INTERNACIONAL
Por qué la guerra de Medio Oriente hizo subir un 30% el precio de los preservativos
La empresa malaya Karex, reconocida como el mayor fabricante mundial de preservativos, informó que aumentará los precios de sus productos hasta un 30% debido a los efectos de la guerra con Irán y las interrupciones en el Estrecho de Ormuz. El anuncio, realizado por su CEO Goh Miah Kiat, marcó un nuevo episodio en la cadena de consecuencias económicas generadas por el conflicto en Medio Oriente, que ya afectó distintos mercados y cadenas de suministros en todo el mundo.
Desde el inicio del conflicto, los costos de producción para Karex crecieron de forma abrupta. La causa principal estuvo vinculada a los problemas para acceder a materias primas esenciales en la fabricación de preservativos, como el látex de nitrilo, el aceite de silicona y los materiales de empaque, especialmente el papel de aluminio. Según el propio Goh, el nitrilo registró un aumento de precio de más del 100% en pocas semanas. Además, algunos ingredientes para lubricantes íntimos duplicaron o incluso más que duplicaron su valor respecto a las cifras previas a la guerra.
El Estrecho de Ormuz, vía estratégica por donde circula aproximadamente un tercio del petróleo comercializado por mar, quedó fuertemente restringido tras los ataques aéreos estadounidenses e israelíes y las advertencias de Irán contra buques en tránsito. Esta situación derivó en una fuerte disrupción de los flujos de energía y petroquímicos, lo que a su vez impactó en la industria del caucho sintético y otros derivados de los hidrocarburos, insumos fundamentales para la producción de preservativos. Karex depende de insumos derivados del petróleo, como el amoníaco —fundamental para conservar el látex— y lubricantes de base siliconada.
La compañía produce más de 5.000 millones de preservativos al año y abastece a marcas internacionales como Durex y Trojan, además de suministrar productos a sistemas públicos de salud como el Servicio Nacional de Salud británico (NHS) y a programas de ayuda gestionados por las Naciones Unidas (ONU). En total, Karex representa alrededor del 20% del total de condones comercializados en el planeta.
La decisión de trasladar el incremento de costos a los clientes resultó inevitable para la dirección de Karex. “Esta transferencia de costes al cliente es inevitable debido a la continua inestabilidad en el suministro de materias primas, las interrupciones logísticas y el aumento de los costes de producción”, declaró Goh en una entrevista recogida por la agencia internacional EFE. Los incrementos no solo se aplican a los preservativos, sino también a lubricantes personales, fundas para sondas y catéteres.
El impacto logístico se reflejó en los tiempos de entrega. Antes del estallido del conflicto, los envíos de Karex a mercados de Europa y Estados Unidos demoraban aproximadamente un mes. Ahora, el tiempo de llegada puede alcanzar los dos meses, lo que complicó el abastecimiento en regiones donde la demanda creció de manera notable. “Estamos viendo muchos más preservativos que, de hecho, se encuentran en buques que no han llegado a su destino, pero que son muy necesarios”, remarcó Goh. Según el directivo, varios países en desarrollo enfrentan una situación de escasez, agravada por los retrasos en la cadena de distribución.
Otra consecuencia relevante para el sector fue el incremento de la demanda global de preservativos, que creció cerca de un 30% este año. El aumento coincidió con la reducción drástica de las reservas mundiales, tras los recortes en los presupuestos de ayuda internacional, especialmente por parte de la Agencia de Estados Unidos para el Desarrollo Internacional (USAID) durante el año previo. Karex informó que mantiene reservas suficientes para algunos meses y busca aumentar la producción para responder a la demanda.
El encarecimiento de los fletes y la volatilidad de los precios de los insumos no solo afectó la industria de preservativos. Según Bloomberg, la interrupción de la navegación en el Golfo también influyó en otros sectores, como el de guantes médicos, fertilizantes, agua embotellada y componentes electrónicos, por la falta de acceso a materias primas críticas como el helio, utilizado para la fabricación de chips. El encarecimiento del transporte repercutió, además, en productos de consumo masivo como azúcar, lácteos y frutas.
Goh advirtió que, de persistir la guerra, Karex podría tener que aplicar nuevos ajustes en sus tarifas. Aunque la compañía ajustó los precios con la mayoría de sus clientes, la decisión de trasladar los aumentos a los consumidores finales depende de las estrategias de cada cliente o minorista. Por el momento, Karex implementó un almacenamiento preventivo de materia prima para garantizar la continuidad de la producción, mientras sigue de cerca la evolución del conflicto y sus consecuencias sobre el comercio internacional.
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Jeffries welcomes Democratic Socialists into the fold as critics warn party is revealing ‘exactly who it is’
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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries publicly embraced a new crop of congressional nominees Saturday, including three Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidates whose primary victories have fueled fresh debate over the Democratic Party’s leftward shift ahead of the 2026 midterms.
The powerful New York lawmaker’s post highlights the challenge facing the top House Democrat as he works to unite his party ahead of the general election. If Democrats take back the House in November, Jeffries is expected to become the next speaker. That means he’ll likely be leading a Democratic caucus with more self-described Democratic Socialists than ever before. So far, more than a dozen Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidates have won or advanced in primaries across the country this election cycle.
In a post on X, Jeffries wrote, «Congratulations to our Democratic nominees,» before listing the party’s congressional candidates from across New York. Among those recognized were Brad Lander, Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier, all of whom are affiliated with or backed by the Democratic Socialists of America and secured victories in closely watched Democratic primaries last week.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has called Trump official Bill Pulte a «malignant clown.» (Aaron Schwartz/Bloomberg)
«From public servants to union organizers to community activists, the path is different but the work is the same,» Jeffries wrote. «We must decisively address the affordability crisis and crush far-right extremism!»
RISING SOCIALIST STARS ON TRACK TO CONGRESS: WHO ARE DARIALIZA AVILA CHEVALIER, BRAD LANDER AND CLAIRE VALDEZ?
Lander, Chevalier and Valdez all received backing from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, whose endorsements helped cement the growing influence of the Democratic Party’s progressive wing in New York politics. Lander and Chevalier defeated Jeffries-endorsed incumbents Reps. Dan Goldman and Adriano Espaillat in their respective Democratic primaries. Jeffries did not endorse in the race won by Claire Valdez, which was an open seat.
Now, as Democrats turn their attention to the general election, he appears to be rallying behind the party’s nominees as they try to win back the House in November.
The candidates have also faced scrutiny over resurfaced social media posts, support for defunding the police and anti-Israel rhetoric, positions that have put them at odds with many in the Democratic Party.
Socialist New York congressional nominees Darializa Avila Chevalier (L), Claire Valdez (C) and Brad Lander. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images; Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images; Adam Gray/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Chevalier has faced scrutiny over resurfaced social media posts, including one in which she called to «literally abolish the border.»
She has also faced renewed scrutiny over past social media posts targeting leading Democrats, including calling former President Joe Biden a «war criminal,» attacking former Vice President Kamala Harris and rebuking Sen. Bernie Sanders over Israel.
Like Chevalier, Valdez and Lander, who is Jewish, share her sentiment that Israel is committing «genocide» in Gaza.
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Jeffries’ decision to publicly congratulate the three nominees quickly drew criticism.
The Republican Jewish Coalition blasted Jeffries’ congratulatory message, warning Jewish voters that these candidates are not the Democrat «fringe» but the new faces of the party.
«To Jewish Democrats: your party is telling you EXACTLY who it is,» the Coalition wrote. «These future members of Congress, who @hakeemjeffries is welcoming with open arms, want to: Abolish prisons and borders. Defund the police. Downplay 9/11,» rattling off other serious controversies stemming from the candidates.
Jamie Metzl, a former National Security Council and State Department official and lifelong Democrat, blasted Jeffries for congratulating the nominees.
New York City Mayor Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks at a news conference Thursday in Manhattan. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
«When I first read this post, I assumed it was from a spoof account. I am deeply concerned that it appears to be all too real,» Metzl wrote. «To welcome these nominees without acknowledging and criticizing their self-declared sympathies for U.S.-designated terrorist organizations, their calls to abolish the police, their stated desire to dismantle Western civilization, and their blatant anti-Americanism is to sacrifice the core principles of the Democratic Party.»
Metzl accused Jeffries of putting his bid to become House speaker ahead of the Democratic Party’s principles.
«I understand your ambition to become Speaker should Democrats retake the House, but you should not sacrifice the principles of our party to advance your own political aspirations,» Metzl wrote.
Democratic leadership has been in the hot seat this week facing questions from the media about how to reconcile support for the New York slate of socialist candidates, particularly after Valdez’s supporters were seen shouting «you’re next» at a television screen showing Jeffries on Tuesday night.
«They’re gonna eat you next Congressman – and replace you with one of their own,» conservative commentator Meghan McCain posted on X.
«This is funny,» conservative commentator Robby Starbuck posted on X. «Hakeem still doesn’t realize that the communists are going to eat him alive. Clearly not a student of history. Bless his heart.»
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In a CNN appearance on Friday, Jeffries said, «I think that what happens in a handful of primaries in one of the bluest cities in the country is not in any way indicative of what needs to happen in November, where we need to reelect every single frontline Member, common sense Democrats, authentically committed to making life better for the American people, opposing these extreme Republicans who have been nothing but a reckless rubber stamp for Donald Trump’s agenda.»
«And at the same period of time, make sure that we flip red seats blue, including in New York-17, where we have a combat veteran, incredibly patriotic American Cait Conley, who came out of a primary on Tuesday as well and is an incredibly strong candidate. She will defeat Mike Lawler in New York in November.»
ericadams, primary results, democrats, zohran mamdani, democratic party
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Gulf countries strongly condemn Iran’s drone attack on Bahrain as rising tensions threaten MOU
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Several Gulf countries have strongly denounced Iran’s Saturday drone strikes on the island nation of Bahrain, while vowing to stand united against any possible aggression from Tehran in the future.
This escalation poses the greatest threat yet to the memorandum of understanding signed last week by President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
After Iran struck a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, the U.S. launched overnight airstrikes on Iranian missile, drone and radar sites. Iran responded Saturday with the drone strikes on Bahrain, which hosts the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet.
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Smoke rises after reported Iranian missile attacks, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Manama, Bahrain, Feb. 28, 2026. (Reuters)
The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, called Iran’s attack on Bahrain «treacherous,» adding that it will undermine ongoing peace efforts in the Middle East.
The GCC represents the interests of Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, several of which released their own statements condemning Iran.
Bahrain itself issued a response, confirming that Iran flew a number of drones into its territory and calling the strikes a «flagrant threat» to the nation’s security. It remains unclear exactly which areas Iran targeted.
US ALLY KUWAIT CONDEMNS ‘BRUTAL AND ONGOING IRANIAN ATTACKS’ AFTER AIRPORT WAS HIT
President Donald Trump leaves the stage after speaking at the Faith & Freedom Coalition’s policy conference on Friday, June 26, 2026. Iran’s latest strike is the latest threat to the MOU he signed that enacted a ceasefire. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
«While the Ministry condemns this heinous aggression, it affirms that the Iranian regime’s continued attacks, at a time when regional and international efforts are moving towards de-escalation, place the sole responsibility on Tehran for undermining peace efforts, and reveals an approach based on destabilizing security, exporting chaos, and undermining regional stability,» Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry also said Saturday.
Officials in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) also came out with statements on Saturday condemning Iran.
Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry said the Iranian strikes represent «a dangerous undermining of endeavors for peace and stability, and a threat to the security and stability of the region.»
Both Kuwait and the UAE said they remain committed to supporting Bahrain’s safety and stability.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, center, attends a meeting with foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council member states in Manama, Bahrain, on Thursday, June 25, 2026. (Eric Lee/Pool Photo via AP)
US STRIKES IRAN AFTER STRAIT OF HORMUZ CARGO SHIP ATTACK AS CEASEFIRE TENSIONS ESCALATE
Also joining in the public denouncements of Iran were Saudi Arabia and Qatar, with both countries saying the latest strikes violate Bahrain’s sovereignty and international law.
Notably, Oman’s foreign ministry has not addressed the attack. Oman has maintained a neutral stance throughout the war and has frequently acted as a mediator between Washington and Tehran.
Oman and Iran are also still in the midst of negotiating a joint framework for the future administration of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
A container ship, right, and a cargo vessel are seen in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (Amirhosein Khorgooi/ISNA via AP)
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Iran’s Revolutionary Guard took responsibility for the strikes on Bahrain, saying on state-run TV that it had targeted several locations «of the U.S. terrorist army in the region» without specifying which areas were hit, according to The Associated Press.
So far, no casualties or significant damage has been reported from the drone attack, which occurred days after Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Gulf allies in Bahrain.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
war with iran, middle east, world, foreign affairs
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