Internacionales
Confusion and violence increase in Haiti with shootings near the National Palace
The capital of Haiti is involved in intense shootings around the National Palace, with shots that have increased on Friday night, according to EFE. The shooting is heard in a wide area ranging from Champ de Mars to Nazon, Lalue, Canape-Vert and Turgeau, in the heart of Port-au-Prince. The situation is chaotic, with possible attacks in multiple areas, and there is a possibility that armed gangs are aiming to take over the National Palace. In addition, large holes have been observed in the walls of the capital’s airport. The day had passed relatively calmly in the metropolitan area until sporadic gunshots were reported in the afternoon.
Tension and violence have increased significantly in the capital since Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced a commitment to hold elections before the end of August 2025 on February 28. The violence reached its peak last Saturday, when the gangs entered the capital’s two main prisons, allowing more than 3,000 prisoners to escape. Henry is in Puerto Rico after several days with his whereabouts unknown. In the midst of this crisis, both internal and external, Haiti awaits the deployment of a multinational security support mission led by Kenya and approved by the United Nations last October
Internacionales
At least 15 bodies found in clandestine graves in Chiapas amid rising violence
At least 15 bodies were found in clandestine graves in the Mexican state of Chiapas (southeast), which has been hit by a rise in violence linked to organized crime, according to local authorities.
Governor Eduardo Ramírez shared details on his X account about an operation to restore security in La Frailesca, an area near the border with Guatemala, known for its significant agricultural and livestock activities but which has suffered a series of blockades by criminal cells for the past three years.
“Communication routes have been cleared,” and “fifteen bodies have been located so far in clandestine graves in two properties,” the state governor stated.
He added that four people were arrested during the operation, and weapons and vehicles were seized, though it was not specified whether those captured were connected to the clandestine burials.
According to reports, criminal cells in La Frailesca are fighting for control of drug trafficking routes and other crimes such as kidnapping and extortion.
Alongside nearly two decades of violence linked to drug trafficking, Mexico has seen an increase in the discovery of irregular graves, some containing over a hundred bodies at various points across the country.
Recently, 12 bodies were found in a grave in the state of Jalisco (west).
Since December 2006, when a controversial military-led anti-drug operation was launched, Mexico has accumulated over 450,000 violent deaths and tens of thousands of disappearances, according to official figures.
Internacionales
One dead in explosive attack on new prison site in Santa Elena, Ecuador
An explosive attack at the construction site of a high-security prison on the coast of Ecuador left one dead, the presidency reported, describing the incident as a “terrorist act.”
“On the morning of December 25, 2024, a group of armed men carried out a terrorist act by violently entering the construction site of the new Santa Elena detention center, where they detonated explosive devices,” the presidency said in a statement.
It added that the attack “resulted in one person dead,” without specifying their identity. President Daniel Noboa’s government began construction of the high-security prison in June, designed to house about 800 people in the rural town of Juntas del Pacífico, in the coastal province of Santa Elena (southwest). The prison will cost 52 million dollars.
Internacionales
Sinaloa security secretary resigns amid wave of violence and cartel infighting
The Secretary of Security for the Mexican state of Sinaloa (in the northwest), which has been shaken for over three months by a wave of criminal violence that has claimed more than 600 lives, resigned from his position, Governor Rubén Rocha Moya confirmed on Saturday.
The local leader confirmed to AFP the resignation of Secretary Gerardo Mérida, and shortly after, he swore in the new head of the department, General Óscar Rentería. The newly appointed secretary has previously served as the commander of a military zone in the also troubled state of Michoacán (in the west) and led another military region in Mexico City when the current president, Claudia Sheinbaum, was mayor (2018-2023).
The wave of killings that is hitting the state is due to an internal war between two factions of the Sinaloa Cartel, the “Chapitos” and the “Mayos,” named after their leaders, the sons of drug lords Joaquín “Chapo” Guzmán and Ismael “Mayo” Zambada.
Both criminal bosses are imprisoned in the United States on drug trafficking charges, but their sons are fighting for control of the legendary cartel in Sinaloa. The cartel is identified by Washington as the largest producer of illegal fentanyl in Mexico.
Mérida’s departure comes amid ongoing clashes, which have left over 600 people dead and another 700 missing in just over 100 days, according to state prosecutor data.
The resignation also follows the murder last Wednesday in the capital of Sinaloa of Halexy Guadalupe, one of the members of the investigative team leading the government’s anti-crime strategy under Sheinbaum.
The president is scheduled to visit the state on Sunday to lead a Security Table meeting to address the ongoing violence crisis.
HMPV infection rate declining in Northern China, health official reports
Elon Musk sends Cybertrucks with Starlink and supplies to assist Los Angeles wildfire victims
President Arévalo highlights anti-corruption and drug trafficking efforts in first year report
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
Ecuador prison riot leaves at least 43 dead
-
International5 days agoOAS chief calls for strengthening democracy in the region amid Venezuela’s crisis
-
International5 days agoMaría Corina Machado urges Edmundo González Urrutia not to return to Venezuela for his safety
-
International5 days agoCanada imposes sanctions on 14 venezuelan officials for human rights violations
-
International2 days agoVenezuela’s Interior Ministry confirms arrest of María Corina Machado’s driver
-
International5 days agoJudge declares Donald Trump not guilty in Stormy Daniels case
-
International3 days agoThe Sudanese Army takes a Khartum neighborhood in an offensive to recover the capital
-
International4 days agoAt least 20 injured in tram collision at Strasbourg Train Station tunnel
-
International2 days ago12 dead after jade mine collapse in Northern Myanmar
-
International2 days agoÁlvaro Uribe calls for international military intervention to oust Maduro
-
International2 days agoMigrants in Ciudad Juárez brave subzero temperatures with donations of warm clothing
-
Central America18 hours agoPresident Arévalo highlights anti-corruption and drug trafficking efforts in first year report
-
International3 days agoThe German far-right approves an electoral program with promises of “remigration” and exit from the euro
-
International3 days ago
Nicolás Maduro says that “the truth has triumphed” in Venezuela and begins a “new stage”
-
International3 days agoThe head of Defense of Venezuela: FF.AA. does not break with sanctions or reward blackmail
-
International3 days agoSpaceX postpones the seventh test of its powerful Starship rocket for Wednesday
-
International18 hours agoACLU prepares for “worst-case scenario” on immigration under incoming Trump administration
-
International18 hours agoTrump announces creation of external revenue service to collect foreign tariffs
-
International4 days agoDelta Airlines cancels 1,100 flights amid winter storm chaos
-
International18 hours agoElon Musk sends Cybertrucks with Starlink and supplies to assist Los Angeles wildfire victims
-
International18 hours agoHMPV infection rate declining in Northern China, health official reports
-
International3 days agoTrump describes politicians in charge of the fires in Los Angeles as “incompetent”