International
The UN denounces a serious repressive climate in Nicaragua, with arbitrary arrests and expulsions
The political situation in Nicaragua “continues to deteriorate” and “a serious repressive climate” reigns in the country, the UN Office for Human Rights said on Monday, recalling that since February 2023 at least 546 Nicaraguans have been stripped of their nationality and currently 76 people are still arbitrarily detained.
In addition, in recent months, the authorities have promoted reforms “aimed at concentrating more power in the Presidency and criminalizing dissident voices,” stressed the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nada Al-Nashif, in an update on the situation in the country presented at an intersession meeting of the Human Rights Council.
Of the 546 Nicaraguans who have been deprived of their nationality and expelled, 135 of them in September, Al-Nashif recalled that “they have been in precarious conditions abroad” and many are stateless, their assets being confiscated.
Others are not able to establish their Nicaraguan nationality since the Government refuses to renew their passports or send documentation when they are abroad, “erasing their legal identity and preventing connections with their homeland,” stressed the “number two” of the UN human rights office.
Arbitrary arrests
Regarding arbitrary arrests, Al-Nashif stressed that political opponents, religious and indigenous leaders and human rights defenders continue to be victims of this abusive instrument.
“In the last days of November, at least 30 people were arbitrarily detained, including three children,” said the deputy high commissioner.
He added that the UN Human Rights Office has received information that “reveals a consistent pattern of due process violations, arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, terrible detention conditions and physical and psychological torture, including sleep deprivation and denial of medical care.”
Al-Nashif mentioned some individual cases of abuse victims such as Angélica Chavarría, whereabouts since May 2024 and partner of retired General Humberto Ortega, who died in September when he was deprived of liberty.
He also cited the case of indigenous leader Brooklyn Rivera and former presidential adselor on indigenous affairs Steadman Fagoth, who also disappeared.
“We urge the immediate release of all persons arbitrarily deprived of their liberty, including those detained for exercising their rights to free expression and assembly,” stressed Al-Nashif, who also called for an end to enforced disappearances and cases of torture and mistreatment.
Worrying reforms
Regarding the legal reforms that concern the office, Al-Nashif cited those that recently expanded the powers of the State to prosecute even alleged crimes committed outside Nicaragua.
These types of laws, which include activities on social networks, which according to the authorities could “induce panic” or threaten “social stability,” pave the way “to more political persecution and erosion of fundamental rights,” he stressed.
Al-Nashif also mentioned the constitutional reforms in the process of parliamentary review and that, if they come into force, “will further erode the rule of law” with “ambiguous texts to restrict freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly.”
The human rights crisis in Nicaragua “is deepening,” concluded Al-Nashif, who stressed that “it is in the interest of the Government and the Nicaraguan people to return to a democratic path and maintain a constructive dialogue to that end.”
International
U.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute
The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday against a budget proposal in a move aimed at pressuring changes at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), following the killing of two civilians during a deployment of immigration agents in Minneapolis.
All Senate Democrats and seven Republican lawmakers voted against the bill, which requires 60 votes to advance, pushing the country closer to a partial government shutdown that would cut funding for several agencies, including the Pentagon and the Department of Health.
The rejection came as Senate leaders and the White House continue negotiations on a separate funding package for DHS that would allow reforms to the agency. Proposed measures include banning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing face coverings and requiring them to use body-worn cameras during operations.
The vote took place just hours after President Donald Trump said he was “close” to reaching an agreement with Democrats and did not believe the federal government would face another shutdown, following last year’s record stoppage.
“I don’t think the Democrats want a shutdown either, so we’ll work in a bipartisan way to avoid it. Hopefully, there will be no government shutdown. We’re working on that right now,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.
International
Trump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he secured a commitment from Russian President Vladimir Putinto halt attacks against Ukraine for one week, citing extreme weather conditions affecting the region.
“Because of the extreme cold (…) I personally asked Putin not to attack Kyiv or other cities and towns for a week. And he agreed. He was very pleasant,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting broadcast by the White House.
Trump acknowledged that several advisers had questioned the decision to make the call.
“A lot of people told me not to waste the call because they wouldn’t agree. And he accepted. And we’re very happy they did, because they don’t need missiles hitting their towns and cities,” the president said.
According to Trump, Ukrainian authorities reacted with surprise to the announcement but welcomed the possibility of a temporary ceasefire.
“It’s extraordinarily cold, record cold (…) They say they’ve never experienced cold like this,” he added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later commented on the announcement, expressing hope that the agreement would be honored.
International
Storm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power
Storm Kristin, which battered Portugal with heavy rain and strong winds early Wednesday, has left at least five people dead, while nearly half a million residents remained without electricity as of Thursday, according to updated figures from authorities.
The revised death toll was confirmed to AFP by a spokesperson for the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANPEC). On Wednesday, the agency had reported four fatalities.
Meanwhile, E-Redes, the country’s electricity distribution network operator, said that around 450,000 customers were still without power, particularly in central Portugal.
Emergency services responded to approximately 1,500 incidents between midnight and 8:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, as the storm caused widespread disruptions.
The Portuguese government described Kristin as an “extreme weather event” that inflicted significant damage across several regions of the country. At the height of the storm, as many as 850,000 households and institutions lost electricity during the early hours of Wednesday.
Several municipalities ordered the closure of schools, many of which remained shut on Thursday due to ongoing adverse conditions.
Ricardo Costa, regional deputy commander of the Leiria Fire Brigade, said residents continue to seek assistance as rainfall persists.
“Even though the rain is not extremely intense, it is causing extensive damage to homes,” he noted.
In Figueira da Foz, a coastal city in central Portugal, strong winds toppled a giant Ferris wheel, underscoring the severity of the storm.
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