Latin America in Short: Clash Between Colombian and Russian Governments| New World Cup for Colombia

This week there was a clash between Colombia and Russia after a group of influential Colombians were injured in a Russian attack in Ukraine. In other global news, protests continue in France, sparked by the death of a young man at the hands of the police force. On the other hand, this week the world report on drugs 2023 was published, which came up with compelling figures on its consumption in the world. Environmental activist Greta Thumberg also met with the Ukrainian president this week to discuss the environmental impact of the war with Russia. Finally, in sports, Colombia will be the host country of the U-20 Women's World Cup. The most relevant of the week summarized here.

Protests continue in France

Thousands of French people have come out to march and protest after the murder of a 17-year-old boy at the hands of the police. The young man died meters after a police control, he was shot in the abdomen. The victim (who is known as Nahel) was of North African origin, which has generated racial inks to the protests.

This fact caused the unease within the French and they have gone out to march both peacefully and violently in Nanterre (place of the murder) and in the main cities of France. Especially Lille, the closest big city to where Nahel and his family lived. The events have already left more than 180 detainees.

The French president himself has tried to calm the wave of protests by acknowledging the serious event and stating that "Nothing justifies the death of a young man (…). It is inexplicable, unforgivable." The head of state called for calm while justice acts .

Nahel is not the first victim of the French police in a traffic control. Last year there were 13 deaths, and 2 so far in 2023.

Clash between Colombian and Russian governments over attacks on Ukraine

This week it was learned that former Colombian peace commissioner Sergio Jaramillo, journalist Catalina Gómez and writer Héctor Abad Faciolince were injured after a Russian attack in Ukraine. The Colombians denounce that they were in a pizzeria full of civilians and were hit by Russian artillery, from which they came out injured, but alive.

Given this, and despite the neutrality speech that President Gustavo Petro has tried to send, the Colombian president denounced the attack on civilians who violate war protocols. This message demonstrates a clear change of position towards Russia.

For its part, the Russian embassy in Colombia reported that it regretted that Colombian citizens are "slightly injured" by their "reckless trip." This message caused further rejection by public opinion by blaming civilians for the actions of Russian troops.

296 million people use drugs

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has launched the World Drug Report 2023. In the last decade, drug use has increased by 23%, reaching 296 million people. Drug-related deaths have increased by 17.5%, reaching some 500,000 in the last decade, mainly due to hepatitis C and opioid overdose. Cannabis is the most used drug, followed by opioids, amphetamines, cocaine and ecstasy. However, on this occasion, the report warns about the growing market for synthetic drugs. These drugs, like fentanyl, are rapidly changing the illegal drug market and are responsible for many overdose deaths, as is happening in North America. Likewise, in Latin America there is concern about consumption in those under 30 years of age.

Read also: Infographic: Drug Use In Latin America And The World

Greta Thunberg met with Zelenski to discuss the environmental impact of the war

Activist Greta Thunberg met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as part of the International Working Group on the Environmental Consequences of the War in Ukraine. They discussed the recent devastating impacts of the collapse of a hydroelectric dam in the country, which caused significant damage to the agricultural sector and biodiversity in the region. A war, in addition to being devastating for humanity, means ecocide and to approach peace it is necessary to think about the consequences it will have on the environment. In addition, it must be remembered that it is an area with several nuclear power plants that have been at risk. In addition to Thunberg, the former Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström, the Vice President of the European Parliament, Heidi Gautala, and the former Irish President Mary Robinson participated in the meeting.

New World Cup for Colombia

The Colombian Football Federation made it official that the U-20 women's world championship will take place in the coffee country in 2024, which will take place from September 5 to 22. With this news, Colombia is emerging as one of the countries that is driving the growth of women's soccer in the region the most. Likewise, it must be remembered that this will be the second World Cup that this country will host, since, in 2011, the U-20 World Cup was held, but in the men's division, a competition that put this country on the map before FIFA. .

Summary of the Central American and Caribbean Games San Salvador 2023

The Central American and Caribbean Games in San Salvador continue their march, a competition that is one of the most important for all athletes in these regions. The harvest of medals from the participating delegations continues with Mexico in the lead with 56 gold, 49 silver and 38 bronze medals. In second position and very close to the lead is Colombia, a country that currently has 40 gold, 24 silver and 24 bronze medals. Cuba closes the podium, the Cuban delegation in these first days of competition won 27 gold, 26 silver and 26 bronze medals.