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
Justice Department Misses Deadline as Millions of Epstein Files Remain Under Review
The U.S. Department of Justice said on Monday that it is continuing to review more than two million documentspotentially linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Last month, the department began releasing records from its decades-long investigation into Epstein, a wealthy financier who died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges of sex trafficking of minors.
However, the Justice Department failed to meet the legal deadline established by the so-called Epstein Files Transparency Act, which required all related documents to be made public no later than December 19.
In a letter sent Monday to a federal judge, the department stated that more than two million documents remain “at various stages of review.”
According to the filing, authorities have so far released approximately 12,285 documents totaling more than 125,000 pages, in compliance with the law. Those materials, however, represent less than 1 percent of the total volume currently under review.
International
Beijing Says International Support Strengthens Its Position on Taiwan Sovereignty Issue
A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lin Jian, stated at a regular press briefing that several dozen countries have expressed support for China’s actions following recent countermeasures and military drills concerning the Taiwan region. These comments were made as Beijing continues to defend its stance on Taiwan after large-scale military exercises by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) near the island
According to the official statement, countries including Russia, Cuba, Serbia, Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Pakistan and others publicly reaffirmed their commitment to the one-China principle, reiterated their opposition to external interference in China’s internal affairs, and voiced support for China’s efforts to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Lin emphasized that these countries specifically noted that “Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory” and that “the Taiwan question is China’s internal affair,” adding that any form of Taiwanese independence must be rejected. He also praised these nations for their firm diplomatic support.
The spokesperson reiterated China’s position that it will remain steadfast in defending its national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and warned that any provocations concerning the Taiwan question would be met with a firm response.
International
Maduro, Delcy Rodríguez sued in Florida over alleged kidnapping, torture and terrorism
U.S. citizens have revived a lawsuit in Miami against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro following his capture, as well as against Vice President and now acting leader Delcy Rodríguez and other senior Chavista officials, whom they accuse of kidnapping, torture, and terrorism.
The plaintiffs — including U.S. citizens who were kidnapped in Venezuela and two minors — filed a motion over the weekend before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida asking the court to declare the defendants in default for failing to respond to the lawsuit initially filed on August 14, 2025, according to court documents made public on Monday.
The case, assigned to Judge Darrin P. Gayles, accuses the Venezuelan leaders of violating the U.S. Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), the Florida Anti-Terrorism Act, and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
In addition to Maduro and Rodríguez, the lawsuit names Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López; Attorney General Tarek William Saab; Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello; former Supreme Court Chief Justice Maikel Moreno; and National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez.
The complaint also lists the state-owned oil company Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) and former Electricity Minister Néstor Reverol as defendants.
According to the filing, Maduro “committed flagrant acts of terrorism against U.S. citizens,” citing the criminal case in New York in which Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, appeared in court for the first time on Monday following their arrest on Saturday.
The lawsuit claims that the plaintiffs “were held captive by Maduro” with “illegal material support” from the other defendants, whom it identifies as members of the Cartel of the Suns, a group designated by the United States as a terrorist organization last year.
Justice Department Misses Deadline as Millions of Epstein Files Remain Under Review
Beijing Says International Support Strengthens Its Position on Taiwan Sovereignty Issue
Maduro, Delcy Rodríguez sued in Florida over alleged kidnapping, torture and terrorism
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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