Trump’s Endorsement of Maduro Loyalists
According to Reuters, confirming The Wall Street Journal’s exclusive report, days before the Venezuela invasion, the CIA briefed President Donald Trump on the conclusion that Maduro loyalists, or “maduristas,” are the best guarantee for maintaining political stability following Maduro’s capture.
This allowed Trump to support Darcy Rodríguez as Venezuela’s president rather than María Corina Machado, the opposition leader who won the Nobel Prize. It also reportedly explains why Maduro’s leadership role in the “Los Tres Soles” cartel was revoked in New York.
Consequently, the maduristas are not seen as accomplices of a terrorist organization. The Venezuelan president will be closely monitored by Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth to prevent any negative impact on U.S. policy.
Governors Threaten Freedoms
While acknowledging that the Republic’s government respects national press freedom, the real threat comes from Morena governors who impunity-drivenly persecute local journalists.
Rafael León Segovia, imprisoned in Veracruz, and Jorge Luis González, forced by Layda Sansores’ government to undergo prior censorship of his information, exemplify the intimidation and persecution of local journalists by state governors.
Unfortunately, these journalists are defenseless due to election times and the National Palace’s inability to discipline state mandates, most of which represent hardline López Obrador supporters.
Extortion in Mexico City’s Tianguis
For years, small business owners in Mexico City’s tianguis and mobile markets have been victims of extortion by those with the authority to do so.
“We’ve always paid the tianguis leader and inspectors from the delegations, but then criminal groups arrived demanding protection money, making it unaffordable to run a stall,” explained several tianguistas.
“Survival is difficult,” they said, “as now criminal bands not only demand protection money but also force us to participate in the illegal chain of commercializing stolen goods from transport robberies.”
In the Wind: Notable Notes
- Escalating Global Risk: U.S. troops’ approach of a Russian oil tanker elevates global risk, as a mistake could lead to confrontation between two powers…
- Cross-Border Fuel Purchases: Residents in border cities opt for Texan gas stations due to lower prices, averaging 11 pesos per liter…
- Venezuelans Stranded: Almost seven thousand Venezuelans are stranded and fearful of repatriation in Chihuahua and Ciudad Juárez…
- Cristero Rebellion Centennial: This year marks the centenary of the cristero uprising against anti-religious and repressive laws enacted by Plutarco Elías Calles…
- Mexico City’s Waste Management: The city government purchased 50 garbage trucks to collect the waste citizens are required to sort…
- Albert Camus’ Relevance: The French politician and intellectual’s insightful reflection: “Totalitarian tyranny is not built on the virtues of totalitarians but on the failings of democrats.”
