International

Yemen’s Houthi rebels dismiss 39 ministers and leave a government without women

The Houthi rebels of Yemen announced on Monday an important reorganization of their internationally unrecognized government – in which the female presence completely disappears -, consisting of the dismissal of 39 ministers and the reduction of the number of ministries from 42 to 21.

Two days after the appointment of a new prime minister, the head of the Supreme Political Council of the Houthi, Mahdi al Mashat, issued a decree in which he appoints the members of the new government, which will be headed by the newly appointed prime minister, Ahmad al Rahawi, and whom he asked to form a new Executive after leaving the ministerial portfolios in the middle, reported the Houthi news agency Saba.

Sheikh Mohamed Muftah, who heads the Huti National Committee to Support Al Aqsa, was appointed first deputy prime minister in this remodeling in which only the Deputy Prime Minister of Defense and Security, Jalal al Rowaishan; the Minister of Defense, Mohamed al Atifi, and the Minister of the Interior, AbdulKreem al Huti, retained their positions in the new cabinet, according to this decree.

Among the ministers who were dismissed is the Minister of Education, Yahya al Huti, brother of the leader of the group, Abdulmalik al Huti. The female presence of the previous Government, which included a Minister of Human Rights and two Ministers of State without a portfolio, disappears completely.

This reorganization of the cabinet meant the merger of some portfolios, including those of Justice and Human Rights, Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Public Service and Administrative Development, Transport and Public Works.

20260330_renta_mh_728x90

The portfolios of Economy, Industry and Investment, Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, Education and Scientific Research, Electricity, Energy and Water, Health and Environment, Culture and Tourism were also affected.

The new government was abolished the portfolios of International Planning and Cooperation, Technical Education and Vocational Training, Legal Affairs, Religious Guidance, Local Administration, as well as the positions of Ministers of State.

The formation of the new government shows the determination of the Houthis to rationalize spending and control inflation in the administrative structure of their government in the midst of their operations in the Red Sea framed by the conflict in the Gaza Strip.

In addition, the appointment of politicians from the southern provinces for some government portfolios indicates an attempt to please the Southerners, whose areas are under the control of the internationally recognized government and the Southern Transitional Council backed by the United Arab Emirates, both rivals of the Houthis.

20260330_renta_mh_728x90

International

UK braces for potential CO₂ shortage amid Middle East tensions

The government of United Kingdom is preparing contingency measures amid fears of a potential shortage of carbon dioxide (CO₂), which could impact the agri-food industry if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, The Times reported on Thursday.

According to the newspaper, officials assessed this scenario during a recent crisis meeting aimed at evaluating the consequences of a prolonged conflict, triggered on February 28 by joint attacks from United States and Israel against Iran.

Under this scenario, CO₂ supplies—primarily a byproduct of fertilizer production using natural gas—could fall by up to 18%, affecting multiple sectors including agriculture and food production.

The gas is widely used in the slaughter of pigs and poultry, as well as in extending the shelf life of packaged foods. Breweries could also face disruptions due to reduced availability.

“I don’t want to comment on a leak, but now that the information is out there, I hope people feel reassured knowing we are working on it,” said Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, in remarks to Sky News.

20260330_renta_mh_728x90

While a drop in CO₂ supply is not expected to cause major shortages in supermarkets, it could limit product variety, The Times noted, citing access to internal government documents.

To mitigate the impact, authorities are considering prioritizing CO₂ supply for critical sectors such as healthcare and civil nuclear energy, where it is used in cooling systems for blood reserves, organs, vaccines, and electricity generation. The government may also request domestic producers to increase output.

Central America

El Salvador and Paraguay approve 2026–2028 cooperation program

The governments of El Salvador and Paraguay approved the 2026–2028 Cooperation Program, which includes six joint development projects, according to Salvadoran Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Adriana Mira.

Mira stated that El Salvador will act as the “main provider of cooperation,” contributing five initiatives focused on road infrastructure, tourism, and local development. She also noted that one of the projects will be led by the Paraguayan side, although no further details were disclosed.

The agreement was reached during the Second Meeting of the Joint Commission on Technical and Scientific Cooperation between both countries.

According to Paraguay’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the First Meeting of the Political Consultation and Bilateral Coordination Mechanism was also held, with the participation of Vice Minister Víctor Verdún.

In an official statement, the Paraguayan government reported that both delegations agreed to identify mechanisms to promote competitiveness, economic growth, and market access. They also committed to signing agreements related to air transport cooperation.

20260330_renta_mh_728x90

International

Macron meets Machado, stresses need for democratic transition in Venezuela

Emmanuel Macron met on Monday at the Élysée Palace with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, where they discussed the importance of advancing a democratic transition in Venezuela.

In a message shared on social media, Macron highlighted Machado’s commitment to freedom and stressed the need to achieve a transition that is peaceful and respects the will of the Venezuelan people.

“I received María Corina Machado, Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Together, we discussed her commitment to freedom and the importance of achieving a democratic, peaceful transition in Venezuela that respects the will of its people,” he wrote.

For her part, Machado expressed her “deep gratitude” to Macron and to France for their support of democracy and freedom in Venezuela.

“We have gone through a long and painful journey, and we are now very close to freedom. Venezuela will become a nation of free and equal men and women—prosperous, safe, and united,” she said.