Latest news with #PublicMinistry
Newsweek
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Venezuela Probes Abuse Claims After US Sends Migrants to El Salvador
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Venezuela has launched a formal investigation into El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele and other senior officials over the alleged abuse of Venezuelan migrants deported there by the U.S. Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab made the announcement during a press conference on Monday after 252 Venezuelan migrants returned to Caracas last Friday as part of a prisoner exchange between the U.S., El Salvador and Venezuela. Some of the Venezuelans, who had been detained in the notorious Cecot prison since March, have alleged physical assault, sexual abuse and torture. Why It Matters The investigation follows a series of exchanges between the U.S., El Salvador and Venezuela that raised international concern over detainee welfare and due process rights. The U.S. deported the Venezuelans to El Salvador in March under President Donald Trump's use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, bypassing standard legal safeguards and labeling the group as suspected gang members. Human rights groups, lawyers and relatives later contested the gang affiliations and criticized the lack of judicial review, sparking legal battles and diplomatic tension. The episode intensified scrutiny of the U.S. deportation policies and the prison conditions under Bukele's administration, already known for its hardline anti-gang approach. Meanwhile, Venezuela itself has faced repeated allegations of the torture of political opponents and refusing to allow private lawyers. Arturo Suárez, one of the Venezuelan migrants deported to El Salvador by the United States under the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, is welcomed home by his relatives in Caracas on July 22, 2025. Arturo Suárez, one of the Venezuelan migrants deported to El Salvador by the United States under the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, is welcomed home by his relatives in Caracas on July 22, 2025. AP What To Know The 252 Venezuelans were repatriated to El Salvador on Friday in exchange for 10 U.S. nationals and dozens of Venezuelan political prisoners. At Saab's Monday press conference, he showed an edited video of some of the detainees detailing their experience at Cecot. They showed bruises on their bodies, marks they said were from rubber bullets and scars. One woman said, according to a translation by Mexico's investigative outlet Proceso: "We were there, suffering torture, physical assault, psychological assault. I was sexually abused by the Salvadoran authorities themselves. We thought we would never see our families again." Saab said his office had collected 123 complaints of abuse after 80 Public Ministry officials interviewed the migrants. Bukele has not directly addressed the allegations of abuse. Newsweek has contacted his office via email for comment. In the past, his administration has stated that all detainees' rights are respected "without distinction of nationality" and that prison standards meet legal requirements. Venezuela has condemned the migrants' detention as "kidnapping," but the U.S. and El Salvador have insisted they are gang members or tied to gangs. The Trump administration paid El Salvador $6 million to detain 300 migrants. Many of the families and attorneys of Venezuelans have denied the alleged gang ties. Newsweek has contacted the Department of Homeland Security via email for comment. Who People Are Saying Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab described "isolation in inhuman contact with sunlight, without ventilation" and "systematic attacks with rubber bullets." U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on X about the prisoner exchange: "Thanks to POTUS's leadership, ten Americans who were detained in Venezuela are on their way to freedom. I want to thank my team at the State Department & especially President Nayib Bukele for helping secure an agreement for the release of all of our American detainees, plus the release of Venezuelan political prisoners." Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, on X: "As was offered to the Venezuelan regime back in April, we carried out this exchange in return for a considerable number of Venezuelan political prisoners, people that regime had kept in its prisons for years, as well as all the American citizens it was holding as hostages." The Venezuelan government, in a statement on Friday afternoon: "The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela announces with satisfaction that it has achieved the release of the 252 Venezuelan citizens who were being held captive and subjected to enforced disappearance in a concentration camp known as CECOT, in the Republic of El Salvador. "Venezuela has paid a high price to secure the freedom of these compatriots, through an exchange with the authorities of the United States of America of a group of U.S. citizens who were at the disposal of the justice system, for their proven involvement in serious crimes against the peace, independence, and security of the Nation. "The President of the Republic, Nicolás Maduro Moros, always willing to protect the lives and integrity of these Venezuelans subjected to serious human rights violations, did not hesitate to carry out this exchange and thus rescue these Venezuelan migrants kidnapped in El Salvador due to the actions of the most extremist sectors of the Venezuelan right." What Happens Next Venezuela's attorney general said the investigation is ongoing and will include further interviews and medical assessments of the returned migrants. If substantial evidence of mistreatment is found, officials implied that Venezuela may pursue further legal or diplomatic steps against the El Salvadoran government, though specific international recourse is unclear. The situation may bring renewed attention from human rights organizations to El Salvador's and Venezuela's detention conditions, as both governments have previously been accused of mistreating inmates. The ramifications for U.S. immigration policy are also significant, as the Supreme Court recently curtailed aspects of the Alien Enemies Act to provide greater due process. Any findings from this Venezuelan investigation could influence ongoing international discussions regarding detainee handling, deportation processes and the obligations of detaining states under international law.
Maroc
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Maroc
Morocco's Top Prosecutor Holds Meeting with Cape Verde's Justice Minister
The Attorney General at the Court of Cassation and President of Morocco's Public Prosecutor's Office, Hicham Balaoui, held a meeting, on Thursday in Rabat, with the Republic of Cape Verde's Minister of Justice, Joana Gomes Rosa Amado, with the aim of strengthening judicial cooperation between the two countries. During the meeting, the two officials delved into institutional cooperation prospects with a view of bolstering the efficiency of judicial systems in the two countries, through the exchange of good practices, the strengthening of professional abilities and the sharing of expertise in judicial governance and the reform of the Public Prosecutor's Office. On this occasion, Balaoui provided an in-depth overview on the missions and remits of the Public Prosecutor's Office, highlighting its constitutional and legal roots, as well as its role in consolidating the rule of law, safeguarding rights and freedoms, and moralizing public life. He also highlighted the sustained efforts made by the Presidency of the Public Prosecutor's Office in the fields of judicial governance and the fight against all forms of crime, expressing Morocco's readiness to share its experience with Cape Verde's judicial authorities, in a spirit of openness and solidarity. For her part, Rosa Amado reviewed the experience of the Public Ministry in her country, as well as the reforms undertaken to strengthen the independence of the judiciary and increase the efficiency of the justice system. The Cape Verdean minister also stressed the importance of sharing legal experiences and legislative frameworks between her country and the Kingdom, with a view to deepening their technical and institutional cooperation. The meeting also provided an opportunity to exchange best practices, institutional mechanisms and levers for improving judicial systems in both countries. The two leaders also agreed to open up new avenues of cooperation in areas relating to justice and the Public Prosecutor's Office. The two officials expressed their firm desire to forge structured partnerships, notably through training programs and exchanges of institutional visits, with a view to enhancing the quality of judicial action and deepening relations of friendship and cooperation between Rabat and Praia. MAP: 19 June 2025
New York Post
16-06-2025
- New York Post
Bombshell report reveals cause of Dominican Republic roof collapse that killed 236: ‘Complete disregard for building and safety laws'
The owners of the doomed Jet Set nightclub in the Dominican Republic, where 236 people were buried alive earlier this year, ignored obvious warning signs and building safety laws, leading to the catastrophic collapse, a bombshell new government report reveals. Sibling club owners Antonio and Maribel Espaillat, who were arrested last week, overloaded the building's roof, made structural changes without permits and refused to call off the ill-fated April 8 bash despite obvious signs of danger hours earlier, the report said, according to Dominican Today. 'The defendant Maribel Espaillat, aware of a falling debris incident hours before the collapse and in response to a request to suspend the activity, refused to do so, citing the absence of the defendant Antonio Espaillat López and the impossibility of stopping the party, prioritizing economic gain over the safety and lives of people,' the Public Ministry document said. Advertisement 5 The collapse of the Jet Set nightclub on April 8 left 236 dead and 180 injured, rattling the Dominican Republic. REUTERS 5 A survivor is pulled from the wreckage of the Jet Set nightclub in the Dominican Republic after the April 8 collapse. REUTERS 'The nightclub, originally a movie theater, underwent a change of use that involved an inadequate structural adaptation,' investigators said. Advertisement 'A key column in the structure was subsequently removed, significantly affecting the roof's stability, without any professional assessment or permit to support the modification, demonstrating high-risk behavior.' The nightmarish mishap came in the midst of a celebration at the former hot spot, with the victims including popular performer Rubby Perez, the party's headliner, and former MLB relief pitcher Octavio Dotel. 5 Family and friends grieve during burial services for Marilenny Pilarte, who died in the Jet Set nightclub collapse. AP 5 A new Public Ministry report said negligence and disregard for building laws led to the collapse of the Jet Set nightclub. AFP via Getty Images Advertisement Also killed were Dominican ballplayer Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera and Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province and the sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz. Other victims include a retired UN official, New York-based fashion designer Martín Polanco, an Army captain who left behind four young girls and three employees at Grupo Popular, a financial services company, including the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife. Authorities said 180 others were injured. 5 Mayor Eric Adams paid his respects to the victims of the Jet Set nightclub after the April 8 tragedy that killed 236. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office Advertisement The club, which had operated for nearly five decades, was known for its Monday night merengue parties that attracted international celebrities and high-profile Dominicans. According to the Spanish-language Dominican outlet Listin Diario, a complete investigation into the tragedy has been hampered by the overwhelming number of victims.
Epoch Times
16-05-2025
- Epoch Times
Mexican TikTok Beauty Influencer Fatally Shot During Livestream
A 23-year-old beauty influencer was shot and killed May 13 during a livestream on TikTok while working at her beauty salon in the city of Zapopan, according to the Jalisco Attorney General's Office. The victim, Valeria Marquez, was known for her beauty and makeup videos, amassing nearly 200,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok. The fatal shooting occurred Tuesday evening inside her salon on Avenida Servidor Público in the Real del Carmen neighborhood, according to a According to the official statement, police responded to an emergency call at about 6:30 p.m. and found Marquez dead at the scene. Paramedics confirmed she no longer had vital signs. The initial investigation indicates that Marquez was inside her establishment when a man entered and fired at her, according to the press release. The attack was captured in part during a TikTok livestream. Seconds before the shooting, Marquez was seen sitting at a table, holding a stuffed toy. She was heard saying, 'They're coming,' before a voice in the background asked, 'Hey, Vale?' Marquez replied, 'Yes,' and then muted the livestream audio. Moments later, she was shot, and a person appeared to pick up her phone, with their face briefly visible before the video ended, according to eyewitness accounts. Related Stories 5/14/2025 5/12/2025 Earlier in the livestream, Marquez had said she was concerned about someone who had come to the salon with an 'expensive gift' while she was away. She told viewers she did not plan to wait for the person to return. Authorities are investigating the killing under protocols for femicide—the killing of women or girls for reasons of gender—according to the Jalisco state prosecutor. The investigation is being coordinated by an agent of the Public Ministry and police investigators. National Crisis The killing comes amid a national crisis of gender-based violence in Mexico. Last year, there were 847 reported cases of femicide nationwide, with 162 cases in the first three months of this year, according to Mexican Mexico is tied with Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia for the fourth-highest rates of femicide in Latin America and the Caribbean, with 1.3 such deaths for every 100,000 women in 2023, according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. Jalisco ranks sixth among Mexico's 32 states for homicides, with 906 recorded since the beginning of President Claudia Sheinbaum's term in October 2024, according to TResearch data consultancy. Calls for Reform 'State-level authorities must prevent, investigate and punish femicides with due diligence,' said Edith Olivares Ferreto, executive director of Amnesty International Mexico. She added, 'Each femicide has an appalling impact on the victims' families, who, in their search for access to the truth, justice, and reparation for the harm done, also suffer re-victimization by the authorities.' The organization's 2021 report documented systemic failings in investigations, including improper crime scene examination, insecure evidence storage, and insufficient forensic work, which increase the risk of impunity for perpetrators. As the investigation into Marquez's killing continues, authorities urge the public to await official updates. Reuters contributed to this report. From
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Yahoo
New details emerge in search for missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki in the Dominican Republic
Missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki's clothes were found on the Dominican Republic beach where authorities believe she was last seen going for a swim, two police sources with knowledge of the investigation told ABC News on Monday. The 20-year-old Konanki, a legal permanent U.S. resident and an Indian citizen, vanished early Thursday while she and a group of students were on a spring break trip to a resort in Punta Cana, according to the Loudoun County, Virginia, Sheriff's office. Konanki and one of her traveling companions were Loudoun County residents, the sheriff's office said. Konanki's clothes were discovered on a portable beach bed close to the beach where she went missing, the sources told ABC News. Police have found no evidence of violence, according to the sources. After going to a nightclub on Wednesday night, Konanki and a group of people went to the beach about 4 a.m. local time on Thursday, the sources said. The other women traveling with Konanki went back to their hotel about 5:55 a.m. and were captured on security camera returning to their rooms, the sources noted. A man stayed behind with Konanki on the beach, according to a Dominican Republic investigative police report. The man, whose name was not released, told police that he and Konanki went for a swim and got caught by a big wave, the police report said. MORE: Mother of 2 dies mysteriously while on flight back from Dominican Republic The man, according to sources, told police that when he got back to the beach he threw up and went to sleep on a beach bed. When he woke up, Konanki was nowhere to be seen, the sources said. Security video showed the man coming back to his hotel room at 9:55 a.m., according to the sources. The man is not considered a suspect in Konanki's death, the chief of the Civil Defense in the Dominican Republic told ABC News on Monday. Right now, the investigation is being treated as an accident, the chief said. MORE: 2 bodies found confirmed as New York couple missing in Dominican Republic Law enforcement authorities are increasing the perimeter of the search area of beaches and water in the ongoing operation to find Konanki, according to the chief. Three Dominican officials involved in the investigation told ABC News over the weekend that Konanki is believed to have drowned in the ocean. The last time Konanki was seen on the beach on security camera footage was around 4:15 a.m. Thursday, the Dominican Republic Public Ministry told ABC News. The Public Ministry was first contacted by the U.S. embassy in the Dominican Republic on Friday, the Ministry said. Officials said Konanki's friends who were with her around the time of her disappearance were questioned by police and have not been charged with crimes. New details emerge in search for missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki in the Dominican Republic originally appeared on
