El Salvador swaps Venezuelan detainees for US nationals
El Salvador has repatriated around 250 Venezuelans in exchange for 10 US nationals held in Venezuela, both governments confirmed Friday, BBC reported.
The Venezuelans, previously deported from the US and held in El Salvador’s high-security Cecot prison, were accused of gang ties—claims some families deny. President Nayib Bukele said the exchange also included several Venezuelan political prisoners.
US officials confirmed all American detainees in Venezuela are now free. One was identified as former Navy SEAL Wilbert Joseph Castaneda. Others remain unnamed due to privacy concerns.
The deal, finalized once the Americans were safely in the air, highlights growing ties between Bukele and US President Donald Trump, who thanked El Salvador for aiding migrant detentions, according to BBC.
Officials said the agreement did not involve lifting US sanctions on Venezuela.
German Chancellor Merz urges ceasefire and humanitarian aid for Gaza
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday called the situation in Gaza “unacceptable” and urged an immediate ceasefire along with swift delivery of humanitarian aid. Speaking at a press conference in Berlin, he emphasized Germany’s commitment to working with international partners to address the crisis, Xinhua reported.
Merz also conveyed his concerns during a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stressing that aid must reach civilians in a secure and humane manner. He reiterated Germany’s opposition to Israel’s settlement policy and warned against any moves toward annexation of the West Bank.
UK and Germany sign landmark Kensington Treaty
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday signed the Kensington Treaty, a landmark agreement aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two nations, according to Reuters.
Described as the most significant UK-Germany treaty since World War II, the agreement covers joint defense exercises, cybersecurity, arms export coordination, and migration policy. It also reaffirms both countries’ commitment to climate goals set in the Paris Agreement, including limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
The treaty pledges closer trade ties within existing UK-EU frameworks and aims to promote open markets and job growth.
Calling it a “first of its kind,” Starmer said the deal reflects the deepening partnership between the two countries amid global uncertainty, Reuters reported.
UN appoints Guang Cong as special envoy for Horn of Africa
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appointed Guang Cong as his new special envoy for the Horn of Africa, replacing Hanna Serwaa Tetteh of Ghana. The UN expressed gratitude for Tetteh’s leadership and service, Xinhua reported.
Cong brings over two decades of experience in international affairs, much of it focused on the Horn of Africa. He currently serves as Deputy Special Representative for South Sudan with the UN mission there. Before joining the UN in 2002, he held various roles in China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
