International
Migrants on the Mexican border accuse Texan guards of firing rubber and gas bullets
Migrants waiting at the northern border of Mexico to cross to the United States denounced on Monday that the attacks of the Texas National Guard (USA) are on the rise, which they accuse of shooting rubber and pepper spray bullets, even if they are on the Mexican side.
Foreigners stranded in Ciudad Juárez told EFE that they feel “cornered” because on the US side the Texas National Guard shoots them, while on the Mexican side they face the risk that organized crime will kidnap them or that the National Institute of Migration (INM) will stop them.
Among them is the Venezuelan Francisco Galicia, who has been working in Juárez for a year, but has not gotten an appointment with the US authorities to apply for asylum, so he decided to cross the Rio Bravo at gate 40, where Texan agents have attacked him with pepper spray bullets.
“The policemen from around El Paso (USA) have guns with pepper spray, right now they also gave it to the Army (the Texas National Guard) and right now we can’t get there because they shoot us. They are balls that if they burst into one’s body, it stings his face burns, one drowns, the children drown,” Galicia said.
The Venezuelan indicated that Texan agents “even threar tear gas bombs,” but they still prefer to take risks because migrants are also afraid of kidnappers in Mexico.
“They ask for up to $2,000 or $3,000. Even one’s mother can sell her house so that they can release it to one, to be able to pay for freedom,” said the South American.
The actions of the Texas authorities occur despite the fact that the president of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, said last week that the governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, has been “moderate” recently because he previously had a “very aggressive” policy against migrants and Mexicans.
They also happen in the midst of growing operations to stop migrants in the United States and Mexico, where in the first quarter of 2024 alone, irregular migration intercepted by the Mexican Government grew by about 200% per year to almost 360,000.
López Obrador and the president of the United States, Joe Biden, agreed at the end of April to “work together to immediately implement concrete measures in order to significantly reduce irregular border crossings and at the same time protect human rights.”
Elizaul Campos, from Venezuela, denounced that he has also been the victim of aggressions by the Texan authorities, who are also hostile to minors.
“It doesn’t matter if they have children, they shoot them, they beat women. Here you can see everything, many desperate mothers, many people beaten, you can see everything. The train was turning over, some people were kidnapped, you can see everything, but well (you have to go) forward,” the man said.
He said that, after walking from the homonymous capital of the state of Chihuahua to Ciudad Juárez, they have been in the Rio Bravo for five or six days waiting to pass, they eat once every two days and with limited rations of water due to the risk involved in returning to Mexican stores near the border.
“They insult us, they tell us things, but there is one without being able to say anything, we are here illegally, they say every little while they shoot us, there are many children crying. One was beaten around here and that’s what you don’t want, you tell them to calm down, but they have no compassion for any migrant,” he lamented.
International
Colombia to Send High-Level Delegation to Ecuador to Ease Trade Tensions
Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Friday that, at the instruction of President Gustavo Petro, a high-level delegation will travel to Ecuador in an effort to normalize bilateral relations, which have deteriorated following the imposition of reciprocal tariffs.
“In line with Colombia’s policy of good neighborliness and the spirit of cooperation and integration that guides its foreign policy,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement, adding that the delegation will be led by Foreign Minister Rosa Villavicencio and Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez.
“Following instructions from the Presidency of the Republic, and as has been publicly reiterated, the Colombian delegation expects to reaffirm Colombia’s offer of support to the Republic of Ecuador to strengthen control over phenomena stemming from transnational organized crime,” the statement said.
The Foreign Ministry noted that the delegation will attend the meeting with a full willingness to engage in dialogue and to seek concrete solutions to the unilateral measures that have affected the longstanding relationship between the two neighboring countries.
Trade tensions between Ecuador and Colombia escalated on January 21, when Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboaimposed a 30% tariff on Colombian products, citing a lack of cooperation in anti-drug efforts. Colombia responded with similar measures and the suspension of energy exports, while Ecuador increased transportation costs for Colombian crude oil.
Business associations in both countries have warned that the dispute is harming both economies and have called on the governments to resolve their differences through dialogue.
International
Super Bowl Halftime Show Puts Bad Bunny—and Immigration Politics—Back in the Spotlight
The long-standing argument that sports and politics should not mix may be put to the test on Sunday during the Super Bowl halftime show, which will be headlined by Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny, a choice that has sparked backlash from segments of the U.S. right wing.
Just one week after his headline-making appearance at the Grammy Awards—where he sharply criticized the United States’ anti-immigration policies—Bad Bunny will once again take center stage on the global spotlight with his performance at the NFL final in Santa Clara, California.
Beyond the expectations surrounding the show itself, speculation has grown over whether the artist could again use the platform to protest policies associated with the administration of former President Donald Trump, in front of an audience expected to exceed 120 million viewers in the United States alone.
In fact, one of the most popular Super Bowl prop bets this year revolves around whether the Puerto Rican singer will deliver a direct message against ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement), similar to the one he delivered at the Grammys last Sunday.
While few expect Bad Bunny to repeat such a pointed statement, the mere speculation highlights the delicate balance the NFL must manage during the most-watched broadcast of the year.
The world’s most powerful sports league has drawn criticism from the MAGA movement since announcing in September that Bad Bunny would headline a halftime show largely performed in Spanish.
Trump himself declined to attend the matchup between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, despite having made history last year as the first sitting U.S. president to attend a Super Bowl. He described the musical lineup—which also includes outspoken critics such as Green Day—as “a terrible choice” that would “sow hatred.” In response, his supporters have organized an alternative event dubbed the “All-American Halftime Show,” featuring like-minded artists such as Kid Rock.
International
Venezuela Debates Broad Amnesty Law Covering 27 Years of Chavismo
Venezuela’s Parliament began debating on Thursday a sweeping amnesty bill that would cover the 27 years of Chavismo in power, while explicitly excluding serious human rights violations and crimes against humanity.
The proposed legislation, titled the “Amnesty Law for Democratic Coexistence,” was introduced by interim President Delcy Rodríguez, who assumed power following the capture of Nicolás Maduro during a U.S. military operation.
The legislative session was convened for Thursday afternoon, with lawmakers holding an initial discussion focused on the general principles of the bill. This phase precedes a consultation process with civil society, after which the proposal will move to a final debate examining each article individually.
According to a draft of the bill obtained by AFP, the amnesty would apply to individuals accused of crimes such as “treason,” “terrorism,” and “incitement to hatred,” charges that were frequently brought against political prisoners over the past decades. The scope also includes offenses ranging from acts of rebellion to punishments imposed for social media posts or messages sent through private messaging services.
The bill’s explanatory text emphasizes reconciliation, stating that it seeks to move away from “vengeance, retaliation, and hatred” in favor of “opening a path toward reconciliation.”
However, the proposal explicitly excludes from its benefits crimes such as “serious human rights violations, crimes against humanity, war crimes, intentional homicide, corruption, and drug trafficking.”
These exclusions, the text notes, are based on strict compliance with the Venezuelan Constitution, which already prohibits granting amnesties or pardons for such offenses.
Colombia to Send High-Level Delegation to Ecuador to Ease Trade Tensions
Super Bowl Halftime Show Puts Bad Bunny—and Immigration Politics—Back in the Spotlight
Venezuela Debates Broad Amnesty Law Covering 27 Years of Chavismo
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 agoEpstein Denies Being ‘the Devil’ in Newly Released Video Interview
-
International4 days agoSpain Seeks to Ban Social Media Access for Children Under 16
-
International3 days agoDelcy Rodríguez Takes Control of Chavismo as Venezuela Enters a U.S.-Supervised Transition
-
International4 days agoMexico to Send Humanitarian Aid to Cuba Amid U.S. Threats Over Oil Shipments
-
International4 days agoPetro Resumes Extraditions, Sends Top Criminal to U.S. Before White House Talks
-
International3 days agoHRW Warns Trump’s Influence Has Weakened Human Rights in Latin America
-
International4 days agoMexico Arrests Suspect in Shooting of Sinaloa Lawmakers
-
International4 days agoHypothermia Linked to Most Deaths During New York’s Recent Cold Spell
-
Central America2 days agoPanama Will Not Be Threatened, President Says Amid Rising Tensions With China
-
International2 days agoDíaz-Canel Calls for Talks With Washington Without Pressure as U.S. Tightens Oil Sanctions
-
International19 hours agoColombia to Send High-Level Delegation to Ecuador to Ease Trade Tensions
-
International2 days agoVenezuela Debates Broad Amnesty Law Covering 27 Years of Chavismo
-
Central America4 days agoLaura Fernández Says She Will ‘Never’ Allow Authoritarianism in Costa Rica
-
Central America2 days agoBukele’s Approval Rating Climbs to 91.9% in El Salvador, Survey Shows
-
International4 days agoNFL Investigating Emails Linking Giants Executive to Jeffrey Epstein
-
International19 hours agoSuper Bowl Halftime Show Puts Bad Bunny—and Immigration Politics—Back in the Spotlight