The US offers millions for leaders of the cartel that floods the streets with drugs

Immediate response after the earthquake

The government of El Salvador installed a humanitarian hospital on the main avenue of Playa Grande, La Guaira state, to respond to the emergency caused by the double earthquake that shook northern Venezuela on June 24.

The initiative responds to a direct order from Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, who monitors the situation and coordinates the distribution of aid, according to an official statement.

Details of the Salvadoran contingent

The temporary hospital seeks to relieve pressure on the local health system in one of the areas most affected by seismic activity. The team is made up of doctors, paramedics and a team of veterinarians.

Medical care is provided 24 hours a day. Veterinary services for pets and companion animals are available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time).

The Salvadoran government’s commitment to the emergency is reflected in the rapid installation of this center, which seeks to mitigate the impact of the earthquake on the affected community.

Khamenei’s funeral sets off alarms

Mourners chanted slogans against President Donald Trump during the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s late supreme leader. The images traveled around the world and provoked an immediate response from Washington.

“We have 1,000 missiles ready and loaded against Iran. Thousands more will be used if they make an attempt on my life,” Trump wrote in Truth Social.

The warning came at a critical time. The ceasefire in the region remains fragile, and any spark could reignite a conflict that has left hundreds dead in recent months.

Cross demands

The United States also demanded that Tehran guarantee free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for oil and gas trade. Iran rejected the claim and instead proposed charging fees to ships that cross its waters, breaking decades-old agreements.

Washington conditions any negotiations on Iran stopping attacks on commercial vessels and handing over its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Tehran has ruled out both conditions.

Diplomats from Oman and Qatar try to mediate to avoid an escalation. But the clashes continue: in recent days, hostile actions left at least 17 dead and more than a hundred injured in Iranian territory.

The international community watches with concern. Control of the Strait of Hormuz and the Iranian nuclear program continue to be the most critical points between both powers, with the risk of a new crisis that impacts global energy markets.

South Africa seeks to avoid 12.5% tariff amid investigation into forced labor

The South African government has asked the United States to exclude it from a tariff proposal linked to a federal investigation into the enforcement of bans on imports of goods made with forced labor.

The South African delegation appeared this week before the Office of the United States Trade Representative in Washington, as part of a Section 301 investigation examining whether at least 60 countries are properly enforcing those bans.

South African representatives argued that the country has strong laws against forced labor and has ratified key International Labor Organization conventions. They also noted that goods produced through prison labor are already prohibited by their legislation.

The mission called for the proposed 12.5% ​​tariff not to be imposed on South African exports. It requested exemptions for key products such as platinum group metals, vehicles, citrus fruits, fish, shellfish, wine and nuts, ensuring that there is no evidence that they are produced with forced labor.

Trade relations between Washington and Pretoria have been strained in recent years due to disagreements over tariffs, South African internal policies and opposing positions in conflicts such as the war in Gaza.

Impact of the AGOA trade agreement

South Africa has long benefited from tariff-free access to the US market through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). This program has supported billions of dollars in exports from sub-Saharan Africa. The program is set to expire unless the US Congress renews it.

Commerce Minister Parks Tau stated that the United States remains an important trading partner and that the government will continue to dialogue with Washington about the investigation and other current tariffs, such as those on steel, aluminum and automobiles.

After the hearing, the US Trade Office indicated that additional submissions will be accepted until Thursday before making a decision.