International
Mexico announces reforms against “external interference”, after the US designated the cartels as terrorists
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Thursday two reforms to the Constitution against “external interference” and to impose the “most severe penalty” on foreigners who intervene in Mexico after the United States declared six drug trafficking cartels terrorists.
In addition, the president reaffirmed in her morning conference that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) will expand its lawsuit against manufacturers and sellers of weapons in the United States to accuse them of accomplices in terrorism after this classification.
“What we want to make clear in the face of this designation is that we do not negotiate sovereignty, this cannot be an opportunity on the part of the US to invade our sovereignty, so they can give them the name they decide, but with Mexico it is collaboration and coordination, never subordination, not interference and less invasion,” he said.
Sheinbaum asked that “it be clear” that “there is no interference, there is no violation of sovereignty” despite the fact that the US State Department considers from now on the Sinaloa, Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), the Gulf, the Northeast, the New Michoacana Family and the United Cartels as terrorists.
“Both countries want to fight organized crime groups that commit illegal acts in both countries, and there we are working very well on coordination, but we have to guarantee that it is under collaboration and coordination, never violating Mexico’s sovereignty in any way,” he said.
The change to article 40 of the Constitution will reinforce that “the people of Mexico under no circumstances will accept interventions, intrusions or any other act from abroad that is detrimental to the integrity, independence and sovereignty of the Nation,” said the president.
This includes “coups d’état, interference in elections or the violation of Mexican territory, be it by land, water, sea or airspace.”
“Nor will he consent to any intervention in investigation and prosecution without the authorization and express collaboration of the Mexican State, within the framework of the applicable laws,” according to the head of the Executive.
Meanwhile, article 19 will warn that “any foreigner who carries out activities outside the law, linked” to these interferences, “will be imposed the most severe punishment possible, as well as unofficial preventive detention.”
After the appointment, the president raised her claims to the United States arms industry, the origin of almost three out of four weapons used by organized crime in Mexico, according to a report by the Department of Justice in January.
The reform to article 19 also proposes that “any national or foreign national linked in the manufacture, distribution, alienation, transfer or internationalization to national territory in an illicit manner of weapons” shall be “imposed the most severe possible penalty”.
While the Foreign Ministry will expand the lawsuit it filed during the Government of Andrés Manuel López Obrador (2018-2024) against American manufacturers and sellers of weapons, which it accuses of knowingly selling these supplies to cartels in Mexico.
“Given this appointment, there must be a link between those who sell weapons to these criminal groups that today have been cataloged with this name by the US Government, so there will be an expansion of this demand for complicity of those who sell weapons that are introduced” to Mexico, he said.
International
Iranian leader warns foreign powers have “no place” in Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, said Thursday that the Persian Gulf is entering a new era marked by a “bright” future without the presence of the United States in the region.
His remarks came during the commemoration of Persian Gulf Day, amid ongoing regional tensions following recent military confrontations involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.
“Today, two months after the largest military buildup and aggression by the bullies of the world in the region and the humiliating defeat of the United States, a new chapter is being written for the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz,” Khamenei stated.
The Iranian leader insisted that the future of the region would be free from American influence and focused instead on the internal development and prosperity of Gulf nations.
“By the power and strength of God, the bright future of the Persian Gulf region will be a future without the United States and dedicated to the progress, welfare, and prosperity of its nations,” he said.
Khamenei also questioned the effectiveness of U.S. military bases in the region, arguing that they do not provide security even for Washington’s allies.
“Foreigners who come from thousands of miles away and commit evil and malicious acts have no place there except at the bottom of its waters,” he declared.
In addition, the Iranian leader defended new measures being prepared by Tehran to regulate maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, including fees for vessels passing through the strategic waterway. According to Khamenei, the policies would generate economic benefits and greater stability for the region.
Regional tensions remain high following the conflict that erupted on February 28 between the United States and Israel against Iran, leading to strategic blockades in the Strait of Hormuz, a route through which nearly 20% of the world’s oil supply previously passed. The situation has disrupted maritime trade and contributed to rising global oil prices.
Central America
U.S. and Regional Allies Back Panama Amid Dispute With China
The United States, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago issued a joint statement in support of Panama’s sovereignty, arguing that China’s recent actions represent an attempt to politicize maritime trade and undermine the sovereignty of nations in the hemisphere.
“We are closely monitoring China’s selective economic pressure and recent actions affecting vessels flying the Panamanian flag,” the statement released Tuesday said. “Panama is a pillar of our maritime trading system and, as such, must remain free from undue external pressure.”
The statement comes amid growing tensions surrounding the Panama Canal and the operation of key ports linked to global trade.
At the end of January, Panama’s Supreme Court invalidated the legal framework supporting the 1997 concession that granted Panama Ports Company, a subsidiary of CK Hutchison, the right to operate the Balboa and Cristóbal terminals located on the Pacific and Atlantic entrances of the Panama Canal.
The ruling followed mounting pressure from the United States to curb Chinese influence around the strategic waterway, through which roughly 5% of global maritime trade passes.
CK Hutchison, which managed the ports for nearly three decades, rejected the court’s decision and accused Panamanian authorities of illegally confiscating its assets. The company has launched international arbitration proceedings against Panama, seeking more than $2 billion in damages.
Following the court ruling, reports emerged of increased detentions and inspections of Panamanian-flagged vessels in China, actions widely viewed as retaliatory measures.
On Wednesday, China’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the joint statement as “completely unfounded and misleading,” accusing the United States of politicizing port operations and warning that Beijing would take steps to protect its interests in Panama.
International
King Charles III Says U.S.-UK Alliance Is “Irreplaceable and Unbreakable”
King Charles III of the United Kingdom reaffirmed the strength of the British-American relationship on Tuesday during a speech before the United States Congress, describing the alliance between the two nations as “irreplaceable and unbreakable.”
The address, delivered at the Capitol, marked the first speech by a British monarch before Congress since Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 and comes at a time of political tensions between Donald Trump’s administration and the Labour government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“As President Trump himself observed during his state visit to Britain last autumn, the bond of kinship and identity between the United States and the United Kingdom is invaluable and eternal. It is irreplaceable and unbreakable,” the king said.
While reflecting on the upcoming 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, which will be commemorated this year, Charles III stated that the partnership between the two countries “was born out of disagreement, but is no less strong because of it.”
The monarch emphasized the democratic values shared by both nations and noted that major global changes have occurred whenever the two allies found common ground.
“When we have found that way to agree, great changes have taken place not only for the benefit of our peoples, but for all peoples,” he said.
King Charles also quoted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who recently described the relationship as “an indispensable alliance.”
Concluding his speech, the monarch described the shared history of the United States and the United Kingdom as “a story of reconciliation, renewal, and an extraordinary partnership.”
He added that Washington and London have forged “one of the most consequential alliances in human history.”
“I pray with all my heart that our alliance continues to defend our shared values, together with our partners in Europe, the Commonwealth, and around the world, and that we ignore calls urging us to become increasingly isolationist,” Charles III stated.
The king ended by urging both nations to “recommit to one another in selfless service to our peoples and to all peoples of the world.”
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International3 days agoIranian leader warns foreign powers have “no place” in Strait of Hormuz
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International5 days agoKing Charles III Says U.S.-UK Alliance Is “Irreplaceable and Unbreakable”
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