International

How did Simón Bolívar become El Libertador?

Photo: AP

October 16 |

Simón Bolívar, known as the Liberator of America, was a Caracas native who fought against Spanish colonialism and tried to integrate the continent into a single nation.

His history leaves as a major milestone the creation of “Gran Colombia”, a nation composed of Panama, Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela.

Bolivar is known as the father of Bolivia and one of the heroes of the independence of Peru.

But beyond his milestones, there is a title that precedes the name of Simón Bolívar and it is that of Liberator.

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The title of Liberator was given to him for being the leader of the first triumph of Venezuela’s independence, which served as an impulse to give freedom to the aforementioned six American nations.

How was Bolivar awarded the title of Liberator?

During the Admirable Campaign that began in Cúcuta-Colombia and ended on August 6, 1813 in Caracas, Bolívar liberated western Venezuela from Spanish colonialism.

The municipality of Caracas in response to his deed, on October 14 of that year, through the first governor of Venezuela, Cristobal Mendoza, granted him the title of “Liberator” and named him “Captain General of the Armies of Venezuela”.

The award ceremony was held in the church of San Francisco located in front of the Capitol of Caracas (current seat of the Legislative Power). Six years later, the Venezuelan Congress meeting in Angostura, today Ciudad Bolivar, in Venezuela, ratified the decision of the municipality for such appointment, from that moment on, the name of Simon Bolivar as “The Father of the Homeland” was strengthened.

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This title of Liberator accompanied him until the day of his death, Simón Bolívar is remembered for being the most influential Venezuelan in history.

International

Former South Korean President Yoon sentenced to five years in prison

Former South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol was sentenced on Friday to five years in prison for obstruction of justice and other charges, concluding the first in a series of trials stemming from his failed attempt to impose martial law in December 2024.

The sentence is shorter than the 10-year prison term sought by prosecutors against the 65-year-old conservative former leader, whose move against Parliament triggered a major political crisis that ultimately led to his removal from office.

Yoon, a former prosecutor, is still facing seven additional trials. One of them, on charges of insurrection, could potentially result in the death penalty.

On Friday, the Seoul Central District Court ruled on one of the multiple secondary cases linked to the affair, which plunged the country into months of mass protests and political instability.

International

U.S. deportation flight returns venezuelans to Caracas after Maduro’s ouster

A new flight carrying 231 Venezuelans deported from the United States arrived on Friday at the airport serving Caracas, marking the first such arrival since the military operation that ousted and captured President Nicolás Maduro.

On January 3, U.S. forces bombed the Venezuelan capital during an incursion in which Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured. Both are now facing narcotrafficking charges in New York.

This was the first U.S.-flagged aircraft transporting migrants to land in Venezuela since the military action ordered by President Donald Trump, who has stated that he is now in charge of the country.

The aircraft departed from Phoenix, Arizona, and landed at Maiquetía International Airport, which serves the Venezuelan capital, at around 10:30 a.m. local time (14:30 GMT), according to AFP reporters on the ground.

The deportees arrived in Venezuela under a repatriation program that remained in place even during the height of the crisis between the two countries, when Maduro was still in power. U.S. planes carrying undocumented Venezuelan migrants continued to arrive throughout last year, despite the military deployment ordered by Trump.

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International

Sheinbaum highlights anti-drug gains after U.S. says challenges remain

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Friday highlighted her government’s achievements in the fight against drug trafficking, after the United States said challenges remain in combating organized crime.

On Thursday, Mexican Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente held talks with his U.S. counterpart, Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Following the meeting, the U.S. State Department said in a statement that “despite progress, challenges still exist” in addressing organized crime.

“There are very strong results from joint cooperation and from the work Mexico is doing: first, a 50% reduction in fentanyl seizures at the U.S. border,” Sheinbaum said during her regular morning press conference.

The president also said that authorities have seized nearly 320 tons of drugs and that there has been a “40% decrease in intentional homicides in Mexico” since the start of her administration on October 1, 2024.

Sheinbaum added that the United States should implement campaigns to reduce drug consumption within its territory and curb the flow of weapons into Mexico.

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“There are many results and there will be more, but there must be mutual respect and shared responsibility, as well as respect for our sovereignties,” she said.

On Monday, Sheinbaum held a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss security issues. She said she once again ruled out the presence of U.S. troops in Mexico to fight drug cartels.

Security has been a recurring issue used by Trump to threaten tariffs on Mexico and to pressure negotiations over the USMCA (T-MEC) free trade agreement, which are scheduled for 2026.

The agreement is crucial for Mexico’s economy, as about 80% of the country’s exports are destined for the United States.