Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs Sean Sobers says the US Marine Corps 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) will be coming to this country to take part in military training exercises from November 16 to 21 with the local Defence Force.
His announcement came yesterday, one day after Attorney General John Jeremie told the UK’s Financial Times that the United States military is expected to intensify exercises in T&T.
Es el mismo guion imperial del barco Maine y del Golfo de Tonkin: fabricar un conflicto para imponer intereses ajenos a nuestra región.
Venezuela actúa con firmeza y responsabilidad: en nuestro territorio se está desmantelando una célula criminal financiada por la CIA vinculada a esta operación encubierta. Esperamos que Trinidad y Tobago haga lo propio y no permita que su territorio sea usado para maniobras que amenazan la paz del Caribe.
Respetamos al pueblo de Trinidad y Tobago y confiamos en su conciencia para impedir que su país sea arrastrado a una operación sucia de guerra.
Venezuela no caerá en provocaciones, pero nadie se confunda: defenderemos nuestra soberanía sin titubeos. La Primera Ministra Kamla Persad-Bissessar debe asumir su responsabilidad ante el Caribe y ante la historia: o se pone del lado de la paz o se hunde en la agenda de la CIA.
The allegation came a day after Venezuela said it had arrested what it called mercenaries linked to the CIA.
“On our territory a criminal cell financed by the CIA and linked to this covert operation is being dismantled,” Gil said.
US President Donald Trump said recently he has approved covert action in Venezuela and is considering launching operations on Venezuelan territory.
(18 hours ago)
Venezuela says it has thwarted what it calls a CIA-linked plot to attack a US warship anchored in Trinidad.
It claims the US would have blamed Venezuela for the attack on the USS Gravely, a guided-missile destroyer, to justify aggression against it.
The allegation comes a day after Venezuela said it had arrested mercenaries it alleged were connected to the US intelligence agency.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said in a statement he had advised Trinidad and Tobago of the alleged false-flag operation.
The Scandinavian country initiated the UN resolution requesting an advisory opinion from the ICJ on Israel’s obligations, and the court ruled earlier that Israel is obliged under international law to facilitate the delivery of aid to Gaza.
“Norway intends to follow up on this (ICJ) decision with a new resolution at the UN General Assembly,” Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide tells a press conference.
“No country can place itself above its obligations under international law. This is essential, both for Palestinians and for all other populations living in situations of war and conflict,” he adds.
The delegation, arriving on a flight from Athens, included ruling Civic Platform (PO) lawmaker Franciszek Sterczewski, activists Omar Faris and Nina Ptak, and journalist Ewa Jasiewicz. Faris, Ptak, and Sterczewski were deported to Greece on Monday, while Jasiewicz had left Israel earlier.
Sterczewski sharply criticized both Israel and Poland’s foreign minister, Radoslaw Sikorski.(…)
“They treated us absolutely brutally. For several hours, I’m 73 years old, they tied my hands behind my back and put me on rocks,” Faris said.
He added that during interrogation in an Israeli prison, the activists were questioned about possible links to Hamas. “Our problem is the occupation, which began 42 years before the founding of Hamas,” he said. “You won’t be able to kill us. And we don’t want to kill you either. We want a solution like in South Africa — a democratic state for all, regardless of religion.”
However, despite Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s initial welcoming of the plan, Dar had later made it clear in so many words that the plan for Gaza would not be acceptable if the amendments — jointly proposed by eight Muslim countries — were not included.
(…)
He said that during Monday’s meeting between Trump and Netanyahu, a 20-point plan was announced. He said that he then spoke to the Saudi foreign minister, who said that the urgent points put forth by the eight countries were accepted but some things still required further engagement.
Quoting the Saudi minister, he said that at that point there were two choices: to continue and perhaps Israel will continue its bloodshed, or we let Trump’s plan be implemented and issue a joint statement.
Changes were made in the plan, Dar told Pakistani lawmakers in parliament.
„I have made it clear that these 20 points which Trump has made public are not ours. These are not the same as ours. I say that some changes have been made in it, in the draft we had,“ he said.
“Our focus now is on assisting citizens immediately impacted and their families. This will be the priority for our team over the coming hours,” the ministry said, adding that Ireland’s embassy in Tel Aviv is in contact with relevant authorities alongside other EU member states.
(September 30, 2025)
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni later reiterated her call for flotilla members to immediately stop their mission, warning that a confrontation with Israel could derail diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.
„Many would be happy to disrupt„ a peace plan pushed by US President Donald Trump, Meloni said in a statement. „I fear that the flotilla‘s attempt to breach the Israeli naval blockade could provide a pretext for this.“
Statement summary
Not yet available.
Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud has urged the global community to act decisively to stop “Israeli aggression”, which could have “grave consequences”.
“The failure of international community to take firm actions to end the Israeli aggression and violation will only cause further instability and insecurity regionally and globally,” he told the UN General Assembly.
“Such an action will have grave consequences and will escalate war crimes and acts of genocide.”
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he had asked Israel to ensure the safety of “Italian citizens, along with members of parliament and MEPs [Members of the European Parliament]” among the pro-Palestinian activists.
The ministry had already informed Israel that “any operation entrusted to Israeli forces must be conducted in compliance with international law and the principle of absolute caution,” the ministry said in a statement.
“Minister Tajani has asked the Italian Embassy in Tel Aviv to gather information and to reiterate its previous request to the Israeli government to guarantee the absolute protection of the personnel on board,” it added.
(September 17, 2025)
In a joint statement released through South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) on Tuesday, foreign ministers from Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Ireland, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Pakistan, Qatar, Oman, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, and Türkiye expressed alarm at the risks faced by their citizens onboard the flotilla.
Portugal has officially recognised the Palestinian state, the country‘s Foreign Affairs Minister Paulo Rangel announced in New York on Sunday.
Rangel stated a two-state solution is „the only path to a just and lasting peace“, local media reported.
Effective today, Sunday the 21st of September 2025, the Commonwealth of Australia formally recognises the independent and sovereign State of Palestine.
In doing so, Australia recognises the legitimate and long held aspirations of the people of Palestine to a state of their own.
Australia‘s recognition of Palestine today, alongside Canada and the United Kingdom, is part of a co-ordinated international effort to build new momentum for a two-state solution, starting with a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the hostages taken in the atrocities of October 7, 2023.
Minister Shahin briefed her Canadian counterpart on the reforms being carried out by the Palestinian government, as well as its plans and projects for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. She emphasized that advancing toward recognition of the State of Palestine is a vital step in preserving the two-state solution and ensuring the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
For her part, Minister Anand reaffirmed Canada’s continued support for the Palestinian people, noting that the option of recognizing the State of Palestine remains on the table and is being seriously considered within Canada.
(September 6, 2025)
– David Lammy has moved from his post as foreign secretary to replace Angela Rayner as deputy prime minister. He has also been appointed justice secretary
– Taking Lammy‘s place at the top of the foreign office is Yvette Cooper, who was previously the home secretary
– Filling Cooper‘s old job as home secretary is Shabana Mahmood, who was previously justice secretary
China unterstütze die Vereinten Nationen beim Aufbau eines effektiveren Weltordnungssystems durch Reformen, um eine glänzende Zukunft des Friedens, der Sicherheit, des Wohlstands und des Fortschritts für die Welt zu schaffen, fügte der chinesische Außenminister hinzu.
Guterres sagte, die Länder des Globalen Südens, mit China als Vertreter, spielten eine immer wichtigere Rolle bei der Förderung des globalen Friedens und der Entwicklung. Er lobte Chinas Engagement für den Multilateralismus und seine starke Unterstützung für die Vereinten Nationen.
He said he had already raised the matter at an emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) foreign ministers, where all OIC nations unanimously rejected Israel’s intentions to take full control of Gaza.
“I will continue to repeat this call — for Israel to be suspended or removed from the international community,” he said.
(August 26, 2025)
PSNA Co-chair, John Minto, says New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters will have to take a stand on this issue.
“Cabinet should give him clear instructions to vote against Israeli war crimes and support Palestinian rights.”
“Suspension of Israel will have a lot of backing from many countries horrified with the starvation and carnage in Gaza, and they want to do something effective, instead of just recognising Palestine as a state.
“Even if the US vetoes such a move in the Security Council, there is a precedent going back to 1974 when South Africa was suspended from the General Assembly because it practiced apartheid. The General Assembly suspended a member then, and New Zealand should back such a move now.”
(August 27, 2025)
“Suspension of Israel will have a lot of backing from many countries horrified with the starvation and carnage in Gaza, and they want to do something effective, instead of just recognising Palestine as a state.
“Even if the US vetoes such a move in the Security Council, there is a precedent going back to 1974 when South Africa was suspended from the General Assembly because it practised apartheid.
“The General Assembly suspended a member then, and New Zealand should back such a move now.”
Joint statement:
The humanitarian suffering in Gaza has reached unimaginable levels. Famine is unfolding before our eyes. Urgent action is needed now to halt and reverse starvation. Humanitarian space must be protected, and aid should never be politicised.
However, due to restrictive new registration requirements, essential international NGOs may be forced to leave the OPTs imminently which would worsen the humanitarian situation still further. We call on the government of Israel to provide authorisation for all international NGO aid shipments and to unblock essential humanitarian actors from operating. Immediate, permanent and concrete steps must be taken to facilitate safe, large-scale access for the UN, international NGOs and humanitarian partners. All crossings and routes must be used to allow a flood of aid into Gaza, including food, nutrition supplies, shelter, fuel, clean water, medicine and medical equipment. Lethal force must not be used at distribution sites, and civilians, humanitarians and medical workers must be protected.
We are grateful to the US, Qatar and Egypt for their efforts in pushing for a ceasefire and pursuing peace. We need a ceasefire that can end the war, for hostages to be released and aid to enter Gaza by land unhindered.
This statement has been signed by:
– The Foreign Ministers of Australia, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.
– The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, the EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean and the EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management.
Britain and 26 others – including Australia, Canada and the European Union – have released a joint statement describing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as having reached „unimaginable levels“, adding that „famine is unfolding before our eyes. Urgent action is needed now to halt and reverse starvation“.
Peters took an oral item to Cabinet today, August 11, about recognition of a state of Palestine, ahead of a formal consideration of the issue in September.
“Some of New Zealand’s close partners have opted to recognise a Palestinian state, and some have not.
“Ultimately, New Zealand has an independent foreign policy, and on this issue, we intend to weigh up the issue carefully and then act according to New Zealand’s principles, values and national interest.
(August 9, 2025)
The Foreign Ministers of Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom, and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, strongly reject the decision of the Israeli Security Cabinet on 8th August to launch an additional large-scale military operation in Gaza. It will aggravate the catastrophic humanitarian situation, endanger the lives of the hostages, and further risk the mass displacement of civilians. The plans that the Government of Israel has announced risk violating international humanitarian law. Any attempts at annexation or of settlement extension violate international law.
We urge the parties and the international community to make all efforts to finally bring this terrible conflict to an end now, through an immediate and permanent ceasefire that enables the provision of a massive, immediate and unimpeded humanitarian assistance, as the worst-case scenario of a famine is unfolding in Gaza. Hamas must release all hostages without further delay or precondition and must ensure they are humanely treated and not subject to cruelty and humiliation.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains catastrophic. We call on the Government of Israel to urgently find solutions to amend its recent registration system of international humanitarian organisations, to ensure these vital actors of humanitarian aid can continue their essential work again in line with humanitarian principles to reach the civilians in need in Gaza. Their exclusion would be an egregious signal.
We are united in our commitment to the implementation of a negotiated two-state solution as the only way to guarantee that both Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace, security, and dignity. A political resolution based on a negotiated two-state solution requires the total demilitarisation of Hamas and its complete exclusion from any form of governance in the Gaza Strip, where the Palestinian Authority must have a central role.
(August 9, 2025)
Joint statement warns Netanyahu’s new ground offensive will worsen ‘catastrophic humanitarian situation’ as international outrage grows
(August 9, 2025)
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and the Arab League Ministerial Committee on Saturday issued a joint condemnation of Israel‘s plan to take complete control of the Gaza Strip.
(..)
The statement called for “an immediate halt to Israel‘s attacks on Gaza and serious violations in the West Bank and East Jerusalem” while demanding that humanitarian aid be allowed into Gaza unconditionally and immediately.
Aus Sicht des Bundesaußenministers Johann Wadephul (CDU) läuft Israel Gefahr, international isoliert zu werden. „Ich sehe es als Deutschlands Aufgabe an, alles dafür zu tun, das zu verhindern“, sagte er beim Besuch in Jerusalem unter Verweis auf eine „nie endende historische Verpflichtung“ für Israels Sicherheit. Es bestehe die Gefahr, dass sich eine Kluft zwischen der Europäischen Union und Israel auftue. Auch mit dem Ziel, das zu verhindern, sei Wadephul nach Israel gereist.
Hierzu erklärte Außenminister Wadephul:
Deutschland ist überzeugt: Um den Konflikt nachhaltig zu lösen, bleibt eine verhandelte Zweistaatenlösung der einzige Weg, der den Menschen auf beiden Seiten ein Leben in Frieden, Sicherheit und Würde ermöglicht. Für Deutschland steht die Anerkennung eines palästinensischen Staats eher am Ende des Prozesses. Aber ein solcher Prozess muss jetzt beginnen. Deutschland wird von diesem Ziel nicht weichen. Auf einseitige Schritte wird auch Deutschland gezwungen sein, zu reagieren.
Foreign Minister Wadephul stated:
Germany is convinced that in order to resolve the conflict permanently, a negotiated two-state solution is the only way to enable people on both sides to live in peace, security and dignity. Germany regards recognition of a Palestinian state as a step more at the end of the process. However, such a process must now begin. Germany will not deviate from this goal. And Germany will be forced to react to any unilateral steps.
(July 29, 2025)
„Over the past few weeks, we have quickly synchronized the previous EU sanctions packages. This work continues. We are also taking measures together with our allies to eliminate loopholes and impede Russia‘s access to technology. In the coming weeks, maximum synchronization of sanctions by all partners against Russia should take place in order to increase the cost of war for the aggressor. We are actively working with partners to achieve this goal,“ the minister said.
(July 9, 2025)
The Foreign Secretary said: “The statements that you’ve just described from defence minister [Israel Katz] relate very much to where the IDF are located and you’ll understand that if they’re, if what you describe is true then I think that would be a big sticking point for getting that ceasefire.”
Describing the issue as one of Israel’s “location” in Gaza, he added: “I suspect the statement from defence minister Katz is in relation to that and I suspect if indeed he is insistent of that position then it would be very hard to see how we get that ceasefire because there is an acute discussion about the degree to which the IDF withdraws from Gaza.”