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First modification: 02/09/2026 - 16:10 Last modification: 02/09/2026 - 16:10

In this broadcast of Ellas Hoy we review the new details in the case of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein after the release of millions of documents: power figures from around the world, ranging from billionaire Elon Musk to the crown princess of Norway, Mette-Marit. On the other hand, we analyze, with the help of Doctors Without Borders, the crisis of sexual and gender violence in Haiti, while we learn about the story of the first woman to direct a drum kit – an orchestra of 200 percussionists – in Rio de Janeiro.

On Friday, January 30, three million pages, 180,000 images and 2,000 videos from the case of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were made public.

The revelation, made by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), once again highlighted the crimes committed by the pedophile and brought to light new names related to his actions.

Among the most mentioned names is that of President Donald Trump, cited more than 1,000 times in the documents released by the DOJ, according to the international press count.

Despite the large number of times his name is repeated, the information does not reveal details different from those already known about the friendship between these two powerful people. What is new is the close relationship between Epstein and Steven Bannon, Trump's former advisor, that the files suggest.

Another of the protagonists is Bill Gates, philanthropist and co-founder of Microsoft. The documents include draft emails from 2013, never sent, in which Epstein alludes to unproven personal situations and claims to have facilitated meetings with married women.

In the drafts, Epstein maintains that Gates would have contracted a sexually transmitted infection and requested antibiotics for his then wife, claims for which there is no medical or documentary support.

A spokesperson for Gates described these versions as “absolutely absurd and completely false” in dialogue with the ‘BBC’. The contacts between the two, known for years, had already been pointed out by Melinda French Gates as a factor in their divorce in 2021.

Read alsoEpstein and Gates: a plane trip, several face-to-face meetings and two million dollars

Likewise, another technology giant also appeared in the files: Elon Musk. Although the billionaire businessman is not accused of crimes and claimed to have rejected invitations to Epstein's island, the messages - still unverified - show that the two discussed possible trips between 2012 and 2013, without evidence that Musk has completed any.

That said, the revelations once again put former Prince Andrew, stripped of his title as Duke of York, under intense scrutiny. The files show new images in which the brother of King Charles III of the United Kingdom appears crouching and touching the waist of an unidentified woman who was lying on the floor.

The files also show Andrew's frequent contacts with Epstein for more than two years after the pedophile was convicted of sexual crimes against minors.

Keir Starmer, British Prime Minister, has said that the former prince will have to testify in court if he knows about the sex offender's activities.

Read alsoThe tentacles of the pedophile Epstein in the British establishment precipitate a political earthquake

Other names in European countries were also mentioned. In Slovakia, Prime Minister Robert Fico's national security adviser resigned after discovering emails from his partner with references to young women. Miroslav Lajcak denied wrongdoing, but left office.

While in Norway, Crown Princess Mette-Marit is at the center of debate after documents indicate she visited Epstein's residence in Palm Beach. The royal apologized for not having been adequately informed about the magnate's background.

The victims and their legal representatives criticized the way the publication was made. They reported a lack of privacy protection, as some survivors' names appeared uncensored or only partially covered.

The lives of women in Haiti under sexual violence

Earlier this year, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) presented a report titled: 'Sexual and gender-based violence in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.'

In it, the women interviewed tell the story of "a city where sexual violence is deeply rooted, where armed men use rape to terrorize, control and subjugate communities and where the only semblance of protection perceived by women and girls, by themselves and their families, is to approach sex for survival."

Read alsoAlert for sexual violence in Haiti: MSF reveals that cases have tripled since 2021

MSF points out that acts of violence based on gender and sex have increased since 2022 “and have become a tactic to spread terror among the population.”

In the Haitian capital, whose infrastructure is severely affected by years of intense conflict, many of the victims “are displaced from their homes, do not have access to health care and face immense barriers to finding support and rebuilding their lives.”

In this context, the humanitarian organization operates the Pan Men' clinic in Port-au-Prince. Since it began operating in 2015 until September of last year, it has served almost 17,000 people, 98% of whom have been women and girls.

To delve deeper into this data, Diana Mantilla, head of mission of Doctors Without Borders in Haiti, assures that the victims report that “not only were they victims of individual sexual violence, but they also witnessed the murder of their son or husband, or any person who had wanted to prevent the rape.”

In dialogue with France 24, Mantilla affirms that through “this conflict we see how women are being disproportionately affected.”

The MSF official explains that this type of violence has always been present in Haiti as “in other parts of Latin America.”

However, what has happened is that sexual violence has been used as a mechanism to “subdue entire communities, with women and girls being the main victims,” says Mantilla.

Read alsoHaiti reaches the end of the collegiate presidential term embraced by uncertainty

Laísa Lima, the first woman to direct a drum set in Rio de Janeiro

This year, for the first time the Sambódromo will have a woman directing the drums, the orchestra of more than 200 percussionists that animates the samba schools parade.

Her name is Laísa Lima, she is 26 years old and belongs to a historic family of Rio samba. She herself describes the magnitude of her role: “That there is a woman director of a drum set is a place of speech to be able to open doors for other women, for new dreams, so that other women feel comfortable, so that they understand that we have a space in the carnival.”

The female revolution does not only occur in the world of samba, street troupes also register an increase in women in charge. Like for example Thaís, teacher, cultural producer and musical director of two blocos, the street troupes of Rio de Janeiro.

"When I started in 2008, there were practically no women bloco directors at the carnival. I have developed quite a few studies in relation to teaching percussion, I am in love with the carnival. I am certainly leaving a legacy," explains the director of the blocos.

This female empowerment occurs at a crucial time for women in Brazil and the 'No means no' campaign. The initiative fights against abuses at the carnival in a scenario marked by the record increase in femicides in the South American giant.

Read alsoThe hidden drama of domestic workers in Brazil

With EFE, Reuters, AP and local media

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