The quiet US pivot to Latin America

Donald Trump has announced plans to pardon Juan Orlando Hernández, the former president of Honduras, who is currently serving a 45-year sentence in the U.S. for drug trafficking. This decision comes ahead of the presidential election and raises questions about the implications of such a pardon on U.S.-Honduras relations.

The Trump administration is intensifying its focus on immigration issues following a shooting incident in Washington, D.C., that critically injured two members of the National Guard. The suspected shooter, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, has prompted the administration to halt immigration from Afghanistan indefinitely and to review Afghan nationals who entered the U.S. during the Biden administration.

Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, has resigned amid a corruption investigation, as confirmed by Zelensky in a recent address. Yermak played a significant role in peace negotiations with the U.S., and his departure raises concerns about the ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict with Russia.

Former President Donald Trump announced plans to permanently pause migration to the U.S. from what he termed 'Third World' countries, citing concerns over living standards in America. This announcement followed a shooting incident in Washington, D.C., which left two National Guard members critically injured and was linked to an Afghan national who entered the U.S. during the 2021 airlift.

U.S. retailers are closely monitoring Black Friday traffic, which remains a significant event in the retail calendar, marking the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. Despite a decline in late-night shopping after Thanksgiving dinners, Black Friday continues to attract more shoppers than any other day of the year.

The suspect in the shooting of two members of the West Virginia National Guard near the White House on November 26, 2025, is set to be charged with first-degree murder. The attack, which occurred close to the Farragut West metro station, resulted in one Guardsman dead and another critically injured, prompting a swift response from law enforcement.

The U.S. and EU are urged to unfreeze and utilize Russian assets to address Ukraine's pressing financial needs, as ongoing support is deemed insufficient. This call for action reflects the urgency of Ukraine's situation amidst the ongoing conflict and economic challenges it faces.

War Secretary Pete Hegseth and his wife Jennifer celebrated Thanksgiving by serving meals to U.S. Navy sailors involved in the Southern Spear mission, which targets narco-terror networks in Latin America. This event underscores the commitment of U.S. officials to support military personnel deployed abroad during significant holidays.