International
The EU warns of “a serious crisis” in Venezuela if the results are not verified
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, has again demanded the publication of Venezuela’s electoral records and has warned that, in case Nicolás Maduro insists on saying that he has won without being able to verify it, this country “may enter a serious crisis.”
“If Maduro insists on saying that he has won and does not want to understand that, for the international community, without verification there is no assumption of results, Venezuela can enter a serious crisis. We are all trying to prevent this from happening,” said Borrell, who appeared before the media on Monday on the occasion of the course ‘Quo Vadis Europa?’ that he directs this week at the Menéndez Pelayo International University in Santander.
The head of European diplomacy sees “clear” that Maduro “refuses to show the minutes.” “I should have done it, it’s had time,” he added.
And he has abounded in the fact that “if there is no verification of the results, the results cannot be accepted.”
“I know that Maduro has dedicated very affectionate words to me, it is not the first time, but I have to insist on the same thing: If the results cannot be verified, they cannot be accepted and, at the moment, they are not verifiable. Well, rather, they are through the information provided by the opposition,” he said, alluding to the fact that the Venezuelan opposition has managed to gather “80% or more” of the minutes and give a result “radically different from the one that Maduro proclaims.”
In addition, Borrell has called the “pin of sarcasm” that Maduro has appealed to the Supreme Court of Venezuela to “defend him.” “I don’t know what he is going to issue as a sentence because his function is not to count the electoral results,” he said.
The high representative has called to wait to see what happens in the coming days, although he has added that there are more than 2,000 people arrested and “the repression is accentuated,” and he trusts that the international community will maintain its demand to verify the results.
Asked about the negotiations, he explained that they are still ongoing and, “even some Latin American country has proposed repeating elections and sharing power between the Government and the opposition.” “I don’t know how to do that, but nothing will be done, surely, until the Court speaks,” he said.
Central America
Panama mine workers demand reopening amid economic slump and mining ban
Former workers of Central America’s largest open-pit copper mine, shut down in 2023 by Panama’s Supreme Court, called on Wednesday for the reactivation of operations, even though the country is under a mining moratorium.
The mine, operated by Canadian firm First Quantum Minerals, ceased production after Panama’s highest court declared the concession contract “unconstitutional,” following mass anti-mining protests that nearly brought the country to a standstill.
“There’s an unemployment crisis affecting the nation, and reopening the mine could bring back thousands of jobs, restoring the hope and dreams lost since the shutdown,” said Ilka Camargo, a former mine employee, to AFP.
Located on Panama’s Caribbean coast, the mine produced around 300,000 tons of copper concentrate annually, accounting for 75% of the country’s exports and 5% of its GDP. It directly and indirectly employed approximately 37,000 people.
Several unions backed the call for reopening on Wednesday, arguing that it would generate employment and boost economic growth amid growing dissatisfaction with conservative President José Raúl Mulino.
“If reopening the mine helps generate new jobs, the government should make the decision to do it,” said Aniano Pinzón, Secretary-General of Panama’s General Workers’ Union.
“We have the right to work, and we believe in responsible mining that serves the Panamanian people and respects the environment,” stated Michael Camacho, leader of the former workers’ union.
Panama’s economy grew by just 2.9% in 2024, a sharp decline from 7.4% the previous year, when the mine was still operational. Meanwhile, unemployment stands at 9.5% and may rise further following the dismissal of 6,500 workers from U.S. banana company Chiquita Brands, which shut down operations amid protests in Bocas del Toro province.
International
Mexico discovers drug smuggling tunnel connecting Tijuana to San Diego
Mexican security forces discovered a clandestine tunnel on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, in the border city of Tijuana (northwest), which connects to San Diego, California, authorities reported.
Such underground passages are commonly used by criminal groups for smuggling people and drugs across the roughly 3,100-kilometer border between Mexico and the United States.
The tunnel, measuring approximately 350 meters (1,150 feet) in length, was found by soldiers and police inside a residential home, where “various doses of methamphetamine” were also seized, according to a statement from Mexico’s federal Security Ministry.
The operation was conducted “in coordination” with U.S. authorities, said Laureano Carrillo, Secretary of Public Security for the state of Baja California.
Earlier this year, in January, security forces from both countries uncovered another tunnel linking Ciudad Juárez (northern Mexico) to El Paso, Texas.
The Mexican government has stepped up arrests and drug seizures following pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has threatened to impose tariffs on Mexico, accusing it of allowing the flow of drugs and undocumented migrants into the United States.
International
Hurricane Erick rapidly strengthens to category 3 near Southern Mexico
Erick has rapidly intensified into a Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 195 km/h (120 mph). It is currently located about 90 km (56 miles) south-southwest of Puerto Ángel, in the Mexican state of Oaxaca.
The hurricane is expected to continue strengthening overnight as it moves closer to Mexico’s southern coastline. Erick is forecast to make landfall Thursday morning, just east of Acapulco, as a major hurricane. If it does so as a Category 3 or stronger, it would be the most powerful hurricane on record to strike Mexico in the month of June.
The storm underwent rapid intensification on Wednesday morning, fueled by extremely favorable atmospheric and oceanic conditions, including very warm sea surface temperatures. A tropical system is considered to be rapidly intensifying when its maximum sustained winds increase by at least 55 km/h (35 mph) within 24 hours.
Hurricane-force winds are expected to affect coastal areas Wednesday night. Regions near and east of the storm’s landfall point are likely to experience dangerous storm surge, coastal flooding, and heavy rainfall, with totals up to 400 mm (15.7 inches). These conditions pose a high risk of flash flooding and landslides, particularly in mountainous terrain. Because Erick’s approach is nearly parallel to the coastline, even minor shifts in its track could significantly alter the timing and location of landfall impacts.
Panama mine workers demand reopening amid economic slump and mining ban
Guatemalan journalist Zamora wins legal battle, still held over new charges
Mexico discovers drug smuggling tunnel connecting Tijuana to San Diego
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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