Nicaraguan, Mexican leaders rebuke US military operations in Caribbean, eastern Pacific

Nicaraguan and Mexican leaders have rebuked U.S. military operations in the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific.

Nicaraguan Co-President Daniel Ortega said on Tuesday that the U.S. increase in its military presence across the Caribbean is essentially a cover for its own crises.

In terms of the situation in Venezuela, Ortega said that Venezuela is a peace-loving nation that safeguards its sovereignty, and that U.S. pressure on Venezuela is erroneous.

He called on the United States to focus on addressing its domestic social issues rather than intervening in Latin American affairs through military deterrence.

For almost four months, the U.S. has maintained a significant military presence in the Caribbean, much of it off Venezuela's coast, purportedly to combat drug trafficking -- a claim Venezuela has denounced as a thinly veiled attempt to bring about regime change in Caracas.

Since September, the Pentagon has carried out at least 22 known strikes on alleged drug vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean, killing at least 87 people aboard.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Wednesday firmly rejected the possibility of U.S. military action against drug cartels in Mexico.

Speaking at a daily press conference, Sheinbaum emphasized that foreign troops would not be allowed to operate on Mexican soil, citing national sovereignty as a key concern.

Her remarks came in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated statements suggesting military strikes against Mexican drug cartels.

Sheinbaum argued that such actions were unnecessary, given the existing security agreements between the two countries.

Nicaraguan, Mexican leaders rebuke US military operations in Caribbean, eastern Pacific

Nicaraguan, Mexican leaders rebuke US military operations in Caribbean, eastern Pacific

The second phase of the urban ring greenway in Shijiazhuang City, north China's Hebei Province, was made fully accessible to the public on Wednesday, providing citizens with a new type of urban public space integrating cycling, jogging, and walking.

The greenway was completed after over two years of construction, which started in March 2023. It was carried out in two phases.

The first phase, spanning 51 kilometers, was completed in December 2023. The second phase, 50 kilometers long, saw the final gap successfully connected in the early hours of December 3, following the successful rotation of a swivel bridge spanning the Shijiazhuang-Taiyuan High-speed Railway. The Shijiazhuang ring greenway comprises 55.23 kilometers of pathways and 81 bridges measuring 45.77 kilometers.

Along the route, 18 service stations are planned, with 56 main entrances and exits established. It links the three major water systems, the Hutuo River, Taiping River, and the city's ring water system, and connects 76 parks and gardens along the way.

The cycling and walking paths are clearly separated by a rainbow-colored line, making it an excellent venue for citizens' leisure and fitness activities.

"It really provides us cycling enthusiasts with an excellent sports venue where we can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Shijiazhuang. Even though it's winter now, our enthusiasm for cycling on the ring greenway has not decreased but increased instead," said Zhao Zesong, a cycling enthusiast.

"During the ride, I also noticed there are many service stations, including facilities for bike repairs and rentals, which makes our daily cycling very convenient," said Zhang Luheng, another cycling enthusiast.

Urban ring greenway made fully accessible to public in north China's Shijiangzhuang