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☆ Mexican officials push migrants away from border-bound cargo trains
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Jose Cortes | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Asylum seekers heading to the U.S. travel on a train after thousands of migrants crossed into the United States in recent days, in El Carmen, Mexico September 21, 2023. Thousands of people have reached the northern border in recent days and crossed into the United States, many after taking dangerous journeys on freight trains known as "The Beast." Mexican railroad operator Ferromex this week suspended 60 trains due to the influx of people, and Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) has deployed agents to dissuade people from climbing aboard. "We want to take the train to get to the border and cross into the United States... Reporting by Jose Cortes in Huehuetoca; Writing by Daina Beth Solomon in Mexico City; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Daniel Becerril, Jason, Milagros Narvaez, It's, Jose Cortes, Daina Beth Solomon, William Mallard Organizations: REUTERS, Migration Institute, Grupo Mexico, Thomson Locations: United States, El Carmen, Mexico, Mexico City, Huehuetoca, Venezuelan, INM, Venezuela

☆ Mexican Officials Push Migrants Away From Border-Bound Cargo Trains
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Jose CortesHUEHUETOCA, Mexico (Reuters) - Several dozen migrants retreated in frustration from train tracks outside Mexico City on Friday, blocked by Mexican officials from hitching rides on cargo wagons in a major new enforcement effort to curb the flow of people headed north. Mexican railroad operator Ferromex this week suspended 60 trains due to the influx of people, and Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) has deployed agents to dissuade people from climbing aboard. "They forced us away from the rail," said Jason, a Venezuelan migrant who asked to be identified only by his first name. Migrants carrying backpacks and jugs of water made their way through tall grass under the hot sun to retreat on foot to the nearest town. (Reporting by Jose Cortes in Huehuetoca; Writing by Daina Beth Solomon in Mexico City; Editing by William Mallard)

Persons: Jose Cortes HUEHUETOCA, Jason, Milagros Narvaez, It's, Jose Cortes, Daina Beth Solomon, William Mallard Organizations: Migration Institute, Grupo Locations: Mexico, Mexico City, United States, Huehuetoca, Venezuelan, INM, Grupo Mexico, Venezuela

The number of migrants caught crossing illegally or presenting themselves at legal border crossings has steadily risen after dropping in mid-May when the U.S. rolled out stricter new asylum rules. The increase has strained U.S. cities at the border and further north. Republicans blame Biden for reversing hardline immigration policies of Republican former President Donald Trump, the frontrunner for his party's nomination. To reduce illegal crossings, the Biden administration rolled out a new regulation in May that requires migrants to schedule an appointment to enter at a legal border crossing or face a higher standard for asylum. The administration also has opened other legal ways for migrants to enter the U.S. from abroad.

Persons: Douglas, David, Leon, Luis, Adrees Latif, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Joe Biden, Biden, Donald Trump, Daina Solomon, Ted Hesson, Mica Rosenberg, Aurora Ellis, Daniel Wallis Organizations: REUTERS, U.S . Customs, Border Protection, Democrat, Republican, Wednesday, Democratic, Thomson Locations: Venezuela, Rio Grande, United States, Mexico, Eagle Pass , Texas, U.S, MEXICO, Washington, Mexico City

Biden in May rolled out a new policy to deter illegal crossings, including deporting migrants and banning re-entry for five years, as his administration grappled with migration at record highs. He praised Biden for creating legal pathways for migrants but said they needed to be expanded. Hundreds of migrants who crossed without appointments have been forced to wait between two border walls. Within the last eight days, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) had processed more than 5,000 migrants in the San Diego area, a San Diego official said on Thursday. An unprecedented number of migrants entering Mexico hail from othercontinents, as the trek to the U.S. southern border increasingly becomes a global migration route.

Persons: Jose Luis Gonzalez, Joe Biden, Biden, Andrew Selee, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Oscar Suarez, Suarez, Enrique Lucero, Giuseppe Loprete, don't, Lopez Obrador, Lizbeth Diaz, Laura Gottesdiener, Beth Solomon, Adrees Latif, Mike Blake, Ted Hesson, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: U.S, REUTERS, Rights, Migration Policy Institute, Tijuana, U.S . Customs, Border Protection, San Diego, CBP, Migrants, Pacific, International Organization for Migration, IOM, Thomson Locations: United States, Rio Bravo, Mexico, Ciudad Juarez, California, Texas, Mexican, San Diego , California, El Paso, Central, South America, San Diego, Tijuana, U.S, Grande, Eagle, Panama, Darien, othercontinents, Monterrey, Mexico City, Washington

☆ Dozens of nations to sign U.N. ocean treaty but implementation still awaits
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Daina Beth Solomon | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The global pact to conserve biodiversity on the high seas was finally agreed in March and formally adopted by the United Nations in June. It is seen as a crucial tool to meet a target agreed last year to protect 30% of the earth's land and sea by 2030, known as "30 by 30". At least 60 countries are expected to sign the agreement at the annual United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday. Mads Christensen, interim executive director of Greenpeace International, described the signings as a "powerful signal" and help maintain momentum to meet the "30 by 30" target. "Now politicians must bring the treaty home and ensure it is ratified in record time."

Persons: Borja Suarez, Mads Christensen, Jessica Battle, David Stanway, Stephen Coates Organizations: El, Recovery, Gran Canaria, REUTERS, United Nations, United Nations General Assembly, Greenpeace International, International Union for, Worldwide Fund, Nature, Thomson Locations: El Burrero Beach, Gran, Spain, Singapore

☆ Amazon opens its biggest last-mile delivery center in Latin America
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Daina Beth Solomon | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MEXICO CITY, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Amazon (AMZN.O) on Thursday inaugurated its largest last-mile delivery center in Latin America, a warehouse in Mexico's capital, as it seeks to offer faster deliveries in one of the region's most populous cities. The new Mexico City site, measuring 30,000 square meters (more than 322,000 square feet), is the largest Latin America "delivery station" for Amazon, referring to warehouses that specialize in last-mile deliveries to consumers. Amazon also operates larger warehouses known as "fulfillment centers," which can be over 92,900 sq meters (a million square feet). Altogether Amazon operates about 40 warehouses throughout Mexico, employing more than 8,000 people directly and another 32,000 indirectly. Some 22 million people live in and around Mexico City, one of the biggest urban centers in Latin America.

Persons: Mercado, Diana Frances, Ken Salazar, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Daina Beth Solomon, Sandra Maler Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Mercado Libre, Walmart, Amazon, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Latin America, Mexico, Argentina, America, Mexico City

☆ Tesla suppliers say carmaker expects 2026 or 2027 Mexico production start, Reforma reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A general view shows the Tesla logo on the Gigafactory in Gruenheide near Berlin, Germany, August 30, 2022. But one month later, they told us to wait," the source told Reforma. Several sources previously told Reuters that Tesla planned to begin production in Mexico in 2025. Tesla announced its plans for Mexico in March, but has not publicly revealed a start date for construction or production. Nuevo Leon's economy minister, Ivan Rivas, declined to comment on Tesla's timeline, saying it was a matter for the company to address.

Persons: Annegret, Tesla, Ivan Rivas, Ramboll, Daina Beth Solomon, Raul Cortes, Hyunjoo Jin, Sarah Morland, Leslie Adler Organizations: REUTERS, Companies Reforma, MEXICO, Reforma, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Gruenheide, Berlin, Germany, Mexico, Nuevo Leon, Reforma, Nuevo Leon's, Mexico City, Hyunjoo, San Francisco

☆ US seeks trade panel to resolve labor conflict at Mexican mine
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The logo of mining and infrastructure firm Grupo Mexico is pictured at its headquarters in Mexico City, Mexico, August 8, 2017. In a statement, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) said it disagrees with the Mexican government's determination. "It is appropriate to request a panel to verify the facility's compliance with Mexican labor laws," the USTR said. Companies have closely watched U.S. labor complaints play out since the 2020 start of the USMCA, which replaced NAFTA. Reporting by Daina Beth Solomon in Mexico City and Paul Grant in Washington; Additional reporting by Brendan O'Boyle in Mexico City; Editing by Dan Whitcomb, Andy Sullivan & Shri NavaratnamOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ginnette, Daina Beth Solomon, Paul Grant, Brendan O'Boyle, Dan Whitcomb, Andy Sullivan Organizations: Grupo, REUTERS, MEXICO CITY, U.S, Grupo Mexico's, U.S . Trade Representative, Companies, Miners, Grupo Mexico, Thomson Locations: Grupo Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico, WASHINGTON, MEXICO, Grupo Mexico's San Martin, United States, Canada, Mexican, San Martin, U.S, Washington

REUTERS/Adrees LatifEAGLE PASS, Texas, Aug 11 (Reuters) - The leafy trees on Magali and Hugo Urbina's 350-acre orchard next to the Rio Grande river in Eagle Pass, Texas, should be bursting with pecans this time of year. Migrants for years have forged the river from Mexico to Eagle Pass, part of increasingly higher numbers of people crossing illegally in recent years. He has accused Biden of failing to enforce migration laws and said he has the authority to "defend" Texas' border. Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) tasked with securing the border. ENVIRONMENTAL RISKSIn Eagle Pass, sediment falling into the river from the installation of fences and buoys is already altering the water's flow, according to environmentalists.

Persons: Adrees Latif, Hugo Urbina's, Greg Abbott's, Magali, Abbott, Joe Biden, Hugo, breastfed, Biden, Martin Castro, Laiken Jordahl, Daina Beth Solomon, Ted Hesson, Stephen Eisenhammer, Diane Craft Organizations: REUTERS, PASS, Texas, Republican, Star, Democratic, National Guard, Reuters, Watershed, Rio, Customs, Border Protection, of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, Center for Biological Diversity, Thomson Locations: United States, Mexico, Eagle Pass , Texas, U.S, Texas, Rio Grande, Eagle, Venezuelan, States, Mexico City

☆ Spurred by rumor, hundreds of migrants mass at US border in Mexico's Ciudad Juarez
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/4] Migrants gather near the border to request asylum in the United States after rumours spread that it would allow them to enter the United States, according to local media, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico August 7, 2023. REUTERS/Jose Luis GonzalezCIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Hundreds of migrants gathered alongside the U.S. border in the northern Mexican city of Ciudad Juarez late on Monday, after false rumors spread via social media and word-of-mouth that the U.S. would allow entry to a mass group. About 1,000 people clustered around the border just opposite the Texas city of El Paso - some peering through the slats of the border wall while others sat alongside an industrial train line headed to the United States. "You can just see how many people want to pass ... for our families, for our future," said Venezuelan migrant Johan Ramirez. Reporting by Jose Luis Gonzalez, Additional reporting by Lizbeth Diaz, Writing by Daina Beth Solomon, Editing by Sandra MalerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jose Luis Gonzalez CIUDAD, Johan Ramirez, We've, Jose Luis Gonzalez, Lizbeth Diaz, Daina Beth Solomon, Sandra Maler Organizations: Migrants, REUTERS, Jose Luis Gonzalez CIUDAD JUAREZ, Ciudad Juarez, U.S, Customs, Thomson Locations: United States, Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, U.S, Mexican, Ciudad, Texas, El Paso, Venezuelan

☆ Mexican president defends armed forces in missing-students case
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The experts also accused the military of withholding information, an allegation that Lopez Obrador rejected. "What's most important now is the search (for the missing youths)," Lopez Obrador said. The remains of only three of the 43 students have so far been formally identified. Parents of the missing students urged Lopez Obrador to use his power to put more pressure on the military. "The president has to order them to hand over the information," said Mario Gonzalez, father of one of the youths.

Persons: Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Lopez Obrador, Mario Gonzalez, Raul Cortes, Lizbeth Diaz, Daina Beth Solomon, Sandra Maler Organizations: Training, Read, MEXICO CITY, Independent, Ayotzinapa Rural Teachers ' College, Navy, Army, Human Rights, Thomson Locations: Mexico City, MEXICO, Guerrero, Mexico

☆ Guatemalan presidential contender Torres visits Washington ahead of August run-off
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

GUATEMALA CITY, July 27 (Reuters) - Guatemalan presidential candidate Sandra Torres will meet with U.S. officials in Washington on Thursday, her party said, ahead of a run-off vote next month that has raised international concerns over alleged interference by authorities. Torres' National Unity of Hope (UNE) party said the former first lady of Guatemala is slated to discuss migration, trade and security with U.S. State Department representatives. Torres' rival, Bernardo Arevalo of the Semilla party, who finished second in the vote, has not said whether he also plans to visit Washington. President Joe Biden's administration has raised various concerns over Guatemala's election process, including criticizing raids by authorities last week of Semilla offices. A senior Biden administration official previously said the United States planned to host Torres and Arevalo for talks in Washington this week to show support for free and fair elections.

Persons: Sandra Torres, Torres, Bernardo Arevalo, Joe Biden's, Arevalo, Sofia Menchu, Daina Beth Solomon, Mark Porter Organizations: GUATEMALA CITY, U.S, National Unity of, U.S . State Department, The State Department, Atlantic Council, Biden, Thomson Locations: GUATEMALA, Washington, Guatemala, United States

☆ OAS chief flags 'clear interference' in Guatemala election ahead of visit
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Sofia Menchu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

GUATEMALA CITY, July 26 (Reuters) - The Organization of American States (OAS) chief Luis Almagro will meet with authorities and politicians in Guatemala next week, he said on Wednesday, as concerns escalate over alleged government interference in the upcoming presidential runoff vote. The OAS, which monitored the first round, had backed the results as legitimate. "We have expressed ourselves emphatically on multiple occasions against the repeated attempts to alter the will of the people and the attacks on the electoral authorities," Almagro said in a special OAS session to discuss the election. "This is an electoral process that has suffered clear interference of internal actors that hindered its normal development," he said. Irma Palencia, the head of Guatemala's electoral court, said she has asked the OAS to continue monitoring the election.

Persons: Luis Almagro, Bernardo Arevalo, Arevalo's, Sandra Torres, Almagro, Alejandro Giammattei's, Arevalo, Torres, Irma Palencia, Sofia Menchu, Sarah Morland, Daina Beth Solomon, Jonathan Oatis, Bill Berkrot Organizations: GUATEMALA CITY, of American States, OAS, Thomson Locations: GUATEMALA, Guatemala

☆ Mexico working with U.S. on refugee plan for migrants in southern Mexico
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MEXICO CITY, July 26 (Reuters) - Mexico and the United States are working on a plan to process migrants in southern Mexico, encompassing Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans, Mexico's incoming foreign minister Alicia Barcena said on Wednesday. She said Mexico was looking to set up an "international space" offering "multiple services" for migrants from the four countries who remained in Mexico after COVID-era curbs at the U.S. southern border ended in May. Asked about Barcena's comments, a Mexican official told Reuters that talks were still ongoing with the U.S. It would allow qualifying migrants approved for refugee status to enter via the U.S. refugee resettlement program, which is only available to applicants abroad, sources told Reuters. Unlike most migrants who claim asylum after entering the U.S., refugees receive immediate work authorization and government benefits such as housing and employment assistance.

Persons: Alicia Barcena, Barcena, López Obrador, Joe Biden's, Daina Beth Solomon, Dave Graham, Adriana Barrera, Alison Williams Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Reuters, U.S, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Mexico, United States, U.S, Mexican

"Tourism has been on the slow burner for decades in the Darien," said longtime Panamanian tour guide Rick Morales. Tourists and migrants rarely meet face to face; the routes are almost always separated by dozens of miles. Reuters GraphicsTrip advertising does not mention the humanitarian crisis. At the same time, it acknowledged a "catastrophic humanitarian crisis" in a separate part of the Darien due to migration. Travel Darien Panama is an Indigenous-owned tour operator that says on its website it aims to help fund schools and improve living conditions in their village.

Persons: Franca Ramirez, Ramirez, Rick Morales, Marco Wanske, Kisbel Garcia, Alejandra Peña, Luis Eguiluz, Lorri Krebs, Mark Fischer, Morales, Carmelita Cansari, Nina Van Maris, Van Maris, Daina Beth Solomon, Laura Gottesdiener, Elida Moreno, Stephen Eisenhammer, Claudia Parsons Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Pan, Organization for Migration, Reuters, Tourists, Reuters Graphics, Adventure Travel Trade Association . Social, REUTERS, UNESCO, Salem State University, Tourism Ministry, U.S ., U.S, U.S . State Department, Big, Maria, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Panamanian, Venezuela, Darien, Panama, Americas, United States, Mexico, Alaska, Argentina, Afghanistan, Africa, U.S, selfies, Ecuador, Haiti, Acandi, Colombia, Central America, Salem , Massachusetts, Greece, Texas, Travel Darien Panama, Luxembourg, Mexico City, Monterrey, Panama City, Maria Laguna

Summary Canadian minister Ng notes progress with Mexico over energyUSTR Tai urges Mexico to monitor steel and aluminum exports to U.S.MEXICO CITY, July 6 (Reuters) - The U.S. sees some progress made on an energy dispute with Mexico, although "deep-seated" concerns persist, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said on Thursday shortly before talks in Mexico with top Mexican and Canadian trade officials. The U.S. and Canada demanded dispute settlement talks over energy with Mexico in July 2022, arguing that Mexico's nationalist energy policies, which have tightened state control over the energy market, were discriminatory to U.S. companies. Canada's Ng separately noted progress with Mexico over energy issues, saying concerns from Canadian companies had been addressed. In addition to the energy spat, the U.S. and Mexico are engaged in a dispute over Mexico's decree to limit the use of genetically modified (GM) corn. Before the meeting, Tai said trade dispute settlement consultations over GM corn, which the U.S. requested in June, began with Mexico last week.

Persons: Ng, Tai, Katherine Tai, Raquel Buenrostro, of International Trade Mary Ng, Canada's Ng, Daina Beth Solomon, Cassandra Garrison, Costas Pitas, Brendan O'Boyle, Marguerita Choy, Diane Craft Organizations: MEXICO CITY, U.S . Trade, USMCA Free Trade Commission, Mexican, of International Trade, Thomson Locations: Mexico, U.S, MEXICO, Canada, American, Mexican, Cancun

An Audi spokesman in Germany said no specific announcement was planned in Mexico. It was unclear how much Audi plans to invest. Both Audi and Volkswagen have outlined broad goals for boosting their EV production worldwide. Volkswagen last year said it would invest more than $7 billion in the next five years in North America, including for EV production. In Mexico, Volkswagen last year announced a $763 million investment to upgrade the Puebla plant, including a new paint division running on electric energy.

Persons: San Jose Chiapa, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Mexico's, Marcelo Ebrard, Audi, Dave Graham, Beth Solomon, David Gregorio Our Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Audi, Volkswagen, EV, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Mexico, Germany, Mexican, Puebla, San Jose, North America

☆ As companies bring more jobs to Mexico, US wants labor rights safeguards
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( Daina Beth Solomon | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MEXICO CITY, July 3 (Reuters) - The U.S. wants Mexico's government to build strong institutions to protect worker rights as companies aiming to avoid supply chain disruptions in far-off production spots bring more jobs to the country, a top U.S. labor official told Reuters. Mexico has begun to benefit from "nearshoring" in which companies seek to move production closer to the U.S. market while maintaining competitive costs. "Hopefully that will ensure that Mexico doesn't become a dumping ground for companies looking for cheap labor and lax regulations," said Thea Lee, U.S. Deputy Undersecretary for International Labor Affairs who polices USMCA compliance. Mexico has made progress improving labor courts, resolving worker complaints faster and easing union organization, but needs to do more, Lee said. Since 2020, several U.S. labor complaints in Mexico have paved the way for independent unions to land pay raises and even expand.

Persons: Thea Lee, Lee, Cristina Ramirez, Ramirez, Daina Beth Solomon, David Gregorio Our Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Reuters, International Labor Affairs, Goodyear, Grupo Mexico, VU Manufacturing, La Liga, VU, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, U.S, Mexico, Canada, Piedras Negras

☆ US warns interference could undermine Guatemala election
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

July 2 (Reuters) - The U.S. is deeply concerned about efforts to interfere with Guatemala's first-round presidential election result, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Sunday, a day after Guatemala's top court ordered ballots be reviewed. Sandra Torres, a former first lady who won the first round, has alleged votes were manipulated. Bernardo Arevalo, who bucked forecasts to become a close runner-up to Torres, described Torres' vote review request as lacking legal merit and endangering the electoral process. Guatemala's Supreme Electoral Tribunal on Sunday said it would abide by the court decision and instruct its local branches to review the ballots within five days. Reporting by Daina Beth Solomon in Mexico City and Sofia Menchu in Guatemala City; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Josie KaoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Guatemala's, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Sandra Torres, Bernardo Arevalo, Torres, Daina Beth Solomon, Sofia Menchu, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Josie Kao Organizations: Organization of American, Foreign, European Union, Electoral, Sofia, Thomson Locations: U.S, Guatemala's, Mexico City, Guatemala City

REUTERS/Daniel Becerril/File PhotoWASHINGTON/MEXICO CITY, July 2 (Reuters) - U.S. and Mexican officials are discussing a new U.S. refugee program for some non-Mexican asylum seekers waiting in Mexico, four sources said, part of President Joe Biden's attempts to create more legal avenues for migration. The program would likely be open to Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan and Venezuelan refugees in Mexico, the sources said. Under another Biden program, Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans can request to enter the U.S. by air if they have U.S. sponsors. The initiative under discussion would be a "Priority Two" refugee program, the sources said, similar to one opened for Afghans in 2021. If the program encourages more migrants to enter Mexico, it could tax the country's already-strained resources for dealing with migrants, the official said.

Persons: Daniel Becerril, Joe Biden's, Biden, Alicia Barcena, Ted Hesson, Dave Graham, Daina Beth Solomon, Kristina Cooke, Mica Rosenberg, Mary Milliken, Grant McCool Organizations: REUTERS, MEXICO CITY, Haitian, Nicaraguan, U.S, Biden, BIDEN, United Nations, Thomson Locations: Venezuela, Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, WASHINGTON, MEXICO, U.S, Mexican, Cuban, Latin America, Caribbean, America, Washington, Mexico City, San Francisco

☆ Guatemala court orders presidential ballot review, opposition cries foul
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-02 | by ( Sofia Menchu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Torres took 15.8% of the vote in the June 25 round, with Arevalo close behind with 11.8%. Some analysts expect Arevalo to win the runoff due to Torres' unpopularity in the voter-dense capital, Guatemala City. The court said it would then determine whether to take the rare step of mandating a recount. Arevalo said he would ask Guatemala's electoral court to annul the top court's decision, which he described as lacking legal merit and dangerous to the electoral process. In the days after the vote, Torres said she was concerned that votes had been manipulated with a faulty software system to favor Arevalo's party, Semilla.

Persons: Sandra Torres, Read, Bernardo Arevalo, Torres, Arevalo, Alejandro Giammattei's Vamos, Sofia Menchu, Daina Beth Solomon, William Mallard Organizations: National Unity of, GUATEMALA CITY, Central American, National Unity of Hope, Guatemalan, of American, Thomson Locations: Guatemala City, Guatemala, GUATEMALA

☆ Mexico blasts new Florida immigration law; vows to help migrants
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MEXICO CITY, July 1 (Reuters) - Mexico's government on Saturday slammed a tough new state immigration law in Florida spearheaded by Republican Governor and U.S. presidential contender Ron DeSantis, and the country vowed to help protect undocumented Mexicans in that state. DeSantis is seeking the 2024 Republican nomination for president, and his new Florida law, which took effect on Saturday, is seen as a preview of the kind of hardline policies he would seek on immigration enforcement. Last month, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador urged U.S. Latino voters to reject DeSantis, accusing the politician of trying to win votes at the expense of migrants. "Criminalization is not the way to resolve the phenomenon of undocumented migration," the ministry said, describing the new measures as driven by xenophobia and white nationalism. It added that Mexico respects U.S. legislative processes, yet views the Florida law as working against joint efforts by the U.S. and Mexico to treat migrants with respect.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, DeSantis, Daina Beth Solomon, David Gregorio Our Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Saturday, Republican Governor, Foreign Ministry, U.S, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Florida, DeSantis, Mexico, U.S

☆ Venezuela blasts U.S. for critique over barred opposition candidate
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

CARACAS, July 1 (Reuters) - Venezuela's government on Saturday said it rejected the U.S. stance around the South American country's upcoming elections, calling it "interference," a day after the U.S. criticized Venezuela's decision to disqualify an opposition candidate. Maria Corina Machado, one of the favorites to win the Venezuelan opposition's nomination for president in an October primary, has been barred from holding public office for 15 years. In response, the U.S. State Department said Venezuelans should be able to act freely in the 2024 presidential elections, and disqualifying Machado "deprives" them of political rights. The Washington-based Organization of American States also rejected the decision to bar Machado and called for free and transparent elections. Reporting by Deisy Buitrago; Writing by Daina Beth Solomon; Editing by Daniel WallisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Venezuela's, Maria Corina Machado, disqualifying Machado, deprives, Machado, Deisy Buitrago, Daina Beth Solomon, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Venezuelan, U.S . State Department, American, Thomson Locations: CARACAS, U.S, United States, Washington

[1/5] Volunteers give electrolyte drinks to asylum seekers while they camp near the border in an attempt to cross into the U.S. without an appointment, in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico June 27, 2023. "We are clear-eyed about the limits of our ability to control the security situation in any town outside of the United States," a senior CBP official told Reuters. When asked about the potential for continued extortion in Nuevo Laredo, the CBP official said migrants could apply for appointments elsewhere, and come to the city just for their appointments. But reaching Nuevo Laredo can pose its own risks. Three migrants told Reuters that men who appeared to be cartel members told them to stay orderly, but had not been extorting recently arrived migrants for money.

Persons: Daniel Becerril, Joe Biden's, Stephanie Leutert, Biden, Gerson Bravo, Jose, Daina Beth Solomon, Laura Gottesdiener, Stephen Eisenhammer, Aurora Ellis Organizations: Volunteers, REUTERS, U.S, Customs, Borders Protection, . Customs, Border Protection, CBP, University of Texas, Reuters, Nuevo Laredo, Thomson Locations: Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, Daniel Becerril NUEVO LAREDO, Mexico's Nuevo Laredo, United States, Laredo, Texas, U.S, Austin, Matamoros, Venezuela, Venezuelan, Michoacan, Mexico City

MEXICO CITY, June 26 (Reuters) - A woman who had just given birth was among 141 migrants detained at a bus checkpoint in southeastern Mexico on Monday, the same day another large group of migrants was found in the area crowded into the back of a trailer truck. The mother and her newborn girl were taken to a hospital after being detained, according to a statement by the National Migration Institute (INM). The mother was among a group of mostly Guatemalans found on the bus in the Gulf state of Veracruz. "(The woman) gave birth with the help of those that traveled with her, who cut the umbilical cord," the INM added. It comes after the institute reported on Monday that another 130 Guatemalan migrants had been detained in a truck in the same state.

Persons: Daina Beth Solomon, Isabel Woodford, Gerry Doyle Organizations: MEXICO CITY, National Migration Institute, United, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Mexico, Gulf, Veracruz, Texas, United States

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