Venezuela Earthquake Response: After twin quakes devastated the La Guaira region, Venezuela’s death toll rose to nearly 2,000 as rescuers kept searching for survivors well past the initial critical window, including a 3-year-old pulled alive six days later; the UN warned shortages and disease risks are escalating while the government set up a post-quake housing commission and faced mounting anger over the response. U.S.-Backed Relief and Diplomacy: The U.S. deployed more than 900 personnel and drones to support rescue and logistics, while Israel and other partners sent humanitarian missions despite strained ties—turning disaster aid into a rare political bridge. Human Rights and Justice: Chile sentenced a judge and a general for spying on journalist Mauricio Weibel, a major test for press freedom; Colombia also passed a nationwide ban on female genital mutilation, a landmark for Indigenous communities. Regional Security Agenda: Mercosur leaders pushed for a regional security “architecture” against organized crime, with calls for coordinated border and financial-flow controls. Peru’s Rightward Shift: Keiko Fujimori won Peru’s presidency in a razor-thin race, signaling another conservative turn in Latin America. Foreign Policy Tightrope (Paraguay): Paraguay said it’s open to trade with China but will not sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan.