International
Lula doesn’t want to rub against Argentina or Venezuela: “Let them choose the presidents they want”
The president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, said this Friday that he sees no reason to “fight” politically with “Venezuela, Nicaragua or Argentina” because what matters is the relationship between States, beyond the Governments.
“Why am I going to fight with Venezuela, Nicaragua or Argentina? Let them choose the presidents they want. What interests me is the relationship from State to State,” Lula said in an event to announce investments in infrastructure, in São José dos Campos, in the interior of São Paulo.
In his speech, the progressive president stressed that “everyone likes Brazil and that everyone has to like Brazil.”
“We have no litigation with anyone,” the Brazilian head of state proudly said.
Lula also wanted to distance himself from the previous government presided over by the far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2022), a time during which Brazil was “a kind of international pariah”, in his opinion.
“We went through a period in which no one wanted to come here and no one wanted to receive it,” he said in allusion to his predecessor in the Presidency and greatest political adversary, without mentioning his name.
Lula’s statement comes at a time of tension in diplomatic relations between Brazil and Argentina, as a result of the deep divergences he maintains with his counterpart, Javier Milei.
Brazil’s ambassador to Argentina, Julio Bitelli, traveled to Brasilia this week to meet with Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and meet with Lula, in order to discuss how to “take the relationship in the best way” with the Government of Milei.
About two weeks ago, Milei made his first visit to Brazil since he took power in Argentina, last December, although the reason for it was not to meet with Lula or any member of the Government, but for a far-right congress organized in the city of Balneário Camboriú, where he met with Bolsonaro.
On the other hand, Lula has publicly distanced himself from the president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, who aspires to re-election in the elections on July 28.
The Brazilian leader has always advocated for elections within the consensus of the Barbados Agreements, with the full participation of the opposition and with results that are recognized by all.
At the same time, he has defended the wide presence of international observers and expressed his “concern” about the veto of María Corina Machado, which received a response in harsh terms from the Venezuelan Government.
International
Armed forces target illegal mines in Northern Ecuador with bombing raids
Ecuador’s Armed Forces carried out an operation on Monday — including airstrikes — against illegal mining in the town of Buenos Aires, in the country’s north, Defense Minister Gian Carlo Loffredo reported.
The mountainous, gold-rich area has been a hotspot for illegal mining since 2017, located in the Andean province of Imbabura.
In 2019, former president Lenín Moreno deployed around 2,400 soldiers to the region in an attempt to curb the illegal activity. “The operation began with mortar fire, followed by gunfire and bombing runs by Supertucano aircraft,” Loffredo said in a video released by the Defense Ministry.
He added that the operation would continue on Tuesday with patrols across the area to locate possible members of “irregular armed groups that may have crossed from the Colombian border.”
The Armed Forces stated on X that the intervention focused on the “complete elimination of multiple illegal mining tunnels” in the areas known as Mina Nueva and Mina Vieja.
The operation coincided with the deployment of a military and police convoy into Imbabura, which has been the epicenter of protests against President Daniel Noboa since September 22, following his decision to scrap the diesel subsidy.
International
Caracas shuts embassy in Oslo without explanation following Machado’s Nobel win
Venezuela has announced the closure of its embassy in Norway, just days after opposition leader María Corina Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Venezuelan diplomatic mission provided no explanation for its decision on Monday.
“It is regrettable,” a ministry spokesperson said. “Despite our differences on several issues, Norway wishes to keep the dialogue with Venezuela open and will continue to work in that direction.” The ministry also emphasized that the Nobel Committee operates entirely independently from the Norwegian government.
In its announcement, the Nobel Committee stated that Machado met the criteria established by Alfred Nobel, “embodying the hope for a different future, where the fundamental rights of Venezuelans are heard.”
International
Sheinbaum: Urgent to restore access to towns cut off by heavy rains
Thousands of military personnel and civilians in Mexico worked tirelessly on Tuesday to clear roads blocked by the torrential rains of recent days, which have left more than 300 communities cut off across central and eastern regions of the country. Authorities also launched mass fumigation efforts in several affected areas to prevent the spread of dengue fever.
The official death toll remains at 64, though dozens of people are still missing. President Claudia Sheinbaumacknowledged that the government does not yet know the full situation in many of the isolated villages, which range in population from 500 to 1,000 inhabitants.
“The reopening of roads is one of the greatest urgencies,” Sheinbaum said. “It’s essential to guarantee air bridges, food supplies, clean water, and a proper census of the isolated communities so we can determine the condition of every person living there.”
Private construction companies are also assisting the effort with heavy machinery and technical support to help reopen highways and reconnect rural areas.
Armed forces target illegal mines in Northern Ecuador with bombing raids
Caracas shuts embassy in Oslo without explanation following Machado’s Nobel win
Sheinbaum: Urgent to restore access to towns cut off by heavy rains
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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