International
Suspension of arrest warrant for ELN leader could give Colombia’s peace process some breathing space
June 7 |
The peace process between the Colombian government and the National Liberation Army guerrilla received a boost on Tuesday after the Attorney General’s Office agreed to suspend the arrest warrants against the top leader of that organization.
The decision was made at the request of President Gustavo Petro and was made – according to the Attorney General’s Office – “based on the principle of harmonious collaboration between the public authorities” and “the collective duty to contribute to the search for peace”.
The suspension of the arrest warrants for alias Antonio García was communicated to national and international authorities through Interpol, the Attorney General’s Office added in a statement.
With the integration of the ELN’s top leader to the negotiating table with Petro’s government, which is expected to take place in the coming days, it is hoped that progress will be made in the peace process.
Talks between the Colombian government and the ELN resumed in August last year after talks between the High Commissioner for Peace, Danilo Rueda, and several leaders of the insurgent group in Cuba, where they have been in recent years.
Negotiations had been suspended since January 2019 when the ELN was accused by authorities of detonating an explosive at a police school that killed 21 people.
At that time, the government of then-President Iván Duque (2018-2022) imposed two conditions on the guerrillas: immediately cease terrorist acts and release all hostages held by them. The demands were not met and the peace process remained in limbo.
With the arrival of the leftist Petro to the government, contacts between the two sides resumed.
However, the negotiations have suffered some setbacks, such as, for example, the ELN’s refusal to accept a ceasefire announced by Petro in December, which is still on the negotiating table.
Garcia, whose real name is Eliécer Herlinto Chamorro Acosta, assumed the top leadership of the guerrilla group in 2021.
Some analysts have warned that several of García’s positions were not helping the progress of the peace process taking place in Cuba. Last May 8, in an interview granted to the digital media Infobae, García affirmed that “the State is still thinking about subduing the guerrilla, annihilating it or defeating it” and that “this way of thinking prevents the construction of peace”.
On the possibility of agreeing a cease-fire, the head of the Colombian government negotiating team, Otty Patiño, said the day before that the issue is still under study and that, if agreed, it would last six months.
Between the end of 2022 and the beginning of this year, the delegations held two cycles of dialogues in Venezuela and Mexico -both guarantor countries of the negotiations-.
International
U.S. strike in Caribbean kills three suspected drug traffickers
A U.S. strike on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean killed three people on Saturday, according to Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth, marking the latest in a series of attacks in international waters.
The United States has deployed ships to the Caribbean and sent fighter jets to Puerto Rico as part of a large military force that Washington says is aimed at curbing drug trafficking.
“This vessel, like all the others, was known to our intelligence for being involved in illicit narcotics smuggling,” Hegseth stated on X. “Three narcoterrorists were aboard the vessel during the attack, which took place in international waters,” he added.
Experts argue that the attacks, which began in early September, amount to extrajudicial executions, even if the targets are known traffickers.
Washington has yet to publicly provide evidence that the targeted individuals were actively smuggling drugs or posed a threat to the United States.
Hegseth said the U.S. would continue “hunting… and killing” suspected traffickers. He also shared video footage of the strike, showing the vessel being hit and engulfed in flames. As in previous videos, sections of the ship were blurred, making it impossible to verify the number of people on board.
The United Nations called on Friday for Washington to halt its attacks.
International
At least 23 killed in Sonora supermarket blast, including minors
At least 23 people were killed and 11 others injured in an explosion at a supermarket in Hermosillo, in the northern Mexican state of Sonora, local authorities reported on Saturday.
“So far, there are 23 confirmed deaths and 11 injured, including minors,” said Sonora Governor Alfonso Durazo in a video message. He added that the injured are receiving treatment in various hospitals across the city.
“I have ordered a thorough and transparent investigation to determine the causes of the incident and assign responsibility where appropriate,” Durazo said.
The explosion occurred at a Waldo’s store in downtown Hermosillo. Local authorities confirmed that the incident was not an attack nor related to any violent act against civilians.
Meanwhile, Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences on X, offering sympathy to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives.
International
Floods in Central Vietnam leave 28 dead, thousands displaced
The death toll from heavy rains and flooding in central Vietnam has risen to 28, with six people reported missing and 43 injured, local newspaper VnExpress reported Friday night.
More than 22,100 homes remain flooded, primarily in the cities of Hue and Da Nang. Floods and landslides have destroyed or swept away 91 houses and damaged another 181, the report added.
Around 245,000 households are still without electricity, particularly in Da Nang, where over 225,000 homes are affected.
Additionally, 80 stretches of national highways are blocked or disrupted due to landslides. Authorities expect the flooding to continue for another day or two in the region.
U.S. strike in Caribbean kills three suspected drug traffickers
At least 23 killed in Sonora supermarket blast, including minors
Floods in Central Vietnam leave 28 dead, thousands displaced
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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