Lebanon and Trump agree on steps toward lasting peace

The political crisis in Puerto Rico

Governor Jenniffer González announced that her chief of staff, Francisco Domenech, and deputy chief, Itza García, will leave their positions in August. Both are investigated by an independent state agency after allegations of irregularities in the Permit Management Office.

Domenech also serves as executive director of the Financial Advisory Authority and Tax Agency. The accusations arose when former economic development chief Sebastián Negrón resigned in May and alleged government interference in the agency. More than ten officials also resigned.

Negron accused Domenech of contract irregularities and improper interference, which he has denied. García was singled out for pressuring Negrón to appoint the wife of the president of Politank—a lobbying firm that Domenech founded—to the permitting office.

“I return to my private life with the peace of mind of having served with integrity,” said Domenech.

García said that he grew professionally in the position and that his stage concludes, but not his commitment to the island. The governor thanked her for her work and loyalty, stating that she would not allow her administration to be “silenced” by “agendas and attacks.”

Domenech filed sworn statements against Negron alleging corruption, which Negron has denied. On Friday, Domenech said the Office of the Special Independent Prosecutor Panel is investigating him following allegations he called “riddled with lies.”

Federal lawmakers have questioned the use of federal funds. Juan Dalmau, of the Puerto Rican Independence Party, criticized the departure: “It is a discarded whitewash. Allowing notable officials to leave almost with State honors is a mockery.”

Domenech will leave office on August 7 and García on August 15. No replacements have been announced yet.

Direct flights and diplomatic dialogue

President Donald Trump announced that his administration will allow the resumption of direct flights between the United States and Lebanon, suspended since 1985 after the hijacking of TWA Flight 847. The measure became known after his meeting at the White House with the Lebanese president, Joseph Aoun.

“I am ordering my Administration to allow all US airlines to fly directly to Lebanon so that Americans can easily visit this beautiful land,” Trump wrote on social media.

During the meeting, Trump promised to “help a lot” to Lebanon. Aoun is the first Lebanese leader to visit Washington since 2009. The visit occurs in a context of regional tension, after months of conflict between Israel and the armed group Hezbollah, backed by Iran.

Progress towards a framework agreement

Lebanon and Israel signed a framework agreement on June 26 that provides for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the south of the country and the disarmament of Hezbollah. The implementation began in pilot areas such as Zawtar al-Gharbieh, where the Lebanese army has already begun to deploy. However, disagreements remain: Israeli forces fired warning shots during the operation, although both sides differ over the location of the incident.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio backed the deal: “How do you replace Hezbollah? You defeat them and replace them with a government strong enough to be the only armed force in the country.” He warned that Lebanon will not be at peace until the issue of the armed group is resolved.

Trump mentioned that he would speak to Hezbollah personally if Aoun asked him to, and even raised the possibility of Syria intervening against the organization. Both options are unpopular in Lebanon.

Caution on the ground

Abed Ezzeldine, mayor of Zawtar al-Gharbieh, sounded cautious: displaced residents will be able to check their homes, but not stay because of the destroyed infrastructure. “The houses have been demolished. They (the Israelis) have destroyed the streets,” he declared.

Israel plans to maintain a prolonged military presence in a “security zone” in the south. Meanwhile, the Lebanese government, emerged from a reformist campaign in 2025, insists that Israeli withdrawal and international financial support are essential for a sustainable solution. The recent conflict left more than 4,000 dead and 1.2 million displaced in Lebanon.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed General Oleksandr Syrskyi as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, following several days of protests in kyiv and other cities demanding his ouster. In his place, he appointed Mijailo Drapatyi, according to an official statement.

“Our shared desire is one: victory over the enemy,” Zelenskyy declared.

Citizen pressure and internal changes

It was Zelenskyy’s second major turn under pressure from public opinion. The protests also demanded the reinstatement of former Defense Minister Mikhailo Fedorov, seen as a driver of military modernization. Syrskyi was criticized for representing a Soviet-style command culture.

Zelenskyy thanked Syrskyi for the defense of kyiv and the operations in Kharkiv and Kursk. He then introduced Drapatyi as the new boss.

Drapatyi wrote on Facebook:

“Serving Ukraine has always been an honor for me… I will work with responsibility, with focus and with respect for the people who defend our State today.”

Fedorov congratulated Drapatyi and called the appointment “a new hope in the struggle of free peoples for freedom and justice.” Zelenskyy offered Fedorov a position to unify the technology sector, but it was not confirmed whether he accepted.

Fedorov had publicly criticized Syrskyi, saying that he was blocking his reforms and that he should be replaced. After the impeachment, he called Syrskyi to thank him for his contributions, but noted that the country must move faster and correct mistakes.