International
Despite homicide drop, overall deadly violence remains high in Mexico: study
Violence in Mexico has risen by 70% over the past decade when not only intentional homicides but also femicides, disappearances and other crimes against life are taken into account, the organization México Evalúa said Monday as it presented a report challenging the government’s narrative of a significant drop in crime.
The document, titled “Violence in Mexico, 2015–2025: Data Analysis and Proposals for Peace,” was introduced by México Evalúa’s executive director, Mariana Campos. She explained that the study incorporates five key indicators of “lethal violence”: intentional homicide, negligent homicide, femicide, disappearances and other crimes against life. “How a problem is measured determines how it is addressed,” Campos said, adding that the aim of the report is not to dismiss the federal government’s strategy but to offer a broader view of violent phenomena.
According to the report, more than 72,000 incidents related to lethal violence were recorded in 2025, an increase of 68.2% compared with 2015. While official figures point to a 40% drop in intentional homicides since September 2024 — when Claudia Sheinbaum took office — the organization’s analysis suggests the overall reduction across all indicators is only about 8%.
Armando Vargas, coordinator of México Evalúa’s security program, said the study seeks to make visible all forms of deadly violence. “Although intentional homicide shows a recent decline, other crimes remain high and in some cases are even increasing,” he warned.
In detail, the report says intentional homicides have fallen 22.2% since 2024 but remain 30.7% above 2015 levels. By contrast, negligent homicide — usually linked to accidents — has increased 7.7% since 2015 and shows “anomalous growth” that could reflect problems in the classification of violent deaths.
The category of “other crimes against life,” which includes incidents that are difficult to classify, has surged 370% over the past decade, with particularly sharp increases in states such as Baja California Sur (6,606%), Baja California (916%), Tabasco (694%) and Sinaloa (88%). According to Vargas, these figures may point to “statistical reclassifications” rather than a real decline in violence.
Femicide has dropped 15.5% since 2024 but still stands 68.5% above 2015 levels, especially in areas marked by impunity and the presence of organized crime, such as Sinaloa and Morelos.
As for disappearances, the report underscores their relevance as a method of concealing crimes. Although the figure has edged down 0.5% since 2024, the increase since 2015 amounts to 213%, with critical hotspots in Sinaloa (150%), Sonora (168%) and Baja California (5,728%).
International
Trump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election
U.S. President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubiocould potentially form a Republican presidential ticket for the 2028 elections.
Speaking during a dinner with law enforcement officials as part of National Police Week, Trump publicly praised both officials and said they could make “an ideal team” for the next presidential race.
“Who likes JD Vance? Who likes Marco Rubio?” Trump asked attendees before adding that the pair “sound like a good combination.”
The president highlighted his vice president’s performance in office, stating that their current partnership has been highly effective. “JD is perfect, that has been a perfect formula,” Trump told reporters later.
He further suggested that a Vance-Rubio pairing could represent a strong presidential and vice-presidential ticket, although he stopped short of offering any formal endorsement.
“I think it sounds like a presidential candidate and a vice-presidential candidate,” he said, while clarifying that his remarks should not be interpreted as an official backing of any future campaign.
So far, neither Vance nor Rubio has publicly confirmed any intention to run in the 2028 presidential election.
Rubio previously sought the Republican nomination in 2016 but withdrew after losing the primary race to Trump. Later, in a December 2025 interview with Vanity Fair, he said he would be among the first to support Vance if he decided to run for the White House.
Vance, meanwhile, has recently dismissed speculation of any political rivalry with Rubio amid growing discussion about potential future GOP leadership.
International
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Violating Victory Day Truce
Russia accused Ukraine on Saturday of violating a Victory Day truce that was reportedly agreed with mediation from the United States, claiming that Ukrainian forces carried out attacks on Russian territory as well as on the annexed Crimean peninsula.
Despite the declared ceasefire, the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement that Ukrainian forces attacked Russian military positions using attack drones and artillery.
According to the ministry, Ukrainian forces made twelve attempts to advance toward Russian-held positions across several sectors of the front line.
It also alleged that Ukrainian strikes targeted civilian infrastructure in Crimea, several border regions, the Caucasus, and other areas including Moscow and Perm in the Ural region.
The Defense Ministry estimated around 8,900 violations of the ceasefire in total, including more than 7,000 drone attacks and over 1,000 strikes involving tanks, artillery, multiple rocket launch systems, and mortars since the truce came into effect at midnight.
Russia said its forces responded “symmetrically” to what it described as violations by Ukrainian troops.
Earlier, the Kremlin denied claims that Ukraine attempted to sabotage a military parade in Red Square marking the 81st anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
“No attempts were made. Everything went well,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told local media.
International
Trump Says U.S.-Iran Talks Progressing, Signals Possible Deal on Strait of Hormuz
U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Washington is holding “very good” talks with Iran and stated that there is a strong possibility of reaching an agreement to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“We’ve had very good conversations over the last 44 hours, and it’s very possible that we’ll reach an agreement,” Trump said during an event held in the Oval Office at the White House.
The president’s remarks came just hours after he announced a temporary suspension of the military operation aimed at escorting vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf due to Iran’s blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Trump explained that the pause in operations is intended to facilitate diplomatic negotiations between both sides and prevent further military escalation in the region.
“We’re in good shape, and right now things are going well. Now we have to achieve what we need to achieve. If we don’t, we’ll have to go much further,” the Republican president warned.
In a post published on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump reiterated that if Iran accepts Washington’s proposed conditions, military operations and the naval blockade affecting the Islamic republic would come to an end.
However, he also issued a new warning to the Iranian government, stating that the United States would respond with attacks “of greater intensity” if Tehran rejects the agreement promoted by the White House.
Panama confirms drug contamination of El Salvador coffee shipment occurred on its territory
Trump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Violating Victory Day Truce
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