Military targeted Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in Iraq, Syria and south-eastern Türkiye, authorities continued to arrest alleged ISIS supporters, and normalisation with Greece remained on track.

Operations against PKK continued. Ahead of expected summer offensive against PKK in northern Iraq, military appeared to fortify supply lines, secure operational support from Baghdad and reinforce existing military outposts. Military also continued strikes on PKK militants. Notably, defence ministry 15-18 June and 26 June said security forces “neutralised” 11 PKK militants in northern Iraq and another 16 in northern Syria; National Intelligence Organization 26 June reportedly “neutralised” PKK leader in Jazira region of Syria, Ali Dinçer, who is wanted by Interpol. Security forces 20-21 June also carried out operations against PKK in south-eastern provinces Şırnak, Batman, and Ağrı. 

Authorities targeted alleged Islamic State (ISIS) members. Detentions during June on ISIS-linked charges continued at lower pace with police arresting at least 62 suspects. Notably, police 10 June detained 11 suspected of financing ISIS; security forces 14 June detained relative of former ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi reportedly attempting to flee Türkiye; police next day detained two ISIS members in Istanbul city allegedly planning attack.

Türkiye floated BRICS membership, looked to mend ties with Greece, Syria. During China visit, FM Fidan 3 June said Türkiye was considering BRICS membership; Russian President Putin 11 June welcomed interest, and Fidan same day attended BRICS summit in Russia. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Güler 1 June hailed “positive period” in Turkish-Greek relations. Media reports 20 June revealed that Türkiye and Greece had made joint nominations for Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) appointments. However Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias 24 June said ongoing disagreements, including over eastern Mediterranean/Aegean maritime zones, cast doubts on sustainable normalisation. Syrian President Assad 26 June affirmed Syria’s “openness” to relations with Türkiye conditional upon respect for Syrian sovereignty over its territory; President Erdoğan 28 June told reporters there is “no reason” not to restore diplomatic ties with Syria.

Ukraine’s forces stemmed Russian assault into Kharkiv region, stabilising northern frontline as fighting in east continued; Zelenskyy stepped up efforts to rally international support.

Ukraine contained Russian offensive in north as fighting in east persisted. Ukraine managed to contain Russia’s ground assault into Kharkiv region, helped by use of U.S.-supplied weapons in Russian borderlands after restrictions on their use on Russian soil loosened late May (see Russia). In east, Russian forces exploited relocation of Ukrainian troops north by stepping up attacks in Donetsk region, notably pursuing efforts to seize strategic town of Chasiv Yar. 

Russian airstrikes persisted as Ukraine targeted Crimea. Russian strikes continued to target Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure amid lack of air defence, with Kharkiv bearing brunt of attacks; notably, bomb 22 June struck apartment building, killing three and wounding dozens. Meanwhile, Kyiv 23 June targeted Russian-annexed Crimea; Russian Ministry of Defence same day blamed U.S.-supplied ‘ATACMS’ missile, diverted by air defence, for killing at least four and wounding over 150 on busy beach in Crimea’s Sevastopol city near air base.

Peace summit took place in Switzerland. President Zelenskyy 15-16 June held peace summit in Switzerland in hopes of persuading critical mass of non-Western countries to back his ten-point ‘peace formula’. 78 of 92 participants signed joint communiqué on three of ten points, though signatures of key non-Western countries, including China, India, South Africa, Saudi Arabia and Brazil, were missing. Earlier, Putin 14 June laid out Kremlin’s conditions for ceasefire and negotiations, which Kyiv called “absurd” (see Russia).

Foreign partners bolstered support to Kyiv. Notably, Group of Seven (G7) leaders 13 June agreed on $50bn loan for Ukraine, to be repaid using interest from some $300bn in frozen Russian assets. U.S. President Biden and Zelenskyy same day signed ten-year bilateral security agreement, while several countries pledged more air defence. South Korea 20 June said it would consider sending arms to Ukraine after North Korea and Russia day earlier signed treaty containing mutual defence article; move would represent radical departure from Seoul’s long-standing policy of not supplying weapons to countries at war. EU 25, 27 June launched accession talks and signed security agreement with Kyiv.

Tashkent signed deal with Beijing and Bishkek on railway project.

Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and China 6 June signed deal on railway project as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. All three leaders attended ceremony via video link as Beijing’s Ministry of Transport said “project demonstrates the common aspiration for cooperation and development shared by the three countries”; President Mirziyoyev said railway would boost regional trade ties and cooperation.

Failed coup attempt orchestrated by former army chief left Bolivia reeling. 

One day after being stripped of his command, former Army Chief Gen. Zúñiga and allied members of military 26 June took up positions in capital La Paz’s Plaza Murillo, promising to “restore democracy” as armoured vehicle rammed door of govt palace and soldiers stormed building. Footage from within palace showed President Arce ordering Zúñiga and his allies to stand down, as leaders from region and beyond rushed to condemn actions. Within hours, Zúñiga and allied soldiers had withdrawn, presumably because their reinforcements did not arrive, bringing attempted coup to abrupt end. Police forces same day arrested Zúñiga and his alleged co-conspirator, former Navy Vice Adm. Salvador, though not before Zuñiga claimed Arce had ordered him to stage coup in attempt to boost his popularity; Arce 27 June denied allegation. Attorney General 26 June announced formal investigation into Zúñiga and “all the other participants”.

FARC-EMC splinters continued to escalate attacks along Pacific Coast as peace talks with ELN remained in disarray; govt opened negotiations with FARC dissident group Segunda Marquetalia.

Hostilities between military and FARC-EMC splinters intensified. Splinter groups of dissident FARC faction known as EMC stepped up attacks along Pacific Coast, targeting police stations, launching car bombs and improvised explosives, and striking buildings with armed drones. Apparent EMC splinter members 16 June shot at car transporting father and nephew of VP Francia Márquez in Jamundí town, Valle de Cauca department. President Petro 8 June ruled out any peace process with splinters amid violent attacks, saying “the order is to neutralise EMC” in Cauca department. Next round of dialogue with EMC factions still at negotiating table, led by alias Calarcá, is set tentatively for early July; sides 14 June inaugurated commission in Meta, aimed at stimulating rural development in areas of department under Calarcá’s control. 

ELN statement following group’s VI Congress contained few surprises. National Liberation Army (ELN) held its VI Congress in secret, 17 June released statement largely reiterating insurgency’s longstanding talking points. Communiqué said it will continue peace talks, while blaming current crisis in negotiations on alleged govt non-compliance; it also failed to clarify key public concerns, including whether group will continue kidnapping for ransom and if it is contemplating laying down arms. Group voiced support for Constituent Assembly, controversial idea floated by Petro in order to enact constitutional reforms.

Govt opened talks with Segunda Marquetalia. Talks between govt and dissident FARC faction Segunda Marquetalia, which wields significant territorial control along border with Ecuador, 24-29 June took place in Venezuelan capital Caracas. Negotiations focused on conflict de-escalation and improving conditions for civilians; importantly, Segunda Marquetalia agreed to share coordinates of its troops to avoid armed confrontations. Legal uncertainty clouds process, however, as many in leadership are former signatories to 2016 peace accord who subsequently returned to arms. 

In other important developments. U.S. court 10 June ordered Chiquita Brands International to pay $38.3mn in compensation to families of eight victims assassinated by paramilitary groups in Colombia in early 2000s. Congress 14 June passed govt’s pension reform.

Russian vessels docked in capital Havana.

Foreign Ministry 7 June announced four Russian vessels would “pay an official visit” to port in Havana 12-17 June, emphasising that none of them carried nuclear weapons and that “their stop-over in our country does not represent any threat to the region”. U.S. officials played down significance of their arrival, though U.S. submarine 13 June entered Guantanamo Bay in “routine port visit”; Canadian patrol vessel 14-17 June also conducted port visit to Havana. Reasons for visit remained unclear, though some noted actions came weeks after U.S. President Biden authorised limited use of U.S. weapons on Russian soil to defend Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, which prompted Russian President Putin 5 June to threaten “asymmetric response” (see Russia). 

Constitutional Court again overturned President Noboa’s state of exception amid ongoing criminal violence; efforts to tackle corruption continued. 

Judiciary overturned state of exception as violence persisted in coastal provinces. Constitutional Court 13 June declared state of exception decreed by President Noboa in late May unconstitutional, second time judiciary has overturned his decree. So-called Security Block, made up of military and police, 15 June criticised decision, arguing states of exception have yielded positive results. Meanwhile, insecurity persisted in strategic drug trafficking enclaves along Pacific Coast. Notably, unknown assailants 2 June killed alternate Congressman Cristhian Nieto and his wife in Manta city (Manabí Province); Noboa 3 June ordered stepped-up security presence in city to contain rising violence. U.S. Treasury Department 6 June announced sanctions against “Los Lobos” gang and its leader alias “Pipo”, saying group had “emerged as Ecuador’s largest drug trafficking organisation” and is responsible for worsening violence.

Efforts to tackle corruption continued. As part of “Metastasis” and “Purge” investigations into high-level corruption across Ecuador, Judicial Council 14 June dismissed seven judges from Guayas Province, prosecutor and secretary for alleged involvement in organised crime. Police 29 June arrested over a dozen individuals, including judges, attorneys and govt officials, in connection with Plaga Case, another high-level probe into ties between organised crime, govt and judiciary. 

Bukele was sworn in for second presidential term, promising economic growth and clampdown on corruption; authorities again renewed state of exception. 

Bukele vowed to improve economy and tackle corruption in inauguration speech. Bukele was sworn in as president 1 June despite ban on consecutive re-election in El Salvador’s constitution. CID Gallup poll 11 June indicated Bukele’s popularity rating stood at 92%, highest of all Latin American leaders. In his inauguration speech, Bukele promised to focus on strengthening economy and fighting corruption. Several international representatives attended ceremony, including Argentina’s President Milei and Donald Trump Jr.; high-level delegation led by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary and other senior U.S. officials also attended, reflecting shift toward more conciliatory approach in U.S. policy, likely due to concerns about immigration ahead of U.S. presidential election. 

Authorities once more renewed state of exception. Legislative Assembly 6 June extended state of exception for 27th time, with 57 out of 60 members voting for renewal despite concerns about human rights. Meanwhile, authorities 11 June transferred 2,000 inmates to El Salvador’s mega-prison, el Centro de Confinamiento para el Terrorismo, now at 40% capacity; total prison population stands at 108,200.

Kenya-led multinational security mission began arriving in Haiti to help quell surging gang violence, while PM Conille assumed office and formed new govt.

First personnel from Kenya-led security mission landed in Haiti. First wave of police officers from much-anticipated foreign security mission 25 June arrived in Haiti. Mission faces enormous task of helping a police force riddled with corruption stem rampant gang violence while ensuring protection of civilians in urban warfare. Earlier, human rights group Amnesty International 4 June expressed concern about lack of transparency on measures taken to ensure respect for human rights during operations and called for all safeguards to be implemented, including transparent complaint mechanisms for timely investigations into allegations of misconduct.

Gang violence continued as police chief stepped down. Gang alliance known as Viv Ansanm launched more attacks, though scaled back violence in days before mission arrived. Notably, gang members 9 June murdered three police officers in Delmas commune of capital Port-au-Prince after their armoured vehicle fell into ditch dug by gangs. Gang violence also affected parts of Artibonite department, Haiti’s breadbasket. Notably, Ti Bwadom gang attacks 14-15 June in Terre-Neuve and Lagon communes killed around twelve people. Viv Ansanm’s self-appointed spokesperson Jimmy ‘Barbecue’ Chérizier 23 June urged PM Conille to refrain from conducting operations against gangs and instead to engage in dialogue; Conille 25 June responded, saying gangs must lay down their arms and recognise state authority. International Organization for Migration 18 June reported 60% increase in displacement since March. Meanwhile, police high command 14 June dismissed its director Frantz Elbé, replacing him 19 June with Normil Rameau, former police director under President Moïse. 

PM Conille assumed office and appointed new govt. Garry Conille was officially installed as prime minister 3 June; one week later, official gazette 11 June published names of fourteen new cabinet members. All members of Transitional Presidential Council reportedly participated in appointment of ministers while Conille selected heads of five most important ministries. Conille 12 June promised govt would prioritise fight against corruption in order to restore Haitians’ confidence in their leaders and institutions.

President Castro announced new measures to tackle violent crime. 

Castro sought to crack down on violent crime. Amid mounting public pressure, President Castro 14 June announced series of measures to tackle violent crime, known as “Crime Solution Plan”, which entails: deployment of security forces to municipalities with high crime levels and operations to destroy coca plantations; construction of new “mega-prison”; and reforms to penal code so that gang members who commit specific offences can be classified as terrorists. Castro has sought to emulate “mano dura”, or “iron-fist” approach toward gangs of her El Salvadoran counterpart in hopes of reducing violence, though her efforts have failed to produce similar results. 

In another important development. U.S. court 26 June sentenced former President Hernandez to 45 years in prison for crimes related to drug trafficking, with prosecutors accusing him of running Honduras like a “narco-state”.