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

Florida judge sets 2027 trial in Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against BBC

A federal judge in Florida has scheduled February 2027 for the trial in the lawsuit filed by U.S. President Donald Trump against the BBC, in which he is seeking $10 billion in damages for defamation.

Trump accuses the British broadcaster of airing a misleading edit of a speech he delivered on January 6, 2021, which, he says, made it appear that he explicitly urged his supporters to attack the U.S. Capitol in Washington.

The president filed the suit in December in federal court in Florida, alleging defamation and violations of a law governing business practices when the program was broadcast ahead of the 2024 election.

Trump is seeking $5 billion in damages for each of the two claims.

Lawyers for the BBC unsuccessfully asked the court to dismiss the case, arguing that Trump had not suffered a “legally recognizable harm,” since the investigative program Panorama, which included the edited footage, aired outside the United States.

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International

Head-of-state diplomacy key to guiding China–U.S. ties, Beijing says

Head-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable strategic guiding role in China–United States relations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Thursday during a regular press briefing, when asked about high-level exchanges between the two sides.

Lin added that in a recent phone call, U.S. President Donald Trump once again expressed his intention to visit China in April, while Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated his invitation.

Both sides remain in communication regarding the matter, the spokesperson said.

Lin noted that the essence of China–U.S. economic and trade ties lies in mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

“Both parties should work together to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, injecting greater certainty and stability into China–U.S. economic and trade cooperation, as well as into the global economy,” he said.

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International

Trump administration to end special immigration operation in Minnesota

The administration of Donald Trump is bringing to a close its special operation targeting illegal immigration in the northern state of Minnesota, border czar Tom Homan announced Thursday, following weeks of unrest and the fatal shootings of two activists by federal agents.

Thousands of federal officers had been deployed to Minnesota in December to carry out large-scale raids against undocumented immigrants.

The operations triggered strong reactions from residents and advocacy groups, leading to daily confrontations and the deaths of two people who were shot by federal agents.

“I proposed, and President Trump agreed, that this special operation should end in Minnesota,” Homan said during a press conference in the state capital, Minneapolis.

“A significant drawdown began this week and will continue into next week,” he added.

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Homan indicated that similar enforcement efforts could be launched in other cities.

“Next week we will redeploy the agents currently here back to their home stations or to other parts of the country where they are needed. But we will continue to enforce immigration laws,” he said.