Venezuela has accused Trinidad and Tobago of complicity in the recent US seizure of an oil tanker, while Chile has elected a far-right president amid a regional shift towards conservative governance. Additionally, a Chinese man who documented human rights abuses against Uyghurs faces deportation from the United States, raising concerns about his safety if returned to China.

Venezuela's Accusations Against Trinidad and Tobago
Venezuela's government has accused Trinidad and Tobago of participating in the US seizure of the Skipper tanker, which was intercepted near Venezuela's coast while allegedly carrying nearly 2 million barrels of heavy crude oil. The Maduro regime condemned the action as "piracy" and a violation of international law. In response to this incident, Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodríguez stated that Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has turned the nation into a "vassal" of the US. Following the accusations, Venezuela announced the termination of any agreements regarding natural gas supplies with Trinidad and Tobago, which had previously been granted permission by the US to negotiate a gas deal with Venezuela.

Chile's Shift to the Far Right
In a significant political shift, Chile has elected José Antonio Kast, a far-right candidate, as president, receiving 58.16% of the vote in a runoff against leftist candidate Jeannette Jara. Kast's campaign focused on immigration and crime, echoing policies reminiscent of Donald Trump, including plans to expel 330,000 undocumented migrants and construct extensive border defenses. His election marks a return to a far-right leadership in Chile, the first since the end of Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship in 1990. Analysts express concern that Kast’s presidency could undermine democratic norms in Chile, with fears that right-wing politics may increasingly shift towards authoritarianism.

Uyghur Activist's Deportation Risk
Guan Heng, a Chinese national who documented alleged human rights violations against Uyghurs in Xinjiang, now faces deportation from the United States after being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). His mother expressed deep concern for his safety should he be returned to China, where he could face persecution. Guan's immigration hearing concluded with a future session set for January, during which a judge will decide whether he should be sent to Uganda for asylum processing. His supporters and human rights organizations have warned that deportation would likely lead to severe consequences for him in China, as he had previously filmed and published evidence of the alleged abuses against the Uyghur population.

Wrap-up
The geopolitical landscape in Latin America is shifting, with Venezuela accusing Trinidad and Tobago of US collusion over oil, while Chile embraces a far-right leadership. Meanwhile, the plight of Uyghur activist Guan Heng highlights the ongoing human rights issues at play in international politics, as his fate hangs in the balance amid fears of deportation back to China.

Sources
theguardian.com

@hoju-korean.com Editorial Team