International
Political showdown: Republicans seek to impeach mayorkas over migration crisis
epublicans took a step further on Wednesday to initiate impeachment proceedings against the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, whom they consider responsible for an “intentional” migration crisis at the Mexico-U.S. border, a hot topic in an election year.
For almost a year, a House committee, where conservatives have a narrow majority, conducted an investigation, claiming to have enough evidence to subject him to impeachment.
Republican Congressman Mark Green labeled Mayorkas as the “architect of devastation” due to intercepting over 8 million migrants illegally crossing U.S. borders since he took office in 2021, including more than 6.7 million at the shared border with Mexico.
“The Secretary has abused his authority and jeopardized Americans,” asserted Green, also complaining about the “astronomical” costs of what he deems an intentional crisis.
- “A Circus” –
Democrats defend themselves. The more extreme Republicans “have created this impeachment circus, in part to try to distract from their own failures,” said Congressman Bennie Thompson. It’s a “political maneuver” in an election year, he said.
Three attorneys general from Oklahoma, Montana, and Missouri acted as witnesses during the House homeland security committee session. All responded affirmatively when Green asked if they believed Mayorkas “has failed to enforce or has subverted laws passed by Congress.”
This was the first in a series of hearings on whether there are constitutional grounds for impeachment, but it’s highly unlikely to see the light of day.
A full House vote is needed first, likely to succeed and could happen by late January. However, it would then move to the Senate, where Democrats have the majority and would likely block it.
Nevertheless, Professor Emeritus at the University of Missouri School of Law, Frank Bowman, questioned the very foundation of impeachment because, according to the Constitution, it is not supposed to be a routine tool.
It is more of a last resort reserved “for grave and dangerous offenses,” for someone who “corrupts or subverts governmental processes or the constitutional order itself,” explained Professor Bowman during the session, suggesting it may not apply in this case.
- “Broken System” –
Democrats are adamant on this point. “You can’t impeach a cabinet secretary because you don’t like the president’s policies,” said Thompson, calling it a “farce,” “pure politics,” and “the height of hypocrisy.”
The Biden administration also reproaches Republicans for stalling their request for an additional $14 billion to fund border security. Republicans demand a tougher immigration policy as a condition for approving a Ukraine aid package, including funds for the border.
Facing criticism, Mayorkas acknowledges the high number of migrants as a “challenge” but insists it’s “not exclusive to the United States.” Regional challenges require regional solutions, he emphasized during a press conference in Texas.
“Some have accused the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) of not enforcing the laws of our country, this could not be further from the truth,” Mayorkas asserted. “We are doing everything possible within a broken system to encourage non-citizens to use legal pathways, to impose consequences on those who do not, and to reduce irregular migration.”
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.
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