International
The United States begins the deployment of 1,500 soldiers on the border with Mexico
The United States Government began this Wednesday the deployment of about 1,500 soldiers on the border with Mexico, thus taking the first step to fulfill the promise of President Donald Trump to “close” the passage of migrants and strengthen border security.
The White House spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, explained this Wednesday in statements to journalists that the president signed the executive order for that deployment on Monday and the Pentagon later confirmed that it has already mobilized to comply with it.
The acting Secretary of Defense, Robert Salesses, said on Wednesday that he has authorized three actions that will begin today. First, the sending of those troops and helicopters and their respective personnel, as well as intelligence analysts to assist in the detection and control work.
According to his figures, this represents a 60% increase in the number of active forces on the ground since Trump took office on Monday.
The Pentagon will also provide military air transport to support the deportation flights of more than 5,000 “illegal aliens” from San Diego, California, and El Paso, Texas, detained by Customs and Border Protection.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), according to its statement, will be responsible for enforcing the law and the State “will obtain the necessary diplomatic authorizations and notify the host country.”
The Pentagon added that it will “begin to help in the construction of temporary and permanent physical barriers to add security and reduce illegal border crossings and illicit trafficking.”
“This is just the beginning,” the Secretary of Defense emphasized in his note.
Leavitt in turn stressed that these measures are something “for which Trump campaigned.”
“The American people were waiting for a moment like this, in which the Department of Defense takes national security seriously. It is a number one priority for the American people and the president has already fulfilled it,” he said.
The 1,500 troops will be added to the 2,200 active military and the 4,500 Texas National Guard reservists who are already deployed at the border.
As CNN explained, the new troops will perform functions similar to those of the personnel already present, focused on supporting the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with logistical and administrative tasks, such as vehicle maintenance and data entry.
During his first term (2017-2021), Trump ordered the sending of 5,200 troops to the border with Mexico.
This Monday, hours after assuming the presidency again, he signed an executive order that instructs the Pentagon to mobilize the troops necessary to achieve “complete operational control of the southern border of the United States”.
The order also establishes that Trump will evaluate in the next 90 days the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Law of 1807, which would allow the military to assume law enforcement functions within the country, in a role closer to that currently played by the security forces.
Currently, the troops deployed at the border are not authorized to carry out police tasks, such as arresting migrants or seizing drugs. In the United States, laws such as the Posse Comitatus of 1878 prohibit the armed forces from acting as police in the national territory.
International
Arsenal stun Real Madrid at the Bernabéu to reach Champions League semifinals
Arsenal enjoyed a “historic night” on Wednesday after defeating Real Madrid 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu, knocking them out of the Champions League quarterfinals, midfielder Declan Rice said.
“It’s such a special night for this club, a historic night for this club,” said Rice, who scored twice in the first leg in London, speaking to TNT Sports.
The English international was named Man of the Match in both legs — the 3-0 win in London and the second leg in Madrid.
“It’s amazing. I knew we were on an upward trajectory and we’ve done incredibly well in this competition. We deserve it and we have full confidence in our coach. Reaching the semifinals is unbelievable,” Rice added.
International
DeSantis’ immigration crackdown sparks alarm in Venezuelan Communities in Doral
Florida, the U.S. state with the third-largest immigrant population, has become the most aggressive in targeting undocumented immigrants, largely due to pressure from Governor Ron DeSantis. This shift has led Latino-majority cities like Orlando and Doral to authorize their police forces to assist in immigration enforcement.
In Doral — part of the greater Miami area where 70.7% of residents are immigrants and 48% are of Venezuelan origin — the City Council is expected to approve a measure this Wednesday allowing local police to collaborate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), despite opposition from neighborhood groups and human rights activists.
“It’s yet another betrayal,” said Susana Ríos, a 57-year-old Venezuelan woman currently under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), whose extension was denied by the White House and is now being challenged in court.
Meanwhile, José González, a 21-year-old immigrant, said he feels “abandoned.” He can’t stop thinking about the images of Venezuelans deported to El Salvador without due process. “We’re all in danger,” he warned.
International
Bogotá residents line up for yellow fever vaccine amid national alert
David Suárez went to a public health center in Bogotá on Wednesday to get vaccinated against yellow fever. It wasn’t originally in his plans, but he responded to a call made just hours earlier by President Gustavo Petro, who announced he will declare a health and economic emergency due to a new outbreak of the disease that has already left more than 30 people dead, mostly in the central-western region of the country.
“I got vaccinated for two reasons: first, for my own health because I’m traveling, and second, for a social reason — simply to follow the president’s guidance and be aware that this is a problem for all of us,” said Suárez, a 39-year-old teacher, to The Associated Press.
Like Suárez, dozens of people were waiting in line for the vaccine at Bogotá’s main intercity bus terminal, a key transportation hub especially crowded during travel seasons like Holy Week.
The teacher is traveling with his family to the department of Huila, which has activated a contingency plan due to its proximity to Tolima — the epicenter of the yellow fever outbreak — where a state of public calamity has been declared.
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