International
Venezuelan President reiterates call to vote in referendum in defense of Essequibo
November 28 |
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro reiterated this Monday the call to all Venezuelans to vote in the consultative referendum to be held next Sunday, December 3, in defense of the Essequibo.
During the broadcast of his program Con Maduro Más, the head of state indicated that Venezuela has a commitment with history, so he urged everyone to go to the polls and fulfill “the oath with the Homeland”.
“My vote, your vote is for everyone, it is for everyone, it is for Venezuela, for peace, for dignity and respect for our Homeland”, he emphasized, while assuring that the exercise of the vote means to confront the illegal maneuvers to strip Venezuela of what belongs to it.
Likewise, he urged the Venezuela Toda campaign command to deploy more forcefully throughout the country so that people know how to exercise their right to vote.
The head of state also highlighted the role played by the National Assembly in this process, which has led it to call a referendum on the issue for the first time in the nation’s history.
“The National Assembly did what it had to do, debated the issue, consulted on the issue and for the first time in the history of Venezuela, a consultative referendum is called to decide a unique position of the country on the Essequiba Guyana”, he stressed.
Previously, the President participated in an act at the “El Libertador” Air Base, in Aragua State, where he assured that “the hour of justice is approaching”, when referring to the consultative referendum to be held next Sunday.
In this sense, he specified that Venezuelans will have the opportunity to do justice and express their will.
The head of state pointed out that the Monroe Doctrine has endorsed the history of plundering sovereign nations, since it was dictated by John Q. Adams and attributed to U.S. President James Monroe in 1823.
“It was with the Monroe Doctrine that they executed the plan to cut off one of Venezuela’s arms, trying to take away the Essequibo and, currently, it is with the Monroe Doctrine that they intend to continue with their vassalage and plundering (…) But in life the time of justice comes and if we have had to resist unjust aggressions, threats and plundering, the time of justice will come”, he stressed.
The President recalled that the Monroe Doctrine reaches its 200th anniversary in 2023, so its essence must be denounced with rebellion and confronted in all “the fields we have to confront it because we are not and never will be slaves of anyone, slaves of the gringos, a colony of no one. Independence or nothing!
Likewise, he warned that “nobody should make a mistake with Venezuela”, since 31 years ago the men-at-arms of the South American nation said no to liberalism.
In Aragua, the Venezuelan President held a meeting with triple jumper Yulimar Rojas, called Queen of the Triple Jump, who in recent days supported the struggle for the Essequibo territory and urged Venezuelans to vote on December 3.
Regarding the audiovisual message starring Rojas, the President expressed that it is a “beautiful message”, in a Meeting with the Social Movements in Defense of the Essequibo.
“National union, union of the whole soul, of the whole conscience, union to consolidate peace, sovereignty and territorial integrity. A beautiful gift that you have given to Venezuela, Yulimar, see you soon, Yulimar!”, he stressed.’
The meeting with Rojas was attended by the first combatant, Cilia Flores, and other representatives of the Venezuelan government.
International
Wildfires in France Burn Nearly Three Times More Land Than in 2025, Interior Minister Says
More than 50,000 hectares of land have been destroyed by wildfires across France since the beginning of the year, nearly three times the area affected during the same period in 2025, French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said Friday in an interview with AFP.
Emergency crews are currently battling several major fires, including one near the popular Cap Ferret peninsula, where flames have already consumed more than 10,000 hectares, making it the largest wildfire of the season so far, according to the minister.
“Currently, we have 32 fires underway, which obviously do not all have the same level of importance,” Nuñez said.
“We have exceeded the threshold of 50,000 hectares burned since January 1 of this year. It is practically three times more than during the same period last year,” he added.
Despite the extensive resources deployed and the long hours worked by emergency teams — estimated to be two and a half times higher than last year — Nuñez said authorities remain “calm” and “determined” to contain the situation.
The minister acknowledged that the main concern is the fatigue affecting firefighters and emergency personnel who have been working under demanding conditions.
“The concern, if there has to be one, obviously lies in the state of exhaustion of the men and women who are committed. We have to hold on throughout the entire season,” Nuñez said.
France’s late spring and early summer have been marked by repeated periods of extreme heat, conditions linked by scientists to climate change and considered a major factor contributing to the increase in wildfire activity across the country.
International
Israel Says Saudi Recognition Would Mark ‘Historic Breakthrough’ for Middle East Peace
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Saudi Arabia’s recognition of Israel would represent a “historic breakthrough” toward achieving peace in the Middle East.
The statement came after the United States and Saudi Arabia announced an agreement on Wednesday to establish a civil nuclear program in the kingdom. U.S. President Donald Trump said the initiative would be linked to Riyadh’s decision to normalize diplomatic relations with Israel.
“Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords would represent a historic breakthrough toward peace in the Middle East,” Netanyahu’s office said following Trump’s announcement.
The statement added that recent developments, including joint military actions by the United States and Israel against Iran, as well as Israel’s efforts against what it described as Iran’s “terror axis,” have created new opportunities to expand regional diplomatic ties.
“The joint U.S.-Israeli military action against the genocidal regime in Tehran and Israel’s defeat of Iran’s terror axis have created the possibility of expanding the circle of peace,” the statement said.
A potential normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia would represent a major diplomatic shift in the region, as Riyadh has long been viewed as one of the key countries whose formal recognition could significantly reshape Middle Eastern relations.
International
Nicolás Maduro’s Son Calls U.S. Trial Against His Father and Cilia Flores “Unjust”
Venezuelan lawmaker Nicolás Maduro Guerra on Wednesday described as “unjust” the legal proceedings in the United States against his father, ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores, following their capture in Caracas on January 3 by U.S. forces.
“Faced with the unjust trial taking place today, the people raised their voices with a single demand: We demand the immediate release of President Nicolás Maduro and the First Lady,” Maduro Guerra wrote on his Instagram account.
The lawmaker attended a rally in Caracas where supporters of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV)gathered to show support for the former president, who faces charges in the United States including conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism and cocaine importation. Flores is accused of crimes related to drug trafficking and weapons possession.
The event was also attended by PSUV Vice President for Mobilizations and Events Nahum Fernández and Caracas Mayor Carmen Meléndez, according to photos shared by Maduro’s son.
The third hearing in the case against Maduro and Flores concluded Wednesday at a federal court in New York after lasting only about 18 minutes. During the hearing, the judge preliminarily set June 2027 as the expected start date for the trial.
One of the main arguments from the defense will focus on immunity. Maduro’s lead attorney, Barry Pollack, who has also represented WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, said the defense plans to request immunity for both defendants, arguing that Maduro was serving as head of state and Flores as first lady at the time of their detention.
Both Maduro and Flores pleaded not guilty during their first court appearance in New York on January 5.
Meanwhile, Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez, who assumed power after Maduro’s capture, has not yet commented on Wednesday’s hearing in the United States.
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