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From London synagogues to New York preschools — antisemitic attacks escalating on both sides of the Atlantic
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Tens of thousands rallied in London Sunday alarmed at the massive increase in violent attacks against the country’s Jewish population. Marchers made clear their anger towards the inaction of the British government.
Thousands rallied in London Sunday, alarmed by the massive increase in violent attacks against the country’s Jewish population. Marchers made clear their anger toward the British government’s inaction.
Speaking a few days before the rally, U.K. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch told Fox News Digital, «Zero tolerance for antisemitism means treating this epidemic of violence as a genuine national emergency.» Badenoch has called for stronger enforcement, including deporting foreign preachers who are spreading hate in mosques and other institutions. «Antisemites will not be welcomed or tolerated. Britain has been a haven for Jews for centuries. It must remain so.»
Her warning comes as the United Kingdom raised its national terrorism threat level to «severe,» the second-highest classification, meaning an attack is considered highly likely. The move reflects what security officials describe as a worsening threat environment amid a spike in antisemitic incidents, arson attacks and targeted violence.
EVEN BEFORE GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL HATE CHANTS, UK JEWS WARNED OF ALARMING RISE IN ANTISEMITISM
People attend a rally organized by the Campaign Against Antisemitism opposite Downing Street in London on April 30, 2026, following the stabbing of two Jewish men in the Golders Green neighborhood. Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged increased security funding for Jewish sites and called for unity against antisemitism. (Carlos Jasso/AFP)
«There’s an unholy alliance of the hard Left and Islamist extremists behind some of the spread of antisemitism,» Badenoch warned. «What do people think chants such as ‘from the river to the sea’ or ‘globalize the intifada’ mean if they do not mean the erasure of the world’s only Jewish state and violence against Jews everywhere?»
British security officials have long noted that Islamist extremism remains one of the United Kingdom’s primary terror threats, with MI5 warning that radicalization networks and extremist ideology continue to pose serious risks.
Jewish leaders and analysts say expressions of support for terrorist groups such as Hamas, combined with public glorification of violence, have contributed to an environment in which anti-Jewish hostility is becoming increasingly normalized.
Despite mounting criticism over Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s handling of antisemitism as incidents continue to reach new highs across the U.K., Starmer, speaking at the No10 Tackling Antisemitism Forum last week, said: «Our Jewish communities [are] feeling frightened, angry and asking whether this country, their home, is safe for them.»
He added: «In recent months, as antisemitic incidents have risen, we have acted decisively to strengthen the safety of Jewish communities,» announcing an additional £25 million in funding for increased patrols and enhanced security to prevent serious harm before it occurs.» Despite those assurances, critics say the response is still falling short, warning that Jewish communities remain exposed and the situation is continuing to escalate.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer visits the Hatzola Northwest independent ambulance base after yesterday’s terrorist incident, on April 30, 2026 in Golders Green, England. A 45-year-old British-Somali man was arrested yesterday, after stabbing two Jewish men, Shloime Rand and Moshe Shine, in a terrorist attack in Golders Green. Both victims are in stable condition, and the suspect was caught by police after being tasered. The government has since pledged £25 million to improve security for the Jewish community following the incident. (James Smith/Sam Snap/Getty Images)
Jonathan Sacerdoti, a London-based commentator and writer, told Fox News Digital that authorities have demonstrated the ability to deploy large scale policing when necessary, but many Jewish residents are questioning whether that same urgency is being applied to protecting them.
«Considering they’re able to police massive anti-Israel protests every two weeks for the last two and a half years,» Sacerdoti said, «they ought to be able to do the same to protect Jews.»
He added that security funding alone cannot solve what he sees as a deeper problem.
ANTISEMITISM IS BECOMING ‘NORMAL,’ WITH JEWISH TEENS PAYING THE PRICE
Leader of the Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch speaks at an antisemitism rally in the United Kingdom. (Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images)
«Jews should not need a volunteer security organization,» he said. «The state should protect us itself.»
For many Jewish families across the United Kingdom, the impact is no longer abstract. It is being felt in everyday life.
Rabbi Albert Chait, senior rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregation in Leeds, said one of the most troubling signs is how normalized constant security has become for Jewish children.
«You know what the worst thing is, in my opinion?» Chait said. «The fact that my children do not ask why there is police outside their school. They do not question why there is paid security on the gate and on the street. They do not even question it because that is just normal day to day activity.»
ANTISEMITIC VIOLENCE ESCALATES AS DEADLY WEAPON ATTACKS SURGE IN 2025: REPORT
Members of the Jewish community view the scene of an antisemitic arson attack in the Golders Green neighborhood of north London on March 24, 2026. (Henry Nicholls/AFP via Getty Images)
According to the Community Security Trust, antisemitic incidents in Britain reached approximately 3,700 in 2025, among the highest totals on record, prompting increased funding for security at synagogues, schools and Jewish institutions.
As Britain confronts what many are increasingly describing as a national crisis, similar warning signs are becoming more visible in the United States.
This past week in Queens, New York, multiple Jewish homes, a synagogue and a Jewish community center housing a preschool were vandalized with swastikas and antisemitic graffiti, raising alarm among residents.
From swastikas scrawled in school bathrooms and subway stations to antisemitic graffiti targeting synagogues and Jewish institutions, symbols of hate are appearing with growing visibility in everyday American life.
New York City officials say four suspects allegedly spray-painted swastikas and other antisemitic symbols on synagogues, homes and cars in Queens, New York, earlier this week. (New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin/X)
«One of the sites houses a pre-K program, where young children, their families and staff were greeted with swastikas and other hateful vandalism,» Mark Treyger, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York told Jewish Insider. «This is not normal, and we need city leaders to act now.»
For many observers, the parallels are difficult to ignore.
What Britain is experiencing, rising antisemitic violence, normalized hostility, and ongoing debates over ideology and enforcement, is no longer confined overseas.
It is increasingly being reflected in American communities.
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Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch speaks during a «face down» antisemitism rally in Whitehall, central London, following a series of arson attacks and two people being stabbed in Golders Green, north-west London on April 29. Picture date: Sunday May 10, 2026. (Lucy North/PA Images via Getty Images)
And as the crisis unfolds, Badenoch’s warning carries implications far beyond the United Kingdom.
«I have never seen the level of racism, discrimination, intimidation and attacks that have been directed at the Jewish community,» she said. «If other minority communities were facing similar levels of violence, there would be a national emergency.»
anti semitism, hate crime, hamas, united kingdom
INTERNACIONAL
La rivalidad entre Estados Unidos y China llega a los cielos sudamericanos, con Chile y Argentina en la mira
INTERNACIONAL
‘Free beer’ for Trump death Dem activist running for Wisconsin gov: ‘I will win’ if they silence me
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Kirk Bangstad, the controversial Wisconsin brewery owner who seemed to offer free beer on Facebook for the assassination of President Donald Trump, is currently seeking the requisite 2,000 signatures for his burgeoning campaign for governor, warning his party he will win the primary if they try to silence him.
«I will win the primary if they don’t let me speak: I guarantee you that,» Bangstad told WISN 12 News this week when asked about speaking at the state Democratic convention.
Bangstad, the owner of Minocqua Brewing Company (MBC), launched his campaign for Wisconsin governor after drawing national scrutiny for a social media post that appeared on the brewery’s Facebook page after an alleged assassination attempt against Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.
«Well, we almost got #freebeerday,» the April 12 post read just minutes after the WHCA Dinner security event. «Either a brother or sister in the Resistance needs to work on their marksmanship or he faked another assassination to get a positive news cycle. We’ll never know. Regardless, we stand at the ready to pour free beer the day it happens.»
WISCONSIN DEM’S BAR LAMENTS ‘WE ALMOST GOT FREE BEER DAY’ FOR TRUMP ASSASSINATION
The Minocqua Brewing Company is shown in a Google Earth image amid controversy over its «free beer day» campaign referencing the anticipated death of President Donald Trump. (Google Maps)
The news spread so far on social media and in the news that it drew a visit from the U.S. Secret Service and the FBI days later, but Bangstad contends it was merely satirical commentary and not a dog whistle for political violence from leftist radicals like the past three Trump assassination attempts.
«It was satire,» he told WISN 12. «I meant it as satire. I’ve said that all along and it was taken out of context in order to create a feeding frenzy by the media, which it did, and allow Republicans to paint Democrats as politically violent.»
There has been caution from Democrats about Bangstad’s rhetoric for weeks, but it has not stopped him, and he acknowledged it led to his jumping into the gubernatorial race after the federal law enforcement visit, and even has proven lucrative for fundraising, if not his brewery business.
«Remember there was another half of that post that said, ‘or Donald Trump is trying to fake an assassination attempt to get a better news cycle,» Bangstad told WISN 12. «The first part was satire that was trying to set off the second part.»
WISCONSIN MOM ‘SEETHING’ AFTER DEMOCRATS GIVE HER 8-YEAR-OLD SON A CHILLING BRACELET CALLING FOR TRUMP’S DEATH
Minocqua Brewing Company posted an offer for free beer when a man dies on its Facebook page. (Screenshot/Facebook)
Bangstad said he resurfaced his «free beer day» MBC business campaign because «the assassination attempt seemed staged,» acknowledging it has allowed him to gain «name recognition.»
Bangstad pointed to his «250,000 followers on Facebook» and «170,000 subscribers to our Substack page.»
«Most of those people are progressives and a lot of those are progressives who live in Wisconsin, so I would think I have the best name recognition in the state of Wisconsin right now,» Bangstad continued.
«The Democratic Party who has a terrible approval rating across the country and in Wisconsin can say all they want to about me. I’m a true Democrat, a true progressive Democrat, and I have more name recognition than everybody in this race save for probably Mandela Barnes.»
DEM LAWMAKER SPARKS ONLINE OUTRAGE FOR BLAMING TRUMP’S LOW APPROVAL FOR WHCA DINNER SHOOTING
A split image of the Minocqua Brewing Company and its owner Kirk Bangstad. Photos taken on unknown dates. (Google Maps; Facebook/Minocqua Brewing Company)
If he was blocked from speaking at the June 13-14 Wisconsin Democratic convention at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison, Bangstad vowed, «I’d speak anyway; I’d speak outside the front door.»
«And if they try to not let me speak, they’re going to put me in office,» Bangstad said. «Let’s be honest.
«If they restrict my speech as a fellow Democrat, they are going to do so much harm to their appearance, and they’re going to do so much harm to other candidates, I will win the primary if they don’t let me speak. I guarantee you that.»
Bangstad said he has not «gotten that far» on whether he will attend the Democratic convention in June.
MANDELA BARNES JUMPS INTO WISCONSIN GOVERNOR RACE — BUT BAGGAGE FROM HIS 2022 SENATE BID FOLLOWS
The Minocqua Brewing Company building is located in Wisconsin. The company has a history of promoting progressive politics. (Screenshot/Google Earth)
«I’ve got to get my 2,000 signatures by June 1 – obviously, I’m in the race really late; we’ve got a month to get 2,000 signatures,» he said.
«I will of course attend the Democratic convention, I’m a Democrat. I want to drag the Democratic Party kicking and screaming to a realistic place that’s not owned by big money, and that’s what I plan to do.
«And I think I can get there in Wisconsin.»
FORMER NAVY SEAL AND ‘POLITICAL OUTSIDER’ ANNOUNCES GOP CAMPAIGN FOR WISCONSIN GOVERNOR
The Wisconsin primary is Aug. 11, but getting the signatures and his name out there is a first priority, according to Bangstad, admitting the campaign as «raised a ton of money so far» while demurring on exactly how much.
«I’ve got oodles of money in Facebook followers, in Substack followers, the equivalent of that in my being able to reach people and give them my message,» he said.
Bangstad’s small brewery has long leaned into liberal politics, selling progressive-themed merchandise and promoting itself through anti-Trump messaging and shirts reading, «I wish it was free beer day.»
PATTERN OF LEFTIST VIOLENCE GROWS AS TRUMP NEARS 10 MONTHS IN OFFICE
The controversy escalated after the April 25 security scare at the WHCA Dinner in Washington, D.C., where authorities say Cole Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, attempted to storm a Secret Service checkpoint with a loaded shotgun and other weapons. Allen was ordered held without bail, facing life in prison for attempted assassination of the president and assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.
After the brewery’s post, the FBI and Secret Service confirmed they followed up on the matter and conducted a voluntary interview with Bangstad.
«The U.S. Secret Service follows up on perceived threats against the President of the United States or any one of our protectees,» the agencies said in a joint statement to Fox News. «The FBI and Secret Service together followed up on information received and conducted further investigative steps, which included a voluntary interview with the individual. This is an ongoing matter and we do not have further comment.»
Former Democratic Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes might be the only gubernatorial candidate with more ‘name recognition,’ according to Kirk Bangstad. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
HASAN PIKER NO-SHOWS PRO-COMMUNIST EVENT OVER ALLEGED SAFETY FEARS WHILE MOCKING TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT
Bangstad livestreamed part of the encounter with two suited men who questioned him about whether he knew anyone who wanted to harm Trump or supported anyone who wanted to harm the president. The brewery also posted what it said was a transcription of a voicemail from a person Bangstad identified as a Secret Service agent and urged supporters to call the number.
Bangstad, a former Democrat candidate for Wisconsin’s 34th Assembly District, lost his 2020 general election bid. He also founded the Minocqua Brewing Company super PAC, which has targeted Trump and Republicans, and previously sued to keep Trump off Wisconsin’s 2024 ballot.
The latest controversy also put pressure on other Wisconsin Democrats who have past ties to Bangstad.
Trump-backed House candidate Michael Alfonso accused Democrats of trying to avoid the issue, pointing to Bangstad’s connections to Democrats in the state.
POPULAR LEFT-WING PODCAST HOSTS PUSH CONSPIRACY THEORY THAT TRUMP STAGED ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON HIMSELF
«This brewery is owned by a man named Kirk Bangstad, and he’s not just some random crazy guy,» Alfonso wrote on X. «Kirk is friends with current Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner Francesca Hong. He previously employed Rebecca Cooke, the Democrat currently running against Derrick Van Orden, and was himself the Democratic nominee against my father-in-law, Sean Duffy, in Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District—where I am now running for office.»
Cooke’s campaign denounced political violence but did not mention Bangstad by name in its response to Fox News.
«This rhetoric is dangerous and unacceptable – showcasing just how broken our political system is,» Cooke said through her campaign manager. «I denounce all forms of political violence.
«We need to bring the temperature down, stop pitting working folks against each other, and come together to solve the very serious problems facing our communities.»
A Google maps image of the Minocqua Brewing Company in Minocqua, Wisconsin, taken on an unknown date. (Google Maps)
DISNEY UNDER FIRE AS ABC GRAPPLES WITH ANOTHER JIMMY KIMMEL CONTROVERSY
The National Republican Congressional Committee said Cooke’s response was insufficient and called on her to directly name her former employer.
«Rebecca Cooke needs to stop hiding and immediately denounce her former employer, Kirk Bangstad’s dangerous and unhinged comments,» NRCC spokesman Zach Bannon told Fox News. «Cooke’s previous employment by Bangstad makes her silence even more unacceptable. Voters deserve to know whether she stands with Wisconsinites who reject this rhetoric or with the same extremist voices pushing it.»
Hong also responded in a series of X posts after Fox News Digital reached out, condemning the normalization of political violence but not naming Bangstad. When asked specifically about the brewery or owner, Hong campaign manager Becky Cooper pointed back to the posts.
«That would fall under the ‘becoming numb’ portion,» Cooper told Fox News, declining to denounce Bangstad by name. «MBC’s tweet is intentionally inflammatory and a symptom of the normalization of political violence.»
LIBERAL WISCONSIN BREWING COMPANY PROMISES ‘FREE BEER, ALL DAY LONG’ AFTER TRUMP DIES
Wisconsin Republicans and national GOP figures have seized on the episode as evidence of overheated rhetoric on the left.
«Wisconsin Democrats are so sick in the head that an attempted murder is funny to them,» RNC spokeswoman Delanie Bomar told Fox News. «All Wisconsin Democrats, including Rebecca Cooke, must immediately condemn this disgusting behavior.»
Bangstad has also drawn scrutiny outside his anti-Trump messaging. Wisconsin Public Radio reported last year that he had been charged in a harassment case tied to a dispute with a local newspaper publisher.
«We only give comments to legitimate news organizations, not state propaganda agencies,» Bangstad told Fox News Digital after a request for comment about the Secret Service and FBI visit. «However, maybe one of our customers might want to respond to your question.»
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Fox News reached out to Bangstad for further comment Sunday and has not yet heard back.
Fox News has also reached out to the campaigns for Hong, Cooke and Barnes, along with the Wisconsin Democratic Party and the Democratic National Committee.
Fox News’ Peter D’Abrosca contributed to this report.
midterm elections, democrats elections, mandela barnes, primary results, wisconsin, governors
Pero el telescopio chino en el lugar, el observatorio Cesco en la provincia de San Juan, no capta ninguna señal. Después de que el gobierno de Estados Unidos presionara repetidamente a las autoridades argentinas sobre el tema, estas detuvieron la finalización del proyecto. Al carecer de piezas clave, el telescopio yace ahora desarmado y su gigantesca antena apunta ciegamente al cielo.
A medida que Estados Unidos ve cada vez más a Pekín como un rival en el espacio, las estrellas sobre Sudamérica se han convertido en puntos álgidos de una lucha geopolítica, en la que altos funcionarios estadounidenses intentan detener proyectos astronómicos en los desiertos andinos por temor a que China los utilice con fines militares.
El gobierno de Donald Trump afirma estar aplicando una versión actualizada de la Doctrina Monroe, en parte para contrarrestar la creciente presencia de China en el hemisferio occidental. China es un socio comercial clave para muchos países de América Latina e intenta establecer vínculos científicos y de seguridad. Sus relaciones en la región podrían ser tema de conversación en las conversaciones oficiales de esta semana en Pekín entre el presidente Trump y Xi Jinping, líder de China.
El año pasado, Chile, país vecino de Argentina, detuvo un proyecto de observatorio astronómico chino en el desierto de Atacama tras la fuerte insistencia del embajador de Estados Unidos. Y en el caso del proyecto del radiotelescopio chino del observatorio Cesco –que sería el más grande de su tipo en Sudamérica–, las autoridades han retenido en la aduana algunas piezas finales clave durante unos nueve meses.
Según un documento del jefe de gabinete del gobierno argentino, las violaciones de procedimiento en la renovación del acuerdo con China impidieron que el proyecto siguiera adelante. El gobierno argentino se negó a comentar si la diplomacia estadounidense influyó en la decisión.
Pero funcionarios estadounidenses, algunos de los cuales hablaron bajo condición de anonimato para discutir asuntos diplomáticos delicados, dijeron que el gobierno de Estados Unidos había expresado repetidamente su preocupación a las autoridades argentinas sobre el radiotelescopio chino, al temer que pudiera utilizarse para rastrear satélites estadounidenses y comunicarse con los chinos.
La campaña comenzó durante el gobierno de Joe Biden y continuó bajo el mandato del presidente Trump.
Los astrónomos argentinos, que han pasado la mayor parte de sus vidas observando estrellas a años luz de distancia, han recibido un curso intensivo de política terrenal.
Los científicos esperaban con ansias compartir el telescopio con China y otras naciones. Luego se enteraron de que los esfuerzos de Estados Unidos por frenar a China habían llegado a los desiertos de Sudamérica y amenazaban su exploración de la inmensidad del espacio.
“Hemos quedado en este agujero negro de la politica”, dijo la astrónoma Ana María Pacheco, de 61 años.
El radiotelescopio, dijo, habría ayudado a compensar la relativa escasez de este tipo de instrumentos en el hemisferio sur en comparación con el hemisferio norte.
El Departamento de Estado no respondió a las solicitudes de comentarios.
En 2015, mientras China expandía su presencia por Sudamérica, el ejército chino construyó otra instalación, una estación de control de misiones espaciales y satelitales de 50 millones de dólares en la provincia de Neuquén, en el desierto patagónico de Argentina. Argentina cedió a China el uso del terreno donde se construyó la estación, sin pago de renta, por 50 años.
Para los partidarios de una línea dura contra China en Washington, esa base patagónica se convirtió en un símbolo de cómo Argentina era arrastrada a la órbita de China, y la antena del lugar se erige como una advertencia de 450 toneladas.
El gobierno de Trump ha forjado un estrecho vínculo con Javier Milei, el presidente de derecha de la Argentina, y lo ayudó con un salvavidas de 20.000 millones de dólares antes de las cruciales elecciones intermedias del año pasado.
Durante su campaña presidencial, Milei expresó hostilidad hacia China. Pero tras ser elegido en 2023, suavizó su tono, tal vez al enfrentarse a la realidad de que la economía china está entrelazada con la de Argentina a través del comercio, la infraestructura, los proyectos mineros y la asistencia financiera, al igual que en otros países latinoamericanos.
Las autoridades estadounidenses afirman que están conscientes de que será difícil desplazar a China de América Latina. Aun así, consideran que el bloqueo del radiotelescopio de San Juan –construido en colaboración entre la Universidad Nacional de San Juan y el Observatorio Astronómico Nacional de China– es una señal de que la diplomacia estadounidense puede contribuir a frenar ciertos aspectos de las ambiciones espaciales de China, y tal vez también sus ambiciones militares.
La Embajada de China en Buenos Aires dijo en un comunicado que Estados Unidos estaba buscando “una excusa para contener y reprimir a China”. Aseguraron que el proyecto tenía como objetivo promover el progreso científico tanto en Argentina como en China, con beneficios para toda la humanidad. Afirmaron que el posicionamiento de Estados Unidos “resulta a la vez ridículo y lamentable”.
Cuando el proyecto del observatorio chileno se suspendió el año pasado, la embajada china en Santiago dijo en un comunicado que Estados Unidos también utiliza telescopios en Chile y lo acusó de una “pura y dura manifestación de hegemonismo”.
Estados Unidos tiene una presencia astronómica significativa en Sudamérica, y la NASA utiliza varias estaciones espaciales para rastrear satélites.
El observatorio argentino de San Juan, donde se encuentra el controvertido telescopio chino, fue inaugurado en la década de 1960 en colaboración con las universidades de Yale y Columbia. Argentina cuenta con algunos de los cielos más despejados y sin nubes del mundo, y las instituciones alemanas, rusas y brasileñas construyeron telescopios que ahora salpican los terrenos del observatorio. Se ha iniciado la construcción de un nuevo telescopio en colaboración con la Universidad de Texas.
Pero la iniciativa con China puso a prueba los límites de este cosmopolitismo astronómico.
El Radiotelescopio China-Argentina fue una inversión de 32 millones de dólares que comenzó hace unos 15 años. Cuenta con una antena de 40 metros de ancho: una gigantesca antena parabólica que permite a los científicos captar ondas de radio invisibles del espacio para cartografiar el nacimiento de estrellas y galaxias lejanas. Gracias a este tipo de telescopios, los astrónomos captaron la primera imagen de un agujero negro en 2019.
En 2023, 100 camiones que transportaban los enormes componentes de hierro del telescopio subieron por estrechas carreteras de montaña hasta el observatorio. Junto con la maquinaria llegó un equipo de técnicos chinos que se instaló en Barreal, la localidad más cercana, donde caballos y vacas deambulan junto a casas de baja altura.
Desde los inicios del gobierno de Biden, altos funcionarios de seguridad nacional de la Casa Blanca y diplomáticos del Departamento de Estado estaban al tanto del proyecto. En agosto de 2021, Jake Sullivan, el asesor de seguridad nacional, y Juan Gonzalez, el principal asesor de la Casa Blanca para América Latina, plantearon el tema durante una visita a Buenos Aires, dijo Gonzalez.
Los funcionarios estadounidenses le dijeron a Alberto Fernández, entonces presidente de Argentina, que les preocupaban varios proyectos chinos, entre ellos el radiotelescopio, un puerto en Ushuaia, en el extremo sur, y la base en Neuquén, dijo.
El presidente argentino dijo que se aseguraría de que los proyectos no se utilizaran con fines militares, dijo Gonzalez, pero un contrato de arrendamiento de 50 años sobre el terreno en Neuquén significaba que China tenía un sólido argumento legal para seguir utilizando ese emplazamiento.
Los funcionarios estadounidenses, en conversaciones diplomáticas, presionaron más en torno al proyecto del radiotelescopio en San Juan.
El gobierno de Trump mantuvo la presión. En febrero de 2025, el secretario de Estado Marco Rubio discutió la “colaboración espacial” con Gerardo Werthein, el entonces ministro de Relaciones Exteriores de Argentina, según un resumen de la llamada elaborado por el Departamento de Estado.
Esa primavera, expertos del laboratorio Sandia en Albuquerque, dirigido por el Departamento de Energía, viajaron a Buenos Aires para informar a los funcionarios argentinos sobre los posibles riesgos que planteaba el telescopio chino, dijeron funcionarios estadounidenses.
A instancias del Departamento de Estado, la oficina del representante comercial de Estados Unidos incluyó una cláusula en un nuevo acuerdo comercial bilateral que intentaba limitar la capacidad de Argentina para trabajar con China en proyectos espaciales.
El documento establece que Argentina debe cooperar con “expertos técnicos del gobierno de Estados Unidos para implementar medidas de control suficientes en las instalaciones espaciales operadas por otros países a fin de garantizar su uso exclusivamente civil”.
El acuerdo de Argentina con China para construir el telescopio expiró el verano pasado. Poco después, las autoridades aduaneras congelaron algunas piezas clave de la antena en el puerto de Buenos Aires.
En noviembre, el gobierno de Estados Unidos trasladó en avión a científicos de la Universidad Nacional de San Juan al laboratorio Sandia en Albuquerque para impartirles una capacitación de tres días sobre “preocupaciones relacionadas con el doble uso en instalaciones de investigación espacial civiles”, según una invitación a la que tuvo acceso The New York Times.
Marcelo Segura, coordinador del proyecto del radiotelescopio chino en la Universidad Nacional de San Juan, dijo que él y su equipo intentaron convencer a los funcionarios estadounidenses de que el telescopio chino se utilizaría únicamente con fines civiles.
“No fue así”, dijo Segura, quien había estudiado chino para discutir el trabajo del telescopio con sus colegas chinos.
Los blancos componentes metálicos del telescopio yacen inactivos como un esqueleto gigante. En el sótano del telescopio, sobre las mesas, aún se encuentran palillos, latas de salsa de ostras y latas de té verde que dejaron los trabajadores chinos. Un letrero en chino en la pared ofrece orientación sobre cómo actuar ante un encuentro con pumas.
Una situación similar se observa al otro lado de la frontera, en el desierto de Atacama, en Chile. Allí, las autoridades construyeron una carretera a través del paisaje lunar hasta un pico elevado destinado a un observatorio espacial chino.
Iba a incluir 100 telescopios destinados a ayudar a monitorear asteroides y explosiones extragalácticas, según la Universidad Católica del Norte, que estaba a cargo del proyecto. A los científicos chilenos se les permitiría usar el telescopio dos noches al mes, dijeron funcionarios de la universidad.
Esa carretera ahora no lleva a ninguna parte. Las autoridades chilenas bloquearon el proyecto del observatorio tras repetidas presiones por parte de funcionarios estadounidenses.
Bernadette Meehan, embajadora de Estados Unidos en Chile bajo el mandato del presidente Joe Biden, dijo que planteó el tema del observatorio a los más altos niveles del gobierno chileno.
“Para el gobierno de Estados Unidos era muy importante que no se permitiera el proyecto”, dijo Meehan, calificándolo como una de sus prioridades más urgentes.
Las relaciones sólidas con lugares como Chile y Argentina, dijo, son cruciales para “protegerse contra los esfuerzos de China por buscar una mayor influencia estratégica”.
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Daniel Politi colaboró con reportería desde Buenos Aires, y John Bartlett desde Santiago, Chile.
Emma Bubola es una reportera del Times que cubre Argentina. Reside en Buenos Aires.
Edward Wong cubre los asuntos globales, las políticas internacionales estadounidenses y el Departamento de Estado para el Times.
Daniel Politi colaboró con reportería desde Buenos Aires, y John Bartlett desde Santiago, Chile.
The New York Times, data-cc, data-cc-nyt
La rivalidad entre Estados Unidos y China llega a los cielos sudamericanos, con Chile y Argentina en la mira
‘Free beer’ for Trump death Dem activist running for Wisconsin gov: ‘I will win’ if they silence me
LLA enfrenta fugas en las provincias, con críticas al centralismo y al alejamiento de la identidad original
Hotesur-Los Sauces: se fijó la fecha para la audiencia preliminar del juicio contra Cristina y Máximo Kirchner
El Banco Nación otorgará ayuda financiera a personas y empresas damnificadas por el temporal en la Costa Atlántica
La indignación de Ivana Figueiras por una estafa digital: “No voy a parar hasta saber quién está detrás”
Patricia Bullrich le pidió a Manuel Adorni que presente su declaración jurada: «No puede quedar la sensación de que somos iguales a los que venimos a correr»
Marcela Pagano cruzó a Milei por acusarla de “mentirosa compulsiva”: “Confundió rating con grandeza”
Javier Milei adelantó que Manuel Adorni presentará su declaración jurada, tras la presión de Bullrich
Manuel Adorni adelantó que no será candidato a jefe de Gobierno porteño en 2027: “No va a pasar”
POLITICA2 días agoManuel Adorni adelantó que no será candidato a jefe de Gobierno porteño en 2027: “No va a pasar”
- ECONOMIA1 día ago
El dólar subió en la primera semana de mayo y se acercó a los 1.400 pesos
- INTERNACIONAL2 días ago
«Una luz en el cielo»: el Pentágono publica nuevos archivos sobre ovnis y afirma que el público puede sacar sus propias conclusiones
