International News Roundup: ICE Detainees Released, Venezuela Frees Activist, Swiss Bar Fire Death Toll Rises, and More
A five-year-old boy and his father, who were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minnesota, returned home after their release, according to Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro. Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, were released from the Dilley detention center in Texas and traveled back to Minneapolis. Castro announced the news on Sunday, stating, "Liam is now home. With his hat and his backpack." The detainment of the pair sparked protests outside the detention facility.
In Venezuela, prominent human rights activist Javier Tarazona was freed, marking the latest prisoner release announced by the government amid pressure from the United States for reforms. Tarazona, the head of human rights NGO Fundaredes, was arrested in July 2021 and detained in El Helicoide prison in Caracas. Fundaredes announced his release on Sunday. Foro Penal, another Venezuelan rights group, verified the liberation of more than 300 political prisoners since January 8. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez stated on Friday that the government would introduce an amnesty law.
The death toll from a New Year's Eve bar fire in a Swiss ski resort rose to 41 after a teenager who was injured in the blaze died in the hospital. The local public prosecutor announced that "an 18-year-old Swiss national died at a hospital in Zurich on January 31." The fire occurred at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, a venue popular with a younger crowd where the drinking age is 16. Many others are still being treated in the hospital for severe burns sustained in the fire.
Meanwhile, newly released documents suggest that Jeffrey Epstein made payments totaling $75,000 to accounts linked to Lord Mandelson between 2003 and 2004. The bank statements, released by the US Department of Justice, show three separate $25,000 payments referencing Lord Mandelson. Lord Mandelson stated that he had no record or recollection of receiving the sums and did not know whether the documents were authentic. He reiterated his regret for "ever having known Epstein." The documents were part of millions released on Friday relating to the late sex offender Epstein, the largest number shared by the US government since a law mandated their release last year, according to the BBC.
In the United States, the death of Alex Pretti, who was killed by federal agents, galvanized public sentiment against the federal government's tactics, according to the New York Times. Pretti's death, along with that of Renee Good, also killed by federal agents, led to a retreat by the Trump administration. The administration had labeled both as terrorists, labels that quickly fell apart when the public learned more about each case and saw videos of the shootings. The New York Times reported that Pretti's death reached further into conservative circles that had defended the crackdown, and among independents.
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