International
The president of Iran reaffirms that his country will not give up its peaceful nuclear program
The president of Iran, Masud Pezeshkian, reaffirmed that his country will not give up the enrichment of uranium for peaceful purposes, although he assured that he takes seriously the nuclear negotiations with the United States, whose fourth round took place this Sunday.
“The dismantling of all Iran’s nuclear facilities is unacceptable,” Pezeshkian emphasized last night during an Iranian cabinet meeting, after the fourth round of negotiations between his country and the United States, according to the IRNA agency.
The Iranian president thus rejected the claims of the US authorities, who last week demanded the complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear facilities.
“We will continue to promote these peaceful activities firmly,” Pezeshkian said in reference to his uranium enrichment program.
The president of Iran, however, indicated that his country takes nuclear negotiations with the United States seriously, since he “desires peace.”
The Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, also insisted the day before after the fourth round of talks with the US, in Maskat (Oman), that the enrichment of uranium for peaceful purposes is not negotiable.
“The issue of enrichment is not negotiable in any way and must continue,” he said.
Araqchí said that it is possible that Tehran will accept “limitations in some aspects, such as their quantity, level or capacity.”
Despite the differences with the US negotiating team in this regard, the head of Iranian diplomacy described the negotiation as “useful” and said that the parties “have brought positions closer.”
“The topics are more complex, but the round was useful. Both parties better understand the magnitude of the differences. The positions have come closer,” said Araqchí.
The United States, for its part, called the fourth round of negotiations “encouraging” and pointed out that “an agreement was reached to advance the talks and continue working on the technical elements.”
A source from Donald Trump’s Administration told the press that the dialogue was again both direct and indirect and lasted more than three hours.
The two rivals reached the meeting with public differences over the atomic program of Tehran, which defends the enrichment of uranium for peaceful purposes, while Washington calls for its total dismantling.
The US special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, said on Friday in an interview with the American news portal Breitbart New that Tehran must abandon uranium enrichment completely.
Iran and the United States began talks on April 12, after US President Donald Trump called on Tehran to negotiate an agreement and threatened a military attack if a pact on its atomic program was not reached.
At the same time, Trump has reimposed the so-called “maximum pressure policy” against the Persian country, which he had already adopted in his first term (2017-2021) after abandoning the 2015 nuclear agreement.
After the US exit from the pact in 2018 and the reinstatement of sanctions, Tehran enriches uranium with a purity of 60%, very close to the 90% necessary to manufacture nuclear weapons.
International
Colombia says it would not reject Maduro asylum request as regional tensions escalate
The Colombian government stated on Thursday that it would have no reason to reject a potential asylum request from Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro should he leave office, as regional tensions persist over the deployment of U.S. military forces in the Caribbean since August.
“In the current climate of tension, negotiations are necessary, and if the United States demands a transition or political change, that is something to be assessed. If such a transition results in him (Maduro) needing to live elsewhere or seek protection, Colombia would have no reason to deny it,” said Colombian Foreign Minister Rosa Villavicencio in an interview with Caracol Radio.
However, Villavicencio noted that it is unlikely Maduro would choose Colombia as a refuge. “I believe he would opt for someplace more distant and calmer,” she added.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro also commented on Venezuela’s situation on Wednesday, arguing that the country needs a “democratic revolution” rather than “inefficient repression.” His remarks followed the recent detention and passport cancellation of Cardinal Baltazar Porras at the Caracas airport.
“The Maduro government must understand that responding to external aggression requires more than military preparations; it requires a democratic revolution. A country is defended with more democracy, not more inefficient repression,” Petro wrote on X (formerly Twitter), in a rare public criticism of the Venezuelan leader.
Petro also called for a general amnesty for political opponents and reiterated his call for forming a broad transitional government to address Venezuela’s prolonged crisis.
Since September, U.S. military forces have destroyed more than 20 vessels allegedly carrying drugs in Caribbean and Pacific waters near Venezuela and Colombia, resulting in over 80 deaths.
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned that attacks “inside Venezuela” will begin “soon,” while Maduro has urged Venezuelans to prepare for what he describes as an impending external aggression.
International
Cuba battles out-of-control dengue and chikungunya epidemic as death toll rises to 44
Cuba is facing a severe dengue and chikungunya epidemic that has already claimed at least 44 lives, including 29 minors, according to the Ministry of Public Health (Minsap). The outbreak—now considered out of control—has expanded across the entire country amid a critical shortage of resources to confront the emergency.
Authorities report more than 42,000 chikungunya infections and at least 26,000 dengue cases, though they acknowledge significant underreporting as many patients avoid seeking care in health centers where medicines, supplies, and medical personnel are scarce. The first cluster was detected in July in the city of Matanzas, but the government did not officially use the term “epidemic” until November 12.
Chikungunya—virtually unknown on the island until this year—causes high fever, rashes, fatigue, and severe joint pain that can last for months, leaving thousands temporarily incapacitated. Dengue, endemic to the region, triggers fever, muscle pain, vomiting, and, in severe cases, internal bleeding. Cuba currently has no vaccines available for either virus.
Minsap reports that of the 44 deaths recorded so far, 28 were caused by chikungunya and 16 by dengue.
The health crisis unfolds amid deep economic deterioration, marked by the absence of fumigation campaigns, uncollected garbage, and shortages of medical supplies—conditions that have fueled the spread of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the primary vector for both diseases. “The healthcare system is overwhelmed,” non-official medical sources acknowledge.
Beyond the health impact, the epidemic is heavily disrupting economic and family life. The intense joint pain caused by chikungunya has led to widespread work absences, while hospital overcrowding has forced relatives to leave their jobs to care for the sick. In November, authorities launched a clinical trial using the Cuban drug Jusvinza to reduce joint pain, though results have not yet been released.
International
Ecuador on track for record violence as homicides hit highest level in Latin America again
Violence in Ecuador is expected to reach historic levels by the end of 2025, with the country set to record the highest homicide rate in Latin America for the third consecutive year, according to a report released Thursday by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED). The organization warns that criminal activity is not only persisting but could worsen in 2026.
Official figures show 7,553 homicides recorded through October, surpassing the 7,063 registered throughout all of 2024. ACLED estimates that 71% of the population was exposed to violent incidents this year, despite President Daniel Noboa’s declaration of an “internal armed conflict” in an attempt to confront powerful criminal groups.
According to the report, several factors are driving the deterioration of security: a territorial war between Los Chonerosand Los Lobos, the two most influential criminal organizations in the country; the fragmentation of other groups after the fall of their leaders; and Ecuador’s expanding role as a strategic hub for regional drug trafficking.
Since 2021, violence has forced the internal displacement of around 132,000 people, while more than 400,000 Ecuadorians — equivalent to 2% of the population — have left the country. Between January and November alone, violent deaths rose 42%, fueled by prison massacres and clashes between rival gangs.
The report warns that conditions may deteriorate further. Ecuador has been added to ACLED’s 2026 Conflict Watchlist, which highlights regions at risk of escalating violence. The expansion of Colombian armed groups such as FARC dissidents and the ELN, state weakness, and a potential rerouting of drug trafficking corridors from the Caribbean to the Pacific intensify the threat.
“The president is facing a wave of violence that shows no signs of easing,” the report concludes.
Colombia says it would not reject Maduro asylum request as regional tensions escalate
Cuba battles out-of-control dengue and chikungunya epidemic as death toll rises to 44
Ecuador on track for record violence as homicides hit highest level in Latin America again
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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