International

Georgian opponents refuse to participate in debates after police searches in parties

Georgian opponents refused to participate in television debates called by the Government after searches of party offices and organizations that have participated in the anti-government protests of recent days.

As an argument, they denounced the “repression” of the groups that actively oppose the freezing of the negotiations for entry into the European Union (EU) announced last week by the executive.

They are the former Foreign Ministers, Mikhail Dzhanelidze, and Defense, Tinatin Jidasheli, who were part of the Governments of the Georgian Dream party, in power since 2012.

Both were scheduled to participate tonight on public television in the first debate on the institutional crisis with Prime Minister Irakli Kobajidze and Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili.

Registration in the offices of several parties

His rejection became known after the Police initiated searches in the offices of several opposition parties and organizations that have actively participated in the anti-government protests of recent days, the United National Movement (UNM) told EFE in a statement.

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“In the midst of massive protests and violent police persecution against peaceful demonstrators, the authorities of the de facto pro-Russian regime of Georgia have launched a campaign of terror and total repression against opponents,” says the note released by the formation, founded by the imprisoned former president, Mikhail Saakashvili.

The police arrived at the offices of the Youth Department of the MNU, as well as the headquarters of the organizations Droa, Girchi and the Coalition for Change.

Kobajidze assures that the situation is under control

Prime Minister Kobajidze assured that the situation is under control and that the authorities will not allow the repetition of the Ukrainian Maidan in Georgia.

According to Kobajidze, “opposition leaders and rich NGOs are hiding in their offices but will not be able to evade their responsibility” for what is happening in the country.

The number of people arrested in the protests and riots that now served a week exceeds 300 people.

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International

U.S. counterterrorism chief resigns over opposition to war in Iran

Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, announced Tuesday that he has resigned from his post, citing his opposition to the ongoing war in Iran.

In a post on X, Kent said he could not, “in good conscience,” support the conflict, arguing that Iran did not pose an imminent threat to the United States. He also claimed that the war was driven by pressure from Israel and its lobbying influence in Washington.

In a resignation letter addressed to Donald Trump, Kent alleged that at the start of the current administration, senior Israeli officials and influential figures in U.S. media carried out a disinformation campaign that undermined the “America First” platform and fostered pro-war sentiment aimed at triggering a conflict with Iran.

Kent further stated that he could not support sending a new generation of Americans to “fight and die in a war that provides no benefit to the American people and does not justify the cost in American lives.”

Since the United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran on February 28, at least 13 U.S. service members have been killed, while 10 others have been seriously wounded and around 200 have sustained minor injuries, according to a report published by The Wall Street Journal.

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International

German president warns Iran war could spread and disrupt Strait of Hormuz

The president of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, warned Monday that the war involving Iran could expand and further disrupt shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. He urged a swift end to hostilities between Iran, United States and Israel.

Speaking in Panama City during a joint appearance with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, Steinmeier said available information suggests Iran has significant capacity to disrupt maritime traffic through the key oil route.

“Iran has considerable potential to interfere with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz,” Steinmeier said through an interpreter. “We should therefore reach an end to the hostilities as soon as possible and call on all parties involved to make that happen.”

The remarks came during Steinmeier’s visit to Panama, the first by a German president to the Central American nation.

The German leader described the possibility of the conflict spreading as “very dangerous,” saying recent developments indicate that such a scenario cannot be ruled out.

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Over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump urged allied nations to help ensure safe passage for ships through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran moved to block the waterway in response to U.S. strikes. However, several allies—particularly in Europe—have shown little support for the proposal.

“Some are very enthusiastic, others are not, and some are countries we have helped for many years,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “We have protected them from terrible external threats, and they’re not that enthusiastic. And the level of enthusiasm is important to me.”

Meanwhile, Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s top diplomat, said the Strait of Hormuz falls “outside NATO’s scope” and stressed that “the war involving Iran is not Europe’s war.”

International

Mexico security chief meets DEA director in Washington to boost anti-drug cooperation

Mexico’s Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Omar García Harfuch, met in Washington with the head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Terrance Cole, to discuss cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking and illegal arms flows.

The Mexican official said Monday on social media that he attended the meeting in representation of the Mexican government’s Security Cabinet.

“In Washington, D.C., I represented the Security Cabinet to hold talks with DEA Director Terrance Cole on the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation to combat drug trafficking, curb the flow of weapons into our country, and reduce violence in Mexico through significant arrests,” García Harfuch wrote.

He added that, following instructions from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, the government will continue strengthening international cooperation on security matters.

For his part, Cole said the meeting focused on cross-border collaboration to tackle drug trafficking and to build safer communities on both sides of the border.

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The meeting comes as Mexico and the United States begin a new round of dialogue on economic and security issues.

Earlier Monday, President Claudia Sheinbaum said she will look for the “best moment” to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, adding that maintaining a good relationship with Washington is a priority for her administration.