International
Latin America divided on Russia-Ukraine conflict
AFP
Latin American countries are divided on Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine, with most condemning military action but a few asserting Moscow’s “right to defend itself” against perceived NATO encroachment.
– Critics –
Mexico and Brazil, the two non-permanent UN Security Council members from Latin America, condemned Thursday’s invasion of Ukraine, along with Argentina, Colombia and Chile.
Mexico was “very clearly against the use of force, against challenging the integrity of an independent country which is Ukraine,” said Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard.
Brazil’s foreign ministry called for the “immediate cessation of hostilities” and Argentina for an end to “military actions in Ukraine.”
Colombia’s President Ivan Duque on Twitter denounced “the premeditated and unjustified attack that has been perpetrated against the Ukrainian people by Russia,” which he said threatened “world peace.”
Chile’s outgoing President Sebastian Pinera condemned “the armed aggression of Russia and its violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.”
Ecuador, Uruguay and Peru also spoke out against the use of military force and called for a diplomatic solution.
– Allies –
Russian allies Nicaragua, Venezuela and Cuba — all targets of United States sanctions — have defended defend Moscow’s position in recent days, though none have made new statements since Thursday’s invasion.
On Wednesday, Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro took to Twitter to “repudiate the perverse plans that seek to surround Russia militarily and strategically” and expressed “support for President Putin and his people.”
Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua, due to receive a visit Thursday from Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of Russia’s Duma or lower house of parliament, on Monday accused the United States and Europe of “using Ukraine to provoke Russia,” which he said was merely “demanding security.”
On Wednesday, Volodin met Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz-Canel, who invoked Russia’s “right to defend itself” and expressed solidarity with Moscow in the face of “sanctions and the expansion of NATO towards its borders.”
International
Petro expresses concern over fatal shooting during mass protests in Lima
Colombian President Gustavo Petro voiced his “concern” on Thursday over recent events in Peru, following the death of a protester reportedly shot during a massive demonstration in Lima against the government and Congress.
“I must express my concern over the events in Peru. A young artist has been killed in citizens’ protests,” Petro wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The Colombian leader also noted that in Peru, “a popularly elected president remains imprisoned without conviction,” referring to Pedro Castillo, who led the country from July 2021 to December 2022 until he was removed by Congress following a failed attempted coup.
“This is a blatant violation of the American Convention on Human Rights,” Petro stated, adding, “I hope Peru seeks social and political dialogue to legitimize its public institutions.”
On Wednesday, Peru experienced widespread protests in several cities, with the largest demonstration in Lima in recent years, driven by citizens’ concerns over corruption and public insecurity.
During the capital’s mobilization, the Ombudsman’s Office confirmed the death of Eduardo Ruiz, 32, and reported clashes that left over 100 injured, including 78 police officers and 24 protesters, as well as ten arrests.
The Attorney General’s Office, investigating Ruiz’s death “in the context of serious human rights violations,” confirmed that the protester was shot.
International
Peru’s interim president José Jerí refuses to resign after protester’s death in Lima
Peru’s interim president, José Jerí, stated Thursday that he has no intention of resigning from the post he assumed last Friday, following the removal of former president Dina Boluarte, despite growing unrest over the death of a protester during massive demonstrations in Lima on Wednesday.
“I will not resign,” Jerí declared outside the Government Palace in Lima, where he returned on foot after making a surprise visit to Congress headquarters alongside Prime Minister Ernesto Álvarez.
Earlier, after leaving the Legislative Palace, the president acknowledged that the country is going through “difficult times” and condemned what he described as “a small group attempting to impose an agenda different from the citizens’ expression of discontent.”
Jerí expressed condolences for the death of Eduardo Ruiz, a 32-year-old man who died during Wednesday’s protest against the government and Congress, amid growing anger over corruption and insecurity.
“We stand in solidarity with his family,” he said, without offering further details about the incident, which has sparked outrage among Peruvians.
The president also described the demonstrations as “a legitimate civic expression” that later turned violent due to “certain groups seeking to provoke chaos by exploiting a peaceful citizen movement.”
“In a state governed by the rule of law, the rights of both demonstrators and security forces must be protected,” Jerí emphasized, adding that “as a result of that situation, this unfortunate death occurred outside the main area where the protest was taking place.”
International
Mexican government prioritizes 191 communities after deadly floods
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed on Wednesday that the death toll from recent rains and floods across several central states has risen to 66, while the federal government has activated air bridges and prioritized assistance in 191 isolated communities.
“Unfortunately, 66 people have died, and 75 remain missing,” the president said during her morning press conference. She added that the official death toll will be updated later in a new report.
As of Tuesday, authorities had reported 64 fatalities. Sheinbaum also announced the creation of a public information center to centralize official data on the deceased, missing persons, damaged homes, and cut-off communities.
According to the president, the number of missing persons has decreased thanks to coordination with state authorities.
“Through calls to phone line 079, 103 people who had been reported missing have now been located,” she explained.
Priority Municipalities
The president noted that the federal government has classified 191 communities as ‘priority’, a designation based mainly on the percentage of homes affected.
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