• Trump Threatens to Regain Control of the Panama Canal
• Accuses China of Controlling It
• Panama Rejects Giving Up Its Sovereignty

U.S. president-elect Donald Trump has once again raised concerns about a potential intervention in the Panama Canal.

During a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, Trump accused Panama of imposing excessive tariffs on American ships.

He singled out China as the primary beneficiary, asserting that the country is taking control of the canal.

“The Panama Canal was built for our military,” Trump said, once again criticizing former President Jimmy Carter.

Trump Calls the Handing Over of the Panama Canal a “Big Mistake”

Trump called the decision to transfer the Panama Canal to Panama a “big mistake,” referring to the 1999 handover under treaties negotiated by Carter. He suggested this contributed to Carter’s loss in the 1980 election and reiterated his intention to take control of the canal after taking office.

The Panama government has firmly rejected any idea of surrendering control of the canal.

Donald Trump did not specify how he would regain control or whether he would use economic or military measures, responding only with, “Something will have to be done.”

These comments come as Jimmy Carter’s body is being transported to Washington for his state funeral, with the Panama Canal once again at the heart of geopolitical tensions.

• Death toll from New Orleans attack increases.
• After the attack on New Years, five more people have died.
• Initially 10 people were killed.

The tragedy in New Orleans left a trail of horror and devastation for the 15 victim families affected by the attack.

A man driving a van plowed into a crowd on a street in the French Quarter during the New Year’s celebration.

Initial reports indicated 10 fatalities and at least 35 injuries, with the FBI later classifying the incident as a terrorist attack.

The attacker, an American, had an Islamic State (ISIS) flag, along with weapons and explosive devices, inside the van.

Death toll increases in tragedy in New Orleans

The death toll has now risen from 10 to 15, according to the New Orleans Coroner’s Office.

The attacker has been identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar.

After carrying out the attack, the man exited his truck and was shot dead by police.

He used a rented white Ford F-150 truck to carry out the mass attack on Bourbon Street.

The attacker may have had accomplices

The FBI is treating this tragedy as a terrorist attack and continues to investigate the individual responsible.

Additionally, other homemade explosive devices were found in the central neighborhood where the attack took place.

Given these findings, authorities have not ruled out the possibility of accomplices aiding Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar.

As of now, security in New Orleans is on high alert due to concerns over potential further attacks, according to Infobae.

• State funeral held for Jimmy Carter.
• World leaders pay tribute.
• Day of national mourning declared.

Jimmy Carter, the former president of the United States who passed away at the age of 100, was honored with a state funeral in Washington on Thursday.

The service was held at the Washington National Cathedral and was attended by political leaders and prominent figures from around the world.

Among those present were President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Donald Trump, and all living former presidents.

Other notable attendees included Melania Trump, Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Jimmy Carter’s funeral: Global leaders and Americans celebrate his humanitarian legacy

Trudeau, who recently announced his resignation, praised Carter’s humanitarian efforts following his presidency.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres was also present to honor the former US president.

The United States observed a day of national mourning, with flags flown at half-mast and federal offices closed.

The New York Stock Exchange suspended trading to pay tribute to Carter’s enduring legacy and his commitment to humanitarian service.

Carter began receiving tributes in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, last Saturday before being moved to Washington.

President Joe Biden encouraged Americans to gather in places of worship to reflect on Carter’s profound influence on the nation.

In the wake of a snowstorm, some businesses in the capital closed, while banks and schools operated on limited schedules.

Jimmy Carter’s legacy of humanitarianism and peace will be cherished for generations to come.

• Ovidio Guzmán seeks agreement.
• Charges faced by El Chapo’s son.
• Will he be able to get out of prison?

Ovidio Guzmán López, the son of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, may be on the verge of striking a deal with U.S. authorities.

The agreement could allow him to reduce his sentence in exchange for a guilty plea and cooperation in providing information.

This development has sparked speculation about his legal future, particularly following his extradition in September 2023.

During a hearing on January 7, 2025, in the U.S. Federal Court for the Northern District of Illinois, prosecutor Andrew Connor Erskine requested additional time to continue negotiations with Jeffrey Litchman, Ovidio’s defense attorney.

Is Ovidio Guzmán hoping to get his sentence reduced?

In addition to the previous charges, Guzmán is also accused of possession and conspiracy to possess weapons and destructive devices, as well as conspiracy to launder money.

Both the Illinois and New York courts are pursuing charges against Guzmán as part of broader investigations into the Sinaloa Cartel, where he is considered one of the leading figures, alongside his brothers and “El Mayo” Zambada.

Since October 29, 2024, Ovidio Guzmán has not been in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), prompting speculation that he may be held in a safe house or a state-run facility managed outside the Department of Justice.

Ovidio Guzmán’s next hearing is set for February 27, 2025, in Illinois, where the outcome of ongoing negotiations is expected to be clarified.

If Guzmán agrees to plead guilty, he could receive a reduced sentence along with certain benefits, such as improved prison conditions.

Journalist Luis Chaparro reports that the terms of a potential agreement may involve Guzmán and his brothers becoming cooperating or protected witnesses. This could include providing information on cartel operations and testifying against key figures, such as “El Mayo” Zambada and Dámaso López Serrano, known as “El Mini Lic.”

Negotiations for Ovidio Guzmán López’s Sentence and Cooperation with U.S. Authorities

Journalist Óscar Balderas highlighted that the ongoing negotiations also involve key factors such as the type of prison where Guzmán would serve his sentence, with a focus on facilities offering access to recreational areas, personal visits, and greater comfort.

Such an agreement could set a precedent in cases involving the Sinaloa Cartel.

Beyond reducing his sentence, Guzmán could provide crucial information to dismantle criminal operations and challenge other drug trafficking leaders.

However, agreeing to cooperate with U.S. authorities could present risks, as Guzmán’s testimony might create conflicts with other cartel members.

Despite the progress in negotiations, Ovidio Guzmán’s legal future remains uncertain. His decision to cooperate could alter his fate, but it could also reveal sensitive details of Sinaloa Cartel operations.

For now, negotiations are expected to continue in the coming months, with the possibility of a resolution before his next hearing.