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
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to meet Guatemalan leader Bernardo Arévalo next friday
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed on Monday that she will hold her first bilateral meeting with her Guatemalan counterpart, Bernardo Arévalo, next Friday.
During her press conference at the National Palace, Sheinbaum detailed that the August 15 meeting will include a brief visit to Guatemala, followed by a trilateral meeting with Belize’s Prime Minister, Juan Antonio Briceño, in Calakmul, Campeche, in southeastern Mexico.
Sheinbaum explained that the meeting was proposed by Arévalo during a phone call last Friday, in which the Guatemalan president invited her to visit Guatemala.
The agenda will begin on Thursday night when Sheinbaum travels to Chetumal to lead her morning press conference on Friday.
Afterwards, she will travel to Guatemala for the bilateral meeting with Arévalo, then return to Calakmul to meet Belize’s Prime Minister Briceño for a trilateral meeting with Arévalo.
Later, Sheinbaum will hold a bilateral meeting with the Belizean leader.
The president announced that many agreements will be announced during the meetings with the southern border countries but avoided providing details to keep them as a surprise for that day.
International
Mexico City airport resumes flights after heavy rain causes flooding and delays
Mexico City’s Benito Juárez International Airport resumed operations on Monday after heavy rains on Sunday evening forced a temporary suspension of flights.
In a statement released Monday morning, the airport explained that due to rainfall measuring between 50 and 77 millimeters, operations were halted amid reports of poor visibility and flooding that caused damage to terminals and a collapse of the airport’s drainage system.
The four-hour suspension to drain water affected 104 flights and nearly 14,900 passengers, who had to be redirected to other airports across the country.
To address the flooding in the airside areas, buildings, and surrounding roads, vacuum trucks and motor pumps were deployed to ensure safe conditions on runways, taxiways, and platforms, allowing flight operations to resume, the Navy Secretariat said.
By 6:00 a.m. local time (12:00 GMT), traffic on runway 05 right – 23 left had not yet fully normalized, nearly six hours after runway 05 left – 23 right had been cleared for use.
International
Mexico supports 81 nationals detained in Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ says president
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Monday that the government is monitoring and providing support to 81 Mexican nationals detained at a facility in Florida known as ‘Alligator Alcatraz.’ She also expressed her opposition to this type of detention center.
During her morning press conference at the National Palace, Sheinbaum explained that the Mexican consulate in Miami has interviewed the detainees during visits between July 23 and August 11 and maintains ongoing communication with them.
“Our colleague, former Governor of Chiapas Rutilio Escandón, regularly visits the facility to check on the needs of those detained. At the same time, we are working diplomatically to ensure that they remain there for as few days as possible,” she said.
She also emphasized that legal support is provided to those wishing to expedite their deportation to Mexico, as well as assistance for those who choose to pursue legal proceedings in the U.S. before repatriation.
Sheinbaum noted that so far, there have been no reports of human rights violations and stressed the importance of constant communication with the nationals.
“Obviously, we do not agree with these types of detention centers. They are state-run, not federal; they belong to the state of Florida,” she added.
She also explained that in some cases, detainees are later transferred to federal facilities before deportation, provided there are no ongoing legal proceedings.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to meet Guatemalan leader Bernardo Arévalo next friday
Mexico City airport resumes flights after heavy rain causes flooding and delays
Mexico supports 81 nationals detained in Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ says president
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