International
In prison the aggressor of the Danish Prime Minister, who perpetrated “a spontaneous act”
The Frederiksberg court (Denmark) decreed pre-trial detention this Saturday, until June 20, for a 39-year-old Polish citizen for assaulting the Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, yesterday in the center of Copenhagen, in what the police described as an “isolated and spontaneous act.”
“We see it as an isolated and spontaneous act, and at this moment we do not have the hypothesis of our investigation that it will be a planned attack against the Prime Minister,” the inspector of the Copenhagen Police, Trine Møller, told the Ritzau agency after the hearing with restrictions held today.
The individual, accused of assault against a public official, denied the charges during the hearing, and according to the police report, he was clearly influenced by alcohol and other drugs when he was arrested, a minute after hitting Frederiksen in the arm with his fist and pushing her.
A doctor defined the suspect as a mental imbalance.
Frederiksen was treated last night at the Kingdom Hospital in Copenhagen and was diagnosed with a “slight whiplash,” the Prime Minister’s office reported.
For this Saturday, the planned participation of the prime minister in events in Herlev, Rødovre, Roskilde, Holbæk and Slagelse was canceled.
During the interrogation held last night, the individual, who has lived in Denmark for a few months, admitted to having recognized Frederiksen and said he did not remember much of what happened, but denied having beaten her.
In his statement today before the judge, the individual, who needed an interpreter, showed his sympathy for Frederiksen and assured that she was a “very good” prime minister.
“At the moment our main hypothesis is not that it was a politically motivated act. We don’t have any more comments about the case,” the Police had pointed out in their account on social network X.
The incident has provoked numerous reactions of condemnation and solidarity with the assault by members of the Danish Government and the leaders of the main local political parties and the institutions of the European Union.
Frederiksen, 46, has been head of government since June 2019: the first legislature, at the head of a center-left coalition; and since December 2022, at the head of a center executive with two right-wing forces.
The incident provoked numerous reactions of condemnation and solidarity with the assault by members of the Danish Government and the leaders of the main political parties.
“Oh, no, what a surprise. That’s not Denmark. We don’t attack our prime ministers. I send my best thoughts to Mette,” the vice president and minister of Defense, the liberal Troels Lund Poulsen, wrote on the social network X.
Leaders of other countries, such as the prime ministers of Portugal and Italy and the president of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, also sent messages of support to Frederiksen.
Mette Frederiksen, 46, has been head of government since June 2019: the first legislature, at the head of a center-left coalition; and since December 2022, at the head of a center executive with two right-wing forces.
The high representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, also condemned the attack on the Prime Minister of Denmark, the Social Democratic Mette Frederiksen.
“Shocked by another physical aggression against a democratically elected leader. I condemn it. My solidarity with Mette Frederiksen. Violence will not determine our political options,” Borrell said in a message disseminated through the social network X.
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, was also “very shocked” after learning of the aggression against Frederiksen and condemned “this despicable act that goes against everything we believe and what we fight to make Europe.”
“I wish you strength and courage, I know you have plenty,” Von der Leyen told the Danish Prime Minister in X, on account of this attack that occurred in the course of the European Parliament elections from June 6 to 9, after which German politics aspires to remain at the head of the Community Executive.
The president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, described the aggression against Frederiksen as “atrocious”, asserted that “violence has no place in politics” and asked the Danish leader to “stain strong,” through a publication in X.
The president of the European Council, Charles Michel, was “indignant” by the aggression committed and “vehergically” condemned this “cowardly” act, also through the social network X.
“All my thoughts are with you and your family, dear Mette, and I hope you will soon overcome this horrible attack,” said Michel, who chairs the EU body that brings together the presidents and prime ministers of the Twenty-seven.
International
UN warns Venezuela earthquakes could affect up to 6.76 million people
Up to 6.76 million people could be affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24, according to an assessment released by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a United Nations agency.
The organization said the projections are based on available population data and damage assessments, and include up to two million people living in Caracas, the country’s capital.
The estimates highlight the potentially massive humanitarian impact of the disaster, the IOM warned.
Entire buildings collapsed in La Guaira, a coastal area north of Caracas, following the powerful twin earthquakes that reached magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 on Wednesday.
The national death toll has risen to 920, while rescue teams continue searching for people trapped beneath the rubble in coastal regions and other affected areas.
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher told AFP on Friday that more than 50,000 people were reported missing.
The IOM also revealed that it worked with Microsoft’s artificial intelligence laboratory on an initial satellite mapping analysis, which showed that 31.5% of buildings in the town of Catia La Mar had suffered damage.
Authorities and international rescue teams continue operations as Venezuela faces one of its largest humanitarian emergencies in recent years.
International
United Nations Coordinates Relief Efforts as Venezuela Death Toll Rises After Twin Quakes
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday expressed his condolences to the people of Venezuela following the two devastating earthquakes that struck the country and highlighted the ongoing coordination between UN humanitarian teams and interim President Delcy Rodríguez.
Speaking during the UN’s daily press briefing, spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said Guterres was deeply saddened by the loss of life and widespread destruction caused by the disaster.
“The Secretary-General is deeply distressed by the loss of life and the widespread devastation caused by the earthquakes that struck Venezuela yesterday. He extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured,” Dujarric stated.
Venezuela was struck on Wednesday by two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude. According to official figures, the disaster has left at least 164 people dead and 971 others injured.
Dujarric noted that preliminary reports indicate significant damage across several states, including the capital, Caracas. Numerous casualties have been reported, while other individuals remain trapped beneath collapsed structures or are still missing.
“Critical infrastructure has been damaged and essential services have been disrupted,” the spokesperson said.
The United Nations confirmed that its humanitarian team remains in close contact with interim President Delcy Rodríguez and other relevant authorities as emergency operations continue.
To support relief efforts, the UN has established a coordination center in Caracas and is assisting local authorities to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches affected communities as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Guterres also welcomed the expressions of solidarity and offers of assistance from countries around the world that responded following news of the disaster, underscoring the importance of international cooperation in addressing the humanitarian emergency.
International
OAS Secretary General Pledges Regional Assistance Following Venezuela Quake Disaster
The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Albert Ramdin, said on Thursday that the “hemispheric community” stands ready to provide “full support” to Venezuela and its people following the powerful earthquakes that struck the country overnight, leaving at least 164 people dead and nearly 1,000 injured.
Speaking at the conclusion of the OAS General Assembly, Ramdin expressed solidarity not only with Venezuela but also with Colombia, Curaçao and Aruba, where the tremors were also felt.
“Above all, our thoughts are with these peoples,” he said during his remarks.
Ramdin noted that while many details about the disaster are still emerging, countries across the hemisphere are prepared to assist Venezuela as it responds to the crisis.
“Much remains unknown at this stage, but the hemispheric community will be ready to support the people of Venezuela during this very difficult time,” he stated, reiterating the organization’s commitment to helping those affected.
According to updated information released by the Venezuelan government, the powerful earthquakes have been followed by at least 30 aftershocks. Authorities have also reported extensive structural damage, including numerous building collapses in La Guaira, the area considered hardest hit by the disaster.
Rescue efforts are currently focused on La Guaira, where emergency teams continue searching for survivors trapped beneath the rubble as officials assess the full extent of the damage.
UN warns Venezuela earthquakes could affect up to 6.76 million people
United Nations Coordinates Relief Efforts as Venezuela Death Toll Rises After Twin Quakes
OAS Secretary General Pledges Regional Assistance Following Venezuela Quake Disaster
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