International
Brussels will continue to explore the development of deportation centers for migrants outside the EU
The European Commission (EC) will continue to explore the idea of creating migrant deportation centers in countries outside the European Union, as a formula to increase the returns of those who do not obtain the right to stay in the community area.
“Some Member States are asking to explore possible ways to advance solutions, such as the idea of developing deportation centers outside the EU,” said European Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli, on Wednesday in a debate on migration held in the European Parliament.
“The Commission will continue to explore possible progress on the idea of developing deportation centres outside the Union, especially in the view of a legislative proposal on returns,” he added.
Respect for fundamental rights
According to the comissar, “significant attention will be paid to respect for fundamental rights, when considering measures such as deportation centers.”
In this sense, Dalli has assured that he is in contact with organizations such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees “to ensure that International Law and the principle of non-return are always respected in all cases.”
The commissioner made this clarification after last week the President of the EC, Ursula von der Leyen, sent a letter to the leaders of the Twenty-Seven in which she asked to “continue exploring” to advance the idea of developing deportation centers outside the EU and called for lessons from the implementation of the agreement between Italy and Albania.
He did so before a European summit in which it was discussed how to increase the return of migrants, a priority issue for all Member States, which are beginning to consider the possibility of creating deportation centers abroad, ruled out a few years ago by doubts about its compatibility with Community and international legislation.
Reviews of Von der Leyen
In the debate, the PP MEP Dolors Montserrat assured that the southern border of Europe, in reference to the Spanish Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla, “is at serious risk of collapse due to the constant arrival of irregular immigrants.”
Montserrat accused the Government of Spain of this situation because “it does not defend our borders or our security forces, evades international cooperation, disobeys Europe and despises Frontex’s help.”
Meanwhile, the president of the social democratic group, Iratxe García Pérez, warned that her party will not allow Von der Leyen’s letter about deportation centers to “bury” the recently agreed European migration pact.
In his opinion, “indiscriminate” deportations represent “the most unworthy abdication of the values of the European project.”
“Now that the Italian Justice has ruled that the agreement of the Government of (Giorgia) Meloni with Albania is illegal, Mrs. Von der Leyen must abandon her inhuman and illegal proposal to create deportation centers in third countries,” she said.
From Sumar, Estrella Galán said that “building prisons for refugees in Europe is an outrageous” and accused Von der Leyen of having crossed a red line for a handful of votes.
For ERC, Diana Riba criticized “the blackmail” experienced by the EU by Turkey or Morocco, who she said have been converted into “border guards.”
From Vox, Jorge Buxadé called for “against illegal immigration, deportation” and “against mass immigration, mass deportations.”
International
Mexico Arrests CJNG Leader “El Jardinero” in Nayarit
Mexican authorities arrested Audias Flores, known as “El Jardinero,” on Monday during a naval operation in the western state of Nayarit, delivering another major blow to the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG).
Flores was considered one of the top regional leaders within the cartel and had reportedly overseen criminal operations along Mexico’s Pacific coast. Security analysts viewed him as a potential successor to slain drug kingpin Nemesio Oseguera.
The arrest was carried out by Mexico’s Navy Special Forces in a planned operation, according to Security Minister Omar García Harfuch.
The United States Department of the Treasury had previously identified Flores as a “significant foreign narcotics trafficker,” while U.S. authorities offered a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to his capture and extradition.
A U.S. grand jury indicted Flores in 2021 on charges including conspiracy to distribute cocaine and heroin.
His capture comes months after the reported death of “El Mencho,” an operation that Mexican authorities considered a priority due to the cartel leader’s alleged involvement in a 2020 assassination attempt against García Harfuch.
International
Suspect Armed With Shotgun and Knives Detained at White House Correspondents Dinner
U.S. authorities confirmed Saturday that the suspect who stormed into the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner while President Donald Trump was attending acted alone, adding that there is no ongoing threat to the public following the incident, which left one Secret Service agent injured.
Acting Metropolitan Police Department chief Jeff Carroll said during a press conference that the suspect was carrying “a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives” when he attempted to pass through a Secret Service security checkpoint inside the hotel lobby at approximately 8:36 p.m. local time.
“At this point, everything indicates that this was a lone actor, a lone gunman,” Carroll stated, adding that investigators have found no preliminary evidence suggesting the involvement of additional suspects.
During the exchange of gunfire inside the hotel corridors, the suspect was not struck by bullets but was subdued by law enforcement officers and later transported to a hospital for medical evaluation.
A member of the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division was shot during the incident, though the bullet was stopped by the officer’s ballistic vest, preventing serious injuries. The agent was taken to a hospital and is reportedly “in good spirits,” according to Carroll.
The shooting prompted the immediate evacuation of President Trump, Melania Trump, and several senior officials attending the event after multiple gunshots were heard outside the hotel’s main ballroom.
International
U.S. allows Venezuela to fund Maduro and Cilia Flores’ legal defense
Until now, the U.S. administration had blocked the Venezuelan government from covering the legal fees of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who is also jailed and facing drug trafficking charges, due to international sanctions imposed on Venezuela.
The couple’s legal team had relied on that argument in an attempt to have the indictment dismissed, claiming that preventing a defendant from accessing counsel of their choice violates rights guaranteed under the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
However, the U.S. Treasury Department will now allow “defense attorneys to receive payments from the Government of Venezuela under certain conditions,” New York prosecutor Jay Clayton wrote in a letter dated Friday to Judge Alvin Hellerstein, who is overseeing the case.
According to the letter, the funds must have become available after March 5, 2026, and cannot come from Venezuelan oil sales regulated in the United States.
Since Maduro’s removal from power in early January, former Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has served as Venezuela’s interim leader.
The United States effectively controls Venezuelan crude exports, with revenues deposited into special accounts supervised by Washington.
Court documents filed on Friday show that the defense acknowledged the sanctions exemption and, for now, withdrew its motion seeking dismissal of the charges.
Guatemala’s President to Hold Private Interviews for Attorney General Candidates
Mexico Arrests CJNG Leader “El Jardinero” in Nayarit
Suspect Armed With Shotgun and Knives Detained at White House Correspondents Dinner
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
-
International5 days agoIran refuses to reopen strait of Hormuz amid ongoing U.S. Naval blockade
-
Central America4 days agoGuatemala Court Voids List of Candidates for Top Prosecutor Position
-
International4 days agoPope Leo XIV Says Countries Have Border Rights but Migrants Deserve Respect
-
International2 days agoU.S. allows Venezuela to fund Maduro and Cilia Flores’ legal defense
-
International5 days agoAuthorities Say Teotihuacán Gunman Was Obsessed With Mass Shootings and Extremist Symbolism
-
International3 days agoU.S. Sanctions Network Linked to Fentanyl Trafficking Across India, Guatemala and Mexico
-
International1 day agoSuspect Armed With Shotgun and Knives Detained at White House Correspondents Dinner
-
International1 hour agoMexico Arrests CJNG Leader “El Jardinero” in Nayarit
-
Central America1 hour agoGuatemala’s President to Hold Private Interviews for Attorney General Candidates