International
Guterres talks to Maduro and expresses his concern about post-electoral violence
The President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, spoke this Friday by phone with the Secretary General of the UN, António Guterres, who expressed “his concern about post-electoral violence and accusations of human rights violations” in the Caribbean country.
The call was initiated by the Venezuelan president, Guterres’ spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, specified in his daily press conference.
In that call, Guterres insisted to Maduro that it is necessary to “resolve any political dispute peacefully through a genuine and inclusive dialogue.”
Maduro’s response to Guterres is not known
The spokesman did not explain what was the message that Maduro transmitted, but said that he “spoke very clearly and frankly about how he sees the situation,” before which Guterrres “took note.”
In previous pronouncements, Guterres has demanded that Venezuela communicate the detailed results of the electoral minutes of the July 28 elections, which has not happened, and has regretted the lack of transparency of the Venezuelan authorities.
However, he has also recently said that the economic sanctions imposed by the United States “do not help” to resolve the situation.
Despite those words, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil criticized Guterres last week and said that the UN Secretary General “avoids condemning the application of unilateral coercive measures (and) sides with those who sanction illegally. It is an affront to the mandate that the States have given him, all to defend the aggressors of Venezuela,” Gil said.
Asked a few days ago about whether the electoral conflict will affect Venezuela’s recognition before the UN – since Maduro and Edmundo González are fighting for victory in the elections – Dujarric clarified that the representation of the States is the responsibility of the other member states and not the secretary general.
International
Spain rebukes U.S. over euthanasia case as minister defends legal framework
Spain’s Minister of Health, Mónica García, on Wednesday responded to the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump after reports that Washington requested an investigation into the euthanasia case of Spanish citizen Noelia Castillo.
The minister questioned the U.S. government’s stance and urged it not to interfere in matters governed by Spain’s legal and healthcare framework. “Stop fueling an international ultra agenda by meddling everywhere,” García wrote in a message on the social platform X.
In her remarks, García also criticized the U.S. healthcare system, noting that thousands of people die each year without access to medical coverage. She further accused the Trump administration of supporting actions that undermine human rights in international contexts.
García defended the legality of euthanasia in Spain, emphasizing that the procedure is strictly regulated and subject to medical and judicial oversight. “Spain is a serious country, with a strong healthcare system and a legal framework that protects individuals, including those who choose to seek assistance in dying under regulated conditions reviewed by clinical committees and upheld by the courts,” she said.
The case of Noelia Castillo, a 25-year-old woman living with paraplegia, drew widespread attention following a legal dispute with her father, who opposed her decision to undergo euthanasia. The procedure was ultimately carried out in accordance with Spanish law.
International
New York City lifts TikTok ban on government devices under new security rules
New York City has lifted its ban on TikTok on government-owned devices, allowing city agencies to resume posting on the platform under newly established security protocols, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Tuesday.
The initial ban, implemented in 2023 by former mayor Eric Adams, aligned with federal and state-level restrictions across the United States, which limited the use of TikTok on official devices over concerns related to its parent company, ByteDance. The company has previously denied these concerns, calling them unfounded.
Under the updated guidelines issued by the city’s Cyber Command, devices designated for TikTok use by government agencies must not store or access sensitive information. Officials indicated that the policy shift is intended to enhance communication with residents.
“The Mamdani Administration is committed to using every tool in our toolbox to communicate with New Yorkers,” the mayor’s office said in a statement.
Following the announcement, the mayor’s official TikTok account resumed activity after remaining inactive since the ban was first enforced.
International
Rubio signals possible engagement with Iranian factions amid internal divisions
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday that Washington is hopeful of engaging with factions within the government of Iran, noting that the United States has received positive private signals.
Speaking to ABC News’ Good Morning America, Rubio suggested that internal divisions exist within the Islamic Republic and expressed confidence that figures with the authority to act could emerge.
“We are hopeful that this will be the case,” Rubio said. “Clearly, there are people there who are communicating with us in ways that those previously in power in Iran did not. This is reflected in some of the steps they appear willing to take.”
Despite this, Rubio maintained a firm stance toward Iran, reiterating that the ongoing conflict seeks to eliminate its capacity to develop nuclear weapons—an objective that President Donald Trump has previously claimed was achieved during a military strike last year.
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