International

Majority of Celac Members support UN resolution for immediate Gaza ceasefire, but consensus eludes summit

The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) failed to achieve unanimous agreement on a declaration regarding the conflict in the Gaza Strip, despite the issuance of strong statements by leaders present at the VIII Summit condemning the Israeli offensive.

A total of 24 countries, out of the 33 that constitute Celac, endorsed a statement supporting the UN resolution for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and cases brought before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to determine whether Israel’s actions violate international law and constitute genocide.

Among the signatory countries were Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Venezuela, Mexico, Honduras, and Nicaragua, among others from Latin America, as well as nearly all Caribbean nations, with notable absence of Argentina.

Honduras’s Foreign Minister, Eduardo Enrique Reina, explained in the final press conference of the summit that “this declaration was not fully endorsed by all Celac members” and was part of an “internal debate.”

In the statement, the signatory countries also lamented the deaths of Israelis and Palestinians, emphasizing the over 30,000 individuals, mostly civilians, who have died during the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip.

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Additionally, they expressed “grave concern for the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Palestinian territory” and called for ensuring humanitarian access to all affected areas.

The text also demanded the “immediate and unconditional release” of all hostages and reiterated the importance of establishing two states.

The lack of consensus within Celac occurred despite the majority of leaders at the summit delivering speeches opposing Israel.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva demanded an end to the “genocide in Palestinian territory.”

Meanwhile, Colombian President Gustavo Petro accused the US, the European Union (EU), and the United Kingdom of supporting Israel’s bombing of the Palestinian population.

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Yesterday, on the eve of the summit, UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves assured EFE that there would be a strong statement against Israel, but ultimately, it did not receive approval from all Celac members.

Central America

U.S. extradites Iranian man over alleged sanctions evasion scheme

The United States has extradited from Panama an Iranian national accused of evading economic sanctions against Iran by illegally exporting U.S. technology. He is scheduled to appear this Monday before a court in Seattle.

Reza Dindar, 44, was extradited on April 17 after being detained in Panama since July 2025 on charges related to export control violations between 2011 and 2012, allegedly carried out through companies based in China.

The defendant appeared before a U.S. district court in Seattle, where he faces charges of violating sanctions imposed by the United States on Iran in 1995 during the administration of Bill Clinton. These sanctions prohibit the unauthorized export, re-export, or supply—directly or indirectly—of U.S. goods, technology, or services to Iran or its government.

According to the indictment, between 2010 and 2014, Dindar led the company New Port Sourcing Solutions in Xi’an, China, which allegedly concealed the procurement of U.S. products for shipment to clients in Iran.

International

Elon Musk skips French court appearance over X investigation

Billionaire Elon Musk did not appear this Monday before French authorities, who had summoned him for a voluntary statement as part of an investigation into his social media platform X, prosecutors told AFP.

The platform has been under investigation since early 2025 following complaints from lawmakers alleging bias in its algorithms, which may have altered its functioning and interfered in politics in France.

The probe has since expanded to include other alleged offenses, such as complicity in the distribution of child sexual abuse material, as well as the role of Grok in spreading denialist content and sexually explicit fake images.

In early February, investigators raided X’s offices in Paris. The company has denied any wrongdoing, describing the searches as “political” and “abusive.”

At that time, the Paris prosecutor’s office summoned Musk and former CEO Linda Yaccarino to provide voluntary testimony as those responsible for the platform during the period under investigation.

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Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau also stated that X employees were called to testify as witnesses between April 20 and April 24.

International

Four injured in shooting at Teotihuacán archaeological site in Mexico

Four more people were injured by gunfire during the ആക്രമ attack at Teotihuacán, one of the most emblematic archaeological complexes in Mexico, authorities confirmed.

The Secretary of Security of the State of Mexico, Cristóbal Castañeda, reported that the victims include two Colombian nationals, one Russian, and one Canadian. Additionally, two other individuals were injured due to falls, according to a statement from local authorities.

President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed concern over the incident, stating on social media that “what happened today in Teotihuacán deeply pains us.”

Federal authorities recovered a firearm, a knife, and ammunition at the scene, which remains under the protection of state police and the Guardia Nacional, according to the federal Security Cabinet.

Located about 50 kilometers from Mexico City, Teotihuacán is a major tourist destination frequently visited by both domestic and international travelers.