International
Colombia reports on security deployment for local elections
October 9 |
The Government of Colombia released this Saturday details of the deployment of the Military Forces and the Police to ensure security during the local and territorial elections on October 29 and the right of every citizen to vote.
In a statement, the Executive specified that 120,193 members of the Armed Forces will be deployed in coordination with the National Police, the Aerospace Force and the Navy.
A total of 86,802 uniformed personnel will ensure security in 4,611 prioritized voting points, out of the total of 12,817 nationwide, with 120,000 polling stations (5,605 in urban areas and 7,212 in rural areas).
Meanwhile, another 7,703 troops will secure national roads and will be present on secondary and tertiary roads. Protection will also be provided to critical structures to provide connectivity, where 20,212 soldiers will be deployed.
The statement said that 5,299 uniformed troops will remain in a second echelon to provide support to other contingents, while 177 air crews from the Air Assault Aviation Division will be available to deal with any eventuality.
This device will act to “guarantee the security and the free right of all Colombians to exercise their right to vote”, said the statement, which detailed that on October 29, local and territorial authorities will be elected in the country’s 1,102 municipalities.
According to the National Civil Registry Office, 39,011,186 Colombians are eligible to vote.
During the election date, Colombians will elect 1,102 mayors, 32 governors, 12,072 councilmen, 418 deputies and 6,885 councilmen, whose term of office will extend from 2024 to 2027. A total of 132,553 candidates registered for these elections.
Last March, the government of President Gustavo Petro created a 90-measure plan of electoral guarantees for the October 29 elections, among which security and the use of the security forces are prioritized.
International
Petro expresses concern over fatal shooting during mass protests in Lima
Colombian President Gustavo Petro voiced his “concern” on Thursday over recent events in Peru, following the death of a protester reportedly shot during a massive demonstration in Lima against the government and Congress.
“I must express my concern over the events in Peru. A young artist has been killed in citizens’ protests,” Petro wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The Colombian leader also noted that in Peru, “a popularly elected president remains imprisoned without conviction,” referring to Pedro Castillo, who led the country from July 2021 to December 2022 until he was removed by Congress following a failed attempted coup.
“This is a blatant violation of the American Convention on Human Rights,” Petro stated, adding, “I hope Peru seeks social and political dialogue to legitimize its public institutions.”
On Wednesday, Peru experienced widespread protests in several cities, with the largest demonstration in Lima in recent years, driven by citizens’ concerns over corruption and public insecurity.
During the capital’s mobilization, the Ombudsman’s Office confirmed the death of Eduardo Ruiz, 32, and reported clashes that left over 100 injured, including 78 police officers and 24 protesters, as well as ten arrests.
The Attorney General’s Office, investigating Ruiz’s death “in the context of serious human rights violations,” confirmed that the protester was shot.
International
Peru’s interim president José Jerí refuses to resign after protester’s death in Lima
Peru’s interim president, José Jerí, stated Thursday that he has no intention of resigning from the post he assumed last Friday, following the removal of former president Dina Boluarte, despite growing unrest over the death of a protester during massive demonstrations in Lima on Wednesday.
“I will not resign,” Jerí declared outside the Government Palace in Lima, where he returned on foot after making a surprise visit to Congress headquarters alongside Prime Minister Ernesto Álvarez.
Earlier, after leaving the Legislative Palace, the president acknowledged that the country is going through “difficult times” and condemned what he described as “a small group attempting to impose an agenda different from the citizens’ expression of discontent.”
Jerí expressed condolences for the death of Eduardo Ruiz, a 32-year-old man who died during Wednesday’s protest against the government and Congress, amid growing anger over corruption and insecurity.
“We stand in solidarity with his family,” he said, without offering further details about the incident, which has sparked outrage among Peruvians.
The president also described the demonstrations as “a legitimate civic expression” that later turned violent due to “certain groups seeking to provoke chaos by exploiting a peaceful citizen movement.”
“In a state governed by the rule of law, the rights of both demonstrators and security forces must be protected,” Jerí emphasized, adding that “as a result of that situation, this unfortunate death occurred outside the main area where the protest was taking place.”
International
Mexican government prioritizes 191 communities after deadly floods
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed on Wednesday that the death toll from recent rains and floods across several central states has risen to 66, while the federal government has activated air bridges and prioritized assistance in 191 isolated communities.
“Unfortunately, 66 people have died, and 75 remain missing,” the president said during her morning press conference. She added that the official death toll will be updated later in a new report.
As of Tuesday, authorities had reported 64 fatalities. Sheinbaum also announced the creation of a public information center to centralize official data on the deceased, missing persons, damaged homes, and cut-off communities.
According to the president, the number of missing persons has decreased thanks to coordination with state authorities.
“Through calls to phone line 079, 103 people who had been reported missing have now been located,” she explained.
Priority Municipalities
The president noted that the federal government has classified 191 communities as ‘priority’, a designation based mainly on the percentage of homes affected.
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