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In the United States, former President Donald Trump saw two of his co-defendants plead guilty this week in the state of Georgia. They are being tried for trying to reverse the result of the 2020 presidential election. But for the first time, justice will benefit from the cooperation of someone close to the former president: conservative lawyer Sidney Powell.
“ His plea could pose a threat to Trump », raise it New York Times. The New York daily recalls that “ just two weeks after Donald Trump’s defeat in the 2020 election, Sidney Powell rallied to the billionaire’s cause “. And now, ” she could testify against him », quips ironically Washington Post. “ His gesture took Donald Trump and his advisers by surprise », says the New York Times. Sidney Powell has indeed “ pleaded guilty to election interference », continues the daily. “ She also agreed to testify against the other defendants in this case “.
No immunity for Donald Trump
Donald Trump will not benefit from “ absolute immunity » which he claims to enjoy in the numerous cases which target him, because “ Trump is not above the law “, declared the prosecutors cited by the Washington Post. The former president’s lawyers had called for the legal proceedings against him to be dismissed; a request rejected by the courts. The entourage of the former tenant of the White House moved forward while the latter “ was immune from prosecution for actions he took as president “.
For the special lawyer in charge of the case cited by Politico“ Donald Trump defies American history by seeking immunity “.
After the temporary lifting of sanctions, Venezuela hopes for an end to the crisis
The United States announced on Wednesday October 18 the temporary lifting of certain sanctions targeting Venezuela, particularly on gas and oil transactions. In addition to this partial lifting of American oil sanctions, Tal Cual points the “ rapprochement between the United States and the government of Nicolás Maduro », the Venezuelan president, but also “ the release of prisoners, political agreements… » These last few days have been « rich in events in Venezuela », summarizes the daily. Tal Cual sees a “ chain reaction » after signing a “ surprise deal » between the government and the opposition. For El Nacional“ the temporary lifting of sanctions paves the way for a new dynamic between Washington and Caracas “.
“ Oil versus political rights », This is how the daily, very critical of Nicolás Maduro, summarizes the recent American announcements. What ” bring economic relief to the country in a state of asphyxiation, in part because of these sanctions », continues El Nacional. But in a editorial, this same daily displays its caution, because the suspension of oil sanctions is only expected to last six months. “ And its renewal is uncertain », worries El Nacional.« The easing has been used as an incentive to promote democratization and political dialogue, but the final outcome will depend on whether the Maduro regime respects the commitments made “.
Canada repatriates 41 diplomats from India
Tensions continue to persist between India and Canada. Ottawa announced Thursday, October 19, the repatriation of 41 diplomats based in India. New Delhi threatened to withdraw their diplomatic immunity. These tensions between the two countries date back to September. At that time, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau raised possible involvement of the Indian government in the assassination of a Sikh leader, from one of the four major religions of India. Since then, nothing has gone right between Ottawa and New Delhi.
The threat to revoke the privileges and immunities of Canadian diplomats “ is contrary to international law », indignant the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, quoted by the Toronto Star. The daily recalls that Canada counted “ around 300 employees in the diplomatic services in India “. The country is now in the process of “to re-evaluate the way of providing these services ».