International
Candidate Edmundo González Urrutia demands that Chavismo cease “threats” and insults
The presidential candidate of Venezuela’s main opposition coalition, Edmundo González Urrutia, asked Chavismo this Sunday to cease “threats” and insults against his adversaries in the face of next Sunday’s elections.
“Enough of threats, enough of insults, the people want a change in peace, the people want reconciliation, the people want to vote. Long live free Venezuela,” said the former ambassador in a video posted on social networks.
Likewise, the standard-bearer of the Democratic United Platform (PUD) told the members of the ruling party – who support the candidacy of the current head of state, Nicolás Maduro – that “they will be able to try (to put) new obstacles,” but this, he assured, “will not stop “a people that is determined to vote and change.”
“They have wanted to sow the fear of change, they want fear not to allow them to express themselves next Sunday, but what they do not count on, is the courage of the Venezuelan people. Don’t believe in threats and manipulations, they’ve been on that for 25 years, how long do they want to stay in power?” said the former ambassador in the video.
To the Venezuelans he pointed out that there is one week left until “the most important day in the democratic history of the country,” when he will begin to march along “the path of reconciliation of all.”
“That day will be the beginning of an era marked by peace, faith and hope for a better future for all. Let’s make that wish a reality,” asked González Urrutia, who leads the traditional and independent surveys.
The NGO Venezuelan Electoral Observatory (OEV) called this Saturday to condemn any speech that “incites division or violence” during the development of the electoral campaign, which ends next Thursday, and urged the use of a constructive and oriented language “towards the common good.”
Maduro, who is looking for a third consecutive six-year term in power, refers to his nine opponents as “patarucos” – alluding to the cowardly roosters that are not good for the fight -, while proclaiming himself as the “fine” specimen of the corral and the “only” with the ability to govern, and recently called opponents “children of his mother.”
In addition, the president and leaders of Chavismo usually refer to the opponent María Corina Machado – who supports the candidacy of González Urrutia – as “the sayona”, a character who, according to Venezuelan oral literature, appears in the form of a spectrum and punishes unfaithful men.
In May of this year, González Urrutia promised that, if he wins the elections, a president will rule in Venezuela who will not insult his political adversaries.
International
Armed forces target illegal mines in Northern Ecuador with bombing raids
Ecuador’s Armed Forces carried out an operation on Monday — including airstrikes — against illegal mining in the town of Buenos Aires, in the country’s north, Defense Minister Gian Carlo Loffredo reported.
The mountainous, gold-rich area has been a hotspot for illegal mining since 2017, located in the Andean province of Imbabura.
In 2019, former president Lenín Moreno deployed around 2,400 soldiers to the region in an attempt to curb the illegal activity. “The operation began with mortar fire, followed by gunfire and bombing runs by Supertucano aircraft,” Loffredo said in a video released by the Defense Ministry.
He added that the operation would continue on Tuesday with patrols across the area to locate possible members of “irregular armed groups that may have crossed from the Colombian border.”
The Armed Forces stated on X that the intervention focused on the “complete elimination of multiple illegal mining tunnels” in the areas known as Mina Nueva and Mina Vieja.
The operation coincided with the deployment of a military and police convoy into Imbabura, which has been the epicenter of protests against President Daniel Noboa since September 22, following his decision to scrap the diesel subsidy.
International
Caracas shuts embassy in Oslo without explanation following Machado’s Nobel win
Venezuela has announced the closure of its embassy in Norway, just days after opposition leader María Corina Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Venezuelan diplomatic mission provided no explanation for its decision on Monday.
“It is regrettable,” a ministry spokesperson said. “Despite our differences on several issues, Norway wishes to keep the dialogue with Venezuela open and will continue to work in that direction.” The ministry also emphasized that the Nobel Committee operates entirely independently from the Norwegian government.
In its announcement, the Nobel Committee stated that Machado met the criteria established by Alfred Nobel, “embodying the hope for a different future, where the fundamental rights of Venezuelans are heard.”
International
Sheinbaum: Urgent to restore access to towns cut off by heavy rains
Thousands of military personnel and civilians in Mexico worked tirelessly on Tuesday to clear roads blocked by the torrential rains of recent days, which have left more than 300 communities cut off across central and eastern regions of the country. Authorities also launched mass fumigation efforts in several affected areas to prevent the spread of dengue fever.
The official death toll remains at 64, though dozens of people are still missing. President Claudia Sheinbaumacknowledged that the government does not yet know the full situation in many of the isolated villages, which range in population from 500 to 1,000 inhabitants.
“The reopening of roads is one of the greatest urgencies,” Sheinbaum said. “It’s essential to guarantee air bridges, food supplies, clean water, and a proper census of the isolated communities so we can determine the condition of every person living there.”
Private construction companies are also assisting the effort with heavy machinery and technical support to help reopen highways and reconnect rural areas.
Armed forces target illegal mines in Northern Ecuador with bombing raids
Caracas shuts embassy in Oslo without explanation following Machado’s Nobel win
Sheinbaum: Urgent to restore access to towns cut off by heavy rains
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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