International
Nicaragua breaks diplomatic relations with Israel in solidarity with Palestine
The Government of Nicaragua broke off diplomatic relations with Israel, in solidarity with Palestine and “one year after the brutal genocide that the fascist and criminal war government of Israel continues to commit against the Palestinian people.”
“In permanent solidarity with the people and Government of Palestine, with the peoples who suffer martyrdom, destruction and barbarism and in strict adherence to international law and the conventions that govern civilized relations between States and Governments of the world, the Government of the Republic of Nicaragua breaks all diplomatic relations with the fascist Government of Israel,” the Nicaraguan Executive said in a statement.
In the note, the government chaired by Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo indicated that they made that decision considering, in addition, the resolution of the National Assembly of Nicaragua (Parliament), approved this Friday unanimously, “in which the continuous genocide, cruelty, extreme hatred and extermination carried out by the Government of Israel are condemned.”
The Nicaraguan Parliament asked Ortega on Friday to break off relations with the Government of Israel, which they declared “enemy of humanity.”
The request was made by the Legislature, controlled by the Sandinistas, through a declaration approved during a special session held in Managua in solidarity with the people of Palestine, “who suffer,” they said, “one of the greatest genocides perpetrated by the Zionist army of Israel,” and attended by the Nicaraguan Chancellor, Valdrack Jaentschke.
Sandinista condemnation
In the statement, the Sandinista Executive condemned “once again this genocide, occupation and permanent aggression against the life and dignity of the people of Palestine, which now extends against the people of Lebanon, and seriously threatens Syria, Yemen and Iran, endangering the peace and security of the region and the world.”
Likewise, the Nicaraguan Government said: “We ratify once again our warm and consistent consideration to the dear families of the Israeli people, who deserve our affection, support and solidarity, who live in difficult times as a result of the excessive brutality and hatred of the Government of Israel.”
A year ago, the Government of Daniel Ortega declared itself “always in solidarity with the Palestinian cause” and condemned the “aggravation” of the “terrible” Israel-Palestine conflict.
International
Mexico Arrests CJNG Leader “El Jardinero” in Nayarit
Mexican authorities arrested Audias Flores, known as “El Jardinero,” on Monday during a naval operation in the western state of Nayarit, delivering another major blow to the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG).
Flores was considered one of the top regional leaders within the cartel and had reportedly overseen criminal operations along Mexico’s Pacific coast. Security analysts viewed him as a potential successor to slain drug kingpin Nemesio Oseguera.
The arrest was carried out by Mexico’s Navy Special Forces in a planned operation, according to Security Minister Omar García Harfuch.
The United States Department of the Treasury had previously identified Flores as a “significant foreign narcotics trafficker,” while U.S. authorities offered a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to his capture and extradition.
A U.S. grand jury indicted Flores in 2021 on charges including conspiracy to distribute cocaine and heroin.
His capture comes months after the reported death of “El Mencho,” an operation that Mexican authorities considered a priority due to the cartel leader’s alleged involvement in a 2020 assassination attempt against García Harfuch.
International
Suspect Armed With Shotgun and Knives Detained at White House Correspondents Dinner
U.S. authorities confirmed Saturday that the suspect who stormed into the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner while President Donald Trump was attending acted alone, adding that there is no ongoing threat to the public following the incident, which left one Secret Service agent injured.
Acting Metropolitan Police Department chief Jeff Carroll said during a press conference that the suspect was carrying “a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives” when he attempted to pass through a Secret Service security checkpoint inside the hotel lobby at approximately 8:36 p.m. local time.
“At this point, everything indicates that this was a lone actor, a lone gunman,” Carroll stated, adding that investigators have found no preliminary evidence suggesting the involvement of additional suspects.
During the exchange of gunfire inside the hotel corridors, the suspect was not struck by bullets but was subdued by law enforcement officers and later transported to a hospital for medical evaluation.
A member of the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division was shot during the incident, though the bullet was stopped by the officer’s ballistic vest, preventing serious injuries. The agent was taken to a hospital and is reportedly “in good spirits,” according to Carroll.
The shooting prompted the immediate evacuation of President Trump, Melania Trump, and several senior officials attending the event after multiple gunshots were heard outside the hotel’s main ballroom.
International
U.S. allows Venezuela to fund Maduro and Cilia Flores’ legal defense
Until now, the U.S. administration had blocked the Venezuelan government from covering the legal fees of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who is also jailed and facing drug trafficking charges, due to international sanctions imposed on Venezuela.
The couple’s legal team had relied on that argument in an attempt to have the indictment dismissed, claiming that preventing a defendant from accessing counsel of their choice violates rights guaranteed under the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
However, the U.S. Treasury Department will now allow “defense attorneys to receive payments from the Government of Venezuela under certain conditions,” New York prosecutor Jay Clayton wrote in a letter dated Friday to Judge Alvin Hellerstein, who is overseeing the case.
According to the letter, the funds must have become available after March 5, 2026, and cannot come from Venezuelan oil sales regulated in the United States.
Since Maduro’s removal from power in early January, former Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has served as Venezuela’s interim leader.
The United States effectively controls Venezuelan crude exports, with revenues deposited into special accounts supervised by Washington.
Court documents filed on Friday show that the defense acknowledged the sanctions exemption and, for now, withdrew its motion seeking dismissal of the charges.
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