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U.S. charge d’affaires arrives in Caracas, reopening diplomatic mission

Que Onda Editorial
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U.S. charge d’affaires arrives in Caracas, reopening diplomatic mission

U.S. charge d’affaires Laura Dogu arrived in Caracas on Saturday to reopen the American diplomatic mission in Venezuela, restoring formal relations that had been severed for seven years.

Dogu’s arrival at Simón Bolívar International Airport marked the first time U.S. diplomats have returned to the Venezuelan capital since 2019, when relations were cut after then-President Nicolás Maduro rejected U.S. support for opposition leader Juan Guaidó.

“I just arrived in Venezuela. My team and I are ready to work,” Dogu said in a post on the U.S. Embassy’s X account, alongside photos of her stepping off the plane.

State Department officials appointed Dogu on Jan. 22 as charge d’affaires of the Venezuela Affairs Unit, which had been based in Bogotá and handled diplomatic matters after the closure of the embassy in Caracas.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil said on social media that discussions with U.S. officials would aim to “deal with and resolve existing differences through diplomatic dialogue” guided by mutual respect and international law.

The mission’s reopening comes amid broader shifts in Venezuela’s political landscape following the capture of Maduro in January and the announcement by interim President Delcy Rodríguez of an amnesty bill aimed at freeing political prisoners — a key demand of opposition groups.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, a prominent figure in Venezuelan politics, said earlier this month that a U.S. embassy presence could help ensure proper treatment of Maduro, who is jailed in the United States.

The restoration of diplomatic relations may also pave the way for expanded cooperation on issues including consular services, economic engagement and future negotiations on the normalization of ties between the United States and Venezuela.

F1 Teams Wrap Up Barcelona Pre-Season as New Era Nears

Edward Saenz
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F1 Teams Wrap Up Barcelona Pre-Season as New Era Nears

Formula 1 teams concluded the first major shakedown of the 2026 season this week at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, offering the sport’s closest early look yet at radically redesigned cars and power units ahead of the championship’s March opener.

The five-day, closed-doors Barcelona shakedown brought a blend of long mileage, early reliability data and car development milestones, even as teams approached the event with different objectives under sweeping new technical regulations.

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton finished the test with the fastest lap of the week for Ferrari, posting a time of 1 minute, 16.348 seconds on Friday. Mercedes and other rivals focused primarily on durability and systems checks rather than outright pace.

Mercedes topped the mileage charts with more than 500 laps logged under various conditions, drawing praise for reliability during what analysts described as a positive start to the new season.

“Lap times are almost irrelevant this week,” said veteran F1 analyst Martin Brundle, noting that teams prioritized collecting data on new chassis and power unit behavior.

Several teams faced challenges during the private sessions. Red Bull sat out part of the week while awaiting replacement parts following a crash by driver Isack Hadjar in wet conditions, and Aston Martin only joined late after significant development changes delayed its trackwork.

The Williams team did not participate in the Barcelona testing at all, citing delays in preparing its new FW48 challenger under the updated regulations, a setback team officials said they hope to overcome ahead of official tests in Bahrain next month.

Off track, the newest entrant to the grid, the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, previewed its first competitive livery with a special edition scheme used during the shakedown, marking a milestone in the iconic American brand’s debut season.

The Barcelona running now turns toward the next phase of preparations, as teams head to Bahrain International Circuit for two official pre-season test sessions scheduled in mid-February, where performance comparisons and race simulations are expected to take center stage.

The 2026 Formula 1 season opens with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 8.

Another step forward: Texans post 12 wins, reach divisional round

Que Onda Editorial
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Another step forward: Texans post 12 wins, reach divisional round

The Houston Texans closed the 2025 NFL season with another playoff appearance, a 12-win regular season and growing evidence that the franchise’s rebuild has fully taken hold under coach DeMeco Ryans.

Houston finished the regular season 12–5, securing a wild-card berth in the AFC and finishing second in the AFC South. While the Texans’ postseason run ended in the divisional round, the season marked a continuation of steady progress for a team that has now established itself as a consistent playoff contender.

The Texans’ success came after an uneven start to the year. Houston stumbled early, struggling to find rhythm on offense and consistency in close games. As the season progressed, however, the team settled into an identity built around defense, disciplined coaching and timely playmaking.

That defensive foundation proved to be the Texans’ greatest strength. Houston ranked among the league’s top teams in points allowed and regularly limited opponents in high-leverage situations. The unit was anchored by edge rusher Will Anderson Jr., whose pressure off the line of scrimmage disrupted opposing quarterbacks, and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., who continued to develop into one of the league’s premier defensive backs.

Veteran additions also played a role. Danielle Hunter provided experience and pass-rushing production, giving the Texans a deeper rotation along the defensive front. Houston’s ability to control games defensively allowed the team to remain competitive even when the offense struggled to produce explosive plays.

Offensively, quarterback C.J. Stroud remained the centerpiece of the Texans’ long-term plans. In his third NFL season, Stroud led Houston to multiple comeback victories and showed command of the offense, though inconsistency at times limited the unit’s ceiling. Injuries and protection issues forced the Texans to adjust their approach, leaning more heavily on ball control and situational execution.

Wide receiver Nico Collins emerged as Stroud’s most reliable target, leading the team in receiving yards and providing a physical presence in the passing game. The Texans rotated several receivers and tight ends throughout the season as they searched for consistent production beyond Collins, while the running game played a key role in late-season victories that helped secure a playoff spot.

Special teams and game management also factored into Houston’s success. Ryans’ emphasis on discipline showed in close contests, where the Texans often avoided critical mistakes that swung momentum. Houston won several one-score games down the stretch, a notable change from previous seasons when narrow losses were common.

The Texans entered the postseason as a wild-card team and opened the playoffs with a convincing victory, advancing to the AFC divisional round. That win underscored Houston’s ability to compete with established contenders and validated the progress made over the course of the regular season.

Their postseason run ended the following week with a road loss in the divisional round. Turnovers, missed opportunities on offense and difficulty sustaining drives against a playoff-tested opponent ultimately proved costly. Despite the loss, the Texans remained competitive for much of the game before falling short.

The divisional-round defeat closed a season that many around the organization viewed as another step forward rather than a setback. Under Ryans, Houston has now produced multiple winning seasons and playoff appearances, a sharp contrast to the instability that defined the franchise earlier in the decade.

Ryans, a former Texans linebacker, has emphasized accountability and physicality since taking over as head coach. His influence has been most visible on defense, where Houston’s aggressive yet disciplined approach became the team’s calling card. Players consistently credited preparation and attention to detail for the Texans’ ability to rebound after early-season struggles.

The 2025 season also reinforced areas for improvement. Houston’s offense, while capable of scoring in bursts, lacked consistent explosiveness against top-tier defenses. Protecting Stroud, improving depth at skill positions and sustaining drives late in games remain priorities as the Texans look toward 2026.

Still, the overall trajectory points upward. The Texans’ 12 wins tied the franchise’s highest single-season totals, and their continued presence in the playoff picture signaled growing stability in a competitive AFC.

As the offseason begins, Houston faces expectations that extend beyond simply reaching the postseason. With a young quarterback, an emerging defensive core and a head coach firmly established, the Texans enter 2026 viewed as a team capable of contending deeper into January.

For a franchise that spent years searching for direction, the 2025 season offered further proof that Houston has found it — even as the pursuit of a championship remains unfinished.

Texas Sees Record Surge in Data Center Projects, Prompting Energy and Environmental Debate

Que Onda Editorial
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Texas Sees Record Surge in Data Center Projects, Prompting Energy and Environmental Debate

Texas is experiencing an unprecedented boom in data center development that has seen more than $10 trillion in project applications submitted for state permits in the past two months, according to state records. The surge coincides with approval of what could be the largest data-center power facility in the nation, underscoring Texas’ growing role as a hub for artificial intelligence and cloud computing infrastructure.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality recently granted a record-setting air-quality permit for a 7.65-gigawatt natural gas–fired power generation site in Pecos County known as the GW Ranch project. The facility is designed to operate a private electricity grid to support hyperscale data centers and is expected to begin delivering power in early 2027.

Data centers — facilities that house computer servers and network equipment — are drawing massive interest from technology companies seeking to expand capacity for artificial intelligence, cloud storage and digital services. Texas already hosts hundreds of such facilities, and developers are lining up to build more.

The sharp rise in project applications reflects broader market trends. Transmission provider Oncor reported receiving about 186 gigawatts of interconnection requests from data centers, a level that could require billions in upgrades to the state’s power infrastructure, the company said.

Supporters of the data center expansion say the development brings jobs and economic growth to rural and urban areas alike. Proponents also argue that dedicated power infrastructure like the GW Ranch project can reduce strain on the state’s main grid, managed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.

But the rapid expansion has raised environmental and infrastructure concerns. Critics warn that the heavy reliance on gas-fired power generation could lock in substantial greenhouse gas emissions for decades, and that the state’s existing energy grid may struggle to keep pace with demand. A range of reports and community discussions have highlighted potential impacts on air quality and rural land use.

Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller in January called on state and federal lawmakers to create “Agriculture Freedom Zones” to protect prime farmland from being overtaken by data center development, underscoring the tension between tech growth and traditional land uses.

Utility companies have also signaled major infrastructure investments are needed. Analysts say transmission upgrades and new generation capacity will be essential if demand continues to climb, though renewable energy sources and grid planning efforts are underway to help meet future needs.

As the data center boom accelerates, state leaders and industry officials face mounting pressure to balance economic opportunity with energy reliability and environmental sustainability.

Menefee wins runoff election for Houston congressional seat after extended vacancy

Que Onda Editorial
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Menefee wins runoff election for Houston congressional seat after extended vacancy

Former Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee won a special runoff election Saturday to represent Texas’ 18th Congressional District, securing the long-vacant Houston seat after months of political uncertainty and an unusually prolonged election process.

Menefee defeated former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards by a wide margin, capturing more than two-thirds of the vote, according to unofficial election results. He will serve the remainder of the term through January 2027.

The victory ends nearly a year without representation for the district, a Democratic stronghold encompassing much of central Houston and parts of Harris County. The seat became vacant following the death of longtime U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee in 2024. Her successor, former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, later died in March 2025, prompting a second special election for the same seat — a rare occurrence in modern congressional politics.

The runoff followed a crowded initial special election in which no candidate secured a majority. Saturday’s contest drew limited turnout, with fewer than 4% of registered voters casting ballots during early voting, election officials said.

Menefee, 37, campaigned on a progressive platform focused on expanding access to health care, raising the federal minimum wage and opposing aggressive federal immigration enforcement policies. He previously served as Harris County attorney, where he led legal challenges against several state laws backed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott.

Edwards emphasized her experience as a former city council member and her focus on economic development and public safety but struggled to overcome Menefee’s financial and organizational advantages. Campaign finance reports showed Menefee outraised Edwards by several hundred thousand dollars.

The race unfolded amid controversy over early voting disruptions caused by severe winter weather. Harris County closed all early voting locations for two days due to icy conditions, prompting lawsuits from voting rights groups who argued the closures violated state election law. Both Menefee and Edwards supported efforts to restore the lost voting days.

Nationally, Menefee’s win slightly narrows the Republican majority in the U.S. House, giving Democrats an additional seat as congressional leaders navigate closely divided votes.

The 18th District has long been a political anchor for Black and Latino voters in Houston and has remained reliably Democratic for decades. Menefee’s election maintains that legacy, though his tenure may be short-lived. Due to redistricting changes, he is expected to face veteran U.S. Rep. Al Green in an upcoming Democratic primary.

Menefee is expected to be sworn into office in the coming days.

Space Center Houston Reschedules Artemis II Launch Watch Party

Edward Saenz
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Space Center Houston Reschedules Artemis II Launch Watch Party

Space Center Houston has rescheduled its public watch party for NASA’s Artemis II mission following an update to the launch timeline. The earliest possible launch date is now Sunday, Feb. 8, and the Artemis II Launch Watch Party has been moved accordingly.

New Date and Time Announced

The rescheduled watch party will take place Sunday, Feb. 8, with doors opening to the public at 9:30 p.m. The event will be held at Space Center Houston, the Official Visitor Center of NASA Johnson Space Center.

Historic Crewed Mission Beyond Low Earth Orbit

Artemis II builds on the success of the uncrewed Artemis I mission in 2022 and marks the first U.S. crewed mission beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972. During the planned 10-day mission, astronauts will travel aboard the Orion spacecraft on a lunar flyby, testing systems and capabilities critical for future deep-space missions.

Ticket Information and Rollovers

Tickets purchased for the original Feb. 6 launch date will automatically roll over to the newly scheduled Feb. 8 event. Additional details for ticket holders are available on Space Center Houston’s FAQ page. Tickets for the Feb. 8 launch date will go on sale Feb. 3 at 10:00 a.m.

Stay Updated

For the latest updates and information about the Artemis II Launch Watch Party, the public is encouraged to follow Space Center Houston on its official social media channels and check its website for launch-related changes.

TICKETS:Available now

For the latest NASA mission updates, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

GRAMMY-Nominated Folklorist Juan Díes Brings Corridos, Stories, and Songwriting to Houston

Indira Zaldivar
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GRAMMY-Nominated Folklorist Juan Díes Brings Corridos, Stories, and Songwriting to Houston

Houston audiences will have a rare opportunity to experience the power of the Mexican corrido tradition when GRAMMY- and Latin GRAMMY-nominated artist Juan Díes presents two free events at MECA Downtown at the end of January.

On Thursday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m., Díes will lead Stories and Corridos, an evening of music and storytelling performed in both Spanish and English. The program will feature classic corridos alongside newly composed songs that recount real-life Mexican and American tragic heroes. Known for blending scholarship with performance, Díes draws on more than 35 years of experience as a folklorist, ethnomusicologist, performer, and educator to bring these historical ballads to life.

Díes is a co-founder of the Chicago-based Sones de México Ensemble, which has earned both GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY nominations for its dedication to preserving and innovating traditional Mexican music. The evening is supported in part by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and MECA-Houston.

The experience continues on Friday, Jan. 31 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with an intensive, hands-on Mexican Tragic Ballad Songwriting Workshop. During the five-hour session, participants will explore the 180-year-old corrido tradition, learning its history, structure, and poetic rules. By the end of the workshop, the group will collaboratively write an original song following the traditional tragic corrido form.

Both events take place at MECA DOW, 1900 Kane St., Houston, TX 77007, and are free to attend. Registration is required for the workshop.

Partial Government Shutdown Takes Effect as Funding Deal Awaits House Vote

Edward Saenz
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Partial Government Shutdown Takes Effect as Funding Deal Awaits House Vote

A partial federal government shutdown began early Saturday after the Senate passed a revised funding package hours before the deadline, leaving final approval in the hands of the House, which is not expected to vote until Monday at the earliest.

Senate Advances Funding Plan, Excludes DHS

The Senate voted 71–29 on Friday to approve government funding through September, while separating out funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Under a deal reached with the White House, DHS will be funded for an additional two weeks at current levels to allow negotiations over immigration enforcement reforms.

Five Republicans voted against the package: Sens. Rand Paul, Ted Cruz, Mike Lee, Ron Johnson, and Rick Scott.

House Vote Expected Monday

The bill now moves to the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson is expected to bring it to the floor under suspension of the rules, requiring a two-thirds majority for passage. That approach would demand significant bipartisan support to send the measure to President Donald Trump for signature.

Final House passage is expected Monday evening.

Graham Lifts Hold After Securing Future Votes

The Senate was able to proceed after Sen. Lindsey Graham lifted his hold on the legislation. Graham said he received commitments from Senate Majority Leader John Thune for future votes on banning so-called sanctuary cities and on separate provisions related to congressional surveillance protections.

“I will lift my hold and vote for the package,” Graham said Friday.

Democrats Signal Uncertainty in the House

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries declined to say whether Democrats would support the agreement, noting that no final deal had yet been presented to House members.

“There’s no agreement that’s been before us,” Jeffries said.

DHS Dispute Fueled by Recent Removals

The fight over DHS funding intensified following the recent death of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse killed in a shooting involving federal law enforcement in Minneapolis. The incident sharpened Democratic demands for changes to immigration enforcement practices.

Schumer Lays Out Democratic Demands

After the Senate vote, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats will push for significant DHS reforms during the two-week funding extension. These include ending roving patrols, mandating body cameras be turned on, and prohibiting officers from wearing masks.

“If our colleagues are not willing to enact real change, they should not expect Democratic votes,” Schumer said, warning that negotiations will be closely watched nationwide.

Schumer said he plans to work directly with Thune to set negotiation terms, emphasizing that bipartisan cooperation will be necessary to avoid a deeper shutdown once the DHS extension expires.

For more on the federal government shutdown, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

DOJ Releases Millions of Epstein Records Under New Transparency Law

Indira Zaldivar
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DOJ Releases Millions of Epstein Records Under New Transparency Law

The U.S. Department of Justice has begun releasing more than 3 million pages of records tied to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, following the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA). Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the release marks the end of an extensive review process aimed at increasing public transparency.

What’s Included — and What’s Withheld

According to Blanche, the DOJ possesses roughly 6 million pages related to Epstein. About half are being released, including approximately 2,000 videos and 180,000 images. Nearly 3 million pages remain withheld due to the presence of child sexual abuse material, victims’ personal and medical information, ongoing investigations, and other sensitive content. An additional 200,000 pages were withheld because of legal privilege.

Concerns Over Survivors’ Privacy

Despite DOJ assurances, attorneys for Epstein survivors say the latest release includes unredacted names and identifying details of victims, some of whom had never been publicly linked to the case. Lawyers reported receiving urgent calls from clients shortly after the files went live.

Survivors and their advocates criticized the release, arguing it exposes victims to retraumatization under the guise of transparency. The DOJ acknowledged possible errors and said it has set up a process for victims to report redaction issues so documents can be corrected or removed.

Trump Mentions and DOJ Pushback

President Donald Trump’s name appears thousands of times in the released records, largely in media references. Blanche rejected claims that the DOJ sought to shield Trump, stating the department complied strictly with the law and that the White House had no role in overseeing the release.

Blanche added that if evidence shows others abused victims, the DOJ would pursue charges regardless of status or identity.

FBI Interviews Detail Alleged Operation

The release includes numerous FBI interview records from alleged victims, offering detailed accounts of how Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell allegedly operated a network that recruited and exploited minors and young women. Witnesses described private flights, multiple properties, recruitment through massage or modeling fronts, and the use of money, gifts, and intimidation.

Several well-known figures are mentioned in these interviews, including former Prince Andrew and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Prince Andrew has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.

Internal FBI and DOJ Records

Internal documents outline how investigators categorized associates and potential co-conspirators following Epstein’s 2019 arrest and death. While many names are redacted, Ghislaine Maxwell and modeling agent Jean-Luc Brunel are repeatedly referenced. Maxwell remains the only person convicted in connection with Epstein’s crimes.

Epstein’s Trust and Estate Details Revealed

Newly released records include Epstein’s previously unseen trust agreement, signed just days before his death. The document details plans to distribute more than $288 million and multiple global properties to at least 44 beneficiaries, including his longtime girlfriend, lawyers, associates, and Maxwell. Court filings show the estate now holds far less than originally outlined.

Elon Musk Correspondence Included

The files also contain years-old emails and calendar entries showing correspondence between Epstein and Elon Musk about potential meetings and island visits. Musk has denied ever visiting Epstein’s island, stating he refused such invitations.

Ongoing Releases Expected

Friday’s disclosure is part of a larger, ongoing rollout mandated by the EFTA, which requires the DOJ to release unclassified Epstein-related records while protecting victims’ privacy. So far, only a fraction of the total materials reviewed have been made public, and additional releases are expected as the review process continues.

For more on the Epstein files involving minor victims, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

District 18 voters head to the polls in pivotal runoff election after winter storm poll closures

ABC13 Houston
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District 18 voters head to the polls in pivotal runoff election after winter storm poll closures

By Brianna Willis, ABC13 Houston

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — It’s election day in a Houston-area Congressional district that has seen many changes.

Voters in Congressional District 18 are deciding between former Houston City Councilwoman Amanda Edwards and former Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee to represent them in Washington, D.C.

The person elected will serve for about one year, filling the term left by former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, who died in March 2025, two months after taking office. Turner replaced Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who died while in office in 2024

Saturday is the last day to cast your ballot in the race, after the winter storm closed voting centers, and two additional early voting days were added.

ABC13 spoke with Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth, who said voter turnout is typically low in runoff elections, but it’s important to ensure you have a say in who represents you in Washington.

For news updates, follow Brianna Willis on Facebook, x and Instagram.

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