The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine said that attacking a nuclear power plant is a war crime, after Russia on Friday seized a Ukrainian nuclear facility that is the biggest in Europe.
The statement on the embassy’s Twitter account went further than any U.S. characterization of Russia’s actions in Ukraine since it launched its invasion Feb. 24.
“It is a war crime to attack a nuclear power plant. Putin’s shelling of Europe’s largest nuclear plant takes his reign of terror one step further,” U.S. Embassy Kyiv said in its post.
Russian invasion forces seized Europe’s biggest nuclear power plant in heavy fighting in southeastern Ukraine, triggering global alarm, but a blaze in a training building was extinguished and officials said the facility was now safe.
Russia’s defense ministry blamed a fire at the plant on a “monstrous attack” by Ukrainian saboteurs and said its forces were in control.
The State Department sent a message to all U.S. embassies in Europe telling them not to retweet the Kyiv Embassy’s tweet calling the attack a war crime, according to CNN, which said it reviewed the message.
The State Department did not respond to a request for comment from Reuters asking if the Kyiv Embassy’s tweet reflects the position of the entire U.S. government.
Rights groups have alleged violations of international war crimes law in Ukraine, including the targeting of civilians, as well as indiscriminate attacks on schools and hospitals.
On Wednesday, U.S. President Joe Biden stopped short of calling Russia’s actions war crimes, saying, “It’s too early to say that.”
Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby on Friday declined to answer the question, saying he would leave that determination to the International Criminal Court.
“This just underscores how reckless the Russian invasion has been and how indiscriminate their targeting seems to be. It just raises the level of potential catastrophe to a level that nobody wants to see,” Kirby said in an interview with CNN.
“It is certainly not the behavior of a responsible nuclear power.”
Britain has publicly accused Russian President Vladimir Putin’s government of war crimes.
The ICC, the world’s top war crimes prosecutor, on the request of 39 member states, is investigating reports of cluster bombs and artillery strikes on Ukrainian cities.
Karim Khan, a British lawyer named as the chief prosecutor of the ICC last year, said the crisis in Ukraine is a chance to demonstrate that those committing war crimes would be held to account.
Intentionally targeting civilians and civilian objects is a war crime, a U.S. State Department spokesperson told Reuters, adding that it is backing the investigation, particularly Khan’s efforts to preserve evidence of possible atrocity crimes.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has strongly denied claims that Russian forces have struck civilian infrastructure targets or residential complexes.
We continue to ensure the well-being, safety and protection of children and adolescents in Caldas.
The events occurred on December 18, 2021 in the San Isidro neighborhood of the municipality of Anserma, where a 25-year-old man was captured by personnel from the National Model of Community Surveillance by Quadrants, who was surprised inside a neighboring house apparently under the influence of intoxicating drinks, performing sexual acts on a minor under 10 years of age, the alleged abuser was brought before the competent authority.
The girl’s relatives made the complaint, and from that moment the judicial police work began, managing to collect enough evidence that allowed the Second Promiscuous Municipal Court of Anserma Caldas to issue an arrest warrant against this citizen for the alleged crime of sexual acts with a minor under fourteen years of age.
The Sijín investigators carried out the location, notification and subsequent capture in the San Isidro neighborhood, the subject was presented before the requesting authority during the hearings, accepted the charges and was sent to jail.
The National Police recommends parents not to leave their children alone, or in the company of people they do not trust, and in the event of any manifestation of any act of this type by children and adolescents, make these facts known. to the authorities to initiate the respective investigations.
The man accused of murdering last Thursday Nickol Valentinaaged 15, was identified as Pedro Jose Trujillo Perez and is being prosecuted for having stabbed the young woman in the middle of a robbery in Bucaramangawhen she had just left school.
Trujillo, by stealing his cell phone, caused serious injuries to the victim when she was going down the stairs of the Mesón de los Búcaros interchange tunnel. Although Nickol Valentina was helped and quickly transferred to the Santander University Hospital, she died hours later due to the seriousness of her injuries.
Trujillo was captured last Friday in Barrancabermejaafter 24 hours of having committed the crime, and in the last few hours he accepted the charges filed by the Bucaramanga Municipal Criminal Judge of Guarantees.
During the preliminary hearings held this weekend, according to the prosecutor in the case, the man would have said that he saw the girl alone in the tunnel when he decided to attack her.
(You can read: The man who murdered Nickol Valentina is in prison for stealing his cell phone).
“During the interrogation he said that he had seen the girl alone in the tunnel, he approached her and grabbed her by the neck, that she managed to free herself, came back and grabbed her by the neck and stabbed her in the neck and another that she does not remember where and flee. That when she left, the girl was still standing, “said the official.
The prosecutor also said that the captured, after arriving home, told a relative that he had to leave Colombia because “the girl died, I did not want to stab the girl.”
(You can read: A Nickol school attendant had already warned the Mayor about insecurity).
“Pedro José Trujillo Pérez acknowledges having done this and that he was in need, that he has a son in Venezuela for whom he has to answer, but who is sorry, “said the prosecutor.
Trujillo accepted the charges filed by the investigating body and it was learned that he had a history of robbery even in the same place where he attacked Nickol Valentina.
Although he has not served his 24-year prison sentence for the murder of Luis Carlos Galan Sarmiento, in 1989, former senator Alberto Santofimio Botero He reappeared in a public act in which he touched on current political issues such as the consultations of the pre-candidates for the Presidency of the Republic.
(You may be interested in: Piedad Córdoba’s trips for which the Supreme Court is investigating)
About a thousand people attended the event at the Convention Center of the Government of Tolima, including former mayors, former governors and political leaders of Tolima, who accompanied him at the launch of his book ‘Fragmented Memories’.
Santofimio was sentenced on October 11, 2007 by the Supreme Court of Justice as co-author responsible for the death of the liberal caudillo Luis Carlos Galánwho was emerging as the winner of the 1990 presidential election.
At that time, the Court overturned the acquittal for doubt that the Superior Court of Cundinamarca issued in favor of Santofimio and considered that the politician of Tolimense origin did instigate the capo Pablo Escobar to order the murder of Galán, on August 17, 1989 in the main square of Soacha, Bogotá, where he had arrived to preside over a political rally.
The testimony of Jhon Jairo Velásquez, alias Popeye, who pointed out that Santofimio was the one who “prompted” Pablo Escobar to order Galán’s crime, was key in the conviction of the politician.
During the presentation of his book, Santofimio referred to the electoral contest that the country is experiencing and affirmed that in the consultations there are candidates who applied for themselves to reach the Presidency of the Republic.
“There is no will of the parties, there are no channels of democratic participation, there are no conventions, the people are absent from all that,” said the former senator, adding that “they self-proclaimed candidates and made the State spend a million in consultations that confuse the voter.
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Gunmen murdered Estiven Loaiza, in Buenaventura.
Gunmen murdered Estiven Loaiza, in Buenaventura.
Estiven Loaiza Córdoba was a renowned merchant and social activist in the city.
Find the validation of El Cazamentiras at the end of the news.
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cali Article publication time
Author’s name Article publication time
AC
February 22, 2022, 04:30 AM
JV
Joseph Louis Valencia February 22, 2022, 04:30 AM
The murder of a merchant and community spokesperson causes consternation and rejection among inhabitants of the Pacific port in Valle del Cauca.
The authorities of the department offered a reward of 50 million pesos in pursuit of those responsible. The mayor’s office condemned the crime of the citizen, whom he described as a great leader.
(Read in context: Relive the Buenaventura report that won the Gerardo Bedoya Borrero award)
On Friday night, Estiven Loaiza arrived at his residence in the Trapiche de Buenaventura neighborhood. When he was about to enter, two men approached, who were traveling on a motorcycle.
The shots caused fear in the sector of commune 3. Loaiza suffered two gunshot wounds to the back and died almost instantly.
The 36-year-old man was recognized in Buenaventura for being an active participant in social, political and business organizations. Voices of recognition of the victim and rejection of the crime were expressed at the funeral.
Estiven Loaiza was murdered on the sidewalk of his house in Buenaventura, the young man was one of the leaders who were organizing the march on February 24, paradoxically in rejection of violence. He shared the promotional video he recorded. We reject this vile murder. pic.twitter.com/1BeJILVGF6
The Secretary of Security of Valle del Cauca, Camilo Murcia, on behalf of the Government, announced a reward of up to 50 million pesos to clarify the murder.Social groups say that he was committed to promoting the march on Thursday, February 24.
They killed STIVEN LOAIZA, a merchant who was part of the group of people who organized the march against violence this February 24, tonight they took his life, #SoSBuenaventurathey are killing us.
In this mobilization there would be a rejection against violence and social requests for Buenaventura. Citizen and business sectors say that the march will refer to the murders and insecurity and respect for life.
Read more news from Colombia
With a silencer they would have murdered a couple in Cali
AC
February 22, 2022, 04:30 AM
JV
Joseph Louis Valencia February 22, 2022, 04:30 AM
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A special group from the Directorate of Judicial Investigation -Dijin-, which arrived from Bogotá, assumed the investigation for the murder of businesswoman Alina Taboada Olmos.
Taboada Olmos, 65 years old, a native of Corozal (Sucre), owned the ‘Don Parrilla’ restaurant located on the Troncal de Occidente highway, on the road between the municipalities of Morroa and Corozal (Sucre), just 5 minutes from Sincelejo.
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His social works were recognized in Corozal
In the company of her husband, she bought and sold cattle, so they were regular visitors to the different auctions on the Caribbean Coast.
His social works were recognized in Corozal. There he helped the neediest people in the region. She was a member of a well-known family from Sucre.
(We invite you to read: Threatened teachers in Sucre must be transferred, ask the union)
The facts
Apparently, according to the authorities, several criminals who arrived from other cities, other than Sucre, entered a farm house located in the back of the “Don Parrilla” restaurant.
They said that they managed to handcuff the workers and Mrs. Alina’s husband, but she apparently panicked when she saw the assailants, who shot her three times.
The robbers took a Mazda vehicle. The woman was taken to a clinic, but she died as a result of her injuries.
(Also: They train pigeons to bring cell phones into the Cartagena prison)
Once informed of the situation, the governor of Sucre, Héctor Espinosa Oliver, presided over an extraordinary security council, with the aim of drawing up guidelines to find those responsible for the murder.
The council agreed to offer up to 90 million pesos for those who provide information that leads to the capture of those responsible for the act. The money is provided by the Government, the National Police and the Morroa Mayor’s Office.
They intensified controls of the entrances and departures from the department
Additionally, Major General Fernando Murillo Orrego, director of Criminal Investigation and Interpol of the National Police, said that three special groups arrive from Bogotá.
“Vida de la Dijin, in charge of investigating homicides, Patrimony, an expert in theft investigations, and another special team from the CTI of the Prosecutor’s Office, with approximately 20 units that will provide support to the public force in Sucre,” he reported.
For his part, the Secretary of the Interior of the department, Luis José Guerra Barrios, indicated that the perimeter controls of the entrances and exits of the department, as well as those of the municipality of Morroa, were intensified through joint patrols by the public force.
(You may be interested: Woman is accused of killing her 10-month-old son)
“We send a message of solidarity and condolences to the family of Mrs. Alina Taboada Olmos, as well as accompanying all the families of Sucre who have been victims of crime. We want to tell the people of Sucre that we are together and that the security forces will not rest until they find the whereabouts of the murderers,” said Guerra Barrios.
The security council was made up of Colonel Andrés Correa, commander of the Sucre Police; Évert Mejía, commander of the Marine Infantry Brigade No. 1; Juan José Guzmán, commander of the 14th Infantry Battalion; Francisco Salgado Juris, director of the Public Prosecutor’s Office; Indira Revollo, regional attorney, and Tonio Olmos, mayor of Morroa.
Francis Xavier Barrios Special for WEATHER sincelejo
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The two men who were arrested for the alleged kidnapping of spa ownerhis son and his grandson, will now also have to answer for the murder of the last two.
The bodies of Javier Mauricio Palomino, 45, and his son Juan Fernando Palomino Zuluaga, 26, were found in a common grave on the banks of the Cajambre River, in the rural area of Buenaventura (Valle del Cauca), on the 10th of February.
(You can read: ‘Don’t kill us more children, please’: the cry of a family in Cali)
The kidnapping took place at the location in Zabaletas, jurisdiction of Buenaventura, on June 6, 2021.
Aliases ‘Camacholis’ and aliases ‘Care Trapo’, accused of belonging to the ‘Jaime Martínez’ criminal group, of the Farc dissidents that operate in this region of the country, the Prosecutor charged them as alleged co-authors of the crimes kidnapping and aggravated homicide. They did not accept charges.
According to the evidence collected by the investigating body, they would be responsible for the kidnapping and subsequent murder of the Palominos.
The three victims were tied hand and foot and put on a boat stationed on the Zabaletas River.
(You may be interested in: Controversy over another motorcyclist who runs over a traffic guard in Cali)
According to the investigation, the defendants apparently communicated with the family of the kidnapped and demanded the payment of 200 million pesos for their release.
The family would have deposited 100 million pesos in a bank account, after which the criminals released the owner of the tourist establishment with the promise of sending the remaining 100 million to free his son and grandson. Once released, the man paid another 150 million. However, he never heard from the kidnappers or his relatives again. Only until last Thursday, February 10, when their bodies were found in a common grave.
they recaptured them
The Prosecutor’s Office clarified that ‘Camacholis’ and ‘Care Trapo’ had already been captured on October 4, 2021 during a registration and background check operation by CTI servers, together with marines from the National Navy in Zabaletas.
(We suggest: Esperanza Gómez denies relationship with a ‘webcam’ studio in Cali)
When they asked for their identity documents, the uniformed officers confirmed that they had a valid arrest warrant requested by the Police Gaula for the kidnapping of the owner of the spa, his son and his grandson.
But after the discovery of the lifeless bodies of two of the kidnapped, last weekend, the two men were recaptured in the Buenaventura District Prison by CTI servers together with units of the National Navy, after a judge issued the court order within the criminal process for the crime of the Palomino.
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Three people captured for drug trafficking and the dismantling of a line of sale were some of the results left by the operations that the Metropolitan Police of Cali carried out in different sectors of the commune 15 on Thursday afternoon.
In this way, the Police seeks to counteract crime and violence rates in this area of eastern Cali.
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The authorities detail that for these actions it was necessary to have the support of air and ground units accompanied by the Bell 407 ‘Halcón’ helicopter, as well as by the Remotely Manned Aerial System (Siart). Experts in vehicle identification, documentation and forensic art also participated.
Cultural and educational activities were also carried out
Photo:
Cali Metropolitan Police
The Metropolitan Police of Cali advanced an extensive deployment in commune 15.
Photo:
Cali Metropolitan Police
In the same way, motorized reactions participated, as well as units of the Gaula of Intelligence and Judicial Investigation that were in charge of tour the neighborhoods of the community.
(Also read: The boxer ‘Momo’ Romero revealed that he was injured during an alleged robbery)
Within this massive takeover of the sector, the ‘Los indios’ line of outlets was dismantled, which was dedicated to drug trafficking and whose monthly profit averaged $15 million.
In addition, three people were captured and nearly 1,000 grams of hallucinogens and machinery for making cigarettes were seized.
Neighborhood Police recover spaces in San Judas
The public force, through the Neighborhood Police, has managed to impact spaces in the San Judas neighborhood that were affected by drug use and criminal behavior.
The police institution assures that this work was carried out in a coordinated manner with community leaders and the commercial sector, which allows these spaces to be used again for sports and recreation.
This activity included the Prevention and Citizen Education group of the Police, which will also be in other parts of the city.
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The Ministry of Defense announced this Tuesday that there will be an increase in force in areas of Antioquia with the highest incidence of crime, to attack crime and reduce homicide rates in the department.
During a meeting in Bogotá with the governor of Antioquia, Aníbal Gaviria Correa, the president put on the table the issues of concern regarding security in the department and the actions that must be implemented to attack crime. Among them, it was agreed to strengthen capabilities in technology and mobility for the public force and a greater presence in the territory.
(You may be interested: Miners and peasants from Buriticá (Antioquia) went out to protest)
“Support was defined with an increase in foot force focused on regions of the department that are having a higher incidence of the presence of criminal groups,” said the governor.
For his part, Diego Molano, Minister of Defense, announced that “we have agreed to concentrate the efforts that Antioquia has in this plan with our Army and Police in the Northeast area.”
Molano indicated that the construction of the Pedro Justo Berrío battalion, in western Antioquia, is already in the budget of his portfolio and construction will begin during the first half of the year.
(Also read: Video: Family in Medellín had to leave their house escorted by the Police)
“The commitment of the national government and the Ministry of Defense to invest in the Pedro Justo Berrío battalion, in western Antioquia, was confirmed. A strategically located battalion and of which we hope to start works this first semester”, said, for his part, the governor.
On February 18, both the governor and the minister will be in the Southwest of the department to consolidate the “Safer Farm” strategy, which began in this area of the department, but would become a model.
Americans are witnessing — and have been increasingly victimized by — violent crime that has risen in much of the country since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, a worrisome trend that has continued this year in New Orleans, Louisiana, and other U.S. cities.
Soji Iledare was born and raised in Nigeria but now calls New Orleans home. He was out of town on Jan. 13 when a series of panicked text messages from neighbors alerted him that a shooter had unleashed a torrent of bullets on his block.
“I came home, and I found eight bullets had made it into our home,” Iledare told VOA on Wednesday. “During the pandemic, I spent most days in the downstairs room, studying and working. My dog would sit beside me on the couch, and that’s exactly where a bullet hit. I would have been right there, too.”
All occupants of Iledare’s home, including his dog, escaped harm. But many other Americans who have encountered violent crime haven’t been so lucky.
In 2020, homicides across the U.S. increased nearly 30% over 2019, the largest one-year jump since the FBI began keeping records. In 2021, according to the Washington-based Council on Criminal Justice, the national homicide rate increased 5% over 2020.
The situation seems even more severe in New Orleans, where data shows homicides and carjackings have far exceeded the national average.
“After the incident, I’m having a hard time even staying here,” Iledare said. “I have so much anxiety when I’m at home, feeling like I got so lucky the first time and might not again. When I have to be at home, I usually stay upstairs now. I just feel like I always have to be alert — like I can never relax.”
2022 off to a violent start
“I think most of our residents understand this is part of a national problem,” said New Orleans Councilmember Joe Giarrusso, speaking with VOA. “But I also understand that when people are affected by something at home, they don’t care about what’s going on in New York or Chicago or Miami. They want us to fix what’s happening right here, and they want us to do it now.”
New Orleans has struggled mightily to control violent crime. In 2021, homicides rose 80% and shootings doubled compared with 2019 figures. Carjackings have been a particular concern, rising 160% during that same period.
And carjackings appear to have gotten worse in the first month of 2022, with incidents up 60% compared with the same period last year.
“I know I need to continue to go about living my life,” said Mariana Rodrigues, who moved to New Orleans in March 2020, just as the coronavirus pandemic lockdown began. “But it’s hard when you read and hear all of these violent stories and you see they’re only happening a few blocks from where you live.”
New Orleans
A recent incident took place at a Costco gasoline station. A local woman was filling her tank in the afternoon when her vehicle was carjacked. She was dragged about 35 feet through the parking lot and was left with wounds to her head, abrasions down one side of her body, and fractures in her neck and hand.
“I’m nervous to go on walks at night,” Rodrigues said. “I feel like I’m looking over my shoulder every time I get in or out of my car. I’m scared to sit in my parking spot on my phone, or to be at a stoplight. It’s stressful.”
The city’s response
On Wednesday, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell held a press conference with Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson, outlining the police department’s plan to combat violent crime. The unveiling came one day after a city council member called for a change of leadership in the department.
“Now is not the time to demonstrate a lack of support for our police officers,” Cantrell said at the news conference. “Now is the time to lend the support needed so that they can again protect and serve and make those arrests.”
Superintendent Ferguson announced several strategies being considered to fight the city’s growing crime wave, such as designating a citywide unit to investigate violent crime or considering 12-hour patrol shifts to shorten 911 response times.
But Iledare said he wasn’t impressed.
“A press conference feels like empty calories,” he said. “Actions speak louder than words, so I’m waiting for action.”
On Tuesday, the mayor highlighted on social media the police’s successful arrest of three individuals suspected in an armed carjacking.
But Rodrigues wants to see more than a high-profile bust.
“This problem isn’t going to be solved overnight,” Rodrigues said, “so before there’s celebration, we’re going to need to see sustained evidence of arrests in quantities closer to the number of violent crimes being committed.”
Seeking solutions
Like many city governments across the country, the New Orleans City Council is hard at work implementing solutions to make the city safer, Councilmember Giarrusso said.
But he acknowledges the challenges are many.
“We have a budget here for 1,300 to 1,400 police officers in New Orleans,” he said. “But we currently have about 1,100 on the force. We’re starting at a disadvantage.”
At her press conference, however, Mayor Cantrell said that once the arrests are made, she’d like to see the criminal justice system crack down harder on those responsible for violent crime.
That’s something Iledare said he’d also like to see.
“There are all these crimes being reported, but you don’t see nearly as many stories about people being brought to justice,” he said. “But I think more appropriate sentencing could act as a real deterrent to criminals and maybe make people think twice in a way they’re not doing now.”
Officials such as Giarrusso say that in addition to finding short-term fixes, longer-term solutions are needed as well.
In the meantime, city residents continue to worry about their safety.
New Orleans bakery owner Carla Briggs often makes evening deliveries. Born and raised in this city, she said surging crime has put her “on high alert.”
“I’m definitely having to be a lot more aware than I’ve had to be in the past,” Briggs said, “and it’s stressful to have to live like that. Imagine being a child growing up in a neighborhood where you’re always dealing with that kind of stress.”
One recent crime shook her especially deeply. Three children — the youngest 11 — carjacked a vehicle. While trying to avoid the police, they crashed into a business.
The incident made Briggs think of her nephews, who are both about the same age.
“Maybe you’d wonder why those kids weren’t in school,” she told VOA. “Well, there are a lot of kids who are missing school right now because of coronavirus. Truancy has been a huge problem the last two years. Or maybe you’d wonder why their parents aren’t doing something about their kids. Well, maybe those parents are working multiple jobs to try to keep the family afloat. Or maybe some of the family’s income-earners lost their jobs or passed away during the pandemic.”
Briggs sees a multitude of systemic failures happening simultaneously.
“It’s not just a crime issue. It’s an education issue. It’s an economic issue. It’s a health care issue. And then, yeah, it’s a crime and policing and criminal justice issue, too. I think we’re just seeing these things that have always been here, and they’re all just colliding into each other during this unique, difficult time we’re living in.”
