International
The Security Council approves a US resolution in support of the proposed truce in Gaza
The UN Security Council approved a resolution presented by the United States in support of the truce proposal announced by President Joe Biden on May 31, which establishes a three-phase plan to end the war in Gaza.
The resolution, approved by 14 votes in favor with Russia’s only abstention, is already the fourth approved in the Security Council regarding the war in Gaza, although the previous three have been left on paper when Israel refused to stop the offensive in Palestinian territory, a conflict that has already claimed more than 37,000 deaths.
The document “sends a clear message to Hamas: to accept the ceasefire on the table. Israel has already given its approval to the agreement, and the fighting could stop today if Hamas does the same,” said the U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, although the Jewish State Government has so far been ambiguous about the terms of that plan.
The resolution, which obtains unprecedented and almost unanimous support, calls for the approval of that truce proposal that calls for “an immediate ceasefire and the release of the hostages” in the hands of Hamas.
The US resolution had already been among the members for a week, and although at first it contained requests only for Hamas, the final version “urges the two parties to implement the terms (of the proposal) without delay or conditions.”
In addition, the text has an unequivocal “refaction of any attempt at territorial or demographic modification in Gaza, including any action to reduce the territory,” a message addressed to the “hard wing” of the Israeli government and that can thus reap support among Arab countries.
In his last paragraph, he reiterates “the importance of unifying Gaza and the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority” (PA), which means leaving out Hamas, one of the most controversial points given the lack of acceptance of the PA among Palestinians in Gaza.
“Now we are all waiting, waiting for Hamas to agree to the ceasefire it proclaims to want, but we cannot afford to wait and wait,” Thomas-Greenfield stressed.
And thus summarized the peace plan – which Biden presented at the first time as an Israeli, although it seems more a product of the will of the United States -: “This agreement will bring hostages home, guarantees the security of Israel, allows to increase humanitarian aid and essential services such as electricity, medical services and the removal of debris, in addition to preparing the stage for a political settlement,” said Thomas-Greenfield.
Previously, there have already been three resolutions on the war in Gaza; in November, December and March – which called for the cessation of hostilities or the entry of humanitarian aid – but none has been implemented on the ground, despite its theoretically binding nature.
Israel said in the UN Security Council that it does not intend to “commit to endless and meaningless negotiations” for a ceasefire in Gaza, minutes after the Council approved a resolution presented by the United States to support a truce plan in Gaza.
The political coordinator of the Israeli diplomatic mission, Reut Shapir, who took the floor after the intervention of the fifteen members of the Council, did not make it clear whether her country supports the resolution, as the US ambassador to the UN had previously assured, but implied otherwise.
“Israel clings to its principles, and these have not changed. We will continue (fighting) until all the hostages return and dismantle all the combat and government capabilities of Hamas,” Shapir said, without expressly mentioning that resolution, which calls in a first phase for a ceasefire and the release of certain hostages (women, elderly and wounded).
“This means that Israel is not going to engage in endless and meaningless negotiations, which can be exploited by Hamas as a means of buying time,” Shapir said.
For their part, the Arab countries welcomed the resolution, and considered that it will contribute to curbing the crisis in the Strip.
Egypt asked “both Israel and Hamas to take serious measures to respond to this (proposal of agreement) as soon as possible and start implementing its terms without delay or conditions.”
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry stressed in a statement that the resolution “supports (the proposal for) a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire agreement in Gaza, the exchange of hostages and prisoners, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the return of the displaced Palestinians” to their homes.
It also “guarantees full access to humanitarian aid that meets the needs of the inhabitants of the Strip,” he added.
In similar terms, the secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem al Bedewi, expressed himself, who considered that the resolution “will contribute to stopping the crisis in Gaza and achieving security and stability in the region and in the world.”
International
Colombia to Send High-Level Delegation to Ecuador to Ease Trade Tensions
Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Friday that, at the instruction of President Gustavo Petro, a high-level delegation will travel to Ecuador in an effort to normalize bilateral relations, which have deteriorated following the imposition of reciprocal tariffs.
“In line with Colombia’s policy of good neighborliness and the spirit of cooperation and integration that guides its foreign policy,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement, adding that the delegation will be led by Foreign Minister Rosa Villavicencio and Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez.
“Following instructions from the Presidency of the Republic, and as has been publicly reiterated, the Colombian delegation expects to reaffirm Colombia’s offer of support to the Republic of Ecuador to strengthen control over phenomena stemming from transnational organized crime,” the statement said.
The Foreign Ministry noted that the delegation will attend the meeting with a full willingness to engage in dialogue and to seek concrete solutions to the unilateral measures that have affected the longstanding relationship between the two neighboring countries.
Trade tensions between Ecuador and Colombia escalated on January 21, when Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboaimposed a 30% tariff on Colombian products, citing a lack of cooperation in anti-drug efforts. Colombia responded with similar measures and the suspension of energy exports, while Ecuador increased transportation costs for Colombian crude oil.
Business associations in both countries have warned that the dispute is harming both economies and have called on the governments to resolve their differences through dialogue.
International
Super Bowl Halftime Show Puts Bad Bunny—and Immigration Politics—Back in the Spotlight
The long-standing argument that sports and politics should not mix may be put to the test on Sunday during the Super Bowl halftime show, which will be headlined by Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny, a choice that has sparked backlash from segments of the U.S. right wing.
Just one week after his headline-making appearance at the Grammy Awards—where he sharply criticized the United States’ anti-immigration policies—Bad Bunny will once again take center stage on the global spotlight with his performance at the NFL final in Santa Clara, California.
Beyond the expectations surrounding the show itself, speculation has grown over whether the artist could again use the platform to protest policies associated with the administration of former President Donald Trump, in front of an audience expected to exceed 120 million viewers in the United States alone.
In fact, one of the most popular Super Bowl prop bets this year revolves around whether the Puerto Rican singer will deliver a direct message against ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement), similar to the one he delivered at the Grammys last Sunday.
While few expect Bad Bunny to repeat such a pointed statement, the mere speculation highlights the delicate balance the NFL must manage during the most-watched broadcast of the year.
The world’s most powerful sports league has drawn criticism from the MAGA movement since announcing in September that Bad Bunny would headline a halftime show largely performed in Spanish.
Trump himself declined to attend the matchup between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, despite having made history last year as the first sitting U.S. president to attend a Super Bowl. He described the musical lineup—which also includes outspoken critics such as Green Day—as “a terrible choice” that would “sow hatred.” In response, his supporters have organized an alternative event dubbed the “All-American Halftime Show,” featuring like-minded artists such as Kid Rock.
International
Venezuela Debates Broad Amnesty Law Covering 27 Years of Chavismo
Venezuela’s Parliament began debating on Thursday a sweeping amnesty bill that would cover the 27 years of Chavismo in power, while explicitly excluding serious human rights violations and crimes against humanity.
The proposed legislation, titled the “Amnesty Law for Democratic Coexistence,” was introduced by interim President Delcy Rodríguez, who assumed power following the capture of Nicolás Maduro during a U.S. military operation.
The legislative session was convened for Thursday afternoon, with lawmakers holding an initial discussion focused on the general principles of the bill. This phase precedes a consultation process with civil society, after which the proposal will move to a final debate examining each article individually.
According to a draft of the bill obtained by AFP, the amnesty would apply to individuals accused of crimes such as “treason,” “terrorism,” and “incitement to hatred,” charges that were frequently brought against political prisoners over the past decades. The scope also includes offenses ranging from acts of rebellion to punishments imposed for social media posts or messages sent through private messaging services.
The bill’s explanatory text emphasizes reconciliation, stating that it seeks to move away from “vengeance, retaliation, and hatred” in favor of “opening a path toward reconciliation.”
However, the proposal explicitly excludes from its benefits crimes such as “serious human rights violations, crimes against humanity, war crimes, intentional homicide, corruption, and drug trafficking.”
These exclusions, the text notes, are based on strict compliance with the Venezuelan Constitution, which already prohibits granting amnesties or pardons for such offenses.
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