International
Colombian Peace Tribunal identifies 2,000 “false positive” victims in major step for justice
The Peace Tribunal in Colombia identified nearly 2,000 victims of “false positives” on Thursday, a term used to describe extrajudicial killings of civilians who were falsely presented as guerrilla fighters killed in combat with the military. This is a way to confirm their existence and combat sectors that question the scale of these crimes.
“Today, we are called by a civic, ethical, and moral duty: the need to honor the memory of those who were murdered and disappeared by those who were supposed to protect them,” said Alejandro Ramelli, president of the tribunal, in front of the victims’ mothers.
This symbolic act was held in memory of the 6,402 “false positive” victims identified in the tribunal’s investigations into Colombia’s internal conflict, the majority of whom were killed between 2002 and 2008.
For Ramelli, the symbolic act was necessary to “combat the relentless and shameless denialism of those who are still concerned with the numbers, not the events.”
The tribunal has received requests from some right-wing politicians to reveal exact details, such as names, identity documents, and the specifics of the murders of the 6,402 “false positive” victims, a new figure that the tribunal established through its investigations, which is three times the numbers previously known.
However, the tribunal stated on Thursday that the full list of names would be disclosed once the verification process is completed, to protect the judicial investigation and out of “respect and dignity for their families.”
More than 800 former military personnel have provided their accounts of these crimes before the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, the tribunal established after the peace agreement signed eight years ago between the state and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Dozens of ex-soldiers have accepted responsibility for the extrajudicial executions.
The reading of the victims’ names was part of the exhibit “Women with Boots On,” presented by the mothers and relatives who have dedicated themselves to denouncing these cases and seeking justice.
International
Venezuelan opposition calls for “peaceful transition” amid election dispute
The majority opposition in Venezuela, grouped under the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD), stated Thursday that the country must “materialize” a “peaceful transition” as it marks four months since the presidential elections in which they insist their candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia, won, despite the official result declaring Nicolás Maduro the victor.
“We must materialize a peaceful transition and work together to build a Venezuela with a future full of opportunities,” the PUD said in a message posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The opposition bloc maintained that the “decision for change” expressed four months ago continues to “grow.”
“The electoral records that are circulating globally clearly demonstrate Edmundo González Urrutia’s victory,” they added.
On the same day, former governor Henrique Capriles demanded, through the same social network, that “the truth” of the presidential elections prevail.
The anti-Chávez figure believes the “hope to transform” Venezuela — governed by Chavismo since 1999 — “remains intact,” reiterating his call for “popular sovereignty” to be respected by the state’s institutions, all of which support Maduro, including the Armed Forces.
The PUD shared electoral records that they claim show the opposition’s victory in the elections, leading countries like the United States and bodies such as the European Parliament to recognize González Urrutia as the “elected president,” although the government has dismissed these as “false.”
González Urrutia, who has been in exile in Spain since September 8, has stated that he plans to swear himself in as the new president of Venezuela on January 10, when the new presidential term begins, without clarifying how he plans to achieve this goal.
Meanwhile, Maduro is preparing his government to begin a third consecutive term, while the judiciary continues to address alleged conspiracies and coup plans by those who refuse to recognize Chavismo’s victory at the polls.
International
Venezuela’s new law imposes harsh penalties for promoting foreign sanctions
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro described the law passed by the National Assembly on Thursday as “progressive.” The law imposes prison sentences ranging from 25 to 30 years for individuals who promote or are involved in any way with foreign sanctions imposed on the government and “authorities” of the state.
“It’s a progressive law, an advanced law, a law in defense of Venezuela, a law to end impunity. It was a necessary law,” said Maduro during a program broadcast by the state-owned Venezuelan Television (VTV).
Maduro emphasized that if the United States “tightens its grip” to “harm” the Caribbean nation, his government would respond by “doing good for the people, protecting the citizens, and strengthening the institutions.”
He also urged lawmakers to explain the law nationwide and announced plans to call for a “mass demonstration,” without specifying a date, to sign the legislative text and have it published in the Official Gazette.
The National Assembly (AN), controlled by the ruling chavismo, approved the ‘Libertador Simón Bolívar Organic Law Against Imperialist Blockade and in Defense of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.’ The law also imposes fines of up to one million euros (around $1,055,680) for those who promote or are involved in the foreign sanctions against the government.
The unanimously approved law includes political disqualification for up to 60 years for those convicted of these “crimes,” preventing them from running for public office or elective positions.
Moreover, individuals who “promote, instigate, request, invoke, favor, support, or participate in the adoption or execution” of “armed actions or force, as well as cyberattacks” against the country, its institutions, or authorities, many of whom are sanctioned by other countries, will face legal consequences.
Media outlets that broadcast any messages promoting sanctions or measures that “harm the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela” will also face fines and could be removed from circulation or the radio spectrum, depending on the platform.
International
Woman dies and four children injured in Barranquilla building collapse
A woman died and four children were injured following the collapse of a four-story building in Barranquilla, the main city of Colombia’s Caribbean region, local authorities reported late this evening after completing search and rescue operations.
According to Ricardo Villa, the Communications Secretary for the Barranquilla Mayor’s Office, the four minors are in stable condition after being transferred to healthcare facilities for medical treatment.
The Mayor’s Office stated in a press release that they are currently conducting a census of the families who still have belongings at the site, as well as those who will be provided with a place to spend the night.
The Risk Management Office also informed that nearby buildings were evacuated to assess their condition and ensure no additional people were affected.
The collapsed building is located in the Campo Alegre neighborhood, a hillside area where several housing complexes were built in the early 2000s. Due to landslides, residents were forced to evacuate.
According to the information provided by the Communications Secretary, 58 people from 17 families were living in the buildings in the area before the incident occurred.
“People will spend the night in a safe place, and we will later hold a risk management council to determine the actions to take going forward,” Villa explained.
Many of these buildings are now abandoned and serve as shelters for the homeless, posing a risk to those living there.
Venezuelan opposition calls for “peaceful transition” amid election dispute
Venezuela’s new law imposes harsh penalties for promoting foreign sanctions
Colombian Peace Tribunal identifies 2,000 “false positive” victims in major step for justice
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
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