Global Pulse

标签： South America

南美洲

  • Venezuelan lawmakers approve easing state control of oil industry

    Venezuelan lawmakers approve easing state control of oil industry

    Venezuela’s National Assembly has enacted landmark legislation to privatize its oil industry, marking a historic reversal of the socialist policies that defined the nation’s energy sector for over two decades. The sweeping reform, approved Thursday, comes less than a month after the dramatic capture of former President Nicolás Maduro during a U.S. military operation in Caracas.

    The new energy framework, now awaiting signature from Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, fundamentally restructures Venezuela’s approach to oil production and investment. The legislation grants private corporations unprecedented control over petroleum extraction and sales while introducing independent arbitration mechanisms for dispute resolution—a crucial safeguard demanded by international investors.

    The Rodríguez administration designed these changes to reassure major U.S. energy companies that have remained hesitant about re-entering Venezuela’s volatile market. Many firms suffered substantial losses when the government nationalized oil assets under former leader Hugo Chávez in 2006.

    Key provisions include a revised taxation structure that caps royalty rates at 30%, with flexibility for the executive branch to adjust percentages based on project-specific factors including capital requirements and market competitiveness. The legislation additionally removes the previous mandate requiring all legal disputes to be settled exclusively in Venezuelan courts, which foreign investors viewed as susceptible to political influence.

    Orlando Camacho, head of the assembly’s oil committee, hailed the reform as an economic game-changer that “will change the country’s economy.” Meanwhile, opposition lawmaker Antonio Ecarri advocated for enhanced transparency measures, including public disclosure platforms to combat systemic corruption. “Let the light shine on in the oil industry,” Ecarri urged during legislative debates.

    This policy shift represents a stark departure from the Chávez-era doctrine that established state-owned PDVSA as the mandatory majority stakeholder in all major petroleum projects. That previous model, funded by record-high global oil prices in the early 2000s, eventually collapsed due to price volatility, governmental mismanagement, and crippling international sanctions. The subsequent economic crisis prompted over 7 million Venezuelans to flee the country since 2014.

    The current reforms aim to attract foreign capital and technical expertise to revitalize an industry holding the world’s largest proven crude reserves—a strategic priority for the interim government as it seeks to stabilize Venezuela’s devastated economy.

  • Trump says he’s instructed US officials to reopen Venezuelan airspace for commercial travel

    Trump says he’s instructed US officials to reopen Venezuelan airspace for commercial travel

    WASHINGTON — In a significant diplomatic shift, the Trump administration has initiated steps to normalize relations with Venezuela. President Donald Trump confirmed Thursday that he has directed authorities to reopen all commercial airspace over Venezuela, with American citizens expected to gain travel access shortly.

    Trump stated he personally communicated this development to Venezuelan official Delcy Rodríguez and has tasked Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy alongside military leadership with executing the airspace reopening by day’s end. “American citizens will be very shortly able to go to Venezuela, and they’ll be safe there,” the President asserted.

    This announcement coincides with broader efforts to restore diplomatic ties severed in 2019. Earlier this week, the State Department notified Congress of its intention to implement a phased approach toward potentially resuming operations at Embassy Caracas. Official correspondence to ten House and Senate committees revealed plans to deploy temporary staff for selective diplomatic functions, marking the initial phase of this normalization process.

    The diplomatic rupture originated from the 2019 U.S. military operation that ousted former President Nicolás Maduro. Since then, travel advisories have remained at the highest alert level, with explicit warnings against travel due to risks including wrongful detention, torture, and kidnapping. As of Thursday, the State Department’s “Do Not Travel” advisory remained officially active despite the announced policy changes.

    This policy reversal represents one of the most substantial developments in U.S.-Venezuela relations in recent years, suggesting a potential thaw in longstanding tensions between the nations.

  • Legal setbacks against a dam in the Amazon raise questions about Brazil’s reliance on hydropower

    Legal setbacks against a dam in the Amazon raise questions about Brazil’s reliance on hydropower

    A decade after commencing operations, Brazil’s Belo Monte hydroelectric facility—ranking among the world’s largest hydropower plants—stands at the center of mounting legal challenges and environmental controversies. Brazilian courts have determined that the project has failed to uphold its fundamental commitment to protect local ecosystems and Indigenous communities along the Xingu River, despite explicit conditions set during its approval process.

    Originally conceived during Brazil’s military dictatorship in the 1970s, the Belo Monte project gained momentum during President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s second term, eventually becoming operational in 2016. The facility was engineered with a unique design intended to minimize reservoir size and avoid flooding surrounding areas, currently supplying approximately 10% of Brazil’s electricity needs.

    However, recent judicial findings reveal the project’s environmental and social impacts have substantially exceeded initial projections. The Brazilian Supreme Court has ordered the federal government to provide 19 million reais ($3.6 million) in compensation to affected Indigenous communities. Separate rulings have compelled Norte Energia, the dam’s operator, to provide clean water to communities whose natural water sources have depleted and to reassess water diversion practices that could potentially reduce power generation capacity.

    Indigenous communities, particularly the Juruna people, report catastrophic ecological consequences since the dam’s activation. They describe massive fish die-offs, severely restricted river navigation, and fundamental disruptions to their traditional way of life. Their diet has shifted from protein-rich fish to processed foods, while psychological trauma has become widespread among community members.

    Scientific monitoring conducted through an innovative partnership between Indigenous groups and Brazilian research institutions has documented these impacts systematically. Daily data collection on water levels, groundwater conditions, and fish populations has provided crucial evidence demonstrating that Belo Monte’s effects far exceed what Norte Energia originally acknowledged.

    The controversy emerges as Brazil implements new legislation that will streamline approval processes for strategic infrastructure projects, reducing licensing timelines from 6-7 years to just 12 months. Environmental experts warn this accelerated approach may lead to reduced scrutiny of social and environmental impacts, potentially repeating Belo Monte’s problematic pattern across future developments.

    Energy security concerns complicate the situation, as Norte Energia contends that court-ordered modifications to water management could increase electricity prices and force greater reliance on carbon-intensive thermal power plants. Meanwhile, climate change intensifies the challenges, with worsening droughts already reducing the dam’s operational efficiency.

    Environmental advocates emphasize that Belo Monte represents a critical test case for Brazil’s infrastructure development approach in an era of climate change. They argue that true climate leadership requires not only deforestation control but also responsible infrastructure planning that rigorously addresses social and environmental consequences.

  • US appeals court says Noem’s decision to end protections for Venezuelans in US was illegal

    US appeals court says Noem’s decision to end protections for Venezuelans in US was illegal

    A federal appeals court delivered a significant ruling Wednesday declaring the Trump administration’s termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelan and Haitian immigrants unlawful. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals determined that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem exceeded her statutory authority when revoking legal protections that enabled hundreds of thousands of migrants to reside and work legally in the United States.

    The three-judge panel upheld a lower court’s finding that Noem lacked congressional authorization to vacate existing TPS designations. Judge Kim Wardlaw, writing for the panel, emphasized that TPS legislation contains “numerous procedural safeguards that ensure individuals with TPS enjoy predictability and stability during periods of extraordinary and temporary conditions in their home country.”

    Despite the landmark legal decision, practical implementation remains suspended pending a final Supreme Court ruling. The nation’s highest court previously allowed Noem’s termination decision to take effect in October while justices consider the case.

    The ruling highlighted severe consequences for affected communities, noting that “hard-working, contributing members of society” including “mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, and partners of U.S. citizens” faced deportation and detention after losing protected status. The court found substantial evidence that racial and national origin animus influenced the termination decisions, characterizing them as “preordained” with “pretextual” reasoning.

    TPS, established through the Immigration Act of 1990, grants temporary legal status to individuals fleeing countries experiencing civil strife, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary conditions. The program provides protection from deportation and work authorization but does not create a pathway to citizenship.

    The Department of Homeland Security maintained that improved conditions in Venezuela and Haiti justified the terminations, arguing the secretary possesses broad authority over TPS determinations. Government attorneys denied allegations of racial motivation behind the decisions.

  • Plane crashes in Colombia, killing all 15 on board

    Plane crashes in Colombia, killing all 15 on board

    Colombia’s state-run airline Satena has confirmed a catastrophic aviation disaster resulting in the deaths of all 15 individuals aboard a domestic flight that crashed in northern Colombia’s treacherous mountainous terrain on Wednesday.

    The ill-fated Beechcraft 1900 aircraft, operating as Flight NSE 8849, vanished from radar contact approximately 11 minutes before its scheduled landing at Ocaña Airport near the Venezuelan border. The flight had departed from Cúcuta, located approximately 100 kilometers northeast of its intended destination.

    Among the confirmed casualties was Diogenes Quintero Amaya, a serving member of Colombia’s legislative body, and Carlos Salcedo, an active candidate in the nation’s impending congressional elections. The passenger manifest detailed 13 travelers alongside two flight crew members.

    Satena’s official statement described the incident as a ‘fatal accident’ while withholding specific details regarding potential causes. The wreckage was subsequently located in a region known for both its challenging topography and presence of ELN guerrilla factions, complicating recovery operations.

    Colombia’s armed forces mobilized immediately following the disappearance, coordinating search efforts in collaboration with airline officials. The emergency response included establishing dedicated communication channels for affected families seeking information about their relatives.

    This tragedy represents another entry in Colombia’s history of aviation incidents, particularly affecting flights operating in regions with complex geographical features and security challenges. The investigation into the precise circumstances surrounding the crash remains ongoing with aviation authorities expected to conduct thorough analysis of flight data and wreckage evidence.

  • Small plane crashes in rural area of Colombia, killing 15 people including congressman

    Small plane crashes in rural area of Colombia, killing 15 people including congressman

    COLOMBIA – A state-operated aircraft crashed in northeastern Colombia’s mountainous terrain on Wednesday, resulting in the tragic death of all 15 individuals aboard, including a sitting member of congress and a congressional candidate. The Satena airline flight HK4709 vanished from radar minutes after departing from Cúcuta Airport at 11:42 a.m. local time en route to Ocaña, a municipality nestled within the Andes mountain range.

    Rescue teams dispatched to the remote crash site near Curasica village in Norte de Santander province confirmed no survivors after locating the wreckage. The aircraft carried two crew members and 13 passengers, among them Representative Diógenes Quintero, 36, a prominent human rights advocate from the conflict-ridden Venezuela border region. Carlos Salcedo, a social activist campaigning for congressional office, also perished in the accident.

    Quintero had been elected in 2022 as one of 16 special representatives advocating for victims of Colombia’s prolonged armed conflict, a position established through the historic 2016 peace accord with FARC guerrillas. His political party, the U Party, memorialized him as ‘a leader committed to his region, with a firm vocation for service.’

    Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed profound sorrow via social media, stating: ‘I am deeply saddened by these deaths. My heartfelt condolences to their families. May they rest in peace.’ Aviation authorities have initiated a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash, though preliminary findings regarding the cause remain undisclosed.

  • Indigenous protesters block Cargill facility in Brazil over President Lula’s decree

    Indigenous protesters block Cargill facility in Brazil over President Lula’s decree

    SAO PAULO — For nearly a week, hundreds of Indigenous demonstrators have maintained a blockade at a Cargill agricultural facility in Santarem, northern Brazil, escalating tensions over President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s controversial August decree. The presidential mandate authorizes private concessions for federal waterways, transferring maintenance, dredging, and traffic management responsibilities to corporate operators.

    The Tapajos and Arapiuns Indigenous Council, representing fourteen distinct Indigenous communities, asserts that the government violated constitutional and international obligations by failing to conduct mandated consultations with affected populations. Protest organizers warn that extensive dredging operations would critically endanger the ecological balance of the Tapajos River, Indigenous territories, and the broader Amazon rainforest ecosystem.

    Indigenous leader Auricelia Arapiun articulated the movement’s demands: ‘We seek governmental recognition of their error and respect for our rights, including commitments made during COP30.’ Referencing last year’s UN climate conference in Belem—located approximately 550 miles from the protest site—Arapiun emphasized the contradiction between environmental rhetoric and policy implementation.

    Protesters strategically targeted Cargill, one of the world’s largest agricultural commodity traders, as symbolic of destructive agribusiness practices that pressure governments for rainforest-compromising projects. The demonstration has effectively obstructed vehicle access to Cargill’s terminal, though the company maintains the dispute falls outside its jurisdiction despite respecting protest rights.

    Brazil’s Secretariat-General of the Presidency, responsible for social movement dialogue, claims commitment to free and prior consultation processes regarding Tapajos waterway concessions. While acknowledging meetings with civil society representatives, government officials have not confirmed attendance at the scheduled in-person assembly with protesters.

    Policy analyst Renata Utsunomiya of the Infrastructure and Socioenvironmental Justice group contextualized the waterway developments within broader Amazon infrastructure initiatives. The Tapajos River currently facilitates approximately 41 million metric tons of annual cargo transportation. Utsunomiya warned that combined dredging operations and the proposed Ferrograo railway would amplify pressure on Indigenous territories, potentially accelerating deforestation, land grabbing, and lasting environmental degradation throughout the region.

  • Brazil midfielder Paqueta set for Flamengo move ahead of World Cup after asking to leave West Ham

    Brazil midfielder Paqueta set for Flamengo move ahead of World Cup after asking to leave West Ham

    In a significant transfer development, West Ham United has officially permitted Brazilian international Lucas Paqueta to proceed with medical assessments and negotiate personal terms with Brazilian club Flamengo. This move signals the imminent conclusion of the midfielder’s challenging tenure in the English Premier League.

    The transfer, valued at a reported £35 million (approximately $48 million), follows Paqueta’s formal transfer request. West Ham had initially sought to retain the 28-year-old player until the season’s conclusion to bolster their campaign to avoid relegation from England’s top football division.

    Paqueta’s time at the London club was notably overshadowed by an extensive Football Association investigation into potential gambling regulation violations. The protracted inquiry, which concluded only in July 2025 with Paqueta cleared of all misconduct charges, spanned two years and reportedly inflicted considerable psychological distress on the player.

    In an official club statement, West Ham acknowledged the player’s personal circumstances: “Lucas has articulated that, due to personal and family considerations, he desires to return to his native Brazil and initiate a new chapter following his recent exoneration. Despite implementing comprehensive measures to encourage him to remain with our squad, he maintained his firm position regarding departure. Consequently, both the head coach and club management have acquiesced to his transfer appeal, albeit with reluctance.”

  • Rubio details how the Trump administration will control Venezuela’s oil money

    Rubio details how the Trump administration will control Venezuela’s oil money

    The United States government has unveiled a groundbreaking framework for managing Venezuela’s oil revenue under stringent American oversight. Secretary of State Marco Rubio disclosed before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that previously sanctioned Venezuelan oil would now be permitted for international sale, with all proceeds channeled into a specially designed account subject to U.S. Treasury supervision.

    This financial mechanism, initially established in Qatar to circumvent legal complications with American creditors, will serve as the central repository for Venezuela’s oil earnings. Rubio emphasized that the arrangement represents an interim measure to prevent complete economic collapse during Venezuela’s political transition. The funds will be exclusively allocated for essential public services including healthcare, law enforcement, and critical infrastructure maintenance.

    The development follows the recent capture of former President Nicolás Maduro, whose administration allegedly diverted oil profits to benefit corrupt officials and privileged international partners like China through discounted arrangements. Under the new system, Venezuela’s interim leadership will receive specific instructions on permissible expenditures, with regular audits conducted to ensure compliance.

    Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut, expressed serious concerns about the potential for favoritism toward oil companies with Trump administration connections. Murphy characterized the arrangement as effectively seizing a sovereign nation’s resources ‘at gunpoint’ while determining financial allocations for 30 million citizens.

    Despite these concerns, the State Department maintains that the mechanism provides necessary stability during Venezuela’s recovery period. Approximately $3 billion in anticipated oil revenue is expected to flow through the oversight account, which functions as Venezuelan property with U.S. sanctions acting as a blocking mechanism against misuse.

  • “It’s ‘Operation Don’t Come Last’ at the Olympics”

    “It’s ‘Operation Don’t Come Last’ at the Olympics”

    North Yorkshire athlete Axel Brown is preparing for his second and final Olympic appearance as pilot of the Trinidad and Tobago bobsleigh team at the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games. The 33-year-old from Harrogate, who previously competed for the Caribbean nation at Beijing 2022, will steer the sled at speeds approaching 100mph (160km/h) in what he confirms will be his Olympic swan song.

    Brown’s unconventional journey to winter sports began twelve years ago when, after being released from an American football team just before the Sochi 2014 Olympics, he discovered bobsleigh through television coverage. “You don’t grow up in Harrogate thinking you’re going to be an Olympic bobsleigher,” Brown reflects on his unexpected career path.

    After seven years competing for Great Britain, Brown made the strategic decision in 2021 to represent his mother’s native Trinidad and Tobago. As pilot, his responsibilities extend beyond mere participation. “I steer the sled to ensure we’re efficient, smooth and don’t crash – because that’s a very real part of the sport,” he explains of the technically demanding role.

    The Harrogate athlete acknowledges the psychological dimensions of the sport, noting that even at slower courses reaching 70mph (113km/h), bobsleigh requires “a healthy level of fear.” He maintains that complacency could be dangerous, stating: “If there’s a day when I was completely not scared of bobsleigh, that’s probably the day to walk away.”

    Brown’s previous Olympic performance saw him finish 28th out of 30 teams in the two-man event at Beijing 2022, ahead of Jamaica and Brazil. However, he considers qualification for Milano Cortina 2026 his true “gold medal” moment, achieved under significantly more challenging circumstances. With reduced nation spots and requiring top-17 global ranking, Brown describes the qualification process as “right at the limit of what was possible.”

    For his final Games, Brown embraces modest ambitions under the banner “Operation Don’t Come Last,” while anticipating the emotional significance of competing with family present after COVID restrictions prevented their attendance in Beijing. Beyond his athletic career, the self-described non-thrill-seeker plans to convert a barn for residential purposes with his partner, embracing a quieter life after retirement from breakneck speeds.