possible access to assistance centers, while businesses should be given flexibility to plan their operations according to the state of the energy system.
Sheinbaum highlights anti-drug gains after U.S. says challenges remain
Canada accuses Iran of killing its citizen during anti-government unrest
Ukraine declares nationwide energy emergency amid russian attacks and extreme cold
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