International
Hezbulá will continue with “the same war plan” against Israel, says its new leader
The new leader of Hizbulah, Naim Qasem, said on Wednesday in his first speech as head of the formation that the Lebanese Shiite group will continue with “the same war plan” against Israel drawn up by its predecessor, Hassan Nasrala, killed just over a month ago in a massive bombing of the Israeli Army.
“The work schedule is the same as with Hasán Nasrala. We continue with the same war plan,” Qasem said in a televised speech in which he appeared next to the flags of Lebanon, of Hizbulah and a framed photo of his predecessor, who always promised that the group would cease its attacks against Israel if a truce was reached in Gaza.
In a serene tone, the septuagenary clergyman said that the Strip, Lebanon and other parts of the Middle East are facing “an Israeli, American and European war with all its power,” while denouncing that a “genocide” is being committed in the devastated Palestinian enclave and, now, in Lebanese territory.
“We always said that we do not want war, but we are prepared if it has been imposed on us and we will do it firmly and we will succeed, God willing,” insisted Qasem, who said that Hezbulla’s only objective “is to protect Lebanon” and “support Palestine.”
Israel’s “brutality” in Gaza and Lebanon
He also acknowledged that the group “has paid the price for the convictions of liberation,” in reference to the dozens of deaths of high-ranking officials in Hezbulá – including that of Nasrala – since the beginning of the clashes with Israel on October 8, 2023, one day after the outbreak of war in the Gaza Strip.
However, he insisted on the group’s “need” to respond to Israel’s “brutality” in Gaza and Lebanon.
“More than 43,000 martyrs do not move the world? 100,000 wounded don’t shake the world? Not even the murder of children? This crime must be addressed,” Qasem justified in reference to the deaths in the Palestinian enclave since the beginning of the war more than a year ago.
On the other hand, he acknowledged that Iran “supports” Hezbollah but insisted that the Islamic Republic “does not want anything” in return, only “the liberation of the Lebanese land.”
“We welcome any Arab, Islamic or world country if it wants to support us. We don’t say no to anyone who supports us in the world, be it Western, Arab or whoever. We will not say no,” insisted the clergyman, who was appointed on Tuesday as the new general secretary of the organization.
Naim Qasem said that the Shiite group has the ability to continue facing Israel “for months,” although he reiterated that the armed formation is willing to agree to a ceasefire “with conditions.”
“We can continue for months, I won’t say more,” said the septuagenary clergyman in his first speech after being appointed yesterday as the new secretary general of Hizbulah to succeed Hassan Nasrala, murdered a month ago by Israel in a massive bombing against the southern suburbs of Beirut known as the Dahye.
During his speek, he asked for “patience” from the combatants and the Lebanese, while demanding to leave Lebanon the soldiers of Israel, which began an invasion of the southern Mediterranean country in early October: “Get out of our land to reduce your losses, if you stay you will see defeat,” he said.
“Will the war be prolonged? It seems that the US elections will be a turning point,” Qasem asked himself, who indicated that “there may be someone who inhibits (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu” to stop hostilities, he said.
“Indirect” negotiations
On the other hand, Qasem assured that Hezbulah is willing to hold “indirect” negotiations with Israel to reach a truce that ends more than a year of war, which has caused the death of more than 2,700 people and the displacement of more than 1.2 million others in Lebanon alone, in addition to the annihilation of much of the leadership of the Shiite armed formation.
“If the enemy decides (to agree) on a ceasefire, we will say yes, but with conditions. The way will be to hold indirect negotiations for this purpose,” said the cleric, who in early October – when he was the number two of Hezbullah – gave his support to some truce talks mediated by the president of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri.
In this sense, he recalled that Berri, who also leads the Shiite group Amal, an ally of Hezbulá, is “the pillar of the negotiations,” although he regretted that “there is still no clear project that is consensual” to put an end to hostilities.
Berri, who has been president of Parliament for three decades, is a crucial figure who serves as the group’s communication channel with the rest of the Lebanese political spectrum.
“We always said that we do not want war, but we are prepared if it has been imposed on us and we will do it firmly and we will succeed, God willing,” insisted Qasem, who said that Hezbulla’s only objective “is to protect Lebanon” and “support Palestine.”
Israel says the mandate of the new leader will be “temporary”
Shortly after the appointment, Israel’s Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant, targeted the septuagenary cleric and assured in a brief message on his official X account that his mandate will be “temporary” and “not for long.”
After a little more than a month of the assassination of Nasrala, the group has decided to choose the one who was the number two of the formation and who has been in charge of giving the three television speeches offered after the death of the previous head of Hezbullah, who was in charge for three decades.
This decision has been made after last week Hizbula confirmed the death of Hashem Safi al Din, head of the Executive Council of the formation and considered one of the main candidates to head the group.
He has been considered one of the main spokesmen of the Shiite group and the highest level figure who has even given interviews to foreign media.
Central America
International tourism brings over $2.2 billion to El Salvador in 2025
International tourism has generated more than $2.2 billion in foreign exchange for the Salvadoran economy during the first seven months of 2025, according to the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur).
Tourism Minister Morena Valdez stated on Thursday that this figure reflects a favorable development of the tourism sector so far this year.
“Over $2.2 billion by July, and we estimate more than $3 billion in foreign exchange by December 2025. I believe we will perform quite well,” Valdez said in an interview with Frente a Frente.
These figures do not include the 91,000 international tourists received during the August holidays, who contributed $60 million to the local economy, according to the government.
The accumulated results by July represent 73.3% of Mitur’s estimates for foreign exchange generated by international tourism in 2025.
During the same period, tourism authorities recorded 2.3 million international visitors, which is 57.5% of the more than 4 million visitors projected by the government by the end of 2025.
Authorities have recently adjusted the tourism target: at the beginning of the year, Mitur anticipated 4.2 million visitorsafter receiving 3.9 million in the previous year.
International
Tabasco ex-officials linked to drug trafficking spark Mexico-U.S. tensions
The scandal involving two former state officials from Tabasco, southeast Mexico, linked to drug trafficking and now fugitives, has added tension to Mexico-U.S. relations, which had already been strained by President Donald Trump’s threats to send troops across the border to target cartels.
At the center of the controversy is the current coordinator of the Mexican Senate, former governor of Tabasco, and former Secretary of the Interior, Adán Augusto López Hernández, a close ally of former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador (2018–2024), along with his then-security secretary, Hernán Bermúdez Requena.
According to the Mexican weekly Proceso, published two weeks ago, the criminal ties of the former officials were reported in 2022 by Mexican intelligence services during López Obrador’s administration when López Hernández was Secretary of the Interior.
Bermúdez Requena, known as ‘El Comandante H’, was appointed Secretary of Security in Tabasco in 2019 by then-governor Adán Augusto López Hernández, from the ruling Morena party, and is accused of being a leader of the criminal group ‘La Barredora’, a cell linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
On July 22, Mexico’s Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Omar García Harfuch, confirmed that a warrant and Interpol red notice had been issued against Bermúdez Requena, who had been under investigation since 2024 for his links to organized crime.
International
Pope Leo XIV marks first 100 days with prudence and diplomacy
On August 14, Pope Leo XIV reaches his first 100 days as pontiff, a period marked by prudence, a reserved profile, and a strong inclination toward Vatican diplomacy. Since his election on May 8, the U.S.-born pope, who will turn 70 in September, has avoided major structural decisions, choosing instead to observe and listen before acting.
Among the most visible changes compared to his predecessor, Pope Francis, is a return to liturgical tradition: he has resumed wearing the red mozzetta, white pants under the cassock, and residing in the Apostolic Palace. He has also reinstated the Corpus Christi procession through the streets of Rome and resumed vacations at Castel Gandolfo.
So far, Robert Prevost has appointed only his personal secretary, leaving adjustments within the Roman Curia for later. Experts, such as Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Community of Sant’Egidio, suggest that the pope should not be judged by immediate breaks or continuities with Francis, but rather by his long-term leadership style.
Ines San Martín of the U.S. Pontifical Mission Societies notes that Leo XIV “has spent these months listening more than speaking” and anticipates the first personnel changes may come in September. His style, inspired by Saint Augustine, emphasizes spiritual life, friendship within community, and charity.
On the international stage, the pontiff has reinforced his image as a mediator. He sent Cardinal Robert Sarah to official events, offered the Vatican as a venue for peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, spoke with Vladimir Putin, and received Volodymyr Zelensky twice. He has also condemned attacks in Gaza and reiterated his call to halt armed conflicts, rearmament, and the environmental crisis.
With a balance between tradition and prudence, Pope Leo XIV faces the next stage of his pontificate with expectations that his first strategic decisions will arrive in the coming months.
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Pope Leo XIV marks first 100 days with prudence and diplomacy
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