Trump also suggested allies should secure their own energy supplies, while Iranian authorities warned access through the Strait of Hormuz could be restricted depending on countries’ positions in the conflict .

According to the president, Wedding voluntarily presented himself at the United States embassy in Mexico City before being transferred to US authorities. Sheinbaum underlined that Mexico’s constitution and national security laws prohibit joint operations by foreign investigative agencies, allowing only cooperation through the exchange of information between governments.

Sheinbaum added that this position has been clearly communicated to Washington, noting that while Mexico maintains security cooperation with the US, it does so strictly within its legal framework. Her remarks come amid heightened international scrutiny of cross-border security coordination between the two countries, particularly in cases involving organised crime and extradition.

Trump said Colombia remained a major source of cocaine entering the United States and described Petro as hostile to US interests, issuing a blunt warning as tensions between the two governments continued to rise.

Petro had earlier argued that the United States had historically “invaded” and taken territory that should belong to Latin America . He also defended Colombia’s role in the war on drugs and warned Trump against damaging nearly two centuries of diplomatic relations, cautioning him not to “awaken the jaguar”.

The exchange comes amid broader regional friction linked to US sanctions on Venezuela, drug trafficking policy, and shifting diplomatic dynamics between Washington and Latin American governments.

Participants said the congress aimed to reaffirm commitments to peace and to the sovereignty of Latin American nations. The event was framed by organisers as part of a broader international discussion on external pressure, geopolitical influence and the role of labour movements in defending national self-determination.

Venezuela’s foreign minister, Yvan Gil Pinto, used the gathering to draw attention to the scale of the US military presence in the Caribbean, which he described as the largest the region has seen. He accused Washington of pursuing policies rooted in colonialism and imperialism, arguing that military operations were driven by competition over strategic resources rather than by efforts to combat drug trafficking.

Similar concerns were raised by Said Gafurov, a professor at Moscow University, who placed Venezuela’s situation within a wider global context. “The Global North is trying to increase its control over all natural resources in the world,” he said, arguing that this dynamic extends beyond Venezuela to include Russia, the Middle East and other resource-rich regions.

Relations between Caracas and Washington deteriorated further after US President Donald Trump stated on social media that the military campaign in the Caribbean would continue until Venezuela returned assets he claimed had been taken from the United States. Following the comments, President Nicolás Maduro held a phone call with UN Secretary-General António Guterres to raise concerns over what the Venezuelan government describes as growing threats to the country and its population.

Ortega highlighted the continued relevance of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – Peoples’ Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP), arguing that the bloc has endured despite sustained political and economic pressure from the United States. He said the alliance remains active and resilient in the face of sanctions, threats and external pressure.

A central part of his address focused on US military activity in the Caribbean Sea, particularly operations near Venezuela that Washington has described as efforts to combat drug trafficking and organised crime. Ortega rejected that justification, portraying the deployments as part of a broader strategy of military encirclement and regional isolation, with Venezuela as a focal point.

He also criticised what he described as US interference in domestic political processes in Latin America , citing Honduras as an example, and warned of consequences for governments that do not align with Washington. Ortega concluded by saying that opposition to US measures is growing across the region and predicted a collective response aimed at defending peace and national sovereignty. “There is rejection of all the measures that the United States government has been taking… And the people will react, and the North American people will react, and peace will have to be established in the world,” he said.

Sheinbaum said her administration has demonstrated that it is possible to maintain constructive ties with Washington while prioritising national interests. She highlighted a new security understanding built on four principles: respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity; shared but differentiated responsibility; collaboration without subordination; and full respect for national sovereignty.

The president also underlined Mexico’s deep economic interdependence with the US, calling trade links essential for both countries’ competitiveness. She praised the role of Mexican migrants in the US economy , describing them as “heroes and heroines” whose work sustains families and contributes to the prosperity of both nations.

Sheinbaum noted that a constitutional reform aimed at preventing foreign interference has already been approved, reiterating that Mexicans will not accept external actions that threaten the country’s territorial or political integrity. She also pointed to strong economic indicators , including record foreign investment and a strengthened peso, as evidence that the broader Fourth Transformation project continues to shape Mexico’s trajectory.

Speaking in Pretoria, Ramaphosa dismissed suggestions that the alleged US move was causing diplomatic anxiety. “No, I don’t have sleepless nights,” he said. “All we want really is for South Africa to be treated as an equal sovereign country, one that respects others and fosters the success and prosperity of other countries.” His comments come amid escalating tensions between Washington and Pretoria following the US decision to boycott South Africa’s G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg earlier this year.

The US administration has argued that South Africa should be excluded from the G20’s core work despite its formal membership, citing economic stagnation, corruption and what Secretary of State Marco Rubio described as “race-based policies ” that have undermined investor confidence and pushed skilled workers to leave. Washington has also accused Pretoria of mishandling its G20 presidency by blocking negotiations, ignoring attempts at consensus and prioritising political messaging over economic progress. In parallel, the US announced plans for a “New G20”, inviting Poland to join instead.

In response, presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said South Africa will suspend its participation in G20 activities until the presidency rotates to the United Kingdom in 2027. Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola added that Pretoria will not lobby for reinclusion, framing the year-long pause as a principled stand against what he called US unilateralism. The dispute is now shaping into a broader geopolitical test, one that could redefine how emerging economies assert their role within global governance structures.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the most mineral-rich countries in the world, with an estimated wealth of $24 trillion in natural minerals. Many of these minerals are vital for expanding the IT and AI industries, on which the U.S. relies. So far, China has led the way in tapping into the DRC’s reserves; today, Trump is hoping to change that.

Trump’s clear incentives for brokering peace may trigger alarm bells for many, however, the DRC’s government asserts that “sovereignty over resources remains entirely Congolese”. DRC Presidential spokesperson Tina Salama told the press this deal “is not 'peace in exchange for minerals', as has been claimed - it is about securing minerals to deprive the war of financing”.

Control of eastern Congo’s mineral wealth has long been a central driver of the region’s instability. Rebel militia groups like M23 often seize mines and key transport routes to extract revenue. Minerals like cobalt, copper and gold are easily smuggled out of the country and provide a reliable source of income that can be used to pay fighters, buy guns and maintain territorial control.

U.S. investment in Congo’s mining industry could ensure that everyday Congolese people benefit from the wealth extracted from their country’s mines and help starve militia groups of funding.

However, even as Rwanda’s President Kagame and the DRC’s President Tshisekedi arrive in Washington, the fighting rages on in eastern DR Congo. The fighting sides on the ground are less swayed by the U.S. president’s appetite for economic deals and so preliminary accords agreed over the summer, in Washington and Doha, have often been ignored.

This week, both Rwanda and the DRC have accused the other of sabotaging peace talks with ceasefire violations, and few expect today's deal to have an immediate impact on the ground.

Ultimately, whether this deal delivers peace will be decided not in Washington, but in the hills where militias still trade bullets for minerals.

Leavitt explained that Trump’s position is “nuanced and common sense,” noting that foreign specialists may initially be needed when international companies invest billions in the United States to establish high-tech manufacturing facilities, such as battery or semiconductor factories. These workers, she said, help launch operations in “very niche” areas that may require specialised expertise not immediately available in the domestic workforce.

The press secretary stressed that, ultimately, the administration’s goal is to ensure American workers fill these roles once production ramps up. Trump himself previously noted that complex facilities, like computer chip factories, cannot simply hire from local unemployment lines and require skilled personnel to train domestic employees.

At the US-Saudi Investment Forum last week, Trump said he welcomed the foreign workers brought in during this initial phase. “They’re going to teach our people how to make computer chips, and in a short period of time, our people are going to be doing great,” he stated, adding that the foreign specialists would eventually return home after transferring their knowledge to the American workforce .

This step signals a new phase because the FTO designation grants Washington stronger legal tools than previous sanctions allowed. Under this classification, individuals or entities that provide support to the group can face criminal prosecution, and U.S. agencies gain wider authority to freeze assets and pursue actions against those linked to the network. The shift from a financial sanctioning regime to an anti-terrorism framework elevates the confrontation from political disagreement to a security-based dispute.

Venezuela’s response underscores the escalation. Caracas dismissed the designation as a “ridiculous fabrication” and insisted that the Cartel de los Soles does not exist, framing the move as an attempt to justify an “illegitimate and illegal intervention.” The sharp rejection reflects how the new label challenges the legitimacy of senior Venezuelan officials by identifying them, according to Washington, as part of a structure tied to drug trafficking and to other groups already designated as terrorist organisations.

The timing has also fuelled perceptions of a shift. The measure comes at a moment when the U.S. has increased its military presence in the Caribbean and the southern Atlantic, a context noted by observers who see the combination of the FTO designation and regional deployments as part of a more assertive posture. While the label itself does not authorise military action, it expands the legal and political space for the U.S. to act more forcefully, if it chooses to do so.

Taken together, these elements explain why the terrorist designation represents a new phase: Washington has redefined its dispute with Venezuela from a diplomatic and economic confrontation to one framed around national and regional security with broader consequences and higher stakes for both governments.

Trump also drew comparisons with recent US operations at sea, claiming that maritime drug routes had been reduced by 85% He argued that similar tactics could be applied on land if necessary, portraying them as a way to protect American lives.

The remarks come after deadly US strikes on alleged Venezuelan “narco boats”, which have already heightened tensions in Latin America . Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has firmly rejected any prospect of foreign intervention, insisting her country will not permit US military action on its territory.

Trump’s comments underline the strain in US-Mexico relations over how to tackle cross-border drug trafficking . The issue carries global significance, with Washington’s approach likely to shape regional security dynamics and international debates on sovereignty and counter-narcotics policy.

Hegseth praised the deployment of Stryker platoons working alongside US Border Patrol agents as part of efforts to tighten security along the Mexican border, framing the operations as essential to protecting national safety. The secretary also announced the new Defence Medal, intended to formally recognise personnel serving in these missions.

The comments come amid rising tensions with Mexico, whose president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has reiterated that the country will not permit the deployment of US troops on its territory under the banner of anti-narcotics operations. Despite this, multiple US media outlets report that Washington has already begun planning for a mission that would send American troops and intelligence officers into Mexico to target cartel networks more directly.

Meanwhile, Washington has acknowledged carrying out dozens of strikes on alleged Venezuela n drug-smuggling vessels since September, in operations that have reportedly killed at least 70 people. Venezuela has denied the accusations of trafficking and dismissed the military actions as “imperialist”, accusing the United States of pursuing destabilisation and attempting to force political change in the country.

The US embargo, first imposed in the 1960s, remains one of the world ’s longest-standing economic sanctions. While the Obama administration made limited moves towards normalisation, President Donald Trump reversed those policies and re-added Cuba to the US list of state sponsors of terrorism. The Biden administration has so far maintained most of those restrictions.

Cuba’s resolution condemning the blockade has been presented annually at the UN General Assembly since 1992, consistently receiving overwhelming support. In the most recent vote, 187 countries backed the motion, with only the United States and Israel opposing it. The next debate and vote are scheduled for 28 October.

For Havana, the resolution serves as both a diplomatic reaffirmation and a political weapon, a way to highlight Washington’s isolation on the global stage. For the United States, however, the vote remains largely symbolic, underscoring a standoff that has lasted for more than six decades and shows little sign of easing.

These strikes, which the U.S. characterises as part of an “armed conflict” against cartels, have triggered diplomatic fallout with countries in the region, particularly after one incident left civilian survivors and no clear judicial process. Amid this backdrop, Ecuador’s message signals a shift toward closer cooperation with Washington’s security agenda, even as it raises questions over sovereignty and regional power dynamics.

Noboa’s endorsement sits in contrast to other regional leaders who have warned against external intervention. By linking Ecuador’s anti-drug campaign to U.S. strategy, his government may be seeking both security support and international legitimacy. Analysts suggest this alignment could deepen Ecuador’s role as a strategic partner in the hemisphere’s security architecture.

Nonetheless, the move invites scrutiny. Critics argue that harmonising too closely with U.S. policy may expose Ecuador to the controversies surrounding extrajudicial operations and may shift focus away from domestic reform and human rights concerns.

Ultimately, Ecuador’s public signal of partnership reinforces the global stakes of Latin America ’s narcotics supply routes. In an era where Washington presses allies to share the burden of the fight, Quito’s statement may mark a critical moment in regional cooperation, or an intensification of old tensions under a new guise.

The dispute has broader consequences for U.S.–Latin American relations. The suspension of U.S. subsidies to Colombia's drug-control efforts threatens to destabilise regional cooperation and to strain long-standing partnerships in a region already under pressure from illicit economies and violence .

Analysts note that Petro is seeking to assert Colombia’s sovereignty and challenge what he calls U.S. interventionist postures. His rebuke reflects a shift in Latin America where heads of state are more willing to contest Washington’s influence in foreign and security affairs.

For an international audience, the exchange signals a potential recalibration of the U.S. role in the region. With Colombia taking a more defiant stand, the broader question is how U.S. foreign policy will adapt amid changing power dynamics across the Americas.

The licence, issued by the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), was announced on Thursday by Trinidad’s Attorney General John Jeremie. It represents a crucial opportunity for Port of Spain to secure new gas supplies at a time when domestic production has dropped by almost 30 per cent since 2015, threatening the future of the country’s petrochemical and liquefied natural gas (LNG) industries — key pillars of its economy.

Under the six-month authorisation, Trinidad and Shell are permitted to begin talks with Venezuela’s state company PDVSA, but under strict conditions . The US has made clear that the project must not provide any “significant benefit” to President Nicolás Maduro’s government. A second Treasury document extends the deal’s potential timeline into April 2026, outlining a phased process for development that includes participation from US companies.

The Dragon field holds an estimated 4.2 trillion cubic feet of gas, making it one of Venezuela’s largest reserves. Its exploitation was halted years ago due to sanctions and political instability in Caracas. For Trinidad and Tobago, access to that resource could act as a lifeline for the country’s energy-dependent economy , described by former energy minister Kevin Ramnarine as a “salvation table” — though he warned its success depends on both political will and US flexibility.

Beyond economics, Washington’s decision reflects a pragmatic recalibration of its Caribbean strategy: maintaining pressure on Maduro while supporting regional partners facing energy insecurity. For Trinidad and Tobago, the authorisation opens a narrow but vital window — six months to turn diplomatic approval into a concrete deal, in a Caribbean increasingly shaped by energy geopolitics and great-power rivalry.

The peace deal , signed by the foreign ministers of both countries, outlines key steps including military disengagement, the lifting of Rwandan defensive measures, and the neutralisation of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a rebel group that Rwanda sees as a threat.

The agreement also affirms respect for the territorial integrity of the DRC and allows either party to withdraw from the deal with 60 days' notice.

Despite this, many in Kinshasa and Kivu remain uncertain about the agreement’s effectiveness due to a history of failed peace efforts.

Romeo Limaka, a university professor in Kinshasa, emphasised the public’s desire for transparency and long-term peace. “The people were going to be involved to learn the timelines and outcomes of this agreement with a view to peace, which is much more sought after because that is what is most important to the people: peace, the end of the war,” he told CGTN.

Others have raised concerns about the exclusion of key local groups from the agreement. Ngenga Ewaenwa, President of the School of Patriot and His Patriotism in Africa (EPPAF) noted the absence of domestic armed groups and patriotic forces from the discussions. “But what makes us regret is seeing how the Patriots, the Wazalendo group, the M23, who fight day and night, were not involved in this agreement. The same goes for us, who are Patriots and carry patriotism in Africa. This is what worries us. So perhaps tomorrow, there could also be bad reactions to unforeseen issues.”

Supporters of President Felix Tshisekedi have welcomed the agreement. Phillipe Undji, secretary of the ruling Sacred Union, highlighted potential economic benefits. “We must now establish an economic framework that works on traceability… if there can be small commission agents in the sales chains and all that, in the profit, that the DRC earns a large part of its resources, well, we say that it is a victory.”

Just recently, a confidential UN report said Rwanda controls M23 rebels advancing in eastern Congo, gaining power and mineral access. Experts added that Rwanda trained M23 fighters and supplied them with advanced military tech to outmatch Congo’s army.

Recent reports indicate that over 7 million individuals have been forcibly displaced due to the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC. Nearly 780,000 people were compelled to abandon their homes between November 2024 and January 2025.

Since January 1, over 100,000 refugees have entered neighbouring countries. Of these, 69,000 have sought refuge in Burundi, 29,000 in Uganda, and approximately 1,000 in Rwanda and Tanzania, the UN Refugee Agency reports.

One rally participant criticised Trump’s stance on the conflict, accusing him of repeating Russian propaganda. “It's very important for the U.S. to support Ukraine until they win the war fully… We knew who Trump was. It's horrifying that people voted for him to support this, but we also know that the majority of Americans do support Ukraine and do not agree with what Trump has been saying,” she told AFP.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio travelled to Saudi Arabia for direct talks with Russia on a potential ceasefire in Ukraine. The meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, February 18, in Riyadh, did not include representatives from Ukraine, a decision that Kyiv has criticised.

Monday, February 24, marks three years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Wang's visit will commence with a meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who visited Beijing in June and will host his counterpart for a private dinner.

Meanwhile, Biden has extended an invitation to President Xi for a summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in San Francisco next month. This would mark the first meeting between the two leaders in a year.

American officials have frequently emphasized the need to establish "guardrails" to mitigate worst-case scenarios and have made attempts, albeit unsuccessfully, to reestablish communication between the two militaries. These efforts persist, despite strong disagreements between the two powers on matters spanning trade to Taiwan.

"We're going to compete with China (in) every way according to the international rules - economically, politically, in other ways. But I'm not looking for conflict," Biden said Wednesday as he welcomed Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Additionally, President Biden issued a cautionary statement in response to allegations made by the Philippines, a treaty-bound ally and former U.S. colony. The Philippines claimed that Chinese vessels intentionally collided with Manila's boats in waters marked by disputes, although Beijing disputed this account.

"Any attack on Filipino aircraft, vessels, or armed forces will invoke our mutual defense treaty with the Philippines," Biden said.

Biden mentioned that he had previously engaged in discussions with Xi regarding the concerns expressed by the Chinese leader.

"No, we're not surrounding China; we're just making sure that the sea lanes remain open, the US President said.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning expressed optimism that Wang's visit would contribute to reestablishing healthy and stable development in relations with the United States.

Tensions have notably escalated concerning Taiwan, a self-governing democracy claimed by Beijing. In the past year, Taiwan has initiated significant military exercises in response to actions taken by U.S. lawmakers.

The United States has increased its military support for Taiwan out of concern that China might be advancing its intentions to take control of the island. However, U.S. officials are hopeful that China may reconsider its actions due to the challenges it faces in Ukraine.