International
The US sees “little hope” of free elections in Venezuela, but “there is still time”
The Undersecretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs of the United States, Brian A. Nichols, acknowledged that “there is not much hope for a free election in Venezuela,” but “there is still time to change route.”
In an interview with EFE, the head of the United States for Latin America stressed that, “fortunately, the elections are not tomorrow, but on July 28” and “international observers are going to be key elements in the process.”
Nichols is in Madrid on an official trip, with the aim of strengthening US relations with Spain, “which are very good” and allows the two countries to “work together in favor of democracy,” he said.
After a conference entitled “USA, Spain and Latin America: Collaborating to fulfill our common commitment,” which he delivered at Casa de América, the president gave an interview to EFE and referred to the Venezuelan presidential elections.
In his opinion, the Government of Nicolás Maduro “has breached the Barbados Agreements and has undermined the possibility of free elections.”
“We are very concerned that he has refused to accept the candidacies of the opposition parties and we are concerned about the arrests that are taking place,” he added, “but we will continue to support the democratic aspirations of the Venezuelan people.”
The Secretary of State recalled that Washington “changed its policy regarding Venezuela” and reduced the sanctions “in the hope that the democratic process would advance and the agreements would be complied with.”
Despite the fact that the opposition candidate María Corina Machado and her substitute Corina Yoris could not register in the elections, Nichols clarified that the margin established to rethink the return of the sanctions ends on April 18 and until then “no decision will be made.”
“Venezuela will have democracy if the candidates elected by the opposition can go to the polls, if there are international observers and if there is equity in access to the media,” he insisted.
Regarding the second point, he said that “Europe can play a key role” and, within Europe, Spain “is always a valuable country, because it has a lot of influence over Venezuela and because it has been a leader within the EU in favor of a transparent and democratic process” in the Caribbean country.
He also described as a “good sign” that prominent leaders of the Latin American left, such as the Colombian Gustavo Petro, have criticized the disqualification of María Corina Machado.
“The future of the Venezuelan people depends on more democracy and more international interconnection, but that the country takes that direction is not in the hands of the United States, but of the Government of Nicolás Maduro,” he concluded.
International
Colombia Earthquake Leaves at Least 22 Dead as Rescue Efforts Continue
At least 22 people were killed and dozens more were affected by a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Colombia on Monday, with the epicenter located near the municipality of San José del Palmar in the northwestern department of Chocó, authorities reported in a preliminary assessment.
The city of Pereira has so far recorded the highest number of fatalities. Mayor Mauricio Salazar told local media that 18 people had died in the city and warned that a large number of buildings had been damaged.
“The situation is critical, and we are moving forward with assessments while assisting people who remain trapped,” Salazar said.
Authorities in Manizales reported two additional deaths, while two more fatalities were confirmed in the department of Valle del Cauca. Several people were also injured, and structural damage was reported in different communities.
“We are just beginning to establish radio communication with the hospitals. We know that we have three injured people in El Cairo, two deaths in Zarzal, the collapse of an academic structure in Calima Darién, and minor structural damage in Cali,” said María Cristina Lesmes, Valle del Cauca’s health secretary.
Emergency teams were continuing rescue and assessment operations as authorities worked to determine the full extent of the damage and update the number of casualties.
International
Record 230 Migrants Cross English Channel to UK in Single Boat
A record 230 migrants crossed the English Channel overnight Sunday aboard a small inflatable boat bound for the United Kingdom, according to French maritime rescue services and British media, highlighting the growing number of people being packed onto vessels attempting the dangerous crossing.
More than 20 children were among those aboard the inflatable boat when it departed from the northeastern French coast on Sunday night amid chaotic scenes, France’s maritime rescue service SNSM said in an online statement.
The figure surpasses the previous record for the number of people aboard a single boat, set last month when 165 migrants successfully crossed the busy maritime route.
The latest incident comes just days after an inflatable boat carrying more than 150 people capsized in the Channel after its engine caught fire, triggering a major search-and-rescue operation.
Britain’s Home Office did not confirm the exact number of people aboard Sunday’s vessel but condemned what it described as the “reckless and dangerous tactics” used by criminal gangs facilitating the crossings.
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Andy Burnham described images of the operation as “shocking,” particularly those showing very young children being placed aboard boats that were not suitable for the journey.
The United Kingdom has spent years attempting to curb these dangerous and politically sensitive Channel crossings. Tens of thousands of migrants have reached the southeastern English coast annually in recent years, keeping the issue at the center of the country’s immigration debate.
International
Joe Biden’s Prostate Cancer Has Spread to His Bones, Son Hunter Reveals
Former U.S. President Joe Biden’s prostate cancer has worsened and spread to his bones and other parts of his body, his son Hunter Biden revealed in a recent interview with the BBC.
Biden disclosed in May 2025, just four months after leaving office as the oldest sitting U.S. president in history, that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that had already spread to his bones.
The former president subsequently began treatment, including radiation and hormone therapy. In July, while announcing the publication of his memoirs, Biden said the treatment was going “really well.”
However, in an extensive interview broadcast Friday night on the BBC’s Newsnight, Hunter Biden said his father’s condition had progressed despite treatment.
“The cancer has spread and metastasized to his bones and other places,” Hunter Biden said.
He added that the illness has been “very painful” and, in many ways, “very debilitating,” but said his father continues to remain active.
“He’s still out there. He’s still doing his thing,” Hunter Biden said, emphasizing that his father remains deeply committed to the United States.
The former president’s diagnosis has remained a subject of public attention since it was first announced, particularly because of his age and his decision to continue a public life after leaving the White House.
Colombia Earthquake Leaves at Least 22 Dead as Rescue Efforts Continue
Record 230 Migrants Cross English Channel to UK in Single Boat
Joe Biden’s Prostate Cancer Has Spread to His Bones, Son Hunter Reveals
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
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