International
Panama boosts deportations of migrants through Darién gap amid significant drop in arrivals
The Panamanian government pledged on Tuesday to increase the number of deportations of irregular migrants arriving in the country through the Darién Gap, a dangerous jungle that connects with Colombia. The flow of migrants through this area dropped by more than 50 percent in August after President José Raúl Mulino promised to drastically reduce the influx.
“It is clear and evident that given the volume of people, it is difficult to say that we will deport about 500 per day, but we are improving logistics. We are at the beginning of this program,” said Minister of Public Security Frank Alexis Ábrego, as reported by the newspaper ‘El Siglo.’
Ábrego noted that repatriations are voluntary and depend on individuals who wish to return to their countries. He also mentioned the detection of criminals “sought by Interpol and police forces from Ecuador, Colombia, and other countries” who entered Panama through the Darién Gap.
“The goal is to cut off the passage of these criminals to the United States. Our primary interest is to protect our citizens from these criminals attempting to transit through our country; for example, in the last two months, we have detected two members of the Salvadoran gang MS-13, and the most recent one was already residing in our country,” he added.
Finally, he stated that the United States contributed approximately six million dollars to fund deportation flights as part of the memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries.
Over half a million people crossed this area in 2023, where three crossings were closed in July to try to reduce or at least manage arrivals. The Biden administration has also sought cooperation from Panamanian authorities to control the migrant flow to its southern border with Mexico.
International
Judge declares Donald Trump not guilty in Stormy Daniels case
Judge Juan Merchan acquitted U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in the case involving former porn actress Stormy Daniels.
“At this moment, I am issuing this verdict to cover all 34 charges,” Merchan stated. The judge also wished Trump good luck in his second term as president.
Trump will now become the first criminal president.
Merchan declined to impose any punishment. This decision strengthens Trump’s acquittal and clears the way for his return to the White House without the threat of prison or a fine.
“Never before has this court faced such a unique and remarkable set of circumstances,” Judge Merchan said.
International
Canada imposes sanctions on 14 venezuelan officials for human rights violations
Canada imposed sanctions on 14 high-ranking officials of the Venezuelan “regime” this Friday, including prominent members of the Military Counterintelligence Directorate (DGCIM), for their involvement in human rights violations in Venezuela.
Among those sanctioned are DGCIM prosecutors Dinorah Yoselin Bustamante Puerta and Farik Karin Salcedo Mora; the director of criminal investigations at the agency, Asdrubal José Brito Hernandez, as well as its former deputy director, Rafael Ramón Blanco Marrero.
The sanctions also target several members of the Bolivarian National Guard: its general commander, Elio Ramón Estrada Paredes; the commander of the capital region, Johan Alexander Hernández Lárez, and lieutenant colonel, Alexander Enrique Granko Arteaga.
Other individuals sanctioned include the director of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN), Alexis José Rodríguez Cabello, and his deputy director, Miguel Antonio Muñoz Palacios; Brigadier General of the Bolivarian National Police, Rubén Darío Santiago Servigna, and Domingo Antonio Hernández Lárez, commander of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces.
International
María Corina Machado urges Edmundo González Urrutia not to return to Venezuela for his safety
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado said on Friday that she asked Edmundo González Urrutia, former candidate of the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD), not to return to Venezuela to avoid putting himself at risk.
In a video message, Machado explained that the opposition evaluated the situation and concluded that González Urrutia would be in danger if he tried to enter Venezuela as he had planned.
González Urrutia, who claims to have won the July 28 elections with the support of more than 85% of the official voting records, had announced that he would return to Venezuela on January 10 to assume the presidency.
Earlier, Nicolás Maduro, who was declared the winner of those elections, took the oath of office for a third term.
Judge declares Donald Trump not guilty in Stormy Daniels case
Canada imposes sanctions on 14 venezuelan officials for human rights violations
María Corina Machado urges Edmundo González Urrutia not to return to Venezuela for his safety
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
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