Former Peruvian President Ollanta Humala has been released from prison after Peru's Constitutional Court overturned his 15-year sentence in a money laundering case linked to the sprawling Odebrecht corruption scandal.

Humala, who served as Peru's president from 2011 to 2016, walked free from a prison facility in Lima on Friday evening under police escort after a criminal court ordered his immediate release following the Constitutional Court's ruling.

Supporters gathered outside the prison to welcome the 64-year-old former army officer, whose conviction had made him the first former Peruvian president to stand trial in the high-profile Odebrecht corruption investigation.

Conviction Set Aside

Humala and his wife, Nadine Heredia, were convicted last year on charges of receiving illegal campaign contributions from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht and the Venezuelan government during two presidential election campaigns.

However, Peru's Constitutional Court ruled that the conviction was legally invalid, effectively nullifying the sentence. Following the ruling, a lower criminal court directed prison authorities to release the former president.

Humala Denies Wrongdoing

Speaking to reporters after his release, Humala maintained his innocence, alleging that he and his family had been subjected to political and judicial persecution.

"We have been victims of political and judicial persecution," he said.

After returning to his home in Lima, Humala again denied ever receiving campaign funds from either Brazil or Venezuela, insisting the prosecution was politically motivated.

His wife Nadine Heredia remains in Brazil after seeking asylum there following her conviction.

Major Corruption Scandal

The Odebrecht investigation has become one of Latin America's largest corruption probes, implicating politicians and public officials across the region.

In Peru alone, the scandal has affected several former presidents, including Alejandro Toledo, Martín Vizcarra, and Pedro Castillo.

All four former leaders have faced legal proceedings linked to corruption allegations involving the Brazilian construction company.

Government Reacts

Peru's Foreign Minister Carlos Espa welcomed the Constitutional Court's decision, describing it as fair.

The ruling comes under the administration of President Keiko Fujimori, who herself has previously faced legal proceedings over alleged campaign financing linked to Odebrecht. Those proceedings were later annulled after she spent more than a year in pre-trial detention.

Ironically, Humala had defeated Fujimori in the 2011 presidential runoff to become Peru's head of state.

Odebrecht's Global Impact

The Odebrecht scandal remains one of the largest international corruption cases in modern history. In 2016, the Brazilian construction company agreed to pay approximately $3.5 billion in penalties after admitting it had paid $788 million in bribes to politicians and government officials across several countries in exchange for lucrative public infrastructure contracts.

The company acknowledged paying at least $29 million in bribes to Peruvian officials between 2005 and 2014, triggering widespread investigations that reshaped Peru's political landscape.

Humala's release marks another significant development in the long-running corruption saga, though legal and political debates surrounding the Odebrecht scandal continue to influence Peru's judicial and political institutions.

 Mexican authorities have arrested the alleged mastermind behind the assassination of Carlos Manzo, the popular crime-fighting mayor of Uruapan, in a major breakthrough in one of the country's most high-profile political killings.

The suspect, identified as Ramon Angel "N," also known by the alias "R1," was arrested during a joint security operation in Atotonilco el Alto, located in the western state of Jalisco, officials confirmed on Thursday.

According to Mexico's Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch, the accused is believed to have led an armed criminal group linked to the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of the country's most influential organised crime syndicates.

Mayor Was Killed During Public Celebration

Carlos Manzo was shot dead in November 2025 while attending the traditional Day of the Dead celebrations with members of his family on a public street in Uruapan.

The killing triggered widespread outrage across Mexico and drew international attention, as Manzo had earned a reputation for personally participating in anti-crime operations and publicly confronting organised criminal groups.

Often seen wearing his trademark cowboy hat, the mayor gained significant popularity through videos showing him accompanying police during raids and security operations, leading many supporters to describe him as a modern-day "Robin Hood."

Authorities Link Suspect to CJNG

Security Minister Harfuch said intelligence agencies had tracked the suspect for several months before carrying out the operation.

He described the criminal network allegedly headed by Ramon Angel "N" as one of the most violent factions associated with the CJNG, operating across several municipalities in the neighbouring states of Michoacán and Jalisco.

According to the minister, the group has been involved in multiple criminal activities, including:

• Drug trafficking

• Extortion

• Contract killings

• Organised violence targeting businesses and local communities

Officials said the arrest followed months of coordinated intelligence gathering involving federal investigators and special units of the Mexican Army.

31st Arrest in the Investigation

Authorities stated that the latest arrest marks the 31st detention made in connection with the investigation into Manzo's assassination.

The government believes the operation has significantly weakened the criminal network allegedly responsible for orchestrating the attack.

Following the arrest, Mexican security forces increased their presence across the region, with soldiers and armoured vehicles deployed in and around Atotonilco el Alto.

Mayor's Widow Welcomes Breakthrough

Grecia Quiroz, the widow of Carlos Manzo and the current mayor of Uruapan, welcomed the development but said the investigation should continue.

In a statement shared on social media, she said the arrest represents an important step toward justice while stressing that the full conspiracy behind her husband's killing must still be uncovered.

She expressed confidence that investigators would continue pursuing everyone involved in planning and executing the assassination.

Violence Continues to Challenge Mexico

Uruapan lies in Michoacán, a state that has long witnessed violent confrontations involving organised criminal groups competing for control over strategic trafficking routes and extortion networks.

During his tenure, Carlos Manzo frequently criticised both the federal government led by President Claudia Sheinbaum and the Michoacán state administration, accusing them of failing to contain escalating violence.

Mexico has faced persistent security challenges since the country's war against drug cartels intensified in 2006. According to official figures, more than 130,000 people have been reported missing or disappeared during this period, with many cases linked to organised crime or security operations.

The arrest of the alleged mastermind is being viewed as one of the most significant developments in the investigation, although authorities say efforts to dismantle the wider criminal network remain ongoing.

Venezuela has confirmed that the death toll from last month's devastating twin earthquakes has risen to 5,069, as the country begins a massive reconstruction effort backed by $346 million in emergency funding released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, struck within a minute of each other on June 24, causing widespread destruction in the coastal state of La Guaira, about 40 kilometres northeast of the capital, Caracas.

Over 5,000 Lives Lost

National Assembly chief Jorge Rodriguez announced that the confirmed death toll has reached 5,069, with the worst devastation reported in La Guaira, where entire neighbourhoods suffered extensive damage.

Authorities said the number of injured remains at 16,740, with most patients having already been discharged from hospitals following weeks of emergency medical treatment.

Search, recovery and damage assessment operations have continued across the affected regions since the disaster struck.

IMF Releases Emergency Funding

The Venezuelan government also announced that it has accessed $346 million from the IMF to support relief, rehabilitation and rebuilding efforts.

Interim President Delcy Rodriguez said the funds would be used to accelerate reconstruction in the earthquake-hit regions and restore critical infrastructure.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva confirmed that the institution had facilitated Venezuela's access to its own reserve resources for urgent humanitarian needs through its reserve tranche mechanism.

Thousands Remain Displaced

Despite ongoing relief operations, nearly 20,000 people remain displaced after losing their homes in the earthquakes.

Many survivors are currently living in temporary shelters and overcrowded relief camps, where authorities continue to face challenges in providing adequate drinking water, sanitation facilities and essential healthcare services.

Humanitarian agencies have warned that rebuilding damaged communities is likely to take several months.

IMF Relations Resume

The latest funding reflects a significant shift in Venezuela's relationship with international financial institutions.

Venezuela holds approximately 3.568 billion Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) at the IMF, equivalent to around $5.1 billion.

Access to these resources had remained restricted for years due to international recognition disputes involving the country's political leadership.

Earlier this year, the IMF and the World Bank resumed engagement with Venezuela following major political developments that reshaped the country's relations with international institutions.

Reconstruction Challenges Ahead

The earthquakes caused extensive damage to homes, roads, public buildings and essential infrastructure across northern Venezuela, particularly in coastal communities.

Government agencies have prioritised restoring electricity, water supply and transportation networks while continuing to assess long-term reconstruction needs.

Officials say the newly released IMF funds will help finance emergency housing, infrastructure repair and humanitarian assistance as Venezuela begins recovering from one of the deadliest natural disasters in its recent history.

US President Donald Trump has announced that American forces carried out a targeted military strike that killed Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, better known as “Niño Guerrero,” the alleged leader of the Venezuelan criminal organization Tren de Aragua. The operation, according to Trump, was conducted in coordination with Venezuelan authorities and marks one of the most significant actions taken against the group since Washington designated it a Foreign Terrorist Organization.

In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump described Guerrero as the head of one of the world's most dangerous criminal organizations and said the strike was executed by the United States Southern Command. The President also shared video footage that appeared to show a building being destroyed during the operation. Reuters and other international media outlets reported that Venezuelan authorities later confirmed Guerrero's death during a joint security operation.

The development comes as the Trump administration continues an aggressive campaign against transnational criminal groups accused of involvement in drug trafficking, human smuggling, extortion, and violent crimes across the Americas.

Who Was Niño Guerrero?

Héctor Guerrero Flores was widely regarded as the leader of Tren de Aragua, a criminal organization that originated inside Venezuela's prison system and later expanded across multiple countries in Latin America. Under his leadership, the group allegedly built networks involved in narcotics trafficking, extortion, human trafficking, kidnapping, and organized crime activities.

US authorities had previously charged Guerrero with racketeering-related offenses and offered a multi-million-dollar reward for information leading to his arrest. The State Department and Treasury Department had also imposed sanctions on him and several other senior members of the organization.

Details of the Operation

According to Trump's statement, the strike was designed to eliminate Guerrero and disrupt the leadership structure of Tren de Aragua. The President said the operation was conducted with close cooperation from Venezuelan authorities, though officials in Caracas reportedly described it as a joint effort supported by intelligence sharing and technological assistance.

While details about the exact location and timing of the strike remain limited, Pentagon officials reportedly confirmed that Guerrero was killed earlier in the week during a targeted operation against the gang.

Growing Focus on Transnational Crime

The Trump administration has increasingly linked Tren de Aragua to broader concerns over border security, illegal immigration, and organized crime. Earlier this year, Washington formally designated the group as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, allowing authorities to expand legal and enforcement actions against its members and associates.

Administration officials have argued that the gang's activities extend beyond Venezuela and affect multiple countries across the Western Hemisphere. Security analysts describe the organization as one of the most influential criminal networks to emerge from South America in recent years.

International and Regional Implications

The reported cooperation between Washington and Venezuelan authorities has attracted attention because relations between the two countries have often been marked by political tensions. Analysts say the operation could signal limited security cooperation on issues involving organized crime and regional stability.

At the same time, experts caution that the death of a criminal leader does not necessarily dismantle an organization, as gangs often retain operational structures capable of continuing activities under new leadership.

A Precedent of Force: The Global Reckoning After Maduro’s Capture

In the early hours of January 3, 2026, a dramatic military operation upended Latin American politics and sent shockwaves through the halls of global diplomacy. U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in Caracas and swiftly transported them to New York to face narcoterrorism charges. This bold strike, framed by Washington as a justified action against a “narco-terrorist regime,” has ignited an urgent debate at the United Nations and beyond, challenging core tenets of the international order.

The immediate aftermath saw an emergency UN Security Council meeting, where the legality of the action was fiercely contested. While the United States defended its move, a coalition of nations, including regional powers Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico, issued a stern rebuke. They condemned the “unilateral military actions” as a violation of the UN Charter’s fundamental principles prohibiting the use of force and affirming state sovereignty.

The Legal and Diplomatic Firestorm

At the heart of the controversy is Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which expressly forbids the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity of any state. The U.S. has argued its action falls under self-defense, citing Maduro’s alleged role in flooding America with deadly drugs. However, legal experts and opposing nations sharply reject this justification, arguing it sets a perilous precedent where a powerful country can militarily intervene in another based on domestic criminal indictments.

“One could easily imagine a Chinese indictment of a Taiwanese leader, under specious grounds, as lubricating a Chinese attack on Taiwan,” warns Justin Logan of the Cato Institute, highlighting the global ripple effects of this legal rationale. The European Union, while critical of Maduro’s legitimacy, stressed that combating transnational crime “must be addressed through sustained cooperation in full respect of international law”.

Energy and the “Trump Corollary”

Beyond law, the Venezuela intervention is a stark manifestation of the so-called “Trump Corollary” to the Monroe Doctrine—a policy aimed at denying influence in the Western Hemisphere to external powers like China and Russia. The operation directly targeted a key ally of both Beijing and Moscow; China had extended over $60 billion in loans to Venezuela and purchased the majority of its oil exports.

The prize is Venezuela’s vast but crippled oil industry. Once producing 3.5 million barrels per day, output has collapsed to around 1 million due to mismanagement and sanctions. President Trump has stated that “very large US oil companies” will be tasked with rebuilding the sector. However, analysts caution that recovery is a decade-long, multibillion-dollar endeavor requiring political stability that is far from guaranteed.

A World on Notice

The capture of Nicolás Maduro is more than a regional event. It is a signal that has been received in capitals worldwide. For adversaries, it demonstrates a willingness to use unilateral force. For allies, it deepens concerns over the volatility of U.S. power. And for the global south, it starkly questions whether the rules-based order applies equally to all.

As the UN debate continues, the ultimate cost of this operation remains unwritten. It has achieved a tactical objective but at the strategic price of eroding diplomatic norms and inviting a more unpredictable and confrontational global landscape.

The world is now watching to see if this becomes an isolated event or a template for a new, more coercive era of international relations.