Tag: Americas
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Venezuela has formally accused the United States of “maritime piracy” in a letter to the United Nations Security Council, following the seizure and pursuit of oil tankers in international waters. The government of Nicolás Maduro alleges US forces illegally boarded civilian vessels, detained crews, and confiscated oil shipments engaged in lawful commercial trade. Writing to…
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Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva warned against potential U.S. military action in Venezuela, saying it would be a “humanitarian catastrophe” across the hemisphere. Speaking at a summit of the Mercosur bloc in southern Brazil, Lula cautioned that armed intervention would set a dangerous global precedent. By contrast, Argentine President Javier Milei welcomed pressure…
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The United States has seized a second oil tanker near Venezuela, enforcing a “total and complete blockade” ordered by President Donald Trump, intensifying pressure on President Nicolás Maduro’s government. US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the interception, saying the US Coast Guard, supported by the Pentagon, targeted what Washington describes as illicit shipments of…
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Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has criticised the European Union for delaying the long-negotiated EU–Mercosur trade agreement, expressing hope it will be signed in January 2026. Speaking at a Mercosur summit in Foz do Iguaçu, Lula said the postponement undermined confidence after EU negotiators had previously signalled a near-term conclusion. Key developments: •…
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US President Donald Trump used a primetime televised address from the White House to defend his domestic agenda and reframe his second term, placing responsibility for cost-of-living pressures on former president Joe Biden. Speaking for around 20 minutes, Trump said he had “inherited a mess” and claimed his policies were beginning to deliver results on…
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Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz has declared an “economic, financial, energy and social emergency”, arguing that the country can no longer continue “functioning with rules from the last 20 years”. The announcement unveiled sweeping reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and a shift towards a new exchange-rate regime, signalling a decisive break from two decades…
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Defence and security analyst Professor Michael Clarke assesses escalating US pressure on Venezuela following remarks by US President Donald Trump about a naval build-up and tougher enforcement of oil sanctions. Speaking to Sky News, Clarke explains how Venezuela continues to export oil despite sanctions, including through so-called “dark fleet” tankers, and why recent US seizures…
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US President Donald Trump has ordered what he described as a “total and complete” blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, sharply escalating pressure on President Nicolás Maduro. The announcement follows a broader US military buildup in the Caribbean and Pacific regions near Venezuela, alongside recent enforcement actions against sanctioned shipping. Key developments:…
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has signed a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with Paraguayan Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, formalising a legal framework for US military and civilian defence personnel operating in Paraguay. The agreement clarifies the presence and activities of US forces, supporting closer bilateral and multinational cooperation across security and humanitarian…
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José Antonio Kast, a conservative former lawmaker, has won a decisive victory in Chile’s presidential election, signalling a sharp rightward shift driven by concerns over crime and immigration. With 99.9% of ballots counted, Chile’s electoral service said Kast secured 58.2% of the vote. Jeannette Jara, a Communist Party candidate representing the governing leftwing coalition, conceded…
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