Connect with us

International

Federal Judge orders ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ migrant detention center to close within 60 days

Federal Judge Kathleen Williams rejected the Trump administration’s request to suspend her order to dismantle the ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ migrant detention center, located within a Florida environmental reserve, while the federal appeal continues.

The Department of Homeland Security had asked to halt the measure, arguing that compliance would hinder the federal government’s ability to enforce immigration laws.

However, Williams reiterated on Thursday night that her ruling, issued last week, must be carried out within 60 days, during which operations at the controversial center must cease. The facility was built in record time on an old airstrip in the Everglades wetlands.

“The project was negatively impacting the environment, was largely controlled by the federal government, and the defendants conducted no environmental analysis before constructing and operating the facility,” the judge stated, according to court documents accessed by EFE.

Williams also clarified that the order applies to “those acting in concert or active participation with the state of Florida or the federal defendants, or their officers, agents, or employees.”

Advertisement
20260224_estafa_mh_728x90
previous arrow
next arrow

This week, Florida’s Emergency Management Director, Kevin Guthrie, confirmed that the facility, inaugurated by President Trump on July 1, will soon be empty: “The converted airstrip will soon have zero detainees,” he said.

The judge ruled partially in favor of environmental groups Friends of the Everglades and Center for Biological Diversity, as well as the Miccosukee tribe, which filed a lawsuit demanding the immediate and complete closure of the center for harming the Everglades, a natural area home to 36 endangered endemic species, including panthers, storks, alligators, and crocodiles.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
20260224_estafa_mh_300x250

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.

Advertisement
20260224_estafa_mh_728x90
previous arrow
next arrow

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.”

Continue Reading

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.

Advertisement
20260224_estafa_mh_728x90
previous arrow
next arrow

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.

Continue Reading

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.

Advertisement
20260224_estafa_mh_728x90
previous arrow
next arrow

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.

Continue Reading

Trending

Central News