International

Trump warns Iran and threatens the Houthis with being “annihilated” if the attacks do not cease

US President Donald Trump warned on Wednesday that Iran must completely and immediately cease its support for the Houthis, not just reduce it, and threatened the latter that they will be “completely annihilated” if the attacks do not cease.

The Republican leader estimated on his social network, Truth Social, that “tremendous damage” has already been inflicted on the Houthis and stressed that “the situation will progressively worsen.”

“It’s not even a fair fight and it never will be. They will be completely annihilated!” he said.

Trump added that although “there is news that, although Iran has decreased its intensity in the supply of military equipment and general support to the Houthis, it continues to send large amounts of supplies.”

“Iran must stop sending these supplies IMMEDIATELY. Let the Houthis manage on their own,” he said.

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The United States launched a series of airstrikes over the weekend against different cities controlled by Houthi Shiite rebels in northern and central Yemen, as well as in the capital, Saná.

Those bombings, which according to the insurgents have left fifty dead, were ordered by Trump to stop the threat and attacks by the Houthis against navigation and international trade in the Red and Arabian Seas.

The Yemeni rebels, backed by Iran, had announced last week that they would resume their military operations on those maritime routes against Israeli or state-linked Israeli ships in support of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Trump, whose Administration classifies these Shiite rebels as a terrorist group, has recently promised them “hell” if they do not stop threatening international navigation, while the Executive insists that they will continue to attack the Houthis until maritime attacks cease.

The US government offered on Wednesday a reward of up to 15 million dollars for information that leads to the disruption of the financial mechanisms of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran (IRGC) and its different branches, including the Quds Force, its outer arm.

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The State Department indicated in a statement that the IRGC has financed numerous attacks and terrorist activities worldwide, including through its external allies such as Hamas, Hezbulah and Iranian-backed militias in Iraq.

According to his note, he finances his terrorist activities in part through the sale of military equipment, including drones.

Washington targeted four Chinese citizens for allegedly supporting the production and sale of IRGC weapons through the illegal acquisition and delivery to Iran of US-controlled dual-use technology for export.

They are Liu Baoxia, Li Yongxin, Yung Yiu Wa and Zhong Yanlai, also known, respectively, as Emily Liu, Emma Lee, Stephen Yung and Sydney Chung.

The State Department indicated that since May 2007 Liu and his associates have used various front companies in China to send dual-use electronic components of American origin to companies linked to the IRGC that could be used in the production of drones, ballistic missile systems and other military uses.

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The US Executive pointed out that the IRGC and MODAFL, a logistics branch of the Iranian Ministry of Defense, have used the technology controlled by the United States to develop and manufacture weapons and weapons systems that are sold to governments and groups of allied countries such as Russia, Sudan and Yemen.

International

Venezuela Debates Broad Amnesty Law Covering 27 Years of Chavismo

Venezuela’s Parliament began debating on Thursday a sweeping amnesty bill that would cover the 27 years of Chavismo in power, while explicitly excluding serious human rights violations and crimes against humanity.

The proposed legislation, titled the “Amnesty Law for Democratic Coexistence,” was introduced by interim President Delcy Rodríguez, who assumed power following the capture of Nicolás Maduro during a U.S. military operation.

The legislative session was convened for Thursday afternoon, with lawmakers holding an initial discussion focused on the general principles of the bill. This phase precedes a consultation process with civil society, after which the proposal will move to a final debate examining each article individually.

According to a draft of the bill obtained by AFP, the amnesty would apply to individuals accused of crimes such as “treason,” “terrorism,” and “incitement to hatred,” charges that were frequently brought against political prisoners over the past decades. The scope also includes offenses ranging from acts of rebellion to punishments imposed for social media posts or messages sent through private messaging services.

The bill’s explanatory text emphasizes reconciliation, stating that it seeks to move away from “vengeance, retaliation, and hatred” in favor of “opening a path toward reconciliation.”

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However, the proposal explicitly excludes from its benefits crimes such as “serious human rights violations, crimes against humanity, war crimes, intentional homicide, corruption, and drug trafficking.”

These exclusions, the text notes, are based on strict compliance with the Venezuelan Constitution, which already prohibits granting amnesties or pardons for such offenses.

International

Díaz-Canel Calls for Talks With Washington Without Pressure as U.S. Tightens Oil Sanctions

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said on Thursday that his government is willing to engage in dialogue with the United States, provided that talks take place on equal terms and without pressure.

“Cuba is prepared to hold a dialogue with the United States on any issue that either side wishes to discuss,” Díaz-Canel said during a press conference broadcast nationwide on radio and television.

He stressed, however, that such dialogue would only be possible “without pressure, without preconditions, on the basis of equality, and with full respect for our sovereignty, independence, and self-determination.” The Cuban leader added that discussions should avoid issues that could be interpreted as interference in the country’s internal affairs.

Díaz-Canel’s remarks come at a time when Cuba is facing growing pressure from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, which has implemented a series of measures that have restricted the island’s access to fuel needed to generate electricity.

Washington has sought to prevent Cuba from receiving oil from Venezuela, its main ally for more than two decades, and has stepped up pressure to reduce crude shipments from Mexico. In addition, Trump signed an executive order in late January allowing the United States to impose tariffs on countries that sell oil to Cuba.

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In that order, the U.S. president declared that Cuba represents an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to U.S. national security and foreign policy, accusing the island of aligning itself with hostile countries and actors.

International

HRW Warns Trump’s Influence Has Weakened Human Rights in Latin America

Human Rights Watch (HRW) warned that the political influence and rhetoric of U.S. President Donald Trump have contributed to a deterioration of human rights conditions across Latin America and the Caribbean. In its World Report 2026, the organization stated that several governments in the region have committed abuses against migrants and citizens, or have used U.S. policies as justification to impose harsher repressive measures.

During the first year of Trump’s new term, HRW observed that multiple countries violated the rights of foreign nationals under direct pressure from Washington. Other governments deepened security strategies based on militarization, mass detentions and excessive use of force, according to the report.

“The impact of the Trump administration has undoubtedly been negative in Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Juanita Goebertus, HRW’s Americas director. However, she emphasized that “governments in the region remain responsible for defending democracy and fundamental rights, regardless of who is in power in Washington.”

HRW also reported that the United States significantly reduced cooperation funding for human rights organizations and independent media. At the same time, countries such as El Salvador, Peru and Ecuador passed laws allowing the arbitrary closure of civil society organizations and media outlets, weakening democratic systems and institutional checks and balances.

The organization further criticized what it described as a “double standard” in U.S. foreign policy, which condemns human rights violations in Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua while overlooking serious abuses committed by allies such as El Salvador, Peru and Ecuador. The report also included criticism of the U.S. military attack against Venezuela in early 2026, warning that it could strengthen Nicolás Maduro’s regime and respond primarily to U.S. political and commercial interests.