International
Shock in Haiti over the massacre of more than 70 people at the hands of an armed gang
The massacre perpetrated early last Thursday morning by the armed group Gran Grif in Pont Sondé, about 100 kilometers from Port-au-Prince, left more than 70 dead, including women, children and the elderly, and has shocked depressed Haiti, immersed for years in a crisis that is only worsening.
The balance of the massacre in Pont Sondé, in the commune of Saint-Marc, in Artibonite, could increase with the hours, because sporadic shots are still heard in the area, which cannot be accessed due to violence.
Several houses and vehicles were set on fire, forcing survivors to take refuge in other places or in the public square of Saint-Marc after walking for hours and crossing bodies along the way.
Inhuman and unacceptable acts
The Prime Minister, Garry Conille, visited the victims this Saturday at the Saint Nicolas de Saint Marc hospital, where he sympathized with the families and expressed his deepest indignation for these acts, which he described as inhumane.
“This new act of violence, directed against innocent civilians, is unacceptable and requires an urgent, rigorous and coordinated response from the State,” said Conille, in office since June 12, replacing Ariel Henry, who resigned in the midst of an outbreak of violence.
During his visit, the head of government reiterated his government’s “full commitment” to work “relentlessly” to restore the security and authority of the State and protect all citizens.
Several units of the Haitian National Police (PNH) are deployed in the commune of Saint-Marc, where they have sent armored vehicles and contingents of the Multinational Security Support Force, which is led by Kenya, with the aim of reinforcing police officers who are already on the ground carrying out operations to dismantle criminal gangs, the Police announced on Facebook.
The division commissioner of the Artibonite Police, Jean Louis Paul Ménard, was dismissed after the massacre for his inability to neutralize the armed gangs that control the region. Instead, they appointed Caleb Exantus, who took office yesterday.
A planned massacre in Haiti
Rumors of a planned massacre had been circulating in Pont-Sondé for at least two months, according to a report by the NGO National Network for the Defense of Human Rights (Rnddh), which expressed its dismay at the news on Saturday.
The armed men blamed the local population for joining forces with those of the members of “The Coalition” – a self-defense group – who are trying to stop criminal activities at the Gran Grif base and prevent them from profiting from the toll they have recently installed on the national road,” Rnddh revealed.
This massacre was characterized by murders, injuries caused by bullets and knives, the burning of houses, vehicles and checkpoints, and the forced displacement of the population of Pont-Sondé.
“People with babies and young children were also killed. The corpses lie on the ground, they have not yet been recovered by their relatives,” Rnddh denounced.
The authorities, unable to restore peace
The Pont-Sondé massacre adds to the thousands of victims of acts of violence against people and property perpetrated by armed people, who have enjoyed impunity for several years, the NGO laments in a document.
“The new state authorities put in place by the international community promised to restore order and security in the country,” however, “nothing has changed since they came to power.”
“They are content to empty the coffers of the State by granting themselves all kinds of advantages, while they let the population manage with the armed men,” he says, while assuring that “nothing is being done to regain control of the areas occupied by members of the armed organizations, disarm them, arrest them, try and condemn them in proportion to the acts of which they are accused.”
The Rnddh recommends that authorities actively search for armed members of the Gran Grif base, run by Luckson Elan.
It also calls for psychological and financial assistance programs to be launched for the entire population of Pont-Sondé, in particular the one that is currently in the public square Philippe Guerrier, very shocked by the attack and who could not take anything with him when he was fleeing the attack of the gang members.
International
Donald Trump pledges strong borders and legal immigration at Univision Forum witv latino Voters
Presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump stated at a forum with Latino voters on Wednesday that he supports legal immigration and strong borders. He also reiterated the false claim that certain countries are sending their prisoners and emptying mental institutions to send them to the United States, a narrative he has used to criticize President Joe Biden’s immigration policies.
Trump claimed at the Univision-organized forum that his immigration policies were “an unprecedented success” and that Biden should have maintained his strategy at the southern border, including the “Remain in Mexico” policy, which returns asylum seekers to Mexico while their applications are processed.
The Republican candidate alleged that countries like Venezuela “open their prisons and mental institutions” to send criminals and the mentally ill to the U.S., a generalization that stigmatizes undocumented immigrants and is not backed by data.
“Under me, immigrants came legally, and the system worked well (…) Let them come legally, and don’t release murderers, drug traffickers, and terrorists,” said Trump, who has promised mass deportations of undocumented immigrants.
The former president repeated falsehoods and inaccuracies, such as claiming that “the world’s prison population is decreasing because they’re sending them to the U.S.” and that “Venezuela is emptying its prisons so they can come here.” He reiterated, “We want people to come, but not killers.”
Trump sought to win over Latino voters with promises to support small businesses, attract investment and new jobs, and reduce inflation by lowering energy prices and increasing oil and gas production.
“The Democrats don’t know anything about growth (economically). We will attract companies and end abuse and waste,” said Trump, adding that he now has the support of SpaceX and Tesla founder Elon Musk to help control federal government spending.
Trump has narrowed the gap in Latino voter support between Democrats and Republicans since the 2016 elections, an improvement that could be crucial in winning key states like Arizona, Nevada, and Pennsylvania to secure the White House after the November 5 election.
International
Experts highlight role of public sector in advancing technology in Central America at EFE Forum
Representatives from the business sector, multilateral organizations, and the Government of El Salvador highlighted on Wednesday, during a forum organized by EFE for its 85th anniversary, the importance of the public sector in advancing technology in Central America, particularly in areas such as health, education, and the climate crisis.
Under the theme ‘Innovation and Development: Driving the Future in Central America,’ the forum held in San Salvador brought together the Minister of Economy, María Luisa Hayem, the CEO of Asesuisa, Ficohsa Group, Enzo Bizzarro, and the country representative of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Olga Gómez.
According to Hayem, the Central American region has a “window of opportunity” in integrating its innovation ecosystems to achieve greater multilateral investment.
“The greater the impact of these projects, not just from El Salvador, but from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Costa Rica, the more we will attract the attention of investment funds,” said the Salvadoran official.
She noted that this conversation has already begun, at least with the Ministry of Economy of Guatemala.
For her part, Gómez pointed out that “disruptive technologies represent a significant opportunity for El Salvador and the region” by creating new opportunities.
She emphasized that these advances have important applications in health, education, businesses, and addressing the climate crisis.
“All these disruptive technologies will allow us better access to education, identify knowledge gaps, (…) and lead to major transformations,” she said.
The IDB representative added that “this is a revolution here to stay” and believes “the public sector’s role is crucial” in creating the necessary conditions.
International
Liam Payne, former One Direction member, dies after tragic fall in Argentina
British musician and singer Liam Payne, former member of the band One Direction, has died after falling from a hotel in Palermo, Argentina, according to international media reports this Wednesday afternoon.
Payne, 31 years old, fell from one of the floors of an Argentine hotel, dying instantly. Argentine news outlets report that authorities are still investigating the cause of the incident.
Born in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom, Payne was part of the iconic group One Direction, one of the biggest pop sensations in recent years, alongside Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik.
Donald Trump pledges strong borders and legal immigration at Univision Forum witv latino Voters
Experts highlight role of public sector in advancing technology in Central America at EFE Forum
Liam Payne, former One Direction member, dies after tragic fall in Argentina
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
-
Central America5 days agoHonduran President Xiomara Castro: Honduras should no longer be used as a drug trafficking bridge
-
International5 days agoColombia’s largest operation in years targets FARC dissidents in El Plateado
-
International5 days agoVenezuelan President Nicolás Maduro criticizes argentine government’s October 12 Message
-
International4 days agoVenezuela’s attorney general accuses Lula and Boric of ties to CIA
-
International4 days agoEcuador seizes over 500 kilos of cocaine hidden in bananas bound for Russia
-
International2 days agoHezbula attributes the launch of 50 rockets from Lebanon to northern Israel
-
Internacionales5 days agoVenezuela highlights oil reserves as strengths for joining BRICS
-
International2 days agoVenezuela rejects “pamphlet” of the UN Mission that denounces crimes against humanity
-
International2 days agoThe Pentagon confirms that a fleet of drones flew over one of its bases for days
-
Internacionales5 days agoMaría Corina Machado urges teachers to unite for a “free” and transformed Venezuela
-
International2 days agoNicolás Maduro reaffirms his intention to be sworn in as re-elected president of Venezuela in 2025
-
International17 hours ago“Banda El Carbonero” brings El Salvador’s spirit to New York in Hispanic Day Parade
-
International17 hours agoLiam Payne, former One Direction member, dies after tragic fall in Argentina
-
International17 hours agoDonald Trump pledges strong borders and legal immigration at Univision Forum witv latino Voters
-
International17 hours agoVenezuelan opposition leader urges oil companies to cut ties with “Corrupt and Criminal Regime”
-
International17 hours agoExperts highlight role of public sector in advancing technology in Central America at EFE Forum