International
Judge says Brazil was governed by groups with paramilitary ties
February 3rd |
Justice Gilmar Mendes, dean of Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court, denounced today that during the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2023) the South American country was “being governed by people in the shadows” with the support of paramilitary groups in Rio de Janeiro.
“What it shows is that we were being governed by people in the shadows. This is a fact of reality, people from the militia (paramilitary groups) of Rio de Janeiro with a leading role in national politics,” Mendes said today in declarations to journalists in Lisbon in the framework of the Portuguese-Brazilian business forum LIDE.
The magistrate was referring to statements made yesterday, Thursday, by Brazilian senator Marcos do Val, who accused Bolsonaro of trying to convince him to stage a coup d’état and not recognize the victory in the elections of leftist Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who assumed the presidency of Brazil last January 1.
“We lowered the scale of political degradation,” the magistrate added.
He also advocated reforming the area of public security and the Armed Forces, since, during the attacks perpetrated in Brasília last January 8 on the headquarters of the three branches of government by radical Bolsonaristas, “there was a breakdown of the security system”.
The forum, which began today and concludes tomorrow, Saturday, in a Lisbon hotel, was attended by former Brazilian President Michel Temer, as well as members of Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court and the Superior Electoral Court, among others, who have defended that normality is being restored in the country.
Among the participants was the president of the Brazilian Court of Auditors, Bruno Dantas, who defended before journalists that those responsible for the attacks of January 8 have to answer to Justice.
“History teaches that leniency is not the best way to deal with criminals. The criminal needs to be punished with the rigor of the law,” he argued.
He clarified that the damages caused by these protests are still being analyzed and that, once quantified, those responsible for the vandalism will be identified through their tax records and fined.
“It is a job that is in charge of the police, the identification of people, but when we have the list of vandals, we will hold them responsible”, measures that may even include the blocking of patrimony, he asserted.
So far, they have more than 18 million reais (about 3.2 million euros) blocked from the assets of these people.
On the other hand, Temer acknowledged that he does not believe that protests like those that occurred last January 8 will be repeated, and predicted that “absolute tranquility” will return to the country in the next few days.
“I think there was a movement that was not useful for the country. It created an image that was even negative, but, in the face of the very fast action of the Brazilian justice system, I think it is also being overcome with extraordinary speed,” he said.
Temer told EFE that Brazil “has already gone through many political, economic and social crises and overcame them all (…). A few days from now, the country will be in absolute tranquility”.
International
UNICEF: Over 700,000 children affected by Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the annual refugee admissions will be limited to just 7,500 people, the lowest number since the program was created in 1980.
According to a White House statement, the new cap will prioritize mainly white South Africans and individuals who have been victims of “unjust or illegal discrimination” in their home countries.
Since taking office on January 20, Trump has effectively suspended refugee admissions through an executive order, describing the program as “detrimental” to national interests.
One of the few exceptions to this policy has been the Afrikaners, descendants of Dutch settlers in South Africa, who began entering the U.S. in May. This decision followed Trump’s claim, made without evidence, that this group is facing “genocide.”
The president’s statements have strained diplomatic relations with South Africa, particularly after the country passed a law in January authorizing land expropriation without compensation.
Humanitarian organizations have strongly criticized the new immigration policy and called for its reversal.
International
Trump sets historic low refugee cap at 7,500, prioritizes white South Africans
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the annual refugee admissions will be limited to just 7,500 people, the lowest number since the program was created in 1980.
According to a White House statement, the new cap will prioritize mainly white South Africans and individuals who have been victims of “unjust or illegal discrimination” in their home countries.
Since taking office on January 20, Trump has effectively suspended refugee admissions through an executive order, describing the program as “detrimental” to national interests.
One of the few exceptions to this policy has been the Afrikaners, descendants of Dutch settlers in South Africa, who began entering the U.S. in May. This decision followed Trump’s claim, made without evidence, that this group is facing “genocide.”
The president’s statements have strained diplomatic relations with South Africa, particularly after the country passed a law in January authorizing land expropriation without compensation.
Humanitarian organizations have strongly criticized the new immigration policy and called for its reversal.
International
Hurricane Melissa kills over 30, leaves thousands displaced in the Caribbean
Hurricane Melissa has caused widespread destruction in several Caribbean countries, leaving more than thirty dead, thousands displaced, and significant material losses after striking with force this week.
In Haiti, the Civil Protection Directorate reported at least 24 fatalities, including 20 deaths on Wednesday due to a flash flood in La Digue, a municipality of Petit-Goâve, south of Port-au-Prince. Another victim was reported in Artibonite, and three others had died earlier last week.
Authorities also reported 17 people injured, 18 missing, and 1,156 families affected, with 2,399 people sheltered in emergency facilities, particularly in the southern regions, Grand’Anse, Nippes, and the southeast of the country.
UNICEF: Over 700,000 children affected by Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean
Trump sets historic low refugee cap at 7,500, prioritizes white South Africans
Hurricane Melissa kills over 30, leaves thousands displaced in the Caribbean
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