International
The kidnappers of more than 280 students and teachers in Nigeria ask for a ransom of 567,000 euros
The kidnappers of more than 280 students and teachers captured last Thursday in the center-north of Nigeria, in a town in the state of Kaduna, asked the families for a rescue of one billion nairas (about 567,000 euros), two leaders of local civil society confirmed to EFE on Wednesday.
“They have contacted us, they have asked us for a billion nairas to free the students and teachers. They threatened to kill all the captives if they do not receive the money by the end of this month,” Abdullahi Umar, a community leader in the town of Kuriga, where the events happened, told EFE by phone.
Umar stressed that it is “a huge amount of money” and that they do not know how to get it and explained that the parents of the kidnapped minors and the neighbors of the area have tried to raise the funds since the kidnappers contacted them last weekend.
“But we haven’t gathered much. We ask the Government and well-intentioned people to help us. They say that the payment of ransoms is illegal but we can’t let our children die,” Umar added.
The kidnapping, which has shocked the whole country and the international community, occurred early in the morning of March 7 at the primary school of the Local Educational Authority in Kuriga, when the attackers – about a hundred, according to EFE then a resident – surrounded a group of students and teachers and pushed them into the forest, where some managed to flee.
The request for the rescue was also confirmed to EFE by the undersecretary of the regional office of the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA), Farouk Alhassan.
“It’s outrageous. We receive information that the bandits demand a billion nairas (…) The Government should try to guarantee the safe return of children and teachers,” Alhassan said.
EFE did not get a response when it tried to contact the state commissioner for Internal Security and Interior of Kaduna, Samuel Aruwan.
The Nigerian authorities have ruled out the payment of a ransom to get the release of the captives.
Speaking to the press this Wednesday in the country’s capital, Abuya, the Nigerian Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, assured that the president of the country, Bola Tinubu, “has ordered the Government not to pay any ransom to any of these criminal elements.”
“Security agencies are working day and night. These children and these people who have been kidnapped by criminals will be safe again very soon,” he said.
For his part, the human rights activist and former legislator Shehu Sani, who in the past represented the state of Kaduna in the Senate (High Chamber) of Nigeria, pointed out through the social network X that “the negotiations with the bandits who kidnapped Kaduna’s students are fine as long as they do not involve large payments.”
According to Sani, “it would have to be a negotiation where cents are not mentioned” because “this information about his ransom demands is a scandalous madness.”
Some states of Nigeria – especially in the center and northwest of the country – suffer incessant attacks by “bandits”, a term used in the country to name criminal gangs that commit assaults and mass kidnappings to ask for large ransoms.
The attacks are repeated despite the repeated promises to end the violence by the Nigerian Government, which has reinforced the deployment of security forces.
To this insecurity is added that caused since 2009 by the activity of the jihadist group Boko Haram in the northeast of the country and, from 2016, also by its splinterion, the Islamic State in the Province of West Africa (ISWAP).
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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