International
Nine out of 10 climate catastrophe survivors in Brazil suffer from psychological disorders
Nine out of 10 inhabitants of Rio Grande do Sul, a state in southern Brazil that has been suffering for 43 days from the worst climate catastrophe in history, are psychologically affected by the tragedy, suffering from anxiety and depression linked to losses and the fear of suffering new floods, according to a study released on Tuesday by the local press.
Post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression and exhaustion (burnout syndrome) are mental health diseases cited by those who responded to a survey carried out by professional psychologists from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) and the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, capital of Rio Grande do Sul, which borders Argentina and Uruguay.
According to the varied responses of the survivors to the floods that began on April 29 and began to recede at the beginning of June, anxiety is generated for example when finding an open faucet and listening to the noise of water or with nightmares that the house is being flooded.
Among the data collected by the researchers, anxiety stands out with 91 percent, followed by exhaustion 60 percent and depression, with 50 percent.
The coordinator of the study, psychiatrist Simone Hauck, told the RBS news network, in Porto Alegre, that the environmental catastrophe that caused at least 175 deaths, 38 missing and from which almost 450,000 people are still being evacuated, affected even those who were not victims of the floods.
There are similar reactions between the victims and the volunteer rescuers, who responded that they dream of water entering the apartment and think that “few things will be worth obtaining in life if they can be lost at any time,” he explained.
The specialist said that these symptoms appear temporarily, with which they should decrease as the tragedy passes, with the resolution of housing problems or other problems related to the flood.
According to the television network, experts warned that the highest suicide rate in Brazil is that of Rio Grande do Sul, even before the tragedy.
The Ministry of Health of the federal government of Brazil formed a team of 300 mental health professionals to attend to those affected by storms and floods in Rio Grande do Sul since the end of last April.
The survey on the mental health of survivors aims to make a map of the neighborhoods and regions that should receive priority in public investment in the area of mental health, such as the construction of care centers and the hiring of psychologists and psychiatrists.
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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