International
The Government of Brazil suspends its advertising campaigns in X after Musk’s criticism
The Government of Brazil decided not to hire advertising campaigns in X again after the controversial criticism of the tycoon Elon Musk, owner of the social network, to the Supreme Court of the country and the president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Sources from the Secretariat of Communication confirmed this Saturday that Lula’s administration will no longer invest more resources in promoting the actions of the Executive on the platform, in the middle of the dispute with the businessman, also owner of Tesla and Space X.
According to the Transparency portal, the Government of the progressive leader spent about 650,000 reais (127,000 dollars or 120,000 euros) on institutional communication in X between 2023, the year in which he took power, and the first months of 2024.
The measure, which applies to new advertising contracts, is based on a guideline promulgated last February to avoid advertising actions in “portals, applications and content producers” that may “damage the image of the institutions of the Executive Branch.”
In addition, the Brazilian press publishes this Saturday that X’s representative in Brazil, lawyer Diego de Lima Gualda, left office this week, according to a document in the São Paulo Commercial Board.
The controversy has its origin in a series of messages from Musk in which he accused the Brazilian Supreme Court Judge Alexandre De Moraes of imposing censorship by, in his opinion, determining the blocking of X profiles without an apparent reason.
The businessman also anticipated that, in defense of freedom of expression, he would disobey decisions in that regard, even if this would result in economic fines or the closure of the platform in the South American country.
De Moraes responded by including it in the investigations that are advancing in the high court on the dissemination of fake news and attacks on democratic institutions.
Obleious to the ruling, Musk continued with his criticism this week, described the magistrate as a “dictator” and questioned the appointment of Cristiano Zanin, Lula’s former personal lawyer, to occupy a seat in the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, Lula condemned on Wednesday that “a businessman who never produced anything,” in allusion to Musk, criticizes the rulings of Justice and even said he is willing to violate them, and insinuated that he should use his fortune to “help preserve” the environment.
Musk’s criticism of Brazil’s justice has been interpreted in sectors of national politics as a kind of support for the far right led by former President Jair Bolsonaro, especially in the face of next October’s municipal elections.
International
German president warns Iran war could spread and disrupt Strait of Hormuz
The president of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, warned Monday that the war involving Iran could expand and further disrupt shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. He urged a swift end to hostilities between Iran, United States and Israel.
Speaking in Panama City during a joint appearance with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, Steinmeier said available information suggests Iran has significant capacity to disrupt maritime traffic through the key oil route.
“Iran has considerable potential to interfere with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz,” Steinmeier said through an interpreter. “We should therefore reach an end to the hostilities as soon as possible and call on all parties involved to make that happen.”
The remarks came during Steinmeier’s visit to Panama, the first by a German president to the Central American nation.
The German leader described the possibility of the conflict spreading as “very dangerous,” saying recent developments indicate that such a scenario cannot be ruled out.
Over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump urged allied nations to help ensure safe passage for ships through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran moved to block the waterway in response to U.S. strikes. However, several allies—particularly in Europe—have shown little support for the proposal.
“Some are very enthusiastic, others are not, and some are countries we have helped for many years,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “We have protected them from terrible external threats, and they’re not that enthusiastic. And the level of enthusiasm is important to me.”
Meanwhile, Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s top diplomat, said the Strait of Hormuz falls “outside NATO’s scope” and stressed that “the war involving Iran is not Europe’s war.”
International
Mexico security chief meets DEA director in Washington to boost anti-drug cooperation
Mexico’s Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Omar García Harfuch, met in Washington with the head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Terrance Cole, to discuss cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking and illegal arms flows.
The Mexican official said Monday on social media that he attended the meeting in representation of the Mexican government’s Security Cabinet.
“In Washington, D.C., I represented the Security Cabinet to hold talks with DEA Director Terrance Cole on the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation to combat drug trafficking, curb the flow of weapons into our country, and reduce violence in Mexico through significant arrests,” García Harfuch wrote.
He added that, following instructions from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, the government will continue strengthening international cooperation on security matters.
For his part, Cole said the meeting focused on cross-border collaboration to tackle drug trafficking and to build safer communities on both sides of the border.
The meeting comes as Mexico and the United States begin a new round of dialogue on economic and security issues.
Earlier Monday, President Claudia Sheinbaum said she will look for the “best moment” to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, adding that maintaining a good relationship with Washington is a priority for her administration.
International
Venezuela’s foreign minister accuses UN rights chief of “immoral bias”
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil criticized the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, accusing him of having an “immoral bias” and acting as an “echo chamber for falsehoods” regarding the situation in Venezuela.
Gil’s remarks came after Türk stated that his office had not received an official list from Venezuelan authorities detailing the release of political prisoners, nor authorization to carry out visits related to the issue.
“The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights insists on a narrative biased against our country, repeating unfounded accusations while deliberately omitting the impact of unilateral coercive measures on the rights of the Venezuelan people,” Gil said in a message posted on his Telegram channel.
Without directly addressing the question of prisoner releases, the Venezuelan foreign minister also accused Türk of aligning with what he described as the “agenda of extremism in Venezuela.”
Gil added that, despite serious human rights violations occurring in other parts of the world, the UN official has chosen to maintain what he described as an “immoral bias” against Venezuela.
The criticism is part of a broader dispute between the Venezuelan government and the UN human rights office over reports and investigations concerning the human rights situation in the country.
German president warns Iran war could spread and disrupt Strait of Hormuz
Mexico security chief meets DEA director in Washington to boost anti-drug cooperation
Venezuela’s foreign minister accuses UN rights chief of “immoral bias”
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
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