Photo: BBC By: Saira Canales On the 2nd of May there was an attempted sea incursion by “terrorist mercenaries'' on Venezuelen waters. They have reason to believe that they are from Colombia. However, this has not been confirmed. Interior Minister Nestor Reverol said on live television that the small group arrived in speedboats and that they were spotted off the coastal state of La Guaita. When fingers started to be pointed in Venezuela, they just dismissed these allegations, saying people were trying to stage them. Several people in Colombia, however, suspected that it was from the US military in an attempt to overthrow their government. It would be quite a leap to say it was Colombia, but it's not impossible, considering the fact that Venezuela and Colombia broke off ties just this last year. As the investigation went on, they saw that the group was attempting to land in the town of Macuto, about 21 miles from the nation's capital. The leader of Venezuela said, “They tried to carry out an invasion by sea, a group of terrorist mercenaries from Colombia, in order to commit terrorist acts in the country, murdering leaders of the revolutionary government." Hugo Chavez, the leader of the socialist group in Venezuela, sent troops to see if there were any survivors, believing that what went down had more to it. They came back with news of eight killed and two detained. It was assumed that the speed boat had sunk, and they couldn’t find any survivors along the coast. In addition to that, there was a prison riot on Friday and a gang battle on Saturday. Mr. Guaido said this was put forth just to distract Colombia’s administration, and accuses the Colombian government for foul play. Mr. Guaido’s press team stated, “The regime is seeking to divert attention with a supposed incident plagued with inconsistencies, doubts and contradictions.”
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Photo: The Freedom Initiative By: Brianna Quinonez Being held against one’s will and interrogated is often fearful and traumatizing for the victim. For the outside world, it’s often seen as an “example” and people wonder what charges were held against the victim so that one doesn’t accidentally commit those crimes. For one American school teacher who was held in Egypt for a little less than a year, it seemed never ending. Her crime: criticizing the Egyptian government on Facebook. As an American, the school teacher saw her opinion towards the foreign government as her right. In the United States, it’s an American citizen’s right to have freedom of speech, as it is listed in the country’s Bill Of Rights that came along with the US Constitution. According to ABC News, the victim, one Reem Desouky “was arrested on arrival at the Cairo Airport with her teenage son in July 2019 and hauled off to Qanatir Prison outside the capital”. It was later reported that her electronics were taken away from her possession while she was interrogated and questioned about her political views and her true thoughts toward the higher authority. When Reem Desouky was released, many emotions overcame her and her family. As she was imprisoned without ever getting to go on trial, never mind a fair and speedy one, she was released and sent back to the United States. As one would think, the American was sure believing that there’s no place like home after she heard she was not only being released but being sent back to the land of the free. According to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Morgan Ortagus, known for her role as being the spokesperson for the United States Department of State, stated upon the news of Desouky coming home, “The Department of State has no higher priority than the safety and welfare of U.S. citizens overseas.” Sadly it has become more common for imprisonments to happen to foreigners who visit countries often to go see family and don’t get to return home as planned. It should be remembered that, at the end of the day, there are no guarantees in life and that everyone should do their best to stay safe. |
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