Co-operative Republic on South America's Caribbean edge
Interim President Delcy Rodríguez has defended Venezuela’s sovereignty at The Hague while new U.S. commentary from Donald Trump has reignited talk of making Venezuela the 51st state. Venezuelan officials say Essequibo negotiations continue, and regional tensions are rising as OPEC-style energy interests intertwine with international diplomacy.
SoftBank has announced a €75bn plan to build AI data centres in northern France and to develop up to 5GW of capacity by 2031. Governments and companies are tightening domestic energy plans in response, prompting talks on interconnectors, local refineries and nuclear or modular-reactor options to meet the data centres’ huge electricity demand.
Rwandan and Congolese officials remain locked in a dispute over commitments under a Washington-brokered peace deal, with UN experts noting M23 remains active and minerals continue to flow from conflict zones. Western governments have stepped up sanctions, and the ICJ case against Rwanda has widened the international response.
A ferry disaster off Guyana’s coast has prompted a large-scale search and rescue operation. The MV Barima capsized near Iron Punt while traveling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma. Authorities say 67 people have survived; many remain missing. The government is leading the response, with life jackets and lifeboats in use and investigations into possible wrongdoing underway.
The MV Barima capsized near Guyana, killing dozens and leaving many more missing. Officials have expanded the search as rescuers race to locate survivors amid incomplete passenger manifests and alleged crew misconduct.
A passenger ferry off Guyana’s Essequibo coast has capsized after taking on water. Officials say 76 of about 179 aboard have survived, while 53 bodies have been recovered and divers continue search for dozens more. Survivors describe a chaotic sinking and overloaded vessel.
Candidates for the UN secretary-general post have presented reform-minded visions amid a funding and credibility crisis. Straw polls begin late July with a January 2027 appointment target; Latin America is pushing for a regional rotation.
A ferry carrying up to 179 people has capsized off Guyana’s Essequibo coast. At least 76 are rescued and authorities fear about 100 may have died, making it the region’s worst maritime tragedy. Divers are salvageing the vessel as a criminal investigation unfolds and survivors describe a chaotic sinking.
The MV Barima capsized while en route to Port Kaituma, with authorities believing 179 aboard. Rescues continue as an international commission investigates possible negligence; survivors describe overcrowding and leakage. A pre-existing plan to replace the vessel has been noted.
The UN Security Council’s informal straw polls have begun to shape the field for secretary-general. Rebeca Grynspan leads on encouragement votes, with other candidates including Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Rafael Grossi, Macky Sall, Michelle Bachelet, Maria Fernanda Espinosa, and Olara Otunnu. The process remains flexible, with multiple rounds possible and no consensus yet.
The twin earthquakes have devastated La Guaira, leaving thousands homeless and destroying hundreds of buildings. The interim government has expanded access to international aid while authorities struggle to chart the full scope of the disaster and ongoing recovery.