International

Death toll rises to 59 due to rains in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Photo: EFE

February 26 |

The death toll from the heavy rains that hit the coast of the state of Sao Paulo, in southeastern Brazil, rose to 59, while 13 injured are hospitalized at the Regional Hospital of the North Coast (HRLN) in stable condition, an official source reported Saturday.

In its most recent bulletin, the Government of Sao Paulo specified that so far 59 deaths have been confirmed, 58 in the district of Sao Sebastiao and one in Ubatuba, the most affected by the torrential rains and landslides that affected the coast of Sao Paulo during the Carnival weekend (February 17-19).

Of the total number of deceased, 54 have already been identified and released for burial. There are 19 adult men, 17 adult women and 18 children, the statement added.

The government of Sao Paulo pointed out that priority continues to be given to helping the victims and more than 2,251 displaced people and 1,815 homeless people are being attended to.

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The State Health Department said that 28 victims of the rains (22 adults and six children) have so far been treated at the HRLN.

Of this total, 13 remain hospitalized in stable health condition. Another 10 patients have already been discharged from the hospital and five have been transferred to other units.

The governor of Sao Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas, announced on Saturday that a state office will be created to closely monitor the reconstruction works in Sao Sebastiao.

During the day, Governor Tarcísio visited 43 affected families who are now installed in a hotel provided by a financial entity in Sao Sebastiao.

The official informed that he is looking for more safe land, in addition to the three he has already found, to start building houses as soon as possible, using construction technologies to speed up the completion of these buildings, with safety and comfort.

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Central America

El Salvador and Paraguay approve 2026–2028 cooperation program

The governments of El Salvador and Paraguay approved the 2026–2028 Cooperation Program, which includes six joint development projects, according to Salvadoran Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Adriana Mira.

Mira stated that El Salvador will act as the “main provider of cooperation,” contributing five initiatives focused on road infrastructure, tourism, and local development. She also noted that one of the projects will be led by the Paraguayan side, although no further details were disclosed.

The agreement was reached during the Second Meeting of the Joint Commission on Technical and Scientific Cooperation between both countries.

According to Paraguay’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the First Meeting of the Political Consultation and Bilateral Coordination Mechanism was also held, with the participation of Vice Minister Víctor Verdún.

In an official statement, the Paraguayan government reported that both delegations agreed to identify mechanisms to promote competitiveness, economic growth, and market access. They also committed to signing agreements related to air transport cooperation.

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International

Macron meets Machado, stresses need for democratic transition in Venezuela

Emmanuel Macron met on Monday at the Élysée Palace with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, where they discussed the importance of advancing a democratic transition in Venezuela.

In a message shared on social media, Macron highlighted Machado’s commitment to freedom and stressed the need to achieve a transition that is peaceful and respects the will of the Venezuelan people.

“I received María Corina Machado, Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Together, we discussed her commitment to freedom and the importance of achieving a democratic, peaceful transition in Venezuela that respects the will of its people,” he wrote.

For her part, Machado expressed her “deep gratitude” to Macron and to France for their support of democracy and freedom in Venezuela.

“We have gone through a long and painful journey, and we are now very close to freedom. Venezuela will become a nation of free and equal men and women—prosperous, safe, and united,” she said.

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International

Trump says Iran seeks new talks after failed negotiations in Pakistan

Donald Trump said on Monday that Iran has reached out to United States to resume negotiations, following the collapse of recent talks held in Islamabad.

“We’ve been contacted by the other side,” Trump told reporters, adding that Iran is eager to reach a deal “at all costs.” Speaking from the Oval Office, he reiterated that his main objective is to prevent the Islamic Republic from acquiring nuclear weapons and warned that he will not allow Iran to “blackmail” the international community.

After negotiations between Washington and Tehran ended without agreement on Sunday, Trump announced that the U.S. would move to block the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil trade.

The waterway had already been disrupted by Iran in response to a U.S. and Israeli offensive launched on February 28, causing significant shocks to the global economy.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump further warned that any Iranian vessel attempting to bypass the U.S. naval blockade in the strait would be “eliminated immediately.”