International
Argentine President inaugurates conference on Peace Operations
September 12 |
The opening of the II Latin American and Caribbean Conference on Peace Operations of the United Nations Organization (ALCONU) was held on Tuesday by the President of Argentina, Alberto Fernandez, in the San Martin Hall of the Libertador Building.
Also presiding the event with the President were the Ministers of Defense, Jorge Taiana, and of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship, Santiago Cafiero, and the Assistant Secretary General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix.
The event organized by the Argentine Ministry of Defense, hosted by Taiana, is an international meeting that brings together the Ministers of Defense of 24 countries of the region and the world.
“The United Nations has been developing peace missions for a long time, and we, who are Latin America and a region of peace (…) have learned to solve our problems with diplomacy and dialogue”, said the President to those present.
The objective of this Conference, of which Argentina holds the Pro Tempore Presidency, is to strengthen the articulation with respect to the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (PKOs).
“We will continue to accompany the United Nations, to the extent that it remains the center that brings us together as the world that we are and we will always continue to demand respect for peace,” said President Fernandez in closing his speech.
For his part, the Argentine Minister of Defense said: “We reaffirm our willingness to support the multilateral system in general, the United Nations system, and also, in particular, our support for the entire area of peacekeeping operations”.
At the conclusion of the Conference, the first institutional mechanism in the region and the world for UN-mandated peacekeeping cooperation will be signed, the so-called Statute of the Latin American and Caribbean Network for Peacekeeping Cooperation (RELACOPAZ), drafted in Lima in 2022.
Similarly, progress will be made in defining the objectives, strategic thinking and regional perspective on PMOs under UN mandate.
In addition to the member countries gathered there, representatives from Spain, Canada, India, China, Slovenia, Pakistan and France will also participate as observers.
In recent times, Argentina’s links with UN Peace Operations have doubled from four to eight international missions in countries such as Cyprus, Colombia, Lebanon, Western Sahara, Central African Republic, Middle East, South Sudan and India-Pakistan.
International
U.S. strike in Caribbean kills three suspected drug traffickers
A U.S. strike on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean killed three people on Saturday, according to Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth, marking the latest in a series of attacks in international waters.
The United States has deployed ships to the Caribbean and sent fighter jets to Puerto Rico as part of a large military force that Washington says is aimed at curbing drug trafficking.
“This vessel, like all the others, was known to our intelligence for being involved in illicit narcotics smuggling,” Hegseth stated on X. “Three narcoterrorists were aboard the vessel during the attack, which took place in international waters,” he added.
Experts argue that the attacks, which began in early September, amount to extrajudicial executions, even if the targets are known traffickers.
Washington has yet to publicly provide evidence that the targeted individuals were actively smuggling drugs or posed a threat to the United States.
Hegseth said the U.S. would continue “hunting… and killing” suspected traffickers. He also shared video footage of the strike, showing the vessel being hit and engulfed in flames. As in previous videos, sections of the ship were blurred, making it impossible to verify the number of people on board.
The United Nations called on Friday for Washington to halt its attacks.
International
At least 23 killed in Sonora supermarket blast, including minors
At least 23 people were killed and 11 others injured in an explosion at a supermarket in Hermosillo, in the northern Mexican state of Sonora, local authorities reported on Saturday.
“So far, there are 23 confirmed deaths and 11 injured, including minors,” said Sonora Governor Alfonso Durazo in a video message. He added that the injured are receiving treatment in various hospitals across the city.
“I have ordered a thorough and transparent investigation to determine the causes of the incident and assign responsibility where appropriate,” Durazo said.
The explosion occurred at a Waldo’s store in downtown Hermosillo. Local authorities confirmed that the incident was not an attack nor related to any violent act against civilians.
Meanwhile, Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences on X, offering sympathy to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives.
International
Floods in Central Vietnam leave 28 dead, thousands displaced
The death toll from heavy rains and flooding in central Vietnam has risen to 28, with six people reported missing and 43 injured, local newspaper VnExpress reported Friday night.
More than 22,100 homes remain flooded, primarily in the cities of Hue and Da Nang. Floods and landslides have destroyed or swept away 91 houses and damaged another 181, the report added.
Around 245,000 households are still without electricity, particularly in Da Nang, where over 225,000 homes are affected.
Additionally, 80 stretches of national highways are blocked or disrupted due to landslides. Authorities expect the flooding to continue for another day or two in the region.
U.S. strike in Caribbean kills three suspected drug traffickers
At least 23 killed in Sonora supermarket blast, including minors
Floods in Central Vietnam leave 28 dead, thousands displaced
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
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