International
Ecuador’s Constitutional Court examines legalizing euthanasia
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.
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.
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
Trump to build $200M ballroom at the White House by 2028
The U.S. government under President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that it will begin construction in September on a new 8,000-square-meter ballroom at the White House.
The announcement was made by Karoline Leavitt, the administration’s press secretary, during a briefing in which she explained that the expansion responds to the need for a larger venue to host “major events.”
“Other presidents have long wished for a space capable of accommodating large gatherings within the White House complex… President Trump has committed to solving this issue,” Leavitt told reporters.
The project is estimated to cost $200 million, fully funded through donations from Trump himself and other “patriots,” according to a government statement. Construction is scheduled to begin in September and is expected to be completed before Trump’s term ends in 2028.
The Clark Construction Group, a Virginia-based company known for projects such as the Capital One Arena and L’Enfant Plaza in Washington, D.C., has been selected to lead the project.
The new ballroom will be built on the East Wing of the White House, expanding the iconic residence with a space designed for state dinners, official ceremonies, and large-scale events.
International
Three salvadorans in Florida sentenced in $146 million construction tax fraud scheme
Three Salvadoran residents living in Orlando, Florida, were sentenced for conspiracy to commit tax fraud and wire fraud involving a scheme exceeding $146 million in the construction industry, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. The sentence was handed down by federal judge Timothy J. Corrigan on Tuesday, July 29.
Eduardo Aníbal Escobar (45) was sentenced to 4 years and 9 months in prison, Carlos Alberto Rodríguez (36) to 3 years and 4 months, and Adelmy Tejada (57) to 18 months in prison, followed by 6 months of house arrest. All three pled guilty on April 3, 2025.
In addition to the prison terms, the court ordered restitution payments totaling $36,957,616 to the IRS for unpaid payroll taxes, and $397,895 to two insurers for workers’ compensation claims related to the scheme.
Escobar and Rodríguez are permanent legal residents originally from El Salvador, while Tejada is a naturalized U.S. citizen of Salvadoran origin.
International
Kremlin hails preparedness after Kamchatka quakes leave no casualties
The Kremlin expressed relief that the earthquakes that struck Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula today —the first being the strongest since 1952— resulted in no casualties, and emphasized that the region is well prepared to face such natural disasters.
“Thank God, there were no victims,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov during his daily press briefing.
The presidential representative stated that “all alert systems were activated in time, and evacuations were organized for residents in areas requiring it in response to tsunami threats.”
“Overall, the seismic resilience of the buildings proved effective (…) Therefore, we can say that the technological preparedness demonstrated a high level,” Peskov added.
Honduras sees ongoing killings of land defenders and attacks on press, warns NGO
Trump to build $200M ballroom at the White House by 2028
Daniel Ortega’s last historic sandinista ally detained in Managua
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
-
Central America3 days agoCosta Rica issues Yellow Alert and halts water activities over tsunami currents
-
Central America3 days agoFuneral turns tragic as armed attack leaves seven dead in Guatemala City
-
Central America4 days agoPeru’s ambassador highlights “historic bonds” with El Salvador on Independence Day
-
International5 days agoFour dead, thousands flee as floodwaters ravage Northern China
-
International5 days agoMultiple fatalities reported in Nevada Resort shooting as Police detain gunman
-
International4 days agoU.S. and China push for extension of tariff truce after “constructive” talks in Sweden
-
International3 days agoThree salvadorans in Florida sentenced in $146 million construction tax fraud scheme
-
International3 days agoKremlin hails preparedness after Kamchatka quakes leave no casualties
-
International4 days agoTrump administration opens civil rights probe into duke university over alleged bias
-
International5 days agoFive security guards killed in mass shooting at Bangkok Market
-
International4 days agoMedvedev warns Trump after new Ukraine ultimatum: ‘Russia is neither Israel nor Iran’
-
International5 days agoNetanyahu cites historic success against Iran as he pledges relentless Gaza campaign
-
International5 days agoZelensky praises Trump’s ‘clear stance’ on Russia as ultimatum deadline tightens
-
International3 days agoU.S. launches ads urging undocumented migrants to self-deport via CBP Home App
-
International4 days agoArgentina requests reentry into U.S. Visa Waiver Program during DHS chief’s visit
-
International5 days agoVatican reports $72M profit in 2024, boosted by real estate and investments
-
International5 days agoHepatitis D declared carcinogenic as WHO urges action to end global crisis
-
International5 days agoPeru’s president under fire as she promises crackdown on organized crime
-
Central America1 day agoDaniel Ortega’s last historic sandinista ally detained in Managua
-
International4 days agoPetro accuses Marco Rubio of undermining colombia’s sovereignty over Uribe comments
-
Central America1 day agoHonduras sees ongoing killings of land defenders and attacks on press, warns NGO
-
International1 day agoTrump to build $200M ballroom at the White House by 2028
-
Central America1 day agoGuatemala transfers top gang leaders to maximum security prison after funeral home massacre