International
The regional director of UN Women hopes that the gender agenda in A will not go back. Latina
The new right-wing governments in Latin America have made a political handling of the gender agenda, but have not yet managed to make setbacks in access to basic rights for women, María Noel Baeza, regional director for the Americas and the Caribbean of UN Women, told EFE on Thursday.
“There are many screams, there are many political uses of the gender agenda, but I do not see yet – and I hope not to see it -, that legislative setback,” he said in an interview during a visit to Guadalajara (western Mexico).
He recalled that there have been effects on public policies in countries such as Argentina, with the government of Javier Milei, who eliminated the Ministry of Women and threw back the adolescent pregnancy prevention program, but at the legislative level this and other governments have not been able to close rights already achieved.
The UN official said that there is an organized force of women who are fighting from different countries to resist this rise of conservative sectors.
“As long as the legislative powers do not begin to change the laws, there it would be… there they find us (women) organized and in the street, activists. I hope that doesn’t come, because luckily governments last four years, so that’s changing,” he warned.
Noel Baeza pointed out that in the region there is an interest in advancing issues such as violence, sexual and reproductive rights, access to public and business governance spaces, to respond to the Beijing Platform for Action that 30 years ago laid the foundations for gender equality in the world.
He recalled that through reports managed by the Secretariat of the UN Commission on the Legal and Economic Status of Women, 160 countries are making progress in the challenges posed in terms of education, work or the eradication of violence.
“It was massive, it was impressive. No one wanted to be left behind in reporting, and positively reporting what they are doing. Which translates into positive votes, and is a very important indication that they are moving forward,” he said.
Noel Baeza participates in the VII Ibero-American Summit of Local Gender Agendas and the XV Ibero-American Congress of Municipalists that takes place in Guadalajara until May 30.
The representative of UN Women referred to the fact that Mexico has a president for the first time as an opportunity for there to be substantive changes in public policies focused on girls, adolescents and adults.
“When women enter politics, politics change. That is a very, very very said phrase many times, but it is true. A woman who is in politics begins by changing the reality of what equality means,” he said.
She praised the efforts of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to put women’s rights as a central part not only in public policies, but with budget and concrete actions, which profiles her as a leader in the region.
“All the women in the region are looking at Mexico and we are looking at her to support her in what we can. I think she will try to pay off that debt and of course the most difficult thing will be cultural change to avoid violence,” he concluded.
International
Trump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election
U.S. President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubiocould potentially form a Republican presidential ticket for the 2028 elections.
Speaking during a dinner with law enforcement officials as part of National Police Week, Trump publicly praised both officials and said they could make “an ideal team” for the next presidential race.
“Who likes JD Vance? Who likes Marco Rubio?” Trump asked attendees before adding that the pair “sound like a good combination.”
The president highlighted his vice president’s performance in office, stating that their current partnership has been highly effective. “JD is perfect, that has been a perfect formula,” Trump told reporters later.
He further suggested that a Vance-Rubio pairing could represent a strong presidential and vice-presidential ticket, although he stopped short of offering any formal endorsement.
“I think it sounds like a presidential candidate and a vice-presidential candidate,” he said, while clarifying that his remarks should not be interpreted as an official backing of any future campaign.
So far, neither Vance nor Rubio has publicly confirmed any intention to run in the 2028 presidential election.
Rubio previously sought the Republican nomination in 2016 but withdrew after losing the primary race to Trump. Later, in a December 2025 interview with Vanity Fair, he said he would be among the first to support Vance if he decided to run for the White House.
Vance, meanwhile, has recently dismissed speculation of any political rivalry with Rubio amid growing discussion about potential future GOP leadership.
International
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Violating Victory Day Truce
Russia accused Ukraine on Saturday of violating a Victory Day truce that was reportedly agreed with mediation from the United States, claiming that Ukrainian forces carried out attacks on Russian territory as well as on the annexed Crimean peninsula.
Despite the declared ceasefire, the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement that Ukrainian forces attacked Russian military positions using attack drones and artillery.
According to the ministry, Ukrainian forces made twelve attempts to advance toward Russian-held positions across several sectors of the front line.
It also alleged that Ukrainian strikes targeted civilian infrastructure in Crimea, several border regions, the Caucasus, and other areas including Moscow and Perm in the Ural region.
The Defense Ministry estimated around 8,900 violations of the ceasefire in total, including more than 7,000 drone attacks and over 1,000 strikes involving tanks, artillery, multiple rocket launch systems, and mortars since the truce came into effect at midnight.
Russia said its forces responded “symmetrically” to what it described as violations by Ukrainian troops.
Earlier, the Kremlin denied claims that Ukraine attempted to sabotage a military parade in Red Square marking the 81st anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
“No attempts were made. Everything went well,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told local media.
International
Trump Says U.S.-Iran Talks Progressing, Signals Possible Deal on Strait of Hormuz
U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Washington is holding “very good” talks with Iran and stated that there is a strong possibility of reaching an agreement to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“We’ve had very good conversations over the last 44 hours, and it’s very possible that we’ll reach an agreement,” Trump said during an event held in the Oval Office at the White House.
The president’s remarks came just hours after he announced a temporary suspension of the military operation aimed at escorting vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf due to Iran’s blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Trump explained that the pause in operations is intended to facilitate diplomatic negotiations between both sides and prevent further military escalation in the region.
“We’re in good shape, and right now things are going well. Now we have to achieve what we need to achieve. If we don’t, we’ll have to go much further,” the Republican president warned.
In a post published on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump reiterated that if Iran accepts Washington’s proposed conditions, military operations and the naval blockade affecting the Islamic republic would come to an end.
However, he also issued a new warning to the Iranian government, stating that the United States would respond with attacks “of greater intensity” if Tehran rejects the agreement promoted by the White House.
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Trump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Violating Victory Day Truce
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