Trump et Maduro prêts à parler alors que les tensions montent au Venezuela
Donald Trump a déclaré lundi qu’il parlerait “à un moment donné” au président vénézuélien Nicolas Maduro, qui s’est dit prêt à échanger “en tête-à-tête” avec son homologue, au moment où le déploiement militaire américain au large du Venezuela fait monter les tensions.”A un moment donné, je vais lui parler”, a déclaré à des journalistes le président américain dans le Bureau ovale, tout en ajoutant que Nicolas Maduro “n’a pas été bon pour les Etats-Unis”.Interrogé pour savoir s’il excluait l’envoi de troupes américaines au Venezuela, Donald Trump a répondu: “Non, je n’exclus pas cette possibilité, je n’exclus rien.”Nicolas Maduro a déclaré dans la foulée être prêt à discuter “en tête-à-tête”. “Aux Etats-Unis, celui qui veut parler avec le Venezuela (on) parlera (avec lui), +face to face+, en tête-à-tête. Sans aucun problème. Ce qu’on ne peut pas permettre (…) c’est que le peuple chrétien du Venezuela soit bombardé et massacré”, a-t-il dit.Les Etats-Unis ont mené ces dernières semaines une vingtaine de frappes contre des embarcations qu’ils accusent – sans présenter de preuves – de transporter de la drogue, faisant au moins 83 victimes.Le déploiement militaire américain dans la région s’est considérablement renforcé avec l’arrivée toute récente du porte-avions Gerald Ford, le plus grand au monde.”Nous devons simplement nous occuper du Venezuela”, a jugé Donald Trump, accusant Caracas d’avoir “déversé des centaines de milliers de personnes issues des prisons dans notre pays”. Caracas accuse de son côté Washington de prendre prétexte du narcotrafic “pour imposer un changement de régime” au Venezuela et s’emparer de son pétrole.- Manœuvres des Marines -Le président américain a ajouté qu’il n’aurait “aucun problème” avec d’éventuelles frappes américaines au Mexique pour lutter contre les cartels.”Il y a de gros problèmes là-bas”, a assuré le dirigeant républicain, suggérant de mener des frappes aériennes contre des bateaux suspectés de transporter de la drogue à l’image de ce que fait Washington dans les Caraïbes et le Pacifique.La Première ministre de Trinité-et-Tobago, fidèle alliée du président Donald Trump, a assuré lundi que Washington “n’avait jamais demandé” à utiliser l’archipel pour lancer des attaques contre le Venezuela alors qu’un contingent de Marines américains effectue des exercices dans ce pays situé à une dizaine de kilomètres des côtes vénézuéliennes.”Les Etats-Unis n’ont JAMAIS demandé à utiliser notre territoire pour lancer des attaques contre le peuple du Venezuela. Le territoire de Trinité-et-Tobago ne sera PAS utilisé pour lancer des attaques contre le peuple du Venezuela”, a écrit Kamla Persad-Bissessar à l’AFP via la messagerie Whatsapp à propos des exercices militaires.Ces manœuvres ont été qualifiées d'”irresponsables” par le président vénézuélien Nicolas Maduro qui considère comme une “menace” le déploiement américain dans les Caraïbes.Elles doivent avoir lieu jusqu’à vendredi. Ce sont les deuxièmes en moins d’un mois entre Washington et le petit archipel anglophone.Les Etats-Unis ont désigné ou s’apprêtent à le faire en parallèle à leur déploiement militaire plusieurs cartels de la drogue dans la région comme étant des “organisations terroristes étrangères”, dont le “Cartel des Soleils” au Venezuela.
W.Sahara autonomy plan sparks hopes of progress
Many people in Western Sahara hope Morocco’s long-discussed autonomy plan for the area — now backed by the UN Security Council — will accelerate development and end the half-century-long territorial dispute.Its main city of Laayoune, with modern apartment blocks built among sand dunes some 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the Atlantic Ocean, already projects an image of growth and stability.But the sprawling desert city of around 250,000 people remains at the heart of the conflict that has pitted Rabat against the Algiers-backed Polisario Front, which seeks independence for the mainly tribal native Sahrawi people.Cafes and restaurants in Laayoune are full, and official portraits of King Mohammed VI and Moroccan flags hang from balconies.Many Sahrawi tribal leaders interviewed by AFP voiced support for Rabat’s plan.Among them, Abdallah Salhi said the plan would mean “living off our resources and having elected officials, a parliament and a government that manages this region”.While mineral-rich Western Sahara remains on the UN list of non-self-governing territories, the Security Council on October 31 endorsed Morocco’s plan.The Western Sahara is a national cause for Morocco and is central to the kingdom’s tensions with its neighbour and regional foe Algeria.- ‘Unbearable separation’ -When Spain pulled out of Western Sahara in 1975, both Morocco and the Polisario, which was founded two years earlier, claimed the territory.Fighting displaced tens of thousands of people, who fled to camps in western Algeria, UN figures show.Abdelatif Baira, another Sahrawi tribal chief, said the autonomy plan would allow the return of “our brothers and sisters” from the camps near Tindouf, home to roughly 175,000 Sahrawi refugees.”The separation of families is unbearable,” Baira said.Wearing a traditional daraa gown, the 64-year-old said the territory was “empty” and devoid of infrastructure when the Spanish withdrew.”Today everything has changed. Morocco built universities, hospitals, an airport, roads, schools…”The territory is rich in phosphates and home to lucrative fishing grounds.It has a population of more than 600,000, according to Morocco’s 2024 census, which does not distinguish between native Sahrawis and those who moved there from Morocco.Last month’s UN vote, coming at the initiative of US President Donald Trump’s administration, said “genuine autonomy could represent a most feasible outcome” under the plan to end the dispute.Morocco must now update its proposal to reach “a final mutually acceptable solution” according to the resolution.The Polisario still demands a UN referendum on self-determination — promised under a 1991 ceasefire but never held.Moulay Ibrahim Taleb Ali, a 40-year-old who heads a cooperative that produces the daraa, welcomed the UN move.He said the plan could stimulate the Western Saharan economy and attract foreign investors previously reluctant because of the territory’s disputed status.- Some fear ‘restrictions’ -Hanane Khadiri, a 38-year-old theatre company director, said the autonomy plan would provide women with more opportunities.She said Sahrawi women “work a lot”, especially in traditional crafts, but often lack the “financial backing to prosper”.She said Laayoune was changing, even though it was already “developed, modern and stable”.Some fear the Moroccan plan could restrict freedoms, however.Ajwad, 45, who is originally from Meknes and asked that his family name be withheld for fear of retribution, said some Sahrawis “don’t want autonomy” under Morocco, because that would “impose restrictions” on their freedoms.He also worried that the political shift could create friction.”In a future local government, the question of who will hold which position is likely to fuel rivalries,” he said, adding that competition within local institutions is also likely.Since moving to Laayoune in 2005 to start a production company, Ajwad has “not paid taxes”, he said, much like other businesses in the territory.But that could change under the autonomy plan, he believed. “We have already started preparing for taxation, three or four years ago.””We are not paying yet, but that will come soon,” he added. “Some will have difficulty adapting to that.”
Trump says will talk to Venezuela’s Maduro, ‘OK’ with US strikes on Mexico
President Donald Trump said Monday he will talk to Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro, as Washington’s military buildup stokes tensions, and added that he would be “OK” with US anti-drug strikes inside Mexico.Trump has dramatically increased the number of US forces in the Caribbean region to tackle what he calls drug traffickers based in a number of Latin American countries including Venezuela and Mexico.”At a certain period of time, I’ll be talking to him,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when asked if he would speak to Maduro, while adding that the Venezuelan president “has not been good to the United States.”Asked if he would rule out US troops on the ground in Venezuela, Trump replied: “No, I don’t rule out that, I don’t rule out anything.”We just have to take care of Venezuela,” he added. “They dumped hundreds of thousands of people into our country from prisons.” Hours later, Maduro said on his weekly television show that he was ready to talk “face to face” with anyone in the United States “who wants to talk to Venezuela.”A contingent of US Marines is currently conducting military exercises in Trinidad and Tobago, the second such maneuvers in less than a month between Washington and the small English-speaking archipelago located about 10 kilometers (six miles) from the Venezuelan coast.But Trinidad and Tobago’s leader said Monday that the small island nation would not allow its territory to be used to attack Venezuela, nor was it ever asked to.”The US has NEVER requested use of our territory to launch any attacks against the people of Venezuela,” said Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, a close Trump ally, in a WhatsApp message to AFP.”Trinidad and Tobago will not participate in any act that could harm the Venezuelan people,” she added, emphasizing that Washington and Caracas should resolve their differences through dialogue.Venezuela has accused Washington of seeking regime change in Caracas with its military build-up including an aircraft carrier group, warships and several stealth jets.Washington accuses Maduro of leading a “terrorist” drug cartel, a charge he denies.Since September, US forces have killed at least 83 people via air strikes on boats accused of ferrying drugs in international waters, according to an AFP tally of publicly released figures.The United States has released no details to back up its claims that the people targeted in both the Caribbean and eastern Pacific in the more than 20 strikes were actually traffickers.- ‘OK with me’ -Trump has also accused Mexico of failing to tackle drug trafficking groups, and stepped up his rhetoric towards the United States’s southern neighbor.”Would I launch strikes in Mexico to stop drugs? It’s OK with me. Whatever we have to do to stop drugs,” Trump said when asked by reporters at the White House whether he would sanction a US counter-drug operation in Mexico.”I didn’t say I’m doing it, but I’d be proud to do it. Because we’re going to save millions of lives by doing it.”Since August, Washington has maintained a significant military presence in the Caribbean, including half a dozen warships, officially to combat drug trafficking destined for the United States.
Trump unveils fast-track visas for World Cup ticket holders
President Donald Trump on Monday unveiled special fast-track visas for people with tickets to the 2026 World Cup — but his administration warned it was no guarantee of entry to the United States.The United States has promised a seamless experience for next year’s tournament despite concerns that Trump’s border crackdown could hurt fans.”For those who intend to join us for the World Cup, I strongly encourage you to apply right away,” Trump said as he announced the scheme in the Oval Office with Gianni Infantino, the boss of global soccer body FIFA.Infantino — who has repeatedly appeared at Trump’s side since the Republican’s return to the White House in January — said the so-called “FIFA Pass” was a “very important announcement.””If you have a ticket for the World Cup, you can have a prioritized appointment to get your visa,” Infantino said.”We’ll have between five and 10 million people coming to America from from all over the world to enjoy the World Cup, and with this FIFA pass, we can make sure that those who buy a ticket, that are legitimate football fans or soccer fans, they can come and attend the World Cup in the best conditions.” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio however issued a warning to those hoping to come for the tournament.”Your ticket is not a visa,” Rubio said at the announcement. “It doesn’t guarantee admission to the US. It guarantees you an expedited appointment, you’re still going to go through the same vetting.”Rubio said ticket holders would get an interview within six to eight weeks under the plan but urged people to act now. “Don’t wait till the last minute,” he said.Trump has made the World Cup a centerpiece event of both his second presidency and the 250th anniversary of US independence next year.But the giant sporting extravaganza has not escaped the political turmoil caused by Trump’s hardline stance on a host of issues.Trump has raised the possibility of moving games from certain host cities amid a crackdown on what he says is crime and migration in some Democratic-run cities.The draw for the World Cup is due to take place in Washington on December 5.FIFA will present a new peace prize on the same day, with widespread speculation that it it could go to Trump.
‘Stranded, stressed’ giraffes in Kenya relocated as habitats encroachedTue, 18 Nov 2025 01:02:11 GMT
Coaxed and tugged by rangers, a blindfolded giraffe totters into the specialised vehicle that will transport it away from an increasingly hostile environment to a new home in Kenya’s eastern Rift Valley.Such relocations are a last resort when human activities or climate change threaten the survival of wildlife or peaceful coexistence with humans, say conservationists.But …
La COP30 passe en “mode nuit” pour sa dernière semaine
Désormais dans sa deuxième et dernière semaine, la COP30 en Amazonie brésilienne est passée en “mode nuit” lundi, la présidence brésilienne espérant obtenir des accords rapidement malgré les divisions persistantes entre pays. “Nous proposons d’achever une partie significative de notre travail d’ici demain (mardi) soir, pour qu’une plénière pour le paquet politique de Belem puisse avoir …
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