Venezuela Earthquake Response: Venezuela’s twin quakes have killed 3,811 people, with tens of thousands injured and displaced, as the UN launches a nearly $300M appeal and Caracas pushes for faster relief and reconstruction, including calls to release frozen assets. Venezuela Debt Crunch: Even as recovery drags on, Venezuela is trying to rush a massive sovereign debt restructuring—claims near $200B—raising fears it could lock the country into unsustainable terms for decades. Venezuela Opposition Blocked: Opposition leader María Corina Machado’s planned return is reportedly being obstructed by the interim government amid quake-related concerns, with the dispute fueling accusations from victims and aid groups. ICE Fatal Shooting in Houston: Protests are growing after ICE killed Mexican construction worker Lorenzo Salgado Araujo; family and civil rights advocates demand an independent probe and more transparency as officials dispute what happened. CARICOM Digital Integration: Paraguay’s Mercosur presidency helped approve a cross-border digital ID agreement, giving regional legal validity to electronic identities across member states. Mexico-US Trade Push: Mexico is preparing to press the US to remove tariffs on autos and steel during the USMCA review process, seeking clearer rules and investment certainty. Paraguay-France World Cup Fallout: A racist spat involving Kylian Mbappé and a Paraguayan senator continues to spill into politics and public backlash. Antigua Visa Pressure: Antigua and Barbuda PM Gaston Browne says US visa changes tied to the island’s Citizenship by Investment program are harming trade, students, and family travel.