International

Argentine prosecutor opens case for crimes against humanity in Venezuela

July 13 |

An Argentine prosecutor charged Venezuelan military officers who served as high commanders of the Bolivarian National Guard during the 2014 street protests with alleged crimes against humanity against opponents of the government of Nicolás Maduro.

The measure was ordered by federal prosecutor Carlos Stornelli, who resolved to push forward a criminal action “as allegedly responsible to, at least at the time, Major General Juan José Noguera Pietri, commander of the Bolivarian National Guard and Major General José Dionisio Goncálvez Mendoza, commander of the People’s Guard,” according to the provision released on Wednesday.

The International Criminal Court in The Hague reopened an investigation also for crimes against humanity for what happened during the demonstrations nine years ago.

The Argentine prosecutor also asked the United Nations, the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to send “copies of the reports of the international missions sent to Venezuela and all actions related to the dead demonstrators”.

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The official of the Attorney General’s Office charged a dozen military officers of different ranks, including brigadier generals, colonels, lieutenant colonels and sergeants of the Carabobo and Tocuyito detachments.

Stornelli’s ruling, to which AP had access, was based on a complaint filed by the Clooney Foundation for Justice (CFJ), taking into account Argentina’s human rights jurisprudence.

This organization represents the families of two Venezuelan protesters killed nearly a decade ago.

The refusal of the Venezuelan justice system to investigate the leaders of the Bolivarian National Guard (only junior officers were tried as perpetrators) led the Clooney Foundation to bring a legal case before the Argentine courts, which have relied on the principle of universal jurisdiction to try crimes against humanity committed outside its territory.

It states that “the organized attack against the civilian population between February and May 2014 responded to a policy of the Venezuelan State” and that the murders of at least 25 demonstrators at the hands of security forces or collectives were part of a “systematic plan” of repression against opponents.

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The complainants, based on the Rome Statute governing the International Criminal Court, argue that “the military commander shall be criminally responsible for crimes within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court committed by forces under his command.”

In his ruling, Stornelli requested a series of measures that must be previously endorsed by a federal judge, among them the release of exhortations to the Venezuelan justice system to send copies of the judicial proceedings and to the hospitals where the victims were assisted in order to access medical records, a list of the professionals who attended them and death certificates.

International

Kristi Noem credits Trump for mass migrant deportations by mexican president

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem claimed that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has deported “more than half a million” migrants due to pressure from former President Donald Trump.

During a cabinet meeting highlighting the “achievements” of Trump’s administration in its first 100 days, Noem asserted that under the Republican leader’s influence, “Mexico has finally come to the table” to negotiate on migration and fentanyl trafficking.

“The president of Mexico told me she has returned just over half a million people before they reached our border,” Noem stated, criticizing media reports that suggest the Biden administration deported more migrants than Trump’s.

“I wish those deportations were counted,” Noem added, “because those people never made it to our border—she sent them back because you made her.” She went on to thank Trump: “They never made it here because they got the message—because you were so aggressive.”

Noem has made controversial claims about Sheinbaum in the past, prompting the Mexican leader to refute them.

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On April 1, Sheinbaum responded to one such statement by declaring, “The president answers to only one authority, and that is the people of Mexico,” after Noem said on Fox News that she gave Sheinbaum “a list of things Trump would like to see” and that Mexico’s actions would determine whether Trump granted tariff relief.

International

Vatican releases special “Sede Vacante” stamps ahead of papal transition

he Vatican’s post offices and select collector shops began selling special edition stamps this week to mark the period between the death of Pope Francis and the election of his successor.

Known as “Sede Vacante” stamps, they feature an image used on official Vatican documents during the interregnum between popes — two crossed keys without the papal tiara. These stamps went on sale Monday and will remain valid for postal use only until the new pontiff appears at the window overlooking St. Peter’s Square.

Until then, they can be used to send letters, postcards, and parcels. “Once the new pope is elected, the stamps lose their postal validity, but their collectible value rises,” said Francesco Santarossa, who runs a collectors’ shop across from St. Peter’s Square.

The Vatican has issued the stamps in four denominations: €1.25, €1.30, €2.45, and €3.20. Each is inscribed with “Città del Vaticano” and “Sede Vacante MMXXV” — Latin for “Vacant See 2025.”

International

Conclave to choose pope Francis’ successor could begin in early may

The conclave, which in the coming weeks must choose the successor to Pope Francis, will strictly follow a precise protocol refined over centuries.

The 135 cardinal electors, all under the age of 80, will cast their votes four times a day — except on the first day — until one candidate secures a two-thirds majority. The result will be announced to the world through the burning of the ballots with a chemical that produces the eagerly awaited white smoke, accompanied by the traditional cry of “Habemus Papam.”

The start date for the conclave could be announced today, as the cardinals are set to hold their fifth meeting since the pope’s passing. Luxembourg Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich suggested it could begin on May 5 or 6, following the traditional nine days of mourning. According to German Cardinal Reinhard Marx, the conclave could last only “a few days.”

Although the late Argentine pontiff appointed the majority of the cardinal electors, this does not necessarily ensure the selection of a like-minded successor. Francis’ leadership style differed significantly from that of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, a German theologian who was less fond of large public gatherings. It also marked a contrast with the popular Polish pope, John Paul II.

The Argentine Jesuit’s reformist papacy drew strong criticism from more conservative sectors of the Church, who are hoping for a doctrinally focused shift. His tenure was marked by efforts to combat clerical sexual abuse, elevate the role of women and laypeople, and advocate for the poor and migrants, among other causes.