Trump’s demand Mexico stop migrants and drugs may never be met

The latest development came hours after thousands of his supporters, defying government warnings, broke through a barrier of shipping containers blocking off Islamabad and entered a high-security zone, where they clashed with security forces, facing tear gas shelling, mass detentions and gunfire. Tension has been high in Islamabad since Sunday when supporters of the former PM began a “long march” from the restive north-west to demand his release. Khan has been in a prison for more than a year and faces more than 150 criminal cases that his party says are politically motivated. Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, led the protest, but she fled as police pushed back against demonstrators. Hundreds of Khan’s supporters are being arrested in the ongoing night-time operation. Interior minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters that the Red Zone, which houses government buildings and embassies, and the surrounding areas have been cleared. Leaders from Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI, have also fled the protest site. Earlier on Tuesday, Pakistan’s army took control of D-Chowk, a large square in the Red Zone, where visiting Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is staying. Since Monday, Mr Naqvi had threatened that security forces would use live fire if protesters fired weapons at them. “We have now authorised the police to respond as necessary,” Mr Naqvi said Tuesday while visiting the square. Before the operation began, protester Shahzor Ali said people had taken to the streets because Khan had called for them. “We will stay here until Khan joins us. He will decide what to do next,” Mr Ali said. Protester Fareeda Bibi, who is not related to Khan’s wife, said people have suffered greatly for the last two years. “We have really suffered for the last two years, whether it is economically, politically or socially. We have been ruined. I have not seen such a Pakistan in my life,” she said. Authorities have struggled to contain the protest-related violence. Six people, including four members of the security services, were killed when a vehicle rammed them on a street overnight into Tuesday. A police officer died in a separate incident. Dozens of Khan supporters beat a videographer covering the protest for the Associated Press and took his camera. He sustained head injuries and was treated in hospital. By Tuesday afternoon, fresh waves of protesters made their way unopposed to their final destination in the Red Zone. Mr Naqvi said Khan’s party had rejected a government offer to rally on the outskirts of the city. Information minister Atta Tarar warned there would be a severe government reaction to the violence. The government says only the courts can order Khan’s release. He was ousted in 2022 through a no-confidence vote in Parliament. In a bid to foil the unrest, police have arrested more than 4,000 Khan supporters since Friday and suspended mobile and internet services in some parts of the country. Messaging platforms were also experiencing severe disruption in the capital. Khan’s party relies heavily on social media and uses messaging platforms such as WhatsApp to share information, including details of events. The X platform, which is banned in Pakistan, is no longer accessible, even with a VPN. Last Thursday, a court prohibited rallies in the capital and Mr Naqvi said anyone violating the ban would be arrested. Travel between Islamabad and other cities has become nearly impossible because of shipping containers blocking the roads. All education institutions remain closed.

Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) Market Is Forecasted To Reach US$ 3.8 Billion In 2030, Says Stratview ResearchCanadian Prime Minister Trudeau flies to Florida to meet with Trump after tariffs threat WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has flown to Florida to have dinner with President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago club after Trump threatened to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products. Joining Trump and Trudeau at dinner were Trump's picks for commerce secretary, interior secretary and national security adviser, and the three men's wives. From the Canadian side, the dinner guests included Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, whose responsibilities include border security. Trump’s transition did not respond to questions about what they had discussed or whether the conversation alleviated Trump’s concerns about the border. A smiling Trudeau declined comment upon returning to his West Palm Beach hotel late Friday. Emboldened 'manosphere' accelerates threats and demeaning language toward women after US election CHICAGO (AP) — An emboldened fringe of right-wing “manosphere” influencers has seized on Donald Trump’s presidential win to justify and amplify misogynistic derision and threats online. Many have appropriated a 1960s abortion rights rallying cry, declaring “Your body, my choice,” and have been using it publicly on college campuses and even in public schools. While none of the current online rhetoric is being amplified by Trump, experts say many young men see the former president’s return to the White House as vindication of their views on women. For many women, the words are a worrying sign of what might lie ahead as some men perceive the election results as a rebuke of reproductive rights and women’s rights. Syrian insurgents are inside Aleppo in a major setback for Assad as government forces regroup BEIRUT (AP) — Thousands of Syrian insurgents have fanned out inside Syria's largest city Aleppo a day after storming it with little resistance from government troops. Syria's army said troops have redeployed to prepare for a counteroffensive. Witnesses said insurgents were seen Saturday at landmarks in Aleppo for the first time since 2016, when they were expelled by government forces backed by Russia and Iran. The surprise offensive is a major embarrassment for Syrian President Bashar Assad, who has regained total control of the city eight years ago. An Israeli strike in Gaza kills World Central Kitchen workers. Israel says 1 was an Oct. 7 attacker DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — An Israeli airstrike on a car in the Gaza Strip on Saturday killed five people including employees of World Central Kitchen. The charity says it is “urgently seeking more details” after Israel’s military said it targeted a WCK worker who had been part of the Hamas attack that sparked the war. The charity in an email says it is “heartbroken” by the airstrike and that it had no knowledge anyone in the car had alleged ties to the Oct. 7, 2023 attack, saying it is “working with incomplete information.” It says it is pausing operations in Gaza. Lebanese fishermen hope ceasefire with Israel means normal life returning TYRE, Lebanon (AP) — The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah is bringing hope for normality back to many in southern Lebanon. That includes fishermen who’ve long launched their single-engine wooden boats into the Mediterranean at dawn. For months, Israel imposed a siege that kept hundreds of fishermen at this ancient Phoenician port ashore. That upended their lives and dealt the industry a major blow. The port siege also cut people off from key ingredients for traditional Lebanese dishes. As war devastated their country, the loss of fish damaged a deep association with home. Now, the possibility of renewed fishing is helping fuel hope. How Brazilian police say Bolsonaro plotted a coup to stay in office SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s Federal Police have formally accused former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro and 36 others of plotting a coup to keep him in office. The plot was allegedly comprised of several components and substantiated by evidence and testimony in the agency's 884-page report. The pieces of the puzzle include laying the groundwork by systematically sowing distrust of the electoral system among the populace. It also includes drafting a decree to give the plot a veneer of legal basis and pressuring top military brass to go along with the plan. Bolsonaro and his main allies have denied any wrongdoing or involvement and accuse authorities of political persecution. Protesters gather for third night of demonstrations after Georgia announces suspension of EU talks TBILISI, Georgia (AP) — Protesters have gathered across Georgia in a third straight night of demonstrations against the government’s decision to suspend negotiations to join the European Union. The third night of protests were held Saturday. More than 100 demonstrators were arrested as crowds clashed with police Friday night. The Associated Press saw protesters in Tbilisi being chased and beaten by police as demonstrators rallied in front of the country’s parliament building. The violence follows the ruling Georgian Dream party's disputed victory in the Oct. 26 election. It was widely seen as a referendum on the country’s aspirations to join the European Union. Romania's parliamentary vote risks being overshadowed by presidential race chaos BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romanians are preparing to go to the polls in a parliamentary vote that will determine a new government and prime minister to lead the European Union and NATO member country. However, Sunday's vote is sandwiched between a two-round presidential race and is overshadowed by controversies and chaos following the outcome of the first vote. While the president has significant decision-making powers in areas such as national security and foreign policy, the prime minister is the head of the nation’s government. Sunday’s vote will determine the formation of the country’s 466-seat legislature. North Korea's Kim vows steadfast support for Russia’s war in Ukraine SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country will “invariably support” Russia’s war in Ukraine as he met Russia's visiting defense chief. A Russia military delegation led by Defense Minister Andrei Belousov arrived in North Korea on Friday as international concerns about the two countries’ expanding cooperation deepened after North Korea sent thousands of troops to Russia. During a Friday meeting, Kim and Belousov reached “a satisfactory consensus” on issues on how to further boost strategic partnership and defend each country’s sovereignty and security interests, state media said. Heavy snow blankets parts of the US during busy holiday travel weekend BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The first big snowfall of the season is threatening to bury towns in upstate New York and northwestern Pennsylvania as the hectic holiday travel and shopping weekend winds down. Numbing cold and heavy snow could persist into next week and cause hazards in the Great Lakes, Plains and Midwest regions. A state of emergency was declared for parts of New York, making it problematic for scores of Thanksgiving travelers trying to return home. This week’s blast of frigid Arctic air also brought bitterly cold temperatures of 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit below average to the Northern Plains. Cold air was expected to move over the eastern third of the U.S. by Monday, the weather service said, with temperatures about 10 degrees below average.

Ex-Democratic Fundraiser Claims Party Is A 'Cult' And 'Treated Her Poorly'Pakistani security forces have launched an operation to disperse supporters of imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan who had gathered in the capital to demand his release from prison. The latest development came hours after thousands of his supporters, defying government warnings, broke through a barrier of shipping containers blocking off Islamabad and entered a high-security zone, where they clashed with security forces, facing tear gas shelling, mass detentions and gunfire. Tension has been high in Islamabad since Sunday when supporters of the former PM began a “long march” from the restive north-west to demand his release. Khan has been in a prison for more than a year and faces more than 150 criminal cases that his party says are politically motivated. Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, led the protest, but she fled as police pushed back against demonstrators. Hundreds of Khan’s supporters are being arrested in the ongoing night-time operation. Interior minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters that the Red Zone, which houses government buildings and embassies, and the surrounding areas have been cleared. Leaders from Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI, have also fled the protest site. Earlier on Tuesday, Pakistan’s army took control of D-Chowk, a large square in the Red Zone, where visiting Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is staying. Since Monday, Mr Naqvi had threatened that security forces would use live fire if protesters fired weapons at them. “We have now authorised the police to respond as necessary,” Mr Naqvi said Tuesday while visiting the square. Before the operation began, protester Shahzor Ali said people had taken to the streets because Khan had called for them. “We will stay here until Khan joins us. He will decide what to do next,” Mr Ali said. Protester Fareeda Bibi, who is not related to Khan’s wife, said people have suffered greatly for the last two years. “We have really suffered for the last two years, whether it is economically, politically or socially. We have been ruined. I have not seen such a Pakistan in my life,” she said. Authorities have struggled to contain the protest-related violence. Six people, including four members of the security services, were killed when a vehicle rammed them on a street overnight into Tuesday. A police officer died in a separate incident. Dozens of Khan supporters beat a videographer covering the protest for the Associated Press and took his camera. He sustained head injuries and was treated in hospital. By Tuesday afternoon, fresh waves of protesters made their way unopposed to their final destination in the Red Zone. Mr Naqvi said Khan’s party had rejected a government offer to rally on the outskirts of the city. Information minister Atta Tarar warned there would be a severe government reaction to the violence. The government says only the courts can order Khan’s release. He was ousted in 2022 through a no-confidence vote in Parliament. In a bid to foil the unrest, police have arrested more than 4,000 Khan supporters since Friday and suspended mobile and internet services in some parts of the country. Messaging platforms were also experiencing severe disruption in the capital. Khan’s party relies heavily on social media and uses messaging platforms such as WhatsApp to share information, including details of events. The X platform, which is banned in Pakistan, is no longer accessible, even with a VPN. Last Thursday, a court prohibited rallies in the capital and Mr Naqvi said anyone violating the ban would be arrested. Travel between Islamabad and other cities has become nearly impossible because of shipping containers blocking the roads. All education institutions remain closed.

Walmart’s DEI rollback signals a profound shift in the wake of Trump’s election victory- Signaling a new era of service to the congregation and the community with renewed commitment and the addition of beautifully renovated spaces - BERGAMO, Italy, and LOS ANGELES, Calif., Dec. 24, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Nestled between Lake Como and Lake Iseo in the north of Italy, the city of Bergamo is an architectural gem of medieval charm and breathtaking beauty. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, its landmarks take visitors on a journey through history, from the 12th-century Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore to the famous 16th-century walls that surround the upper city, through the museum that honors the beloved operas of Bergamo’s own Gaetano Donizetti, to today’s trendy bistros, bakeries and gelaterias. And in the heart of the city are the expanded new facilities of the Ideal Church of Scientology Mission of Bergamo . Scientology Missions form the vanguard of the Scientology religion, providing the full array of basic and introductory Scientology services and Scientology auditing (spiritual counseling). The Ideal Church of Scientology Mission in Bergamo is designed to serve as the physical embodiment of Scientology technology in helping all to attain spiritual freedom. It was a joyous Sunday afternoon, November 10, when community leaders and parishioners celebrated the anniversary and expansion of the Ideal Church of Scientology Mission of Bergamo. Those joining Mission Director Marta Riva for this milestone celebration included Ms. Nilupa Warnakulasooriya, Representative of the Sri Lanka North Italy Community; Mr. Franco Ravaglioli, Vice President of the Universal Peace Federation of Italy; Mr. Daniel Sigua, Founder and CEO of TCG News Italia; and Mr. Gabriele Riva, an intercultural advocate and a lieutenant of the Alpini, an elite mountain infantry corps of the Italian Army known for its volunteerism and humanitarian activities. Stepping to the podium, Ms. Warnakulasooriya thanked the mission for helping her achieve her humanitarian objectives. She spoke of her passion for ensuring Sri Lankan children living in Italy can adapt to the culture and thrive in their new home. Growing up in a foreign culture can be daunting. Children have to contend with customs and struggle with a new language, which can set them apart and create friction. When Ms. Warnakulasooriya discovered L. Ron Hubbard’s The Way to Happiness she found the practical skills and moral values that can prepare these youths to become the leaders of tomorrow . “L. Ron Hubbard provided a great gift by giving us The Way to Happiness ,” she said, “a gift that allows us to create harmony and respect among people of all races, religions, ages and genders.” Vice President of Universal Peace Federation of Italy Mr. Franco Ravaglioli believes in the unique and essential role religions play in promoting a world of lasting peace in which people of all nationalities, ethnicities and cultures can live together in harmony. “I appreciate the Scientologists I’ve come to know—they are open, willing to work together, and committed to creating real change. We will continue together on this path to create a better world,” he said, “for I believe that one day, we can achieve what Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard envisioned with the Aims of Scientology: ‘A world without insanity, without criminals and without war.’ In other words, a world of peace.” TCG News Italia CEO Mr. Daniel Sigua is dedicated to the human rights of the Latin American diaspora in Italy. “Today, we have a community that is more aware and educated about human rights, thanks to your Spanish-language resources and materials promoting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” He thanked the Church for its firm commitment to promoting values of unity and collaboration. “Thanks to your support, we will be able to carry out important initiatives for human rights and the growth of our community.” The final speaker, Lt. Riva, has long served in the Alpini’s legendary Giulia Mountain Brigade. “Those experiences—despite their hardships—have remained with me for a lifetime,” he said. “In the early 1980s, I was offered the opportunity to host 40 young university students from the Philippines who were touring around the world. In my small hamlet of about 1,000 people, convincing my fellow villagers to open their homes and hearts to strangers from a country so different from ours was a feat. But hospitality and generosity are values we lived by back then—values that, sadly, have faded over the years, even in my own little town.” Last winter, after the long interruption of the pandemic, the students from the Filipino choir reached out again, and Mr. Riva turned to the Scientology Mission of Bergamo. “It is thanks to all of you—your willingness, your help, and your incredible efficiency—that this choir was able to perform here in Bergamo. They sang in honor of the many families touched by the pandemic, families who have shown strength and resilience. This experience brought new life to my village. I want to express my deepest gratitude for the Church of Scientology’s invaluable role as a champion of ‘cooperation between different cultures for the common good.’” Mission director Marta Riva shared a brief history of her Mission, its services, and its humanitarian goals. “The 2020 pandemic was one of the hardest times our city ever experienced,” she said. “Our staff and parishioners immediately responded to help the many families affected by the tragedy. Today, our Scientology community has grown to such an extent that we needed to expand our premises, where we stand ready to serve not only Scientologists but all of Bergamo.” Visitors to the Ideal Bergamo Mission are welcome to tour the Public Information Display, featuring multimedia presentations of the basic beliefs and practices of Dianetics and Scientology as well as the life and legacy of L. Ron Hubbard. As an Ideal Church of Scientology Mission, Bergamo is equipped with every facility needed to provide the full array of introductory Scientology services. These include the popular Life Improvement Courses through which anyone may find workable solutions to common challenges of everyday life—such as how to improve a marriage, successfully raise children, increase personal motivation, and set and achieve goals. The Mission also offers seminars on a wide range of topics, including personal efficiency. The Hubbard Dianetics Seminar is based on Mr. Hubbard’s watershed work Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health , the bestselling book that reveals the source of one’s nightmares, unreasonable fears and irrational behavior—the reactive mind—and how to conquer it. Additionally, the Mission provides spiritual counseling, known as auditing , and the Purification Program , developed by Mr. Hubbard to free individuals from the mental and spiritual damage caused by drugs and toxins. November 10 also saw the Grand Opening of the new Ideal Church of Scientology Mission of McMinnville, Oregon, and the Ideal Scientology Mission of Chiayi, Taiwan. It was followed on November 16, with the Grand Opening of the Ideal Scientology Missions of Taichung, Taiwan, and Santo André, Brazil. The new Ideal Scientology Mission of Osaka, Japan, will open on November 30. Many more Ideal Scientology Missions are planned across North and South America, Europe and Asia in the coming year. The Scientology religion was founded by author and philosopher L. Ron Hubbard. Mr. David Miscavige is the Scientology religion’s ecclesiastical leader . The first Church of Scientology was formed in Los Angeles in 1954 and the religion has expanded to more than 11,000 Churches, Missions and affiliated groups, with millions of members in 167 countries. LEARN MORE: https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/ https://bergamasca.scientologymissions.org/ VIDEO: https://youtu.be/j-2euFXXbfc?si=rxRaPmCZR7EyCsLi PHOTO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/24-1224-s2p-COSBergamo-300dpi.jpg PHOTO CAPTION: Celebrating the anniversary and expansion of the Ideal Scientology Mission of Bergamo. TAGS: #IdealScientologyMission #Bergamo NEWS SOURCE: Church of Scientology International Keywords: Religion and Churches, Ideal Scientology Mission, BERGAMO, Italy This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Church of Scientology International) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire . Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P123038 APDF15TBLLI To view the original version, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/celebrating-the-25th-anniversary-and-the-expansion-of-the-ideal-scientology-mission-of-bergamo/ © 2024 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story. Copyright 2024 Send2Press NewswireUS stocks rally despite Trump tariff threat but European stocks fall

History, drones and surveys give undergraduates valuable experienceJones alleges fraud and collusion marred the bankruptcy auction in which The Onion was named the winning bidder on November 14 over a company affiliated with him. US bankruptcy judge Christopher Lopez had been scheduled to hear an emergency motion to disqualify The Onion’s bid, but decided to put it off until either December 9 or December 17. That is also when the judge will hear arguments on a request to approve the sale of Infowars to The Onion. Mr Lopez said similar arguments are being made in both requests. He could allow The Onion to move forward with the sale, order a new auction or name the other bidder as the winner. At stake is whether Mr Jones gets to stay at Infowars’ studio in Austin, Texas, under a new owner friendly to him, or whether he gets kicked out by The Onion. The other bidder, First United American Companies, runs a website in Mr Jones’s name that sells nutritional supplements. Regardless, Mr Jones has set up a new studio, websites and social media accounts that would allow him to keep airing his show. His personal account with 3.3 million followers on the social platform X was not part of the sale, although Mr Lopez will be deciding whether it should be included in the liquidation and sold off later. In a new court filing on Monday, lawyers for X objected to any sale of the accounts of both Mr Jones and Infowars, saying X is the owner of the accounts and that it has not given consent for them to be sold or transferred. Mr Jones has praised X owner Elon Musk on his show and suggested that Mr Musk should buy Infowars. Mr Musk has not responded publicly to that suggestion and was not among the bidders. Mr Jones’ bankruptcy and the liquidation of his assets came about after he was ordered to pay nearly 1.5 billion dollars (£1.19 billion) to relatives of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. Mr Jones was found liable for defamation and emotional distress damages in lawsuits in Connecticut and Texas for repeatedly calling the 2012 shooting that killed 20 first graders and six educators a hoax staged by actors to increase gun control. Proceeds from the liquidation are to go to Mr Jones’s creditors, including the Sandy Hook families who sued him. Mr Jones alleged The Onion’s bid was the result of fraud and collusion involving many of those families, the humour site and a court-appointed trustee who is overseeing the liquidation. First United American Companies submitted a 3.5 million dollar (£2.7 million) sealed bid, while The Onion offered 1.75 million dollars (£1.3 million) in cash. But The Onion’s bid also included a pledge by Sandy Hook families to forego some or all of the auction proceeds due to them giving other creditors a total of 100,000 dollars (£79,400) more than they would receive under other bids. The trustee, Christopher Murray, said that made The Onion’s proposal better for creditors and he named it the winning bid. He has denied any wrongdoing. Mr Jones and First United American Companies claimed that the bid violated Mr Lopez’s rules for the auction by including multiple entities and lacking a valid dollar amount. Mr Jones also alleged Mr Murray improperly cancelled an expected round of live bidding and only selected among the sealed bids that were submitted. Mr Jones called the auction “rigged” and a “fraud” on his show, which airs on the Infowars website, radio stations and his X account. In a court filing, Mr Murray called the allegations “a disappointed bidder’s improper attempt to influence an otherwise fair and open auction process”. Mr Lopez’s September order on the auction procedures made a live bidding round optional. It gave broad authority to Mr Murray to conduct the sale, including the power to reject any bid, no matter how high, that was “contrary to the best interests” of Mr Jones, his company and their creditors. Hi friends! I wanted to give a quick update on The Onion’s purchase of InfoWars, which we can’t wait to relaunch as the dumbest site on the internet. Long and short of it: We won the bid and — you're not going to believe it — the previous InfoWars folks aren't taking it well. — follow @bencollins on bluesky (@oneunderscore__) November 16, 2024 But at a November 14 hearing, Mr Lopez said he was concerned about the process and transparency. “We’re all going to an evidentiary hearing and I’m going to figure out exactly what happened,” he said. “No one should feel comfortable with the results of this auction.” The assets of Infowars’ parent company, Free Speech Systems, that were up for sale included the Austin studio, Infowars’ video archive, video production equipment, product trademarks, and Infowars’ websites and social media accounts. Mr Jones is appealing the 1.5 billion dollar (£1.19 billion) in judgments citing free speech rights but has acknowledged that the school shooting happened. Mr Jones has brought in millions of dollars a year in revenue by hawking nutritional supplements, clothing, survival gear and other merchandise from his Infowars Store website, according to court documents. Many of Mr Jones’ personal assets, including real estate as well as guns and other personal belongings, also are being sold as part of the bankruptcy.

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Gaetz withdraws as Trump's pick for attorney general, averting confirmation battle in the SenateThe vigorous Venezuelan opposition movement that could have dethroned Nicolás Maduro in this year’s presidential election has evaporated. About 100 leaders and many more activists from the Plataforma Unitaria have fled the country since Maduro unleashed an intense wave of repression after his disputed victory on July 28. Edmundo González Urrutia, now called president-elect by the United States, fled to Spain in September. Popular opposition leader María Corina Machado has been in hiding since early August, supposedly within Venezuelan borders, although the government says she is in Colombia. All this is because Maduro has made his enemies fear for their lives. The homes of his detractors were spray-painted with the letter X and visited by security force agents in the framework of the so-called “Tun-Tun” operation. At least 25 arrest warrants against opposition leaders were issued in the first month after the election. Dozens of passports were cancelled. Many were publicly identified and threatened on state television. The situation reached a deadly climax in late October, when Apure state opposition leader Edwin Santos was found dead after being detained by security forces for two days, according to his party. The government never acknowledged his arrest and said he died in a motorcycle accident. The ruling party and its allies have also been considering several laws that ultimately seek to eliminate all traces of opposition within the country. Maduro is scheduled to be sworn in on January 10, and parliamentary and regional elections for governors, mayors, and other lawmakers will be held later in the year. “On July 29, Maduro swept away the electoral system as we knew it,” said University of Navarra professor and political consultant Carmen Beatriz Fernández. “If elections were to take place next year,” he added, “it would be a very convenient election where each candidate must have the placebo, the approval of the dominant nomenclature, in order to be able to enter the ring.” At the most oppressive moment of his autocratic rule so far, Maduro is on track to get what he wants: a Venezuela with no-one to question his authority. Even if the United States refuses to recognise his presidency, it won’t make much of a material difference, given that the once-fervent opposition is only a shadow of its former self. The government did not respond to a request for comment. Had things been different, Viviana Save Torres would have considered running as a candidate in the opposition primaries for any of next year’s elections. However, the party organiser is thousands of miles from home after the government launched a manhunt against her. She asked Bloomberg News not to publish her location for fear of her safety. The 34-year-old helped organise the opposition primary last year and coordinated González Urrutia’s campaign in her home state of Trujillo. González Urrutia, a former diplomat, ran with the support of Machado, who was barred from running for public office. Having her help on the campaign trail was key: Machado won the opposition primary with 93 percent of the vote, and Venezuelans came to see her almost as a messianic figure who promised to reform the economy and reunite families separated by the largest diaspora in the Western Hemisphere. The opposition eventually offered evidence showing González Urrutia would likely have won nearly 70 percent of the presidential vote. But for Save, the intimidation began in the weeks before the election, when security forces stationed themselves outside her home. As a precaution, she changed her location and even her car up to three times a day. It all got worse in the days after the vote. The ruling party governor in Trujillo shared wanted posters for Save and six other local opposition leaders on his social media account. Security forces found the place where they were staying the next day and arrested one of them. Save managed to escape while agents questioned neighbors. On August 4, she learned that the government had issued an arrest warrant for her and decided to leave. She didn’t even have time to tell her family. That night at 2am, she crossed the border into Colombia on a motorcycle. She was barefoot, wearing only her pajamas, and pretended to be sick. “It was a week of terror,” she said. “When I got to Cúcuta, I felt relieved.” Sadly, her journey was far from over. Shortly afterward, the governor of Trujillo addressed her on regional television, telling her that the government knew where she was and that they would find her and deport her to Venezuela. Save barely went outside in Colombia; she was too afraid to even go to the grocery store, so she left. “This whole wave of terror is the reaction of some defeated people who want to perpetuate themselves in power,” she said in a telephone interview. “My call is to the international community: you cannot be complacent.” While González Urrutia is the most prominent leader to have left so far, there are many others like Save who were instrumental in enabling the opposition to reach out to its supporters and carry out a campaign against the ruling socialists. There are also those who served as vote-counting witnesses and polling station employees, who have also received direct threats from Maduro’s security forces. Of course, some remain in hiding within Venezuelan borders. And there are six close Machado aides who remain holed up in Argentina’s Embassy in Caracas, now under Brazilian control. Over the weekend, the opposition said the government had resumed its siege of the Embassy by cutting off electricity and placing signal jammers. The onslaught has been especially harsh against Machado’s Vente Venezuela party, but this has happened to others before. Most of the leaders of the once-powerful opposition groups Voluntad Popular and Primero Justicia are in exile, and some of their most prominent leaders have faced the possibility of prison time. Many of those who fled after the July election refused to share their testimonies for fear that any clues to their identity could lead to reprisals. Another young opposition leader, who asked to remain anonymous, left after an arrest warrant was issued and security forces raided his home. The individual had helped organise opposition primaries in 2023 and, like Save, hoped to run for office next year. The situation is expected to worsen in the coming weeks, and Maduro’s government may pass electoral reforms seeking to exclude the opposition and its parties before the December 15 deadline. Simultaneously, authorities are investigating more than 300 people, mostly politicians, for what it says was the theft of Citgo Petroleum Corp, the US arm of Venezuela’s state oil company. In 2019, the Venezuelan government lost control of Citgo to an ad hoc opposition-led board. The company is now being auctioned off in the United States “Hopefully all those involved in the blatant Citgo theft will be prosecuted, captured, and brought to trial,” Maduro said on the October 28 episode of his weekly television show. The latest wave of persecution against Maduro does not appear to be over yet. He is also promoting a law to counter the US “Bolívar Law,” which provides for sanctions such as lifetime bans from holding public office, trials , and 30-year prison sentences for those who support actions against Venezuela. The legislation was pushed by Florida Congressman Mike Vals, who is US president-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for national security adviser. The repercussions of this and the electoral reforms will be felt for years to come. “While some opposition forces will likely participate in the elections anyway, it is hard to imagine the opposition remaining completely unified in its approach to the election after the blatant fraud in July,” said Risa Grais-Targow, an analyst at Eurasia Group. “It is always in Maduro’s interest to have a divided and demoralized opposition, especially in the run-up to a vote.” by Bloomberg News Ads Space Ads SpaceCelebrating the 25th Anniversary and the Expansion of the Ideal Scientology Mission of Bergamo