International
UN says Peru resorted to excessive use of force in protests that left more than 60 people dead
May 19 |
The United Nations rapporteur on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, Clément Voule, said Wednesday that the Peruvian government used excessive force that led to the deaths of more than 60 Peruvians during three months of demonstrations calling for the resignation of President Dina Boluarte.
In early May, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights reported in a report that the Peruvian army and police allegedly committed massacres, extrajudicial executions, serious human rights violations, as well as disproportionate and lethal use of force during the protests.
“The excessive and disproportionate use of force led to the death and injury of protesters and bystanders during the protests that began in December,” Voule told reporters at the end of a 10-day working visit that included meetings with the president, protesters and victims’ families.
Voule, a Togo-born lawyer and diplomat, added that Peru must “guarantee access to justice, remedies, reparations and compensation to the victims, including assuming the cost of medical treatment for the injured.”
He indicated that after visiting prisons, talking to government ministers, police, military, prosecutors and judges he has received no evidence that the protesters “are terrorists.”
“They are protesters,” he added. The Peruvian justice system confirmed in May 18 months of preventive imprisonment for four protesters while they are investigated for the alleged crime of affiliation or membership in a terrorist organization.
“This stigma of being a terrorist should not be used,” he commented. Four other protesters in the city of Cusco were sentenced in January to nine months in pre-trial detention for the crimes of rioting and hindering the functioning of public services.
The rapporteur said he received “no evidence” that the protesters had used firearms.
The demonstrations against Boluarte began on December 7 when he assumed power after Congress dismissed his predecessor Pedro Castillo, now imprisoned for three years while under investigation for corruption and rebellion. The protests that culminated in February left 49 civilians killed by security forces, according to the Ombudsman’s Office. Another 11 civilians died in traffic accidents or road blockades by protesters. Seven uniformed officers were also killed.
Voule said that in trying to find the causes of the protests in the southern Peruvian Andes he met people who “feel overwhelmed by the corruption in the country and are asking for a real fight against corruption”, precisely in areas where Peru’s wealth is produced, including copper mining, a metal that goes to China and of which the country is the second largest exporter in the world.
The UN official indicated that his full report will be presented in 2024.
International
UK braces for potential CO₂ shortage amid Middle East tensions
The government of United Kingdom is preparing contingency measures amid fears of a potential shortage of carbon dioxide (CO₂), which could impact the agri-food industry if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, The Times reported on Thursday.
According to the newspaper, officials assessed this scenario during a recent crisis meeting aimed at evaluating the consequences of a prolonged conflict, triggered on February 28 by joint attacks from United States and Israel against Iran.
Under this scenario, CO₂ supplies—primarily a byproduct of fertilizer production using natural gas—could fall by up to 18%, affecting multiple sectors including agriculture and food production.
The gas is widely used in the slaughter of pigs and poultry, as well as in extending the shelf life of packaged foods. Breweries could also face disruptions due to reduced availability.
“I don’t want to comment on a leak, but now that the information is out there, I hope people feel reassured knowing we are working on it,” said Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, in remarks to Sky News.
While a drop in CO₂ supply is not expected to cause major shortages in supermarkets, it could limit product variety, The Times noted, citing access to internal government documents.
To mitigate the impact, authorities are considering prioritizing CO₂ supply for critical sectors such as healthcare and civil nuclear energy, where it is used in cooling systems for blood reserves, organs, vaccines, and electricity generation. The government may also request domestic producers to increase output.
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.
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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