On today's podcast

Venezuela

The government of the United States formally recognized Delcy Rodriguez as the acting president and the only legitimate head of state of Venezuela.

Delcy Rodriguez said that the recognition is not only of a person or a government, but of a country, and of that country being able to recover its life and breath again.

Although the measure may not bring immediate benefits, it could open the door to negotiating the lifting of sanctions, the possible unfreezing of frozen funds, and the return of investment and trade.

Middle East

In the Middle East, Iranian forces and Hezbollah have launched a new wave of missile strikes against military targets in Israel.

At the same time, Iran continues to control maritime traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, where the movement of oil and gas tankers remains largely paralyzed, disrupting one of the world's most critical energy routes through which about twenty percent of global oil and twenty five percent of global gas pass.

Climate change

And climate change continues to take its toll. In Ecuador, heavy rains that have been hitting the country since January have left at least eight people dead and more than forty-seven thousand affected in several provinces with Guayas, Manabi, and Esmeraldas the most impacted.