International
Unicef warns that the military incursion in Rafah is “catastrophic” for thousands of children
UNICEF warned on Monday that one of Israel’s military incursion into Rafah, in the south of the Gaza Strip, is “catastrophic” for 600,000 children who take refuge in the city, thousands of whom have a disability, medical condition or other vulnerability that puts them in even greater danger.
“Rafah is now a city of children who have no safe place to go in Gaza,” Catherine Russell, executive director of UNICEF, said in a statement after the warning from the Israeli Army that ordered the evacuation of about 100,000 residents of Rafah in the face of the possibility of a military action.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), after the October evacuation orders to move south, it is estimated that there are now about 1.2 million refugees in Rafah, which was home for 250,000 people.
Another aspect to take into account, given the high concentration of children, – including many who are very vulnerable and on the verge of survival – as well as the probable intensity of violence, with possible evacuation corridors probably mined or full of unexploded ammunition and services in relocation areas that are most likely limited,
He said that military operations will cause a large number of civilian casualties and that the few basic services and infrastructures that remain and that they need to survive, will be totally destroyed.
“More than 200 days of war have taken an unimaginable price in children’s lives,” Russell said.
He also assured that if large-scale military operations are carried out, children will not only be at risk of suffering violence, but also chaos and panic, “at a time when their physical and mental states are already weakened.”
Killed and injured disproportionately, children suffer more acutely from interruptions in medical care, education and lack of access to sufficient food.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, more than 14,000 children have died in the conflict that began on October 7.
UNICEF estimates that about 65,000 children have some pre-existing disabilities, including difficulties seeing, hearing, walking, understanding and learning; that about 78,000 are under two years of age and that, of them, almost 8,000 suffer from acute malnutrition.
In addition, about 175,000 children under the age of 5 (or 9 out of 10) are affected by one or more infectious diseases and almost all of them already need psychosocial and mental health support, said the organization, which called for an “immediate and lasting” humanitarian ceasefire, the release of the hostages and the end of any serious violation against children.
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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