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
Peruvian Court Orders Definitive Dismissal of Money Laundering Case Against Keiko Fujimori
A court of Peru’s National Superior Court of Specialized Criminal Justice ordered the definitive dismissal of the criminal proceedings for alleged money laundering and criminal organization against presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori, authorities reported on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
The ruling was issued by the Tenth National Preparatory Investigation Court in compliance with a previous decision by the Constitutional Court (TC). The decision was confirmed by Fujimori’s attorney, Giuliana Loza, who said on social media platform X that “there was no money laundering nor criminal organization.”
According to the defense, the case was closed for lacking legal grounds and for violating due process. “The proceedings concluded because they lacked a legal basis and constituted clear prosecutorial persecution,” Loza stated.
Judge Wilson Verastegui, whose ruling was reported by local media, said the Constitutional Court determined that the facts alleged in the so-called ‘Cocktails Case’ do not constitute a criminal offense under the principle of legality. The court noted that the crime of illegal financing of political organizations was not in force at the time the alleged acts occurred.
The dismissal also applies to other leaders of the Fuerza Popular party, including Pier Figari, Ana Rosa Herz, Jaime Yoshiyama and José Chlimper, as well as the party itself.
Keiko Fujimori, daughter of former president Alberto Fujimori (1990–2000), had been under investigation for the alleged irregular financing of her 2011 and 2016 presidential campaigns, a case that exposed her to a possible 30-year prison sentence. However, one year ago the National Superior Court annulled the trial and returned the case to the intermediate stage.
Fujimori is currently pursuing her fourth presidential bid, ahead of Peru’s general elections scheduled for April.
International
Colombian Defense Chief Meets U.S. Officials to Advance Bilateral Narcotics Strategy
Colombia’s Minister of Defense, Pedro Sánchez Suárez, is in the United States this Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss bilateral cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking, Colombian officials said, in a visit that comes as ties between Bogotá and Washington begin to ease after a period of diplomatic tension.
The trip is seen as a prelude to a scheduled visit by Colombian President Gustavo Petro to Washington, where he is expected to meet U.S. President Donald Trump for the first time in early February. Sánchez will remain in Washington through Wednesday, according to Colombian government sources.
During his stay, Sánchez is slated to meet with senior U.S. officials, including representatives from the Department of Defense, members of the U.S. Senate, and White House advisors, to outline a joint strategy to “defeat drug trafficking” and expand cooperation on intelligence against transnational crime.
According to a statement from the Colombian Defense Ministry, the agenda will include strengthening collaboration on technology, intelligence sharing, and efforts to disrupt criminal networks that operate across borders. Officials said the discussions will also help set the stage for Petro’s upcoming talks with Trump.
The visit follows a period of strained U.S.–Colombia relations last year, when Washington revoked Petro’s visa and withdrew Colombia’s certification as a key partner in anti-drug efforts — moves that coincided with disagreements over counter-narcotics strategy and broader diplomatic frictions. However, a recent phone call between Petro and Trump, described as cordial by officials, helped lower tensions and reopened channels for dialogue ahead of the presidential meeting.
International
Dominican court postpones hearing in deadly nightclub collapse case
A Dominican court on Monday postponed until March a preliminary hearing against the owners of a nightclub that collapsed last year, killing more than 200 people.
The roof of the Jet Set nightclub collapsed in the early hours of April 8, 2025, during a concert by popular merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who died along with 235 other people.
Jet Set owner and manager Antonio Espaillat and his sister Maribel, who served as the club’s administrator, were arrested on charges of involuntary manslaughter but were later released on bail after posting approximately $842,500.
Both appeared at the Palace of Justice, where they were met by a small protest from relatives and friends of the victims.
“Thirty years in prison is not enough” and “President, we want JUSTICE,” read signs held by demonstrators.
The preliminary hearing determines whether there is sufficient evidence to send the case to trial. The court decided to reschedule the hearing for March 16.
“We don’t want money and we’re not demanding anything else, only justice for those who died,” said Secundino Pérez, a 75-year-old shopkeeper who lost 12 friends in the Jet Set tragedy.
“Antonio and his family celebrated Christmas sitting at a table, celebrating their freedom,” said Edgar Gómez, who lost his daughter in the collapse.
The Dominican Republic’s Public Prosecutor’s Office maintains that the defendants “significantly altered” the structure of the nightclub. Prosecutors filed formal charges in November and requested that the case proceed to trial.
The charge of involuntary manslaughter carries a sentence of three months to two years in prison.
“May your conscience never let you sleep. I lost my son,” a woman shouted through tears before the hearing, while others chanted, “Murderers, murderers, murderers.”
Peruvian Court Orders Definitive Dismissal of Money Laundering Case Against Keiko Fujimori
Colombian Defense Chief Meets U.S. Officials to Advance Bilateral Narcotics Strategy
Dominican court postpones hearing in deadly nightclub collapse case
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