International
Argentina will face reforms to promote an ‘trial in absence’ in the ‘AMIA case’
The Government of Argentina “works at full speed” to face reforms to promote a ‘trial in absence’ for the attack committed in 1994 against the Argentine Israeli Mutual Association (AMIA).
The terrorist act left 85 dead and 300 injured and remains unpunished, since it is not possible to judge it with the current legislation.
After the ruling issued by Chamber II of the Federal Chamber of Cassation in ‘Case AMIA II’, which declared as a “crime against humanity” the attack on the headquarters of the AMIA and seals the then Iranian Government and the Lebanese militia Hizbulá of these events, the Argentine Minister of Security, Patricia Bullrich, made that announcement at a press conference.
Although local media reported that the Executive raised the anti-terrorist alert and strengthened security around embassies and airports, Bullrich did not talk about it and limited himself to loading the inks on former Peronist president Cristina Fernández (2007-2015).
According to Bullrich, Fernández “wanted to hide (Iran’s terrorist character) behind a nefarious memorandum that led us to negotiate with the terrorists instead of moving forward with the investigation.”
With this he referred to the Memorandum of Understanding with the Islamic Republic of Iran, signed in 2013, with the aim of bringing positions closer to move forward with the investigation. Despite its approval by the Argentine Congress, the measure was prosecuted and, in May 2014, the law that approved the pact was declared unconstitutional, which never entered into force, because the Iranian Parliament never ratified it.
“The truth is that yesterday was a great day for Argentina,” he said.
The ‘trial in absence’, which is not possible according to Argentine legislation, although there are several bills that seek to enable it, was one of the reforms suggested by the judges of the Criminal Cassation Chamber who issued the ruling.
In addition to being the largest terrorist attack on Argentine soil, the attack on the AMIA was also the largest on Jewish targets outside Israel since World War II.
The Jewish community in Argentina, the largest in Latin America and the fifth in the world, celebrated the ruling, although it demanded an end to impunity for its leaders.
In a statement, the AMIA stated that it receives “in a favorable way” the claim that the attack “responded to a political decision” by Iran, executed by Hizbulah.
According to the entity, on several occasions the AMIA “has expressed that the judicial file accredits multiple evidence, and contains numerous evidences that allowed to establish, from the beginning of the investigation, the role of Iran and its active participation in the decision, organization and financing of the terrorist attack.”
However, he demanded that the intellectual and material responsible “be judged and serve their sentences for the atrocious crime against humanity they committed.”
“Impunity in the AMIA cause is a shameful mark for Argentine history and a debt of democracy,” the text added.
Therefore, and with three months to go before the 30th anniversary of the attack, the entity said that “it will not be satisfied with the arrival of widely known conclusions,” since it considers it “unacceptable” that local legislation is “the same” as at the beginning of the investigation, and asked for the development of “a legal framework that allows improving the conditions of investigation, intelligence, prevention and punishment.”
Also the president of the Delegation of Argentine Israeli Associations (DAIA), Jorge Knoblovits, opined that the ruling issued on Thursday was a cause for celebration for the Jewish community: “We must applaud these judges, who have had courage and probity.”
The DAIA recalled that “this is the line of investigation of the complaint of the prosecutor (Alberto) Nisman,” who led the investigations for 10 years until he was found dead at home on Sunday, January 18, 2015 in strange circumstances; the case, which was characterized as homicide in 2018, remains unresolved.
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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