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A mass shooting in an academic building left two students dead and nine others injured.

On Sunday, U.S. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said that law enforcement authorities will shortly release a person of interest detained earlier in the day in connection with the Brown University mass shooting. Evidence “now points in a different direction,” and the search for the gunman who remains at large will continue, he said.

RELATED:

Brown University Shooting: Person of Interest Captured After 2 Dead, 9 Wounded in Audacious Campus Rampage

Brett Smiley, mayor of Providence, capital of the state of Rhode Island, said earlier Sunday that authorities had detained a person of interest in the Brown University shooting and that a shelter-in-place order for the university and surrounding areas had been lifted.

Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez had previously told media that police were confident the detained individual was the shooter.

A shooting occurred Saturday afternoon in an academic building at Brown University, leaving at least two students dead and nine others injured. Smiley said Sunday night that although the gunman remains at large, the local community is currently safe.

🚨 JUST IN

Trump on the Brown University shooting: “Things can happen.”

Families are shattered. Lives are permanently altered.

And that’s the response.

No empathy. No gravity.

Just emptiness where leadership should be. pic.twitter.com/Gea5aoj7IY

— Brian Allen (@allenanalysis) December 14, 2025

He emphasized that the shelter-in-place order had been lifted because police had received no credible threats against the Brown University community, the city of Providence, or the broader Rhode Island community since the shooting, and that this assessment has not changed.

“We are not recommending at this time a new shelter-in-place. We do not feel it is necessary,” Smiley said, adding that police will increase their presence in and around Providence and the Brown University campus, and again urged the public to submit any videos that could assist the investigation.

Brown University is one of the United States’ eight Ivy League schools, with about 7,300 undergraduate students and more than 3,000 graduate students. Saturday marked the second day of the university’s final examinations for the fall semester.

In relation to the shooting at the ICE facility in Dallas, Texas, analysts are closely monitoring how the situation unfolds, as they warn that Trump could use it as a pretext to expand his militarization policies across all states… #ICEDallas #Texas #Trump #US #teleSUR pic.twitter.com/8JXxwV8RQA

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) September 26, 2025

teleSUR/JF

Souce: Xinhua

From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.

Sudan and South Sudan strengthen economic ties in energy, oil, and trade, signaling a shift toward pragmatic cooperation.

Sudan and South Sudan agreed on Sunday to deepen cooperation in key economic sectors, with their leaders issuing directives to strengthen collaboration in energy, oil, and trade; which signals an effort to stabilize relations amid Sudan’s internal conflict and humanitarian crisis unfolding in El Fasher, North Darfur.

The agreement was formalized during a meeting between General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Chairman of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council, and a South Sudanese delegation led by Presidential Security Advisor Tut Gatluak.

RELATED: Sudan: Paramilitary Group Holds 19,000 People in Inhumane Conditions

Gatluak delivered an official written message from South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit focused on enhancing bilateral ties.

South Sudan’s Foreign Minister, Monday Semaya Kumba, described the discussions as “very fruitful, very transparent, and very promising”.

Both nations’ economies have a symbiotic relationship through oil: South Sudan is heavily dependent on exports for revenue, while Sudan benefits from transit fees collected from the flow of crude to international markets, according to Pipeline Journal.

#Sudan: Over two and a half years of war have left 21.2 million people facing acute hunger and two areas confirmed in famine, but in areas where conflict has subsided, @WFP reach has expanded and hunger has declined.https://t.co/W4EW1LbAWD pic.twitter.com/7uLx4APezF

— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) November 27, 2025

Moving beyond a history marked by disputes over borders and oil wealth since the 2011 split, Sudan and South Sudan are now steering diplomacy toward pragmatic cooperation rather than political rivalry.

From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.

46 Edition of the Havana Film Festival showcases 222 films from 42 countries, highlighting Latin American cinema and BRICS films.

Havana hosted the 2025 edition of the Havana Film Festival from December 4 to 14 under the theme “Rolling Cinema”, featuring 222 films from 42 countries.

Founded in 1979, it remains a vital platform for showcasing regional stories, transforming the city into a cultural hub for both industry professionals and passionate local audiences.

RELATED: Havana Film Festival: Resistance and Solidarity in the Face of Imperialism

The programming highlighted the region’s cinematic diversity, with strong representation from Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico. Notable entries included Brazil’s Oscar submission The “Secret Agent” and the opening Argentinian drama “Belen”, alongside significant Cuban works like “Anonymous Neurotic”, spanning features, documentaries, and first films.

On December 4, #Havana inaugurated the 46th edition of the International Festival of #NewLatinAmericanCinema, which will run until December 14 and is shaping up to be a momentous event for regional #culture, marked by tributes, solidarity, and remarkable creative diversity. pic.twitter.com/KHsdG5CBoM

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 14, 2025

A notable new feature was a dedicated section for films from the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), following Cuba’s association with the bloc.

The festival’s awards, like the Glauber Rocha Award, reinforce its mission to promote socially committed cinema. The 2025 Coral Awards saw “The Secret Agent” win Best Director and Screenplay, validating films that blend artistic innovation with deep engagement in Latin American social realities.

This 46th edition paid tribute to the centenary of its founder, Alfredo Guevara, reaffirming the festival’s enduring principles.

From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.

Following the assassination of two key leaders, the Palestinian movement insists only its people have the right to self-determination over Gaza and urges the global community to halt the Israeli occupation.

The Hamas-led Interior Ministry on Monday firmly rejected any foreign tutelage over the Gaza Strip, hours after two of its senior leaders were killed in Israeli bombardments.

The ministry reiterated the Palestinian people’s sole right to self-determination and called for urgent international action against the ongoing occupation.

In an official statement, the Resistance Movement Hamas declared that only palestinian people possess the right to choose their governance, asserting the legitimate right to armed resistance, liberation of occupied land, and the establishment of an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.

RELATED: Palestinian Official Ahmad Zamzam Killed in Central Gaza Attack

In this regard, a direct appeal was made to the international community, particularly to Arab nations, to exert pressure on Israel. The objective is to ensure Israel adheres to the parameters of the current ceasefire, reopens all Gaza border crossings, and immediately ceases its attacks against the civilian population.

Hamas Resistance Movement insisted that the Israeli occupation remains the primary cause of violence in the region, asserting that any attempt to impose an external administration over Gaza would fundamentally disregard the sovereignty and self-determination of the Palestinian people.

In this sense, the communiqué argued that a permanent solution requires a complete end to the Zionist occupation and the full recognition of Palestinian rights.

Israel’s genocide in Gaza has killed at least 70,373 Palestinians, with near-daily attacks continuing during a so-called ‘ceasefire,’ amid widespread destruction and worsening weather conditions. pic.twitter.com/HWm7DA1rZZ

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) December 14, 2025

Regional and International Calls to Action

Hamas called upon the international community, and Arab nations in particular, to pressure Israel to adhere to ceasefire terms, reopen Gaza’s border crossings, and halt attacks on civilians.

Hamas specifically demanded the full implementation of agreed provisions within the truce, alongside the immediate opening of border crossings to allow unrestricted entry of humanitarian aid. The movement also called for the rapid execution of relief, housing, and reconstruction plans vital for the population of Gaza.

The rejection of foreign tutelage by Hamas coincides with ongoing international discussions concerning the deployment of a multinational force in the area. This proposed force is reportedly part of the second phase of a ceasefire agreement that has been in effect since October 10.

Gaza Health Ministry: 9 Palestinians killed in 24 hours despite the so-called ceasefire. Death toll since Oct 7, 2023 reaches 70,663 as hospitals collapse, evacuations are blocked, and bodies are still pulled from rubble.https://t.co/MhhrRaAAnK

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) December 14, 2025

However, Hamas has unequivocally warned that any such initiative represents an external imposition, directly violating the Palestinian people’s fundamental right to self-determination and sovereignty over their territory. The Palestinian movement maintains that genuine peace and stability can only be achieved through an end to the Israeli occupation and the full recognition of Palestinian rights. According to the Palestinian resistance, Israeli actions pose a significant threat to regional and international security and stability, necessitating a global response to end the occupation definitively.

The statement concluded by citing Palestinian health authority figures, accusing Tel Aviv’s regime of perpetrating a genocide that has killed over 70,600 people and wounded more than 171,095, labeling the situation an ongoing humanitarian catastrophe enabled by international inaction.

From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.

Peru Government has authorized the entry of U.S. military personnel, armed with combat weapons, for the entire year 2026 to conduct joint training exercises with Peruvian forces, a move that aligns with the potential U.S. designation of Peru as a “major non-NATO ally.”

Peru’s Congress and Executive Power have approved the entry of U.S. military personnel for the entirety of 2026, permitting them to carry combat weapons while conducting joint training exercises with Peruvian armed forces and police.

RELATED: Peruvian Congress Is the Most Corrupt Institution: PROETICA

This decision, formalized by a congressional resolution on December 4, signals a strategic alignment with U.S. security interests, despite concerns from critical sectors regarding national sovereignty and regional implications.

The move comes as the U.S. government under Donald Trump has notified its Congress of its intention to designate Peru as a “major non-NATO ally“, further solidifying bilateral defense ties. The resolution, which was officially published in government media, details that U.S. Department of War military personnel will be stationed in Peru from January 1 to December 31, 2026.

Met today with Peruvian Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela @CancilleriaPeru to advance joint efforts to disrupt transnational criminal organizations in our region, boost cooperation on critical minerals, and strengthen security cooperation. pic.twitter.com/j1j6j8OZ5d

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) December 6, 2025

These contingents will rotate every three to six months, ensuring a continuous presence of U.S. troops throughout the year. The designated units will include elite forces such as members of U.S. Special Forces, Navy SEALs, civil affairs specialists, and military intelligence support staff.

This extensive presence aims to enhance the capabilities of Peruvian forces through specialized training, support, and assistance in security and defense matters, according to official statements.

The joint exercises includes institutions like the Joint Intelligence and Special Operations Command (Cioec, in Spanish), the Joint Special Force (FEC, in Spanish), the Naval Special Operations Forces (FOES, in Spanish), and the Air Force Special Forces Group (Grufe, in Spanish). Additionally, brigades from the Army -specifically the first, third, and sixth Special Forces Brigades- will be involved.

The National Police of Peru will also contribute, with units such as the Directorate of Special Operations (Diroes, in Spanish), the Anti-Drug Directorate (Dirandro, in Spanish), and the Special Group Against Organized Crime (Grecco, in Spanish) participating.

Strategic Alignment and National Sovereignty Concerns

The decision to permit the sustained presence of U.S. troops on Peruvian territory reflects a discernible shift in the Peruvian Government’s foreign policy, aligning more closely with U.S. interests.

While local authorities justify this action by emphasizing the supposed benefits of specialized training and logistical support from the highly capable U.S. armed forces, critical sectors within Peru and the region have voiced significant concerns. These critics warn about the potential implications for national sovereignty, questioning whether such an extensive foreign military presence could compromise Peru’s independence and decision-making capabilities.

They argue for the imperative of guaranteeing that national sovereignty remains uncompromised, especially in a context where regional powers are increasingly asserting their autonomy. The debate surrounding this authorization highlights a delicate balance between perceived security benefits and the fundamental principle of self-determination.

For proponents, the enhanced military cooperation is a necessary step to combat transnational threats, improve security capabilities, and access advanced military technology. However, for those concerned about sovereignty, the long-term presence of foreign troops, especially with combat weapons, raises questions about potential geopolitical implications and the erosion of independent national policy.

This resolution is closely followed Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela’s confirmation that the U.S. Government had informed its Congress of the intention to designate Peru as a “major non-NATO ally.”

De Zela clarified that this designation is a political gesture acknowledging Peru as a reliable partner in security and defense matters and explained that this measure would grant Peruvian Armed Forces a “privileged” position, providing enhanced cooperation and access to facilities within the framework of its military relationship with the United States.

Concurrently, President Jose Jeri held a working meeting at the Government Palace in Lima with a delegation from the FBI and other U.S. security experts as part of the process to develop a new national citizen security plan, marking the first of several consultative sessions planned for December, involving representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior, and Defense, as well as the National Police.

From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.

A passenger jet narrowly avoids a collision with a US military refueling aircraft near Venezuela’s coast.

From Presstv via This RSS Feed.

A group of protesters rejected the election of Jose Antonio Kast and were repressed by police officers, marking the first direct confrontation against the elected President of Chile.

In an atmosphere of growing political tension, detractors of the far-right President Elect Jose Antonio Kast expressed their rejection of the results announced by Electoral Council of Chile, in which Kast emerged victorious with 58.18% of the votes against the progresist candidate Jeannette Jara, who obtained 41.82% of the votes.

The demonstrators gathered at the emblematic Plaza Baquedano, where they were repressed by the chilean national police forces.

RELATED: Far-Righter Kast Wins Chile’s Presidential Run-Off

A large contingent of police officers (Carabineros, in Spanish), including Public Order Control officers, water cannon trucks, and riot police, moved into the square to disperse crowds. Videos from the scene and social media posts documented the repression against civils.

The police action led to the closure of the nearby Baquedano and the Cathotic University Metro stations as authorities worked to clear the area.

According to a report from local media, the clashes between supporters and detractors of the far-right President elected resulted in at least one arrest.

AHORA | Grupo de personas se reúne ahora en Plaza Baquedano. Carabineros comienza a reprimir primera manifestación contra KAST (21:45) pic.twitter.com/hUDaVy8gFQ

— PIENSAPRENSA 357 mil Seguidores (@PiensaPrensa) December 15, 2025

Text reads: “NOW | Group of people meets now in Plaza Baquedano. Police officers (Carabineros) begins to suppress first demonstration against KAST (21:45).”

The protest unfolded hours after the announcement of Kast’s victory with 58.18% of the votes in the national election, highlighting immediate and sharp political divisions.

From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.

More than 1,000 Palestinians died in the Gaza Strip while waiting for Israeli approval for medical evacuation between July 2024 and late November this year, the W.H.O. said on Friday.

Rick Peeperkorn, the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) representative for the occupied Palestinian territories, told reporters at the United Nations headquarters in New York that at least 1,092 patients died between July 2024 and November 28, 2025, citing data from Gaza’s health authorities.

RELATED: Palestinian Official Ahmad Zamzam Killed in Central Gaza Attack

As the death toll is likely an underestimation, since it is based only on reported casualties, the W.H.O. is pressing additional countries to receive patients from Gaza and calling for medical evacuation routes to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, to be reopened.

Since May 2024, the UN agency has carried out 119 medical evacuation missions from Gaza, transferring 8,000 patients for treatment outside the territory, including 5,500 children. Most patients were taken to countries in the Middle East and Europe.

Peeperkorn said there was a severe shortage of essential medicines and medical supplies needed to treat heart disease and other medical conditions. On that line, 18 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals and 43 percent of primary health care centers are operating only partially.

Despite improvements in approval rates for supplies entering Gaza, Peeperkorn said the process of delivering medicines and medical equipment remained slow and unnecessarily complicated.

Last month, the W.H.O. reported that about 16,500 patients were still waiting to be evacuated from Gaza, with delays continuing on the Israeli side.

1 in 5 children under 3 in #Gaza are either zero dose or have missed routine vaccines due to conflict, leaving them vulnerable to dangerous diseases.

A catch-up campaign is underway to protect them against measles, polio, pneumonia & more. #VaccinesWork #HealthForAll https://t.co/4e0otNDaAa

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) November 11, 2025

Humanitarian toll

During two years of genocide, the Zionist military deliberately targeted hospitals and other key infrastructure. Despite the implementation of a ceasefire in October, aid organizations and Gaza authorities have said that the amount of assistance entering the territory remains insufficient.

Israel’s aggression in Gaza has killed more than 70,000 Palestinians since October 2023.

Israel’s genocide in Gaza has killed at least 70,373 Palestinians, with near-daily attacks continuing during a so-called ‘ceasefire,’ amid widespread destruction and worsening weather conditions. pic.twitter.com/HWm7DA1rZZ

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) December 14, 2025

From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.

Thousands of Brazilians demonstrated across major cities on Sunday to oppose a bill approved by the Chamber of Deputies that could reduce sentences for those involved in the January 8, 2023 coup attempt and potentially benefit convicted former President Jair Bolsonaro.

The protests were organized by the Workers’ Party (PT, in Portuguese), the Popular Brazil Front, the Fearless People movement, labor union federations, and other social organizations, which described the legislation as part of a broader right-wing push within the National Congress.

RELATED: Bolsonaro and Top Allies Begin Serving Jail Time After Brazil Court Confirms Convictions

Demonstrators marched under slogans such as “Congress, enemy of the people” and “No amnesty for the coup plotters”, demanding that the bill not advance to debate in the Senate.

Multidão ocupa a Orla de Copacabana em defesa da democracia. 🇧🇷🚩✊🏽 pic.twitter.com/a3J4TcmQgf

— PT Brasil (@ptbrasil) December 14, 2025

The Dosimetry Bill

The mobilizations followed the early-morning passage on Wednesday of the so-called Dosimetry Bill, approved by a conservative majority in the lower chamber.

The legislation alters sentencing criteria for crimes against the democratic rule of law, a change that could significantly shorten prison terms for those convicted over the attempted coup.

Organizers argue the bill represents a direct threat to democracy and an effort to guarantee impunity for Bolsonaro and other figures implicated in the January 2023 events.

The proposal now moves to the Senate, where, if passed, it could allow Bolsonaro to qualify for a less restrictive prison regime in a considerably shorter timeframe, according to social organizations and political analysts.

📌 Millions of Brazilians took to the streets this Sunday in more than 50 cities to condemn the decisions of Congress that:

🔴 Reduced sentences for Bolsonaro and the January 8th coup plotters

🔴 Overruled Lula's vetoes and approved the environmental "devastation law."

🔴… pic.twitter.com/gdMjZ2Xrl4

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 14, 2025

From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.

Thousands of Brazilians have rallied in cities across the country to oppose a congressional bill that would sharply reduce the prison sentence of former President Jair Bolsonaro.

From Presstv via This RSS Feed.

The Interior Ministry of the Hamas-led government confirmed on Sunday the Israeli-orchestrated killing of security officer Ahmad Zamzam, in an attack carried out in the central Gaza Strip.

The Hamas-led Interior Ministry confirmed Sunday the Israeli-orchestrated killing of security officer Ahmad Zamzam in central Gaza Strip, an attack described as a premeditated assassination by Israeli intelligence, further escalating tensions amid ceasefire violations.

Although a suspect was initially detained as investigations began, the Ministry stated that the operation had been conducted by agents acting under the “direct supervision of Israeli intelligence services”, describing it as a deliberate and premeditated assassination.

RELATED: Gaza Ramains Densely Mined with Unexploded Devices

Medical sources confirmed that Zamzam’s body was immediately transferred to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.

The incident, which took place in Al-Maghazi, reinforces Palestinian authorities’ accusations that Tel Aviv’s regime is pursuing a strategy of destabilization through the targeted killing of political and security figures, despite existing ceasefire agreements.

The killing came just one day after a Zionist drone strike hit a vehicle in Gaza City, killing Raed Saed, identified as a senior Hamas Commander and head of weapons production for the movement’s military wing, along with four others.

Gaza Interior Ministry says Israeli intelligence behind assassination of security officer

The Interior Ministry in Gaza announced that Lt. Col. Ahmad Zamzam, an officer in the Internal Security Service, was assassinated by gunmen in Al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza… pic.twitter.com/YMBggSHrYJ

— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) December 14, 2025

Peace Deal Violations

Despite the ceasefire agreement, Israeli military attacks reportedly continue almost daily. Gaza’s Ministry of Health says at least 386 Palestinians have been killed since October 10, a stark figure highlighting the persistence of the siege and ongoing violence.

The majority of those killed are civilians, including more than 60 children. Many were reportedly shot after approaching the so-called “yellow line”, an informal boundary marking the perimeter to which Israeli forces withdrew inside Gaza, while maintaining control over more than 50 percent of the territory.

According to Palestinian health authorities, the total death toll from what they describe as an escalating Israeli genocide has surpassed 70,600 Palestinians killed, with more than 171,095 wounded—marking a continuing humanitarian catastrophe unfolding amid widespread international inaction.

From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.

Cuba thanked the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA-TCP) for approving an International Energy and Electricity Mission to help recover its thermoelectric power plants amid a severe nationwide energy crisis, which Cuban officials attribute partly to the ongoing U.S. economic blockade.

The Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-Peoples’ Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP, in Spanish) launched an International Energy and Electricity Mission on December 14, 2025, to support member nations, particularly Cuba’s National Electric System (SEN), which has been severely impacted by the protracted United States blockade.

RELATED: ALBA-TCP Summit Final Statement: “Nothing Will Stop the Course of History”

The initiative emerged from the XXV ALBA-TCP Summit, celebrating the organization’s 21st anniversary. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro proposed the mission, emphasizing its cooperative “spirit”, akin to the successful “Mision Milagro”, a Cuban-Venezuelan health program that has restored vision for millions in Latin America.

President Maduro clarified that while the mission benefits 9 ALBA-TCP countries, its immediate focus is on Cuba, where the U.S. blockade has significantly hampered the island’s ability to optimize its electrical infrastructure.

As its primary task, this mission will “extraordinarily support the people of Cuba in their fight against the blockade and its impact on all energy and electricity matters”, he stated.

Following the approval of the summit’s final declaration, the Venezuelan leader instructed his Minister of Electricity, Jorge Marquez, to prioritize this crucial mission.

The Blockade’s Devastating Economic and Social Impact

The blockade against Cuba, enforced since 1962, has inflicted economic losses exceeding $2.1 trillion, according to a report presented by the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs last October, considering current prices and the dollar’s performance against gold in the international market.

The report underscores the profound disparity in resources; for instance, the revenue lost in just 60 days of the blockade, approximately $1.6 billion, would be sufficient to cover the fuel needed for an entire year of electricity generation across the island.

Moreover, $250 million, lost over merely 12 days, could fund the annual maintenance of Cuba’s entire National Electric System. A single month of blockade, costing the nation $600 million, could finance a national investment plan in solar energy to generate 1,015 megawatts, as various reports indicate. This extensive financial drain directly obstructs Cuba’s efforts to develop and maintain its energy infrastructure, perpetuating the challenges faced by its electrical grid.

Currently, Cuba’s SEN remains in a critical state, experiencing deficits that often exceed 1,800 megawatts (MW) against peak demands of 3,450 MW. In response, the Cuban government has presented a Government Program for SEN Recovery to its Parliament, outlining a path towards energy sovereignty. However, the program acknowledges that results in reducing blackouts will be gradual due to the severity of the situation.

The prolonged power outages, a direct consequence of the U.S. blockade, profoundly impact daily life, affecting food preservation, work, and the general well-being of the population, particularly the elderly and those with chronic illnesses.

in this sense, the creation of the ALBA-TCP energy mission represents a concrete step towards regional solidarity in mitigating these humanitarian and economic challenges imposed by the blockade.

Cuba Thanks ALBA-TCP for Energy Mission Amidst Crisis

Cuba’s government extended profound gratitude to the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA-TCP) for approving an International Energy and Electricity Mission.

The Cuban Foreign Minister promptly shared the nation’s appreciation via social media, emphasizing the alliance’s enduring commitment to solidarity and cooperation.

This agreement solidifies ALBA-TCP’s role as a crucial platform for regional support, particularly in the face of what member states consistently describe as imperial threats and interventionist attempts by the United States.

Agradecemos la decisión de la XXV Cumbre del @ALBATCP, por iniciativa del Presidente Nicolás Maduro, de crear la "Misión internacional especial de energía y electricidad en apoyo al pueblo de #Cuba".

Constituye una nueva demostración de la esencia de la Alianza como mecanismo… pic.twitter.com/1pR0yi4KLD

— Bruno Rodríguez P (@BrunoRguezP) December 14, 2025

Text reads: “We appreciate the decision of the XXV Summit of @ALBATCP, on the initiative of President Nicolas Maduro, to create the “Special International Energy and Electricity Mission in support of the people of Cuba”. It is a further demonstration of the essence of the Alliance as a mechanism that places solidarity and cooperation among fraternal peoples at the heart of its work.”

Cuba has been grappling with a profound energy crisis since the middle of 2024, characterized by frequent and prolonged power outages impacting daily life and economic activity across the island. These disruptions stem primarily from recurrent breakdowns in the nation’s aging thermoelectric power plants, many of which are decades old and in a precarious technical state due to years of accumulated use, as acknowledged by Cuban authorities.

Adding to this critical situation, Cuba also faces a significant shortage of fuel reserves essential for powering these vital electricity generation facilities, a reality recently confirmed by the Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy.

The U.S. economic, comercial and financial blockade against Cuba further exacerbates this crisis, severely limiting the island’s access to international resources, spare parts, and credit lines that would be vital for upgrading and maintaining its national electro-energy system. This external pressure compounds the internal challenges, creating an urgent need for the kind of regional support now offered by ALBA-TCP.

ALBA-TCP: Solidarity Against Blockade

The creation of the International Energy and Electricity Mission underscores ALBA-TCP’s foundational principles of solidarity and mutual assistance among its member nations.

The summit participants unanimously rejected what they termed U.S. attempts to interfere in the continent under the pretext of anti-drug efforts, reinforcing a collective stance against external pressures and for sovereign development.

This mission represents a tangible demonstration of how the Bolivarian Alliance aims to counteract geopolitical adversaries through practical cooperation and unwavering support for its members.

The collective commitment reflects a shared vision of sovereignty and self-determination, positioning the alliance as a bulwark against external pressures and a champion of Latin American integration. Cuba’s gratitude and the alliance’s swift action highlight the deep bonds and strategic alignment that define ALBA-TCP’s approach to regional challenges, prioritizing the welfare of its peoples above all else.

From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.

By Steve Ellner – Dec 4, 2025

The Washington Post has reported that Secretary of War Pete Hegseth gave the order to not only blow up a boat in the Caribbean back on September 2, but to kill all the men in them. Hegseth at first refrained from publicly denying the statement, though the Trump administration did. The New York Times is reporting that the boat on September 2 was struck at least twice. Military norms prohibit a second strike on a vessel that has been neutralized or shipwrecked and no longer represents a military threat. That’s because once the military objective is achieved, a second strike means certain death for survivors. Given the gravity of the accusation, it is incumbent on the Secretary of War to provide details of the transcripts of the orders that were given and other specifics. Instead, Hegseth jokes about the incident.

Actually, that the Department of War was out to kill the alleged drug traffickers on September 2 should not be a matter of debate. Not if you consider Trump’s famous statement on October 23: “I think we’re just going to kill people that are bringing drugs into our country. Okay? We’re going to kill them, you know, they’re going to be like, dead.”

There is a consensus among experts on international law (excluding those in the Trump administration) that the bombings of the now 22 vessels in the Caribbean amount to extra-judicial killing without any legal justification. It’s not surprising that Hegseth did not go through legal channels. That’s because there is no such thing as “judicial killing.” No judge gives the order to kill someone and that’s basically what the second strike amounted to. Even if it were proven (which it hasn’t been) that the boats were carrying drugs, no judge would order killing the men on them. Indeed, “judicial killing” is an oxymoron.

International Condemnation Against US Theft of Venezuelan Oil Tanker Grows

Here is the statement in The New York Times’ article of November 29 titled “Trump Declares Venezuelan Airspace Closed:”

“On Thursday, The Washington Post reported that for the first strike, on Sept. 2, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave a verbal order to kill everyone on the boat. And CNN reported that after the military detected survivors, a second attack was carried out to kill them.”

“In September, The New York Times reported there were multiple strikes during the first operation. The Times also reported that the boat that was struck had altered its course and appeared to have turned around before the attack started because the people onboard had apparently spotted a military aircraft stalking it.”

Democratic Party leaders beginning with Senate leader Chuck Schumer criticize the bombing of the boats on grounds that it represents an act of war and that the decision to go to war corresponds to Congress not the Executive. But Schumer’s statement falls far short of what needs to be said. The real issue is not legal but rather humanitarian. The Democrats need to center their critique on ethical and humanitarian grounds, not only legal ones.

(Steve Ellner’s Blog on Venezuela, Latin America and Beyond)

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

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro inaugurated Sunday the 25th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-Peoples’ Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) from the Battle of Boyacá Hall at Miraflores Palace, on the occasion of the 21st anniversary of the founding of the regional bloc by commanders Hugo Chávez and Fidel Castro.

President Maduro welcomed the presidents, prime ministers and delegates from Cuba, Nicaragua, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Grenada and Saint Lucia.

In his opening remarks, the head of state emphasized that the presidents of ALBA-TCP are experiencing a pivotal moment to step forward and set an example of how international law is defended by the peoples of South America and the Caribbean in defense of the homeland against imperialist abuses.

For President Maduro, ALBA-TCP is a “great project of unity, emancipation, and multidimensional liberation of our people, in a time of wonderful challenges.”

“This summit is being held at this time to unite joint efforts in favor of equality, respect, and justice,” he said. “Furthermore, it is to firmly denounce all violations of international law and to ratify the Havana Declaration of January 2014, signed and approved at the Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), which declares Latin America and the Caribbean a territory of peace.”

He then stated that “this declaration is law and has jurisprudence, approved by the 33 governments and peoples that make up CELAC,” while noting that in 2025 a total of 20,000 tons of various commercial components were moved through the ALBA ship.

“This year, 2025, has been a good year for ALBA-TCP, a year of close coordination, joint work, and from planning to action,” said President Maduro, referring to the trade exchanges carried out between the 10 member countries.

In his opinion, these actions represent great solidarity and support between nations, and he emphasized that “we must unite our naval fleets to ensure that trade is guaranteed in the Caribbean, both for goods, products and everything that our countries need.”

Petrocaribe will revitalize energy agreements
President Maduro told the ALBA-TCP presidents that the time has come to resume the Petrocaribe energy projects and how they have been carried out.

He recalled that a year ago, the decision was made “to jointly invest and produce all hydrocarbon components, from oil and refining to petrochemicals and beyond. These are projects that are already quite well designed,” he pointed out.

He went on to highlight that Petrocaribe is a commercial entity that was created in 2005, under the guidelines of Commander Hugo Chávez, which facilitates access to Venezuelan oil for countries in the Caribbean and Central America with positive negotiation conditions for all members of the alliance.

Cuba
During the summit, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel denounced the arbitrary exclusion and censorship exercised against Venezuela, Nicaragua and his own country in multilateral spaces.

“True Latin American and Caribbean integration will be extremely difficult if arbitrary exclusions and censorship continue to be accepted in multilateral forums, as has happened in recent Summits of the Americas, including the most recent failed attempt to hold this hemispheric event this December,” Díaz-Canel said.

ALBA Suspends New Right-Wing Government of Bolivia

He also emphasized that the decision to exclude Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba clearly followed the directives of the United States government. “Unfortunately, some countries in the region complied, turning their backs on virtue, dignity, and respect among peoples. These exclusions go against the essence of multilateralism, the principle of the sovereign equality of states, and international law,” the Cuban president added.

The Cuban president also condemned the US military deployment in the Caribbean and denounced the act of piracy committed by the US military in stealing an oil tanker carrying Venezuelan crude oil.

(Últimas Noticias) by Olys Guárate with Orinoco Tribune content

Translation: Orinoco Tribune

OT/JRE/JB

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Meeting on the eve of the 2026 centenary of Commander Fidel Castro’s birth and just months shy of the 200th anniversary of the Amphictyonic Congress of Panama, the heads of state and government of ALBA-TCP issued a sweeping Declaration of Caracas Sunday, vowing to deepen the Bolivarian doctrine and resist what they branded Washington’s revived Monroe Doctrine.

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5 Alarming Truths from ALBA-TCP Summit 2025: Imperial Threats and Latin American Resistance

The 21-point communiqué, adopted at the alliance’s 25th virtual summit, condemns the recent U.S. seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker in the Caribbean as “an act of piracy” and demands:

• An immediate end to all military threats against Our America
• Cuba’s removal from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism
• Full respect for the 2014 Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace

Leaders paid tribute to the Bolivarian leaders Fidel Castro and Hugo Chávez as founders of the bloc, praised Nicaragua’s “sovereign, Christian and socialist” development path, and saluted the Venezuelan people’s “resilience and courage” in defending their right to self-determination.

Lea aquí la Declaración de la XXV Cumbre de Jefes de Estado y de Gobierno del ALBA 📄

📍ESP
💻 https://t.co/jBa9gpDNFH

📍ENG
Read here the Declaration 25th Summit of Heads of State and Government of ALBA
💻 https://t.co/TEOV0OaXh2

— ALBA (@ALBATCP) December 15, 2025

Looking forward, the alliance approved its 2026 Action Plan, anchored in the Agenda Estratégica 2030:

• Expand AGROALBA and ALBA AZUL for joint food, fisheries and aquaculture production
• Launch a second ALBA cargo ship after the 20,000-ton success of the Manuel Gual vessel
• Create an ALBA Energy & Electricity Mission to help Cuba fully restore its power grid
• Hold the VI ALBA Games, FITALBA tourism fair, and a new AI-focused scholarship program

The bloc will also establish a permanent disaster-response task force, a communal-leadership training circuit and the XII Economic Complementation Council to deepen trade financed by the ALBA Bank.

Invoking Simón Bolívar’s 1820 letter—“Peace shall be my port, my glory, my hope”—the signatories pledged to keep the region free from hegemony and declared:

“Nothing will stop the course of history. Our determination to fight for the dreams of our heroes and for the protection of the region remains intact.”

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Chile has elected its most right-wing leader in decades, with José Antonio Kast defeating leftist runoff rival Jeannette Jara in a landslide.

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Foreign capital inflows to China are rising steadily in 2025, driven by tech innovation, policy stability, and Beijing’s strategic openness to global investment.

Related: Cuba Celebrates China’s New Policy on Latin America and the Caribbean

Foreign capital inflows to China have resumed with notable momentum in 2025, signaling renewed global investor confidence in the world’s second-largest economy. According to a recent analysis by China’s Global Times, international capital is returning to Chinese markets in a visible, sustained, and strategically focused manner—particularly in high-growth sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), advanced manufacturing, and green technology.

The report highlights that since the start of the year, there has been a clear uptick in foreign direct investment (FDI), a resurgence of institutional investor participation, and a marked increase in long-term capital allocation to Chinese assets. This shift marks a turning point after a period of cautious withdrawal during global supply chain realignments and geopolitical tensions.

“From the beginning of this year, international capital has once again flowed into the Chinese market in a visible and sustained way,” the newspaper stated, noting that foreign investors are no longer betting on short-term gains but committing to China’s structural transformation.

Foreign Capital Inflows to China: A Vote of Confidence in Policy Stability

Analysts attribute this renewed interest to several interlocking factors—chief among them, Beijing’s consistent economic governance and its deliberate shift toward innovation-led growth. Unlike the volatile policy swings seen in other major economies, China has maintained a predictable regulatory framework, especially in strategic industries, which reassures long-term investors.

The Global Times emphasizes that Chinese tech firms—once viewed primarily as domestic players—have now entered a phase of “explosive growth,” transitioning from localized innovation to global leadership. Companies in AI, semiconductors, and electric vehicles are not only competitive but increasingly setting international standards, attracting capital from pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and multinational asset managers.

A pivotal driver of this trend is the Chinese government’s reinforced commitment to openness, as reaffirmed during the Central Economic Work Conference held in late 2024. Officials explicitly pledged to reduce barriers for foreign investment, streamline market access, and strengthen intellectual property protections—measures directly targeting long-standing concerns of international businesses.

Read the World Bank’s latest assessment of China’s investment climate and policy reforms

Looking ahead, China’s upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) will further accelerate this momentum. The plan prioritizes the “AI Plus” initiative, which integrates artificial intelligence across healthcare, transportation, finance, and education. It also calls for enhanced tech governance—balancing innovation with ethical oversight—and deeper integration into global value chains.

Critically, the government is not opening indiscriminately. Instead, it is channeling foreign capital toward sectors aligned with national strategic goals: clean energy, digital infrastructure, biotech, and advanced materials. This targeted approach ensures that inflows contribute to sustainable, high-quality development rather than speculative bubbles.

Geopolitical Context: China as a Counterweight in a Fragmenting Global Economy

The resurgence of foreign capital inflows to China occurs against a backdrop of deepening global economic fragmentation. As the U.S. and EU tighten export controls, restrict Chinese tech access, and promote “de-risking,” many multinational investors face a dilemma: diversify away from China or double down on its unmatched scale and innovation capacity.

Increasingly, the latter is winning out. Despite political pressures, companies recognize that China remains indispensable—home to the world’s largest EV market, fastest AI deployment, and most advanced battery supply chain. Moreover, China’s domestic consumption base of 1.4 billion people offers a hedge against demand volatility elsewhere.

Regionally, this trend reinforces China’s role as an economic anchor in Asia. Through initiatives like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Beijing is deepening integration with ASEAN, Latin America, and Africa—creating new avenues for foreign investors to access Chinese-led ecosystems without direct exposure to bilateral U.S.-China friction.

Globally, the flow of capital into China also reflects a broader recalibration of risk. With rising debt crises in the Global South, stagnation in Europe, and fiscal uncertainty in the U.S., China’s state-guided stability—backed by high savings rates, low household debt, and strategic industrial policy—appears increasingly attractive.

Explore IMF data on global capital flows and China’s FDI trends in 2025

Notably, this capital return is not just financial—it is symbolic. It signals that, for many investors, economic logic still outweighs geopolitical rhetoric. As one European asset manager told Global Times: “You cannot decouple from the future. And right now, much of that future is being built in China.”

Strategic Implications and Future Outlook

The Chinese government is well aware of this strategic window. Rather than resting on current inflows, it is actively shaping the investment landscape through regulatory sandboxes, special economic zones for AI and quantum computing, and pilot programs allowing foreign firms majority stakes in previously restricted sectors.

At the same time, Beijing is carefully managing narratives to counter Western media portrayals of “declining confidence.” Official outlets like Global Times highlight concrete deals—such as BlackRock’s expanded AI fund allocations, Volkswagen’s $5 billion EV R&D center in Hefei, and Singapore’s Temasek increasing its stake in Chinese biotech firms—as evidence of on-the-ground trust.

Yet challenges remain. U.S. sanctions on advanced chip exports continue to constrain China’s semiconductor ambitions, while regulatory scrutiny—though more predictable—is still rigorous. Nevertheless, investors increasingly view these as manageable frictions, not existential barriers.

As the 15th Five-Year Plan takes shape, the world will watch whether China can convert capital inflows into enduring innovation leadership. For now, the message from global markets is clear: China’s economic gravity remains strong, and international capital is flowing back—not despite the complexities, but because of the opportunities they conceal.

Review OECD’s analysis of China’s innovation ecosystem and foreign investment policy

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Managua – Speaking before the 25th virtual ALBA-TCP summit on Sunday, Nicaragua’s Co-President Daniel Ortega condemned Washington’s expanding military footprint in Latin America and the Caribbean and branded U.S. sanctions against Venezuela and his own country as “bites designed to paralyze nations with fear.”

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ALBA-TCP 25th Summit: Trade, Shipping, and Sovereignty

“The empire’s strategy hasn’t changed,” Ortega told heads of state. “They bark, they bite, they impose sanctions to terrorize the peoples—but we refuse to be intimidated.”

The Sandinista leader traced today’s resistance to the liberating campaigns of Simón Bolívar, noting that while 19th-century traitors pushed for Central America’s annexation to the United States, popular revolutions blocked those plans and secured independence.

ENVIVO | Copresidente de #Nicaragua 🇳🇮, Daniel Ortega, denuncia los intentos intervencionistas de Estado Unidos en Venezuela, bajo el falso pretexto de la lucha contra el narcotráfico, cuando sus verdaderos intereses están en apoderarse del petróleo
→ https://t.co/ROUUUfk9OP pic.twitter.com/i50KSNskFp

— teleSUR TV (@teleSURtv) December 14, 2025

He hailed the revolutionary leaders Fidel Castro and Hugo Chávez for later forging ALBA-TCP exactly 21 years ago, turning that historical defiance into a permanent alliance for peace and sovereignty.

“Our main objective remains peace—peace with justice, peace with identity,” Ortega stressed, invoking national heroes Benjamín Zeledón and Augusto César Sandino as eternal symbols of anti-imperialism.

He warned that Washington’s anti-drug narrative is merely cover for a regional militarization aimed at encircling Venezuela and “stealing its oil,” and urged ALBA nations to stay united and creative in the face of seemingly “invincible” enemies.

“Powerful foes can be defeated—firmness and courage without ever stopping the march,” he concluded, calling for renewed productive brigades, joint energy projects and the health missions first launched by Fidel and Chávez to shield the region from both sanctions and fear.

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Addressing the 25th virtual ALBA-TCP summit on Sunday, Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit pledged “complete solidarity” with Venezuela and warned that the Caribbean faces “challenges without precedent to our peace, security and social cohesion” as foreign warships intensify operations in regional waters.

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ALBA-TCP 25th Summit: Trade, Shipping, and Sovereignty

“We have always cooperated with the United States—and others—to fight trans-national crime, yet the same region that extends that hand is now seeing its security undermined,” Skerrit said, alluding to recent incidents in the Caribbean Sea that have rattled coastal states.

#ENVIVO | Primer Ministro de #Dominica 🇩🇲, Roosevelt Skerrit, expresa su admiración por Nicolás Maduro ante su liderazgo, al frente de Venezuela, en tiempos difíciles

→ https://t.co/ROUUUfk9OP pic.twitter.com/S31xV7xUc6

— teleSUR TV (@teleSURtv) December 14, 2025

Calling the gathering “a test history is watching,” he urged ALBA members to demonstrate “friendship and solidarity” rather than hostility.

“We are not here to declare war on anyone; that is not who we are. We are here to defend diplomacy, dialogue and the peaceful path Venezuela has chosen,” he added, congratulating President Nicolás Maduro for rejecting provocations.

In response, Maduro thanked Skerrit and outlined joint next steps: expanding the ALBA fishing fleet to export-quality standards, scaling up Agro-ALBA food-production plans and launching new people-to-people tourism routes that bind Dominica and Venezuela even closer.

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Opening the 25th virtual summit of ALBA-TCP, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro hailed the bloc’s 2025 record as proof that “ALBA is the greatest project of union and emancipation in this era of magnificent challenges,” while urging members to accelerate joint production in energy, food and health for a “perpetually peaceful” Latin America and Caribbean.

RELATED:

5 Alarming Truths from ALBA-TCP Summit 2025: Imperial Threats and Latin American Resistance

Maduro revealed that the first ALBA cargo vessel has already moved 20,000 tons of solidarity-trade goods across the region, a pilot for the future “ALBA Commercial Fleet” designed to break dependency on foreign shipping.

He called for a full revival of Petrocaribe, with shared investment “from the oil well to petro-chemistry,” and announced ready-to-launch plans to boost output of rice, corn and potatoes through the AgroALBA platform.

“The logistics, legal framework and scientific vision are in place—let’s form productive brigades and get to work,” he told heads of state, insisting food sovereignty is the next frontier.

On health, the Venezuelan leader pledged to relaunch Cuba-Venezuela medical missions originated by Fidel Castro and Hugo Chávez, describing them as “an army of white coats giving loving, solidarity-based care to the peoples of the South.”

The summit is set to adopt a declaration condemning all breaches of international law and reaffirming the 2014 Havana Declaration that proclaims the region a Zone of Peace—the political shield, Maduro said, that will allow ALBA to keep “living by doing and saying by saying” in 2026 and beyond.

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Marlon Ochoa, one of the three councillors of the National Electoral Council (CNE) of Honduras, denounced this Sunday that the other two councillors who make up the plenary rejected his proposal to carry out a “vote-by-vote” count of all the minutes of the presidential formula and decided to limit the count to 5.6%.

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Honduras Election Interference: 6 Official Complaints Expose Trump’s “Brazen” Involvement

“Public complaint: I proposed in the plenary session to carry out the vote-by-vote counting of the presidential level at 19,167 JRV before the scandalous documented inconsistencies,” said Ochoa on the social network X.

According to Ochoa, at the plenary session Ana Paola Hall (president) and Cossette López “decided by majority to carry out the special counting of only 1,081 minutes (5.6% of the total number of minutes)”, a determination that, he warned, compromises the credibility of the final result.

Denuncia pública: propuse en sesión de Pleno realizar el conteo voto por voto del nivel presidencial en las 19,167 JRV ante las escandalosas inconsistencias documentadas. Tal como advertí, las Consejeras decidieron por mayoría únicamente realizar el escrutinio especial en 1,081…

— Marlon (@MarlonOchoaHN) December 14, 2025

“If the CNE is not willing to verify everything, it is not in a position to ask the people to trust blindly in the result,” said Ochoa, representing the ruling Freedom and Refoundation Party, which “does not recognize” the results of the elections.

Ochoa demands a more thorough review of the presidential minutes due to alarming inconsistencies. The initial proposal only reviews 1,081 acts, a minimum fraction compared to 19,167 issued.

A total of 17,036 minutes have irregularities, including 14,073 with differences in biometric data and 1,882 with errors of form and substance, such as lack of signatures or errors in the results, demonstrating possible problems of identity of voters, validity of the disorder or manipulation.

Marlon Ochoa emphasized that restricting the special counting to a minimal fraction of the observed acts would compromise electoral transparency. Ochoa considers that a partial revision is insufficient and would only legitimize an outcome tainted by errors and irregularities.

Therefore, it urges the CNE to carry out an ex officio special count of all presidential acts observed, thus defending the popular will and seeking to defuse the crisis of confidence in Honduran electoral institutions.

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The ultra-rightist José Antonio Kast won Chile’s presidential election this Sunday, defeating by a wide margin of almost 20 points the leftist Jeannette Jara, with 95.18% of the votes counted, according to figures from the Electoral Service.

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Chile’s Presidential Run-Off: Polling Stations Start Closing

The lawyer and former ultra-Catholic deputy José Antonio Kast becomes the first Pinochet supporter since the return to democracy to reach power in Chile.

At just 22 years old, when he was a law student at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Kast campaigned in favor of the continuity of General Augusto Pinochet (1973-1990) in television propaganda for the 1988 plebiscite on the continuity of the regime.

📊 Resultados preliminares Segunda Votación Presidencial. 83,43% de mesas escrutadas:

🔹J. Jara: 41,39%
🔹J. Antonio Kast: 58,61%

— Servicio Electoral (@ServelChile) December 14, 2025

“If he were alive, he would vote for me,” said Kast four decades later, in 2017, in his first attempt to reach La Moneda, the seat of government.

The 59-year-old leader of the Republican Party is preparing to implement, starting next March 11, a neoliberal program of mega-cuts and a heavy hand against crime and irregular migration, after winning by a wide margin against the leftist Jeannette Jara.

The flag-bearer of President Boric Jeannette Jara already admitted her defeat against the far-righter.

“Democracy spoke loud and clear. I have just communicated with President-elect José Antonio Kast to wish him success for the sake of Chile”, said on social networks the progressive candidate who, at the head of the largest coalition in history in Chile, also thanked those who supported her candidacy.

In his current campaign, José Antonio Kast has moderated his public image, distancing himself from ultra-conservative positions on individual freedoms to attract young and female voters.

Although it claims to maintain its convictions, it focuses on security and irregular migration, proposing an “emergency government” with measures such as mass expulsions of migrants and the strengthening of border security, even though Chile maintains a low homicide rate compared to the region.

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At the ALBA-TCP summit 2025, president Díaz-Canel denounce U.S. militarization in the Caribbean as a revival of the Monroe Doctrine—calling for unity against intervention.

Related: 21 Years of Unbreakable ALBA-TCP Unity: Presidents Maduro and Díaz-Canel Defy Imperial Threats

The ALBA-TCP summit 2025 marked a pivotal moment of regional defiance as Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel delivered a forceful address condemning renewed U.S. military deployments in the Caribbean and reaffirming the alliance’s commitment to sovereignty, anti-imperialism, and Latin American unity. Speaking from the Palace of the Revolution in Havana on August 20, 2025—the 67th year of the Cuban Revolution—Díaz-Canel framed the gathering not just as a diplomatic meeting, but as a historic act of collective resistance.

Addressing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Nicaraguan leaders Daniel and Rosario Ortega, Bolivian President Luis Arce, and the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Díaz-Canel opened with a stinging excerpt from a recent statement by Casa de las Américas, Cuba’s prestigious cultural institution:

“Gunboat diplomacy returns to the Caribbean. Ships, planes, a submarine, and thousands of U.S. troops are deployed under the pretext of fighting drug cartels—yet this farce could end in tragedy.”

This warning, he stressed, is not alarmist rhetoric but a sober reading of escalating U.S. aggression. The deployment of up to 4,000 military personnel under U.S. Southern Command—accompanied by warships, aircraft, and a submarine—has been justified by Washington as an anti-narcotics operation. Yet Cuba and its allies reject this narrative, pointing out that the United States is the world’s largest consumer and facilitator of illicit drugs, with over 87% of narcotics entering via the Pacific, not the Caribbean.

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ALBA-TCP Summit 2025: A Frontline Against Imperial Revival

Díaz-Canel emphasized that these maneuvers are not isolated. They represent a strategic activation of Title 50 of the U.S. Code, which grants the president sweeping authority to conduct clandestine military operations, seize foreign assets, and bypass congressional oversight. Such legal mechanisms, he warned, enable “military adventurism disguised as law enforcement.”

He denounced the U.S. government’s bounty on Maduro’s head and its unfounded accusations linking the Venezuelan president to drug trafficking—tactics reminiscent of past regime-change campaigns against sovereign nations. “This is the same playbook used when imperialism cannot crush a people’s spirit through sanctions alone,” he said. “They fabricate pretexts to justify invasion.”

The Cuban leader directly linked these actions to the resurgence of the Monroe Doctrine—the 19th-century U.S. policy declaring Latin America its exclusive sphere of influence. Today, he argued, it manifests through military bases, coercive sanctions, and financial blockades targeting Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba.

Read the UN Special Rapporteur’s report on the human impact of U.S. sanctions in Latin America

Díaz-Canel also highlighted the role of U.S. political figures like Senator Marco Rubio in pushing for destabilization, recalling how such actors consistently advocate for regime change while ignoring regional calls for dialogue. In contrast, the ALBA-TCP—the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America–People’s Trade Treaty—stands as a “first shield” against these threats, rooted in cooperation, solidarity, and shared history.

Geopolitical Context: Latin America’s Sovereignty Under Siege

The ALBA-TCP summit 2025 occurs amid a broader realignment in global power dynamics. As the U.S. seeks to reassert dominance in its “backyard,” Latin American and Caribbean nations are increasingly asserting strategic autonomy. The summit’s timing is significant: it follows Venezuela’s recent electoral runoff, Bolivia’s resistance to coup attempts, and Cuba’s ongoing battle against a 60-year economic blockade.

Regionally, the U.S. military presence—including bases in Colombia, Puerto Rico, and Guantanamo Bay—has long been a source of tension. But the current naval surge is seen as a direct response to the growing influence of multipolar alliances, including partnerships with China, Russia, and Iran in energy and infrastructure.

Critically, Díaz-Canel tied Latin America’s struggle to the global fight against imperialism, drawing explicit parallels between U.S. aggression in the Caribbean and Israel’s war on Gaza. “The same philosophy of dispossession that turns Gaza into hell is being applied to our region,” he declared. “Zionist impunity and Yankee imperialism are two faces of the same criminal system.”

He reminded attendees that Cuba has long faced dual blockades—from the U.S. and from Israel, which consistently backs Washington’s anti-Cuba resolutions at the UN. This, he said, underscores the interconnectedness of anti-colonial struggles worldwide.

Explore CELAC’s 2014 “Zone of Peace” declaration and its current relevance

In this context, the ALBA-TCP called for an emergency meeting of CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) foreign ministers to collectively denounce U.S. militarization. Díaz-Canel praised the recent “Group of Friends in Defense of the UN Charter” communiqué—signed by over 20 nations—as a vital step toward reasserting international law over unilateral force.

Legacy of Fidel and the Path Forward

The summit coincided with the start of Cuba’s year-long commemoration of Fidel Castro’s centenary, and Díaz-Canel invoked the Comandante’s legacy as both inspiration and strategic guide. He quoted Fidel’s 1959 speech in Caracas:

“These peoples have acquired too great a consciousness of their destiny to resign themselves again to subjugation.”

Fidel’s vision, Díaz-Canel stressed, was never just national—it was continental. He built bridges across ideological differences to unite Latin America against empire. That same spirit, he insisted, must guide today’s leaders.

“To defend Venezuela is to defend Nicaragua. To defend Cuba is to defend Saint Vincent. Our sovereignty is indivisible,” he proclaimed. And in a solemn vow echoing revolutionary tradition, he added: “If the moment comes to defend our sacred soil with our lives, we will do so with honor.”

As the speech concluded, Díaz-Canel returned to the Casa de las Américas warning: “It is time for reckoning—and for united march.” He called on intellectuals, social movements, and governments to amplify denunciations of imperialism and protect the fragile gains of regional integration.

The message was clear: in an era of resurgent interventionism, the ALBA-TCP is not just a political bloc—it is a lifeline for sovereignty.

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The Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-People’s Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) celebrated its 21st anniversary on Sunday by convening its 25th Summit, a gathering dedicated to the centenary of Commander Fidel Castro and the enduring legacy of regional unity left by both Castro and Hugo Chávez.

RELATED:

21 Years of Unbreakable ALBA-TCP Unity: Presidents Maduro and Díaz-Canel Defy Imperial Threats

In a joint message, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel hailed the bloc’s 2004 founding in Havana as a “giant step” toward a multipolar world free of hegemonies, built instead on “peace, cooperation and hope.”

“For ALBA peoples, returning to colonial status—on our knees—is not an option,” Maduro wrote on Telegram, praising member states as “warriors for peace” inspired by Bolívar, Martí, Sandino, Fidel and Chávez.

Díaz-Canel echoed the sentiment, describing ALBA as the living continuation of “two giants” devoted to the real integration of Our America. He warned that Washington’s “irrational onslaught” —from terrorist financing to smear campaigns against leaders like Maduro— has made Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba the “favorite targets” of coercive sanctions and economic siege.

Se cumplen 21 años del nacimiento del @ALBATCP, de la mano de los comandantes #Fidel y #Chávez; dos gigantes que dedicaron sus vidas a continuar la obra de Bolívar y Martí para lograr la verdadera integración de Nuestra América. Hoy honraremos ese legado en la XXV Cumbre. pic.twitter.com/VfDiRjN5f0

— Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez (@DiazCanelB) December 14, 2025

The 25th Summit is expected to adopt a new Declaration reaffirming the alliance’s founding principles: social-justice-based peace, unconditional solidarity and the right of all nations to self-determination. Leaders will also reiterate their commitment to keep Latin America and the Caribbean an “unalterable Zone of Peace” in the face of imperialism, blockades and war.

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The death toll from the floods caused by a river overflowing in the Santa Cruz region, the most populous in Bolivia located in the east of the country, has risen to seven, and there are at least 20 people missing, the government of Rodrigo Paz confirmed this Sunday.

RELATED:

ALBA-TCP Denounces Lawfare Campaign Against Bolivian Former President Arce

“Unfortunately, there are more than 20 people missing and seven officially reported dead,” Deputy Minister of Civil Defense Alfredo Troche told the media, after flying over the municipality of El Torno, the most affected so far by the overflow of the Piraí River that occurred on Saturday morning.

Troche declared himself “very dismayed” by the state of the affected communities, where the “situation is regrettable” and “critical,” and reported that resources are being sought to intensify rescue and assistance efforts for the victims.

The deputy minister explained that they are currently working with three helicopters whose job is to bring food to the communities that are still isolated by water and mud and to evacuate people, although the capacity of these aircraft is limited.

El viceministro de Defensa Civil, Alfredo Troche, informó que la crecida del río Piraí en El Torno y otras localidades dejó hasta el momento 7 fallecidos, unos 20 desaparecidos y más de 600 familias afectadas. Las Fuerzas Armadas realizan operativos por tierra, aire y agua.
📹… pic.twitter.com/12Fiw3aDIb

— Brújula Noticias (@BrujulaNoticias) December 14, 2025

A shelter has been set up in the municipal coliseum of El Torno to house the families affected by the floods, where humanitarian aid donations are being concentrated and medical care is also being provided.

One of the places that was isolated is the Center for Guidance and Social Reintegration (Cenvicruz) for adolescents, from where 32 were evacuated by air yesterday. Today, efforts are underway to remove more than a hundred who remain there, explained the governor of Santa Cruz, Luis Fernando Camacho.

Camacho, who arrived in El Torno today, assured that the priority today is to finish evacuating the minors from Cenvicruz, for whom a special shelter has been set up in a school next to the coliseum that houses the rest of the population.

According to the governor, eleven communities have suffered material and human losses, and the damage from the destruction of bridges in this municipality alone amounts to 250 million bolivianos (about 35.9 million dollars).

The government plans to declare a “departmental disaster” in the coming hours to coordinate more directly with the national government and “receive even more aid,” he added.

The Paz government installed a ‘Crisis and Situation Room’ in the Government House in La Paz, which, as authorities anticipated yesterday, functions “as a strategic center for leadership, control, and decision-making.”

This body will maintain “direct and real-time coordination” with the Incident Command Center (CCI) that was installed in El Torno and with the Departmental Emergency Operations Committee (COED) of Santa Cruz to ensure “an organized, efficient response without duplication of efforts.”

The River Piraí Channeling and Regulation Service (Searpi) reported yesterday that the rains that fell in the area caused historic increases in that and other tributaries in Santa Cruz, with consequent overflows, which this morning also reached the municipality of Porongo, in the same region.

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