International
Germany, France and Poland commit to intensifying the supply of weapons to Ukraine
German Foreign Minister Olaf Scholz; French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk pledged this Friday to intensify their military support for Ukraine with a new coalition of long-range missiles and the purchase of more ammunition.
“We will not give up on our support,” Scholz stressed at the end of the meeting in the Weimar Triangle format.
Scholz also highlighted the agreement of the European Union (EU) to promote a specific military support fund to Ukraine endowed with 5 billion euros for this year, the reinforcement of the community training mission of Ukrainian soldiers, as well as the decision to use the interests of Russian assets frozen in Europe to support the purchase of weapons for Kiev.
Next Tuesday, a new meeting of the Contact Group for the Defense of Ukraine will be held at the US air base in Ramstein, in Germany, in which that new coalition of long-range missiles will be proposed, although the German Chancellor himself has categorically refused to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine, which have the ability to hit targets 500 kilometers away.
With respect to the Taurus, there are differences even within the German Government where part of the Greens and the Liberal Party (FDP) are in favor of sending it, despite the rejection of it by the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and Scholz.
On two occasions the opposition has taken advantage of the differences within the Government to try, unsuccessfully, to carry out a resolution in Parliament asking for the sending of the Taurus.
Nevertheless, the government coalition adopted a resolution in the Lower House in February in which it calls for “wide-ranging weapons systems and ammunition” for Ukraine.
Scholz maintains that these weapons cannot be used without the participation of German soldiers and has asked not to divert attention with a debate about a single type of weapons.
Macron pointed out that the coalition is open to all countries, as well as the many others that exist for the supply of F16 fighters and drones for Ukraine, for example.
The French president, who reiterated that the security and future of Europe is at stake due to the Russian war in Ukraine, explained that the three countries support the Czech initiative, which at the Munich Security Conference in February announced that it has found up to 800,000 NATO standard munitions that can be sent to Ukraine if the necessary funding is found.
At the moment it has commitments for 500,000 pieces of ammunition as a result of the initiative, which Germany had already joined.
Macron said that the three countries will work with the industry in Europe and in Ukraine to promote the production of ammunition in the territory of the invaded country.
The French president pointed out that boosting European production is a priority, but that, “if this is not possible fast enough or in the necessary volume, we will be able to mobilize funding to buy ammunition and military equipment in other countries to support Ukraine.”
The Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, pointed out in turn that it is very important for him that the Weimar Triangle has been reactivated and that the trilateral meeting has served to make concrete decisions.
He maintained that this shows that “the malicious rumors, the disputes or differences between the capitals are not true,” he said in reference to the differences between the French president and Scholz on some issues such as the possible sending of European or NATO troops to Ukraine.
“Today we have spoken with one voice, especially about the security of our continent and our countries.”
Tusk informed his two counterparts about his recent visit to Washington and the climate in the US capital in the context of the presidential elections, in which Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump aspires to return to the White House.
Trump has already threatened not to help Europe if the Old Continent does not pay for its defense and would also have told the Hungarian president, Viktor Orbán, that he will not give “a penny” to Ukraine if he becomes president of the United States again.
“The three of us are aware that we Europeans have the responsibility for transatlantic relations and our future, and that can’t be changed by anyone, no matter what happens politically,” he said.
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.
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.
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.
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.
German president warns Iran war could spread and disrupt Strait of Hormuz
Mexico security chief meets DEA director in Washington to boost anti-drug cooperation
Venezuela’s foreign minister accuses UN rights chief of “immoral bias”
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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