International

Venezuelan President holds dialogue with Palestinian counterpart

Photo: @NicolasMaduro

October 16 |

The President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro Moros, and the President of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), Mahmud Abbas, held a telephone conversation on Sunday to address the critical situation of Palestinian civilians after the Israeli aggression in Gaza.

From the official account of the Government of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro highlighted that they discussed “the terrible situation in the Gaza Strip, after the indiscriminate attacks on the civilian population by Israel, causing thousands of deaths and injuries”.

Recognizing that Israel’s attack has crossed the line of respect for International Humanitarian Law and violates the agreements governing the matter, the Venezuelan Head of State also pointed out that both he and Abbas agreed in demanding an immediate cease-fire.

“We agree in demanding an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of a humanitarian channel of assistance to the population, as well as the reestablishment of international legality, through compliance with the resolutions of the United Nations and respect for the commitments of the parties in each of the negotiations carried out,” said the Venezuelan dignitary.

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Likewise, Maduro Moros pointed out that Abbas informed in detail about the development of the events and the diplomatic deployment of the PNA, “as a leading body, committed to peace, dialogue and respect for the agreements signed between the parties, which have been systematically ignored by the Israeli side”.

The Bolivarian leader reaffirmed Venezuela’s unconditional support to the Palestinian cause and the PNA, in function of achieving peace and urging the international community and the UN authorities to assume, with strength and courage, a role of guarantors of such legality, as the only route to achieve peace and fulfill the mandate of the consolidation of the Palestinian State.

“We also reviewed the initiatives promoted by different countries, among them China and Egypt, in function of convening a great world conference in favor of peace and the reestablishment of international legality, which are aimed at immediately stopping the military aggression against civilians and advancing on the definitive path to the reestablishment of the rights of the Palestinian people,” insisted the Venezuelan president.

Likewise, Nicolás Maduro informed about the shipment of more than 30 tons of humanitarian aid, in the coming days, to the Gaza Strip, “as part of the beginning of a plan of direct and constant support to the Palestinian people, through the established humanitarian channels”.

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International

Two killed in shooting at restaurant near Frankfurt Airport

Two people were shot dead early Tuesday at a restaurant in Raunheim, near Frankfurt Airport, according to local police.

Preliminary findings indicate that an armed individual entered the establishment at around 03:45 local time (02:45 GMT) and opened fire on the victims, who died at the scene from their injuries.

The suspect fled and remains at large, while the motive behind the shooting is still unclear, German media reported. Authorities have launched a large-scale search operation.

International

U.S. counterterrorism chief resigns over opposition to war in Iran

Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, announced Tuesday that he has resigned from his post, citing his opposition to the ongoing war in Iran.

In a post on X, Kent said he could not, “in good conscience,” support the conflict, arguing that Iran did not pose an imminent threat to the United States. He also claimed that the war was driven by pressure from Israel and its lobbying influence in Washington.

In a resignation letter addressed to Donald Trump, Kent alleged that at the start of the current administration, senior Israeli officials and influential figures in U.S. media carried out a disinformation campaign that undermined the “America First” platform and fostered pro-war sentiment aimed at triggering a conflict with Iran.

Kent further stated that he could not support sending a new generation of Americans to “fight and die in a war that provides no benefit to the American people and does not justify the cost in American lives.”

Since the United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran on February 28, at least 13 U.S. service members have been killed, while 10 others have been seriously wounded and around 200 have sustained minor injuries, according to a report published by The Wall Street Journal.

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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.”