Una explosión sacudió el pasado fin de semana una vía del departamento del Cauca, en el suroccidente de Colombia, y dejó al menos 20 muertos, en uno de los atentados contra civiles más letales de la violenta historia del país.

La acción, atribuida al frente que comanda alias Iván Mordisco —jefe de la principal disidencia de las antiguas FARC—, no es un episodio aislado: es el último capítulo de un pulso abierto entre los grupos armados y el Estado colombiano, y un golpe directo a la apuesta de “paz total” con la que Gustavo Petro llegó al poder.

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Con la polvareda levantada por la muerte de dos agentes de la CIA en México todavía humeante, una nueva polémica abre otro frente en la relación bilateral.

A poco más de un mes de las cruciales negociaciones para renovar el Tratado de Libre Comercio (TMEC), México y Estados Unidos atraviesan un bache que amenaza con ser largo y profundo.

La disputa sobre qué estaban haciendo exactamente los dos agentes de la CIA, muertos en un accidente en las montañas de Chihuahua el 19 de abril, ha precipitado este lunes la renuncia del fiscal del Estado norteño.

Pero mientras la presidenta, Claudia Sheinbaum, presionaba para esclarecer lo ocurrido, el embajador estadounidense lanzaba unas duras declaraciones el viernes de la semana pasada.

Desde la simbólica tierra de Sinaloa, Robert Johnson exigió “certeza, seguridad y un entorno libre de corrupción” para las inversiones estadounidenses.

Y cerró su intervención diciendo: “Es probable que pronto veamos acciones significativas en esta materia.

Estén atentos”.

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Estados Unidos planifica en el espacio; China, en el tiempo.

Mientras los norteamericanos disputan territorios con soldados, los chinos conquistan el futuro con la tecnología.

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El final de la ley de amnistía en Venezuela, anunciado por la presidenta encargada, Delcy Rodríguez, la semana pasada, ha dejado en el país un balance marcado por el alivio parcial, la polémica y la sensación de insuficiencia.

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Ecuador y Venezuela son los únicos países de América Latina que tienen establecida una jornada laboral de 40 horas.

Chile avanza de cerca para ocupar el tercer puesto.

Este domingo 26 de abril, el país sudamericano comienza la reducción a 42 horas semanales, un paso más para llegar a la meta.

El resto de la región se mueve entre las 42 y las 48 horas legales, aunque varios gobiernos han emprendido reformas graduales que convierten las 40 horas en una promesa más que en una realidad inmediata.

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Caracas, Venezuela — Venezuela’s prison system has long been criticized for its poor conditions, ranging from overcrowding and procedural delays to unsanitary environments and allegations of abuse.  These concerns are again mounting following the deaths in recent days of nine detainees in various detention centers across the country.

The first case involves five deaths inside the Yare III prison in the state of Miranda, as confirmed on April 20 by the Ministry of Penitentiary Affairs.

After several hours of silence and conflicting reports, the agency issued a statement indicating that the deaths were the result of a fight inside the prison.  The victims were identified as Keivin Matamoros, Eliecer Córdoba, Erkin Ramos, José Andrade, and Jean Carlos Jiménez.

Screenshot of statement from Ministry of Penitentiary Affairs via Instagram The Venezuelan Prison Observatory (OVP) last week requested that an investigation be conducted to clarify what had occurred.

Furthermore, they noted that relatives of the detainees did not believe the government’s version of events, as the deceased reportedly suffered gunshot wounds.

“These allegations are particularly alarming in a prison where the state exercises total control and where the entry of weapons cannot be explained without the participation, tolerance, or negligence of the custodial authorities,” the observatory stated.

For this reason, the organization demanded that Ángel de Castro, the director of the Yare III prison, be removed from office.  It also called for the prison to be placed under the supervision of a commission comprising the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Ombudsman’s Office, the Ministry of Penitentiary Affairs, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), based in Caracas, to verify the current detention conditions, guarantee the lives and safety of the inmates, and ensure transparency in the investigation of the recent killings.  Family members of other prisoners have also publicly asked authorities if anyone else was injured in the incident and, if so, what their condition is.

Tras horas de incertidumbre y exigencias de fe de vida por parte de familiares, el Ministerio para el Servicio Penitenciario confirmó la muerte de cinco personas privadas de libertad en Yare III, ocurrida el #20Abr en medio de una situación irregular dentro del penal.Las… pic.twitter.com/qjtMLIRvcs— Observatorio Venezolano de Prisiones (@oveprisiones) April 21, 2026 The OVP has documented human rights violations at this prison before.  The complaints they have received indicate that there have been incidents of torture and cruel and inhuman treatment, such as beatings with a bat called “human rights” and prolonged confinement in the “tigrito” cell, a space devoid of light and ventilation.

Four deaths in recent days In a separate case, the OVP reported on April 21 the death of Rosqui Norberto Escalon (71), who it claims was the victim of a series of irregularities at the Uribana prison in the state of Lara in northern Venezuela.  They noted that the inmate died on the way back to the prison, after officials allegedly forced his medical discharge despite his frailty.

The man’s body was allegedly left on the floor of the Barquisimeto Central Hospital by guards.

The incident was captured on video, which has gone viral on social media.

#DenunciaOVP Rosqui Norberto Escalona, de 71 años de edad, privado de libertad en el Centro Penitenciario David Viloria, Uribana #Lara, murió bajo condiciones de absoluta crueldad.

​Desde el viernes #17Abr el septuagenario presentaba graves padecimientos de salud, que… pic.twitter.com/lsOpIl22xK— Observatorio Venezolano de Prisiones (@oveprisiones) April 22, 2026 Similar deaths were also reported:  Yelamo Zárraga José Ramón’s death inside the Tocuyito Prison, the country’s largest penitentiary, was reported on April 24.  Deivi Enrique García’s death at Rodeo IV was reported on April 20.  Ovidio José Madriz Mendoza’s death at Rodeo III was also reported April 20.  The OVP stated that these individuals “died in circumstances marked by a lack of timely medical care and degrading living conditions.

They, too, are victims of state negligence.” Featured image: Prisoners in Venezuela.

Image credit: The Venezuelan Prison Observatory (OVP) website.

The post Deaths in Venezuelan prisons raise alarms among NGOs and human rights defenders appeared first on Latin America Reports.

Caracas, Venezuela — Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodríguez announced that the country’s so-called amnesty law, which aims to free political prisoners detained during the regime of Nicolás Maduro, will come to an end just two months after its approval in February.

During an April 24 event at Miraflores Palace, the presidential headquarters, the president said, “This amnesty law is coming to an end.

For those cases that were not covered, or rather, were expressly excluded, there are other avenues through which they can be addressed.” She also noted, “In the Democratic Coexistence and Peace Program—from which some members have moved to the Executive Branch—there is a forum for addressing cases related to justice.

The same applies to the Commission for Criminal Justice Reform.” At the meeting, Rodríguez said that some 8,616 people had been freed under the amnesty law, the BBC reported.   According to Foro Penal, an NGO that monitors political detentions in the country, 473 political prisoners remain in jail.

(Other NGOs have counted as many as 670 political prisoners still in custody).

Many of their family members are worried about their fates as the sun goes down on the amnesty law.  Other NGOs, such as the Venezuelan Program for Education and Action on Human Rights (Provea), have been more forceful, rejecting Rodríguez’s statements and characterizing the move as a major setback for the country.

“This constitutes an arbitrary and unconstitutional measure that does not contribute to the process of coexistence and peace that has been announced,” the organization wrote.

It added that, despite its limitations, “the Amnesty Law is a first step toward dismantling the repressive framework that has stifled the rights of the Venezuelan people in recent years.” The organization argues that an instrument such as amnesty for political prisoners must be part of any process of reinstitutionalization in the country.  “It should be a first step in that direction, but it is not a prerequisite for the full release of all those deprived of their liberty for political reasons,” Provea noted.

Featured image: Families of political prisoners protest in Caracas in February 2026.

Image credit: Julio Blanca for Latin America Reports The post Venezuela’s amnesty law comes to an end, alarming families of political prisoners appeared first on Latin America Reports.

Medellin, Colombia — On Tuesday, a group of more than two thousand migrants, mainly of Haitian origin, reportedly left the southeastern city of Tapachula in Chiapas, on their way to cities in central and northern Mexico.  In years past, migrant caravans traversing Mexico were usually destined for the United States.

But following the second Trump administration’s tightening of asylum policy, this goal has become more unrealistic, and Mexico has increasingly become a destination country for migrants, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Some of the people who make up the “David” caravan have spent weeks or more in southern Mexico, waiting to normalize their migration status to be able to move more freely in Mexico, according to migrant news website Conexión Migrante.

The process can be slow as Mexico fields more asylum requests.  According to the UNHCR, between 2020 and 2024, there were almost 500,000 asylum requests in Mexico, a number that has resulted in long delays from the Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (COMAR) and the National Institute of Migration (INM).  As of September 2025, there were more than 58,800 new asylum claims, and COMAR had increased its processing capacity fivefold since 2018.

Between October 1 2024 and June 30 2025, there were 142,145 requests for humanitarian visas in Mexico, but only 5,191 were granted, according to the INM Strategic Plan.

The bureaucratic problems pre-date Trump’s immigration crackdown in his second term.  In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced COMAR to suspend activity, accumulating a backlog of asylum petitions.

Exacerbating the issue was Trump’s January 2025 suspension of the CBP One digital asylum-seeking app in the U.S., followed by budget cuts to COMAR from the Mexican government as well as the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).  Via a Whatsapp group organized for the caravan, many members cited extreme delays for processing asylum applications as a motive for heading north from Mexico’s southern border.

Lack of employment and cost of living were also cited, according to Conexión Migrante.  Without documentation, many foreign migrants are stuck in a legal limbo, where they run the risk of being stopped by authorities, deported or sent back to the southern border with Guatemala.  Migrants have also been targeted by criminal groups for kidnapping and extortion, with ProPublica reporting that this problem has entered a new phase in terms of scale and character.

Migrants’ undefined legal status also often forces them to work long hours with lower pay, according to the International Rescue Committee.  Since Claudia Sheinbaum took office in October 2024, there have been 18 migrant caravans leaving from Tapachula, though none of them have made it further than Oaxaca, the state neighbouring Chiapas.  At the end of March, the ‘Genesis’ migrant caravan set off from Tapachula, but it was intercepted after 12 days and dissolved by the INM.

According to local news outlet Diario del Sur, on Thursday, the David caravan arrived in Escuintla, Chiapas after three days of walking, where members will rest before continuing the journey.  Many migrants were demonstrating signs of extreme physical exhaustion, and approximately thirty who fell behind the main group have been sent back to Tapachula, where they remain under the custody of the authorities, according to Reporteros del Sur.

Featured image description: David migrant caravan in Mexico Featured image credits: @reporterosdlsur via X The post Migrant caravan leaves Southern Mexico heading to cities in the country’s interior appeared first on Aztec Reports.

The post Migrant caravan leaves Southern Mexico heading to cities in the country’s interior appeared first on Latin America Reports.

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Mon.

April 27, 2026: YouTube sensation IShowSpeed, one of the world’s most popular online streamers, is continuing his high-energy Caribbean tour, with his latest stop bringing him to Barbados Monday, after earlier visits to Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada.

Speed, whose real name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr., is an American influencer and live-streamer known globally for his dramatic, fast-paced broadcasts and real-life travel streams that attract millions of viewers.

He has emerged as a major digital figure, often acting as a cultural ambassador by showcasing countries and local experiences to global audiences in real time.

The global livestream star, known for his unpredictable and viral content, has been drawing attention across the region as he moves from island to island, blending entertainment with cultural immersion.

After kicking off in Trinidad and Tobago, Speed traveled to Grenada, where he explored local culture, including scuba diving and participating in traditional Jab Jab celebrations.

He then arrived in Barbados, where he made a stop at a local school, further fueling excitement among fans and even received a rock as a gift.

Barbados is often referred to as a “rock” due to its unique geological formation: a coral limestone island formed by tectonic plate collision, unlike many of its neighbors.

The island, particularly on the east coast, features dramatic rock formations, including the famous Bathsheba Rock and Mushroom Rock, carved by Atlantic erosion.

While his exact next stop has not been officially confirmed, the broader Caribbean tour is expected to include Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Sint Maarten, St.

Kitts and Nevis, St.

Lucia, St.

Vincent and the Grenadines, and the United States Virgin Islands.

Speed is widely regarded as one of the internet’s most-watched travel streamers, known for turning everyday interactions into viral moments through live broadcasts that attract massive global audiences.

His Caribbean run follows a series of global tours that have taken him across Africa, Europe, Asia, South America, and Australia/New Zealand.

During a recent Africa tour spanning 20 countries in under a month, he gained more than 3.7 million YouTube subscribers and surpassed 50 million total subscribers, highlighting his growing global influence.

With streams often showcasing local culture, landmarks, and spontaneous fan interactions, Speed’s visits have proven to significantly boost online visibility for destinations featured.

This Caribbean leg also includes a personal touch.

Speed has his younger brother Jamal joining him on the tour, adding to the energy and unpredictability that define his content.

Known for his high-energy personality and real-time engagement with fans, Speed’s presence is already generating buzz across the region, with crowds gathering and social media lighting up at each stop.

As the tour continues, Caribbean audiences – and millions watching online – are tuning in to see where he lands next.

RELATED: No Caribbean Beaches In World’s Top 10 – But Here Are The Top 10 Best Caribbean Beaches For 2026

Right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori and left-wing candidate Roberto Sánchez would tie at 38% of the vote in the Peruvian presidential runoff scheduled for June 7, according to the first opinion poll published after the April 12 election, against a backdrop of an inconclusive count and an ongoing dispute over second place.

The Ipsos Peru survey, conducted between April 23 and 24 and published by daily Perú.21, points to a scenario of absolute parity with a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percentage points.

By Dr.

Isaac Newton  News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Mon.

April 27, 2026: Imagine stepping off a plane in Port of Spain, paying for a taxi with your Jamaican wallet, grabbing lunch in Barbados, and settling a hotel bill in Guyana, all instantly, securely, and in your own currency – one wallet.

No delays, no conversions, no uncertainty.

This is not a dream.

Ghana has already made it real by transforming its national ID into a full-featured payment tool.

Citizens can link bank accounts, send and receive money, and pay for goods through a single platform.

It works alongside global networks such as Visa and Mastercard while providing a faster, simpler, and more affordable way to move money.

Systems must serve the people who use them first and connect seamlessly to the wider world.

Other countries provide valuable lessons.

In Nigeria, mobile transfers and instant bank payments make moving money fast and accessible for everyone.

In India, the Unified Payments Interface allows anyone to send money instantly using a phone number or a QR code, whether paying a street vendor or a utility company.

In China, applications such as Alipay and WeChat Pay integrate payments into daily life, from ordering food to taking public transportation.

These systems succeed because they prioritize the user experience, eliminate friction, and make transactions predictable and reliable.

The Caribbean faces a similar challenge.

Countries including Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados, Suriname, and the members of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union operate across multiple currencies and fragmented systems.

Travel and trade are slowed by delays, inconsistent acceptance, and unnecessary complexity.

Citizens and visitors face obstacles that make simple transactions frustrating and time-consuming.

The solution is a regional digital payments layer that works across local currencies.

Citizens and visitors could pay anywhere in the Caribbean while the system converts automatically.

Transactions would be immediate, transparent, and consistent, whether in Nassau, Castries, or Georgetown.

The region could function as a single connected marketplace while each country retains its own currency.

Achieving this requires three strategic steps.

Governments must establish secure digital identity systems that authenticate users across borders.

Central banks and regulators must build a real-time network connecting banks, mobile wallets, and fintech platforms.

Global providers such as Visa and Mastercard should integrate as gateways for international transactions rather than as the foundation of the system.

These steps create a structure that is robust, inclusive, and adaptable.

The impact would be profound.

A vendor in Kingston could receive payment from a visitor in Port of Spain instantly.

A supplier in Bridgetown could receive funds from Georgetown without delay.

Commerce, tourism, and daily transactions would become faster, simpler, and more reliable.

The Caribbean could strengthen financial independence, expand inclusion, and operate efficiently within the global economy.

This is more than a payment system.

It is a foundation for growth, opportunity, and trust.

By designing solutions that serve local people first and connect to the world, the Caribbean can become a leader in digital finance while making life easier and more predictable for every citizen and visitor.

Editor’s Note: Dr.

Isaac Newton is a leadership strategist and change management expert specializing in governance and ethical leadership.

Educated at Harvard, Princeton, and Columbia, he is co-author of Steps to Good Governance and has advised boards, educators, and public leaders across the Caribbean and internationally, integrating policy, psychology, and ethics to strengthen institutional performance.

RELATED: When Loyalty Becomes A Leadership Risk In Small States

By NAN ET EDITOR News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Sat.

April 25, 2026: Caribbean-rooted actors are taking center stage in the Michael Jackson movie, Michael, bringing depth and cultural nuance to the story of one of music’s most iconic families.

Award-winning actor Colman Domingo portrays Joe Jackson, the complex and often controversial patriarch of the Jackson family, while Nia Long takes on the role of Katherine Jackson, the matriarch whose quiet strength helped anchor the family through fame and pressure.

The film, which opened in theaters on Friday, April 24th, stars Jaafar Jackson, the nephew of Michael Jackson, as his uncle.

Juliano Krue Valdi, a 12-year-old actor and dancer, plays the young Michael.

The movie traces the singer’s rise from childhood in Gary, Indiana to stardom with The Jackson 5 and on to solo global superstardom.

The story focuses on the period from the 1960s through 1988, stopping before the later controversies that surrounded the artist.

In an interview with Black Girl Nerds, Long, whose roots extend to Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Grenada, spoke about approaching the role of Katherine Jackson with empathy rather than judgment.

“I wouldn’t say judgment,” she explained.

“I would definitely say empathy, and I would say that I have more in common with her than I ever thought I did.” Long said portraying Katherine required tapping into her own experiences as a mother, emphasizing the protective instinct that defines the role.

“Once you’re a mother and you’re connected to the wellness of your family and the wellbeing of your children, there’s an energy of protection that supersedes everything,” she said.

“That was her job, that was her mission, that was her heart.” She described Katherine Jackson as a steady, grounding force during the family’s rise to global fame.

“When you look at what the Jackson family had to manage, the level of stardom, there had to be a quiet force leading the way,” Long said.

“That’s what makes her such a beautiful woman.” Domingo, whose heritage traces back to Belize and Guatemala, also highlighted the importance of portraying Joe Jackson with complexity rather than one-dimensional judgment.

“We started by having great conversations about men that we know, that we’re raised by, men of a certain generation,” Domingo said, noting that Joe Jackson represented a generation shaped by responsibility, discipline, and survival.

He emphasized that the role required acknowledging both strength and vulnerability.

“Sometimes people think that they’re just hard in some ways, but we know their softness, we know their vulnerabilities,” he said.

“And we care about these men deeply, and so we wanted to make sure that we really looked at Joe Jackson… with as much complexity as possible.” Directed by Antoine Fuqua, Michael offers audiences an intimate look at the family dynamics, sacrifices, and pressures that shaped the King of Pop’s early life and career.

The film also leaves room for a potential continuation, with Domingo hinting at the possibility of a second installment exploring later chapters of Jackson’s life.

Michael Jackson, who rose to fame with The Jackson 5 before becoming a global superstar, died in 2009 at age 50.

He was acquitted in a 2005 criminal trial and consistently maintained his innocence against allegations made during and after his lifetime.

 His nephew does a great job of channeling Michael’s signature look, executing his iconic choreography, embodying his voice, recreating his mannerisms, and getting into his headspace.

When it comes to the music, featuring hits from across Jackson’s early career, does Jaafar provide the vocals in the musical movie?

The answer is both yes and no.

When asked if he lent his voice to the project, Jaafar replied, “When I was doing all the performances, I was actually singing out live in the microphone on top of Michael’s track.” He went on to explain that the final product is “a blend” of his vocals and Michael’s together.

But there are a few key moments that saw Jaafar on his own in front of a microphone.

On more than one occasion, Michael takes its audience into the studio to watch the titular star record a few of his biggest hits.

We then cut between Michael singing with and without a backing track.

In those instances, the audience is hearing pure Jaafar without his uncle’s blended-in vocals.

“It’s actually me singing acapella,” the actor shared.

“Which was really fun to do.” With its focus on family, legacy, and the human stories behind global fame, Michael delivers not only a portrait of an icon, but also a deeper exploration of the people who helped shape his journey.

Projected Opening: $85M – $95M+ domestically.

Preview Earnings: $12.6 million total (including Wednesday previews and Thursday).

International Start: $18.5 million in 82 markets.

Total Initial Gross: Already topped $44 million worldwide within its first couple of days.

Records: It set records for the biggest opening day for a musical biopic in several markets, including the UK, France, and Australia.

Audience Response: Early data indicates strong, positive audience reception with 5 stars on PostTrak and high, 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Get a peak at the movie here

News Americas, PHILADELPHIA, PA, April 24, 2026: Caribbean Diaspora organization, Team Jamaica Bickle, (TJB), is deepening its commitment to Jamaican student-athletes at the Penn Relays with a significant expansion of its incentive program for 2026, increasing prize support and broadening opportunities across both track and field events.

Building on the success of last year’s launch, the organization, founded over three decades ago by Irwine Clare, Sr.

OD, will once again award prize money to Jamaican high school boys’ and girls’ teams that win the prestigious Championship of America 4×100, 4×400, and 4×800-meter relays.

Each winning team will receive a $1,000 USD contribution directed to their respective schools.

For 2026, the program is expanding beyond relays to include key field events.

Incentives will now cover the high school championship discus, shot put, triple jump, and long jump, with the top-performing Jamaican high school boy and girl in each event earning a $1,000 USD donation to their school.

The initiative also marks a new step forward with the introduction of incentives for tertiary institutions.

Two $1,000 USD prizes will be awarded to Jamaican college teams, reflecting TJB’s growing focus on supporting athletes throughout their academic and athletic careers.

All funds awarded through the program will be directed toward each school’s nutrition program – a core pillar of Team Jamaica Bickle’s mission to support student-athlete health, recovery, and performance beyond competition.

This year’s expanded effort has been made possible through continued partnerships, along with new support from the Burton–Hutchinson Family Fund, which contributed an additional $5,000 USD to enhance the program’s reach and impact.

“The Burton–Hutchinson Family Fund is proud to support Team Jamaica Bickle’s School Nutrition Program,” said Julie Hutchinson.

“This investment reflects both our belief in the program’s continued success and a personal connection to its impact.

Our family’s journey was shaped by similar opportunities that empowered our patriarch, Dr.

Gladstone ‘Fluney’ Hutchinson, to pursue significant scholar-athletic achievement.

We are committed to helping ensure the next generation has access to that same foundation.” “At Team Jamaica Bickle, nutrition is at the heart of what we do,” said Clare, Snr., Chairman/CEO of Team Jamaica Bickle.

“Proper nutrition is essential to performance, recovery, and overall well-being.

By directing these funds to school-based nutrition programs, we are making a direct investment in our student-athletes, ensuring they are properly fueled to compete at a high level and succeed beyond the track.” Team Jamaica Bickle also extended its appreciation to its sponsors – Second Round Foundation, Grand Slam, ON, and the Burton–Hutchinson Family Fund – as well as supporters whose contributions continue to sustain and grow the initiative.

As the Penn Relays wraps up today, the expanded program underscores the organization’s role not only in supporting Jamaican athletes on race day, but in strengthening the foundation that allows them to succeed long after the competition ends.

Bogotá, Colombia – Colombian President Gustavo Petro arrived in Caracas today to meet with his counterpart in Venezuela, Interim President Delcy Rodríguez.

The visit makes Petro the first world leader to visit the South American nation since the United States captured longtime strongman Nicolás Maduro in a military operation on January 3.

Petro and Rodríguez are expected to discuss bilateral issues including energy and security cooperation on their more than 1,300 mile shared border.  The Colombian president landed in Caracas on Friday afternoon with his Foreign Minister, Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio, and Defense Minister, Pedro Sánchez.

The delegation from Bogotá has been meeting with Rodríguez and her Interior Minister, Diosdado Cabello, alongside Foreign Minister Yván Gil at the Palacio de Miraflores – Venezuela’s presidential palace.  Petro and Rodríguez were flanked by top officials at their meeting.

Image courtesy of @InfoPresidencia via X Petro and Rodríguez were scheduled to meet in Cúcuta, a Colombian city bordering Venezuela, in March but the Venezuelan president cancelled at the last minute citing security concerns.

Then last Friday, the Colombian leader announced he would head to Venezuela, saying, “If Mohammed won’t come to me, I’ll go to the mountain.” The primary purpose of the meeting is strengthening security cooperation, according to the Petro administration.

“The aim of this meeting is for both governments to make progress on a joint plan to strengthen security and intelligence in the border area,” wrote the Office of the President in a post on X today.

The sprawling frontier is a hotbed for guerrilla activity and is largely controlled by the Colombian National Liberation Army (ELN), a rebel group involved in drug trafficking and illegal mining on both sides of the border.

The ELN was known to have ties to the Maduro regime but the Venezuelan government is under pressure from the U.S.

to crack down on the rebel group, which Washington considers a “terrorist organization.” While the Petro administration maintains the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation, the meeting has perturbed many in the Venezuelan exile community in Colombia.  “President Gustavo Petro’s visit to Venezuela, particularly his meeting with Delcy Rodríguez, raises serious concerns among Venezuelans,” Juan Carlos Viloria Doria, President of the Global Alliance for Human Rights and Vice-President of Venezuelans in Barranquilla, told Latin America Reports.

He noted that many Venezuelans do not consider Rodríguez to be a legitimate leader, describing her as “an extension of the regime led by Nicolás Maduro.” “In this regard, such visits can be interpreted as a political endorsement or a form of international legitimization of a situation in Venezuela that still lacks adequate democratic guarantees,” maintained Viloria.

Petro and Rodríguez greet reporters.

Image courtesy of @InfoPresidencia via X There has also been pressure in Colombia for Petro to mediate the release of 16 Colombian citizens jailed in Venezuela.

The families of those detained allege the arrests were made “without a court order or evidence” and say their loved ones have faced human rights violations including torture.  While there has been an easing in repression following Maduro’s ouster, Venezuela remains an authoritarian state and rights groups continue to denounce abuses.

“The least that we Venezuelans expect is that [the meeting] be used as an opportunity to demand concrete progress on human rights and democracy,” said Viloria.

“Any dialogue or rapprochement must be aimed at improving the living conditions of the Venezuelan people and fostering a genuinely democratic transition, not at consolidating contested power structures.” Featured image description: Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Venezuelan Interim President Delcy Rodríguez at a meeting in Caracas on April 24, 2026.

Featured image credit: @InfoPresidencia via X The post Colombia’s Petro becomes first head of state to visit Venezuela since Maduro’s ouster appeared first on Latin America Reports.

The foreign ministers of Bolivia, Fernando Aramayo, and Chile, Francisco Pérez Mackenna, agreed on Friday to deepen bilateral ties and advance a joint economic agenda, amid a decisive diplomatic rapprochement between the two countries after nearly five decades without ambassador-level relations.

The meeting, held at an event organized by the Chamber of Industry, Commerce, Services, and Tourism (Cainco) in Santa Cruz, concluded a two-day official visit by the Chilean minister.

Bogotá, Colombia – The first global summit on “Transitioning away from Fossil Fuels” kicked off today in Santa Marta, Colombia, with 50 country delegations and dozens of civil society organizations in attendance.

Unlike other climate conferences, the six-day meeting will focus on implementing measures to end dependence on oil, coal, and gas, rather than negotiating international environmental commitments.  The summit comes at a pivotal time for global energy, with conflict in the Middle East restricting oil and gas supplies and creating economic woes for countries reliant on fossil fuels.

Because of the ongoing oil turmoil, the conference came at the “best possible moment” to shift world opinion towards renewables, said Colombia’s environment minister Irene Vélez.

Talking to the UK’s Guardian newspaper this week, the minister, who was a prime mover of the conference, said nations were “at a fork in the road” in their choices between clean power sources such as solar or wind, or continuing to back fossil fuels that created climate crises and conflict.

It promised to be a “coalition of the willing”, said the minister, providing a road map to support nations already dedicated to transitioning from fossil fuels.

The conference organizers were combative in refusing to invite nations and organizations wedded to climate change denial.    “Whatever nations have not yet taken that decision, then this is not the space for them.

We are not going to have boycotters or climate denialists at the table,” Vélez told the Guardian.

Behind the conference is the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative, an alliance of nation states, technical bodies, communities and individuals “working to secure a global just transition from coal, oil and gas”.

According to the initiative, globally nations were planning to extract 120% more fossil fuels by 2030 than the “amount consistent with managing the impacts of climate change” – taking warming past the point of survival.   “The science is unequivocal.

For the last decade, oil, gas, and coal have been responsible for 86% of the CO2 pollution heating our planet, as well as causing one in five deaths worldwide from fossil fueled-air pollution.” Delegates at the inauguration of the fossil fuel conference on Friday.

Image credit: @MinAmbienteCo via X For three decades global climate negotiations had focused on managing the symptoms of the crisis — fossil fuel emissions — while ignoring its root cause: the unchecked proliferation of oil, gas, and coal extraction.

This was a theme picked up by Kevin Koenig, director of climate and energy at Amazon Watch, a California-based nonprofit supporting indigenous communities attending the conference.

The last major summit, COP 30, was held last year in Brazil and saw “fossil fuel lobbyists outnumbering country delegates” he told Latin America Reports, adding that declarations at the end of that meeting “barely mentioned fossil fuels at all”.

In Santa Marta he expected things to be different: “This is the conference that is finally going to address the elephant in the room and get to the source of the climate change problem.” Several factors were contributing to a momentum towards renewables, added Koenig, with recent data showing that cities and even whole countries have run for weeks off renewable energy as the Middle East crisis exposes the dangers of oil addiction.

“This is the moment where we are seeing both wars linked to fossil fuels politics and dependencies, but also for the first time renewables energies are not just theoretical, they are real, and decision-makers know they are scalable,” said Koenig.  This was supported by data from the Center for Energy and Clean Air, which reported that global power generation from fossil fuels fell in the first month after the U.S.- Iran conflict closed the Strait of Hormuz – a vital waterway for oil tankers – while energy generated by solar and wind power increased.

Another conference goal was to identify economic and legal barriers to transitioning to renewables, said Koenig.

An example was the hegemony of interconnected global norms feeding fossil fuel dependence, such as arbitration laws that punished small countries in international courts if they attempted to free themselves from big oil contracts.

This architecture kept countries dependent, he said.

“Countries transitioning get beat up in arbitration courts or penalized by credit rating agencies.

When Ecuadorians voted to keep fossil fuels in the ground, for example, their credit rating went down.” In countries like Colombia, fossil fuels were also linked to localized conflict and armed groups, explained Koenig; over 30 years Amazon Watch has supported many indigenous communities under attack for defending their territories against drilling.

“Some countries use oil extraction as a reason to open areas, saying ‘we can militarize it and it will be safer’.

In fact, oil and energy infrastructure are a magnet for armed groups, for political attacks or blackmail,” he explained.

Inga indigenous guards in Putumayo, Colombia.

Their traditional lands are under threat from oil exploration and illegal mining.

Photo: Steve Hide.

That dynamic was more visible than ever on the world stage.

“Fossil fuels are fueling dictatorships, violence, conflict and authoritarian regimes,” said Koenig.

“The Middle East crisis underscores the urgency to transition.” “Yes, abandoning fossil fuels is about climate – but also about security and democracy.” Featured image description: Delegates register at the fossil fuel conference in Santa Marta on April 24, 2026.

Featured image credit: @MinAmbienteCo via X The post Colombia renewables conference comes at critical moment for global energy appeared first on Latin America Reports.

By Felicia J.

Persaud News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri.

April 24, 2026: At a time when immigration rhetoric in the United States has reached a fever pitch, a new report from the Pew Research Center offers a powerful reminder: the story being told about immigrants – particularly Black immigrants in America – is often not the truth.

The data tells a very different story.

According to Pew’s latest analysis, there are now 5.6 million Black immigrants living in the United States, making up roughly one in ten Black people in the country.

That alone should shift the conversation.

Because Black immigrants are not a small or marginal group.

They are a significant and growing part of the American story.

And yet, they are rarely at the center of the national immigration debate.

Even more telling is their legal status.

Despite narratives that often conflate immigration with illegality, the Pew data shows that 79% of Black immigrants are in the United States legally, while a majority – 61% – are naturalized U.S.

citizens.

That means most Black immigrants are not only here lawfully, but they are also Americans who can vote.

Fully.

Legally.

Permanently.

And still, they are often treated as outsiders, with xenophobic talk about “eating cats and dogs,” committing crimes, or worse of all, being from “S-Hole” countries.

The data also challenges assumptions about education and contribution.

Today, 35% of Black immigrants hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, a rate that exceeds that of U.S.-born Black Americans.

Among African-born immigrants, that number is even higher, with some of the most highly educated immigrant populations in the country coming from nations like Nigeria.

These are not communities on the margins.

They are doctors, nurses, entrepreneurs, educators, and caregivers.

They are part of the infrastructure of American life.

And their numbers are growing.

African-born immigrants, according to the data, are now the fastest-growing segment of the Black immigrant population, increasing fourfold since 2000.

At the same time, Caribbean immigrants remain a dominant force, making up a similarly large share of the Black immigrant population.

Together, African and Caribbean immigrants account for the overwhelming majority of Black immigrants in the United States.

That is not incidental.

It reflects a deep and ongoing relationship between the United States and the Black diaspora – one that has shaped culture, labor, politics, and identity for generations.

And yet, despite these contributions, the policy environment is moving in the opposite direction.

Immigration crackdowns are intensifying.

Temporary protection is being challenged.

Legal pathways are becoming more uncertain.

Huge bonds are being tacked on to simple visitors and business visas.

And Black immigrants – like other immigrant groups – are increasingly caught in that shift.

This disconnect between reality and rhetoric is where the real story lies.

Because the data makes one thing clear: Black immigrants are not a burden on the United States.

They are part of its growth.

Part of its workforce.

Part of its future.

And yet, the question of belonging continues to linger.

Who gets to be seen as American?

Who gets to be protected?, Who gets to stay?

These are not new questions.

But they take on new urgency in a moment where facts are often overshadowed by fear.

Because when a group that is largely legal, highly educated, and deeply embedded in the fabric of the country is still viewed through the lens of suspicion, it suggests that the issue is no longer just immigration.

It is perception.

And perhaps something deeper.

Because the data tells a story.

The question is whether America is willing to listen.

Felicia J.

Persaud is the founder and publisher of  NewsAmericasNow.com, the only daily syndicated newswire and digital platform dedicated exclusively to Caribbean Diaspora and Black immigrant news across the Americas.

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Colombian President Gustavo Petro will meet at midday on Friday in Caracas with Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodríguez, in what marks the first official meeting between a head of state and the Venezuelan leader since she took office on January 5, following the capture of former president Nicolás Maduro in a US military operation on January 3 of this year.

Two commercial aircraft collided on the ground at Santiago's Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport on Wednesday evening in an incident that left no injuries but forced the rescheduling of both affected flights.

The collision occurred at around 8:00 p.m.

local time, when a LATAM Airlines Airbus A321 struck a stationary Aerolíneas Argentinas Boeing 737 that was holding on the apron awaiting clearance for take-off.

Brazilian group BTG Pactual, Latin America's largest investment bank, is awaiting authorisation from Uruguay's Central Bank (BCU) to begin operating in the local financial market following its $175 million acquisition of HSBC Uruguay, agreed in July 2025.

Group executives expect regulatory approval to come through by mid-year, allowing them to begin operations gradually in the second half of 2026.