International
Peruvian president summoned to testify for protest deaths
May 25 |
Peruvian President Dina Boluarte was summoned by the prosecutor’s office to testify in an investigation for the alleged crimes of genocide, aggravated homicide and serious injuries committed during the anti-government protests that left more than 60 people dead in three months, the president’s lawyer said on Wednesday.
Joseph Campos told local radio RPP that Boluarte is due to testify before Attorney General Patricia Benavides on May 31. The president was summoned in January, February and March, but has not testified. In March she was not questioned because the prosecutor’s office asked to be included to participate in the proceedings.
The president did not make a statement during the day. The Associated Press asked the prosecutor’s office about the summons to the president’s office, but did not receive a response at the time.
Prime Minister Alberto Otárola was questioned in January and February in the same investigation. The protests have left 67 dead and more than 1,300 injured, according to the Ombudsman’s Office. Almost all of the dead are civilians, most of them were shot by firearms and some were hit by gunshots to the head.
Due to the rank of those investigated, the investigation is in charge of the Attorney General. Genocide is punishable by a minimum sentence of 20 years in prison. Also included in the investigation are former Prime Minister Pedro Angulo and other former officials.
Boluarte came to power on December 7 when his predecessor, then president Pedro Castillo, attempted to dissolve Parliament and was removed from office. Castillo is being held for 18 months for the alleged crime of rebellion in a prison for presidents in Lima.
Since then, protests began to ignite in the rural areas of the southern Andes demanding the resignation of Boluarte and the members of Parliament. The demonstrations spread in the south as far as Lima, but died down in mid-February.
However, Congress has not yet decided to bring forward the presidential and parliamentary elections. Four plans to shorten the term of Boluarte and the legislators were shelved for not reaching the necessary votes.
According to the most recent May poll by Ipsos Peru, 75% disapprove of Boluarte and 16% support her.
International
Portuguese Authorities Seize 2.6 Tons of Cocaine Worth More Than $550 Million in Drug Bust
Italian financial police reported Monday that Portuguese authorities intercepted a speedboat carrying more than 2.6 tons of cocaine, with an estimated street value exceeding $550 million.
Four people — two Spanish nationals, one Albanian citizen, and a man from Gibraltar — were arrested in connection with the operation, according to Italian authorities.
The vessel was intercepted off the coast of Lisbon by Portugal’s maritime police following an investigation led by Italian authorities.
Italian financial police estimated that the seized shipment had a street value of approximately 500 million euros ($570 million), making it one of the largest drug seizures reported in the region in recent years.
Portuguese authorities said the interception took place on Thursday, about 90 kilometers (50 nautical miles) southwest of Cape Espichel, during an operation targeting international drug trafficking routes.
International
U.S. and Iran Maintain Ceasefire as Trump Expresses Optimism Over New Talks
U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that there are “good chances” of reaching an agreement with Iran, as both sides maintained a ceasefire for the third consecutive day following weeks of escalating hostilities.
Trump expressed optimism about the possibility of resuming diplomatic negotiations aimed at ending the conflict, which began in late February and has raised international concerns over its impact on global markets and energy supplies.
The fighting has remained suspended since Saturday, after the United States resumed airstrikes against Iran amid a dispute over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments. The renewed military action had previously caused the collapse of an earlier ceasefire agreement.
Asked about the prospects for negotiations aboard Air Force One, Trump said: “I have a lot of patience… We’ll see what happens. I think there are good chances that something could happen.”
The U.S. president also highlighted Washington’s military capabilities, saying: “We have a lot of ammunition,” while adding that he would like to have more resources due to U.S. support for Ukraine.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said Trump was allowing diplomatic efforts more time, explaining that the president was “giving some space to the talks” while maintaining that Washington remains prepared to take action if necessary.
Meanwhile, tensions continue in other areas of the Middle East. Saudi Arabia reported that it intercepted drones launched from Iraq by groups allied with Tehran and urged the Iraqi government to take measures to prevent further attacks.
International
Police Investigate After Remains of Five Newborns Found in French Apartment
French authorities have opened a murder investigation after the discovery of human remains believed to belong to five newborn babies inside an apartment in the historic center of a city, the local prosecutor’s office reported Monday night.
According to prosecutors, a 32-year-old woman had given birth at home on Sunday to a healthy baby before being taken to a hospital for medical care.
The discovery was made after the woman’s 32-year-old partner began searching the residence after reportedly learning, once again and at a late stage, that she had been pregnant.
During the search, the man found what appeared to be human remains and informed the hospital, which then alerted prosecutors.
A forensic doctor determined that the remains likely belonged to five newborn infants. Authorities have not yet established the circumstances or motive behind the case.
Investigators have not been able to interview the mother, who remains hospitalized following the delivery.
Prosecutors also confirmed that the couple has two other children, aged eight and nine years old. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to clarify the events surrounding the discovery.
Portuguese Authorities Seize 2.6 Tons of Cocaine Worth More Than $550 Million in Drug Bust
U.S. and Iran Maintain Ceasefire as Trump Expresses Optimism Over New Talks
Police Investigate After Remains of Five Newborns Found in French Apartment
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