International
Divided Latin America faces geopolitical tensions ahead of OAS Assembly
The “divergent” reactions of Latin American governments to the U.S. decision to strike Iran have revealed the region’s complex and divided geopolitical landscape—something that could hinder a consensus at the 55th General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS), which begins Wednesday in Antigua and Barbuda.
“The region’s varied responses to the U.S. strikes came as no surprise,” Jason Marczak, director of the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center at the Atlantic Council, told EFE. He explained that each country’s reaction reflected its degree of alignment with the administration of Donald Trump.
“This was largely evident in the nature of the responses from countries that rushed either to condemn or support Washington following the weekend bombings of three Iranian nuclear facilities,” Marczak added.
Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela expressed solidarity with their political and economic ally Iran, while Argentina reaffirmed its support for Trump. Meanwhile, Chile, Colombia, and Brazil condemned the U.S. bombings for allegedly violating international law and fueling further violence. Washington has justified the military action as a necessary step toward a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, announced on Monday.
According to Marczak, “Havana and Caracas always seize the opportunity to challenge the United States,” but he noted that “just three years ago, it would have been surprising for the Colombian president to side with Iran.” “Much has changed with Gustavo Petro,” he said.
“What we’ve seen is that most governments that have drawn closer to the U.S. during the Trump administration either took a measured stance or expressed unconditional support for the U.S. actions,” Marczak emphasized.
While these reactions may not directly shift bilateral relations, Marczak said they “shed light on how Latin American leaders currently view their relationship with Washington.”
“This will impact every other item on the regional agenda,” he added.
International
Ecuador’s government says indigenous leaders refuse dialogue as protests enter third week
Ecuador’s Minister of Government, Zaida Rovira, stated that the leaders of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Conaie) have shown no willingness to engage in dialogue, as protests against rising diesel prices and other demands entered their third week on Monday.
Rovira clarified that although the nationwide strike was called across the country, it has mostly affected a few provinces —with Imbabura being the most impacted. She explained that the government managed to hold talks with certain Indigenous groups in recent days, but not with Conaie’s leadership.
“Our position remains open to dialogue, but we cannot allow an entire province (Imbabura) to be held hostage, nor can we allow them to move into another province (Pichincha),” Rovira said in an interview with Teleamazonas, referring to the threat by Conaie President Marlon Vargas to march on Quito, the capital of Ecuador and the province of Pichincha.
“If the government doesn’t listen, we are ready to take Quito. We can’t continue enduring this situation,” Vargas declared during a community meeting last Friday.
Rovira added that the government has made efforts “to engage in dialogue with all Indigenous organizations,” but “unfortunately, we have not received any positive response —only threats.”
“In such a scenario, it becomes very difficult to establish dialogue, even when we seek every possible mechanism,” she concluded, stressing that “there has been no opportunity to discuss or review Conaie’s proposals.”
International
Venezuela warns U.S. of alleged extremist plot to target embassy in Caracas
Caracas issued a warning to the United States on Monday about an alleged plan by “extremists” to place explosives at its embassy in Caracas, amid growing tensions between the two countries over Washington’s military deployment in the Caribbean.
Diplomatic relations between Venezuela and the United States have been severed since 2019, after Washington refused to recognize Nicolás Maduro’s first re-election. Since then, the embassy has been staffed by a limited number of employees.
“Through three different channels, we have alerted the U.S. government to a serious threat,” said Jorge Rodríguez, head of Venezuela’s delegation for dialogue with the United States.
“Through a false-flag operation orchestrated by local right-wing extremists, lethal explosives are being placed at the U.S. embassy. (…) We have reinforced security measures at this diplomatic facility, which our government respects and protects,” Rodríguez added. He also serves as president of the National Assembly.
The Venezuelan government frequently denounces conspiratorial plans, which it attributes to the opposition, aimed at overthrowing it and creating violent scenarios in the country. The warning was also conveyed to a European embassy, which Rodríguez did not specify, to inform Washington of the alleged plans.
International
Mexican president condemns violence during october 2 march, calls for investigation
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the violent incidents during the October 2 march in Mexico City and called for an investigation into masked groups who, she said, sought to “provoke” the police to create a narrative of repression.
“First, a lot of provocation. What is the point of this violence? There were even Molotov cocktails. What is it for? Who benefits from it? That is what we must ask ourselves. What was this group, covering their faces, trying to achieve?” the president questioned during her morning press conference.
Every October 2, thousands of people, mainly students and social collectives, march in Mexico City to remember the 1968 Tlatelolco massacre, when the Mexican government violently suppressed a student demonstration.
Although most marches are peaceful, Thursday’s protest ended in clashes between masked individuals and police, leaving 16 officers hospitalized, three in serious condition, and marking one of the most violent events in recent years.
Sheinbaum stated that the incidents were part of a strategy to portray her government as repressive.
“They wanted to suggest that the Fourth Transformation government represses like the government of ’68,” she said.
Sheinbaum stressed that she will “never” support violent demonstrations, “especially in a city of freedoms, like Mexico City, in a country of freedoms, like ours.”
Ecuador’s government says indigenous leaders refuse dialogue as protests enter third week
Venezuela warns U.S. of alleged extremist plot to target embassy in Caracas
Mexican president condemns violence during october 2 march, calls for investigation
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