International
Pope Leo XIV approves first beatification steps for missionaries killed in Ecuador
Pope Leo XIV has issued his first decrees related to the causes of saints, approving the initial step toward beatification for two Catholic missionaries—Spanish Bishop Alejandro Labaka Ugarte (1920–1987) and Colombian Sister Inés Arango Velásquez (1937–1987)—both of whom were violently killed in the Ecuadorian Amazon, the Vatican announced on Thursday.
The newly elected pope, himself a former missionary in Peru for several decades, received Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, and signed several decrees recognizing “the offering of life” by the two missionaries, as well as the “heroic virtues” of Indian Bishop Matteo Makil.
These are the first steps Pope Leo XIV has taken in the canonization process since his election on May 8.
In 2017, Pope Francis introduced the “offering of life” as a valid path toward beatification. It recognizes individuals who freely gave their lives for others, leading to death. For beatification, a miracle attributed to the candidate’s intercession is required; for canonization, a second miracle must be confirmed after beatification.
Alejandro Labaka Ugarte, also known by his religious name Manuel de Beizama, was born in Beizama, Spain, in 1920. A Capuchin friar and Apostolic Vicar of Aguarico, Ecuador, he was killed in 1987 in the Tigüino region of the Amazon, after attempting contact with an isolated Indigenous tribe. He died after being struck with spears.
Sister Inés Arango Velásquez, known in religious life as María Nieves of Medellín, was born in 1937 in Medellín, Colombia. A professed nun of the Capuchin Tertiary Sisters of the Holy Family, she was killed alongside Labaka on June 21, 1987.
Both missionaries died at the hands of an uncontacted Indigenous group that sought to protect its territory from oil companies advancing into the rainforest.
International
German president warns Iran war could spread and disrupt Strait of Hormuz
The president of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, warned Monday that the war involving Iran could expand and further disrupt shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. He urged a swift end to hostilities between Iran, United States and Israel.
Speaking in Panama City during a joint appearance with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, Steinmeier said available information suggests Iran has significant capacity to disrupt maritime traffic through the key oil route.
“Iran has considerable potential to interfere with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz,” Steinmeier said through an interpreter. “We should therefore reach an end to the hostilities as soon as possible and call on all parties involved to make that happen.”
The remarks came during Steinmeier’s visit to Panama, the first by a German president to the Central American nation.
The German leader described the possibility of the conflict spreading as “very dangerous,” saying recent developments indicate that such a scenario cannot be ruled out.
Over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump urged allied nations to help ensure safe passage for ships through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran moved to block the waterway in response to U.S. strikes. However, several allies—particularly in Europe—have shown little support for the proposal.
“Some are very enthusiastic, others are not, and some are countries we have helped for many years,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “We have protected them from terrible external threats, and they’re not that enthusiastic. And the level of enthusiasm is important to me.”
Meanwhile, Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s top diplomat, said the Strait of Hormuz falls “outside NATO’s scope” and stressed that “the war involving Iran is not Europe’s war.”
International
Mexico security chief meets DEA director in Washington to boost anti-drug cooperation
Mexico’s Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Omar García Harfuch, met in Washington with the head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Terrance Cole, to discuss cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking and illegal arms flows.
The Mexican official said Monday on social media that he attended the meeting in representation of the Mexican government’s Security Cabinet.
“In Washington, D.C., I represented the Security Cabinet to hold talks with DEA Director Terrance Cole on the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation to combat drug trafficking, curb the flow of weapons into our country, and reduce violence in Mexico through significant arrests,” García Harfuch wrote.
He added that, following instructions from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, the government will continue strengthening international cooperation on security matters.
For his part, Cole said the meeting focused on cross-border collaboration to tackle drug trafficking and to build safer communities on both sides of the border.
The meeting comes as Mexico and the United States begin a new round of dialogue on economic and security issues.
Earlier Monday, President Claudia Sheinbaum said she will look for the “best moment” to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, adding that maintaining a good relationship with Washington is a priority for her administration.
International
Venezuela’s foreign minister accuses UN rights chief of “immoral bias”
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil criticized the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, accusing him of having an “immoral bias” and acting as an “echo chamber for falsehoods” regarding the situation in Venezuela.
Gil’s remarks came after Türk stated that his office had not received an official list from Venezuelan authorities detailing the release of political prisoners, nor authorization to carry out visits related to the issue.
“The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights insists on a narrative biased against our country, repeating unfounded accusations while deliberately omitting the impact of unilateral coercive measures on the rights of the Venezuelan people,” Gil said in a message posted on his Telegram channel.
Without directly addressing the question of prisoner releases, the Venezuelan foreign minister also accused Türk of aligning with what he described as the “agenda of extremism in Venezuela.”
Gil added that, despite serious human rights violations occurring in other parts of the world, the UN official has chosen to maintain what he described as an “immoral bias” against Venezuela.
The criticism is part of a broader dispute between the Venezuelan government and the UN human rights office over reports and investigations concerning the human rights situation in the country.
German president warns Iran war could spread and disrupt Strait of Hormuz
Mexico security chief meets DEA director in Washington to boost anti-drug cooperation
Venezuela’s foreign minister accuses UN rights chief of “immoral bias”
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
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