International

Lula reiterates to Maduro his support for the Barbados Agreements for the next elections

The president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, spoke on Wednesday with his counterpart from Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, reiterated his support for the Barbados Agreements and stressed the “importance” of a broad international observation in the elections that are planned in that country on July 28.

The Brazilian Presidency reported on that conversation in an official note, in which Lula also “expressed his expectation that the sanctions in force against Venezuela can be lifted, in order to contribute so that the electoral process can continue in a climate of trust and understanding.”

He also reiterated Brazil’s support for the Barbados Agreements, which last year laid the foundations for transparent and free elections but which, according to the Venezuelan opposition, have had violations by the Maduro Government, which aspires to re-election in the next elections.

At the bilateral level, Lula informed Maduro about the interest of Brazilian businessmen in reinvesting and reactivating trade with Venezuela, and asked to strengthen cooperation to improve the protection of Yanomami indigenous people at the common border.

Although Lula emphasized the need for a wide participation of international observers in the July elections, the Superior Electoral Tribunal (TSE) of Brazil announced this week that it will not send any mission to Venezuela.

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The electoral body did not explain the reasons for the decision or clarify whether it will participate in a possible mission of the BRICS forum, founded by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, which like the TSE was invited by Venezuela.

Last week, Colombia also announced that it will not send any mission, because as explained by the Foreign Minister, Luis Gilberto Murillo, there would be no “time” to “structure” it with the technical characteristics required by the Venezuelan authorities.

Likewise, last week the Venezuelan National Electoral Council withdrew the invitation it had made to the European Union (EU) to send observers, after the bloc ratified the sanctions on members of the Government and the ruling party.

The presidents of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Colombia, Gustavo Petro, both of the progressive arc, have expressed “concern” about the obstacles imposed on the registration of opposition candidates for those elections.

In both cases they received a harsh response from the Government of Venezuela, although the matter seemed overcome with the registration of the presidential candidacy of former diplomat Edmundo González Urrutia, standard-bearer of the main opposition coalition.

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International

Two killed in shooting at restaurant near Frankfurt Airport

Two people were shot dead early Tuesday at a restaurant in Raunheim, near Frankfurt Airport, according to local police.

Preliminary findings indicate that an armed individual entered the establishment at around 03:45 local time (02:45 GMT) and opened fire on the victims, who died at the scene from their injuries.

The suspect fled and remains at large, while the motive behind the shooting is still unclear, German media reported. Authorities have launched a large-scale search operation.

International

U.S. counterterrorism chief resigns over opposition to war in Iran

Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, announced Tuesday that he has resigned from his post, citing his opposition to the ongoing war in Iran.

In a post on X, Kent said he could not, “in good conscience,” support the conflict, arguing that Iran did not pose an imminent threat to the United States. He also claimed that the war was driven by pressure from Israel and its lobbying influence in Washington.

In a resignation letter addressed to Donald Trump, Kent alleged that at the start of the current administration, senior Israeli officials and influential figures in U.S. media carried out a disinformation campaign that undermined the “America First” platform and fostered pro-war sentiment aimed at triggering a conflict with Iran.

Kent further stated that he could not support sending a new generation of Americans to “fight and die in a war that provides no benefit to the American people and does not justify the cost in American lives.”

Since the United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran on February 28, at least 13 U.S. service members have been killed, while 10 others have been seriously wounded and around 200 have sustained minor injuries, according to a report published by The Wall Street Journal.

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International

German president warns Iran war could spread and disrupt Strait of Hormuz

The president of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, warned Monday that the war involving Iran could expand and further disrupt shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. He urged a swift end to hostilities between Iran, United States and Israel.

Speaking in Panama City during a joint appearance with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, Steinmeier said available information suggests Iran has significant capacity to disrupt maritime traffic through the key oil route.

“Iran has considerable potential to interfere with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz,” Steinmeier said through an interpreter. “We should therefore reach an end to the hostilities as soon as possible and call on all parties involved to make that happen.”

The remarks came during Steinmeier’s visit to Panama, the first by a German president to the Central American nation.

The German leader described the possibility of the conflict spreading as “very dangerous,” saying recent developments indicate that such a scenario cannot be ruled out.

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Over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump urged allied nations to help ensure safe passage for ships through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran moved to block the waterway in response to U.S. strikes. However, several allies—particularly in Europe—have shown little support for the proposal.

“Some are very enthusiastic, others are not, and some are countries we have helped for many years,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “We have protected them from terrible external threats, and they’re not that enthusiastic. And the level of enthusiasm is important to me.”

Meanwhile, Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s top diplomat, said the Strait of Hormuz falls “outside NATO’s scope” and stressed that “the war involving Iran is not Europe’s war.”