International
Mexico announces arrests and sanctions for fire in migrant center
March 31 |
The Mexican government reported on Thursday that six arrest warrants have been issued, arrests have been made and a private security company has been requested to sanction after the fire in a migration station in Ciudad Juárez, where at least 39 people died.
In a press conference from the National Palace, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, head of the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection; and Sara Irene Herrerías, head of the Human Rights Special Prosecutor’s Office, were in charge of reporting on the progress of the case.
Herrerías explained that six arrest warrants have been issued, five of which have been executed and clarified that details of the names of the detainees will not be given so as not to hinder the investigations and not violate the presumption of innocence.
“Six arrest warrants were issued against three INAM (National Migration Institute) officials, two private security police officers and the person who started the fire, warrants that were requested for the crime of intentional homicide, as well as eventual intent and the crime of injuries against 67 foreigners”, he commented.
The head of the Specialized Prosecutor for Human Rights added that the entire chain of custody will be reviewed to determine those responsible, however, she did not want to answer if there are high-ranking officials detained.
The head of the Secretary of Security explained that it has also been requested to sanction the private security group CAMSA S.A. de C.V, which provided services to the immigration station in Ciudad Juárez and operated under irregularities.
“Partners David Vicente Salazar Gasca and George McPhail have been identified, as well as representatives and legal representatives, information that has already been provided to the Attorney General’s Office for the corresponding investigations,” Rodríguez said.
He added that this company was operating under “irregularities” for which administrative processes were begun to revoke its permit and impose an economic fine, regardless of the investigation carried out by the Attorney General of Mexico.
“The company only had four security elements with 10 uniforms reported in its registry, however, the contract with the National Institute of Migration was for 503 elements in facilities located in 23 states of the Republic,” he said.
Rodríguez mentioned that the private security company also did not have a permit to carry weapons and did not present monthly reports on its personnel, which they were obliged to render.
“We have already requested the National Institute of Migration to terminate the contract with this company and starting tomorrow, elements of the federal protection service will assume security tasks at the facilities of the immigration station in Ciudad Juárez,” he reported.
At the request of the President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, it was said that a process will be carried out to achieve reparation for the damage to the victims and he reiterated that there will be no impunity in the case.
In the morning, at the morning press conference, President López Obrador was questioned about the case and said that he would not provide information so as not to hinder the investigations.
“I do not want to get involved because since the investigation is open I do not want to disclose data or alleged facts, everything that is coming out of the investigations and that this is not going to be used so that those responsible are going to resort to amparo,” he said.
International
Iran Rejects Negotiations With U.S. as Strait of Hormuz Remains Blocked Amid New Attack
Tensions remained high in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday after a vessel was hit by a projectile, despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims that negotiations with Iran were moving forward and that the strategic maritime route could reopen as early as Tuesday.
Tehran denied that direct talks were taking place, but Trump insisted that discussions were underway and described the situation as a final opportunity for Iran to reach an agreement.
“This is the last chance they have to sign a good document,” Trump told reporters at the White House, adding that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz could happen “literally tomorrow” Tuesday.
The comments came after another escalation in rhetoric from Washington. Last week, Trump threatened Iran with military strikes before unexpectedly changing course on Sunday and announcing that negotiations with Tehran would resume.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqai rejected the U.S. president’s version of events, stating that Tehran was not holding negotiations with Washington.
“At this moment, we are not negotiating with the United States. We are negotiating with Oman to guarantee safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz,” Baqai said.
Earlier, the Iranian official said that Tehran was close to reaching an agreement with Oman, which lies across the Strait of Hormuz, to reopen the crucial waterway that plays a key role in global energy trade.
The maritime route has remained blocked by Iran since the outbreak of hostilities following U.S. and Israeli strikes against the Islamic Republic on February 28.
Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced Tuesday that they had launched an attack against an airport in Saudi Arabia. The Iran-backed group had previously disrupted the passage of Saudi vessels through the Red Sea, an alternative route used for crude exports by the world’s largest oil producer.
The continued instability in the region has raised concerns over global energy supplies, as the Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most important chokepoints for international oil shipments.
International
Lula Launches Re-Election Campaign Amid Rising Tensions With Trump
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is set to be officially nominated for re-election by his Workers’ Party (PT), marking the start of his campaign for a fourth presidential term.
The nomination takes place during the party’s national convention in São Paulo, Brazil’s economic hub, where around 3,000 supporters gathered to back the veteran leftist leader.
“Today I’m here because Lula’s policies changed my life and my family’s. Thanks to him, we finally own a home after eight generations without one,” said Cristiane Rosa Julho, a 51-year-old social worker attending the event dressed in the PT’s signature red.
Seeking the presidency for the seventh time in his political career, Lula is expected to face Senator Flávio Bolsonaro in next year’s election.
The 45-year-old senator is the son of former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who has been jailed over his alleged role in an attempted coup following his defeat to Lula in the 2022 election.
The party convention opened with videos highlighting Lula’s social initiatives and speeches by four women praising his leadership, while supporters waved PT flags and held signs reading “We Want Lula as President” and “Brazil Is Not for Sale.”
The campaign begins amid growing tensions with the United States and President Donald Trump, a close ally of the Bolsonaro family who has openly backed several conservative candidates across Latin America.
Last week, Lula warned against foreign interference, declaring, “In Brazil, we do not accept anyone sticking their nose where it doesn’t belong.”
In July, the United States imposed two rounds of tariffs on Brazilian products, accusing the country of unfair trade practices. The measures followed earlier restrictions introduced in 2025, encouraged by Jair Bolsonaro’s son Eduardo Bolsonaro, in response to legal proceedings against the former president.
Lula has vowed to wage what he called a “war of truth against lies” in response to Washington’s pressure and accused Flávio Bolsonaro of undermining Brazil’s interests by allegedly helping the United States damage the country’s economy. The senator has denied the accusations.
The Brazilian president also claims Washington is attempting to influence the country’s political landscape in an effort to prevent his re-election.
International
Truck bomb attack near police station in Colombia leaves 14 injured ahead of presidential inauguration
A truck loaded with explosives exploded on Saturday near a police station in the Colombian city of Cúcuta, close to the Venezuelan border, leaving 14 people injured in an attack that occurred six days before president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella’s inauguration.
The blast took place in the early hours of the morning and was allegedly carried out by members of the National Liberation Army (ELN), who detonated a vehicle packed with explosives. According to the latest report from the Colombian Army, the attack injured 11 police officers and three civilians.
The explosion involved around 15 explosive devices, and two of the wounded officers are in critical condition and “fighting for their lives,” said William Villamizar, governor of Norte de Santander, the region where the attack occurred.
The incident comes amid Colombia’s worst wave of violence in the past decade, with armed groups expanding their presence in several areas of the country.
“I strongly condemn the cowardly terrorist attack carried out in Cúcuta against our National Police. Terrorism will not intimidate Colombia or break the determination of Colombians to live in peace and security,” De la Espriella said in a post on X.
The conservative lawyer, who has been described as a far-right figure, will take office on August 7, replacing Gustavo Petro, Colombia’s first left-wing president. The inauguration ceremony will be held in Cali, the country’s third-largest city and a frequent target of attacks by armed groups.
The United Nations condemned what it described as an “indiscriminate attack” that caused not only injuries but also “fear and distress among the population.”
De la Espriella has repeatedly warned about an alleged plot against his life. Meanwhile, President Gustavo Petro, who is currently visiting Cuba, has not commented on the attack. During his visit, Petro met with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel to discuss what Havana describes as the United States’ “policy of suffocation” toward the island.
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