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.

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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.

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International

UK braces for potential CO₂ shortage amid Middle East tensions

The government of United Kingdom is preparing contingency measures amid fears of a potential shortage of carbon dioxide (CO₂), which could impact the agri-food industry if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, The Times reported on Thursday.

According to the newspaper, officials assessed this scenario during a recent crisis meeting aimed at evaluating the consequences of a prolonged conflict, triggered on February 28 by joint attacks from United States and Israel against Iran.

Under this scenario, CO₂ supplies—primarily a byproduct of fertilizer production using natural gas—could fall by up to 18%, affecting multiple sectors including agriculture and food production.

The gas is widely used in the slaughter of pigs and poultry, as well as in extending the shelf life of packaged foods. Breweries could also face disruptions due to reduced availability.

“I don’t want to comment on a leak, but now that the information is out there, I hope people feel reassured knowing we are working on it,” said Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, in remarks to Sky News.

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While a drop in CO₂ supply is not expected to cause major shortages in supermarkets, it could limit product variety, The Times noted, citing access to internal government documents.

To mitigate the impact, authorities are considering prioritizing CO₂ supply for critical sectors such as healthcare and civil nuclear energy, where it is used in cooling systems for blood reserves, organs, vaccines, and electricity generation. The government may also request domestic producers to increase output.

Central America

El Salvador and Paraguay approve 2026–2028 cooperation program

The governments of El Salvador and Paraguay approved the 2026–2028 Cooperation Program, which includes six joint development projects, according to Salvadoran Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Adriana Mira.

Mira stated that El Salvador will act as the “main provider of cooperation,” contributing five initiatives focused on road infrastructure, tourism, and local development. She also noted that one of the projects will be led by the Paraguayan side, although no further details were disclosed.

The agreement was reached during the Second Meeting of the Joint Commission on Technical and Scientific Cooperation between both countries.

According to Paraguay’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the First Meeting of the Political Consultation and Bilateral Coordination Mechanism was also held, with the participation of Vice Minister Víctor Verdún.

In an official statement, the Paraguayan government reported that both delegations agreed to identify mechanisms to promote competitiveness, economic growth, and market access. They also committed to signing agreements related to air transport cooperation.

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International

Macron meets Machado, stresses need for democratic transition in Venezuela

Emmanuel Macron met on Monday at the Élysée Palace with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, where they discussed the importance of advancing a democratic transition in Venezuela.

In a message shared on social media, Macron highlighted Machado’s commitment to freedom and stressed the need to achieve a transition that is peaceful and respects the will of the Venezuelan people.

“I received María Corina Machado, Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Together, we discussed her commitment to freedom and the importance of achieving a democratic, peaceful transition in Venezuela that respects the will of its people,” he wrote.

For her part, Machado expressed her “deep gratitude” to Macron and to France for their support of democracy and freedom in Venezuela.

“We have gone through a long and painful journey, and we are now very close to freedom. Venezuela will become a nation of free and equal men and women—prosperous, safe, and united,” she said.