International
Justin Trudeau announces his resignation from the leadership of his party and as Prime Minister of Canada
The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, announced on Monday his resignation as prime minister and leader of the Liberal Party at a press conference after remaining in power for more than nine years.
“I intend to resign as party leader and as prime minister after the party selects its next leader through a competitive and rigorous process at the national level,” Trudeau said.
The prime minister explained that, although he is a “fighter”, he has come to the conclusion that he is not the “best option” for the next elections, scheduled for October, and therefore he has decided to step aside.
“During the holidays, I have also had the opportunity to reflect and I have had long conversations with my family about my future,” he explained to add: “Yest night, during dinner, I communicated my decision to my children.”
The decision means that Trudeau will remain provisionally as Prime Minister of Canada until the Liberals find a replacement.
“The Liberal Party of Canada is an important institution in the history of our great country and our democracy. A new prime minister and party leader will maintain the ideas and values of the Liberal Party,” he explained.
Trudeau, who came to power at the end of 2015, faces the collapse of his image in opinion polls and a growing rebellion within the Liberal Party, aggravated by the unexpected resignation of his deputy prime minister and finance minister, Chrystia Freeland, on December 16.
Avoid a motion of censure in the Parliament of Canada
Trudeau also reported that the Canadian Parliament will remain closed until March 24, which will prevent opposition parties from immediately filing the announced motion of censure against the Government.
The Canadian leader justified the controversial decision, which has been approved by the country’s governor general, Mary Simon, who acts as head of state on behalf of the English monarch, to extend Parliament due to the “paralysis” of the Lower House.
“That is why this morning I advised the governor-general that we need a new session of Parliament. He has authorized the petition and the Lower House will be extended until March 24,” he said.
Trudeau acknowledged that, once the sessions of Parliament are restarted, the opposition parties will present a motion of censure to overthrow the Government
The extension, which effectively ceases all legislative activities, is a controversial mechanism that was last used in 2020 when Trudeau was facing a serious scandal about government contracts with an NGO.
In December 2008, the then Prime Minister, the Conservative Stephen Harper, also extended Parliament to avoid a motion of censure that would have caused the fall of his government.
Opposition parties, which have a majority in Parliament, had announced that they would table a motion of censure against Trudeau as soon as Lower House sessions resumed.
Trudeau exalts those he considers his achievements
He also listed what he considered achievements of his nine-year government, such as poverty reduction and the fight against climate change, but also regretted not having been able to reform the Canadian electoral system to avoid the political “polarization” that is being experienced in the country.
Finally, he expressed his desire that his resignation would allow the next general election, scheduled for October of this year, not to be so divisive.
Opposition parties point out that resignation does not change anything
The deferred resignation announced by the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, has not changed anything, said the leaders of the three main opposition parties in the country, who reaffirmed their intention to present a motion of censure as soon as possible.
Pierre Poilievre, leader of the main opposition group, the Conservative Party, issued a statement after Trudeau’s announcement in which he assured that “this does not change anything.”
“Canadians desperate to turn the page of this dark chapter in our history may be relieved that Justin Trudeau is finally leaving. But what has really changed?” said Poilievre, who according to the polls is destined to win the next general elections.
Polievre added that the reason why the Liberal Party has decided to replace its leader is because the Liberal deputies “feel guilty” for the policies that he considers have broken the country during Trudeau’s nine-year term.
International
Mexico and U.S. Launch New Bilateral Security Group to Combat Fentanyl and Organized Crime
The governments of Mexico and the United States officially launched the Bilateral Implementation Group (BIG) on Friday, a new initiative aimed at strengthening cooperation on security issues and enhancing joint efforts against transnational crime.
In a statement, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson announced that he and Deputy Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco addressed officials from both countries who will lead what he described as a “new phase of bilateral cooperation.” The initiative seeks to curb the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs, illegal firearms, and human trafficking across the shared border.
Earlier this week, Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had confirmed that senior security officials from both nations would meet in Mexico City on June 12 to review and advance existing cooperation agreements.
Through social media, Ambassador Johnson explained that the new bilateral group is designed to improve coordination between the two governments by placing greater emphasis on implementation, accountability, and measurable results. The effort will also focus on combating transnational criminal organizations operating across North America.
“The participation of 15 U.S. government agencies, working alongside their Mexican counterparts, reflects the seriousness of this effort and our shared commitment to delivering measurable results,” Johnson said.
The ambassador also highlighted several achievements that he attributed to ongoing bilateral cooperation. According to Johnson, maritime drug trafficking into the United States has declined by more than 95 percent, while overdose deaths have fallen by 35 percent.
He further noted that Mexican authorities have seized more than 400 metric tons of illegal drugs and dismantled over 2,300 clandestine laboratories as part of their efforts to combat organized crime and narcotics production.
The launch of the Bilateral Implementation Group marks the latest step in the security partnership between Mexico and the United States, as both countries seek to address shared challenges related to drug trafficking, arms smuggling, human trafficking, and the activities of criminal networks operating across the region.
International
‘El Chapo’ Guzmán again asks Mexican president to seek his return from U.S. prison
Convicted drug trafficker Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán has once again appealed to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to intervene on his behalf and seek his transfer from the United States to Mexico, where he hopes to serve the remainder of his prison sentence.
Guzmán, the former leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, is currently serving a sentence of more than 50 years in the United States after being convicted in 2019 on multiple charges, including drug trafficking and money laundering.
According to reports, the latest request was made in a letter dated June 2, one of several messages that Guzmán has reportedly sent to Sheinbaum in recent months in an effort to secure his repatriation. In the letter, he expresses hope that the Mexican government can support the efforts of his legal team.
Written in English and by hand, the letter asks that he be allowed to complete his sentence in Mexico, arguing that such a transfer would enable him to receive visits from family members more easily.
Guzmán is currently being held at the United States Penitentiary Administrative Maximum Facility in Florence, Colorado, commonly known as the “Alcatraz of the Rockies,” one of the most secure prisons in the United States.
As in previous communications, the former cartel leader complained about his prison conditions, stating that he remains in near-total isolation and has little to no contact with other inmates.
He also reiterated his long-standing claim that he did not receive a fair trial in the United States and argued that the Mexican government bears responsibility for much of the violence associated with organized crime in the country.
In the letter, Guzmán maintains that his actions were motivated by a desire to protect himself and his family amid the violence linked to criminal organizations in Mexico.
Mexican authorities have not publicly indicated whether they plan to respond to the request. Guzmán remains one of the most notorious figures in the history of international drug trafficking and is serving his sentence under some of the strictest security measures in the U.S. prison system.
Central America
U.S. Authorities Accuse Guatemalan Nationals of Using False Information to Sponsor Migrant Minors
Senior officials from the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security announced Thursday criminal charges against three Guatemalan citizens accused of using false information to sponsor migrant children who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border without a parent or guardian.
According to an indictment filed in Ohio, Maritza Cahuec Coc allegedly submitted at least 12 sponsorship applications, several of which were filed under aliases or contained materially false statements intended to secure custody of the minors.
Under U.S. procedures, unaccompanied migrant children apprehended at the southern border are placed in the custody of the Department of Health and Human Services, which is responsible for their care until they can be released to a qualified sponsor, such as a parent or relative living in the United States.
Prosecutors allege that Cahuec Coc, who reportedly entered the United States illegally in 2018, received payments between late 2020 and 2023 for helping bring 12 migrant minors into the country. Authorities claim she submitted fraudulent documents and misleading information to obtain approval for the sponsorship requests.
The case was announced during a joint press conference led by Acting Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. However, officials provided limited details about the investigation and instead focused much of their remarks on criticizing immigration policies implemented under the previous administration.
Republican lawmakers and Trump administration officials have frequently pointed to the increase in unaccompanied migrant children arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border during President Joe Biden’s term, arguing that the government failed to adequately oversee their care and placement.
During Thursday’s briefing, A. Tysen Duva, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, alleged that Cahuec Coc used the identities of other individuals and falsely claimed family relationships in order to obtain custody of the children.
“Maritza submitted sponsorship applications using other people’s identities and falsely represented that the minors were the children of close relatives in order to secure their release,” Duva said.
The case remains under investigation, and federal authorities have not yet disclosed additional information regarding the other two Guatemalan nationals charged in connection with the alleged scheme.
Mexico and U.S. Launch New Bilateral Security Group to Combat Fentanyl and Organized Crime
‘El Chapo’ Guzmán again asks Mexican president to seek his return from U.S. prison
Energy chief says U.S. will restore Gulf oil shipments and refill strategic reserves
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
-
Sin categoría3 days agoEnergy chief says U.S. will restore Gulf oil shipments and refill strategic reserves
-
International5 days ago
U.S. Launches Military Strikes on Iran Following Apache Helicopter Incident
-
International3 days ago‘El Chapo’ Guzmán again asks Mexican president to seek his return from U.S. prison
-
International5 days agoMS-13 Member Sentenced to 35 Years for Fatal Subway Killing in New York
-
International4 days agoU.S. Halts Military Action Against Iran Amid Diplomatic Breakthrough
-
International4 days agoIván Cepeda Open to Revising Colombia’s Peace Policy Ahead of Runoff Election
-
International2 days agoMexico and U.S. Launch New Bilateral Security Group to Combat Fentanyl and Organized Crime
-
Central America4 days agoU.S. Authorities Accuse Guatemalan Nationals of Using False Information to Sponsor Migrant Minors