International
Milei closed about 200 areas of the Public Administration in its first year of Government
The Government of the President of Argentina, Javier Milei, closed during the first year of his administration about 200 areas of the Public Administration as part of its plan to deregulate and downshrage the State, official sources reported on Saturday.
The list of closed offices was announced by the Minister of Deregulation and State Transformation, Federico Sturzenegger, who through a message on the social network X thanked Milei for “the conviction and leadership in the need to reduce the State.”
For his part, the Secretary of State Transformation and Public Service, Maximiliano Fariña, explained that, as the structures of each ministry have been reviewed, “excesses, duplications and totally unnecessary areas” have been found in the public administration.
“During 2024 we have already eliminated more than 200 areas (national directorates, directorates and coordinations) that had duplicate or obsolete functions and almost 100 secretariats and undersecretaries,” Fariña said.
Areas that can be charged by the “private sector” or “provinces”
Fariña indicated that there were areas that fulfilled functions or tasks that “the private sector can do or with others that directly fulfilled functions that correspond to the provinces or municipalities, breaking federalism.”
“This demonstrates the exaggeration of State size that we find,” he said.
Among the closed areas are, among others, the National Directorate of Gender and Diversity Policies, the Office of Coordination and Strengthening of the Social and Popular Economy, the Coordination area of Adaptation to Climate Change and the Directorate of Policies for the Promotion and Protection of Rights.
The actions to close public areas are part of the severe fiscal adjustment plan launched by the Milei Government since the beginning of its mandate, in December 2023.
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.
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.
International
Trump says Iran seeks new talks after failed negotiations in Pakistan
Donald Trump said on Monday that Iran has reached out to United States to resume negotiations, following the collapse of recent talks held in Islamabad.
“We’ve been contacted by the other side,” Trump told reporters, adding that Iran is eager to reach a deal “at all costs.” Speaking from the Oval Office, he reiterated that his main objective is to prevent the Islamic Republic from acquiring nuclear weapons and warned that he will not allow Iran to “blackmail” the international community.
After negotiations between Washington and Tehran ended without agreement on Sunday, Trump announced that the U.S. would move to block the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil trade.
The waterway had already been disrupted by Iran in response to a U.S. and Israeli offensive launched on February 28, causing significant shocks to the global economy.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump further warned that any Iranian vessel attempting to bypass the U.S. naval blockade in the strait would be “eliminated immediately.”
The renewed tensions have pushed oil prices higher, while global stock markets have reacted negatively to the lack of an agreement in Islamabad.
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