International
The Congress of Peru approves a law that limits crimes against humanity, in defiance of the Court of Justice
The Permanent Commission of the Congress of Peru approved on Thursday, in a second vote, the law that proposes to limit the application and scope of crimes against humanity and war crimes, in open challenge to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (CorteIDH), which asked the Peruvian State to annul it for the prescription it meant for those cases.
The rule was approved with 15 votes in favor, 12 against and no abstentions in a session of the Permanent Commission, which put it as one of the first topics of debate.
The Court of Justice had requested on Tuesday “the State of Peru, through its three Powers, to take the necessary actions so that they are not adopted, revoked or not given effect to Bill No. 6951/2023-CR that provides for the statute of limitations for crimes against humanity perpetrated in Peru.”
He also ordered Peru to submit a complete and detailed report on the fulfillment of his mandate no later than August 9.
The initial proposal was approved on June 7 by the plenary of Congress with 60 votes in favor, but it required this second vote for ratification and, precisely, this court ordered Peru on June 13 to stop its procedure until it issued a resolution on the subject.
The project was proposed by the Fujimori party Fuerza Popular and the ultra-conservative Renovación Popular, a bench made up in part of former heads of the Armed Forces, and aims to prevent anyone from being prosecuted for crimes against humanity or war crimes that occurred before 2002 and, therefore, excludes the period of internal conflict (1980-2000) that left more than 69,000 victims in the country.
The Prime Minister of Peru, Gustavo Adrianzén, said on Wednesday that he is “indignant” by the order of the Court of Justice on the bill, until today.
“Indignant, absolutely indignant, by what was resolved by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights that decides in the most unusual way, and without any precedent, on a bill that has not even become a law,” Adrianzén said when consulted on the subject.
The prime minister added that “it is intolerable” for the supranational court to call on the three powers (Executive, Legislative and Judicial) “of a sovereign member state,” such as Peru, not to approve or apply a law.
He pointed out that he is promoting a joint pronouncement of the three powers to express “the rejection of this type of provision from supranational justice.”
Human Rights organizations affirm that this initiative will affect access to justice and truth for victims of human rights violations, specifically in the cases of La Cantuta and Barrios Altos, for which former President Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000) was sentenced in 2009 to 25 years in prison.
International
Iranian leader warns foreign powers have “no place” in Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, said Thursday that the Persian Gulf is entering a new era marked by a “bright” future without the presence of the United States in the region.
His remarks came during the commemoration of Persian Gulf Day, amid ongoing regional tensions following recent military confrontations involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.
“Today, two months after the largest military buildup and aggression by the bullies of the world in the region and the humiliating defeat of the United States, a new chapter is being written for the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz,” Khamenei stated.
The Iranian leader insisted that the future of the region would be free from American influence and focused instead on the internal development and prosperity of Gulf nations.
“By the power and strength of God, the bright future of the Persian Gulf region will be a future without the United States and dedicated to the progress, welfare, and prosperity of its nations,” he said.
Khamenei also questioned the effectiveness of U.S. military bases in the region, arguing that they do not provide security even for Washington’s allies.
“Foreigners who come from thousands of miles away and commit evil and malicious acts have no place there except at the bottom of its waters,” he declared.
In addition, the Iranian leader defended new measures being prepared by Tehran to regulate maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, including fees for vessels passing through the strategic waterway. According to Khamenei, the policies would generate economic benefits and greater stability for the region.
Regional tensions remain high following the conflict that erupted on February 28 between the United States and Israel against Iran, leading to strategic blockades in the Strait of Hormuz, a route through which nearly 20% of the world’s oil supply previously passed. The situation has disrupted maritime trade and contributed to rising global oil prices.
Central America
U.S. and Regional Allies Back Panama Amid Dispute With China
The United States, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago issued a joint statement in support of Panama’s sovereignty, arguing that China’s recent actions represent an attempt to politicize maritime trade and undermine the sovereignty of nations in the hemisphere.
“We are closely monitoring China’s selective economic pressure and recent actions affecting vessels flying the Panamanian flag,” the statement released Tuesday said. “Panama is a pillar of our maritime trading system and, as such, must remain free from undue external pressure.”
The statement comes amid growing tensions surrounding the Panama Canal and the operation of key ports linked to global trade.
At the end of January, Panama’s Supreme Court invalidated the legal framework supporting the 1997 concession that granted Panama Ports Company, a subsidiary of CK Hutchison, the right to operate the Balboa and Cristóbal terminals located on the Pacific and Atlantic entrances of the Panama Canal.
The ruling followed mounting pressure from the United States to curb Chinese influence around the strategic waterway, through which roughly 5% of global maritime trade passes.
CK Hutchison, which managed the ports for nearly three decades, rejected the court’s decision and accused Panamanian authorities of illegally confiscating its assets. The company has launched international arbitration proceedings against Panama, seeking more than $2 billion in damages.
Following the court ruling, reports emerged of increased detentions and inspections of Panamanian-flagged vessels in China, actions widely viewed as retaliatory measures.
On Wednesday, China’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the joint statement as “completely unfounded and misleading,” accusing the United States of politicizing port operations and warning that Beijing would take steps to protect its interests in Panama.
International
King Charles III Says U.S.-UK Alliance Is “Irreplaceable and Unbreakable”
King Charles III of the United Kingdom reaffirmed the strength of the British-American relationship on Tuesday during a speech before the United States Congress, describing the alliance between the two nations as “irreplaceable and unbreakable.”
The address, delivered at the Capitol, marked the first speech by a British monarch before Congress since Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 and comes at a time of political tensions between Donald Trump’s administration and the Labour government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“As President Trump himself observed during his state visit to Britain last autumn, the bond of kinship and identity between the United States and the United Kingdom is invaluable and eternal. It is irreplaceable and unbreakable,” the king said.
While reflecting on the upcoming 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, which will be commemorated this year, Charles III stated that the partnership between the two countries “was born out of disagreement, but is no less strong because of it.”
The monarch emphasized the democratic values shared by both nations and noted that major global changes have occurred whenever the two allies found common ground.
“When we have found that way to agree, great changes have taken place not only for the benefit of our peoples, but for all peoples,” he said.
King Charles also quoted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who recently described the relationship as “an indispensable alliance.”
Concluding his speech, the monarch described the shared history of the United States and the United Kingdom as “a story of reconciliation, renewal, and an extraordinary partnership.”
He added that Washington and London have forged “one of the most consequential alliances in human history.”
“I pray with all my heart that our alliance continues to defend our shared values, together with our partners in Europe, the Commonwealth, and around the world, and that we ignore calls urging us to become increasingly isolationist,” Charles III stated.
The king ended by urging both nations to “recommit to one another in selfless service to our peoples and to all peoples of the world.”
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