International

Colombian government and ELN resume round of talks in Mexico

Photo: Mpdl

December 5 |

The Colombian government and the National Liberation Army (ELN), began this Monday the fifth round of peace talks in Mexico, a country that has hosted the negotiation processes between the participating delegations.

In a message from the Mexican Foreign Ministry, Mexico reiterates its permanent commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes and the promotion of peace and security in Latin America, as well as its firm and unequivocal support to the peace process between the Government of Colombia and the ELN.

Likewise, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged that this new round of dialogues and negotiations contribute to open ways to reach a definitive and lasting solution to the conflict.

For its part, the ELN from its Twitter account stated that “our delegation is back in Mexico to start the V Cycle of talks of the Dialogue Table. Here we sign the Mexico Agreement, which contains a different model of Peace negotiation, which is distinguished because it demands changes and transformations for Peace”.

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In the joint declarations issued by both negotiating countries, it is stated that they will continue to count on the accompaniment of the host country and the Governments of Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Norway and Venezuela; of the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations in Colombia and of the Colombian Episcopal Conference.

According to the Head of Delegation of the National Liberation Army ELN, Peace Dialogues, Pablo Beltrán, and published by Colombia Informa, “to date no public statement has been made by the national government, the ELN, friendly countries or the monitoring mechanism on the allegations made by the communities on the collusion of paramilitaries with the security forces”.

These statements have taken place after what happened with Luis Manuel Díaz, “who was kidnapped and later released by that insurgent group”, while “the issue of how to resolve the ELN’s support returned to the center of the debate”.

Likewise, Colombia Informa stated that the Government and ELN will resume the Fifth Cycle of Peace Talks in Mexico in the midst of tensions, “where the issue of kidnapping and ELN financing will be mandatory topics, however, little is known about what priority will be given to the complaints against the Colombian army for collusion with paramilitary groups, as denounced by the communities”.

The platform, which permanently addresses these issues within its informative agenda, emphasized that “it is also unclear when there will be results from the Colombian State to resolve the humanitarian crisis that is being experienced in the regions”.

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According to Indepaz, a few days before the end of 2023, more than 150 social leaders, 39 peace signatories and 90 massacres have been assassinated in Colombia.

International

Kristi Noem credits Trump for mass migrant deportations by mexican president

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem claimed that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has deported “more than half a million” migrants due to pressure from former President Donald Trump.

During a cabinet meeting highlighting the “achievements” of Trump’s administration in its first 100 days, Noem asserted that under the Republican leader’s influence, “Mexico has finally come to the table” to negotiate on migration and fentanyl trafficking.

“The president of Mexico told me she has returned just over half a million people before they reached our border,” Noem stated, criticizing media reports that suggest the Biden administration deported more migrants than Trump’s.

“I wish those deportations were counted,” Noem added, “because those people never made it to our border—she sent them back because you made her.” She went on to thank Trump: “They never made it here because they got the message—because you were so aggressive.”

Noem has made controversial claims about Sheinbaum in the past, prompting the Mexican leader to refute them.

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On April 1, Sheinbaum responded to one such statement by declaring, “The president answers to only one authority, and that is the people of Mexico,” after Noem said on Fox News that she gave Sheinbaum “a list of things Trump would like to see” and that Mexico’s actions would determine whether Trump granted tariff relief.

International

Vatican releases special “Sede Vacante” stamps ahead of papal transition

he Vatican’s post offices and select collector shops began selling special edition stamps this week to mark the period between the death of Pope Francis and the election of his successor.

Known as “Sede Vacante” stamps, they feature an image used on official Vatican documents during the interregnum between popes — two crossed keys without the papal tiara. These stamps went on sale Monday and will remain valid for postal use only until the new pontiff appears at the window overlooking St. Peter’s Square.

Until then, they can be used to send letters, postcards, and parcels. “Once the new pope is elected, the stamps lose their postal validity, but their collectible value rises,” said Francesco Santarossa, who runs a collectors’ shop across from St. Peter’s Square.

The Vatican has issued the stamps in four denominations: €1.25, €1.30, €2.45, and €3.20. Each is inscribed with “Città del Vaticano” and “Sede Vacante MMXXV” — Latin for “Vacant See 2025.”

International

Conclave to choose pope Francis’ successor could begin in early may

The conclave, which in the coming weeks must choose the successor to Pope Francis, will strictly follow a precise protocol refined over centuries.

The 135 cardinal electors, all under the age of 80, will cast their votes four times a day — except on the first day — until one candidate secures a two-thirds majority. The result will be announced to the world through the burning of the ballots with a chemical that produces the eagerly awaited white smoke, accompanied by the traditional cry of “Habemus Papam.”

The start date for the conclave could be announced today, as the cardinals are set to hold their fifth meeting since the pope’s passing. Luxembourg Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich suggested it could begin on May 5 or 6, following the traditional nine days of mourning. According to German Cardinal Reinhard Marx, the conclave could last only “a few days.”

Although the late Argentine pontiff appointed the majority of the cardinal electors, this does not necessarily ensure the selection of a like-minded successor. Francis’ leadership style differed significantly from that of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, a German theologian who was less fond of large public gatherings. It also marked a contrast with the popular Polish pope, John Paul II.

The Argentine Jesuit’s reformist papacy drew strong criticism from more conservative sectors of the Church, who are hoping for a doctrinally focused shift. His tenure was marked by efforts to combat clerical sexual abuse, elevate the role of women and laypeople, and advocate for the poor and migrants, among other causes.