International
Migrants, more vulnerable to organized crime in southern Mexico after Trump’s return
Migrants have become more vulnerable to organized crime and violence by remaining stranded on the southern border of Mexico about a month after Donald Trump’s return to the White House, denounce civil organizations in the area.
Luis Alonso Abarca, coordinator of the Digna Ochoa Human Rights Committee, told EFE that who is winning with Trump’s restrictions is organized crime, since they have detected that it is charging thousands of dollars, especially to women and minors, with the promise of taking them to the United States.
“The closure of the borders, the fact that the state policy of the Mexican Government and the United States prevents them from doing so (migrate) on a regular basis and by a safe means, what will cause organized crime groups to benefit,” said the activist in Tapachula, the largest city on the southern border.
Migrants have been facing since January 20, when Trump returned to the White House, the policies of mass deportations, the “closing” of the border with thousands of deployed soldiers and the elimination of the ‘CBP One’ application from the Office of Customs and Border Protection that allowed to apply for asylum in the United States from Mexico.
In this scenario, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) warned in a report that “groups of migrants are trying to advance through Mexican territory by train or walking together in caravans, especially in the state of Chiapas (border with Central America), to demand attention and seek protection against the violence perpetrated by various armed actors.”
“While on the northern border with the United States, Mexican state authorities are preparing for possible mass deportations by building large facilities to house potential deportees and enabling transport to take them to other parts of Mexico, uncertainty invades hundreds of thousands of migrants throughout the country,” the organization said.
The Government of Mexico has received 13,455 people deported since the new United States Government began on January 20, including 2,970 foreigners, said President Claudia Sheinbaum last Friday, who indicated that migrants can stay in the country or return to their own.
Sheinbaum has asked migrants in the country “not to be fooled” by traffickers who charge thousands of dollars with the promise of transferring them to the United States because the Trump Administration “closed all asylum applications.”
The panorama has encouraged migrants to return to their countries, such as Israel Lujando, from Ecuador.
“The truth is that I do (I want to return) because it no longer makes sense to be here, our goal was to reach the United States, since we have not achieved that, it is my turn to return,” he told EFE.
Meanwhile, Luis Rey García Villagrán, director of the Center for Human Dignity (CDH), explained that Mexico has also tightened its policy, denouncing that the authorities have implemented railies in Tapachula to search for people without documents and deport them to the border of Honduras and Guatemala.
“The migrants have been detained for a month, those who could advance to (the states of) Veracruz and Oaxaca were returning them to Villermosa, (capital of) Tabasco, and to Tapachula, taking them to Central America,” he accused.
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.
U.S. and Guatemala Sign Trade Deal Granting Zero Tariffs to Most Exports
Panama Supreme Court Strikes Down Panama Ports Concession as Unconstitutional
U.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute
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
-
Central America4 days agoGuatemala Police Arrest Prison Guard Caught in the Act of Extortion
-
Central America4 days agoHonduras swears in conservative president Asfura after disputed election
-
Central America4 days agoBukele leads public trust rankings as UCA survey highlights gains in security
-
International3 days agoFootball Fan Killed in Clashes After Colombian League Match
-
International4 days agoDoomsday clock moves to 85 seconds before midnight amid rising global risks
-
Central America3 days agoGuatemala President Says Starlink Terminal Found Inside Prison
-
International4 days agoWinter Storm Fern Leaves 30 Dead and Over One Million Without Power Across the U.S.
-
International2 days agoU.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute
-
Sin categoría4 days agoEight Killed in Series of Armed Attacks in Ecuador’s Manabí Province
-
International4 days agoSpain approves plan to regularize up to 500,000 migrants in Historic Shift
-
International3 days agoMissing Spanish Sailor Rescued After 11 Days Adrift in Mediterranean
-
International3 days agoRubio Says U.S. Could Participate in Follow-Up Russia-Ukraine Talks
-
Sin categoría4 days agoEl Salvador Launches Fourth Year of Ocean Mission to Protect Marine Ecosystems
-
Central America20 hours agoPanama Supreme Court Strikes Down Panama Ports Concession as Unconstitutional
-
International2 days agoStorm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power
-
Central America20 hours agoU.S. and Guatemala Sign Trade Deal Granting Zero Tariffs to Most Exports
-
International2 days agoTrump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold
-
International2 days agoMan Arrested After Vehicle Crashes Into Jewish Institution in Brooklyn