Good morning,
Maduro Threatens ‘Republic in Arms’
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro stated he would “declare a republic in arms” if attacked by US forces, asserting Washington’s Caribbean naval deployment targets regime change rather than drug trafficking as officially claimed. Maduro alleged the US deployed “eight military ships with 1,200 missiles and a submarine targeting Venezuela,” describing it as “the biggest threat that has been seen on our continent in the last 100 years.” He mobilized troops along borders and activated citizen militias in response.
The US maintains two Aegis destroyers, a cruiser, and a nuclear submarine in Caribbean waters, with potential expansion including amphibious assault ships carrying 4,000 Marines. Trump’s administration doubled Maduro’s arrest bounty to $50 million over unsubstantiated drug trafficking allegations that internal intelligence memos found unwarranted.
Brazil Convenes BRICS Meeting on Trump Tariffs
Brazilian President Lula organized a virtual BRICS leaders meeting for Monday to address Trump’s trade policy and strengthen multilateralism support. However, reaching consensus on a joint statement remains challenging given varying tariff rates across member nations.
Brazil faces 50% tariffs after Trump demanded its Supreme Court halt former President Bolsonaro’s coup trial, which begins Tuesday. US retaliation is expected, including visa revocations for justices and sanctions against the presiding judge.
The summit follows weekend discussions between China’s Xi and India’s Modi, plus Putin-Modi talks. Modi’s recent falling-out with Trump may enable stronger BRICS opposition to tariffs, contrasting with their July summit where Modi’s Trump ties complicated consensus.
Afghanistan Earthquake Kills Over 800
A 6.0 magnitude earthquake claimed over 800 lives and injured thousands in eastern Afghanistan’s mountainous Kunar province. Entire villages flattened as rescue operations struggled reaching remote areas; survivors spent nights outdoors.
The shallow quake struck 8km deep near Jalalabad, destroying 95% of some villages. Local hospitals overwhelmed already strained by tens of thousands of Afghans being deported from Pakistan.
China, India, the UK, and Switzerland pledged assistance as Taliban officials warned death tolls may rise significantly. Rescue teams used helicopters accessing blocked mountain areas where mud-brick homes collapsed with people trapped beneath, compounding Afghanistan’s severe drought and unprecedented hunger crisis.
Day 1,286 of War in Ukraine
It has been 1,286 days since Russia invaded Ukraine. Here’s a rundown of events from Al Jazeera
Americas Stability Ratings and News Summary
More Unstable
Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Suriname, The Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, United States Of America, Venezuela
More Stable
No countries were more stable over this period
Unchanged
Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Panama, Paraguay, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Uruguay
Carpe tomorrow!