International
Zelensky says Macron talking to Putin ‘in vain’
AFP
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky believes that French leader Emmanuel Macron is trying “in vain” to have a constructive dialogue with Russian President Putin, according to an interview transcript released by Kyiv Friday.
“We must not look for a way out for Russia, and Macron is doing it in vain,” Zelensky told Italian television Rai 1, according the Ukrainian president’s Telegram channel.
“I know he wanted to get results from mediation between Russia and Ukraine, but he didn’t get any,” Zelensky said.
Moscow, he said, would not seek any end to the fighting “until Russia itself wants and understands that it needs” this.
The Elysee told AFP on Friday that Marcon had “never discussed anything with Vladimir Putin without the agreement of President Zelensky”.
“He has always said that it is up to the Ukrainians to decide the terms of their negotiation with the Russians.”
The French leader said earlier this week that Russia and Ukraine would have to come to a negotiated truce and that peace efforts would not be served by Russia’s “humiliation”.
Zelensky said that “some European leaders think we need to find a way of talking with Putin”.
“We have been looking for them for years. And today, these routes are littered with bodies, bodies of our people,” the Ukrainian leader added.
Zelensky however repeated his offer to speak with Putin directly but described talks with Russian as “no longer possible”.
“Today, the stage when we could sit down with Russia has passed.”
Macron is one of the few Western leaders to speak to Putin since Moscow moved troops into Ukraine on February 24, spending hours on telephone calls trying to negotiate a resolution to the conflict.
Putin on Friday spoke with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and insisted that Russia was fighting “Nazi ideology” in Ukraine.
International
Dina Boluarte avoids prosecution again as lawmakers dismiss sixth complaint
A congressional committee in Peru dismissed yet another constitutional complaint against President Dina Boluarte on Friday, blocking a potential investigation into her alleged responsibility for the deaths that occurred during the 2022 protests following her rise to power after the ousting of former president Pedro Castillo.
This marks the sixth time that Congress — with the support of allied parties — has halted legal efforts to hold Boluarte accountable. In June, lawmakers shelved three similar complaints filed by members of the small opposition bloc. Two other complaints had already been dismissed in 2023 and 2024.
Almost immediately after taking office in December 2022 — following Castillo’s removal after he attempted to dissolve Congress to avoid impeachment — Boluarte faced a wave of protests in southern Peru. These demonstrations resulted in the deaths of 50 civilians. According to autopsy reports, over half of the victims were killed by gunfire.
International
Families hold vigil in Caracas, demand release of political prisoners
Dozens of people held a vigil outside the Attorney General’s Office in Caracas on Wednesday, calling for the release of political prisoners—one day after Amnesty International (AI) reported a “surge” in enforced disappearances following Venezuela’s presidential elections nearly a year ago.
In 2024, protests erupted after President Nicolás Maduro’s controversial re-election on July 28, amid widespread allegations of fraud. Official figures reported 27 deaths and 2,400 arrests during the unrest.
With balloons, prayers, candles, and photos, families of the detainees demanded a review of the cases—some still under trial—and called for their release, as has occurred with about 1,900 previously detained individuals. Prosecutors have promised to meet with families next Tuesday.
“We need to keep the pressure on (…) and get a more concrete and secure response, because if there is no answer by Tuesday, we will gather again,” said Sorangel Arguinzones, whose 25-year-old son Jesús Jiménez was arrested in Mérida (west) 11 months ago. He is being held in Tocorón prison, one of the facilities designated for protesters, and is accused of “terrorism.” Jiménez, a former scientific police officer, is described by his mother as innocent.
“We have to stay in prayer and ask for our boys’ freedom (…) it’s been almost a year now,” added Karina Martínez, whose brother Daniel has been detained since January, following Maduro’s swearing-in.
“My brother says: I’ve never been involved in politics,” she said.
Maduro was declared re-elected by the pro-government electoral authority without presenting the detailed vote count, as required by law.
In its report released Tuesday, Amnesty International warned of a “surge” in enforced disappearances over the past year. Of the 15 cases recorded, 11 people remain missing with their whereabouts and conditions still unknown.
International
Drug bust highlights Mexico’s efforts amid U.S. pressure on cartels
Mexican marines seized half a ton of cocaine off the coast of the southern state of Oaxaca and arrested four people transporting it on a boat, authorities reported Wednesday.
The Mexican government has increased drug seizures and arrests amid pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration to curb the flow of illicit substances into the United States, especially the deadly fentanyl.
The Secretariat of Public Security said in a statement that the drugs, packed in 14 bundles, were confiscated during a maritime surveillance operation, although the exact date was not disclosed. The shipment was valued at 130 million pesos (about 6.9 million dollars).
Since October 1, 2024, when President Claudia Sheinbaum took office, 45 tons of cocaine have been seized at sea, the Secretariat indicated.
On July 12, Trump threatened to impose 30% tariffs on Mexico starting August 1, accusing the country of failing to stop cartels “that try to turn all of North America into a drug trafficking playground.”
Dina Boluarte avoids prosecution again as lawmakers dismiss sixth complaint
Families hold vigil in Caracas, demand release of political prisoners
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