International
Cuba describes the OAS resolution on the elections in Venezuela as an “inference”
Cuba described as an “inference” the resolution approved by the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) that requires the authorities of Venezuela to publish “expitely” the electoral minutes of last July 28 in that country.
“As we warned, the inter-interference resolution on Venezuela was imposed in the OAS,” the Cuban Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez, wrote in X.
He also stated that the OAS, “which supported coups d’état, dictatorships and did not condemn US invasions in the region, lacks the authority to urge our countries to submit to spurious mandates. Cease interference.”
The organization’s resolution urges the National Electoral Council (CNE) of Venezuela to “expitly publish the minutes with the results of the vote of the presidential elections at the level of each polling station.”
It also calls for “respect for the fundamental principle of popular sovereignty through an impartial verification of the results that guarantees the transparency, credibility and legitimacy of the electoral process.”
The non-binding text was presented on behalf of the United States and Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, Paraguay, the Dominican Republic, Suriname and Uruguay as co-sponsors.
His appeal joins the one also made this Friday by the European Union and 22 countries, including Spain, in favor of the “immediate publication of all the original minutes” of the elections and the “impartial” and “independent” verification of the results of those elections, in which according to the CNE Nicolás Maduro prevailed on Edmundo González Urrutia.
On July 31, 17 governments voted in favor of another OAS resolution that asked the Venezuelan authorities to publish “immediately” the minutes of the elections, but this initiative finally did not prosper.
That first text had 17 votes in favor, none against, 11 abstentions – like those of Colombia and Brazil, and five absences, so it did not achieve the absolute majority necessary to get ahead.
The CNE of Venezuela proclaimed the victory of the president, Nicolás Maduro, for a third consecutive term, in results rejected by the opposition and questioned by several foreign governments and international watch groups.
The main opposition coalition – the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD) – led by Edmundo González Urrutia, assures that it obtained a “monumental victory” with 7.3 million votes, according to the electoral records obtained by that majority bloc.
Cuba, Venezuela’s political ally, was one of the first countries to recognize Maduro’s triumph decreed by the CNE, despite protests against this result.
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.
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.
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.
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