International

Inhygienic conditions and risky sexual acts: the reality of webcamers in Colombia

Webcam women who work in studios in Colombia, a country considered a “mecca” for this industry, are exposed to unhygienic conditions, forced to risky sexual practices and subjected to 18-hour days without breaks, according to a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report published this Monday.

The report “‘I learned to say no’: Labor abuse and sexual exploitation in Colombian webcam studies”, based on the 18-month work of researchers with two sex workers’ organizations in Colombia and interviews with more than fifty webcam women, exposes the violations of labor rights and sexual exploitation in Colombian studies in Bogotá, Medellín, Cali and Palmira.

Colombia, the country with the most webcam women

It is estimated that Colombia is the country with the largest number of webcamers who work mainly in studios, where they are victims of labor exploitation and in precarious conditions, even subject to sexual abuse.

“Sexual exploitation is not inherent to webcam models, but our study indicates that the risk of exploitation in Colombian studies is extremely high,” says HRW researcher Erin Kilbride.

The author of the investigation points out that “sex workers deserve the same labor protections as all workers under international human rights law, but the webcam industry, which moves billions of dollars, has largely avoided scrutiny of abuses in its supply chains.”

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The case of María

María, 33, works from a 1×2 meter cubicle, separated by curtains, in a studio in Bogotá where she works 12-hour shifts doing sexual transmissions for men around the world.

Every day she receives the cubicle with body fluids, cigarette ash and hair from the previous worker because the study does not hire people to clean, but more than the deplorable hygienic conditions, “the worst is the mental health problems,” especially because of the constant surveillance to which she is subjected by the owners.

“A spectator wanted me to simulate a rape and I didn’t want to, but I needed the money. (…) Normally, if a client wants something that I don’t, I simply say ‘no’ and leave the chat. But the owners of the studio constantly harassed me and entered the cubicle (when they saw me say ‘no’ to a client). Streaming platforms allow you to report abusive users, but it is impossible to report violence in the studio,” says the young woman.

Maria’s story is repeated in other interviewees. A 29-year-old transgender Bolivian woman who worked in a studio in Bogotá said that when she asked her manager to finish a penetration performance due to extreme pain, she told her that she could not stop because it damaged her score on the web.

Another model was forced to insert a glass bottle for fear that it would break inside.

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Abuses of “studies”

On average, studies keep between 50 and 65% of the income of young women, some even reach 70%, and in the workplace there are from lack of ventilation to bedbugs and cockroaches.

“Working conditions include wage theft, fines for taking breaks to eat and go to the bathroom, and computer keyboards, mice and furniture covered with body fluids from other employees. The workers developed rashes and infections and lacked mental health support,” the report highlights.

In addition, they are subjected to verbal abuse and threats by the owners of the studios, who force them to work many hours without food or water and to perform sexual acts to which they had not given their consent.

All those interviewed for the report freely chose to work as webcam models, but all of them felt surprised, disappointed or deceived by the conditions of their work, including learning about their salary or the sexual acts they were forced to perform, the report indicates.

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International

Two killed in shooting at restaurant near Frankfurt Airport

Two people were shot dead early Tuesday at a restaurant in Raunheim, near Frankfurt Airport, according to local police.

Preliminary findings indicate that an armed individual entered the establishment at around 03:45 local time (02:45 GMT) and opened fire on the victims, who died at the scene from their injuries.

The suspect fled and remains at large, while the motive behind the shooting is still unclear, German media reported. Authorities have launched a large-scale search operation.

International

U.S. counterterrorism chief resigns over opposition to war in Iran

Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, announced Tuesday that he has resigned from his post, citing his opposition to the ongoing war in Iran.

In a post on X, Kent said he could not, “in good conscience,” support the conflict, arguing that Iran did not pose an imminent threat to the United States. He also claimed that the war was driven by pressure from Israel and its lobbying influence in Washington.

In a resignation letter addressed to Donald Trump, Kent alleged that at the start of the current administration, senior Israeli officials and influential figures in U.S. media carried out a disinformation campaign that undermined the “America First” platform and fostered pro-war sentiment aimed at triggering a conflict with Iran.

Kent further stated that he could not support sending a new generation of Americans to “fight and die in a war that provides no benefit to the American people and does not justify the cost in American lives.”

Since the United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran on February 28, at least 13 U.S. service members have been killed, while 10 others have been seriously wounded and around 200 have sustained minor injuries, according to a report published by The Wall Street Journal.

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International

German president warns Iran war could spread and disrupt Strait of Hormuz

The president of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, warned Monday that the war involving Iran could expand and further disrupt shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. He urged a swift end to hostilities between Iran, United States and Israel.

Speaking in Panama City during a joint appearance with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, Steinmeier said available information suggests Iran has significant capacity to disrupt maritime traffic through the key oil route.

“Iran has considerable potential to interfere with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz,” Steinmeier said through an interpreter. “We should therefore reach an end to the hostilities as soon as possible and call on all parties involved to make that happen.”

The remarks came during Steinmeier’s visit to Panama, the first by a German president to the Central American nation.

The German leader described the possibility of the conflict spreading as “very dangerous,” saying recent developments indicate that such a scenario cannot be ruled out.

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Over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump urged allied nations to help ensure safe passage for ships through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran moved to block the waterway in response to U.S. strikes. However, several allies—particularly in Europe—have shown little support for the proposal.

“Some are very enthusiastic, others are not, and some are countries we have helped for many years,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “We have protected them from terrible external threats, and they’re not that enthusiastic. And the level of enthusiasm is important to me.”

Meanwhile, Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s top diplomat, said the Strait of Hormuz falls “outside NATO’s scope” and stressed that “the war involving Iran is not Europe’s war.”