International
Brazil’s Lula unveils social, green campaign priorities
AFP
Brazil’s leftist former leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who heads the presidential election race, announced Tuesday that his priorities in power would be social policies and protecting the Amazon.
Polls show Brazil’s far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro lagging behind Lula ahead of a two-round presidential election in October.
“We will have to rebuild this country, with construction based on a sound foundation,” Lula said during a ceremony in Sao Paulo when he presented a 121-point program to “get Brazil back on track.”
Surveys show Lula favored to win a first round vote with 48 percent against 27 percent for Bolsonaro.
According to Lula’s program, the first priority of his government would be to improve “the living conditions of the vast majority of Brazil’s population” including tackling hunger and a decline in purchasing power.
Fighting inflation, which reached 11.73 percent year-on-year in May, is also top of his agenda, said Lula, who accused Bolsonaro of having “abandoned” the battle against rising prices.
Lula, who is seeking a third term after serving as president from 2003 to 2010, added it was “imperative to defend the Amazon” and oppose the “policy of destruction” set out by Bolsonaro.
“We will fight environmental crimes… and we will ensure protection of the rights and territories of Indigenous people against the advance of predatory activities,” such as illegal gold mining and logging, he said.
International
Dina Boluarte avoids prosecution again as lawmakers dismiss sixth complaint
A congressional committee in Peru dismissed yet another constitutional complaint against President Dina Boluarte on Friday, blocking a potential investigation into her alleged responsibility for the deaths that occurred during the 2022 protests following her rise to power after the ousting of former president Pedro Castillo.
This marks the sixth time that Congress — with the support of allied parties — has halted legal efforts to hold Boluarte accountable. In June, lawmakers shelved three similar complaints filed by members of the small opposition bloc. Two other complaints had already been dismissed in 2023 and 2024.
Almost immediately after taking office in December 2022 — following Castillo’s removal after he attempted to dissolve Congress to avoid impeachment — Boluarte faced a wave of protests in southern Peru. These demonstrations resulted in the deaths of 50 civilians. According to autopsy reports, over half of the victims were killed by gunfire.
International
Families hold vigil in Caracas, demand release of political prisoners
Dozens of people held a vigil outside the Attorney General’s Office in Caracas on Wednesday, calling for the release of political prisoners—one day after Amnesty International (AI) reported a “surge” in enforced disappearances following Venezuela’s presidential elections nearly a year ago.
In 2024, protests erupted after President Nicolás Maduro’s controversial re-election on July 28, amid widespread allegations of fraud. Official figures reported 27 deaths and 2,400 arrests during the unrest.
With balloons, prayers, candles, and photos, families of the detainees demanded a review of the cases—some still under trial—and called for their release, as has occurred with about 1,900 previously detained individuals. Prosecutors have promised to meet with families next Tuesday.
“We need to keep the pressure on (…) and get a more concrete and secure response, because if there is no answer by Tuesday, we will gather again,” said Sorangel Arguinzones, whose 25-year-old son Jesús Jiménez was arrested in Mérida (west) 11 months ago. He is being held in Tocorón prison, one of the facilities designated for protesters, and is accused of “terrorism.” Jiménez, a former scientific police officer, is described by his mother as innocent.
“We have to stay in prayer and ask for our boys’ freedom (…) it’s been almost a year now,” added Karina Martínez, whose brother Daniel has been detained since January, following Maduro’s swearing-in.
“My brother says: I’ve never been involved in politics,” she said.
Maduro was declared re-elected by the pro-government electoral authority without presenting the detailed vote count, as required by law.
In its report released Tuesday, Amnesty International warned of a “surge” in enforced disappearances over the past year. Of the 15 cases recorded, 11 people remain missing with their whereabouts and conditions still unknown.
International
Drug bust highlights Mexico’s efforts amid U.S. pressure on cartels
Mexican marines seized half a ton of cocaine off the coast of the southern state of Oaxaca and arrested four people transporting it on a boat, authorities reported Wednesday.
The Mexican government has increased drug seizures and arrests amid pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration to curb the flow of illicit substances into the United States, especially the deadly fentanyl.
The Secretariat of Public Security said in a statement that the drugs, packed in 14 bundles, were confiscated during a maritime surveillance operation, although the exact date was not disclosed. The shipment was valued at 130 million pesos (about 6.9 million dollars).
Since October 1, 2024, when President Claudia Sheinbaum took office, 45 tons of cocaine have been seized at sea, the Secretariat indicated.
On July 12, Trump threatened to impose 30% tariffs on Mexico starting August 1, accusing the country of failing to stop cartels “that try to turn all of North America into a drug trafficking playground.”
Dina Boluarte avoids prosecution again as lawmakers dismiss sixth complaint
Families hold vigil in Caracas, demand release of political prisoners
Drug bust highlights Mexico’s efforts amid U.S. pressure on cartels
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
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