Colombian President Gustavo Petro wants his country to have more professional armed forces and thus bring the compulsory military service to an end, it was reported Wednesday in Bogota. The head of state also insisted on further funding the activity. In September last year, then Interior Minister Alfonso Prada had spoken about the government's plan to replace mandatory military service with a voluntary one. In the last five years, 460,113 young people between 18 and 24 years of age served compulsorily in the Armed Forces.
At least 157 people were arrested Wednesday in Brazil in a police raid against drug-trafficking gangs, it was reported in Rio de Janeiro. Among those taken into custody were leaders of the two largest Brazilian criminal factions -the First Capital Command (PCC) and the Red Command (Comando Vermelho)- according to police sources cited by Xinhua.
The Telegram messaging service platform Wednesday acquiesced to a Supreme Federal Court (STF) ruling and removed all postings against the so-called Fake News bill which is already under Congressional debate, Agencia Brasil reported.
Chile's Undersecretary of the Interior Manuel Monsalve Wednesday announced that a red alert was being declared in the southern part of the country following arson attacks allegedly perpetrated by Mapuche rebels, it was reported in Santiago.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak welcomed President Lula da Silva to Downing Street ahead of King Charles III Coronation on Saturday. The leaders discussed the great potential in the relationship between the UK and Brazil, including in health, research and development and technology.
Taking into account that most British Overseas Territories have sent representatives to London for the several days celebration of King Charles III Coronation, the Joint Ministerial Council which brings together UK Ministers and elected leaders of the OTs, will be taking place this week, May 11/12.
Argentina's Supreme Court (CSJN) ordered the gubernatorial elections in the provinces of Tucumán and San Juan scheduled for this coming weekend halted after two candidates were believed to be in breach of local Constitutions that ban perpetual reelections.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font Tuesday signed into law the Anti-Drug Trafficking Bill changing the penal code for drug traffickers and tackling the money trail behind these operations.
Former US President Donald Trump has been found guilty of sexual assault and defamation against former journalist E. Jean Carroll in a trial by jury at a Manhattan federal civil court Tuesday.
Ecuador's President Guillermo Lasso might be removed from office after the National Assembly approved Tuesday by 88 votes in favor of a motion to call for his impeachment for the alleged crime of misappropriation of public funds, it was reported in Quito.