International

Venezuela installs 99 % of machines for referendum drill

Photo: @cneesvzla

November 18 |

The National Electoral Council (CNE) of Venezuela communicated this Friday that the Electoral Power has installed 99 percent of the electoral machines for the simulation of the consultative referendum in defense of the Essequibo, scheduled for this November 19.

The president of the National Electoral Council (CNE), Elvis Amoroso, informed that the decision of the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) will be respected, in which it granted the injunction action filed to protect the right of Venezuelans to elect and protect with their vote the inalienable rights over the Essequibo Guayana.

Amoroso detailed that “80 percent of the electoral schedule presented to Venezuelan men and women has been complied with so far. Ninety-nine percent of the electoral machines have been installed for the simulation of the consultative referendum to be held on November 19”.

Likewise, he detailed that everything is ready for the fulfillment of 100 percent of the foreseen schedule, with guarantees of legal transparency, necessary for the development of the electoral process.

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“All the necessary adjustments are being made so that all the Venezuelan people may participate and know everything related to this December 3 process to defend the Venezuelan Essequibo”, added the official.

Likewise, he referred that high technology is available and explained that electoral centers will be set up in all the municipalities of the country in order to familiarize people with the process of the Consultative Referendum for the Essequibo.

In this sense, the Electoral Power will travel all over the country and will meet with political organizations and unions in order to familiarize them with this electoral process.

The President of the National Electoral Council (CNE), Elvis Amoroso, also informed that they received the sentence of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ), which declares the amparo action in favor of the referendum introduced by the National Assembly of 2020 to be admissible.

Amoro declared that the request for protection of the consultative referendum of the Essequibo of December 3, an area in dispute with Guyana for more than 100 years, was admissible.

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The TSJ ruled that “there will be no validity or legal effectiveness” in the national territory, decisions or acts carried out by persons or states that prevent or hinder the referendum to be held on December 3.

The judicial body assured that the measure was intended to protect the referendum from any foreign act or decision, while awaiting a resolution of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The TSJ summoned the Venezuelan institutions not to recognize these acts, in case they occur, and instead, ordered the CNE to continue with this process that has no binding character and does not enclose in itself an immediate change in the disputed territory of almost 160,000 square kilometers.

“To continue with the protection of the rights and interests of the Republic around this historic cause in the defense of the sovereign rights over the Essequiba Guiana, as well as its independence, freedom, sovereignty, territorial integrity and self-determination”, Amoros stressed.

By means of sentence 1470, the TSJ ordered the CNE to continue in its competences with the actions that guarantee the nationals the right of political participation, in the consultative referendum to be held on December 3, 2023.

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The Supreme Court orders President Nicolás Maduro to “continue with the protection of the rights and interests of the Republic regarding this historic national cause in the defense of its sovereign right over the Essequiba Guyana”, in accordance with the provisions of Article 152 of the Magna Carta.

International

Mexico City Mayor Invites U2 to Perform at Iconic Zócalo Plaza

Irish rock band U2, which spent Tuesday and Wednesday filming a new music video for its song Street of Dreams in the Historic Center of Mexico City, received an invitation to perform at the capital’s iconic Zócalo square from Mayor Clara Brugada.

Brugada shared the invitation through social media posts accompanied by photos and a video showing her meeting with the band members.

“This is an invitation for you to perform in our wonderful public square, the Zócalo. You are welcome here, and we would love to have you,” Brugada said in the video while handing a document to Bono, the band’s lead singer.

Bono responded by saying that the group would like “to begin its new tour in Mexico City.”

Referencing one of the band’s most famous songs, In the Name of Love, Brugada said she was greeting Bono along with The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr..

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“Welcoming U2 to our capital means celebrating music, connection and the emotion that can be felt in every corner of this city,” Brugada wrote in one of her messages. “We are a city open to the world, vibrant and full of stories shared from the stage to the streets.”

She also described the Zócalo as “the country’s most important public square” and a cultural landmark for Latin America.

Over the years, the Zócalo has hosted massive concerts by internationally renowned artists and bands including Roger Waters, Paul McCartney, Manu Chao, Café Tacvba, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Los Tigres del Norte, La Maldita Vecindad, Silvio Rodríguez, Joan Manuel Serrat, Rosalía and Shakira, drawing hundreds of thousands of fans.

International

Marco Rubio Urges China to Help Restrain Iran Amid Gulf Tensions

Marco Rubio said Wednesday that Washington hopes to persuade China to take a more active role in stopping Iran from escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf, arguing that the crisis directly threatens Asian commercial interests.

“It is in China’s interest to resolve this situation. We hope to convince them to play a more active role in getting Iran to stop what it is doing now and trying to do in the Persian Gulf,” Rubio said during an interview with journalist Sean Hannity on Fox News while traveling aboard Air Force One.

The top U.S. diplomat said the conflict and concerns over the possible disruption of the Strait of Hormuz have already affected China’s interests.

Rubio noted that “a Chinese cargo ship was struck over the weekend,” referring to the exchange of attacks reported last Friday between Iran and the United States.

The remarks come amid growing international concern over rising tensions in the region and the potential impact on global trade routes and energy supplies.

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International

Trump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election

U.S. President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubiocould potentially form a Republican presidential ticket for the 2028 elections.

Speaking during a dinner with law enforcement officials as part of National Police Week, Trump publicly praised both officials and said they could make “an ideal team” for the next presidential race.

“Who likes JD Vance? Who likes Marco Rubio?” Trump asked attendees before adding that the pair “sound like a good combination.”

The president highlighted his vice president’s performance in office, stating that their current partnership has been highly effective. “JD is perfect, that has been a perfect formula,” Trump told reporters later.

He further suggested that a Vance-Rubio pairing could represent a strong presidential and vice-presidential ticket, although he stopped short of offering any formal endorsement.

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“I think it sounds like a presidential candidate and a vice-presidential candidate,” he said, while clarifying that his remarks should not be interpreted as an official backing of any future campaign.

So far, neither Vance nor Rubio has publicly confirmed any intention to run in the 2028 presidential election.

Rubio previously sought the Republican nomination in 2016 but withdrew after losing the primary race to Trump. Later, in a December 2025 interview with Vanity Fair, he said he would be among the first to support Vance if he decided to run for the White House.

Vance, meanwhile, has recently dismissed speculation of any political rivalry with Rubio amid growing discussion about potential future GOP leadership.