International
The Venezuelan Parliament presents a draft agreement on the rupture of relations with Spain
The Parliament of Venezuela, controlled by Chavismo, presented on Tuesday the draft agreement with which it will urge the Government to “evaluate” the rupture of diplomatic and commercial relations with Spain, in response to the decision of the Spanish Congress to recognize the opponent Edmundo González Urrutia – exiled in the European country – as elected president.
The document, read during the session, urges “the national Executive to evaluate, in a perempontory time, the rupture of diplomatic and commercial relations with the Kingdom of Spain, as reciprocal action for the rude and interventionist proposal” of the Spanish Congress against “Venezuelan constitutionality.”
On September 11, Congress, with the vote against the ruling Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE), approved a non-law proposal promoted by the Popular Party (PP) in which it asks the Government to recognize González Urrutia as president of Venezuela, who arrived in Madrid on the 8th of this month to seek asylum in the face of the persecution he claims to have suffered in his country.
In that sense, the Venezuelan National Assembly (AN, Legislative) rejects, according to the draft agreement, “the disastrous resolution promoted by the fascist right of the Congress” of the European country, and urges Spanish parliamentarians to “respect the decision of the Venezuelan people who elected, sovereignly,” Maduro as “re-elected president” in the elections of July 28.
That result, announced by the National Electoral Council (CNE) based on results that are still unknown in a disaggregated way, was rejected and pointed out as “fraudulent” by the majority opposition – the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD) – and widely questioned by much of the international community, which demands the publication of the minutes.
The AN project points to the decision of the Spanish Congress as an “action that aims to ignore the democratic institutionality” of Venezuela, in addition to the “sovereign will of an entire people.”
He also says that, in recent years, the “Spanish ultra-right has sheltered criminals, fascists and convicted and confessed terrorists, who together with the Venezuelan right, have promoted failed coups d’état” in the Caribbean country and “the explosion of violence to generate political and social destabilization.”
“We will never accept that any foreign government or international body imposes conditions and interferes in our internal affairs,” the document adds.
The project was presented at the request of the president of the Legislature, Jorge Rodríguez, who, last week, asked to write a resolution, which is waiting for approval, to urge the Executive to break “all diplomatic, consular, economic and commercial relations” with Spain.
Rodríguez demanded that the resolution establish that “all commercial activities of Spanish companies be ceased immediately,” in response to what he considered as “the most brutal abuse” of Spain against Venezuela “since the times” when the Caribbean country fought for its independence, in reference to the decision of the Congress of the European nation.
International
Washington declares State of Emergency as atmospheric river brings severe flooding
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency on Wednesday in response to severe flooding affecting several counties, where more than 75,000 people remain under evacuation alerts following heavy rainfall that has caused significant water accumulation.
An atmospheric river has battered the state since Monday, dropping several centimeters of rain and threatening serious flooding in communities near major rivers. More precipitation is expected in the coming days, and the National Weather Service (NWS) has forecast between 15 and 20 centimeters of rain from Wednesday morning through Thursday afternoon in communities along the far western region, worsening the emergency.
Rainfall totals in higher elevations near the Canadian border could exceed 20 centimeters, further increasing the risk.
“Lives will be at stake in the coming days,” Ferguson warned during a press conference.
The governor underscored the severity of the situation and said he will request an expedited federal disaster declaration from President Donald Trump’s administration to access additional resources for the emergency response.
“I want to urge all Washington residents to pay close attention to alerts from their counties and emergency management departments. If you receive an evacuation order, please follow it,” he added.
Most rivers from the Canadian border down to southwestern Washington are in flood stage. Several are expected to reach record levels, including the Skagit River, which could exceed its 1990 flood peak when water levels rose 1.2 meters.
Around 75,000 people are at risk of flooding in Skagit County, where authorities continue to maintain an evacuation watch.
The Washington National Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have been activated to assist with evacuations and response efforts in rural areas affected by flooding.
International
U.S. to require five-year social media history from tourists under Visa Waiver Program
Tourists from 42 countries covered by the U.S. Visa Waiver Program would be required to provide their social media history from the past five years in order to enter the United States, according to a new proposal released Wednesday by the administration of President Donald Trump.
The initiative, led by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), aims to more thoroughly review the activity of travelers entering the country through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). When asked about the plan’s potential impact on tourism, Trump insisted that the United States is “doing very well.”
“We just want people to come here and be safe… We want to make sure we’re not letting the wrong people into our country,” the president said during a press conference at the White House.
The proposal, published in the Federal Register, seeks to expand the information collected from visitors entering the U.S. for up to three months under the visa waiver program.
ESTA applies to travelers from 42 countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, France, Japan, Israel and Qatar.
In addition to requiring a five-year social media history, the plan would increase the amount of personal data requested, such as phone numbers and email addresses used over the past ten years. It also calls for family details, including names, dates of birth and places of birth of the traveler’s relatives.
The proposal further includes a new mobile tool that would allow any foreign visitor to record their departure from the United States.
International
Six ecuadorian soldiers jailed pending trial for alleged extrajudicial execution
Six Ecuadorian soldiers were placed in pre-trial detention on Wednesday by a civilian court over an alleged extrajudicial execution, the Attorney General’s Office reported.
As part of his war on drug trafficking, President Daniel Noboa declared an internal armed conflict in 2024 and deployed the Armed Forces to the streets. Human rights organizations have since denounced military abuses and a rise in disappearances attributed to state agents.
A judge in the coastal province of Santa Elena ordered pre-trial detention for six soldiers for alleged extrajudicial execution, the prosecution stated on X. It added that the troops, now under investigation for the suspected crime, were in charge of an operation in the resort town of Salinas, during which one of the detainees died.
In a separate case involving alleged abuse of authority, a group of 17 soldiers is currently on trial for the forced disappearance of four minors whose bodies were found burned near an Ecuadorian Air Force (FAE) base.
In December 2024, Saúl Arboleda, Steven Medina, and brothers Josué and Ismael Arroyo — aged 11 to 15 — were detained by a military patrol in southern Guayaquil.
According to Amnesty International, Ecuador’s Prosecutor’s Office has received reports of at least 43 possible cases of forced disappearance since 2023, the year Noboa took office pledging a tough stance against organized crime.
Washington declares State of Emergency as atmospheric river brings severe flooding
U.S. to require five-year social media history from tourists under Visa Waiver Program
OAS and EU urge honduran political actors to respect vote results and avoid unrest
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
-
Central America3 days agoGuatemalan soldier wounded in clash with suspected mexican armed group near border
-
Central America3 days agoGuatemala reverses asset seizures after judge replacement, benefiting ex-president and former ministers
-
International3 days agoJapan lifts tsunami alert after strong 7.6-magnitude earthquake hits northern coast
-
Central America2 days agoMexico and Guatemala launch joint security operation after Agua Zarca border attack
-
International1 day agoMexico City prepares for 13 million pilgrims at Basilica of Guadalupe
-
Central America1 day agoU.S. accuses Ortega regime of systematic human rights abuses in Nicaragua
-
International3 days agoInterior Dept. redefines 2026 Patriotic Days, sparking criticism over removed civil rights holidays
-
Central America2 days agoHonduran University: Nullifying elections without proof of fraud undermines popular sovereignty
-
Central America1 day agoHonduras’ electoral chief reports ongoing technical issues but says results remain intact
-
Central America1 day agoU.S. finds no evidence of fraud in Honduras election despite delays
-
International9 hours agoU.S. to require five-year social media history from tourists under Visa Waiver Program
-
International9 hours agoWashington declares State of Emergency as atmospheric river brings severe flooding
-
Central America2 days ago
CNA director says Libre’s defeat stems from “lack of substance,” not messaging
-
International2 days agoZelensky meets Pope Leo XIV as review of U.S. peace plan continues
-
Central America9 hours ago
OAS and EU urge honduran political actors to respect vote results and avoid unrest
-
International9 hours agoSix ecuadorian soldiers jailed pending trial for alleged extrajudicial execution