Trump considers imposing economic sanctions on Mexico; Türkiye completes S-400 purchase

US President considers imposing economic sanctions on Mexico

US President Donald Trump. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

Reuters reported that on April 5, US President Donald Trump announced that he was considering imposing economic penalties, in addition to tariffs, to deal with drug smuggling from Mexico along the southern border of the US.

On his Twitter account, Mr. Trump wrote: "Similarly, I am considering imposing economic penalties on the $500 billion in illegal drug proceeds that are shipped and smuggled through Mexico and along our Southern Border."

British Prime Minister continues to propose Brexit extension until June 30

In a letter sent to Mr. Donald Tusk on the morning of April 5, British Prime Minister Theresa May said that the British government's consistent policy is still to take the UK out of the EU in an orderly manner. However, because the British House of Commons has repeatedly rejected the Brexit deal as well as other alternative solutions, her government has asked the European Union to agree to a new extension to Brexit, until June 30, 2019.

To convince the European side, Mrs. May also explained that her government is trying to dialogue with the opposition Labour Party to find a solution that is supported by the majority. At the same time, Mrs. May also said that, for the benefit of both the European Union and the United Kingdom, it is not necessary for the UK to hold European elections at the end of May 2019.

Russia proposes date for Russia-North Korea summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Photo: Reuters

Sputniknews reported that, referring to the summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, on April 5, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said that the Russian side had made a specific proposal on the timing of the meeting and that this issue is currently being discussed.

Mr. Ushakov stated: "The two sides have discussed this issue for a long time. The Russian side has made specific proposals on the timing of the meeting, but this issue is still being discussed in detail. We will carefully prepare for Mr. Kim Jong-un's visit to Russia, we are currently coordinating to unify the elements, time and location."

Venezuela's political crisis threatens 1.1 million children

Students gather in a square after school in the Venezuelan capital Caracas. Photo: Reuters

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) released a report stating that as of April 4, the number of children affected by the Venezuelan political crisis and in need of humanitarian aid had increased to 1.1 million, double the 500,000 in 2018. Of the 1.1 million children, the majority are from Venezuela and the rest are children who have migrated with their families to countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

UNICEF called on governments in the region to make efforts to ensure children's rights and access to all essential public services such as schools and hospitals, according to AFP.

Erdogan announces completion of S-400 deal with Russia

Russia's S-400 missile defense system is displayed in Kubinka, a suburb of Moscow. Photo: AFP/ VNA

Reuters reported that Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on April 5 announced that his country would continue to pay under the agreement signed with Russia to buy S-400 missile defense systems and said that the United States had not presented similar terms when offering to sell Patriot missile defense systems.

Speaking to reporters in Istanbul when asked about his planned talks in Moscow next week, Erdogan stressed: "The S-400 systems hold an important place in our negotiations. The American arguments are completely wrong. We have completed the procedure for the purchase of the S-400 and the payment will continue."