Trump impeachment advances and Colombia will regularize about 1 million Venezuelans

The impeachment of former President Trump advances

The political process against former US President Donald Trump in Congress continues. This week, the Senate majority voted positive that this process is completely constitutional. 56 senators in favor and 44 against revealed that, for now, the Democrats have managed to convince (some without much effort) 6 Republicans, including Mitt Romney, a former presidential candidate and a strong opponent of Trump within his party.

The New York magnate's lawyers pointed to the unconstitutionality of the process, precisely because he no longer holds any public office. However, what would be sought is his political death and not allowing him to run for future elections. However, for that, the Democrats will have to capture not 6, but 17 Republican senators to make the impeachment effective.

Colombia announces regularization of nearly 1 million Venezuelans

Colombian President Iván Duque announced this week that his Government will regularize all Venezuelans who have entered the country until January 31, 2021. According to official figures, there are currently in Colombian territory, about 1.7 million migrants from the neighboring country.

With this program, Venezuelans will be guaranteed 10 years of regular status in Colombia and will be able to access all the services and rights that regular migrants have (work permits, health services, education, etc.). After 10 years, migrants who want to remain in Andean territory must apply for individual visas.

WHO recommends AstraZeneca vaccine for older adults

As time passes, scientists learn more and more about the benefits of each of the vaccines and their effectiveness. Not long ago, specialized magazines highlighted the results of the Russian vaccine that at first generated doubts within the expert community. On the other hand, the WHO recommends applying the vaccines to the population groups at higher risk. For example, Alejandro Cravioto, chairman of the expert committee that advises the WHO, said there were "no reasons not to give the AstraZeneca vaccine to people over 65 years old."

Due to the lack of evidence in people over 65 years of the vaccine from the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, it was recommended to save it for the young population. But the international organization recalled that despite not having large medical studies with people over 65, the evidence shows an immune response similar to that of younger patients. Although this vaccine does not have the same percentage of effectiveness as the others, the WHO recognizes that the protection it creates is much better than none and that it should not be time to save doses for the population that is not at risk.

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Ecuador goes to the second round of the elections

Last Sunday, Ecuador celebrated its presidential elections, despite the pandemic. The great winner of the day was Andrés Arauz, the corresísta leader who reached about 32% of the votes. However, that percentage does not allow him to achieve a victory in the first round and he will have to compete against the second-best candidate. 

The problem is that second place has not yet been decided and there is a technical tie between Yaku Pérez, an indigenous leader, and Guillermo Lasso, a right-wing Christian. Both politicians maintain similar results close to between 19 and 20% and only with the total vote count will Arauz's rival be known in the second round, which will be held on April 11 of this year.