Por Mauricio Torres, CNN en Español

La llama de la violencia volvió a encenderse en Haití hace casi cinco años. El 7 de julio de 2021, un grupo armado asesinó al presidente Jovenel Moïse tras irrumpir en su residencia en Puerto Príncipe, con lo que inició un período de inestabilidad política y social marcado por la expansión de pandillas a lo largo del país.

Hoy, el saldo de ese crimen y sus consecuencias puede resumirse en un dato: de los 12 millones de personas que viven en Haití, más de la mitad tienen “necesidad urgente de ayuda humanitaria”, según dijo a CNN Marisela Silva Chau, jefa de la delegación local del Comité Internacional de la Cruz Roja (CICR).

Silva Chau conoce el panorama de cerca. Ha seguido la situación en Haití desde 2021, primero de forma remota como jefa de la delegación regional del CICR para Panamá y el Caribe, y después de manera presencial, ya como jefa de la delegación en Haití.

En el terreno, dice, durante los últimos cinco años el CICR ha observado la expansión de las pandillas en el país, particularmente en la capital Puerto Príncipe, y cómo esto crecientemente afecta a la población civil, que a diario corre el riesgo de quedar atrapada entre enfrentamientos o tiene problemas para acceder a servicios públicos o incluso a agua potable.

“Desafortunadamente, estamos hablando de una capital que se encuentra aproximadamente 85% bajo el control de grupos armados. Esto es que en esas zonas, evidentemente, la limitación de acceso a servicios públicos es preocupante y generalizada, porque por cuestiones de seguridad hay restricciones de movimiento, por cuestiones de seguridad tal vez algunas instituciones no pueden volver para articular este acceso a servicios públicos”, expone Silva Chau en entrevista desde Lima.

Otros datos completan la complejidad del cuadro.

Uno de ellos, según Silva Chau, es que alrededor de 1,4 millones de habitantes han tenido que desplazarse internamente en Haití debido a la violencia generada por Viv Ansanm, una coalición de pandillas a la que el Gobierno de Estados Unidos designó en 2025 como organización terrorista internacional. En esa ocasión, Estados Unidos también designó al bloque Gran Grif, al que señaló como responsable de diversos actos violentos en el departamento de Artibonite.

Silva Chau advierte que otro indicador del deterioro en el país es que solo el 30% de los hospitales son funcionales, lo que representa “una limitación significativa del acceso a atención básica en salud”.

El aumento de la violencia en Haití llevó a que el Consejo de Seguridad de la Organización de las Naciones Unidas (ONU) aprobara en septiembre crear una nueva Fuerza de Eliminación de Pandillas que tendrá 5.550 integrantes.

Los primeros miembros de esta instancia, originarios de Chad, comenzaron a llegar a Haití el 1 de abril. Sin embargo, dentro y fuera del país hay dudas sobre qué tan efectivo será el despliegue de esta formación.

Silva Chau toma con reserva la llegada de esta nueva fuerza. Desde su perspectiva, si bien puede ser útil para apoyar a las fuerzas de seguridad gubernamentales y contener a las pandillas, se debe tener claro que este contingente no resolverá por sí solo los problemas de Haití, que tienen numerosas aristas.

“La línea del uso de la fuerza es una de las líneas que es una prerrogativa del Estado, del Gobierno, pero la situación va mucho más allá de lo que pueda implicar el uso de la fuerza. Es una situación crítica de carácter multidimensional”, dice.

De acuerdo con Silva Chau, una de las principales preocupaciones del CICR es que la mayor parte de

Por Mauricio Torres, CNN en Español

Al menos cinco personas fueron detenidas durante las protestas que el jueves recorrieron calles de Caracas con dirección al palacio presidencial de Miraflores, según denunciaron organizaciones venezolanas este viernes.

Carlos Salazar, coordinador de la Coalición Nacional Sindical, dijo en un video publicado en X que los detenidos son jóvenes entre los que hay estudiantes, dirigentes comunitarios y comunicadores.

Salazar aseguró que la Policía Nacional Bolivariana (PNB) se confrontó con manifestantes y realizó las detenciones a pesar de que la protesta comenzó de forma pacífica y de que el Ministerio del Interior de Venezuela, del que depende la PNB, había sido informado previamente sobre la ruta que buscaría cubrir la marcha.

“Estamos aquí en Maripérez, en la jefatura policial, esperando la salida de ellos con normalidad. Ustedes nos dieron golpes, porrazos, gas pimienta y demás y lo aguantamos. Un empujoncito y entonces ustedes nos quieren meter presos”, dijo Salazar sobre las tensiones que se registraron el jueves.

CNN contactó al Ministerio para Comunicación e Información de Venezuela para pedir comentarios. También busca contactar al Ministerio del Interior y a la PNB.

El activista Eduardo Torres, abogado en derechos humanos, dijo en otro video publicado en X que un grupo de personas permanecerá afuera de la jefatura policial de Maripérez, en Caracas, para exigir la liberación de los detenidos.

“Mucho nos ha costado la salida de algunos presos políticos, faltan miles. No vamos a permitir que esa puerta giratoria comience hoy con estos cinco inocentes”, señaló.

La protesta del jueves se realizó un día después de que la presidenta encargada de Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, anunció un aumento salarial que causó inconformidad entre grupos de trabajadores. A la par, se llevaron a cabo marchas a favor del Gobierno.

Por la tarde, un contingente de la PNB bloqueó la ruta de los contingentes de inconformes e impidió su avance hasta Miraflores. Además, algunos periodistas denunciaron agresiones, una situación que también fue registrada y condenada por organizaciones no gubernamentales como el Programa Venezolano Educación Acción en Derechos Humanos (Provea).

Las protestas contra el Gobierno de Venezuela, usuales en otros momentos del país, se tornaron poco comunes durante los últimos meses de la presidencia de Nicolás Maduro, quien el 3 de enero fue capturado en un operativo militar de Estados Unidos. La de este jueves fue una de las primeras en su tipo durante el mandato de Delcy Rodríguez, quien asumió como presidenta encargada poco después de la captura de Maduro y su traslado a Nueva York.

En un mensaje publicado en X, Amnistía Internacional criticó este viernes el despliegue policial observado en Caracas.

“Las imágenes de la represión de la protesta de ayer en Caracas son indignantes”, dijo la organización en X. “Reprimir una manifestación no es ‘mantener el orden’, es violar derechos humanos. Desde Amnistía lo decimos claro: el Estado debe proteger, no atacar. ¡Manifestar es un derecho!”, concluyó.

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Clouds have returned to the region as well as cooler temperatures ahead of a storm system approaching the region. Look for things to stay dry through the beginning of the weekend with rain becoming likely region wide by late Saturday and in to Sunday. Much cooler air will continue to flow in with the late season storm and we actually have the possibility for up to 6 inches or more of snow above 6000 feet. A Winter Weather Advisory will be in effect through early Monday for the mountains of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. Temperatures for both Saturday and Sunday will be on the cool side with highs only reaching in to the upper 50's and 60's. Again, rainfall will be expected by late Saturday with maybe some light drizzle before that as the clouds thicken up. Winds will be breezy to gusty from the west and southwest for Saturday and then turn a bit northerly by Sunday. Rain totals will likely stay between a quarter to a half an inch with a few areas possibly getting close to an inch. However, there is a chance for thunderstorms and if that does occur, rain rates and totals could be higher. Along with higher rain totals, thunderstorms can also bring strong downdraft winds, lightning, small hail and even waterspouts or tornadoes. We will monitor this closely as thunderstorms are never easy to pinpoint as the ingredients for their creation are always in flux. 

Looking ahead, more systems are upstream or moving toward us from the Pacific Ocean. We do see a couple more chances for wet weather over the next several days. The first chance will be around the middle of next week with another following in about 8 to ten days. At this time, neither looks overly promising for anything significant, but it is still very early to be absolutely sure how they affect our forecast. For now, we will call for more clouds, cool temperatures and the need to keep an eye on our forecast models for updates. We will pass on to you the updated forecast each day as we head through next week both hear and on our tv broadcasts.

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By Steve Contorno, CNN

(CNN) — Paul Dans, the architect of the controversial conservative blueprint known as Project 2025, has ended his bid to challenge South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham in the Republican primary this summer.

Dans announced his decision to drop out of the race Friday — the last day to remove his name from the state’s June ballot — in a post on X. He also endorsed Mark Lynch, an appliance store owner, reiterating his desire to see Graham ousted from office.

“I am proud to endorse @MarkLynchSC and will do everything in my power to get him elected to the U.S. Senate,” Dans wrote. “Mr. President we here in South Carolina love you, but we don’t trust Lady Graham to help you put America first,” he added, including a derogatory moniker he has repeatedly used for the veteran senator.

President Donald Trump celebrated Dans’ exit and doubled down on his support for Graham, a close friend. Writing on Truth Social, Trump suggested Dans’ campaign suffered from an endorsement by conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, whom Trump has sparred with in recent days over the Iran war.

“It all started to fall apart for Paul when a very Low IQ individual named Tucker Carlson ENDORSED him — THE KISS OF DEATH!” Trump wrote. “Lindsey has a BIG lead, and is on his way to a spectacular VICTORY because he just, GETS THINGS DONE!”

Trump also attacked Lynch in a separate post noting his past support for Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, with whom the president is also feuding.

Dans launched his campaign for US Senate in July. He carried considerable baggage into the race, including loose connections to the state and the lingering fallout from his work for the Heritage Foundation. There, he spearheaded Project 2025, a right-wing roadmap for the next Republican president put together by more than 100 conservative organizations in the lead up to the 2024 election that Trump attempted to distance himself from during his political comeback. Amid the blowback, Dans was forced out of the Heritage Foundation, which remains loyal to Trump.

Still, Dans believed there was a lane to defeat Graham, who turns 71 in July and is seeking his fifth term in the Senate. Graham has divided some Republicans with his unflinching support for Israel and overtures backing Trump’s war with Iran. But Dans and other Republicans have struggled to make headway against Graham amid a divided field.

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By Allison Gordon, Isabelle Chapman, Casey Tolan, Pamela Brown, CNN

(CNN) — A former staffer of Rep. Eric Swalwell, a leading Democratic candidate for California governor, says that the congressman raped her when she was heavily intoxicated and left her bruised and bleeding, an allegation Swalwell strongly denies.

“I was pushing him off of me, saying no,” the woman told CNN of the incident, which she said happened in 2024 after she had stopped working in Swalwell’s office. “He didn’t stop.”

She said it was the second time Swalwell had nonconsensual sexual contact with her while she was drunk. In 2019, when she was still working for him, she said she woke up naked next to him in a hotel room after a night of heavy drinking. She said she had no memory of what happened but could feel physically that they’d had sexual contact.

Three other women who spoke with CNN also alleged various kinds of sexual misconduct by the Democratic congressman – including Swalwell sending them unsolicited explicit messages or nude photos.

One woman who connected online with Swalwell over her interest in Democratic politics says she ended up extremely drunk inside his hotel room after a night out with the congressman, with little memory of what occurred. Earlier in the night at a bar, he kissed her and touched her leg without her consent, she said.

Another woman, who described receiving unsolicited nude messages from Swalwell, was social media creator Ally Sammarco. She said she initially reached out to the congressman on Twitter to discuss politics. “I truly never thought he would respond – I had like 1,000 followers at the time,” she said. “And he actually responded.”

Swalwell denied the women’s allegations.

“These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the front-runner for governor,” Swalwell said in a statement to CNN. “For nearly 20 years, I have served the public – as a prosecutor and a congressman and have always protected women. I will defend myself with the facts and where necessary bring legal action. My focus in the coming days is to be with my wife and children and defend our decades of service against these lies.”

An attorney for Swalwell sent two of the women CNN spoke with cease-and-desist letters on Thursday, a day after CNN first reached out to his campaign to request comment, according to copies of the letters they provided CNN. The letters called the women’s accounts “false,” ordered them to retract their statements and warned of potential legal action if they continue speaking out.

The letters said the women’s claims were “undermined” by their “voluntary and cooperative relationship with Mr. Swalwell over the course of many years” following the alleged incidents, including the former staffer asking him for job references.

His attorney also sent CNN a letter denying that Swalwell has ever had nonconsensual sex with any woman or ever had sexual relations with any member of his staff.

One member of Swalwell’s staff said they quit immediately after receiving CNN’s detailed list of questions about the allegations.

CNN found corroboration for key elements of each of the women’s claims, including the former staffer who said she was sexually assaulted. Two family members and a friend said in interviews with CNN that she told them about the alleged 2024 assault in the following days, and CNN also reviewed text messages she sent two friends describing her allegations at the same time. “I was sexually as