The Latin American Report # 291

Venezuela

It has been some time since we last touched on the political crisis in the oil nation, which right now is going through a phase of apparent calm. Chavismo has managed to gain time with its strategy of judicializing the electoral process, after the introduction of a controversial appeal before the Electoral Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice, and now we are all waiting to see the outcome that this body will give to the mess. Fifteen days after the elections, the competent authority has not published the disaggregated information supporting the victory granted to Nicolás Maduro, a fact which generated protests resulting in 25 deaths, already recognized by the Public Prosecutor's Office. The Venezuelan Attorney General attributes all deaths to violent actions of extremist opposition groups.

"As head of state, head of government, and president of Venezuela, I demand from all the powers of the state greater celerity, greater efficiency, and an iron hand against crime, against violence, against hate crimes, an iron hand and severe, accurate justice, to enforce constitutional principles", said Maduro this Monday about the protests, although I do not know with what intention he left out the electoral crimes that from the speech are imputed to the opposition. Chavismo has threatened to prosecute María Corina Machado and Edmundo González, but I see it difficult for them to dare to take that step. If what both leaders set up on this website is a fraud, it does not make any sense that they are out in the streets, yet they are. A new demonstration of the opposition is scheduled for next Saturday, while the government continues its battle against some social media giants.

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Mexico

AMLO called on powerful druglord Ismael "Mayo" Zambada—in the hands of the United States since last July—to reveal his contacts and assets in the government, but perhaps he didn't count that among his first allegations he would be compromising an important member of MORENA, the political organization he has led for years and with which he came to power. Zambada has reconfirmed the hypothesis that he was taken against his will to US territory by one of the sons of his historic partner in the Sinaloa Cartel, "El Chapo" Guzman—currently serving a life sentence in the United States. Joaquín Guzmán López, the son of "El Chapo", allegedly summoned Zambada to settle political problems in a meeting, which was to be attended by the governor of Sinaloa himself—a MORENA militant—and a former congressman who was assassinated that same day. After being received cordially, Guzmán López's commanders allegedly reduced him and drove him to the plane that took him to the United States.

Ruben Rocha, the governor of Sinaloa, rejected Zambada's allegation. "We have no complicity with anyone (...) Therefore, if they said I was going to be there (at the meeting), well, they lied, and if he (El Mayo) believed them, well, he fell into the trap," he said quickly on Saturday, strongly backed by President AMLO himself and President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum. Mexico's Attorney General's Office has now opened an investigation "for the possible crimes of illicit flight; illicit use of area facilities; violation of migratory and customs legislation; kidnapping; treason and whatever results," which has Guzmán López as its main target. López Obrador doesn't love going hard against the big names. The Mexican Attorney General's Office has also attracted the investigation that was being developed by its representation in Sinaloa regarding the murder of the former elected congressman. "We still do not have all the information" from the United States, said AMLO, who once again demonstrates that his government was left in the dark on the operation, or that it does not control the show in general terms.

Meanwhile, in Colombia...

Almost 40 human rights defenders were murdered in the first semester of this year, according to verifications of the UN Office for Human Rights in the coffee-growing country. Another 25 cases are still under review.

And this is all for our report today. I have referenced the sources dynamically in the text, and remember you can learn how and where to follow the LATAM trail news by reading my work here. Have a nice day.