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.

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“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

Erin brings strong winds and storm surge despite weakening offshore

Hurricane Erin weakened to a Category 2 storm on Tuesday but continues to pose a threat to parts of the U.S. East Coast with potentially dangerous flooding, according to meteorologists.

Although the hurricane’s eye is expected to remain offshore, experts are concerned about Erin’s size, as strong winds extend hundreds of kilometers beyond the storm’s center.

In its 18:00 GMT bulletin, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) lifted tropical storm warnings for the Bahamasand Turks and Caicos Islands, but kept them in effect for parts of North Carolina.

Erin was located several hundred kilometers southeast of North Carolina and was moving northwestward.

“This means there is a risk of potentially life-threatening flooding of 60 to 120 centimeters above ground level,” said NHC Director Michael Brennan.

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He also warned of the possibility of destructive waves, combined with storm surge, that could cause severe damage to beaches and coastal areas, making roads impassable.

International

Three U.S. Warships deploy near Venezuela to combat drug trafficking

Three U.S. naval vessels are moving toward the coasts of Venezuela, according to international media reports on Tuesday, after White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt confirmed that President Donald Trump is ready to combat and curb international drug trafficking.

Reports indicate that the ships will reach Venezuelan waters within the next 36 hours as part of a recent U.S. deployment aimed at countering international narcotics operations.

The announcement coincides with Leavitt’s statement that Trump is prepared to “use the full extent of his power” to halt drug flows into the United States. The naval deployment involves approximately 4,000 military personnel.

“The President has been clear and consistent. He is ready to use every element of U.S. power to prevent drugs from flooding our country and to bring those responsible to justice. The Maduro regime is not the legitimate government of Venezuela—it is a narco-terror cartel,” the spokesperson said during a press conference.

International

Cuban authorities free salvadoran convicted in 1997 hotel bombing

Salvadoran national Otto René Rodríguez Llerena was released after serving a 30-year prison sentence for his involvement in a terrorist attack at a hotel in Cuba in 1997, the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported.

During his trial, Rodríguez Llerena admitted to placing an explosive device at the Meliá Cohiba Hotel under the orders of anti-Castro exile leaders. He was arrested the following year when he returned to Havana with another load of explosives that failed to detonate.

“The Cuban government reiterates its commitment to combating terrorism, respecting human rights, and the need for the international community to hold accountable those who promote such acts,” the statement read.

He was released on August 15 and is the second Salvadoran to complete his sentence. In December of last year, another Salvadoran, Ernesto Cruz León, was released after planting bombs at tourist centers, one of which killed an Italian tourist identified as Fabio Di Celmo.

A third Salvadoran, Francisco Chávez Abarca, also received a 30-year sentence from Cuban courts in 2010 after being extradited from Venezuela through Interpol for actions against Cuba.

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Rodríguez Llerena had requested conditional release in 2016, arguing that his actions had not caused any direct fatalities, but no further information was released about his situation until now.