International
The Peruvian Public Ministry denounces the former attorney general for an alleged corruption case
The Peruvian Public Ministry filed a complaint this Tuesday against the former prosecutor of the Nation (general) Patricia Benavides for an alleged corruption case by allegedly offering a congressman the dismissal of a process opened against her in exchange for the parliamentarian voting in favor of filing an investigation that affected the prosecutor.
The constitutional complaint was presented to Congress, the process that marks Peruvian legislation in cases in which an investigation is opened against a high authority of the State, for the crimes of specific active bribery and specific passive bribery.
“Patricia Benavides, in her capacity as prosecutor of the Nation, would have arranged – through her advisors – with Congressman José María Balcázar an exchange of favors of an illicit nature, for the dismissal of the criminal process she faced (…) in exchange for the parliamentarian (…) voting in favor of filing the constitutional complaints filed against the former prosecutor,” reads a statement from the Public Ministry.
The complaint also includes Balcázar as allegedly responsible for the crimes of specific active bribery and specific passive bribery.
At first, recalls the statement of the Public Ministry, Balcázar asked for the filing of his investigation and, later, the appointment of his daughter-in-law as deputy prosecutor.
In May 2024, the National Board of Justice of Peru (JNJ), the highest body of the judiciary, decided to dismiss Benavides, for interfering in an investigation opened to his sister and judge, Enma Benavides, by dismissing the prosecutor who led the investigations.
The case refers to Benavides’ alleged interference in the investigation opened by prosecutor Bersabeth Revilla against his sister Enma Benavides, denounced for releasing alleged drug traffickers in exchange for gifts.
Also for the preparation of a controversial low productivity report prepared by the Supreme Prosecutor Azucena Solari, which served for the removal of Revilla.
In parallel, Benavides has an investigation against him for leading an alleged criminal organization of influence peddling in the Public Ministry for which he had a second request for suspension from office for 36 months.
The case began in November 2023, when a specialized group of the Police and the Prosecutor’s Office made arrests and raids of homes and offices of advisors and former advisors in Benavides, as part of the investigation of an alleged criminal organization “encysted in the senior management of the Public Ministry.”
That organization allegedly sought to influence “illicitly in decisions of congressmen” for the dismissal of the holders of the JNJ, the appointment of the current ombudsman, Josúe Gutiérrez, and the disqualification of the former Prosecutor of the Nation Zoraida Ávalos.
International
U.S. and Mexico Reach Deal to Address Water Deficit Under 1944 Treaty
The United States and Mexico have reached an agreement to comply with current water obligations affecting U.S. farmers and ranchers and for Mexico to cover its water deficit to Texas under the 1944 Water Treaty, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a statement.
The department уточified that the agreement applies to both the current cycle and the water deficit from the previous cycle.
On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump accused Mexico of failing to comply with the water-sharing treaty between the two countries, which requires the United States to deliver 1.85 billion cubic meters of water from the Colorado River, while Mexico must supply 432 million cubic meters from the Rio Grande.
Mexico is behind on its commitments. According to Washington, the country has accumulated a deficit of more than one billion cubic meters of water over the past five years.
“This violation is severely harming our beautiful crops and our livestock in Texas,” Trump wrote on Monday.
The Department of Agriculture said on Friday that Mexico had agreed to supply 250 million cubic meters of water starting next week and to work toward closing the shortfall.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, quoted in the statement, said Mexico delivered more water in a single year than it had over the previous four years combined.
Trump has said that if Mexico continues to fall short of its obligations, the United States reserves the right to impose 5% tariffs on imported Mexican products.
Mexico’s Deputy Foreign Minister for North America, Roberto Velasco, said that a severe drought in 2022 and 2023prevented the country from meeting its commitments.
International
Several people shot in attack on Brown University campus
Several people were shot on Saturday in an attack on the campus of Brown University, in the northeastern United States, local police reported.
“Shelter in place and avoid the area until further notice,” the Providence Police Department urged in a post on X. Brown University is located in Providence, the capital of the state of Rhode Island.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social that he had been briefed on the situation and that the FBI was on the scene.
At 5:52 p.m. local time (11:52 p.m. GMT), Brown University said the situation was still “ongoing” and instructed students to remain sheltered until further notice.
After initially stating that the suspect had been taken into custody, Trump later posted a second message clarifying that local police had walked back that information. “The suspect has NOT been apprehended,” the U.S. president said.
International
Colombia says it would not reject Maduro asylum request as regional tensions escalate
The Colombian government stated on Thursday that it would have no reason to reject a potential asylum request from Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro should he leave office, as regional tensions persist over the deployment of U.S. military forces in the Caribbean since August.
“In the current climate of tension, negotiations are necessary, and if the United States demands a transition or political change, that is something to be assessed. If such a transition results in him (Maduro) needing to live elsewhere or seek protection, Colombia would have no reason to deny it,” said Colombian Foreign Minister Rosa Villavicencio in an interview with Caracol Radio.
However, Villavicencio noted that it is unlikely Maduro would choose Colombia as a refuge. “I believe he would opt for someplace more distant and calmer,” she added.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro also commented on Venezuela’s situation on Wednesday, arguing that the country needs a “democratic revolution” rather than “inefficient repression.” His remarks followed the recent detention and passport cancellation of Cardinal Baltazar Porras at the Caracas airport.
“The Maduro government must understand that responding to external aggression requires more than military preparations; it requires a democratic revolution. A country is defended with more democracy, not more inefficient repression,” Petro wrote on X (formerly Twitter), in a rare public criticism of the Venezuelan leader.
Petro also called for a general amnesty for political opponents and reiterated his call for forming a broad transitional government to address Venezuela’s prolonged crisis.
Since September, U.S. military forces have destroyed more than 20 vessels allegedly carrying drugs in Caribbean and Pacific waters near Venezuela and Colombia, resulting in over 80 deaths.
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned that attacks “inside Venezuela” will begin “soon,” while Maduro has urged Venezuelans to prepare for what he describes as an impending external aggression.
U.S. and Mexico Reach Deal to Address Water Deficit Under 1944 Treaty
Several people shot in attack on Brown University campus
Colombia says it would not reject Maduro asylum request as regional tensions escalate
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
-
International4 days agoMexico City prepares for 13 million pilgrims at Basilica of Guadalupe
-
International3 days agoWashington declares State of Emergency as atmospheric river brings severe flooding
-
Central America4 days agoHonduras’ electoral chief reports ongoing technical issues but says results remain intact
-
Central America5 days agoMexico and Guatemala launch joint security operation after Agua Zarca border attack
-
International3 days agoU.S. to require five-year social media history from tourists under Visa Waiver Program
-
Central America4 days agoU.S. accuses Ortega regime of systematic human rights abuses in Nicaragua
-
Central America4 days agoU.S. finds no evidence of fraud in Honduras election despite delays
-
Central America5 days agoHonduran University: Nullifying elections without proof of fraud undermines popular sovereignty
-
International2 days agoCuba battles out-of-control dengue and chikungunya epidemic as death toll rises to 44
-
Central America3 days ago
OAS and EU urge honduran political actors to respect vote results and avoid unrest
-
Central America5 days ago
CNA director says Libre’s defeat stems from “lack of substance,” not messaging
-
Central America2 days ago
Honduras election crisis deepens as CNE president denounces intimidation attempts
-
International2 days agoColombia says it would not reject Maduro asylum request as regional tensions escalate
-
International5 days agoZelensky meets Pope Leo XIV as review of U.S. peace plan continues
-
International2 days agoEcuador on track for record violence as homicides hit highest level in Latin America again
-
International7 hours agoSeveral people shot in attack on Brown University campus
-
International3 days agoSix ecuadorian soldiers jailed pending trial for alleged extrajudicial execution
-
International4 hours agoU.S. and Mexico Reach Deal to Address Water Deficit Under 1944 Treaty