International
Former general Prabowo celebrates his alleged victory in the Indonesian presidential elections
Former general Prabowo Subianto, who faces accusations of human rights violations during his time in the army, has celebrated his supposed victory in Indonesia’s presidential election this Wednesday, according to vote projections and awaiting official results.
At a massive rally, Prabowo stated: “All provisional counts indicate that we have won in the first round (…) This victory must belong to all Indonesians,” after projections gave him around 60 percent of the vote. scrutinized, based on partial counts from various polling companies.
Projections also show that Anies Baswedan, former governor of Jakarta, garnered about 24 percent of the vote, while former Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo reached 16 percent.
“Although we are grateful, we must be humble and not arrogant,” said Prabowo, 72, highlighting the need to wait for the official results from the Electoral Commission.
With more than 50 percent of the vote, Prabowo would become Indonesia’s president for the next five years. Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population in the world and a member of the G20, is watching these results carefully.
The counting of votes began after the closing of the polling stations, with a participation of around 205 million voters, called to elect the successor of the outgoing president, Joko Widodo.
Although the electoral process was largely uneventful, some rain delayed voting in certain areas. Official results could take up to 35 days to be published, as stipulated by electoral law.
Widodo, who cannot run for re-election due to a two-term limit, has unofficially endorsed Prabowo. This alliance has drawn criticism for possibly seeking to create a political dynasty.
Prabowo has also revitalized his image through a campaign that included viral dances on TikTok, aimed at a younger electorate. His alliance with Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the outgoing president’s 36-year-old son, has also contributed to his surge in support.
International
Peru’s interim president José Jerí refuses to resign after protester’s death in Lima
Peru’s interim president, José Jerí, stated Thursday that he has no intention of resigning from the post he assumed last Friday, following the removal of former president Dina Boluarte, despite growing unrest over the death of a protester during massive demonstrations in Lima on Wednesday.
“I will not resign,” Jerí declared outside the Government Palace in Lima, where he returned on foot after making a surprise visit to Congress headquarters alongside Prime Minister Ernesto Álvarez.
Earlier, after leaving the Legislative Palace, the president acknowledged that the country is going through “difficult times” and condemned what he described as “a small group attempting to impose an agenda different from the citizens’ expression of discontent.”
Jerí expressed condolences for the death of Eduardo Ruiz, a 32-year-old man who died during Wednesday’s protest against the government and Congress, amid growing anger over corruption and insecurity.
“We stand in solidarity with his family,” he said, without offering further details about the incident, which has sparked outrage among Peruvians.
The president also described the demonstrations as “a legitimate civic expression” that later turned violent due to “certain groups seeking to provoke chaos by exploiting a peaceful citizen movement.”
“In a state governed by the rule of law, the rights of both demonstrators and security forces must be protected,” Jerí emphasized, adding that “as a result of that situation, this unfortunate death occurred outside the main area where the protest was taking place.”
International
Mexican government prioritizes 191 communities after deadly floods
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed on Wednesday that the death toll from recent rains and floods across several central states has risen to 66, while the federal government has activated air bridges and prioritized assistance in 191 isolated communities.
“Unfortunately, 66 people have died, and 75 remain missing,” the president said during her morning press conference. She added that the official death toll will be updated later in a new report.
As of Tuesday, authorities had reported 64 fatalities. Sheinbaum also announced the creation of a public information center to centralize official data on the deceased, missing persons, damaged homes, and cut-off communities.
According to the president, the number of missing persons has decreased thanks to coordination with state authorities.
“Through calls to phone line 079, 103 people who had been reported missing have now been located,” she explained.
Priority Municipalities
The president noted that the federal government has classified 191 communities as ‘priority’, a designation based mainly on the percentage of homes affected.
International
New road and bridge explosions raise alarm amid indigenous protests in Ecuador
Ecuadorian authorities are investigating two explosions that occurred early Wednesday, one on a road in the southern part of the country and another under a bridge in Guayas province. These incidents follow the car bomb explosion in the coastal city of Guayaquil, also in Guayas, which occurred the day before and left one person dead and 30 injured.
Press reports indicate that one person was injured and several vehicles were damaged in the explosion on the Cuenca-Girón-Pasaje road in the south.
“Besides yesterday’s explosion in Guayaquil, we have received reports of explosives placed on bridges along the Guayaquil-Machala and Machala-Cuenca routes to disrupt traffic,” said Roberto Luque, Minister of Infrastructure and Transport (MIT).
On his X social media account, Luque reported that authorities have been deployed to the sites to assess the damage and determine the current condition of the structures.
“What they haven’t achieved with their call for a strike, some are trying to achieve through terrorism,” he stated, referring to the 24 days of protests organized by the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities (Conaie) against rising diesel prices and other demands.
The protests, called at a national level, have Imbabura province as their epicenter. Roadblocks have also been reported in the northern part of Pichincha province, whose capital is Quito, while activities in the rest of the country continue normally.
Peru’s interim president José Jerí refuses to resign after protester’s death in Lima
Nicaragua grants 2,500-hectare mining concession to chinese firm in protected region
Mexican government prioritizes 191 communities after deadly floods
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
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