International
Former venezuelan governor Henrique Capriles criticizes 11-year delay in Inter-American Court Ruling
Former Venezuelan governor Henrique Capriles expressed regret on Monday over the 11-year delay in the Inter-American Court of Human Rights’ (IACHR) ruling on a lawsuit he filed regarding the 2013 presidential elections. The court determined that the Venezuelan government violated the political rights of the opposition leader.
“Eleven years later (justice must not only uphold the truth but also be timely), we have received a ruling regarding the lawsuit we filed with the IACHR about the 2013 presidential election,” the two-time presidential candidate wrote on social media platform X.
Capriles stated that he has consistently sought constitutional means to “restore democracy and institutional order” in Venezuela.
“I hope the day comes when Venezuelans can peacefully exercise their sacred right to decide their future,” he added.
On Monday, the IACHR ruled that Venezuela violated Capriles’ political rights during the 2013 electoral process, including denying a vote audit and the “abusive use of state machinery” in favor of then “interim president” Nicolás Maduro.
Nancy Hernández, President of the IACHR, stated during the notification of the ruling that the Venezuelan government is responsible for violations of political rights, judicial guarantees, judicial protection, freedom of expression, and the right to defense.
In the 2013 presidential elections, Capriles garnered 49.12% of the vote, while Maduro received 50.61%, according to results announced by the National Electoral Council (CNE). The election followed the death of then-President Hugo Chávez on March 5, 2013, after which Maduro, the executive vice president, served as “interim president.”
“The Court found that the electoral process occurred amid a progressive deterioration of the separation of powers in Venezuela, as well as the independence of the National Electoral Council and the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ),” Judge Hernández affirmed.
The IACHR also determined that a fine imposed on Capriles after filing appeals for vote review constituted a violation of his rights to freedom of expression and thought.
The international court ordered the Venezuelan government to nullify the fine against Capriles and implement measures to ensure the integrity of electoral processes, including provisions to verify election results.
Additionally, the court instructed the government to “facilitate free and equitable access for candidates to public and mainstream media” and to take steps to guarantee the independence of the CNE and TSJ.
International
Mexican authorities bust Meth Lab and seize tons of drugs and chemicals in multiple states
Mexican authorities dismantled a clandestine laboratory containing 2.5 tons of methamphetamine in the southeastern state of Chiapas, seized a warehouse with more than four tons of chemical precursors in Guerrero (south), and intercepted a trailer in Tijuana attempting to cross into the United States with 2.7 tons of drugs.
Omar García Harfuch, head of the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), reported on Saturday via social media that agents from the Criminal Investigation Agency of the Attorney General’s Office (FGR), along with representatives from the Defense Secretariat, Navy (Semar), National Guard (GN), and SSPC, disabled the methamphetamine production lab in Chiapas and confiscated 2.5 tons of the drug.
A statement specified that the agents secured 2.5 tons of methamphetamine, barrels containing substances used to manufacture synthetic drugs, a firearm, and four trucks. In another operation in Guerrero, authorities located over four tons of chemical substances.
The discovery took place on a property in the community of Margarita Maza, Juárez, used to store materials for synthetic drug production. Sufficient evidence was collected and presented to a control judge who authorized the intervention of the property.
In Chiapas, authorities also seized more than 300 barrels and containers with chemicals for making synthetic drugs, as well as various metal containers and devices.
International
Maduro gains support from Venezuelan Assembly amid U.S. drug trafficking accusations
The National Assembly of Venezuela expressed its support this Saturday for President Nicolás Maduro, condemning the United States’ increase in the reward offered for his capture as an “act of aggression.”
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Thursday that Washington had doubled the reward to $50 million for Maduro’s capture, labeling him as one of the “world’s largest drug traffickers.”
“We reject the absurd and desperate actions announced by the U.S. Attorney General’s Office, which are clearly illegal and lack any real basis, beyond being a delirious attempt of aggression against the president (…) and against our rebellious and brave people,” said the Assembly leader, Jorge Rodríguez, while reading a letter he said was unanimously approved by the deputies.
“It is precisely President Nicolás Maduro (…) the protector of the strong democracy that shelters us and the leader who firmly upholds the rule of law and justice,” Rodríguez continued. He is also Venezuela’s chief negotiator in talks with Washington.
Bondi accused Maduro of using “terrorist organizations like the Tren de Aragua, the Sinaloa cartel, and the Cartel of the Suns to introduce lethal drugs and violence” into the United States.
“In 25 years of revolution, we have resisted and advanced despite constant imperialist aggressions. They have not succeeded, and will not succeed, with crude sanctions, criminal blockades, or senseless threats in diverting the noble path the Venezuelan people charted in the free elections of July 28, 2024, in which Nicolás Maduro was elected President of the Republic,” the statement read.
The Venezuelan opposition alleges fraud in those elections and claims victory, and as a result, has boycotted the 2025 legislative, regional, and municipal elections.
International
U.S. doubles bounty on Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro to $50 million
In February, the United States designated eight Latin American criminal organizations as “global terrorist” groups, including Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua, and the MS-13 gang. In July, it added the Cartel of the Suns to the list — a group Washington claims is led by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Last Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration doubled the reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest, raising it from $25 million to $50 million, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on social media platform X.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained that labeling the Cartel of the Suns as a terrorist organization allows for a strategic shift in dealing with the Venezuelan regime, as it is now also considered a direct threat to U.S. national security, according to El Espectador.
In an interview with The World Over on EWTN, Rubio said the designation enables the U.S. to “use intelligence agencies, the Department of Defense, or any other element of American power to go after them.” He stressed this is no longer just a law enforcement matter, but a national security operation.
When asked at the White House whether he believes it is worth sending the military to combat Latin American drug cartels, Trump responded:
“Latin America has many cartels, a lot of drug trafficking, so, you know, we want to protect our country. We have to protect it.”
Mexican authorities bust Meth Lab and seize tons of drugs and chemicals in multiple states
Maduro gains support from Venezuelan Assembly amid U.S. drug trafficking accusations
U.S. doubles bounty on Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro to $50 million
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
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