International
WHO warns of additional problems for the Ukrainian health system in the face of a difficult winter
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that Ukraine is perhaps facing its most complicated winter after the massive Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure, which have caused additional problems for the health system, hit by almost 2,000 attacks since the Russian invasion in 2022.
“Ukraine is approaching its third winter in the middle of war, probably the most difficult,” said the WHO regional director for Europe, Hans Kluge, who has carried out a week-old mission through Ukraine, at a press conference in Kiev.
2,000 attacks on medical infrastructures
The Belgian doctor recalled that to date the WHO has confirmed almost 2,000 attacks on Ukrainian health, including hospitals, health workers and patients, to which are added the Russian bombings of the last six months against the country’s energy network, which have caused massive power cuts.
“The frequent power outages in summer are already causing havoc with signs of danger for the winter,” Kluge warned, who said that, by endangering the storage and distribution of vaccines, Ukraine could experience an increase in preventable diseases.
Increase in waterborne infections
“Or water systems could be compromised, since water distribution sites depend on an uninterrupted power supply,” he added, which in turn could lead to an increase in diseases transmitted by water and food.
In turn, the lack of heating and ventilation systems in winter could contribute to an increase in respiratory infections, from the flu to COVID-19.
Antibiotic resistance
Kluge also drew attention to the threat of antimicrobial resistance.
“We have cases of injuries that simply do not heal as a result of antibiotic resistance, which is a situation with possible consequences far beyond Ukraine if medicines become useless,” he explained.
Supply of generators and heating equipment
The WHO regional director stressed that, in response to concerns about the power supply, the organization and health authorities are accelerating efforts to install generators and other crucial equipment in health facilities.
A total of 15 heating units are being installed in eight Ukrainian regions, he said.
In turn, in order to face the danger of antimicrobial resistance in the short term, Ukraine now has one hundred laboratories that carry out the surveillance of drug-resistant bacteria, compared to only three in 2017.
Kluge pointed out that another cause for concern during the winter is the risk of increased mental health problems.
Millions of people at risk
“It is estimated that about 10 million people are already at risk of suffering from mild to serious mental health problems. With the war about to be three years old, these problems only increase, and the realities of the winter season could worsen the situation,” he warned.
All this when more than 80% of households say they have problems getting the medicines they need. 6% say they don’t have access to essential medicines and a third don’t have enough money to buy medicines, he explained.
Kluge stressed that primary care is being given priority for the winter.
“Until the end of the year, when winter has really arrived, we will have installed about 40 modular primary care clinics in six regions,” he said.
“I reiterate how vital it is for the Ukrainian health system to resist and overcome the challenges of the war and the imminent winter, including attacks on health that constitute a clear violation of international humanitarian law,” he concluded.
International
Claudia Sheinbaum: Operation Against ‘El Mencho’ Was Based on Pending Arrest Warrants
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum on Wednesday rejected claims that the military operation that resulted in the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was carried out under pressure from the United States government.
Sheinbaum explained that the deployment of federal forces was aimed at executing outstanding arrest warrants against Oseguera Cervantes, who was considered one of the most wanted criminals in both Mexico and the United States.
“That was not the objective (to ease pressure from the United States). It is very important, and I want to repeat it. This individual had an arrest warrant, or several,” Sheinbaum said, referring to the operation conducted on February 22.
According to the president, the initial goal was to capture Oseguera Cervantes, but military forces responded after coming under attack during the intervention.
“The operation was to detain him. The problem is that they were attacked — the Secretariat of National Defense — and they responded at that moment,” she said.
The president insisted that the action was not carried out in response to external demands, although she acknowledged intelligence cooperation with the United States.
“It was not done in any way because of pressure from the United States, not at all. Of course, there was intelligence information from the United States that was used specifically,” she concluded.
International
Spain Denies Any Agreement to Cooperate with U.S. Military in Iran Operations
Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares on Wednesday firmly denied that Madrid has agreed to cooperate with the U.S. military in operations against Iran, contradicting statements made minutes earlier by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
“I categorically deny it,” Albares said in a radio interview cited by EFE. “The position of the Spanish government regarding the war in the Middle East, the bombings in Iran, and the use of our bases has not changed by a single comma.”
Earlier in the day, Leavitt told reporters that Spain had “agreed to cooperate with the United States military in recent hours,” following President Donald Trump’s threat to impose a trade embargo on Madrid. Trump had warned of economic measures after Spain reportedly refused to allow the Pentagon to use facilities at Spanish bases for operations related to Iran.
“I have no idea what that could be referring to or where it could be coming from,” Albares said, insisting that Spain’s position “has not changed at all” and therefore “remains absolutely unchanged.” He added that he had “no desire” and “almost no time” to speculate about the White House spokesperson’s remarks.
Albares reiterated Spain’s “No to war” stance, which he said had been clearly and forcefully expressed by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in an institutional address. According to the foreign minister, that position has been supported by “many European colleagues.”
International
White House Says Spain Agrees to Cooperate with U.S. Military After Trump Threatens Trade Embargo
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday that Spain has agreed “in recent hours” to cooperate with the U.S. military, following President Donald Trump’s threat to impose a trade embargo on Madrid.
Trump had warned of potential commercial measures after Spain reportedly refused to allow the Pentagon to use facilities at Spanish military bases for operations related to Iran.
“With respect to Spain, I think you heard the president’s message yesterday loud and clear, and I understand that in recent hours they have agreed to cooperate with the United States military,” Leavitt said during a press briefing.
She added that the U.S. military is currently coordinating with its counterparts in Spain. However, the president expects broader support.
“The president expects that all of Europe, all of our European allies, of course, will cooperate in this important mission — not only for the United States, but also for Europe,” Leavitt said.
Her remarks came in response to questions about Spain’s position and its role as a U.S. ally amid rising tensions surrounding operations involving Iran.
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