International
Seventy-nine countries sign a declaration of support for the ICC after US sanctions
Seventy-nine countries, including many Latin Americans, signed this Friday a joint declaration of support for the International Criminal Court (ICC) at a time when it is attacked by the sanctions of the Government of the President of the United States, Donald Trump.
“Today, the Court faces unprecedented challenges: measures of sanctioning the court and its officials, as well as those who cooperate with it, have been adopted in response to the Court carrying out its mandate in accordance with the Rome Statute,” the statement reads.
However, neither the US government nor its president Donald Trump is mentioned by name, who on Thursday signed the executive order to announce financial restrictions and restrict the obtaining of visas to travel to the United States (where the UN headquarters is located) to individuals of the ICC, as well as their immediate family (partner and children), who collaborate in court investigations against US citizens or Washington allies.
“These measures,” says the joint statement, “increase the risks of impunity for the most serious crimes and threaten to erode the rule of international law; even more, sanctions can endanger the confidentiality of sensitive information and the safety of those affected, including victims, witnesses and members of the Court,” the text says.
“We regret any attempt to undermine the Court’s independence, its integrity and its impartiality (and) we emphasize its irreplaceable role in ending impunity, promoting the rule of law and fostering lasting law for human rights.”
Most Latin American countries sign the declaration, but the names of Argentina, Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, Paraguay or El Salvador are missing.
Among the signatories of the declaration there are also several European countries such as Spain, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Poland or the Netherlands, but not Italy or Hungary; there are also US allies such as Canada, but not Australia. Numerous African or Asian countries close to Russia are missing.
In signing his executive order on Thursday, Trump stressed that the ICC has taken “illegitimate and unfounded actions against the United States” and Israel, defined as a “close ally,” and has “even more abused its power by issuing unfounded arrest warrants” against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Galant.
The United States has never recognized the jurisdiction of the ICC, nor has Israel, China or Russia. In total, there are 124 countries that recognize the ICC, but not all have signed the joint declaration.
The Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, demanded that the ICC be allowed to work “with full independence”, after the executive order signed yesterday by Trump, to sanction the court.
“International criminal law is an essential element in the fight against impunity, which is unfortunately widespread in today’s world. The CPI is its essential element and must be allowed to work with full independence,” Deputy Secretary-spokesman Farhan Haq said at his daily press conference.
When asked about the possible impact of these sanctions on the visit of senior officials to the UN headquarters, located in the United States, Haq said he hopes that “any restrictions adopted against individuals will be applied in a manner consistent with the obligations of the host country” and “under the agreement relating to the UN headquarters.”
In his executive order, Trump said that the ICC has taken “illegitimate and unfounded actions against the US.” and Israel, defined as a “close ally,” and has “abused even more of its power by issuing unfounded arrest warrants” against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Galant.
International
Four suspected PCC members killed in Police shootout in Florianópolis
At least four armed men, allegedly linked to an organized crime group, were killed Sunday night during a shootout with police officers at Ponta das Canas beach on the island of Florianópolis, capital of the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, local media reported on Monday.
According to the Santa Catarina Military Police, one of the men killed was a native of the state of São Paulo (southeast) and identified as a leader of the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), a gang that controls drug trafficking in the Papaquara community in northern Florianópolis, one of Brazil’s most popular tourist areas.
Police said officers were conducting a patrol in the Ponta das Canas neighborhood when they noticed a man entering a house in a hurry, raising suspicion. Upon entering the residence, they encountered four heavily armed individuals.
During the police operation, one of the suspects reportedly attempted to seize an officer’s rifle, triggering the exchange of gunfire. “Faced with the imminent threat and the criminals’ high firepower, the officers responded to stop the aggression,” the Military Police said on social media.
International
U.S. uses $4.65 billion in emergency funds to sustain SNAP benefits amid shutdown
The U.S. government will use $4.65 billion from an emergency fund to finance payments under SNAP, the country’s primary food assistance program, covering roughly “50% of benefits for eligible households,” according to a Department of Agriculture official in court filings.
The administration, however, does not plan to make up the funding shortfall through other resources, as noted in documents submitted to a federal court in Rhode Island.
This announcement follows a federal judge’s order in Providence — one of two issued last week — requiring the government to tap emergency funds to ensure the program remains operational.
The Trump administration argues that SNAP is running out of money amid a month-long federal government shutdown, triggered by a budget standoff between Democrats and Republicans who continue to blame each other for the crisis.
President Trump said on Friday that he was willing to release the necessary funds if the courts required it and emphasized that he does not want “Americans to go hungry.”
Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic minority leader in the House of Representatives, accused Trump and the Republican Party on Sunday of “weaponizing hunger” during the political dispute.
International
U.S. strike in Caribbean kills three suspected drug traffickers
A U.S. strike on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean killed three people on Saturday, according to Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth, marking the latest in a series of attacks in international waters.
The United States has deployed ships to the Caribbean and sent fighter jets to Puerto Rico as part of a large military force that Washington says is aimed at curbing drug trafficking.
“This vessel, like all the others, was known to our intelligence for being involved in illicit narcotics smuggling,” Hegseth stated on X. “Three narcoterrorists were aboard the vessel during the attack, which took place in international waters,” he added.
Experts argue that the attacks, which began in early September, amount to extrajudicial executions, even if the targets are known traffickers.
Washington has yet to publicly provide evidence that the targeted individuals were actively smuggling drugs or posed a threat to the United States.
Hegseth said the U.S. would continue “hunting… and killing” suspected traffickers. He also shared video footage of the strike, showing the vessel being hit and engulfed in flames. As in previous videos, sections of the ship were blurred, making it impossible to verify the number of people on board.
The United Nations called on Friday for Washington to halt its attacks.
Four suspected PCC members killed in Police shootout in Florianópolis
U.S. uses $4.65 billion in emergency funds to sustain SNAP benefits amid shutdown
U.S. strike in Caribbean kills three suspected drug traffickers
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
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