International

Chile’s President Boric reiterates support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, condemns Russia’s aggression

Chilean President Gabriel Boric on Wednesday reaffirmed his commitment to respecting international law and human rights, urging that “the aggressor, Russia, should never be confused with the victim, Ukraine,” in negotiations aimed at achieving a “lasting peace” amid the recent shake-up following the meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.

“Any negotiation process must be carried out with full respect for international law and the parties in conflict. Only in this way can we achieve lasting peace and the goal that an invasion like this never happens again. To do so, it is essential that history is told truthfully, and the aggressor, Russia, is never confused with the victim, Ukraine,” said the Chilean leader.

The statement, made from the La Moneda Palace (the seat of government) after meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier during his first official trip to the southern country, is Boric’s first comment on the conflict following the dispute last Friday at the White House between Zelensky and Trump, who accused the Ukrainian leader of being “disrespectful” and “playing with World War III.”

“Chile’s position has always been to safeguard Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” continued the Chilean president, who has consistently condemned Russia for what he called an “unjust aggression” and has met with Zelensky several times since the war began.

International

Florida judge sets 2027 trial in Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against BBC

A federal judge in Florida has scheduled February 2027 for the trial in the lawsuit filed by U.S. President Donald Trump against the BBC, in which he is seeking $10 billion in damages for defamation.

Trump accuses the British broadcaster of airing a misleading edit of a speech he delivered on January 6, 2021, which, he says, made it appear that he explicitly urged his supporters to attack the U.S. Capitol in Washington.

The president filed the suit in December in federal court in Florida, alleging defamation and violations of a law governing business practices when the program was broadcast ahead of the 2024 election.

Trump is seeking $5 billion in damages for each of the two claims.

Lawyers for the BBC unsuccessfully asked the court to dismiss the case, arguing that Trump had not suffered a “legally recognizable harm,” since the investigative program Panorama, which included the edited footage, aired outside the United States.

20260212_constancia_pagos_mh_728x90

International

Head-of-state diplomacy key to guiding China–U.S. ties, Beijing says

Head-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable strategic guiding role in China–United States relations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Thursday during a regular press briefing, when asked about high-level exchanges between the two sides.

Lin added that in a recent phone call, U.S. President Donald Trump once again expressed his intention to visit China in April, while Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated his invitation.

Both sides remain in communication regarding the matter, the spokesperson said.

Lin noted that the essence of China–U.S. economic and trade ties lies in mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

“Both parties should work together to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, injecting greater certainty and stability into China–U.S. economic and trade cooperation, as well as into the global economy,” he said.

20260212_constancia_pagos_mh_728x90

International

Trump administration to end special immigration operation in Minnesota

The administration of Donald Trump is bringing to a close its special operation targeting illegal immigration in the northern state of Minnesota, border czar Tom Homan announced Thursday, following weeks of unrest and the fatal shootings of two activists by federal agents.

Thousands of federal officers had been deployed to Minnesota in December to carry out large-scale raids against undocumented immigrants.

The operations triggered strong reactions from residents and advocacy groups, leading to daily confrontations and the deaths of two people who were shot by federal agents.

“I proposed, and President Trump agreed, that this special operation should end in Minnesota,” Homan said during a press conference in the state capital, Minneapolis.

“A significant drawdown began this week and will continue into next week,” he added.

20260212_constancia_pagos_mh_728x90

Homan indicated that similar enforcement efforts could be launched in other cities.

“Next week we will redeploy the agents currently here back to their home stations or to other parts of the country where they are needed. But we will continue to enforce immigration laws,” he said.