International

President of Bolivia stresses the need for regional integration

Photo: teleSUR

May 31 |

The president of Bolivia, Luis Arce, highlighted on Tuesday the need for true regional integration for the benefit of the peoples.

In the framework of the meeting of South American presidents held in Brazil, the Bolivian president affirmed that an “ideologization of integration and a vision subordinated to the North prevented the consolidation of this effort”.

“The lack of tolerance and the impossibility of assuming that we are diverse and different, but that we can integrate in spite of this for the benefit of our peoples, truncated the union of the nations of the South”, he asserted.

The President added that there have always been interests within and outside the region that have prevented the consolidation of a true space for integration and coordination among the countries.

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On the other hand, he said that they are at a crucial moment in history, with the context of world geopolitics in the last two years that has demanded a deep reflection on the role of cooperation, integration and multilateralism in their efforts to build a more just, democratic, equitable and secure world.

“We are facing a critical juncture that can propel our integrationist aspirations to higher levels for the benefit of each and every one of our peoples. It depends on us,” he said.

The head of state stressed that they have witnessed significant changes in the international scenario, with the tendency to configure a new world order based on the balance of powers and the principle of non-interference.

“The transition to a multipolar world may be delayed, but it will not stop. But the inflection in the history of Latin America and the Caribbean, and within it in South America, has not been without great difficulties and setbacks. Old and new types of coups d’état were carried out in the name of democracy and this cannot be repeated,” he said.

Arce recalled various current global challenges such as the climate, health, food, energy, water, poverty and inequality crises, among others, which do not recognize borders and are not limited to a single country, as they require a collective and coordinated response.

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“The core of these problems is the multidimensional crisis of the hegemonic system of the planet and of a world order that is intended to be maintained on the basis of imposition, domination and not dialogue,” he said.

He also reaffirmed the relevance of working to declare the world a zone of peace.

International

Two killed in shooting at restaurant near Frankfurt Airport

Two people were shot dead early Tuesday at a restaurant in Raunheim, near Frankfurt Airport, according to local police.

Preliminary findings indicate that an armed individual entered the establishment at around 03:45 local time (02:45 GMT) and opened fire on the victims, who died at the scene from their injuries.

The suspect fled and remains at large, while the motive behind the shooting is still unclear, German media reported. Authorities have launched a large-scale search operation.

International

U.S. counterterrorism chief resigns over opposition to war in Iran

Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, announced Tuesday that he has resigned from his post, citing his opposition to the ongoing war in Iran.

In a post on X, Kent said he could not, “in good conscience,” support the conflict, arguing that Iran did not pose an imminent threat to the United States. He also claimed that the war was driven by pressure from Israel and its lobbying influence in Washington.

In a resignation letter addressed to Donald Trump, Kent alleged that at the start of the current administration, senior Israeli officials and influential figures in U.S. media carried out a disinformation campaign that undermined the “America First” platform and fostered pro-war sentiment aimed at triggering a conflict with Iran.

Kent further stated that he could not support sending a new generation of Americans to “fight and die in a war that provides no benefit to the American people and does not justify the cost in American lives.”

Since the United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran on February 28, at least 13 U.S. service members have been killed, while 10 others have been seriously wounded and around 200 have sustained minor injuries, according to a report published by The Wall Street Journal.

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International

German president warns Iran war could spread and disrupt Strait of Hormuz

The president of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, warned Monday that the war involving Iran could expand and further disrupt shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. He urged a swift end to hostilities between Iran, United States and Israel.

Speaking in Panama City during a joint appearance with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, Steinmeier said available information suggests Iran has significant capacity to disrupt maritime traffic through the key oil route.

“Iran has considerable potential to interfere with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz,” Steinmeier said through an interpreter. “We should therefore reach an end to the hostilities as soon as possible and call on all parties involved to make that happen.”

The remarks came during Steinmeier’s visit to Panama, the first by a German president to the Central American nation.

The German leader described the possibility of the conflict spreading as “very dangerous,” saying recent developments indicate that such a scenario cannot be ruled out.

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Over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump urged allied nations to help ensure safe passage for ships through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran moved to block the waterway in response to U.S. strikes. However, several allies—particularly in Europe—have shown little support for the proposal.

“Some are very enthusiastic, others are not, and some are countries we have helped for many years,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “We have protected them from terrible external threats, and they’re not that enthusiastic. And the level of enthusiasm is important to me.”

Meanwhile, Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s top diplomat, said the Strait of Hormuz falls “outside NATO’s scope” and stressed that “the war involving Iran is not Europe’s war.”