Connect with us

International

Lula has soldiers removed from presidential residence after riots

January 17 | By AFP |

Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had 40 soldiers removed from the detail at his presidential residence after vowing a staffing cleanup following anti-government riots on January 8.

Just days after the attack on the presidential palace, Supreme Court and Congress by backers of far-right ex-president Jair Bolsonaro, Lula said the rioters likely had inside help.

He ordered a thorough staffing review, saying he was “convinced that the door of the Planalto (presidential) palace was opened for people to enter because there are no broken doors.”

In a notice published in the official gazette Tuesday, it was announced that 40 soldiers have been removed from the presidential detail at Alvorada palace, where Brazil’s presidents live.

Advertisement
20250701_vacunacion-influenza-728x90
20250701_vacunacion_vph-728x90
20250701_dengue_728x90
20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90
20231124_etesal_728x90_1
20230601_agenda_primera_infancia_728X90
domfuturo_netview-728x90
20240604_dom_728x90
CEL
previous arrow
next arrow

Leftist Lula beat Bolsonaro by a razor-thin margin in October elections that followed a vitriolic and divisive campaign.

As he marked a week in office, thousands broke into the seats of power on January 8, smashing furniture, damaging priceless works of art and leaving behind graffiti messages calling for a military coup against Lula.

The president said last week that any “radical bolsonarista” found still working for the government would be dealt with, and cited media reports of alleged threats made by staffers inherited from the previous administration.

“How can I have a person outside my office who might shoot me?” asked Lula, who said members of the security services may have been involved in the uprising.

Bolsonaro, who left Brazil two days before Lula’s inauguration and is in the United States, is being investigated on suspicion of instigating the uprising.

Advertisement
20250701_vacunacion-influenza-728x90
20250701_vacunacion_vph-728x90
20250701_dengue_728x90
20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90
20231124_etesal_728x90_1
20230601_agenda_primera_infancia_728X90
domfuturo_netview-728x90
20240604_dom_728x90
CEL
previous arrow
next arrow

He has denied any link to the riots.

In a video published Monday, Bolsonaro expressed “regret” over the events, which he described as “unbelievable.”

Continue Reading
Advertisement
20250701_vacunacion-influenza-300x250
20250701_vacunacion_vph-300x250
20250701_dengue_300x250_01
20250701_dengue_300x250_02
20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_300x250
20231124_etesal_300x250_1
20230601_agenda_primera_infancia_300X250
MARN1

International

Trump administration begins downsizing ‘bloated’ state department workforce

The U.S. Department of State issued layoff notices on Friday to more than 1,300 employees both domestically and abroad, marking the start of a workforce reduction aimed at trimming what officials have called a “bloated” staff. The move is part of President Donald Trump’s broader effort to restructure the federal government.

According to local media reports, more than 1,100 Civil Service employees and around 250 Foreign Service officers received notifications via email. Those affected will be placed on administrative leave for periods ranging from 90 to 120 days from the date of their dismissal notice.

The job cuts are part of a plan to centralize and streamline the agency’s operations without disrupting its overall functioning. The restructuring was designed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who had previously informed Congress in May of his intention to reduce the department’s workforce by 15%. The State Department currently employs about 18,000 people.

According to the top U.S. diplomat, the goal is to optimize what he described as a “bloated bureaucracy that stifles innovation and misallocates scarce resources,” as well as to eliminate remnants of “radical political ideology.”

The reorganization is expected to hit hardest in offices focused on human rights and refugee issues, which will now be handled by regional bureaus, according to The New York Times.

Advertisement

20250701_vacunacion-influenza-728x90
20250701_vacunacion_vph-728x90
20250701_dengue_728x90
20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90
20231124_etesal_728x90_1
20230601_agenda_primera_infancia_728X90
domfuturo_netview-728x90
20240604_dom_728x90
CEL

previous arrow
next arrow

“We inherited a system that needed reform, and we are delivering it,” said State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce on Thursday, adding that the Administration is committed to a foreign policy that puts U.S. interests first.

Continue Reading

International

Trump defends Bolsonaro, hints at talks with Brazil after tariff warning

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that he “might at some point” choose to speak with the Brazilian government after threatening to impose a 50% tariff on imports from the South American country, citing what he claims is a political persecution against former president Jair Bolsonaro.

“I might talk to them at some point,” Trump said when asked whether he had spoken with officials in Brasília following the tariff threat he sent earlier this week.

The president once again insisted that the government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is “treating former President Bolsonaro very unfairly.” He reiterated his admiration for Bolsonaro, calling him “a good negotiator” in trade matters.

“I shouldn’t like him because he was such a good negotiator. But he was an honest man,” Trump stated before departing Washington for flood-affected regions in Texas.

“I can tell the difference between those who are corrupt and those who are honest,” the Republican added, referring to the far-right former Brazilian president.

Advertisement

20250701_vacunacion-influenza-728x90
20250701_vacunacion_vph-728x90
20250701_dengue_728x90
20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90
20231124_etesal_728x90_1
20230601_agenda_primera_infancia_728X90
domfuturo_netview-728x90
20240604_dom_728x90
CEL

previous arrow
next arrow

On Wednesday, Trump sent a letter to the Brazilian government announcing a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports starting August 1.

Continue Reading

International

Sheinbaum slams ICE raids after 355 mexicans detained and 67,000 repatriated

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated on Friday that at least 355 Mexican migrants have been detained in various immigration raids across the United States, and over 67,000 have been repatriated since January 20, when Donald Trump’s administration began.

“There are 355 Mexican nationals directly linked to the raids who have been detained,” the president reported during her morning press conference.

She clarified that, on Thursday alone, following a raid on agricultural fields in California, the Mexican consulate received 25 calls from relatives seeking assistance for the detainees. However, the total number of those arrested is still being verified.

Sheinbaum’s comments come in response to Thursday’s reports that Mexican workers were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during raids on farms in California, specifically in Santa Barbara County, in the Carpinteria area.

The actions of ICE agents sparked protests, which were dispersed when officers deployed tear gas on demonstrators in the middle of the fields.

Advertisement

20250701_vacunacion-influenza-728x90
20250701_vacunacion_vph-728x90
20250701_dengue_728x90
20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90
20231124_etesal_728x90_1
20230601_agenda_primera_infancia_728X90
domfuturo_netview-728x90
20240604_dom_728x90
CEL

previous arrow
next arrow

In response, the Mexican government, through its foreign ministry, activated its consular support protocol to assist the detained nationals.

The Mexican leader took the opportunity to condemn the raids, calling them “deeply unfair” and warning that “they will significantly harm the U.S. economy.”

Continue Reading

Trending

Central News