Laura Fernández, a right-wing populist, won Costa Rica's presidential election in a landslide victory, marking a further shift to the right in Latin American politics, according to The Guardian. Fernández, of the Sovereign People party, secured the presidency after campaigning on a platform of cracking down on rising violence linked to the cocaine trade. Her nearest rival, center-right economist Álvaro Ramos, conceded defeat as results confirmed Fernández's victory.
In other international news, a study by the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights concluded that international law, designed to limit the effects of war, is at a breaking point. The Guardian reported that the study, which covered 23 armed conflicts over the last 18 months, found that more than 100,000 civilians have been killed, and acts of torture and rape are being committed with near impunity.
Meanwhile, in North America, Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum pledged to send humanitarian aid to Cuba, despite efforts by the United States to cut off oil access to the island nation, according to The Guardian. Sheinbaum stated that Mexico was exploring all diplomatic avenues to send fuel to Cuba. This move came after former U.S. President Trump signed an order threatening tariffs on countries that sell oil to Cuba.
In the Arctic, Trump's past interest in Greenland continues to resonate. The Guardian reported that his demand for the U.S. to take control of the Arctic island has opened old wounds for Inuit across the Arctic, reminding them of a troubling imperial past. In Nunavut, Canada, approximately 70 people marched in solidarity with Greenland, holding signs that read, "We stand with Greenland" and "Greenland is a partner, not a purchase."
In economic news, US President Donald Trump's decision to lower reciprocal tariffs on India from 50 to 18 percent has been met with relief in India, according to BBC Business. India had been paying the highest tariffs in the world after Trump raised import duties on Indian goods from 25 to 50 percent in August of last year, citing Delhi's purchase of discounted Russian oil as helping fund Moscow's war effort in Ukraine. Precise details on the trade agreement remain sketchy, according to the BBC.
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