International
‘No to animal abuse’, the clamor of a march of dogs and humans in Bolivia
Hundreds of police and activists raised their voices against animal abuse in a march in the Bolivian city of La Paz in which they were accompanied by dogs of different breeds and sizes, including a troop of canine agents and newly recruited puppies.
The march called by animal organizations and by the Bolivian Police, through the unit of the Forest Police and Environmental Preservation (Pofoma), whose national director, Colonel Raúl Rodríguez, explained to EFE that the objective of the activity was to “eradicate violence, mistreatment, cruelty and biocide” against animals.
“With this march the Bolivian Police is giving this message to our population that not to violence, not to mistreatment, not to cruelty, nor to biocide against our domestic and wild animals because they are living beings and as such, they have rights, they are animals that have no voice, but they do have rights,” Rodríguez said.
The police chief emphasized that animals “are living beings” that only ask for and require “a lot of affection.”
He also reminded those who own wild animals as pets, that this is “completely prohibited” by current regulations.
“The Bolivian Police already has the legal instruments to be able to proceed to the arrest and referral to the hands of Justice so that they cannot traffic in these animals,” he said.
He also mentioned that the country has rules such as Law 700, ‘For the defense of animals against acts of cruelty and mistreatment’, in force since 2015. Which included the criminal figure of the biocide to punish the murder of an animal with penalties of two to five years in prison.
According to Rodríguez, in 2023 Pofoma treated about 1,400 cases of animal abuse and so far this year there are already 600.
The director specified that eleven people have been sentenced to between three and seven years in prison for these crimes. In turn, about 70 cases are under investigation.
The mobilization traveled through the main streets of the historic center of La Paz. It was led by a troop of canine agents, most of them anti-drugs, who were well uniformed with vests.
Some k-9 agents, such as Vito, a black Labrador, stopped to greet affectionately. Also to receive affection from the people who came to see the march.
Among the most applauded were the new recruits, puppies of German and Belgian shepherds who were in the arms of human agents.
Behind them were groups of ‘civilian’ humans and dogs, such as Oslo, a chow chow puppy that carried a red handkerchief around his neck, and Tony, a huge San Bernardo who caught the attention of the public.
The march was nourished by animal groups and dog clubs of the sausage, pequinese and cocker spaniel breeds, among others. In addition to several police units, such as firefighters, who carried “disguised” cars with snouts and ears.
There was no shortage of boots of ‘Paquito’, the dog that is the mascot of the Bolivian Police, and an enthusiastic group of uniformed policemen with caps that had dog ears and makeup of snouts and whiskers on their faces, who were dancing coordinated choreographies.
International
Israel plans to seize security zone in southern Lebanon amid escalating conflict
The Israel Defense Forces announced on Tuesday that it will take control of a broad “security zone” in southern Lebanon, extending to the Litani River, about 30 kilometers from the border, while continuing airstrikes across the country.
The announcement echoes the events of 1982, when Israel invaded the same area during the Lebanese civil war to repel Palestinian armed groups.
Israeli forces previously maintained a buffer zone between 10 and 20 kilometers deep until their full withdrawal in 2000, under pressure from Hezbollah. The two sides are once again in conflict, now within the broader regional tensions involving Iran.
Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Israeli troops are “operating inside Lebanese territory to establish an advanced defensive line” up to the Litani River.
He added that hundreds of thousands of civilians displaced from southern Lebanon will not be allowed to return south of the river until security is guaranteed for residents in northern Israel.
France, which maintains an active diplomatic role in Lebanon, urged Israel to refrain from implementing the plan. Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot warned that such a move could have “serious humanitarian consequences” and worsen the country’s already critical situation.
Since Hezbollah, backed by Iran, entered the regional conflict, Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes in Lebanon, leaving more than 1,000 people dead and over one million displaced, according to local authorities.
“The battle against Hezbollah has only just begun,” said Israeli military spokesperson Ella Waweya on Monday.
Early Tuesday, Israeli airstrikes killed five people in southern Lebanon and three others in a residential area near Beirut.
International
IEA warns Middle East conflict could spark worst energy crisis in decades
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East could trigger the worst energy crisis in decades, warned Fatih Birol, head of the International Energy Agency (IEA), who described the situation as “very serious.”
Speaking at the National Press Club in Canberra, Birol compared the current scenario to the oil crises of the 1970s, noting that during those events the world lost around five million barrels of oil per day in each crisis.
“Today, we have lost 11 million barrels per day—more than the two major oil shocks combined,” he said.
The Turkish economist referred to the conflict that began on February 28, following attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran, which have significantly disrupted global energy markets and driven oil prices higher.
Birol warned that the global economy is facing a “very, very serious threat” and expressed hope that the crisis will be resolved soon.
“No country will be immune to the effects of this crisis if it continues in this direction. Global efforts are urgently needed,” he emphasized.
International
Colombian Air Force Hercules plane crashes during takeoff with troops onboard
A Lockheed C-130 Hercules operated by the Colombian Air Force was involved in a “tragic accident” while taking off from Puerto Leguízamo, in the Putumayo department of southern Colombia, as it was transporting troops, Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez reported on Monday.
The minister stated on social media that the exact number of victims and the causes of the crash have not yet been determined. He also extended his condolences to the families affected and urged the public to avoid speculation until official information is confirmed.
“This is a deeply painful event for the country. Our prayers are with the victims and their families,” Sánchez said, adding that emergency protocols have been activated and an investigation is underway.
Meanwhile, President Gustavo Petro expressed hope that there would be no fatalities in what he described as a “horrific accident that should not have happened.”
Petro also highlighted ongoing efforts to modernize the country’s air fleet and reiterated the need to acquire new helicopters and transport aircraft to strengthen military mobility, particularly in remote regions.
According to local media reports, approximately 110 soldiers were on board the aircraft. So far, at least 20 injured military personnel have been rescued.
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