La Secretaría Anticorrupción y Buen Gobierno va a abrir una investigación sobre la estancia de meses del hijo de Marcelo Ebrard, actual Secretario de Economía, en la residencia de la Embajada de México en Londres.

Así lo ha confirmado la presidenta Claudia Sheinbaum este jueves en su conferencia Mañanera: “Hubo solicitudes de que se abriera una investigación y así dice la ley, tiene que abrirse de manera automática.

Lo que tiene que revisarse es si se violó alguna norma en ese sentido”.

EL PAÍS documentó que Marcelo Patrick Ebrard vivió, al menos, de junio de 2021 a enero de 2022 en el edificio diplomático mientras su padre era canciller y él estaba estudiando unos cursos de Psicología.

Tenía a su servicio mayordomo, cocinera y personal de limpieza.

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La inflación en México ha dado una pequeña tregua a los mexicanos y se ubicó en 4,53% a tasa anual durante la primera quincena de abril de 2026, de acuerdo con el informe publicado este jueves por el Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (Inegi).

El Índice Nacional de Precios al Consumidor (INPC) mostró un avance de 0,11% respecto a la quincena previa, con lo que el nivel general de precios se mantiene por encima del objetivo del Banco de México (Banxico) de ubicar la inflación en un rango entre un punto porcentual arriba o debajo del 3%.

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El escándalo por la presencia de agentes de Estados Unidos en operativos de seguridad en Chihuahua sigue acorralando al Gobierno estatal contra el Gobierno federal por la injerencia de gobiernos extranjeros en México.

La presidenta, Claudia Sheinbaum, ha cargado este jueves en rueda de prensa contra el Estado por solicitar la colaboración de elementos estadounidenses a través del secretario de seguridad pública estatal, Gilberto Loya Chávez.

El titular local anunció que la Torre Centinela de vigilancia en Ciudad Juárez “estaba abierta a la presencia permanente de estas agencias” seis días antes del accidente que destapó la colaboración.

La mandataria ha asegurado que intentó ponerse en contacto con la gobernadora de Chihuahua, Maru Campos, para que rinda cuentas sobre el incidente; sin embargo, no contestó la llamada.

“La busqué ayer, no estaba en la oficina”, ha indicado.

Campos se reunirá con el secretario de Seguridad federal, Omar García Harfuch, este viernes en Ciudad de México.

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Bogotá, Colombia – Mexican authorities have said they will tighten security around tourist sites following a shooting on Monday that killed a Canadian tourist and injured twelve others.

The attack at the Teotihuacan pyramids by a lone gunman has renewed concerns about fan safety ahead of the 2026 World Cup Games, which will be co-hosted by Mexico.  But Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum sought to re-assure visitors, maintaining that mass shootings are rare in the country and describing the incident as a one-off.

“Our obligation as a government is to take the appropriate measures to ensure that a situation like this does not happen again,” said Sheinbaum on Tuesday morning.

Mexican Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch added that state security forces had been ordered to “immediately strengthen security” at tourist destinations across the country.   The Teotihuacan pyramids are a UNESCO Heritage Site and one of Mexico’s most visited archaeological complexes.

But Sheinbaum was also careful to stress that attacks like the one on Monday are incredibly rare in Mexico: “Clearly, we all know — Mexicans know — that this is something that had not previously taken place.” Claudia Sheinbaum pictured in 2020.

Credit: Maritza Ríos / Secretaría de Cultura de la Ciudad de México Unlike in the United States, guns are difficult to obtain legally in Mexico and mass shootings targeting members of the public are uncommon.

While Mexico has grappled for years with high homicide rates, shootings tend to happen in specific areas marked by cartel violence and rarely affect tourists.

Ideological motivations Rather than a sign of broader security struggles, authorities maintain that Monday’s shooting was perpetrated by a ‘lone wolf’ actor driven by extremist views.

Sergio Ortiz Borbolla, head of campaigns and communications at the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, maintained that Julio César Jasso Ramírez, 27, was a Nazi sympathizer inspired by other mass shootings.  “Although the investigation is still ongoing, several factors point to an ideological motive,” said Ortiz.

He noted that Monday’s shooting happened on Adolf Hitler’s birthday and the anniversary of the 1999 mass shooting at Columbine High School in the U.S., which killed 14.  The perpetrator’s social media included posts where he performed a Nazi salute and a framed AI-generated photo of him side-by-side with the Columbine shooters was found at the scene of the attack, according to authorities.  “The incident… highlights the growing influence of extremist online communities on acts of violence, a trend that transcends national borders,” noted Ortiz.  Mexican Attorney-General Cervantes also described “a psychopathic profile of the attacker, characterized by a tendency to imitate situations that occurred in other places, at other times, and involving other individuals – this tendency can be referred to as copycat behaviour”.

Countdown to the games Monday’s shooting is the latest headache for the Mexican government ahead of this summer’s soccer competition.  A wave of cartel violence in February, including in World Cup host city Guadalajara, sparked concerns about the threat posed by organized crime in the country.  But the government has been engaged in a push to assure visitors that the country is safe, announcing plans to mobilize 100,000 security forces this summer.

It also said it will deploy an additional 2,100 military vehicles, 24 aircraft, and 33 drones.

But, as Ortiz noted, the type of violence seen in Mexico this week is “not common.”  “There is no indication that this type of attack poses a widespread risk to tourists,” he concluded.

Featured image description: The Pyramid of the Moon in Teotihuacan – one of the largest in Mesoamerica, México.

Featured image credit: Marcelosan via WIkimedia Commons The post Mexico boosts security after pyramid attack but plays down shooting risks appeared first on Latin America Reports.

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.

Ante la agresividad y los bandazos constantes de Donald Trump en su segundo mandato en la Casa Blanca, sus vecinos del sur miran cada vez con mejores ojos a China, el gran rival estratégico de Estados Unidos.

El gigante asiático es la única de las potencias que gana prestigio entre los latinoamericanos, según una encuesta realizada por la fundación alemana Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, la revista Nueva Sociedad y el grupo Diálogo y Paz y divulgada esta semana.

China logra nuevos adeptos en la región (6 puntos más) mientras la imagen positiva de EEUU se desploma (17 puntos menos) y la de Europa decae, arrastrada por Alemania y Francia.

Participaron 12.000 encuestados en 10 países.

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La muerte de dos funcionarios estadounidenses en un accidente de carretera en una zona remota en la Sierra Madre Occidental, en el Estado de Chihuahua, no hubiera pasado de un desgraciado suceso ocurrido en la madrugada del domingo en un lugar lleno de escarpados desfiladeros en el que también perdieron la vida dos agentes mexicanos.

La dimensión del asunto cambió cuando se supo que los estadounidenses eran agentes de la CIA, la agencia de espionaje de Estados Unidos.

Y sobre todo ha escalado en las últimas 48 horas, cuando la presidenta, Claudia Sheinbaum, afirmó que los cuatro estaban “trabajando conjuntamente” en una misión de la que el Gobierno federal no estaba informado.

Además de al Estado de Chihuahua, la presidenta ha pedido explicaciones a Estados Unidos mediante una carta enviada a la embajada.

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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.

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.

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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.