International

Colombia sees deadliest surge in violence since FARC peace deal

Colombia is experiencing its most intense wave of violence since the signing of the 2016 peace agreement with the now-defunct FARC guerrilla group. Authorities are denouncing a new offensive by rebel factions and drug cartels, reminiscent of the brutal tactics used by infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar during the 1990s, when he waged open war against the state.

“We are deeply concerned by the ongoing violence from armed actors. In just two weeks, 18 members of the security forces have been killed—even during the suspension of military operations against one of the armed groups,” wrote Juanita Goebertus, Americas Director for Human Rights Watch, on social media platform X.

On Sunday, seven soldiers were killed when a military patrol in the conflict-ridden Guaviare department was ambushed and attacked by dissident members of the FARC. Ironically, this group is currently engaged in peace talks with the government.

According to the Ministry of Defense, a total of 47 military personnel have been killed so far this year. Some of them were attacked while off duty.

“They cowardly hide among the civilian population, dress in plain clothes, and launch surprise attacks,” the ministry said in a statement. Authorities are offering a reward equivalent to $48,000 for information leading to the capture of the gunmen responsible.

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In response to the surge in violence, Colombia’s Inspector General’s Office has requested a report from the Defense Ministry on the “systematic acts of violence” against security forces.

President Gustavo Petro’s leftist government has ramped up its offensive against armed groups and recently appointed a military figure to head the Ministry of Defense, as several peace processes have stalled or collapsed.

On Friday, Interior Minister Armando Benedetti publicly admitted that Petro’s peace strategy “has not gone well.”

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.