International
Nearly 50 countries sign a declaration at the UN to “re-establish” democracy in Venezuela
A group of 49 countries plus the European Union (EU) signed this Thursday a joint declaration at the United Nations to ask for “re-establishment of democratic norms in Venezuela,” although it did not include a specific appeal to the UN to intervene in the crisis.
The declaration, prepared in the last few hours and read by the Panamanian Foreign Minister, Javier Martínez-Acha, had very notable absences such as those of Mexico, Colombia or Brazil, and it was not signed by great powers such as China or Russia or any African or Arab state, with the exception of Morocco.
“It’s time for Venezuelans to start constructive and inclusive discussions”
The signatories recall that “it is time for Venezuelans to begin constructive and inclusive discussions to resolve the electoral ‘impasse’,” in reference to the presidential elections of last July 28, whose official results have not been recognized by much of the international community, which insists on the need for the Venezuelan electoral entity to publish the disaggregated results to demonstrate victory and end the crisis, something that has not happened to date.
“Seriously concerned about the allegations of human rights violations”
Likewise, those countries say they are “seriously concerned about the allegations of human rights violations,” among which they detail “arbitrary arrests, arrests, deaths and denial of judicial guarantees, as well as tactics of intimidation against the democratic opposition.”
Edmundo acknowledges his interest in working for the recovery of democracy
For his part, the flag bearer of the majority opposition in Venezuela, Edmundo González Urrutia, who arrived in Madrid on Sunday on a Spanish Air Force plane to ask for political asylum after denouncing fraud in the elections, recognized this Thursday to the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, his interest in working for the recovery of democracy and respect for human rights in Venezuela, after being received by the head of the Spanish Executive.
Despite the fact that the statement has been negotiated in the corridors of the UN and has been read at the entrance of the Security Council, the Panamanian foreign minister acknowledged that they are not working together on any resolution on Venezuela, and even added that the position of his country “is very different from that of other countries” although they share the general principle that “democracy” must be restored” in the Caribbean country.
The UN “is promoting democracy”
Asked what the United Nations agencies can do specifically to help overcome the crisis, Martínez-Acha did not answer the question and limited himself to stating that the UN “is promoting democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights.”
Despite the fact that the Venezuelan crisis has already lasted six long weeks, the issue has not yet reached the UN Security Council – the highest executive body – and has only motivated statements by Secretary General António Guterres, who has demanded again and again the publication of the complete electoral records and the need for human rights to be respected, without entering into the legitimacy or not of the re-election of Nicolás Maduro
International
Japan reopens Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Plant despite public concerns
La centrale nucléaire japonaise de Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, la plus grande au monde, a repris ses activités mercredi pour la première fois depuis la catastrophe de Fukushima en 2011, malgré les inquiétudes persistantes d’une partie de la population.
La remise en service a eu lieu à 19h02 heure locale (10h02 GMT), a indiqué à l’AFP Tatsuya Matoba, porte-parole de la compagnie Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco).
Le gouverneur de la préfecture de Niigata, où se situe la centrale, avait donné son feu vert à la reprise le mois dernier, en dépit d’une opinion publique divisée. Selon une enquête menée en septembre par la préfecture elle-même, 60 % des habitants se déclaraient opposés au redémarrage, contre 37 % favorables.
Mardi, plusieurs dizaines de manifestants ont bravé le froid et la neige pour protester près de l’entrée du site, sur les rives de la mer du Japon.
« L’électricité de Tokyo est produite à Kashiwazaki. Pourquoi seuls les habitants d’ici devraient-ils être exposés au danger ? Cela n’a aucun sens », a déclaré à l’AFP Yumiko Abe, une riveraine de 73 ans.
La centrale de Kashiwazaki-Kariwa avait été mise à l’arrêt lorsque le Japon a fermé l’ensemble de ses réacteurs nucléaires à la suite du triple désastre de mars 2011 — un séisme, un tsunami et un accident nucléaire — survenu à Fukushima.
International
Markets rise as Trump halts Europe tariffs and floats Greenland agreement framework
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday lifted his threat to impose new tariffs on several European countries and said he had outlined the framework of a future agreement on Greenland during a meeting in Davos with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
“Based on this understanding, I will not impose the tariffs that were scheduled to take effect on February 1,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, without providing details about the proposed “framework.”
The announcement boosted financial markets. Wall Street, which had been trading slightly higher, extended its gains following Trump’s message, while the U.S. dollar strengthened against the euro.
Trump has repeatedly insisted that Greenland, rich in mineral resources, is ‘vital’ to the security of the United States and NATO, particularly as Arctic ice melts and global powers compete for strategic advantage in the region amid rising tensions with China and Russia.
Last week, the U.S. president threatened to impose tariffs of up to 25% on eight European countries for supporting Denmark and sending a military exploratory mission to Greenland. All of the targeted countries are NATO members, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, Europe’s largest economies.
Trump said on Wednesday that additional discussions are underway regarding the “Golden Dome” missile defense system, specifically in connection with Greenland.
He assigned Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and special envoy Steve Witkoff to lead the negotiations.
Hours before his post, Trump ruled out the use of force to seize Greenland for the first time, but demanded “immediate negotiations” for its acquisition, reiterating his view that only the United States can guarantee the security of the Arctic island.
International
Venezuela’s interim president predicts 37% increase in revenues for 2026
Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, said Wednesday that the country’s revenues are expected to increase by about 37% in 2026, in a statement made during a session of the Federal Government Council at the Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas.
Rodríguez said the projected rise in foreign currency income comes as agreements on Venezuelan oil sales with the United States are being implemented, including deals in which Washington will trade Venezuelan crude and manage the proceeds before transferring funds to Caracas.
“This year, revenues expressed in foreign currency will increase by 37%,” Rodríguez declared, according to EFE. She noted that the increase will also benefit regional governments and local authorities. “You will have more resources for your management, which I know you need,” she added.
Rodríguez said the distribution formula for revenues will remain the same as in 2025: 53% for communes, 29% for state governments, 15% for municipalities, and 3% for institutional strengthening. She also said the government would intervene to “correct imbalances” in how funds are allocated, particularly among some municipal and regional authorities.
The announcement follows reporting that Venezuela received at least $300 million from oil revenues tied to a U.S.–Venezuela deal that could involve up to 50 million barrels of crude. Washington officials have said the interim government met U.S. requirements under the agreement.
Japan reopens Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Plant despite public concerns
Markets rise as Trump halts Europe tariffs and floats Greenland agreement framework
Mazatenango Carnival cancelled amid State of Siege in Guatemala
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
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
-
Central America4 days agoGuatemala raises police death toll to nine after gang violence escalates
-
Central America5 days agoGuatemala prison uprisings leave 46 guards held by gangs
-
International4 days agoDeath toll from southern Spain train crash rises to 40
-
International1 day agoMexican influencer “La Nicholette” kidnapped in exclusive area of Culiacán
-
International4 days agoOver 160 christian worshippers kidnapped in Kaduna Church attacks
-
International3 days agoDaily Mail publisher insists reports relied on legitimate sources amid privacy trial
-
International3 days agoGermany says football bodies alone will decide on possible World Cup boycott
-
International5 days agoChile declares state of catastrophe as wildfires rage in Ñuble and Biobío
-
International1 day agoMajor winter storm to blanket U.S. and Canada with snow, ice and arctic cold
-
International21 hours agoMarkets rise as Trump halts Europe tariffs and floats Greenland agreement framework
-
Central America21 hours agoMazatenango Carnival cancelled amid State of Siege in Guatemala
-
International4 days agoSpain’s Prime Minister pledges transparency after train crash kills at least 39
-
International1 day ago
Trump announces preliminary NATO agreement on Greenland, suspends tariffs on Europe
-
International21 hours agoVenezuela’s interim president predicts 37% increase in revenues for 2026
-
International1 day agoColombia slams Ecuador’s 30% tariff as ‘economic aggression’
-
International21 hours agoTrump to invite Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez to Washington
-
International21 hours agoJapan reopens Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Plant despite public concerns
-
International21 hours agoFour minors killed in deadly clash between FARC dissidents in Colombia’s Amazon
-
International1 day agoJosé Jerí claims destabilization attempt after videos of secretive meetings surface