International
Former presidents condemn Maduro’s “disrespect” of asylum for opponents in Venezuela
The group of former presidents who make up the Democratic Initiative of Spain and the Americas (IDEA) lamented on Monday the “disrespect” of diplomatic asylum for collaborators of Venezuelan opponents María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia by the Government of Nicolás Maduro.
The group lamented the “persecution” of members of Machado’s right wing of the campaign, “subject to diplomatic asylum in the representation of the Argentine Republic in Caracas without receiving the respective safe-conducts, which must be granted as a matter of urgency.”
Former presidents of IDEA today denounced in a statement this “violation” of the 1954 Caracas Convention on diplomatic asylum, in this case “with the manifest purpose of enervating” Machado’s support for González Urrutia’s presidential candidacy.
They recalled that asylum is a “humanitarian practice with the purpose of protecting fundamental rights of the person” according to the International Court of Justice and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.
IDEA urged the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) to consider violations of the Asylum Convention by Venezuela and, if applicable, to “urge the States parties to it, in particular Argentina, to file an instance before the International Court of Justice.”
Likewise, IDEA complained that “the illegal and arbitrary imprisonment” of those who make up Machado’s executive arm is maintained.
The statement was signed by former Spanish Government President José María Aznar and former Colombian presidents Andrés Pastrana, Iván Duque and Álvaro Uribe.
It is also signed by the former presidents of Costa Rica Miguel Ángel Rodríguez and Luis Guillermo Solís, among a total of twenty former presidents.
On March 26, it was reported from Buenos Aires of the entry of a group of opponents in the Argentine residence in the Venezuelan capital although it was not specified since when they were there.
International
Portuguese Authorities Seize 2.6 Tons of Cocaine Worth More Than $550 Million in Drug Bust
Italian financial police reported Monday that Portuguese authorities intercepted a speedboat carrying more than 2.6 tons of cocaine, with an estimated street value exceeding $550 million.
Four people — two Spanish nationals, one Albanian citizen, and a man from Gibraltar — were arrested in connection with the operation, according to Italian authorities.
The vessel was intercepted off the coast of Lisbon by Portugal’s maritime police following an investigation led by Italian authorities.
Italian financial police estimated that the seized shipment had a street value of approximately 500 million euros ($570 million), making it one of the largest drug seizures reported in the region in recent years.
Portuguese authorities said the interception took place on Thursday, about 90 kilometers (50 nautical miles) southwest of Cape Espichel, during an operation targeting international drug trafficking routes.
International
U.S. and Iran Maintain Ceasefire as Trump Expresses Optimism Over New Talks
U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that there are “good chances” of reaching an agreement with Iran, as both sides maintained a ceasefire for the third consecutive day following weeks of escalating hostilities.
Trump expressed optimism about the possibility of resuming diplomatic negotiations aimed at ending the conflict, which began in late February and has raised international concerns over its impact on global markets and energy supplies.
The fighting has remained suspended since Saturday, after the United States resumed airstrikes against Iran amid a dispute over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments. The renewed military action had previously caused the collapse of an earlier ceasefire agreement.
Asked about the prospects for negotiations aboard Air Force One, Trump said: “I have a lot of patience… We’ll see what happens. I think there are good chances that something could happen.”
The U.S. president also highlighted Washington’s military capabilities, saying: “We have a lot of ammunition,” while adding that he would like to have more resources due to U.S. support for Ukraine.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said Trump was allowing diplomatic efforts more time, explaining that the president was “giving some space to the talks” while maintaining that Washington remains prepared to take action if necessary.
Meanwhile, tensions continue in other areas of the Middle East. Saudi Arabia reported that it intercepted drones launched from Iraq by groups allied with Tehran and urged the Iraqi government to take measures to prevent further attacks.
International
Police Investigate After Remains of Five Newborns Found in French Apartment
French authorities have opened a murder investigation after the discovery of human remains believed to belong to five newborn babies inside an apartment in the historic center of a city, the local prosecutor’s office reported Monday night.
According to prosecutors, a 32-year-old woman had given birth at home on Sunday to a healthy baby before being taken to a hospital for medical care.
The discovery was made after the woman’s 32-year-old partner began searching the residence after reportedly learning, once again and at a late stage, that she had been pregnant.
During the search, the man found what appeared to be human remains and informed the hospital, which then alerted prosecutors.
A forensic doctor determined that the remains likely belonged to five newborn infants. Authorities have not yet established the circumstances or motive behind the case.
Investigators have not been able to interview the mother, who remains hospitalized following the delivery.
Prosecutors also confirmed that the couple has two other children, aged eight and nine years old. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to clarify the events surrounding the discovery.
Portuguese Authorities Seize 2.6 Tons of Cocaine Worth More Than $550 Million in Drug Bust
U.S. and Iran Maintain Ceasefire as Trump Expresses Optimism Over New Talks
Police Investigate After Remains of Five Newborns Found in French Apartment
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
-
International5 days agoWildfires in France Burn Nearly Three Times More Land Than in 2025, Interior Minister Says
-
International1 day agoU.S. and Iran Maintain Ceasefire as Trump Expresses Optimism Over New Talks
-
International1 day agoPolice Investigate After Remains of Five Newborns Found in French Apartment
-
International5 days agoIsrael Says Saudi Recognition Would Mark ‘Historic Breakthrough’ for Middle East Peace
-
International1 day agoPortuguese Authorities Seize 2.6 Tons of Cocaine Worth More Than $550 Million in Drug Bust
-
International2 days agoCosta Rica Seeks to Expand Extradition Law to Target Organized Crime
-
International2 days agoChina Accuses U.S. AI Firms of Using Chinese Models to Train Artificial Intelligence
-
Central America3 days agoEU Urges Nicaragua to Hold Free and Transparent Elections Amid Proposed Electoral Reforms
-
International2 days agoThree Killed, Four Injured in Shooting Near Seattle’s Space Needle