International
Evo Morales assures that he is “the first electoral option” in Bolivia despite disqualification
The former president of Bolivia Evo Morales, between 2006 and 2019, said this Saturday that he is still “the first option” with a view to the general elections of 2025, despite the fact that he is not qualified to run again.
Morales thus reacted to a vote intention survey commissioned and disseminated by businessman Marcelo Claure that shows the former leader of the governmental Movement to Socialism (MAS) tied in first place with the opposition Manfred Reyes Villa, current mayor of the central city of Cochabamba.
“This is the reason why they try to steal the acronym, chase us with about twenty trials, try to disqualify us and try to kill us. We are first in all polls,” Morales said in X.
Evo Morales: “we are the first choice of the people”
“Despite the fact that they always minimize our support in the popular sectors and in the countryside, we are the first choice of the people to save Bolivia,” added the politician, who is distant from the Government of Luis Arce.
He also assured that he will continue to “fight to prevent” Bolivia from “continuing and falling into the hands of those who want to destroy it.”
The survey released by Claure was conducted by the company Panterra from November 2 to 15, with face-to-face interviews with people over 18 years of age in Bolivia and a margin of error of 2.2%.
Among other results, the consultation shows that Morales and Reyes Villa are tied with 18%, followed by the opposition businessman Samuel Doria Medina with 13%, and there are also 21% of respondents who do not know who they are going to vote for.
“Trusted information”
Claure indicated in X that she commissioned the survey to “provide Bolivians with reliable information to understand the political environment and make informed decisions” and justified Morales’ inclusion that “in Bolivia everything can change and nothing is certain.”
The Constitution and the law of Bolivia establish that to win in the first round you must obtain 50% plus one of the votes, or at least 40% with an advantage of ten percentage points over the second most voted.
The Magna Carta also allows only two presidential periods, but Morales was able to run for the 2014 elections in search of a third term and in 2019 in pursuit of the fourth with the endorsement of the Plurinational Constitutional Court (TCP).
Morales and his lawyers insist that he is qualified to run again in 2025, but the Government assures that it is not basing it on an advisory opinion of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (CorteIDH) on indefinite re-election, a ruling of the Bolivian TCP issued in 2023 and the Constitution itself.
Sentence against Evo Morales
Two TCP magistrates recently issued a sentence indicating that the elected authorities in the Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches can only exercise for two periods, continuous or discontinuous, which affects Morales’ intentions to be a candidate again.
The same magistrates also endorsed a congress held by the MAS faction related to the Arce Government that elected the peasant leader Grover García as the new president of the party, stripping Morales of the official leadership after almost three decades.
Morales considers the resolutions of the TCP null and void because the current magistrates extended his mandate and that of the judges of other high courts of Bolivia, which was supposed to end at the beginning of 2024, in the absence of the judicial elections that could not be held in 2023.
Arce and Morales have been distanced since the end of 2021 due to differences in the state administration, the need to renew the direction of the MAS and the definition of the candidacy of the ruling party for 2025.
International
United Nations Coordinates Relief Efforts as Venezuela Death Toll Rises After Twin Quakes
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday expressed his condolences to the people of Venezuela following the two devastating earthquakes that struck the country and highlighted the ongoing coordination between UN humanitarian teams and interim President Delcy Rodríguez.
Speaking during the UN’s daily press briefing, spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said Guterres was deeply saddened by the loss of life and widespread destruction caused by the disaster.
“The Secretary-General is deeply distressed by the loss of life and the widespread devastation caused by the earthquakes that struck Venezuela yesterday. He extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured,” Dujarric stated.
Venezuela was struck on Wednesday by two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude. According to official figures, the disaster has left at least 164 people dead and 971 others injured.
Dujarric noted that preliminary reports indicate significant damage across several states, including the capital, Caracas. Numerous casualties have been reported, while other individuals remain trapped beneath collapsed structures or are still missing.
“Critical infrastructure has been damaged and essential services have been disrupted,” the spokesperson said.
The United Nations confirmed that its humanitarian team remains in close contact with interim President Delcy Rodríguez and other relevant authorities as emergency operations continue.
To support relief efforts, the UN has established a coordination center in Caracas and is assisting local authorities to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches affected communities as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Guterres also welcomed the expressions of solidarity and offers of assistance from countries around the world that responded following news of the disaster, underscoring the importance of international cooperation in addressing the humanitarian emergency.
International
OAS Secretary General Pledges Regional Assistance Following Venezuela Quake Disaster
The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Albert Ramdin, said on Thursday that the “hemispheric community” stands ready to provide “full support” to Venezuela and its people following the powerful earthquakes that struck the country overnight, leaving at least 164 people dead and nearly 1,000 injured.
Speaking at the conclusion of the OAS General Assembly, Ramdin expressed solidarity not only with Venezuela but also with Colombia, Curaçao and Aruba, where the tremors were also felt.
“Above all, our thoughts are with these peoples,” he said during his remarks.
Ramdin noted that while many details about the disaster are still emerging, countries across the hemisphere are prepared to assist Venezuela as it responds to the crisis.
“Much remains unknown at this stage, but the hemispheric community will be ready to support the people of Venezuela during this very difficult time,” he stated, reiterating the organization’s commitment to helping those affected.
According to updated information released by the Venezuelan government, the powerful earthquakes have been followed by at least 30 aftershocks. Authorities have also reported extensive structural damage, including numerous building collapses in La Guaira, the area considered hardest hit by the disaster.
Rescue efforts are currently focused on La Guaira, where emergency teams continue searching for survivors trapped beneath the rubble as officials assess the full extent of the damage.
International
Bill Gates Says Jeffrey Epstein Made “Veiled” Threats Over Extramarital Affairs
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates told members of the U.S. Congress that he received “veiled” threats from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein related to his extramarital affairs, according to a transcript of his testimony released Tuesday.
Gates testified behind closed doors on June 10 before the House Oversight Committee regarding his relationship with the American financier, who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking-related charges. Epstein had previously been convicted in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
According to the transcript released by the committee, Gates said Epstein appeared to want to use his knowledge of Gates’ personal relationships as leverage to keep him within his circle at a time when Gates was already distancing himself.
“I was not blackmailed, but reading these emails, it seems like Mr. Epstein’s ideas were moving in that direction,” Gates said, referring to documents from the Epstein case released by the Justice Department in January.
Gates added that Epstein never sent him anything he would personally classify as blackmail. However, he said the content of certain draft emails suggested Epstein was “rehearsing” how he, or someone he instructed, might attempt to pressure him.
“He was, in a way, practicing how he himself, or someone he directed, could choose to blackmail me, but none of those messages were ever sent to me,” Gates told lawmakers.
The 70-year-old billionaire had previously stated that he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal behavior and said he had never been involved in harming anyone.
In February, Gates told The Wall Street Journal that his association with Epstein was a serious mistake. He also acknowledged having extramarital relationships, while denying any involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities.
Gates said his relationship with Epstein began in 2011, three years after Epstein’s conviction, and acknowledged that he was aware of Epstein’s legal troubles at the time.
However, Gates said he was told that Epstein had the ability to raise billions of dollars for global health initiatives, an area in which Gates had significant involvement.
“When I met him, I knew he had been convicted,” Gates told lawmakers. “I knew it was of a sexual nature, but I didn’t try to learn more, although I probably should have.”
United Nations Coordinates Relief Efforts as Venezuela Death Toll Rises After Twin Quakes
OAS Secretary General Pledges Regional Assistance Following Venezuela Quake Disaster
Bill Gates Says Jeffrey Epstein Made “Veiled” Threats Over Extramarital Affairs
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