International

The vice president of Venezuela calls María Corina Machado a “scaser” and “dead mosquito”

The executive vice president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, called opposition leader María Corina Machado “faker” and “dead mosquito” on Wednesday, whom she accused of asking for sanctions and, at the same time, speaking in favor of the wage increase for workers, who was, according to the official, “hardly beaten” by those foreign measures.

“Who has called for the blockade against Venezuela? Leopoldo López, Julio Borges, Juan Guaidó, María Corina Machado, who then puts the voice of a dead mosquito, and then causes the tremendous damage to Venezuela and still today asks for more sanctions, (…) she then, every day, makes videos (saying): ‘dear workers, I am with you, worker, and now we are going to fight for Venezuela and your conditions,’” Rodríguez said.

“Draught to the US Government.”

She insisted that Machado, “dragged to the Government of the United States, calls for sanctions and blockade against Venezuela,” so the Minister of Oil pointed to the former deputy and the other opponents she mentioned as “tremendous fakes.”

Likewise, Rodríguez assured that the workers have been at the “vanguard” of the “active resistance against the criminal blockade imposed from Washington with the support of Western countries” for “the call made by the extremists and fascists in Venezuela,” in reference to anti-Chavista leaders and leaders.

The vice president charged against Machado a few days after the opponent expressed her “deep admiration and affection” to the educators, who, despite the “hunger waries”, have “remained at the forefront of this struggle, with an infinite vocation and dedication,” according to the former deputy.

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María Corina Machado says she fears for her “life”

Machado, who claims to be in “strandness,” fearing for their “life” and “freedom,” told teachers on Saturday – in an audio published on social networks – that the country “needs them organized and active” in “this decisive hour” in the struggle for a “free” Venezuela that “arrives soon”, in which “they will be protagonists” of the construction of the “best public education system in the world.”

Machado defends the victory that the majority opposition, grouped in the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD), assures that its candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia, obtained in the presidential elections of July 28, in which President Nicolás Maduro was proclaimed winner by the National Electoral Council (CNE), a result questioned inside and outside the country, and that was announced based on votes that are still unknown in a disaggregated way.

International

US panel backs Trump-themed coin amid controversy

The United States Department of the Treasury confirmed to AFP that the Commission of Fine Arts approved the design of a new collectible coin featuring Donald Trump, with members of the commission appointed by the current administration.

According to the proposal, the coin will feature an image of Trump standing with clenched fists over a desk on the obverse, while the reverse will display an eagle, a traditional symbol of the United States.

The sale price of the collectible has not yet been disclosed, although the United States Mint typically offers similar items for more than $1,000.

“There is no more iconic portrait for the front of these coins than that of our president Donald Trump,” U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach said in a statement sent to AFP. He added that two additional coins — a $1 piece and a one-ounce gold coin — are also under consideration.

However, the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC), another body responsible for reviewing new coin proposals, declined to discuss the Trump design in late February.

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“Only nations governed by kings or dictators place the image of a sitting leader on their currency,” said Donald Scarinciat the time. “No country in the world has minted coins featuring a democratically elected leader during their term in office,” he added.

When contacted by AFP, the Treasury Department did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.

International

Fed’s Waller warns of rising inflation risks amid Middle East conflict

Christopher Waller, a governor at the Federal Reserve, said Friday that he is increasingly concerned about the inflationary impact of the ongoing conflict involving United States and Israel against Iran, particularly due to the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Waller, who had supported interest rate cuts over the past year amid concerns about the labor market, said he has shifted his stance in recent weeks due to rising inflation risks.

“Since the Strait of Hormuz was closed, it suggests this conflict could be much more prolonged and that oil prices will remain elevated for longer,” Waller said in an interview with CNBC.

“Therefore, this indicates that inflation is a greater concern than I had previously assessed,” he added.

Waller also backed the Federal Reserve’s decision earlier this week to keep interest rates unchanged, signaling a more cautious approach as global geopolitical tensions continue to affect economic outlooks.

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International

Brazil offers to mediate Colombia-Ecuador tensions, calls for restraint

The government of Brazil has offered to mediate in the ongoing tensions between Colombia and Ecuador, while calling on both nations to exercise restraint.

In a statement released Wednesday, Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the parties involved to act with moderation and seek a peaceful resolution to the dispute.

“Brazil encourages all sides to act with moderation in order to find a peaceful solution to the controversy. It stands ready to support dialogue efforts aimed at preserving peace and security in the region,” the statement said.

Brazil also expressed “serious concern” over reports of deaths in the border area between Colombia and Ecuador, noting that the circumstances surrounding the incidents have not yet been clarified.

The diplomatic move comes amid rising tensions between the neighboring countries, increasing regional concern over stability and security along their shared border.