International
In Colombia, 745 femicides have been recorded this year and 333 cases of human trafficking
So far this year in Colombia, 745 femicides have been recorded, 44 of girls and 11 of trans women, and until September more than 26,000 cases of intimate partner violence and 333 acts related to human trafficking were reported, according to the Ombudsman’s Office reported on Tuesday.
“In Colombia, the armed conflict continues to be a critical challenge in human rights, especially for women,” said the ombudsman, Iris Marín Ortiz.
The ombudsman highlighted on International Human Rights Day the impacts against women of human rights violations and conflict, ensuring that of the 325 early warnings issued since 2017 by this state agency, 205 identify “significant risks for women in contexts of armed conflict.”
“Women in conditions of socioeconomic vulnerability, social leaders, Afro-descendants, indigenous people and migrants face the most serious risks due to the dynamics of the conflict,” the Ombudsman’s Office said in a statement.
Children and adolescents victims of sexual violence
Minors are also constant victims of human rights violations, and in that sense, the Ombudsman’s Office recalled that between January and November 2024, 1,381 children and adolescents were victims of commercial sexual exploitation, with girls being the most affected (84%).
And that there were, according to data from the National Institute of Health between January 1 and November 6, more than 1,000 suicide attempts of children and children under 19 years of age.
On the other hand, on this international day, the Ombudsman’s Office also wanted to recall that in 2023 23 events of forced displacement were recorded, affecting 58,937 people. “So far in 2024, 100 events have been recorded and 40,499 people have been affected,” the organization said, warning of a notable increase.
“For a good future, we must work tirelessly and together for an egalitarian, friendly and peaceful Colombia, which promotes real transformations in the territories,” Marín Ortiz said.
International
Japan reopens Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Plant despite public concerns
La centrale nucléaire japonaise de Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, la plus grande au monde, a repris ses activités mercredi pour la première fois depuis la catastrophe de Fukushima en 2011, malgré les inquiétudes persistantes d’une partie de la population.
La remise en service a eu lieu à 19h02 heure locale (10h02 GMT), a indiqué à l’AFP Tatsuya Matoba, porte-parole de la compagnie Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco).
Le gouverneur de la préfecture de Niigata, où se situe la centrale, avait donné son feu vert à la reprise le mois dernier, en dépit d’une opinion publique divisée. Selon une enquête menée en septembre par la préfecture elle-même, 60 % des habitants se déclaraient opposés au redémarrage, contre 37 % favorables.
Mardi, plusieurs dizaines de manifestants ont bravé le froid et la neige pour protester près de l’entrée du site, sur les rives de la mer du Japon.
« L’électricité de Tokyo est produite à Kashiwazaki. Pourquoi seuls les habitants d’ici devraient-ils être exposés au danger ? Cela n’a aucun sens », a déclaré à l’AFP Yumiko Abe, une riveraine de 73 ans.
La centrale de Kashiwazaki-Kariwa avait été mise à l’arrêt lorsque le Japon a fermé l’ensemble de ses réacteurs nucléaires à la suite du triple désastre de mars 2011 — un séisme, un tsunami et un accident nucléaire — survenu à Fukushima.
International
Markets rise as Trump halts Europe tariffs and floats Greenland agreement framework
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday lifted his threat to impose new tariffs on several European countries and said he had outlined the framework of a future agreement on Greenland during a meeting in Davos with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
“Based on this understanding, I will not impose the tariffs that were scheduled to take effect on February 1,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, without providing details about the proposed “framework.”
The announcement boosted financial markets. Wall Street, which had been trading slightly higher, extended its gains following Trump’s message, while the U.S. dollar strengthened against the euro.
Trump has repeatedly insisted that Greenland, rich in mineral resources, is ‘vital’ to the security of the United States and NATO, particularly as Arctic ice melts and global powers compete for strategic advantage in the region amid rising tensions with China and Russia.
Last week, the U.S. president threatened to impose tariffs of up to 25% on eight European countries for supporting Denmark and sending a military exploratory mission to Greenland. All of the targeted countries are NATO members, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, Europe’s largest economies.
Trump said on Wednesday that additional discussions are underway regarding the “Golden Dome” missile defense system, specifically in connection with Greenland.
He assigned Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and special envoy Steve Witkoff to lead the negotiations.
Hours before his post, Trump ruled out the use of force to seize Greenland for the first time, but demanded “immediate negotiations” for its acquisition, reiterating his view that only the United States can guarantee the security of the Arctic island.
International
Venezuela’s interim president predicts 37% increase in revenues for 2026
Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, said Wednesday that the country’s revenues are expected to increase by about 37% in 2026, in a statement made during a session of the Federal Government Council at the Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas.
Rodríguez said the projected rise in foreign currency income comes as agreements on Venezuelan oil sales with the United States are being implemented, including deals in which Washington will trade Venezuelan crude and manage the proceeds before transferring funds to Caracas.
“This year, revenues expressed in foreign currency will increase by 37%,” Rodríguez declared, according to EFE. She noted that the increase will also benefit regional governments and local authorities. “You will have more resources for your management, which I know you need,” she added.
Rodríguez said the distribution formula for revenues will remain the same as in 2025: 53% for communes, 29% for state governments, 15% for municipalities, and 3% for institutional strengthening. She also said the government would intervene to “correct imbalances” in how funds are allocated, particularly among some municipal and regional authorities.
The announcement follows reporting that Venezuela received at least $300 million from oil revenues tied to a U.S.–Venezuela deal that could involve up to 50 million barrels of crude. Washington officials have said the interim government met U.S. requirements under the agreement.
Japan reopens Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Plant despite public concerns
Markets rise as Trump halts Europe tariffs and floats Greenland agreement framework
Mazatenango Carnival cancelled amid State of Siege in Guatemala
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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