International

Argentina demands from Maduro safe exit for asylum seers at his embassy in Caracas

The Government of Argentina demanded this Saturday from the Administration of Nicolás Maduro the “immediate” delivery of the safe-conducts that guarantee the departure, without being arrested, of the six anti-Chavistas asylum in the embassy in Venezuela, which is under police siege.

“The Argentine Foreign Ministry expresses its utmost concern about the alarming and serious situation at the Argentine Embassy in Caracas, where the lives of six asylum seegers face imminent danger,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Javier Milei said in a statement.

“We demand from the Maduro regime the immediate delivery of the safe conducts that guarantee their safe exit,” the Argentine Foreign Ministry asked.

Likewise, the Foreign Ministry called on the United Nations, the Organization of American States and “all countries to adopt firm and urgent measures.”

The opposition denounces “police siege” of the Argentine embassy

The Argentine Embassy in Venezuela remains, since last August, under the protection of Brazil – after the expulsion of Argentine diplomats -, even though the Maduro government revoked this authorization in September due to the alleged planning of terrorist acts inside the headquarters by asylum seekees.

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Venezuelan opponent Pedro Urruchurtu, one of the six asylums since March at the Argentine Embassy in Caracas, denounced on Instagram last Wednesday that “the “police siege” on the outskirts of the building, which began on November 23, has intensified.”

Urruchurtu – a close collaborator of opposition leader María Corina Machado – also assured that the residence still does not receive electricity service, they have “minimum reserves of drinking water” and there have been “restrictions and some incidents” regarding access to food.

The largest opposition coalition, the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD), called for international pressure to stop the “criminal siege” and “issue, as soon as possible, the safe conducts for the six comrades,” who entered the diplomatic headquarters after the Prosecutor’s Office accused them of several crimes such as conspiracy and treason.

In the residence, in addition to Urruchurtu, there are Magalli Meda, Omar González, Claudia Macero, Humberto Villalobos -all collaborators of the Vente Venezuela party, led by María Corina Machado- and former minister Fernando Martínez Mottola, advisor to the PUD.

This Wednesday, the United States demanded that Maduro hand over safe-conducts to the six anti-chavistas.

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International

Two killed in shooting at restaurant near Frankfurt Airport

Two people were shot dead early Tuesday at a restaurant in Raunheim, near Frankfurt Airport, according to local police.

Preliminary findings indicate that an armed individual entered the establishment at around 03:45 local time (02:45 GMT) and opened fire on the victims, who died at the scene from their injuries.

The suspect fled and remains at large, while the motive behind the shooting is still unclear, German media reported. Authorities have launched a large-scale search operation.

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.”