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
HRW Warns Trump’s Influence Has Weakened Human Rights in Latin America
Human Rights Watch (HRW) warned that the political influence and rhetoric of U.S. President Donald Trump have contributed to a deterioration of human rights conditions across Latin America and the Caribbean. In its World Report 2026, the organization stated that several governments in the region have committed abuses against migrants and citizens, or have used U.S. policies as justification to impose harsher repressive measures.
During the first year of Trump’s new term, HRW observed that multiple countries violated the rights of foreign nationals under direct pressure from Washington. Other governments deepened security strategies based on militarization, mass detentions and excessive use of force, according to the report.
“The impact of the Trump administration has undoubtedly been negative in Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Juanita Goebertus, HRW’s Americas director. However, she emphasized that “governments in the region remain responsible for defending democracy and fundamental rights, regardless of who is in power in Washington.”
HRW also reported that the United States significantly reduced cooperation funding for human rights organizations and independent media. At the same time, countries such as El Salvador, Peru and Ecuador passed laws allowing the arbitrary closure of civil society organizations and media outlets, weakening democratic systems and institutional checks and balances.
The organization further criticized what it described as a “double standard” in U.S. foreign policy, which condemns human rights violations in Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua while overlooking serious abuses committed by allies such as El Salvador, Peru and Ecuador. The report also included criticism of the U.S. military attack against Venezuela in early 2026, warning that it could strengthen Nicolás Maduro’s regime and respond primarily to U.S. political and commercial interests.
International
Delcy Rodríguez Takes Control of Chavismo as Venezuela Enters a U.S.-Supervised Transition
With short speeches and an academic image, Delcy Rodríguez—the woman sworn in as Venezuela’s acting president—has taken the helm of Chavismo at a critical moment, as the movement seeks to ensure its survival while the country enters a phase of change overseen by the United States, putting the foundations of the revolution to the test.
Following the military operation on January 3 that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro, the Chavista leadership moved quickly to fill the power vacuum and confront the new political dynamic from within the state apparatus. In this context, Rodríguez has emerged as the central figure tasked with steering the ruling movement through an uncertain transition.
Although she has held telephone conversations with U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Rodríguez has publicly insisted on Venezuela’s independence and has sharply criticized an opposition that currently lacks meaningful influence within the political landscape.
“Enough of Washington’s orders over Venezuelan politicians. Venezuelan politics must be the one to resolve our differences and internal conflicts,” Rodríguez said on January 25, while defending her proposal for a “political dialogue” with both “like-minded” and “divergent” sectors, which she had presented two days earlier.
International
Epstein Denies Being ‘the Devil’ in Newly Released Video Interview
Jeffrey Epstein claims he was the least dangerous type of sex offender and denied being “the devil” in a video interview included in the latest batch of documents released over the weekend by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The roughly two-hour interview was conducted by Steve Bannon, a former adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, and appears to have been recorded at the late financier’s New York residence on an unknown date.
Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while in jail awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges involving minors. Since December, the U.S. government has released millions of documents related to the case under transparency laws.
“Do you think you’re the devil incarnate?” Bannon asks Epstein in the video interview revealed in the latest release.
“No, but I do have a good mirror,” Epstein replies with a smile, wearing a black shirt and glasses. When pressed again, he adds, “I don’t know. Why would you say that?”
Epstein, who pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting a minor for prostitution, also appears to downplay the seriousness of his conviction.
He objects when Bannon refers to him as a “Level Three sexual predator,” a classification in the United States indicating a very serious threat to public safety.
“No, I’m the lowest,” Epstein says.
“But still an offender,” Bannon responds.
“Yes,” Epstein replies.
The exchange comes after Bannon asks Epstein whether he considers his wealth to be “dirty,” suggesting it was earned by advising “the worst people in the world.”
Epstein insists that he made his money legally, while acknowledging that “ethics is always a complicated issue.”
He claims he donated money to help eradicate polio in Pakistan and India, apparently in an attempt to justify the origins of his fortune.
The documents also show that Bannon maintained regular correspondence with Epstein, who offered to help the far-right political figure spread his conservative ideology in Europe.
Since Trump took office in January 2025, U.S. authorities have released millions of pages related to Epstein, along with photos and videos.
These materials have shed new light on Epstein’s ties to high-profile business executives such as Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, celebrities including filmmaker Woody Allen, and academics and political figures, among them Trump and former President Bill Clinton.
HRW Warns Trump’s Influence Has Weakened Human Rights in Latin America
Delcy Rodríguez Takes Control of Chavismo as Venezuela Enters a U.S.-Supervised Transition
Epstein Denies Being ‘the Devil’ in Newly Released Video Interview
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
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Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
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