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US, France move to steady ties after Paris restricts ambassador’s access
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U.S. and French officials signaled Tuesday they are working to steady relations after a diplomatic flare-up that led France to restrict U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner’s access to senior government officials.
The U.S. Embassy in France told Fox News Digital that the two sides remain in contact following the dispute, which was triggered by U.S. government social media posts about the killing of a French activist earlier this month.
«Ambassador Kushner and Foreign Minister Barrot, who have met regularly during the Ambassador’s tenure, spoke today in a frank and amicable call, reaffirming their shared commitment to working together, along with all other Ministers and French officials, on the many issues that impact the United States and France, particularly as the two countries celebrate 250 years of rich diplomatic relations,» the statement said.
The outreach suggests both governments are seeking to contain the fallout from a clash that briefly raised questions about diplomatic protocol and political sensitivities between two of NATO’s closest allies.
U.S. and French officials signaled Tuesday they are working to steady relations after a diplomatic flare-up that led France to restrict U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner’s access to senior government officials. (Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images)
France had moved to limit Kushner’s access to top officials after he did not attend a summons at the French Foreign Ministry over remarks posted by official U.S. government accounts following the death of 23-year-old activist Quentin Deranque, who was killed during clashes between far-left and far-right groups in Lyon earlier this month.
The Associated Press reported that Deranque, described as a far-right activist and a fervent nationalist, was beaten during the confrontation and later died of brain injuries sustained in the attack.
In a Feb. 19 post on X, the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Counterterrorism wrote that reports — corroborated by France’s interior minister — that Deranque was killed by left-wing militants «should concern us all,» adding: «Violent radical leftism is on the rise and its role in Quentin Deranque’s death demonstrates the threat it poses to public safety.» The U.S. Embassy in France later shared the statement on its official account.
France had moved to limit Kushner’s access to top officials after he did not attend a summons at the French Foreign Ministry over remarks posted by official U.S. government accounts following the death of 23-year-old activist Quentin Deranque, who was killed during clashes between far-left and far-right groups in Lyon earlier this month. (Olivier Chassignole/AFP via Getty Images)
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French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot characterized the remarks as an unwelcome intrusion into France’s domestic political debate and said Kushner’s failure to appear at the Quai d’Orsay «will naturally affect his ability to carry out his mission in our country.» He described the no-show as a «surprise,» saying ambassadors are expected to respect «the most basic practices of diplomacy» when summoned.
«We have no lessons to learn in matters of maintaining order or public order in matters of violence, and we have no lessons to learn at all from the reactionary international, simply,» Barrot said in an interview with public broadcaster France Info.
While Tuesday’s call between Kushner and Barrot indicates both sides are attempting to prevent the disagreement from escalating, the episode unfolded against a broader backdrop of periodic tension in transatlantic relations.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot characterized the remarks as an unwelcome intrusion into France’s domestic political debate and said Kushner’s failure to appear at the Quai d’Orsay «will naturally affect his ability to carry out his mission in our country.» (Thierry Monasse/Getty Images)
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France has at times pushed for greater European «strategic autonomy» in defense and foreign policy — an approach that can diverge from Washington’s priorities, particularly as President Donald Trump has pressed NATO allies to increase defense spending and align more closely with U.S. strategic objectives. Trade has also been a recurring friction point in recent years, with tariff disputes between the United States and the European Union periodically affecting French exports.
Despite those differences, France remains one of Washington’s closest security partners in Europe, cooperating extensively on counterterrorism, intelligence sharing and NATO operations. Diplomatic access to senior officials plays a central role in coordinating those efforts, making even symbolic restrictions notable.
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Mexico says Jalisco security situation ‘stabilized,’ flights resuming after Americans stranded
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The Mexican government said the security situation in the western state of Jalisco has «stabilized» after an explosion of cartel-linked violence following the death of kingpin Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as «El Mencho.»
The Embassy of Mexico in the United States said federal and state authorities were working to normalize conditions after the unrest, reopening transit corridors and restoring public services following targeted operations.
The update comes as the State Department’s travel advisory for Mexico remains in effect at a heightened level of caution, while flight cancellations and transportation disruptions stranded some travelers in popular destinations such as Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. Hundreds of Americans remain stranded in Mexico following the violence.
«The security situation has now stabilized following targeted operations in Jalisco,» the embassy said in a post on X. «Federal and state authorities are proceeding to reopen transit corridors and restore public services smoothly.»
Tourists walk past a burned shop in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco state, Mexico, Tuesday, after cartel-linked violence erupted following the death of Jalisco New Generation cartel leader Nemesio «El Mencho» Oseguera Cervantes. (Alfredo Estrella/AFP via Getty Images)
The embassy said airline operations were returning to normal and that international carriers were resuming flights. Puerto Vallarta International Airport has reopened to domestic traffic, according to the statement.
«If traveling through Jalisco, some local security measures remain in place, while authorities are restoring airport operations to full capacity,» the embassy added.
Officials said they were coordinating with international partners «to ensure safety and stability at all transit hubs and tourist destinations.»
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A bus burns on a main avenue in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico, Sunday, after it was set on fire by organized crime groups in response to a federal operation targeting a high-priority security suspect. (Ulises Ruiz/AFP via Getty Images)
The statement described the operation as part of «a broader national effort that has produced a sustained decrease in violence across Mexico in recent months.»
According to the State Department’s official website, Mexico is currently under a Level 2 «Exercise Increased Caution» travel advisory due to risks including crime and kidnapping. The advisory notes that violent crime and organized criminal activity remain concerns for U.S. citizens traveling in the country.
Watch: Leavitt warns Mexican drug cartels, tells them not to lay a finger on Americans
Certain Mexican states carry higher risk levels, with some areas classified as Level 3 «Reconsider Travel» or Level 4 «Do Not Travel,» depending on local conditions. Jalisco — where the recent violence occurred — has previously been listed among states with elevated advisory levels, though the State Department notes that risk can vary by region.
The advisory urges U.S. citizens to take precautions similar to those required of U.S. government employees, including avoiding intercity travel at night, using regulated transportation services and remaining aware that emergency services may be limited in some areas.
The State Department said it had received hundreds of calls on its 24/7 crisis hotline as Americans sought assistance following the violence.
A man stands guard near a burning bus on one of the main avenues after it was set on fire, Sunday, by a cartel group in Zapopan, state of Jalisco, Mexico. (Ulises Ruiz / AFP via Getty Images)
Mexican authorities said Oseguera Cervantes was killed Sunday during an operation aided by U.S. intelligence.
The cartel responded by setting vehicles on fire and erecting roadblocks throughout Guadalajara, the state capital. The city’s international airport operated at limited capacity as violence gripped the area.
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The U.S. State Department had previously offered up to $15 million for information leading to his arrest or conviction, describing him as «one of the most wanted fugitives in Mexico.»
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El régimen de Irán dijo que un acuerdo nuclear con Estados Unidos “está al alcance” si se prioriza la diplomacia
El régimen de Irán dijo este martes que un acuerdo nuclear con Estados Unidos está “al alcance” y pidió que la diplomacia tenga prioridad en las negociaciones que comenzarán esta semana en Ginebra.
El ministro de Asuntos Exteriores iraní, Abbas Araghchi, aseguró que un pacto “justo y equitativo” podría concretarse si ambas partes anteponen el diálogo.
“Tenemos una oportunidad histórica de alcanzar un pacto sin precedentes que atienda preocupaciones mutuas y logre beneficios compartidos. El acuerdo está al alcance, pero solo si se da espacio a la diplomacia”, afirmó Abbas en un comunicado difundido a través de sus redes sociales.
Abbas subrayó que Teherán mantiene una política invariable sobre el uso de la energía nuclear.
“Jamás desarrollaremos armas nucleares bajo ninguna circunstancia; pero tampoco los iraníes renunciarán a su derecho de aprovechar la tecnología nuclear pacífica para el bienestar de nuestro pueblo”, indicó el ministro, quien enfatizó que Irán defenderá en la mesa de negociaciones los mismos principios que han guiado su política nacional.
Las declaraciones del jefe de la diplomacia iraní llegan en la víspera de una nueva ronda de conversaciones en Ginebra, donde delegaciones de Washington y Teherán intentarán destrabar el estancamiento que frustró el acuerdo el año pasado.
El viceministro de Asuntos Exteriores, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, reiteró la disposición de Irán a “tomar todas las medidas necesarias” para alcanzar un pacto en el menor plazo posible.
“Haremos todo lo necesario para que esto suceda. Entraremos en la sala de negociaciones en Ginebra con total honestidad y buena fe”, aseguró Takht-Ravanchi.
En esta nueva etapa, el régimen iraní evalúa enviar al extranjero la mitad de su uranio altamente enriquecido, diluir el resto y participar en la creación de un consorcio regional para el enriquecimiento, a cambio de que Estados Unidos reconozca su derecho al uso pacífico de la energía nuclear y elimine las sanciones económicas que afectan al país.
“Un ataque o una agresión contra Irán recibirá la respuesta prevista en nuestros planes de defensa. Un ataque estadounidense sería una verdadera apuesta”, advirtió Takht-Ravanchi, aunque insistió en que la prioridad es resolver las diferencias por medios pacíficos.
Desde Washington, la secretaria de prensa de la Casa Blanca, Karoline Leavitt, recalcó que la primera opción del presidente Donald Trump es la diplomacia, pero advirtió que “está dispuesto a utilizar la fuerza letal si es necesario”.
Trump ha reiterado en los últimos días que solo aceptará un acuerdo que limite el programa nuclear iraní y que no dudará en actuar militarmente si considera que Teherán busca una bomba atómica.
“El presidente evaluará todas las alternativas para proteger los intereses de Estados Unidos y de sus aliados en la región”, agregó Leavitt en una rueda de prensa.
Funcionarios estadounidenses informaron que la próxima sesión de negociaciones se celebrará este jueves en Ginebra, con la presencia de enviados especiales de ambas partes y bajo la supervisión de observadores internacionales. Entre las principales exigencias de Washington figura la renuncia de Irán al enriquecimiento de uranio en territorio nacional, un punto considerado inaceptable por Teherán, que reclama el derecho soberano a desarrollar tecnología nuclear para fines civiles.
El contexto de las conversaciones está marcado por el despliegue de una fuerza naval estadounidense cerca de las costas iraníes y la advertencia de Trump de que dará a Irán entre 10 y 15 días para lograr un acuerdo.
Entretanto, el secretario de Estado, Marco Rubio, tiene previsto informar a los principales líderes del Congreso sobre el avance de las negociaciones y la estrategia de Washington en caso de que el diálogo fracase.
La comunidad internacional sigue de cerca las negociaciones, conscientes de que el resultado de esta nueva ronda será determinante para el futuro de la relación bilateral y la estabilidad en Medio Oriente. Tanto Washington como Teherán reconocen la oportunidad única de resolver el conflicto por la vía diplomática, en un contexto de alta tensión regional y con la presión de actores externos como la Unión Europea y la Agencia Internacional de Energía Atómica, que han instado a ambas partes a avanzar hacia un acuerdo sostenible.
(Con información de AFP y Reuters)
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