International
Essequibo referendum campaign begins in Venezuela
November 7 |
The electoral campaign for the consultative referendum for El Esequibo began this Monday in Venezuela by organizations with political purposes, guilds, unions, universities, civil society, the Popular Power and indigenous communities.
For this purpose, this weekend, the regional, municipal and parochial campaign commands were sworn in, with the objective of joining wills and calling for the unity of all the people in defense of the territory of the Guayana Esequiba.
The consultative referendum is scheduled for December 3, in which the population will have to answer five questions, as informed by the National Electoral Council (CNE).
“I keep receiving photos of the formation of the ‘All Venezuela’ Campaign Commands, throughout the national territory. I am sure it will be a campaign of national pride, of union of Venezuelans in defense of our historical rights over the Essequiba Guyana”, wrote Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in his account in the social network X.
Likewise, he highlighted that “there is strength in unity, therefore, Venezuelans are united for a single cause of national love: our Essequibo. On 3D we voted 5 times Yes!”.
Previously, the President responded to the statements made by the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, who expressed himself against the historical rights of Venezuela over the Essequiba Guyana.
“Outrageous is the position of this gentleman against a free and independent nation, it is obvious, he is a despicable being who serves the vile interests of the transnationals that intend to dispossess our country of a part of its territory”, said President Maduro.
Meanwhile, he assured that “the Essequibo is part of the whole of Venezuela, it belongs to us because of the heritage and historical struggle of our Liberators and Liberators”. Likewise, he reiterated the firm position of the South American nation “for Peace, dialogue, diplomacy and Justice”.
On the other hand, she acknowledged the work of the Minister of Defense, Vladimir Padrino López, and the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (Fanb) for acting quickly, denouncing and rejecting the attempt to disregard the historical right of the country.
Venezuelan Vice-President: national sovereignty resides in the people
In the afternoon hours of this day, thousands of people took to the streets throughout the Venezuelan territory as a show of support to the referendum to be held on December 3.
In Caracas (capital), the march was attended by the Venezuelan Executive Vice President, Delcy Rodríguez, who made exclusive statements to the teleSUR news multiplatform in which she highlighted Venezuela’s will to defend the Essequiba Guyana.
“From very early, six in the morning, Venezuela dawned in tricolor, all Venezuela singing our Bolivarian National Anthem. All of Venezuela began with military marches and all the states of the country joined in, marching with a single purpose: to defend our Guayana Esequiba, to tell Guyana that it acts as an employee of Exxon Mobil. To tell Almagro. To tell the United States that they are not in charge here, that the people of Venezuela are in charge here”, he emphasized.
In view of the approval by the Guyanese Parliament of a motion ordering the Venezuelan people not to carry out the referendum, Rodriguez stated that sovereignty resides in the people.
“Here the people of Venezuela rule, national sovereignty resides in the people, and on December 3 we will all go out to vote five times yes to the five questions. Five times yes for the defense of our historical morality, for the defense of our legacy of the liberator Simón Bolívar, for the defense of what belongs to us, which is Essequiba Guyana”, he stressed.
International
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s Purse Stolen in D.C. Restaurant Heist
The purse of Kristi Noem, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, was stolen on Sunday night at a restaurant in Washington, D.C., Fox News Digital confirmed through several agency sources.
The handbag, taken by a white male wearing a mask, reportedly contained $3,000 in cash along with personal documents, including her passport, keys, driver’s license, and DHS badge, according to an agency spokesperson.
“Her entire family was in town, including her children and grandchildren. She was celebrating her retirement by treating them to dinner, activities, and Easter gifts,” the spokesperson added.
Crime continues to be a significant issue in the U.S. capital, particularly theft. However, violent crime reached its lowest level in 30 years last year, according to the Office of the Attorney General at the time.
International
Pope Francis: The Quiet Architect Behind the U.S.-Cuba Thaw
When then-U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raúl Castro announced the reestablishment of diplomatic relations in December 2014—after decades of hostility—there was a third figure present in both speeches: Pope Francis.
This thaw in U.S.-Cuba relations—later reversed by Donald Trump—was the result of behind-the-scenes negotiations personally encouraged by Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88, just over a year after becoming head of the Catholic Church.
Upon learning the news of the breakthrough, the pontiff humbly stated, “This was made possible thanks to the ambassadors and to diplomacy,” which he called “a noble, very noble job.”
In 2015, months after the announcement, Raúl Castro visited the Vatican and met with the pope. Over time, Castro developed a fondness for Francis that he never had for his predecessors, Benedict XVI and John Paul II. “If the Pope continues talking like this, sooner or later I’ll start praying again and return to the Catholic Church—and I’m not joking,” said the younger Castro, who, like his brother Fidel (1926–2016), had been educated by Jesuits—the same order to which Pope Francis belonged.
Pope Francis visited Cuba later that year. Just days before his arrival, the Cuban government announced the pardon of 3,522 common prisoners as an act of clemency.
While in Havana, the pope met with Fidel Castro, who gave him a first edition of the book Fidel and Religion by Brazilian friar and liberation theologian Frei Betto.
Criticism from the Opposition
Francis’s diplomatic approach also drew criticism from parts of the Cuban opposition. In a 2022 interview with Univision, the pope revealed he had “a human relationship” with Raúl Castro.
International
Dominican Republic Declares Three Days of Mourning for Pope Francis
Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader has declared three days of national mourning starting Tuesday following the death of Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88 in his residence at the Casa Santa Marta.
In an official decree, Abinader highlighted the pope’s legacy “as a global leader who promoted significant reforms within the Catholic Church and was known for his humility, openness to dialogue, and commitment to peace among nations.”
During the mourning period, the national flag will be flown at half-staff at military facilities and public buildings.
According to a statement from the Office of the Presidency, although Pope Francis never visited the Dominican Republic during his papacy, he maintained a close relationship with the country. He expressed solidarity and empathy during difficult times, including offering prayers for the victims of the recent tragedy at a Santo Domingo nightclub on April 8, which claimed 232 lives and left more than 180 injured.
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