International

Houthis will keep Israeli ships blocked after reports of asset transfers

Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced that they will maintain the maritime blockade against Israeli vessels in response to intelligence reports that indicate that several Israeli shipping companies would be transferring their assets to other companies to evade sanctions.

In a statement, the Houthis’ military spokesman, Yahya Sarea, warned that the Yemeni forces “will not take into account any change of ownership or flag on the ships of the Israeli enemy” and that any company that transacts with these shipping companies “will be subject to sanctions and will be prohibited from passing” through the areas of operation controlled by the Houthis.

The Houthis will continue with the measures against Israel

Sarea added that the blockade will continue “until the aggression and siege in the Gaza Strip cease and the aggression against Lebanon stops.”

The Houthis, who control much of the Yemeni territory, argue that these actions are a direct response to what they consider hostile acts by Israel and its allies in the region.

Attack against Israel

This announcement comes days after the Houthis claimed a drone attack on the industrial zone of Ashkelon, in southern Israel.

According to Sarea, this operation, which “successfully achieved its objectives,” was carried out “in support of the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples and their resistance,” and said that the movement, backed by Iran, “will continue its military operations” against Israel until the siege in Gaza and the aggression in Lebanon ends.

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In addition, the Houthi insurgents have intensified their attacks against ships in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, in what they describe as a strategy to economically damage Israel and its allies in retaliation for the conflict in Gaza.

Since February 2023, the Houthis have claimed numerous attacks with drones and ballistic missiles against Israeli targets and merchant ships, in a sign of explicit support for the Palestinian cause and rejection of Israeli military operations in the region.

International

UK braces for potential CO₂ shortage amid Middle East tensions

The government of United Kingdom is preparing contingency measures amid fears of a potential shortage of carbon dioxide (CO₂), which could impact the agri-food industry if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, The Times reported on Thursday.

According to the newspaper, officials assessed this scenario during a recent crisis meeting aimed at evaluating the consequences of a prolonged conflict, triggered on February 28 by joint attacks from United States and Israel against Iran.

Under this scenario, CO₂ supplies—primarily a byproduct of fertilizer production using natural gas—could fall by up to 18%, affecting multiple sectors including agriculture and food production.

The gas is widely used in the slaughter of pigs and poultry, as well as in extending the shelf life of packaged foods. Breweries could also face disruptions due to reduced availability.

“I don’t want to comment on a leak, but now that the information is out there, I hope people feel reassured knowing we are working on it,” said Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, in remarks to Sky News.

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While a drop in CO₂ supply is not expected to cause major shortages in supermarkets, it could limit product variety, The Times noted, citing access to internal government documents.

To mitigate the impact, authorities are considering prioritizing CO₂ supply for critical sectors such as healthcare and civil nuclear energy, where it is used in cooling systems for blood reserves, organs, vaccines, and electricity generation. The government may also request domestic producers to increase output.

Central America

El Salvador and Paraguay approve 2026–2028 cooperation program

The governments of El Salvador and Paraguay approved the 2026–2028 Cooperation Program, which includes six joint development projects, according to Salvadoran Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Adriana Mira.

Mira stated that El Salvador will act as the “main provider of cooperation,” contributing five initiatives focused on road infrastructure, tourism, and local development. She also noted that one of the projects will be led by the Paraguayan side, although no further details were disclosed.

The agreement was reached during the Second Meeting of the Joint Commission on Technical and Scientific Cooperation between both countries.

According to Paraguay’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the First Meeting of the Political Consultation and Bilateral Coordination Mechanism was also held, with the participation of Vice Minister Víctor Verdún.

In an official statement, the Paraguayan government reported that both delegations agreed to identify mechanisms to promote competitiveness, economic growth, and market access. They also committed to signing agreements related to air transport cooperation.

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International

Macron meets Machado, stresses need for democratic transition in Venezuela

Emmanuel Macron met on Monday at the Élysée Palace with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, where they discussed the importance of advancing a democratic transition in Venezuela.

In a message shared on social media, Macron highlighted Machado’s commitment to freedom and stressed the need to achieve a transition that is peaceful and respects the will of the Venezuelan people.

“I received María Corina Machado, Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Together, we discussed her commitment to freedom and the importance of achieving a democratic, peaceful transition in Venezuela that respects the will of its people,” he wrote.

For her part, Machado expressed her “deep gratitude” to Macron and to France for their support of democracy and freedom in Venezuela.

“We have gone through a long and painful journey, and we are now very close to freedom. Venezuela will become a nation of free and equal men and women—prosperous, safe, and united,” she said.