International
Trump begins to design his first decrees and his possible team in the White House
The president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, has begun to shape the decrees he will sign on his first day in power, including one on immigration on the border with Mexico, and the team that will advise him in the White House and in his cabinet.
As reported this Thursday by The Washington Post and Politico newspapers, Trump’s campaign is already in transition mode after the US elections this Tuesday, in which he won a second term that will begin on January 20.
Closure of the border
Trump plans to enact on his “first day” two decrees to “close” the border with Mexico and promote oil drilling to lower prices, Jason Miller, advisor to the president-elect, told Politico.
The advisor did not give details about what this alleged “closure” of the border would imply, if it would mean closing the legal ports of entry or increasing security in that porous border area, which covers more than 3,000 kilometers.
That plan of the former US president between 2017 and 2021 has generated fears in the government of the current president, Joe Biden, that there may be a swege of migrants trying to enter the country through the southern border before the transition, NBC News network reports this Thursday.
Trump already announced this week that “on the first day” of his mandate he will threaten Mexico with tariffs of 25% on all its imports if not for the “arrival of criminals and drugs to the country”, something that could mean a violation of the T-MEC trade treaty.
Trump’s team has not specified what its decrees on energy matters will consist of either, but the former president’s commitment to fossil fuels has generated concern among advocates of a green transition to tackle the climate crisis.
Marco Rubio, among the candidates for secretary of state
Meanwhile, the campaign of the president-elect began this Wednesday to seriously debate possible names to form his government team, with Republican Senator Marco Rubio among the favorites to become Secretary of State, according to the Washington Post.
The Hispanic legislator for Florida, of Cuban origin, had a remarkable influence in politics towards Latin America during Trump’s first term, given his power in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and this year he was among the aspiring vice president in the Republican campaign.
Former director of national intelligence Rick Grenell, very close to Trump and who was ambassador to Germany between 2018 and 2020, and Senator Bill Hagerty, who was ambassador to Japan, also sound like possible heads of US diplomacy, according to Politico.
The influence of Elon Musk
For the position of Secretary of the Treasury, the names of billionaire investor John Paulson, known for having amassed a huge fortune by anticipating the 2008 financial crisis, and the current economic advisor to the president-elect, the investor Scott Bessent, indicates the Post.
Republican Senator Tom Cotton could become Secretary of Defense, while independent candidate Robert Kennedy Jr., known for his anti-vaccine stance, is expected to have a role related to health or regulation of medicines and food in the country.
Billionaire Elon Musk and television presenter Tucker Carlson spent the day with Trump in Mar-a-Lago (Florida) this Wednesday, so they could influence those first measures and the selection of their cabinet, for whose confirmation no obstacles are expected, thanks to the Republican majority in the Senate.
International
Colombia reaches $4.5 billion deal to acquire 17 Gripen Fighter Jets from Saab
The Colombian government has finalized a negotiation agreement with the Swedish company Saab for the purchase of 17 SAP-39 Gripen fighter jets, valued at more than $4.5 billion, according to local media reports.
Colombian outlets indicated that payments are scheduled to begin in 2026, starting with an initial installment of 100 billion Colombian pesos. However, the aircraft will be delivered between 2027 and 2032, when the final jet is expected to arrive in Colombia.
This new contract represents the second-largest public purchase made by Colombia so far this century, surpassed only by the investment in the Bogotá metro system, local media noted.
The agreement is expected to be officially signed during the ceremony commemorating the 216th anniversary of the Colombian Aerospace Force, to be held in Cali on November 14 of this year.
International
Venezuela accuses U.S. of using Naval Deployment to pressure Maduro government
The world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, joined the U.S. Navy’s anti-drug operation in Latin America on Tuesday—a deployment Venezuela has condemned as an attempt to pressure President Nicolás Maduro from power.
In a statement, the U.S. Southern Command confirmed that the carrier, ordered to deploy nearly three weeks ago, has entered its area of responsibility, which includes Latin America and the Caribbean.
“The world’s largest aircraft carrier will strengthen the United States’ ability to detect, monitor, and dismantle illicit actors and activities that threaten the security and prosperity of U.S. territory and our safety in the Western Hemisphere,” said Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell.
According to the White House, the U.S. government under Donald Trump has carried out about twenty operations in the Caribbean and the Pacific since early September, resulting in the deaths of 76 suspected drug traffickers.
However, U.S. authorities have not yet presented evidence that the targeted vessels were being used for drug trafficking or posed a direct threat to the country.
The operations have raised concerns in Caracas, where the Maduro administration views the deployment as a strategic move aimed at provoking regime change in Venezuela.
International
Venezuela mobilizes forces nationwide as tensions with U.S. rise
Venezuela’s armed forces launched a “massive” nationwide deployment on Tuesday in response to what the government calls “imperialist threats” from the United States, which continues its anti-drug military operation in the region and is preparing for the arrival of its most advanced aircraft carrier.
Since late August, U.S. forces have maintained a growing presence in the Caribbean to combat alleged drug trafficking originating from Colombia and Venezuela. The operation has resulted in the bombing of 20 vessels in international waters in the Caribbean and Pacific, leaving 76 people dead.
Venezuelan authorities claim the U.S. mission is aimed at toppling President Nicolás Maduro. While insisting he seeks peace, Maduro has repeatedly warned the country is prepared to defend itself and has frequently showcased military activities.
A statement from Venezuela’s Defense Ministry said the deployment includes land, air, naval, river and missile systems; armed forces units; the Bolivarian militia; and additional police, military and civilian defense structures.
State broadcaster VTV aired speeches from military leaders in various states, along with images of troops mobilizing and equipment being positioned.
However, analysts note that these frequent and highly publicized announcements do not always lead to visible operations on the ground.
On Monday, Maduro cautioned that Venezuela has the “strength and power” to respond to any aggression, including mobilizing civilians. “If imperialism were to strike and do harm, from the moment the order is given, the entire Venezuelan people would mobilize and fight,” he warned.
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