International
González Urrutia asks the world to remain “firm” in defense of Venezuela’s democracy
The standard-bearer of the majority opposition of Venezuela, Edmundo González Urrutia, called this Friday on the different countries of the world to remain “firm” in “the defense” of the democracy of the Caribbean nation and continue to demand the “respect for the results” of the presidential elections, in which he claims to have won, despite the fact that the electoral body proclaimed the victory of Nicolás Maduro.
In a statement, the leader of the main opposition coalition – the Democratic United Platform (PUD) – also asked the international community to insist on its call for “transparency” by the authorities of the South American country, where – he warned – “peace is at stake.”
The former ambassador spoke out after Chile, Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, the United States, Guatemala, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Dominican Republic and Uruguay rejected the validation of Maduro’s controversial victory by the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ), after a process of “validation” of the electoral results, requested by the ruling party to this institution controlled by magistrates alike Chavismo.
González Urrutia called on “all social and political organizations, even those that did not” “accompanied him electorally,” to unite and make “respect the decision expressed by the Venezuelans with their vote.”
“In the face of the onslaw against our freedoms and popular sovereignty, I call on all Venezuelans to unite in their defense, because it is no small thing that is at stake,” said González Urrutia, who added that “only in democracy” the country will have “the opportunity to undergo a change in peace,” in order to “progress and live with well-being.”
In a joint statement, the governments of the 11 American countries doubted “the alleged verification” that “intends to validate the results without sustenance issued by the electoral body,” since the results disaggregated by center and table had not been published, something that had been done in all the previous elections.
Likewise, they recalled that “they had already expressed the ignorance of the validity of the declaration” of the National Electoral Council (CNE), after “the representatives of the opposition to the official count, the non-publication of the minutes and the subsequent refusal to carry out an impartial and independent audit of all of them were prevented.”
In this sense, they reiterated that “only an impartial and independent audit of the votes, which evaluates all the minutes, will guarantee respect for the sovereign popular will and democracy in Venezuela.”
Like “the rest of the international democratic community,” they added, they will continue to “insist on respect for the sovereign expression of the Venezuelan people.”
The anti-chavist coalition assures that González Urrutia won by a wide margin, and published “83.5% of the electoral records,” compiled by witnesses and members of the bureau, to support his claim, supported by several countries and national and international organizations.
The CNE proclaimed Maduro the winner based on results that, after 26 days of the elections, still does not publish in a disaggregated way, despite the fact that it was contemplated in the electoral schedule.
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
-
International5 days agoMaría Corina Machado calls 2025 Nobel Peace prize a victory for venezuelan people
-
International2 days agoMexico reports 64 dead, 65 missing after devastating central region floods
-
Central America2 days agoGuatemala arrests first escaped gang member after Barrio 18 prison break
-
International2 days agoVenezuela calls for continued global pressure to secure ‘just peace’ for Palestine
-
International2 days agoPope Leo XIV to skip COP30 in Brazil but plans future visit, Lula confirms
-
International5 days agoNetanyahu says Trump deserved 2025 Nobel Peace prize
-
International4 days agoPeruvian president Jerí leads prison raids to tackle organized crime
-
International4 days agoVenezuela launches ‘Independence 200’ defense plan amid U.S. naval presence
-
Central America3 days agoFraijanes II prison in Guatemala reports gradual escape of 18th Street gang inmates
-
International22 hours agoSheinbaum: Urgent to restore access to towns cut off by heavy rains
-
International3 days agoHeavy rains leave dozens dead in Hidalgo, Puebla, and Veracruz
-
International22 hours agoArmed forces target illegal mines in Northern Ecuador with bombing raids
-
International22 hours agoVenezuelan media faces fresh restrictions after reporting on opposition leader’s Nobel win
-
International22 hours agoCaracas shuts embassy in Oslo without explanation following Machado’s Nobel win