International

Florida’s ‘Tidal Wave’ operation detains 10,400 migrants in largest ICE joint effort

Florida’s Tidal Wave immigration enforcement operation has resulted in the detention of 10,400 migrants, mostly from Mexico, Central America and Venezuela, since it began eight months ago in coordination with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, Governor Ron DeSantis announced on Monday.

“This is the largest joint immigration law enforcement operation in the history of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), and we are proud that it will continue here in Florida,” the Republican governor said during a news conference in Sanderson, in northern Florida.

According to Florida authorities, Guatemala accounts for the largest number of detainees, with 3,435 arrests, followed by Mexico (3,331), Honduras (1,353), El Salvador (312) and Venezuela (also 312). Officials did not specify the countries of origin for the remaining detainees.

Nearly two-thirds of those arrested — 63% — had a prior criminal conviction or previous arrest, including violent offenders, gang members, sex offenders, fugitives and individuals who “pose a serious public safety threat,” according to an infographic shared by DeSantis.

In addition, Florida transferred 1,916 detainees to “Alligator Alcatraz,” the migrant detention facility opened by the state government last July in the Everglades, a natural area west of Miami surrounded by alligators, snakes and other wildlife.

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“Many of the more than 10,000 individuals arrested in this operation were attempting to prey on our children. Rest assured, our state prosecutors will make sure these criminals spend significant time behind bars before being sent back to where they came from,” Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said.

Officials emphasized that Florida has become a flagship state for the Trump administration’s second-term immigration policy, leading the nation in the number of 287(g) agreements, which formalize cooperation between local law enforcement agencies and ICE.

International

Air Canada suspends JFK flights amid soaring fuel costs linked to Iran conflict

Air Canada announced on Friday that it will suspend its flights from Montreal and Toronto to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport from June through late October, citing rising jet fuel costs driven by the conflict involving Iran.

“Since the beginning of the conflict with Iran, some routes and less profitable flights have become economically unviable, so we are making adjustments accordingly,” the airline said in a statement.

Despite the suspension, the carrier confirmed it will continue operating 34 daily flights from six Canadian cities to New York’s LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.

Air Canada expects to resume its JFK operations after October 25.

Meanwhile, Iran announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz amid a temporary ceasefire in the region. However, jet fuel shortages could persist even if the truce holds.

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Fuel accounts for between 25% and 30% of operating costs for most airlines, and carriers worldwide have responded to the crisis by raising fares and suspending select routes due to safety and profitability concerns.

International

UK braces for potential CO₂ shortage amid Middle East tensions

The government of United Kingdom is preparing contingency measures amid fears of a potential shortage of carbon dioxide (CO₂), which could impact the agri-food industry if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, The Times reported on Thursday.

According to the newspaper, officials assessed this scenario during a recent crisis meeting aimed at evaluating the consequences of a prolonged conflict, triggered on February 28 by joint attacks from United States and Israel against Iran.

Under this scenario, CO₂ supplies—primarily a byproduct of fertilizer production using natural gas—could fall by up to 18%, affecting multiple sectors including agriculture and food production.

The gas is widely used in the slaughter of pigs and poultry, as well as in extending the shelf life of packaged foods. Breweries could also face disruptions due to reduced availability.

“I don’t want to comment on a leak, but now that the information is out there, I hope people feel reassured knowing we are working on it,” said Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, in remarks to Sky News.

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While a drop in CO₂ supply is not expected to cause major shortages in supermarkets, it could limit product variety, The Times noted, citing access to internal government documents.

To mitigate the impact, authorities are considering prioritizing CO₂ supply for critical sectors such as healthcare and civil nuclear energy, where it is used in cooling systems for blood reserves, organs, vaccines, and electricity generation. The government may also request domestic producers to increase output.

Central America

El Salvador and Paraguay approve 2026–2028 cooperation program

The governments of El Salvador and Paraguay approved the 2026–2028 Cooperation Program, which includes six joint development projects, according to Salvadoran Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Adriana Mira.

Mira stated that El Salvador will act as the “main provider of cooperation,” contributing five initiatives focused on road infrastructure, tourism, and local development. She also noted that one of the projects will be led by the Paraguayan side, although no further details were disclosed.

The agreement was reached during the Second Meeting of the Joint Commission on Technical and Scientific Cooperation between both countries.

According to Paraguay’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the First Meeting of the Political Consultation and Bilateral Coordination Mechanism was also held, with the participation of Vice Minister Víctor Verdún.

In an official statement, the Paraguayan government reported that both delegations agreed to identify mechanisms to promote competitiveness, economic growth, and market access. They also committed to signing agreements related to air transport cooperation.