International

Former venezuelan governor Henrique Capriles criticizes 11-year delay in Inter-American Court Ruling

Former Venezuelan governor Henrique Capriles expressed regret on Monday over the 11-year delay in the Inter-American Court of Human Rights’ (IACHR) ruling on a lawsuit he filed regarding the 2013 presidential elections. The court determined that the Venezuelan government violated the political rights of the opposition leader.

“Eleven years later (justice must not only uphold the truth but also be timely), we have received a ruling regarding the lawsuit we filed with the IACHR about the 2013 presidential election,” the two-time presidential candidate wrote on social media platform X.

Capriles stated that he has consistently sought constitutional means to “restore democracy and institutional order” in Venezuela.

“I hope the day comes when Venezuelans can peacefully exercise their sacred right to decide their future,” he added.

On Monday, the IACHR ruled that Venezuela violated Capriles’ political rights during the 2013 electoral process, including denying a vote audit and the “abusive use of state machinery” in favor of then “interim president” Nicolás Maduro.

Nancy Hernández, President of the IACHR, stated during the notification of the ruling that the Venezuelan government is responsible for violations of political rights, judicial guarantees, judicial protection, freedom of expression, and the right to defense.

In the 2013 presidential elections, Capriles garnered 49.12% of the vote, while Maduro received 50.61%, according to results announced by the National Electoral Council (CNE). The election followed the death of then-President Hugo Chávez on March 5, 2013, after which Maduro, the executive vice president, served as “interim president.”

“The Court found that the electoral process occurred amid a progressive deterioration of the separation of powers in Venezuela, as well as the independence of the National Electoral Council and the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ),” Judge Hernández affirmed.

The IACHR also determined that a fine imposed on Capriles after filing appeals for vote review constituted a violation of his rights to freedom of expression and thought.

The international court ordered the Venezuelan government to nullify the fine against Capriles and implement measures to ensure the integrity of electoral processes, including provisions to verify election results.

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Additionally, the court instructed the government to “facilitate free and equitable access for candidates to public and mainstream media” and to take steps to guarantee the independence of the CNE and TSJ.

International

Javier Milei vows to work ‘side by side’ with the U.S. on trade rules

Determined to work “side by side” with the United States, Argentine President Javier Milei announced in Mar-a-Lagothat his government will modify trade regulations to meet the requirements of Donald Trump’s newly imposed tariffs.

Milei arrived in Florida amid the trade war triggered by the latest round of tariff hikes announced by the Republican leader. While many countries are considering retaliation, Milei’s ultraliberal Argentina has opted to adapt instead.

“Argentina will move forward in adjusting its regulations to comply with the reciprocal tariff proposal drafted by President Trump,” Milei stated at the Gala of American Patriots, organized by the Make America Clean Again (MACA) Foundation and the We Fund the Blue NGO, according to his office.

He further explained that Argentina has already met nine out of the 16 necessary requirements and has instructed his administration to comply with the remaining ones in order to resolve trade asymmetries with the U.S. in a short time frame.

International

Paraguay summons Brazilian ambassador over Itaipú espionage scandal

Paraguay summoned the Brazilian ambassador in Asunción on Tuesday to demand “explanations” and called its own representative in Brasília for consultations following Brazil’s acknowledgment of an espionage operation. The Brazilian government, led by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, attributed the operation to the previous administration.

The surveillance effort aimed to uncover Paraguay’s position in now-suspended negotiations with Brazil regarding the pricing of electricity from the binational Itaipú hydroelectric plant, according to reports in the Brazilian press.

The Brazilian government “categorically denied any involvement in the intelligence operation,” stating in a Foreign Ministry communiqué on Monday that the espionage was carried out under former President Jair Bolsonaro’s administration (2019-2023).

“The operation was authorized by the previous government in June 2022 and was annulled by the interim director of the (state intelligence agency) ABIN on March 27, 2023, as soon as the current administration became aware of it,” Brazil’s government asserted.

Paraguay’s Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez announced that Brazilian Ambassador José Antonio Marcondes de Carvalho was summoned “to provide detailed explanations” regarding the operation. Additionally, Paraguay recalled its diplomatic representative in Brasília “to report on aspects related to the intelligence activity conducted by Brazil regarding Paraguay’s government affairs.”

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International

Elon Musk to step down as government advisor, per Trump insiders

President Donald Trump has informed his inner circle that Elon Musk will be stepping down from his role as a government advisor, according to a report by Politico today.

Citing three individuals close to Trump, Politico states that the president is pleased with Musk’s leadership at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), where he has implemented significant budget cuts. However, both have agreed that it is time for Musk to return to his businesses and support Trump from a different position outside the government.

A senior administration official told Politico that Musk will likely maintain an informal advisory role and continue to be an occasional visitor to the White House. Another source warned that anyone thinking Musk will completely disappear from Trump’s circle is “deluding themselves.”

According to the sources, this transition is expected to coincide with the end of Musk’s tenure as a “special government employee,” a temporary status that exempts him from certain ethics and conflict-of-interest regulations. This 130-day period is set to expire in late May or early June.