James Vance, candidato a vicepresidente de Trump, proviene de un entorno modesto en Ohio, sirvió en Irak en un papel no relacionado con el combate, se graduó en Yale y trabajó para el juez Clarence Thomas. Su tiempo con Thomas, un católico conservador, despertó el interés de Vance en el activismo católico. La conexión de Vance con su colega Rod Dreher, quien influyó en él para que se convirtiera en un católico activo, jugó un papel crucial en la configuración de su perspectiva política y religiosa. Dreher, inicialmente un metodista que se convirtió al catolicismo y luego a la ortodoxia rusa, presentó a Vance a importantes figuras ortodoxas rusas vinculadas al Kremlin. Dreher también participa activamente en el conservador Instituto Danubio, apoyado por el gobierno de Viktor Orban. Influyó en la narrativa política de Vance, alineándose con figuras como Orban y promoviendo políticas centradas en los valores familiares tradicionales y oponiéndose a ideologías progresistas. Esta relación ayuda a comprender la postura de Vance sobre Ucrania, Europa y sus mensajes políticos. Vance admira las medidas autoritarias de Hungría contra las influencias izquierdistas, favoreciendo enfoques similares en Estados Unidos, lo que refleja su alineación ideológica con las opiniones de Dreher y las posturas geopolíticas rusas. Tucker Carlson jugó un papel fundamental en la elevación del perfil público de Vance y se destacó por su apoyo a Trump y Putin. Mientras tanto, Dreher se mudó a Hungría y se convirtió en una figura del medio de propaganda ruso Sputnik. El viaje político de Vance lo vio pasar de criticar a Trump comparándolo con Hitler a convertirse en un ferviente partidario. Esta tercera conversión le llevó a ser elegido senador por Ohio en abril de 2022, donde adoptó posiciones conservadoras extremas, incluidas posturas estrictas contra el aborto incluso en casos de incesto o violación. Aunque momentáneamente se alineó con las opiniones más indulgentes de Trump sobre el aborto con fines electorales, Vance se mantuvo firme en temas como la homosexualidad. El conservadurismo radical y la retórica incendiaria de Vance, como los comentarios hostiles sobre las feministas y los llamamientos a “desnazificar” a los liberales, sirven para atraer a votantes desilusionados por la política dominante. Su alineación con Trump proporciona un conducto para los votantes conservadores, particularmente católicos, lo que lo posiciona como un oponente al presidente Biden. El paso de Vance de moderado a radical lo ha dotado de una red que incluye conexiones con movimientos conservadores europeos aliados con Putin. Como candidato a la vicepresidencia, Vance ofrece a Trump un medio para defender puntos de vista extremos sin asociación directa, subrayando su lealtad y su papel político subordinado. En un podcast de septiembre, Vance afirmó que su objetivo es desmantelar la actual clase dominante estadounidense y restablecer los valores políticos y religiosos estadounidenses. Influenciado por los métodos autoritarios de Orban. La nominación de Vance como vicepresidente de Trump rechaza a las figuras tradicionales del Partido Republicano y se alinea con líderes como Trump, Orban y Putin. La oposición de Vance a ayudar a Ucrania refleja este alineamiento. Su candidatura se presenta como un experimento político significativo y no simplemente como una historia superficial. A pesar de las críticas pasadas, Trump respalda a Vance como una versión más joven y alineada de sí mismo, con el objetivo de asegurar la continuación de su agenda política. Texto Original por Nacho Montes de Oca, publicado en -> Thread Reader

President Biden took a risk by easing sanctions on Venezuela in exchange for Nicolás Maduro’s promise of a free and fair presidential election. With the election less than two weeks away, there are concerns about its legitimacy as the government has banned the most popular opposition candidate, blocked EU monitors, and harassed opposition supporters. The U.S. and Venezuelan authorities resumed talks, and American diplomats are working to ensure the election’s integrity. If a new administration under Donald Trump comes into power, the engagement efforts may cease. Success for Biden could mean a significant foreign policy win, potentially facilitating the return of Venezuelan exiles and reducing Venezuela’s alliances with Russia, China, and Iran. It could also expand U.S. access to Venezuelan oil. Despite these hurdles, opposition candidate Edmundo González remains optimistic, leading in the polls and hoping for a transformative victory that would force Maduro into negotiations. Maduro has managed to stay in power despite economic collapse and numerous crises, including U.S. sanctions. The Biden administration’s strategy included an agreement to lift most sanctions if Maduro ensured a competitive election, but this was jeopardized when Venezuela’s supreme court ruled the leading opposition candidate, María Corina Machado, ineligible. This led to the reinstatement of some sanctions. Former U.S. Ambassador Bill Brownfield criticized the U.S. deal for being overly lenient. Maduro received all the benefits from a deal in exchange for future promises, which he did not fulfill. The opposition was largely excluded from these negotiations, but opposition leader Machado has effectively leveraged the situation. Sociologist David Smilde views the Biden administration’s efforts as successful in drawing the opposition back into electoral politics. Although Maduro initially seemed to follow a more repressive path, he has agreed to participate in elections with some international oversight. Carolina Jiménez Sandoval identifies slight progress amidst ongoing repression in Venezuela. There is regional emphasis on ensuring a peaceful transition of power if Maduro loses, with leaders like Colombia’s President Petro and Brazil’s President Lula discussing immunity for the losing side. Various proposals to protect Maduro and his allies in a post-election scenario are being explored, including parliamentary immunity and reduced sentences for implicated officials. Original text by Ana Vanessa Herrero, Samantha Schmidt and Karen DeYoung, published in->TWP

The Biden administration has sanctioned the Venezuelan gang, “Tren de Aragua,” which is allegedly responsible for kidnappings, extortion, and other violent crimes associated with migrants in Latin America and the United States. The U.S. has also put up a $12 million reward for the arrest of three of the gang’s leaders. “Tren de Aragua” is now classified as a transnational criminal organization, joining the ranks of MS-13 and the Italian Camorra. According to the U.S. Treasury Department, this gang often targets vulnerable groups, such as migrant women and girls, for sex trafficking, and kills those who try to escape, using their deaths as threats to others. Originating over a decade ago from a notorious prison in Venezuela’s Aragua state, “Tren de Aragua” has expanded as millions fled the country due to President Nicolás Maduro’s rule. Countries with significant Venezuelan migrant populations, such as Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador, have attributed a surge in violent crime to the gang. Initially focused on exploiting Venezuelan migrants through loan sharking, human trafficking, and smuggling, the gang has now aligned and sometimes clashed with local crime syndicates involved in drug trafficking, extortion, and contract killings. Among the groups “Tren de Aragua” has been associated with is the Brazilian organized crime group, “Primeiro Comando da Capital”. Earlier this year, Chilean prosecutors accused the gang of murdering a Venezuelan army official who had sought refuge in Chile. InSight Crime’s Jeremy McDermott describes “Tren de Aragua” as a loose federation of gangs rather than a centralized structure, now operating under a franchise model. Hector Guerrero, the gang leader known as “El Nino,” has escaped prison multiple times, with his current whereabouts unknown, though it’s believed he might be in Colombia. Original Text By Associated Press, published by -> VOA

La reciente detención de Salomón Fernández Torres, un líder clave del Tren de Aragua en Bogotá, coincidió con una reunión personal sin precedentes en la ciudad entre fiscales e investigadores chilenos y colombianos. Esta reunión tuvo como objetivo abordar las actividades del Tren de Aragua, una poderosa organización criminal transnacional originaria de Venezuela con operaciones en múltiples países de Sudamérica y Estados Unidos. A pesar de la importante influencia del Tren de Aragua, la cooperación internacional ha quedado rezagada frente a las rápidas acciones del grupo criminal. Los recientes arrestos de personas de alto perfil, como el de Fernández y Larry Álvarez Núñez (alias “Larry Changa”), indican un cambio hacia esfuerzos de colaboración más fuertes. La captura de Álvarez Núñez, una figura criminal importante en Chile, resalta la postura colaborativa de las autoridades colombianas, en contraste con la actitud previamente desdeñosa de Venezuela hacia la existencia del Tren de Aragua. Los arrestos y los procedimientos de extradición reflejan una tendencia emergente de cooperación judicial fortalecida. Además, el arresto de Fernández marca un golpe significativo a las operaciones de la red criminal en Bogotá, donde la organización ha estado activa desde 2018. Las autoridades advierten que la red ahora está intentando expandirse a Medellín y Cartagena. Antes de que las autoridades colombianas identificaran a “Salomón”, sus asociados lo conocían como “el hombre fantasma” o el “líder financiero” debido a su papel en la gestión de las finanzas criminales en Colombia. Actualmente no se ha establecido ningún vínculo directo entre los recientes detenidos “Larry Changa” y “Salomón”, pero se están realizando nuevas investigaciones internacionales para recabar más información sobre sus operaciones. En Chile, las autoridades notaron por primera vez la presencia del grupo criminal Tren de Aragua en 2021, lo que llevó a la identificación de figuras clave como Carlos González Vaca (“Estrella”), Hernán Landaeta Garlotti (“Satanás”) y Larry Álvarez Núñez ( “Larry Changa”). Raúl Arancibia, exfiscal regional, reveló que “Larry” huyó de Chile luego de un operativo en el que fueron capturados once pandilleros. A pesar de que inicialmente subestimaron su importancia, las autoridades reconocieron más tarde su papel fundamental. Las investigaciones de periodistas y autoridades apuntan a descubrir cómo el Tren de Aragua lava dinero proveniente de sus actividades criminales. Las autoridades colombianas están explorando varios negocios utilizados para el lavado de dinero, como concesionarios de automóviles y vendedores ambulantes. La expansión del grupo se atribuye a la migración y a los débiles sistemas judiciales venezolanos. La influencia de este grupo criminal h ha llegado asta Florida y Nueva York en Estados Unidos. Texto Original por Valentina Parada Lugo, publicado en -> ElPaís

Speculation arises about whether the Biden administration’s actions are undermining Venezuela’s democratic opposition, although it isn’t explicitly seeking to do so. Recent interactions between the U.S. and the Maduro regime, including a significant meeting on July 3, have raised concerns. Historically, the Maduro regime has manipulated the electoral process, including barring opposition candidates like Maria Corina Machado and revoking invitations for EU election monitoring. The EU and human rights organizations have voiced their concern over these undermining tactics. Despite these developments, the U.S. sought meetings with Maduro’s officials. According to official statements, the U.S. aimed to push for inclusive elections, but skepticism remains regarding the efficacy of such demands. Human rights abuses, such as the detention of lawyer Rocio San Miguel, highlight ongoing oppression under Maduro. Venezuela’s oil production has significantly increased, attributed to easing U.S. sanctions and actions of firms like Chevron. However, such economic moves are unlikely to influence oil prices meaningfully and raise questions about the U.S.’ interests. Critics argue that the Biden administration may not be effectively consulting with Venezuela’s democratic opposition and could be unintentionally strengthening Maduro’s regime. An impending election raises doubts about fairness and possible subsequent U.S. actions, whether they will reignite sanctions or ease further into diplomatic ties with Maduro. The future of U.S. policy on Venezuela remains uncertain, with significant skepticism about its impact on democracy and human rights in the country. Original Text by Elliott Abrams, published in -> CouncilonForeugnRelations

Venezuela has emerged as a surprising quarterfinalist in the Copa América, capturing attention with their slogan “Mano, tengo fe” (“Bro, I have faith”). This phrase, which has become part of the national team’s identity, embodies a renewed sense of belief and cohesiveness. Under coach Fernando Batista, who took over in March 2023, the team has shown remarkable progress, overcoming past challenges related to internal conflicts, logistics, and under-preparation. Historically, Venezuela has struggled in South American football due to baseball’s dominance, political turmoil, and weaker sports administration. They have only reached the Copa América semifinals once, in 2011. Recent commendable performances in the group phase, including wins over Ecuador, Mexico, and Jamaica, have placed them alongside tournament favorites Argentina and Uruguay. They now face Canada in the quarterfinals. Key players performing well in their respective clubs, such as Salomón Rondón, Yeferson Soteldo, and Yangel Herrera, have contributed to the team’s success. Despite finishing last in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, Venezuela is currently fourth in the 2026 qualifiers, indicating significant strides under Batista’s leadership. Improved tactics and effective execution have been instrumental in their recent success. Venezuela’s national football team has shown resilience and strategic adaptability under coach Batista and assistant coach Leandro Cufre. Despite not playing any pre-tournament friendlies for Copa América, they focused on intensive training in Tampa, Florida. This approach paid off as Venezuela won their initial matches against Ecuador, Mexico, and Jamaica, securing top position in Group B and setting up a quarterfinal against Canada. Coach Batista views the tournament as part of a larger project to prepare the team for future successes, emphasizing a proactive playing style to minimize opponents’ ball possession. Veteran center-forward Salomón Rondón, who scored key goals in the group stage, remains critical to the team’s performance. Despite past disappointments, Rondón is optimistic about Venezuela’s potential to advance to the World Cup in 2026. Venezuela’s historical presence in Copa América semifinals and recent draws against strong teams like Brazil indicate their tactical organization and individual prowess, particularly from players like Yeferson Soteldo and Darwin Machis. Reaching the semifinals would validate fans’ faith and signify significant progress, possibly leading to World Cup qualification

Antes de su secuestro, el exmilitar venezolano Ronald Ojeda salió de Chile por un paso fronterizo no autorizado debido a su condición de refugiado, para reunirse con el capitán Angello Heredia, quien planeaba un levantamiento contra Nicolás Maduro. A pesar de sus intentos, sus planes fracasaron y, tras regresar, Ojeda se convirtió en víctima de un presunto delito transnacional por motivos políticos. Ojeda y su familia llegaron a Chile en noviembre de 2018, buscando asilo político luego de su fuga de una prisión venezolana donde enfrentaba acusaciones de traición. Aunque obtuvo asilo en noviembre de 2023, Ojeda permaneció activo contra el régimen de Maduro. La vida familiar de Ronald fue problemática, ya que la mayoría de los miembros huyeron de Venezuela, excepto un hermano que es un general activo allí, lo que culminó en desacuerdos sobre ideologías políticas. Días antes de su desaparición, Ojeda discutió planes con Heredia para regresar a Venezuela y liderar un golpe de estado. A pesar de las restricciones como refugiado, Ojeda salió de Chile el 14 de diciembre de 2023, por una ruta no autorizada para ayudar en estos planes, lo que llevó a su posterior secuestro y a una investigación criminal en curso. La investigación revela que el exmilitar Ojeda recibió importantes pagos periódicos de Heredia, quien vivía en Miami, incluida una notable transferencia de $1 millón. Los fondos supuestamente eran para el sustento de Ojeda en Chile. Con el tiempo se unió a la firma de seguridad Atalaya Soluciones y Protección, mientras también realizaba transacciones financieras, incluidas remesas a su país a través de monedas criptográficas, lo que inicialmente lo vinculó con el crimen organizado. Esta teoría fue luego descartada en favor de un crimen transnacional con motivaciones políticas, como sugirió el fiscal regional Héctor Barros. A Ojeda le preocupaba una operación mal planificada para derrocar a Maduro en Venezuela. Su socio Heredia fue arrestado en Colombia durante un operativo y deportado a Caracas. Ojeda logró escapar de regreso a Chile, pero buscó residencia en España después del fallido golpe, temiendo por su seguridad. Posteriormente, Heredia reveló información sobre todos los participantes, implicando a Ojeda, quien luego supo que otros habían sido capturados y detenidos. El 21 de febrero, Ojeda fue secuestrado en su casa por hombres que se hicieron pasar por policías. No resistió y se lo llevaron. Su cuerpo fue descubierto enterrado el 1 de marzo. Cuatro meses después, sólo un adolescente venezolano está detenido por su participación, mientras que los principales sospechosos siguen prófugos. El crimen sigue sin resolverse. Texto Original por Leslie Ayala y José Carvajal Vega, publicado en ->LaTercera

President Biden and former President Donald Trump debated various topics including immigration, the economy, and their respective records during the first 2024 presidential debate in Atlanta on June 27. Several of theirs claims have been verified for accuracy. Trump claimed the U.S. had its greatest economy during his presidency, but data shows otherwise. GDP growth under him was lower than that under Presidents Clinton and Eisenhower, and his unemployment rate claim was also inaccurate, with rates lower in past years and during Biden’s term. Biden’s assertion that no troops have died during his presidency is false, as at least 16 service members have died overseas, including 13 in an attack at Kabul airport. Trump denied calling deceased soldiers “suckers and losers,” but several credible sources confirmed that he did make disparaging remarks about U.S. military personnel. Biden’s statement about a 40% reduction in illegal border crossings under his administration is partially true. While recent data shows a significant drop following a new asylum ban, there were periods during Trump’s presidency when illegal crossings were also below current levels. Trump stated that migrants are committing crimes at unprecedented levels, which is misleading; data shows that migrants do not commit crimes at higher rates than native-born Americans. On COVID-19, while it is true that more people died under President Joe Biden’s administration than Trump’s, early death counts were likely undercounted. Claims regarding former Virginia Governor Ralph Northam supporting infanticide are false; Northam discussed scenarios involving severely deformed or non-viable fetuses, not killing newborns. Trump’s assertions that Biden targeted him in the New York “hush money” case are false; the Manhattan district attorney operates independently of federal jurisdiction. His claim about reducing insulin prices for seniors is misleading, as the initiative involved a collaborative effort with Medicare and was later expanded by Biden’s administration. The assertion that Biden wants open borders is also false; Biden’s administration has enacted several restrictive immigration policies and continues deportations. Biden’s claim that Trump wants to eliminate Social Security is inaccurate; Trump has vowed to protect it, speaking of “cutting waste and fraud” instead. Lastly, Trump’s statement that Biden has the largest deficit in U.S. history is false; the highest deficit occurred under Trump’s administration in fiscal year 2020. These fact-checks provide context and additional information to clarify the accuracy of the claims. Original Text published in-> CBS

Biden revokes, in April,  temporary sanctions on Venezuela’s energy sector due to concerns about its cooperation with Iranian agents. During the waiver period, it was found that Iran used Venezuela to plan attacks on the U.S. Despite this, the Biden administration has not yet strictly enforced sanctions on Venezuela to address this security threat. The FBI has issued warnings about Iranian espionage activities involving Venezuela, linked to plans targeting U.S. officials. Historical connections between Iranian and Venezuelan security services, particularly the IRGC, are noted, with continuing collaboration in finance and energy sectors that defy U.S. sanctions. Stricter enforcement of sanctions is advocates as well as broader definitions of “significant support” to include various actors involved in illicit trade, emphasizing the need for economic and diplomatic accountability. They draw parallels to the Cuban Missile Crisis, urging Biden to deter threats posed by the Iran-Venezuela alliance. By Bush and Norm Roule, published in -> TheHill

Far-right parties made significant gains in the recent European Union parliamentary elections, challenging traditional powers and dealing a notable blow to French President Emmanuel Macron. The election saw a shift to the right within the 27-member bloc, with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni doubling her seats and Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) party overcoming scandals to surpass the Social Democrats of Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Marine Le Pen’s National Rally party dominated the French polls, causing Macron to dissolve the national parliament and call for new elections. Le Pen’s party won over 30% of the vote, significantly outperforming Macron’s Renew party. In Germany, the AfD’s success brought them to 16.5% of the vote, marking a rise from 11% in 2019 and positioning them as the second strongest force in the nation. The vote was marked as a critical test for EU democracies, with significant shifts in political power across the bloc. The elections were the world’s second-largest democratic exercise, following India’s recent election. The French far-right National Rally party, led by Jordan Bardella, achieved a significant lead in the recent EU elections, as indicated by first projected results. Across the EU, the mainstream Christian Democrats and Socialists remained the dominant forces, but the rise of the far right came at the expense of the Greens and Macron’s Renew group. This shift suggests that the far right could play a major role in EU policies on migration, security, and climate. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed forming a coalition with the Social Democrats and pro-business Liberals to counter this. The election outcomes showed the Christian Democrats gaining seats, while the Social Democrats and Renew group lost seats, and the Greens experienced a notable decline. Germany exemplified this trend, with the Christian Democrats dominating and the Greens falling significantly. The electoral shift to the right raises concerns about potential legislative gridlock in the EU. The EU elections, occurring amidst challenges like the pandemic, economic issues, and the Ukraine crisis, underscored a broader rightward shift in EU politics, with populist or far-right parties now leading or part of governments in several countries. Original Text by R. Casert, L. Cook , and S. Petrequin, publish in -> ABCnews