International
Paraguayan Prosecutor’s Office charges military for arms trafficking
December 7 |
Paraguay’s Public Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday indicted high-ranking military officers as part of an international arms trafficking network, impacted by the so-called Dakobo operation.
“Jorge Antonio Orue Roa was indicted for influence peddling, while Colonel Bienvenido Santiago Fretes González was indicted for aggravated passive bribery and criminal association, and General Arturo Javier González Ocampo was indicted for influence peddling and criminal association,” the report of the Attorney General’s Office said.
Likewise, the detainees María Mercedes Ocampos, Eliane Marengo, Manuel Antonio Gómez, Arnaldo Cubas, Ángel Flecha, Aldo Cantero, Ricardo Morra, Julio Cubas, Josefina Cuevas and Cinthia Turro have been requested for extradition to Brazil.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office specified that the accused are part of an international network that trafficked arms and ammunition from Europe to South America, and the operation resulted in six arrests in synchronized inspections carried out in the Central and Alto Paraná departments (central-eastern region).
The accused remain at the disposal of the judge of Guarantees, Lici Sánchez, and another 10 await extradition to Brazil, whose Federal Police opened the criminal process.
The defendants face charges of illicit arms trafficking, related punishable acts of the Weapons Law (attempt, complicity, organization, direction, aiding, abetting, facilitating, financing, advising), alteration of data, criminal association and false denunciation.
As part of Operation Dakovo, authorities from Paraguay, Brazil and the United States deployed synchronized searches on December 5 to break up one of the most significant international arms trafficking schemes in the region.
The information showed that the Argentine Diego Dirisio and his wife, Julieta Nardi, were the leaders of the trafficking scheme from the company Internacional Auto Suply, based in Asunción, capital of Paraguay, and imported a multitude of weapons and ammunition from manufacturers in Croatia, Turkey, Czech Republic and Slovenia.
International
U.S. strike in Caribbean kills three suspected drug traffickers
A U.S. strike on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean killed three people on Saturday, according to Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth, marking the latest in a series of attacks in international waters.
The United States has deployed ships to the Caribbean and sent fighter jets to Puerto Rico as part of a large military force that Washington says is aimed at curbing drug trafficking.
“This vessel, like all the others, was known to our intelligence for being involved in illicit narcotics smuggling,” Hegseth stated on X. “Three narcoterrorists were aboard the vessel during the attack, which took place in international waters,” he added.
Experts argue that the attacks, which began in early September, amount to extrajudicial executions, even if the targets are known traffickers.
Washington has yet to publicly provide evidence that the targeted individuals were actively smuggling drugs or posed a threat to the United States.
Hegseth said the U.S. would continue “hunting… and killing” suspected traffickers. He also shared video footage of the strike, showing the vessel being hit and engulfed in flames. As in previous videos, sections of the ship were blurred, making it impossible to verify the number of people on board.
The United Nations called on Friday for Washington to halt its attacks.
International
At least 23 killed in Sonora supermarket blast, including minors
At least 23 people were killed and 11 others injured in an explosion at a supermarket in Hermosillo, in the northern Mexican state of Sonora, local authorities reported on Saturday.
“So far, there are 23 confirmed deaths and 11 injured, including minors,” said Sonora Governor Alfonso Durazo in a video message. He added that the injured are receiving treatment in various hospitals across the city.
“I have ordered a thorough and transparent investigation to determine the causes of the incident and assign responsibility where appropriate,” Durazo said.
The explosion occurred at a Waldo’s store in downtown Hermosillo. Local authorities confirmed that the incident was not an attack nor related to any violent act against civilians.
Meanwhile, Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences on X, offering sympathy to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives.
International
Floods in Central Vietnam leave 28 dead, thousands displaced
The death toll from heavy rains and flooding in central Vietnam has risen to 28, with six people reported missing and 43 injured, local newspaper VnExpress reported Friday night.
More than 22,100 homes remain flooded, primarily in the cities of Hue and Da Nang. Floods and landslides have destroyed or swept away 91 houses and damaged another 181, the report added.
Around 245,000 households are still without electricity, particularly in Da Nang, where over 225,000 homes are affected.
Additionally, 80 stretches of national highways are blocked or disrupted due to landslides. Authorities expect the flooding to continue for another day or two in the region.
U.S. strike in Caribbean kills three suspected drug traffickers
At least 23 killed in Sonora supermarket blast, including minors
Floods in Central Vietnam leave 28 dead, thousands displaced
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