The Americas: Daily Briefs

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CWA # 1351, 19 June 2024
The Americas: Daily Briefs
The US: President Biden announces new executive order allowing hundreds of thousands of immigrants to get citizenship

  IPRI Team

19 June 2024

ECUADOR    
Ecuador announces temporary suspension of waived visa agreement with China
On 18 June, Ecuador announced the suspension of its waived visas agreement with China for Chinese citizens traveling to South America. The decision came under the increasing worry of irregular migration, after authorities reported that about 50 per cent of Chinese nationals didn’t leave “through regular routs” nor adhere to the 90 days permit under this agreement. Ecuador's Foreign Minister stated that the suspension is temporary, and will be initiated on 1 July.  As per data from Washington-based think tank Niskanen Center, which cited official data by the Ecuadorian government, Chinese nationals entered Ecuador 48,381 times in 2023 but left only 24,240 times. 

MEXICO
Rights and recognition of Indigenous people is top priority, says Mexican President elect Sheinbaum
On 18 June, Mexican President- elect Claudia Sheinbaum stated that she thinks of the “respect and recognition of Indigenous and Afro-Mexican peoples” as a “priority” in upcoming talks. The newly elected Congress will be serving from September, which is when they will discuss reforms put forth by the outgoing government. According to a census in 2020 by the national statistics office, Mexico is home 68 Indigenous regions, which at the time represented around 15 per cent of the population. 

THE US
President Biden announces new executive order allowing hundreds of thousands of immigrants to get citizenship
On 18 June, US President Joe Biden announced one of his largest immigration regulation programmes, as part of which he announced that hundreds of thousands of immigrants would be able to apply for citizenship. Through the measures, more than 500,000 spouses of US citizens and roughly 50,000 noncitizen children under 21 (whose parents are married to a US citizen), will be able to apply for permanent residence and then citizenship without having to leave the US. Biden said that the new action to fix the “cumbersome” system is a “common-sense fix” since under the current system, undocumented spouses “have to leave their families in America with no assurance that they will be allowed back.” Thus, they stay in the US “in the shadows, living in constant fear of deportation without the ability to legally work.” Biden opined that these measures would “fix” the problem but also not make “any fundamental change” to the immigration law. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also appreciated the measures, saying it would bring “stability” to American families and help “keep American families together and allow more young people to contribute” to the US’ economy. 

New Mexico governor declares emergency after wildfires kill one and displace thousands
On 19 June, authorities in New Mexico said two blazes- the South Fork Fire and Salt Fire- scorched more than 20,000 acres, killed one individual and displaced 1,000, and were zero per cent contained. New Mexico’s Governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham, announced a state of emergency and assured that the government was “deploying every available resource to control these fires.” The South Fork Fire, which ignited on 18 June on Mescalero Apache tribal land, tripled in size over a night. Another blaze took place at the south village of Ruidoso. New Mexico Forestry Division’s George Ducker stated that nearly 500 structures were destroyed due to the wildfires. 

US accuses Mexican cartel group of engaging in illegal money exchanges with Chinese “underground banking” network
On 18 June, the US Department of Justice (DoJ) accused a Chinese “underground banking” network of aiding Mexico’s Sinaloa drugs cartel with crimes such as money laundering. The DoJ charged 2 people with offences, while law enforcement officers seized USD five million in proceeds, guns, cocaine, meth, and ecstasy pills. Earlier, the Sinaloa cartel had been accused by the US of helping to fuel an epidemic by flooding the country with fentanyl. While highlighting a “conspiracy” in which more than USD 50 million in drug proceeds were moved in “money exchanges” between gang members and the Chinese, the DoJ alleged that these exchanges were used by the gang to move their illegal cash to Mexico from the US.   

18 June 2024

BRAZIL
President urges government to increase measures to combat crimes in the Amazon
On 17 June, the President of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, called on his government to speed up actions in the Amazon to counter the organised crime which has contributed to the deterioration of the largest tropical rainforest. Silva complained that the security plan for the Amazon, AMAS, had taken approximately a year to begin, and a lot more work is yet to be done to set up an international police center in Manaus. He stated that: "We need to speed up the process, because my term is only four years. If we cannot execute this plan, someone else will come along and do nothing." Approximately USD 58.6 million is to given in funds for the security plan. Many nations such as Germany, Britain, Denmark, the EU, and the US have been supportive of the matter and have donated. This initiative aims to counter the systematic destruction due to illegal activities such as logging, gold mining, drug trafficking and smuggling of tropical animals. 

CHILE
President Boric calls on Argentina government to remove solar panels installed on Chilean side of border 
On 17 June, Chile’s President Gabriel Boric demanded Argentina’s government to remove solar panels from a military base which were installed “mistakenly” on the Chilean side of the border “at the earliest.” Earlier in April, the Argentine Navy had inaugurated the “Puesto de Vigilancia y Control de Tránsito Marítimo Hito 1,” a surveillance post, on the border with Chile. Chile has claimed that the solar panels which are used to provide energy to the unit were installed on the Chilean side of the border. During his visit to Paris, Boric noted: “Borders are not something with which you can have ambiguities and that is a basic principle of respect between countries and therefore, they must remove those solar panels as soon as possible or we are going to do it.” Boric had previously sent a formal letter warning of this violation, and stated later that while he does not think this will cause any problems, it is “an equivocal signal” that China does “not like.”  Though Chile's Foreign Minister, Alberto Van Klaveren, added that “Argentina recognised a mistake and apologized for it,” Argentina’s Ambassador to Chile, Jorge Faurie, said that it is not possible for Argentina to apologise immediately for the mistake. He explained that the “material error” had occurred because the company that installed the panels was “guided by a wire fence of a ranch in the area.” Faurie assured that the panels would be “removed as soon as weather conditions permit.”

EL SALVADOR
Death toll rises Central America faces heavy rains
On 17 June 2024, authorities in El Salvador reported that nearly 11 people lost their lives due to the torrential rains that have lashed Central America’s Pacific coast for a few days. These rains affected about 900 individuals who were then forced to stay in temporary shelters. Civil Protection Chief Luis Amaya explained that these victims, including children, died as a result of landslides and accidents caused due to trees falling on the roadside. He told all citizens that the “number one priority is to be safe.” Forecasters have predicted more rain through the week and warned about the high possibility of storms over the Gulf of Mexico. 

VENEZUELA
Government arrests four opposition activists, accuses them of instigating hate and conspiracy
On 17 June 2024, Venezuela’s opposition coalition stated that four activists from two political parties had been detained, amid rising tensions ahead of the July presidential elections. Gabriel Gonzalez, Javier Cisneros, Jeancarlos Rivas and Juan Iriarte, of the Popular Will and Vente Venezuela are a few of the many activists that have been detained over the past week and have been accused of instigating hate and conspiracy by the opposition spokespeople. Opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez later asserted that the coalition would “denounce this new attack by the government in all the relevant international venues.” He added that they could not “allow these types of grave violations to continue to be committed.” So far in 2024, 37 activists have been arrested. 

THE US
US surgeon urges Congress to mandate warning label on social media 
On 17 June, a senior surgeon general in the US, Dr Vivek Murthy, called on Congress to make it mandatory for social media platforms to carry warning labels on their possible effects on the lives of young people, similar to the warning on cigarette boxes. In an opinion piece in The New York Times, he opined that social media has been a large contributing factor towards the mental health crisis among young people. Murthy emphasised: “It is time to require a surgeon general’s warning label on social media platforms, stating that social media is associated with significant mental health harms for adolescents. A surgeon general’s warning label, which requires congressional action, would regularly remind parents and adolescents that social media has not been proven safe.” Though he acknowledged that just a warning would not be enough, he argued that this could be part of the steps required to make social media a safer space for the youth. 

White House accuses President Biden’s opponents of spreading misinformation through videos
On 17 June, the administration of US President Joe Biden criticised Biden’s opponents of spreading disinformation with regard to his physical and mental fitness and wellbeing after a series of viral videos were released, creating concerns about Biden’s age. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean- Pierre stated that the clips had been deceptively edited or misrepresented to show Biden’s decline, and said that the “cheapfake” videos showed “how desperate Republicans are.” “These clips showed Biden freezing up or wandering off on his own during events, including the G7 summit. One clip showed him motionless while surrounded by people who were dancing, to which Jean-Pierre commented: “The president stood there listening to the music, and he didn’t dance… Excuse me, I didn’t know that not dancing was a health issue.” 

US envoy meets Israeli officials amid increasing tensions with Hezbollah
On 17 June, senior US Diplomat Amos Hochstein held a meeting with Israeli leaders, including the prime minister, president, and defence minister, and later visited Lebanon in an attempt to defuse tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.  According to the office of Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, the minister “provided a situation assessment of developments on Israel’s northern border, emphasizing the daily attacks conducted by Hezbollah against Israel’s northern communities and detailing the [Israeli military’s] efforts to thwart Hezbollah terrorists and infrastructure.” Gallant and Hochstein “discussed the security situation at length and its impact on the region.” The visit came amid rising fear of an all -out war between Israel and Hezbollah (Lebanon).

Indian man suspected of plotting to kill Sikh separatist extradited to the US from Czech Republic
On 17 June, Czech Republic’s Justice Minister, Pavel Blazek, announced that his country had extradited an Indian man, Nikhil Gupta, who has been accused of being involved in an unsuccessful plot to kill a Sikh separatist, to the US. The US had claimed that the plot had been directed by the Indian government. US federal prosecutors have accused Gupta of plotting with intelligence officials to attempt to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a US and Canadian citizen and an advocate for a sovereign Sikh state. Gupta had been arrested in 2023 by Czech authorities, and in May 2024, a Czech court rejected his petition to avoid being sent to the US. If he is convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.  

17 June 2024

ECUADOR
Six killed and several missing after heavy rain sets off landslides
On 16 June, in the central Ecuadorian city of Baños, a landslide surged over a highway, leading to at least six people being killed and 30 others going missing. Authorities stated that heavy rains throughout the country caused rivers to overflow. Across Ecuador, storms sent severe floods of mud crashing into highways and bridges, significantly affecting the main roads which connect Ecuador’s highlands to the Amazonian provinces. The rains also delayed rescue efforts, according to emergency workers, while the mayor of Baños, Miguel Guevara, directed residents to stay clear of roads. 

HAITI
New government announces head of national police will be replaced
On 14 June, the newly introduced government of Haiti announced that the Head of the Beleaguered National Police Force, Frantz Elbe, would be replaced with former chief Rameau Normil. This is part of Haiti Prime Minister Garry Conille’s efforts to strengthen the Haitian National Police amid increasing efforts, as the force has been characterised by low funding and inadequate equipment. The National Network for Defence of Human Rights (RNDDH) Pierre Esperance, said that the “results of Elbe at the helm of the police are catastrophic,” as he “spent his whole time establishing relationships with the gangs, reinforcing the gangs and preventing cops from doing their job and risking their lives.”

HONDURAS
President announces measures to tackle rising organised crime
On 14 June, the President of Honduras, Xiomara Castro, announced a series of measures and “plans of solutions against crime” that would be implemented to tackle the rise in organised crime. This will include the constructions of a “megaprison” with the capacity of over 20,000, while also designating the gang groups as “terrorist” with collective trials on the members. These come as a response to a “security emergency” in the country, and continuous complaints from the public. A member of the Honduras National Defense and Security Council, Castro stated that the police and the armed forces must be deployed to “urgently execute interventions across parts of the country with the highest incidences of gang crimes, such as murders for hire, drug and firearm trafficking, extortion, kidnapping and money laundering.” The megaprison, referred to as the ‘Emergency Reclusion Centre,’ is set to be built in a sparsely populated area and will increase the country’s current prison capacity. The Honduran Congress has also been called on to reform the penal code to designate drug traffickers and gang members as “terrorists.”

15 June 2024

BRAZIL
Hundreds protest against bill seeking to equate abortion to homicide
On 15 June, protestors gathered in Brazilian cities- including Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Brasília- against a proposed amendment that would result in equating abortion to homicide. The amendment will also apply to cases where the pregnancy occurred due to rape. It could result in 20 years of prison time for women who terminate pregnancies after 22 weeks. Some carried placards that read “a girl is not a mother,” given that children aged 13 and younger make up more than 60 per cent of the country’s rape victims. Currently, the law allows for abortion in cases of rape, a risk to life, or fetal brain abnormality, and it carries a prison sentence of up to three years for instances outside these cases. Health professionals involved in such cases would also face charges of homicide under the proposed amendment. While the conservatives in Congress pushed for the bill, the ruling left wing is opposed the move. Councilwoman Monico Benicio stated: “We will not accept a conservative government negotiating spurious policies over our lives. We will continue to advance until legal abortion is a guaranteed right in Brazil.” 

CANADA
New bill promising national strategy to address environmental racism passes third reading in Senate
On 14 June, a new bill, C-226, that pledges to develop a nationwide strategy aiming to prevent and address the issue of environmental racism, was welcomed in Canada. The Canadian Coalition for Environmental and Climate Justice (CCECJ) stated that communities would be able to understand the scale of the problem and come up with strategies to tackle it thanks to the advent of the bill. The bill has already passed a third reading in the Senate and is expected to achieve the last step in Canada’s legislative process, “Royal Assent.” CCECJ’s co-founder Ingrid Waldron explained that the “formal data” on the realities of “environmental racism” in Canada is “incomplete, and therefore, there is a lack of understanding about how real this problem is.” According to Al Jazeera, environmental racism can be defined as “the disproportionate siting of hazardous projects and polluting industries among communities of colour and Indigenous people.” Examples of environmental racism over the past decade include mercury poisoning in northern Ontario, and the construction of oil and gas pipelines on unceded, indigenous lands and landfills near African-Canadian communities on the east coast. The bill has come after years of effort from advocates urging the Canadian Government to take action. Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal party had promised to pass laws compelling the environment minister to “examine the link between race, socio-economic status, and exposure to environmental risk.” His government thus supported Bill C-226, with the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Steven Guilbeault, saying earlier in February that “environmental protection should not change depending on who you are or where you live.” 

THE US
Supreme Court rules ban on bump stock devices is unlawful
On 14 June, the US Supreme Court declared that a federal ban on “bump stock” devices is unlawful. These devices enable the rapid fire of semi-automatic weapons, and the recent ruling marks another rejection to restrictions on firearms. In a six-to-three ruling, the justices sided with a gun-rights advocate and gun shop owner who claimed that a US agency instated the ban due to an improper interpretation of a federal law that prohibits machine guns as extending to bump stocks. While the liberal justices dissented, the majority justices who were conservative voted for the motion. The rule was imposed after the devices were found to be used in a 2017 mass shooting that killed 58 people at a Las Vegas Music Festival during former President Donald Trump’s administration. US President Joe Biden referred to the 2017 incident while criticising the judgment, and stated: “Today’s decision strikes down an important gun safety regulation. Americans should not have to live in fear of this mass devastation.” He called on  “Congress to ban bump stocks, pass an assault weapon ban, and take additional action to save lives,” assuring that he would sign a bill on the matter “immediately.” The US has suffered from gun violence problems for years which includes 251 mass shootings just this year so far and a total of 18,854 people killed in the US last year. However, Conservatives continue to advocate for gun ownership rights, citing the Second Amendment of the US Constitution. 

Sanctions imposed on Israeli group for sabotaging attempts to provide aid to Gaza
On 14 June, the administration of US President Joe Biden imposed sanctions on “violent extremist” Israeli groups who had blocked and damaged convoys carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, as the risk of famine increased rapidly in the Palestinian territory. The targeted group was namely Tzav 9, which aims to prevent any assistance, and indulges in looting and setting fire to the provided aid trucks to Gaza. The Department of State stated: “The government of Israel has a responsibility to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian convoys transiting Israel and the West Bank en route to Gaza. We will not tolerate acts of sabotage and violence targeting this essential humanitarian assistance.” It also noted the importance of humanitarian assistance towards “preventing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza from worsening and to mitigating the risk of famine.” As a result of the sanctions, Tzav 9’s assets in the US will be blocked, and American citizens will be largely prohibited from engaging in transactions with them. 

14 June 2024

ARGENTINA
IMF approves USD 800 million for economic recovery
On 13 June, the board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) cleared the way for Argentina to draw USD 800 Million to help with its economic recovery. Argentina has a USD 44 billion program with the IMF, which includes economic targets on growth, inflation, and reserves. The IMF's approval came after Argentina President Javier Milei put in place sweeping fiscal reforms and sharply tightened government spending to tackle triple-digit inflation, a shrinking economy and reserves in the red. The IMF issued a statement saying: "In completing the review, the Executive Board assessed the program to be firmly on track, with all quantitative performance criteria through end-March 2024 met with margins." It also advised that in order to sustain the progress, the government will have to improve the quality of fiscal adjustment and work towards enhanced monetary and foreign exchange policy framework. 

MEXICO
US envoy warns of “consequences” if migrants don't choose legal pathways 
On 13 June, the US Ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, warned that migrants who do not comply and opt for a legal pathway into the US shall face great consequences. He warned that they would “be returned to their home countries and will not be allowed into the US for five years.” Salazar added that following the latest migration order passed by the administration of US President Joe Biden, the number of migrant crossings have dropped. From the south of the border, Mexican authorities have been rounding up migrants, including those sent back by the US, and taking them to the cities of Villahermosa and Tapachula to discourage them from migrating north. However, Salazar maintained that the US wants to “deepen the relationship between the US and Mexico as neighbors, economic partners, and as a family.” 

CANADA
Major banks face rare questioning over commitment to fighting climate change
On 13 June, Canadian members of parliament grilled the CEOs of five major banks- Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), TD Bank, Bank of Montreal, Bank of Nova Scotia and CIBC- on their commitment to fighting climate change. The CEOs maintained that while they were working toward the cause, they would need more time to reduce funding for fossil fuel extraction and reach net zero emissions. They appeared virtually to answer questions about initiatives taken to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and move away from fossil fuels funding. Canadian banks are some of the biggest oil and gas financiers in the world, and off late have faced pressure to change their lending practices that contribute to climate change. In 2023, these banks financed about CAD 104 billion on fossil fuels. The CEO of RBC, Dave McKay, noted: "Energy is still a big part of the Canadian economy. And therefore, we have to continue to support the economy as we make the transition, you have to do both, can't just do one.”. Meanwhile, the senior manager of climate finance at Environmental Defence Canada stated: "The investments they make are holding the country back from climate progress and, until now, there had been no signs they would be held to account."

THE US
Supreme Court votes nine-zero to uphold access to abortion pills
On 13 June, the US Supreme Court rejected a bid to curb access to a drug used in abortions, bringing an end to an attempt by abortion opponents to limit access to the procedure. In a nine-zero ruling, justices overturned a lower court’s decision last year to limit access to the drug mifepristone, used in more than half of abortions in the country. The decision has come ahead of the upcoming presidential elections in the US, in which reproductive rights have been a central theme. This ruling was welcomed by US President Joe Biden, who said that the result “does not change the fact that the right for a woman to get the treatment she needs is imperiled if not impossible in many states.”  

US announces sanctions against entities aiding Russia’s war in Ukraine
On 12 June, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced new sanctions against more than 300 individuals and firms accused of aiding Russia’s war effort in Ukraine, including ones based in China, South Africa, UAE and Turkey. She explained that the US is “increasing the risk for financial institutions dealing with Russia’s war economy and eliminating paths for evasion, and diminishing Russia’s ability to benefit from access to foreign technology, equipment, software, and IT services.” The targeted entities include the Moscow Exchange, which runs Russia’s largest public markets for equities and foreign exchange products, UAE-based firm Red Coast Metals Trading, and Chinese companies Hangzhou Keming Intelligent Technology and Shandong Oree Laser Technology. Washington will also broaden its definition of “military-industrial base” to implement secondary sanctions on foreign financial institutions engaging in business with any sanctioned entities. In response, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Moscow would “not leave such aggressive actions without a response.”

13 June 2024

ARGENTINA
Thousands protest in Buenos Aires against proposed economic bill
On 12 June, thousands of protestors gathered outside the Congress building in Buenos Aires as the Senate was debating the passage of a bill which would further Argentinian President Javier Milei’s economic overhaul. . The bill, called the ‘Ley de Bases’ or the ‘Law of Bases,’ would advance Milei’s economic austerity measures including attempts to privatise public companies and cut pensions. Riot police used tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannon to disperse the crowds which also included several opposition lawmakers. Officials said 18 people had been detained after reports emerged of rock-throwing and the use of sticks as weapons. The social media account for the Union for the Homeland, a Peronist political party representing the opposition, said on social media that it was a “sad day for Argentinian democracy.” In response, Milei’s government harshly criticised the protestors for being violent. The minister for Justice and Security for Buenos Aires, Waldo Wolff, asserted: “The culture of violence that sets the pace for demonstrations is at an end.”

COLOMBIA
Colombian Peso marks new low against dollar
On 12 June, The Rio Times reported that the Colombian peso started its day at COP 3,980, COP 20 higher than the market’s representative rate. It broke past the COP 4,000 mark against the USD for the first time this year. Many experts explained that government budget cuts meant to show fiscal responsibility have raised concerns, mainly due to the fiscal deficit exceeding COP 25 trillion. The Colombian Finance Minister, Ricardo Binilla, announced a COP 20 trillion cut in the national budget, calling on government departments to undertake a 5.6 per cent reduction. the need to cut COP 20 trillion in the national budget. Experts also explained that the global oil prices have impacted Colombia’s foreign exchange earnings.   

CUBA
Pentagon says Russian warships in Cuba “don’t pose a threat” to the US
On 12 June, four Russian naval vessels including a nuclear- powered submarine and frigate arrived in Cuba.  The vessels have been viewed as a show of force amid tensions between Russia and the US over Russia’s war in Ukraine. Russia's defense ministry detailed that the Admiral Gorshkov frigate and the Kazan submarine are both carriers of advanced weapons, including hypersonic missiles Zircon. Separately, Cuba's foreign ministry emphasised that none of the vessels had nuclear arms on board, and their five-day visit did not pose a threat to the region. In response to the arrival, the Pentagon noted: “We of course take it seriously, but these exercises don't pose a threat to the United States.” Press Secretary Sabrina Singh also added that Russia’s move remained consistent with “routine naval visits” that the US has seen “under different administrations.”

PUERTO RICO 
Widespread power outage leads to state of emergency
On 12 June, more than 3,40,000 customers were left without electricity as two of the US territory power plants shut down in the capital of San Juan, as well as neighboring municipalities including Bayamon, Caguas, and Carolina. The private electrical provider Luma Energy stated that it was investigating the outage that coincided with the shutdown of units operated by Genera PR, which operates and maintains state power generation units. Governor Pedro Pieeluisi condemned the outrage and stated: “The events that have been occurring in recent weeks with our electrical system are unacceptable.” The outage prompted the mayor of San Juan, Miguel Romero, to declare a state of emergency late on 12 June as he accused Luma of sharing limited information about the ongoing blackouts.

THE US
President Biden faces first lawsuit over newly introduced asylum order
On 12 June, a few immigrant advocacy groups sued the administration of US President Joe Biden over their new directive that effectively halts asylum claims at the southern border. The lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and others on behalf of Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center and the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES). An attorney for ACLU stated: “By enacting an asylum ban that is legally indistinguishable from the Trump ban we successfully blocked, we were left with no choice but to file this lawsuit.” Other advocates have argued that suspending asylum for migrants who don’t arrive at a designated entry point could violate existing federal immigration law. In the complaint, the groups detailed that the US has “long sheltered refugees seeking a haven from persecution,” and while “some limitations on the right to seek asylum” have been placed in the past, Congress has “never permitted the Executive Branch to categorically ban asylum based on where a noncitizen enters the country.”  In response to the lawsuit, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security asserted: “The Securing the Border rule is lawful, is critical to strengthening border security, and is already having an impact. The challenged actions remain in effect, and we will continue to implement them.”

12 June 2024

HAITI
Council announces formation of new cabinet.
On 11 June, the transitional council in Haiti announced the formation of the new government, which would be replacing all the members of the former Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s cabinet. The announcement came a few weeks after the council appointed Garry Conille, who was a former regional director for UNICEF as the interim prime minister. As per the latest development, he will also be taking the position as the interior minister, which is a critical position that looks upon the Haitian National Police. Several of the ministers in the new cabinet are from outside Haiti’s political class. 

MEXICO
President to prioritise constitutional and judicial reforms
On 11 June, Mexico’s President -elect Claudia Sheinbaum promised wide consultation on reforms on constitutional and judicial sectors. She stated: “These are reforms that can be approved among the first reforms.” The reforms are expected to include appointed Supreme Court judges being replaced with popularly elected officials. This move will further affect other smaller courts as the key regulatory agencies could be eliminated. In response to the critics on the reforms creating a possibility to alter the balance of power in Mexico, she stated: “In case of the judicial reform, the discussion will be through the bar association, professors of law, the ministers and magistrates themselves.”

THE US
Ban on Ukraine’s controversial Azov brigade lifted 
On 12 June, the US lifted a ban on providing weapons and training to the Azov brigade, a controversial military unit in Ukraine which played a central role in the defence of the south-eastern city of Mariupol. The US State Department stated on 11 June that in the recent “thorough review” of the current Azov brigade there seemed to be no evidence of human right violations. Washington stressed that the Azov brigade is different from the volunteer militia that was set up ten years ago. Azov said in a statement: “The US decision of obtaining western weapons and training would not only increase the combat abilities but most importantly contribute to the preservation of the lives and the health of personnel.” The lift of the ban will enhance the ability to counter Russia's invasion.

Secretary of state blames Hamas for failure to reach a truce 
On 11 June, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with top Israeli opposition leaders as the US continued to push for a truce deal in Gaza. Blinken held talks with Israeli officials Benny Gantz and Yatri Lapid in Israel on 10 June, before going to Jordan to attend the international Gaza aid conference. The State Department stated: “They discussed the proposal to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza as part of a hostage deal that would secure the release of all hostages and surge humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza.” In the meeting with Gantz, Blinken blamed Hamas for the failure to reach a truce agreement. 

Eight Tajikistan nationals with suspected ties to Islamic State arrested
On 12 June, AP reported that eight Tajikistan national individuals suspected to have ties with the Islamic State group were arrested in the US. The arrest had taken place in various locations like New York, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. The nature of the suspects connections to the Islamic State was not immediately clear, however, they were being tracked by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). FBI Director Christopher Wray noted that the US is facing increasing threats from homegrown violent extremists and foreign terrorist organisations, particularly in the aftermath of the 7 October Hamas attack. 

11 June 2024

HAITI
Three police officers killed while patrolling the capital
On 10 June, Haiti's Prime Minister Garry Conille condemned the gang killings of three police officers who were on patrol in a part of the capital controlled by gang leader Jimmy "Barbeque" Cherizier. As per police, a group of armed men under Cherizier ambushed a patrol from the police's anti-gang unit in the Delmas 18 neighborhood on 9 June, setting it on fire. Two officers were killed on-site, and two were evacuated by reinforcements, with the third officer dying later at the hospital. Conille stated: "This barbaric act is a direct attack on the nation's security and stability. I send heartfelt condolences to the families of these officers." Police union SYNAPOHA demanded the victims' bodies be returned, stating words were insufficient. Unverified videos on social media, apparently filmed by gang members, showed footage of the charred truck and captured firearms. Gang leader Cherizier later shared a video claiming police had gone rogue and came "to kill people in lower Delmas," challenging police to recover the seized firearms. 

MEXICO
Gang violence leads to mass displacement in Chiapas
On 10 June, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador acknowledged the displacement of over 4,200 residents from Tila in the state of Chiapas, after armed gangs attacked the town. The violence, in which gangs shot up the town and burned many homes, was linked to a longstanding land dispute that has been exacerbated by criminal gangs, which resulted in the establishment of camps for the displaced. Observers attributed the violence to drug trafficking and political interests, with the “Autonomous” group identified as the perpetrators. State prosecutors reported two confirmed deaths last week as a result of the violence. Obrador assured that “things have calmed down” and the government wanted to “reach an agreement so that people can return to their communities.”

US official notes drop in border crossings following new US executive order
On 8 June, a senior US border official told Reuters that the US Border Patrol arrested around 3,100 people trying to illegally cross the US-Mexico border, down roughly 20 per cent from previous days, suggesting the early success of a new policy by the administration of US President Joe Biden. The official commented that while it is “still too early to say this is a definitive trend,” the drop is “indicative of some possible early success.”  Earlier on 5 June, Biden announced an executive policy which aimed to generally bar migrants who illegally crossed the border from claiming asylum, with exceptions for unaccompanied minors, people facing serious threats, and trafficking victims. 

Ruling Morena party fails to win majority in the Senate
On 9 June, the President of the ruling Morena party in Mexico, Mario Delgado, stated that her party and its allies won a super-majority in the lower house of Congress but failed to do the same in the Senate. Morena’s coalition, comprising the Green Party and Labour Party, is set to control 83 of the 128 seats in the Senate, and will have 372 of the 500 seats in the lower house of the Congress. Delgado stated: "With a super-majority in the lower house and a majority in the Senate, we will deepen the transformation to build a country with well-being and shared prosperity." The failure to win a majority means the party will not be able to make its proposed changes to the constitution.

THE US
Pentagon maintains that the Gaza aid pier was not used in Israel’s rescue mission
On 10 June, the Pentagon stated that reports linking the US’ aid pier in Gaza to the Israeli captive rescue operation, which freed four captives held by Hamas and killed more than 270 people, were “inaccurate.” Pentagon’s spokesperson Patrick Ryder stated: “It was near, but I think it’s incidental. Again, the pier, the equipment, the personnel all supporting that humanitarian effort had nothing to do with the [Israeli military] rescue operation.” He further stressed that the pier’s sole purpose is to “help move additional urgently-needed lifesaving assistance to Gaza.” Earlier on 9 June, The Washington Post reported that the Israeli military used a helicopter on a beach “not far from” the US pier to evacuate three captives and the soldiers who freed them. The Israeli military bombed the Nuseirat area during the operation, killing at least 274 people, including dozens of women and children, according to Palestinian authorities in Gaza. This rescue was lauded by the US Department of State, which released a statement saying: “We welcome the rescue of four hostages who after eight months of captivity have finally been reunited with their families in Israel. The United States will not rest until every hostage is returned home.” Despite the military’s stance that it was not involved, international media outlets such as The New York Times claimed that American officials provided intelligence used in the operation. Hamas decried Washington’s purported involvement and said it “proves once again the complicity of the US administration and its full participation in the war crimes committed in the Gaza Strip.” 

Donald Trump calls for standing up for “innocent life”
On 10 June, former US President Donald Trump urged a staunchly anti-abortion Christian group to stand up for “innocent life,” revisiting an issue Democrats aim to highlight in the presidential election. In a pre-recorded message, Trump praised the work of attendees at an event hosted by The Danbury Institute, which is an association of churches, Christians, and organisations which want to entirely eradicate abortion. Trump has consistently taken credit for the overturning of Roe v. Wade, having nominated three justices who voted to end the federally guaranteed right to abortion. However, he has also resisted supporting a national abortion ban, preferring to leave the issue to states. Contrarily, Trump supports IVF access. In his remarks, Trump thanked the audience for their “tremendous devotion to God and Country,” emphasising the need to preserve values such as religious liberty, free speech, innocent life, and American heritage. He stated: “You just can’t vote Democrat. They’re against religion. They’re against your religion in particular. You cannot vote for Democrats and you have to get out and vote.”

About the authors
Dhriti Mukherjee is a Research Assistant at NIAS. Cris Fernando is a Research Intern at NIAS.

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