International
Almagro says that in the OAS “he delegitimized dictatorships” and “detaned himself from ideology”
The outgoing secretary general of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, defended this Friday that he “delegitimized dictatorships” and “detaned himself from ideologies” during his decade in office (2015-2025), which will end in 10 days.
“We have done a strong, intense work of delegitimization of each of the dictatorships of the continent. That has been our work, that is what the organization’s regulations required of us,” Almagro said at an event at the Cuban Diaspora Museum in Miami.
Almagro, who on May 25 will hand over the post to Surinamese Albert Ramdin, the first Caribbean to lead the organization, claimed his fight against the “dictatorships” of Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela, by maintaining that this transcends ideological positions, as his critics claim.
“I have the ability, we have had the ability to detach ourselves from ideology because the one who leaves (clings) and prefers to continue and die clinging to ideology instead of principles, that is a serious mistake,” he said.
The secretary, who held the position of foreign minister of Uruguay between 2010 and 2015 with the now deceased former president José Mujica, is about to end his mandate in the OAS, in which he received criticism from left-wing governments, such as Mexico, Bolivia and Colombia, in addition to the countries already mentioned.
In addition, the controversy was intensified by an external investigation in 2023 by the law firm Miller & Chevalier, which determined that he violated OAS ethical standards by maintaining a relationship with an official of the organization.
But the Uruguayan boasted of his legacy that includes “not allowing the normalization of dictatorships in the democratic community of the Americas”.
He also emphasized that he arrived under the presidency in the United States of Democrat Barack Obama, but he was also in the administrations of Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden, as well as in the course of left and right waves in Latin America.
“We knew how to navigate all those waters and we always navigate them attached to the fundamental principles and values of each of the conventions, but each of these these determinations of political dignity, which are fundamental freedoms and which is democracy,” he said.
The official made these statements at an event in which the exiled community in Florida of Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela gave him recognition for considering him “a civil hero” who defended freedom and democracy in these countries.
Cuban activist Rosa María Payá, for example, considered that Almagro was characterized by being “the only secretary general who has called things by their name,” in reference to dictatorships, political prisoners and crimes against humanity.
The official remarked that the officials in Cuba and Venezuela do not have “any ideological elaboration”, because both “the left and the right must be able to generate rights for people.”
International
U.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute
The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday against a budget proposal in a move aimed at pressuring changes at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), following the killing of two civilians during a deployment of immigration agents in Minneapolis.
All Senate Democrats and seven Republican lawmakers voted against the bill, which requires 60 votes to advance, pushing the country closer to a partial government shutdown that would cut funding for several agencies, including the Pentagon and the Department of Health.
The rejection came as Senate leaders and the White House continue negotiations on a separate funding package for DHS that would allow reforms to the agency. Proposed measures include banning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing face coverings and requiring them to use body-worn cameras during operations.
The vote took place just hours after President Donald Trump said he was “close” to reaching an agreement with Democrats and did not believe the federal government would face another shutdown, following last year’s record stoppage.
“I don’t think the Democrats want a shutdown either, so we’ll work in a bipartisan way to avoid it. Hopefully, there will be no government shutdown. We’re working on that right now,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.
International
Trump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he secured a commitment from Russian President Vladimir Putinto halt attacks against Ukraine for one week, citing extreme weather conditions affecting the region.
“Because of the extreme cold (…) I personally asked Putin not to attack Kyiv or other cities and towns for a week. And he agreed. He was very pleasant,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting broadcast by the White House.
Trump acknowledged that several advisers had questioned the decision to make the call.
“A lot of people told me not to waste the call because they wouldn’t agree. And he accepted. And we’re very happy they did, because they don’t need missiles hitting their towns and cities,” the president said.
According to Trump, Ukrainian authorities reacted with surprise to the announcement but welcomed the possibility of a temporary ceasefire.
“It’s extraordinarily cold, record cold (…) They say they’ve never experienced cold like this,” he added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later commented on the announcement, expressing hope that the agreement would be honored.
International
Storm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power
Storm Kristin, which battered Portugal with heavy rain and strong winds early Wednesday, has left at least five people dead, while nearly half a million residents remained without electricity as of Thursday, according to updated figures from authorities.
The revised death toll was confirmed to AFP by a spokesperson for the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANPEC). On Wednesday, the agency had reported four fatalities.
Meanwhile, E-Redes, the country’s electricity distribution network operator, said that around 450,000 customers were still without power, particularly in central Portugal.
Emergency services responded to approximately 1,500 incidents between midnight and 8:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, as the storm caused widespread disruptions.
The Portuguese government described Kristin as an “extreme weather event” that inflicted significant damage across several regions of the country. At the height of the storm, as many as 850,000 households and institutions lost electricity during the early hours of Wednesday.
Several municipalities ordered the closure of schools, many of which remained shut on Thursday due to ongoing adverse conditions.
Ricardo Costa, regional deputy commander of the Leiria Fire Brigade, said residents continue to seek assistance as rainfall persists.
“Even though the rain is not extremely intense, it is causing extensive damage to homes,” he noted.
In Figueira da Foz, a coastal city in central Portugal, strong winds toppled a giant Ferris wheel, underscoring the severity of the storm.
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