International
Colombian government and ELN agree to create humanitarian zones
September 4 |
The Government of Colombia and the National Liberation Army (ELN) confirmed on Monday the creation of the so-called “humanitarian zones”, at the end of the fourth cycle of peace talks, which was held in Caracas, the Venezuelan capital.
The news was announced by Senator Iván Cepeda, one of the negotiators of the Colombian government, who specified that “humanitarian zones will be created in which there will be an intervention, not only of a humanitarian nature, but also through development projects that will embody many of the peace agreements that the (negotiating) table is reaching”.
In a ceremony held in Caracas, a joint declaration was released, in which the parties indicated that they will produce “humanitarian actions”, without specifying which ones, “that promote the bilateral, national and temporary ceasefire, promote the participation of the communities, peoples and other social, economic and political forces in these territories”.
Likewise, this new agreement includes humanitarian actions, with which the Government of Gustavo Petro and the ELN seek to “carry out social development projects (…) for implementation in the coming months”.
The areas chosen were Bajo Calima and San Juan, localities in the department of Valle del Cauca, as well as Sur de Bolívar (Bolívar) and Bajo Cauca (Antioquia), territory in which violent actions were registered in the last weeks, despite the bilateral ceasefire agreed, which came into force last August 3 and will be extended until February 2024.
However, the parties will be able to define new “humanitarian zones”, if necessary, after analyzing the circumstances in these territories.
At the ceremony, the main ELN negotiator, commander Pablo Beltrán, referred that “the ceasefire has been under fire” and charged against the attacks to the process, of whom he said are “against Peace”.
He also pointed out that the negotiators have “placed emphasis on dealing with the critical zones, which are areas where there have been severe attacks”.
For his part, the head of the Colombian government delegation, Otty Patiño, pointed out that “in these nine months we have achieved a cease-fire, citizen participation to build a national agreement with thousands of voices”.
Patiño pointed out that “we have initiated a process of participation that aims to be the meeting between a civil ELN and Colombian society. It is a scenario in which differences are conveyed in a frank, intelligent and non-aggressive manner that will help in the construction of a great National Agreement”.
In another intervention, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Iván Gil valued that “peace in Colombia is an urgent and necessary matter that cannot be postponed” and ratified that Caracas “is willing to host the necessary meetings”.
The main objective of this cycle, which began on August 14, was to address issues such as the bilateral cease-fire and the participation of civil society in the dialogues. The negotiators thanked the Venezuelan government for the facilities provided for this process.
International
Four suspected PCC members killed in Police shootout in Florianópolis
At least four armed men, allegedly linked to an organized crime group, were killed Sunday night during a shootout with police officers at Ponta das Canas beach on the island of Florianópolis, capital of the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, local media reported on Monday.
According to the Santa Catarina Military Police, one of the men killed was a native of the state of São Paulo (southeast) and identified as a leader of the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), a gang that controls drug trafficking in the Papaquara community in northern Florianópolis, one of Brazil’s most popular tourist areas.
Police said officers were conducting a patrol in the Ponta das Canas neighborhood when they noticed a man entering a house in a hurry, raising suspicion. Upon entering the residence, they encountered four heavily armed individuals.
During the police operation, one of the suspects reportedly attempted to seize an officer’s rifle, triggering the exchange of gunfire. “Faced with the imminent threat and the criminals’ high firepower, the officers responded to stop the aggression,” the Military Police said on social media.
International
U.S. uses $4.65 billion in emergency funds to sustain SNAP benefits amid shutdown
The U.S. government will use $4.65 billion from an emergency fund to finance payments under SNAP, the country’s primary food assistance program, covering roughly “50% of benefits for eligible households,” according to a Department of Agriculture official in court filings.
The administration, however, does not plan to make up the funding shortfall through other resources, as noted in documents submitted to a federal court in Rhode Island.
This announcement follows a federal judge’s order in Providence — one of two issued last week — requiring the government to tap emergency funds to ensure the program remains operational.
The Trump administration argues that SNAP is running out of money amid a month-long federal government shutdown, triggered by a budget standoff between Democrats and Republicans who continue to blame each other for the crisis.
President Trump said on Friday that he was willing to release the necessary funds if the courts required it and emphasized that he does not want “Americans to go hungry.”
Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic minority leader in the House of Representatives, accused Trump and the Republican Party on Sunday of “weaponizing hunger” during the political dispute.
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.
Four suspected PCC members killed in Police shootout in Florianópolis
U.S. uses $4.65 billion in emergency funds to sustain SNAP benefits amid shutdown
U.S. strike in Caribbean kills three suspected drug traffickers
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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