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La Paz, April 19 (Prensa Latina) With a runoff election in the departments of Beni, Chuquisaca, Oruro, Santa Cruz and Tarija, Bolivia closes today a long electoral cycle described as intense and complex by the electoral authorities of the Andean-Amazonian country.

“This voting day is highly symbolic because Bolivia is closing one of the most intense and complex electoral cycles in its history. Since 2014, our country has held judicial elections, national elections in two rounds, and subnational elections also in two rounds,” stated the president of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), Gustavo Ávila.

At the opening of this second round of voting, Ávila, like the five departmental electoral tribunals (TED), called on the population to go to the polls.

“It has not been a demanding cycle, it has been a true test of maturity for the Electoral Body and also for the Bolivian people and without a doubt the country has risen to the occasion,” he stressed.

He emphasized that the TSE conducted this electoral cycle with transparency, responsibility and firmness and with “a reliable registry, a secure chain of custody and timely information systems such as Sirepre” (Preliminary Results System), which provided certainty to the citizens.

Ávila acknowledged that the TSE made some mistakes, however, he reiterated that there should be no doubt that this state institution and its departmental counterparts always acted in strict accordance with the law and with absolute independence.

“This body’s loyalty is solely to the Bolivian people and democracy,” he emphasized, in what appeared to be a response to criticism from those who accuse him of acting in accordance with the political interests of President Rodrigo Paz’s government.

In his view, unsubstantiated accusations that seek to damage the electoral system and institutions only serve to weaken confidence in the democratic system, and cast doubt on thousands of elected candidates and the actions of electoral boards.

“Therefore, we ask for consistency and responsibility from all actors involved; one cannot arbitrarily question the law only when one disagrees with the results or the application of the law,” he said.

The second round in the five departments is taking place in parallel to a march led in La Paz by former gubernatorial candidate René Yahuasi, in protest against his disqualification and the recognition as governor of the government’s ally in the Patria Sol alliance, Luis Revilla, despite the fact that in the first round he won with only 20.02 percent of the ballots.

According to current regulations, to be elected governor, one needs more than 50 percent of the votes or 40 percentage points with a 10-point advantage over the second place.

According to the official IRNA news agency, the president stressed that continuing the war—which began after attacks on the Persian nation by the United States and Israel—does not benefit either side and advocated rationality and understanding as alternatives to escalation.

“Problems are not solved by increasing tensions, but through dialogue and by avoiding further destruction,” he said.

Pezeshkian also stressed the importance of closer ties between countries in the region and warned against external attempts to foment divisions.

“Some powers are trying to push countries in the region into conflicts to deplete their resources. We must confront these policies with unity and strengthen cooperation,” he said.

In previous statements during a visit to the Ministry of Sports and Youth, the head of state reiterated that Iran does not seek war, but demands its rights and aspires to end the conflict in an honorable manner.

On February 28, Israel and the United States launched military actions against Iran, which left thousands of victims.

Tehran responded with missile and drone attacks against Israeli targets and US positions in the region.

A two-week ceasefire came into effect on April 8th following negotiations between Washington and Tehran, mediated by Pakistan, although a definitive agreement to end the confrontation has not yet been reached.

Barcelona, ​​April 18 (Prensa Latina) Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum today proposed a declaration against military intervention in Cuba during her speech at the IV Summit in Defense of Democracy.

At the event, which is part of the Global Progressive Mobilisation (GPM) initiative taking place in Barcelona, ​​Sheinbaum vehemently defended the independence and sovereignty of Cuba.

“I want to propose a declaration against military intervention in Cuba. May dialogue and peace prevail,” he stressed at the meeting, which was attended by the head of the Spanish government, Pedro Sánchez, and the presidents of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva; Colombia, Gustavo Petro; and Uruguay, Yamadú Orsi, among others.

In elaborating on the arguments for her initiative, Sheinbaum recalled that Mexico “has been able to uphold its principles even in solitude” and “raised its voice against the blockade of Cuba in 1962 when others remained silent.”

“To this day, we believe, speaking of that small Caribbean island, that no people is small, but rather great and stoic when it defends its sovereignty and the right to a full life,” he declared.

He took the opportunity to reaffirm the pride that accompanies some milestones in Mexican history, such as the election in 2024 of the first female president, and that Mexico’s unwavering constitutional principles in foreign policy are “more alive than ever” on the world stage today.

“Instead of sowing war, let us sow peace, let us sow life,” he stated, contrasting the need, as already proposed at the G20, to “allocate 10 percent of global spending on armaments” to promote a global program that allows millions of people to reforest millions of hectares each year.

Barcelona, ​​April 18 (Prensa Latina) Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva today called on the UN Security Council to change its behavior, while defending Cuba’s sovereignty.

During the closing of the IV Summit in Defense of Democracy, part of the Global Progressive Mobilization (GPM) taking place in Barcelona since yesterday, the president of the South American giant emphasized that “no president, of any country in the world, has the right to impose rules on other presidents. None.” In a firm and categorical tone, Lula da Silva stated that “the five (permanent) members of the UN Security Council must meet to change their behavior. We cannot wake up every morning and go to sleep every night to the constant barrage of tweets from presidents threatening the world and declaring wars.”

Nobody has the right to impose rules on other countries, he said, before expressing great concern about what is happening in Cuba.

“We must stop this blockade against Cuba and let Cubans live their lives. We cannot remain silent about this,” he declared.

Shortly before, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum proposed a declaration against military intervention in Cuba during her speech at the IV Summit in Defense of Democracy.

“I want to propose a declaration against military intervention in Cuba. May dialogue and peace prevail,” he stressed at the meeting, which was attended by the head of the Spanish government, Pedro Sánchez, and the presidents of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva; Colombia, Gustavo Petro; and Uruguay, Yamadú Orsi, among others.

Barcelona, ​​Spain, April 18 (Prensa Latina) Both the aggression against Iran and the extension of the war to the entire Middle East is one of the worst steps taken by any government in the world, said Colombian President Gustavo Petro here today.

The president made this statement to the press after his arrival at the IV Meeting in Defense of Democracy and the colloquiums under the auspices of the Global Progressive Mobilisation (GPM) at Gran Via of Fira de Barcelona.

The head of state also referred to the need to promote peace efforts in the region that include the Palestinian issue.

“The possibility of opening up and beginning to build a serious peace process in the Middle East brings to the forefront the issue of Palestine, the resolution of the conflict there, the option of two sovereign states, and the world’s need to move away from oil, which is what is causing increasingly worse political tension,” he said.

He commented that these peacekeeping efforts would have the potential to contribute to a reduction in the price of oil almost instantly and to allow for food supplies, “because one of the most important effects of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz was world hunger, the advance of world hunger.”

Petro added that humanity must reflect on designing a new agenda that discards oil and moves towards decarbonizing the economy.

He asserted that the Barcelona meeting “is a kind of beacon that, amidst the confusion, mistakes, and global disorder, dangerous for all humanity, sets a line, a kind of arrow that follows a course, the course of life, not the course of death.”

On the eve of the event, the Colombian president also condemned the blockade imposed by the United States on Cuba and described it as “genocide”.

The ruler used that term to describe the unilateral blockade that Washington has been applying to the island for more than 60 years during an interview with Spanish Radio and Television and the EFE Agency.

“The blockade is genocide, starving a people to death; that should be eradicated from the history of humanity,” he stated.

Petro stated that with Cuba it is only necessary to talk and stressed that it is necessary to respect the historical process of the island which, he emphasized, “lived a profound revolution, a real one”.

Tehran, April 18 (Prensa Latina) Iranian authorities affirmed today that the Islamic Republic’s Navy is prepared to confront and defeat its adversaries, amid growing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz with the United States.

The statement was released this Saturday in a press release on the occasion of Army Day, which highlighted the role of the armed forces in the defense of the country.

The text stated that the Iranian army has confronted what it described as external conspiracies and has protected the national territory and its territorial waters.

It was also emphasized that military capabilities, including drone systems, are part of the country’s defense strategy.

Meanwhile, the Iranian armed forces announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in response to what they described as a US naval blockade.

This scenario comes after recent regional tensions, following a temporary ceasefire between Iran and the United States, as well as Israel, and after negotiations that failed to reach a final agreement.

Subsequently, Iran had eased maritime traffic in the strait, although the situation continues to be marked by reciprocal measures and restrictions that affect navigation in this strategic waterway.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important maritime routes for global energy trade, through which a significant portion of globally exported oil passes.

The political coalition Together for Peru seeks to secure its participation in the presidential runoff by defending the popular vote . Leftist leaders denounce pressure from powerful groups that are allegedly trying to alter the official results to benefit sectors linked to Fujimorism .

The Venceremos Electoral Alliance expressed its full support for Roberto Sánchez’s candidacy following the recent elections. According to the organization’s statement, it is imperative to monitor the official vote count to prevent corrupt interests from disregarding the will of the people as expressed at the ballot box.

The strategy of this political union is not limited to the electoral arena, but also proposes profound institutional changes. According to the Venceremos Alliance, “we will continue fighting for fundamental changes, promoting the national agenda of a Constituent Assembly and a second agrarian reform ,” which is necessary today.

Left-wing representatives propose the industrialization of the country and a redistribution of wealth to combat poverty. These measures aim to lift Peruvians out of the crisis through an economic model that prioritizes the working class and sectors traditionally neglected by the state .

Furthermore, they raise the need to renegotiate contracts with large companies so that resources benefit the national population. According to the leaders, the priority should be strengthening health and education services , which have been completely neglected following successive political crises and failed government administrations .

The progressive bloc maintains that the country faces a severe institutional crisis that has led to constant instability recently. According to its leaders, overcoming the economic and social problems will not be possible under a Fujimori regime , which they blame for the current precarious employment situation .

The union of these political forces seeks to consolidate a front that represents the most vulnerable sectors of the country. The intention is to guarantee transparency in the processes of auditing the ballots before the relevant authorities and to prevent any attempt at manipulation in the final vote count .

In a recent strategic meeting, Ronald Atencio and Roberto Sánchez reaffirmed their commitment to unity in the face of challenges. According to Atencio, it is their duty to defend Peruvian democracy because the enemy wants to seize the power that the people legitimately granted them.

The grassroots mobilization seeks to ensure that electoral institutions act with complete transparency and without external pressure. The ultimate goal is to guarantee respect for the popular vote and achieve a second round against Fujimorism with full citizen support and legitimacy.

Leftist candidate Roberto Sánchez, with a platform that vindicates the detained former president Pedro Castillo, hopes to advance to the second round of elections in Peru, a place he is contesting vote by vote with the far-right candidate Rafael López Aliaga, while the conservative Keiko Fujimori leads the count.

The candidate and president of the Together for Peru party defines himself as the “Castillista presidential candidate.” He seeks to rehabilitate, hat and all, the image of former president Castillo, who governed the country between 2021 and 2022, and is currently serving a prison sentence for conspiracy to commit rebellion, charges he denies.

That is precisely one of his central campaign promises: to free Castillo —whom he considers the victim of a “coup plot”— to recover the Government “for the people” and to create a new Constitution.

“The time has come for the true refounding of the nation: a sovereign, just nation built from the foundations of the Peruvian people,” says Sánchez .

Sánchez, 57, studied Social Psychology at the National University of San Marcos in Lima and worked as an individual and group psychotherapist in the 1990s. He has experience in public administration at the Ministry of Health and other areas of the Peruvian government, as well as a private consultant, according to his professional profile .

He was Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism during the Castillo government, from whom he has explicit support, and was elected deputy in the 2021 elections for the period until 2026.

In a context of fragmented voting and with many unknowns, the candidate of Together for Peru has sought to capture the rural vote, a segment that was key to overcoming the initial disadvantage in the vote count.

In his first press conference after the vote, after the Ipsos/Peru21/Latina exit poll placed him in second place (in a technical tie with López Aliaga and Jorge Nieto), he promised to travel to “all the towns to call them to the refounding of the homeland.”

He added that if they advance to the second round, “as a social movement of the provincial left,” they will promote a Constituent Assembly based on equal rights.

Sánchez also stated that his priorities will be combating poverty and bringing modernization to all parts of the country. He further reiterated that his electoral platform includes nationalizing natural resources “that belong to the people” and drafting a new law to protect informal miners.

According to a report from the online exchange house Kambista, the dollar started the session on Tuesday, April 14, on an upward trend, reaching S/3.415 in the interbank market, amid the uncertainty generated by a changing electoral context (currently around S/3.3860, according to Bloomberg).

“In this scenario, the sol stands apart from the behavior of other currencies in the region , which tend to strengthen against the dollar , in line with a downward DXY (-0.34%),” the report clarifies.

What happened? While the dollar fell yesterday , the exchange rate opened lower that morning and rose during the session, causing a drop, but less than the opening price. Now, however, after the quick count results from Ipsos and Transparencia , the dollar appears to be on the rise.

“The changes in the results as the official tally of ballots progresses, coupled with the IPSOS quick count published yesterday, have altered market expectations regarding which candidates will advance to the second round. This is putting upward pressure on the dollar, in an environment that remains highly volatile and subject to further movements as more information becomes available,” explained Fernando Ruiz, CEO of Kambista.

Also, on the international stage, the US PPI stood at 0.5% month-on-month, below the forecast of 1.1% and the previous figure of 0.7%, suggesting less pressure for a tightening of monetary policy .

“This cooling reduces the dollar’s ​​momentum globally, while in commodities, WTI crude oil fell 3.45% amid reports of a possible resumption of talks between the US and Iran in Pakistan. Meanwhile, gold declined 1.15% and copper 0.18%,” stated Iván Esquivel, Compliance Analyst at Kambista.

Furthermore, at the local level, uncertainty surrounding the second round is sustaining demand for dollars, with investors avoiding taking risky positions while awaiting greater clarity.

“Today, S/ 7,101.3 million in certificates of deposit and deposits with the Central Reserve Bank of Peru (BCRP) are due , in addition to S/ 200 million in currency swaps. In this context, the Central Bank will have to evaluate the renewal of these operations to manage exchange rate volatility,” Esquivel concluded.

However, as is known, according to the quick count results from Ipsos and Transparencia, Roberto Sánchez may be closer to the second round , although they highlight a virtual tie among four candidates. This showed a different result than that expected by the polling firm Datum, which gave Rafael López Aliaga a greater margin of victory.

After midday, the ONPE results were tallying mostly rural votes, as Metropolitan Lima was nearing completion, with over 90% of the count finished. Keiko Fujimori was leading in some regions and Roberto Sánchez in others, while López Aliaga was only leading in Lima. Sánchez had been gaining ground in the polls, moving from behind Carlos Álvarez to fourth place behind Jorge Nieto. More than 20,000 ballots still needed to be processed.

Popular Renewal insists on the non-existent fraud and has submitted more than 100 requests to the National Elections Board (JNE) to annul polling stations in the department of Cajamarca .

The party of former Lima mayor Rafael López Aliaga is seeking to have all votes in cities such as Chota, Cochabamba, San Juan, Magdalena, Huambos, Pedro Gálvez, Baños del Inca, and Chetilla completely annulled. Based on a review of each ballot that they are trying to annul, Infobae determined that a total of 22,631 votes are involved.

López Aliaga received a low number of votes at all polling stations . In most of these stations, Roberto Sánchez , the candidate for Juntos por el Perú, garnered more support and is neck and neck with Keiko Fujimori for a place in the second round .

For example, at one polling station, Sánchez obtained 100 votes, while López Aliaga did not exceed 10.

In some polling stations that are being challenged, Fujimori won , while in a few others, the candidate of the Good Government Party, Jorge Nieto , won .

The arguments of the Popular Renewal representatives are questionable . In some polling stations, they seek to have the results annulled because the number “0” was not placed when a party did not receive any votes; however, they challenge other polling stations precisely because that number was placed in the party boxes.

Another argument used by the sky-blue party to challenge polling stations en masse is that the signatures of the polling station members extended beyond the box, that the station was supposedly sealed incorrectly, that the polling station was set up minutes before 7:00 a.m., or that it was not specified whether the time corresponded to am or pm.

Incredibly, they are asking the Special Electoral Jury to apply article 363 of the Organic Law of Elections, which empowers these bodies to declare the nullity of a polling station “when there has been fraud.”

“Therefore, I request that our request be declared founded and consequently that the challenged document be declared NULL, and that the votes it contains in favor of any political party not be counted,” is the request that is repeated in all the requests for annulment from Popular Renewal.

The race for second place in Peru’s presidential election will be decided vote by vote: Rafael López Aliaga and Roberto Sánchez are separated by only 9,365 votes, with more than 5,000 ballots still under review and deliberations pending in the Special Electoral Tribunals. This minimal difference keeps the name of the candidate who will face Keiko Fujimori in the second round in suspense, a situation that could be resolved once the ballots from abroad are counted, where López Aliaga has more support than Sánchez.

The provisional count by the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) has reached 92.961% of the tally sheets. López Aliaga , candidate for Popular Renewal and former mayor of Lima, has 1,869,844 votes (11.919%), while Roberto Sánchez of Together for Peru, former minister during the Pedro Castillo administration, has 1,879,201 votes (11.978%). Fujimori , leader of Popular Force, leads the election with 2,677,211 votes , equivalent to 17.065% of the valid ballots, and his place in the second round is already secured.

The outcome between López Aliaga and Sánchez hinges on the remaining 1,512 tally sheets —equivalent to 1.630% of the total—and the 5,020 observed tally sheets (5.411%), whose validity is still under review by the Special Electoral Tribunals. The result of this process will not only determine Fujimori’s opponent but could also alter the parliamentary balance and the immediate political landscape.