Leonardo Villar, el prudente conocedor de la economía en general como pocos, ha tenido que “sacar las uñas” para atender los insultos venenosos que le han lanzado tanto el jefe del Estado, Gustavo Petro, como el ministro exguerrillero de Hacienda Germán Ávila, en el sentido de mostrar un carácter defensivo y firme que no se manifestaba anteriormente en la historia de los gerentes del banco central.

Seguir leyendo

Buenos Aires se ha convertido en el último destino de Peter Thiel, el oligarca tecnológico dueño de Palantir y PayPal que lleva su cruzada anti woke y belicista allí donde va.

Tras su paso por Roma para hablar sobre la llegada del anticristo, este defensor de las ideas de ultraderecha muy cercano a Donald Trump mantiene estos días una agenda reservada en la capital argentina que incluye encuentros políticos al más alto nivel, entre ellos uno con el presidente Javier Milei, con quien ya se reunió en 2024.

Seguir leyendo

¿Somos los venezolanos racistas o no somos racistas?

That’s the question.

Es una pregunta difícil de responder porque Venezuela ha vivido en las últimas décadas aferrada al mito de ser una sociedad mestiza y policlasista.

Mi generación creció con ese mito, alimentado en buena medida por corrientes históricas que vienen desde la Independencia y por la fantasía de una movilidad social infinita impulsada por el petróleo.

Como todo mito, no es del todo falso ni del todo cierto.

Seguir leyendo

EL PAÍS puso en marcha en 2018 una investigación de la pederastia en la Iglesia española y tiene una base de datos actualizada con todos los casos conocidos.

Si conoce algún caso que no haya visto la luz, nos puede escribir a: abusos@elpais.es Si es un caso en América Latina, la dirección es: abusosamerica@elpais.es Seguir leyendo

A poco más de un año de los comicios en que se jugará su reelección, Javier Milei pretende reformular el sistema electoral de Argentina.

El presidente envió al Congreso este miércoles un proyecto de reforma para eliminar las elecciones primarias obligatorias, modificar el financiamiento de los partidos políticos y establecer la votación mediante boleta única de papel, entre otras medidas.

Si en el mediano plazo la reforma busca complicar la conformación de una alianza opositora, en el escenario más inmediato intenta devolverle la iniciativa a un Gobierno vapuleado en las últimas semanas por datos negativos de la economía, casos de corrupción y una marcada caída de los apoyos al presidente ultra, según advierten las principales consultoras de opinión pública.

Seguir leyendo

NASSAU, The Bahamas, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Bahamas Grid Company (BGC) today announced the appointment of Nikolai Sawyer and Debra Symonette to its Board of Directors, effective April 20, 2026.

These appointments follow the company’s recent transition to a fully independent, Bahamian-led operating model, including the conclusion of Island Grid Solutions’ management role and the appointment of new executive leadership.

Mr.

Sawyer is a senior financial attorney with over 20 years of experience across corporate law, banking, and financial services.

He brings deep expertise in regulatory strategy, risk management, and corporate governance.

Ms.

Symonette is President and Director of Super Value Food Stores Limited and a Certified Public Accountant with over 25 years of financial leadership experience.

She has held senior roles in accounting, audit, and corporate governance, and currently serves as a Director of Commonwealth Bank.

“With these appointments, BGC continues to strengthen its governance as we move forward as a fully Bahamian-led organization,” said Anthony Ferguson, Chairman of BGC.

“Nikolai and Debra bring extensive legal, financial, and operational experience that will support the company’s long-term performance and accountability.” “This is an important step in BGC’s continued evolution,” said Dareo McKenzie, Chief Executive Officer.

“I look forward to working with the Board to drive long-term performance and reliability across the system.” The company’s Board of Directors now comprises Anthony Ferguson (Chairman), Nikolai Sawyer, and Debra Symonette.

About Bahamas Grid CompanyBahamas Grid Company (BGC) is a utility company in New Providence responsible for upgrading, maintaining, and operating the island’s transmission and distribution infrastructure, with the goal of delivering reliable, resilient, and sustainable power to all residents and businesses.

Piero Corvetto resigned as head of Peru's National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) on Tuesday, ten days after the April 12 first-round presidential vote, amid judicial investigations and an institutional credibility crisis deepened by the logistical failures recorded during the election.

The National Justice Board (JNJ) accepted the resignation unanimously.

By NAN Travel Editor News Americas, TORONTO, Canada, Wed.

April 22, 2026: Canada has issued updated travel advisories for three Caribbean destinations, urging travelers to exercise a high degree of caution due to ongoing safety and security concerns.

The Canadian advisory, issued on April 21st, highlights The Bahamas, Jamaica, and the Turks and Caicos Islands, citing crime, safety risks, and other potential hazards that could impact visitors.

THE BAHAMAS In The Bahamas, Canadian officials warn of high crime rates, particularly in Nassau and Freeport, where both petty and violent crimes have been reported.

Travelers are advised to remain vigilant, avoid isolated areas, especially at night, and refrain from displaying signs of wealth.

Authorities note that robberies have occurred in tourist areas, including cruise ship terminals and resort zones, even during daylight hours, while incidents of violent crime are often linked to gang activity in non-tourist areas.

JAMAICA In Jamaica, the advisory points to persistent concerns about violent crime, particularly in certain parts of Kingston, Montego Bay, and St.

Catherine.

While tourist areas are generally more secure, incidents of robbery and assault have been reported.

Canadian officials also caution travelers to remain alert, avoid high-risk areas, and exercise increased personal security awareness, particularly when traveling at night or in unfamiliar locations.

TURKS & CAICOS The Turks and Caicos Islands are also included in the advisory, with warnings about crime across the territory, particularly on the island of Providenciales.

Visitors are advised to stay aware of their surroundings, avoid deserted areas, and take precautions to protect personal belongings.

Officials note that while tourists are not typically targeted, they may still be affected by criminal activity, including armed robberies and theft.

Beyond crime, the advisories also highlight additional risks, including road safety concerns, water-related hazards, and the potential for fraud or scams targeting travelers.

Travelers to all three destinations are encouraged to take standard safety precautions, including securing valuables, avoiding isolated locations, and following local authorities’ guidance.

The updated advisories reflect Canada’s ongoing monitoring of global travel risks and are intended to help citizens make informed decisions when traveling abroad.

While the warnings do not advise against travel entirely, they underscore the importance of awareness and preparedness when visiting popular Caribbean destinations.

RELATED: US Travel Warning Issued For Trinidad and Tobago

BY NAN SPORTS EDITOR News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Weds.

April 22, 2026: It’s almost time for the 130th running of the Penn Relays, with Jamaican athletes once again poised to dominate the track while Caribbean pride and culture take center stage in Philadelphia.

Set to open tomorrow, April 23, and run through Saturday, April 25th at the Ben Franklin Field in Pennsylvania, the historic relay carnival continues to serve as one of the premier showcases for Caribbean athletic excellence – with Jamaica leading the charge year after year.

From high school phenoms to elite collegiate competitors, Jamaican teams enter the 2026 edition with momentum and high expectations, particularly in the sprint relays where their rivalry with U.S.

teams consistently delivers some of the meet’s most electrifying moments.

All eyes will be on rising 15-year-old standout Jason Pitter of Kingston College, who has already made headlines this season after shattering records at Jamaica’s Boys and Girls Championships.

His anticipated showdown with U.S.

star Quincy Wilson is shaping up to be one of the marquee matchups of the meet.

Jamaican powerhouse Kingston College will also be aiming to extend its dominance in the 4×400-m relays, while Edwin Allen High School’s girls team enters as a strong favorite in the 4x100m, bringing speed, experience, and championship pedigree.

This year’s meet will also highlight Caribbean legacy, with Jamaican long jumper Elva Goulbourne and Jamaica College’s historic 1999 4x800m team set to be inducted into the Penn Relays Wall of Fame — further cementing the region’s enduring influence on the event.

Adding to the moment, history will also be made for St.

Lucia, as St.

Mary’s College becomes the first team from the island to compete at the prestigious meet, signaling continued growth of Caribbean track and field on the global stage.

TEAM JAMAICA BICKLE But beyond the competition on the track, the Penn Relays is equally defined by the Caribbean community that surrounds it – and at the heart of that experience is Team Jamaica Bickle (TJB).

Now celebrating more than three decades of service, the New York-based organization plays a critical role in supporting Caribbean athletes competing at the meet.

Founded to ensure Jamaican athletes had access to familiar meals, TJB has grown into a full-service support network providing transportation, medical care, lodging assistance, and mentorship.

Often described as the backbone of the Caribbean presence at Penn Relays, TJB creates a home away from home for athletes, helping them perform at their best while reinforcing a sense of unity and cultural pride.

Its impact has been so significant that the Jamaican flag became the first foreign flag flown at the Penn Relays – a testament to the deep connection between the event and Caribbean participation.

With rising stars, fierce rivalries, and deep-rooted Caribbean traditions, the 130th Penn Relays is shaping up to be another powerful display of athletic excellence – and once again, Jamaica will be at the center of it all with thousands of Jamaican fans in the stadium to cheer on their home teams.

RELATED: Team Jamaica Bickle Honors Jamaican Athletes For Record-Breaking Penn Relays Performances

A week after remarks by Argentine Rear Admiral Hernán Montero on the eastern mouth of the Strait of Magellan went viral, the Chilean government has consolidated a unified stance in defense of its sovereignty, while internal debate has shifted toward the executive's handling of the communications response.

Argentine President Javier Milei fell to 14th place out of 18 leaders in the regional approval ranking for April 2026, consolidating his entry into the group of six worst-rated heads of state in Latin America.

The survey, carried out by polling firm CB Global Data, registered a 36.2% positive image and a 59.7% negative reading, a 23.5-point gap that represents the widest imbalance since the start of his administration.

News Americas, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, Weds.

April 22, 2026: Florida’s first Haitian-American congressmember, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, has resigned from the U.S.

House of Representatives ahead of a possible expulsion vote – placing renewed focus on the allegations she now faces.

Cherfilus-McCormick stepped down Tuesday just minutes before a scheduled House Ethics Committee hearing that could have paved the way for a full vote on her removal from Congress.

Her resignation comes as she faces both ethics violations and federal criminal charges tied to the alleged misuse of millions of dollars in federal disaster funds.

WHAT SHE IS ACCUSED OF According to the allegations, Cherfilus-McCormick’s family-owned healthcare company received an estimated $5 million overpayment from Federal Emergency Management Agency, (FEMA), funds during the COVID-19 pandemic due to what has been described as a clerical error.

Prosecutors allege that instead of returning the funds, portions of the money were distributed to associates, friends and family members, who then made donations to her 2022 congressional campaign – a practice known as “straw donations,” which violates federal campaign finance laws.

The Justice Department indicted Cherfilus-McCormick and several others, including her brother, Edwin Cherfilus, and a tax preparer,  David K.

Spencer, 41, of Davie,  in November.

If convicted, she could face up to 53 years in prison.

Separately, a bipartisan House Ethics Committee investigation found that she violated more than two dozen House rules following a years-long probe into her conduct.

Despite the mounting legal challenges, Cherfilus-McCormick has denied the allegations, describing them as “unjust” and characterizing the ethics proceedings as a “witch hunt.” “Rather than play these political games, I chose to step away so that I can devote my time fighting for my neighbors,” she said in a statement announcing her resignation.

HER FULL STATEMENT ““This was not a fair process.

The Ethics Committee refused my new attorney’s reasonable request for time to prepare my defense.

By going forward with this process while a criminal indictment is pending, the Committee prevented me from defending myself.

I will not stand by and pretend that this has been anything other than a witch hunt.

I simply cannot stand by and allow my due process rights to be trampled on, and my good name to be tarnished.  Rather than play these political games, I choose to step away so that I can devote my time to fighting for my neighbors in Florida’s 20th district.

I hereby resign from the 119th Congress, effective immediately.  But let me say this plainly: we should be very careful about the precedent we are setting.

In this country, we do not punish people before due process is complete.

We do not allow allegations alone to override the will of the people.

That is a dangerous path, and one that should concern every American, regardless of party.

To my constituents, it has been the honor of my life fighting for you in the U.S.

House of Representatives.

Thank you for standing with me and fighting alongside me.

This fight is far from over.” AHEAD Her departure comes at a critical moment, as lawmakers were preparing for what could have been a rare expulsion vote – a move that requires a two-thirds majority and has occurred only a handful of times in U.S.

history.

Cherfilus-McCormick’s resignation also carries broader significance beyond Washington.

As the first Haitian-American Democrat elected to Congress, she represented a historic milestone for Haitian and Caribbean communities in the United States.

Her time in office was marked by efforts to highlight issues affecting underserved communities, both domestically and within the Caribbean diaspora.

With her resignation, Florida’s 20th Congressional District will now face a special election to fill the vacancy, while her legal battle continues in federal court, with a trial expected next year.

For many in the Haitian-American community, the moment represents a complex mix of disappointment, uncertainty, and reflection – as the focus shifts from political representation to the legal process ahead.

RELATED: Indicted Haitian-American Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick Says She Is Innocent

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Weds.

April 22, 2026: A high-profile extradition case involving Guyana opposition leader and Azruddin Mohamed and his father, remains in legal limbo as the Caribbean Court of Justice, (CCJ), prepares to deliver a ruling that could determine whether proceedings against them can move forward.

The region’s highest court on Tuesday confirmed that an interim stay on the extradition of the Guyana opposition leader and his father, businessman Nasar Mohamed, will remain in place until a final judgment is handed down, effectively halting proceedings before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for now.

At the heart of the case is a legal dispute over whether the extradition process was compromised at its earliest stage, raising broader questions about fairness, due process, and the limits of executive authority in such matters.

Attorneys representing the Mohameds argued before the seven-member CCJ panel that the issuance of the Authority to Proceed, (ATP), by the Minister of Home Affairs was tainted by bias, potentially undermining the legitimacy of the entire extradition process.

Senior Counsel Fyard Hosein, appearing for the appellants, maintained that the minister’s decision must meet established standards of procedural fairness.

He argued that if bias exists at this preliminary stage, it could invalidate all subsequent steps in the process.

However, members of the CCJ bench, led by President Justice Winston Anderson, repeatedly challenged that position during the hearing, questioning whether concerns about bias could be addressed at later stages, including during committal proceedings or through habeas corpus applications.

Under sustained questioning, the defense acknowledged that no specific unlawful act had been identified beyond the allegation of bias, a point that appeared to weigh on the court’s consideration of the arguments presented.

Adding another dimension to the case, Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde suggested that even if bias were proven, the law allows for the delegation of ministerial authority.

He indicated that the process could continue under a different decision-maker rather than being brought to a complete halt.

Attorneys representing the state strongly rejected the claims of unfairness, arguing that the minister’s role in issuing the ATP is administrative in nature and limited to determining whether any obvious legal barriers exist.

Trinidadian Senior Counsel Douglas Mendes, appearing on behalf of Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond, told the court that the applicants had effectively engaged with the minister’s office prior to the issuance of the ATP, suggesting acceptance of her role in the process.

Mendes emphasized that the minister does not assess the merits of the case at this stage but instead performs a threshold function to determine whether the extradition request can proceed.

Guyana Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, supported that position, describing extradition as a “sui generis” process governed by international obligations and distinct from ordinary domestic legal proceedings.

He also dismissed concerns about his public commentary on the matter, telling the court that his statements had been taken out of context.

The case has already moved through Guyana’s domestic legal system, with earlier challenges by the Mohameds dismissed in both the High Court and the Court of Appeal.

Now before the CCJ, the outcome is expected to carry significant implications not only for the parties involved but also for how extradition cases are handled across the Caribbean, particularly in relation to procedural fairness and the role of government officials.

With the interim stay still in effect, the proceedings remain stalled – placing increased focus on the court’s pending ruling, which is likely to clarify key legal questions surrounding the balance between executive authority and judicial oversight.

As the region awaits the CCJ’s decision, the case continues to highlight the complexities of extradition law and the high stakes involved when legal, political, and procedural issues intersect.

RELATED: Azruddin Mohamed Sworn In As Guyana MP Despite U.S.

Sanctions, Indictment And Extradition Case

Medellín, Colombia – Hundreds of Mexican human rights groups presented an open letter to United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, on Monday calling for action to combat forced disappearances.

The letter was signed by over 100 collectives representing disappeared people from Mexico and Central America, over 300 families of the missing, and various civil society organizations, shelters, and individuals.  According to the NGO Foundation for Justice and the Democratic Rule of Law (FJEDD), one of the signatories of the open letter, over 132,000 people are classed as missing in Mexico.  “Mexico requires independent mechanisms to establish the truth, locate the disappeared, conduct serious investigations and combat impunity, under the auspices of the United Nations,” said the FJEDD following their meeting with Türk.

They also called on the High Commissioner to raise the issue in his meeting with president Claudia Sheinbaum, and to urge the Mexican state to help affected families “achieve truth, justice, and reparations.” The letter also requested that Türk back the recent decision by the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED) to refer the crisis to the General Assembly, the organization’s highest authority.  When taking the “exceptional step” on April 2 to request that the situation be referred to the General Assembly, the CED also said that the 72,000 unidentified human remains found in 4,500 covert graves suggested the crisis could likely amount to crimes against humanity, something Mexico has since roundly rejected.  President of the CED, Juan Albán-Alencastro, said that “the magnitude, the pattern of the attacks and the fact that they are directed against the civilian population,” substantiated the view that the crisis meets the definition of crimes against humanity.  Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs repudiated the decision in a press release that argued that the UN had failed to recognize recent advances against the issue.

President Sheinbaum also dismissed the CED’s claims, arguing that the data used was extrapolated and didn’t represent Mexico’s current situation.  In anticipation of her meeting with Türk this Wednesday, Sheinbaum also said that the official had come “to learn about the human rights system in Mexico, not just the issue of disappearances.” Featured image: Maritza Ríos / Secretaría de Cultura de la Ciudad de México.

The post Mexico rights groups call on UN to combat forced disappearances appeared first on Latin America Reports.

Madrid, Spain – A chant at a rally for Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado – referring to interim president Delcy Rodríguez as a monkey — has sparked backlash across political divides and forced a well-known Venezuelan singer to apologize.

The chant of “fuera la mona” (get the monkey out) resounded through Madrid’s Puerta del Sol on Saturday as thousands convened to show their support for Machado.

Although it lasted only seconds, the chant drew widespread criticism from both Venezuelan government supporters and the opposition; some denounced it as racist, while others said that, regardless of intent, it was derogatory and inappropriate to comment on someone’s appearance.

Latin America Reports was a few rows from the stage and observed that Venezuelan singer Carlos Baute had been calling for free elections when a small group began chanting.

The slogan quickly spread through parts of the crowd.

As it grew louder, Baute joined in and turned his microphone toward the audience, prompting even more people to repeat the chant.

By Sunday afternoon, clips were circulating on social media showing Baute joining in the chant on stage.

The singer, who has more than a million followers on Instagram, issued a video apology on Monday.

He said he had got caught up in the atmosphere of the rally, but insisted he is not racist.

“I let myself be carried away by the emotion of a very powerful moment… and I also know when something wasn’t right,” the 52-year-old said.

“All my life I have sung about love, life and unity.

I am not racist.

I am a singer who loves his country, his family and God.” Some on social media who had been at the rally blamed the incident on “infiltrators” and said only a small number of people had taken part.

Not everyone in the crowd participated and some attendees appeared visibly uncomfortable.  Although the chanting lasted only seconds and were followed by upbeat performances and Machado’s speech, by the following day the footage had gone viral.

Machado, leader of Venezuela’s opposition, moved quickly to distance herself from the remarks, criticizing the chant in an interview with EFE on Sunday: “No one will ever hear me say anything that judges or disqualifies a person based on their religion, gender or race.” The same day, the Venezuelan Embassy in Spain condemned the remarks, describing them as “a form of political violence rooted in misogyny and racism.”Others, however, defended the moment, pointing to what they described as a double standard and to language often used by government supporters against opposition figures, including insults directed at Machado such as “bruja” — meaning witch — and “sayona,” a reference to a Venezuelan legend about an evil female spirit.

Prominent Venezuelan journalist, Nicmer Evans, described Baute’s remarks as “racist” but also criticized the government, particularly Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, for frequently using similar language against opponents.

“Just as I have made clear the racism  and therefore the idiocy of calling Delcy ‘mona’, it is impossible not to point out the cynicism of someone who insults Venezuelan women every day, when he calls Machado ‘sayona’ or ‘bruja,’” he wrote.

Machado is currently in Madrid as part of a European tour, meeting Venezuelan diaspora supporters and political figures.

She has not, however, met Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

Featured image description: Delcy Rodriguez.

Featured image credit: Government of Russia via Wikimedia Commons The post Backlash over chants calling Delcy Rodriguez a ‘monkey’ at Venezuela opposition rally appeared first on Latin America Reports.

Cuba's government on Monday confirmed that a meeting with US representatives recently took place on the island, in the latest sign of a diplomatic approach between both countries amid a severe energy crisis caused by Washington's blockade of oil supplies.

As President José Antonio Kast's government ramps up its campaign against irregular immigration with deportation flights and promises of mass expulsions, thousands of undocumented Venezuelans in Chile face a paradox: they want to leave but cannot do so legally.

Without valid passports, without Venezuelan consular services in the country and without a formal voluntary return mechanism, they are trapped between a government that does not want them and a homeland they cannot reach.

Madrid, Spain – Venezuela’s opposition leader, María Corina Machado, drew thousands of supporters to Madrid’s Puerta del Sol on Saturday, telling them that they would soon be able to return to Venezuela.“Today we begin our return home,” she said to raucous applause from the crowd.Machado appeared on a balcony draped with the Spanish and Venezuelan flags overlooking the square and flanked by members of her team.

It was a moment that felt closer to a presidential address than a political rally, followed by chants calling for elections to vote her in and cries of “president, president, president” filling the square at various points throughout her speech.The Madrid rally marks an attempt by Machado to build momentum, amid uncertainty over the opposition’s next steps and anticipation about when she will go back to Venezuela.Machado won the opposition’s 2023 primary by a landslide but was barred from running in the 2024 presidential election.

Edmundo Gonzalez ran in her place and is widely believed to have won.  But since the capture of Nicolas Maduro by U.S.

forces on January 3, many Venezuelans want fresh elections and do consider Delcy Rodriguez, now interim president, to represent them.

A few minutes after Machado’s balcony appearance, she stepped onto a stage in her signature white top and jeans — the same look she wore during dozens of rallies in Venezuela ahead of the 2024 elections — as well as rosary beads around her neck, gifted by supporters.

Machado, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025, lifted small children onto the stage to hug them, as various gifts were passed through the crowd towards the stage — pictures, flowers, and more rosary beads.

She said that on January 3 a huge hole opened up, and that force and energy had begun to flow: “Now, having lived through what we’ve lived through, having endured the worst repression and persecution, having overcome fear, we are now unstoppable — unstoppable.”While she criticized interim president of Venezuela, Rodriguez, she praised the U.S.

president.“There is one leader in the world, one head of state, who has risked the lives of his country’s citizens for the freedom of Venezuela.

And that is Donald Trump,” Machado said, referring to the U.S.

capture of Maduro in January.

Machado also paid tribute to the city of Madrid, which she said had welcomed and integrated Venezuelans at their time of need — but said soon they would be able to go back to Venezuela.

“Today the whole world has its eyes on this Plaza del Sol, because it knows that here today we are beginning the return home,” she shouted.

“Pack your bags, because we’re going back.”Spain hosts one of the largest Venezuelan communities in Europe, making it a key base of support for the opposition abroad.

Many Venezuelans at the gathering said that they did want to return home.

“We were nurses, eighteen years of service, and we had to leave home, we had to leave work, we had to leave everything,” a woman called Nazareth told Latin America Reports.

She had left with her friend in September 2025 because of persecution by authorities in Venezuela.  Nazareth, pictured right, holds a sign reading: “Madrid receives me, Guasdualito (a town in Venezuela) defines me.

With MCM until the end!” Image credit: Catherine Ellis But she said she wants to  go back as soon as it is safe enough — and believes Machado can make that happen: “I’m with María Corina to the very end and beyond.

She is a warrior woman, a woman who represents all of us.” Others who had lived in Spain for years said Madrid was now their home, although some were beginning to consider a return.

Liliana Urbina came to Spain 20 ago, when Hugo Chávez was still in power.

But she said the changes since January 3 and Machado’s leadership now had her considering a permanent return to her home country.

“When I arrived here, I forgot about the idea of returning, but María Corina has changed that.

She has shown the world that we can rebuild the country, that we are united, and that we will move forward,” she told Latin America Reports.

“So it is feasible, and it is possible, and it is a dream that we too now have — of returning.” The event was at times more like a concert than a rally, with musical performances from well-known Venezuelan performers such as Carlos Baute and opera singer Víctor García Sierra.Many Venezuelans had arrived as early as 2 P.M.

to secure their spots, bringing supplies as well as musical instruments to play for others around them.

Others dressed up as President Trump or Nicolas Maduro, and posed for photos with the crowd.

MCM supporters dressed as Donald Trump and Nicolás Maduro.

Image credit: Catherine Ellis.

As the day progressed and the crowd increased, several people fainted due to the heat and lack of shade.

Earlier in the day, Machado had attended a second symbolic ceremony during her visit.

This time, she was awarded the Medal of the Community of Madrid.

Edmundo González also received the honour but was unable to accept it in person as he is currently in hospital.

On Friday she received the “llave de Oro” — golden key — an honour usually reserved for heads of state.

On Friday and Saturday, María Corina met with the country’s two main opposition leaders — Alberto Núñez Feijóo of the PP and Santiago Abascal of Vox.

But she did not meet with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who was hosting a conference of left-wing leaders — including Petro, Lula and Sheinbaum — in Barcelona.

However, Sánchez said he had offered to meet her.

María Corina will visit the Spanish Senate on Monday.

Featured image description: Maria Corina Machado spoke to a crowd of supporters on Saturday, April 18.

Featured image credit: Catherine Ellis.

The post ‘The return home begins today!’: María Corina Machado rallies thousands in Madrid appeared first on Latin America Reports.

The leaders of Mexico, Spain and Brazil called for Cuba’s sovereignty to be respected as it continues to face threats by Washington.

The joint statement came during a meeting of left-wing leaders in Spain and also vowed to send humanitarian aid to the crisis-ridden island.

The plea comes as the President Donald Trump administration ratchets up punitive measures on the communist-run island in the hopes of forcing political regime change.  “We express our deep concern regarding the serious humanitarian crisis the Cuban people faces … [and] we reiterate the need to respect at all times international law and the principles of territorial integrity, sovereign equality and the peaceful settlement of disputes”, said Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula Da Silva in a joint statement on Saturday.  Although the U.S.

was not directly mentioned, the plea appears to be aimed at the White House as tensions rise between the two neighbors.

Since news broke on Wednesday that the Pentagon is ramping up preparations for an operation against Cuba, a U.S.

Navy surveillance drone has been observed flying over Cuba’s coast for several hours and Trump has promised that “a new dawn for Cuba” is imminent.  Hope for a peaceful solution, however, remains.

Havana and Washington are currently engaged in official diplomatic negotiations; a U.S.

government delegation visited Havana earlier in April, marking the first visit of an official U.S.

government plane since former President Barack Obama’s trip in 2016.

The U.S.

delegation reportedly informed their Cuban counterparts that they saw an end to political repression, the liberation of high-profile political prisoners and economic liberalization as prerequisites for easing the longstanding economic and commercial embargo on the island.  These sanctions, which have historically been condemned by the vast majority of the international community at the United Nations General Assembly, have caused far-reaching material shortages on the island and hindered the island’s ability to engage in international trade and commerce, according to UN experts.  Recently, the U.S.

intensified sanctions, declaring Cuba a national security threat and blockading the vast majority of oil destined for the island, which is now facing an acute humanitarian and economic crisis as a result of the intensified measures.

Sheinbaum, Lula and Sánchez’s promise of support represents the latest in a series of international offers and shipments of aid.

Sheinbaum’s own government has already sent humanitarian shipments to the island, and the Chinese, Chilean and Canadian administrations have also sent or pledged to send aid to the island.  Furthermore, a civilian humanitarian aid mission to Cuba, which brought food, medicine and solar equipment to the island, was organized in March.  Featured Image: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula Da Silva during the former’s visit to Brazil in 2024.

Image Credit: Ricardo Stuckert via Flickr License: Creative Commons Licenses The post International calls for US-Cuba de-escalation grow amid latest threats appeared first on Latin America Reports.

Lima, Peru — Peru’s general election, held Sunday, April 12, has been thrown into uncertainty following a series of logistical failures, contested tally sheets, and newly reported irregularities that have raised doubts about the integrity of the process—even as authorities insist there is no evidence of fraud.

With partial results still being processed several days later, no clear contender has emerged to face Keiko Fujimori in the runoff, despite her leading the vote with around 17%.

The tight race for second place—separated by a razor-thin margin—between right-wing candidate Rafael López Aliaga and leftist Roberto Sánchez could ultimately be decided by thousands of challenged votes.

Delays, missing materials, and ballots found in the trash Election day was marked by widespread delays in the delivery of voting materials, especially in Lima, forcing authorities to extend voting into Monday in several districts.

Officials are now facing scrutiny over more troubling incidents.

In one of the most widely reported cases, sealed boxes containing 1,200 ballots—distributed across four tamper-evident containers—were found discarded in the trash in the Lima district of Surco.

The National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) attributed the incident to negligence during the transport of ballot boxes and tally sheets to its central headquarters.

It maintained, however, that the chain of custody was not compromised, noting that a coordinator, a police officer, and an electoral observer from the National Jury of Elections were present in the vehicle.

However, Roberto Burneo, president of the National Jury of Elections (JNE), told a congressional oversight committee on Friday that the ONPE’s statement was “false.” “It is important to clarify that, regarding those boxes, contrary to what ONPE indicated, there was no observer accompanying them nor a police officer.

They were transported in unregistered private vehicles, and the JNE was not present,” he said.

Burneo added that evidence has already been submitted to prosecutors.

“Serious irregularities,” but no fraud, observers say Despite the growing list of incidents, international observers from the Organization of American States and electoral experts have drawn a distinction between administrative failures and deliberate manipulation.

“There have been serious irregularities that must be investigated and sanctioned, but this is not a fraudulent situation,” former Justice Minister Aldo Vásquez told CNN.

“At least up to now, there is no evidence supporting that claim.” Observers from international organizations echoed that assessment, noting that while “egregious irregularities” were documented, they do not amount to systemic fraud.

Still, the scale and variety of problems—from late poll openings to missing materials—have eroded public confidence.

Thousands of disputed votes could decide the runoff At the center of the uncertainty are more than 5,000 tally sheets marked as “disputed”—representing just over one million votes—due to inconsistencies such as missing signatures, illegible figures, or arithmetic errors.

These votes are now under review by electoral authorities and, in such a close race, could determine who advances to the runoff.

“Of course they can change the outcome,” said electoral lawyer Silvia Guevara.

“The difference between candidates is so small that these votes could tip the balance.” “This is a situation that won’t be resolved tomorrow or in two or three days.

Citizens will need to be patient,” she added to Canal N.

Institutional crisis and ongoing investigations The fallout has triggered multiple investigations.

The Public Ministry and the Comptroller General have launched inquiries, while the National Board of Justice—the body responsible for overseeing judicial appointments—has opened a preliminary investigation against Piero Corvetto Salinas, head of the ONPE.

According to Vásquez, the process could lead to disciplinary sanctions or even suspension, noting that “it is highly likely that a formal proceeding will be opened.” Meanwhile, electoral authorities have confirmed that at least 85 requests to annul the election have been filed, further complicating the timeline.

With the runoff scheduled for June, the coming days will be decisive not only in determining who advances, but also in whether Peru’s electoral institutions can restore public trust after one of the most controversial elections in recent years.

The post Mounting irregularities cloud Peru’s 2026 general election as runoff remains unclear appeared first on Perú Reports.

The post Mounting irregularities cloud Peru’s 2026 general election as runoff remains unclear appeared first on Latin America Reports.