International

José Mujica maintains that Milei is “very impulsive” and does not doubt that Brazil “will be a power”

The former president of Uruguay José Mujica assures that the Argentine president, Javier Milei, is “very impulsive” and that he “hit the entrance” when talking about his Brazilian peer, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, while wishing that his political project will give him a result and can prosecute the country.

“I am very sorry that Milei, who is seen to be very impulsive and very run over, kicked the doorstay because he relaxed Lula. He has every right to think what he wants, but a man at the head of a country cannot say that of a neighboring country. The relationship has been screwed up,” he says during an interview with the EFE Agency.

There he also talks about the situation in Argentina and assures that “he has many problems” that he hopes he can overcome, while emphasizing that Uruguay “it is in the best interest of it.”

“The Argentine middle class who comes to summer here if they can leave a cake of guita (money), work and everything else. That’s a value. A balanced Argentina is convenient for us. Hopefully this project that Milei has will work for him and that Argentina will be caused,” says the former Uruguayan president.

On the other hand, he talks about Brazil and assures that this nation is “in another category” and he has no doubt that it will be a power. “It is the world’s leading producer of meat and soy. Brazil plays on the big court, moves the wheel of the world,” says Mujica.

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In that sense, he details that, despite “all the defects” that Mercosur has, Uruguay sells more to São Paulo than to any European country.

“We sell added value to Brazil. We sell chocolate to Brazil, which is more or less like selling ice to the Eskimos,” Mujica emphasizes.

Finally, the former Uruguayan president assures that the tensions in the region weaken it against the world and emphasizes the importance of the joint work of both countries.

“One thing is a proposal that Brazil and Argentina do together and another thing is that they do it separately. That doesn’t mean that we have to go to the kisses or we agree one hundred percent. It means that you have to have a diplomatic position that suits the region,” he concludes.

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International

US panel backs Trump-themed coin amid controversy

The United States Department of the Treasury confirmed to AFP that the Commission of Fine Arts approved the design of a new collectible coin featuring Donald Trump, with members of the commission appointed by the current administration.

According to the proposal, the coin will feature an image of Trump standing with clenched fists over a desk on the obverse, while the reverse will display an eagle, a traditional symbol of the United States.

The sale price of the collectible has not yet been disclosed, although the United States Mint typically offers similar items for more than $1,000.

“There is no more iconic portrait for the front of these coins than that of our president Donald Trump,” U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach said in a statement sent to AFP. He added that two additional coins — a $1 piece and a one-ounce gold coin — are also under consideration.

However, the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC), another body responsible for reviewing new coin proposals, declined to discuss the Trump design in late February.

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“Only nations governed by kings or dictators place the image of a sitting leader on their currency,” said Donald Scarinciat the time. “No country in the world has minted coins featuring a democratically elected leader during their term in office,” he added.

When contacted by AFP, the Treasury Department did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.

International

Fed’s Waller warns of rising inflation risks amid Middle East conflict

Christopher Waller, a governor at the Federal Reserve, said Friday that he is increasingly concerned about the inflationary impact of the ongoing conflict involving United States and Israel against Iran, particularly due to the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Waller, who had supported interest rate cuts over the past year amid concerns about the labor market, said he has shifted his stance in recent weeks due to rising inflation risks.

“Since the Strait of Hormuz was closed, it suggests this conflict could be much more prolonged and that oil prices will remain elevated for longer,” Waller said in an interview with CNBC.

“Therefore, this indicates that inflation is a greater concern than I had previously assessed,” he added.

Waller also backed the Federal Reserve’s decision earlier this week to keep interest rates unchanged, signaling a more cautious approach as global geopolitical tensions continue to affect economic outlooks.

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International

Brazil offers to mediate Colombia-Ecuador tensions, calls for restraint

The government of Brazil has offered to mediate in the ongoing tensions between Colombia and Ecuador, while calling on both nations to exercise restraint.

In a statement released Wednesday, Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the parties involved to act with moderation and seek a peaceful resolution to the dispute.

“Brazil encourages all sides to act with moderation in order to find a peaceful solution to the controversy. It stands ready to support dialogue efforts aimed at preserving peace and security in the region,” the statement said.

Brazil also expressed “serious concern” over reports of deaths in the border area between Colombia and Ecuador, noting that the circumstances surrounding the incidents have not yet been clarified.

The diplomatic move comes amid rising tensions between the neighboring countries, increasing regional concern over stability and security along their shared border.