International
Feminicidal violence persists in Latin America: More awareness, more cries, but few answers
November 29 |
Despite advances in social awareness, legislation and statistics, feminicidal violence continues to plague the Latin American region, according to the latest report of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). In 26 countries and territories, a woman is murdered for gender-related reasons every two hours, revealing a stark reality that seems to refuse to let up.
Figures provided by the States indicate that in 2022 there were 4,050 victims of femicides in Latin America. However, feminist collectives argue that the magnitude of this tragedy exceeds what the official data show, underscoring the need to address the problem in a more comprehensive and effective manner.
The ECLAC report stresses that these femicides are “the extreme expression of inequality, discrimination and multiple forms of violence against women and girls”. Faced with this bleak picture, voices of protest were raised in various demonstrations that took place on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, last Saturday.
From the beaches of Rio de Janeiro to Mexico City, women raised their voices demanding a stop to violence. In the Mexican capital, the Zócalo became a symbolic “cemetery”, with pink cardboards representing tombstones, remembering the victims of femicide and crying out for justice in a silent but forceful manner.
Another significant event took place at the central campus of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, where violet silhouettes of women were painted with messages and photographs in memory of the absent women, in anticipation of the marches planned for that day.
ECLAC warns about the prevalence of gender-based violence in the region, noting that around two thirds of women are victims of gender-based violence. Also, one in three women has experienced physical and/or sexual aggression by a partner or ex-partner, raising the risk of lethal violence, according to the World Health Organization.
The report highlights that the threat affects 88 million women over the age of 15 in Latin America and the Caribbean, underscoring the normalization and invisibility of violence against women over the age of 65.
Alarmingly, 4% of the victims are girls under the age of 15, with documented cases of child marriages and unions in 1 in 5 girls. More than 400 minors lost their mothers or caregivers due to femicides in 2022.
José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, Executive Secretary of ECLAC, emphasized the need for comprehensive and forceful state responses to prevent feminicidal violence, while stressing the urgency of profound transformations to guarantee violence-free lives for women and girls in the region. The report also points out the responsibility of States in private acts if they do not adopt measures to prevent and punish murders and assaults against women, as established by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women in 2010. However, the contrast is evident: only three out of 19 countries report data on reports of violence, and in seven countries there are regulations to care for and compensate the children of women victims of femicide. The gap between reality and state response persists, unleashing more cries for justice in a region struggling to put an end to gender-based violence.
International
Iranian leader warns foreign powers have “no place” in Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, said Thursday that the Persian Gulf is entering a new era marked by a “bright” future without the presence of the United States in the region.
His remarks came during the commemoration of Persian Gulf Day, amid ongoing regional tensions following recent military confrontations involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.
“Today, two months after the largest military buildup and aggression by the bullies of the world in the region and the humiliating defeat of the United States, a new chapter is being written for the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz,” Khamenei stated.
The Iranian leader insisted that the future of the region would be free from American influence and focused instead on the internal development and prosperity of Gulf nations.
“By the power and strength of God, the bright future of the Persian Gulf region will be a future without the United States and dedicated to the progress, welfare, and prosperity of its nations,” he said.
Khamenei also questioned the effectiveness of U.S. military bases in the region, arguing that they do not provide security even for Washington’s allies.
“Foreigners who come from thousands of miles away and commit evil and malicious acts have no place there except at the bottom of its waters,” he declared.
In addition, the Iranian leader defended new measures being prepared by Tehran to regulate maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, including fees for vessels passing through the strategic waterway. According to Khamenei, the policies would generate economic benefits and greater stability for the region.
Regional tensions remain high following the conflict that erupted on February 28 between the United States and Israel against Iran, leading to strategic blockades in the Strait of Hormuz, a route through which nearly 20% of the world’s oil supply previously passed. The situation has disrupted maritime trade and contributed to rising global oil prices.
Central America
U.S. and Regional Allies Back Panama Amid Dispute With China
The United States, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago issued a joint statement in support of Panama’s sovereignty, arguing that China’s recent actions represent an attempt to politicize maritime trade and undermine the sovereignty of nations in the hemisphere.
“We are closely monitoring China’s selective economic pressure and recent actions affecting vessels flying the Panamanian flag,” the statement released Tuesday said. “Panama is a pillar of our maritime trading system and, as such, must remain free from undue external pressure.”
The statement comes amid growing tensions surrounding the Panama Canal and the operation of key ports linked to global trade.
At the end of January, Panama’s Supreme Court invalidated the legal framework supporting the 1997 concession that granted Panama Ports Company, a subsidiary of CK Hutchison, the right to operate the Balboa and Cristóbal terminals located on the Pacific and Atlantic entrances of the Panama Canal.
The ruling followed mounting pressure from the United States to curb Chinese influence around the strategic waterway, through which roughly 5% of global maritime trade passes.
CK Hutchison, which managed the ports for nearly three decades, rejected the court’s decision and accused Panamanian authorities of illegally confiscating its assets. The company has launched international arbitration proceedings against Panama, seeking more than $2 billion in damages.
Following the court ruling, reports emerged of increased detentions and inspections of Panamanian-flagged vessels in China, actions widely viewed as retaliatory measures.
On Wednesday, China’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the joint statement as “completely unfounded and misleading,” accusing the United States of politicizing port operations and warning that Beijing would take steps to protect its interests in Panama.
International
King Charles III Says U.S.-UK Alliance Is “Irreplaceable and Unbreakable”
King Charles III of the United Kingdom reaffirmed the strength of the British-American relationship on Tuesday during a speech before the United States Congress, describing the alliance between the two nations as “irreplaceable and unbreakable.”
The address, delivered at the Capitol, marked the first speech by a British monarch before Congress since Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 and comes at a time of political tensions between Donald Trump’s administration and the Labour government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“As President Trump himself observed during his state visit to Britain last autumn, the bond of kinship and identity between the United States and the United Kingdom is invaluable and eternal. It is irreplaceable and unbreakable,” the king said.
While reflecting on the upcoming 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, which will be commemorated this year, Charles III stated that the partnership between the two countries “was born out of disagreement, but is no less strong because of it.”
The monarch emphasized the democratic values shared by both nations and noted that major global changes have occurred whenever the two allies found common ground.
“When we have found that way to agree, great changes have taken place not only for the benefit of our peoples, but for all peoples,” he said.
King Charles also quoted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who recently described the relationship as “an indispensable alliance.”
Concluding his speech, the monarch described the shared history of the United States and the United Kingdom as “a story of reconciliation, renewal, and an extraordinary partnership.”
He added that Washington and London have forged “one of the most consequential alliances in human history.”
“I pray with all my heart that our alliance continues to defend our shared values, together with our partners in Europe, the Commonwealth, and around the world, and that we ignore calls urging us to become increasingly isolationist,” Charles III stated.
The king ended by urging both nations to “recommit to one another in selfless service to our peoples and to all peoples of the world.”
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