Regional Unrest and Disputesactive

The former Bolivian president, Evo Morales, announced this Sunday that his supporters will begin a six-day march on Tuesday from the highland town of Caracollo, about 190 kilometers from La Paz, to demand that the government of President Rodrigo Paz abandon what he called "neoliberal and privatizing" policies. The mobilization, named "March for Life to Save Bolivia," was decided by Evo Pueblo, the political organization that Morales promotes from the Trópico de Cochabamba, and is scheduled to arrive at the government headquarters on May 18th. Morales made the announcement during his Sunday program on the Kawsachun Coca radio station, which is linked to the coca grower unions of Chapare. The decision was made on Saturday at a national meeting of Evo Pueblo in Lauca Ñ. The conclusions of the meeting stated that the march will be coordinated with the Confederation of Peasant Workers of Bolivia (Csutcb), the Bolivian Workers' Central (COB), and the teachers' unions. This protest adds to the major social crisis that Bolivia is experiencing since Paz took office in November 2025. Since May 1st, the COB—the largest labor union in the country—has been holding an indefinite general strike declared at a town hall meeting in El Alto. The union is demanding a 20% wage increase and a commitment not to privatize state-owned companies, demands that the government has rejected, arguing that the minimum wage has already increased by that proportion in January.

The leader of the People's Party (PDG) and former presidential candidate, Franco Parisi, condemned the acts of violence directed against parliamentarians Javier Olivares and Jaime Araya, which involved physical assault and harassment, respectively. Throughout Sunday, the former presidential candidate used his social media platforms to denounce the attacks, emphasizing the need for a return to civil coexistence. **Harassment and Death Threats Against Jaime Araya** The first case involves the deputy Jaime Araya (Independent - PPD), who reported receiving death threats, calls from abroad, and insults related to his statements regarding the proposals that opposition groups would present within the framework of the discussion of the major reform. "If we are at 300, the Communist Party will likely reach 600, and the Broad Front will reach 1,000. That's why I believe that together, if you add the Socialist Party, the Party for Democracy, the Communist Party, the Broad Front, and the Christian Democrats, we will easily reach around 2,500. And that's without even considering the proposals that the others will necessarily have to make to avoid being left out of this," Araya had stated in the podcast "Provócame." Following the reports of threats against the parliamentarian, the PPD caucus stated on Sunday that "in politics, not everything is permitted. In a democracy, there are differences and disagreements regarding certain bills and the way in which they are processed..."

The Venezuelan Episcopal Conference (CEV) issued a statement this Sunday, May 10th, a date celebrated as Mother's Day in Venezuela, regarding the case of Víctor Hugo Quero, a victim of forced disappearance who died on July 25, 2025, while in state custody. The highest ecclesiastical representation in the country considered the situation "morally unacceptable and legally alarming." "The fact that Víctor Quero died in July 2025 while the State provided contradictory information to his family is a sign of a lack of transparency and integrity on the part of the State. The fact that his whereabouts were denied in places like El Rodeo I, while he had already died, constitutes a serious breach of public ethics. This deliberate concealment constitutes elements of forced disappearance, a crime that justice cannot and must not ignore." [Link to a document: Comunicado_Comisión_JyP_Carmen_Navas_Victor_Quero_mayo_2026 (1)] The statement from the Catholic Church comes just three days after the announcement of Víctor Hugo Quero's death. He had been missing since January 1, 2025, and died under state custody on July 24, 2025, at the Carlos Arvelo Military Hospital in Caracas, a victim of "acute respiratory failure secondary to pulmonary thromboembolism," resulting from "upper gastrointestinal bleeding and acute febrile syndrome," according to a statement from the Ministry of Penitentiaries, published on May 7th of this year. L…

1st Lt Kendrick Lamont Key Jr was participating in largest military exercise among US, Nato allies and African nations A search team recovered the body of a US soldier who went missing near a cliff during a training exercise in Cap Draa, Morocco, the US Army said on Sunday. Moroccan searchers found the remains on Saturday in the water within a mile (1.6km) of where the soldier went missing on 2 May, the army said in a statement. Continue reading...

Members of the Christian Democratic Party (DC) parliamentary group stated that they will not participate in the "tsunami of amendments" that opposition figures have announced, and which the government has criticized as "legislative sabotage," as stated by government spokesperson Mara Sedini. In the "Provócame" podcast, independent MP Jaime Araya, representing the "Party for Democracy," mentioned that if all the opposition parties added up the amendments they planned to submit, the total would exceed 2,000. As Araya himself pointed out, this was intended to "overwhelm" the legislative process, given what he described as a limited margin for negotiation on the part of the government. In this context, MP Patricio Pinilla (DC), a member of the Labor Committee, said that "we have decided to propose amendments to the National Reconstruction bill. These amendments will be prudent, appropriate, technically justified, aligned with the needs of the people, and made in good faith." He also added that "we will strongly emphasize that this bill does not represent us, we do not like it, and we do not believe it will achieve the growth and employment goals it claims. However, we are open to dialogue, as we always have been, but we have not yet found reciprocity from the government." Among the amendments they will present, he stated that they will be focused on...

The Minister of Energy of Trinidad and Tobago, Roodal Moonilal, stated this Sunday that "there is no evidence" of a hydrocarbon spill originating from their territory, a spill that Venezuela claims began there, causing a "serious environmental impact" in the Gulf of Paria, which both countries share. "Follow-up inspections conducted by drones and boats indicated that no traces of hydrocarbons were visible on the surface of the water," Moonilal said in a written statement to EFE. Venezuela warns of damage to the Gulf of Paria. Moonilal's statement comes a day after the government of Delcy Rodríguez expressed "its concern to the international community regarding the spill" and warned of "impacts on marine areas, coastlines, sensitive ecosystems, and Venezuelan fishing communities," according to preliminary technical reports. Venezuela said yesterday, Saturday, that according to assessments conducted by its authorities, these assessments "reveal serious risks to mangroves, wetlands, marine fauna, and strategic hydrobiological resources for food security and the ecological balance of the region." "The Bolivarian government has instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to immediately request all relevant information about this incident, as well as the corresponding action plan for the mitigation and containment of the spill," the statement reads, which was shared on social media by the foreign minister, Yván Gil, and other officials. Compañí…

The president of the Broad Front (FA), Constanza Martinez, on Sunday supported the strategy announced by the opposition to delay the progress of the National Reconstruction project, promoted by the government of José Antonio Kast, by submitting amendments. The controversy erupted after figures from the opposition, including Darío Quiroga, and the deputies Consuelo Veloso (FA), Jaime Araya (Independent-PPD), and Marcos Barraza (PC), proposed submitting amendments to the massive reform. In an interview with "Mesa Central" on Canal 13, the leader of the FA stated that she did not like the video released by her counterparts in the opposition, but she downplayed its significance. "I don't like it, but I don't believe it's as important as a project that is advancing very quickly in Congress, and one of the few measures the opposition can take is to propose amendments," she declared. Martinez also stated that submitting amendments is a "completely legitimate" task and part of the parliamentary function. "The opposition not only has the right, but the duty to propose the amendments they deem necessary and appropriate for a project that is extremely bad," she said. According to the leader of the Broad Front, the real obstruction comes from the executive branch for not addressing the concerns of independent organizations or the opposition. "The government itself is the one most obstructing the debate in Congress today," she assessed.

From the bench of deputies of the Party for Democracy (PPD)-Independents, they condemned the harassment that parliamentarian Jaime Araya (Indep.-PPD) has received, following his statements regarding a "tsunami" of proposed amendments to the executive branch's major reform. "If we are at 300, the Communist Party will likely reach 600, and the Broad Front will reach 1,000. That's why I believe that the total number will easily reach around 2,500, if you add the Socialist Party, the Party for Democracy, the Communist Party, the Broad Front, and the Christian Democrats. And that's without considering the amendments that the others will necessarily have to make in order not to be left out of this," Deputy Araya stated about the proposed amendments during an episode of the podcast "Provócame." These statements drew criticism from representatives of the ruling party, even from the government's spokespersons and the presidency. For her part, the Secretary General of the Government, Mara Sedini, commented that "those who, just a week ago, without even knowing the project, threatened to go to the Constitutional Court, without having read a single article, are now trying to block it." Furthermore, President José Antonio Kast expressed his regret on his X account that the opposition's objective is to "obstruct and sabotage." In addition to the criticisms from the ruling party, the PPD accused a "campaign of harassment and threats, even death threats," against the deputy.

The interim president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, arrived in the Netherlands this Sunday to present her arguments before the International Court of Justice in The Hague regarding the sovereignty of her country over the Essequibo region in Guyana. Upon her arrival, the current leader stated that "we have come to defend the majesty and strength of the Geneva Agreement. Venezuela is the only rightful owner of the Essequibo." The Essequibo region constitutes two-thirds of Guyana's total territory, approximately 160,000 square kilometers. It is a region known for its vast mineral resources, including gold, diamonds, copper, and others. Furthermore, just over a decade ago, more than a dozen oil deposits were discovered in the area, equivalent to 11 billion barrels. The hearings in The Hague have been ongoing for several days, during which the Venezuelan delegation argues, as the government has done for years, that, according to the 1966 Geneva Agreement of the United Nations, Guyana is obligated to negotiate the boundaries of its territory with Venezuela. This treaty followed Venezuela's objections to the 1899 arbitral award, which granted Venezuela the mouth of the Orinoco River and the lands on both sides, while granting the United Kingdom the lands to the east up to the Essequibo River. Venezuela never ratified this agreement. Since Guyana's independence in 1966, Venezuela has hoped that these negotiations would take place to establish...

The case of Víctor Hugo Quero has shocked public opinion in Venezuela, but it has also mobilized international human rights protection mechanisms. Martha Tineo, co-founder and general coordinator of the NGO Justicia, Encuentro y Perdón (JEF), recounts in the "Efecto Paz" program #24, the most significant moments of the journey undertaken by Quero's mother in her search for her son, and the irregularities committed by the Venezuelan state in this case. The timeline: 1. Víctor Hugo was allegedly detained on January 1, 2025, in Caracas. His mother, Carmen Navas, received the news from someone who contacted her. 2. His mother went to all the detention centers in Caracas, and the response she received was that her son was not there. 3. She went to the Public Prosecutor's Office, the Public Defender's Office, and the headquarters of the CICPC (Scientific-Criminal Investigation Unit). At none of these three places was she given any information about the whereabouts of her son, nor was she provided with written documentation. Carmen Navas also went to the Palace of Justice. 4. In October, the Public Prosecutor's Office informed her that her son was allegedly being held in the El Rodeo prison, in the state of Miranda. Navas went there, and they denied that her son was being held there. 5. Víctor's mother went to the Public Defender's Office and reported the entire situation. They took note of her complaint. There is a record of her appearance, which indicates that the Public Defender's Office contacted the Public Prosecutor's Office and that her son is supposedly in El Rodeo. 6. On March 13th, they summoned...

Nicolás Maduro is out, but the regime remains oppressive under the current leader.

Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez arrived at The Hague to represent her country before the International Court of Justice in a land dispute with Guyana over resource-rich territory.

In Venezuela, for years, it has been claimed that we have "the best electoral system in the world." This claim is often supported by citing statements made by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter in 2012, as a conclusion of the electoral monitoring conducted by the Carter Center, after it served as an international electoral observer. It is important to clarify that this reference specifically alluded to the technology of electronic voting. However, this phrase has been brought into the realm of official propaganda, transforming it into a conceptual trap that mixes two very different things: the automated voting system (the machine, the fingerprint scanner, electronic voting, transmission, tallying, etc.) and the electoral system or process—which includes the rules governing the various stages of an election, the behavior of the electoral authorities, the voter registration process, the conditions for participation, the preservation of the popular will expressed in the vote, audits, transparency, the principle of publicity, and much more. Understanding this difference is not merely an academic exercise. It is a fundamental civic tool, especially now that elections are once again at the center of political discussion, and are presented as the best tool for legitimizing the necessary consensus that can resolve the undeniable sociopolitical conflict and allow us to return to the path of democracy. A second confusion is the common practice of equating the State with the Government. They are not the same thing, and it is important to distinguish between them...

The photo likely caused a stir in Havana: the U.S. Secretary of State and prominent "hawk," Marco Rubio, is posing next to a general with a map of Cuba in the background, as if they were analyzing and planning something related to it. The general was no ordinary officer; it was Francis L. Donovan, the head of the U.S. Southern Command, one of the ten unified combatant commands of the United States, whose area of influence includes all countries in Latin America, with the exception of Mexico. As a seemingly accidental yet calculated photo, Rubio later explained: "Cuba falls within the purview of the Southern Command. You know, it's the closest part," he stated at a press conference from the White House, adding that taking the picture there, right in front of the map, "seemed like a good idea." However, after President Donald Trump stated that, after dealing with Iran, his next target would be Cuba, the photo doesn't seem so innocent. Marco Rubio, who is of Cuban descent, has long advocated for a tougher stance by Washington towards the Cuban regime, although he has not specified how. Currently, there is an oil embargo against Cuba, which followed the arrest of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, and which has had few exceptions. Michael Shifter, former president of the Inter-American Dialogue, a prominent political forum on Western Hemisphere affairs based in Washington, commented to La Tercera: "Cuba is a higher priority for Rubio than it is for Trump. Unlike..."

Dire conditions in Venezuela prompted an exodus. In the wake of the attack that ousted its top leader, the question is whether things have changed enough to make a return appealing.

This Monday, the oral trial against former Bolivian President Evo Morales (2006-2019) begins, concerning a case that accuses him of aggravated human trafficking. The case, which revolves around an alleged relationship with a teenage girl during his presidency and purported benefits granted to the girl's family, follows months of legal disputes and accusations of political persecution by the former coca farmer leader. The former head of state's defense announced that he will not appear to testify because he believes the trial is "illegal." "The court is unfortunately not respecting international standards," said lawyer Nelson Cox. The case investigates the alleged relationship between the former president and a teenage girl with whom he reportedly had a daughter in 2016, and whose family allegedly received political favors during his administration. Since the investigation was launched in September 2024, the victim has spoken to several international media outlets and stated that she is living in Argentina with her daughter to avoid what she considers to be an act of "persecution" against her family. Morales was summoned to testify on two occasions—in October 2024 and January 2025—but did not appear because he believed there were no guarantees of his safety. After his second absence, Judge Nelson Rocabado of the city of Tarija, where the trial is taking place, declared him in contempt of court and issued an order for his arrest and a travel ban.

Following the events of January 3rd, the regional Chavista leadership is divided between the silence of some and the belligerence of a very few. Among the latter, alongside Interior and Justice Minister Diosdado Cabello, are governors such as Gerardo Márquez of Trujillo and Freddy Bernal of Táchira. Others maintain a low profile, like Luis Caldera, the governor of Zulia, and Elio Serrano, the governor of Miranda. Still others, such as Marisel Velásquez, the governor of Nueva Esparta, are barely heard on the national stage. It is even considered that the influence of Rafael Lacava, from the state of Carabobo, has diminished, given his close relationship with the former governor who is currently detained in the United States, Nicolás Maduro. According to political analysts, the regional leadership, especially figures like Lacava, were impacted by Maduro's arrest following the US military intervention, but in general, they exhibit discipline and adaptation in the face of the interim government. They point out that the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), led by Cabello for over a decade, is a hierarchical structure that only issues directives and does not tolerate dissent. Others prefer to "stay out of the spotlight" and avoid national attention, waiting to see what happens with the oversight provided by the Donald Trump administration, and are focusing on managing their respective states with fewer political rallies. Supervision and Control "The governors and mayors of the PSUV have never been..."

The new Minister of Labor, Carlos Alexis Castillo, revealed that a potential reform of the Organic Law of Labor, Workers, and Employees (LOTTT) is currently in the technical and political discussion phase. Some deputies in the National Assembly (AN) have also begun to discuss the issue and are promoting a "national consensus" regarding potential changes to the legislation, which was enacted by former President Hugo Chávez in 2012. This discussion begins amidst discontent among workers and labor movements, stemming from recent announcements by the interim governing official, Delcy Rodríguez, who on April 30th communicated to the country in an ambiguous manner about an increase in the "integral minimum income" to $240. Castillo later explained that the increase was in bonuses and not in the minimum wage, which remains frozen at 130 Bolivars, equivalent to less than one US dollar per month. Members of labor organizations and the labor law expert, León Arismendi, consulted by Efecto Cocuyo, warn that the critical situation faced by workers cannot be resolved through a reform of the current legislation, but rather through the application of the Constitution, the correction of decades of poor economic policies, and transparency in the management of state revenues. They warn that if the legal reform aims to enshrine the elimination of rights for the working class, then...

The tragedy of political prisoner Víctor Hugo Quero Navas is not an isolated incident, nor a bureaucratic error, nor the decision of officials acting under the principle of obedience. It is further evidence of a system that has made state-sponsored terrorism its mechanism of existence, shielded by impunity. The ordeal of his mother, Carmen Teresa Navas, who spent 16 months navigating a maze of denials to finally find her son's body in an unmarked grave, exposes a cruelty that goes beyond authoritarian bureaucracy and enters the realm of the inhumane. The realization of so much horror has led Venezuelans of various political leanings to unite in a single demand: justice. The Quero Navas case has revealed a chain of failures that reveals a pattern of institutional violence. From his arbitrary detention, his forced disappearance, and his death, the Venezuelan state violated every fundamental guarantee: Due process: It remains unclear what crimes he was accused of, nor whether he was ever presented before a court during his time in prison. Violation of the duty of care: The state is responsible for the well-being of those under its control. Prolonged torture: Keeping an 81-year-old woman searching for her son "under the stones," knowing that the system had already buried him, constitutes cruel and degrading treatment for the family. Institutional complicity: The involvement of more than eight organizations in this wall of silence exposes a structure…

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of El Salvador announced the planting of over 52,000 acres of staple crops using mechanized systems and satellite technology. This strategy, implemented by the government of President Nayib Bukele, aims to anticipate climate and technological risks and ensure food availability in the country, as communicated by Deputy Minister Óscar Domínguez through his official X (formerly Twitter) account. According to Domínguez, as highlighted in the post shared on X, the Production Enhancement Program addresses the need to strengthen local producers against challenges such as fluctuations in the international market and weather conditions. The MIRA (Intelligent Monitoring of the Agricultural Network) system allows for the early detection of risks such as pests, droughts, or excessive humidity. Consequently, since December 2024, the country has not experienced a single day of food shortages, while also maintaining the lowest food inflation rate in the continent, according to the official. This technological and logistical framework also includes the supply of fertilizers and other inputs at prices lower than those found in neighboring countries. Domínguez announced that the 16 branches of AGROCENTA distribute these inputs to farmers at reduced prices, and the high demand has already led to stockouts at some points of sale. The…

Brazil's top court prohibited the implementation of legislation that would drastically cut former President Jair Bolsonaro's prison term.

Officials are investigating what caused the explosion at a popular marina in southern Florida.

A new poll shows that a large majority of Americans say they think there is too much money in U. S. politics. Politico released a poll on Saturday showing that 72 percent of Americans say there’s too much money in politics, whereas 5 percent say they disagree. A larger number of voters who backed former Vice…

DEAR EDITOR: Following the recent objection raised by the Comptroller General of the Republic (CGR) regarding the approval of two Special Lithium Operation Contracts (CEOLs), voices have emerged criticizing this action, arguing that it would undermine the necessary legal certainty for the implementation of the National Lithium Strategy, or, more precisely, the "State" Lithium Strategy, by granting excessive prominence to the intervention and participation of the State in the business. However, it is important to remember that neither the CEOLs – institutions inherently characterized by political and administrative discretion – nor the CGR's approval would be necessary if lithium could be subject to concessions. In this regard, the most effective way to provide legal certainty to private investors would be to make lithium a substance that can be fully concessioned, as is the case with almost all minerals, thereby granting the holder all the rights and obligations recognized by mining legislation. Nevertheless, ideological reasons have persisted, preventing progress in this direction. As long as the "dilemma" or "paradox" of lithium – as it has been termed by the Pivotes research center – remains unresolved, the country will continue to lose leadership and participation in the global market. One must wonder if we will ever achieve the political maturity to review and correct this situation, setting aside the prejudice against...

Florida wildlife commission investigating cause of incident that left passengers with burns and traumatic injuries Sign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email A suspected boat explosion at a Miami sandbar sent at least 11 people to the hospital on Saturday with some suffering from burns and traumatic injuries, according to Juan Arias, the Miami Dade fire rescue battalion chief. First responders received reports roughly around 12.45pm of a possible boat explosion on the water, Arias told WPEC 12. Continue reading...

Franco Parisi was, once again, the figure of the week. The closure of one of his numerous appearances in the press on Thursday, following a direct negotiation with Minister Quiroz and a meeting with the PDG parliamentary group in Congress, reveals his intentions. "How was it?" he said to the journalists, smiling. This was a question he didn't expect an answer to, as he knows he is playing to win. After announcing that the agreement with the government regarding the economic recovery law was collapsing, Parisi showed himself willing to resume negotiations within just 24 hours, setting out points on which the executive branch would have to concede. This is the second time in three weeks that Parisi has conditioned the government and sidelined the left wing. He is no longer simply representing the leadership of a group of indignant citizens, but rather a political force capable of bringing people together. He is thus laying the groundwork for a long-held ambition: to reach La Moneda (the presidential palace). The risk of this dynamic for the government is evident, as Parisi is not just any interlocutor. The government's dependence on the PDG's votes leaves the ruling party at the mercy of a group that knows, in colloquial terms, that it holds all the cards. It is this awareness that allows Parisi to secure his victory, regardless of what happens with the government's major project. Parisi seems to have won because he is in the position that determines whether things move forward. However, tam...

Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes suspends use of law to reduce prison sentences, pending further review.

The interim president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, stated this Saturday that she has information about judges who have allegedly accepted bribes in the amnesty process that began last February, and she demanded that action be taken against them. "There have been and continue to be irregularities within the criminal justice system. I have information, and I have requested action against those judges who dare to demand payment for the amnesty. This must stop," she said at an event organized by the Program for Coexistence and Peace, which was broadcast by the state-owned Venezuelan Television (VTV) channel. This statement comes three days after the announcement of the death of Víctor Hugo Quero, a victim of forced disappearance who died while in the custody of the Venezuelan state. This death has shocked and outraged the country. On this issue, the interim president has not yet made any statement. The Ministry of Penitentiaries confirmed the death of Víctor Hugo Quero after more than a year of forced disappearance. Relatives of political prisoners had reported in March that some courts were demanding payments in US dollars to provide them with the notification that grants full freedom to their relatives, as part of the Amnesty Law, approved in February. The law stipulates a period of 27 years, from 1999 – when Chavismo came to power – but it specifies that it will be granted to individuals linked to 13 "events" that occurred in 13 different years, which excludes the rest of the established time frame, and so on…

The Honduran Navy has seized approximately 3,900 gallons of fuel in recent hours, which were hidden in the Cayo Bobel Rock area of the Honduran Caribbean, as part of a surveillance and control operation conducted by the Honduran Armed Forces (FFAA). According to the official report, the discovery was made during strategic patrols carried out by naval personnel in areas considered sensitive for illicit activities related to maritime trafficking and the illegal storage of fuel. Authorities detailed that during the operation, approximately 260 containers were found containing fuel that was being stored illegally and covered with tarpaulins to avoid detection. The fuel was distributed in various locations within the inspected area, which raised suspicions among the military personnel responsible for surveillance in the Caribbean region of the country. According to the Armed Forces, the operation was carried out by highly trained personnel in intelligence and maritime control tasks, who conducted thorough inspections to confirm the presence of the hidden fuel. After the discovery, the authorities immediately secured the material, applying strict safety protocols to avoid risks during its transport. The approximately 3,900 gallons of fuel seized were subsequently moved to facilities of the Coast Guard…

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes suspended the application of legislation that would reduce the amount of time former President Jair Bolsonaro and others will serve for plotting a coup attempt, according to a ruling released on Saturday.

At least 15 people were hospitalized Saturday following a possible boat explosion at Haulover Beach north of Miami.

Trip to be first time Rodriguez has left Caribbean since Maduro abduction, will attend ICJ case on Guyana land dispute.

In what is considered one of the most significant blows against organized cybercrime in South Florida in recent years, a federal judge in Miami this week sentenced 41-year-old Nicaraguan citizen Ernesto Ortega Padgett to a 15-year prison sentence in a federal facility. Ortega Padgett was identified as the mastermind behind a sophisticated international network that managed to steal more than $29 million through bank identity theft schemes. Padgett's criminal history is not new to U.S. authorities. According to court documents, the defendant had previous encounters with the law that resulted in his deportation from the United States in 2020. However, far from abandoning his illegal activities, his departure from the country marked the beginning of an aggressive expansion of his operations from abroad. Operating outside of North American borders, Padgett managed to coordinate a network of "mules" and computer experts who systematically targeted financial institutions and companies within the United States. His eventual capture took place in Madrid, Spain, through an operation coordinated by Interpol, after which he was extradited to Miami in June 2025 to face charges of conspiracy to commit electronic fraud and transporting stolen property. Social Engineering: The Weapon of the Crime The success of the scheme led by the Nicaraguan national was based on…

The Minister of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), Alexandre de Moraes, suspended the application of the "Dosimetry Law" in cases related to the events of January 8, 2023. The minister, who was randomly selected to be the rapporteur for cases challenging the validity of the Dosimetry Law, decided that the suspension will remain in effect until the Court rules on the cases challenging the law. Related news: Moraes seeks opinions from the Planalto Palace and Congress regarding the Dosimetry Law. Moraes will oversee cases requesting the suspension of the Dosimetry Law. Dosimetry: Alcolumbre enacts a law that benefits those convicted in the January 8th events. Minister Moraes reached this decision while reviewing the case of Nara Faustino de Menezes, who was convicted for participating in the events of January 8th and who sought the application of Law 15.402/2026, which was enacted yesterday (8th), after Congress overturned the veto of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The legislation, validated by the members of Congress, establishes a reduction in the sentences of those convicted in the January 8th events. Minister Moraes argued that he could not begin to rule on requests for reduced sentences based on the new law, as there are cases pending before the STF that challenge the validity of the text. The reduced sentences for the convicted are being challenged by two Direct Actions of Unconstitutionality (ADIs): ADIs 7966 and 7967, which were filed on Friday (8th) by the Brazilian Association of the Press (ABI) and the PSOL-Rede political federation. "The subsequent enactment of..."

Forced disappearances in Venezuela have ceased to be isolated incidents and have become a sustained practice of political persecution and human rights violations. This Thursday, May 7, 2026, authorities reported the death of Víctor Hugo Quero, which occurred in July 2025, despite the fact that his mother, Carmen Teresa Navas, had been searching for him since January 1, 2025. Víctor Hugo was never able to communicate with his mother. Despite seeking information from all relevant state institutions regarding the whereabouts of her son, Carmen Teresa Navas received no information from any organization. Víctor Hugo, 51 years old, was detained by military authorities and held at the headquarters of the Dgcim (intelligence agency) in Boleíta, and subsequently transferred to the El Rodeo I prison. According to the official version, he was then taken to the Military Hospital in Caracas due to alleged health problems. According to a statement from the Ministry of Penitentiary Services, he died on July 24 of last year. The case of Víctor Hugo, who remained missing for more than a year, highlights the dramatic situation faced by the 21 families of political prisoners who are currently subject to forced disappearances, according to the records of the NGO Justicia, Encuentro y Perdón. From civil society citizens to former members of security forces, individuals remain in a legal void, where the state denies their whereabouts and violates not only the right to due process...

The police officer, Nahuel Gallo, who was detained in Venezuela for 448 days, recounted that at the time of his arrest in that country, the Bolivarian authorities told him he was going "to Disney," referring to the confinement he experienced in the El Rodeo prison. "I didn't say I was a police officer; I said I worked at customs," Gallo recalled about the events of December 8, 2024, when he attempted to enter Venezuela from Colombia to visit his wife. Regarding the process with the immigration authorities, the police officer described: "They didn't pay attention to the documents; they wanted to see my cell phone. They wanted to see if I had photos with weapons. They automatically accessed my WhatsApp, and they said, 'I want to see if you speak badly about my president.'" "They typed in 'Chávez,' and found nothing. They typed in 'Maduro,' and that's when they saw that I had spoken negatively about (Nicolás) Maduro; that was the trigger for them," Gallo said in an interview with TN, which aired this Saturday. He described: "They pushed me, told me to kneel. They hit me in the abdomen, in the head, slapped me. They covered my head. They searched my entire cell phone, and that's when they saw that I was a police officer. They told me I had lied to them." Regarding his arrest at the border, he recalled: "They told me it wasn't an arrest, but an investigation. They told me, 'You're going to Disney,'" he recounted, referring to the moment he was transferred to the El Rodeo prison, located on the outskirts of the city of Caracas, in the state of Miranda. ...

Several of America’s largest airlines could profit from the recent demise of Spirit Airlines, according to a new report — if only by a little.  A YouGov analysis released on Friday found that people who previously considered booking flights through Spirit also rank United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines among their top choices.…

The afternoon sun in Managua cast its usual heavy light over the Villa Libertad neighborhood this Friday, May 8th, but the peaceful atmosphere of the end of the school day was abruptly shattered. What should have been a student's calm return home turned into a scene of terror in the alley known as "Los Talones." In this corner of the capital, the most brutal violence erupted when a young man was intercepted by an individual whose sole intention was to inflict irreparable physical harm. A video that has gone viral on social media shows how the situation escalated in a matter of seconds. The attackers, clearly identifiable, acted with a coldness that has shocked the community. One of them, wearing a red cap as a distinguishing feature, led the initial assault. The blows were just the prelude to something much more serious: in the midst of the altercation, the attacker pulled out a sharp object and, without hesitation, stabbed the student in front of the helpless eyes of other classmates. Youth solidarity also emerged, although at a high price. Several students who witnessed the attack tried to intervene to rescue their classmate from the hands of the attackers, and they themselves were also affected by the violence of the criminals. Panic gripped "Los Talones"; cries for help and the sound of the attackers fleeing marked the climax of a bloody afternoon. The victim, des…

Amidst one of the events that has most shocked and outraged Venezuelans, approximately thirty people, mostly family members of political prisoners in Venezuela, held a vigil this Friday to honor Víctor Hugo Quero Navas, whose death last year while in state custody was acknowledged this week by the government, after months of searching by his mother, Carmen Navas. The group gathered outside the headquarters of the Bolivarian Intelligence Service (Sebin), known as "El Helicoide," in Caracas, where they prayed and delivered speeches in memory of Quero Navas, whose body was exhumed this Friday and subsequently moved to another cemetery, where he was buried in the presence of family members, including his mother. AME636. CARACAS (VENEZUELA), 08/05/2026. Photograph showing an image of the deceased Víctor Hugo Quero this Friday, during a vigil organized by family members of political prisoners in his honor, in Caracas (Venezuela). EFE/ Ronald Peña R. The protesters placed several candles in the shape of a cross, symbolizing the mourning that, they said, "afflicts all of Venezuela at this moment," and held banners with messages such as "We will not overcome, we will not forget, we will not forgive," clearly alluding to the words recently spoken by the President of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, a member of the government of Hugo Chávez and Maduro since its inception, and brother of the current interim president, Delcy Rodríguez. "We are in a lot of pain..."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that the Cuban government turned down a $100 million humanitarian aid offer from the U. S., as the nation continues to grapple with the fallout of a devastating hurricane, a weakened economy and a prolonged fuel shortage. The U. S. provided $6 million in humanitarian aid to the island’s population…

Detectives from the Secondary Inspection Department of the Criminal Investigation Police (PDI) arrested an Argentine citizen at Santiago Airport for carrying unauthorized ammunition in her luggage. The Directorate General of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC) notified the PDI after detecting a 1.32L caliber bullet inside the luggage of a foreign passenger who was about to fly to Argentina. Sub-commissioner Miguel Gallardo stated that "using this personal information, officers from our department went to the X-ray area of the International Terminal, where, upon verifying the information, it was confirmed that the passenger was indeed carrying a bullet without authorization. Therefore, she was arrested for the crime of possession, holding, or carrying ammunition." Furthermore, it was confirmed that the foreign passenger was in regular immigration status in the country. According to the institution, the woman told the detectives that she had found the bullet on the street and had kept it for her son to make a necklace. The Chief Prosecutor of Western Flagrancy, Patricio Rosas, indicated that the detainee was taken for a detention hearing, which was extended to allow for the formalization of charges. "She was placed under national restriction measures, and a date was set to explore alternative solutions within a 60-day investigation period." As the prosecutor mentioned, she is being charged with the crime of...

The scientific community and health authorities in the United States have confirmed the detection of the "Naegleria fowleri" amoeba in hot springs and freshwater bodies within national parks such as Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Lake Mead. This finding affects millions of visitors and staff in protected areas, following the publication of a study covering the period 2016-2024, which highlights the geographic expansion of the pathogen. The results underscore the importance of risk management and safety in popular tourist destinations, according to the USGS. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and Montana State University, the research published in the journal ACS ES&T Water analyzed 185 samples of hot springs and recreational waters, in which the presence of the amoeba was detected in 34%. Federal authorities, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), confirmed that the amoeba thrives in warm environments and causes a rare brain infection known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), with a mortality rate exceeding 97%. The media outlet The Independent reported that the pathogen has spread to new tourist areas. The presence of Naegleria fowleri in hot springs has been documented for decades, but the new study identifies previously unreported areas and expands the risk map, according to environmental and health authorities consulted by The Inertia and the USGS. The figures…

Minister Alexandre de Moraes, of the Supreme Federal Court, has given the Presidency of the Republic and the National Congress five days to respond to the "Dosimetry Law," which was promulgated on Friday by the President of the Senate, Davi Alcolumbre (União-AP). Moraes was chosen, by lottery, to oversee the cases challenging the constitutionality of the law, which reduces sentences for those convicted of the acts related to the January 8th, 2023 coup attempt, including former President Jair Bolsonaro. Related news: Moraes will oversee cases seeking to suspend the Dosimetry Law. Dosimetry: Alcolumbre promulgates law that benefits those convicted in the January 8th events. The case reached the Supreme Federal Court through two lawsuits, one filed by the PSOL party and another by the Brazilian Association of the Press. The new law stipulates that in cases of crimes against the democratic state and coup d'état, when committed in the same context, the harsher sentence should be applied, rather than the sum of the sentences, as was previously the case. One of the arguments in the lawsuits is that this will create a more favorable treatment for crimes aimed at disrupting the institutional order. Those convicted of crimes against democratic order would receive a milder sentence than those convicted of common violent crimes. The PSOL party and the ABI also question the partial veto. Only part of the veto was overturned last week by the National Congress. The provision that conflicted with the Anti-Gang Law was deemed invalid. This is because...

Manuel Antonio Sánchez, 57 years old, must serve a 10-year prison sentence after being arrested in the afternoon of August 27, 2025. On that day, Sánchez went to Cota 905 in Caracas to accompany Meudy Ramírez, a friend who had been evicted from her home by a group of people with private interests in the property. Upon arriving at Ramírez's house with a lawyer, Sánchez was identified by those who had taken over the property as an "agitator" to police officers. Under the pretense that they only needed to "talk," they urged him to enter a local police station, where he was eventually arrested, and his vehicle and phone were confiscated. His partner, Rosalba Pereira, reported in an interview with Efecto Cocuyo that the arrest was an act of police brutality. Upon arriving at the scene, Sánchez was recognized by an officer due to a complaint he had filed in 2022 regarding police misconduct. "Arrest him and put him in jail, because he reported us," was the order that marked the beginning of his legal proceedings, motivated by an old grudge held by the police officers. Sánchez was charged with inciting hatred. To support the charge, the authorities extracted information from his phone, specifically from his TikTok posts, where he, as a community advocate, denounced failures in public services and demanded rights for the communities of Caracas. After more than eight months of imprisonment in the prison of…

Luisa Quintero | TalCual After 16 months of forced disappearance, and following the persistent efforts of his mother, Carmen Teresa Navas, the Ministry of Penitentiary Services reported that Víctor Hugo Quero Navas, 51 years old, had died on July 24, 2025, due to acute secondary respiratory failure. Lawyers and human rights organizations point to a "chain of complicity" between the criminal justice system and security forces, which once again confirms the long-standing reports of crimes against humanity in the country. "This is the consequence of arbitrarily detaining people, making them disappear, and denying them their rights, imposing public defenders so that no one can know what is happening to the physical integrity of these individuals, and in this case, their lives. It appears from a distance to be a disaster, a lack of coordination, but it is a complicity aimed at violating the human rights of people and the freedoms of Venezuelans," says Ana Leonor Acosta, director of the Coalition for Human Rights and Democracy. In the case of Víctor Hugo Quero Navas, there are a number of verifiable facts: he was detained by officials from the Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (Dgcim) on January 1, 2025, he was accused of crimes linked to political events, and his mother never stopped searching for him or formally requesting information from detention centers, courts, the Public Prosecutor's Office, and the Ombudsman's Office. But...

The congressman and leader of the Renovación Nacional party, Diego Schalper, criticized the strategy announced by the opposition to delay the progress of the National Reconstruction project promoted by the government of José Antonio Kast. This followed a discussion among figures from the left, including Darío Quiroga, and the congressmen Consuelo Veloso (FA), Jaime Araya (Ind-PPD), and Marcos Barraza (PC), during a digital broadcast of the "Provócame" program, where they debated the major reform, which was recently approved in principle by the Congressional Finance Committee. "Today, the proposal to legislate was approved, and there is a deadline until Monday at 11:59 PM to submit amendments. They did not anticipate the level of coordination we have achieved, and I believe, based on my calculations, they will submit at least 2,000 amendments," Araya stated at the time, with the aim of postponing the legislative process. In response, Schalper argued that the video "provides an opportunity for the center-left to realize that this path is one that clearly leads nowhere, and it is a moment for the center-left to reflect." "For many of us, it has been a sad surprise to see that the leadership we thought would be on the side of building... has instead chosen the path of obstruction. I believe this video provides an opportunity to become aware that this is the wrong path, and from there, to correct course," he added...

Early Saturday morning, a freight train derailed at the Chiguayante station of the Biotren railway, causing disruptions to the railway service in the Greater Concepción area. As a result of the incident, the railway crossing that connects Avenida O'Higgins with Manuel Rodríguez in the municipality of Chiguayante remains closed while the necessary work is carried out at the site. Through its official channels, Biotren announced at 6:26 AM that, due to the "derailment of a freight train in the Chiguayante station area," Line 1 services are currently operating only between Mercado and Concepción, in both directions. "Biotren Update | Due to the derailment of a freight train in the Chiguayante station area, our Line 1 services will be operating between Mercado and Concepción and vice versa," the company stated on the social media platform X. Meanwhile, Line 2, which connects Coronel with Concepción, continues to operate normally. No injuries have been reported, and the cause of the derailment is currently unknown. Authorities and technical teams are working to restore full service. Biotren has indicated that it will continue to provide updates on the situation. Two people arrested for selling counterfeit high-end phones.

The Argentine police officer, Nahuel Gallo, who was held captive in Venezuela for 448 days under the regime of dictator Nicolás Maduro, revealed harrowing details of his captivity in that country and admitted that he "thought about taking his own life." In an interview with the TN television channel, Gallo publicly recounted for the first time how his ordeal began after being detained by the Venezuelan government on December 8, 2024. According to his account, he traveled from Argentina to Venezuela on December 6, passing through Chile, Bogotá, and Cúcuta. Upon arrival at immigration, he was required to undergo an interview and have his documents reviewed. During the inspection, unidentified Venezuelan agents requested his cell phone to check for photos or messages that they considered suspicious, particularly those that spoke negatively about the Venezuelan leader. "When the agent came to interview me, I didn't know who he was. I didn't know if he was from the SEBIN (Bolivarian Intelligence Service), the police, I didn't understand the difference between one force and the other. They were in civilian clothes. They had weapons, but they didn't have any identification badges," he recounted. The man showed all the necessary documentation for entry. "I had cash in US dollars, but they didn't pay much attention to it. What they were interested in was seeing my cell phone," he added. Gallo did not have any photos of himself in uniform. "I don't take many pictures, especially not posing with weapons or anything like that. I had photos of the baby, of races, of landscapes," he assured. In this regard, he revealed that...

Mother's Day is approaching, and there's something that's becoming increasingly difficult to ignore: there are fewer and fewer women to celebrate. Not because mothers are disappearing – they are still there, quietly sustaining everyday life – but because there are more and more women who are choosing not to become mothers. And perhaps, before we ask what's happening to them, we should pause and consider another question: what's happening to motherhood itself? In Chile, the numbers have been showing a clear trend for years. Fewer children are being born, motherhood is being postponed, and the fertility rate is far below the level needed to sustain the population, approaching levels that we once considered foreign but are now becoming commonplace. In other words, each generation is having fewer children than are needed to replace itself. But what's more interesting than the numbers is what lies behind them. An exploratory study on birth rates in Chile, prepared by the Ministry of Finance in 2025, reveals something that is not always said out loud. Women have not stopped desiring motherhood. Many imagine it, project it, and even want it. But what they are not willing to accept is the cost it entails under current conditions: economic, professional, and also social. This desire coexists with a constant evaluation of what it means to have children today, not in the abstract, but in practice. Because when they talk, they are not talking about children as an idea. They are talking about time, about incomes that are not enough, and…

Attorneys and human rights groups say a "chain of complicity" across Venezuela's security forces and judicial system concealed the fate of political prisoner Víctor Hugo Quero Navas for 16 months — while his mother searched alone

For Donald J. Trump, 2026 was a year full of promise. It began in the early hours of January 3 with a spectacular barrage of fire over Caracas. After months of anticipation surrounding the deployment of the fleet in the Caribbean, the capture of Nicolás Maduro scored a point for him, demonstrating his military’s ability to succeed in complex missions. That same day, he announced a new era of the Monroe Doctrine. Hard power was back. But there was something more important: the prospect of starting an election year on the right foot, carefully managing that success, and trying, in the meantime, to stabilize the economy in the lead-up to the midterm elections in November. Seguir leyendo

The elimination of tariffs on Chinese products in Nicaragua further deepens a trade relationship that already heavily favors Beijing, with a ratio of fifteen to one. Between January and November 2025, the Central American country imported over USD 1.3 billion in Chinese goods, while its exports to that destination barely reached USD 100 million. The Daniel Ortega regime officially implemented the measure on May 8th by publishing it in "La Gaceta," the official gazette, although the agreement had been signed four days earlier. This decision opens the Nicaraguan market to Chinese production without the imposition of customs tariffs, within the framework of the existing Free Trade Agreement between the two countries. An imbalance that the agreement does not correct. The trade gap between the two countries is unprecedented in recent Nicaraguan agreements with other economies. For every dollar that Managua exports to China, Beijing places fifteen in the Nicaraguan market, a ratio that the elimination of tariffs in favor of Chinese products only serves to widen. The measure facilitates the entry of manufactured goods, appliances, industrial supplies, and mass-produced consumer goods from China, sectors where local production lacks the capacity to compete in terms of price or volume. Ministerial Agreement MIFIC No. 005-2026 was signed by Minister Erwin Ramírez Colindres, who instructed the official dissemination of the decision by the Joint Commission of the Free Trade Agreement regarding the elimination of…

DEAR EDITOR: The CEO of Blumar states that the "split" is "already a reality" and that they have "turned a new page." However, his company is suing the state for $194 billion for that very same event. And in the same interview, he admits that they "knew they were losing" that debate. If they knew that, why the lawsuit? What he doesn't mention is that their quotas originate from the Longueira Law, which was approved with documented bribery and criminal convictions, and that the current government has already done them a huge favor: withdrawing the new Fisheries Law when it was 80% through the legislative process in the Fisheries Committee of the Chamber of Deputies. "Turning a new page" also means accepting the consequences of an undeniable fact: a corrupt law that has benefited them is still in effect, and that must end. Hernán Cortés B. President, CONDEPP

The United States Postal Service (USPS) on Friday reported a net loss of $2 billion for the second quarter of fiscal 2026, underscoring the service’s strained financial situation despite higher revenues and a decline in some operating costs.   The agency reported $20.2 billion in total operating revenue for the quarter ending on March 31,…

The weak figures for economic activity and unemployment at the end of the first quarter have certainly painted a worrying picture, reminding us of the enormous challenges that the country still faces in order to embark on a path of recovery. The Imacec index for March registered a decrease of 0.1% over 12 months, adding to the declines in February (-0.3%) and January (-0.5%), resulting in an overall decrease of -0.3% in the first three months of the year. The March result surprised the market, which had partly been betting on a change in expectations with the arrival of the new government. This had been anticipated since last year, with notable results in the stock market and figures that were beginning to show promising signs in terms of investment. The fact that 2025 ended with a growth rate of 2.5%, a still low figure but somewhat better than previous years, also contributed to fostering more optimistic prospects for this year, which are now clearly beginning to fade in light of these results. The crisis in the oil market, triggered by the conflict between the United States and Iran, and the unpredictable effects it could have on the international economy, have further complicated the situation for our economy. A growth rate of 2% for this year now seems increasingly distant, and market expectations appear to be closer to 1.5%, which, if confirmed, would mean another lost year...

Minister Alexandre de Moraes, of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), will be the rapporteur for the cases challenging the constitutionality of the Sentencing Law, which was promulgated this Friday (8) by the President of the Congress, Senator Davi Alcolumbre (União-AP). Moraes served as the rapporteur in criminal cases where defendants were sentenced. The law allows for a reduction in the sentences of defendants who were convicted for the acts of violence that occurred on January 8, 2023, including former President Jair Bolsonaro. Related news: Sentencing Law: Alcolumbre promulgates law that benefits those convicted in the January 8th events. To date, the Supreme Court has received cases filed by the PSOL-Rede Federation and the Brazilian Association of the Press (ABI). The parties and the association are challenging the decision of the Congress, which, last week, overturned the veto of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to the bill. According to the federation, the reduction in sentences affects crimes against democracy and represents a "serious institutional issue." "This matter goes beyond individual interests and affects the very preservation of democratic order and the integrity of republican institutions, a circumstance that requires firm and immediate action by the Supreme Federal Court," the parties stated. According to the ABI, the law "trivializes" attacks on Brazilian democracy. "The crowd that takes up arms and intends to abolish the rule of law through violence, through coups..."

After January order from US department of the interior, managers across 55 sites have lifted prohibitions Donald Trump’s administration is quietly pushing national park, refuge and wilderness area managers to dramatically scale back hunting restrictions, raising questions about visitor safety and the impact on wildlife. Doug Burgum, the US Department of the Interior secretary, issued an order in January directing multiple agencies to remove what he termed “unnecessary regulatory or administrative barriers” to hunting and fishing, to and justify regulations they want to keep in place. Continue reading...

President José Antonio Kast criticized opposition lawmakers this Friday, following an announcement by a group of them about a "tsunami" of amendments to the National Reconstruction Plan. He urged the legislators to be "serious." The President's statements were made at the Costa Rica airport, after participating in the change of administration ceremony, where Laura Fernández took office, and before boarding the commercial flight that would take him to Chile. In his remarks, the President elaborated on his criticism of the opposition, following a post on his X account where he accused the opposition of trying to "obstruct and sabotage" the project's progress. Regarding his words, which were published around noon, President Kast explained that they were "basically based on a conversation that some parliamentarians had with someone who was involved in organizing Jeannette Jara's campaign (Darío Quiroga)." "The way they presented the disagreements we might have was even in a tone of mockery, using vocabulary that I wouldn't expect from parliamentarians, talking about how they were going to cause suffering to the government. The suffering is for the citizens..." the head of state stated. "What one expects is a debate around proposals, not amendments where they might change one or two paragraphs. There is no real proposal," Kast accused. "You can't trivialize a legislative process like the one we are currently experiencing..."

Non-governmental organizations are demanding that the Venezuelan government immediately dismiss the Minister for Penitentiary Services, Julio García Zerpa, and are calling for the family of Víctor Hugo Quero Navas to have full access to all investigations into his death. The Venezuelan Prison Observatory (OVP) and Cofavic led the demands following the official confirmation of the political prisoner's death, which occurred nearly ten months ago. "We demand the immediate dismissal of the Minister for Penitentiary Services, Julio García Zerpa, and an investigation into all officials involved in the forced disappearance, concealment of information, and death in custody of Víctor Hugo Quero Navas," the OVP posted on the social media platform X. The organization denounced a "chain of complicities" that the government is trying to cover up. For its part, Cofavic considered it "essential" that the family have full access to the investigation, and emphasized that the case reveals "the devastating impact of concealing information and the systematic denial of the right of families to know the truth." Carmen Teresa Navas, the mother of Quero and 81 years old, searched for information about her son for 16 months. She visited prisons, hospitals, courts, and public offices, but only received silence or denial. The government confirmed his death this Thursday, although the death occurred on July 24, 2025. According to the Ministry for Penitentiary Services, Quero...

Life sentences for minors as young as 12. This is the point to which criminal justice policy has reached in El Salvador. Is this an isolated measure, or a reflection of something deeper? The reform, approved this month, has been questioned by international organizations due to its impact on the rights of children. It is also a clear symptom of the situation the country is facing and a regional trend, visible in several countries, where the hardening of criminal penalties coexists with a progressive deterioration of institutions and a weakening of controls on power. Since March 2022, El Salvador has been living under a state of exception that has been repeatedly extended. There have already been 49 extensions. In this context, the International Group of Experts (GIPES), supported by organizations including InterJust, recently published a report with a clear conclusion: there is reasonable basis to believe that crimes against humanity are being committed in El Salvador. The standard of "reasonable basis to believe" is the one used by the International Criminal Court to decide whether to open a formal investigation, as happened, for example, in the case of Venezuela. It is the threshold that allows us to assert that crimes against humanity are being committed and that the situation requires an investigation. More than 89,000 people have been detained under the state of exception, raising serious concerns about the respect for basic due process guarantees.

The organization Justicia, Encuentro y Perdón (JEP) has increased the number of political prisoners who have died under the custody of the Venezuelan state since 2014 to 27. The most recent case is that of Víctor Hugo Quero Navas, whose death was officially confirmed nine months after it occurred. According to the Ministry of Penitentiary Services, Quero Navas, a 51-year-old merchant, died on July 24, 2025, at the Dr. Carlos Arvelo Military Hospital due to acute respiratory failure secondary to pulmonary thromboembolism, after presenting upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The government arrested him on January 3, 2025, at the El Rodeo I Judicial Detention Center. Rick Scott says the U.S. should "reinstate" sanctions against Delcy Rodríguez due to the death of Quero Navas. JEP describes the death of Quero Navas as part of a "systematic pattern of repression" in which prison becomes a "mechanism of annihilation." The organization reports that his mother, Carmen Teresa Navas, 81 years old, searched for her son for more than 16 months without receiving accurate information. Courts and penitentiary officials provided contradictory information about his whereabouts, even after his death. JEP points out serious irregularities in the case of Quero Navas, including the late notification of his death, which occurred almost a year prior; the burial of the body without the presence of family members, under the argument that no family members were registered; and the systematic denial of adequate medical care.

In April 2026, the United States Postal Service (USPS) published a proposal to modify regulations regarding items allowed and prohibited in the postal network, including the potential authorization for the shipment of handguns. This update to the rules affects citizens, businesses, and government agencies across the country, as it redefines which products can legally be transported through the federal mail system. The public comment period on the proposal remains open, while federal and state authorities assess the impact of these changes on security and logistics. According to the official announcement in the Federal Register and the USPS's technical documentation, the proposal is a response to a legal opinion issued by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) in January 2026. The opinion deemed the existing postal ban on the shipment of concealable firearms, which has been in place since 1927, unconstitutional, citing the Second Amendment. Currently, postal regulations only allow the shipment of rifles and shotguns under strict conditions, while pistols and revolvers are reserved for holders of specific federal licenses. The regulatory framework for postal shipments in the United States has evolved over decades. The USPS maintains a detailed list of allowed and prohibited items, ranging from live animals to agricultural products, human remains, and potentially dangerous devices. L…

The United States, along with international partners, has completed the removal of highly enriched uranium that remained in Venezuela. U.S. authorities hailed the operation as a resounding success, as it eliminated a risk of nuclear proliferation in South America and demonstrated "effective technical cooperation." The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) of the U.S. Department of Energy removed 13.5 kilograms (approximately 30 pounds) of uranium enriched to over 20% from the RV-1 research reactor, located at the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research (IVIC). The material was transported by land to a Venezuelan port, then shipped with British support and arrived in U.S. territory in early May. Technicians transported it to the Savannah River site for processing. The three-phase plan by @POTUS and @SecRubio for Venezuela accelerated the removal of this nuclear risk from Venezuela, marking another historical milestone. @ENERGY For more information ➡️ https://t.co/gcvv6LD2Q8 pic.twitter.com/233YbnbQDr — U.S. Embassy in Caracas (@usembassyve) May 8, 2026 Why did Venezuela possess this material? Venezuela acquired the uranium as part of the RV-1 reactor, which operated for decades for research in physics and nuclear energy. When those activities ended in 1991, the fuel became surplus material. The uranium remained in the country as a remnant of that program...

U.S. Senator Rick Scott stated this Friday that Washington must "immediately reinstate" sanctions against the acting president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, for the death of political prisoner Víctor Hugo Quero Navas, after the Chavista government confirmed that his death occurred almost a year ago. The Republican congressman lamented on X (formerly Twitter) that Quero Navas was "kidnapped, tortured, isolated, and murdered" by agents linked to the government that is now headed by Rodríguez. According to Scott, the deceased's mother, identified as Carmen, searched for him for sixteen months in various detention centers, while the regime concealed the fact that the prisoner had been murdered and buried months earlier. The United States must immediately reimpose sanctions on Delcy Rodríguez. VÍCTOR HUGO QUERO NAVAS was kidnapped, tortured, isolated, and murdered by Maduro's evil thugs. For 16 months, his mother, Carmen, went from prison to prison seeking answers... pic.twitter.com/eBjrdVtzus — Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) May 8, 2026 Quero Navas "was kidnapped, tortured, isolated, and murdered by Maduro's evil henchmen," the former governor of Florida stated on the social media platform. Delcy Rodríguez assumed power last January, following the capture of Nicolás Maduro in Caracas during a U.S. military operation that deposed him and transferred him to New York to face drug trafficking charges. The acting president "is...

Amidst the intense debate surrounding the government's reconstruction plan, a delegation of Socialist Party deputies visited the presidential palace (La Moneda) this Friday to deliver a document titled "A Chile That Grows for Everyone," containing a series of proposals for growth, development, and employment. The document strongly criticizes the large-scale reform being pushed by La Moneda. According to the Socialist Party parliamentarians, this initiative is not a genuine growth law, but rather a tax cut for large corporations that includes an unchanging rate for 25 years, integration of the system, amnesties, and benefits concentrated in the highest-income sectors. Meanwhile, the Socialist proposal is organized around three fundamental pillars: family support, decent employment, and Chile 2050. The first section focuses on measures such as monthly adjustments to the Value Added Tax (VAT) on basic goods, the elimination of historical Dicom rates (a type of interest rate), the regularization of debts and loans for rent and childcare. The second section proposes subsidies for women heads of households and young people, universal childcare facilities, free job retraining programs, and strengthening of the National Service for Employment and Vocational Training (SENCE). Finally, the measures aimed at the future include: energy, water, ocean, and digital sovereignty; a "My Solar Home" plan; trilingual education; support for family farming and small-scale mining; and investment of 1% of the budget in research and development (R&D). Furthermore, it calls for tax justice, including the elimination of the 25-year tax rate freeze and protection for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Canadian miner Sherritt International Corp.’s decision to shut down its nickel operations in Cuba under US duress will weigh heavily on an economy that’s already starved for hard currency and fuel.

The Chilean Medical College (Colmed), along with organizations representing migrants, human rights, and civil society, delivered a letter today to the Minister of Health, May Chomali, to express their concern about the progress of a bill currently in its second legislative stage in the Senate. This bill proposes to restrict access to the public health system for undocumented migrants. According to the organizations, the initiative would prevent individuals who have entered the country illegally from maintaining their affiliation with Fonasa (the national health insurance system) by preventing them from renewing their temporary identification number. The letter warns that if approved, this measure could leave thousands of people – including children, adults, and the elderly – without access to essential treatments, such as those for HIV or tuberculosis. In this regard, the letter states that limiting care for this group to emergency situations would not only affect the migrant population but would also have broader implications for public health. Among the main risks, they mention a potential decrease in vaccination coverage and a weakening of strategies for controlling infectious diseases, which could negatively impact health indicators at the national level. "Many treatments – especially for chronic and infectious diseases such as HIV or tuberculosis – could be interrupted, and this not only affects migrant individuals..."

The government strongly criticized the opposition after it became public that they intended to "flood" the parliamentary debate on the National Reconstruction bill with amendments. President José Antonio Kast, speaking from Costa Rica (where he had traveled for the inauguration ceremony), and the government's spokesperson, Mara Sedini, at a press conference in Antofagasta, were joined by the Vice President of the Republic, Claudio Alvarado, who spoke from La Moneda (the presidential palace). This followed reports that opposition parliamentarians had proposed introducing a "tsunami" of motions to obstruct the process. Specifically, Deputy Jaime Araya (Independent, PPD), in a Zoom meeting with his colleagues Marcos Barraza (PC) and Consuelo Veloso (FA), and former advisor Darío Quiroga to Jeannette Jara, argued that there could be as many as 2,500 amendments, turning the debate into a "nightmare." In response, and echoing the language previously used by the Head of State and the Executive spokesperson, Alvarado stated that "more than simply offering amendments that address the substance of a legislative proposal, it is now abundantly clear that the opposition, or a portion of the opposition, intends to sabotage and boycott the reconstruction project." "I deeply regret that the opposition is not focused on generating arguments that would improve the framework, but rather on how to obstruct and..."

The recent awarding of three new mining concessions to the Canadian company La India Gold S. A. marks a significant shift in Nicaragua's extractive policy. With these authorizations, the company now holds five mining titles in just two days, totaling 57,287 hectares of land authorized for mineral exploitation. The government of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo granted the open-pit mining concessions in areas designated as Topacio, Achuapa, and Hemco Sid, located in various regions of the country. Topacio, covering 27,002 hectares, encompasses municipalities in the Autonomous Region of the Southern Caribbean Coast. Achuapa, with 18,143 hectares, extends into areas of Estelí and León, while Hemco Sid covers 3,752 hectares in Matagalpa. The granting of these permits occurred after the sanctions imposed by the United States in April. According to the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury, the sanctioned individuals and companies are linked to both the generation of funds for the Nicaraguan regime and the forced appropriation of properties related to the gold sector. Prior to these sanctions, only Chinese companies had received mining permits in Nicaragua. The decision to authorize new concessions to a Canadian company represents a change in this recent trend. Nicaragua currently grants 8.5% of its territory to Chinese companies for mining operations, and...

The congressman Jaime Araya (PPD) responded this Friday to the criticisms from the ruling party and the executive branch, after commenting that the opposition might present around 2,500 amendments to the government's massive reform. The original comment was made during the podcast "Provócame," hosted by Darío Quiroga, the former economic advisor to Jeannette Jara. The congressmen Marcos Barraza (PC) and Consuelo Veloso (FA) also participated in the discussion. "If we, from the opposition, have 300 amendments, the Communist Party will likely have 600, and the Broad Front will have 1000. That's why I believe that, combined, we could easily reach around 2,500, if you add up the Socialist Party, the Party for Democracy, the Communist Party, the Broad Front, and the Christian Democrats. And that's without even considering the amendments that the others will necessarily have to make to avoid being left out of this," stated Congressman Jaime Araya (IND-PPD) at one point during the program. This situation provoked criticism on Friday from representatives of the ruling party, such as senators Luciano Cruz Coke and Javier Macaya. Later, even the executive branch addressed the issue. First, from Antofagasta, the spokesperson Mara Sedini accused the opposition of trying to sabotage the parliamentary debate. "That is a serious offense, a lack of respect for the people, a lack of respect for the Congress, and a lack of respect for Chilean institutions. The debate must take place in a responsible manner. The..."

Camanchaca is the second fishing company that is requesting the largest compensation from the state due to the Fisheries Fragmentation Law. Ricardo García, CEO of Camanchaca, speaks with Pulso about this issue and the measures being taken by the new administration of José Antonio Kast. He compares reversing the fisheries fragmentation policy to reversing the 40-hour workweek. "It's absurd," he says. What do you think about the government not making progress on the issue of fisheries fragmentation, but instead leaving it as it was under the previous administration? - I believe it's a very realistic political decision by the government. It's like the 40-hour workweek. The 40-hour workweek is bad for the economy, and I personally believe it's also bad for workers, because ultimately, companies will have to make adjustments to replace labor with other technologies, other machinery, and other automation. If people are working very few hours, the cost of labor becomes very high, and therefore, companies have to find solutions to that. We might delay things by a year, two years, three years, or five years, but it's not positive for workers. What's positive for workers is that they should be able to work as much as they want, without being limited by the law within a certain framework. And what about fisheries fragmentation? - (...) Today, it's absurd to politically propose that we go back to 45 hours. In the case of fisheries fragmentation, it's similar. The fragmentation process has already begun...

During a streaming program moderated by Darío Quiroga, the deputies Jaime Araya (independent, PPD), Consuelo Veloso (FA), and Marcos Barraza (PC) revealed that the Communist Party and the Broad Front are planning to submit at least 1,500 amendments to delay the Reconstruction project, following the approval of the executive branch's flagship reform in the Finance Committee.

The Public Ministry initiated the exhumation of the remains of Víctor Hugo Quero Navas this Friday, May 8th, less than 24 hours after his death was announced. He had died under state custody on July 24, 2025, at the Dr. Carlos Arvelo Military Hospital, after more than a year of his whereabouts being unknown. The agency ordered the measure through the National Prosecutor's Office 80, which has jurisdiction over human rights issues. Experts from the General Directorate for Support in Criminal Investigations are carrying out the procedure in accordance with the Organic Code of Criminal Procedure, with the support of officials from the Scientific, Criminal, and Forensic Investigation Corps (CICPC). The action, carried out on the grounds of the General del Sur Cemetery, is part of the criminal investigation opened to clarify the circumstances surrounding the death of the political prisoner, who had been detained since January 3, 2025, at the Rodeo I Penitentiary Center. At this time, officials from the Scientific Police are exhuming Víctor Hugo Quero at the Parque Jardín La Puerta Cemetery. pic.twitter.com/GAHzivJJFg — Oliver Fernández (@oliverandresfz) May 8, 2026 The Public Ministry confirmed his death almost ten months after the events, following reports of forced disappearance by his family and human rights organizations. The mother, Carmen Teresa Navas, only recently received official information about his death and burial, after repeatedly seeking information at various detention centers...

President Rodrigo Paz is marking his sixth month in office amidst a period of social unrest and calls for his resignation. This Friday, the Bolivian Road Administration (ABC) reported 15 roadblocks concentrated in the departments of La Paz and Beni, organized by social groups demanding his resignation and the repeal of a land conversion law. In the Andean region of the country, the Tupac Katari Departmental Peasant Federation, with the support of the Bolivian Workers' Central (COB) and the Federation of Neighborhood Councils of La Paz, has called for an indefinite road blockade, starting on May 6th, to demand President Paz's resignation. "The population is tired; they no longer want promises, because we have had several dialogues," stated Vicente Salazar, a leader of the peasant federation. "It's just promises, promises, promises," he added, referring to the agreements between the government and transport workers, who were protesting to demand improvements in fuel quality and road infrastructure, as well as a swift payment of compensation for vehicle damage. Meanwhile, peasants in the Amazonian region of Beni are demanding the repeal of a regulation that authorizes the voluntary conversion of land. Law 1720, promulgated on April 8th, allows for the reclassification of small properties to medium-sized properties, which makes them eligible as collateral to access bank loans. Some peasants and…

Edmundo González Urrutia reacted this Friday to the statement issued by the Vice-Presidency for Public Works and Services of the Delcy Rodríguez government, which reported a "historic record" in electricity demand of 15,579 megawatts (MW), attributed to high temperatures. In a message posted on his X account, González Urrutia described the official document as "serious" for what it says, but "worse" for what it omits. According to the opposition figure, after nearly three decades of deterioration in the electrical system—which once was one of the best in Latin America—the government's response is limited to asking Venezuelans to conserve energy and private companies to activate their own power generators, along with the announcement of a new plan with a new acronym. "What this statement says is serious, but what it doesn't say is even worse. After nearly three decades of destroying the best electrical system in Latin America, their response is that private companies should use their own plants. That Venezuelans should conserve electricity. And a new plan with a new acronym..." https://t.co/mxjOoFGJrN — Edmundo González (@EdmundoGU) May 8, 2026 "Those who never turned off the lights in their own homes are now asking the country to accept the 'new' darkness," González wrote. The opposition leader pointed out that there are Venezuelan funds frozen under the supervision of the U.S. Treasury that could be allocated to the recovery of the electrical system.

Did Corpoelec announce five-hour electricity rationing? Here's what we know: The statement is false; the image does not appear on Corpoelec's official social media channels. The image shows signs of disinformation. It lacks a date, uses ambiguous phrases like "tomorrow," and refers to an undefined period of three weeks. While power outages continue in Venezuela, this does not prove that the alleged statement about five-hour blocks is real. On May 5, 2026, the Special Energy Saving Plan of 45 days, announced by the interim president Delcy Rodríguez on March 21, was supposed to expire. She justified the measure due to the "perpendicular passage of solar rays," which, according to her, would cause a period of extreme heat and increased electricity demand in the country. However, Cocuyo Chequea explained that this climate phenomenon is not the cause of the constant power outages in Venezuela. Despite the date provided by Rodríguez, power outages and electricity rationing continue in various regions of the country, as detailed by El Pitazo. Around this time, starting on May 6, an image began circulating announcing a supposed "adjustment to the Load Management Plan (PAC)" by the National Electricity Corporation S.A. (Corpoelec). It stated that "starting tomorrow," the PAC "will be adjusted to blocks of 5 hours per block," as a measure for a "period of 3 weeks," with the "objective of ensuring the stability of the system." No…

Alfredo Romero, director of the NGO Foro Penal, denounced a series of serious irregularities in the case of Víctor Hugo Quero Navas, after the Ministry of Penitentiary Services reported his death with a delay of nine months, despite the family and the organization repeatedly requesting information. Romero emphasized that the official statement is "outrageous" because it claims that Quero had no family connections and that no one visited him. In his opinion, this version contradicts reality: "His mother, Carmen Teresa Navas, visited the prison and other institutions on numerous occasions to obtain information about his whereabouts. The authorities denied any information, and the courts rejected the habeas corpus petitions filed. It is an insult to the mother who searched for her son for over a year," Romero stated. OUTRAGE! VICTOR HUGO QUERO pic.twitter.com/EDuTqJ8KRx — Alfredo Romero (@alfredoromero) May 7, 2026 The lawyer described the case as a clear case of forced disappearance, despite the fact that the state kept the detainee incommunicado at the Rodeo I Judicial Center. Quero was arrested on January 3, 2025, on charges of terrorism, and died on July 24, 2025, at the Dr. Carlos Arvelo Military Hospital due to acute respiratory failure secondary to pulmonary thromboembolism, according to the official record. The director of Foro Penal demanded that the state be held directly accountable for the death in custody, as well as those responsible for...

Last night, Martha Tineo, coordinator of the organization Justicia, Encuentro y Perdón, presented a detailed timeline on the serious human rights violations committed in the case of Víctor Hugo Quero Navas, who was arbitrarily detained and died while in state custody, during the "Efecto Paz" segment of the "Efecto Cocuyo" program. With clarity and precision, Tineo reconstructed the case step-by-step, adding it to the list of political prisoners who have died in detention. Tineo denounced the serious irregularities in the case of the political prisoner Quero Navas and demanded a thorough and independent investigation following the official announcement of his death. In episode #24 of the "Efecto Paz" program, hosted by Luz Mely Reyes and Rafael Uzcátegui, Tineo highlighted the contradictions of the Venezuelan state and the systematic failures in the protection of the human rights of those deprived of liberty. "We demand a thorough investigation and the application of the standards of the Minnesota Protocol," stated the human rights advocate. Tineo emphasized a key temporal contradiction in the official versions: while the Ministry of Penitentiary Services reported that Quero died on July 24, 2025, the Public Defender's Office informed the family in October of the same year that the detainee was still incarcerated at the El Rodeo I Judicial Center. "This contradiction demands a verifiable official explanation and constitutes a..."

The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, expects to receive a response from Iran this Friday regarding his latest offer for negotiations, although he is not taking it for granted, given the recent escalation of hostilities this week, for which he has blamed Tehran. While on a visit to Italy and the Vatican, Rubio spoke extensively with the media about the current situation in Iran. Regarding the negotiations, Rubio first expressed his expectation that the Iranian response "could arrive sometime today," although in his opinion, the Iranian government system "remains very fragmented and somewhat dysfunctional, which could be an impediment." In any case, Rubio expressed his hope that Iran would submit a "serious" counteroffer that would help solidify a fragile ceasefire that has been threatened by this week's incidents. In this regard, Rubio emphasized that this week's skirmishes had nothing to do with the original military operation, "Epic Fury," and that they were actually a response to an initial attack by Iran. "What you saw yesterday were U.S. destroyers navigating in international waters, being attacked by the Iranians, and the United States responded defensively to protect itself," he recounted. "If they fire a drone or a missile at our destroyer, what are we supposed to do? Let it hit us? We have to respond. The alternative..."

The Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate for 2025, María Corina Machado, described the death of political prisoner Víctor Hugo Quero Navas as a "murder" on Thursday. His mother, Carmen Navas, had been searching for him for months, believing him to be missing. "Víctor Hugo Quero Navas was arrested by the regime on January 3, 2025. He was disappeared, tortured, and murdered," Machado said in a message on social media. The opposition leader recalled that "for 16 months, Mrs. Carmen, his mother, desperately searched from one prison to another," and that the "response was mockery and silence," and that only today was information released about his death. Who was Víctor Hugo Quero Navas, the political prisoner who died while in state custody? "This is not just a tragedy; it is a crime against humanity committed with absolute impunity. It is the systematic horror against a nation that demands justice," she added. The Human Rights Committee of her party, Vente Venezuela (VV), earlier condemned in a statement published on X "the tragic news about the murder" of Quero. According to the Committee, this was "not a common death," but "a murder perpetrated by repressive forces in El Rodeo I (where Quero was reportedly held by the government), a torture center where cruel and inhuman treatment is committed, and where dozens of Venezuelan and foreign political prisoners are currently being held." The Venezuelan government confirmed...

Víctor Hugo Quero was carrying chocolates and *hallacas* (a type of tamale that is a traditional part of the Venezuelan Christmas meal) to celebrate the New Year with his mother when he was arrested on January 1, 2025, in Plaza Venezuela, in the center of Caracas. According to witnesses cited by the news portal Efecto Cocuyo, he was taken away by masked officials from the Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM), an organization that appears in the files of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Venezuela of the UN Human Rights Council and the International Criminal Court as one of the main instruments of repression in Venezuela. Quero, 51 years old, who sold pants at the La Hoyada popular market in Caracas and was also a loan shark, was accused of terrorism, treason, criminal association, and conspiracy. He was accused of conspiring with the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to overthrow the government of Nicolás Maduro, who was then in power. Gonzalo Himiob, a lawyer for the Foro Penal, an organization that defends people detained for political reasons, claims that in Quero's case, there may have been a "technical connection" due to the fact that he "allegedly" served in the military in 2023. Other versions cited by local media suggest that a disagreement with a police officer may have determined Quero's fate. #29Ab Mrs. Carmen Navas, the mother of the political prisoner Víctor…

The Bolivian government announced on Thursday the issuance of sovereign bonds worth USD 1 billion, intended to strengthen the state budget and international reserves, amidst a growing number of social conflicts on various fronts. According to the Minister of Economy and Public Finance, José Gabriel Espinoza, the administration of President Rodrigo Paz concluded "a sovereign bond financing operation in which Bolivia was able to raise one billion dollars from qualified international investors." The operation, carried out at an interest rate of 9.45% with a five-year term, will allow Bolivia to "maintain a regular presence in the markets," the official stated. Espinoza emphasized that the funds raised will strengthen international reserves and serve as "an anchor for expectations and for the country's fiscal and monetary policy." The Minister of Economy highlighted that the demand was five times greater than initially anticipated, with the participation of "more than 166 foreign investors." He also noted that "six months ago, it was practically impossible" for the Andean country to consider returning to international markets, referring to the lower risk ratings prior to the change of government last November. Espinoza described the operation as "a very successful return of the Bolivian economy to international capital markets" and stated that this placement...

The approval of 24 companies and a cumulative investment of over $58.5 million are driving sustained growth in Panama's free zones. This growth is further fueled by the approval of nine new licenses during the recent session of the National Free Zones Commission. The approved companies represent investments totaling $17,536,778.09 million, with capital from both national and international sources, including the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, Brazil, China, Germany, and Panama. This reinforces, according to a press release from the Ministry of Commerce and Industries, the country's position as a platform for global operations. In 2025, approved investments reached $202,807,962.25 million, which are expected to generate 1,401 direct jobs. The projected growth rate for this year's activity is 15%. As of March of this year, the country had 17 active companies and six in development within this economic sector. These companies benefit from tax exemptions and import duties on materials, goods, and services required for their operations, according to statistics from the Ministry of Commerce and Industries. In terms of employment, the information indicates that companies established under this regime are expected to create 128 initial direct jobs and 83 indirect jobs, with additional projections for growth during their operational phase. These include services such as logistics, manufacturing, and the processing of finished products, and more...

The Attorney General's Office announced the commencement of a criminal investigation into the death of political prisoner Víctor Hugo Quero Navas, which occurred while he was in state custody in July 2025, and which the government confirmed this Thursday, May 7, 2026. Quero was arrested on January 1, 2025, and died almost a year ago, after months of reports that he was being held in an unknown location. The announcement of the criminal investigation comes amid demands from NGOs, political parties, and the Public Defender's Office for a thorough and independent investigation to be launched. "To conduct this investigation, the National Prosecutor's Office 80, which has jurisdiction over human rights protection, has been assigned to carry out all necessary steps to clarify the facts, in a timely and impartial manner," the Public Prosecutor's Office (MP) said in a statement published on Instagram late Thursday, according to the EFE news agency. Exhumation of Quero's body announced. In the statement, the MP also announced that the "prompt exhumation of the body" of Quero has been ordered, "with a forensic team attached to the General Directorate for Support in Criminal Investigations, in accordance with the provisions of the Organic Code of Criminal Procedure." Quero had been detained since January 2025, and according to information from the NGO Foro Penal, the "apparent reason" for his arrest dates back to his past institutional service, as he "allegedly" served in the military...

The Communist Party (PC) congresswoman, Lorena Pizarro, and her chief of staff were victims of a carjacking on the night of this Thursday, while they were returning from the parliamentary headquarters to the congresswoman's home. According to information provided by the congresswoman's team, the incident occurred as both women were arriving and parking the vehicle in front of Pizarro's residence. At that moment, they were approached by five individuals, who, according to the victims' testimony, appeared to be teenagers. The assailants threatened them with knives and stole the car keys. Despite managing to get into the vehicle, the criminals were unable to start it, and eventually got out and fled the scene. Following the incident, two of the individuals involved were arrested, according to information provided by the congresswoman's team. The congresswoman and her chief of staff subsequently went to a police station to file a report.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced this Thursday the imposition of sanctions against a company controlled by the Cuban military and its director, as well as against a mining company, as part of the increasing blockade and pressure from the Trump administration against the island and its authorities. The entities affected by these measures are the military conglomerate Grupo de Administración Empresarial S. A. (GAESA) and its administrator, Ania Guillermina Lastres Morera, as well as the mining company Moa Nickel S. A. (MNSA), according to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), without providing further details. The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, stated in an official statement that GAESA is "a holding company controlled by the Cuban military (that) controls approximately 40% or more of the island's economy." Furthermore, he asserted that the company "is designed (...) solely for the benefit of the country's corrupt elites" and not for the citizens, triples the state budget, and controls US$20 billion in illicit assets, making Lastres "responsible" for the management of these revenues abroad. "While the Cuban people suffer from hunger, disease, and a chronic lack of investment in critical infrastructure such as the power grid, a significant portion of the profits from GAESA's activities are diverted to hidden bank accounts abroad," he added. Today's san…

A wave of outrage has been sparked by the death in state custody of political prisoner Víctor Hugo Quero, and by the fact that the Ministry of Penitentiary Services informed his mother, Carmen Teresa Navas, about his death more than a year after she began searching for him. "Víctor Hugo was arbitrarily detained in January 2025. Since then, his mother has never stopped searching for him. She has demanded answers, insisted on proof of life, and reported his forced disappearance. No one responded to her. Now we know that he died on July 24, 2025, at the Dr. Carlos Arvelo Military Hospital, and that he was buried without his family being able to say goodbye to him. Without a phone call. Without an explanation. Without any humanity. And yet, they are trying to justify it," stated the NGO Un Mundo Sin Mordaza in a statement on its X (formerly Twitter) account. The NGO urged that Quero's death not be reduced to just another statistic, and that justice be served, calling for the interim government to immediately release all political prisoners, estimated to be more than 400, without discrimination. Alfredo Romero, co-president of Foro Penal, also condemned the fact that Quero died while he was considered missing, and that the Ministry was excusing itself by claiming a lack of data regarding identifying information that the political prisoner supposedly did not provide, when the reality is that his mother repeatedly went to the Rodeo I prison in the state of Miranda, and was denied information confirming that he was being held there. Romero described the situation as "outrageous." Ministry of Penitentiary Services…

Víctor Hugo Quero Navas, 51 years old, died while in the custody of the Venezuelan state authorities following his arbitrary arrest on January 1, 2025. His mother, Carmen Teresa Navas, 81 years old, and human rights organizations are denouncing that the authorities concealed information about his whereabouts and his death for more than a year. But who was Quero Navas, and why did his story end this way? Quero Navas, who until his unlawful arrest was involved in informal commerce, was known among his friends and acquaintances as "the Russian" or "the German," due to his fair complexion and light-colored eyes. According to information from his family, he sold jeans at the La Hoyada market in Caracas. He also sold Herbalife products and natural vitamins, and a portion of his personal income came from lending money. His mother states that he also taught karate classes and was the main financial support for his mother; he paid for her medicine, food, and condominium expenses. "He was the one who helped me with everything," Carmen Navas stated on one occasion. He had one daughter, currently around 17 years old, who lives in Argentina with her maternal grandparents. The teenager was orphaned from her mother during the family's time in Spain. Arrest and Accusations According to witnesses, masked officials from the Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (Dgcim) arrested him on January 1, 2025, in Plaza Venezuela, Caracas. Reports indicate that…

Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) on Thursday vowed legal action after Tennessee passed a new House map that carves up his majority-Black congressional district in an effort to flip his seat to Republican control in November. Cohen, the only Democrat in Tennessee’s nine-member House delegation, called the new map “shameful” and criticized Republicans for heeding President Trump’s call…

The Public Defender's Office expressed its "deep sorrow" over the death of Víctor Hugo Quero Navas, who had been detained since January 3, 2025, and demanded a "thorough, independent, and transparent" investigation to clarify the circumstances. In an official statement signed by the head of the office, Eglée González Lobato, the institution sent condolences to the deceased's family, especially his mother, Carmen Teresa Navas, with whom they recently held a meeting to hear her case. "It is imperative that the competent authorities order a thorough, independent, and transparent investigation that allows the facts to be clarified, the corresponding responsibilities to be determined, and justice to be ensured," the statement reads. The document goes beyond the specific case and adopts a critical tone, stating that Quero Navas's death "highlights the urgent need to promote profound reforms aimed at eradicating abuses, impunity, and institutional weaknesses that persist in the country," advocating for a "genuine process of institutional reconstruction" and effective guarantees of human rights. Víctor Hugo Quero Navas had been detained for more than 16 months at the time of his death. His case joins a long list of reports concerning the deaths of individuals held in the custody of the Venezuelan state, a situation that has been documented for years by national and international organizations...

After months of administrative silence and an intense campaign of complaints by his family, the Ministry of Penitentiary Services issued an official statement on Thursday, May 7, 2026, confirming the death of political prisoner Víctor Hugo Quero Navas. This confirmation comes 490 days after his arrest and nearly a year after all traces of his whereabouts disappeared. According to the official document, published on the social media accounts of the penitentiary agency on May 7th, Quero Navas died on July 24, 2025, at 11:25 p.m. at the Dr. Carlos Arvelo Military Hospital. The government agency stated that the cause of death was "acute respiratory failure secondary to pulmonary thromboembolism," resulting from "upper gastrointestinal bleeding and acute febrile syndrome." Despite the fact that the citizen died nearly ten months ago, the Ministry claims that it proceeded with his "formal burial on July 30, 2025," due to the alleged "absence of his family." This statement contradicts the numerous complaints made by his mother, Carmen Teresa Navas, who is 82 years old, and who, during this time, demanded answers from the authorities without success. "After reviewing the case, it was verified that the citizen was arrested on January 3, 2025, and was held at the Rodeo I Judicial Detention Center. During his period of confinement, the citizen did not provide any information about his family, and no relatives were..."

The United States imposed sanctions this Thursday on the Cuban military conglomerate GAESA, its director, and the mining company Moa Nickel, a joint venture with Canadian participation, as part of an economic offensive aimed at cutting off the revenue streams of the regime that governs the island. The announcement, made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, coincided with the withdrawal of the Canadian company Sherritt International from its joint operations in Cuba, a move that analysts interpret as a sign that Washington's pressure on Havana's foreign partners is beginning to have an effect. In a message on his social media, Rubio stated: "The sanctions imposed today demonstrate that the Trump administration will not stand idly by while the Cuban communist regime threatens our national security in our hemisphere. We will continue to take measures until the regime implements all the necessary political and economic reforms." The new measures are being implemented under an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on May 1, which expanded the scope of U.S. sanctions to include almost any foreign entity that maintains commercial ties with strategic sectors of the island: energy, defense, security, and finance. Rubio accompanied the announcement with a statement in which he stated that the goal was to "deprive the Cuban communist regime and its military forces of access to illicit assets." He warned that...

Human rights defender Wendy Flores warned about the "transnational repression" being carried out by the Nicaraguan regime, led by Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, targeting opposition figures and critics living in exile. Flores, vice-president of the "Nicaragua Nunca Más" collective, stated that her organization has documented "more than 200 cases of threats, attacks, and other actions against exiles, as well as nine executions in Honduras and Costa Rica between 2019 and 2025." She made this statement during a virtual address to the Subcommittee on Human Rights of the European Parliament. The activist denounced forced exile, the arbitrary loss of nationality, and statelessness as part of the transnational repression carried out by the Ortega-Murillo regime. She added that the collective's team, based in San José, faces "high risks to their lives and safety in Costa Rica for continuing to speak out." Flores emphasized the importance of "implementing strategies to ensure the restoration of identity for those who have suffered exile, denationalization, and statelessness." She urged the European Union to take action, such as filing lawsuits against Nicaragua before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for violations of the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness and the Convention against Torture. Furthermore, she called for facilitating mechanisms to grant citizenship to stateless individuals and to maintain international protection for...

The note written by the pedophile before committing suicide in prison in 2019 has been declassified.

A delegation composed of leaders from the National Trade Union Coalition and the Confederation of Workers of Venezuela (CTV) arrived at the U.S. Embassy in Caracas on Thursday and formally presented a document demanding concrete actions to restore democracy and address the labor crisis in Venezuela. The document was received by staff at the diplomatic mission, in the absence of the Chargé d'Affaires, John Barrett. In the text, the union leaders acknowledge the measures taken by the U.S. government against criminal organizations that control the Venezuelan state, and they reaffirm the victory of Edmundo González Urrutia in the presidential elections of July 28, 2024. However, the text expresses deep concern that the transition process has deviated from its objectives. The signatories criticize the appointments of high-ranking officials, such as the Attorney General, the Ombudsman, and justices of the Supreme Court of Justice, which were made outside the framework of the Constitution and through opaque processes. They also warn about the continued presence of networks linked to drug trafficking and narcoterrorism, and they denounce the fact that the inauguration of the elected president has not been allowed, political prisoners have not been released, and there are no minimum guarantees for a real transition. La Guaira is present, actively fighting for the FREEDOM OF POLITICAL PRISONERS, FREE ELECTIONS, and DECENT WAGES. @usembas…

The National Assembly announced this Thursday the official list of citizens pre-selected to join the Committee for Judicial Nominations. The document includes candidates selected by various sectors of society, as well as those who submitted their candidacy independently. The Preliminary Commission of deputies compiled the list after verifying compliance with the requirements established in the law, according to information from the Assembly. This committee is responsible for participating in the selection of justices for the Supreme Tribunal of Justice, as stipulated in the Constitution and the Organic Law of the Supreme Tribunal. List of pre-selected candidates by sectors of civil society: Alves Silva Ana María Alzahabi Ortiz Omar Halim Báez de Andrea Nashla Alexandra Boueri Bassil Sonia Castellano Guerrero Víctor Fidel Castillo Luis Eduardo Contreras Carrillo Oleary Elías Dum Mario Agustín Granadillo Sierra Carlos José Guerrero Pérez Lina Ginet Gutiérrez Muñoz Mercedes Coromoto Gutiérrez Rodríguez Harvey Fabián Martínez Castillo César Enrique Méndez García Rafael Antonio Merchan Sánchez Gabriela María Molina Graterol Carlos Alberto Mota de Villalobos Reinalin Aneeiro Mota Pacheco Carlos Javier Orellana Montero Franklin Daniel Pacheco Gutiérrez Isabella Andrea Páez Pedagua Andrés Raúl Peña Farías José Rafael Perdomo Briceño Alberto Daniel Pérez Delgado Rhona del Carmen Quijada Romero Deinnys Jo…

"The reform is based on an appealing, but uncertain, proposition: that growth can achieve what the budget alone cannot." This is the conclusion reached by a report from JP Morgan, authored by the bank's chief economist for the Southern Cone region, Diego Pereira, regarding the major reform that the government is promoting in Congress. "Chile is attempting a delicate economic maneuver: to reactivate growth without loosening the fiscal discipline that has long underpinned its credibility in global markets," the document states. It details that the government's proposed national reconstruction bill "is the most ambitious expression of this effort in years and a clear shift in the way policies are conceived. After a period marked by slow growth, persistent deficits, and a growing public debt, those responsible for shaping policy are betting that greater growth, rather than austerity alone, can help restore fiscal balance." However, it asserts that "this is not a risk-free endeavor. Even though the government is promoting a package of reforms that involves a short-term easing of fiscal policy, it has taken visible steps to indicate that fiscal responsibility will be maintained. This dual approach, of expansion through reform and discipline through implementation, better reflects the strategy." In that sense,…

Political commentator Bill O’Reilly said on Wednesday that a suicide note purportedly written by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein illustrates a lack of remorse on the part of the disgraced financier. "If the note has been validated by the courts, it shows a narcissist not repentant for anything, and that's the mark of a narcissist,"…

The Nicaraguan regime, led by the married couple and "co-presidents" Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, has once again appointed journalist Daysi Ivette Torres Bosques as ambassador to Venezuela, according to the official gazette, La Gaceta. Torres Bosques, who served as the mayor of Managua for two consecutive terms and also held the position of deputy mayor (2008-2009), had previously served as ambassador to the Venezuelan government between March 21, 2023, and January 29, 2026. The journalist lost her diplomatic position almost four weeks after the arrest of Nicolás Maduro and was subsequently appointed as ambassador to Cuba, where she remained for less than two months. The Sandinista government removed Isidro Antonio Rivera Guadamuz from his position as the Nicaraguan ambassador to Venezuela, a role he held for less than three months. Rivera Guadamuz was the third diplomat to be removed from the embassy in Caracas following Maduro's arrest on January 3rd. He replaced Valezka Fiorella López, who had held the position for less than a month. López Herrera, who was a minister-counselor at the embassy in Caracas when she was promoted, was appointed ambassador almost four weeks after Maduro's arrest, replacing Torres Bosques, who had previously succeeded Orlando José Gómez from March 21, 2023. The governments of Managua and Caracas have maintained a political and economic alliance since the arrival of the Bolivarian Revolution in 1999, led by Hugo Chávez. Ni…

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, stated on Wednesday that people in Venezuela are "dancing in the streets" due to the economic benefits of oil investments in the country, and he affirmed that he met with the presidents of major U.S. oil companies to continue their plan. During an event at the White House, Trump once again praised the relationship with Venezuela and asserted that people are "dancing" in Caracas because "a lot of money" is coming in from oil-related businesses that have begun to materialize with various companies, four months after the arrest of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Trump says he was with Chevron and Exxon executives last night and they discussed Venezuela. He says Venezuelans are "really happy, they're dancing in the streets because they have a lot of money coming in." [Image of a tweet] — Vera Bergengruen (@VeraMBergen) May 6, 2026 The Republican leader added that the previous evening, he had dinner at the White House with the presidents of major U.S. oil companies, including ExxonMobil and Chevron, and stated that all of them are interested in operating in that South American country. On May 1st, the CEO of ExxonMobil, Darren Woods, expressed in an interview with CNBC that he is evaluating potential investments in Venezuela, following recent changes in energy regulations and terms.