International
The constitutional reform that gives full power to Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo in Nicaragua comes into force
Nicaragua put into effect this Wednesday a reform to the Political Constitution that transforms the State, eliminates the balance of powers, and grants total power to the president of the country, Daniel Ortega, and his wife and vice president, Rosario Murillo, who now has the position of “co-president”.
The constitutional reform, which has been harshly criticized by the UN, the Organization of American States (OAS), the United States, the European Parliament and Nicaraguan opponents, came into force after being published in the Official Journal, La Gaceta, and 19 days after being approved in the second and final legislature.
The constitutional norm extends the presidential period from five to six years, establishes the figure of “co-president”, that the Executive “coordinates” the other “organs” of the State, which are no longer called powers, and legalizes statelessness.
In addition, they create the “military forces of patriotic reserve” and the “voluntary police” which, according to the opponents, would be parapolice and paramilitary forces.
The legislators reformed 148 of the 198 articles of the Magna Carta and repealed 37 others, including the one that prohibited the practice of torture.
The amendment establishes that Nicaragua is a “revolutionary” state, free, sovereign, independent, which recognizes the person, the family and the community as protagonists of “direct democracy”, that the revolutionary power is exercised by the people directly, and the people exercise the power of the State through the Presidency of the Republic that directs the Government and coordinates the legislative, judicial, electoral, accounts’s prosecutor’s office and autonomous entities.
The Presidency will lead the Government and as Head of State will coordinate the legislative, judicial, electoral, control and regional and municipal bodies, according to the rule.
Also that the Presidency is the Supreme Headquarters of the Nicaraguan Army, the National Police and the Ministry of the Interior.
In addition, the Presidency will be composed of a co-president and a co-president, who will exercise their functions for a period of six years, and may appoint vice-presidents without being elected by the popular vote.
It also includes as a national symbol the flag of the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), a party in the Government since 2007.
The Presidency may also order the intervention of the Nicaraguan Army in support of the National Police, when the stability of the Republic so requires.
It also creates “the military forces of patriotic reserve, as part of the Nicaraguan Army, which will be voluntarily composed of officers, officials, non-commissioned officers, class, soldiers and sailors who have passed to the honorable condition of retirement or discharge.”
It also creates the volunteer police as an auxiliary and support body for the National Police, made up of Nicaraguans “who provide their services on a voluntary basis”.
Despite the fact that the figure of volunteer police did not exist in the Constitution, Ortega said in September 2022 that the Army, the Police and the “voluntary police” helped restore “peace” in Nicaragua after the popular revolt that broke out in April 2018 due to controversial social security reforms and that left hundreds dead.
According to humanitarian and opposition agencies, these armed civilians are “parapolice and paramilitary groups” who acted with the acquiescence of the State in the so-called ‘Operation Cleaning’ with which the Government neutralized the demonstrations against them.
The State of Nicaragua will also ensure that the social media are not “subjected” to foreign interests or disseminate false news that violates the rights of Nicaraguans.
Ortega, 79 years old and in power since 2007, has ruled Nicaragua since 2017 together with his wife Murillo amid allegations of electoral fraud or eliminating the opposition to have no competition.
Ortega has asked to reform the Constitution on 12 occasions since 2007, including one that allows him to be re-elected indefinitely.
International
FBI Says It Disrupted Alleged Plot Targeting White House During UFC Event
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced Tuesday that it had disrupted an alleged plot to attack the White House during a major Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event held in Washington over the weekend.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the threat was identified on June 10 through a joint investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies. According to Patel, swift action by authorities led to the arrest of several suspects before the alleged plan could be carried out.
“On June 10, the FBI and our law enforcement partners became aware of a potential threat targeting UFC America 250 in Washington. Thanks to the rapid response of the FBI and our partners, multiple individuals are now in custody, and the alleged attack plans were stopped before they could be executed,” Patel said.
He emphasized that the operation demonstrated the ability of security agencies to detect and prevent potential threats at large public gatherings. Patel added that the investigation remains ongoing and that additional details will be released as court proceedings move forward.
According to reports from U.S. media outlets, five individuals have been arrested so far. The suspects were identified as Tycen Proper of Ohio, Daniel Eskridge of Missouri, Abraham Hermosillo Álvarez of Nebraska, and Bryan Omar Roa and Michael Alan Thomas, both from California. Authorities are also investigating the possible involvement of 18 additional individuals.
Investigators allege that the plot involved the use of drones equipped with explosives to target buildings near the sporting event. The plan reportedly sought to trigger a mass evacuation and direct attendees toward areas where snipers were allegedly positioned. Authorities further claim that a second phase of the operation included an attempted assault on the White House.
The U.S. Secret Service confirmed that it worked closely with the FBI throughout the operation. Secret Service Director Sean Curran stated that security teams conducted extensive efforts to identify those involved and eliminate any threat to attendees and protected facilities.
The investigation reportedly uncovered communications conducted through the messaging application Signal, where several suspects allegedly discussed details related to the planned attack. A forensic analysis of one of the seized mobile phones revealed at least 23 users participating in conversations connected to the alleged planning activities.
Court documents also indicate that some of the suspects allegedly intended to target U.S. political figures. Among the reported targets were members of Congress who had received contributions from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Investigators further stated that one of the primary suspects had posted antisemitic messages and expressions of support for Adolf Hitler on social media, evidence that is now part of the ongoing judicial investigation.
International
Brazil helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro kills six, including pilots and international figures
The Rio de Janeiro Civil Police confirmed on Monday the identities of three of the six victims killed in a helicopter collision that occurred the previous morning in the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighborhood.
All three identified victims are Brazilian nationals: the pilots of the aircraft, Charles Marsillac and Alexandre Souza, and music producer Lucas Brito.
The identities of the three foreign victims have not yet been officially confirmed. They include U.S. singer Oliver Tree, Argentine YouTuber Gaspar Prim—known online as “Gaspi”—and Argentine producer Lucas Vignale, all of whom were listed on the flight manifest.
According to police, forensic experts from the Legal Medical Institute have already collected DNA samples in order to identify the foreign victims, whose bodies were severely burned.
One of the helicopters crashed into a private parking lot, triggering a fire that destroyed around twenty electric vehicles. That aircraft was carrying the pilot and four passengers, including the three foreign nationals.
The second helicopter, which had only the pilot on board, crashed approximately 100 meters away from the first impact site.
Rio de Janeiro’s deputy mayor, Eduardo Cavaliere, stated that both helicopters were operating transport flights toward Angra dos Reis on the Rio coastline and toward the mountainous region of the state.
Oliver Tree, 32, was in Brazil as part of an international tour. The artist, known for songs such as “Life Goes On” and “Miss You,” had performed to a large audience in São Paulo a week earlier and was scheduled to continue his tour in Europe.
Argentine content creator Gaspar Prim, 23, had built a following of more than two million on social media platforms, gaining popularity for humorous and often controversial video productions that had occasionally been removed by hosting platforms.
International
Mexico and U.S. Launch New Bilateral Security Group to Combat Fentanyl and Organized Crime
The governments of Mexico and the United States officially launched the Bilateral Implementation Group (BIG) on Friday, a new initiative aimed at strengthening cooperation on security issues and enhancing joint efforts against transnational crime.
In a statement, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson announced that he and Deputy Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco addressed officials from both countries who will lead what he described as a “new phase of bilateral cooperation.” The initiative seeks to curb the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs, illegal firearms, and human trafficking across the shared border.
Earlier this week, Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had confirmed that senior security officials from both nations would meet in Mexico City on June 12 to review and advance existing cooperation agreements.
Through social media, Ambassador Johnson explained that the new bilateral group is designed to improve coordination between the two governments by placing greater emphasis on implementation, accountability, and measurable results. The effort will also focus on combating transnational criminal organizations operating across North America.
“The participation of 15 U.S. government agencies, working alongside their Mexican counterparts, reflects the seriousness of this effort and our shared commitment to delivering measurable results,” Johnson said.
The ambassador also highlighted several achievements that he attributed to ongoing bilateral cooperation. According to Johnson, maritime drug trafficking into the United States has declined by more than 95 percent, while overdose deaths have fallen by 35 percent.
He further noted that Mexican authorities have seized more than 400 metric tons of illegal drugs and dismantled over 2,300 clandestine laboratories as part of their efforts to combat organized crime and narcotics production.
The launch of the Bilateral Implementation Group marks the latest step in the security partnership between Mexico and the United States, as both countries seek to address shared challenges related to drug trafficking, arms smuggling, human trafficking, and the activities of criminal networks operating across the region.
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Central America2 days agoNicaraguan media publishes photos of detained Indigenous leader amid calls for proof of life
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Central America1 day agoCosta Rican President Presents Security Reform Package to Fight Crime and Strengthen Prisons
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International5 days agoMexico and U.S. Launch New Bilateral Security Group to Combat Fentanyl and Organized Crime
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International2 days agoBrazil helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro kills six, including pilots and international figures
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International1 day agoFBI Says It Disrupted Alleged Plot Targeting White House During UFC Event