International
Peru protesters mourn their dead as clashes continue
January 12 | By AFP |
Demonstrators in Peru blocked roads and held mass funerals on Wednesday for those killed in violent anti-government protests that have gripped the country for weeks, as the United States called for “restraint” on both sides.
The deadly clashes have spread to the tourist city of Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, where one protester was killed Wednesday and more than 30 people, including 19 police officers, were wounded.
In total, at least 41 people have died in more than a month of demonstrations demanding the resignation of President Dina Boluarte, who took over after the ouster and arrest of her predecessor Pedro Castillo on December 7.
The violence has drawn a rebuke from the United Nations, and a delegation from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) arrived in the country Wednesday to investigate the protests and accusations of political repression.
On Tuesday, Peru’s prosecutor’s office said it was opening a genocide investigation against Boluarte and other top officials as a result of the deaths.
The epicenter of the protests has been in the Aymara region of Puno, on the border with Bolivia, where thousands of residents walked the streets of Juliaca on Wednesday with the coffins of 17 civilians who were killed earlier this week.
Each coffin bore a photograph and was draped in a Peruvian flag.
“Dina killed me with bullets,” read the white coffin of Edgar Huaranca, carried on the shoulders of six family members.
Dominga Hancco held a portrait of her young daughter — shot dead during a protest.
“She was walking and only complained that her belly hurt,” she told AFP. “A few minutes passed and she fell, no one noticed how (the bullet) entered.”
The government has imposed a three-day curfew on the Andean region in a bid to calm the tensions, while also declaring a day of mourning on Wednesday for those killed.
In Cusco, demonstrators tried to reach the city’s airport after mobilizing to demand the president’s ouster.
Police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd, with protesters responding by throwing stones. Some demonstrators held up street signs as shields against projectiles fired by security forces.
The ombudsman’s office said one protester had been killed, identifying him on Twitter as Remo Candia Guevara, the president of a local community group.
“We demand an immediate investigation to find those responsible for the death and proceed to the respective sanction,” it added.
In Arequipa, Peru’s second city, hundreds also marched against the government, while in Tacna, on the border with Chile, an indefinite strike began, marked by episodes of vandalism.
Rights probe launched
The regional governments of Puno and Cusco are demanding Boluarte step down as a first step to resolving the crisis.
Puno began an indefinite strike a week ago to demand the resignation of Boluarte, immediate presidential and legislative elections and the convening of a Constituent Assembly.
The IACHR commissioners were received by Boluarte at the Government Palace, the seat of the Peruvian executive.
“We are going to verify the human rights situation. We regret the loss of human life during the demonstrations,” said head of mission Edgar Stuardo Ralon, whose delegation will remain in Peru until Friday.
They will meet with authorities, victims and their relatives in Lima, Ica and Arequipa.
The United States on Wednesday urged restraint and the minimal use of force, and backed an investigation into the dozens of deaths.
“We recognize the right for peaceful protest and expressing grievances through democratic channels, and call for calm, dialogue and for all parties to exercise restraint and non-violence,” a State Department spokesperson said.
International
Argentina’s Milei opens dialogue with parties to push “Second-Generation Reforms”
Empowered by his midterm election victory, Argentine President Javier Milei is relaunching his administration and opening dialogue with other political forces, focusing on three major reforms: tax, labor, and pension systems, which form the core of his ultra-liberal agenda.
The government approached the legislative elections amid financial turbulence, which eased following Milei’s triumph. It now faces the challenge of reviving a stagnant economy while consolidating its political project.
The first step will be negotiating the country’s first budget law in two years, with the vote likely postponed until December, when the government expects to have more favorable numbers in Congress.
Milei’s party will have an expanded bloc, but it will not gain full control of the legislature. Preliminary results indicate that, starting December 10, the administration will hold around 100 of 257 seats in the Chamber of Deputies and 19 of 72 seats in the Senate.
To advance his so-called “second-generation reforms” in 2026, Milei has called for dialogue with provincial governors and other political parties.
International
Melissa leaves path of destruction in Caribbean, 735,000 evacuated in Cuba
Hurricane Melissa caused significant damage and widespread flooding in Cuba on Wednesday (October 29, 2025), following its devastating passage through Jamaica as the strongest storm to make landfall in the island in 90 years.
After striking Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane with violent winds and torrential rains, the Jamaican government declared the country a disaster zone. In Haiti, the cyclone has already caused 20 fatalities, although authorities expect the number to rise due to an unknown number of missing persons.
In Jamaica, there were three deaths, the same number reported in Panama, and one death in the Dominican Republic.
Melissa then made landfall in eastern Cuba with slightly reduced strength and maximum sustained winds of 195 km/h. “It has been a very difficult night. Significant damage has occurred, and Hurricane Melissa is still over Cuban territory,” said President Miguel Díaz-Canel in his first assessment of the situation.
In Santiago de Cuba, the second-largest city in the eastern region, the storm flooded homes and streets and knocked down trees, utility poles, and power lines. Cuban authorities reported that around 735,000 people were evacuated, particularly in the provinces of Santiago de Cuba, Holguín, and Guantánamo.
International
Jamaica faces widespread destruction as hurricane Melissa hits the island
Jamaican authorities reported on Tuesday that Hurricane Melissa, which weakened to a Category 4 storm just hours after making landfall in Jamaica, caused damage to six hospitals and left roads flooded, along with downed power lines and fallen trees, according to preliminary data.
Videos shared by local media and social media users show strong gusts of wind impacting Kingston in the southeast and southern municipalities of the island, causing power outages and damaging the roofs of several homes.
Flooded roads and damage to several medical institutions have also been reported. The Bustamante Children’s Hospital in Kingston experienced blocked access after a utility pole fell onto its premises. Part of the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital in Westmoreland also suffered severe damage when hurricane-force winds ripped off its roof.
Additionally, Health and Wellness Minister Christopher Tufton reported on Tuesday that four hospitals sustained “significant damage” due to Melissa. The affected medical facilities are Noel Holmes Hospital in Hanover, Black River Hospital in Saint Elizabeth, Cornwall Regional Hospital in Saint James, and Falmouth Hospital in Trelawny.
At Cornwall Regional Hospital, damage was limited to staff areas, which have since been repurposed for other uses. The Ministry stated that it is actively coordinating with the Southern Regional Health Authority and emergency services to stabilize hospital operations.
Argentina’s Milei opens dialogue with parties to push “Second-Generation Reforms”
Melissa leaves path of destruction in Caribbean, 735,000 evacuated in Cuba
Jamaica faces widespread destruction as hurricane Melissa hits the island
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
-
International2 days agoJamaica faces widespread destruction as hurricane Melissa hits the island
-
International3 days agoColombian president Gustavo Petro denies alleged ties to criminal networks
-
International5 days agoTrump to Meet Qatari Leaders During Asia Stopover to Discuss Gaza Peace
-
International3 days agoMexican journalist reporting on drug cartels killed in Durango
-
International3 days agoArgentina’s Milei secures strong victory and calls for dialogue after election surge
-
Central America3 days agoEl Salvador cracks down on narcotics: 24 tons confiscated in major anti-drug operation
-
International5 days agoMaduro Requests Supreme Court to Strip Opposition Leader López of Venezuelan Citizenship
-
International21 hours agoMelissa leaves path of destruction in Caribbean, 735,000 evacuated in Cuba
-
Central America2 days agoNew dismembered bodies found in San Juan river days after mass killing in Palencia
-
Central America2 days agoFour guatemalan soldiers arrested for stealing weapons from Northern Air Command
-
International3 days agoMaduro accuses U.S. of aggression over Caribbean military drills
-
Central America2 days agoArévalo accuses Porras and judge of undermining democracy in Guatemala
-
Central America3 days agoEl Salvador’s FGR prosecutes 89,875 gang members under state of exception
-
International21 hours ago
Argentina’s Milei opens dialogue with parties to push “Second-Generation Reforms”