Julio Ricardo Varela
@juliorvarela.com
Award-winning journalist. Senior Producer/Strategist, FreePress.net. Founder, TheLatinoNewsletter.org (2024), LatinoRebels.com (2011). MS.now columnist. Opinions here are mine only and no one else's 🇵🇷
The top front page of @thelatinonewsletter.org tonight features work of some Latino Media Consortium founding members.
January 10, 2026 at 1:58 AM
The top front page of @thelatinonewsletter.org tonight features work of some Latino Media Consortium founding members.
Today's PressingIssues.org edition is by @freepress.bsky.social colleague @timkarr.bsky.social
Recording ICE Isn’t ‘Violence’ – It’s a Constitutionally Protected Act of Journalism
Recording ICE Isn’t ‘Violence’ – It’s a Constitutionally Protected Act of Journalism
Recording ICE Isn’t ‘Violence’ – It’s a Constitutionally Protected Act of Journalism
How the First Amendment plays an essential role in exposing the truth about Renee Good’s tragic death in Minneapolis
pressingissues.org
January 9, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Today's PressingIssues.org edition is by @freepress.bsky.social colleague @timkarr.bsky.social
Recording ICE Isn’t ‘Violence’ – It’s a Constitutionally Protected Act of Journalism
Recording ICE Isn’t ‘Violence’ – It’s a Constitutionally Protected Act of Journalism
Reposted by Julio Ricardo Varela
At Status_ @oliverdarcy.bsky.social has learned that Bari Weiss, CBS News' Trump-approved minder, has held up another “60 Minutes” report:
An Anderson Cooper investigation of Trump’s acceptance of white S. African refugees, which is “guaranteed to provoke Trump and inflame his MAGA base.”
An Anderson Cooper investigation of Trump’s acceptance of white S. African refugees, which is “guaranteed to provoke Trump and inflame his MAGA base.”
The Shadow Over ‘60’
As Sharyn Alfonsi's “60 Minutes” report remains shelved, Status has learned that an Anderson Cooper piece is also caught in a prolonged editorial review process, frustrating the veteran producer attac...
www.status.news
January 9, 2026 at 11:43 AM
At Status_ @oliverdarcy.bsky.social has learned that Bari Weiss, CBS News' Trump-approved minder, has held up another “60 Minutes” report:
An Anderson Cooper investigation of Trump’s acceptance of white S. African refugees, which is “guaranteed to provoke Trump and inflame his MAGA base.”
An Anderson Cooper investigation of Trump’s acceptance of white S. African refugees, which is “guaranteed to provoke Trump and inflame his MAGA base.”
Thank you, @juanescalante.com, for being our guest this week.
January 8, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Thank you, @juanescalante.com, for being our guest this week.
Reposted by Julio Ricardo Varela
Big thanks to @thelatinonewsletter.org and @juliorvarela.com for for having me as the finTLN Podcast guest of 2026
Check it out as we talk Venezuela, immigration, and Minneapolis 👇
Check it out as we talk Venezuela, immigration, and Minneapolis 👇
January 8, 2026 at 9:34 PM
Big thanks to @thelatinonewsletter.org and @juliorvarela.com for for having me as the finTLN Podcast guest of 2026
Check it out as we talk Venezuela, immigration, and Minneapolis 👇
Check it out as we talk Venezuela, immigration, and Minneapolis 👇
Spotify stopped running iCE ads.
Spotify Confirms ICE Recruitment Ads Are No Longer Running on Platform
Spotify has confirimed that ICE recruitment ads are no longer running on its platform following criticism from last year.
variety.com
January 8, 2026 at 8:18 PM
Spotify stopped running iCE ads.
“As long as the people of America elect angry, confrontational people, don’t be surprised that democracy works and you get an angry, confrontational Congress,” Hoyer said.
Rep. Steny Hoyer to retire, ending storied career in elected office
Maryland’s longest serving member of Congress won’t seek reelection after having spent two decades as the No. 2 House Democrat.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 8, 2026 at 2:58 AM
“As long as the people of America elect angry, confrontational people, don’t be surprised that democracy works and you get an angry, confrontational Congress,” Hoyer said.
"She appears to be a middle-aged white woman," Minneapolis Police Chief says, noting that she was under no law enforcement investigation.
January 7, 2026 at 6:51 PM
"She appears to be a middle-aged white woman," Minneapolis Police Chief says, noting that she was under no law enforcement investigation.
"To ICE, get the f*ck out of Minneapolis. We do not want you here," Mayor Frey says.
January 7, 2026 at 6:40 PM
"To ICE, get the f*ck out of Minneapolis. We do not want you here," Mayor Frey says.
"What we do know is that a 37-year-old woman is dead and she was shot by ICE," Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey starts his remarks and later calls DHS' statement "bullshit."
January 7, 2026 at 6:38 PM
"What we do know is that a 37-year-old woman is dead and she was shot by ICE," Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey starts his remarks and later calls DHS' statement "bullshit."
Reposted by Julio Ricardo Varela
ICE agent shoots and kills a woman during the Minneapolis immigration crackdown via @apnews.com
ICE agent shoots and kills a woman during the Minneapolis immigration crackdown
Authorities say a federal agent shot and killed a Minneapolis motorist when she allegedly tried to run over law enforcement officers during an immigration crackdown in the city.
apnews.com
January 7, 2026 at 6:03 PM
ICE agent shoots and kills a woman during the Minneapolis immigration crackdown via @apnews.com
This morning in Congress, @mattfieldwood.bsky.social testifies about media mergers.
Free Press Action Vice President of Policy and General Counsel Matt Wood is testifying today about the harms of massive media mergers before a House Judiciary subcommittee.
WATCH @mattfieldwood.bsky.social live:
youtu.be/mY9fNZZLAuw
WATCH @mattfieldwood.bsky.social live:
youtu.be/mY9fNZZLAuw
January 7, 2026 at 3:34 PM
This morning in Congress, @mattfieldwood.bsky.social testifies about media mergers.
For my latest in PressingIssues.org, I connected with Roberta Braga of the Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas (DDIA) about their latest messaging app analysis, hours after Maduro's capture. Shows differences in Spanish-language and English-language messages.
The Polarizing Narratives of Venezuela as Told Through Messaging Apps
A Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas analysis reveals how information about the world’s biggest story differs depending on the language
pressingissues.org
January 6, 2026 at 10:48 PM
For my latest in PressingIssues.org, I connected with Roberta Braga of the Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas (DDIA) about their latest messaging app analysis, hours after Maduro's capture. Shows differences in Spanish-language and English-language messages.
Reposted by Julio Ricardo Varela
With news that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting is officially dissolving, I'm resharing this piece on why the possibility and promise of public media is still worth defending. And why we need to be creating new blueprints and a vision that goes far beyond what we just lost.
Let’s Make the End of CPB the Start of Public Media’s Revival
The fight for public media’s future is a fight for democracy and against authoritarianism.
pressingissues.org
January 5, 2026 at 8:37 PM
With news that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting is officially dissolving, I'm resharing this piece on why the possibility and promise of public media is still worth defending. And why we need to be creating new blueprints and a vision that goes far beyond what we just lost.
Reposted by Julio Ricardo Varela
A special edition of @thelatinonewsletter.org is new from @juanescalante.com
The Long Road Ahead for Venezuela
Here are my three big questions on this developing situation
The Long Road Ahead for Venezuela
Here are my three big questions on this developing situation
The Long Road Ahead For Venezuela
Here are my three big questions on this developing situation. I encourage everyone to keep them top of mind whenever discussing Venezuela’s future.
thelatinonewsletter.org
January 4, 2026 at 10:25 PM
A special edition of @thelatinonewsletter.org is new from @juanescalante.com
The Long Road Ahead for Venezuela
Here are my three big questions on this developing situation
The Long Road Ahead for Venezuela
Here are my three big questions on this developing situation
Reposted by Julio Ricardo Varela
Via @washingtonpost.com
"President Donald Trump said Saturday at his Mar-a-Lago club that the United States will control Venezuela for an unspecified period after a U.S. operation captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife."
"President Donald Trump said Saturday at his Mar-a-Lago club that the United States will control Venezuela for an unspecified period after a U.S. operation captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife."
January 3, 2026 at 5:15 PM
Via @washingtonpost.com
"President Donald Trump said Saturday at his Mar-a-Lago club that the United States will control Venezuela for an unspecified period after a U.S. operation captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife."
"President Donald Trump said Saturday at his Mar-a-Lago club that the United States will control Venezuela for an unspecified period after a U.S. operation captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife."
Reposted by Julio Ricardo Varela
Following U.S. military strikes on Venezuela and the apprehension of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, various military planes can be seen at Roosevelt Roads Naval Base. #PuertoRico
January 3, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Following U.S. military strikes on Venezuela and the apprehension of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, various military planes can be seen at Roosevelt Roads Naval Base. #PuertoRico
Reposted by Julio Ricardo Varela
Live updates: Trump confirms U.S. strikes on Venezuela, says Maduro was 'captured' via @nbcnews.com
Live updates: Trump confirms U.S. strikes on Venezuela, says Maduro was 'captured'
Follow live updates as a series of explosions are heard around Venezuela's capital after a military buildup in the Caribbean, tanker seizures, and Trump pressing President Nicolás Maduro to step down.
www.nbcnews.com
January 3, 2026 at 12:08 PM
Live updates: Trump confirms U.S. strikes on Venezuela, says Maduro was 'captured' via @nbcnews.com
I have never been more excited about where @thelatinonewsletter.org will go next, although I am also very aware that we are only as good as the work we publish and the trust we build with our subscribers, followers, supporters, reporters, producers, editors, and contributors.
Here is @thelatinonewsletter.org's 2026 strategic plan by Julio Ricardo Varela @juliorvarela.com
What The Latino Newsletter Will Accomplish in 2026
I have never been more excited about where The Latino Newsletter will go next, although I am also very aware that we are only as good as the work we publish and the trust we build with our subscribers...
thelatinonewsletter.org
January 2, 2026 at 2:13 AM
I have never been more excited about where @thelatinonewsletter.org will go next, although I am also very aware that we are only as good as the work we publish and the trust we build with our subscribers, followers, supporters, reporters, producers, editors, and contributors.
The important things you need to know today.
REMEMBER
Feliz Año Nuevo = Happy New Year
Feliz Ano Nuevo = Happy New Butthole
Feliz Año Nuevo = Happy New Year
Feliz Ano Nuevo = Happy New Butthole
December 31, 2025 at 5:46 PM
The important things you need to know today.
Stay for the hair. Seriously.
Here is @thelatinonewsletter.org founder Julio Ricardo Varela @juliorvarela.com with one final year-end message to support our work.
2025 was a fantastic year for us, and you can help us start off 2026 right! Happy New Year! ¡Feliz año nuevo!
Give here => bit.ly/donatetln
2025 was a fantastic year for us, and you can help us start off 2026 right! Happy New Year! ¡Feliz año nuevo!
Give here => bit.ly/donatetln
December 31, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Stay for the hair. Seriously.
New from @attorneynora.bsky.social in the NYTimes Opinion section.
NEW: Free Press' @attorneynora.bsky.social writes on @nytimes.com...
"My Trump's relentless campaign to stifle dissent work in concert in their frequency and their volume."
Read and share: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/31/o...
"My Trump's relentless campaign to stifle dissent work in concert in their frequency and their volume."
Read and share: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/31/o...
December 31, 2025 at 4:52 PM
New from @attorneynora.bsky.social in the NYTimes Opinion section.
A joy to see how well @thelatinonewsletter.org did this year.
The December 30 edition of @thelatinonewsletter.org is by @juliorvarela.com
Some of The Latino Newsletter‘s 2025 Data Wins
A list of key audience and engagement metrics from our website
Some of The Latino Newsletter‘s 2025 Data Wins
A list of key audience and engagement metrics from our website
Some of The Latino Newsletter‘s 2025 Data Wins
We are in the 82nd week of The Latino Newsletter, and over the last couple of days, I spent some time reviewing our web data from Google Analytics, MSN, and Beehiiv, which launched its own analytics d...
thelatinonewsletter.org
December 31, 2025 at 3:59 AM
A joy to see how well @thelatinonewsletter.org did this year.
Most fun Arsenal half of the year. Next!
December 30, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Most fun Arsenal half of the year. Next!
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Help support us as we create new lanes for journalists who cover our communities.
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December 29, 2025 at 8:12 PM