International

The United States will take a historic step by classifying marijuana as a low-risk drug

The United States Government will classify marijuana as a drug with the same level of risk of prescription drugs as anabolic steroids, according to the American media on Tuesday.

The Washington Post and the television networks MSN, CNN and NBC cited White House officials about the decision as the source of their information.

Since 1971, marijuana in the United States has been classified in the same category as heroin, methamphetamines and LSD lysergic acid.

“The Government will take a historic step towards relaxing federal cannabis restrictions and has plans to soon announce an interim rule reclassifying the drug for the first time in more than 50 years,” the Washington Post said.

The Drug Control Administration (DEA) is expected to approve an opinion of the Department of Health and Human Services according to which marijuana should go from a stricter category to a less rigorous category.

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“This will mark the first time that the United States Government would recognize the potential medical benefits (of marijuana) and begin to study them firmly,” the newspaper added.

For its part, MSN pointed out that the measure, if it enters into force, will not instantly legalize marijuana at the federal level but could expand access to the drug with medicinal uses and strengthen the cannabis industry in the states where it is legal.

“The measure would also give a political income to President Joe Biden who seeks re-election and has sought to improve racial inequalities and criminal justice caused by the country’s long and failed war on drugs,” the television station said.

Currently, marijuana with recreational uses and limited to those over 21 years of age is considered legal in 24 states. Marijuana for medicinal purposes is legal in 13 states in addition to those where its use is allowed for pleasure.

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International

Spain’s irregular migrant population rises to 840,000, study finds

The number of migrants living in Spain without legal residency status continues to rise and has reached 840,000 people, with 91% originating from the Americas, particularly Colombia, Peru and Honduras, according to a report by the Spanish think tank Funcas (Foundation of the Savings Banks).

An estimated 17.2% of the non-EU foreign population living in Spain is in an irregular administrative situation. The estimate is based on the gap between the number of foreign residents effectively living in Spain, according to the National Statistics Institute (INE), and those who hold a residence permit, benefit from international protection, or are in the process of obtaining it.

The data, as of January 1, 2025, point to a notable and sustained increase in irregular migration since 2017, when the estimated figure stood at around 107,000 people, representing 4.2% of the non-EU population residing in Spain.

By origin, migrants from the American continent stand out, totaling around 760,000 people, or 91% of all irregular migrants. Colombians account for nearly 290,000, followed by Peruvians with almost 110,000, and Hondurans with about 90,000. Migrants from Africa (50,000), Asia (15,000) and Europe (14,000) trail far behind.

The figures predate Spain’s latest immigration regulation reform, which came into force in May 2025 and introduces measures to ease access to legal status through residency ties. According to Funcas, the reform would, in principle, tend to reduce the number of migrants in an irregular situation.

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International

Historic snowstorm paralyzes Toronto after 60 centimeters of snow

Toronto, Canada’s largest city and the fourth most populous in North America, was largely paralyzed on Monday after a historic snowstorm dumped up to 60 centimeters of snow and sent temperatures plunging to -15 degrees Celsius, authorities said.

Late Sunday, as the scale of the snowfall became clear, city officials declared a climate emergency, triggering extraordinary measures including parking bans on several major streets to facilitate snow removal operations.

Toronto’s public transit authority reported that while some buses remain immobilized, subway and streetcar services are operating with relative normality, though localized disruptions may occur.

A similar situation is affecting the city’s commuter rail network, which remains operational but is experiencing significant delays on its main routes due to the severe weather conditions.

International

Venezuela frees at least 80 political prisoners, NGO says

At least 80 political prisoners were released on Sunday across Venezuela, human rights group Foro Penal reported, as the broader process of detainee releases continues at a slow pace under the interim government.

Foro Penal’s director, Alfredo Romero, wrote on social media platform X that verified releases took place nationwide and that the figure could rise as more confirmations are completed.

Attorney Gonzalo Himiob, also from Foro Penal, said the excarcelations occurred during the early hours of the day and emphasized that the number is not yet final pending further verification.

The releases are part of a series of steps announced by Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, who took power after the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro in a U.S. military operation on Jan. 3, 2026. Rodríguez has pledged a significant number of liberations but has been criticized by opposition groups and rights organizations for the slow and nontransparent nature of the process.

So far, the Venezuelan government reports that 626 detainees have been freed since December, though independent counts by human rights groups suggest the number of actual political prisoner releases is lower and that many remain behind bars.

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Families of those still detained have maintained vigils outside prisons, hopeful for further releases even as broader concerns about political imprisonment and due process persist.