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In October, a U.S. warship docked in Port of Spain, as Trump boosted military pressure on Venezuela.

On Monday, Trinidad and Tobago’s Foreign Affairs Ministry announced that its country has approved the transit of U.S. military aircraft through its airports in the coming weeks.

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The United States has advised that these movements are logistical in nature, facilitating supply replenishment and routine personnel rotations, said the Ministry in a statement.

The statement reaffirms the government’s “commitment to sustained cooperation with the United States of America in advancing regional safety, security, and stability.”

It noted that through this partnership, Trinidad and Tobago has benefited from joint military training exercises, enhanced surveillance capabilities, including the installation of an effective radar system, and collaborative efforts that have contributed to the interdiction of millions of dollars’ worth of illegal narcotics.

No one is surprised by this, it only further underscores the lies told by the Trinidad and Tobago government, under Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

FYI: the US Department of War contacts confirms the radar installed in Trinidad and Tobago can be used in US conflict with Venezuela: https://t.co/EXliGaVhpx

— Tamanisha J John (@TamanishaJohn) December 8, 2025

Since September, the Pentagon has carried out strikes on alleged drug vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean, killing more than 80 people aboard.

Washington has deployed a fleet of warships near Venezuela, including the world’s largest aircraft carrier, and about 15,000 troops to the Caribbean Sea.

In October, an American warship docked in Trinidad and Tobago’s capital, Port of Spain, as the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump boosted military pressure on Venezuela and its President Nicolas Maduro.

#FromTheSouth News Bits | Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro denounced the military assault, kidnapping, and theft of an oil tanker by the United States in the north of Trinidad and Tobago. pic.twitter.com/Epc0j2V2TQ

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 15, 2025

teleSUR/ JF

Source: Xinhua

From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.

Jimmy Lai was found guilty on charges of conspiring to collude with external forces and to publish seditious materials.

On Monday, Chinese Ambassador to Britain Zheng Zeguang lodged solemn representations over the British foreign secretary’s remarks on the conviction of Jimmy Lai, an instigator of anti-China riots in Hong Kong.

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When meeting with a senior official of Britain’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Zheng said that British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper on Monday made irresponsible remarks regarding Lai’s conviction and smeared the National Security Law for Hong Kong.

Such remarks constitute a gross interference in China’s internal affairs, trample on the spirit of the rule of law, and seriously violate the basic norms governing international relations, he said.

Lai was found guilty on Monday on two charges of conspiring to collude with external forces and a charge of conspiracy to publish seditious materials.

This is who Jimmy Lai really is!

He urges the US to use nuclear weapons to kill 1.4 billion Chinese and finish China in a minute, because he and the US share the same "values and moral authority". pic.twitter.com/MBqNBjYLDN

— Dominic Lee 李梓敬 (@dominictsz) December 12, 2025

The verdict was handed down by the High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on the national security case of Lai and three companies linked to the now-defunct Apple Daily.

Lai was the primary planner and participant in a series of anti-China riots in Hong Kong, and what he did was by no means “peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression” as claimed by the British side, said a read-out by the Chinese embassy in Britain.

Britain’s colonial rule over Hong Kong has long ended, Zheng said, adding that Britain is in no position and has no right to point fingers at or interfere in Hong Kong affairs.

Any attempt by Britain to interfere in Hong Kong’s judicial affairs will only further expose its malicious intent to destabilize Hong Kong, will only provoke society-wide indignation in Hong Kong, and will get nowhere, he added.

#FromTheSouth News Bits | China: The Foreign Ministry rejected the unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States against six of its oil tankers, following the seizure of the Venezuelan oil tanker. pic.twitter.com/6z8eaizdva

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 15, 2025

teleSUR/ JF

Source: Xinhua

From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.

According to a statement released on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s website, the two deputy ministers also addressed cooperation with countries in Central Asia and the South Caucasus.

“The discussion took place in a friendly, constructive, and trusting atmosphere, characteristic of the comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction between Russia and China,” the statement added.

jdt/jav/lam/gfa

The post Russia and China discuss the situation surrounding Ukraine first appeared on Prensa Latina.

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Both countries exchanged views on how to restore relations with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

On Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that his country supports Iran’s efforts to resolve the crisis in its relations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the West.

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“We are ready to support the efforts Iran is now making to get over this crisis, including in its relations with the IAEA and the West in general,” he said in an interview with Iranian media outlets.

According to Lavrov, not only has international law been undermined, but the Iranian nuclear deal has also been compromised, despite the fact that it was endorsed by United Nations Security Council resolutions, which all parties are obligated to implement under the UN Charter.

Russia has held discussions on the current situation with Iran at various levels, including at the presidential level. They exchanged views on how to address the situation, and how to restore relations with the IAEA and Western countries. The final decision, of course, rests with Iran’s leadership, Lavrov stated.

#Iran's AEOI Head: IAEA cannot demand inspections of attacked sites while remaining silent on the aggression and lacking specific protocols. Pressure from Israel, US & E3 has no effect on us. If IAEA has a protocol [on inspecting attacked sites], it must submit it for our review. pic.twitter.com/oZ8cwbd49G

— Iran Nuances (@IranNuances) December 15, 2025

Lavrov also emphasized that Russia and Iran possess significant potential for expanding bilateral trade, and this process should be promoted by all possible means.

“In addition to the North-South corridor, there is also such a flagship project as the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant — its construction is ongoing. New blocks have been planned and some are already in operation,” the minister said.

Lavrov pointed out that relations between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) also unlock additional opportunities. Iran signed a free trade agreement with the EAEU in 2023 and holds observer status in the organization. “The Free Trade Agreement offers Iran and EAEU members more opportunities to increase their trade,” he explained.

#FromTheSouth News Bits | Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei denounced that the United States' pressure against his country is part of a media war. pic.twitter.com/Sy7NWqhZQa

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 15, 2025

teleSUR/ JF

Source: Xinhua

From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.

Despite Argentina’s political realignment toward the United States under President Javier Milei, China continues to consolidate its economic presence in the country, expanding investments in strategic sectors and maintaining its position as a long-term partner.

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According to U.S.-based outlet Bloomberg Línea, Chinese companies have continued to strengthen their footprint in Argentina even as Buenos Aires signals closer ties with Washington and former U.S. President Donald Trump. The developments highlight the persistence of bilateral economic relations despite shifting geopolitical rhetoric.

Chinese investment remains active in sectors considered central to Argentina’s development, including energy, infrastructure and mining. Chinese firms are involved in major projects such as hydroelectric dams, solar power plants, lithium mining and telecommunications, reinforcing Beijing’s role in Argentina’s productive and technological landscape.

Patricio Giusto @patriciogiusto, executive director of the Sino-Argentine Observatory, said Xi's remarks reaffirm China's role as "a staunch defender of an open economy and multilateralism to address global problems and resolve disputes, opposing unilateral impositions and…

— Xi's Moments (@XisMoments) November 3, 2025

From Beijing’s perspective, relations with Argentina are framed within a comprehensive strategic partnership aimed at mutual benefit and sustainable development. China has emphasized the use of yuan-denominated financing and technological cooperation as mechanisms to support Argentina’s economic sovereignty, offering alternatives to reliance on the U.S. dollar and to external financial pressures. Chinese authorities underline that their foreign policy is based on respect for national self-determination and cooperation oriented toward shared growth.

Within Argentina’s domestic political sphere, the Justicialist Party has rejected U.S. interference in Latin America and the Caribbean and has called for the defense of regional sovereignty, adding an internal political dimension to the broader international context.

While Washington seeks to reaffirm its influence across the region, Beijing maintains that its engagement in Argentina is guided by pragmatic and peaceful cooperation, without political conditions. Chinese officials argue that joint projects demonstrate that bilateral relations can advance beyond ideological differences, grounded instead in concrete economic interests and the need to diversify sources of investment.

The expansion of Chinese companies in Argentina reflects Beijing’s ability to sustain its broader economic strategy in Latin America, positioning itself as a reliable partner amid intensifying global geopolitical tensions.

Argentina continues to maintain close relations with the United States, but China has been a strategic partner in trade and investment since 1972. As global competition between major powers deepens, Buenos Aires navigates a delicate economic and diplomatic balance between both actors.

From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.

Honduran President Xiomara Castro on Tuesday publicly denounced what she described as an ongoing attempt to overthrow her government, citing verified intelligence reports and warning of actions aimed at breaking the country’s constitutional and democratic order.

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In a statement published on her X account, Castro accused former president Juan Orlando Hernández, whom was pardoned by the United States, of planning to enter Honduras to illegally proclaim the winner of the general elections held on November 30, despite the absence of a full vote-by-vote count of all electoral records.

“To the Honduran people: I report with historical responsibility that, based on verified intelligence, Juan Orlando Hernández, pardoned in the United States, is planning his entry into the country to proclaim himself the winner of the elections, while an aggression aimed at breaking the constitutional and democratic order through a coup against my government is underway,” Castro wrote.

Honduran President Xiomara Castro denounced on her social media account in X an attempted coup against her government, headed by Juan Orlando Hernández.

In a post, the Honduran head of state stated:

To the Honduran people: I report with historical responsibility that, based on… pic.twitter.com/33g38wfoVm

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 16, 2025

The president warned that the alleged actions constitute “an aggression aimed at breaking the constitutional and democratic order, through a coup” against her administration, which is scheduled to complete its four-year mandate on January 27.

Castro linked the alleged plot to U.S. interference in Honduras’ electoral process. According to the president, the pardon granted to Hernández forms part of an interventionist plan by U.S. President Donald Trump, who she said openly supported National Party presidential candidate Nasry Asfura during the elections.

In #Honduras, the #LIBRE party takes to the streets in protest, rejecting the electoral #coup perpetrated in the presidential elections on November 30. pic.twitter.com/DRudWS8hoz

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 15, 2025

“Given this grave situation, I urgently request the conscious and peaceful support of the Honduran people,” Castro stated, calling for civic mobilization to defend constitutional order and the popular mandate.

She urged citizens, social movements, collectives, grassroots organizations, activists and the general public to gather urgently and peacefully in Tegucigalpa. The objective, she said, is to reject any coup attempt and to make clear to the international community that “a new coup is being orchestrated” in Honduras.

Castro’s denunciation places her government’s warning at the center of the political debate in Honduras, as she calls for peaceful civic support and international attention to what she describes as a serious threat to democratic order.

From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.

US military forces carried out airstrikes against three vessels in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing at least eight people, according to statements by US Southern Command.

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The command said the operations were conducted on Monday under orders from US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. In a post on X, Southern Command stated that intelligence assessments determined the vessels were traveling along known drug trafficking routes in the eastern Pacific and were involved in narcotics-related activities. No evidence was presented to support the claim.

Southern Command confirmed that eight people were killed in the strikes: three aboard the first vessel, two on the second, and three on the third. The command also released video footage of the operation on its official social media account.

JUST IN:

US forces struck 3 vessels in the eastern Pacific that were allegedly linked to drug trafficking, killing 8 people.

US has so far killed dozens of people in such strikes, claiming those killed were narco-terrorists, but it has not provided evidence. pic.twitter.com/sEO83fquWZ

— Current Report (@Currentreport1) December 16, 2025

In a separate statement, Southern Command reported another operation carried out on December 4 against a vessel suspected of drug trafficking, which resulted in the deaths of four people on board.

US authorities said the attacks are part of a broader military campaign known as Operation Southern Spear, aimed at disrupting maritime drug trafficking routes. According to official figures, US forces have attacked more than 20 vessels in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean under this campaign, killing at least 91 people. Other official tallies cited more than 26 vessels destroyed and around 90 fatalities.

The expanded US military presence in the Caribbean and surrounding waters comes amid months of sustained pressure by Washington against Venezuela. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said that former US President Donald Trump’s decisions regarding the alleged “war on drugs” have exposed the South American country to what he described as the “greatest continental threat in a century.”

Venezuelan authorities argue that the increased US militarization in the Caribbean is intended to undermine the government in Caracas. Trump has repeatedly announced that the United States will soon begin ground military operations against drug cartels on Venezuelan territory. Last week, he also said that Colombian President Gustavo Petro was “next,” referring to the pressure strategy previously directed at Maduro.

From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has publicly defended Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, portraying him as a resilient political leader and dismissing speculation about any plans for Maduro to leave Venezuela under pressure from the United States.

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In an interview with the US outlet Newsmax, published on Monday, Lukashenko said Maduro has never been an adversary of Belarus and rejected rumors suggesting the Venezuelan president could relocate to Belarus. “Maduro never has been our enemy or adversary. Never,” Lukashenko said. “If he wanted to come to Belarus, our doors would always be open to him. But honestly, we have never talked about that.”

Lukashenko stressed that Maduro would not abandon his responsibilities, describing him as a determined leader comparable to the late Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez. “Maduro is not the kind of man who would leave everything and run away,” he said. “He is a strong person, like Hugo Chávez. He is a strong, decent and sensible man, someone you can talk to and reach agreements with.”

Belarus' Lukashenko says Venezuelan President Maduro is welcome to move to Belarus https://t.co/7QSYahkYJF https://t.co/7QSYahkYJF

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 16, 2025

Addressing reports about a possible resignation or relocation, the Belarusian president said such scenarios had never been discussed directly with Maduro. “We have never discussed this topic with Maduro,” Lukashenko stated. “To be honest, we have talked more about Venezuela with the Americans than with Maduro about his resignation or any actions related to it. He is a heroic man.”

Lukashenko also argued that tensions involving the United States could be resolved through peaceful means and said he expects to discuss the issue with US President Donald Trump in the future. “I would tell him many interesting things. A war would lead to nothing,” he said. He warned that a military confrontation with Venezuela would amount to “a second Vietnam” and questioned whether such a conflict would be in Washington’s interest. According to Lukashenko, any attack would only strengthen domestic support for Maduro.

In the same interview, Lukashenko rejected US claims of a sharp increase in drug trafficking originating from Venezuela and criticized Washington’s refusal to recognize Venezuelan elections. He said the elections “were held for Venezuelans, not for Americans,” while also questioning the legitimacy of the US electoral process, referring to allegations of fraud in the 2020 presidential election.

His comments come amid an expanded US military presence in the Caribbean in recent weeks, described as the largest deployment in the region in decades and officially justified as part of anti-narcotics operations. Since September, US forces have destroyed more than twenty vessels allegedly carrying drugs in the Caribbean and the Pacific, killing more than 87 crew members in what Venezuelan authorities have described as extrajudicial actions.

Caracas has characterized US military movements near its coastline as an armed aggression aimed at imposing regime change and seizing the country’s strategic resources.

From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.

A replica of the Statue of Liberty outside a Havan megastore in southern Brazil collapsed after strong winds swept through the state of Rio Grande do Sul amid severe weather conditions, authorities and the company said.

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The incident occurred on December 15 in the city of Guaíba, where a powerful storm hit following official warnings issued by Brazil’s civil defence authority, Defesa Civil. Wind speeds reached between 80 and 90 kilometres per hour, undermining the stability of the structure and causing it to fall completely.

No injuries or significant property damage were reported. Authorities confirmed that the area had been evacuated as a precaution, while eyewitnesses and store employees acted quickly to move parked vehicles away from the site, preventing potential losses.

🌪️ Strong wind gusts exceeding 90 km/h toppled a replica of the Statue of Liberty in Guaiba, in Brazil’s Porto Alegre metropolitan region

🏗️ The statue, installed in front of a Havan megastore, was knocked down during an intense storm that hit the area today pic.twitter.com/WBgstLSV5y

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) December 16, 2025

Guaíba Mayor Marcelo Maranata confirmed the collapse on social media and highlighted the intensity of the winds during the storm. The replica, installed in 2020, stood on an 11-metre concrete base, which remained intact after the structure fell.

Havan said the site was secured immediately after the incident. “The area was immediately isolated by the company, following all safety protocols,” the retailer said in a statement. It added that debris removal began within hours and that store operations continued uninterrupted.

According to Defesa Civil, the storm was triggered by a low-pressure system interacting with a cold front after several days of intense heat. Emergency alerts were sent to residents’ mobile phones, warning of strong winds, structural hazards and severe weather risks.

Strong winds TOPPLE giant Statue of Liberty replica in Guaíba, Brazil pic.twitter.com/mmkrBKGDky

— RT (@RT_com) December 15, 2025

The storm affected other municipalities across Rio Grande do Sul. Hail was reported in Tio Hugo, while roof damage occurred in Passo Fundo, Santa Cruz do Sul and Vera Cruz. Heavy rainfall caused localised flooding in Lajeado, although authorities reported no major disruptions to power or essential services.

The replica had served as a decorative attraction outside the shopping complex, part of a retail chain nationally known for its public support of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro. Images of the collapse circulated rapidly on social media, drawing widespread attention despite the absence of casualties.

From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.

Honduras’ post-election crisis intensified in the early hours of Wednesday as mass protests demanding a full vote-by-vote recount of the November 30 general elections converged with reports of police repression and a public warning from President Xiomara Castro of an alleged attempt to break constitutional order.

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Since Monday night, thousands of citizens have mobilized outside the facilities of the National Institute for Professional Training (INFOP) in Tegucigalpa, where the National Electoral Council (CNE) is operating and where electoral materials are being safeguarded. Demonstrators demanded a comprehensive recount of all disputed tally sheets, rejecting the CNE’s decision to conduct special scrutiny on only a limited portion of the records.

Protesters and political leaders alleged that the electoral process was compromised by irregularities, including failures in the Preliminary Electoral Results Transmission System (TREP), biometric inconsistencies, falsified signatures, mathematical discrepancies and missing tally sheets. Demonstrators stated they would not recognize any official declaration of a new government unless all 14,073 tally sheets flagged for biometric inconsistencies and an additional 1,882 disputed records were reviewed, together with the total of 19,167 presidential tally sheets issued nationwide.

In #Honduras, the #LIBRE party takes to the streets in protest, rejecting the electoral #coup perpetrated in the presidential elections on November 30. pic.twitter.com/DRudWS8hoz

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 15, 2025

The mobilization was promoted by the Liberty and Refoundation Party (LIBRE) and called by its general coordinator, former president Manuel Zelaya, who urged party militants and grassroots organizations to demand the immediate annulment of the contested TREP records. Liberal Party lawmaker Iroshka Elvir also called on citizens to gather at INFOP to demand a vote-by-vote recount of all tally sheets.

The dispute has been marked by cross-accusations between competing parties, public questioning of the transparency of the results transmission system and appeals to respect legal procedures for the definitive count without interference or manipulation. Both Rixi Moncada of LIBRE and Salvador Nasralla of the Liberal Party publicly denounced what they described as “theft” and “fraud,” citing multiple irregularities and calling for a thorough recount.

CNE member Marlon Ochoa criticized the decision adopted by electoral councilors Ana Paola Hall and Cossette López, stating that they “decided by majority to carry out the special scrutiny only on 1,081 tally sheets (5.6% of the total),” despite proposals to conduct a full vote-by-vote recount at the presidential level across all 19,167 polling stations.

#FromTheSouth News Bits | Honduras: President Xiomara Castro condemned the United States government’s interference in the electoral process and rejected any attempt to undermine the country’s dignity. pic.twitter.com/wD4XuM8wTg

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 15, 2025

In the early hours of Tuesday, Zelaya rejected accusations from the National Party that LIBRE was promoting a so-called “self-coup” through its calls for mobilization. “Our mobilization responds to the scandalous electronic electoral fraud of the TREP already denounced by international observers, as well as the fact of ignoring direct, public and confessed foreign interference in our elections,” Zelaya said.

After several hours of peaceful protest, tensions escalated early Wednesday when police forces intervened. According to teleSUR correspondent Karim Duarte, police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse demonstrators outside INFOP, violently detaining several protesters and destroying a LIBRE encampment where Tegucigalpa Mayor Jorge Aldana was present. Duarte reported that no authorities initially commented on the repression, describing it as the first incident of its kind during Castro’s administration.

Minutes later, President Castro ordered an immediate halt to the police action, along with an investigation and the dismissal of all officials involved in the repression of the peaceful protest demanding electoral transparency.

Shortly afterward, Castro issued a public statement warning of a broader threat to constitutional order. “I inform with historical responsibility that, based on verified intelligence information, Juan Orlando Hernández, pardoned in the United States, is planning to enter the country to proclaim the winner of the elections while an aggression is underway aimed at breaking the constitutional and democratic order through a coup against my government,” the president said.

Castro called for urgent, peaceful popular backing and urged citizens, social movements, grassroots organizations and party militants to mobilize in Tegucigalpa. “I call on the people to gather urgently and peacefully in Tegucigalpa to defend the popular mandate, reject any coup attempt and make visible to the world that a new coup is being plotted here,” she added.

Al pueblo hondureño:
Informo con responsabilidad histórica que, a partir de información de inteligencia verificada, Juan Orlando Hernández, perdonado en EEUU, planifica su ingreso al país para proclamar el ganador de las elecciones al tiempo que está en marcha una agresión…

— Xiomara Castro de Zelaya (@XiomaraCastroZ) December 16, 2025

With the CNE facing a December 30 deadline to declare an official winner, pressure continues to mount both on the streets and within institutional channels, as allegations of fraud, repression and coup plotting converge in a rapidly evolving political crisis.

From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.

Eight people have been killed in US boat strikes in the eastern Pacific Ocean as Washington intensifies pressure on Venezuela.

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Venezuela condemns a decision by the European Council to renew sanctions against the country until 2027, describing the measures as “futile.”

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President Nicolás Maduro thanked the people of Venezuela for their decisive and effective response to the imperialist aggression and manipulation by the fascist far right, which called for an invasion of his country.

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During the 99th edition of his nightly program, “Con Maduro +,” the president commented on the 300 nighttime marches that took place this Monday in as many locations throughout the Bolivarian Republic.

He emphasized that this fascist right wing, led by Leopoldo López, Juan Guaidó, Julio Borges, La Sayona (María Corina Machado), and David Smolansky, called for a military invasion of the country.

He stressed that the fascist right wing of Leopoldo López, Juan Guaidó, Julio Borges, La Sayona (María Corina Machado), and David Smolansky called for a military invasion of the country. The dignitary alluded to the recent DataViva international poll, which revealed that 89 percent of Venezuelans “repudiate this infernal demon, this criminal who calls the Venezuelan people drug traffickers and incites an invasion and the killing of Venezuelans in an imperialist, gringo-backed invasion.”

He emphasized that, in response to another question, 96 percent of those interviewed, regardless of religion, ideology, political position, or socioeconomic status, “repudiate the act of piracy” against a ship carrying Venezuelan oil, which flagrantly violates international law and “takes us back to the days of pirates and privateers.”

The Venezuelan leader stated that, to this day, the whereabouts of the crew of that vessel, which was transporting 1.9 million barrels of oil, remain unknown.

The president referred to the 25th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-Peoples’ Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP), highlighting its firm positions, and alluded to the president of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, “an intelligent, determined, and honest man”; to the great commander Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua; as well as to the prime ministers of Dominica and Saint Lucia, and foreign ministers such as the one from Grenada.

In the president’s view, this Latin American and Caribbean integration bloc “is an extraordinary space for true integration, for the advancement of ideas, for unity and solidarity for the joint emancipation of our peoples.”

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On Monday, Venezuela’s public oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), reported that it was the target of a cyberattack aimed at disrupting its operations. The attempted act of aggression is said to be part of the US government’s strategy to seize Venezuela’s oil through force and piracy, according to a PDVSA statement.

The document stated, “Thanks to the expertise of PDVSA’s human talent, the operational areas were not affected, with the attack limited to its administrative system.”

It added that “the operational capacity of the oil industry is maintained through the implementation of security protocols, which allow the continuation of its regular activities in supplying products to the domestic market and the faithful fulfillment of all its export commitments.”

Cyberattack hits Venezuela's PDVSA. Caracas calls it a US plot to steal its oil. Escalation or desperation?

Where does hybrid warfare go from here? pic.twitter.com/WakMDIDvqi

— Orinoco Tribune (@OrinocoTribune) December 15, 2025

The full unofficial translation of the statement follows:

Petróleos de Venezuela, SA (PDVSA) informs the Venezuelan people and the international community that the company was the target of a cyberattack aimed at halting its operations.

Thanks to the expertise of PDVSA’s human talent, the operational areas were not affected, with the attack limited to its administrative system. Therefore, the operational capacity of the oil industry is maintained through the implementation of security protocols, which allow the continuation of its regular activities in supplying products to the domestic market and the faithful fulfillment of all its export commitments.

This attempted attack is part of the US government’s public strategy to seize Venezuelan oil through force and piracy. The working class in the hydrocarbon industry has faced similar attacks in the past. It was precisely their commitment, expertise, and loyalty that enabled them to detect and neutralize this latest attack.

Petróleos de Venezuela, SA categorically condemns this despicable act, orchestrated by foreign interests in collusion with unpatriotic actors seeking to undermine the country’s right to sovereign energy development. It is worth noting that this is not the first time the United States government, allied with extremist sectors, has attempted to destabilize the nation and steal Christmas from the Venezuelan people.

Nothing and no one will stop the victorious march of PDVSA and its working class in service to all Venezuelans.

Caracas, Dec. 15, 2025.

Renewed European sanctionsAlso on Monday, Venezuela categorically repudiated the policy of illegal sanctions and unilateral coercive measures renewed by the European Union (EU). Venezuela labeled these policies as illegitimate, illegal, and against international law, as well as contrary to the principles and purposes enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

International Condemnation Against US Theft of Venezuelan Oil Tanker Grows

In a statement published by Foreign Minister Yván Gil, Venezuela emphasized that the leaders of the EU bloc regrettably “have chosen to accelerate their own political decline, insisting on a line of sterile hostility against Venezuela, which demonstrates an erratic foreign policy, lacking autonomy and subject to interests foreign to the peoples they claim to represent.”

Finally, the statement highlighted that “after years of implementation, this sanctions policy has proven to be a resounding failure. It has significantly damaged political and diplomatic relations, and confirmed the growing irrelevance of the European Union as an international actor capable of acting independently, rationally, and with respect for sovereign states.”

(Últimas Noticias) by Olys Guárate with Orinoco Tribune content

Translation: Orinoco Tribune

OT/JRE/SF

From Orinoco Tribune – News and opinion pieces about Venezuela and beyond via This RSS Feed.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, during the 99th broadcast of his program “Con Maduro Más,” condemned the statements made by far-right opposition leader María Corina Machado, who claimed that “60 percent of the Venezuelan population is involved in drug trafficking.”

Maduro strongly repudiated these accusations, calling them part of a fascist campaign seeking to justify the armed and bloody intervention of the United States in the country, which Machado has called for, demonstrating her hatred for the Bolivarian people.

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The president emphasized that 89% of Venezuelans reject the fascist opposition leader Machado, according to data revealed by a national survey conducted by DataViva, and underscored that this rejection is also expressed in the more than 300 nighttime marches taking place throughout the country to reaffirm the nation’s sovereignty.

Regarding Corina Machado’s hate campaign against Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro added: “They say she has a broken vertebra; what’s broken is her brain and soul (…). She hates Venezuela. She manipulates the four followers she has left. I, in general, don’t pay any attention to what she does, because she’s crazy, demented with hatred.”

US piracy doesn’t only affect Venezuela

The president also denounced the recent US intervention on a private vessel carrying a significant cargo of Venezuelan crude oil, which he described as an “act of piracy” that violates international law, and on which the international organizations questioned about these violations have not commented.

Maduro emphasized the seriousness of the accusation, warning that these actions not only threaten Venezuela, but also free trade and global international law, if powerful nations are allowed to commit acts of piracy without legal intervention.

The complaint extends to the need to know the whereabouts of the ship’s crew, which remain unknown, and on which the U.S. has not commented: “Five days have passed since the crew was kidnapped aboard the oil tanker, and their whereabouts are still unknown.”

“Where is the International Criminal Court? Where is Volker Türk, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, hiding? What are they doing about this act of piracy, where an armed group attacked a private ship carrying Venezuelan oil, and yet, five days later, the crew is still missing? Those who publicly claimed responsibility for this illegal act, what are they doing with the crew members?” the president emphasized.

Along the same lines, Maduro affirmed: “No one has a license to plunder, and Venezuela will be respected,” while thanking the people for their resounding response against “U.S. interference.” He also expressed his gratitude for the support shown by the Islamic Republic of Iran in the fight for freedom and dignity in Venezuela.

In this denunciation, the Venezuelan people have the support of a large part of the international community. “Friends of the UN Charter have publicly condemned the theft of our oil in the Caribbean Sea. We have the support of the world, including American public opinion, against this act of piracy,” the president affirmed.

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This Monday, the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro Moros, hosted his regular program, “With Maduro + No. 99,” where he emphasized that there are no media outlets or networks that reflect the sheer volume of government projects.

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He also stated that if “anyone knows us Venezuelans, they should know us as tireless workers with unwavering faith in the victory of the Homeland.”

In this vein, the Venezuelan leader noted that he had a productive work agenda last week, achieving the following progress in strengthening the country’s economy and safeguarding its sovereignty:

Self-sufficiency

President Maduro reiterated that food sales at affordable prices continue throughout Venezuela, reaching 34,000 tons each time.

The President highlighted that, through the Sovereign Field Fairs, the Fish Fairs, the opening of markets with the new PDVAL voucher system, and other sales channels, the Venezuelan people are enjoying the purchase of fresh, domestically produced food at prices that are between 40 and 70% cheaper than in traditional markets.

He also emphasized that these special events, which will continue until the end of December 2025, allow consumers to find food in their own communities, as well as access high-quality products.

From Venezuela to the World

President Maduro insisted that it is necessary to “increase exports to higher levels, facilitating export mechanisms for more than 90 products that we are already exporting worldwide, because the world’s major markets—China, India, Russia, Iran, Turkey—are increasingly receiving our products, recognizing their high quality.” For the Venezuelan head of state, it is of great importance “to do everything with our own capabilities in Venezuela and never depend on anyone for anything.”

In his view, putting this methodology into practice results in: “total independence, happiness, tranquility, stability, and also great capacity. Living off our own efforts, our own capabilities.

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And in the economy, I have proposed that: 100% substitution of all imports,” he stated as a premise of the economic strategies employed by his government.

In this regard, the Head of State has emphasized that “we are the original Bolivarian revolutionaries who were born to conquer and not to be conquered, and we are conquering”; highlighting that the coat of arms and the National Flag are the symbols that represent who we are, our commitment and loyalty to the people of Venezuela.

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President Nicolás Maduro addressed José Antonio Kast’s electoral victory in Chile, invoking the memory of Salvador Allende and the resilience of the Chilean people.

During the 99th episode of his program, “Con Maduro +,” the president asserted that the South American country “will resist and sooner rather than later will be reborn.”

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In this regard, he offered a reflective analysis of the recent elections in Chile, recalling Salvador Allende’s iconic phrase: “The true hope, betrayed, will return to the great avenues, defeating the Nazism and fascism that seeks to impose itself once again.”

Finally, the Venezuelan head of state recalled that “the day will come when our continent speaks with the voice of a united people,” quoting the Venezuelan artist Alí Primera.

Earlier, during a press conference of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), Diosdado Cabello stated: “So they want to persecute our people? It strengthens our people. We will receive them here with open arms, as we have received more than 1,100,000 Venezuelans who have returned.”

His words are framed within the promotion of the Great Mission Return to the Homeland Program, a state policy aimed at facilitating the voluntary return of Venezuelans from abroad.

The statement is a response to José Antonio Kast’s anti-immigrant campaign. The president-elect warned that “when we tell an undocumented immigrant that they are breaking the law, that they have to leave our country, in case they want to re-enter at any point, we are serious.”

In this regard, Cabello considered that this stance is a directive from the United States. He also recalled that Venezuela has historically welcomed Chilean migrants, especially after the 1973 coup against President Salvador Allende. “Many who left Chile came to Venezuela, and we welcomed them warmly, as Venezuelans do. They made their lives here in Venezuela, integrated into the community, and worked. It was a different time, 1973,” he said.

Cabello blamed the current Chilean president, Gabriel Boric, for Kast’s victory, arguing that his government has been ineffective in failing to represent the popular base. “For all of this, we must thank the current president. He is responsible, then. When you try to govern half-heartedly, when you refuse to understand who elected you, when you don’t want to govern for the elites, these things happen,” he stated.

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A flight from the US airline JetBlue departing from the small Caribbean island of Curaçao, heading toward John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City, halted its climb Friday to avoid colliding with an unresponsive US Air Force refueling aircraft. The commercial pilot blamed the military plane for crossing its path. Curaçao is a few dozen miles off the coast of Venezuela.

“We almost had a midair collision up here,” the JetBlue pilot said in a recording of his conversation with air traffic control. “They went directly into our flight path … They don’t have their transponder on; it’s outrageous.”

“We just saw the airborne traffic directly in front of us at less than five miles from us—maybe two or three miles—but it was a US Air Force air-to-air refueling plane, and it was at our altitude,” the pilot said, adding “we had to stop our climb.”

The pilot noted that the US Air Force plane then headed toward Venezuelan airspace. According to the air traffic recording, the controller responded: “It’s been outrageous with the [US] unidentified aircraft inside our airspace.”

Derek Dombrowski, a JetBlue spokesperson, said Sunday: “We have reported this incident to federal authorities and will participate in any investigation.” He added: “Our crewmembers are trained on the proper procedures for a variety of in-flight situations, and we appreciate our crew quickly reporting this situation to our leadership team”

The Pentagon referred mainstream media to the Air Force for comment. The Air Force did not respond to the requests by Sunday as reported by Al Jazeera.

Analysts claim the incident is part of ongoing US attempts to isolate and intimidate Venezuela, as the US Air Force becomes more comfortable intruding in foreign airspace surrounding the country. They say it evidences the fluid commercial air-traffic operations in countries surrounding Venezuela, despite US attempts to disrupt air-traffic inside that country, even as airlines claim their suspension of flights to Venezuela is in response to security concerns. Commercial flights inside Venezuela have continued despite US imperialist pressure, though international flights mostly on European routes have been affected.

Since last September, the US military has launched a controversial military operation in the region, dubbing it Southern Spear, with 22 airstrikes resulting in the assassination of 87 civilians on small boats reported so far. International, United Nations, and US human rights and military experts have labeled the strikes as extrajudicial executions.

Thousands of People Mobilize in the US Against Trump’s War Threats to Venezuela

On November 21, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a notice advising commercial airlines to use extreme caution while flying within and around the Venezuelan air-traffic region. Days later, US ruler Donald Trump posted a controversial and unofficial message on social media claiming that Venezuelan airspace was closed. For many, this is further evidence of the regime change operation against Venezuela that, in a new desperate move, tries to disrupt air-traffic in that country while fueling psychological operations against the Venezuelan people.

Analysts claim a tragedy caused by the unprecedented US military deployment in the region—aiming at regime change in Venezuela but allegedly part of a new US “war on drugs”—is a real possibility, affecting air-traffic not only in Venezuela but all over the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. They clarify that the ultimate goal of US imperialism is to peak the unconventional war waged against Venezuela for the last year, which shows signs of wearing out by not achieving its goals.

Special for Orinoco Tribune by staff

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Washington, DC — The United States’ seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker earlier this week, followed by sanctions on six additional vessels and reports that further seizures are planned, marks a sharp escalation in US enforcement of its unilateral sanctions on Venezuela. Oil exports make up nearly 90 percent of Venezuela’s export revenue, and experts warn that disrupting this trade will exacerbate the already dire economic situation in Venezuela, with the greatest impact falling on the general population.

CEPR is reviewing details of recent reporting on the role and impact of US intervention there in recent years, including economic sanctions, on our Live Tracker.

“This is vital information that often goes unnoticed about Venezuela’s economic collapse, and the impact of broad economic sanctions on the general population. There have been seven episodes of hyperinflation in Latin America since World War II, with a median duration of four months,” said Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) Co-Director Mark Weisbrot. “Venezuela’s has lasted more than four years, and this was a direct result of US sanctions.

“This was the main cause of the worst depression in the history of this hemisphere — more than three times as bad as the Great Depression of the United States in the 1930s, as measured by the loss of GDP. Tens of thousands of Venezuelans died in just the first year of the Trump sanctions, and many more in the years that followed. This economic collapse is mainly because the sanctions cut off access to the international financial system and blocked vital foreign exchange earnings from oil exports; and so Venezuela is threatened with another devastating return to hyperinflation.

“This could be the purpose of seizing oil tankers.”

International Condemnation Against US Theft of Venezuelan Oil Tanker Grows

The Wall Street Journal reports that the oil seized so far is valued at roughly $80 million, equal to about 5 percent of Venezuela’s monthly import needs. “If you cause a massive decline in oil revenues, that’s going to cause another massive recession,” said CEPR Senior Research Fellow Francisco Rodríguez.

The Journal also reports that the threat of further seizures has already disrupted tanker traffic. As of Thursday, about a dozen ships were reportedly idling off Venezuela’s main oil port, with none entering to load crude — a sharp contrast with normal operations, when multiple tankers would be docking or conducting ship-to-ship transfers.

Bloomberg similarly notes that the seizure could cut off one of Venezuela’s last functioning revenue channels at a moment when the country is again vulnerable to economic collapse. After sweeping US sanctions in 2019 severed Venezuela’s access to foreign currency, the government spent years stabilizing prices, ending hyperinflation, and recovering from one of the “deepest recessions in modern history.” Continued seizures could accelerate rising prices and jump-start another deadly period of hyperinflation.

And while these measures are likely to inflict severe suffering to the Venezuelan people, they are unlikely to dislodge Maduro, who has survived far worse economic shocks, including the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic when oil production fell to less than half of today’s levels and prices were much lower.

“We could see a complete collapse in Venezuelan oil exports if the US continues seizing tankers, because it would be equivalent to imposing a de facto naval blockade of Venezuela,” said Rodríguez.

(CEPR)

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The sanctions imposed by the West on Russia have backfired, causing direct losses of approximately $100 billion for US companies, according to Robert Agee, president and CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia (AmCham Russia).

Agee noted that the total damage, including potential business losses, amounts to nearly $300 billion, confirming that US sanctions have hit US companies harder than Russian counter-sanctions.

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Robert Agee shared these alarming figures in a media interview. The calculation of direct losses is based on the immediate impact of the restrictive measures.

The executive broke down the economic damage, indicating that while the direct impact totals $100 billion, the total damage, including potential losses of specific businesses and thwarted opportunities, approaches $300 billion.

The AmCham president concluded that this is the combined damage caused by both US sanctions and Russian counter-sanctions.

The impact assessment was reflected in an internal survey conducted by AmCham among its members. Agee explained that, on a 10-point scale (where 10 is the maximum damage), US sanctions were rated an “8 out of 10,” a “hard blow.” In contrast, Russian counter-sanctions were rated a “5 out of 10.”

#Communique | The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela categorically rejects the policy of sanctions and unilateral coercive measures imposed by the European Union, as it is illegitimate, illegal, and contrary to international law, as well as the principles and purposes enshrined in… pic.twitter.com/HHYxbayspx

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 15, 2025

“In other words, based on our companies’ assessment, the Russian sanctions didn’t hurt us as much as the U.S. sanctions,” Robert Agee noted.

Added to this is the problem of frozen dividends. According to Agee, the profits from U.S. businesses in Russia that should have been distributed as dividends over the past four years amount to approximately $20 billion. These profits are currently not being recognized as dividends due to the restrictions.

The American Chamber of Commerce is now lobbying the Washington government. Agee stated that the AmCham is trying to convince U.S. authorities to lift the ban on investing in Russia. The hope is that by facilitating investment, the transfer of dividends to the United States will be simplified.

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Executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez endorsed the decision on Monday, December 15, to immediately suspend any contracts, agreements, or negotiations for the supply of natural gas with Trinidad and Tobago.

In a statement, she reported having “full knowledge” of the US government’s involvement in the theft of Venezuelan oil on December 10, with the hijacking of a vessel transporting this strategic Venezuelan commodity.

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She affirmed that this act of piracy constitutes a serious violation of international law and a blatant transgression of the principles of free navigation and free trade.

The text stated that the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, revealed a “hostile agenda against Venezuela since taking office,” including the installation of US military radars to target ships transporting Venezuelan oil.

It asserted that this official transformed the territory of Trinidad and Tobago “into a US aircraft carrier” to attack the Bolivarian Republic, in an unequivocal act of subservience.

The text stated that, in response to this escalation of hostilities and serious aggression, President Nicolás Maduro proceeded to denounce the Energy Cooperation Framework Agreement signed with Trinidad and Tobago.

It emphasized that, “given this extremely serious act, which blatantly aims to steal Venezuela’s oil, the Venezuelan government decided to immediately terminate any contract, agreement, or negotiation for the supply of natural gas to that country.”

Venezuela demands respect! It will always prevail and will not allow any colonial entity and its vassals to prevail. “They threaten the sacred sovereignty of the country and its right to development,” he asserted.

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On Monday, the International Criminal Court announced that it had rejected an appeal by the State of Israel seeking to halt the investigation into crimes committed in Palestine. The investigation, filed by Israel in 2018 and initiated by the court in 2021, emphasized that the proceedings will continue without restarting any deadlines or procedures.

The ICC ruling keeps the case open and upholds the subsequent arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, alleging “conduct committed in the context of the same type of armed conflicts, relating to the same territories, with the same alleged parties involved in those conflicts.”

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The ICC will investigate “not only crimes that had already been committed or were being committed at the time of the referral, but also crimes committed subsequently” if such a connection exists.

Likewise, the Appeals Chamber rejected the notion that the prosecution’s investigation was limited to the settlement policy in the West Bank. It emphasized that the referral of the case, since 2018, describes a broader context, including systematic crimes that qualify as war crimes and crimes against humanity. humanity.

The ICC appeals chamber has rejected one of Israel’s legal challenges seeking to block an investigation into its actions in its genocidal war on Gaza, dealing a blow to efforts to derail the case https://t.co/YLUeq6fyC9 pic.twitter.com/PQRfVXVpOt

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) December 15, 2025

Israel demanded a new notification in order to halt the Court’s investigation and claimed jurisdiction over its judicial system, arguing that events after October 7, 2023, required a “new notification.”

There is no “new situation” or “new parameters” that would compel the Prosecutor to restart the proceedings as required by the Rome Statute, the ICC ruling emphasized regarding the Zionist state’s request. Furthermore, the Chamber ruled that the current events are sufficiently linked to the crisis situation referred to the Court in 2018, which stems from the same Israeli policies previously denounced.

#ICC Prosecutor @KarimKhanQC announces applications for arrest warrants in relation to Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant in the context of the situation in the State of #Palestine ⤵️https://t.co/WqDZecXFZq pic.twitter.com/bxqLWc5M6u

— Int'l Criminal Court (@IntlCrimCourt) May 20, 2024

It is worth noting that the Israeli side’s attempts are recurrent. Last July, the International Criminal Court (ICC) rejected Tel Aviv’s request to suspend the investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Palestine and to annul the arrest warrants issued against Prime Minister Benjamin. Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

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Caracas, December 15, 2025 (venezuelanalysis.com) – The Venezuelan Armed Forces reiterated their commitment to defend the Caribbean nation’s airspace amid an escalating US military buildup and provocations.

Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino issued a statement Sunday to mark the 47th anniversary of the Venezuelan Integral Airspace Defense Command (CODAI), hailing the system’s “effective and immediate” response capabilities against “imperialist threats.”

“With its modern radars, missile systems and surface-to-air artillery, CODAI has become the vanguard of the country’s defense,” Padrino wrote on social media. The defense minister went on to highlight CODAI’s “technological independence.”

Padrino’s comments occurred amid a large-scale US military buildup in the Caribbean in a self-declared anti-narcotics mission. The Trump administration has repeatedly threatened to launch strikes against purported drug targets inside Venezuelan territory.

After moving their largest US aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, to the region in November, US forces have likewise ramped up warplane deployments to bases in Puerto Rico. According to reports, the US Navy moved six EA-18G Growler electronic warfare jets to the island’s Roosevelt Roads naval station.

Designed by Boeing, the EA-18G Growlers have advanced capabilities to disrupt and deceive enemy military electronic systems, including air defenses.

Open-access flight tracking websites have shown EA-18G Growlers operating in the Caribbean in recent days.  On Tuesday, F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets flew for 40 minutes close to the Gulf of Venezuela in the country’s west. Analysts argued that the warplanes could have been mapping air defense systems spotted in the region days before.

On Friday night, social media users watching flight trackers reported that a Growler, codenamed GRIZZLY2, and a Super Hornet, codenamed RHINO61, were flying over Venezuela’s Los Roques archipelago and continental mainland, respectively. However, the false positions were a consequence of trackers such as Flight Radar 24 extrapolating an aircraft’s position for a limited time after losing signal on the basis of the last measured position and speed.

The Venezuelan government and armed forces have consistently denounced the US military maneuvers, accusing Washington of attempting to fabricate a false flag incident to justify an open conflict.

The US’ increased military activity has also affected commercial aviation. On Sunday, JetBlue denounced that an airplane on a Curaçao-New York had to halt its ascent due to the presence of a US Air Force refueling tanker in its path. Curaçao is 40 miles away from Venezuela’s coast.

US authorities have also issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) urging extra caution to planes flying in Venezuela’s Flight Information Region (FIR). For his part, Trump wrote on social media that Venezuela’s airspace should be “considered closed.”

International airlines flying to and from Caracas have suspended their services. Venezuelan companies continue to offer connections to regional destinations including Panama City, Bogotá and Santo Domingo.

ALBA alliance condemns US threats

Amidst the ongoing US military threats and buildup, the Nicolás Maduro government has received diplomatic backing from its main allies. Last week, the Venezuelan leader held phone calls with his Russian, Iranian and Brazilian counterparts to discuss bilateral relations and the threats to peace in the region.

On Sunday, the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA-TCP) held a virtual summit and issued a statement condemning the Trump administration’s declared intentions to enforce the Monroe Doctrine in the hemisphere.

The regional body likewise condemned recent US hostile actions, including the seizure of a tanker carrying Venezuelan crude last week. The US Treasury Department followed by imposing new sanctions, blacklisting shipping companies allegedly involved in transporting Venezuelan oil.

Venezuela’s state oil company denounced a cyberattack targeting its operational capabilities but stated that its effects had been minimized. According to Bloomberg, the reported attack caused loading delays in Venezuela’s main oil terminal.

The White House has justified its military buildup and coercive measures escalation with “narcoterrorism” charges against Maduro and other top Venezuelan officials. However, US agencies have not provided court-tested evidence to back the claims, while reports from specialized agencies have shown Venezuela to play a marginal role in global drug trafficking.

International leaders and foreign policy analysts have stated that Washington’s ultimate goal is regime change to seize control of Venezuela’s natural resources.

Edited by Cira Pascual Marquina in Caracas.

The post Venezuelan Armed Forces Vow to Defend Airspace as US Increases Warplane Deployment appeared first on Venezuelanalysis.

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At least 15 inmates died at the Litoral Penitentiary in Ecuador between Thursday, December 11, and Sunday, December 14, as confirmed this Monday by the National Service for Comprehensive Care for Adults Deprived of Liberty and Adolescent Offenders (SNAI).

The deaths, which affected inmates from different cellblocks and of varying ages (between 22 and 65 years old), are under investigation. While the official cause must be determined by the Forensic Medicine Institute, preliminary information points to possible health complications, as the police indicated that no visible signs of violence, such as gunshot or stab wounds, were found

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These new deaths exacerbate the humanitarian crisis at the prison, considered the most populated and dangerous in Ecuador, which houses between 6,000 and 7,000 inmates. The situation is unfolding amid a documented health crisis, marked by tuberculosis outbreaks, cases of extreme malnutrition (cachexia), and an overwhelmed medical system.

Human rights organizations and the Ombudsman’s Office have warned of a high mortality rate. These recent deaths add to those previously reported, including twelve deaths from tuberculosis and malnutrition this month alone, and another ten in November, all occurring in the same prison under similar circumstances.

At the beginning of 2025, the Ministry of Health (MSP) acknowledged more than 1,100 cases of tuberculosis in the country’s prisons, half of them concentrated in the Litoral Penitentiary. The Permanent Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDH) of Guayaquil reported that at least 590 inmates have died in the Litoral Penitentiary so far this year.

Ecuador’s prisons: epicenter of violence

The violence in the prisons is part of a broader context of growing insecurity in the country: Ecuador has recorded more than 7,000 homicides so far in 2025, according to official data.

#FromTheSouth News Bits | Ecuador: Authorities reported that a riot in Machala prison left at least five dead and 34 injured. Officials' sources specified that the riot originated as a protest. pic.twitter.com/3dQXn1Zqbs

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) November 13, 2025

The Litoral Penitentiary, overcrowded and with limited control, remains the epicenter of prison violence in Ecuador. Mass transfers between penitentiary centers, without adequate security protocols, have been identified by experts as a recurring risk factor.

In September, Ecuador witnessed two more massacres in prisons: one in Esmeraldas and another in Machala, reflecting a deepening structural crisis. Over the past five years, the prison system has become fertile ground for the growth of criminal networks, fueled by failed reforms, state corruption, and institutional neglect.

Far from fulfilling their rehabilitative function, prisons have become economic hubs for crime. From there, criminal organizations operate, managing multimillion-dollar illicit businesses, expanding their influence into the streets, and establishing links with transnational drug trafficking networks. This situation highlights the collapse of the prison system and the urgent need for a comprehensive response from the Ecuadorian state.

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Speaking at an extraordinary session of the organization’s Permanent Council in Washington, Torres stated that with his meddling in the elections held two weeks ago, Trump sent an intimidating message that undermined the popular will in this Central American country.

The Deputy Foreign Minister specified that, in his social media posts—72 hours before the start of the election—the US president explicitly supported the presidential candidate of the right-wing National Party, Nasry Asfura.

According to the diplomat, in his statements Trump warned Honduran voters that if they voted for the candidate of the ruling Liberty and Refoundation Party or for the Liberal Party’s opponent, Salvador Nasralla, the U.S. administration would cut off all aid to Honduras.

“We find it recurrent and alarming that the issue of direct interference in the Honduran elections continues to be omitted,” lamented Torres, alluding to the report presented by the OAS Electoral Observation Mission (EOM), which remained silent on this intrusion. The Deputy Foreign Minister also criticized the fact that the OAS observers did not address the issue of the violence that overshadowed the electoral process, with more than three million intimidating and threatening messages from gangs and criminal groups aimed at coercing voters.

In his opinion, the OAS Electoral Observation Mission report fails to mention that “of the 19,167 tally sheets used for the elections, 14,073 show inconsistencies with the biometric data (fingerprint reader).

In other words, it cannot be verified whether those votes actually correspond to people who went to vote,” explained the Honduran Undersecretary of Foreign Policy.

jdt/rc/edu

The post Honduras denounces at OAS the US interference in elections first appeared on Prensa Latina.

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