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
Man arrested after deliberately driving into seven children in Osaka
Japanese police arrested a man on Thursday after he rammed his car into a group of seven schoolchildren in an apparent deliberate attack in the city of Osaka.
The children, who were on their way home from school, sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital. All seven remained conscious, according to local authorities.
An Osaka police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the suspect is a 28-year-old man from Tokyo. The officer shared statements the man made after his arrest: “I was fed up with everything, so I decided to kill people by driving into several elementary school children,” the suspect reportedly said.
The man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
The injured children, aged between seven and eight, included a seven-year-old girl who suffered a fractured jaw. The six other children—all boys—suffered minor injuries such as bruises and scratches and were undergoing medical evaluation.
Witnesses described the car as “zigzagging” before hitting the children. One witness told Nippon TV that a girl was “covered in blood” and the others appeared to have scratches.
Another witness said the driver, who was wearing a face mask, looked to be in shock when school staff pulled him from the vehicle.
Violent crimes are rare in Japan, though serious incidents do occur from time to time. In 2008, Tomohiro Kato drove a two-ton truck into pedestrians in Tokyo’s Akihabara district, then fatally stabbed several victims. Seven people were killed in that attack.
Internacionales
Clashes erupt during may day protests across France amid calls for better wages
May Day protests in France were marked by a heavy police presence and clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement in several cities.
In Paris, Lyon, and Nantes, thousands took to the streets to demand better wages, fairer working conditions, and to voice their dissatisfaction with President Emmanuel Macron’s government.
While the majority of the demonstrations remained peaceful, isolated confrontations broke out in some areas. Protesters threw objects at the police, prompting the use of tear gas and resulting in several arrests.
Videos showing police crackdowns circulated widely on social media, drawing criticism from labor unions and human rights advocates, who denounced the authorities’ response to the protests.
International
Kristi Noem credits Trump for mass migrant deportations by mexican president
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem claimed that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has deported “more than half a million” migrants due to pressure from former President Donald Trump.
During a cabinet meeting highlighting the “achievements” of Trump’s administration in its first 100 days, Noem asserted that under the Republican leader’s influence, “Mexico has finally come to the table” to negotiate on migration and fentanyl trafficking.
“The president of Mexico told me she has returned just over half a million people before they reached our border,” Noem stated, criticizing media reports that suggest the Biden administration deported more migrants than Trump’s.
“I wish those deportations were counted,” Noem added, “because those people never made it to our border—she sent them back because you made her.” She went on to thank Trump: “They never made it here because they got the message—because you were so aggressive.”
Noem has made controversial claims about Sheinbaum in the past, prompting the Mexican leader to refute them.
On April 1, Sheinbaum responded to one such statement by declaring, “The president answers to only one authority, and that is the people of Mexico,” after Noem said on Fox News that she gave Sheinbaum “a list of things Trump would like to see” and that Mexico’s actions would determine whether Trump granted tariff relief.
Man arrested after deliberately driving into seven children in Osaka
Clashes erupt during may day protests across France amid calls for better wages
Kristi Noem credits Trump for mass migrant deportations by mexican president
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