US Ambassador Mike Waltz on Hostage Recovery, Venezuela, and UN Carbon Tax

Hostage Recovery Efforts

• 🇺🇸 Ambassador Mike Waltz reaffirms the U.S. commitment that 'no one will be left behind' regarding American hostages held by Hamas.
• 💡 Two more deceased Americans have been identified, including a hostage murdered by Hamas at the Nova Festival and an IDF sergeant who died fighting.
• 🎯 A dedicated task force of senior U.S. officials and 200 troops from Central Command are actively involved in assisting with recovery and aid facilitation.
• ⚠️ The success of these efforts is contingent on a ceasefire holding, as renewed fighting would significantly complicate recovery operations.

International Support and Hamas Accountability

• 🤝 World leaders from Egypt, Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia previously stood with President Trump on a 20-point plan, and their implementation of a deal is now crucial.
• 🌍 Some countries require an international mandate through the UN to contribute troops for stabilization forces, a process the U.S. is actively working through.
• 🚫 Hamas is criticized for executing Gaza civilians in cold blood, with evidence posted on camera, and for claiming they need special equipment to retrieve bodies.

US Actions in Venezuela

• 🗣️ President Trump has authorized covert action in Venezuela, citing the regime's release of prisoners and mental institution patients into the U.S. and the flow of drugs.
• 🚢 The U.S. is targeting drug boats coming from Venezuela and is prepared to stop them by land as well.
• ⚖️ Venezuela's leader is described as illegitimate and convicted, and the U.S. is using intelligence, military, and diplomatic tools to defend its sovereignty.
• 🛡️ The U.S. invokes Article 51 of the UN Charter, which allows for self-defense, as justification for its actions.

UN Global Carbon Tax Proposal

• 🌍 A significant UN proposal mandates that by 2050, ships must use biofuels or face a 10% tax, pushed by the UK, EU, Brazil, and China.
• ❌ The United States has declared a 'hard no' to this proposal, viewing it as a global tax on trade and shipping.
• 📈 The initiative aims to drive carbon emissions from shipping to zero, but the U.S. argues it benefits the EU through subsidies and China through its shipyards and ports.
• ✊ The U.S. is committed to fighting this vote, calling on other nations to stand with them, and is prepared to implement sanctions and port access restrictions if necessary.