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Colombia on Edge as Trump’s Post‑Venezuela Threats Stir Regional Anxiety

Colombian military patrol the Simón Bolívar International Bridge in Cúcuta on Tuesday. After the U.S. seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, members of powerful armed groups started arriving in Colombia from neighbouring Venezuela. Tensions in Colombia have intensified following President Donald Trump’s forceful remarks in the wake of the U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. The comments have revived long‑standing fears about regional instability and raised questions about the future of U.S.–Colombia relations. Rising Tensions After the Venezuela Strike In the aftermath of the Venezuela attack, Trump issued sharp warnings toward Colombia, accusing President Gustavo Petro of enabling drug production and trafficking. He suggested that Petro’s government “would not be doing it for long,” a statement widely interpreted as a threat of potential intervention. The remarks came amid a broader pattern of aggressive rhetoric toward several countries, s...

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Canada Imposes Sanctions on Extremist Israeli Settlers in the West Bank

 

 In a significant move, Canada has imposed sanctions on individuals accused of engaging in violence against Palestinian civilians and their property in the West Bank. These are the first-ever sanctions targeting extremist Israeli settlers under the Special Economic Measures Act. The escalating violence by extremist settlers has undermined human rights, prospects for a two-state solution, and regional security. Since October 7, 2023, there have been at least 800 settler attacks against Palestinians, resulting in verbal or physical assaults, property damage, and forced displacement of communities.

The Sanctioned Individuals:

  1. David Chai Chasdai
  2. Yinon Levi
  3. Zvi Bar Yosef
  4. Moshe Sharvit

These individuals are now prohibited from dealings related to Canada and are rendered inadmissible under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Canada remains committed to a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in the Middle East, opposing the expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly emphasized that acts of extremist settler violence are unacceptable, and perpetrators will face consequences. The rise in violence poses significant risks to peace and security in the region, affecting families forced to leave their homes due to threats by extremist settlers.

Canada’s stance aligns with the Geneva Convention, which applies in the occupied territories and establishes Israel’s obligations as an occupying power regarding the humane treatment of inhabitants. While other countries like the U.S., U.K., and EU have also taken measures against violent Israeli settlers, Canada’s recent sanctions represent a crucial step in addressing this ongoing violence.

As the situation unfolds, Canada continues to advocate for a peaceful resolution and justice for affected communities in the West Bank.

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