International
COP16 recognizes the contribution of indigenous people to the care of biodiversity
The United Nations Conference on Biodiversity (COP16) approved in the early hours of Saturday by consensus the recognition of the contribution of Afro-descendant peoples and local communities to the care and preservation of biodiversity.
The approval was given at the last minute at the COP16 held in Cali and implies “the creation of a new subsidiary body of Article 8J” of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, according to the Colombian Foreign Ministry.
“Historical! We reached by consensus a great agreement on article 8J with 3 great achievements in COP16 Colombia,” said the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia, Susana Muhamad, president of the meeting, in her account of X.
With T-shirts printed with images of birds from the region and phrases in which they invite you to take care of nature, more than 2,000 people gathered in the historic center of Cali, in southwestern Colombia, to say goodbye to the COP16 of Biodiversity, whose celebration was a success for the city.
The party, to the rhythm of salsa, was lit in the Plaza de Cayzedo, heart of the Green Zone, in which, according to figures from the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia, more than 900,000 people attended the activities of the COP over 12 days.
“We leave the name of our city high before the planet, we fulfill Colombia and we fulfill the world. This is because we are united in reconciliation with each other and with nature,” said the mayor of Cali, Alejandro Eder.
Applause to Cali
The invitation included a massive applause tonight to Cali, Colombia’s third city, in recognition of its civility and commitment to COP16, considered the most important event held in that city.
“I want us not to forget this feeling we are feeling, this joy, this pride of being from Cali because just as Cali organized the largest COP in history, every year we will have the Biodiversity Week and we will continue to take it (the ball) out of the stadium,” Eder insisted.
The salsa of traditional orchestras of the city, such as the Niche Group and Guayacán, rumbled in the square, while two dance teachers led the crowd.
The challenge was to create the largest class of sauce in the world, however, due to “logistical problems”, the task was not achieved.
“It doesn’t matter, no one takes away what we danced and enjoyed. We are ready as Caleños to keep trying and invite all the inhabitants of the different continents to come to this city, a city that we love and that opens its doors for them,” Juliana Álvarez, attendee to the street party, told EFE.
A COP16 that leaves positive figures
During the two weeks that COP16 lasted – from October 21 until today – Cali had visitors from more than 190 countries around the world, hotel occupancy exceeded 91% and even several delegations had to stay in motels for couples.
The Mayor’s Office of Cali also indicated that more than 15,237 tourists arrived in the city that increased the sales of businesses adjacent to the Green Zone by 290%.
The National Government also indicated that Cali reached the level of attendance of the climate COPs, surpassing a call of over 30,000 people.
The official information added that 1,000 businessmen attended the COP15 in Montreal (Canada), while more than 3,000 from around the world arrived at the COP16 in Cali.
“The world press talked about Cali. More than 5,588 portals from 149 countries in 51 languages and more than 23,000 articles with 91,700 impressions confirm that Cali is where the whole world should be,” concluded Mayor Eder.
International
German Authorities Investigate More Than 100 New Cases Against Convicted Nurse
German authorities announced Monday that they are investigating more than 100 additional cases involving a nurse who was sentenced to life in prison in November for the murder of 10 patients.
The man, who was 44 at the time of his conviction, worked in palliative care at a hospital in Würselen, near Aachen. He was also found guilty of 27 attempted murders.
Aachen prosecutors are now examining 121 new cases, a spokesperson for the office said.
Prosecutors leading the investigation are preparing a new indictment that could be filed next year. Nearly 40 bodies have so far been exhumed as part of the investigation, which covers alleged incidents dating back to September 2022.
Meanwhile, prosecutors in the city of Cologne are investigating 18 additional cases. According to a spokesperson, the oldest case dates back to 2010.
Before working at the Würselen hospital, the nurse is believed to have worked at a clinic in eastern Cologne, according to local media reports.
At the time of his November conviction, the court ruled that the severity of his crimes was particularly serious, a finding that would make it difficult for him to obtain early release after 15 years in prison.
Between December 2023 and May 2024, the nurse administered overdoses of sedatives or painkillers to terminally ill patients, most of them elderly, according to the indictment in the original case.
His alleged motive was to sedate patients who required care so that he could minimize his workload during night shifts, prosecutors said.
According to the indictment, the nurse worked «without enthusiasm» and «without motivation». When faced with patients requiring extensive care, he allegedly became «irritated» and showed a lack of empathy.
The case has revived painful memories in Germany of Niels Högel, a former nurse and serial killer who was sentenced to life imprisonment in June 2019 for the murders of at least 85 patients.
International
Venezuela Raises Earthquake Death Toll to 6,301
The death toll from the earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 has risen to 6,301, while relatives continue searching for missing people among the rubble of collapsed buildings, parliamentary leader Jorge Rodríguez said Monday.
So far, the Venezuelan government has not released an official figure for the number of people missing after the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes, which caused around 190 buildings to collapse, most of them in the coastal state of La Guaira, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) from Caracas.
The latest figure represents an increase from the 6,125 deaths reported by Venezuelan authorities on August 3.
According to statements made to local media by La Guaira Governor José Alejandro Terán, around 1,400 people were still missing just over a week ago.
Thousands of homes remain at risk
In addition to buildings that completely collapsed, authorities have classified another 9,567 structures as being at «high risk». Meanwhile, 12,411 homes remain under a «restricted» classification.
As a result, many families who lived in these properties have been relocated to temporary shelters or have sought accommodation with relatives and friends.
Nearly 24,000 people left homeless by the disaster are currently living in camps in Caracas and La Guaira, a popular tourist destination whose economy has been severely affected by the earthquakes.
The situation sparked renewed concern among Venezuelans on Monday after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake, with its epicenter in Colombia, was felt across several regions of Venezuela.
The earthquake in Colombia left at least 111 people dead and dozens injured, according to preliminary figures released by authorities in that country.
International
CEAPI Backs Colombia’s New Government and Calls for Greater Public-Private Cooperation
The Ibero-American Business Alliance Council (CEAPI), led by its president, Núria Vilanova, participated in the inauguration ceremony of Abelardo de la Espriella as Colombia’s new president. The events were held on August 7 in Cali and brought together heads of state and institutional representatives from numerous countries.
CEAPI maintains a strong relationship with Colombia as part of its mission to serve as a meeting point between Ibero-American business leaders and the region’s main institutions and governments. The organization has more than 25 members in Colombia, including Jaime Gilinski, Luis Carlos Sarmiento, Omar González and Diego Urrea. In addition, Colombia hosted the seventh CEAPI Ibero-American Congress, held in Cartagena de Indias in 2024.
During his inauguration speech, President De la Espriella identified confidence and economic stability as key pillars of his administration and emphasized the role of private enterprise in Colombia’s future.
He also reaffirmed his intention to govern for all Colombians and strengthen institutional dialogue, while referring to Spain’s democratic transition and the leadership of former Prime Minister Adolfo Suárez.
Vilanova said she has seen this commitment firsthand during meetings with members of the new government, who have expressed their willingness to work closely with business leaders and the private sector to promote economic growth.
According to CEAPI, the government is considering measures aimed at strengthening legal certainty and business confidence, encouraging investment and promoting formal employment.
For Vilanova, Colombia’s new political and economic stage represents an opportunity to demonstrate that «when the public and private sectors are aligned, they can achieve more».
«Colombia has everything it needs to make it happen. And Ibero-American business leaders are ready to support it», she said, adding that CEAPI is already working with the government to organize a future investment delegation to the country.
The organization said the planned visit would seek to strengthen business ties and identify new investment opportunities in Colombia, reinforcing the role of the private sector in the country’s economic development.
German Authorities Investigate More Than 100 New Cases Against Convicted Nurse
Venezuela Raises Earthquake Death Toll to 6,301
CEAPI Backs Colombia’s New Government and Calls for Greater Public-Private Cooperation
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
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