International
The OAS wraps Mexico with a resolution that “condemns strongly” the assault on Ecuador
The Organization of American States (OAS) wrapped Mexico on Wednesday and approved a resolution that “energically” condemns the incursion of the Ecuadorian Police into the Mexican embassy in Quito last Friday.
The resolution, presented to the Permanent Council of the OAS by the delegation of Colombia, was approved with the favorable vote of the vast majority of countries and the only vote against Ecuador.
The delegation of Mexico did not appear in session, while El Salvador abstained in the vote.
The resolution resolves to “vehemently condemn the intrusion into the facilities of the Mexican Embassy in Ecuador and the acts of violence exercised against the integrity and dignity of the diplomatic personnel of the mission.”
The document reaffirms “the obligation of all States to ensure respect for the privileges and immunities of diplomatic missions” and calls for respect for the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which establishes that embassies are inviolable.
The events occurred last Friday night, when, by order of the Ecuadorian president, Daniel Noboa, the country’s police broke into the Mexican embassy to arrest Jorge Glas, former vice president of Rafael Correa prosecuted for corruption and who had requested political asylum from Mexico.
The images of the security cameras, which were projected during the OAS session, show how the police pointed weapons and subdued Roberto Canseco, in charge of the diplomatic mission, to the ground while they took Glas.
After that episode, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador broke diplomatic relations with Ecuador, which justifies his actions by accusing Mexico of having violated international asylum treaties by sheltering a person prosecuted for corruption.
The resolution adopted in the OAS also reaffirms “the obligation” that States have to “respect in their entirety” the provisions of the 1954 Diplomatic Asylum Convention and recalls that diplomats are obliged “not to interfere in the internal affairs” of the receiving State.
Likewise, the document urges Ecuador and Mexico to “initiate a dialogue and take immediate action to resolve this serious issue constructively.”
This Wednesday’s session, convened at the request of Colombia and Bolivia, two allied governments of Mexico, is the second of this week after Tuesday’s, which Ecuador convened to justify its actions.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador, Gabriela Sommerfeld, described this Wednesday as “fair” the OAS resolution, which recalled the obligation of States to respect the Diplomatic Asylum Convention of 1954.
“It is a fair resolution, where you can see the non-compliance with the use of diplomatic headquarters as well, so let’s go ahead like Ecuador, we are also going to enforce our version of the facts,” he said.
He added that these are international forums “which are made so that, in a balanced way, through dialogue, in a respectful way, all parties are listened to and resolutions are taken.”
Asked about whether Ecuador is willing to engage in a dialogue with Mexico, the minister reiterated that her country “is always open to strengthening relations with absolutely all countries.”
And, when asked if the country is willing to apologize to Mexico, the head of diplomacy said: “That is not at the discussion table at this moment.”
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.”
International
Trump Administration Considers Denying Green Cards Over Political Views
The administration of President Donald Trump is evaluating new immigration guidelines that could deny permanent residency to immigrants based on their political views, according to a report published by The New York Times.
The proposed measures, outlined in internal Department of Homeland Security documents, would instruct immigration officials to take applicants’ public expressions and ideological positions into account when reviewing green card applications.
According to the report, cases involving “possible anti-American and/or antisemitic conduct or ideologies” would need to be referred to higher authorities for additional review.
Even if applicants have not violated any laws, authorities could still reject residency requests if they determine that individuals have “endorsed, promoted, or supported anti-American views.”
Among the factors listed in the guidelines are participation in pro-Palestinian activities, actions considered antisemitic, and the burning of the U.S. flag.
The documents reportedly describe such actions as “heavily negative” factors in immigration evaluations, potentially blocking applicants from obtaining permanent residency and, eventually, U.S. citizenship.
The directives also place particular attention on demonstrations held on university campuses following the 2023 Hamas attacks against Israel.
However, flag burning has previously been recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court as a form of protected free speech under the Constitution.
The proposal has sparked criticism from immigrant advocacy organizations, including the New York Immigration Coalition.
Its president, Murad Awawdeh, warned that the policies could pose a threat to fundamental rights and freedoms.
U.S. and Regional Allies Back Panama Amid Dispute With China
International Project Tackles Gender Violence in Indigenous Communities in Panama
King Charles III Says U.S.-UK Alliance Is “Irreplaceable and Unbreakable”
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
-
International1 day ago
King Charles III Says U.S.-UK Alliance Is “Irreplaceable and Unbreakable”
-
International5 days agoU.S. allows Venezuela to fund Maduro and Cilia Flores’ legal defense
-
International2 days agoMexico Arrests CJNG Leader “El Jardinero” in Nayarit
-
International4 days agoSuspect Armed With Shotgun and Knives Detained at White House Correspondents Dinner
-
International1 day agoTrump Administration Considers Denying Green Cards Over Political Views
-
Central America10 hours agoU.S. and Regional Allies Back Panama Amid Dispute With China
-
Central America10 hours agoInternational Project Tackles Gender Violence in Indigenous Communities in Panama
-
Central America2 days agoGuatemala’s President to Hold Private Interviews for Attorney General Candidates