International
Argentine President fires seven thousand government workers
December 27 |
Within the package package of the Argentine President Javier Milei that labor centers and unions reject, 7,000 government employees are expected to be dismissed, through a decree that vetoes the renewal of state workers’ contracts.
The determination is part of the new economic adjustment plan with which the President wants to put the Argentine economy back on track, since among the measures has been the dissolution of nine ministries. The total number of layoffs corresponds to all personnel hired during the current year.
The provision will reach the workers of the National Administration of Social Security (ANSES), the Program of Integral Medical Attention (PAMI) and the Federal Administration of Public Revenues (AFIP).
At a press conference, presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni indicated that public contracts discharged in 2023 that end next December 31 will not be renewed in 2024, while the rest will enter into a ninety-day review process.
With respect to social plans, the Argentine Executive will initiate the audit of more than one million social plans and foresees, based on the estimates of judicial investigations, that 160,000 beneficiaries could be receiving these benefits in an “irregular” manner.
According to the spokesman, these plans would have a total value of 10 billion Argentine pesos (12.45 million dollars). “Argentines should not be in charge of this money,” Adorni emphasized.
The order issued also includes that the employees hired before January 1, 2023 will only be renewed for a period of 90 days, since the objective is that the authorities of each jurisdiction “carry out an exhaustive survey of the hired personnel in order to evaluate the renewal” of their labor relationship with the Argentine Government.
On this day, the Argentine Congress starts extraordinary sessions called by the ultra-liberal President Milei to debate complementary laws to a mega-decree of economic deregulation resisted by the opposition and the labor unions, which are asking the courts to declare it unconstitutional.
“The deputies and senators will have to choose between accompanying the change that the people have voted for or continue obstructing and putting sticks in the wheel”, said Adorni in a press conference.
The complementary package to be debated by Congress until January 31 includes reforms to taxation, electoral law and the functions of the State.
International
20th Festival Salvadoreñísimo brings together thousands of salvadorans in Houston
Parades, baton twirlers, and a mix of Salvadoran and international music set the tone for the 20th edition of the Festival Salvadoreñísimo, held in Houston, Texas, with Tony Villatoro once again leading the organization.
This year, the highly anticipated event moved to a new venue: The Crown Festival Park in Sugar Land, Fort Bend County, within the “space city.” Despite the scorching sun of the open-air setting, spirits remained high, and a brief drizzle later brought relief and renewed energy to the celebration.
More than 5,000 Salvadorans gathered at the park, joining with Guatemalans, Hondurans, and even Mexicans to commemorate 204 years of independence for El Salvador and Central America. The festival was marked by a family-friendly atmosphere, where traditional foods such as pupusas, panes con gallina, pastelitos, and horchata could not be missed.
“Twenty years with this festival, and I am very grateful to the Salvadoran community that always shows up. Thanks to them, the sponsors, and to Diario El Salvador for supporting us since the beginning,” said Tony Villatoro, as more compatriots continued arriving to the celebration.
“I am satisfied. I didn’t expect this level of attendance, especially since we were trying a new outdoor venue with some challenges, but we made it through successfully,” Villatoro added.
The Festival Salvadoreñísimo, now a two-decade-long tradition, once again took place as part of Hispanic Heritage Month, a time when independence festivities run from mid-September through October.
International
El Salvador unveils 2025-2029 National Reintegration Plan for returned migrants
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched the National Reintegration Plan for Returned Salvadorans 2025-2029, a strategy designed to create greater opportunities, ensure access to quality services, and provide a favorable environment for Salvadorans returning to their home country to rebuild their lives.
The initiative is supported by the United Nations Network on Migration, coordinated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), financed by the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), and backed by the Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB) Migration Unit.
During the presentation, Vice Minister of Diaspora and Human Mobility Cindy Mariella Portal emphasized that migrants often face multiple challenges upon returning to their communities.
“That is why we are implementing actions that generate real and sustainable opportunities for these individuals,” she stated.
International
Authorities capture CJNG financial chief in international airport operation
A man identified as the main financial operator of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) was arrested Thursday at Mexico City’s international airport, authorities reported.
The individual, named by Mexican media as Óscar Antonio Álvarez, was apprehended during an operation involving the army, navy, National Guard, police, and the attorney general’s office, according to a joint statement.
Álvarez is considered the primary financial operator of a criminal group originating in Jalisco, and the capture took place at Benito Juárez Airport as he arrived on a flight from Barcelona, Spain.
Authorities stated that Álvarez faces charges of organized crime and money laundering, specifically for receiving and transferring illicit funds. His work with the CJNG reportedly included purchasing properties and managing businesses in the tequila and livestock sectors.
According to El Universal, Álvarez was directly under the command of Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, “El Mencho”, the cartel’s top leader, for whom the U.S. offers a $15 million reward.
The CJNG, which operates throughout Mexico and in various parts of the world, was designated earlier this year as a “foreign terrorist organization” by the U.S. government.
Álvarez was handed over to the federal public prosecutor to determine his legal situation, the report added.
20th Festival Salvadoreñísimo brings together thousands of salvadorans in Houston
El Salvador unveils 2025-2029 National Reintegration Plan for returned migrants
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Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
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