International
U.S. senators’ request for sanctions against Bolivia rejected
March 26 |
The president of the Bolivian Senate, Andrónico Rodríguez, and the vice minister of Foreign Affairs, Freddy Mamani, rejected on Saturday the request of six U.S. congressmen to the Government of that country to apply unilateral restrictive measures against the South American country for alleged human rights violations.
In a statement released through his social networks, Rodríguez stated that “the international community must know and hold this U.S. senator and others from his country responsible for promoting interventionist policies in different regions of the world”.
He recalled that respect for the sovereignty of each country is a fundamental principle of the harmonious coexistence of the international community. He added that these “interventionist insinuations” are linked to statements made by the head of the U.S. Southern Command, General Laura Richardson, regarding Washington’s interest in lithium and other Latin American resources.
In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Mamani made it clear that the prosecution of Áñez and Camacho is not the responsibility of the U.S. Government.
He considered that the request came from “only six congressmen, out of 435 in the U.S. Congress”. He added that it lacks seriousness and has no basis whatsoever.
Mamani asserted that his country watches over human rights and access to justice, “and that commitment is demonstrated in the openness of our government to invite the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, which will arrive to observe the human rights situation in our country,” he said.
He affirmed that the international community recognizes Bolivia’s commitment in this matter, which is why it chose Bolivia to occupy a vice-presidency of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
This week, Senators Marco Rubio, Rick Scott and Bill Cassidy, as well as Representatives Carlos Giménez, María Elvira Salazar and Mario Díaz-Balart, all ultraconservatives, sent a letter to President Joe Biden requesting the application of sanctions against Bolivia.
According to them, human rights violations have been committed in the South American nation in connection with the detention of the former de facto governor Jeanine Añez and the coup leader and governor of Santa Cruz, Luis Fernando Camacho.
In the opinion of the congressmen, their arrests weaken the opposition in Bolivia and open the door for the Chinese Communist Party and “other authoritarian regimes to further impose their strategic interests in the South American country and the region”.
International
China calls for dialogue amid rising Iran-Israel conflict
The Chinese government emphasized on Monday the importance of “creating the conditions to return to the proper path of dialogue” between Iran and Israel, which have exchanged attacks in recent days resulting in more than 20 Israeli and over 220 Iranian deaths.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun expressed deep concern at a press conference over the Israeli attacks on Iran and the “sudden escalation” of the military conflict.
Guo called on all parties to “take immediate measures to ease tensions and prevent the region from descending into further turmoil,” stating that “force cannot bring lasting peace.”
“If the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to intensify or even expand, the countries of the Middle East will be the first to suffer the consequences,” he added, while noting that China “will continue to maintain communication with the relevant parties, promoting peace and dialogue.”
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke last Saturday with his Iranian and Israeli counterparts to condemn the Israeli airstrike on Iranian territory, which he described as a “violation of international law” with the potential to trigger “disastrous” consequences.
In both calls, Wang reiterated China’s rejection of the use of force, defended diplomacy as the only solution to the Iranian nuclear dispute, and offered China’s mediation to prevent further destabilization in the Middle East.
International
Suspect arrested in killing of Minnesota legislator and husband, governor Says
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced on Sunday the arrest of Vance Luther Boelter, 57, the main suspect in the killing of Democratic legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband in a Brooklyn Park suburb on Friday night.
Boelter, who also reportedly shot State Senator John Hoffman and his wife early Saturday morning, was apprehended in Sibley County following an intensive manhunt involving hundreds of law enforcement officers.
In a public statement, Governor Walz condemned Boelter’s “unthinkable actions,” which resulted in the death of a woman who “shaped the core of who we are as a state.”
“We cannot become numb to this. We are a deeply divided nation,” Walz said in a statement posted on his X account.
“We move forward not with hatred or violence, but with humility, grace, and civility,” he added.
Expressing solidarity with the victims’ families, Walz said the entire state of Minnesota is in mourning. He also thanked law enforcement for their bravery and professionalism: “They have saved lives,” he emphasized.
“As we heal, we will not let fear win,” Walz concluded. “We must honor Melissa by moving forward with understanding, service, and above all, humanity.”
Throughout Sunday, police and sheriff units searched a rural area in Minnesota for Vance Luther Boelter, a security company director and preacher who, according to Governor Walz, acted out of politically motivated violence.
International
40,000 tourists stranded in Israel amid airspace shutdown over Iran conflict
Approximately 40,000 tourists are stranded in Israel following the closure of the country’s airspace amid escalating hostilities with Iran, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism reported on Monday.
The ministry has set up a virtual office to provide information via email (virtual@goisrael.gov.il) and phone (+972-53-583-5808), as well as a Facebook page called Israel Virtual Tourist Office.
Israeli Tourism Minister Haim Katz is in contact with hotels and accommodations across the country to offer support to tourists in need, the ministry added.
Many stranded travelers are considering crossing overland into Jordan or Egypt to seek flights from those countries. The Israel Airports Authority reminded the public that land border crossings remain open.
Three German tourists stranded in Jerusalem told EFE today that they have not received any assistance from their country’s embassy in Israel, and their primary option currently is to cross into Jordan to catch a flight from there.
Since early Friday morning, Israel launched operations against Iran, targeting military personnel and infrastructure, including energy and nuclear facilities, as well as numerous residential areas in Tehran.
In response, Iran has fired hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel, some of which have struck various locations across the country, leaving at least 24 dead so far, according to Israeli authorities.
Iranian health officials report at least 224 deaths, mostly civilians, including at least 17 senior military officials—nine from the Revolutionary Guard—and more than a dozen nuclear scientists.
The Israeli military has warned that many more “targets” remain, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guard declared on Monday that it will continue missile attacks against Israel until its “destruction.”
China calls for dialogue amid rising Iran-Israel conflict
Suspect arrested in killing of Minnesota legislator and husband, governor Says
40,000 tourists stranded in Israel amid airspace shutdown over Iran conflict
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