International
In Colombia, 745 femicides have been recorded this year and 333 cases of human trafficking
So far this year in Colombia, 745 femicides have been recorded, 44 of girls and 11 of trans women, and until September more than 26,000 cases of intimate partner violence and 333 acts related to human trafficking were reported, according to the Ombudsman’s Office reported on Tuesday.
“In Colombia, the armed conflict continues to be a critical challenge in human rights, especially for women,” said the ombudsman, Iris Marín Ortiz.
The ombudsman highlighted on International Human Rights Day the impacts against women of human rights violations and conflict, ensuring that of the 325 early warnings issued since 2017 by this state agency, 205 identify “significant risks for women in contexts of armed conflict.”
“Women in conditions of socioeconomic vulnerability, social leaders, Afro-descendants, indigenous people and migrants face the most serious risks due to the dynamics of the conflict,” the Ombudsman’s Office said in a statement.
Children and adolescents victims of sexual violence
Minors are also constant victims of human rights violations, and in that sense, the Ombudsman’s Office recalled that between January and November 2024, 1,381 children and adolescents were victims of commercial sexual exploitation, with girls being the most affected (84%).
And that there were, according to data from the National Institute of Health between January 1 and November 6, more than 1,000 suicide attempts of children and children under 19 years of age.
On the other hand, on this international day, the Ombudsman’s Office also wanted to recall that in 2023 23 events of forced displacement were recorded, affecting 58,937 people. “So far in 2024, 100 events have been recorded and 40,499 people have been affected,” the organization said, warning of a notable increase.
“For a good future, we must work tirelessly and together for an egalitarian, friendly and peaceful Colombia, which promotes real transformations in the territories,” Marín Ortiz said.
International
Colombian president Gustavo Petro warns against U.S. military intervention in Venezuela
Colombian President Gustavo Petro defended his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolás Maduro after the U.S. administration labeled him as the leader of the “Cartel of the Suns” and authorized the Pentagon to use military force against drug cartels, which could lead to an intervention on Venezuelan soil to combat these criminal groups. Petro stated that any military operation without the approval of Colombia or Venezuela would represent an “aggression.”
Petro responded over the weekend following reports on Friday from U.S. media about President Donald Trump’s order to confront designated global terrorist organizations such as the Cartel of the Suns, the Sinaloa Cartel, and the Tren de Aragua, including operations on foreign soil. Furthermore, the U.S. State Department increased the reward for information leading to Maduro’s capture from $25 million to $50 million.
“I publicly convey my order given as commander of the Colombian armed forces. Colombia and Venezuela are one people, one flag, one history. Any military operation without the approval of the brother countries is an aggression against Latin America and the Caribbean. It is fundamentally contradictory to our principle of freedom. ‘Freedom or death,’ Bolívar shouted, and the people revolted,” Petro posted on his social media, clearly expressing his disagreement with potential U.S. military intervention in Venezuela.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an interview on The World Over program on Friday that controlling these terrorist groups is decisive. He added that, for the U.S., these gangs are no longer just local street gangs but well-organized criminal enterprises spreading from Mexico, Guatemala, and Ecuador.
“We cannot continue treating these guys as local street gangs. They have weapons like terrorists, in some cases they have armies. They control territories in many cases. These cartels extend from Maduro’s regime in Venezuela, which is not a legitimate government,” Rubio told the audience.
International
U.S. offers $5 million reward for arrest of haitian gang leader Jimmy “Barbeque” Cherizier
The United States announced on Tuesday a $5 million reward for the arrest of Haitian gang leader Jimmy “Barbeque” Cherizier, accused of violating U.S. sanctions. Haiti, the poorest country in Latin America and the Caribbean, is engulfed in a political crisis and a wave of armed gang violence, which an international security mission led by Kenya is trying to end.
Cherizier, 48, and Bazile Richardson have been formally charged with attempting to transfer funds from the United States to Haiti to finance gang activities, the Department of Justice reported.
“There is a good reason to offer a $5 million reward for information leading to Cherizier’s arrest,” said federal prosecutor Jeanine Pirro at a press conference.
“He is a gang leader responsible for atrocious human rights violations, including violence against U.S. citizens in Haiti,” she added.
Cherizier has been subject to U.S. Treasury sanctions since 2020 and UN sanctions since 2022.
International
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to meet Guatemalan leader Bernardo Arévalo next friday
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed on Monday that she will hold her first bilateral meeting with her Guatemalan counterpart, Bernardo Arévalo, next Friday.
During her press conference at the National Palace, Sheinbaum detailed that the August 15 meeting will include a brief visit to Guatemala, followed by a trilateral meeting with Belize’s Prime Minister, Juan Antonio Briceño, in Calakmul, Campeche, in southeastern Mexico.
Sheinbaum explained that the meeting was proposed by Arévalo during a phone call last Friday, in which the Guatemalan president invited her to visit Guatemala.
The agenda will begin on Thursday night when Sheinbaum travels to Chetumal to lead her morning press conference on Friday.
Afterwards, she will travel to Guatemala for the bilateral meeting with Arévalo, then return to Calakmul to meet Belize’s Prime Minister Briceño for a trilateral meeting with Arévalo.
Later, Sheinbaum will hold a bilateral meeting with the Belizean leader.
The president announced that many agreements will be announced during the meetings with the southern border countries but avoided providing details to keep them as a surprise for that day.
Colombian president Gustavo Petro warns against U.S. military intervention in Venezuela
U.S. offers $5 million reward for arrest of haitian gang leader Jimmy “Barbeque” Cherizier
Honduras condemns U.S. reward against Nicolás Maduro as baseless attacks
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 America4 days agoNicaragua’s Telica volcano erupts four times, no damages reported
-
International4 days agoOver 240 guatemalans detained at Florida’s Alligator Alcatraz await deportation
-
International3 days agoThree injured in early-morning New York City shooting
-
International1 day agoMexico City airport resumes flights after heavy rain causes flooding and delays
-
International2 days agoMaduro gains support from Venezuelan Assembly amid U.S. drug trafficking accusations
-
International4 days agoColombian President Gustavo Petro announces talks with clan del Golfo outside country
-
International4 days agoMaría Corina Machado thanks OAS allies for condemning Venezuela’s growing repression
-
International2 days agoMexican authorities bust Meth Lab and seize tons of drugs and chemicals in multiple states
-
International1 day agoBrazil’s finance minister claims far-right forces blocked U.S. tariff talks
-
International1 day agoMexico supports 81 nationals detained in Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ says president
-
International3 days agoU.S. doubles bounty on Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro to $50 million
-
International1 day agoMexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to meet Guatemalan leader Bernardo Arévalo next friday
-
Central America31 mins agoGuatemalan gang members riot, take prison guards hostage over leader transfers
-
Central America29 mins agoHonduras condemns U.S. reward against Nicolás Maduro as baseless attacks
-
International25 mins agoU.S. offers $5 million reward for arrest of haitian gang leader Jimmy “Barbeque” Cherizier
-
International23 mins agoColombian president Gustavo Petro warns against U.S. military intervention in Venezuela