International
Kamala Harris urges the military to protect Venezuelans in a letter to opponents
The vice president of the United States, Kamala Harris, sent a letter to the leaders of the opposition in Venezuela in which she urges the military to protect citizens, and the international community to press for the electoral authorities to deliver the minutes that prove that Nicolás Maduro won re-election in the elections last July.
The Democratic candidate for the Presidency in the November 5 elections warns that a militarized response will only lead to deepening the crisis facing the country after the National Electoral Council (CNE) certified that Maduro had defeated Edmundo González Urritia, the flag-bearer of the opposition, at the polls, according to the letter to which the Miami Herald newspaper had access.
“I strongly urge Venezuelan security forces to demonstrate restraint, respect the human rights and freedom of expression of all Venezuelans, and protect the Venezuelan people from threats and political attacks,” Harris said in the letter.
Last week, the vice president sent the letter to María Corina Machado y González, leaders of the opposition.
In it he also asked the CNE to maintain “the highest levels of transparency” and the international community to pressure this electoral authority to publish the results of the elections.
Kamala Harris recalled in the letter that the violation of human rights and freedom of expression “only deepens the crisis and hinders efforts towards a peaceful and democratic transition.”
He promised that in the United States “we will continue to encour the parties in Venezuela to start discussions about a respectful and peaceful transfer of power in accordance with Venezuelan electoral law.”
The opposition in Venezuela has claimed victory at the polls, but despite the intense protests in the country and the call of the international community, the Maduro Government has not published the minutes of the results to prove that Maduro won re-election.
The opposition published its election records with more than 80% of the polling stations and that demonstrated González’s defeat to Maduro by a margin of more than 2-1.
However, on Thursday the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ), controlled by magistrates close to Chavismo, confirmed the official results of the elections, which gave the victory to Maduro, which has been reported as fraudulent inside and outside Venezuela.
The protests after the elections have left about twenty dead.
The leaders of the majority opposition of Venezuela, Edmundo González Urrutia and María Corina Machado, thanked this Friday the vice president of the United States, Kamala Harris, for “defending democratic values,” in response to a letter in which the American asks for transparency and the publication of the results of the presidential elections in the Caribbean country.
The standard-bearer of the Democratic United Platform (PUD) – the largest opposition bloc – and its main champion published in X the same message in which they say they feel moved by the recognition of “the leaders of the democratic world” of the “courage and determination of the Venezuelan people to be free.”
“Knowing that we are not alone gives us even more strength. Venezuelans are united like never before. Thank you, Kamala Harris, for defending democratic values, which are the spirit of our victory. Venezuela will be free. Our families will return home,” they said.
International
Venezuela accuses U.S. of using Naval Deployment to pressure Maduro government
The world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, joined the U.S. Navy’s anti-drug operation in Latin America on Tuesday—a deployment Venezuela has condemned as an attempt to pressure President Nicolás Maduro from power.
In a statement, the U.S. Southern Command confirmed that the carrier, ordered to deploy nearly three weeks ago, has entered its area of responsibility, which includes Latin America and the Caribbean.
“The world’s largest aircraft carrier will strengthen the United States’ ability to detect, monitor, and dismantle illicit actors and activities that threaten the security and prosperity of U.S. territory and our safety in the Western Hemisphere,” said Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell.
According to the White House, the U.S. government under Donald Trump has carried out about twenty operations in the Caribbean and the Pacific since early September, resulting in the deaths of 76 suspected drug traffickers.
However, U.S. authorities have not yet presented evidence that the targeted vessels were being used for drug trafficking or posed a direct threat to the country.
The operations have raised concerns in Caracas, where the Maduro administration views the deployment as a strategic move aimed at provoking regime change in Venezuela.
International
Venezuela mobilizes forces nationwide as tensions with U.S. rise
Venezuela’s armed forces launched a “massive” nationwide deployment on Tuesday in response to what the government calls “imperialist threats” from the United States, which continues its anti-drug military operation in the region and is preparing for the arrival of its most advanced aircraft carrier.
Since late August, U.S. forces have maintained a growing presence in the Caribbean to combat alleged drug trafficking originating from Colombia and Venezuela. The operation has resulted in the bombing of 20 vessels in international waters in the Caribbean and Pacific, leaving 76 people dead.
Venezuelan authorities claim the U.S. mission is aimed at toppling President Nicolás Maduro. While insisting he seeks peace, Maduro has repeatedly warned the country is prepared to defend itself and has frequently showcased military activities.
A statement from Venezuela’s Defense Ministry said the deployment includes land, air, naval, river and missile systems; armed forces units; the Bolivarian militia; and additional police, military and civilian defense structures.
State broadcaster VTV aired speeches from military leaders in various states, along with images of troops mobilizing and equipment being positioned.
However, analysts note that these frequent and highly publicized announcements do not always lead to visible operations on the ground.
On Monday, Maduro cautioned that Venezuela has the “strength and power” to respond to any aggression, including mobilizing civilians. “If imperialism were to strike and do harm, from the moment the order is given, the entire Venezuelan people would mobilize and fight,” he warned.
International
Jara: “Real toughness” means targeting drug money in Chile’s crime fight
Left-wing presidential candidate Jeannette Jara said during Chile’s final debate on Monday that the “real tough approach” to crime is to go after the financial networks behind drug trafficking and organized crime.
Rising crime, often linked in public discourse to a surge in irregular migration, has become the top concern among Chileans and has dominated the election campaign.
Although Chile’s homicide rate has nearly tripled over the past decade — from 2.5 to 6.7 per 100,000 inhabitants — the country remains one of the safest in Latin America, according to the United Nations.
“I want to call on the right-wing candidates to join us in targeting those who control the money behind drug trafficking and organized crime. That is real tough action,” Jara, who is favored to win Sunday’s first-round vote, declared during the debate.
All eight candidates faced off on Monday night in the final televised confrontation before the election.
Polls — unavailable since they were suspended on November 2 — indicate that far-right candidate José Antonio Kast is likely to finish second behind Jara, but would hold the advantage in a potential December 14 runoff.
Kast is expected to consolidate support from three other right-wing contenders: Evelyn Matthei, Johannes Kaiser and Franco Parisi.
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