International

Two Venezuelan soldiers dead in clashes with Colombian ‘insurgents’

AFP/Editor

Two Venezuelan military personnel were killed and 32 Colombian “insurgents” captured in fighting on the border between the two countries, Venezuela’s Armed Forces said on Monday.

Venezuela’s military had clashed with an armed group near the border with Colombia on Sunday. The Armed Forces said there had been “clashes with irregular armed Colombian groups” in the southwestern Apure state, adding that a major and a lieutenant had “unfortunately died.”

As well as the capture of “32 subjects,” “weapons, ammunition, explosives, war supplies, vehicles and drugs were seized.” “One of the leaders known as ‘El Nando’ was neutralized,” said the statement signed by Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino.

News of the confrontation was revealed by the mayor of a Colombian border town. “This Sunday we were awakened, we residents of Arauquita, by detonations from the Venezuelan air force” that continued through the afternoon, the mayor Etelivar Torres had told local media. He said that the confrontation had resulted in “a significant number of injured and dead.”

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Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro confirmed the clashes on public television but gave no further details. In the other hand, Colombia President Ivan Duque has long accused Venezuela of shielding armed rebels on its soil, a charge Maduro denies. Last month, Duque launch a an “elite” commando unit to tackle Marxist rebels and drug-traffickers seeking refuge in Venezuela, eliciting an angry response from Maduro.

Despite the 2016 peace accord with FARC, Colombia continues to battle a multi-faceted armed conflict involving leftist guerrillas, drug-traffickers and right-wing paramilitaries competing for control of the lucrative cocaine and illegal mineral extraction markets.

International

US panel backs Trump-themed coin amid controversy

The United States Department of the Treasury confirmed to AFP that the Commission of Fine Arts approved the design of a new collectible coin featuring Donald Trump, with members of the commission appointed by the current administration.

According to the proposal, the coin will feature an image of Trump standing with clenched fists over a desk on the obverse, while the reverse will display an eagle, a traditional symbol of the United States.

The sale price of the collectible has not yet been disclosed, although the United States Mint typically offers similar items for more than $1,000.

“There is no more iconic portrait for the front of these coins than that of our president Donald Trump,” U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach said in a statement sent to AFP. He added that two additional coins — a $1 piece and a one-ounce gold coin — are also under consideration.

However, the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC), another body responsible for reviewing new coin proposals, declined to discuss the Trump design in late February.

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“Only nations governed by kings or dictators place the image of a sitting leader on their currency,” said Donald Scarinciat the time. “No country in the world has minted coins featuring a democratically elected leader during their term in office,” he added.

When contacted by AFP, the Treasury Department did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.

International

Fed’s Waller warns of rising inflation risks amid Middle East conflict

Christopher Waller, a governor at the Federal Reserve, said Friday that he is increasingly concerned about the inflationary impact of the ongoing conflict involving United States and Israel against Iran, particularly due to the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Waller, who had supported interest rate cuts over the past year amid concerns about the labor market, said he has shifted his stance in recent weeks due to rising inflation risks.

“Since the Strait of Hormuz was closed, it suggests this conflict could be much more prolonged and that oil prices will remain elevated for longer,” Waller said in an interview with CNBC.

“Therefore, this indicates that inflation is a greater concern than I had previously assessed,” he added.

Waller also backed the Federal Reserve’s decision earlier this week to keep interest rates unchanged, signaling a more cautious approach as global geopolitical tensions continue to affect economic outlooks.

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International

Brazil offers to mediate Colombia-Ecuador tensions, calls for restraint

The government of Brazil has offered to mediate in the ongoing tensions between Colombia and Ecuador, while calling on both nations to exercise restraint.

In a statement released Wednesday, Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the parties involved to act with moderation and seek a peaceful resolution to the dispute.

“Brazil encourages all sides to act with moderation in order to find a peaceful solution to the controversy. It stands ready to support dialogue efforts aimed at preserving peace and security in the region,” the statement said.

Brazil also expressed “serious concern” over reports of deaths in the border area between Colombia and Ecuador, noting that the circumstances surrounding the incidents have not yet been clarified.

The diplomatic move comes amid rising tensions between the neighboring countries, increasing regional concern over stability and security along their shared border.