International

Peru pauses safe-conduct decision as dispute over political asylum deepens

Peruvian Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela announced that the government has decided to “delay” its decision on whether to grant safe-conduct to former Prime Minister Betssy Chávez — who is facing rebellion charges for her role in former President Pedro Castillo’s 2022 self-coup — and who is currently under political asylum at the Mexican Embassy in Lima.

De Zela explained that authorities will wait to make a final decision until they consult with other countries in the region, particularly members of the Organization of American States (OAS), regarding the 1954 Caracas Convention, which serves as the basis for the asylum request made by Chávez and supported by Mexican authorities.

“At the beginning of December, I will be in Washington to present this proposal specifically, and we will request that it be addressed with the urgency the case requires,” the foreign minister said in an interview with CNN. He added that he is confident there will be “a good reception” within the OAS to discuss this matter.

In recent days, Peruvian authorities indicated that they would consult OAS member states, arguing that in recent years the right to asylum has been “distorted,” as it is being granted “to those who are not facing persecution in democratic states,” in their view.

According to Peru, the convention has been “misused,” as ordinary crimes are being labeled as political persecution, and “under no circumstances should it be used to evade the application of national laws.”

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In early November, Peru decided to break diplomatic relations with Mexico after learning “unexpectedly” that Chávez had been granted refuge at the Mexican Embassy in Lima. The government cited the “repeated instances” in which Mexican authorities had interfered in Peru’s internal affairs, referring to their criticism of Castillo’s arrest in December 2022.

As part of an agreement between the administration of former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and previous Peruvian authorities, political asylum had already been granted to Castillo’s family. Castillo, meanwhile, remains in the midst of judicial proceedings on rebellion charges.

International

Spain rebukes U.S. over euthanasia case as minister defends legal framework

Spain’s Minister of Health, Mónica García, on Wednesday responded to the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump after reports that Washington requested an investigation into the euthanasia case of Spanish citizen Noelia Castillo.

The minister questioned the U.S. government’s stance and urged it not to interfere in matters governed by Spain’s legal and healthcare framework. “Stop fueling an international ultra agenda by meddling everywhere,” García wrote in a message on the social platform X.

In her remarks, García also criticized the U.S. healthcare system, noting that thousands of people die each year without access to medical coverage. She further accused the Trump administration of supporting actions that undermine human rights in international contexts.

García defended the legality of euthanasia in Spain, emphasizing that the procedure is strictly regulated and subject to medical and judicial oversight. “Spain is a serious country, with a strong healthcare system and a legal framework that protects individuals, including those who choose to seek assistance in dying under regulated conditions reviewed by clinical committees and upheld by the courts,” she said.

The case of Noelia Castillo, a 25-year-old woman living with paraplegia, drew widespread attention following a legal dispute with her father, who opposed her decision to undergo euthanasia. The procedure was ultimately carried out in accordance with Spanish law.

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International

New York City lifts TikTok ban on government devices under new security rules

New York City has lifted its ban on TikTok on government-owned devices, allowing city agencies to resume posting on the platform under newly established security protocols, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Tuesday.

The initial ban, implemented in 2023 by former mayor Eric Adams, aligned with federal and state-level restrictions across the United States, which limited the use of TikTok on official devices over concerns related to its parent company, ByteDance. The company has previously denied these concerns, calling them unfounded.

Under the updated guidelines issued by the city’s Cyber Command, devices designated for TikTok use by government agencies must not store or access sensitive information. Officials indicated that the policy shift is intended to enhance communication with residents.

“The Mamdani Administration is committed to using every tool in our toolbox to communicate with New Yorkers,” the mayor’s office said in a statement.

Following the announcement, the mayor’s official TikTok account resumed activity after remaining inactive since the ban was first enforced.

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International

Rubio signals possible engagement with Iranian factions amid internal divisions

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday that Washington is hopeful of engaging with factions within the government of Iran, noting that the United States has received positive private signals.

Speaking to ABC News’ Good Morning America, Rubio suggested that internal divisions exist within the Islamic Republic and expressed confidence that figures with the authority to act could emerge.

“We are hopeful that this will be the case,” Rubio said. “Clearly, there are people there who are communicating with us in ways that those previously in power in Iran did not. This is reflected in some of the steps they appear willing to take.”

Despite this, Rubio maintained a firm stance toward Iran, reiterating that the ongoing conflict seeks to eliminate its capacity to develop nuclear weapons—an objective that President Donald Trump has previously claimed was achieved during a military strike last year.