International
Seventy-nine countries sign a declaration of support for the ICC after US sanctions
Seventy-nine countries, including many Latin Americans, signed this Friday a joint declaration of support for the International Criminal Court (ICC) at a time when it is attacked by the sanctions of the Government of the President of the United States, Donald Trump.
“Today, the Court faces unprecedented challenges: measures of sanctioning the court and its officials, as well as those who cooperate with it, have been adopted in response to the Court carrying out its mandate in accordance with the Rome Statute,” the statement reads.
However, neither the US government nor its president Donald Trump is mentioned by name, who on Thursday signed the executive order to announce financial restrictions and restrict the obtaining of visas to travel to the United States (where the UN headquarters is located) to individuals of the ICC, as well as their immediate family (partner and children), who collaborate in court investigations against US citizens or Washington allies.
“These measures,” says the joint statement, “increase the risks of impunity for the most serious crimes and threaten to erode the rule of international law; even more, sanctions can endanger the confidentiality of sensitive information and the safety of those affected, including victims, witnesses and members of the Court,” the text says.
“We regret any attempt to undermine the Court’s independence, its integrity and its impartiality (and) we emphasize its irreplaceable role in ending impunity, promoting the rule of law and fostering lasting law for human rights.”
Most Latin American countries sign the declaration, but the names of Argentina, Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, Paraguay or El Salvador are missing.
Among the signatories of the declaration there are also several European countries such as Spain, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Poland or the Netherlands, but not Italy or Hungary; there are also US allies such as Canada, but not Australia. Numerous African or Asian countries close to Russia are missing.
In signing his executive order on Thursday, Trump stressed that the ICC has taken “illegitimate and unfounded actions against the United States” and Israel, defined as a “close ally,” and has “even more abused its power by issuing unfounded arrest warrants” against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Galant.
The United States has never recognized the jurisdiction of the ICC, nor has Israel, China or Russia. In total, there are 124 countries that recognize the ICC, but not all have signed the joint declaration.
The Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, demanded that the ICC be allowed to work “with full independence”, after the executive order signed yesterday by Trump, to sanction the court.
“International criminal law is an essential element in the fight against impunity, which is unfortunately widespread in today’s world. The CPI is its essential element and must be allowed to work with full independence,” Deputy Secretary-spokesman Farhan Haq said at his daily press conference.
When asked about the possible impact of these sanctions on the visit of senior officials to the UN headquarters, located in the United States, Haq said he hopes that “any restrictions adopted against individuals will be applied in a manner consistent with the obligations of the host country” and “under the agreement relating to the UN headquarters.”
In his executive order, Trump said that the ICC has taken “illegitimate and unfounded actions against the US.” and Israel, defined as a “close ally,” and has “abused even more of its power by issuing unfounded arrest warrants” against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Galant.
International
U.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute
The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday against a budget proposal in a move aimed at pressuring changes at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), following the killing of two civilians during a deployment of immigration agents in Minneapolis.
All Senate Democrats and seven Republican lawmakers voted against the bill, which requires 60 votes to advance, pushing the country closer to a partial government shutdown that would cut funding for several agencies, including the Pentagon and the Department of Health.
The rejection came as Senate leaders and the White House continue negotiations on a separate funding package for DHS that would allow reforms to the agency. Proposed measures include banning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing face coverings and requiring them to use body-worn cameras during operations.
The vote took place just hours after President Donald Trump said he was “close” to reaching an agreement with Democrats and did not believe the federal government would face another shutdown, following last year’s record stoppage.
“I don’t think the Democrats want a shutdown either, so we’ll work in a bipartisan way to avoid it. Hopefully, there will be no government shutdown. We’re working on that right now,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.
International
Trump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he secured a commitment from Russian President Vladimir Putinto halt attacks against Ukraine for one week, citing extreme weather conditions affecting the region.
“Because of the extreme cold (…) I personally asked Putin not to attack Kyiv or other cities and towns for a week. And he agreed. He was very pleasant,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting broadcast by the White House.
Trump acknowledged that several advisers had questioned the decision to make the call.
“A lot of people told me not to waste the call because they wouldn’t agree. And he accepted. And we’re very happy they did, because they don’t need missiles hitting their towns and cities,” the president said.
According to Trump, Ukrainian authorities reacted with surprise to the announcement but welcomed the possibility of a temporary ceasefire.
“It’s extraordinarily cold, record cold (…) They say they’ve never experienced cold like this,” he added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later commented on the announcement, expressing hope that the agreement would be honored.
International
Storm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power
Storm Kristin, which battered Portugal with heavy rain and strong winds early Wednesday, has left at least five people dead, while nearly half a million residents remained without electricity as of Thursday, according to updated figures from authorities.
The revised death toll was confirmed to AFP by a spokesperson for the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANPEC). On Wednesday, the agency had reported four fatalities.
Meanwhile, E-Redes, the country’s electricity distribution network operator, said that around 450,000 customers were still without power, particularly in central Portugal.
Emergency services responded to approximately 1,500 incidents between midnight and 8:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, as the storm caused widespread disruptions.
The Portuguese government described Kristin as an “extreme weather event” that inflicted significant damage across several regions of the country. At the height of the storm, as many as 850,000 households and institutions lost electricity during the early hours of Wednesday.
Several municipalities ordered the closure of schools, many of which remained shut on Thursday due to ongoing adverse conditions.
Ricardo Costa, regional deputy commander of the Leiria Fire Brigade, said residents continue to seek assistance as rainfall persists.
“Even though the rain is not extremely intense, it is causing extensive damage to homes,” he noted.
In Figueira da Foz, a coastal city in central Portugal, strong winds toppled a giant Ferris wheel, underscoring the severity of the storm.
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