International
Nicolás Maduro says that “the truth has triumphed” in Venezuela and begins a “new stage”
The leader of Chavismo, Nicolás Maduro, who was sworn in for a third consecutive term in Venezuela, said this Sunday that “the truth has triumphed” and that a “new stage” begins in the country, where the political crisis increased after his questioned inauguration on Friday, when the largest opposition coalition denounced the consummation of a “coup d’état”.
However, he said that the South American nation is “in peace, in democracy” and “in full exercise” of its sovereignty, after “the Venezuelan people” – he said – have “triumphed in perfect popular-military-police fusion.”
“Peace, stability, the Constitution, democracy and truth have triumphed, and Nicolás Maduro Moros is president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, sworn in for the period 2025-2031,” he said on Telegram.
In addition, he assured that the country will “build the peace of the righteous” and “the new democracy”, which, he added, will be “revolutionary”.
Maduro was proclaimed winner of the presidential elections of last July 28 by the National Electoral Council (CNE), controlled by Chavismo, based on results that are still unknown in a broken way, despite the fact that the official schedule approved for the celebration of these votes contemplated their publication.
The main opposition alliance – the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD) – accused Maduro of consummating a “coup d’état”, by assuring that its leader, former ambassador Edmundo González Urrutia, was the winner of those elections, which he supports with 85.18% of the voting records that he claims to have gathered thanks to witnesses and table members.
Much of the international community also rejects Maduro’s controversial third term, including the United States, the European Union (EU) and Latin American countries, such as Peru and Paraguay, which denied legitimacy to the Chavista inauguration.
For his part, González Urrutia, who claims to be the winner of the elections, said on Friday that he is “very close” to his country, “ready for safe entry,” and stressed that Maduro “has violated the Constitution and the sovereign will of Venezuelans expressed on July 28” and “proclaims himself dictator.”
International
U.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute
The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday against a budget proposal in a move aimed at pressuring changes at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), following the killing of two civilians during a deployment of immigration agents in Minneapolis.
All Senate Democrats and seven Republican lawmakers voted against the bill, which requires 60 votes to advance, pushing the country closer to a partial government shutdown that would cut funding for several agencies, including the Pentagon and the Department of Health.
The rejection came as Senate leaders and the White House continue negotiations on a separate funding package for DHS that would allow reforms to the agency. Proposed measures include banning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing face coverings and requiring them to use body-worn cameras during operations.
The vote took place just hours after President Donald Trump said he was “close” to reaching an agreement with Democrats and did not believe the federal government would face another shutdown, following last year’s record stoppage.
“I don’t think the Democrats want a shutdown either, so we’ll work in a bipartisan way to avoid it. Hopefully, there will be no government shutdown. We’re working on that right now,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.
International
Trump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he secured a commitment from Russian President Vladimir Putinto halt attacks against Ukraine for one week, citing extreme weather conditions affecting the region.
“Because of the extreme cold (…) I personally asked Putin not to attack Kyiv or other cities and towns for a week. And he agreed. He was very pleasant,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting broadcast by the White House.
Trump acknowledged that several advisers had questioned the decision to make the call.
“A lot of people told me not to waste the call because they wouldn’t agree. And he accepted. And we’re very happy they did, because they don’t need missiles hitting their towns and cities,” the president said.
According to Trump, Ukrainian authorities reacted with surprise to the announcement but welcomed the possibility of a temporary ceasefire.
“It’s extraordinarily cold, record cold (…) They say they’ve never experienced cold like this,” he added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later commented on the announcement, expressing hope that the agreement would be honored.
International
Storm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power
Storm Kristin, which battered Portugal with heavy rain and strong winds early Wednesday, has left at least five people dead, while nearly half a million residents remained without electricity as of Thursday, according to updated figures from authorities.
The revised death toll was confirmed to AFP by a spokesperson for the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANPEC). On Wednesday, the agency had reported four fatalities.
Meanwhile, E-Redes, the country’s electricity distribution network operator, said that around 450,000 customers were still without power, particularly in central Portugal.
Emergency services responded to approximately 1,500 incidents between midnight and 8:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, as the storm caused widespread disruptions.
The Portuguese government described Kristin as an “extreme weather event” that inflicted significant damage across several regions of the country. At the height of the storm, as many as 850,000 households and institutions lost electricity during the early hours of Wednesday.
Several municipalities ordered the closure of schools, many of which remained shut on Thursday due to ongoing adverse conditions.
Ricardo Costa, regional deputy commander of the Leiria Fire Brigade, said residents continue to seek assistance as rainfall persists.
“Even though the rain is not extremely intense, it is causing extensive damage to homes,” he noted.
In Figueira da Foz, a coastal city in central Portugal, strong winds toppled a giant Ferris wheel, underscoring the severity of the storm.
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