1. Venezuelan authorities said yesterday they've released more than 530 people detained after anti-government protests that started in July.
The government of President Nicolás Maduro has given no reason for the releases, but they come as the UN and International Criminal Court have been investigating human rights abuses by his regime.
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, named by U.S. President-elect Trump to be secretary of state, is also a fierce critic of Maduro's government.
2.Ecuador and Colombia have pledged to reinforce environmental protections near the Galápagos and the marine territory on their nearby coastlines.
The commitment, made Sunday during a high-level meeting between Presidents Daniel Noboa and Gustavo Petro, comes after the countries also announced a shared marine protected area in November.
