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📰 Colombia battles rebel groups

📰 Colombia battles rebel groups

and Trump tightens Cuba sanctions

Billy Robinson & Ross Crabtree
January 23, 2025

Hello and welcome back.

Today marks a whirlwind of activity as President Trump returns to the White House, reversing key policies from the previous administration. He has reinstated Cuba's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, withdrawn U.S. support for the WHO, suspended all foreign aid for three months, and formally exited the Paris Climate Agreement.

Meanwhile, the World Economic Forum in Davos takes centre stage, with climate change, artificial intelligence, and economic policy dominating discussions among global leaders and industry experts.

Top 5 Stories

1️⃣ 🇨🇴 Colombian president declares war on ELN rebels: Colombian President Gustavo Petro declared a state of emergency on Monday due to escalating violence between armed groups near the Venezuelan border. Recent clashes between the ELN guerrilla group and FARC dissidents have left dozens dead and displaced thousands, despite Petro’s earlier attempts at peace negotiations. The declaration grants the president emergency powers for up to 90 days to address the crisis, though specific measures remain unclear. Petro also announced an economic emergency, emphasizing development over military solutions to tackle violence in neglected regions. Meanwhile, his government faces internal reshuffling, with key cabinet resignations and new appointments reflecting significant political shifts. Petro, once hopeful for “total peace,” now confronts the harsh realities of entrenched armed conflicts, with the ELN increasingly seen as transitioning into narco-militant operations.

2️⃣ 🇳🇬 Nigeria concludes weeklong counterinsurgency operation in Borno state: Nigerian troops killed 76 Islamist militants during operations across Borno State between January 7 and 13, according to army spokesperson Edward Buba. The operations also resulted in 72 arrests and the rescue of eight hostages. While the military did not specify the militants’ affiliation, Borno has long suffered attacks by Boko Haram and an Islamic State-linked faction. This announcement follows a massacre of 40 farmers by suspected Boko Haram militants in the region. Since Boko Haram’s insurgency began in 2009, over 35,000 civilians have been killed, and more than 2 million have been displaced, marking it as Africa’s longest-running conflict with militancy.

3️⃣ 🇺🇸 Trump removes U.S. from Paris agreement: President Donald Trump signed executive orders prioritizing fossil fuels, withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, and reversing climate and clean energy initiatives. Declaring a "national energy emergency," Trump announced plans to streamline regulations on energy production, including mining, and end wind energy leasing on public lands. He argued that reducing red tape would lower energy prices and combat inflation, blaming high costs on overspending and escalating energy expenses. Critics highlight the urgent climate crisis, with the planet surpassing 1.5°C of warming last year, a key threshold for avoiding catastrophic impacts. Scientists warn that continued reliance on fossil fuels risks exceeding the limits of adaptation for humanity and ecosystems, compounding the effects of climate-driven disasters already evident worldwide.

4️⃣ 🇯🇵 🇸🇦 Tokyo, Riyadh strengthen bilateral ties as Saudi Arabia seeks to transform its image: Japan’s Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Matsumoto Hisashi, recently visited Riyadh to discuss strengthening ties with Saudi Arabia, particularly under the kingdom's “Vision 2030” economic transformation plan. As part of its strategy to attract global investment and improve its image, Saudi Arabia has increasingly turned to sports, securing the 2034 FIFA World Cup and investing heavily in events like Formula 1 and golf. However, these efforts are clouded by human rights concerns, especially related to migrant labor abuses in the region. While Japan celebrates 70 years of diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia in 2025, it faces criticism for overlooking human rights issues, presenting a significant challenge in balancing economic cooperation with moral responsibility.

5️⃣ 🇺🇸 🇺🇳 Trump rescinds U.S. support for WHO, suspends all foreign aid for three months: On his first day back in office, Donald Trump announced plans to withdraw the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO) within 12 months and suspend foreign aid for 90 days. The decision, citing alleged political bias and disproportionate financial demands on the U.S., threatens global health efforts, including responses to infectious diseases like Ebola and polio. As the WHO’s largest financial contributor, providing 18% of its budget, the U.S. exit would leave critical programs in poorer nations and conflict zones in jeopardy. While Trump argued that the U.S. had been exploited, global health leaders, including Germany’s health minister and advocacy groups, warned the move undermines international cooperation, particularly after recent pandemics, and risks long-term consequences for both U.S. and global health security.

Major Story

🇨🇭 🇺🇳 DAVOS 2025: CLIMATE CHANGE, AI, ECONOMIC POLICY

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres issued stark warnings about the unchecked reliance on fossil fuels, likening it to a "Frankenstein monster" that spares no one. Highlighting 2024 as the hottest year on record, Guterres stressed the urgency of combating climate change and criticized corporations retreating from environmental commitments. He also underscored the dual nature of artificial intelligence, praising its potential while cautioning against its misuse if left unregulated.

Amid discussions, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim acknowledged his country’s need to embrace AI despite limited expertise, linking it to broader reforms in education and healthcare. Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez urged the EU to regulate social media platforms, blaming them for fueling misinformation and economic disruption.

In trade, UK Treasury Chief Rachel Reeves expressed optimism about avoiding U.S. tariffs, citing strong bilateral ties and economic interdependence.

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Other News

1️⃣ 🇺🇸 🇨🇺 Trump revokes Biden’s removal of Cuba from the state sponsor of terrorism list: President Trump has reversed a Biden administration decision to remove Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. The original policy move, made just six days prior, was part of a deal brokered with the Catholic Church, prompting Havana to release 553 political prisoners. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel condemned Trump’s reversal on X, calling it an “act of arrogance and disdain for truth.” While 88 prisoners, many detained after the 2021 protests, have been freed, it remains uncertain whether further releases will proceed following Trump’s action.

2️⃣ 🇱🇧 Hizbollah official assassinated in Bekaa valley: Sheikh Muhammad Hamadi, a senior Hizbollah official in Lebanon's Western Bekaa region, was fatally shot Tuesday evening outside his residence in the town of Machghara. According to Lebanon’s National News Agency, unidentified gunmen in two vehicles ambushed Hamadi, opening fire before fleeing the scene. Hamadi was transported to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival. Hizbollah has yet to issue an official statement on the attack. The incident adds to growing tensions in the region, raising questions about the motives and perpetrators behind the assassination.