International
The head of the Directorate of Intelligence of Colombia resissts linked to a corruption case
The head of the National Intelligence Directorate (DNI) of Colombia, Carlos Ramón González, resigned this Friday from his position, after he was linked to the corruption scandal in the state National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD), which splashes several members of the Government and Congress.
The resignation of González, one of the people closest to the Colombian president, Gustavo Petro, with whom he played in the M-19 guerrilla in his youth, was confirmed by the same president in a message on his X account from Paris, where he attends the inauguration of the Olympic Games today.
“I accept the resignation of Carlos Ramón, director of the Directorate of National Intelligence. His position as head of civil intelligence is incompatible with any judicial investigation and with the same justice apparatus in the country,” Petro said.
González, who was also Petro’s right-hand man as director of the Administrative Department of the Presidency of the Republic (Dapre), was pointed out on Thursday by the Prosecutor’s Office as the person who last year ordered the payment of bribes to two important congressmen in exchange for legislative support to the Government.
As revealed on May 3 by the former deputy director for Disaster Management of the UNGRD, Sneyder Pinilla, money from that entity was used in 2023 to pay millionaires of bribies to the then president of the Senate, Iván Name, and that of the House of Representatives, Andrés Calle.
That money was allegedly diverted from the one allocated for the purchase of 40 tanker trucks to supply water to the Caribbean department of La Guajira, a project in which resources were misappropriated because the vehicles acquired did not meet the technical conditions, among other failures.
The name of González, a very influential figure within the Government who had already been mentioned in the complaints, was officially cited yesterday by the Prosecutor’s Office at the accusation hearing against Pinilla and against the former director of the UNGRD Olmedo López, although the accusing entity has not yet filed charges.
At that hearing, the delegated prosecutor before the Supreme Court of Justice, Andrea Muñoz, said that the former Presidential Counselor for the Regions Sandra Ortiz, also involved in the corruption plot, received orders from González, as her direct boss when she was the director of Dapre, to allegedly deliver the co-ras to Congressmen Name and Calle.
“For the tranquility of prosecutors and judges, for their independence and good judgment and for the same defense work of Carlos Ramón’s lawyers, the best thing is the separation from his position,” Petro added in his message in X.
The corruption scandal in the UNGRD, the body that is responsible for attending to and preventing emergencies caused by natural disasters in the country, was uncovered by the press last February and since then has been growing to reach senior government officials.
Another of those indicated in this process is the Minister of Finance, Ricardo Bonilla, who according to the Prosecutor’s Office was decisive, in coordination with Olmedo López, for the award of three contracts for 92 billion pesos (about 23 million dollars) to benefit six congressmen in exchange for supporting the extension of the Government’s debt quota.
In this case, Petro gave Bonilla a vote of confidence this Friday, pointing out that his actions have not been different from those of other finance ministers.
“I believe in the innocence of the Minister of Finance, because I know what has happened to all the ministers of Finance to maintain the macroeconomic stability of the country,” the president said.
International
Trump claims he’s the only one who can prevent World War III
Former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump claimed on Saturday that he is “the only one who can prevent World War III,” during a political rally in Wisconsin, one of the swing states where the 2024 November presidential elections could be decided.
Trump outlined the geopolitical implications of his victory: on one hand, he reiterated his stance that “I will fix the Ukraine situation,” without providing details, and on the other hand, he warned that a victory by his opponent, Vice President and Democratic contender Kamala Harris, would mean the end of the State of Israel.
“If I don’t win this election, Israel, with Comrade Kamala Harris at the helm of the United States, is doomed. Israel will disappear in a year or two and will cease to exist. You better hope I win, or you’re going to face problems like never before,” he explained.
Trump has stated on numerous occasions, and repeated today, that if he had been in charge, neither the war in Ukraine nor the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent war would have occurred. He also claimed that he had predicted both conflicts.
He concluded: “Trump is always right. I hate being right, but I always am,” adding that he had also foreseen the rampant inflation and immigration problems currently facing the country.
The Republican candidate’s rally focused on his usual themes: security, immigration threats, the cost of living, and the decline of U.S. global influence. However, the loudest applause in Wisconsin came when he promised to eliminate transgender policies, especially in schools.
On Tuesday, Trump will face off against his rival Kamala Harris in a presidential debate on ABC, which is expected to be crucial in swaying many undecided voters. Interestingly, the candidate made almost no mention of the upcoming debate during his rally.
International
Jair Bolsonaro calls for action against “dictator” judge de Moraes over social media ban
Former President Jair Bolsonaro once again demonstrated his mobilization power and intensified his rhetoric against Brazilian Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes during a massive street rally in São Paulo, where he called for the impeachment of the magistrate, labeling him a “dictator” for his decision to block the social media platform X in Brazil.
“We need to put a stop to those who overstep the limits of the Constitution. I hope the Federal Senate puts an end to Moraes, this dictator who is harming the country more than [Luiz Inácio] Lula da Silva,” Bolsonaro said, acting as the main speaker at the event that drew a large crowd on Avenida Paulista.
The rally, which featured speeches from key figures of Bolsonaro’s movement and support from magnate Elon Musk, the owner of X, had already been planned before Moraes’ decision on September 30 to block the social media platform in the country after X’s non-compliance with court orders.
Bolsonaro is also under scrutiny from the Supreme Federal Court (STF), particularly by Moraes, who is leading investigations that could have serious legal consequences for him, including prosecution for the attempted coup on January 8, 2023.
The former Brazilian president questioned the judge’s conduct during the 2022 elections, accusing him of favoring Lula. He also reiterated a call for Congress to grant amnesty to the “political prisoners” detained for their involvement in the attempted coup in Brasília.
“That was never a coup, and we are seeing people being judged as if they were an armed group trying to overthrow our democratic state. I regret the situation of these prisoners,” Bolsonaro said, urging amnesty for those detained.
Central America
Young actress Adriana Isabel Mojica dies in tragic accident in Torrelodones
Young actress and singer Adriana Isabel Mojica, 19 years old, died Thursday morning after being struck by a vehicle in Torrelodones, Spain, confirmed the town’s mayor.
“I am deeply shocked by the death of our young neighbor Adriana Isabel in this tragic accident. My heartfelt support goes to her family and friends during these terribly difficult times. Rest in peace,” posted Almudena Negro, Mayor of Torrelodones.
According to Spain’s El Mundo newspaper, the incident occurred on the A-6 motorway, at kilometer 31.5, at 7:35 a.m.
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