INTERNACIONAL
‘Wave of freedom’ sweeps Latin America as Trump ally takes fight to Marxist terror group
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UNITED NATIONS — Colombian Vice President José Manuel Restrepo said his country is embracing President Donald Trump’s push for a new security alliance across the Western Hemisphere, but drew a clear line on the role American forces would play inside Colombia, telling Fox News Digital that Colombian troops — not U.S. forces — will carry out operations against the country’s armed groups.
Restrepo spoke with Fox News Digital in an on-camera interview days after joining Trump and other regional leaders at a Shield of the Americas meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, where Trump called the initiative the «largest and most powerful alliance for economic and national security ever to convene in the Western Hemisphere.»
Trump urged members to treat what he called «narco terrorists» as common threats and impose sanctions on U.S.-designated terrorist organizations.
Restrepo said he personally discussed the region’s changing political and security landscape with Trump. The shift in Colombia comes amid a broader political realignment across Latin America, with De La Espriella’s June victory adding Colombia to a group of countries including Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Bolivia and Panama that have moved to the right, fueled in part by voter concerns over crime, economic weakness and political instability.
TRUMP ALLY ‘EL TIGRE’ SWORN IN AS COLOMBIA’S NEW PRESIDENT AMID CONTINENT’S RIGHTWARD SHIFT
President Donald Trump, center, Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader, second from left, Argentina’s President Javier Milei, El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, Guyana’s President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Costa Rica’s President Rodrigo Chaves Robles, Bolivia’s President Rodrigo Paz and Chile’s President-elect Jose Antonio Kast pose for a family photo during the Shield of the Americas» Summit in Doral, Fla., on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)
«There is a wave of freedom, a wave of democracy, a wave of free market. … There is a new momentum for the region and we have to take advantage of that momentum. That’s what I said to President Trump,» Restrepo told Fox News Digital. «If we want to keep and preserve democracy in the region, the Shield of the Americas is going to be the best opportunity to do it.»
Asked what Trump told him, Restrepo said the president agreed and expressed respect for Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella.
«Colombia is a new partner. In my opinion, it’s one of the most important partners for the United States in the region,» Restrepo said.
That partnership is already being tested in the fight against drug trafficking and armed groups.
WHITE HOUSE HIGHLIGHTS ‘STEEPEST’ EVER DECLINE IN US CASUALTIES FROM CARTELS AMID BOAT STRIKES
A police officer stands guard on a street following a military operation against the drug-related armed group Conquering Self Defense Forces of the Sierra Nevada (ACSN) in Santa Marta, Colombia on September 23, 2026. Colombia’s President Abelardo de la Espriella sent troops into Santa Marta after an armed group attacked shops and burnt vehicles across the Caribbean city, he announced on September 22, 2026. The chaos followed an earlier announcement by the president that authorities had killed 13 members of the self-styled Conquering Self Defense Forces of the Sierra Nevada (ACSN), an armed group which controls cocaine trafficking routes. (Marco Perdomo / AFP via Getty Images)
In August, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Colombia had authorized «joint military operations to destroy terrorists and terror networks» and told reporters that Washington had discussed possible joint strikes against groups including the National Liberation Army, or ELN, which the U.S. designates as a terrorist organization, and remnants of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.
«Designated terrorist organizations, with partnered governments, will be legitimate targets of the United States government,» including in Colombia, Hegseth said when asked whether such operations were expected, according to Reuters.
But when pressed by Fox News Digital on whether joint U.S.-Colombian strikes remained an option, Restrepo appeared to narrow the scope of direct American involvement.
«The United States helps us on security, helps us information, helps us on technology, but the public forces of Colombia are those who are going to act in those places,» he said.
US FORCES OBLITERATE SUSPECTED ‘NARCO-TERRORIST’ VESSEL IN LETHAL EASTERN PACIFIC STRIKE, KILLING 3
Colombian president Abelardo De La Espriella takes part during an event announcing the new military chiefs for his government at the Jose Maria Cordova Military Cadets Academy in Bogota, Colombia August 26, 2026. (Sebastian Barros/Long Visual Press/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Asked specifically whether Colombia would have the «boots on the ground,» Restrepo replied: «We will have our group, our public forces on the ground.»
The tougher posture comes as Colombia confronts renewed violence from armed and drug-trafficking groups. This week, De La Espriella ordered the military into Santa Marta after the Autodefensas Conquistadoras de la Sierra Nevada, an illegal armed group involved in drug trafficking, responded to the killing of one of its senior leaders with an «armed strike,» threats, roadblocks and attacks that left businesses shuttered and public transportation disrupted. More than 500 soldiers and 600 police officers were deployed, according to the Colombian presidency.
The new government is also seeking to reverse former President Gustavo Petro’s «total peace» policy, which pursued negotiations with several armed organizations. Before taking office, De La Espriella announced that he would dismantle key elements of the policy and reactivate arrest warrants against members of illegal armed groups.
Restrepo went further, accusing the former government of creating «the idea of impunity» and saying the new administration instead intends to confront groups it considers terrorists.
US, SHIELD OF THE AMERICAS CONDEMN ‘ONGOING EFFORTS’ TO OVERTHROW BOLIVIA’S ELECTED PRESIDENT AMID UNREST
Firefighters extinguish a fire in a burnt truck following a military operation by the Colombian Army against the drug-related armed group Conquering Self Defense Forces of the Sierra Nevada (ACSN) in Santa Marta, Colombia on September 22, 2026. Colombia’s President Abelardo de la Espriella sent troops into Santa Marta after an armed group attacked shops and burnt vehicles across the Caribbean city, he announced on September 22, 2026. The chaos followed an earlier announcement by the president that authorities had killed 13 members of the self-styled Conquering Self Defense Forces of the Sierra Nevada (ACSN), an armed group which controls cocaine trafficking routes. (Idinael Fernandez / AFP via Getty Images)
He said that when the new government took office, «around 30%» of Colombia’s regions lacked effective territorial control — a figure Fox News Digital has not independently verified — and said the administration was seeking to regain those areas through stronger security forces, intelligence gathering, drug eradication and extraditions.
Restrepo also argued that the same security debate should extend to the United Nations, where Colombia used its General Assembly address this week to call for reforms and an international definition of terrorism. The UN has had a global counterterrorism strategy since 2006, but member states have for decades failed to agree on a comprehensive international convention defining terrorism.
Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday also announced that the country was suspending all diplomatic relations with Iran.
«This sovereign decision aligns with the pillars guiding the Government’s foreign policy regarding national and hemispheric security, as well as the fight against transnational crime, taking into account alleged links between the Iranian government and international terrorist groups and other narcoterrorist groups that threaten the country’s security,» the Ministry wrote in a statement posted to X.
MELANIA TRUMP’S HOME-COUNTRY LEADER RIPS UN ‘DOUBLE STANDARDS’ AS TRUMP PROMISE IS REVEALED
Colombian Vice President Jose Manuel Restrepo attends a Shield of the Americas event on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City, US, September 22, 2026. (Kylie Cooper/Reuters)
«I think this is a moment in which the United Nations have to reflect on its own future,» Restrepo told Fox News Digital, calling for greater efficiency and effectiveness as well as international agreement on terrorism.
«The only way to attain peace, which is one of the main objectives of the UN, is through confronting terrorism,» he said, arguing that countries need greater intelligence sharing, judicial cooperation and coordination.
With Secretary-General António Guterres set to leave office at the end of the year, Restrepo said the transition could offer the institution an opportunity to change.
«I think that the UN has a new moment and the UN has to take advantage of that opportunity,» he said.
Restrepo added that the institution also needed to address what he described as the inconsistent application of human rights standards.
Officials shared a video showing what appeared to be various weapons laid out on a table. (@FuerzasMilCol/X)
«Human rights should apply to all, regardless of political considerations,» Restrepo said. «Ideology cannot decide to whom we are going to apply or not human rights.»
colombia, united nations, national security, narco terror, south america, foreign policy
INTERNACIONAL
Cámara Salvadoreña de Turismo cierra su congreso con diez prioridades para orientar la agenda turística de 2027
El crecimiento de visitantes elevó las exigencias para hoteles, restaurantes, operadores y destinos de El Salvador. Con ese diagnóstico, la Cámara Salvadoreña de Turismo (CASATUR) cerró este martes su Congreso Anual de Turismo 2026, un espacio en el que empresarios y autoridades definieron 10 prioridades para trabajar el próximo año.
El encuentro reunió durante dos días a representantes de alojamiento, gastronomía, transporte turístico, agencias de viaje, tour operadores y guías, entre otros actores.
CASATUR abrió el debate para convertir el aumento de visitantes internacionales en mejores servicios, mayor articulación entre empresas.
La ministra de Turismo, Morena Valdez, destacó que uno de los principales desafíos consiste en mejorar la comunicación y la coordinación dentro de la cadena turística.
“Este congreso nos deja la gran lección de que nos tenemos que comunicar más todavía y sobre todo entre el sector privado”, afirmó al cierre de la actividad.
La funcionaria sostuvo que las empresas deben construir paquetes y rutas con mayor conexión entre territorios y negocios. “No solo verse como competencia, sino que conformar los destinos de manera más sólida”, señaló.
Como ejemplo, planteó que un hotel recomiende a operadores, restaurantes, sitios culturales y atractivos naturales para ampliar la estadía y el gasto de los visitantes.
Las diez propuestas apuntan a elevar el valor de la oferta turística
Las recomendaciones definidas durante el congreso buscan orientar el trabajo del sector privado y el diálogo con las instituciones públicas durante 2027.
El objetivo planteado por CASATUR es convertir el crecimiento de visitantes en desarrollo, competitividad y oportunidades para las empresas, los destinos y los colaboradores.
Las prioridades son las siguientes:
- Formar talento y capacidades para atender con excelencia.
- Elevar la calidad del servicio y ofrecer experiencias de primer nivel.
- Mejorar la diversificación de destinos en el territorio nacional.
- Promover al país y abrir nuevos mercados internacionales.
- Acercar a los empresarios a fuentes de financiamiento accesibles.
- Fortalecer la venta directa y el uso de inteligencia artificial (IA).
- Impulsar encadenamientos productivos entre empresarios.
- Mejorar la accesibilidad y la conectividad de los sitios turísticos.
- Mantener la limpieza y la sostenibilidad ambiental de los destinos.
- Coordinar decisiones entre los sectores público y privado, con participación activa de las pymes.
Valdez indicó que las propuestas deberán analizarse según las responsabilidades de cada sector.
“Vamos a estudiar las diez prioridades, que obviamente también se van a consolidar”, dijo. Según explicó, CASATUR trabajará en la consolidación del documento durante los últimos días de noviembre y prevé hacer la entrega formal el 1 de diciembre.
La ministra felicitó a la gremial por convocar a los distintos segmentos de la industria. “Es parte de un trabajo de consenso, de articulación”, afirmó.
También señaló que la coordinación requiere integrar a transporte turístico, alojamiento, alimentación, tour operación y guías, debido a que en algunos casos los actores de un mismo destino no mantienen vínculos de trabajo.
El sector busca preparar la oferta ante una mayor llegada de visitantes
El Ministerio de Turismo proyecta cerrar 2026 con 4.2 millones de visitantes internacionales y más de $3.600 millones en ingreso de divisas, según Valdez. Hasta octubre, la ministra indicó que el país había recibido 3,9 millones de visitantes.
La funcionaria ubicó a Guatemala, Estados Unidos y Honduras entre los principales mercados. También afirmó que el reto pasa por sostener ese crecimiento, captar nuevos viajeros y aumentar la oferta disponible fuera de los destinos más conocidos.
Valdez vinculó esa meta con la actualización del Plan Nacional de Turismo 2030-2040 y con políticas para desarrollar destinos especializados, entre ellos manglares, volcanes, cascadas, pueblos, ciudades, parques arqueológicos y áreas naturales protegidas. “La meta al 2030 son cinco millones de visitantes internacionales”, sostuvo.
ONU Turismo,El Salvador,Día del Turismo
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The U.S. Air Force abruptly relocated more than a dozen aircraft from RAF Mildenhall in eastern England amid an emerging security threat, U.S. officials confirmed Tuesday.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the move, citing sources who said the threat originated in Iran.
As U.S. officials assessed the threat’s nature and urgency, commanders raised the base’s security level to Force Protection Condition Charlie, the military’s second-highest alert level, indicating a likely terrorist threat against personnel or facilities.
IRAN HAS ‘SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED’ EFFORTS TO TARGET AMERICANS ABROAD, US INTELLIGENCE MEMO WARNS
U.S. Air Force KC-135, used for in-flight refueling, takes off from RAF Mildenhall Airbase. (AP Photo/Max Nash, File)
Flight-tracking data and open-source analysts with the Military Air Tracking Alliance identified 13 U.S. aircraft leaving the base late Monday, the Associated Press said.
Nine Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers were moved to airfields in Scotland, Germany and Spain.
Three CV-22B Ospreys were relocated to nearby RAF Lakenheath, which has hardened aircraft shelters.
A U.S. official told The Associated Press the moves were precautionary, noting that some aircraft were on rotational deployments while others were permanently stationed in the United Kingdom.
IRAN UNDER SCRUTINY AFTER PLOT FOILED NEAR UK BASE USED BY US MILITARY
American aircrews check a B-52 Stratofortress long-range subsonic bomber aircraft on the pan at RAF Fairford. The United Kingdom reportedly is refusing to let the United States use the base for a potential attack on Iran. (Getty Images)
The move marks the second major relocation of U.S. military aircraft from Britain in less than two months.
In early October, the Air Force pulled heavy bombers from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire after British counterterrorism police stopped three suspicious vans headed toward the base Sept. 27.
Two men have since been charged under the United Kingdom’s National Security Act.
Separately, the Justice Department unsealed indictments against three Iranian-backed operatives on Tuesday accused of involvement in coordinated terrorist plots across Europe, including RAF Fairford.
UK POLICE ARREST ‘EXPLOSIVE’ SUSPECTS NEAR US AIRBASE, KEY TO IRAN WAR
The main gate of RAF Fairford is pictured on September 27, 2026 in Fairford, United Kingdom. Police declared a major incident after evacuating residents from their homes in Whelford, a village about one mile from RAF Fairford, a military base that hosts U.S. Air Force bombers involved in the Iran conflict. (David Bown/Getty Images)
RAF Mildenhall is home to the 100th Air Refueling Wing, the only permanently based U.S. tanker wing in Europe.
Its KC-135 Stratotankers support allied aerial refueling and long-range strike missions across the region.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that Washington routinely repositions military forces.
«We are constantly repositioning forces around the world for a variety of reasons,» Rubio told reporters when asked about the evacuation.
A 10 Downing Street spokesperson said British air bases remain secure and that London and Washington continuously share intelligence on potential threats.
world, us air force, terrorism, counter terrorism, national security, foreign affairs, united kingdom, middle east
INTERNACIONAL
Democrats accused of ‘No Kings’ hypocrisy over push to change voter-approved trans sports measures
Voters in two Democratic strongholds approved restrictions on transgender participation in girls’ sports last week, delivering rare Republican victories amid a blue wave. But Democratic officials are already discussing ways to change the measures, drawing accusations of hypocrisy from Republicans who point to their support for the «No Kings» movement.
Colorado Gov.-elect Philip Weiser, who also criticized a separate ballot measure restricting gender-related surgeries for minors, and Rep. Pramila Jayapal , D-Wash., both raised objections to the measures approved in their respective states.
At his first post-election news conference, he suggested Colorado’s Democratic-controlled legislature could revisit the voter-approved measures, saying that it is «statutory … and a natural and I believe appropriate role for the legislature to say ‘what are the adjustments that need to be added.»
PRO-TRANS ACTIVISTS HOLD RALLY AGAINST WASHINGTON STATE BALLOT INITIATIVE TO PROTECT GIRLS SPORTS
Colorado voters approved ballot measures increasing penalties for fentanyl-related offenses, restricting transgender athletes from competing in sports designated for the opposite biological sex and prohibiting gender-related surgeries for minors. The measures passed even as Democrats swept into power across the state.
«I don’t believe it would be acceptable to Colorado to have every student athlete to have to go through full-body examinations or other invasions of privacy,» Weiser added of the sports-related referendum, according to the Denver Post.
COLORADO MOM WHO SAID DAUGHTER WAS SECRETLY TRANSITIONED HELPS LEAD EFFORT TO BAN BOYS IN GIRLS’ SPORTS
Weiser did not respond to a request for comment.
Republicans in suburban Denver criticized the governor-elect, dubbing him «King Phil I» and characterizing his response as «know[ing] better than Colorado voters in a healthy democracy.»
«But before the ink on the ballots is even dry, Governor-elect Phil Weiser is already signaling that the vote of the people is merely a ‘suggestion’. With Coloradans approving ballot measures to crack down on fentanyl and protect youth sports and children, Weiser walked up to the podium on Wednesday and essentially declared that the will of the majority needs to pass his personal vibe check first,» the Adams County Republican Party said in a statement.
Republicans characterized Weiser’s position as «you voted for it, but I don’t like it…»
«No Kings,» the Adams Republicans added, invoking the protest movement that Weiser has supported through participation in «No Kings» protests. The movement’s demonstrations have criticized President Donald Trump over what organizers characterize as authoritarian conduct.
The Colorado House Republican caucus echoed the sentiment, adding in a statement: «If the Democrats truly believe there should be ‘No Kings’ in America, it is time they take their own advice.»
‘NO KINGS’ FOOT SOLDIERS IGNORE ORGANIZERS’ WARNING, GO ALL IN FOR DEMOCRATS
Meanwhile, in Washington State, Jayapal condemned a similar measure approved by voters.
Initiative 638 prohibits students defined as «biologically male» from competing in girls’ K-12 school sports and requires students seeking to participate on girls’ teams to provide verification of their biological sex from a health care provider. The measure passed with approximately 56% support in the reliably Democratic state.
Following the election results, multiple local news outlets reported that Jayapal pledged to «take our state back» after voters approved the initiative.
«We’re going to start planning for how we overturn these bad initiatives and how we go back to loving everyone with gender inclusivity the way we have for decades,» she said, according to several reports.
Jayapal did not respond to a request for comment.
Critics also pointed to Jayapal’s past support for «No Kings» protests, accusing her of contradicting her own rhetoric about respecting the will of voters.
One critic highlighted a November 2025 social media post in which Jayapal wrote: «We have democracy for a reason. America doesn’t belong to kings it belongs to the people and we’re going to keep it that way.»
«Rep. Jayapal, this you?» they asked.
Jayapal also faced previous criticism over her support for the «No Kings» movement after praising remarks by Britain’s King Charles III during his visit to the United States.
Washington Democratic Party Chair Shasti Conrad signaled support for a legal challenge, calling the ballot measure «unconstitutional on its face» and indicating the party would «support [for] organizations planning to challenge it in court.»
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Under Washington’s Constitution, lawmakers cannot repeal a voter-approved initiative during its first two years but can amend it with a two-thirds vote in each legislative chamber. After two years, the legislature can amend or repeal the measure with a simple majority.
The controversy leaves Democrats in both states confronting a similar political dilemma: whether to preserve the restrictions voters approved or pursue changes through the legislative and judicial processes available to them.
elections, state and local, colorado, washington, sports
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