International
President of Mexico meets with U.S. Congressmen
March 20 |
The president of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, held a meeting of several hours this Sunday with a delegation of 12 Republican and Democratic legislators from the United States.
Through his social networks, the head of state said that “several issues were discussed with mutual respect and for the benefit of our peoples”.
AMLO was accompanied by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Marcelo Ebrard, and the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, who told the press that there was total agreement between the parties to jointly address addictions with a comprehensive strategy.
Ebrard stressed that the legislators told them that they want cooperation, collaboration and joint work to address the issue, a position of respect that is not related to the interferenceist criteria expressed by Republican legislators who proposed to entrust the U.S. Army with the fight against Mexican cartels.
On the other hand, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Marcelo Ebrard, and the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, offered a brief balance of the meeting in which they emphasized that there was “total agreement” to go together in the fight against addictions with an integral strategy.
Ebrard pointed out that there was no discussion of the positions of Republican legislators and politicians who have proposed that U.S. soldiers enter national territory to fight drug traffickers.
In turn, Rosa Icela Rodríguez stressed that the drug and violence problem “has to be solved jointly (…) in a comprehensive manner”, because “we are allies, we are neighbors, we are partners and in some areas we are also family”.
He added that the Mexican side is concerned about the illegal trafficking of arms from the U.S. entering Mexico and fueling the problem of violence, while the U.S. side is concerned about the consumption of fentanyl and other drugs.
He recalled that President López Obrador has insisted on “dealing with the problem not only in a punitive way, but also in a social way, also looking at everything related to the prevention of addictions through media campaigns”.
Another member of the Mexican Cabinet, the Secretary of National Defense, Major General Luis Crescencio Sandoval, explained all the works to be carried out on the northern border to improve customs control and reduce illegal drug and arms trafficking without hindering binational trade.
Ebrard pointed out that the recent kidnappings of Americans were not discussed, although the legislators were interested in the fact that the Mexican security cabinet meets daily to review the situation in the country.
He also appreciated that the U.S. legislators took away a good impression from the meeting and assured that binational cooperation will grow, which is a strategic interest of Mexico.
International
Supreme Court allows Trump to proceed with massive layoffs at Education Department
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday allowed President Donald Trump to proceed with his plan for massive layoffs at the Department of Education, overturning a lower court injunction that had blocked the effort.
The ruling nullifies a temporary restraining order issued by a federal judge in Massachusetts in response to a lawsuit filed by about twenty states, teachers’ unions, and school districts.
Until now, the order had prevented the federal government from carrying out Trump’s plan, announced at the end of March, to cut one-third of the Department’s more than 4,100 employees this year alone.
The Trump administration, which has acknowledged it cannot shut down the Department since that power belongs to Congress, intends to dismantle the agency so that it only retains core functions, such as managing student aid, scholarships, and loans.
Ultimately, the project aims to reduce the Department’s workforce by half, with the goal of returning education powers to the states and eliminating what the administration considers federal budget waste.
As is common in emergency rulings, the majority of justices did not provide a detailed explanation for their decision, which was opposed by the Court’s three liberal justices Sonia Sotomayor, Ketanji Brown Jackson, and Elena Kagan.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon said the ruling confirms “the obvious: that the President of the United States, as head of the executive branch, ultimately has the authority to make decisions about personnel, agency organization, and day-to-day operations.”
“While today’s ruling is an important victory for students and families, it is a shame that the highest court in the country had to intervene to allow President Trump to move forward with the reforms Americans elected him to implement using the constitutional authorities granted to him,” McMahon added in a statement.
Internacionales
U.S. plans five new ‘Alligator Alcatraz’-style migrant detention centers
The U.S. government announced plans to build five new mega detention centers for migrants, modeled after the controversial facility recently opened in Florida, nicknamed ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ by activists and opponents.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that President Donald Trump’s administration is already in talks with five Republican-led states to replicate the model used in the wetlands of southern Florida. “We are working to expand this strategy to more territories with state governments committed to border security,” she said.
These statements follow remarks by Stephen Miller, Trump’s chief immigration advisor, who urged Republican governors in a Fox News interview to contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to facilitate the construction of new centers.
“Pick up the phone, call DHS, work with us to build facilities in your state so we can remove illegals and criminals,” Miller said.
The Florida detention center has faced strong criticism from Democratic lawmakers and human rights organizations due to the inhumane conditions faced by detained migrants. Located in a reptile-infested wetland reserve, the site has become highly controversial.
Last Saturday, a group of Florida federal and state legislators reported that about 750 migrants were “in cages” at the facility after inspecting the site. While Congress members were allowed access, the press remains banned.
Early reports from detainees at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ describe extreme heat, high humidity, scarce potable water, spoiled food, and makeshift tents used as confinement areas. These conditions have been labeled “inhumane” by migrants themselves and civil organizations.
International
Trump gives Russia 50 days to end war in Ukraine
U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed on Tuesday his 50-day ultimatum for Russia to halt its military operations in Ukraine and warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky not to launch attacks on Moscow.
When asked whether the 50-day timeline was too long, Trump firmly rejected the idea: “I don’t think 50 days is a long time; it could even be less,” he said.
Trump also deflected responsibility for the ongoing war, once again blaming his predecessor, Joe Biden, for the conflict that erupted following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
On Monday, Trump announced a new round of military aid to Ukraine and threatened to impose 100% tariffs on Russia, as well as secondary sanctions on countries that continue doing business with Moscow, unless a peace deal is reached within the 50-day window.
In response, the Kremlin said Tuesday that it needs “time to analyze what has been said in Washington.”
Trump’s remarks mark a notable shift in tone towards Russia, a country with which he had recently sought closer ties. His frustration appears to stem from President Vladimir Putin’s refusal to cease the bombings during ongoing peace negotiations.
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