International
Lula reiterates to Maduro his support for the Barbados Agreements for the next elections
The president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, spoke on Wednesday with his counterpart from Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, reiterated his support for the Barbados Agreements and stressed the “importance” of a broad international observation in the elections that are planned in that country on July 28.
The Brazilian Presidency reported on that conversation in an official note, in which Lula also “expressed his expectation that the sanctions in force against Venezuela can be lifted, in order to contribute so that the electoral process can continue in a climate of trust and understanding.”
He also reiterated Brazil’s support for the Barbados Agreements, which last year laid the foundations for transparent and free elections but which, according to the Venezuelan opposition, have had violations by the Maduro Government, which aspires to re-election in the next elections.
At the bilateral level, Lula informed Maduro about the interest of Brazilian businessmen in reinvesting and reactivating trade with Venezuela, and asked to strengthen cooperation to improve the protection of Yanomami indigenous people at the common border.
Although Lula emphasized the need for a wide participation of international observers in the July elections, the Superior Electoral Tribunal (TSE) of Brazil announced this week that it will not send any mission to Venezuela.
The electoral body did not explain the reasons for the decision or clarify whether it will participate in a possible mission of the BRICS forum, founded by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, which like the TSE was invited by Venezuela.
Last week, Colombia also announced that it will not send any mission, because as explained by the Foreign Minister, Luis Gilberto Murillo, there would be no “time” to “structure” it with the technical characteristics required by the Venezuelan authorities.
Likewise, last week the Venezuelan National Electoral Council withdrew the invitation it had made to the European Union (EU) to send observers, after the bloc ratified the sanctions on members of the Government and the ruling party.
The presidents of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Colombia, Gustavo Petro, both of the progressive arc, have expressed “concern” about the obstacles imposed on the registration of opposition candidates for those elections.
In both cases they received a harsh response from the Government of Venezuela, although the matter seemed overcome with the registration of the presidential candidacy of former diplomat Edmundo González Urrutia, standard-bearer of the main opposition coalition.
International
Bolsonaro diagnosed with skin cancer amid coup conviction
Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has been diagnosed with skin cancer while serving a historic sentence for attempting a coup d’état. His medical team confirmed that the lesions have been removed and that, for now, he does not require further procedures, though he will need regular monitoring.
On Wednesday, September 17, Bolsonaro’s doctors confirmed the diagnosis. The announcement comes shortly after the former leader was convicted of orchestrating an attempted coup.
According to his physician, Claudio Birolini, Bolsonaro has “squamous cell carcinoma, which is neither the most benign nor the most aggressive form — it is intermediate.” Birolini warned, however, that this type of skin cancer “can carry more serious consequences.”
International
Milei praises Paraguay’s growth, calls Argentina’s last 20 years a ‘decline’
Argentine President Javier Milei praised Paraguay’s economic growth over the past two decades during a speech before the Paraguayan Congress on Wednesday (Sept. 17, 2025), crediting it to incentives that favored capitalism. At the same time, he contrasted that progress with what he described as Argentina’s deepening “decline” during the same period.
“If we compare the last 20 years of Paraguay with those of the Argentine Republic, we will find almost diametrically opposite results,” Milei told lawmakers during a special session of Parliament on the second and final day of his official visit to Asunción.
“While you have not stopped growing, we have deepened our decline. If we understand incentives as the engine of capitalism, Paraguay focused on preserving and strengthening them, while Argentina dedicated itself to chaining, directing, and suffocating them,” the right-wing leader stated.
International
Trump administration launches large-scale immigration operation in Chicago
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump intensified a large-scale immigration operation in the Chicago area with the arrival of additional Border Patrol agents on Tuesday and the presence of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem during a raid.
Noem posted a video on her X account showing the immigration operation, in which DHS reportedly removed “violent criminals” from the streets. The footage shows Noem observing the arrest of a man taken into custody at his home early Tuesday morning at an undisclosed location.
“I was in Chicago today to make it clear that we will not back down,” the secretary wrote. “Our work is just beginning,” she added.
The warning from Noem was echoed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Chief Gregory Bovino, who posted a video on X Tuesday showing multiple Border Patrol vehicles arriving in the city with the caption: “Chicago, we are here!”
Bovino, who led the immigration crackdown in Los Angeles implemented since last June, said the team will remain in Chicago to continue the mission they started in California.
Operation “Midway Blitz” is currently focused on the Chicago metropolitan area and its suburbs. Activists and residents have reported sightings of masked agents and unmarked vehicles in predominantly Latino neighborhoods.
Bolsonaro diagnosed with skin cancer amid coup conviction
Milei praises Paraguay’s growth, calls Argentina’s last 20 years a ‘decline’
Trump administration launches large-scale immigration operation in Chicago
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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