International
Antony Blinken says that the US continues to press and sees it “possible” to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza
US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, said in Cairo that the United States continues to pressure the parties involved to reach a ceasefire in Gaza in the negotiations that will follow this week in Doha, an agreement that he sees as “possible.”
“The differences are narrowing and we continue to push for an agreement in Doha. There is still hard work to be done, but I still think it is possible,” Blinken said at a press conference along with the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Sameh Shukri, after a meeting with his counterparts in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and the head of the Palestinian Authority.
To reinforce his commitment to this truce, the head of American diplomacy reiterated that the United States will present a resolution to the United Nations Security Council in which for the first time it will specifically request an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza, after having opposed three resolutions from other countries that requested it.
“I hope that all countries support this resolution,” said Blinken, who urged to increase and expedite the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip to avoid a crisis of serious proportions.
“Children should not die of malnutrition in Gaza or anywhere else because of these circumstances. 100% of the population in Gaza is experiencing severe levels of food insecurity. We can’t allow this. We must not allow this to happen,” he said emphatically.
In this sense, he stressed the importance of strengthening the delivery of humanitarian aid by land, sea and air, while showing his rejection of an Israeli land operation in the Palestinian town of Rafah, where more than one and a half million displaced Palestinians live overcrowded.
In his speech, Blinken again defended the creation of an independent Palestinian State with security guarantees for Israel with the aim of avoiding a new war like the current one and achieving peace in the region, with the Israeli state integrated with its neighbors.
The Egyptian Foreign Minister pointed out that it is necessary to “develop processes to implement these objectives in a new phase of political perspective through the two-state solution.”
“We have to address the current circumstances to break with the circle of violence that has marked numerous generations with blood and thirst for revenge,” Shukri added.
After reaching these assessments after the meeting with the six Arab countries, the US Secretary of State will travel to Israel this Friday to continue the round of talks that could culminate in integral peace in the region.
International
Petro expresses concern over fatal shooting during mass protests in Lima
Colombian President Gustavo Petro voiced his “concern” on Thursday over recent events in Peru, following the death of a protester reportedly shot during a massive demonstration in Lima against the government and Congress.
“I must express my concern over the events in Peru. A young artist has been killed in citizens’ protests,” Petro wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The Colombian leader also noted that in Peru, “a popularly elected president remains imprisoned without conviction,” referring to Pedro Castillo, who led the country from July 2021 to December 2022 until he was removed by Congress following a failed attempted coup.
“This is a blatant violation of the American Convention on Human Rights,” Petro stated, adding, “I hope Peru seeks social and political dialogue to legitimize its public institutions.”
On Wednesday, Peru experienced widespread protests in several cities, with the largest demonstration in Lima in recent years, driven by citizens’ concerns over corruption and public insecurity.
During the capital’s mobilization, the Ombudsman’s Office confirmed the death of Eduardo Ruiz, 32, and reported clashes that left over 100 injured, including 78 police officers and 24 protesters, as well as ten arrests.
The Attorney General’s Office, investigating Ruiz’s death “in the context of serious human rights violations,” confirmed that the protester was shot.
International
Peru’s interim president José Jerí refuses to resign after protester’s death in Lima
Peru’s interim president, José Jerí, stated Thursday that he has no intention of resigning from the post he assumed last Friday, following the removal of former president Dina Boluarte, despite growing unrest over the death of a protester during massive demonstrations in Lima on Wednesday.
“I will not resign,” Jerí declared outside the Government Palace in Lima, where he returned on foot after making a surprise visit to Congress headquarters alongside Prime Minister Ernesto Álvarez.
Earlier, after leaving the Legislative Palace, the president acknowledged that the country is going through “difficult times” and condemned what he described as “a small group attempting to impose an agenda different from the citizens’ expression of discontent.”
Jerí expressed condolences for the death of Eduardo Ruiz, a 32-year-old man who died during Wednesday’s protest against the government and Congress, amid growing anger over corruption and insecurity.
“We stand in solidarity with his family,” he said, without offering further details about the incident, which has sparked outrage among Peruvians.
The president also described the demonstrations as “a legitimate civic expression” that later turned violent due to “certain groups seeking to provoke chaos by exploiting a peaceful citizen movement.”
“In a state governed by the rule of law, the rights of both demonstrators and security forces must be protected,” Jerí emphasized, adding that “as a result of that situation, this unfortunate death occurred outside the main area where the protest was taking place.”
International
Mexican government prioritizes 191 communities after deadly floods
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed on Wednesday that the death toll from recent rains and floods across several central states has risen to 66, while the federal government has activated air bridges and prioritized assistance in 191 isolated communities.
“Unfortunately, 66 people have died, and 75 remain missing,” the president said during her morning press conference. She added that the official death toll will be updated later in a new report.
As of Tuesday, authorities had reported 64 fatalities. Sheinbaum also announced the creation of a public information center to centralize official data on the deceased, missing persons, damaged homes, and cut-off communities.
According to the president, the number of missing persons has decreased thanks to coordination with state authorities.
“Through calls to phone line 079, 103 people who had been reported missing have now been located,” she explained.
Priority Municipalities
The president noted that the federal government has classified 191 communities as ‘priority’, a designation based mainly on the percentage of homes affected.
Petro expresses concern over fatal shooting during mass protests in Lima
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Peru’s interim president José Jerí refuses to resign after protester’s death in Lima
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