International
Guatemalan president-elect calls for end to persecution of his party
September 12 |
The president-elect of Guatemala, Bernardo Arévalo de León, called for an end to the judicial persecution against his social democratic party Semilla.
Arévalo insisted that the judicial actions against his political party affect the process of transition and investiture as president of Guatemala as of January 2024.
It is worth mentioning that the president elect is meeting with the outgoing president, Alejandro Giammattei to continue with the process of transfer of power.
For his part, Giammattei committed himself to “carry out an orderly and high quality transition” and offered Arévalo a physical space in the National Palace of Culture to maintain “constant communication” to carry out the transition process.
Despite the statements of the outgoing president, Arévalo insisted that “it is necessary to cease the process of political persecution and judicial intimidation which is underway by the institutions of justice”.
It should be recalled that the elected president denounced last August 1 a “coup d’état” plan that would prevent him from taking office in January, despite the fact that Giammattei swore “to give his life” so that Arevalo would take office on January 14.
“I assure you and if my life is necessary for you to take office there you have it, but you will be the next president of Guatemala, whether I like it or not, what matters is that the people elected you”, argued the president a few days ago.
On this occasion and in front of the press, Giammattei kept his word and guaranteed to keep it for next January.
“As head of state I guaranteed you a week ago and I guarantee you today (that) you will take office on January 14, that is the decision of the people of Guatemala. It will be good, it will be bad, that does not matter, and that decision is respected,” he said.
After Arevalo’s electoral victory during the first presidential round, the Attorney General’s Office initiated an investigation process that would damage the legal status of the Semilla party.
The argument of the Prosecutor’s Office insisted on alleged anomalies in its registration for 2017. Despite the evidence, the Constitutional Court revoked the ruling and allowed Arevalo to compete in the second round.
By last Tuesday, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) declared the progressive Arévalo as the winner and handed him and his vice-president-elect Karin Herrera the credentials accrediting him as president-elect.
Arévalo thanked for the credentials and said that the TSE magistrates are a central element in the process of defending democracy in the country.
However, despite being president elect, Bernardo Arévalo insists that there is a persecution against his political party that seeks to impede the transition process of his nation.
International
Rubio rules out 2028 presidential bid if Vance runs
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he would not seek the presidency in 2028 if current Vice President JD Vancedecides to run as the Republican nominee to succeed President Donald Trump.
“If JD Vance runs for president, he will be our candidate, and I will be one of the first people to support him,” Rubio said in an interview with Vanity Fair, in which he appeared alongside other senior members of the presidential cabinet.
Rubio, 54, and Vance, 41, are widely viewed as two of the leading Republican figures who could headline the party’s ticket in the 2028 election. Under the U.S. Constitution, Trump is barred from seeking another term after completing two presidential mandates.
In a lighthearted moment during the interview, Vance jokingly offered photographers $1,000 if they managed to make him look better than Rubio in the photos. Both leaders have received public backing from Trump, who last October floated the idea of a joint ticket featuring Rubio and Vance, without clarifying who would lead it.
“I think that if they ever teamed up, they would be unstoppable. I don’t think anyone would run against us,” Trump said at the time.
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, who also took part in the interview, confirmed that Trump does not intend to violate the 22nd Amendment, which prohibits a third presidential term, though she acknowledged that the president is “having fun” with speculation about a possible return to office.
Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, served as a Republican senator from 2010 to 2025. He sought the party’s presidential nomination in 2016 but was defeated by Trump after a bruising primary contest. His name was floated as a potential vice presidential pick in 2024, but Vance ultimately secured the spot. After taking office, Trump appointed Rubio as secretary of state, making him the first Latino to hold the position.
International
Authorities search for armed and dangerous suspect in fatal Brown University attack
According to the statement, investigators are “seeking the public’s help to identify and speak with an individual” who was seen “near” the suspect at the time of the attack.
The Providence Police Department in Rhode Island released three photos of the person of interest, whose face has been blurred. In the images, the individual is wearing navy blue clothing, what appears to be a green hood, and carrying a light-colored backpack.
Earlier, authorities had released several photos and videos of a suspect described as “approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a stocky build,” dressed in dark clothing, with their face covered by a surgical mask and wearing a beanie. The suspect’s identity remains unknown.
Authorities are offering a $50,000 reward for any information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the person responsible for the killings, who is considered armed and dangerous.
The gunman opened fire on Saturday at Brown University’s engineering and physics building, where exams were being held, killing students Ella Cook and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov. The names of the nine people injured have not been released.
International
Police investigate deaths of Rob Reiner and wife as apparent homicide
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is investigating the deaths of Hollywood actor and filmmaker Rob Reinerand his wife as an “apparent homicide,” amid a wave of tributes to the director of classics such as When Harry Met Sally.
According to U.S. media reports on Sunday, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner were found dead at their Los Angeles mansion with what appeared to be stab wounds.
Several political figures shared messages of condolence following the reported deaths of the director of A Few Good Menand his wife.
While the LAPD did not officially confirm the identities of the victims, it stated that homicide detectives were dispatched to the Reiner residence.
“At this time, no additional details are available and the investigation into an apparent homicide is ongoing,” the Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement posted on social media.
LAPD Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton told reporters that no arrests have been made and that no individuals are currently being questioned as suspects.
“I’m not going to confirm whether anyone is being questioned at this moment or not. We are going to try to speak with as many family members as we can,” Hamilton said.
CNN reported that a family spokesperson confirmed the deaths of Reiner and his wife.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, former U.S. President Barack Obama, and former Vice President Kamala Harrisissued statements expressing their condolences.
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