International
The Constitution of Venezuela, a quarter of a century later
The Constitution of Venezuela reaches its 25th anniversary this Sunday with a questioned compliance with its precepts and a country far from that described in the Magna Carta – approved in a popular referendum on December 15, 1999 -, of which Chavismo and the opposition mutually accuse each other.
The text, which obtained 71% of the votes in favor – in a day marked by a high abstention and a natural disaster that took the lives of thousands in the north of the country -, was prepared to “establish a democratic, participatory and leading society,” in a “State of justice” that “consolidates the values of freedom” and guarantees human rights.
A quarter of a century later, the refounded ‘Bolivarian Republic’ is experiencing one of its greatest political crises, unleashed after the July presidential elections and marked by protests, police operations, 28 deaths and 2,400 arrests -according to official figures-, complaints of human rights violations, uncertainty, diplomatic conflicts and alleged terrorist and magnicide plans.
Here are some of the most invoked constitutional articles in this context:
Art. 5: The sovereignty resides intransferable in the people.
The candidate of the largest opposition bloc – the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD) -, Edmundo González Urrutia, cited this article in defense of his claimed victory in the elections, a process tarnished by the coalition’s denunciation of fraud and a broad international questioning of the proclaimed re-election of Nicolás Maduro, who also claims popular sovereignty that – he assures – supported him.
Art. 68: Citizens have the right to demonstrate, peacefully and without weapons.
According to the Social Conflict Observatory (OVCS), there were 5,005 protests between January and November, of which – it indicates – 218 were suppressed. The hottest days were those after the elections, with demonstrations pointed out by the PUD as “spontaneous and legitimate expressions” and by the ruling party as “criminal guarimbas (violent revolts)” and “terrorists.”
Art. 49: Due process shall apply to all judicial and administrative proceedings.
Relatives of those who are considered “political prisoners”, activists and NGOs denounce violation of due process, impossibility of appointing lawyers and accessing files, incommunicado, early convictions, pressures to attribute to themselves facts that – they assure – they “did not commit”, transfers away from their places of residence without prior notice, mistreatment and lack of medical care, allegations that the Government denies and describes as false.
Art. 130: Venezuelans have the duty to honor and defend the homeland.
The Parliament – controlled by Chavismo – insisted this year on legislating against the “traitors to the homeland” based on article 130, and one of its most recent actions was to approve the ‘Organic Law Liberator Simón Bolívar’, which establishes penalties of 25 to 30 years in prison and fines of up to one million euros (1,050,400 dollars) for those who promote or are involved in foreign sanctions, as well as political disqualification of 60 years.
Art. 328: The Armed Forces constitute an essentially professional institution, without political militancy, (…) at the exclusive service of the nation and, in no case, to that of any person or political partiality.
The Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB), called “deeply Chavista” by Maduro, ratified its “absolute loyalty and subordination” to the head of state after the validation of its controversial victory by the Supreme Court, controlled by magistrates related to the ruling party, and after the PUD urged the military institution to “respect popular sovereignty.”
Art. 91: Every worker has the right to a sufficient salary that allows him to live with dignity and cover the basic needs for himself and his family.
The minimum wage – a reference for the rest of the remuneration in the public sector – has remained, since March 2022, at 130 bolivars, today about 2.5 dollars, when the basic food basket for a representative family of five people reached 539.79 dollars in October, according to independent estimates, an amount unattainable even with the additional bonuses of 130 dollars.
International
Ukraine declares nationwide energy emergency amid russian attacks and extreme cold
The Ukrainian government on Wednesday declared a nationwide energy state of emergency amid continued Russian military attacks and extreme winter weather, with nighttime temperatures dropping as low as minus 18 degrees Celsius.
“The consequences of Russian attacks and worsening weather conditions are severe (…) Overall, a state of emergency will be declared for Ukraine’s energy sector,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement posted on social media following a meeting with senior officials.
Zelensky announced the creation of a “permanent coordination headquarters” to manage the crisis in the capital, Kyiv, and tasked former defence minister and current energy chief Denys Shmyhal with overseeing support efforts for affected individuals and communities, including addressing power outages, heating shortages and other “practical issues.”
“There are many problems that require urgent solutions,” the president said, noting that repair crews, energy companies, municipal services and the State Emergency Service are working “around the clock” to restore electricity supplies. Kyiv has been particularly affected after Russian strikes last Friday disabled key parts of the power grid, as daytime temperatures hover around minus 12 degrees Celsius and plunge to minus 18 at night.
Zelensky added that public authorities will “maximize efforts with partners to obtain the necessary equipment and additional support,” while the government will ensure “maximum deregulation of all processes” to speed up the connection of backup power equipment to the grid. He also confirmed that work is underway to significantly increase electricity imports into Ukraine.
The Ukrainian leader further instructed his Cabinet to review curfew regulations in light of the extreme cold, arguing that citizens must have the greatest possible access to assistance centers, while businesses should be given flexibility to plan their operations according to the state of the energy system.
International
France joins Denmark’s ‘Operation Arctic Resistance’ in Greenland amid U.S. tensions
French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed in the early hours of Thursday (Wednesday afternoon in El Salvador) that France will take part in “Operation Arctic Resistance,” after Denmark announced it would expand its military presence in Greenland amid rising tensions with the United States over Washington’s stated ambitions regarding the semi-autonomous territory.
“At Denmark’s request, I have decided that France will participate in the joint exercises organized by Denmark in Greenland, ‘Operation Arctic Resistance,’” Macron said in a brief message posted on social media at 5:18 p.m.
The French president added that “the first French military elements are already on their way, with others to follow,” though he did not specify the number of troops being deployed or the scale of France’s planned contribution.
The governments of Sweden, Norway and Germany have also confirmed the deployment of military contingents to Greenland. Germany’s armed forces will send a 13-member reconnaissance team to the Greenlandic capital, Nuuk, to take part in a mission scheduled to run from Thursday through Saturday, according to the German Ministry of Defence.
Denmark’s announcement came shortly before a Danish delegation met at the White House with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss Washington’s plans regarding Greenland. Copenhagen said the military activities would be carried out “in close cooperation with NATO allies.”
International
Iran closes airspace amid U.S. threats and deadly nationwide protests
Iranian authorities closed the country’s airspace in the early hours of Thursday, according to data from flight-tracking website FlightRadar24, amid growing threats of a possible U.S. attack as protests across the country continue and have reportedly left thousands dead.
According to FlightRadar24, the Iranian government suspended all flights to and from the country, except for international flights that have received special authorization. The notice was initially issued for a duration of just over two hours.
The move comes after U.S. President Donald Trump in recent days threatened to strike Iran if its security forces failed to halt the deaths linked to weeks-long protests that began in Tehran and later spread to other Iranian cities. Despite the threats, the White House said diplomacy remains Trump’s preferred option.
Speaking from the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump claimed that “the deaths in Iran have stopped” and said there would be no executions of protesters following his warnings to Tehran. He added that his administration would seek to verify those claims.
“I’ve been told the deaths in Iran are stopping. They’ve stopped, and that there are no plans for executions,” Trump told reporters, cautioning that the United States would be “very upset” if those assurances proved to be untrue.
The statements contrast with reports from rights groups. The Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) said on Wednesday that more than 3,400 people have been killed since the protests erupted. Meanwhile, Kurdish-Iranian rights group Hengaw reported this week that a 26-year-old Iranian man, Erfan Soltani, was facing execution as of Wednesday.
Ukraine declares nationwide energy emergency amid russian attacks and extreme cold
France joins Denmark’s ‘Operation Arctic Resistance’ in Greenland amid U.S. tensions
Iran closes airspace amid U.S. threats and deadly nationwide protests
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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