分类： politics

In a significant development in the ongoing tensions between the United States and Venezuela, President Donald Trump confirmed on Friday that Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro had proposed major concessions to ease the strained relations. However, Trump dismissed these overtures with sharp criticism, stating that Maduro’s actions were driven by fear of U.S. retaliation. This comes alongside reports of a new U.S. military strike targeting a drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean, which allegedly left survivors onboard. The vessel, described by Trump as a ‘drug-carrying submarine,’ is part of a broader U.S. campaign against narcotics trafficking in the region. Washington has accused Maduro of leading a drug cartel and has deployed significant military assets, including stealth warplanes and naval ships, to combat the issue. Maduro, meanwhile, has accused the U.S. of orchestrating a regime change, a claim that has fueled further tensions. The U.S. has intensified its military presence in the Caribbean since September, targeting at least six vessels, mostly speedboats, allegedly linked to drug smuggling. While the U.S. claims its operations are dealing a decisive blow to drug trafficking, experts have raised concerns about the legality of summary killings, even if the targets are confirmed drug smugglers. The campaign has also drawn in neighboring countries, with Trinidad and Tobago investigating whether its citizens were killed in a recent strike, and Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressing concerns about Colombian casualties. Amid these developments, Trump has hinted at expanding U.S. military operations to include land targets, while the head of U.S. Southern Command announced his unexpected retirement, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.

Senator Donna Scott-Mottley, the Shadow Minister of Foreign, Regional and Diaspora Affairs for Jamaica’s People’s National Party (PNP), has called on Prime Minister Andrew Holness, in his role as chairman of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), to convene member states and formulate a cohesive regional response to recent reports of US military strikes in Caribbean waters. These strikes have reportedly resulted in numerous fatalities, including two Trinidadians, and the detention of two individuals of undisclosed nationality by the US Army. Scott-Mottley expressed profound concern, warning that such actions undermine the sovereignty of the region and jeopardize the safety of its citizens.

She emphasized that Caricom has consistently advocated for the Caribbean to be recognized as a Zone of Peace, a principle rooted in peaceful coexistence, respect for sovereignty, and adherence to international law. The senator criticized the alleged use of armed drones and lethal force in Caribbean waters, describing it as a blatant violation of these principles. She highlighted the growing unease among fisherfolk and coastal communities across Jamaica and the wider Caribbean, who fear being misidentified or caught in the crossfire of military operations.

Scott-Mottley stressed that the Caribbean’s waters are vital for livelihoods and commerce and must not be transformed into a battleground. She urged Prime Minister Holness to uphold the region’s legacy of diplomacy and non-alignment by engaging with Caricom leaders to reaffirm the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace and to ensure full respect for international legal norms, including the right to life, due process, and state sovereignty.

In her concluding remarks, Scott-Mottley warned against normalizing extrajudicial actions in Caribbean waters, calling for unity among Caricom member states to safeguard the principles of peace, sovereignty, and international law.

In a significant development in the ongoing U.S. military campaign against drug trafficking, President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the United States had targeted and destroyed a suspected drug-smuggling submarine in the Caribbean. The operation resulted in the deaths of two individuals, while two others were apprehended and are being repatriated to their home countries, Ecuador and Colombia, for prosecution. Trump described the vessel as a ‘very large drug-carrying submarine’ loaded with fentanyl and other narcotics, emphasizing its interception on a known narcotrafficking route. This strike, announced on Friday, marks the latest in a series of U.S. military actions aimed at disrupting the flow of illegal drugs from Latin America to the United States. Since September, at least six vessels, primarily speedboats, have been targeted in the Caribbean, with some allegedly originating from Venezuela. While Washington claims these operations are delivering a decisive blow to drug trafficking, critics argue that the lack of evidence regarding the identities of those killed—at least 27 so far—raises legal and ethical concerns. Experts have pointed out that such summary killings are unlawful, even if the targets are confirmed drug traffickers. The origin of the submarine remains undisclosed, though semi-submersibles, often constructed in clandestine jungle shipyards, have long been used to transport cocaine from South America, particularly Colombia, to Central America or Mexico, typically via the Pacific Ocean.

In a televised appearance on the right-wing Channel 14, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed his intention to run in the November 2026 elections. When questioned about his candidacy and prospects for victory, Netanyahu confidently responded, ‘Yes’ to both inquiries. The announcement comes as Netanyahu, leader of the Likud party, continues to navigate a politically charged landscape. Netanyahu, who has served as Israel’s prime minister for over 18 years since 1996, holds the record for the longest tenure in the role. His leadership has been marked by significant achievements and controversies alike. In the most recent elections, Likud secured 32 seats in the Knesset, with its ultra-Orthodox allies and the Religious Zionism alliance adding 18 and 14 seats respectively, marking a strong showing for the far-right bloc. However, Netanyahu’s current term has been overshadowed by a contentious judicial overhaul plan that ignited widespread protests across Israel. Additionally, his handling of the ongoing conflict triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack from Gaza has drawn sharp criticism, particularly from families of hostages. Despite these challenges, Netanyahu remains a formidable figure in Israeli politics as he prepares for another electoral bid.

PARIS, France — Nicolas Sarkozy, the former French president, is set to begin his prison sentence on Tuesday, marking a historic moment as he becomes the first former head of state from an EU country to be incarcerated. Sarkozy, who led France from 2007 to 2012, was convicted in late September for his involvement in a criminal conspiracy to secure illegal campaign funding from the late Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi during his 2007 presidential bid. Despite appealing the verdict and decrying it as an “injustice,” Sarkozy will be held at La Sante prison in Paris. In a defiant statement following his conviction, Sarkozy declared, “If they absolutely want me to sleep in prison, I will sleep in prison — but with my head held high.” This makes him the first French leader to face imprisonment since Philippe Petain, the Nazi-collaborating head of the Vichy regime, who was jailed after World War II. Sarkozy is expected to be placed in solitary confinement, occupying a nine-square-meter cell to minimize interaction with other inmates and prevent unauthorized photography. The presiding judge, Nathalie Gavarino, emphasized the “exceptional gravity” of the offenses, ordering his incarceration even as he appeals. Sarkozy’s legal team is likely to seek his release immediately, but the court retains the authority to deny it if there are concerns about evidence tampering or witness intimidation. If released, he could be placed under judicial supervision or house arrest with an ankle tag. Sarkozy’s legal troubles have mounted since his 2012 re-election loss, including a prior graft conviction. In the Libyan case, prosecutors alleged that his aides struck a deal with Kadhafi in 2005 to fund his campaign, with promises to restore Kadhafi’s international image. However, the court acquitted Sarkozy of charges related to embezzlement, corruption, and illicit campaign financing. Despite losing his Legion of Honour distinction, Sarkozy retains some support on the French right, with his son Louis Sarkozy urging supporters to rally outside their family home. The case has also sparked controversy, with the presiding judge receiving death threats, prompting President Emmanuel Macron to condemn such actions as “unacceptable.” La Sante prison has housed notable figures, including Venezuelan militant Carlos the Jackal and French model agent Jean-Luc Brunel, who was found dead in his cell in 2022.