International
The 55th General Assembly of the OAS will seek to “build resilient and inclusive economies”
The 55th General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS), to be held in Antigua and Barbuda this June, will focus on “building resilient and inclusive economies in the Americas,” the Permanent Council approved on Wednesday.
At an OAS meeting held at the headquarters in Washington, the Member States approved that this would be the subject of the next assembly, proposed by the ambassador of the country that will serve as the headquarters, Ronald Sanders.
“We believe that this issue coincides with urgent regional concerns,” Sanders said during his speech.
Between June 25 and 27 of this year, the capital of the archipelago, Saint John, will host this annual assembly of the OAS.
On the other hand, the election of that country as the place for the event was agreed by acclamation at the previous congress, which took place in the Paraguayan city of Luque last June.
“Allow me to thank all the delegations and Member States for their unanimous support and support for hosting this important meeting. Antigua and Barbuda hope to welcome you all in three months,” the ambassador said.
“We hope that the warmth of our Caribbean environment will promote harmonious debates, as well as fruitful and positive results for our hemisphere,” he added. “Our discussions will foster stronger ties and produce significant results.”
After the proposal and that no country objected to anything about it, the outgoing secretary general of the OAS, Luis Almagro, and the rest of the members of the table signed together with Sanders the resolution that confirms the issue and the date of the conclave.
In addition, this will be the first General Assembly of the future leader of the organization, the Surinamese Albert Ramdin, who was elected on March 10 by acclamation and who will assume office in May.
Therefore, Ramdin will be the first Caribbean secretary general of the organization and his debut will coincide with the return of the meeting to the Caribbean.
In 2002, Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados, hosted the 32nd General Assembly. Subsequently, in 2006 and 2016, respectively, the Dominican Republic hosted the inter-American meeting.
International
Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 4,490 as Rescue Efforts Continue
The death toll from the powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 has risen to 4,490, according to the latest official figures released by the government on social media.
Authorities reported that 16,740 people have been injured, while more than 19,500 residents remain in temporary shelters after the twin earthquakes devastated Caracas and the neighboring state of La Guaira.
Rescue teams from Venezuela and several foreign countries continue searching through collapsed buildings in an effort to recover victims who remain trapped beneath the rubble.
Government officials said the earthquakes damaged more than 850 buildings, with 190 structures completely collapsing.
Thousands of families who lost their homes are currently staying with relatives or friends, while more than 19,500 displaced people are living in overcrowded emergency camps set up in parks, stadiums, and public squares across La Guaira and Caracas.
International
Tensions Escalate in Middle East as U.S. Bombs Iran After Maritime Attacks
The United States launched new strikes against Iran on Wednesday, following President Donald Trump’s warning that Washington would “hit hard” against the Islamic Republic. While Trump ordered the retaliation after attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, he also said he hoped the latest wave of bombings would end soon and left the door open for renewed negotiations.
U.S. forces “have begun carrying out additional strikes against Iran to further reduce its ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz,” the United States Central Command said in a post on X.
Washington blamed Iran for what it described as “recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping.”
Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported that explosions were heard in the port cities of Bandar Abbas, Konarak, and Chabahar.
“This is in retaliation for yesterday’s bombing of ships by Iran. If it happens again, it will be much worse,” Trump wrote on social media alongside an image showing what appeared to be a bombing at an Iranian location.
Before ordering the strikes, the U.S. president said that the ceasefire with Iran had ended. Mediators Pakistan and Qatar called for de-escalation, while the United Nations also urged both sides to reduce tensions.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical flashpoint in the Middle East conflict, which began in late February after U.S. and Israeli strikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Iran-linked attacks on at least three vessels in recent days triggered a U.S. offensive against Iranian targets on Tuesday. Tehran responded by launching attacks against Gulf countries that are allies of Washington.
International
Deadly Drug Trade Rivalry Suspected After Eight Bodies Discovered in Southern Mexico
Eight bodies were found Wednesday along a highway in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas, near the border with Guatemala, in an incident authorities believe may be linked to a dispute over local drug sales.
The victims — six men and two women — were found abandoned on a road in a mountainous area of the municipality of El Bosque, according to the state prosecutor’s office in a statement published on Facebook.
Initial investigations indicate that the killings may be connected to “a dispute over retail drug sales between local criminal groups operating in the region,” the prosecutor’s office said.
Local media reports that several criminal incidents have increased in the area since the beginning of the year.
The road where the bodies were discovered is located in a mountainous region largely inhabited by Indigenous communities. Authorities have not released further details about the victims or possible suspects as the investigation continues.
Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 4,490 as Rescue Efforts Continue
Panama launches anti-drone measures as prison security crisis deepens
Tensions Escalate in Middle East as U.S. Bombs Iran After Maritime Attacks
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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