International
Armed group intercepts humanitarian caravan in Colombia
September 26 |
A delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Ombudsman’s Office and the Church was intercepted in a rural area of Arauca by armed men who presented themselves as alleged members of the ELN to rescue eight of their own who had previously been kidnapped by FARC dissidents after a confrontation on Sunday.
The humanitarian mission had planned to transfer on Monday the eight freed by FARC dissidents, who had been deprived of their freedom after a previous armed confrontation.After the frustrated transfer, the eight released returned to the ELN, their group of origin.
This situation was rejected by the Ombudsman, Carlos Camargo, who expressed his concern at the lack of respect by the armed groups for the humanitarian missions in the territories they currently control.
“As Ombudsman I see with absolute concern the degradation that the armed conflict in Colombia is suffering, particularly with what happened in Arauca to a humanitarian mission led by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), in which the Ombudsman’s Office, the Catholic Church, the Mission to Support the Peace Process of the OAS (MAPP-OAS), the UN Verification Mission and the Office of the High Commissioner for Peace participated”, stated Camargo.
For Camargo, this act was a violation of the ceasefire with the government, so both the Ombudsman’s Office and the Red Cross rejected the operation of these subjects.
“We regret that a humanitarian mission aimed at rescuing people who were being held by FARC dissidents, and who were handed over to a team headed by the ICRC, was intercepted by armed men who identified themselves as members of the ELN and took the people who had been rescued, under the argument that they belonged to their troops,” argued the Colombian Ombudsman.
Although no member of the mission that was intercepted was injured by the ELN, the International Committee of the Red Cross called for their humanitarian actions to be respected as “failure to do so will have a direct impact on communities affected by armed conflict”.
“It is paramount that armed actors allow impartial humanitarian organizations access to all territories so that they can alleviate the suffering of those who do not or no longer participate in the hostilities,” the Red Cross said.
International
China calls for dialogue amid rising Iran-Israel conflict
The Chinese government emphasized on Monday the importance of “creating the conditions to return to the proper path of dialogue” between Iran and Israel, which have exchanged attacks in recent days resulting in more than 20 Israeli and over 220 Iranian deaths.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun expressed deep concern at a press conference over the Israeli attacks on Iran and the “sudden escalation” of the military conflict.
Guo called on all parties to “take immediate measures to ease tensions and prevent the region from descending into further turmoil,” stating that “force cannot bring lasting peace.”
“If the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to intensify or even expand, the countries of the Middle East will be the first to suffer the consequences,” he added, while noting that China “will continue to maintain communication with the relevant parties, promoting peace and dialogue.”
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke last Saturday with his Iranian and Israeli counterparts to condemn the Israeli airstrike on Iranian territory, which he described as a “violation of international law” with the potential to trigger “disastrous” consequences.
In both calls, Wang reiterated China’s rejection of the use of force, defended diplomacy as the only solution to the Iranian nuclear dispute, and offered China’s mediation to prevent further destabilization in the Middle East.
International
Suspect arrested in killing of Minnesota legislator and husband, governor Says
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced on Sunday the arrest of Vance Luther Boelter, 57, the main suspect in the killing of Democratic legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband in a Brooklyn Park suburb on Friday night.
Boelter, who also reportedly shot State Senator John Hoffman and his wife early Saturday morning, was apprehended in Sibley County following an intensive manhunt involving hundreds of law enforcement officers.
In a public statement, Governor Walz condemned Boelter’s “unthinkable actions,” which resulted in the death of a woman who “shaped the core of who we are as a state.”
“We cannot become numb to this. We are a deeply divided nation,” Walz said in a statement posted on his X account.
“We move forward not with hatred or violence, but with humility, grace, and civility,” he added.
Expressing solidarity with the victims’ families, Walz said the entire state of Minnesota is in mourning. He also thanked law enforcement for their bravery and professionalism: “They have saved lives,” he emphasized.
“As we heal, we will not let fear win,” Walz concluded. “We must honor Melissa by moving forward with understanding, service, and above all, humanity.”
Throughout Sunday, police and sheriff units searched a rural area in Minnesota for Vance Luther Boelter, a security company director and preacher who, according to Governor Walz, acted out of politically motivated violence.
International
40,000 tourists stranded in Israel amid airspace shutdown over Iran conflict
Approximately 40,000 tourists are stranded in Israel following the closure of the country’s airspace amid escalating hostilities with Iran, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism reported on Monday.
The ministry has set up a virtual office to provide information via email (virtual@goisrael.gov.il) and phone (+972-53-583-5808), as well as a Facebook page called Israel Virtual Tourist Office.
Israeli Tourism Minister Haim Katz is in contact with hotels and accommodations across the country to offer support to tourists in need, the ministry added.
Many stranded travelers are considering crossing overland into Jordan or Egypt to seek flights from those countries. The Israel Airports Authority reminded the public that land border crossings remain open.
Three German tourists stranded in Jerusalem told EFE today that they have not received any assistance from their country’s embassy in Israel, and their primary option currently is to cross into Jordan to catch a flight from there.
Since early Friday morning, Israel launched operations against Iran, targeting military personnel and infrastructure, including energy and nuclear facilities, as well as numerous residential areas in Tehran.
In response, Iran has fired hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel, some of which have struck various locations across the country, leaving at least 24 dead so far, according to Israeli authorities.
Iranian health officials report at least 224 deaths, mostly civilians, including at least 17 senior military officials—nine from the Revolutionary Guard—and more than a dozen nuclear scientists.
The Israeli military has warned that many more “targets” remain, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guard declared on Monday that it will continue missile attacks against Israel until its “destruction.”
China calls for dialogue amid rising Iran-Israel conflict
Suspect arrested in killing of Minnesota legislator and husband, governor Says
40,000 tourists stranded in Israel amid airspace shutdown over Iran conflict
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
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