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Zohran Mamdani lands key endorsement in New York City mayoral race

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It took nearly three months, but the top Democrat in New York state has finally endorsed New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani.
«New York City deserves a mayor who will stand up to Donald Trump and make life more affordable for New Yorkers. That’s @ZohranKMamdani,» New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Sunday evening in a social media post.
The governor’s endorsement is significant, as it may help Mamdani secure the backing of other key members of the party’s establishment. And it will likely put more pressure on two other top Democrats in New York State who are still withholding their backing of Mamdani – Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the top two Democratic Party leaders in Congress.
Mamdani, in a statement, said he was «grateful to the Governor for her support in unifying our party — as well as the work she’s done standing up to President Trump, securing free lunch meals for our kids, and expanding access to childcare.»
TRUMP REVEALS NEW NICKNAME FOR MAMDANI
New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul on Sunday endorsed Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Party mayoral nominee in New York City. (Left: John Lamparski/Getty Images, Right: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Hochul announced her support for Mamdani, the 33-year-old democratic socialist state lawmaker from Queens who shocked the political world in June with his convincing win over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and nine other candidates to capture the Democratic Party’s mayoral nomination, in the New York Times.
«In the past few months, I’ve had frank conversations with him. We’ve had our disagreements,» the governor wrote. «But in our conversations, I heard a leader who shares my commitment to a New York where children can grow up safe in their neighborhoods and where opportunity is within reach for every family. I heard a leader who is focused on making New York City affordable — a goal I enthusiastically support.»
POLL POSITION: JUST HOW LARGE IS MAMDANI’S LEAD IN THE NYC MAYORAL RACE?
The Ugandan-born Mamdani, if elected, would become the first Muslim and first millennial mayor of the nation’s most populous city. He is the clear frontrunner in the latest public opinion polls in the mayoral race in the Democrat-dominated city.

New York City Democratic mayoral nominee, Zohran Mamdani, spoke to supporters at a canvass launch event in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. (Deirdre Heavey/Fox News Digital)
Mamdani is sitting on 22-point margin leads over Cuomo and the rest of the field in surveys released last week from Quinnipiac University and New York Times/Siena College. And a survey from Emerson University and the Hill also indicates Mamdani comfortably ahead by double digits.
CUOMO SHAKES UP CAMPAIGN IN BID TO TAKE DOWN MAMDANI
Guardian Angels co-founder Curtis Sliwa, who for a second straight election is the Republican mayoral nominee in the Democrat-dominated city, was a distant third in the polls, with embattled incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who is running as an independent after deciding to skip the Democratic primary amid anemic polling, further down in fourth place.
Both Sliwa and Adams have repeatedly committed to staying in the race in recent weeks amid multiple reports that Trump’s advisors floated administration roles for both mayoral hopefuls if they dropped out.

New York City mayoral candidates, from left to right, Democratic Party nominee Zohran Mamdani, Mayor Eric Adams, who is running as an independent, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is also running as an independent, and Republican Party nominee Curtis Sliwa. (Getty Images)
Mamdani surged to the Democratic primary victory thanks to an energetic campaign that put a major focus on affordability and New York City’s high cost of living. It was fueled by a grassroots army of supporters and backing from top national progressive champions, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
Mamdani made smart use of social media platforms, including TikTok, as he engaged low-propensity voters. He proposed eliminating fares to ride New York City’s vast bus system, making CUNY (City University of New York) «tuition-free,» freezing rents on municipal housing, offering «free childcare» for children up to age 5 and setting up government-run grocery stores.
Mamdani has been heavily criticized by his rivals for his past critical comments of the New York City Police Department (NYPD), and his proposal to shift certain responsibilities away from the NYPD and focus on social services and community-based program.
Hochul said that in her conversations with Mamdani she made «it very clear that our police officers should have every resource to keep our streets and subways safe. I urged him to ensure that there is strong leadership at the helm of the N.Y.P.D. — and he agreed.»
The governor also addressed Mamdani’s past critical comments about Israel.
«We discussed the need to combat the rise of antisemitism urgently and unequivocally. I’ve been glad to see him meet with Jewish leaders across the city, listening and addressing their concerns directly,» Hochul said.
Hochul’s endorsement may not only benefit Mamdani, but could also help the governor shore up support from the Democrats’ progressive base as she seeks re-election next year.
Mamdani praised Hochul for her focus on tackling affordability.
«I look forward to fighting alongside her to continue her track record of putting money back in New Yorkers’ pockets and building a safer and stronger New York City where no one is forced to leave just so they can afford to raise a family,» he said.
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But Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, a top Trump ally who is expected later this year to launch a 2026 run for governor, took aim at Hochul.
«At the exact moment when New Yorkers are looking for strong leadership from their Governor with a majority opposing Zohran Mamdani, Kathy Hochul embraces this raging Communist who will destroy New York making it less affordable and more dangerous – once again putting criminals and communists first, and New Yorkers LAST,» Stefanik argued in a statement.
zohran mamdani,kathy hochul,andrew cuomo,ericadams,donald trump,new york city,2025 2026 elections coverage,elections
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Alliance with US ‘dismantled’ by leftist Petro regime, Colombia’s former defense minister says

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Former Colombian Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzón warned that the once-close U.S.–Colombia alliance has «collapsed» under President Gustavo Petro, accusing the leftist leader of aligning with Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro and turning Colombia into a «narco-state.»
Pinzón, who is weighing a presidential run, told Fox News Digital he could «repair U.S.-Colombian relations in a week» and urged international oversight of Colombia’s May elections amid what he called growing cartel influence and political corruption.
«Petro has made himself an ally to [Venezuelan dictator Nicolás] Maduro’s regime, a narco-state, and a regime that is held mainly by the Cartel de los Soles,» Pinzón said. «He has justified the existence of drug trafficking in Colombia … he has aligned himself with the idea of something that he calls ‘Total Peace,’ which implies that he’s providing benefits to drug traffickers and terrorist organizations and in general terms to organized crime.»
Relations between Washington and Bogotá — historically one of the closest U.S. security partnerships in Latin America — have deteriorated sharply under Petro, who has sought warmer ties with Caracas while distancing Colombia from the U.S. and Western allies.
TRUMP DOUBLES DOWN ON COLOMBIA CRACKDOWN, CALLS PETRO ‘LUNATIC,’ VOWS TO END ALL US PAYMENTS OVER DRUGS
Colombia’s former defense chief and Ambassador to the U.S. Juan Carlos Pinzon (right) floats a run for the presidency. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
During his tenure as defense minister from 2011 to 2015 under President Juan Manuel Santos, Pinzón oversaw some of Colombia’s most aggressive operations against the FARC and other armed groups, helping drive coca production and kidnappings to historic lows. As ambassador to Washington from 2015 to 2017, he helped secure Colombia’s designation as a major non-NATO ally, expanding intelligence sharing and military training programs with the U.S. — partnerships he now says have been «dismantled» under Petro.
Under Petro’s «Total Peace» policy, the Colombian government negotiates directly with armed criminal groups in an effort to end decades of internal conflict and integrate fighters into civilian life. Critics, including Pinzón, say the initiative has legitimized cartels and weakened the country’s security forces.
«Homicide has gone up, terrorist actions have gone up, kidnappings have gone up, and the killing of police officers and military is increasing,» he said. «All this is very bad for my country. And this is why I’m so committed to fight this, to confront this.»
TRUMP ADMIN REVOKES COLOMBIAN PRESIDENT’S VISA OVER ALLEGED ‘RECKLESS AND INCENDIARY ACTIONS’

President Donald Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro. (Getty Images)
Pinzón, who previously served as both defense minister and ambassador to Washington, is positioning himself as a pro-U.S. alternative ahead of Colombia’s 2026 presidential race. «I might announce a decision in the coming weeks,» he said. «That’s something that I’m really considering.»
He also called for international election monitoring, warning that criminal networks could interfere in the vote. «If I were to ask something to the world today and to the international community — to the U.S., to the European Union, and even to countries in Asia — it’s that they make sure Colombian elections are not tainted by drug trafficking, illegal mining or terrorist hands,» Pinzón said.
After a recent spat where Petro accused the U.S. of killing a Colombian fisherman in one of its seven Caribbean strikes targeting drug traffickers, Trump announced he would cut off all counter-narcotics aid to Colombia and hike tariffs on the nation.
Pinzón urged Washington not to punish ordinary Colombians for Petro’s policies.
«It’s not regular Colombians who are doing this,» he said. «Most of us completely disagree with what is going on under Petro. We don’t want to see tariffs that can affect jobs and businesses in Colombia.»
While he praised Trump’s stance against narco-trafficking and corruption, Pinzón said he hopes the U.S. will avoid cutting counternarcotics aid, which he described as vital to Colombia’s military and police forces on the front lines of the drug war. «Our military and police are the real fighters against drugs,» he said. «They continue to sacrifice, they continue to confront terrorism and drug trafficking. If that support disappears, it’s the criminals who are going to benefit.»
Instead, Pinzón said Washington should focus on targeted financial sanctions — such as those imposed by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) — to hit specific traffickers, corrupt officials and their enablers rather than imposing measures that «hurt regular Colombians.» «We would prefer OFAC-style sanctions on the people committing crimes,» he said, «not policies that punish those who oppose Petro’s agenda.»
Looking ahead to potential ties with Washington, Pinzón said he could quickly rebuild the partnership through renewed security and intelligence cooperation, technology exchange and educational programs.

«Petro has made himself an ally to Maduro’s regime, a narco-state, and a regime that is held mainly by the Cartel de los Soles,» Pinzón said. (LUIS ACOSTA/AFP via Getty Images)
TRUMP GOES ALL-OUT AGAINST COLOMBIA’S PETRO AFTER CLAIMS DRUG STRIKE KILLED FISHERMAN: WHAT WE KNOW
«I will just come to the U.S., speak openly and clearly with President Trump and the U.S. leadership, and speak on the need of creating a security agreement again on intelligence, on air mobility, on technology, on combating drug trade, but also on critical minerals and education,» he said. «We want more Colombians to come to U.S. schools and enhance their capabilities and come back to Colombia to create knowledge, wealth and prosperity. We’re going to be again the closest ally of the United States strategically in the region.»
If Colombia continues on its current course, Pinzón warned, it could destabilize the entire hemisphere. «Colombia is a stabilizer at the end,» he said. «If Colombia fails, the whole region will fail.»
Asked if he would seek U.S. backing, Pinzón said he values bipartisan support. «Everybody knows that I will have a very good relationship with the United States, certainly with the current administration, with President Trump,» he said.
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Pinzón also accused Petro of «abandoning» Colombian citizens during a diplomatic spat with Washington after refusing deportation flights from the U.S. because the migrants were shackled. He said he would cooperate on deportations and be open to broader agreements if asked.
«When Afghanistan fell, we offered the U.S. even to take care of some of the Afghanis if necessary,» Pinzón said. «When you have a strong relationship as the one we used to have between Colombia and the U.S., and we will have if I can get to the presidency, what we’re going to see is a lot of good coordination and a lot of good things for both the people of Colombia and the people of the United States.»
Fox News Digital reached out to the Colombian Embassy for comment but did not receive a response before publication.
latin america,foreign policy,venezuelan political crisis
INTERNACIONAL
Hamas entregó hasta ahora los cuerpos de 13 rehenes: quiénes son los cautivos cuyos restos aún están en Gaza

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INTERNACIONAL
Una heladera, una TV, un teléfono y las «serenatas» de otros presos: así es la minúscula celda donde encarcelaron a Nicolas Sarkozy en pleno corazón de París

El martes 21 de octubre, Nicolas Sarkozy marcó un hito en la historia de Francia: se convirtió en el primer expresidente en ser encarcelado desde el final de la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Condenado a cinco años de prisión efectiva por financiar una campaña con dinero del dictador libio Gadafi, el exmandatario enfrentará su detención en el sector de aislamiento de la famosa prisión de la Santé, en pleno corazón de París.
Ubicada en el XIV arrondissement, entre la Place d’Italie y la Gare Montparnasse, la Santé es la única cárcel dentro de la ciudad. Allí, Sarkozy será alojado en una celda de 9 m² en el área de mayor seguridad del penal, un sector reservado para los detenidos considerados “vulnerables” o de alto perfil.
Leé también: Así fue el ingreso de Sarkozy a la cárcel: la despedida de Carla Bruni y el deseo de llevar dos libros
Pocos lujos: así son por dentro las celdas de máxima seguridad de La Santé. (Foto: AFP).
Un régimen de aislamiento total y vigilancia permanente
El sector de aislamiento de la Santé es conocido por su seguridad extrema. Los internos permanecen completamente solos en sus celdas y, cuando salen para una breve caminata o para hacer algo de ejercicio, lo hacen sin compañía. Incluso en la biblioteca, la rutina es en soledad absoluta.
La senadora ecologista Anne Souyris visitó el lugar y describió el protocolo al sitio FranceInfo: “Cuando abren la celda, hay una trampa en la puerta. Los presos deben sacar las manos para que los esposen. Es realmente muy seguro”. La Santé es la única cárcel dentro de París. (Foto: AFP/Boris Horvat).
Las celdas son pequeñas, de apenas 9 metros cuadrados. Tienen una pequeña heladera, una cocina eléctrica rodeada de humedad, una televisión y un teléfono fijo en la pared.
El mobiliario es básico: una cama y, a veces, un colchón en el suelo para un segundo interno. Las condiciones, según los propios presos, dejan mucho que desear: “El problema es la ventilación de la ducha y la cocina. Las paredes se hinchan”, contó uno de ellos.

Una pequeña heladera, una cocina eléctrica y un teléfono fijo en la pared. Así es la celda donde detuvieron a Sarkozy. (Foto: gentileza France Info).
Sobrepoblación, violencia y un pasado de figuras polémicas
La Santé está sobrepoblada: aloja a 1237 detenidos, aunque su capacidad es de solo 657. Apenas una treintena de internos, menos del 3%, son considerados “vulnerables”, como Sarkozy.
Por el penal pasaron otros políticos famosos en Francia: Patrick Balkany, Claude Guéant, Bernard Tapie, el cantante Jean-Luc Lahaye y hasta el exjefe policial Michel Neyret.
Neyret, que estuvo ocho meses en aislamiento, recordó: “Las primeras noches, cada media hora te despiertan y prenden la luz para ver si no tenés pensamientos suicidas. Después, vienen las ‘serenatas’ de los otros presos, que gritan tu nombre toda la noche. Es el recibimiento que seguramente le espera a Sarkozy”.

Sarkozy será detenido en un sector para presos considerados «vulnerables». (Foto: gentileza France Info).
El clima puede ser hostil. Muchos internos seguramente no habrán olvidado las declaraciones del expresidente, que había prometido “limpiar la escoria con una hidrolavadora” o propuso la castración química para violadores. “Eso no le cayó bien a nadie. Nos sentíamos tratados como animales”, dijo un preso.
Leé también: Condenaron al expresidente Nicolás Sarkozy por financiar su campaña con dinero del dictador libio Gadafi
Privilegios, rutina y la posibilidad de libertad anticipada
A pesar del aislamiento, Sarkozy tendrá acceso a los mismos servicios que el resto de los internos de ese sector: tres visitas semanales, un teléfono fijo en la celda y dos salidas diarias al patio.
Sin embargo, la rutina es monótona y el tiempo pasa lento. “No hay actividades, solo una hora de deporte y una hora y media de paseo”, explicó Pierre Botton, un exempresario que estuvo dos veces en la Santé. Nicolás Sarkozy junto a su esposa, la modelo y cantante Carla Bruni. (Foto: AFP/Julien De Rosa).
Desde el primer día, el expresidente podrá pedir la libertad provisional ante la Cámara de Apelaciones. El tribunal tendrá hasta dos meses para responder.
Minutos antes de despedirse de su esposa, la cantante y modelo Carla Bruni, y de entregarse esta mañana, Sarkozy escribió en la red social X: “Esta mañana encierran a un inocente”. Denunció un “escándalo judicial” y un “viacrucis”, y aseguró: “La verdad triunfará, pero el precio a pagar habrá sido abrumador”.

Policías vigilan la cárcel de La Santé a la espera de la llegada de Nicolás Sarkozy. (Foto: REUTERS/Christian Hartmann).
Días atrás, contó al diario Le Figaro que entraría a la cárcel “con la cabeza alta”, acompañado por una biografía de Jesús y el clásico libro “El Conde de Montecristo”, símbolo de los inocentes injustamente condenados. Hojas para matar la soledad.
Nicolas Sarkozy, Francia, Cárceles, París
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