International
HRW: Poverty, a common element of open cases of sexual violence in Latin America
Poverty remains in 2024 as the common denominator of those classified as the worst cases of sexual violence against women and girls that have been open in Latin America since 2017, warned Human Rights Watch (HRW).
This was denounced in an interview with EFE by the executive director of the Women’s Division of HRW, Macarena Sáez, who specified that these are not isolated cases, since “poverty is not a problem of bad luck in the region, but has to do with structural conditions of double and triple discrimination.”
In that sense, it is a discrimination “that has to do with race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity.”
Sáez participated in an event parallel to the V Regional Conference on Population and Development of Latin America and the Caribbean, held in Cartagena de Indias, of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).
At the ‘Open Cause’ meeting, organized by the Mercosur Feminist Articulation (AFM), they presented a report where they analyzed ten cases of sexual violence to women and girls in Latin America that remain open and “the only thing that relates them is poverty,” Sáez added.
Among the ten cases they selected, the 41 Guatemalan girls who died in a fire after demonstrating for rape within the place where they lived, the Virgen de la Asunción, stands out.
The building was under the management of the Secretariat of Social Welfare of the Presidency, and the protest was followed by a massive escape that ended with the violent capture of the girls by the Police and their confinement in a 47-square-meter room where the flames began the next morning.
At the meeting, the testimonies of some survivors of sexual violence stood out, who said that when they asked the Police to let them out, they heard phrases such as: “Let those unfortunate women suffer,” which Sáez described as “a shame for Guatemala and for the region.”
“What if the girls had been in the percentile of the 1% highest economically in Guatemala? Who would have been behind those lawsuits and who would have been the lawyers behind them? How would the medical services have acted?” Sáez questioned.
He also added that “Guatemala is not an isolated event” and that due to the size of the fire, the reason behind the protests of the girls was overlooked, who demonstrated denouncing ill-treatment and sexual violence that they suffered inside the center.
The HRW lawyer, on the other hand, criticized that in these events, such as the ECLAC summit, although urgent issues are addressed, there is no financial support necessary for it: “The big question we have to ask the States is how much they are willing to invest in equality.”
“If those commitments do not translate into significant budget items that go to the corresponding portfolios of the Governments for training and in bills, it is seen that there is no political will to promote them,” he said.
Sáez warned that these cases will remain open until “the day comes when women do not have to design our route thinking about whether we are going to suffer sexual violence and when we do not have to design our cities thinking about which streets have to be illuminated.”
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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