On today's podcast

Venezuela

The Acting president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, formalized the signing of a new agreement with the companies Repsol of Spain and Eni of Italy for the development of the Cardon 4 consortium, one of the most important gas projects in the region.

The agreement seeks to increase gas production in Venezuela to ensure domestic supply and generate exports that will bring foreign currency and foreign investment.

United States- Middle East

The United States confirmed that four of the six crew members of a military tanker aircraft died after the aircraft crashed in western Iraq on Thursday. The other two crew members are missing.

The U.S. reported that the incident occurred due to an accident in the air, while Iran claims that the aircraft was shot down by a missile launched by pro-Iranian militias while it was refueling a fighter jet in flight.

Latin America

And countries in Latin America are promoting a declaration against the war in the Middle East. The initiative, which has the support of Brazil, Colombia and Mexico, seeks to consolidate a critical stance toward military interventions with special attention to the role of the U.S. and Israel and to open channels for dialogue and international alliances to resolve conflicts through agreements and diplomatic efforts

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.

On today's podcast

Middle East

On the 11th day of the war in the Middle East, Iran launched a new wave of missiles at areas occupied by Israel and strategic centers and U.S. bases, in retaliation for the constant aggression by the U.S. and Israel.

Israel had to activate air raid sirens in Haifa, Galilee and the occupied Gaza Strip.

United States-Cuba

President Donald Trump, in a press conference on Monday, hardened his rhetoric against Cuba and warned the island of a possible intervention.

The U.S. government continues suggesting that, after Iran, Cuba could be the next target.

Venezuela

In Venezuela, the National Assembly approved in first discussion the Organic Mining Law.

The legislation includes the creation of the Superintendency of Mining Activity, an entity that will oversee regulation and promote incentives to encourage national and international investments in the sector.