International

Ecuador’s Constitutional Court examines legalizing euthanasia

Photo: El Universo

November 23 |

The Constitutional Court of Ecuador held a hearing to discuss the eventual legalization of euthanasia in the country, at the request of Paola Roldan, a 42-year-old woman who suffers from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and who demands that the State guarantee her a dignified death.

During the hearing, held last Monday, the nine judges that make up the Court received the arguments for and against Roldan’s request. She did so by telematic means, from the bed where she is bedridden, accompanied by her husband. She explained that she has suffered from ALS since 2020 and that since then she has come close to death many times.

She noted that the disease has caused her physical and emotional suffering. “It is humiliating and painful to ask this of you. I understand leaving with dignity. I want to rest in dignity and peace,” she said.

“This is not the struggle to die, I know I am dying, it is a struggle of how to do it (…) in hiding or I can do it held in my husband’s arms,” she said.

20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

At this moment, Roldán only has control of the muscles of her face and is assisted by a tube that supplies her with oxygen. For two years she has been fed parenterally and receives nutrients directly to her heart through a catheter.

The patient’s defense asked the Court to declare unconstitutional article 144 of the Integral Penal Code, which states that “the person who kills another person will be punished with a prison sentence of 10 to 13 years”. According to the norm, euthanasia would be considered homicide.

In the opinion of her lawyer, Farith Simón, the Ecuadorian Constitution establishes the right to live, but not the obligation to do so. He considered that forcing her to live in her condition, under intense pain, violates her rights.

Among the 16 interventions made during the hearing, 12 supported euthanasia, among them the psychologist who evaluated Roldan, Carlos Reyes, who assured that she does not suffer from any psychological disorder and made her decision in full capacity.

According to press reports, it is now up to the judge in charge of the case, Enrique Herrería, to present a draft sentence for the Court to approve it or not. This process will take a few days.

20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

ALS is considered a rare disease with no cure. It destroys the nerve cells that control the muscles that execute voluntary movements.

Colombia decriminalized euthanasia in 1997. The Chilean and Uruguayan parliaments are currently studying bills on the subject.

International

U.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute

The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday against a budget proposal in a move aimed at pressuring changes at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), following the killing of two civilians during a deployment of immigration agents in Minneapolis.

All Senate Democrats and seven Republican lawmakers voted against the bill, which requires 60 votes to advance, pushing the country closer to a partial government shutdown that would cut funding for several agencies, including the Pentagon and the Department of Health.

The rejection came as Senate leaders and the White House continue negotiations on a separate funding package for DHS that would allow reforms to the agency. Proposed measures include banning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing face coverings and requiring them to use body-worn cameras during operations.

The vote took place just hours after President Donald Trump said he was “close” to reaching an agreement with Democrats and did not believe the federal government would face another shutdown, following last year’s record stoppage.

“I don’t think the Democrats want a shutdown either, so we’ll work in a bipartisan way to avoid it. Hopefully, there will be no government shutdown. We’re working on that right now,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.

20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

International

Trump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he secured a commitment from Russian President Vladimir Putinto halt attacks against Ukraine for one week, citing extreme weather conditions affecting the region.

“Because of the extreme cold (…) I personally asked Putin not to attack Kyiv or other cities and towns for a week. And he agreed. He was very pleasant,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting broadcast by the White House.

Trump acknowledged that several advisers had questioned the decision to make the call.
“A lot of people told me not to waste the call because they wouldn’t agree. And he accepted. And we’re very happy they did, because they don’t need missiles hitting their towns and cities,” the president said.

According to Trump, Ukrainian authorities reacted with surprise to the announcement but welcomed the possibility of a temporary ceasefire.
“It’s extraordinarily cold, record cold (…) They say they’ve never experienced cold like this,” he added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later commented on the announcement, expressing hope that the agreement would be honored.

20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

International

Storm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power

Storm Kristin, which battered Portugal with heavy rain and strong winds early Wednesday, has left at least five people dead, while nearly half a million residents remained without electricity as of Thursday, according to updated figures from authorities.

The revised death toll was confirmed to AFP by a spokesperson for the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANPEC). On Wednesday, the agency had reported four fatalities.

Meanwhile, E-Redes, the country’s electricity distribution network operator, said that around 450,000 customers were still without power, particularly in central Portugal.

Emergency services responded to approximately 1,500 incidents between midnight and 8:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, as the storm caused widespread disruptions.

The Portuguese government described Kristin as an “extreme weather event” that inflicted significant damage across several regions of the country. At the height of the storm, as many as 850,000 households and institutions lost electricity during the early hours of Wednesday.

20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

Several municipalities ordered the closure of schools, many of which remained shut on Thursday due to ongoing adverse conditions.

Ricardo Costa, regional deputy commander of the Leiria Fire Brigade, said residents continue to seek assistance as rainfall persists.
“Even though the rain is not extremely intense, it is causing extensive damage to homes,” he noted.

In Figueira da Foz, a coastal city in central Portugal, strong winds toppled a giant Ferris wheel, underscoring the severity of the storm.