INTERNACIONAL
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy sentenced to five years in Libya corruption case
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Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy in a scheme to finance his 2007 presidential campaign with Libyan funds, the Associated Press reported Thursday.
The ruling marks the first time in modern French history that a former president will serve time behind bars.
The court in Paris said Sarkozy, 70, would not be taken into custody immediately, but will begin serving his sentence on a date to be determined later.
FRANCE’S MACRON NAMES CENTRIST ALLY BAYROU AS NEXT PRIME MINISTER
Judges found Sarkozy guilty of criminal association between 2005 and 2007, when he was interior minister, for permitting close aides to seek campaign money from Libya in exchange for diplomatic favors. (Christophe Ena/ AP)
«If they absolutely want me to sleep in prison, I will sleep in prison. But with my head held high. I am innocent. This injustice is a scandal,» Sarkozy said outside the courthouse with his wife, singer and model Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, according to AP.
«What they humiliated today is France,» he insisted.
The panel of judges found Sarkozy guilty of criminal association between 2005 and 2007, when he served as interior minister.
He was also found guilty of permitting close aides to seek campaign money from Libya in exchange for diplomatic favors and during the rule of late dictator Muammar Gaddafi.
He was however acquitted of three other charges, including passive corruption and illegal campaign financing.
FRENCH RIGHT-WING LEADER MARINE LE PEN FOUND GUILTY OF EMBEZZLING PUBLIC FUNDS, BARRED FROM RUNNING FOR OFFICE
Nicolas Sarkozy, left, and Libyan leader Col. Moammar Gadhafi in 2007 at the Elysee Palace, in Paris. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
In court, chief judge, Nathalie Gavarino also said the conspiracy aimed «to prepare an act of corruption at the highest possible level in the event that you were elected President of the Republic,» AP reported.
She also described the facts as «exceptionally serious» and damaging to public trust in democratic institutions.
Sarkozy, who led France from 2007 to 2012, had rejected the allegations during the three-month trial, calling them an «idea» pushed by aides without his approval.
«I am being convicted for supposedly allowing my staff to pursue the idea – the idea of illegal financing,» he said.
Two of Sarkozy’s longtime allies were also convicted Thursday.
SOCIAL MEDIA REACTS TO TRUMP ‘DOMINATING WORLD LEADERS’ WITH MACRON HANDSHAKE DURING MEETING IN FRANCE
A Paris court sentenced former French President Nicolas Sarkozy to five years in prison. (Thibault Camus/AP)
Former Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux received a two-year sentence to be served under electronic monitoring.
Claude Guéant, Sarkozy’s ex-chief of staff, was sentenced to six years in prison but spared immediate incarceration for health reasons.
Judges said the men had secretly met with Libyan intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senoussi, brother-in-law of Moammar Gadhafi, as part of a «corruption pact.»
The court also noted it could not prove Libyan funds directly reached Sarkozy’s campaign but said French law allows conviction if corrupt intent is established, even without a financial transfer.
Sarkozy has since vowed to appeal.
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The case traces back to 2011, when Libyan officials claimed Tripoli funneled millions of euros to Sarkozy’s campaign.
He has also faced multiple legal battles since leaving office, including separate convictions for corruption and illegal campaign financing.
europe,france,crime world,corruption
INTERNACIONAL
Two IDF soldiers killed amid ‘severe’ ceasefire violation, ‘it’s not the last,’ analyst says
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Two Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers were killed by terror operatives in Rafah, southern Gaza, threatening the ceasefire with Hamas, Israeli military sources confirmed to Fox News Digital on Sunday.
The soldiers, Major Yaniv Kula, 26, a company commander in the 932nd Battalion of the Nahal Brigade, and Staff Sergeant Itay Yavetz, 21, a combat soldier in the same battalion, were both based in Modi’in-Maccabim-Reut.
According to the initial IDF investigation, a militant cell had emerged from a tunnel and fired at an excavation vehicle, killing the two soldiers. A reserve soldier was also severely wounded and evacuated to a hospital, per The Times of Israel.
According to Professor Kobi Michael, senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) and the Misgav Institute, the attack showed the fragility of the ceasefire deal.
ISRAEL SAYS HAMAS VIOLATED CEASEFIRE WITH ‘MULTIPLE ATTACKS’ LEADING TO IDF RESPONSE
Major Yaniv Kula was killed by Palestinian terror operatives in IDF-controlled southern Gaza’s Rafah city on Oct. 19 (IDF)
«Today’s violation of the agreement was severe,» Michael said. «I assume that this is not going to be the last one,» he told Fox News Digital.
«Israel complies [with President Trump’s] plan and wants to continue with the realization of the plan,» he said.
«This agreement was violated since the first day by Hamas,» Michael added. «And it continued with their behavior with regard to the hostages, the dead hostages.»
«All the manipulation that they are doing plays on the nerves of Israeli society,» he continued, saying the terror group is «making themselves as if they are not able… to find the bodies where everybody knows that they can.»
STATE DEPARTMENT WARNS HAMAS MAY VIOLATE CEASEFIRE WITH ATTACK ON PALESTINIAN CIVILIANS
Staff Sergeant Itay Yavetz was killed by Palestinian terror operatives in IDF-controlled southern Gaza’s Rafah city on Oct. 19. (IDF)
Michael detailed how the first violation came immediately after the redeployment of the IDF along the so-called Yellow Line, «when Hamas first sent [civilian] children in order to provoke the IDF, in order to check if the IDF is aware enough and ready enough.»
«And then they sent militants of Hamas, and some of them were even killed along the yellow line,» he said.
«They continue reconstituting themselves and attacking the IDF by using the tunnels, using the shafts going out, because they now feel much freer, because the IDF left the populated area,» he explained.
Michael also cited Hamas’ «butchering» of civilians «because they suspect that they collaborated with Israel, or because they are afraid that these hamulas or clans might oppose them in the future… and weaken them.»
ISRAELI TROOPS ‘OPEN FIRE’ ON SUSPECTS WHO APPROACHED SOLDIERS IN NORTHERN GAZA
Terrorists in the central Gaza town of Deir al-Balah celebrate the ceasefire on Jan. 19, 2025. (TPS-IL)
In response to Sunday’s attack, the IDF launched air and ground strikes across southern Gaza.
«The IDF also struck and dismantled six kilometers of underground terrorist infrastructure, using over 120 munitions. The underground site was used by the terrorist organization to advance attacks against the State of Israel,» it said in a statement.
«The IDF will continue to respond firmly and will operate to eliminate any threat to the State of Israel,» it said.
Israel simultaneously announced a suspension of all humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
Michael warned that Hamas has no intention of dismantling itself and cooperating with the plan when it comes to demilitarizing the Gaza Strip and establishing a mechanism of alternative governance.
«Hamas is still using the tunnels, and intends to reconstruct the tunnels that were destroyed by Israel, because they intend to continue the war against Israel,» he said.
STATE DEPARTMENT WARNS HAMAS MAY VIOLATE CEASEFIRE WITH ATTACK ON PALESTINIAN CIVILIANS
Suspected terrorists in Gaza come out of hiding as ceasefire for hostages deal gets underway in Gaza’s Deir al-Balah area. (Majdi Fathi/TPS-IL)
He said that the militant organization has been rebuilding its ranks and reasserting control in the Strip.
«They immediately recruited [thousands] of people and deployed them and are butchering their own people,» Michael said.
«They do not intend to give up on their position and influence in the Gaza Strip. They do not accept the idea of dismantling themselves. And they do not accept the idea that a foreign force or board will govern the Gaza Strip,» he concluded.
The incident comes just days after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, which took effect Oct. 10, temporarily halted the two-year war between Israel and Hamas.
Under the deal, hostages were released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, and a ceasefire was declared.
Later on Sunday, the IDF announced the resumption of the ceasefire, following retaliatory strikes.
ISRAEL’S COVERT CAMPAIGN TARGETS HAMAS TERRORISTS BEHIND OCT 7 MASSACRE
IDF soldiers salute during a memorial ceremony marking two years since the Oct. 7 attack on Nahal Oz base. (IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)
«In accordance with the directive of the political echelon and following a series of significant strikes in response to Hamas’ violations, the IDF has begun the renewed enforcement of the ceasefire,» a statement read.
«The IDF will continue to uphold the ceasefire agreement and will respond firmly to any violation of it,» the military added.
In a statement, Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon said: «Earlier today, two IDF soldiers, Maj. Yaniv Kula and Staff Sgt. Itay Yavetz, were killed by Hamas terrorists in Rafah in what was a flagrant violation of the ceasefire agreement.»
«We mourn their loss and send our condolences to their families. Israel has abided by the terms of the ceasefire agreement, but we will make it clear to Hamas terrorists that the IDF will do whatever it takes to protect Israel’s security,» Danon added.
Michael, meanwhile, predicted delays in reopening the Rafah Crossing, a critical entry point for aid and movement.
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«I don’t think Rafah Crossing will open tomorrow,» he said. «It will take several days until it is opened,» he said.
israel,middle east,wars,conflicts
Los ataques
Trump dice que Ucrania podría tener que ceder territorio para la paz
Residentes cerca de su edificio de apartamentos, alcanzado por un ataque con drones rusos, en medio del ataque de Rusia contra Ucrania, en la ciudad de Shakhtarske, en la región de Dnipropetrovsk, Ucrania. Foto ReutersINTERNACIONAL
Donald Trump acusó a Gustavo Petro de ser un líder narco y suspendió toda ayuda financiera a Colombia
El presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, acusó este domingo a su homólogo colombiano, Gustavo Prieto, de ser “un líder del narcotráfico” y anunció el fin de la ayuda financiera a Colombia por su supuesta inacción en la lucha contra este flagelo.
“El presidente colombiano Gustavo Petro es un líder del narcotráfico que incentiva la producción masiva de drogas, tanto en campos grandes como pequeños, por toda Colombia. Se ha convertido, con diferencia, en el mayor negocio de Colombia, y Petro no hace nada para detenerlo, a pesar de los pagos y subsidios a gran escala de EE.UU.”, indicó Trump en Truth Social.
Leé también: Israel advirtió que Hamas “pagará un alto precio por cada disparo y cada violación del alto el fuego”
La acusación coincidió con el anuncio de un nuevo ataque estadounidense a una embarcación supuestamente de narcotraficantes en el Caribe y que el Pentágono vinculó al Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN) de Colombia.
“A partir de hoy, estos pagos, o cualquier otra forma de pago o subsidio, dejarán de hacerse a Colombia. El propósito de esta producción de drogas es la venta masiva de productos a Estados Unidos, causando muerte, destrucción y estragos”, añadió el mandatario estadounidense.
Además, amenazó con que si Petro no cerraba “estos campos de exterminio de inmediato”, Estados Unidos “se los cerrará”.
La respuesta de Gustavo Petro
El mandatario colombiano reaccionó en X y aseguró que su par estadounidense “está engañado” por sus asesores.
“Le recomiendo a Trump leer bien a Colombia y determinar en qué parte están los narcos y en qué parte están los demócratas”, añadió.
El presidente colombiano, Gustavo Petro (Foto: REUTERS/Yves Herman)
Washington retiró el mes pasado a Colombia la condición de país aliado en la lucha contra el narcotráfico. Se trata de una certificación por la que recibía cientos de millones de dólares de Estados Unidos.
Colombia es el país sudamericano que más ayuda financiera recibe de Washington, según datos del gobierno estadounidense, con más de 740 millones de dólares desembolsados en 2023, el último año del que se dispone de información completa.
Leé también: Israel bombardeó el sur de la Franja de Gaza tras un presunto ataque de Hamas y peligra el acuerdo de paz
La mitad de estos pagos se destina a la lucha contra las drogas. El resto apoya programas humanitarios y alimentarios.
“Yo respeto la historia, la cultura y los pueblos de los EEUU. No son enemigos míos (…) El problema es con Trump, no con los EEUU”, dijo Petro.
Esta decisión se produce además en medio del “conflicto armado” que Estados Unidos declaró recientemente contra el narcotráfico, y que incluyó el bombardeo de hasta seis supuestas embarcaciones de narcotraficantes en el mar Caribe.
El despliegue de Estados Unidos en el Caribe, que comenzó en agosto bajo la justificación de combatir el narcotráfico cerca de las costas de Venezuela, incluye el empleo de aviones y naves por parte del país norteamericano.
Sin embargo, causó una tensión creciente entre Washington y el Gobierno de Nicolás Maduro, que ve la operación como el preludio de un posible ataque contra el país.
Nuevo ataque en el Caribe
La acusación se conoció en momentos en que Estados Unidos llevó a cabo otro ataque contra una embarcación presuntamente cargada de drogas en aguas internacionales, en el que murieron tres “narcoterroristas”, dijo el secretario de Defensa estadounidense, Pete Hegseth.
El ataque, perpetrado el viernes, tuvo como objetivo una embarcación afiliada a la guerrilla colombiana ELN que “navegaba por una ruta conocida de narcotráfico y transportaba cantidades sustanciales de narcóticos”, dijo Hegseth en X.
No especificó dónde se produjo el ataque, pero indicó que la embarcación operaba en una zona supervisada por el Comando Sur, que opera las operaciones militares estadounidenses en Latinoamérica.
Este es el último ataque estadounidense conocido desde que en agosto Washington desplegara buques de guerra en aguas internacionales del Caribe con el argumento de frenar el tráfico de drogas hacia Estados Unidos.
(Con información de AFP y EFE)
Colombia, Donald Trump, Gustavo Petro
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