International
Mexico launches electronic visa system to modernize and speed up immigration procedures
The Mexican government, through its Foreign Ministry, published new guidelines this Friday in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) for issuing electronic visas to foreign nationals, aiming to modernize and streamline migration procedures.
In parallel, the National Migration Institute (INM) announced an agreement to simplify administrative processes, particularly for people on the move and asylum seekers.
The new regulations state that the electronic visa can be processed from abroad without having to visit a Mexican consulate.
The document will feature a QR code for validation and will allow foreign nationals to enter Mexico and obtain the status of visitor without permission to engage in paid activities.
According to the publication, this electronic visa “allows the foreign person to present themselves at an international air entry point and request entry into the country from the immigration authority.”
“If authorized, an Electronic Visa with a QR code will be generated, which the foreign applicant can print and/or download to an electronic device, ensuring that the data matches their passport or travel document,” the agreement reads.
To obtain this visa, applicants must register in the Secretariat’s Electronic Appointment System, upload the required documents, and pay the corresponding fee. The authorization will be subject to security screening and verification by consular authorities.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs may issue visas in electronic format to foreign nationals without a consular interview and without the need for a physical stamp in the passport, in cases where their issuance is deemed appropriate under applicable regulations,” the guidelines specify.
This measure marks a step toward digitizing consular services and responds to the need to facilitate international mobility amid pressures from the migration crisis with the United States.
In a separate DOF publication, the INM issued an agreement to simplify, unify, and make administrative migration processes more transparent.
This includes eliminating requirements for four procedures related to the issuance of migration documents, obtaining a regional visitor card, regularization for humanitarian reasons, and notifications of changes in marital status, name, nationality, or workplace.
The agreement also shortens maximum resolution times: notifications of personal data changes must now be processed within three days, and migration documents issued in no more than 10 days.
Additionally, improvements were made to certain processes, such as the regional visitor card. The updated regulation reduces requirements and now excludes Brazilian nationals from eligibility, limiting the process to Guatemalan, Honduran, Salvadoran, and Belizean citizens.
International
Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez accuses government of sidelining her role
Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez raised her voice on Friday in Cali, denouncing that her “Black woman’s body” has been “celebrated, instrumentalized, worn out, and discarded” by the country’s political system.
Speaking at an event marking the International Day of Afro-descendant Women and Girls, Márquez broke more than two months of silence and openly described the deterioration of her relationship with President Gustavo Petro and her gradual exclusion from the executive branch.
“I went from being the political phenomenon, the heroine, to being the traitor,” Márquez declared in a powerful speech that quickly went viral on social media. She said she had been used as a symbol of hope during the presidential campaign, only to later be pushed aside from the center of political power.
Márquez stressed that her role within the Colombian government has been reduced to mere symbolism: “They want us in the picture, but not in the decision-making.” She recalled being tasked with leading the newly created Ministry of Equality — but without resources, structure, or political support, facing what she called a “systematic blockade.”
“They accused me of failing to deliver when I was never given the tools to do so (…) They spread the idea that because I am Black, I must surely steal — without having touched a single peso, they treated me like a criminal,” Márquez added, pointing to the persistent racial stigmas in Colombia’s public administration.
International
Chevron cleared to pump oil in Venezuela again, but Maduro won’t see the profits
The U.S. government restored Chevron’s operations in Venezuela on Thursday, though under certain restrictions. The move marks a significant shift from the hardline pressure strategy adopted earlier this year by President Donald Trump’s administration against Nicolás Maduro’s regime.
The decision comes just days after both governments negotiated a prisoner and detainee swap: Caracas released 10 U.S. citizens, while Washington authorized the return of 252 deported migrants detained in El Salvador.
Although full details of the agreement remain undisclosed, U.S. officials confirmed that Maduro’s administration will not financially benefit from the oil sales. The key condition of the deal ensures that no royalties or taxes will flow to the socialist leader’s government.
The announcement had an immediate impact on the market. Oil futures pared earlier gains after news broke, reflecting concerns that increased supply could pressure prices in an already fragile market. Meanwhile, Venezuela’s defaulted sovereign bonds extended recent gains, boosted by optimism surrounding Washington’s softer stance.
The new license allows the Houston-based energy giant to resume production in Venezuela, following a previous order in May to scale down operations. This could help inject much-needed U.S. dollars into Venezuela’s struggling economy.
Supporters of Chevron’s return argued that without U.S. involvement, Venezuelan oil would largely benefit China. Oil prices and American leadership in energy production also weighed heavily on Trump’s decision. However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a long-time opponent of commercial engagement with Caracas, could still attempt to block or limit the scope of the new authorization.
It is still unclear whether similar concessions will be granted to Italian oil major Eni or Spain’s Repsol, which have requested U.S. approval to swap fuel for Venezuelan crude.
“Chevron conducts its business globally in compliance with applicable laws and regulations governing its operations, as well as U.S. sanctions frameworks, including in Venezuela,” said Chevron spokesperson Bill Turenne in a statement.
The U.S. had previously revoked Chevron’s license earlier this year as part of Trump’s pressure campaign on Maduro. Now, the reinstatement could mark a critical turning point—reintroducing a vital American oil presence in Venezuela and delivering much-needed cash flow to an economy in deep decline.
Chevron remains the only major U.S. oil company still operating in Venezuela, underscoring its strategic importance for both nations.
International
Claudia Sheinbaum condemns Gaza famine and urges peace between Israel and Palestine
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned on Friday the growing famine in Gaza and issued a call for peace between the State of Israel and the State of Palestine.
“Of course, we condemn what is happening right now (in Gaza), and Mexico is putting all its words and actions toward building peace between these two states,” the president stated during her daily press conference.
She also stressed that in “all international forums” and before Mexico’s representation at the United Nations, her administration has “publicly” voiced its appeal for peace between both territories.
President Sheinbaum is among the international leaders who have recognized both the Palestinian State and the State of Israel, while reiterating the urgent need to find a peaceful resolution in light of U.S. interventions in Gaza.
Her condemnation joins others from Latin America, including Chilean President Gabriel Boric, who called for an end to what he referred to as the “Palestinian genocide,” and the Government of Uruguay, which issued an “urgent” appeal for Israel to allow the entry of humanitarian aid through the United Nations to address the “widespread famine” in Gaza.
Since the beginning of its military offensive against Gaza on October 7, 2023, Israel has severely restricted the entry of food, medicine, and fuel, triggering an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.
The situation worsened in March when the Israeli army completely blocked aid deliveries until the end of May.
Mexico launches electronic visa system to modernize and speed up immigration procedures
Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez accuses government of sidelining her role
Chevron cleared to pump oil in Venezuela again, but Maduro won’t see the profits
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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