International

Zelenski informs David Cameron of the course of the war in Ukraine

The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenski, has received in Kiev the British Foreign Minister, David Cameron, whom he has informed about the situation on the front and has requested that the new military aid package to Kiev announced by London last week arrive “as soon as possible” in Ukraine.

“I have informed the Foreign Minister about the situation on the front. It is important that the weapons contained in the United Kingdom support package announced last week arrive as soon as possible,” Zelenski wrote on his social networks.

“Before anything else, armored vehicles, ammunition and missiles of various types,” the Ukrainian head of state added about the material included in the package that Kiev needs more urgently.

Zelenski also visited the Jmelnitsky region (western Ukraine) on Friday and discussed with the civil and military authorities the security situation in this oblast, with special attention to air defenses and the means of electronic warfare and the protection of the nuclear power plant in the area.

London approved last month the largest military aid package in the United Kingdom so far for Ukraine. This aid item worth 580 million euros includes Storm Shadow long-range guided missile systems, more than 400 military vehicles, 1,600 defensive and attack missiles and four million units of ammunition.

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This new British aid arrives at a particularly difficult time on the battlefield for Ukraine, which in recent weeks has had to give way in the eastern region of Donetsk due to enemy superiority in personnel and ammunition for artillery.

The United Kingdom will contribute with gas turbines, cogeneration technologies and mobile generators so that Kiev can face the consequences of Russian attacks on its energy infrastructures and decentralize the Ukrainian electricity generation system to make it less vulnerable.

In a statement published last night, Cameron announced his visit to Kiev and confirmed the sending of an energy support package to Ukraine worth 36 million pounds (41 million euros) and the supply of precision guided bombs and air defense equipment.

In just one week, Russia has destroyed or damaged much of the Ukrainian electricity generation infrastructure in a campaign of air strikes that Ukraine has not been able to repel due to its shortcomings in air defense.

In his meeting with Cameron in Kiev, Zelenski also spoke with the head of British diplomacy about the Global Peace Summit that Kiev organizes on June 15 and 16 in Switzerland to obtain the support of as many countries as possible for the so-called Ukrainian Peace Formula.

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This document requires, among other things, the withdrawal of Russian troops from the invaded country and the restoration of the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

On the other hand, at least 546 children have died in Ukraine and 1,319 have been injured of various considerations as a result of the Russian military aggression against this country that began on February 24, 2022, according to data published today by the Ukrainian Prosecutor’s Office.

The most recent victims occurred this Thursday, according to the Prosecutor’s Office.

On the other hand, the Kremlin spokesman, Dmitri Peskov, described the “verbal escalation” of Paris and London about the conflict in Ukraine as dangerous and warned that it could pose a threat to the entire architecture of European security.

Peskov specifically alluded to the statements of the French president, Emmanuel Macron, about the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine and those of the head of the United Kingdom’s diplomacy, David Cameron, about the Ukrainian troops has the right to use British weapons to attack the territory of Russia.

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International

Colombia to Send High-Level Delegation to Ecuador to Ease Trade Tensions

Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Friday that, at the instruction of President Gustavo Petro, a high-level delegation will travel to Ecuador in an effort to normalize bilateral relations, which have deteriorated following the imposition of reciprocal tariffs.

“In line with Colombia’s policy of good neighborliness and the spirit of cooperation and integration that guides its foreign policy,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement, adding that the delegation will be led by Foreign Minister Rosa Villavicencio and Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez.

“Following instructions from the Presidency of the Republic, and as has been publicly reiterated, the Colombian delegation expects to reaffirm Colombia’s offer of support to the Republic of Ecuador to strengthen control over phenomena stemming from transnational organized crime,” the statement said.

The Foreign Ministry noted that the delegation will attend the meeting with a full willingness to engage in dialogue and to seek concrete solutions to the unilateral measures that have affected the longstanding relationship between the two neighboring countries.

Trade tensions between Ecuador and Colombia escalated on January 21, when Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboaimposed a 30% tariff on Colombian products, citing a lack of cooperation in anti-drug efforts. Colombia responded with similar measures and the suspension of energy exports, while Ecuador increased transportation costs for Colombian crude oil.

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Business associations in both countries have warned that the dispute is harming both economies and have called on the governments to resolve their differences through dialogue.

International

Super Bowl Halftime Show Puts Bad Bunny—and Immigration Politics—Back in the Spotlight

The long-standing argument that sports and politics should not mix may be put to the test on Sunday during the Super Bowl halftime show, which will be headlined by Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny, a choice that has sparked backlash from segments of the U.S. right wing.

Just one week after his headline-making appearance at the Grammy Awards—where he sharply criticized the United States’ anti-immigration policies—Bad Bunny will once again take center stage on the global spotlight with his performance at the NFL final in Santa Clara, California.

Beyond the expectations surrounding the show itself, speculation has grown over whether the artist could again use the platform to protest policies associated with the administration of former President Donald Trump, in front of an audience expected to exceed 120 million viewers in the United States alone.

In fact, one of the most popular Super Bowl prop bets this year revolves around whether the Puerto Rican singer will deliver a direct message against ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement), similar to the one he delivered at the Grammys last Sunday.

While few expect Bad Bunny to repeat such a pointed statement, the mere speculation highlights the delicate balance the NFL must manage during the most-watched broadcast of the year.

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The world’s most powerful sports league has drawn criticism from the MAGA movement since announcing in September that Bad Bunny would headline a halftime show largely performed in Spanish.

Trump himself declined to attend the matchup between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, despite having made history last year as the first sitting U.S. president to attend a Super Bowl. He described the musical lineup—which also includes outspoken critics such as Green Day—as “a terrible choice” that would “sow hatred.” In response, his supporters have organized an alternative event dubbed the “All-American Halftime Show,” featuring like-minded artists such as Kid Rock.

International

Venezuela Debates Broad Amnesty Law Covering 27 Years of Chavismo

Venezuela’s Parliament began debating on Thursday a sweeping amnesty bill that would cover the 27 years of Chavismo in power, while explicitly excluding serious human rights violations and crimes against humanity.

The proposed legislation, titled the “Amnesty Law for Democratic Coexistence,” was introduced by interim President Delcy Rodríguez, who assumed power following the capture of Nicolás Maduro during a U.S. military operation.

The legislative session was convened for Thursday afternoon, with lawmakers holding an initial discussion focused on the general principles of the bill. This phase precedes a consultation process with civil society, after which the proposal will move to a final debate examining each article individually.

According to a draft of the bill obtained by AFP, the amnesty would apply to individuals accused of crimes such as “treason,” “terrorism,” and “incitement to hatred,” charges that were frequently brought against political prisoners over the past decades. The scope also includes offenses ranging from acts of rebellion to punishments imposed for social media posts or messages sent through private messaging services.

The bill’s explanatory text emphasizes reconciliation, stating that it seeks to move away from “vengeance, retaliation, and hatred” in favor of “opening a path toward reconciliation.”

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However, the proposal explicitly excludes from its benefits crimes such as “serious human rights violations, crimes against humanity, war crimes, intentional homicide, corruption, and drug trafficking.”

These exclusions, the text notes, are based on strict compliance with the Venezuelan Constitution, which already prohibits granting amnesties or pardons for such offenses.