International
Pedro Castillo faces trial for rebellion without a defense lawyer

At 9 a.m. this Tuesday, Pedro Castillo entered the courtroom of the Judiciary, located in the prison where he has been held since December 2022. He entered without a defense lawyer.
The former president did not look at the national or international press, with whom he has had no contact since he was in power. Nearly 30 accredited media outlets waited for him behind a glass at the end of the room, the same one he will have to attend throughout the trial, in which he faces charges of rebellion, among other accusations, that could result in a sentence of up to 34 years in prison if convicted. This time, the media captured his image from the courtroom in the prison, far from the Palace where he governed from July 28, 2021, to December 7, 2022, the day he was arrested.
The oral trial is being overseen by the Special Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice, presided over by Supreme Judge José Neyra Flores.
The judicial process also includes several former collaborators of Castillo, such as Betssy Chávez, former president of the Council of Ministers, and Aníbal Torres, former prime minister and former advisor to the presidency of the Council of Ministers. Both have pleaded not guilty. Castillo told the judges that he could not undergo a trial where “everything seems confined” and, for that reason, he had decided not to appoint a lawyer to represent him. The former president stated that he was “kidnapped in the Barbadillo prison” and called the process he is undergoing a “farce.”
“I have never committed the crime of rebellion,” said Castillo, adding that his message on television on December 7, 2022, when he announced the dissolution of Congress, was merely “a political speech.” After the former president’s statement, the court appointed a public defender for him.
International
Chile and Germany reaffirm commitment to multilateralism amid global challenges

Chile and Germany reaffirmed on Wednesday their commitment to multilateralism and advocated for strengthening ties with countries that promote free trade and “abide by international rules.”
“The world is changing rapidly, and the challenges posed by the global scenario today require us to work together,” said Chilean President Gabriel Boric in a press conference after meeting with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the La Moneda Palace in Santiago. “Today, multilateralism is under threat.”
Although Boric did not directly mention U.S. President Donald Trump, he expressed that his country is “concerned about the threats looming over Panama, Canada, Greenland, and Danish territory,” referring to recent statements and measures by Trump regarding his aspirations for U.S. foreign policy.
In recent days, Trump announced the imposition of tariffs on products from Canada, Mexico, and China, reiterated his interest in purchasing Greenland—part of Denmark—and insisted on regaining control of the Panama Canal, which has sparked diplomatic tensions.
Central America
Guatemalan court’s ruling against Zamora labeled as an assault on press freedom by IAPA

he Inter American Press Association (IAPA) on Wednesday described as an “assault on press freedom” the decision by a Guatemalan appeals court to revoke the house arrest of journalist José Rubén Zamora, founder of El Periódico.
The Guatemalan Appeals Court ordered the journalist to return to prison amid the criminal proceedings that the Public Ministry (Prosecutor’s Office) has ongoing against him, although this decision is not yet final.
“The court’s decision is a direct affront to freedom of expression and the citizens’ right to be informed,” emphasized José Roberto Dutriz, President of the IAPA, in a statement.
He added that the measure is “without legitimate grounds” and confirms “a pattern of persecution orchestrated against José Rubén Zamora.”
International
Chile’s President Boric reiterates support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, condemns Russia’s aggression

Chilean President Gabriel Boric on Wednesday reaffirmed his commitment to respecting international law and human rights, urging that “the aggressor, Russia, should never be confused with the victim, Ukraine,” in negotiations aimed at achieving a “lasting peace” amid the recent shake-up following the meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.
“Any negotiation process must be carried out with full respect for international law and the parties in conflict. Only in this way can we achieve lasting peace and the goal that an invasion like this never happens again. To do so, it is essential that history is told truthfully, and the aggressor, Russia, is never confused with the victim, Ukraine,” said the Chilean leader.
The statement, made from the La Moneda Palace (the seat of government) after meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier during his first official trip to the southern country, is Boric’s first comment on the conflict following the dispute last Friday at the White House between Zelensky and Trump, who accused the Ukrainian leader of being “disrespectful” and “playing with World War III.”
“Chile’s position has always been to safeguard Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” continued the Chilean president, who has consistently condemned Russia for what he called an “unjust aggression” and has met with Zelensky several times since the war began.
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