International

Iran warns of “serious consequences” to Israel if it attacks Lebanon

The president of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, warned on Monday, during a conversation with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, that there will be “serious consequences” if Israel makes the “big mistake” of attacking Lebanon.

“If the Zionist regime (Israel) attacks Lebanon, it will make a big mistake that will have serious consequences for it,” Pezeshkian told Macron, the Tasnim agency reported.

The Iranian president’s warning comes amid speculation about the Israeli response to the attack attributed to his ally Hizbulah that caused the death of 12 children in the Drusian town of Majdal Shams, located in the Golan Heights occupied by Israel.

Pezeshkian also expressed “his great concern” about the escalation of tensions on the southern borders of Lebanon with the Jewish State, whom he accused of committing “terrible crimes.”

“For more than 75 years of the occupation of Palestine, there is no crime that the Zionists have not committed,” said the president, who will be sworn in tomorrow before Parliament after it was ratified yesterday in the post by the supreme leader of Iran, Ali Khameni.

20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

Hours earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Monday that Israel’s response to the attack “will come, and it will be tough.”

Last night, the country’s security cabinet, which brings together the military and intelligence leadership along with ministers of important portfolios, authorized Netanyahu to decide on a response against Hizbulah.

Iran already warned Israel yesterday not to carry out “new adventures” in Lebanon since this could “lead to increased instability, insecurity and war in the region.”

Iranian diplomacy did not respond, however, to Israel’s accusations that the attack is its responsibility since it is Hizbulah’s main ally.

Iran leads the so-called ‘Ace of Resistance’, an informal anti-Israeli alliance formed in addition to Hezbollah by the Palestinians of Hamas or the Houthis of Yemen, among others.

20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

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.

20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

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.

20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

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.”

20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

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.