Latest news with #Nicolás
Daily Mirror
06-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
'I've visited every country on Earth and my favourite was the very first one'
Nicolás Pasquali, 44, who describes himself as the "first Argentinean to visit every country in the world", has finally managed to tick off North Korea from his list after eight years of travel Nicolás Pasquali, a man who has travelled to every country on Earth, has revealed that his favourite place is closer to home than one might expect. Nicolás, who considers himself to be the "first Argentine to visit every country in the world", has recently smashed his impressive target after spending a remarkable eight years travelling. In February, he finally put a pin in the last country on his list after a year waiting, the hermit kingdom of North Korea in East Asia, which often only grants tourists access via tightly controlled tours. However, you'd imagine that picking a favourite from the near-200 on offer would prove to be a tricky task, but Nicolás was left in "no doubt". In an interview with Argentine newspaper Infobae, he stated: "As an Argentinean, there's no doubt Argentina is number one. We have identity, culture, gastronomy, sports and unique natural landscapes. Despite economic problems, we keep standing out globally." A sense of unity Nicolás pointed out that the South American nation has a "marked identity and a sense of unity" that he hasn't "seen elsewhere". He went on to draw comparisons with England, pointing to one aspect in particular. He went on to say: "You go to England, and Britons aren't proud of being British like we are proud of being Argentinean. We feel part of something bigger, which is impressive." Language also plays a significant role for the Buenos Aires native, who went on to explain that Spanish is the "second-most spoken language", making it "easier for us to move around". It's still a jewel Nicolás encapsulated his experience by revealing something he'd learned while visiting all those other countries, a pearl of wisdom that may offer insight into his choice of Argentina as his favourite country. Reflecting on his homeland, he remarked: "When you live in Argentina, you think that in other countries everything is perfect. But the truth is that it's not. There are countries at war, countries where people don't even have water, and countries where you can't say what you think. And that's when you realise that Argentina, with all its problems, is still a jewel." Second-largest country on the continent Argentina, the second-largest country in South America, is divided into four distinct regions: the Andes, the Pampas, the north, and Patagonia. The climate varies dramatically from subtropical in the north to sub- Antarctic conditions in the south, and the nation is home to an impressive array of wildlife. In the rugged terrain of Patagonia, intrepid adventurers might spot sea lions, penguins, and seals along the coast. Meanwhile, offshore in the Atlantic, you could encounter dolphins, orcas, and even sharks. Up in the northern parts, the wildlife includes crocodiles, caimans, flamingos, toucans, and jaguars. How many countries are there? The UN (United Nations) recognises a total of 195 countries, 193 of which are member states. The final two regions are the non-member observer states of Vatican City and Palestine, although the true number is actually disputed. This is due to a number of disputed zones and countries with either full or partial sovereignty, writes the BBC. In fact, the CIA (the US' Central Intelligence Agency) lists the full number as 237, for example.
Epoch Times
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
US Issues ‘Do Not Travel' Warning for Venezuela, Citing Wrongful Detention, Terrorism Concerns
The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 4 'Do Not Travel' advisory for American citizens visiting Venezuela, warning of a significant and growing risk of wrongful detention in the South American country. In a May 27 There is currently no U.S. embassy or consulate operating in Venezuela. As a result, the State Department said Venezuelan authorities do not notify the U.S. government when American citizens are detained. The department said, 'More U.S. citizens are currently wrongfully detained in Venezuela than in any other country.' The South American country does not allow U.S. officials to visit detained Americans, and detainees are often denied legal counsel or access to their families, according to the State Department. 'Venezuelan security forces have detained U.S. citizens for up to five years without respect to due process, in harsh conditions—including torture—frequently based solely on their U.S. nationality or U.S. Passport,' the State Department said. Related Stories 5/28/2025 5/27/2025 U.S. embassies in 'Dual citizenship, a Venezuelan visa, past travel to Venezuela, or a job in Venezuela does not protect U.S. national travelers,' the State Department's alert states. 'Every American is at risk of being detained by [Venezuelan President Nicolás] Maduro's regime. Any American citizens currently in Venezuela have been advised to leave immediately. 'Anyone with U.S. citizenship or any other U.S. residency status in Venezuela should leave the country immediately, including those traveling on Venezuelan or other foreign passports,' the State Department said. 'Do not travel to Venezuela for any reason.' Venezuela recently The deportation process involved Honduras acting as a stopover for deportation flights of Venezuelans being sent from the United States to Venezuela. On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that there would be 'Foreigners who work to undermine the rights of Americans should not enjoy the privilege of traveling to our country,' Rubio said in a May 28
Axios
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Axios
More U.S. nationals wrongfully detained in Venezuela than anywhere else: State Department
The State Department on Tuesday warned citizens against any travel to Venezuela, where it says more U.S. nationals are currently wrongfully detained than in any other country. The big picture: The department has ramped up its warnings to Americans not to travel to the South American country, urging citizens earlier this month to prepare a will if they plan to travel there. Driving the news: The department has assigned its highest travel advisory level — do not travel — for Venezuela, citing in its Tuesday media release the "severe risks" of wrongful detention, torture while in custody, kidnapping and other threats. U.S. embassies in Colombia, Brazil and other South American countries issued security warnings Tuesday. U.S. citizens are at "extreme risk of detention" when entering Venezuela and could be "unjustly charged" with serious crimes, like terrorism, and detained for a long period of time, the warnings said. "There is no safe way for Americans to travel to Venezuela," the security alerts stressed. The State Department did not respond to Axios' request for comment. What they're saying:"Dual citizenship, a Venezuelan visa, past travel to Venezuela, or a job in Venezuela does not protect U.S. national travelers," the State Department's alert read. "Every American is at risk of being detained by [Venezuelan President Nicolás]Maduro's regime." It further urged any U.S. citizens currently in Venezuela to leave immediately. There is currently no U.S. embassy or consulate operating in Venezuela. The State Department has warned against traveling to Venezuela for years and announced the temporary suspension of operations of the U.S. Embassy in Caracas and the withdrawal of diplomatic personnel in March 2019. Catch up quick: Several American citizens have been detained in Venezuela, including two people who Maduro said in January, ahead of his inauguration following a disputed election, were part of a group of "mercenaries." In September, Venezuela said three U.S. citizens had been arrested alongside three others over an alleged U.S.-sponsored plot to kill Maduro. The State Department rejected allegations of CIA involvement. Six American prisoners came home from Venezuela earlier this year after Richard Grenell, a special envoy, met with Maduro. Another American, a U.S. Air Force veteran, was also released this month. Zoom out: Tens of thousands of Venezuelan migrants have fled to the U.S. amid years of political and economic turmoil. But the Supreme Court last week cleared the path for the Trump administration to strip temporary deportation protections from more than 300,000 Venezuelans. The administration has zeroed in on Maduro's regime, seeking to tie him to criminal gang activity as it invokes wartime authority to deport undocumented people with little or no due process. But a recent intelligence memo first shared with the New York Times found that the regime is likely not directing criminal gang Tren de Aragua's movements to and operations within the U.S.
