
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva did not remain silent after Wednesday's letter from his US colleague Donald Trump and published an open reply on X, both in Portuguese and in English:

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced a 50% tariff on copper imports and stated he was considering a 200% tariff on pharmaceutical products if manufacturers do not move their operations to the United States. These announcements were made during a cabinet meeting, though no official executive order has yet been published on the White House website.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Monday with US President Donald Trump at the White House, expressing optimism for peace in Gaza and a nuclear deal with Iran. It was Netanyahu's third visit since the Republican leader returned to power on Jan. 20.

Devastating flash floods in central Texas, particularly in Kerr County, have resulted in at least 81 deaths and more than 41 people still missing as of Sunday. The Guadalupe River surged dramatically, rising to the height of a two-story building in a short period, catching many off guard. Travis County, which includes the State's capital, Austin, has confirmed at least six deaths.

US President Donald Trump announced this week that a new migrant detention center in the Florida Everglades, nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz,” could become the new standard for immigration facilities. The center, located in an isolated, alligator-filled swamp, is designed to deter escapes, with Trump jokingly referring to the reptiles as “bodyguards” and “police” that need no wages.

Judge Loretta Preska of the Southern District Court of New York ordered Argentina to transfer 51% of YPF shares to an escrow account to settle a US$16.1 billion judgment in favor of Burford Capital and Eton Capital, stemming from the 2012 expropriation of the oil company. The ruling, which Argentina may appeal, surprised the government, as even the US Department of Justice opposed it. The decision led to a sharp decline in YPF shares (1.4% on Wall Street, 3% locally) and a 2% drop in the Merval index.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva criticized his US colleague Donald Trump for spending too much time on social media, averaging 17 posts daily since Jan. 20, 2025. The Brazilian leader urged Trump to focus on governing, promoting free trade, multilateralism, and peace, rather than seeking headlines.

Ecuadorean authorities confirmed Wednesday that José Adolfo Macías Villamar, alias Fito, leader of the Los Choneros drug trafficking gang, who escaped from a Guayaquil prison in January 2024, has been recaptured.

Iran and Israel agreed Tuesday to a US-brokered ceasefire, following nearly two weeks of escalating tit-for-tat strikes.

Even after US President Donald Trump announced Monday that Israel and Iran had fully agreed to implement the ceasefire, Tehran fired a barrage of missiles, killing at least four people, and insisted there was no arrangement whatsoever. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi added that his country would halt its response if Israel ceased aggression by 4 am Tehran time.