International

López Obrador says that “all” Celac’s countries support Mexico in crisis with Ecuador

The president of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, said on Wednesday that “all” the countries of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac), which held a summit on Tuesday, support Mexico for the assault on the Mexican Embassy in Quito.

“Well, everyone, everyone, helping, supporting Mexico, supporting Mexico,” the president said during his morning press conference.

The Mexican ruler made this evaluation after the meeting of the leaders of the region, convened on Tuesday by the president of Honduras, Xiomara Castro, in which Mexico asked them to join its complaint against Ecuador in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) after the assault on the Mexican Embassy in Quito on April 5.

At the summit, the president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, announced the closure of his Embassy and consulates in Ecuador in support of Mexico, while the president of Bolivia, Luis Arce, said that he will join the Mexican Government’s complaint.

Likewise, this Wednesday, López Obrador reported that after the meeting, the Honduran president notified him that she will also sympathize with Mexico and they will temporarily withdraw her diplomats from Ecuador.

20260224_estafa_mh_728x90

“At the end he notified me that they will also show solidarity and are going to call their diplomatic representatives, that is, that this is nothing more the case of Venezuela,” he said.

Questioned by the absence at the summit of the president of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa, the Mexican ruler evaded a direct response and asked to exhibit the video of the meeting again.

“Let’s see it, because they talk about everything there and it helps us a lot,” he replied.

The controversy began after the raid of the Police at the Embassy of Mexico on April 5 to take away former Vice President Jorge Glas (2013-2017), sheltered there in the face of a corruption process.

And it has grown because a court in Ecuador declared last Friday the detention of Glas inside the diplomatic headquarters as illegal and arbitrary, although he was imprisoned while waiting to serve the sentence for the Bribery case and for illicit association in the Odebrecht case.

20260224_estafa_mh_728x90

The situation has led the Mexican Government to file a complaint with the ICJ and ask the United Nations (UN) to suspend Ecuador from the agency.

Meanwhile, Noboa has assured that he does not regret ordering the assault on the Embassy and even pointed out that he will invite López Obrador to eat a ceviche and “probably” some tacos to fix the crisis, to which the Mexican responded that the conflict “is not a frivolity.”

International

Federal Judge Blocks Trump Policy Allowing Deportations to Third Countries

A federal judge ruled on Wednesday that the policy of U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration allowing immigration authorities to deport foreign nationals to third countries without prior notice or the opportunity to object is unlawful. The decision marks another legal setback for the administration on immigration matters.

Judge Brian Murphy of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts struck down the regulation issued last year, which stated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was not required to notify migrants if they were to be sent to countries other than the one listed in their removal order, provided that receiving nations offered assurances they would not face persecution or torture.

Murphy ordered the measure vacated but granted a 15-day delay before the ruling takes effect, giving the Trump administration time to file an appeal.

In his decision, the judge concluded that the policy violates federal immigration law and migrants’ due process rights. He also questioned the lack of transparency surrounding the alleged assurances provided by receiving countries, stating that “no one really knows anything about these supposed ‘assurances.’” He added, “It is not right, and it is not lawful.”

The ruling follows several legal disputes involving deportations to third countries. Last year, the executive branch deported more than 200 Salvadorans to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador, invoking an old wartime law. The White House also held talks with Costa Rica, Panama, and Rwanda about receiving migrants who are not citizens of those countries.

20260224_estafa_mh_728x90

In May, the same judge determined that the government violated a court order when it attempted to remove a group of immigrants with criminal records to South Sudan without prior notice or an opportunity to raise claims of fear of persecution.

Although President Donald Trump took the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, which temporarily allowed the deportations to resume while a final decision was pending, the White House is expected to again appeal to higher courts to overturn this latest judicial ruling.

International

Cocaine Production Surges 34% in 2023 as Market Expands into Africa and Asia

The global cocaine market is the fastest-growing among all illicit drugs worldwide, the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) warned on Thursday in its annual report presented in Vienna.

The body attributes this expansion to the sustained rise in production in South America — particularly in Colombia — as well as increasing demand in emerging regions such as Africa and Asia.

According to the report, global cocaine production surpassed 3,700 metric tons in 2023, marking a 34% increase compared to 2022. This growth is largely driven by the expansion of illicit coca cultivation in Colombia and the greater production capacity of clandestine laboratories.

The INCB noted that the market has not only grown in volume but has also diversified and become more globalized. While Europe and North America remain the primary destinations, trafficking routes now reach “all regions of the world,” including Africa — traditionally considered a transit zone — and Asia, where the presence of cocaine was previously marginal.

In Western and Central Europe, for the fifth consecutive year, seizures in 2023 exceeded those in North America, consolidating the region as the leading destination market. Between January 2019 and June 2024, more than 1,826 metric tons of drugs bound for European ports were seized, of which 82% was cocaine, equivalent to 1,487 metric tons.

20260224_estafa_mh_728x90

The report also highlights that seizures in Africa rose by 48% in 2023 compared to 2022, reflecting the expansion of the market on the continent. Globally, the number of cocaine users increased from 17 million in 2013 to 25 million in 2023.

International

Clinton Accuses Republican Committee of Using Epstein Case to Shield Trump

Former U.S. Secretary of State and former First Lady Hillary Clinton denied on Thursday before a congressional committee that she had ever met convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in person or had any knowledge of the crimes he committed.

Clinton testified behind closed doors from New York before the House Oversight Committee. The wife of former President Bill Clinton — who is scheduled to testify on Friday — accused the Republican-controlled committee of summoning her in order to “distract attention” and “cover up” the activities of President Donald Trump, who had past ties to Epstein.

“I do not recall ever meeting Mr. Epstein. I never flew on his plane nor visited his island, his homes, or his offices. I have nothing further to add,” she stated.

The former Secretary of State emphasized that she “had no idea about the criminal activities” of the financier, who died in prison in 2019. “Like any decent person, I was horrified when I learned of his crimes,” she said.

Clinton described the Epstein case as “a tragedy” and “a scandal” that deserves “a thorough investigation,” but criticized the committee for failing to summon what she called the truly relevant individuals.

20260224_estafa_mh_728x90

“Instead, you have asked me to testify, knowing that I have no knowledge that would serve your investigation, with the purpose of distracting from President Trump’s activities and shielding him despite the legitimate demand for answers,” she said.

The questioning, conducted behind closed doors in Chappaqua, New York — where the Clintons reside — took place one day before former President Bill Clinton was scheduled to appear at the same location.

Although the Clintons initially declined to testify before Congress, the threat of being held in contempt ultimately led the former presidential couple to agree to appear and explain their relationship with Epstein.