International

Ecuador extradites drug lord ‘Fito’ to U.S., declares blow to criminal Mafias

The Ecuadorian government announced on Monday that the extradition of drug trafficker José Adolfo Macías Villamar, alias “Fito”, to the United States is a significant victory in its ongoing fight against organized crime. Fito, who was recaptured less than a month ago, was handed over to U.S. authorities on Sunday.

“It’s a major blow to organized crime,” stated government spokesperson Carolina Jaramillo during her weekly press briefing. She emphasized that both the extradition of Fito and ongoing operations targeting criminal economies are actions that “weaken the mafias.”

Jaramillo reaffirmed the commitment of President Daniel Noboa’s administration to continue its battle against criminal groups. The government declared a “war” on organized crime last year after acknowledging the presence of an “internal armed conflict” and labeling such groups as “terrorists.”

The spokesperson also highlighted that Fito’s extradition was the result of swift bilateral coordination with the United States, noting, “In less than a month, he was removed from national territory.”

International

Cristian González Ardila detained over attempted attack on colombian senator Miguel Uribe

The Colombian Prosecutor’s Office announced on Monday that Cristian González Ardila has been placed under preventive detention for his alleged involvement in the attack against Senator and presidential pre-candidate Miguel Uribe on June 7 during a campaign event in Bogotá.

According to an official statement, “González Ardila’s role was to arrive at the scene using a motorized vehicle to ensure the escape of the individual hired to carry out the attack against Senator Uribe once it was committed.”

González Ardila faces charges of attempted aggravated homicide as well as illegal manufacturing, trafficking, or possession of firearms. He surrendered to authorities during a raid and search operation at his residence in Bogotá.

The Colombian Prosecutor’s Office has revealed that six individuals are currently being prosecuted in connection with the case, including the alleged mastermind of the assassination attempt, Elder José Arteaga Hernández, known as ‘El Costeño.’

International

Trump slams federal judge over Harvard lawsuit, vows immediate appeal

On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticized federal judge Allison D. Burroughs, who is presiding over the litigation between his administration and Harvard University, vowing to appeal immediately if the ruling does not go in his favor.

“The Harvard case was just heard in Massachusetts by a judge appointed by Obama. She is a TOTAL DISASTER, I say this even before hearing her decision,” Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social.

The dispute between the White House and Harvard arose after the administration ordered the freezing of over $2 billion in federal funds to the university, accusing it of implementing affirmative action policies and restricting what they describe as a “diversity of ideas.” The legal case was filed Monday in a Boston court.

Trump’s administration, through the Federal Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, has accused Harvard of promoting practices contrary to ideological diversity. Earlier this year, the government demanded a review of Harvard’s admission processes, hiring practices, and the political ideology of both staff and students — a request the university rejected.

International

UN Chief: Gaza’s humanitarian systems are collapsing under israeli blockade

UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a stark warning Monday about the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, stating that “all the systems keeping people alive are collapsing” under the ongoing blockade imposed by Israel.

The statement was delivered by UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric during a press briefing at the organization’s headquarters in New York. Guterres expressed deep concern over “growing reports of malnutrition affecting children and adults,” and criticized the ongoing restrictions that have prevented humanitarian aid from reaching the enclave.

“Israel has an obligation to allow and facilitate, by all means available, the delivery of humanitarian aid provided by the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations,” Dujarric said on Guterres’s behalf.

The secretary-general also condemned recent violence targeting civilians, noting that “Gaza’s population is suffering from a severe lack of essential life-sustaining goods.” He referenced recent shootings, injuries, and deaths among desperate civilians trying to access food.

Guterres expressed particular alarm over a new evacuation order by the Israeli army in the Deir al-Balah area, in northern Gaza, which has forced thousands of already displaced people to flee again under increasingly dire conditions.

20250715_donacion_sangre_central_728x90

20250701_vacunacion-influenza-728x90

20250701_vacunacion_vph-728x90

20250701_dengue_728x90

20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

20231124_etesal_728x90_1

20230601_agenda_primera_infancia_728X90

domfuturo_netview-728x90

20240604_dom_728x90

CEL

He also denounced the bombing of two UN facilities in the region, despite their coordinates having been shared with the parties involved. “UN facilities are inviolable,” he stressed.

Guterres renewed his call for the “immediate and unconditional” release of all Israeli hostages and offered to scale up humanitarian aid distribution significantly. “The time for a ceasefire is now,” he concluded.