International
The Venezuelan Parliament presents a draft agreement on the rupture of relations with Spain
The Parliament of Venezuela, controlled by Chavismo, presented on Tuesday the draft agreement with which it will urge the Government to “evaluate” the rupture of diplomatic and commercial relations with Spain, in response to the decision of the Spanish Congress to recognize the opponent Edmundo González Urrutia – exiled in the European country – as elected president.
The document, read during the session, urges “the national Executive to evaluate, in a perempontory time, the rupture of diplomatic and commercial relations with the Kingdom of Spain, as reciprocal action for the rude and interventionist proposal” of the Spanish Congress against “Venezuelan constitutionality.”
On September 11, Congress, with the vote against the ruling Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE), approved a non-law proposal promoted by the Popular Party (PP) in which it asks the Government to recognize González Urrutia as president of Venezuela, who arrived in Madrid on the 8th of this month to seek asylum in the face of the persecution he claims to have suffered in his country.
In that sense, the Venezuelan National Assembly (AN, Legislative) rejects, according to the draft agreement, “the disastrous resolution promoted by the fascist right of the Congress” of the European country, and urges Spanish parliamentarians to “respect the decision of the Venezuelan people who elected, sovereignly,” Maduro as “re-elected president” in the elections of July 28.
That result, announced by the National Electoral Council (CNE) based on results that are still unknown in a disaggregated way, was rejected and pointed out as “fraudulent” by the majority opposition – the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD) – and widely questioned by much of the international community, which demands the publication of the minutes.
The AN project points to the decision of the Spanish Congress as an “action that aims to ignore the democratic institutionality” of Venezuela, in addition to the “sovereign will of an entire people.”
He also says that, in recent years, the “Spanish ultra-right has sheltered criminals, fascists and convicted and confessed terrorists, who together with the Venezuelan right, have promoted failed coups d’état” in the Caribbean country and “the explosion of violence to generate political and social destabilization.”
“We will never accept that any foreign government or international body imposes conditions and interferes in our internal affairs,” the document adds.
The project was presented at the request of the president of the Legislature, Jorge Rodríguez, who, last week, asked to write a resolution, which is waiting for approval, to urge the Executive to break “all diplomatic, consular, economic and commercial relations” with Spain.
Rodríguez demanded that the resolution establish that “all commercial activities of Spanish companies be ceased immediately,” in response to what he considered as “the most brutal abuse” of Spain against Venezuela “since the times” when the Caribbean country fought for its independence, in reference to the decision of the Congress of the European nation.
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.”
International
Trump Administration Considers Denying Green Cards Over Political Views
The administration of President Donald Trump is evaluating new immigration guidelines that could deny permanent residency to immigrants based on their political views, according to a report published by The New York Times.
The proposed measures, outlined in internal Department of Homeland Security documents, would instruct immigration officials to take applicants’ public expressions and ideological positions into account when reviewing green card applications.
According to the report, cases involving “possible anti-American and/or antisemitic conduct or ideologies” would need to be referred to higher authorities for additional review.
Even if applicants have not violated any laws, authorities could still reject residency requests if they determine that individuals have “endorsed, promoted, or supported anti-American views.”
Among the factors listed in the guidelines are participation in pro-Palestinian activities, actions considered antisemitic, and the burning of the U.S. flag.
The documents reportedly describe such actions as “heavily negative” factors in immigration evaluations, potentially blocking applicants from obtaining permanent residency and, eventually, U.S. citizenship.
The directives also place particular attention on demonstrations held on university campuses following the 2023 Hamas attacks against Israel.
However, flag burning has previously been recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court as a form of protected free speech under the Constitution.
The proposal has sparked criticism from immigrant advocacy organizations, including the New York Immigration Coalition.
Its president, Murad Awawdeh, warned that the policies could pose a threat to fundamental rights and freedoms.
U.S. and Regional Allies Back Panama Amid Dispute With China
International Project Tackles Gender Violence in Indigenous Communities in Panama
King Charles III Says U.S.-UK Alliance Is “Irreplaceable and Unbreakable”
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
-
International1 day ago
King Charles III Says U.S.-UK Alliance Is “Irreplaceable and Unbreakable”
-
International5 days agoU.S. allows Venezuela to fund Maduro and Cilia Flores’ legal defense
-
International2 days agoMexico Arrests CJNG Leader “El Jardinero” in Nayarit
-
International4 days agoSuspect Armed With Shotgun and Knives Detained at White House Correspondents Dinner
-
Central America14 hours agoU.S. and Regional Allies Back Panama Amid Dispute With China
-
International1 day agoTrump Administration Considers Denying Green Cards Over Political Views
-
Central America14 hours agoInternational Project Tackles Gender Violence in Indigenous Communities in Panama
-
Central America2 days agoGuatemala’s President to Hold Private Interviews for Attorney General Candidates