International
Royal quinoa, the superfood that grows in front of the largest salt flat in the world in Bolivia
Royal quinoa, a fundamental superfood for feeding Aymara and Quechua communities in Bolivia, grows on the banks of the Uyuni salt flat, the largest in the world with more than 10,000 square kilometers and where its producers ensure that the unique conditions of the place strengthen the grain.
At 3,600 meters above sea level, in front of a desert of salt, in an arid and cold climate and with great temperature changes between day and night, the royal quinoa grows with a grain larger than other varieties and is called a superfood for its high nutritional content, rich in proteins and minerals and with a less bitter flavor than others due to its lower sapon content, which is a natural substance that covers the grain.
Guadalupe Ramos, 79 years old and who has an experience of 50 in the planting and harvesting of royal quinoa in the community of Jirira in the department of Oruro, assured EFE that “on the edge of the salt flat is the best quinoa.”
The farmer cooks with the grain: “soups, cakes, Galicians, bread and even soft drinks,” and indicated that thanks to this food she can work with energy at almost 80 years old and the royal quinoa was the basis of the diet of her “six children, fourteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren”.
Eddy, a young farmer from Jirira, told EFE that most of the grain that his family harvests is sold so that other producers can sow the royal quinoa in other parts of the highlands.
For tourists visiting the Uyuni salt flat, the image of the red fields of the royal quinoa plant is an impressive view, since it contrasts with the dry grass and little vegetation and in rainy season the red grains and stems are reflected in the mirror of water that is created in the salt desert.
The grain is usually ivory white but there are also red and black colors, without the flavor or essential characteristics changing.
Bolivia obtained in 2014 the designation of origin by the Andean Community of Nations (CAN), made up of Bolivia, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador, of the ‘Royal Quinoa of the Southern Altiplano of Bolivia’ that guarantees that it is an exclusive Bolivian product to protect its authenticity.
The Andean country is also the world’s leading producer of royal quinoa, with 55 percent of global production.
Recently Guadalupe showed the royal quinoa harvest to a group of chefs from the ‘Project of Indigenous and Native Cuisines’ of the United States Embassy fund and the Gustu restaurant, in order for the grain to be used not only in local cuisine, but also in haute cuisine.
In the group was the famous chef Sean Sherman of the Sioux nation in the United States, who cooked the harvested quinoa with Guadalupe. Sherman was recognized as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2023 for his work to vindicate indigenous native cuisines, and shared his knowledge with Bolivian chefs and cooks.
International
Ex-Pemex director linked to Odebrecht scandal detained in Texas, faces trial in Mexico
Carlos Treviño Medina, former director of Mexico’s state-owned oil company Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) between 2017 and 2018—during the final year of President Enrique Peña Nieto’s administration—has been detained in the United States and will be deported to Mexico to face corruption charges, President Claudia Sheinbaum said Thursday.
“He was detained in the U.S., an ex-director of Pemex who was already on alert lists. He will be deported and will face trial here in Mexico for corruption-related matters,” Sheinbaum told reporters during her morning press conference.
Shortly after, Sheinbaum confirmed that the detainee is Treviño Medina, who is accused of receiving bribes in connection with the Odebrecht scandal, “among other things.” She added: “We should ask the Attorney General’s Office exactly what the charges are. What I can say is that it is related to a complaint filed by Emilio Lozoya,” a former Pemex official also implicated in the Odebrecht corruption case.
Later in the day, Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office (FGR) stated in a press release that Treviño Medina was arrested on August 12 in Dallas, Texas, by agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which currently holds him in custody while deportation proceedings move forward.
The FGR noted that Treviño Medina is subject to an active arrest warrant in Mexico on charges of criminal association and money laundering.
Meanwhile, the U.S. government said that ICE detained Treviño Medina for overstaying his visa by nearly three years.
International
Residente to perform free concert at Mexico City’s Zócalo on september 6
Mexico City’s head of government, Clara Brugada, announced on Saturday that Puerto Rican musician Residente will perform a free concert at the capital’s Zócalo on September 6.
“I have great news for you! On Saturday, September 6, at 8:00 p.m., Residente will perform. It’s a song to freedom and Latin American resistance,” Brugada said in a video posted on X.
According to the Mexico City Ministry of Culture, Residente will take the stage “with lyrics loaded with social messages and rhythms that have marked generations.” The singer, who has already held free concerts at the Zócalo, also shared the announcement on his social media, emphasizing the historic significance of the venue.
“I don’t take this for granted, I know where I’m performing—it’s a special place (…) It’s where the flag of a free Mexico was first woven, and that’s what I want for my own country as well. (…) I don’t know how much longer I’ll keep performing, but what I do know is that I want to enjoy this day to the fullest with all of you,” he wrote on Instagram.
With over 20 years of career, René Pérez Joglar—better known as Residente—is recognized as a rapper, songwriter, and music producer, as well as the co-founder and lead vocalist of the group Calle 13. His lyrics have long stood out for their political and social content.
The Zócalo show will open with a performance by the female collective Mujer en Cypher, featuring Arianna Puello, Ximbo, Niña Dios, Prania Esponda, Azuki, and Mena, according to the Ministry of Culture.
International
Trump and Putin end Alaska summit without Ukraine peace agreement
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin wrapped up their summit in Alaska on Friday with a brief joint press conference, during which they announced no agreement on peace in Ukraine.
Trump described the more than three-hour meeting with Putin and his delegation at Elmendorf-Richardson base as “extremely productive,” but admitted, “we have not reached the goal.”
“Many points were agreed upon. Only a few remain unresolved. Some are not significant. One is probably the most significant, but we have a good chance of resolving them. We haven’t gotten there yet, but we have a good chance of achieving it,” Trump stated cryptically at the no-questions press conference.
According to White House officials, the summit began around 11:30 a.m. local time (7:30 p.m. GMT).
Trump was joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy for the Middle East and Kremlin mediator Steve Witkoff. On Putin’s side, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov were in attendance.
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