International
The trial of the perpetrators of the murder of Brazilian councilor Marielle Franco begins
The trial against former policemen Ronnie Lessa and Élcio Queiroz, accused of the murder of Brazilian councilor and human rights activist Marielle Franco, began this Wednesday in Rio de Janeiro with the testimony of Fernanda González Chaves, the only survivor of the attack.
Franco was shot dead on March 14, 2018 along with Anderson Gomes, the driver of the vehicle in which she was traveling, after participating in a political act in downtown Rio de Janeiro.
Testimony of the only survivor
During her testimony, the then advisor to Marielle Franco, narrated how the events occurred from her point of view.
For security reasons, González Chaves had to leave for Madrid with his family after the attack and could not even be at the funeral of the one who, in addition to his boss, was his friend.
“There was no way to have a normal life after that episode,” he said in the audience.
The defendants answer for the crimes of three-time qualified double homicide, attempted homicide and receipt of the stolen vehicle used in the crime and face penalties of up to 84 years in prison for each, as requested by the Prosecutor’s Office.
The hearing, which began at 11:00 local time (14:00 GMT), two hours later than scheduled, is scheduled to end on Thursday and takes place in the fourth room of a Rio court, with seven juries who were elected from a group of 21 and who will decide the fate of Lessa and Queiroz, prisoners since 2019.
Marielle Franco defender of human rights.
Woman, black, lesbian and born in a favela, Franco stood out for being an energetic defender of the human rights of the most needy and for fighting the mafia groups that dominate the imprived communities of Rio.
The attack against the councilor of the Socialism and Freedom Party (PSOL), who was 38 years old at the time, had a clear political connotation that only began to be elucidated at the beginning of 2023, when the investigations passed to the Supreme Court in Brasilia after five years practically paralyzed in Rio de Janeiro.
Family and friends call for justice
The start of the trial was preceded by a demonstration in which family, friends and supporters of the activist participated to demand justice for Marielle Franco but also for “black, poor and favela” citizens, victims of crimes who remain unpunished.
Dozens of people met in front of the court where the hearing is held, loaded with posters, pamphlets and brooches, with phrases “I want justice for Marielle and Anderson” and “What Marielle did for us, we will do for Marielle.”
The event organized by the Marielle Franco Institute, founded by the activist’s family, seeks to demand a “forceful and serious response” to the case, after more than six years of waiting.
International
Mexican government prioritizes 191 communities after deadly floods
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed on Wednesday that the death toll from recent rains and floods across several central states has risen to 66, while the federal government has activated air bridges and prioritized assistance in 191 isolated communities.
“Unfortunately, 66 people have died, and 75 remain missing,” the president said during her morning press conference. She added that the official death toll will be updated later in a new report.
As of Tuesday, authorities had reported 64 fatalities. Sheinbaum also announced the creation of a public information center to centralize official data on the deceased, missing persons, damaged homes, and cut-off communities.
According to the president, the number of missing persons has decreased thanks to coordination with state authorities.
“Through calls to phone line 079, 103 people who had been reported missing have now been located,” she explained.
Priority Municipalities
The president noted that the federal government has classified 191 communities as ‘priority’, a designation based mainly on the percentage of homes affected.
International
New road and bridge explosions raise alarm amid indigenous protests in Ecuador
Ecuadorian authorities are investigating two explosions that occurred early Wednesday, one on a road in the southern part of the country and another under a bridge in Guayas province. These incidents follow the car bomb explosion in the coastal city of Guayaquil, also in Guayas, which occurred the day before and left one person dead and 30 injured.
Press reports indicate that one person was injured and several vehicles were damaged in the explosion on the Cuenca-Girón-Pasaje road in the south.
“Besides yesterday’s explosion in Guayaquil, we have received reports of explosives placed on bridges along the Guayaquil-Machala and Machala-Cuenca routes to disrupt traffic,” said Roberto Luque, Minister of Infrastructure and Transport (MIT).
On his X social media account, Luque reported that authorities have been deployed to the sites to assess the damage and determine the current condition of the structures.
“What they haven’t achieved with their call for a strike, some are trying to achieve through terrorism,” he stated, referring to the 24 days of protests organized by the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities (Conaie) against rising diesel prices and other demands.
The protests, called at a national level, have Imbabura province as their epicenter. Roadblocks have also been reported in the northern part of Pichincha province, whose capital is Quito, while activities in the rest of the country continue normally.
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.
Mexican government prioritizes 191 communities after deadly floods
New road and bridge explosions raise alarm amid indigenous protests in Ecuador
Armed forces target illegal mines in Northern Ecuador with bombing raids
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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