International
Latin America defends the Cartagena Process on refugees in cases of xenophobia
Authorities of the region, representatives of civil society and international organizations commemorated this Wednesday in Chile the 40th anniversary of the Cartagena Process, a pioneering model of regional collaboration for the protection of refugees, and claimed its importance in the face of the increase in xenophobic discourses and the suspicion of multilateralism.
“We are in a world where the successes of multilateralism are scarce and the international community seems increasingly unable to prevent and resolve conflicts. A world in which mixed movements of refugees and migrants have reached unimaginable figures,” Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), said at the ceremony.
In that scenario, Grandi added, “reaching agreements that positively and significantly change the course of history has become difficult,” so – he said – “it is a pleasure and an honor to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the historic Cartagena Declaration on Refugees.”
40th anniversary of the Cartagena Process
Adopted in 1994, the declaration is a technical, legal, political and strategic instrument of cooperation and shared responsibility between Latin American countries to develop solutions and strengthen the international system of protection for refugees, forcibly displaced and stateless persons.
With this adoption, the so-called Cartagena Process began and the concept of refugee stipulated in the 1951 Refugee Statute was expanded.
“This process that in an innovative, flexible, pragmatic, gradual, cumulative and multi-stakeholder way has created an institutionality that, recognizing the links with international human rights law, plays a crucial role in the protection of displaced persons,” said the secretary of the ECLAC Commission, Luis Fidel Yanez.
From 2004, the creation of common ten-yer action plans were established.
Roadmap for the next decade
Authorities of the region, such as the foreign ministers of Chile, Brazil or Colombia, representatives of civil society and international organizations will debate for two days at the headquarters of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), in Santiago, the roadmap for the next 10 years to continue protecting refugees and displaced people.
“Only through cooperation and regional integration will we be able to consolidate the protection of human rights and provide effective responses to the challenges we face,” said Chilean Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren.
Due to various social conflicts, poverty, climate change or natural disasters, thousands of Latin Americans have been forced to migrate in recent years and have plunged the region into a recent unparalleled migration crisis.
A recent study by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) revealed that up to 7 out of 10 migrants or mobile people in the Americas need comprehensive health services due to their situation.
International
Truck bomb attack near police station in Colombia leaves 14 injured ahead of presidential inauguration
A truck loaded with explosives exploded on Saturday near a police station in the Colombian city of Cúcuta, close to the Venezuelan border, leaving 14 people injured in an attack that occurred six days before president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella’s inauguration.
The blast took place in the early hours of the morning and was allegedly carried out by members of the National Liberation Army (ELN), who detonated a vehicle packed with explosives. According to the latest report from the Colombian Army, the attack injured 11 police officers and three civilians.
The explosion involved around 15 explosive devices, and two of the wounded officers are in critical condition and “fighting for their lives,” said William Villamizar, governor of Norte de Santander, the region where the attack occurred.
The incident comes amid Colombia’s worst wave of violence in the past decade, with armed groups expanding their presence in several areas of the country.
“I strongly condemn the cowardly terrorist attack carried out in Cúcuta against our National Police. Terrorism will not intimidate Colombia or break the determination of Colombians to live in peace and security,” De la Espriella said in a post on X.
The conservative lawyer, who has been described as a far-right figure, will take office on August 7, replacing Gustavo Petro, Colombia’s first left-wing president. The inauguration ceremony will be held in Cali, the country’s third-largest city and a frequent target of attacks by armed groups.
The United Nations condemned what it described as an “indiscriminate attack” that caused not only injuries but also “fear and distress among the population.”
De la Espriella has repeatedly warned about an alleged plot against his life. Meanwhile, President Gustavo Petro, who is currently visiting Cuba, has not commented on the attack. During his visit, Petro met with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel to discuss what Havana describes as the United States’ “policy of suffocation” toward the island.
International
EU Faces Migration Crisis After 60,000 Migrants Arrive in Spain’s Ceuta Enclave
The arrival of around 60,000 migrants from Morocco to Spain’s Ceuta enclave triggered a major European Union crisis on Friday, after Madrid described the situation as an “attack” on its territorial integrity.
At least 34 people died while attempting to reach the Spanish territory, according to local authorities.
Hundreds of migrants had begun arriving in Ceuta earlier in the week, either by swimming across the border or climbing security fences. Most of those who entered were young men and teenagers.
However, the situation escalated dramatically early Thursday morning, when the number of arrivals surged within a few hours, reaching nearly 60,000 people. According to the Spanish government, the vast majority of them — around 48,000 migrants — had returned to Morocco by Friday evening.
The episode represents one of the most serious migration crises faced by the autonomous city of Ceuta, which has a population of around 84,000 residents, in recent years.
Several European countries responded strongly to the crisis, with Italy announcing the temporary suspension of the Schengen free movement agreement with Spain, a measure supported by Finland and Denmark.
“The temporary suspension of Schengen with Spain is a necessary decision to protect the security of our citizens and defend Europe’s borders,” Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said in a post on X.
Italy’s Interior Ministry confirmed that the country had tightened controls on maritime and air entry points from Spain, but clarified that the measure would not affect Spanish or European citizens traveling to Italy.
The additional checks will specifically target non-European citizens arriving from Spain, according to the ministry.
The measure will remain in effect for one month starting Saturday, authorities said.
Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares responded to the Italian announcement through a statement on X, as European governments continued discussions over the consequences of the migration crisis.
International
Chuck Schumer Unveils Proposal to Strengthen Oversight of the U.S. Presidency
U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer on Thursday announced legislation to establish a federal anti-corruption office aimed at strengthening oversight of the executive branch and preventing future presidents from using the White House for personal financial gain.
Schumer said the proposal was prompted by what he described as President Donald Trump’s misuse of the presidencyto benefit his family’s business interests.
“In just 18 months, the Trump family has made more than $4 billion by exploiting the influence of the presidency,” Schumer alleged.
The New York senator also argued that the alleged corruption has had direct economic consequences for American households.
“The same corrupt practices Trump is using to pocket billions of dollars are also forcing Americans to pay, on average, $3,100 more each year because of the rising cost of living,” he said.
The legislation was introduced alongside Democratic Senators Alex Padilla, Jeff Merkley, and Andy Kim.
According to Schumer, the bill has two primary objectives: “First, to return money to the American people. Second, to ensure that no one can ever steal from them again.”
He added that the proposal would create legal mechanisms allowing citizens to seek the recovery of funds allegedly obtained through government corruption.
“The fact that Trump stole money from the American people does not make it his. Americans deserve to get that money back,” Schumer said.
Under the proposed legislation, any U.S. citizen—as well as state attorneys general acting on behalf of their residents—would be authorized to file civil lawsuits to recover funds allegedly acquired through corrupt practices by public officials.
“Our bill would empower any individual, including a state attorney general acting on behalf of the people of that state, to bring legal action to recover money stolen from the public through government corruption,” Schumer said.
The measure is expected to face debate in Congress, where Republicans and Democrats remain deeply divided over executive accountability and the scope of presidential powers.
Truck bomb attack near police station in Colombia leaves 14 injured ahead of presidential inauguration
EU Faces Migration Crisis After 60,000 Migrants Arrive in Spain’s Ceuta Enclave
Chuck Schumer Unveils Proposal to Strengthen Oversight of the U.S. Presidency
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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