分类: politics

  • Colombian warlord sentenced to 40 years in prison after serving time for drug trafficking in the US

    Colombian warlord sentenced to 40 years in prison after serving time for drug trafficking in the US

    In a landmark ruling from Bogotá, Colombia’s special transitional justice tribunal has imposed a 40-year prison sentence on former paramilitary commander Salvatore Mancuso for atrocities committed against Indigenous populations in La Guajira province. The court found the 61-year-old responsible for 117 separate crimes—including homicides, enforced disappearances, and mass displacements—perpetrated by his forces between 2002 and 2006 during Colombia’s prolonged internal conflict.

    The judicial panel noted that Mancuso’s sentence could potentially be reduced to eight years contingent upon his full cooperation with truth-telling initiatives and reparations programs benefiting victims of his former paramilitary organization. This sentencing represents a significant development in Colombia’s ongoing transitional justice process following the 2016 peace accord with FARC rebels.

    Mancuso, who holds dual Colombian-Italian citizenship, was recently repatriated from the United States where he had served extensive prison time on drug trafficking charges since his 2008 extradition. Despite multiple requests for transfer to Italy after completing his U.S. sentence, Colombian authorities maintained jurisdiction over his case.

    As a senior commander of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC), Mancuso helped establish right-wing paramilitary units initially created to counter Marxist guerrilla groups. While the AUC successfully displaced rebels from certain rural territories, they were subsequently accused of systematically targeting innocent civilians.

    The court’s decision emerges against the backdrop of Colombia’s complex peace architecture. President Gustavo Petro recently designated Mancuso as an official ‘peace facilitator’ to mediate ongoing negotiations with active armed groups, including the Gulf Clan—a successor organization to the AUC boasting approximately 10,000 fighters. This paradoxical position highlights the challenging balance between justice and reconciliation in post-conflict societies.

    Historical context reveals the staggering human cost of Colombia’s conflict, with truth commission data documenting at least 450,000 fatalities between 1985 and 2018 among combatants and civilians alike. The recent Qatar-brokered agreement between the government and Gulf Clan establishes protected zones where fighters can gather without prosecution during peace talks, signaling continued efforts to resolve decades of violence through diplomatic channels.

  • Watch: India PM Modi gifts UAE President family swing, Pashmina shawl during visit

    Watch: India PM Modi gifts UAE President family swing, Pashmina shawl during visit

    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended a culturally significant welcome to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during his state visit to New Delhi on January 19, 2026. The Emirati leader, received at the Palam Air Base, was presented with carefully curated gifts symbolizing India’s diverse craftsmanship and cultural heritage.

    At the Prime Minister’s official residence, Modi presented a hand-carved wooden swing from Gujarat, known locally as a ‘Jhula.’ This intricately designed piece, featuring traditional floral patterns, represents familial bonding and intergenerational conversation—a theme particularly resonant given the UAE’s declaration of 2026 as the ‘Year of Family.’

    The second significant gift was a premium Pashmina shawl from Kashmir, meticulously crafted from fine wool and presented in an ornate silver box manufactured in Telangana. Prime Minister Modi personally assisted the UAE President in wearing the shawl, after which both leaders were photographed conversing warmly while seated on the Gujarati swing.

    In a thoughtful gesture extending to the UAE first family, Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Al Ketbi, the President’s mother, received a similar Pashmina shawl alongside premium Kashmiri saffron, renowned for its distinctive crimson color and intense aroma, also presented in decorative silver packaging.

    This visit marked Sheikh Mohamed’s third official trip to India since assuming presidency and his fifth overall in the past decade, underscoring the deepening diplomatic engagement between the two nations. The bilateral discussions focused on strengthening strategic partnerships across multiple sectors including economic cooperation, technological innovation, artificial intelligence, renewable energy initiatives, and food security. The meetings concluded with the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding, further cementing the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and the UAE.

    The UAE delegation included several high-ranking officials including Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister; and numerous other ministers and senior government representatives.

  • Ros Atkins on…President Trump’s year in numbers

    Ros Atkins on…President Trump’s year in numbers

    A comprehensive quantitative analysis of Donald Trump’s initial year upon returning to the presidency reveals a period of intense executive activity and unprecedented digital engagement. The data, compiled from official records and digital archives, paints a detailed portrait of a leader operating through both traditional government channels and his proprietary social media platform.

    Executive actions emerged as a primary tool of governance, with the number of orders signed significantly exceeding historical first-year averages for modern presidents. This legislative strategy allowed for rapid policy implementation across various governmental departments, bypassing traditional congressional pathways.

    The presidential pardon power witnessed remarkable application, with numerous high-profile clemencies granted to both political allies and controversial figures. This pattern of pardons has sparked vigorous debate among legal scholars regarding the appropriate scope of executive clemency powers.

    Travel logistics and destination choices reflected distinct patterns, with a notable preference for rallies in electorally significant states rather than traditional diplomatic visits. The associated costs and security requirements for these movements generated substantial operational expenditures.

    Perhaps most notably, the president’s communication strategy centered overwhelmingly on Truth Social, where post volume, engagement metrics, and content themes broke from all previous presidential social media precedents. The platform served as both a direct messaging channel and a political organizing tool, with certain posts generating more user interactions than entire press conferences from previous administrations.

    This numerical assessment provides objective benchmarks against which both supporters and critics can evaluate presidential productivity, communication methods, and governance style, offering a fact-based framework for ongoing political discourse.

  • Greenland ‘will stay Greenland’, former Trump adviser declares

    Greenland ‘will stay Greenland’, former Trump adviser declares

    In a striking rebuke of his former boss’s ambitions, Gary Cohn—former Director of the White House National Economic Council and IBM’s vice chairman—has publicly dismissed the notion of forcibly acquiring Greenland, labeling such an action as “a little bit over the edge.” Cohn, who advised Donald Trump on economic matters during his first term, emphasized that “Greenland will stay Greenland” during his interview with the BBC.

    The comments come amid escalating geopolitical tensions surrounding the Arctic territory, which has emerged as a critical focal point at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Cohn suggested that Trump’s inflammatory statements may constitute a strategic overreach designed to secure negotiating advantages for U.S. interests, particularly regarding access to Greenland’s vast reserves of rare earth minerals—resources deemed essential for advancing artificial intelligence and quantum computing technologies.

    Cohn revealed that bipartisan consensus exists in Congress against any forced acquisition, stating: “I just came from a U.S. congressional delegation meeting, and I think there’s pretty uniform consensus with both Republicans and Democrats that Greenland will stay Greenland.” Instead, he proposed that the U.S. could negotiate an “offtake” agreement for mineral rights while expanding military presence on the island, noting that the North Atlantic and Arctic Ocean are “becoming much more of a military threat.”

    The IBM executive drew parallels to Trump’s previous foreign policy approaches, noting the administration’s intervention in Venezuela was designed to disrupt its relationships with China, Russia, and Cuba. He suggested similar strategic thinking might be driving the Greenland discourse, with the ultimate objectives being enhanced military positioning and resource security rather than actual territorial acquisition.

    Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent denied claims that Trump’s aggressive posture stemmed from his Nobel Peace Prize disappointment, instead framing Greenland as a “strategic asset for the United States” crucial to hemispheric security. The developments underscore how competition for quantum computing supremacy and rare earth minerals has become intertwined with global power dynamics, with both IBM and Google claiming leadership in the quantum technology race that now dominates discussions alongside Arctic geopolitics in Davos.

  • Hiring woes and ‘super high’ prices: Voters say Trump’s progress on the US economy is mixed

    Hiring woes and ‘super high’ prices: Voters say Trump’s progress on the US economy is mixed

    One year into Donald Trump’s return to the presidency, American voters across the political spectrum offer divergent perspectives on his economic performance. While campaigning for his non-consecutive term, Trump positioned economic revitalization as a cornerstone of his platform. The BBC conducted nationwide interviews to gauge whether citizens perceive improvement in their financial circumstances under his renewed administration.

    In rural Michigan, a Republican supporter reports dramatic price reductions for basic groceries following initial supply chain disruptions. “We’re aiming in a better place these days,” she noted, contrasting current conditions with earlier periods when egg prices reached $11 and difficult choices between feeding herself or her pets were necessary. Despite being on fixed income with minimal food stamps, she describes the situation as “night and day” improved.

    Conversely, an independent voter and new father expresses frustration with rising costs, particularly the $25,000 annual childcare expense that forced his family to reduce their food budget. Though both parents maintain professional careers—engineering and airline piloting—neither can afford to leave work. He criticizes the president’s credibility: “It feels like Trump doesn’t tell the truth about almost anything,” assigning the administration a 4/10 economic grade while condemning shrinkflation practices in baby products.

    An Indiana Republican supporter acknowledges decreased inflation statistics but questions their real-world impact, noting persistently high prices for utilities and other essentials. While supporting Trump’s immigration enforcement priorities, he suggests the president has spread himself too thin across multiple issues rather than focusing on economic fundamentals as promised.

    Foreign policy concerns weigh heavily on an independent voter who fears international tensions could trigger economic collapse. She and her husband have delayed home purchasing despite savings, keeping reserves secure due to anxiety over presidential remarks regarding NATO and Greenland.

    A recently graduated registered Democrat contradicts White House employment statistics, reporting daily job applications without success despite the administration’s touted job market performance. “I don’t see the data, I don’t see the proof,” she states, describing how unemployment severely impacts her family’s stability.

    Finally, an independent financial consultant acknowledges marginal financial improvement but worries about sustainability. He credits tax policies with boosting corporate earnings and stock markets but notes these gains haven’t offset consumer cost increases. Expressing concern over presidential influence on Federal Reserve independence, he observes economic priorities shifting toward geopolitical matters involving Iran and Venezuela.

  • Colombian paramilitary-turned-peace-envoy sentenced over atrocities

    Colombian paramilitary-turned-peace-envoy sentenced over atrocities

    In a landmark judicial decision, former Colombian paramilitary commander Salvatore Mancuso has received a 40-year prison sentence for atrocities committed during the nation’s prolonged armed conflict. The ruling from a Barranquilla court convicted Mancuso of 117 distinct crimes against the Wayuu Indigenous community, including murders, forced disappearances, and systematic displacements occurring between 2002 and 2006 in the northern La Guajira region bordering Venezuela.

    The sentencing presents a complex dilemma for President Gustavo Petro’s administration, which had previously appointed Mancuso as a peace negotiator following his repatriation from the United States. The ex-paramilitary leader had recently been facilitating government negotiations with the Gulf Clan cartel—Colombia’s dominant narcotics organization that evolved from paramilitary factions.

    Mancuso’s legal situation remains particularly intricate due to his dual roles as both convicted war criminal and government-sanctioned peace envoy. His sentence includes a substantial $14 million fine payable to victims, though Colombian restorative justice provisions could potentially reduce his incarceration to eight years should he fully disclose his crimes and participate in reparations programs.

    This case underscores the ongoing challenges in Colombia’s peace process, where former combatants often navigate dual roles between justice and reconciliation. Mancuso previously served 16 years in U.S. imprisonment on drug trafficking charges before his extradition ended in 2023. His appointment as peace envoy had been controversial from its inception, drawing criticism from human rights organizations and victims’ groups.

    The paramilitary groups Mancuso helped lead—particularly the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC)—emerged in the 1990s as counter-insurgency forces against Marxist guerrillas but rapidly became embroiled in narcotics trafficking and widespread human rights violations. Their campaign targeted union organizers, indigenous leaders, human rights advocates, and political figures allegedly connected to rebel groups.

    Colombia’s six-decade internal conflict has claimed over 250,000 lives, with violence significantly diminishing following the 2016 peace accord with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). However, dissident factions continuing to oppose the agreement still contest control over cocaine production territories and periodically attack security forces, maintaining Colombia’s position as the world’s primary cocaine producer.

  • Swiss councillors to vote on Uefa tax exemption over failure to suspend Israel

    Swiss councillors to vote on Uefa tax exemption over failure to suspend Israel

    The Canton of Vaud in Switzerland is poised to make a significant political statement regarding international sports governance as its councillors prepare to vote on a resolution challenging UEFA’s tax-exempt status. The initiative, led by councillor Theophile Schenker and supported by members across four political parties, emerges from UEFA’s continued recognition of the Israeli Football Association despite Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories.

    European football’s governing body enjoys tax privileges in Nyon, Vaud, where numerous international sports federations are headquartered. These exemptions are contingent upon organizations demonstrating tangible efforts to promote peace and combat discrimination through their activities. The proposed resolution argues that UEFA’s failure to suspend the Israeli Football Association—particularly following the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion on July 19, 2024, which deemed Israel’s occupation unlawful—directly contradicts these peace-promotion mandates.

    The resolution highlights apparent double standards in UEFA’s governance approach, noting the organization’s swift sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine while taking no comparable action against Israel. Schenker emphasized that UEFA’s tax exemption exists specifically because international sports federations are expected to uphold peace values, a condition he believes UEFA is currently failing to meet.

    Rather than immediately revoking tax privileges, the resolution would instruct the Vaud government to initiate formal proceedings requiring UEFA to justify how its current position aligns with its peace-promotion obligations. Depending on UEFA’s response, the government would then reassess the exemption eligibility. Even if successful, UEFA would retain the right to challenge any unfavorable decision in court.

    The political maneuver comes amid revelations that UEFA’s executive committee had planned to vote on suspending Israel on September 30, 2024, over allegations of genocide in Gaza, but paused proceedings following a ceasefire proposal from former US President Donald Trump. Campaigners argue that UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin’s decision to halt the vote represents either complicity or political naivete regarding Israel’s documented human rights abuses.

    While acknowledging the resolution’s primarily symbolic nature, Schenker believes parliamentary approval would send a powerful message to both the Vaud government and UEFA leadership, potentially providing ‘the missing energy’ needed for member associations to push for Israel’s suspension in alignment with international law.

  • Indonesian President nominates nephew as central bank deputy governor

    Indonesian President nominates nephew as central bank deputy governor

    Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has formally nominated his nephew, Thomas Djiwandono, for a position on the central bank’s board of governors, triggering immediate concerns about the financial institution’s independence. The announcement was confirmed by State Secretariat Minister Prasetyo Hadi during a Monday press conference, revealing that multiple candidates had been submitted to parliament for consideration following the resignation of incumbent deputy governor Juda Agung.

    Djiwandono, who currently serves as deputy finance minister—a position he assumed in July 2024 under previous president Joko Widodo—now faces parliamentary scrutiny through a mandatory ‘fit-and-proper’ hearing process. The nomination comes at a critical juncture for Indonesia’s economic policy, with the central bank preparing to announce its latest benchmark interest rates this week.

    The development has reignited longstanding concerns about governance transparency in Southeast Asia’s largest economy, which has historically struggled with corruption and concentration of power among political elites. Bank Indonesia, tasked with maintaining monetary stability and overseeing the financial system, now faces questions about its operational independence from executive influence.

    Central bank spokesman Ramdan Denny Prakoso emphasized that ‘Bank Indonesia remains focused on its core mandates of currency stability, payment system integrity, and financial system security to support sustainable economic growth.’ The statement came as President Prabowo pushes an ambitious economic agenda aiming to accelerate growth from approximately 5% to 8% by 2029, adding significance to the central bank’s leadership composition.

  • Trump says he will ‘100%’ carry out Greenland tariffs threat, as EU vows to protect its interests

    Trump says he will ‘100%’ carry out Greenland tariffs threat, as EU vows to protect its interests

    A severe diplomatic crisis has erupted across the Atlantic following former U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed threats to impose punitive tariffs on European NATO allies unless they acquiesce to his demand for Washington to purchase Greenland. The extraordinary proposition, treating sovereignty as a transactional asset, has drawn unified and fierce condemnation from European capitals.

    In a recent interview, Trump explicitly declined to rule out the use of military force to acquire the semi-autonomous Danish territory, responding to a direct question with a terse ‘No comment.’ He instead detailed a plan for escalating tariffs, starting with a 10% levy on all goods from the United Kingdom beginning February 1st, potentially rising to 25% by June. This same economic pressure would be applied to seven other NATO members: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Finland.

    European leaders have mounted a staunch defense of Greenland’s sovereignty and international law. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen asserted that one cannot ‘threaten your way to ownership of Greenland,’ emphasizing the existence of uncrossable ‘red lines.’ UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper reinforced that Greenland’s future is a matter solely for ‘Greenlanders and for the Danes.’

    The collective European response has extended beyond rhetoric. In a significant symbolic gesture, several European nations deployed a small contingent of troops to Greenland last week, a move interpreted as a show of solidarity and a deterrence signal. Trump’s subsequent tariff announcement is widely seen as a direct retaliation for this deployment.

    Further complicating the diplomatic fray, a separate text message exchange between Trump and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre was revealed. In the messages, Trump complained that Norway was responsible for him not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, a claim Støre refuted by explaining the prize’s independence from government control.

    In response to the escalating situation, the European Union has scheduled an emergency summit in Brussels. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated the bloc has ‘no interest to pick a fight, but we will hold our ground,’ firmly declaring that ‘sovereignty is not for trade.’ Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte affirmed the alliance’s commitment to continue working with Denmark and Greenland on Arctic security, attempting to navigate the unprecedented rift.

  • The full text of Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ charter

    The full text of Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ charter

    A newly obtained charter document reveals former US President Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” represents a direct challenge to established international institutions, particularly the United Nations. Middle East Eye has acquired the comprehensive charter outlining an alternative global governance framework that significantly centralizes power within its leadership structure.

    The initiative, originally conceptualized during Trump’s response to the Gaza conflict, has evolved into a broader institutional framework that pointedly criticizes existing peacebuilding approaches. The charter explicitly states that durable peace requires “the courage to depart from… institutions that have too often failed,” while advocating for a “more nimble and effective international peace-building body.”

    Notably, the charter establishes Donald J. Trump as the inaugural Chairman with extensive authority, treating the position as a personal role rather than one tied to the U.S. presidency. The document specifies that Trump “shall serve as inaugural Chairman” without reference to the presidential office or fixed term limits, while granting him exclusive authority to create, modify, or dissolve subsidiary entities.

    The governance structure establishes a two-tier system: a general assembly of Member States represented by their Heads of State or Government, and an Executive Board selected by the Chairman consisting of “leaders of global stature.” Decision-making power ultimately rests with the Chairman, who maintains veto authority over Executive Board decisions and final interpretation of the charter.

    Membership requires invitation from the Chairman and features unusual provisions, including three-year terms for most states except those contributing over $1 billion within the first year. The Chairman retains authority to remove member states subject to a two-thirds majority veto, while states can withdraw immediately with written notice.

    As of January 19th, dozens of countries including Turkey, Egypt, India, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia have received invitations, though most governments have responded cautiously. Only Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a known Trump ally, has confirmed acceptance of membership.

    The charter establishes English as the official language and designates the United States as depositary for all official documents. Financial provisions rely on voluntary funding from member states and other sources, while granting the organization international legal personality with capacity to enter contracts, acquire property, and institute legal proceedings.

    The Board of Peace would continue indefinitely unless dissolved by the Chairman, with automatic dissolution at the end of every odd-numbered year unless renewed by November 21st. This structure creates a potentially parallel international system with significantly different governance principles from existing multilateral institutions.