International
Death toll from storms in southern Brazil rise to 137
The number of deaths from the storms that hit southern Brazil causing floods never before seen in the region already has 137 victims, according to the latest report released by the Civil Defense.
At least 141 people are still missing, while more than 400,000 displaced, of which about 340,000 have had to take refuge in the homes of friends and family and about 71,000 in shelters improvised by the authorities.
In total, 444 cities affected and 1,950,000 people affected by the storms in the region.
The most dramatic situation is in Rio Grande do Sul, a state bordering Argentina and Uruguay, where at least 136 deaths and 756 injuries have been reported.
The other deceased was reported in the neighboring state of Santa Catarina, also affected by the catastrophe, but to a lesser extent.
The rains that had given a slight truce since Thursday resumed their intensity this Saturday, especially in the Taquarí Valley, one of the most affected regions in the last week, and in Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul.
The storms that have been punishing the region since the end of April have left a trail of chaos and destruction in which dozens of cities have been totally or partially under the waters, as is the case of Porto Alegre.
Hundreds of roads destroyed or hindered and the victims suffer from the lack of public services; hospitals are collapsed and without adequate conditions to care for patients.
The event has also hindered the work of the nearly 28,000 personnel – including firefighters, security forces and volunteers – who help in the rescues and distribute humanitarian aid.
In the last few hours, new cities were taken over by the waters after the overflow of the Lagoa dos patos, where the waters are already one and a half meters above normal.
The situation may get worse in the next few hours, where in addition to the heavy rains, strong winds and a drastic drop in temperature are expected.
Rio Grande do Sul, an important agricultural center and a fundamental sector for the growth of the country, will need at least 18,839 million reais (3.7 billion dollars or 3.4 billion euros) to recover from the floods, according to the calculations of the regional government.
At the moment, the Brazilian president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, announced an aid package of 50 billion reais ($9.8 billion) for that state, which includes direct assistance measures, subsidized credits for companies and aid for rural producers, among others.
International
Mexican authorities bust Meth Lab and seize tons of drugs and chemicals in multiple states
Mexican authorities dismantled a clandestine laboratory containing 2.5 tons of methamphetamine in the southeastern state of Chiapas, seized a warehouse with more than four tons of chemical precursors in Guerrero (south), and intercepted a trailer in Tijuana attempting to cross into the United States with 2.7 tons of drugs.
Omar García Harfuch, head of the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), reported on Saturday via social media that agents from the Criminal Investigation Agency of the Attorney General’s Office (FGR), along with representatives from the Defense Secretariat, Navy (Semar), National Guard (GN), and SSPC, disabled the methamphetamine production lab in Chiapas and confiscated 2.5 tons of the drug.
A statement specified that the agents secured 2.5 tons of methamphetamine, barrels containing substances used to manufacture synthetic drugs, a firearm, and four trucks. In another operation in Guerrero, authorities located over four tons of chemical substances.
The discovery took place on a property in the community of Margarita Maza, Juárez, used to store materials for synthetic drug production. Sufficient evidence was collected and presented to a control judge who authorized the intervention of the property.
In Chiapas, authorities also seized more than 300 barrels and containers with chemicals for making synthetic drugs, as well as various metal containers and devices.
International
Maduro gains support from Venezuelan Assembly amid U.S. drug trafficking accusations
The National Assembly of Venezuela expressed its support this Saturday for President Nicolás Maduro, condemning the United States’ increase in the reward offered for his capture as an “act of aggression.”
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Thursday that Washington had doubled the reward to $50 million for Maduro’s capture, labeling him as one of the “world’s largest drug traffickers.”
“We reject the absurd and desperate actions announced by the U.S. Attorney General’s Office, which are clearly illegal and lack any real basis, beyond being a delirious attempt of aggression against the president (…) and against our rebellious and brave people,” said the Assembly leader, Jorge Rodríguez, while reading a letter he said was unanimously approved by the deputies.
“It is precisely President Nicolás Maduro (…) the protector of the strong democracy that shelters us and the leader who firmly upholds the rule of law and justice,” Rodríguez continued. He is also Venezuela’s chief negotiator in talks with Washington.
Bondi accused Maduro of using “terrorist organizations like the Tren de Aragua, the Sinaloa cartel, and the Cartel of the Suns to introduce lethal drugs and violence” into the United States.
“In 25 years of revolution, we have resisted and advanced despite constant imperialist aggressions. They have not succeeded, and will not succeed, with crude sanctions, criminal blockades, or senseless threats in diverting the noble path the Venezuelan people charted in the free elections of July 28, 2024, in which Nicolás Maduro was elected President of the Republic,” the statement read.
The Venezuelan opposition alleges fraud in those elections and claims victory, and as a result, has boycotted the 2025 legislative, regional, and municipal elections.
International
U.S. doubles bounty on Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro to $50 million
In February, the United States designated eight Latin American criminal organizations as “global terrorist” groups, including Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua, and the MS-13 gang. In July, it added the Cartel of the Suns to the list — a group Washington claims is led by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Last Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration doubled the reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest, raising it from $25 million to $50 million, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on social media platform X.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained that labeling the Cartel of the Suns as a terrorist organization allows for a strategic shift in dealing with the Venezuelan regime, as it is now also considered a direct threat to U.S. national security, according to El Espectador.
In an interview with The World Over on EWTN, Rubio said the designation enables the U.S. to “use intelligence agencies, the Department of Defense, or any other element of American power to go after them.” He stressed this is no longer just a law enforcement matter, but a national security operation.
When asked at the White House whether he believes it is worth sending the military to combat Latin American drug cartels, Trump responded:
“Latin America has many cartels, a lot of drug trafficking, so, you know, we want to protect our country. We have to protect it.”
Mexican authorities bust Meth Lab and seize tons of drugs and chemicals in multiple states
Maduro gains support from Venezuelan Assembly amid U.S. drug trafficking accusations
U.S. doubles bounty on Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro to $50 million
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
-
International4 days agoMassive wildfire in Southern France kills one, injures nine
-
Central America4 days agoFour honduran presidential candidates sign anti-corruption pact ahead of 2025 elections
-
International4 days agoFlorida officials warn against raw milk after dozens sickened
-
Central America2 days agoNicaragua’s Telica volcano erupts four times, no damages reported
-
International2 days agoOver 240 guatemalans detained at Florida’s Alligator Alcatraz await deportation
-
International4 days agoJapan marks 80 years since Hiroshima bombing with call for nuclear disarmament
-
International2 days agoColombian President Gustavo Petro announces talks with clan del Golfo outside country
-
International2 days agoMaría Corina Machado thanks OAS allies for condemning Venezuela’s growing repression
-
International1 day agoThree injured in early-morning New York City shooting
-
International1 day agoU.S. doubles bounty on Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro to $50 million
-
International10 hours agoMaduro gains support from Venezuelan Assembly amid U.S. drug trafficking accusations
-
International10 hours agoMexican authorities bust Meth Lab and seize tons of drugs and chemicals in multiple states