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She affirmed that hope and fraternity exist in every corner of the country.

On Wednesday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum sent a Christmas message wishing all families a Merry Christmas Eve and a Happy New Year, with special recognition for healthcare workers, security personnel, and migrants far from home.

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She expressed her confidence that love for the country will strengthen the nation and emphasized that the pride of being Mexican and the richness of its culture always accompany its people.

The Mexican president affirmed that hope and fraternity exist in every corner of the country, and that shared love unites Mexicans during these celebrations. She highlighted that Mexicans turn the simple into celebration and thanked mothers, fathers, and grandparents for their legacy.

In the video shared on her social media, Sheinbaum toured the National Palace with her husband, Jesus Tarriba, greeted military personnel, and placed poinsettias, a symbol of unity and Mexican tradition.

Deseamos feliz Navidad a todas las familias mexicanas. Esta noche hay esperanza, amor y fraternidad en cada rincón del país.

Lo más importante son los valores y el amor por los demás, por la familia y por nuestro querido México. pic.twitter.com/BfwCrcabAS

— Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (@Claudiashein) December 25, 2025

The text reads, “We wish all Mexican families a Merry Christmas. Tonight, hope, love, and brotherhood fill every corner of the country. What matters most are values ​​and love for others, for family, and for our beloved Mexico.”

Sheinbaum also thanked children as a daily reminder of “what is worth fighting for,” and mentioned those who work on Christmas to protect and serve, such as the armed forces, police, and firefighters.

She also acknowledged the work of healthcare workers, transportation workers, and others, emphasizing that Mexico knows how to support one another even from a distance. The president called for unity and fraternity in times of family separation.

Accompanied by her husband and a Christmas tree, Sheinbaum asked everyone to remember that what matters most is not material possessions, but values, love for others, family, and country.

#FromTheSouth News Bits | Mexico: The Attorney General's Office reported the incineration of more than three tons of narcotic catalysts. pic.twitter.com/SXBiFXEmQr

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 25, 2025

teleSUR: JP

Source: La Jornada

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A journey through the regional flavors and ancestral rhythms that resist economic dispossession.

In Venezuela, Christmas is more than a holiday; it is a living expression of cultural resistance and syncretism. Facing U.S. pressure and economic sanctions, these traditions turn celebration into a collective victory over dispossession.

RELATED:
5 Powerful Truths About Venezuela Christmas 2025 Resistance Amid Imperial Threats

For a people whose daily lives are challenged by unilateral coercive measures, festive rituals become a radical political statement of hope and national affirmation.

Even with sanctions, blockades, and threats of invasion, Venezuela still celebrates. On Christmas Eve, Maduro’s out there dancing and singing with his people—not hiding, not broken.
That’s real resilience: choosing joy in the face of empire’s cruelty. Their holiday isn’t for…

— Misbah, Qasemi (@MisbahQasemi) December 24, 2025

The Geopolitics of the Manger: Light Amidst the Siege

Venezuelan Christmas operates as a “system of affections,” where food, music, and ritual form a safety net for communities.

Global markets may push a snow-filled, pine-laden image of the season, but Venezuelans reclaim public spaces to reflect their reality.

Across the country, lighting up squares and homes signals the arrival of light and hope. This is not mere decoration; it is a way to reclaim streets for communal joy.

The Sovereign Table: A Regional Map of Flavor

The Christmas table sits at the heart of Venezuelan popular identity. Rather than chasing fast-food convenience, these dishes rely on collective effort, time, and shared know-how.

In the current crisis, the solidarity hallaca has emerged as a form of resistance, with families and neighbors joining in collective work to share costs and labor.

The hallaca embodies Venezuelan cultural synthesis, blending Indigenous, African, and European influences.

It stands as “food sovereignty in a green wrapper,” traditionally produced through family gatherings where some peel leaves, others tie the wicks, and everyone contributes ingredients.

Regional twists reflect regional identities: Caracas variant is often sweet and savory with almonds; the Andean version includes raw stew and chickpeas; the Oriental version features potatoes and boiled eggs.

Icons of the National Table

• Ham Bread: An urban staple that blends local tastes with imported ingredients, a sweet dough stuffed with ham, raisins, and olives.
• Pork Leg: A centerpiece of shared abundance rooted in peasant heritage, marinated in a garlicky mojo and slowly roasted, often overnight.
• Chicken Salad: A festive side of shredded chicken, potatoes, and carrots.
• Eggnog: A creamy spirit drink made with condensed milk and Venezuelan rum, accompanying after-dinner conversations.

Do you know the hallacas? They are a type of tamale that is prepared in Venezuela for Christmas. Well, today I will do those things. It will be a busy afternoon.
They are usually served with ham bread, potato salad with chicken and baked pork leg. pic.twitter.com/sRsopWot0F

— Nuada's Sword ❄️☃️🌪️🐈 (@_no_soy_muggle_) December 18, 2023

The Caribbean Legacy: The Black Cake and Beyond

The Black Cake illuminates the Caribbean’s porous borders. Based on the English plum cake, Venezuelans adapt it with papelón (unrefined sugar) and rum.

The secret lies in maceration—the long soaking of dried fruits in liquor—symbolizing foresight and affection.

East Venezuelan variants tilt toward spicier profiles from British influence, while Andean versions lean on artisanal spirits like miche for a more robust flavor.

The Sonorous Frontline: Music as a Social Barometer

In Venezuela, music is more than ambiance; it is the thread that links every tradition and serves as a social and religious chronicle.

Like the Gaita zuliana. The Gaita is more than a musical rhythm; it’s a tool of direct democracy.

Originating in Maracaibo’s working-class neighborhoods, its sound is raw and communal, anchored by the furruco’s deep pulse.

Historically, protest gaitas have challenged centralism and demanded justice for wealth extracted from the regions.

Today, gaitas act as a social barometer, with lyrics reflecting contemporary tensions—from sanctions’ impact to public service shortages—while maintaining a hopeful chorus.

🇻🇪 Venezuelan army shares videos of soldiers preparing hallacas, a traditional Christmas dish

Despite the ongoing tensions fueled by American rhetoric, the holiday spirit remains strong as Christmas approaches pic.twitter.com/ZbRnLmEb9v

— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) December 13, 2025

The Parranda and the Aguinaldo

The Aguinaldo began in churches as a local flavor of the Christmas mystery, later enriched by African rhythms and instruments like the cuatro and maracas.

The Parranda—an urban extension—roams neighborhoods, turning private spaces into public joy. Musicians invite neighbors to partake, transforming resources into a festive redistribution.

Sovereignty of sound is expressed through the cuatro—the backbone of Venezuelan music—and charrasca for Caribbean flavor, sustaining cultural vitality without corporate sponsorship.

Sacred Rebels: Syncretism and Social Role Reversal

Venezuelan Christmas embodies cultural resistance and syncretism, blending European heritage with Caribbean and Andean realities. These rituals go beyond religion, signaling cultural sovereignty.

One of these rituals is the devotion to Saint Benedict of Palermo, which stands as Afro-Venezuelan resistance in action.

As a Black saint and descendant of enslaved people, San Benito represents a space for Afro-descendant communities to preserve their own traditions.

On December 27 and 28, devotees adorn their faces with charcoal and dance to the rhythmic code of the Chimbángueles, seven drums guiding procession and devotion.

In the Andes, Paradura del Niño celebrates the moment the Christ Child can stand. This rite strengthens family bonds and godparent networks, with communities moving a figure from the manger to the streets, singing and praying before returning it to its place.

While everyone's throwing threats, Venezuelan President Maduro's having a good time

Dancing to Christmas music with AI robots and just vibing like nothing happens pic.twitter.com/Lmmga1erlf

— RT (@RT_com) December 23, 2025

Rituals of Chaos and Critique

End-of-year rituals employ humor and masks to reverse social roles and mock hierarchies. In Lara state, Los Zaragozas (the “Fools” in fabric costumes) lead a ritualized chaos to cleanse the year’s bad energies. The Shepherds of San Joaquín dance through streets, paying promises to the Baby Jesus, using a call-and-response tradition rooted in African spiritual practices.

The Burial of Christmas features the Madmen and Madwomen—a performance in which the poor dress as the rich and men dress as women to travel door-to-door seeking food and drink, offering social critique through satire.

Sovereignty of Affection and Joy

Venezuelan Christmas is not just a sequence of dates but an enduring system of affections that holds people together under cultural and economic siege, ensuring that no one stands alone as cooking, singing, and praying weave a social safety net that dispossession cannot tear apart.

Migration has scattered countless families across the world, yet this same system of affections has adapted through a “Digital Christmas” that brings screens to the dinner table, allowing loved ones abroad to join the feast and proving that affection and identity can cross borders and time zones.

Whether a hallaca is prepared in Buenos Aires or a gaita plays in a Madrid apartment, each gesture reclaims symbolic territory, turning distant cities into extensions of the Venezuelan cultural map and reinforcing a transnational sense of belonging.

From the drumming in honor of Saint Benedict to the musical “assault” of the parranda in the neighborhood streets, these practices reaffirm sovereignty through joy: the imperial siege may target the economy and daily life, but it cannot conquer a people who transform shared celebration into their strongest defense, keeping Venezuelan Christmas vibrant, syncretic, and defiantly alive.

#FromTheSouth News Bits | Venezuela: Under the slogan “Caracas resounds with peace and joy,” residents of the capital gathered to continue celebrating Christmas. pic.twitter.com/koZ70BFnv4

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 22, 2025

Sources: Scannone – Cartay – Fundación Bigott – Archivos de la Fonoteca Nacional de Venezuela – Jesús “Chucho” García

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Caracas (OrinocoTribune.com)—Venezuela has received “overwhelming support” from the United Nations Security Council in the face of military aggression from the US, following an emergency meeting held at Caracas’ request.

“The Security Council is providing overwhelming support to Venezuela and the right to free navigation and free trade,” said Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during a televised event this Tuesday, December 23, at the Poliedro de Caracas, referring to US acts of piracy against oil tankers. He reiterated that “no one will be able to defeat” the nation.

The UN meeting addressed acts of war by the US empire against Venezuela, which include the assassination of civilians in small boats, a naval blockade, electronic warfare to disrupt air traffic, and endless threats of military attack.

Venezuela has explained on multiple occasions that expecting the UN to take decisive action to secure peace is nearly impossible. Instead, the nation uses UN mechanisms to set the record straight on US imperialist aggression.

Despite the impressive performance of Venezuelan Ambassador to the UN Samuel Moncada during the emergency meeting, the US blocked even simply voting on the resolution requested by Venezuela. Nevertheless, a majority of participating countries expressed either direct support for Venezuela’s claims or condemnation of the destabilization of the continent led by the US.

At the emergency meeting, Ambassador Moncada warned that the US regime is a threat to regional peace. “The world must know that the threat is not Venezuela,” he explained, “the threat is the current US government. It’s not Venezuela, it’s the US.” He recalled that the US government is already claiming Venezuela’s oil reserves—the world’s largest oil reserves—as its own, a claim openly made by the US ruler.

Moncada also expressed concern about the US intention to invade Venezuela and demand that it hand over its lands, oil, and minerals to the colonial entity. “We are facing a power that acts outside the bounds of international law and is demanding that we leave our country,” the ambassador stated. “The US naval blockade is a military act that seeks to impose a siege and internal chaos in order to carry out an armed attack.”

Foreign minister supports ambassadorVenezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil praised Ambassador Moncada’s speech on Tuesday, stating that it demonstrated that no country in the world endorses the use or threat of force—in violation of the UN Charter—to subjugate a free and sovereign nation under the false pretext of the so-called “war on drugs.”

“It became clear that the threat or use of force against Venezuela, in violation of the Latin American and Caribbean Zone of Peace, stems from a colonial logic,” Gil explained, “driven by Washington under the Monroe Doctrine. Likewise, the piracy on the high seas used to seize Venezuela’s oil resources, which inalienably belong to its people, was widely condemned.”

At UN, Venezuela Accuses US of Oil Theft, Colonial Blockade; Russia and China Condemn Aggression While US Killings Continue

Iran expresses solidarity with VenezuelaOn Wednesday, a group of Iranian lawmakers publicly announced that the interception of commercial vessels in international waters without authorization from competent bodies should be classified as maritime piracy. This decision was made on the basis that it infringes on the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation, as has been stated by Venezuelan officials and various world leaders.

The Iranian parliament further reaffirmed its solidarity with the Venezuelan government and people. It called for an end to all sanctions and pressure, emphasizing that the intervention of the US empire in various parts of the world has only generated “insecurity, destruction, genocide, and massacres.”

Minister Gil expressed Venezuela’s gratitude toward Iran’s parliament following its statement in defense of Venezuelan sovereignty in the face of the recent “illegal and provocative” actions by the US in the Caribbean Sea.

“The seizure and pursuit of our oil tankers in international waters is, without a doubt, an act of piracy,” wrote Gil on social media, “that not only threatens our economy but also defies the fundamental principles of international law.”

“We appreciate Iran’s support in condemning these practices that seek to destabilize our nation and subject our people to an unjust siege,” the foreign minister added on behalf of the people of Venezuela and President Nicolás Maduro.

Special for Orinoco Tribune by staff

OT/JRE/SL/AU

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Edmand Lara accuses President Paz of siding with the wealthy as labor federation presses on with strikes.

On Wednesday, Bolivian Vice President Edmand Lara, who has declared himself an opponent of President Rodrigo Paz, voiced support for protests promoted by the Bolivian Workers’ Center (COB) against the withdrawal of fuel subsidies.

RELATED:

Bolivian Government Represses Protest Against Fuel Price Hike in La Paz

In a video posted on TikTok, Lara, a former police officer, urged Bolivians not to give up and not to let their morale or guard down.

“These are hard times, and God knows why things happen. And tyrants will fall in the end, and they will fall into the very pit they are creating,” he said, accusing Paz of having “sided with the rich.”

Lara described Presidential Decree 5503, which has been in force for a couple of weeks, as an instrument of “hunger, unemployment, and despair.” The Bolivian vice president called on protesters to remain “strong” and told them that better days are coming.

En Bolivia se realizaron protestas contra el aumento del precio de la gasolina, conocido como “gasolinazo”. Diversos sectores sociales salieron a las calles para expresar su rechazo a la medida, señalando que afecta directamente la economía de la población. pic.twitter.com/N5B5fdwD00

— teleSUR TV (@teleSURtv) December 25, 2025

The text reads, “Protests erupted in Bolivia against the gasoline price hike, known as the ‘gasolinazo.’ Various social sectors took to the streets to reject the measure, arguing that it directly impacts the population’s economy.”

“We knew it would not be easy, we knew the corrupt would resist, but we have opened a door. Here I am to defend you, here I am to stand with the people,” Lara said, insisting that “the days of the tyrants are numbered.”

Relations between Paz and Lara have remained tense since the ticket won the runoff election in October. This week, Lara declared himself in “constructive opposition,” called Paz “corrupt,” and lashed out at Cabinet ministers, calling them “jerks” for withdrawing fuel subsidies and “causing social upheaval.”

Without providing evidence, Lara accused lawmakers of approving loans in exchange for positions in state institutions. In response, the Chambers of Deputies and Senators demanded that he retract his statements and warned they could initiate criminal proceedings against him.

On Wednesday, some COB members again marched in La Paz against Decree 5503. The demonstration reached the headquarters of the Bolivian Mine Workers Union Federation, where union leaders are meeting to assess the impact of protests held since Monday.

El mensaje que publicó el vicepresidente Edmand Lara durante la Nochebuena para cuestionar las medidas económicas del Decreto Supremo 5503. pic.twitter.com/TsLIC3Eve8

— Correo del Sur (@correodelsurcom) December 25, 2025

The video shows the message that Vice President Edmand Lara posted on Christmas Eve to question Supreme Decree 5503’s economic measures.

The COB, a historic organization that was allied with the governments of Evo Morales (2006-2019) and Luis Arce (2020-2025), called an open-ended general strike. So far, it has been observed only by miners working for state-owned companies.

Transport workers, merchants and miners operating under the cooperative system ended their protests after reaching agreements with the Paz administration. Despite this, the COB remains mobilized and has conditioned dialogue with Paz on the repeal of Decree 5503, which raised gasoline prices by 86% and diesel prices by 162%.

The presidential decree was accompanied by other measures, including an increase in the minimum wage from 2,750 to 3,300 bolivianos (US$395 to US$$474), higher stipends for students in the public school system, and pensions for older adults without social security contributions.

Paz said the removal of subsidies guaranteed supplies of diesel and gasoline, which had been scarce for nearly a year and a half, and allows the Bolivian state to save US$10 million a day.

#FromTheSouth News Bits | Bolivia: Rescue teams open roads for trapped families after a deadly flood, which left at least 22 people dead. pic.twitter.com/IL7l6ow8cj

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 23, 2025

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

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Around 2.3 million citizens will elect a president, legislators, mayors, and council members.

On Wednesday, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged peaceful elections in the Central African Republic (CAR).

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UN considers these elections a historic milestone and an essential part of the 2019 Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation. Guterres called on all parties to avoid actions that incite violence or undermine credibility.

He stressed the importance of protecting the rule of law and human rights throughout the electoral process. The elections are expected to aid the decentralization of state authority in a region marked by conflict.

Around 2.3 million Central Africans will elect a president, legislators, mayors, and council members. These elections will test the political stability and national security amid persistent tensions and poverty.

After 57 years, Mogadishu residents are voting in local elections, marking a key step in Somalia’s democratic progress. pic.twitter.com/TwuW95V3ry

— Somali Embassy-Kenya🇸🇴 (@SomaliainKenya) December 25, 2025

The CAR has faced systemic violence since 2012, when predominantly Muslim rebel groups seized Bangui, the capital, and overthrew former President François Bozize (2003-2013), which ignited a civil war.

With the 2023 referendum on the Constitution, the country extended the presidential term from five to seven years and eliminated term limits, which allowed current President Faustin-Archange Touadera, in power since 2016, to run again.

Human rights defenders warned that the National Electoral Authority faces logistical problems, including supply failures, incomplete lists, and poorly trained staff outside of Bangui, which threaten the electoral organization.

#FromTheSouth News Bits | Africa: At least 30 people died in a boat accident on the Kwango River, west of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). pic.twitter.com/fpN5qvObNO

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 19, 2025

teleSUR: JP

Source: EFE

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Explosion hit Gamboru market area in Maiduguri as worshippers prepared for evening prayers.

On Wednesday, Borno State Police Command spokesman Nahum Daso confirmed that five people were killed and 35 others were wounded when a bomb exploded in a suspected suicide attack on a mosque in Borno state, in northeastern Nigeria.

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“Preliminary investigations suggest the incident may have been a suicide attack, based on the recovery of fragments of a suspected suicide vest and recorded witness statements,” Daso said, adding that investigations are continuing to determine the exact cause and circumstances.

The device exploded in the Gamboru market area of Maiduguri, the state capital, as worshippers were preparing to perform evening prayers. So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack on the Al-Adum mosque, where the explosion occurred at about 6 p.m. local time Wednesday.

The police spokesman said the area has been cordoned off and explosive ordnance disposal teams are carrying out clearance operations at the site. The victims were rushed to the Maiduguri University Teaching Hospital and the State Specialist Hospital.

A bomb blast has torn through a mosque in northeastern Nigeria killing at least seven people and injuring dozens more police say.

The explosion struck during evening prayers in the Gamboru market area of Maiduguri the capital of Borno state. Worshippers were inside the mosque… pic.twitter.com/p1IopAvE7O

— Ocean News (@OceanNewsUK) December 25, 2025

“Attacking a place of worship is a desecration of its sanctity at a time when Muslim faithful are performing acts of worship,” Borno state Gov. Babagana Zulum said, urging heightened security at places of worship and public spaces during festive periods.

Images circulating on social media showed the aftermath of the explosion, with people gathered in a market area, shouting and running, and clouds of dust hanging in the air.

Since 2009, northeastern Nigeria has been plagued by attacks by the jihadist group Boko Haram, violence that intensified from 2016 with the emergence of its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province, or ISWAP. Both groups seek to impose an Islamic-style state in the country, which is predominantly Muslim in the north and largely Christian in the south.

Boko Haram and ISWAP have killed more than 35,000 people and displaced about 2.7 million others, mostly in Nigeria but also in neighboring countries including Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

#FromTheSouth News Bits | Africa: In Nigeria, residents of Lagos voiced their concerns after 303 schoolchildren were abducted by gunmen during an attack on a school in the country's north. pic.twitter.com/UHL1whnQAM

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) November 26, 2025

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

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Palestinian officials warn of worsening humanitarian crisis amid aid restrictions and severe medical shortages

On Tuesday, Amjad al-Shawa, director of the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network (PNGO), said Israeli occupation forces’ attacks in Gaza have left 1.5 million people homeless and facing an unprecedented housing crisis.

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The humanitarian crisis has worsened due to restrictions on the entry of aid collected by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). These restrictions have significantly increased the burden on local institutions.

The PNGO director said immediate humanitarian priorities include support for female-headed households, elderly people, people with disabilities and amputations, orphaned children, and families living in areas prone to flooding.

Al-Shawa said thousands of families remain without adequate shelter and are surviving in inhuman conditions, particularly in a territory where civilian infrastructure has been systematically attacked since the start of the Zionist offensive in October 2023.

He also confirmed that much of the headquarters of Palestinian NGOs have been destroyed by Israel, weakening humanitarian response capacity and deepening the crisis.

🚨Shocking footage of Israeli troops firing on Palestinians seeking aid in northern Gaza after aid drops. Israeli soldiers deliberately kill a civilian carrying aid and prevent medical help until his death. pic.twitter.com/YhYOWUrP76

— Ramy Abdu| رامي عبده (@RamAbdu) December 24, 2025

Compounding the situation is a decline in international funding for Gaza, which has reduced assistance programs and hindered the delivery of essential supplies. The medical situation is also on the brink of collapse. The Gaza Medical Aid Society warned that hundreds of patients with chronic diseases face life-threatening risks due to the complete interruption of medicine supplies.

Muhammad Abu Afash, director of Medical Relief for Hospitals in the Northern Gaza Strip, confirmed that 1,200 people have died after being unable to access the treatments needed to survive. This was “a preventable tragedy,” he said.

Gaza-based health authorities accuse Israel of implementing a policy of strangulation by restricting the entry of medicines and essential supplies.

Ismail al-Thawabta, head of the Government Media Office in Gaza, said that since the ceasefire took effect on Oct. 10, Israel has allowed only limited entry of raw materials and emergency supplies.

He confirmed that Israel continues to block the entry of specialized equipment, prosthetics, surgical supplies and medicines for cancer and other serious illnesses. “We are facing a total or partial shutdown of operations in several hospitals due to a lack of supplies,” al-Thawabta stated.

Doctors in the besieged Gaza Strip have long warned that they are struggling to save lives as Israel continues to block the entry of essential medical supplies. Throughout Israel’s genocide, now spanning more than two years, Gaza’s healthcare system has been systematically… pic.twitter.com/l4fRinD8D1

— WearThePeace (@WearThePeaceCo) December 25, 2025

The Health Ministry said the situation amounts to a “war of extermination” and warned that about 10,000 surgeries could be suspended if shortages continue, putting the lives of thousands of wounded and sick people at immediate risk.

Alaa Halas, director of Care and Pharmacy, said “this new crime endangers the lives of tens of thousands of people and shows that this is not a logistical crisis, but a deliberate policy of aggression.”

With hospitals nearly inoperable, displacement camps overcrowded and civilian infrastructure severely damaged, humanitarian organizations warned that the Gaza Strip is facing one of the worst humanitarian crises of the 21st century, with a population unable to find safe shelter or basic medical care.

#FromTheSouth News Bits | Middle East: In Palestine, at least three people died and two are still missing after a house collapsed in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza City. pic.twitter.com/y017KAfWgt

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 24, 2025

teleSUR/ JF

Sources: Middle East Eye – IRNA

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Since October 2023, over 200 children have been murdered in the West Bank.

On Wednesday, Israeli authorities arrested five suspected settlers who injured an eight-month-old Palestinian baby in the head after an attack in Sair, northeast of Hebron, in the occupied West Bank.

RELATED:

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Authorities informed that the Palestinian girl was injured and evacuated for medical attention. The police confirmed that the attackers came from an outpost (an unregulated settlement) and reside in the illegal settlement of Asfar and the new settlement of Jorat al jail.

Settler attacks against Palestinians occur daily in the West Bank, and although arrests are made, most perpetrators have impunity and are released after only a few days of house arrest.

The Israeli NGO Yesh Din reports that between 2005 and 2024, 94% of police investigations into settler violence concluded without charges being filed, and only 3% resulted in full or partial convictions.

The Israeli occupation army has killed over 1,000 Palestinians in the West Bank since October 2023, which includes more than 200 children. According to the United Nations , another 21 minors were murdered by settlers.

❗️“What is the sin of this child?” a displaced father asks as rain pours through the tent ceiling onto his two-month-old baby girl, forcing the family to run in the middle of the night with nowhere to go. With water dripping onto the floor where the child had been sleeping… pic.twitter.com/7L9gcg3V13

— Translating Falasteen (Palestine) (@translatingpal) December 15, 2025

On Wednesday, the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination called for sanctions against individuals, groups, or entities that incite the segregation of Palestinians, after confirming several abuses only in 2024.

An ad hoc commission, requested by Palestinian authorities, concluded that settlement expansion, building restrictions, and home demolitions generate systemic discrimination and undermine prospects for peace in the conflict.

The Committee reiterated that Israel must ensure that its policies do not support discriminatory practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which reinforces international protection obligations.

The call comes after the escalating violence and displacement in the West Bank. Just in the last two weeks, four Palestinian children were killed; three by Israeli forces and one by settlers.

#FromTheSouth News Bits | Middle East: In Palestine, Catholic leader Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa presided over Christmas Mass in Gaza alongside families displaced by the Israeli aggression. pic.twitter.com/XNj2SVv8T9

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 24, 2025

teleSUR: JP

Source: EFE – UN News

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Defense Ministry also reports liberation of settlement of Sviato-Pokrovske in the Donetsk region.

On Thursday, Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed that long-range Tu-95MS bombers of the Russian Aerospace Forces carried out a seven-hour patrol mission over neutral waters of the Barents and Norwegian seas.

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The Russian military command said that at certain stages of the missile-carrying bombers’ route, the aircraft were monitored by fighter jets from other countries. During the mission, the Tu-95MS bombers were escorted by Su-33 fighter jets of the Russian Navy.

“All flights by aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces are conducted in strict accordance with international rules for the use of airspace,” the Defense Ministry recalled.

Russia’s strategic aviation, which includes Tu-160, Tu-95MS and Tu-22M3 bombers, regularly conducts patrol flights over neutral waters of the Arctic, the North Atlantic, the Black and Baltic seas, the Pacific Ocean and other areas. These flights have not been interrupted by the Ukrainian war.

The Tu-95MS conducted a scheduled flight over international waters of the Norwegian and Barents Seas

7+ hours airborne, escorted by Su-33s, with NATO jets watching closely

The heavily modernized four-engine strategic bomber — in its natural element pic.twitter.com/YiKi9H7QlD

— RT (@RT_com) December 25, 2025

On Thursday, the Russian Defense Ministry also informed that units of its Southern Group of Forces had liberated the settlement of Sviato-Pokrovske in the Donetsk region.

“Ukrainian collapse on the Donetsk lines. Situation on the Siversk and Soledar fronts: The Russian army continued its advance west of the Bakhmutovka River, seizing control of several positions and trenches from Sviato-Pokrovske to the wooded area north of Pazeno,” the online media Informações Mundiais e Militares reported.

“South of this village, Russian forces continued their advance toward Nykyforivka. Furthermore, Russian troops began capturing the trenches and hills between Vasyukivka and Zaliznyanske following the Ukrainian army’s withdrawal from these positions,” it added.

In addition, Russian air defense systems shot down six aerial bombs, one U.S.-made HIMARS rocket and 472 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles in the special military operation zone over the past 24 hours.

#FromTheSouth News Bits | Russia: The Eurasian Economic Union consolidated its status as one of the self-sufficient centers of the emerging multipolar world. pic.twitter.com/OdQq1AV0qK

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 24, 2025

teleSUR/ JF

Sources: EFE – Xinhua

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Moscow urges de-escalation in the Caribbean and accuses Washington of destabilization and legal chaos.

On Thursday, Russia condemned what it described as attempts by the United States to destabilize Venezuela and demanded that the conflict between the two countries be resolved through legal channels.

RELATED:

Venezuela Celebrates Christmas in Unity and Resistance Against US Aggression

“We strongly condemn these acts (the actions of the United States regarding Venezuela) and demand stability and respect for legality in the maritime sphere,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, stressing that Moscow “advocates de-escalation of the current situation and the preservation of trust and predictability.”

The Eussian diplomat described recent developments in the Caribbean as “legal chaos,” saying that “practices we thought we had long forgotten have been revived, such as the illegal seizure of others’ assets, piracy, assaults and banditry.”

In this context, Zakharova appealed to U.S. President Donald Trump to resolve the issue “within the framework of international legal norms,” in line with his “pragmatism and rationality.”

Venezuela at the UN:

"The truth is brutal and criminal. The U.S. government is threatening an armed attack against Venezuela to satisfy ConocoPhillips and ExxonMobil, which are pioneers in the theft of Venezuelan oil.

The children of American families will be ordered to risk… pic.twitter.com/IPh9iihI8x

— COMBATE |🇵🇷 (@upholdreality) December 23, 2025

Since August, the United States has maintained a significant deployment in the Caribbean, near Venezuelan waters, under the pretext of combating international drug trafficking.

On multiple occasions, however, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has denounced the U.S. military deployment as a threat of invasion against his country and linked it to an attempt to engineer a “regime change” in the South American nation.

On Monday, in what was seen as a tacit confirmation of those intentions, Trump said Maduro would be “smart” to choose to step down from power and warned him that if he “acts tough,” it would be “the last time” he does so.

#FromTheSouth News Bits | Russia: The Eurasian Economic Union consolidated its status as one of the self-sufficient centers of the emerging multipolar world. pic.twitter.com/OdQq1AV0qK

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 24, 2025

teleSUR/ JF

Sources: EFE – TASS

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It is considered the ‘mother’ of all the festivities in the central region of the country.

On Wednesday, the Cuban province of Villa Clara celebrated the “Parrandas de Remedios” as it does every December 24. These festivities were inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

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The city of San Juan de los Remedios, which was the eighth town founded by the Spanish colonizers in Cuba, celebrated the 205th anniversary of the Parrandas, a tradition passed down through generations.

It combines the knowledge of carpenters, electricians, and traditional artisans with modern techniques, which guarantees the continuity and evolution of this cultural practice native to Cuba.

Although it retains the most authentic and powerful character of the festival in its hometown, the Parrandas have spread beyond Remedios to 17 communities in the central region of the Caribbean country.

UNESCO highlighted that the Parrandas is a community expression where all inhabitants participate without distinction of sex, age, origin, social class, profession, or religion, which reinforces identity and cultural cohesion.

Remedios celebrará hoy 205 años su parranda, expresión genuina de la nación que está inscrita en la lista representativa del Patrimonio Cultural Inmaterial de la Humanidad por la UNESCO desde el año 2018 en reconocimiento a su pervivencia.#CubaEsCultura pic.twitter.com/90UvYWI6WD

— Susely Morfa González (@SuselyMorremoved) December 24, 2025

The text reads, “Remedios celebrates the 205th anniversary of its Parranda, a genuine expression of the nation that has been inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO since 2018 in recognition of its survival.”

The festivities date back to 1820, when parish priest Francisco Vigil de Quiñones asked children to roam the streets with pots, pans, and noisemakers to encourage parishioners to attend Christmas Masses.

Since 1851, the friendly rivalry between the El Carmen and San Salvador neighborhoods has fueled the celebration. Each community secretly cultivates its artistic and competitive offerings throughout the year.

The competition reaches a point of mutual espionage during months of preparation, which adds intrigue. El Carmen is identified by the color caramel and the symbol of a hawk; San Salvador uses blue and red with a rooster emblem.

The neighborhoods prepare three fundamental elements: plaza decorations, including monumental illuminated structures; floats, mobile art installations with stories, lights, and colors; and fireworks.

#FromTheSouth News Bits | Cuba: The 27th Edition of the International Crafts Fair FIART 2025 concluded in Havana. pic.twitter.com/qHIXbwTjTk

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 24, 2025

teleSUR: JP

Source: Prensa Latina – Granma

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Joint statement urges Israel to halt expansion as security cabinet approves additional outposts.

On Wednesday, 14 European countries condemned new Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory of the West Bank.

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“We call on Israel to revoke this decision and cease the expansion of settlements, in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334,” the joint statement said. It was signed by France, Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Italy, Ireland, Iceland, Japan, Malta, the Netherlands and Norway.

“We are determined to support the Palestinians’ right to self-determination. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, based on the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council,” the group said.

The 14 countries said there is “no other solution” than the coexistence of “two democratic states, Israel and Palestine,” living “side by side in peace and security, within safe and recognized borders.” On Dec. 21, however, Israel’s security cabinet approved the recognition of 19 new settlements in the West Bank.

🚨 BREAKING 🚨
69 new Israeli settlements established in occupied Palestinian territory in just 3 years.
19 more announced today.

The @CIJ_ICJ has called for Israel to unconditionally and rapidly end its unlawful presence in Palestine.

If the world ignores international law,… pic.twitter.com/uuxO4boEvu

— Itay Epshtain (@EpshtainItay) December 21, 2025

With that decision, the total number of settlements recognized during the tenure of current Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich — a far-right politician and settler who is also responsible for settlement policy in the West Bank — rose to 69.

In May, Israeli occupation forces authorized the return of Israeli citizens to the settlements of Sa-Nur, Ganim and Kadim, which they had previously been barred from entering. The move was taken in retaliation after Spain, Norway and Ireland announced their formal recognition of the State of Palestine.

An estimated more than 500,000 settlers currently live in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since the 1967 war, and another 200,000 live in East Jerusalem, the eastern part of the city occupied at that time and annexed by Israel in 1980.

#FromTheSouth News Bits | Middle East: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council that Israel’s settlements in the occupied West Bank have reached an unprecedented level. pic.twitter.com/0sbRFhkbKN

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 17, 2025

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

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Authorities also informed that LMS-901 light multipurpose aircraft completed its first test flight.

On Wednesday, space corporation Roscosmos said that Russia plans to build a lunar power station by 2036 as part of its long-term lunar exploration program.

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The state-owned corporation signed a government contract with Russian aerospace enterprise Lavochkin Association in December to carry out work on the project through 2036.

The lunar power station will provide a long-term energy supply for Russia’s lunar programs, including lunar rovers and observatories, as well as the infrastructure of the International Lunar Research Station, including facilities of foreign partners.

The whole project includes spacecraft development, ground testing, flight tests and the deployment of infrastructure on the Moon. The project is an important step toward establishing a permanently operating scientific lunar station and marks a shift from one-off missions to a sustained lunar research program.

On Wednesday, the Russian Industry Ministry also informed that LMS-901 (Baikal) light multipurpose aircraft completed its first test flight equipped with a domestically developed engine and propeller.

The prototype reached a speed of 210 km per hour and an altitude of 400 meters during the flight. Before the flight, ground tests were carried out on the equipment as well as the engine emergency shutdown and propeller feathering systems.

The test flight has confirmed the feasibility of creating a fully Russian aircraft equipped with a domestically developed powerplant for light aviation, Deputy Minister Gennady Abramenkov said, noting that the success of the test flight can help ensure high connectivity and transport accessibility across the entire country, including remote and hard-to-reach regions.

#China | Probe collects samples from the hidden face of the moon. pic.twitter.com/X9Pydt0dFh

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) June 26, 2024

teleSUR/ JF

Source: Xinhua

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On Tuesday, the U.S. State Department issued visa restrictions citing European censorship on social media platforms.

On Wednesday, the European Union (EU), French, German, and British senior officials strongly condemned a U.S. decision to impose travel restrictions on five European individuals, including former European Commissioner Thierry Breton.

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Alleging their involvement in content censorship on U.S. social media platforms, the U.S. State Department on Tuesday issued visa restrictions on Breton, Imran Ahmed, a British citizen and chief executive of the U.S.-based Center for Countering Digital Hate, Anna-Lena von Hodenberg and Josephine Ballon from the German non-profit organization HateAid, and Clare Melford, a co-founder of the Global Disinformation Index.

U.S. Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers has described Breton, who left the European Commission in 2024, as “a mastermind” of the EU Digital Services Act (DSA). In response, the EU warned that it would act “swiftly and decisively” to defend the bloc’s regulatory autonomy if needed.

“Freedom of expression is a fundamental right in Europe and a shared core value with the U.S. across the democratic world,” a Commission spokesperson said, stressing that the EU retains the sovereign right to regulate economic activity in line with its democratic values and international commitments.

The EU’s digital rules are designed to ensure “a safe, fair, and level playing field for all companies,” and are applied fairly and without discrimination, the spokesperson said, adding that the Commission has requested clarifications from U.S. authorities and remains engaged.

Stephane Sejourne, the executive vice president and European Commissioner for Industrial Strategy, strongly defended Breton, calling him a prominent driver of the DSA framework. “No sanction will silence the sovereignty of the European peoples,” Sejourne said in a post on social platform X.

“These measures amount to intimidation and coercion aimed at undermining European digital sovereignty. The rules governing the European Union’s digital space are not meant to be determined outside Europe. Together with the European Commission and our European partners, we will continue to defend our digital sovereignty and regulatory autonomy,” French President Emmanuel Macron said.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that the DSA has no extraterritorial reach and does not affect the United States. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul described the U.S. entry bans as “not acceptable. The DSA was democratically adopted by the EU, for the EU – it does not have extraterritorial effect.”

The British government defended the right to free speech. “While every country has the right to set its own visa rules, we support the laws and institutions that are working to keep the internet free from the most harmful content,” a government spokesperson said in a statement.

According to reports by the Guardian, British Senior Labour Member of Parliament Chi Onwurah accused the Trump administration of undermining free speech hours after the U.S. visa ban announcement.

“Banning people because you disagree with what they say undermines the free speech the administration claims to seek… Banning him (Imran Ahmed) won’t shut down the debate, too many people are being harmed by the spread of digital hate,” said Onwurah, who is the chair of the Science, Innovation and Technology committee in the British parliament.

Breton also asked in his post on X “Is McCarthy’s witch hunt back?” He stressed that 90 percent of the European Parliament, the EU’s democratically elected body, along with all 27 member states, voted in favor of the DSA.

Since Brussels stepped up enforcement of the DSA, which entered into force on Nov. 16, 2022, Washington has voiced opposition to the regulation designed to tackle hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation. It argued that the legislation restricts free expression and places additional compliance burdens on U.S. technology companies.

On Dec. 5, the European Commission issued its first non-compliance decision under the act, fining U.S. social media X 120 about US$141.6 million for the deceptive design of its blue checkmark, a lack of transparency in its advertising repository, and failing to provide researchers with access to public data.

#FromTheSouth News Bits | Russia: President Vladimir Putin denounced the European Union's attempts to seize the country's assets, calling them an outright robbery. pic.twitter.com/cQMmTZxkD5

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 22, 2025

teleSUR/ JF

Source: Xinhua

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Historic vote takes place amid opposition boycotts and heavy security measures.

On Thursday, residents of Mogadishu, the Somali capital, headed to the polls in the first direct local elections in more than half a century, a historic milestone unfolding amid opposition boycotts.

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Polling stations opened at 6 a.m. local time, and lines of voters formed early as residents sought to take part in what President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has described as “a new chapter in the country’s history.”

About 500,000 people registered to elect 390 members of Mogadishu’s district councils, with a total of 1,605 candidates competing for seats at 523 polling centers.

To ensure security, authorities deployed nearly 10,000 police officers, imposed an urban lockdown restricting the movement of vehicles and pedestrians, and suspended flights to the city’s main airport.

Information Minister Daud Aweis described the voting day as a “rebirth of democratic practices” after decades without direct elections. Electoral Commission Chairman Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan said voters can have 100% confidence in the security measures in place.

Mohamud, who has come to power twice through the indirect system, pledged in 2023 to implement universal suffrage at the local, federal and presidential levels.

After so many years, the people of Mogadishu are voting. Today, history is made. For the first time, many people in Mogadishu are standing before a ballot, holding a right that was denied to them for decades. A right their parents only spoke about and their grandparents once… pic.twitter.com/OUKS5qII2L

— Fardowsa Matan Bulle (@princeser) December 25, 2025

Somalia last held direct elections in 1969, months before an October military coup that kept civilians out of power for three decades.

After the fall of military ruler Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991, an indirect, clan-based system was established in which clan representatives selected politicians, who then chose the president. That model has historically been criticized by presidential hopefuls.

Although the government succeeded in passing constitutional reforms and establishing a national electoral commission, the opposition has argued that the Mogadishu vote lacks legitimacy.

The opposition Council of the Future, which has questioned how the federal government is managing the electoral process and constitutional changes, said it will not recognize the results of the vote, arguing that it is being run solely by President Mohamud without a competitive process.

At a news conference, former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed (2009-2012), former prime ministers Hassan Ali Khaire and Mohamed Hussein Roble, and lawmaker Abdirahman Abdishakur described the elections as “flawed.”

The Council of the Future said the Mogadishu vote does not constitute legitimate elections but instead appears to serve an agenda linked to extending the president’s term.

#FromTheSouth News Bits | Africa: At least 30 people died in a boat accident on the Kwango River, west of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). pic.twitter.com/fpN5qvObNO

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 19, 2025

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

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Blaze in Krasnodar region port spreads as Moscow reports downing 141 drones nationwide

On Thursday, two oil storage tanks caught fire at the port of the Russian city of Temryuk, in the Krasnodar region, following a Ukrainian drone attack carried out overnight.

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There were no casualties. The fire initially spread over an area of about 2,000 square meters but doubled hours later to reach 4,000 square meters.

“In total, 99 firefighters and 26 specialized vehicles, including personnel from the local Emergency Situations Ministry, arrived at the scene,” the Telegram channel Operativni Shtab–Krasnodar reported, adding that local authorities prevented a hydrocarbon spill into Temryuk Bay.

In addition to the burning tanks, several buildings and agricultural equipment were damaged in the village of Nikolaevka, in the Shcherbinovsky district.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported intercepting and shooting down 141 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones. The bulk of the attacks targeted the border region of Bryansk, where 62 drones were neutralized.

Ukraine also attacked the regions of Tula, Kaluga, Moscow, Volgograd, Voronezh, the Republic of Adygea, and the Crimean Peninsula.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that 10 drones heading toward the Russian capital were shot down, with no damage or casualties reported.

Ukraine carries out daily drone attacks on Russian territory aimed at damaging fuel production and disrupting the logistics of the Russian army.

Russia has responded with massive strikes against Ukraine’s energy system, threatening the collapse of electricity generation capacity and heating supplies in the country as winter approaches.

#FromTheSouth News Bits | Russia: The Eurasian Economic Union consolidated its status as one of the self-sufficient centers of the emerging multipolar world. pic.twitter.com/OdQq1AV0qK

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 24, 2025

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

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Rixi Moncada, presidential candidate of Honduras’ Liberty and Refoundation Party (Libre), on Thursday denounced as fraudulent and foreign-imposed the proclamation of Nasry Juan Asfura, of the National Party, as president-elect of the Central American country.

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In statements published on her X account, Moncada accused the National Electoral Council (CNE) of acting under orders from the United States and of undermining what she described as Honduras’ fragile democratic process. She argued that the decision to recognize Asfura constituted an externally driven imposition rather than the expression of popular will.

“The civilized peoples of the world must know that the president-elect comes from the business sector that called for Donald Trump’s intervention. During the electoral silence, they paid for massive threatening messages against voters who receive remittances, with the sole intention of twisting the popular will,” Moncada wrote.

En Honduras el CNE atendiendo las instrucciones del imperio, asesinó nuestra incipiente democracia, pero nuestro pueblo no es ingenuo: la proclama del “presidente electo” es un fraude y una imposición extranjera.

Traicionaron la Patria.

Los pueblos civilizados del mundo deben…

— Rixi Moncada (@riximga) December 25, 2025

The Libre candidate stated that Honduras’ long-standing two-party system left evidence of what she described as a criminal and fraudulent plan in 26 audio recordings, which she said must be investigated “to the fullest extent.” She added: “The plan has been consummated today, but I trust that the truth is immutable and eternal.”

Moncada also reiterated her denunciations of alleged irregularities in the Preliminary Electoral Results Transmission System (TREP), as well as the existence of thousands of tally sheets with anomalies that, according to her, cast doubt on the transparency of the process. She said she would remain in resistance against what she described as an electoral coup carried out by the CNE.

On Wednesday, CNE councilors Ana Paola Hall García and Cossette Alejandra López Osorio declared Asfura president-elect for the term running from January 27, 2026, to January 27, 2030. Moncada has described that decision as the culmination of an illegitimate process.

Asfura’s recognition, as a candidate publicly backed by Donald Trump, came amid allegations of irregularities during the vote count, claims of strong foreign interference, and accusations of a pre-election plot ahead of the November 30 polls. These objections were raised by Libre, the Liberal Party, and CNE councilor Marlon Ochoa, who, among other issues, questioned the refusal of the other councilors to conduct a vote-by-vote recount.

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Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Yván Gil welcomed statements from Iranian lawmakers backing the country’s sovereignty and condemning U.S. actions against Venezuelan oil shipments, which Iranian legislators described as violations of international maritime law.

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In a message posted Wednesday on social media, Gil thanked Iran for publicly denouncing what Caracas characterizes as U.S. aggression. “We appreciate Iran’s support in denouncing these practices that seek to destabilize our nation and subject our people to an unjust siege,” Gil said, speaking on behalf of the Venezuelan people and President Nicolás Maduro.

The statement followed a declaration issued the same day by 150 members of Iran’s parliament, who criticized Washington for intercepting Venezuelan oil tankers in the Caribbean. The lawmakers described the measure as “maritime piracy,” arguing that it contravenes established international norms. “Intercepting or obstructing commercial vessels on the high seas without authorization from competent international bodies constitutes maritime piracy, which violates international maritime law and the principle of freedom of navigation,” the legislators said.

Venezuela thanked Iran for backing its sovereignty and opposing US pressure, warning Washington’s military moves threaten regional stability. Tehran condemned US interference, urging global rejection of force and illegal sanctions.https://t.co/bs5tLCp66k

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) December 23, 2025

Gil also stated that U.S. actions go beyond economic harm. According to the foreign minister, such practices “not only undermine Venezuela’s economy, but also challenge the fundamental principles of international law.”

In a separate message, Gil welcomed the condemnation issued by independent United Nations experts regarding U.S. policy toward Venezuela. “The truth of Venezuela is making its way around the world: the policy of threats, force and colonial plunder has been legally and morally exposed,” he said.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights released a communiqué in which experts condemned the U.S. blockade and broader aggression against Venezuela. The document stated that “there is no right to impose unilateral sanctions through an armed blockade,” noting that the use of military force against another country is prohibited under the UN Charter.

Since August, the United States has maintained an extensive air and naval deployment in the Caribbean Sea near Venezuela’s coast, describing the operations as part of counter-narcotics efforts. Within this framework, Washington has reported the destruction of around 30 alleged speedboats and the killing of approximately 104 people. However, reports have warned that none of those killed represented an immediate threat that would justify the use of lethal force.

The United States has also announced a “blockade of all sanctioned oil vessels entering or leaving Venezuela.” Under this measure, the U.S. Coast Guard has intercepted and confiscated the cargo of two oil tankers near Venezuela in recent weeks, and on Sunday pursued a third tanker in the Caribbean Sea.

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Grassroots organizations in Argentina organized a Christmas Eve dinner for 5,000 people facing homelessness and economic hardship in Buenos Aires, as social groups respond to the widening social impact of President Javier Milei’s austerity policies.

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The initiative was led by the Movement of Excluded Workers (Movimiento de Trabajadores Excluidos, MTE), which set up the event in front of the National Congress under the slogan “No family without Christmas.” The gathering began at 5:00 p.m. local time and was scheduled to continue past midnight, with the Plaza of the Two Congresses transformed into a collective space providing food and basic services.

According to the MTE, the site included showers, hairdressing services, health stations, toys and recreational areas for children. The organization said the food was prepared by more than 50 community cooks, the same women who sustain soup kitchens in working-class neighborhoods throughout the year. Referring to the initiative’s nine-year history, the MTE stated that “the Plaza of the Two Congresses will stop being just a political stage and become a huge family table.”

En esta Nochebuena, en el Congreso, ninguna familia va a quedar sin celebrar la Navidad.

Una jornada que ofrece mucho más que un plato de comida a personas en situación de calle y familias que no lo tendrían: reafirma la solidaridad, la organización y el amor en un contexto… pic.twitter.com/PuE4Ppocc7

— MTE (@mteargentina) December 24, 2025

National lawmaker Itai Hagman highlighted the continuity of the event in a message shared on social media. “I’ve been coming to the Christmas at Congress organized by the MTE for nine years, and each time it surprises me more. Against cruelty and disposability, a small piece of solidarity and organization. Happy holidays,” he wrote.

The program included a dedicated space for children with inflatable games, play areas and recreational activities, along with the distribution of toys. Health posts were also installed, and volunteer artists provided live music during the evening.

Other social organizations announced similar initiatives. The Corriente Clasista y Combativa (CCC) scheduled a Christmas Day celebration on December 25 at noon for families in the city of La Plata who lack “bread on the table.” In a statement, the organization said: “At a time when austerity generates anguish and the lack of work leads to hunger, we want to counter it with solidarity, determination and the commitment of our comrades who will cook and serve lunch with deep love for our people.”

These initiatives took place amid deteriorating economic indicators. According to consultancy PxQ, prices rose 0.5 percent during the third week of December, while inflation is projected to average 2.6 percent for the month, slightly higher than in November. Food prices increased 2.7 percent during December.

Holiday consumption has also declined. The Argentine Toy Industry Chamber reported a 6.9 percent drop in toy sales by units compared with the same period last year, which had already been considered critical. The outlet Tiempo Argentino warned that “while Argentine families gather for one of the most austere Christmases in memory, President Javier Milei opted for a digital staging to deliver a message that, far from festive harmony, sounded like a warning.”

Housing costs have added further pressure. A joint report by researchers from the University of Buenos Aires, CONICET, the Center for Legal and Social Studies and the Civil Association for Equality and Justice found that between September 15 and October 1, among 1,107 cases surveyed, 93 percent of tenants were up to date with rent payments. However, 29 percent had taken out loans in the past year, and 77 percent of those who became indebted did so to pay rent.

The government maintains that it has lifted 12 million people out of poverty, a claim that contrasts with social and academic indicators cited by civil society organizations. In July alone, 63 people experiencing homelessness died from cold-related causes, according to records compiled by the Popular Assembly for the Rights of People in Street Situations and the research group Sociability at the Margins at the UBA Faculty of Psychology.

As Christmas Eve unfolded in front of Congress, social movements framed their actions as an immediate response to growing social vulnerability, seeking to ensure that, at least for one night, no family was left without a shared meal.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a Christmas message from Moscow to his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolás Maduro, congratulating him and reaffirming Moscow’s “unwavering solidarity” in the face of the “external pressure” Venezuela is experiencing.

In his message, Putin offered his “heartfelt Christmas and New Year’s greetings” to President Maduro, whom he addressed as “Your Excellency, Mr. President, Dear Nicolás.” The Russian leader noted that the “past year has been quite successful for Russian-Venezuelan relations.”

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The Russian leader emphasized that the “signing of the Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Treaty created the conditions for a qualitative and constructive increase in interaction in all areas.” This milestone, Putin stressed, marks a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations.

Putin also reiterated his unwavering solidarity with the people of Venezuela, who are facing unprecedented external pressure. This statement underscores Russia’s continued support for Venezuela amidst the multifaceted aggression waged by the Trump administration, which has included the seizure of ships carrying Venezuelan oil, the threat of a naval vessel, and the largest military deployment in decades in the waters of the Caribbean Sea.

📌 El presidente de #Rusia 🇷🇺, Vladimir Putin, envió un mensaje de felicitación a su homólogo de #Venezuela 🇻🇪, Nicolás Maduro, repasando los logros históricos de la relación entre ambos países y en solidaridad con el pueblo bolivariano pic.twitter.com/TodkOa8r01

— teleSUR TV (@teleSURtv) December 25, 2025

The message also expressed Russia’s readiness to continue working closely together on current issues on the bilateral and international agenda, demonstrating Moscow’s commitment to deepening cooperation in various areas, from economic to diplomatic.

Finally, the Russian president sent Maduro his best wishes for good health, happiness, and success in carrying out his state duties. He extended his wishes for peace and well-being to all his compatriots, concluding the message with “Sincerely, Vladimir Putin.”

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The Algerian Parliament unanimously passed a law criminalizing French colonial practices perpetrated between 1830 and 1962, demanding recognition and reparations from Paris for the state crime committed by the European country.

This historic event, described by the coordinator of the Memory Commission, Mohamed Lahcen Zeghidi, as “a historic moment,” comes at the height of a serious diplomatic crisis between the two countries.

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The legislation, based on “principles of international law,” details an extensive list of crimes attributed to the French occupation, classified as serious offenses, including aggression against the state, homicide, torture, rape, racial discrimination, plundering of resources, nuclear testing in the Sahara, and the use of prohibited weapons.

During the legislative process, the Minister of the Mujahideen, Abdelmalek Tachrift, clarified that the law does not target the French people “nor does it seek revenge.” Its specific demands are the official recognition of the crimes, the release of minefield maps, and compensation for the victims of nuclear tests.

In addition to the demands against France, the text establishes severe domestic sanctions. It penalizes with five to ten years in prison and fines any media, academic, or political activity that glorifies, justifies, or denies the criminal nature of colonization.

This law represents Algeria’s most formal and robust effort to force French recognition, although its international reach is limited, as it cannot legally bind France, a country that has systematically avoided an official apology and the concept of reparations.

France continues to refuse to recognize the colonial genocide. In this regard, the French Foreign Ministry has described Algeria’s legitimate proposal as “manifestly hostile, both to the desire to resume Franco-Algerian dialogue and to calm work on issues of historical memory.”

France’s position merely highlights President Emmanuel Macron’s “efforts” regarding “historical memory.” In this respect, the ministry’s spokesperson, Pascal Confavreaux, emphasized that France “did not intend to comment on Algerian domestic politics,” but could only deplore such an initiative. He underscored “the magnitude of the work undertaken by President” Macron regarding the memory of colonization through a joint commission of French and Algerian historians.

The ministry stressed that it continues working “to resume a rigorous dialogue with Algeria that can address France’s priority interests,” especially “with regard to security and migration issues.”

France brutally ruled Algeria between 1830 and 1962, implementing a colonial system characterized by torture, enforced disappearances, massacres, and economic exploitation. Mass killings, large-scale deportations, and the systematic marginalization of the country’s indigenous Muslim population were also documented.

The war of independence, which lasted from 1954 to 1962, left deep scars on Algerian society. Algeria estimates that the death toll during this conflict reached 1.5 million, a figure that underscores the magnitude of the violence and the resilience of the Algerian people.

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The Vice President for Policy, Citizen Security and Peace, Diosdado Cabello Rondón, lamented the belligerent stance of Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar in facilitating the use of her country’s territory by the US and its military apparatus to attack Venezuela.

“We hear this lady from Trinidad, who is still high on alcohol, allowing Trinidad to be used against Venezuela,” he said in La Guaira state, where he inaugurated the Police Coordination Center of the Bolivarian National Police.

The minister for Interior, Justice and Peace also emphasized that, in the face of this hostile posture toward Venezuela, any attack on Venezuelan territory would be met with a forceful response.

The Caribbean’s Zone of Peace Under Threat: A Conversation With Trinidadian Labor Activist David Abdullah

“We have always lived in peace, but if Trinidad lends its territory to attack Venezuela, we must respond with maximum Popular-Military-Police Fusion!” he concluded.

In September, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar voiced support for the deadly US strikes on boats in the Caribbean, saying the US should “kill them all violently.” She also ordered her military to use “lethal force” against any vessel arriving from Venezuela. The following month, the US Navy destroyer USS Gravely docked in Trinidad and Tobago to take part in military drills.

Trinidadian labor activist and coordinator of the Movement for Social Justice, David Abdulah, said in an October interview that Persad-Bissessar “has long aligned herself with Washington’s position on Venezuela.” He noted that she had previously declared open support for Juan Guaidó and called for sanctions against Venezuela. Abdulah added that “many right-wing or pro-Washington governments exist across Latin America and the Caribbean” and stressed that “silence is not an option” when such governments advance US interests in the region.

(Diario VEA) with Orinoco Tribune content

Translation: Orinoco Tribune

OT/JB/SH

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This December, Mexico City once again ignited the magic of the holidays with the Winter Lights Festival 2025-2026, a cultural experience that goes far beyond simple Christmas decorations.

From December 19 to January 6, plazas, parks, and public spaces throughout the 16 boroughs were transformed into luminous, community-based stages to celebrate the end of the year and the arrival of 2026 with a festive, free, and inclusive spirit.

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In the heart of the Historic Center, the Plaza de la Constitución (Zócalo) features thousands of LED lights forming monumental sculptures. In addition to the light show, more than 600 cultural, artistic, and recreational activities invite people of all ages to enjoy and celebrate the city together.

A celebration that blossoms in every neighborhood

Although the Zócalo serves as the beating heart of this celebration, the Winter Lights festival incorporates 15 additional venues distributed throughout the capital. From iconic parks like Xicoténcatl Park in Benito Juárez to sports facilities and neighborhood plazas, the light, music, theater, and December traditions are decentralized to reach every neighborhood and district.

#FromTheSouth News Bits | Mexico City celebrates the holiday season with the "Winter Lights" Festival in its main Zocalo square. pic.twitter.com/xrQZz1y2G3

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 24, 2025

A program for all the senses

Music plays a fundamental role in this celebration: the Zócalo hosts a main stage with more than 76 free concerts spanning diverse musical genres and offering experiences for all tastes. Additionally, there are nativity plays, community posadas (traditional Christmas processions), crafts, theatrical performances, and family workshops that amplify the Christmas spirit with a cultural and participatory touch.

The festival also embraces the traditions of the artisan community by integrating a corridor with more than 120 artisan exhibitors, offering unique pieces that simultaneously strengthen the cultural economy and recognize the handiwork of different regions of the country.

Lights that make the city

More than a seasonal celebration, the 2025 Winter Lights Festival feels like a collective embrace: the city revives its plazas, awakens smiles in its illuminated streets, and transforms every urban corner into a meeting place that invites conviviality, surprise, and family time.

At a time of year marked by the rediscovery of traditions and the desire to share, this festival solidifies Mexico City as an epicenter of accessible, vibrant, and festive culture for visitors and residents alike.

A festival that spans the city

In addition to the Zócalo, Winter Lights 2025 reaches 15 boroughs and various community spaces, with activities such as nativity plays, circus performances, dance, percussion groups, light sculptures, snow-covered walks, and concerts.

In the UTOPIAS, the program includes more than 40 cultural activities that reinforce the neighborhood and community character of the festival.

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Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan received a high-level delegation from the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas on Wednesday, December 24. The meeting, held in Ankara, focused on assessing the feasibility of the second phase of the peace plan designed for the Gaza Strip, where the Palestinian population survives in extreme conditions as a result of the genocide perpetrated by Israel.

During the session, Foreign Minister Fidan reiterated that the Turkish government will maintain its firm defense of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people in every multilateral forum and international organization. The diplomat detailed the technical efforts that Turkey is currently undertaking to mitigate the housing crisis and ensure the flow of humanitarian aid to the enclave. Turkey’s position seeks to break the siege that is suffocating the civilian population under the constant siege of the occupying forces.

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For its part, the Hamas delegation, led by Khalil al-Hayya, denounced Israel’s systematic breach of agreements, arguing that the movement’s desire for peace is being thwarted. Al-Hayya emphasized that, although they have complied with the terms of the truce, Tel Aviv’s persistent hostilities are blocking progress toward lasting stability. The lack of security guarantees is preventing the implementation of the necessary protocols for the structural reconstruction of a territory devastated by bombing.

Another critical issue addressed at the meeting was the alarming shortage of basic supplies. Palestinian representatives warned that 60 percent of authorized transport is allocated to commercial purposes, leaving minimal resources for emergency humanitarian aid. This disproportion exacerbates famine and medical shortages in Gaza, becoming a tool of political pressure that violates international humanitarian law and the fundamental principles of human life.

In #Gaza, conditions remain dire and humanitarian needs are overwhelming. Families continue to endure severe shortages and widespread destruction.

According to @theIPCinfo, 1.6 million people face acute food insecurity.

UNRWA teams — displaced themselves — remain on the ground,… pic.twitter.com/wGMteLuFgI

— UNRWA (@UNRWA) December 23, 2025

International analysts agree that this dialogue strengthens Türkiye’s position as an independent mediator in the face of Western pressures aimed at isolating Palestinian forces. Ankara opted for a balancing strategy that prioritizes its historical commitment to the liberation of Palestine over external directives.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue working on mechanisms that will allow for effective reconstruction and a fundamental political solution to the conflict. While the international community observes with caution, the strategic alliance between Türkiye and the representatives of Gaza is emerging as one of the few viable paths to halting the genocide.

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Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro led a Christmas dinner for peace and happiness on Tuesday, December 23, at the San Agustín parish in Caracas, the Venezuelan capital. During the gathering, the president emphasized Venezuela’s strength in the face of US pressure, asserting that imperialism cannot overcome the country’s determination.

“We are in Marín Square in San Agustín del Sur, the epicenter where the Marín rhythm, the music, and the culture of our nation were born,” Maduro stated. “We have come to share the first Hallacazo (a traditional Venezuelan Christmas celebration) with the community and wish them a Merry Christmas, exercising the most beautiful right our people have: the right to happiness, to live in peace, and to enjoy this time of unity,” he added.

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In a day marked by popular joy, the Head of State joined the community to enjoy the traditional rhythms of “Son Mondongo” and “100% San Agustín,” emphasizing that these festivities are the result of the victory of national unity.

In his remarks, Maduro defined himself as a man of the people, educated in the schools of the barrios, asserting that it is precisely this organic connection with the people that makes the Bolivarian Revolution invincible against the aggressions of Washington.

The day also served to highlight the success of the “El Guaguancó de Colores” program, which has transformed San Agustín del Sur into a tourist destination with more than 4,000 visitors. This cultural development complements the agenda of the communes, which, according to the Executive, will be the setting for numerous Christmas gatherings throughout the country.

In another part of Caracas, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez joined another celebration, rejecting the United States’ maximum pressure policy and emphasizing that Venezuela will respond with greater family unity and productive work to guarantee social happiness at the end of the year.

Christmas 2025 in Venezuela unfolds under the resistance and safeguarding of sovereignty. In this context, President Maduro has reaffirmed that the festive spirit of the people will remain intact, projecting a prosperous 2026 for all households in the country despite the current political challenges.

“We cannot fail them, we can never fail them. It is not the first time we have experienced a Christmas where we must share the struggle in the streets, the struggle in defense of our rights, the struggle in defense of democracy and peace, and the revelry on every corner. Between revelry and revelry, between battle and victory, we will continue this Christmas, which no one will tarnish for the people of Venezuela,” the president stated on December 21st.

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