International

Ecuador faces worst oil spill in a decade, affecting 15,000 people and five rivers

At least 15,000 people have been affected in the Ecuadorian town of Quinindé following the “worst” oil spill in the past decade recorded in the coastal region, contaminating at least five rivers, according to Mayor Ronald Moreno.

Initial investigations suggest that a landslide caused by heavy rains damaged a pipeline of the state-run Transecuadorian Pipeline System (SOTE) last week, resulting in the leakage of tens of thousands of barrels of crude oil into waterways flowing through Esmeraldas province, which borders Colombia and lies along the Pacific coast.

Artisanal Fishing Impacted

“We have 4,500 affected families, meaning around 15,000 citizens who at this moment can barely even breathe,” Mayor Ronald Moreno explained in an interview with Ecuavisa. Among these families, about 2,000 live along the banks of several rivers, now covered in black, oily stains.

The spill has contaminated at least five tributaries that flow into the Pacific Ocean, where many locals rely on artisanal fishing. Some anchored boats and fishing nets are now coated with dark patches of crude oil.

“In just a few days, if this continues, we won’t be able to fish, and that’s our livelihood,” said Luis Cabezas, a resident of Rocafuerte, adding that “nine boats (and their nets) are covered in oil” due to the contamination, causing losses estimated at $50,000.

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CEL

In the village of Camarones, the oil slick has prevented boats from going out to sea, noted Moisés Espinoza, stating that “there is no catch.” “How are people supposed to survive?” he asked.

International

Venezuela accuses Guyana of “warlike intentions” after UK defense deal

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez denounced what she called “warlike intentions” from Guyana on Saturday (April 12, 2025), following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Guyana and the United Kingdom aimed at strengthening bilateral defense cooperation.

“Guyana threatens Venezuela with its founding fathers. The UK and the U.S. are the architects behind the territorial dispossession of our Guayana Esequiba. These are the same actors who forged a fraudulent arbitration award in 1899 to strip Venezuela of its land,” Rodríguez stated via Telegram.

Rodríguez, who also serves as Venezuela’s Minister of Hydrocarbons, warned the region about “these drums of war, in clear violation of the CELAC declaration that recognizes Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace.”

“Venezuela will stand firm in defending its legitimate rights, sovereignty, and territorial integrity in all scenarios,” she added.

International

Nightclub Collapse in Dominican Republic Claims 226 Lives

The death toll from the collapse of a nightclub in the Dominican Republic has risen to 226, authorities confirmed on Saturday after completing the recovery and identification of the bodies.

The tragedy occurred in the early hours of April 8, when the roof of the venue collapsed during a concert by popular merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who also died at the scene.

“There were 221 victims found at ground zero and four more who died in hospitals,” said Health Minister Víctor Atallah during a press conference. Later, his office confirmed the death of a Costa Rican national on Saturday, bringing the total to 226.

Atallah added that the number of fatalities could still rise, as several people remain in critical condition.

International

Trump Authorizes Military to Take Control of Federal Land Along U.S.-Mexico Border

In a presidential memorandum issued Friday afternoon, Trump directed the Secretaries of Defense, Homeland Security, Interior, and Agriculture to facilitate the transfer of designated public lands to allow for “military activities” under the jurisdiction of the Pentagon.

According to the document, the land transfer must begin within the next 45 days. The only area specifically named in the order is the so-called “Roosevelt Reservation”, a narrow strip of federally owned land—approximately 20 meters wide—that runs parallel to the U.S.-Mexico border for about 1,000 kilometers, stretching from New Mexico to California.

The memo does not clarify what specific military operations will take place on these lands or what their exact purpose will be.