International
Petro raises nine points to start the discussion about an eventual Constituent Assembly in Colombia
The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, proposed on Thursday nine points that he believes should be included in the discussion on the eventual convening of a Constituent Assembly, an idea that his Government has been thinking about for months.
“First of all, a constituent is the constituent power and the national agreement on the issues,” Petro said in his X account, a day after the liberal politician Juan Fernando Cristo, announced on Wednesday as the new Minister of the Interior, stated that his appointment was made with the purpose of seeking a national agreement that allows the exploration of a Constituent Assembly.
In that sense, the issues proposed today by Petro begin with the “immediate guarantee of the universal right to education, health and pensions,” followed by a “new territorial order.”
Thirdly, the president proposes to put into question “the economic and social development of the excluded territories,” and fourthly, “the agrarian reform.”
Petro’s agenda for this national discussion that may lead to a constituent also includes “adaptation to the climate crisis,” “reform of Justice,” “political reform” and “the pact for a productive economy.”
Finally, the president proposes “judicial truth and social forgiveness for a definitive peace,” which he considers could be the closure of the long period of the Colombian conflict, since the president not only has several peace processes open with illegal armed groups, but also considers that the State is not complying with the agreement signed in 2016 with the former FARC guerrilla.
Last March Petro proposed, during an event in Cali (southwest), the convening of a National Constituent Assembly if its reforms are not approved in Congress, starting from the idea that the people, as a primary constituent, want it.
Since then, that idea has been a reason for national controversy because the opposition considers that the 1991 Constitution contains the tools to make the necessary changes and therefore it is not necessary to reform it, and they see in Petro’s proposal an intention to seek re-election or extend his four-year presidential term that ends on August 7, 2026.
The discussion took force yesterday after Christ, confirming his appointment as Minister of the Interior, announced that he will seek agreements with the different forces of the country that lead to the convening of a constituent.
Cristo, a veteran politician who was a senator for 16 years and Minister of the Interior during the term of Juan Manuel Santos (2010-2018), assured in a statement that one of his fundamental purposes will be “the search for a true national agreement that allows the possibility of convening a Constituent National Assembly under the parameters of the Constitution of ’91 to be explored into the future.”
One of the first to reject that project yesterday was former President Iván Duque (2018-2022), who assured that an eventual convocation of a Constituent Assembly in Colombia seeks to perpetuate Petro in power.
“A National Constituent Assembly aims to perpetuate in power the current Government and the Historical Pact (official coalition). The ‘National Agreement’ is a facade to provoke an institutional rupture,” Duque said in his account of X.
Former President Álvaro Uribe (2002-2010), also rejected Petro’s plan and assured: “There is no reason for Colombia to have more delays and decades lost with constitutional uncertainty.”
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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