International
Aznar and Quiroga defend Israel’s “peace” and “surness” in a world congress in Argentina
The former head of the Spanish Government José María Aznar (1996-2004) and the former president of Bolivia Jorge Quiroga (2001-2002) defended this Thursday, at the VII World Congress of Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue, the “peace” and “sus” of Israel in the war it is going on against the Islamist group Hamas in Palestine.
“Israel has to finish the military operation in the Gaza Strip, because a triumph of Hamas and Hezbollah will mark the fate of the Middle East,” Aznar said during his exhibition at the University of the Center for Macroeconomic Studies of Argentina (CEMA) in Buenos Aires, which functions as a laboratory of ideas from the right.
For Aznar, a recognition of the Palestinian State is an “irreality” because Hamas “is out of reality.” “Israel is the only democracy there, they are our allies and we must support them. Anti-Semitism has been reborn in the world,” said the former head of the Spanish government.
After 200 days of war, more than 34,260 people have died in the Gaza Strip and the number of injuries already exceeds 77,000, most of them women and children, according to the Ministry of Health of the enclave, governed by Hamas.
For his part, former president Jorge Quiroga recalled and named by his surnames the six Bolivian citizens who died during the attack on the Argentine Israeli Mutual Association (AMIA) in 1994, one of the largest terrorist attacks committed on Argentine soil, which left a total of 85 dead and more than 300 injured.
“We are going to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the savage attack on the AMIA. In the discussion it would seem that it is an Argentine issue, since here are Barriga, García, Salazar, Vela Ramos Eugenio and Juan and Zárate Loayza. Six Bolivians died in AMIA,” Quiroga listed.
“That’s why it hurt me to see that (Hugo) Chávez cultivated friendship with (Mahmud) Ahmadinejad, when there is no cultural link except that Venezuela-Iran relationship characterized by a rabid anti-Americanism, which led to Mr. (Ahmad) Vahidi being in my country inaugurating the military school of the Bolivarian alliance in Bolivia. That’s why Israel’s peace and success concern us all,” he concluded.
Iran is seen by Argentina as responsible for the attack and they have issued red circulars to arrest the Minister of the Interior, Vahidi for his participation in the attack.
Finally, he highlighted the figure of the former deputy and former candidate for the presidency of Venezuela, María Corina Machado, to “evict” the authoritarian regime with which Nicolás Maduro governs. “We do not ask the Western world to help us, but to stop helping Maduro’s tyranny,” Quiroga concluded.
International
Trump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election
U.S. President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubiocould potentially form a Republican presidential ticket for the 2028 elections.
Speaking during a dinner with law enforcement officials as part of National Police Week, Trump publicly praised both officials and said they could make “an ideal team” for the next presidential race.
“Who likes JD Vance? Who likes Marco Rubio?” Trump asked attendees before adding that the pair “sound like a good combination.”
The president highlighted his vice president’s performance in office, stating that their current partnership has been highly effective. “JD is perfect, that has been a perfect formula,” Trump told reporters later.
He further suggested that a Vance-Rubio pairing could represent a strong presidential and vice-presidential ticket, although he stopped short of offering any formal endorsement.
“I think it sounds like a presidential candidate and a vice-presidential candidate,” he said, while clarifying that his remarks should not be interpreted as an official backing of any future campaign.
So far, neither Vance nor Rubio has publicly confirmed any intention to run in the 2028 presidential election.
Rubio previously sought the Republican nomination in 2016 but withdrew after losing the primary race to Trump. Later, in a December 2025 interview with Vanity Fair, he said he would be among the first to support Vance if he decided to run for the White House.
Vance, meanwhile, has recently dismissed speculation of any political rivalry with Rubio amid growing discussion about potential future GOP leadership.
International
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Violating Victory Day Truce
Russia accused Ukraine on Saturday of violating a Victory Day truce that was reportedly agreed with mediation from the United States, claiming that Ukrainian forces carried out attacks on Russian territory as well as on the annexed Crimean peninsula.
Despite the declared ceasefire, the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement that Ukrainian forces attacked Russian military positions using attack drones and artillery.
According to the ministry, Ukrainian forces made twelve attempts to advance toward Russian-held positions across several sectors of the front line.
It also alleged that Ukrainian strikes targeted civilian infrastructure in Crimea, several border regions, the Caucasus, and other areas including Moscow and Perm in the Ural region.
The Defense Ministry estimated around 8,900 violations of the ceasefire in total, including more than 7,000 drone attacks and over 1,000 strikes involving tanks, artillery, multiple rocket launch systems, and mortars since the truce came into effect at midnight.
Russia said its forces responded “symmetrically” to what it described as violations by Ukrainian troops.
Earlier, the Kremlin denied claims that Ukraine attempted to sabotage a military parade in Red Square marking the 81st anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
“No attempts were made. Everything went well,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told local media.
International
Trump Says U.S.-Iran Talks Progressing, Signals Possible Deal on Strait of Hormuz
U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Washington is holding “very good” talks with Iran and stated that there is a strong possibility of reaching an agreement to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“We’ve had very good conversations over the last 44 hours, and it’s very possible that we’ll reach an agreement,” Trump said during an event held in the Oval Office at the White House.
The president’s remarks came just hours after he announced a temporary suspension of the military operation aimed at escorting vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf due to Iran’s blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Trump explained that the pause in operations is intended to facilitate diplomatic negotiations between both sides and prevent further military escalation in the region.
“We’re in good shape, and right now things are going well. Now we have to achieve what we need to achieve. If we don’t, we’ll have to go much further,” the Republican president warned.
In a post published on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump reiterated that if Iran accepts Washington’s proposed conditions, military operations and the naval blockade affecting the Islamic republic would come to an end.
However, he also issued a new warning to the Iranian government, stating that the United States would respond with attacks “of greater intensity” if Tehran rejects the agreement promoted by the White House.
Panama confirms drug contamination of El Salvador coffee shipment occurred on its territory
Trump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Violating Victory Day Truce
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
