International
Mexico launches electronic visa system to modernize and speed up immigration procedures
The Mexican government, through its Foreign Ministry, published new guidelines this Friday in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) for issuing electronic visas to foreign nationals, aiming to modernize and streamline migration procedures.
In parallel, the National Migration Institute (INM) announced an agreement to simplify administrative processes, particularly for people on the move and asylum seekers.
The new regulations state that the electronic visa can be processed from abroad without having to visit a Mexican consulate.
The document will feature a QR code for validation and will allow foreign nationals to enter Mexico and obtain the status of visitor without permission to engage in paid activities.
According to the publication, this electronic visa “allows the foreign person to present themselves at an international air entry point and request entry into the country from the immigration authority.”
“If authorized, an Electronic Visa with a QR code will be generated, which the foreign applicant can print and/or download to an electronic device, ensuring that the data matches their passport or travel document,” the agreement reads.
To obtain this visa, applicants must register in the Secretariat’s Electronic Appointment System, upload the required documents, and pay the corresponding fee. The authorization will be subject to security screening and verification by consular authorities.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs may issue visas in electronic format to foreign nationals without a consular interview and without the need for a physical stamp in the passport, in cases where their issuance is deemed appropriate under applicable regulations,” the guidelines specify.
This measure marks a step toward digitizing consular services and responds to the need to facilitate international mobility amid pressures from the migration crisis with the United States.
In a separate DOF publication, the INM issued an agreement to simplify, unify, and make administrative migration processes more transparent.
This includes eliminating requirements for four procedures related to the issuance of migration documents, obtaining a regional visitor card, regularization for humanitarian reasons, and notifications of changes in marital status, name, nationality, or workplace.
The agreement also shortens maximum resolution times: notifications of personal data changes must now be processed within three days, and migration documents issued in no more than 10 days.
Additionally, improvements were made to certain processes, such as the regional visitor card. The updated regulation reduces requirements and now excludes Brazilian nationals from eligibility, limiting the process to Guatemalan, Honduran, Salvadoran, and Belizean citizens.
International
HRW Warns Trump’s Influence Has Weakened Human Rights in Latin America
Human Rights Watch (HRW) warned that the political influence and rhetoric of U.S. President Donald Trump have contributed to a deterioration of human rights conditions across Latin America and the Caribbean. In its World Report 2026, the organization stated that several governments in the region have committed abuses against migrants and citizens, or have used U.S. policies as justification to impose harsher repressive measures.
During the first year of Trump’s new term, HRW observed that multiple countries violated the rights of foreign nationals under direct pressure from Washington. Other governments deepened security strategies based on militarization, mass detentions and excessive use of force, according to the report.
“The impact of the Trump administration has undoubtedly been negative in Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Juanita Goebertus, HRW’s Americas director. However, she emphasized that “governments in the region remain responsible for defending democracy and fundamental rights, regardless of who is in power in Washington.”
HRW also reported that the United States significantly reduced cooperation funding for human rights organizations and independent media. At the same time, countries such as El Salvador, Peru and Ecuador passed laws allowing the arbitrary closure of civil society organizations and media outlets, weakening democratic systems and institutional checks and balances.
The organization further criticized what it described as a “double standard” in U.S. foreign policy, which condemns human rights violations in Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua while overlooking serious abuses committed by allies such as El Salvador, Peru and Ecuador. The report also included criticism of the U.S. military attack against Venezuela in early 2026, warning that it could strengthen Nicolás Maduro’s regime and respond primarily to U.S. political and commercial interests.
International
Delcy Rodríguez Takes Control of Chavismo as Venezuela Enters a U.S.-Supervised Transition
With short speeches and an academic image, Delcy Rodríguez—the woman sworn in as Venezuela’s acting president—has taken the helm of Chavismo at a critical moment, as the movement seeks to ensure its survival while the country enters a phase of change overseen by the United States, putting the foundations of the revolution to the test.
Following the military operation on January 3 that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro, the Chavista leadership moved quickly to fill the power vacuum and confront the new political dynamic from within the state apparatus. In this context, Rodríguez has emerged as the central figure tasked with steering the ruling movement through an uncertain transition.
Although she has held telephone conversations with U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Rodríguez has publicly insisted on Venezuela’s independence and has sharply criticized an opposition that currently lacks meaningful influence within the political landscape.
“Enough of Washington’s orders over Venezuelan politicians. Venezuelan politics must be the one to resolve our differences and internal conflicts,” Rodríguez said on January 25, while defending her proposal for a “political dialogue” with both “like-minded” and “divergent” sectors, which she had presented two days earlier.
International
Epstein Denies Being ‘the Devil’ in Newly Released Video Interview
Jeffrey Epstein claims he was the least dangerous type of sex offender and denied being “the devil” in a video interview included in the latest batch of documents released over the weekend by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The roughly two-hour interview was conducted by Steve Bannon, a former adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, and appears to have been recorded at the late financier’s New York residence on an unknown date.
Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while in jail awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges involving minors. Since December, the U.S. government has released millions of documents related to the case under transparency laws.
“Do you think you’re the devil incarnate?” Bannon asks Epstein in the video interview revealed in the latest release.
“No, but I do have a good mirror,” Epstein replies with a smile, wearing a black shirt and glasses. When pressed again, he adds, “I don’t know. Why would you say that?”
Epstein, who pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting a minor for prostitution, also appears to downplay the seriousness of his conviction.
He objects when Bannon refers to him as a “Level Three sexual predator,” a classification in the United States indicating a very serious threat to public safety.
“No, I’m the lowest,” Epstein says.
“But still an offender,” Bannon responds.
“Yes,” Epstein replies.
The exchange comes after Bannon asks Epstein whether he considers his wealth to be “dirty,” suggesting it was earned by advising “the worst people in the world.”
Epstein insists that he made his money legally, while acknowledging that “ethics is always a complicated issue.”
He claims he donated money to help eradicate polio in Pakistan and India, apparently in an attempt to justify the origins of his fortune.
The documents also show that Bannon maintained regular correspondence with Epstein, who offered to help the far-right political figure spread his conservative ideology in Europe.
Since Trump took office in January 2025, U.S. authorities have released millions of pages related to Epstein, along with photos and videos.
These materials have shed new light on Epstein’s ties to high-profile business executives such as Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, celebrities including filmmaker Woody Allen, and academics and political figures, among them Trump and former President Bill Clinton.
HRW Warns Trump’s Influence Has Weakened Human Rights in Latin America
Delcy Rodríguez Takes Control of Chavismo as Venezuela Enters a U.S.-Supervised Transition
Epstein Denies Being ‘the Devil’ in Newly Released Video Interview
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
-
International2 days agoEpstein Denies Being ‘the Devil’ in Newly Released Video Interview
-
International2 days agoSpain Seeks to Ban Social Media Access for Children Under 16
-
International2 days agoPetro Resumes Extraditions, Sends Top Criminal to U.S. Before White House Talks
-
International2 days agoMexico to Send Humanitarian Aid to Cuba Amid U.S. Threats Over Oil Shipments
-
International2 days agoHypothermia Linked to Most Deaths During New York’s Recent Cold Spell
-
International2 days agoMexico Arrests Suspect in Shooting of Sinaloa Lawmakers
-
International1 day agoDelcy Rodríguez Takes Control of Chavismo as Venezuela Enters a U.S.-Supervised Transition
-
Central America4 days agoCosta Rica Goes to the Polls as Voters Choose Continuity or Change
-
International1 day agoHRW Warns Trump’s Influence Has Weakened Human Rights in Latin America
-
Central America2 days agoLaura Fernández Says She Will ‘Never’ Allow Authoritarianism in Costa Rica
-
International2 days agoNFL Investigating Emails Linking Giants Executive to Jeffrey Epstein