International
Colombia prepares for the possible eruption of Nevado del Ruiz
April 3 |
The first preventive evacuation works in the rural area of Villamaría in the department of Caldas, in the northwest of Colombia, began this Monday morning due to the threat of eruption of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano, which resumed its activity in recent days.
The governor of Caldas, Luis Carlos Velásquez, reported that, in the coming days, 40 families from Villamaría will be taken to safe places. “In the area there are 300 homes that are located in the high, middle and low jurisdiction of the volcano,” he specified.
Velásquez explained that this decision was taken in order to avoid the risk that exists in case of an eruption of the volcano.
He also said that 23 educational institutions, located within 10 kilometers (km) around the geological structure, were asked to conduct classes virtually after the Easter break.
The volcano increased its seismic activity in the last days, forcing to declare an orange alert and public calamity in that area to “focus resources and actions”, according to the extraordinary bulletin of the Colombian Geological Service.
John Makario Londoño, director of geohazards, explained that the “orange alert means that the Nevado del Ruiz Volcano is more likely to erupt in the coming days or weeks”.
Velásquez emphasized that this measure is “preventive” and, in that sense, he called not to generate panic and not to share photos of active volcanoes that do not correspond to the situation currently being experienced in the department.
Meanwhile, the Colombian Geological Service (SGC) reminds that, although volcanic activity may vary or decrease, it will not return to the yellow alert level until a “prudential time” of a few weeks has passed, in which “trends and patterns can be observed that allow inferring its possible decrease”.
Likewise, it warns that the level will be raised to red in the event of “an acceleration of the processes that suggest an imminent eruption or that the eruption itself occurs”.
In a meeting held by the authorities of Manizales, capital of the department of Caldas, with the Seismological and Volcanological Observatory of the city, it was agreed that the Official Fire Department of the city will be the entity in charge of providing information in case of an eventual emergency.
Subsequently, the SGC detailed that the seismic activity remains located in the southwestern sector of the volcano and at a distance from the crater between 2.0 and 5.0 kilometers.
Likewise, the Colombian SGC said that there were confirmed ash emissions and degassing due to the movement of fluids inside the volcano, which in 1985 caused the largest natural disaster in Colombia.
“The maximum height of the gas and/or ash column observed yesterday (Sunday) was 1,200 meters measured from the top of the volcano,” the statement notes.
International
Petro expresses concern over fatal shooting during mass protests in Lima
Colombian President Gustavo Petro voiced his “concern” on Thursday over recent events in Peru, following the death of a protester reportedly shot during a massive demonstration in Lima against the government and Congress.
“I must express my concern over the events in Peru. A young artist has been killed in citizens’ protests,” Petro wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The Colombian leader also noted that in Peru, “a popularly elected president remains imprisoned without conviction,” referring to Pedro Castillo, who led the country from July 2021 to December 2022 until he was removed by Congress following a failed attempted coup.
“This is a blatant violation of the American Convention on Human Rights,” Petro stated, adding, “I hope Peru seeks social and political dialogue to legitimize its public institutions.”
On Wednesday, Peru experienced widespread protests in several cities, with the largest demonstration in Lima in recent years, driven by citizens’ concerns over corruption and public insecurity.
During the capital’s mobilization, the Ombudsman’s Office confirmed the death of Eduardo Ruiz, 32, and reported clashes that left over 100 injured, including 78 police officers and 24 protesters, as well as ten arrests.
The Attorney General’s Office, investigating Ruiz’s death “in the context of serious human rights violations,” confirmed that the protester was shot.
International
Peru’s interim president José Jerí refuses to resign after protester’s death in Lima
Peru’s interim president, José Jerí, stated Thursday that he has no intention of resigning from the post he assumed last Friday, following the removal of former president Dina Boluarte, despite growing unrest over the death of a protester during massive demonstrations in Lima on Wednesday.
“I will not resign,” Jerí declared outside the Government Palace in Lima, where he returned on foot after making a surprise visit to Congress headquarters alongside Prime Minister Ernesto Álvarez.
Earlier, after leaving the Legislative Palace, the president acknowledged that the country is going through “difficult times” and condemned what he described as “a small group attempting to impose an agenda different from the citizens’ expression of discontent.”
Jerí expressed condolences for the death of Eduardo Ruiz, a 32-year-old man who died during Wednesday’s protest against the government and Congress, amid growing anger over corruption and insecurity.
“We stand in solidarity with his family,” he said, without offering further details about the incident, which has sparked outrage among Peruvians.
The president also described the demonstrations as “a legitimate civic expression” that later turned violent due to “certain groups seeking to provoke chaos by exploiting a peaceful citizen movement.”
“In a state governed by the rule of law, the rights of both demonstrators and security forces must be protected,” Jerí emphasized, adding that “as a result of that situation, this unfortunate death occurred outside the main area where the protest was taking place.”
International
Mexican government prioritizes 191 communities after deadly floods
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed on Wednesday that the death toll from recent rains and floods across several central states has risen to 66, while the federal government has activated air bridges and prioritized assistance in 191 isolated communities.
“Unfortunately, 66 people have died, and 75 remain missing,” the president said during her morning press conference. She added that the official death toll will be updated later in a new report.
As of Tuesday, authorities had reported 64 fatalities. Sheinbaum also announced the creation of a public information center to centralize official data on the deceased, missing persons, damaged homes, and cut-off communities.
According to the president, the number of missing persons has decreased thanks to coordination with state authorities.
“Through calls to phone line 079, 103 people who had been reported missing have now been located,” she explained.
Priority Municipalities
The president noted that the federal government has classified 191 communities as ‘priority’, a designation based mainly on the percentage of homes affected.
Petro expresses concern over fatal shooting during mass protests in Lima
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