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
Colombia says it would not reject Maduro asylum request as regional tensions escalate
The Colombian government stated on Thursday that it would have no reason to reject a potential asylum request from Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro should he leave office, as regional tensions persist over the deployment of U.S. military forces in the Caribbean since August.
“In the current climate of tension, negotiations are necessary, and if the United States demands a transition or political change, that is something to be assessed. If such a transition results in him (Maduro) needing to live elsewhere or seek protection, Colombia would have no reason to deny it,” said Colombian Foreign Minister Rosa Villavicencio in an interview with Caracol Radio.
However, Villavicencio noted that it is unlikely Maduro would choose Colombia as a refuge. “I believe he would opt for someplace more distant and calmer,” she added.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro also commented on Venezuela’s situation on Wednesday, arguing that the country needs a “democratic revolution” rather than “inefficient repression.” His remarks followed the recent detention and passport cancellation of Cardinal Baltazar Porras at the Caracas airport.
“The Maduro government must understand that responding to external aggression requires more than military preparations; it requires a democratic revolution. A country is defended with more democracy, not more inefficient repression,” Petro wrote on X (formerly Twitter), in a rare public criticism of the Venezuelan leader.
Petro also called for a general amnesty for political opponents and reiterated his call for forming a broad transitional government to address Venezuela’s prolonged crisis.
Since September, U.S. military forces have destroyed more than 20 vessels allegedly carrying drugs in Caribbean and Pacific waters near Venezuela and Colombia, resulting in over 80 deaths.
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned that attacks “inside Venezuela” will begin “soon,” while Maduro has urged Venezuelans to prepare for what he describes as an impending external aggression.
International
Cuba battles out-of-control dengue and chikungunya epidemic as death toll rises to 44
Cuba is facing a severe dengue and chikungunya epidemic that has already claimed at least 44 lives, including 29 minors, according to the Ministry of Public Health (Minsap). The outbreak—now considered out of control—has expanded across the entire country amid a critical shortage of resources to confront the emergency.
Authorities report more than 42,000 chikungunya infections and at least 26,000 dengue cases, though they acknowledge significant underreporting as many patients avoid seeking care in health centers where medicines, supplies, and medical personnel are scarce. The first cluster was detected in July in the city of Matanzas, but the government did not officially use the term “epidemic” until November 12.
Chikungunya—virtually unknown on the island until this year—causes high fever, rashes, fatigue, and severe joint pain that can last for months, leaving thousands temporarily incapacitated. Dengue, endemic to the region, triggers fever, muscle pain, vomiting, and, in severe cases, internal bleeding. Cuba currently has no vaccines available for either virus.
Minsap reports that of the 44 deaths recorded so far, 28 were caused by chikungunya and 16 by dengue.
The health crisis unfolds amid deep economic deterioration, marked by the absence of fumigation campaigns, uncollected garbage, and shortages of medical supplies—conditions that have fueled the spread of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the primary vector for both diseases. “The healthcare system is overwhelmed,” non-official medical sources acknowledge.
Beyond the health impact, the epidemic is heavily disrupting economic and family life. The intense joint pain caused by chikungunya has led to widespread work absences, while hospital overcrowding has forced relatives to leave their jobs to care for the sick. In November, authorities launched a clinical trial using the Cuban drug Jusvinza to reduce joint pain, though results have not yet been released.
International
Ecuador on track for record violence as homicides hit highest level in Latin America again
Violence in Ecuador is expected to reach historic levels by the end of 2025, with the country set to record the highest homicide rate in Latin America for the third consecutive year, according to a report released Thursday by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED). The organization warns that criminal activity is not only persisting but could worsen in 2026.
Official figures show 7,553 homicides recorded through October, surpassing the 7,063 registered throughout all of 2024. ACLED estimates that 71% of the population was exposed to violent incidents this year, despite President Daniel Noboa’s declaration of an “internal armed conflict” in an attempt to confront powerful criminal groups.
According to the report, several factors are driving the deterioration of security: a territorial war between Los Chonerosand Los Lobos, the two most influential criminal organizations in the country; the fragmentation of other groups after the fall of their leaders; and Ecuador’s expanding role as a strategic hub for regional drug trafficking.
Since 2021, violence has forced the internal displacement of around 132,000 people, while more than 400,000 Ecuadorians — equivalent to 2% of the population — have left the country. Between January and November alone, violent deaths rose 42%, fueled by prison massacres and clashes between rival gangs.
The report warns that conditions may deteriorate further. Ecuador has been added to ACLED’s 2026 Conflict Watchlist, which highlights regions at risk of escalating violence. The expansion of Colombian armed groups such as FARC dissidents and the ELN, state weakness, and a potential rerouting of drug trafficking corridors from the Caribbean to the Pacific intensify the threat.
“The president is facing a wave of violence that shows no signs of easing,” the report concludes.
Colombia says it would not reject Maduro asylum request as regional tensions escalate
Cuba battles out-of-control dengue and chikungunya epidemic as death toll rises to 44
Ecuador on track for record violence as homicides hit highest level in Latin America again
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