International

Venezuelans behind Taller Neo, a recycling success story in Caracas

Photo: VOA

August 16|

Four months ago, Venezuelans Gabriel Santana and Alberto Alfonso decided to crystallize a business idea they had been studying for some time, the purpose of which was to contribute to environmental protection. Thus was born Taller Neo, a space in Caracas that transforms waste into objects of value and then put them on sale.

“The idea was born first of all out of a concern or a sensitivity that Alberto and I had for the environment (…) We saw that there were these workshops that work with recycled plastic in various parts of the planet, especially in Europe and the United States, more than in Latin America, where there are already some interesting cases,” Santana explained to the Voice of America.

He added that they then began “to see how to set up one of those workshops, what things could be made in those workshops that could be sold so that it could be a business”.

“So we started to look at the objects, the things that are created and everything around them.”

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Since formally opening on April 15, Taller Neo has been very well received. It currently offers an item created from waste: the materos, plant pots, which have become a trademark of the project.

“Our materos have been a success that we never imagined and have exceeded our expectations,” noted Alfonso.

“It has been very exciting because we have had a great receptivity from the people, from the community, from people who are involved in the environment in Venezuela and have received us very well, in social networks we have done very well. We are very happy with what we have been building and happy because we know that when we start to release the other products there will also be a good receptivity in that sense,” said Gabriel Santana.

Taller Neo is open every day from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Two people work in the space along with the founders and two online interns, although they are always open to receive more help.

In addition to recycling and creating objects from waste, Gabriel Santana and Alberto Alfonso also receive students, scouts and environmental groups at the site and give them a talk and a tour of the facilities. For both of them, these activities are crucial because they help raise awareness about environmental care and the importance of recycling in the future.

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“Young people are very important in this project because in the end it is these young minds, motivated and enthusiastic about the future, who best receive this message, and therefore become lifelong advocates and promoters of the cause,” said Alfonso.

International

Spain’s irregular migrant population rises to 840,000, study finds

The number of migrants living in Spain without legal residency status continues to rise and has reached 840,000 people, with 91% originating from the Americas, particularly Colombia, Peru and Honduras, according to a report by the Spanish think tank Funcas (Foundation of the Savings Banks).

An estimated 17.2% of the non-EU foreign population living in Spain is in an irregular administrative situation. The estimate is based on the gap between the number of foreign residents effectively living in Spain, according to the National Statistics Institute (INE), and those who hold a residence permit, benefit from international protection, or are in the process of obtaining it.

The data, as of January 1, 2025, point to a notable and sustained increase in irregular migration since 2017, when the estimated figure stood at around 107,000 people, representing 4.2% of the non-EU population residing in Spain.

By origin, migrants from the American continent stand out, totaling around 760,000 people, or 91% of all irregular migrants. Colombians account for nearly 290,000, followed by Peruvians with almost 110,000, and Hondurans with about 90,000. Migrants from Africa (50,000), Asia (15,000) and Europe (14,000) trail far behind.

The figures predate Spain’s latest immigration regulation reform, which came into force in May 2025 and introduces measures to ease access to legal status through residency ties. According to Funcas, the reform would, in principle, tend to reduce the number of migrants in an irregular situation.

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International

Historic snowstorm paralyzes Toronto after 60 centimeters of snow

Toronto, Canada’s largest city and the fourth most populous in North America, was largely paralyzed on Monday after a historic snowstorm dumped up to 60 centimeters of snow and sent temperatures plunging to -15 degrees Celsius, authorities said.

Late Sunday, as the scale of the snowfall became clear, city officials declared a climate emergency, triggering extraordinary measures including parking bans on several major streets to facilitate snow removal operations.

Toronto’s public transit authority reported that while some buses remain immobilized, subway and streetcar services are operating with relative normality, though localized disruptions may occur.

A similar situation is affecting the city’s commuter rail network, which remains operational but is experiencing significant delays on its main routes due to the severe weather conditions.

International

Venezuela frees at least 80 political prisoners, NGO says

At least 80 political prisoners were released on Sunday across Venezuela, human rights group Foro Penal reported, as the broader process of detainee releases continues at a slow pace under the interim government.

Foro Penal’s director, Alfredo Romero, wrote on social media platform X that verified releases took place nationwide and that the figure could rise as more confirmations are completed.

Attorney Gonzalo Himiob, also from Foro Penal, said the excarcelations occurred during the early hours of the day and emphasized that the number is not yet final pending further verification.

The releases are part of a series of steps announced by Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, who took power after the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro in a U.S. military operation on Jan. 3, 2026. Rodríguez has pledged a significant number of liberations but has been criticized by opposition groups and rights organizations for the slow and nontransparent nature of the process.

So far, the Venezuelan government reports that 626 detainees have been freed since December, though independent counts by human rights groups suggest the number of actual political prisoner releases is lower and that many remain behind bars.

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Families of those still detained have maintained vigils outside prisons, hopeful for further releases even as broader concerns about political imprisonment and due process persist.