International
Milei, willing to convince other countries to adopt sanctions against Venezuela
“I would have no problem” in adopting diplomatic sanctions against Venezuela, the president of Argentina, Javier Milei, said in an interview with CNN, who would even be willing to convince other countries to support that same measure.
“Yes, I would be willing to do it, because the carnage that is Venezuela is truly unheard of; the same as the prison island of Cuba,” said the Argentine head of state during an interview with journalist Andrés Oppenheimer, whose first part was broadcast in full this Sunday.
“Then there are other cases that are on the way, such as the case of Colombia, with Mr. (Gustavo) Petro. Well, you can’t expect much from someone who was a terrorist killer, a communist,” Milei added in a part of that interview that was already anticipated last Wednesday.
As a result of those statements, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia issued a statement reporting that the expulsion of diplomats from the Embassy of Argentina in that country was ordered.
“The expressions of the Argentine president have deteriorated the confidence of our nation, in addition to offending the dignity of President Petro, who was democratically elected,” said the Colombian Foreign Ministry, which communicated its decision to the Argentine diplomatic representation through “institutional channels.”
Last Monday, the governments of Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay issued a joint statement in which they expressed their “serious concern” about the allegations of the Venezuelan opposition about the obstacles to registering their candidate.
Buenos Aires’ support for that statement represents “a step forward,” according to Milei, because “the previous Government (presided over by the Peronist Alberto Fernández) would not have condemned any of those dictatorships,” he said.
Asked about the critical opinions of him of the president of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and the ruling and favorite candidate in the polls, Claudia Sheinbaum, the Argentine president responded: “It is a compliment that an ignorant like López Obrador speaks ill of me, exalts me.”
And he added: “It is a problem of Mexicans if they choose socialists (…), I feel sorry for the one who has to suffer a socialist regime.”
Regarding an eventual trip of Pope Francis to Argentina, Javier Milei considered that “we should not be pressuring him,” and pointed out that it is a decision that is up to the Supreme Pontiff.
“I offered to accompany him and be by his side, I would almost tell him like a human cane (…), but he is the one who must make that decision to face so much physical burden,” he added.
After asserting that “the left in its different versions is the cancer of humanity,” Milei considered that, in fact, the Colombian president, Gustavo Petro, and the Brazilian, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, were democratically elected, but added that “every day they advance more on individuals towards more collectivist solutions.”
The Argentine ruler maintained that the desire he conveyed to former United States president Donald Trump (2017 -2021) to return to the White House “in protocol terms does not count,” because it took place in a casual meeting during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), held a month ago in Maryland (USA).
“I am more affioy to the ideas of the Republican Party (…), it is true and that is known, but my priority is to be an ally of the United States. That is, my international allies are the United States and Israel and I am absolutely consistent in that,” he emphasized.
Regarding the criticisms of the presidents of Brazil, Colombia and Chile that Israel’s military response to the terrorist attack in Hamas is a genocide, Milei said: “I find it condemnable that they make such condemnations.”
“Israel received a brutal attack and this kind of thing requires exemplary responses. And in fact, Israel is doing everything he is doing within the rules of the game. In other words, Israel is not committing a single excess,” he concluded.
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
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
-
International4 days agoOne survivor confirmed after Air India flight crashes with 242 on board
-
International4 days agoShark attacks child in Florida
-
International4 days agoOver 200 dead after London-Bound plane crashes in India
-
International4 days agoUncle Sam used in DHS poster calling for public to report immigrants
-
International2 days agoChina shows at the UN its “condemnation” of Israel for the “violation of Iran’s sovereignty”
-
International3 days agoICE under fire for detaining undocumented teen from Florida foster care
-
International4 days agoHegseth dodges lawmakers’ questions on potential U.S. invasion plans for Greenland, Panama
-
International4 days agoAt least five others involved in attack on Miguel Uribe Turbay
-
International4 days agoArgentine government says Cristina Fernández sentence was fair and free of political influence
-
International2 days agoDonald Trump’s government pauses its program of indiscriminate raides against migrants
-
International2 days agoTrump says he knew “everything” about the attack on Iran and assures that the dialogue remains open
-
International4 days agoEight Killed in Gaza as Hamas allegedly attacks Israel-Backed aid group
-
International2 days agoRight and far right leaders aspire to win the next elections in Latin America
-
International3 days agoIsrael warns of retaliation after iranian missiles hit civilian areas
-
International3 days agoCalifornia sues Trump over deployment of military forces in immigration arrests
-
Central America18 hours agoNicaraguan exile coalition urges Costa Rica to receive U.S. deportees fleeing Ortega regime
-
International2 days agoMore than 2,000 protests in the US will condemn Donald Trump’s “authoritarianism” this Saturday
-
International2 days agoCriticism of ICE in Florida for arresting a minor from Honduras and taking him away from a foster family
-
Central America18 hours agoFirst woman elected president in the Americas, Violeta Chamorro, dead at 95
-
Central America2 hours agoGuatemala cracks down on prison corruption with over 20 raids in recent weeks
-
International2 hours agoSuspect arrested in killing of Minnesota legislator and husband, governor Says
-
International2 hours agoChina calls for dialogue amid rising Iran-Israel conflict
-
International2 hours ago40,000 tourists stranded in Israel amid airspace shutdown over Iran conflict
-
International2 hours ago
Israeli strike targets Iran’s state news agency amid escalating conflict
-
International2 hours agoNetanyahu: Israel is ‘changing the face of the Middle East’ amid Iran strikes
-
International2 hours agoJudge to rule next week on injunction against Trump’s student visa restrictions
-
International2 hours agoTrump directs ICE to focus deportation efforts on democratic-led states