International
Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin sign a “strategic association” agreement that includes a mutual defense clause
The leaders of North Korea and Russia, Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin, signed today Wednesday a “Comprehensique Strategic Partnership Agreement” that includes a mutual defense clause, according to the Russian president after his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
The document signed between the two leaders contemplates “assistance in the event that one of the two countries is attacked,” Putin said in statements collected by the Russian agency Tass.
The Russian president also pointed out that “security issues and the international agenda” occupied a significant part of the agenda of the negotiations with the North Korean dictator.
The Kremlin president thus revealed part of the content of the new road map that will strub bilateral relations between the two countries, which have been strengthened as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and in the face of pressure on Pyongyang and Moscow by Washington and its allies.
In this sense, Putin stated that both Russia and North Korea “oppose the use of sanctions for political purposes, which only serve to undermine the international situation.”
In addition, he called for “reviewing the United Nations Council’s sanctions regime on North Korea” promoted by the United States.
“Our countries consistently defend the establishment of a more just, democratic and multipolar world order. Russia and North Korea develop an autonomous and independent foreign policy and do not accept the language of blackmail and dictation,” the Russian president said.
“Despite external pressure, our countries develop successfully on a sovereign and independent basis, they have provided and provide mutual support as true friends and good neighbors,” he added.
Putin’s adviser on international policy, Yuri Ushakov, already said on the eve that this new treaty will replace those signed between Moscow and Pyongyang in 1961, 2000 and 2001.
Before that meeting, Putin and Kim Jong-un held an extended summit of about 90 minutes at the Kumsusan guest residence in Pyongyang, where Putin is visiting for the first time in 24 years.
It was in that scenario that the Russian president thanked the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, for his “unwavering support” to the invasion of Ukraine.
“Russia appreciates the constant and unshakable support of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (official name of North Korea) for Russian policies, including what concerns Ukraine,” Putin said.
He also said that Moscow “is fighting against decades of imperialist policies imposed by the United States,” and stressed that the relationship between Russia and North Korea “is based on mutual equality and respect,” according to the intervention collected by TASS.
In addition, Putin invited Kim to travel to Moscow for the next summit between the two countries, and expressed his “admiration” for the “transformation” experienced by the North Korean capital during the last 24 years.
“The government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (official name of North Korea) values the important mission and the role of a strong Russian Federation in maintaining strategic stability and balance in the world,” said Kim, quoted by the RIA Nóvosti agency.
The North Korean leader also expressed “full support and solidarity with the Russian Government, army and people regarding the execution of the special military operation in Ukraine to protect their sovereignty, security interests and territorial integrity.”
Kim added that the global situation is changing rapidly and that in that context Pyongyang intends to strengthen its strategic ties with Moscow.
After the opening comments, the rest of the summit, which lasted a total of around 90 minutes, was held behind closed doors.
The meeting between the two leaders began after a welcome ceremony for the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, in the Kim Il-Sung Square of Pyongyang, the scene of the main parades and celebrations of the North Korean regime.
The RIA Nóvosti agency published a photo of the square full of people and decorated with balloons.
After the ceremony and the taking of photographs, both leaders went to the Kumsusan Guest Palace, where the Russian president is staying, to start their first meeting.
Today’s agenda also includes a gala concert in honor of Putin, a state reception and a floral offering by the Russian president at the Pyongyang Liberation Monument, dedicated to the Soviet Red Army soldiers who fought with Japanese imperial forces on the Korean peninsula during World War II.
Many analysts believe that Putin’s trip, which he plans to fly to Vietnam today for a two-day visit, can serve to deepen military ties after the agreement in this area that he and Kim signed at a summit last year in the Russian region of Amur.
International
Mexico, Brazil and Colombia left out of Trump’s “Shield of the Americas” summit
Left-wing governments in Latin America, including Mexico, Brazil and Colombia, were excluded from the “Shield of the Americas” summit convened by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The meeting, held in Miami, Florida, brought together 12 presidents from across the continent to discuss strategies to combat drug cartels and organized crime.
In Mexico’s case, President Claudia Sheinbaum had recently rejected the use of military force as a solution to the drug trafficking problem. She has argued that her administration’s security strategy is producing results and emphasized that force alone is not the answer.
During the summit, Trump said that most narcotics entering the United States come through Mexico and referred to his previous conversations with Sheinbaum on the issue.
“I like the president very much, she’s a very good person,” Trump said. “But I told her: ‘Let me eradicate the cartels.’ And she said, ‘No, no, no, please, president.’ We have to eradicate them. We have to finish them.”
The remarks highlighted ongoing differences between Washington and Mexico over how to confront drug trafficking networks operating across the region.
International
Trump announces 17-nation alliance in the Americas to “destroy” drug cartels
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday the creation of a 17-nation alliance across the Americas aimed at dismantling drug cartels, during a regional summit held at his golf club in Doral.
Speaking to a group of allied leaders at the Shield of the Americas Summit, Trump said the initiative would rely on military force to eliminate powerful criminal networks operating throughout the hemisphere.
“The heart of our agreement is the commitment to use lethal military force to destroy these sinister cartels and terrorist networks. Once and for all, we will put an end to them,” Trump told the assembled heads of state.
The Republican leader argued that large portions of territory in the Western Hemisphere have fallen under the control of transnational gangs and pledged U.S. support to governments seeking to confront them. He even suggested the potential use of highly precise missiles against cartel leaders.
Before making the announcement, Trump greeted the roughly twelve leaders attending the summit, including close allies such as Javier Milei, Daniel Noboa and Nayib Bukele, whom he described as a “great president.”
The meeting forms part of Trump’s broader regional strategy inspired by his reinterpretation of the Monroe Doctrine, which seeks to reinforce Washington’s influence in the Americas, strengthen security cooperation and counter the growing presence of powers such as China.
Trump pointed to recent U.S. actions in the region as examples of his administration’s approach, including the operation that led to the capture of former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro earlier this year.
The summit also takes place amid escalating international tensions following the conflict launched last week by the United States and Israel against Iran.
International
Trump replaces Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem with Senator Markwayne Mullin
U.S. President Donald Trump announced Thursday the departure of Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security, one of the key architects of the administration’s policy of deporting undocumented immigrants.
Noem, who has been assigned a new role as a “special envoy” to Latin America, will be replaced starting March 31 by Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin, the president said in a message posted on his social media platform Truth Social.
According to media reports, Trump made the decision after Noem’s recent hearings in Congress, during which she faced tough questions regarding the awarding of a major public contract.
Mexico, Brazil and Colombia left out of Trump’s “Shield of the Americas” summit
Trump announces 17-nation alliance in the Americas to “destroy” drug cartels
Trump replaces Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem with Senator Markwayne Mullin
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
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International2 days agoTrump announces 17-nation alliance in the Americas to “destroy” drug cartels
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International3 days agoYoung Woman Will Represent Mexico at 2026 World Cup Opener, Says President Sheinbaum
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International1 day ago
Mexico, Brazil and Colombia left out of Trump’s “Shield of the Americas” summit
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International3 days agoTrump replaces Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem with Senator Markwayne Mullin