International

Ten migrants reported dead after accident in Mexico

Photo: Excelsior

October 2 |

Mexican authorities reported Sunday that an accident that occurred on the Pijijiapan-Tonalá coastal highway, in the state of Chiapas (southwest), left ten migrants dead and 15 injured.

“Preliminarily it is reported that unfortunately ten people died and 15 more were injured, including four minors, who were transferred to the Basic Hospital Dr. Rafael Alfaro,” said the State Civil Protection System.

The accident took place at km 134 of the Pijijiapan-Tonalá coastal highway, at approximately 05H30 local time. Although the causes are being investigated, it was preliminarily reported that the driver -who fled the scene- was driving at excessive speed and this caused the vehicle to overturn.

It was initially reported that there were about 40 people on board the vehicle, but it was later reported that there were 27, a figure confirmed by the National Migration Institute (INM).

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The agency stated that all the travelers and the deceased were of Cuban nationality and added that it would establish communication with the consular authorities to initiate the procedures leading to the repatriation of the bodies to their country of origin, while it will continue to monitor the evolution of the state of health of the injured.

Through the social network X, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez said: “It is with pain that we learned of the tragic road accident in Chiapas, which took the lives of Cuban migrants. Condolences to the families of the victims and best wishes for the recovery of the injured. EmbaCuMex provides consular assistance. We urge to use regular, safe and orderly ways to migrate”.

In turn, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla said: “We deeply regret the death of irregular Cuban migrants in the state of Chiapas, as a result of a car accident. EmbaCuMex is coordinating with Mexican authorities to provide the required consular assistance. Cuba reiterates commitment to safe migration”.

International

German president warns Iran war could spread and disrupt Strait of Hormuz

The president of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, warned Monday that the war involving Iran could expand and further disrupt shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. He urged a swift end to hostilities between Iran, United States and Israel.

Speaking in Panama City during a joint appearance with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, Steinmeier said available information suggests Iran has significant capacity to disrupt maritime traffic through the key oil route.

“Iran has considerable potential to interfere with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz,” Steinmeier said through an interpreter. “We should therefore reach an end to the hostilities as soon as possible and call on all parties involved to make that happen.”

The remarks came during Steinmeier’s visit to Panama, the first by a German president to the Central American nation.

The German leader described the possibility of the conflict spreading as “very dangerous,” saying recent developments indicate that such a scenario cannot be ruled out.

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Over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump urged allied nations to help ensure safe passage for ships through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran moved to block the waterway in response to U.S. strikes. However, several allies—particularly in Europe—have shown little support for the proposal.

“Some are very enthusiastic, others are not, and some are countries we have helped for many years,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “We have protected them from terrible external threats, and they’re not that enthusiastic. And the level of enthusiasm is important to me.”

Meanwhile, Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s top diplomat, said the Strait of Hormuz falls “outside NATO’s scope” and stressed that “the war involving Iran is not Europe’s war.”

International

Mexico security chief meets DEA director in Washington to boost anti-drug cooperation

Mexico’s Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Omar García Harfuch, met in Washington with the head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Terrance Cole, to discuss cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking and illegal arms flows.

The Mexican official said Monday on social media that he attended the meeting in representation of the Mexican government’s Security Cabinet.

“In Washington, D.C., I represented the Security Cabinet to hold talks with DEA Director Terrance Cole on the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation to combat drug trafficking, curb the flow of weapons into our country, and reduce violence in Mexico through significant arrests,” García Harfuch wrote.

He added that, following instructions from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, the government will continue strengthening international cooperation on security matters.

For his part, Cole said the meeting focused on cross-border collaboration to tackle drug trafficking and to build safer communities on both sides of the border.

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The meeting comes as Mexico and the United States begin a new round of dialogue on economic and security issues.

Earlier Monday, President Claudia Sheinbaum said she will look for the “best moment” to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, adding that maintaining a good relationship with Washington is a priority for her administration.

International

Venezuela’s foreign minister accuses UN rights chief of “immoral bias”

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil criticized the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, accusing him of having an “immoral bias” and acting as an “echo chamber for falsehoods” regarding the situation in Venezuela.

Gil’s remarks came after Türk stated that his office had not received an official list from Venezuelan authorities detailing the release of political prisoners, nor authorization to carry out visits related to the issue.

“The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights insists on a narrative biased against our country, repeating unfounded accusations while deliberately omitting the impact of unilateral coercive measures on the rights of the Venezuelan people,” Gil said in a message posted on his Telegram channel.

Without directly addressing the question of prisoner releases, the Venezuelan foreign minister also accused Türk of aligning with what he described as the “agenda of extremism in Venezuela.”

Gil added that, despite serious human rights violations occurring in other parts of the world, the UN official has chosen to maintain what he described as an “immoral bias” against Venezuela.

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The criticism is part of a broader dispute between the Venezuelan government and the UN human rights office over reports and investigations concerning the human rights situation in the country.