International

Israel rescues two hostages in operation in Rafah, south of Gaza: Those released in good health

In a successful operation carried out this morning in Rafah, at the southern end of the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces have rescued two hostages, Fernando Simón Marman, 60, and Norberto Louis Har, 70, both kidnapped in the Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak on October 7.

According to a joint statement issued by the Army, Police and Shin Bet intelligence services, the hostages were transferred to the Sheba Tel Hashomer hospital to undergo a medical examination, where it was determined that they are in good health.

This rescue represents Israel’s second success in freeing hostages, after the capture alive of soldier Ori Megidish at the end of October, during the beginning of the ground operation in the Gaza Strip.

The operation in Rafah, a region where more than a million Gazans displaced by violence reside, left more than 50 people dead, identified as “terrorists” by Israel, while Hamas has denounced these actions as a “massacre.” .

With these two rescued, there are a total of three releases in this operation, while Hamas has freed 110 captives, 105 of whom were part of a truce agreement reached in November.

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There are still 130 hostages kidnapped on October 7 inside the Strip, of which it is estimated that around thirty could be dead, in addition to four captives held by Hamas for years, including two deceased soldiers.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant expressed his gratitude to the Israel Defense Forces, the Shin Bet and the Police Counter-Terrorism Unit for the success of the operation, which he followed from the war room together with senior commanders. .

Army spokesman Daniel Hagari highlighted the complexity of the operation in Rafah, which required meticulous preparation and precise execution. The clandestine raid on the building where the hostages were being held took place around 1am, and troops exchanged gunfire with the kidnappers before securing the release of the captives.

Although one Israeli soldier was slightly injured in the operation, the release of the hostages represents a major achievement for Israel’s security forces, as noted by Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, who called the operation “impressive, heroic and complex”.

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Central America

Nicaragua revokes legal status of 10 more NGOs, bringing total to over 5,600

The Nicaraguan government canceled the legal status of 10 more non-profit organizations on Friday (March 28, 2025), including the Swiss Foundation for Development Cooperation, bringing the total number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) shut down since December 2018 to over 5,600.

According to the Ministry of the Interior, the Swiss Foundation for Development Cooperation, which had been registered since March 9, 2002, was found to be in non-compliance for failing to report its financial status for 2024 and for having an expired board of directors.

Among the 10 NGOs whose legal status was revoked were religious organizations, educational groups, consumer associations, and aquaculture organizations, all dissolved “voluntarily” or closed under similar reasons.

As of today, more than 5,600 NGOs have been dismantled following the popular protests that erupted in April 2018 in Nicaragua. In most cases, the assets of these organizations have been ordered to be transferred to the state.

International

Marco Rubio warns Venezuela against military action against Guyana

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Venezuela on Thursday that a military attack on Guyana would be “a big mistake” and “a very bad day for them,” expressing his support for Georgetown in its territorial dispute with Caracas.

“It would be a very bad day for the Venezuelan regime if they attacked Guyana or ExxonMobil. It would be a very bad day, a very bad week for them, and it would not end well,” Rubio emphasized during a press conference in Georgetown alongside Guyanese President Irfaan Ali.

International

Ecuador oil spill worsens as containment dam collapses

The collapse of a containment dam holding back part of the 25,000+ barrels of oil spilled from a pipeline rupture nearly two weeks ago has worsened the environmental crisis in northwestern Ecuador, contaminating rivers and Pacific beaches.

The Ecuadorian government attributed the March 13 pipeline rupture—which led to the spill of 25,116 barrels of crude—to an act of sabotage. The spill affected three rivers and disrupted water supplies for several communities, according to authorities.

On Tuesday, due to heavy rains that have been falling since January, a containment dam on the Caple River collapsed. The Caple connects to other waterways in Esmeraldas Province, a coastal region bordering Colombia, state-owned Petroecuador said in a statement on Wednesday.

Seven containment barriers were installed in the Viche River, where crews worked to remove oil-contaminated debris. Additional absorbent materials were deployed in Caple, Viche, and Esmeraldas Rivers, which flow into the Pacific Ocean.

Authorities are also working to protect a wildlife refuge home to more than 250 species, including otters, howler monkeys, armadillos, frigatebirds, and pelicans.

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“This has been a total disaster,” said Ronald Ruiz, a leader in the Cube community, where the dam was located. He explained that the harsh winter rains caused river levels to rise, bringing debris that broke the containment barriersthat were holding the accumulated oil for extraction.