Venezuela oil tanker seizure by U.S. forces ignites nationwide protests as Maduro celebrates “sovereign force” mobilizations rejecting “piracy.” International allies condemn violation of international law.

Related: Brazilian Communist Party Supports Venezuela, Condemns U.S. Caribbean Presence

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Venezuela Oil Tanker Seizure Sparks Massive Protests: Maduro Hails 1M “Sovereign Force” Rally Against U.S. Piracy

The Venezuela oil tanker seizure by U.S. military forces in Caribbean waters triggered massive nationwide protests, with President Nicolás Maduro celebrating the mobilizations as the “Sovereign Force” of Venezuela.

Maduro shared images via Telegram of crowds filling streets across every state, rejecting what he called “Yankee piracy.” He emphasized: “The oil belongs to Venezuelans—whoever wants it must pay!“

Protesters carried flags, banners, and patriotic symbols, denouncing U.S. interference and affirming national dignity amid the Venezuela oil tanker seizure controversy.

Telesur English: Maduro Celebrates Anti-U.S. Protests After Oil Seizure

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Maduro Declares Protests as “True People’s Voice”

Maduro praised the “genuine, grassroots participation” in every region, distinguishing it from online bots: “Real people in the streets—noble, dignified, brave, combative!“

The demonstrations responded to the U.S. action, justified under federal mandates but decried in Venezuela as extraterritorial violation of international law.

Over 1 million participants reportedly joined, showcasing unified rejection of the Venezuela oil tanker seizure.

EFE: Venezuela Mobilizes Against U.S. Tanker Seizure

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International Condemnation Mounts Over Venezuela Oil Tanker Seizure

The Group of Friends in Defense of the UN Charter labeled the U.S. act a “grave aggression” breaching sovereign equality, freedom of navigation, and non-intervention.

The Network of Intellectuals, Artists, and Social Movements condemned “modern piracy” violating the UN Charter, UNCLOS 1982, and Rome Statute.

These voices join heads of state, governments, and activists worldwide supporting Venezuela against imperialist aggression in Caribbean waters.

Al Jazeera: Global Backlash to U.S. Oil Tanker Seizure in Venezuela

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Geopolitical Context

The Venezuela oil tanker seizure escalates U.S.-Latin America tensions, testing regional alliances amid Trump’s return. It revives historical disputes over unilateral sanctions, echoing 2019’s PDVSA asset seizures and Chevron disputes, potentially isolating Washington from CELAC and ALBA blocs.

A progressive front from Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico may convene emergency CELAC sessions, demanding UNCLOS enforcement and challenging U.S. extraterritorial claims in the Caribbean—vital for 60% of global oil transit.

China and Russia, key Venezuelan partners, could leverage this at the UN Security Council, framing it as resource imperialism while boosting BRICS energy alternatives. For Europe, it pressures neutral stances on Venezuelan oil amid energy crises.

Regionally, it heightens Caribbean sovereignty fears, risking migration surges and trade disruptions via Puerto La Cruz routes. Globally, the incident signals eroding multilateral norms, pitting U.S. unilateralism against rising Global South resistance.

Xinhua: Geopolitical Fallout from Venezuela Oil Seizure

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Broader Solidarity and Next Steps

Leaders worldwide echo Maduro’s call, urging peoples to repudiate U.S. actions. Venezuela vows diplomatic escalation at the UN and OAS.

Protests continue, reinforcing Bolivarian unity against perceived economic warfare.

X (Twitter): Maduro Shares Protest Images

X (Twitter): Intellectuals Network Condemns U.S. Piracy

Sputnik: International Reactions to Tanker Seizure

Al Mayadeen: Caribbean Piracy Denounced

Cubadebate: Global Support for Venezuelan Sovereignty

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From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.

Our weekly roundup of stories in the English and Spanish language press on Mexico and Mexican politics.

David Raby, Sheinbaum turns the tide: mass mobilisation and reform drive Mexico’s Transformation forward Morning Star. Ten days after right-wing destabilisation attempts, Mexico’s leadership has emerged strengthened, securing historic labour and wage agreements, while opposition-backed protests have crumbled under scrutiny.

La Dua: cuando México es más mercancía que cultura El Machete. Eventos promocionales, lanzamientos, colaboraciones, pop-ups gastronómicos: todos se concentran en las mismas cuatro colonias —Roma, Condesa, Juárez y Polanco— como si la ciudad terminara donde terminan los murales fotogénicos y los departamentos remodelados para Airbnb.

Rick Sterling, Mexico is Transforming for the Good Resumen. Despite Mexico being the U.S.’s largest trading partner and the world’s ninth most populous country, there is very little coverage of the big changes that have taken place in Mexico over the past seven years. The New York Times failed to even report the December 6 celebration.

México y EE.UU. alcanzan acuerdo sobre reparto de agua y evitan aranceles anunciados por Trump Telesur. Con el acuerdo se cumplirá el Tratado de Aguas 1944 y evitará arancel del 5% anunciado por Trump.

Jorge Barrera, Next year’s Mexico trade mission may be biggest ever launched by Canada CBC News. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum in regular contact, says ambassador.

Anahí Del Ángel, Plaguicidas provocan muerte masiva de abejas en 15 entidades Revista Contralínea. Esta crisis ya provocó la pérdida de casi 300 mil colonias entre 2013 y 2024.

China urges Mexico to promptly correct unilateralist, protectionist tariff measure; initiates trade, investment barrier probe Global Times. To safeguard the interests of relevant Chinese industries, the MOFCOM initiated a trade and investment barrier investigation against Mexico in accordance with the law at the end of September, and the investigation is ongoing.

Obed Rosas, Maestro forzado a las armas, Lucio Cabañas ha cobrado nueva dimensión Sin Embargo. Su movimiento, de base campesina, buscó “derrocar a los ricos y formar un gobierno de campesinos y obreros,” lo que provocó una brutal represión militar por parte del gobierno mexicano.

Water Dispute Resolution Prevents Higher U.S. Tariffs on Mexican Exports Telesur. A last-minute agreement over shared water rights has averted a 5% tariff on Mexican exports to the United States, with Mexico committing to release nearly 250 million cubic meters of water under the 1944 treaty.

Mario Patrón, Derechos humanos cuesta arriba La Jornada. Claros avances en derechos laborales y económicos contrastan notablemente con los retrocesos y contradicciones que se observan en otros ámbitos.

• 

  Analysis

  China: An Outstretched Hand

  December 14, 2025December 14, 2025

  While Trump carries on a policy of aggression, China proposes to cooperate without interfering in the internal politics of its counterparts, while possessing the technological and financial capabilities to contribute to Latin America & the Caribbean’s sustainable development.

• 

  News Briefs

  Clicks December 14

  December 14, 2025December 14, 2025

  Our weekly roundup of Mexican political news from the Spanish & English language press.

• 

  Analysis

  An Exclusionary & Elitist World Cup

  December 12, 2025December 12, 2025

  The World Cup is a business and does not benefit the working class in any way. On the contrary, resources are lost to football stadiums that should be used for education and health.

The post Clicks December 14 appeared first on Mexico Solidarity Media.

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This editorial by La Jornada’s editorial board originally appeared in the December 14, 2025 edition of La Jornada, Mexico’s premier left wing daily newspaper. The views expressed in this article are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those ofMexico Solidarity Media*, or theMexico Solidarity Project.*

The Xi Jinping government presented an updated version of China’s Policy Document on Latin America and the Caribbean, outlining cooperation in more than 40 areas grouped into five programs: solidarity, development, civilizations, peace, and peoples. This new version of the comprehensive plan, first published in 2008 and revised in 2016, is notable for its broad scope and fraternal spirit, emphasizing their shared belonging to the Global South and referring to China and Latin American and Caribbean countries as a community with a shared future—a concept Beijing also applies to all of humanity.

Among the many areas in which China says it is willing to collaborate or strengthen existing ties are openness to technology transfer, scientific and technological training, combating climate change, energy—both fossil and renewable—Latin American integration, “accelerating the implementation of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” the use of local currencies (not explicitly stated, but understood to be in place of the dollar), and support for the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) as a Zone of Peace. Also noteworthy is its willingness to “adequately address trade frictions for healthy and balanced development and structural diversification of trade,” a major concern for some countries that fear being overwhelmed by China’s production capacity.

The document presents an obvious and unavoidable contrast with the statements of US President Donald Trump, Washington’s interventionist policy throughout the region, and the recently released White House National Security Strategy. Thus, while Trumpism has decided to deny “non-hemispheric competitors the ability to position forces or other threatening capabilities, to seize or strategically control vital assets in our hemisphere,” disregarding Latin America and the Caribbean’s autonomy to engage with any state or non-state actors it chooses and to determine the use of its natural resources, Beijing reaffirms that “China-Latin America relations are not directed against, do not exclude, and are not conditioned by any third party.” While the White House announces the application of the Monroe Doctrine “to restore US preeminence in the Western Hemisphere” and protect “our access to its territories,” the Asian giant refers to Latin America and the Caribbean as “a region with a glorious tradition of independence and self-strengthening through unity.”

But the United States is not the only country that falls short in this comparison. Since the outbreak of NATO’s war against Russia on Ukrainian soil, Europe has been abandoning all the pillars upon which it based its claim to be a beacon of civilization and a bastion of the rule of law: to sustain the war effort and benefit its corporations, it has rendered its environmental and fiscal commitments meaningless, while simultaneously deploying a dangerous arms buildup and fueling a rhetoric of perpetual war. Under the pretext of appeasing the far right, traditional conservatives have embraced its xenophobic agendas, and their active complicity in the genocide against the Palestinian people has stripped them of the last vestige of moral authority they could cling to.

In this context, China emerges as a trading partner that proposes to cooperate without interfering in the internal politics of its counterparts and that possesses the technological and financial capabilities to contribute to the region’s sustainable development. As the document itself points out, these ties must be adapted to the realities and needs of each country, but without a doubt, the leaders of Latin America and the Caribbean must consider them as a tool for simultaneously strengthening sovereignty and well-being.

• 

  Analysis

  China: An Outstretched Hand

  December 14, 2025December 14, 2025

  While Trump carries on a policy of aggression, China proposes to cooperate without interfering in the internal politics of its counterparts, while possessing the technological and financial capabilities to contribute to Latin America & the Caribbean’s sustainable development.

• 

  News Briefs

  Clicks December 14

  December 14, 2025December 14, 2025

  Our weekly roundup of Mexican political news from the Spanish & English language press.

• 

  Analysis

  An Exclusionary & Elitist World Cup

  December 12, 2025December 12, 2025

  The World Cup is a business and does not benefit the working class in any way. On the contrary, resources are lost to football stadiums that should be used for education and health.

The post China: An Outstretched Hand appeared first on Mexico Solidarity Media.

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In his message commemorating the seventieth anniversary of Italy’s accession to the UN on December 14, 1955, Mattarella underscored the role of this institution, “born from the ruins of the Second World War with the declared objective of saving future generations from the scourge of war.”

In the document, published on the official website of the Presidency of the Republic, the Italian leader stressed that the United Nations is the “indispensable cornerstone of an international order founded on respect for the rule of law and authoritative multilateral institutions.”

On December 12, in his address during the New Year’s Greetings ceremony for the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Italy, the president asserted that “we live in a time when the international order we knew is faltering, with no immediate alternative in sight.”

“The logic of power and oppression seeks to prevail, while the values ​​we believed to be established, such as human dignity, human rights, equality among peoples and states, and solidarity, are often relegated,” he lamented.

The head of State argued that “it is the prevalence of law, respect for the norms established by the international community, that prevents conflict and promotes the overcoming of inequalities,” and that “national or particular interests cannot prevail over the protection of the universal value of the human person.”

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In its regular operations report published on its official Telegram channel, the military body specified that the units of the Troop Group East continued to go deep into enemy defenses and completed the capture of Varvarovka, a town located in the Zaporozhe region.

The Ministry also reported approximately 1,450 casualties suffered by the Ukrainian Army in the area of ​​the special military operation in the last 24 hours. A third of these casualties, 495, resulted from operations by the Troop Group Center.

For its part, the Troop Group East inflicted 300 casualties on the enemy during the last 24 hours; the Troop Group North, 240; The Western group, 220; the Southern group, 150; and the Dnieper group, 45.

Ukrainian losses of military equipment in the last day include four armored vehicles, six artillery pieces, 43 military vehicles, two electronic warfare stations, seven ammunition, equipment, and fuel depots, and 290 unmanned aerial vehicles.

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In a statement released on the social media platform X, the insurgents pointed out that on Friday and Saturday, the DRC Armed Forces and their allies launched a premeditated and systematic extermination campaign focused on Tutsi populations, with bombs dropped with the direct participation of the Burundian Army.

Sukhoi-25 fighter jets, combat helicopters, and military drones, launched from Burundian territory, bombed the densely populated Banyamulenge communes of Mikenke and Rwesankuku, the document stated, categorizing these attacks as a flagrant and repeated violation of international humanitarian law.

They added that this population has long been the target of a campaign of ethnic cleansing and emphasized that the extreme gravity of these acts could qualify as war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The AFC/M23 also published a statement related to the UN Security Council meeting on Friday, which analyzed the deteriorating security situation in the DRC.

In this regard, the rebels clarified that their organization is a “liberation movement” acting “in the absence of state authority” and with the collaboration and sponsorship of the “Kinshasa regime” with “local and foreign armed groups, including remnants of Rwandan genocidal forces.”

They accused the government of sponsoring white ethnic cleansing against Congolese Tutsis and other tribes such as the Banyamulenge and the Hema; they also asserted the existence of poor governance, characterized by a prison state where the opposition and its leading figures are silenced, imprisoned, murdered, or forced into exile.

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At least 12 killed and 29 injured in the Sydney terrorist attack at Bondi Beach. Police confirm antisemitic motive targeting Jewish community celebrating Hanukkah.

Related: Australia Begins Enforcing Under-16 Social Media Ban Amid Questions Over Compliance and Global Interest

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Sydney Terrorist Attack: 12 Dead, 29 Injured in Ruthless Assault on Jewish Community at Bondi Beach

The Sydney terrorist attack on Sunday night left at least 12 people dead and 29 injured, including two police officers, in what authorities described as a “cowardly and terrifying act of violence” targeting the Jewish community.

The New South Wales Police confirmed that the assault occurred around 6:47 p.m. local time (7:47 GMT) at Archer Park, near Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach, where nearly 1,000 people were gathered for a Hanukkah celebration.

Telesur English: Sydney Declares Bondi Shooting a Terrorist Attack

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Police Confirm Sydney Terrorist Attack Motive

During a press briefing, Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon formally declared the incident a terrorist act at 9:36 p.m., activating special counterterrorism powers across the state. Two suspected assailants were identified—one was killed on-site and another detained, while investigators search for a possible third suspect.

Authorities also confirmed the discovery of an improvised explosive device (IED) near the area, prompting bomb squad deployment and extended security measures across the coastal zone.

EFE: Police Confirm Antisemitic Motive in Sydney Terror Attack

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Leaders Condemn “Cowardly and Terrifying” Violence

New South Wales Premier Christopher Minns denounced the attack, stating: “What should have been a night of peace and celebration was destroyed by a malicious and horrifying assault.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the Sydney terrorist attack as “distressing and deeply painful,” urging unity against hate-fueled violence.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog called on Canberra to act decisively against “the rising wave of antisemitism.” Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer conveyed condolences, labeling the Bondi Beach scenes “deeply distressing.”

The British Board of Deputies of Jews also expressed solidarity, warning that the event reflected a “global spread of antisemitic extremism.”

Al Jazeera: Global Leaders Condemn Bondi Beach Attack

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Scene of Chaos and Early Investigation

Footage shared on social media showed attackers dressed in black, shooting indiscriminately as chaos erupted on the beachfront. Civilians were seen fleeing as paramedics tended to victims on the sand.

The police urged residents to avoid the area and seek shelter, labeling the situation “still active and high-risk.” Emergency services, including air ambulances, patrolled the scene until late night.

Graphics disseminated online suggest the attack was carefully premeditated, coinciding with the second night of Hanukkah, a symbolically significant date for Sydney’s Jewish population.

Al Mayadeen: Bondi Beach Shooting Declared Terror Incident

X (Twitter): NSW Police Statement on Bondi Terror Attack

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Expanded Geopolitical Context

The Sydney terrorist attack has drawn international attention to rising antisemitic incidents worldwide and the interconnection between extremist networks. Australia, traditionally distant from Europe and U.S. conflicts, now confronts its first large-scale religiously motivated terror attack in decades.

The global pattern of antisemitic violence

Security analysts point to a global surge in antisemitic rhetoric since the escalation of conflicts in the Middle East. The Bondi assault carries echoes of attacks on synagogues in Pittsburgh, Marseille, and Copenhagen, suggesting copycat patterns fueled by online extremism.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and ASIO are investigating whether the attackers maintained links to foreign extremist cells or local radicalized groups aligned with online propaganda channels. Counterterrorism agencies warned earlier this year about increasing threats to Jewish cultural sites and schools across Sydney and Melbourne.

Diplomatic and political repercussions

The attack may reshape Australia’s security policies and reopen debates on migration, extremism, and online radicalization. Authorities in Israel, the UK, and the United States offered joint intelligence cooperation to trace digital footprints possibly tied to international terrorism networks.

Within Asia-Pacific diplomacy, Israel’s embassy in Canberra urged regional governments to strengthen counterterror collaboration, particularly with Indonesia and the Philippines, where similar radicalized cells operate.

Sputnik: Australia’s Counterterrorism Cooperation After Bondi Attack

Xinhua: Global Condemnation Over Sydney Terrorist Attack

Impact on domestic politics

The tragedy could influence Australia’s internal political landscape. Opposition parties are calling for expanded surveillance powers and community risk profiling, while advocacy groups warn against stigmatizing Muslim and Arab communities.

Human rights observers note that this event could test Australia’s delicate balance between national security and civil liberties as it strengthens its counterterror architecture under pressure from U.S. and U.K. intelligence alliances.

Cubadebate: Australia Debates National Security After Bondi Attack

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Regional and Global Reactions

Global institutions such as the United Nations and European Union condemned the Sydney terrorist attack, urging vigilance against extremism targeting religious minorities. The Australian Jewish Association and international organizations called for enhanced protection during holidays and cultural events.

Regional allies including New Zealand and Singapore increased public security levels, signaling concern over potential copycat incidents.

In the Middle East, both Palestinian and Israeli officials expressed sorrow for the victims, though differing narratives surfaced over the politicization of the tragedy.

Protests and vigils spread across Sydney, Melbourne, London, and Tel Aviv under the slogan “Stand Against Fear”, with interfaith leaders calling for unity.

X (Twitter): Candlelight Vigil for Victims in Bondi Beach

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In a statement, the Islamist militia, which has controlled the enclave since 2007, also warned against any attempt to displace Palestinians from the territory, devastated after two years of Israeli aggression.

“Only our people have the right to decide who runs them and manage their affairs,” the group stated.

It also reiterated that Palestinians have the right to defend themselves, free their occupied land, and establish an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Hamas called on the international community, and especially Arab countries, to pressure Israel to comply with the terms of the current truce, open Gaza’s border crossings, and halt its attacks.

Yesterday, the army killed Raed Saad, considered the second-in-command of the group’s military wing in Gaza Strip, and this morning they killed Ahmed Zamzam, head of internal security in the central part of the territory.

Hamas’s statements coincide with talks to deploy an international force to the area as part of a second phase of the ceasefire agreement, in effect since October 10.

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The fire was brought under control with the assistance of several fire detachments and support from forestry brigades and helicopters from the Ministry of the Interior equipped with water buckets.

“The situation is under control, and preventive monitoring is being maintained in the area to avoid flare-ups. Work continues on mop-up operations,” Fire Department officials stated.

No injuries or damage to homes were reported.

The cause of the fire is unknown, but its spread may have been linked to the prevailing high temperatures.

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In an interview with the Rossiya 1 television channel, Ushakov stated that the Ukrainian and European contributions to these documents will hardly be constructive. “That’s the problem,” the advisor added, although he admitted that he has not yet seen the documents.

“We haven’t seen them, but if there are amendments there, we will raise very strong objections, because we had clearly stated our position, and apparently, the Americans understood it well,” Ushakov said.

The Russian president’s advisor then surmised that the amended version “will contain completely unacceptable provisions, particularly regarding the territorial issue.”

“The issue of territories has been actively discussed in Moscow, so the Americans know and understand our position,” he said.

“I don’t know how this will turn out on paper after those consultations; I doubt anything good will come of it,” Ushakov commented.

When asked if the option of establishing a demilitarized zone in Donbas, by analogy with the one on the Korean Peninsula, had been raised in the recent negotiations, the advisor replied: “Not once.”

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The head of Russian diplomacy made these remarks in an article written for the Serbian newspaper Politika on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Dayton Accords.

Lavrov emphasized that the Western parties in Kosovo have ignored the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 1244 for many years, which is fundamental to the solution in that Serbian region and guarantees Serbia’s territorial integrity.

After recognizing the region’s unilaterally declared national “independence,” they continue to foster the Serb-phobic anarchy perpetrated by the leaders in Pristina, including the formation of an illegal Kosovo Albanian army.

They are initiating the creation of military alliances in which Pristina participates on equal footing with sovereign states.

The dangerous trends toward increased military potential and a shift in the balance of power in the Balkans are evident, the diplomat noted.

We consider this a direct violation of the Dayton Accords, particularly those enshrined in Appendices 1-A, “On the Military Aspects of the Peaceful Settlement,” and 1-B, “On Stabilization in the Region,” Lavrov concluded.

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The assessment is contained in a report from the Ministry of Science and Technology, released at TechFest Vietnam 2025, the largest event of its kind held to date, whose purpose is to attract technological talent and the global entrepreneurial community to this Indochinese nation.

According to the report, in just over 10 years, the Vietnamese entrepreneurial ecosystem has grown to include more than 4,000 startups, two unicorns (companies that, in their first decade of operation, exceed a valuation of one billion dollars without being publicly traded), and many companies close to achieving that status.

The 2025 report also shows a policy shift from a generalized support approach to one of in-depth development, and outlines the establishment of a National Venture Capital Fund with an initial capital of approximately $20 million and a goal of reaching at least $100 million.

It also highlights the momentum gained by open innovation, which has already identified eight areas of potential entrepreneurship, and emphasizes that, for the first time, social listening analysis has been applied. jdt/jav/dfm/mpm

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“Our retaliatory actions will not be delayed. Our response will be swift. On December 12, the Bank of Russia issued a detailed statement on the matter. Concrete measures are already being implemented,” reads Zakharova’s commentary, published on the Ministry’s website.

According to the diplomat, the decision to dispose of Russian assets through “indefinite freezing, seizure, or the attempt to present their de facto confiscation as a kind of reparative credit constitutes an absolutely illegal act that grossly violates the norms of international law.”

Zakharova added that, however much Brussels tries to justify such actions with pseudo-legal arguments, it amounts to blatant and crude theft.

She also stressed that the EU’s policy toward Russia “has long lacked any sound logic and resembles the theater of the absurd.”

The European course of harming Moscow at all costs, she continued, has already led to a very deplorable economic situation within the bloc itself.

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While some battlefields remain calm, others continue to experience intense fighting as Thai forces persist in aggressive attacks using artillery, tanks, F-16 fighter jets, toxic gas, and cluster bombs, stated Lieutenant General Maly Socheata.

According to the spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, some of the main affected areas include Preah Vihear and Khnar Temple in Preah Vihear province; the village of Ek Pheap (Pursat); and the village of Chouk Chey (Banteay Meanchey).

The Cambodian Ministry of Defense “once again urged Thai forces to immediately cease their indiscriminate armed attacks and the use of fighter jets on Cambodian territory,” actions which, it said, constitute a grave violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as international law.

Socheata also remembered that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet welcomed the ceasefire proposal put forward by his Malaysian counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, which was to take effect at 10:00 p.m. (local time) on December 13, but this was rejected by the Thai side.

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The year-end show, held at the National Theater, celebrates the successes of the school and company, which will celebrate its 35th anniversary in 2026.

The group is proud to have performed on five continents and to be the only Cuban dance troupe to have performed at a Latin Grammy Awards ceremony.

The gala, titled “1, 2, 3… Everyone to the Stage!”, showcases the appeal of the Fusion style, cultivated elegantly at LADC and combining elements of flamenco, ballet, contemporary dance, folklore, and diverse Cuban, Afro-Cuban, and urban popular dances.

The performance also highlights the importance of balancing rigor, discipline, and enjoyment, from elementary school to the professional level.

Those who were unable to attend the first performance still have time, as the second show will take place this Sunday at 5:00 p.m. local time in the Avellaneda Hall.

The prestigious professional cast, members of the Vocational Workshops, and the Children’s and Youth Ballet share the stage to showcase the students’ progression to the highest level within the institution.

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Chile runoff election underway with 15.7M voters choosing between progressive Jeannette Jara and ultraright José Antonio Kast for 2026-2030 presidency. Polls favor Kast at 58%; mandatory voting shapes tense Dec 14 battle.

Related: Chile’s Tense Runoff: Jara vs Kast Battles for Nation’s Soul on Dec 14

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15.7M Voters Decide Chile Runoff Election: Jara’s Bold Stand vs Kast’s Ruthless Surge

The Chile runoff election kicked off Sunday, December 14, 2025, at 8:00 AM local time (11:00 GMT), drawing over 15.7 million citizens to choose President Gabriel Boric’s successor for 2026-2030. Polling stations close at 6:00 PM local (9:00 PM GMT), or later if queues persist.

Mandatory voting in Chile—voluntary abroad—ensures high turnout, urged by Servel President Pamela Figueroa: “Review your polling place and fulfill your civic duty.”

This Chile runoff election pits progressive Jeannette Jara (26.8% in first round) against ultraright José Antonio Kast (23.9%), with Cadem polls showing Kast at 58% vs Jara’s 42%.

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Telesur English: Chile Runoff Election Begins

Key Facts in Chile Runoff Election Dynamics

15,779,102 eligible voters face compulsory participation, a shift boosting working-class voices. Foreign residents with 5+ years residency vote for the first time.

Jara, Communist Party leader from the ruling progressive coalition, seeks anti-Kast votes. Kast campaigns on xenophobic policies: maximum-security prisons, border shields, harsher penalties, and mass deportations echoing Trump.

Polls indicate a tight race, with undecideds pivotal.

EFE: Chile’s Mandatory Voting in Runoff

Candidates’ Final Push Amid Polarization

Jeannette Jara topped November 16 first round but needs broader appeal against Kast’s surge. Her platform emphasizes social rights continuity from Boric’s tenure.

José Antonio Kast, Republican Party candidate, leverages crime and migration fears. Pre-election surveys position him as frontrunner.

Electoral silence ended intense campaigns, heightening tension.

Al Jazeera: Polls Favor Kast in Chile Runoff

Geopolitical Context

The Chile runoff election reverberates across Latin America as a barometer for ideological battles. A Jara victory would energize progressives from Brazil’s Lula to Colombia’s Petro, strengthening CELAC and UNASUR against right-wing isolationism.

Kast’s win mirrors Argentina’s Milei and El Salvador’s Bukele, promoting neoliberal-authoritarianism that could fracture Mercosur trade with austerity clashes against welfare-focused neighbors. Andean tensions rise, encircling Bolivia’s socialists; migration strains Peru-Bolivia borders via deportation plans.

Regionally, Jara bolsters Amazon pacts; Kast aligns with U.S. free-trade, sidelining China deals. Globally, it sways U.S.-Latin America ties: progressives challenge IMF at OAS, while Kast eases Venezuela-Cuba sanctions coordination, risking pink tide backlash. Europe watches human rights—Jara appeals to EU, Kast draws Amnesty critiques.

This duel signals equity’s endurance or market fundamentalism’s resurgence.

Xinhua: Latin America Eyes Chile Vote

Sputnik: Geopolitical Stakes in Chile Election

Voter Turnout and Uncertain Outcome

Servel monitors smooth operations, with real-time updates via app. High stakes amplify scrutiny on irregularities.

The winner inherits Boric’s reforms amid economic pressures, shaping Chile’s path.

X (Twitter): Servel Chief Urges Voting

X (Twitter): Live Poll Updates Chile Runoff

Al Mayadeen: Chile Election Live Coverage

Cubadebate: Voter Mobilization in Chile

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From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.

The Honduran government denounces Honduras election interference by Donald Trump before the UN and CELAC, claiming fraud and external coercion in the November 30 vote.

Related: Honduras’ Libre Will Not Recognize the New Government of After Electoral Fraud

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

The Honduras election interference scandal intensified as the government filed six official complaints before the United Nations, CELAC, and other international bodies, denouncing direct U.S. involvement in the contested November 30 presidential elections.

Vice Foreign Minister Gerardo Torres confirmed that on the instructions of President Xiomara Castro, formal diplomatic notes were sent condemning Donald Trump’s interference and the alleged manipulation of voter turnout and election systems.

Telesur English: Honduras Denounces U.S. Interference

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Official Protests Filed Against U.S. Involvement

According to Torres, official communications were directed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, OAS Secretary-General Albert Ramdin, and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, among others.

The diplomatic letters denounced criminal intimidation of voters and the failure of the vote transmission system that undermined transparency. Additional copies were sent to CELAC and the Association of Caribbean States via the foreign ministries of Colombia and Panama.

“We have denounced the interference in our elections by U.S. President Donald Trump,” stated Torres on social media platform X.

EFE: Honduras Files Complaints Over U.S. Election Interference

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Xiomara Castro Condemns “Brazen” Interference

President Xiomara Castro described Trump’s behavior as “brazen interference,” after he publicly urged Hondurans to vote for Nasry Asfura, the right-wing National Party candidate.

The ruling Liberty and Refoundation Party (Libre) declared in an extraordinary assembly it would not recognize the new government, calling the results a “coup by fraud.”

Mass mobilizations are being planned to “defend democracy” and reject the electoral manipulation, signaling deepening unrest in Tegucigalpa.

Al Jazeera: Honduras Election Sparks Fraud Allegations

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Tight Results and Growing Tensions

According to the National Electoral Council (CNE), partial results show Asfura leading with 40.53%, followed by Salvador Nasralla of the Liberal Party with 39.1%, and Rixi Moncada of Libre with 19.3%.

Both Castro’s Libre movement and Nasralla’s Liberal Party have alleged massive irregularities, demanding a “vote-by-vote” recount. The CNE has until December 30 to declare the official winner.

Xinhua: Honduras Faces Post-Election Crisis

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Diplomatic and Geopolitical Context

The Honduras election interference claims have triggered a diplomatic storm across Latin America. CELAC member states, led by Colombia, are calling for urgent mediation to avert instability.

A Jara-style leftist concern echoes across the region: Central America faces renewed tension between progressive sovereigntists and U.S.-aligned conservatives. If proven, Trump’s interference could strain Washington’s relationships with regional partners, further isolating U.S. diplomacy amid shifting allegiances toward China and Russia.

Analysts warn that Honduras may become a flashpoint in renewed U.S.-Latin American ideological confrontation, potentially reshaping regional blocs such as CELAC, UNASUR, and the Organization of American States (OAS).

Sputnik: U.S. Role in Honduras Under Fire

Al Mayadeen: Latin America Rejects U.S. Electoral Pressure

The Honduras election interference dispute has become a crucial test case for Latin America’s political realignment amid mounting tensions between progressive governments and resurging conservative blocs. With the Honduran government directly accusing Donald Trump of manipulating electoral outcomes, the crisis echoes Cold War-era interventionist dynamics in the region — but now reframed through digital influence and diplomatic coercion.

Regional realignments and strategic pressure

The tension has reignited debates within CELAC, UNASUR, and the OAS, as member states assess whether Honduras faces an actual “electoral coup” backed by U.S. interests. For progressive governments — such as Colombia under Petro, Brazil under Lula da Silva, and Mexico under Claudia Sheinbaum — the controversy reinforces calls for regional sovereignty and the creation of independent electoral observation mechanisms free from U.S. influence.

In contrast, right-leaning administrations in Ecuador, Uruguay, and Paraguay have remained cautious, emphasizing that any denouncement must be proven with verifiable evidence before the Honduran National Electoral Council (CNE) concludes its final count. This divide mirrors the polarization across the continent, where questions of U.S. involvement often define diplomatic alignments more than economic or trade policy.

A diplomatic test for Washington

For Washington, the scandal complicates its relations with both Central America and its strategic allies in the hemisphere. U.S.-Honduras ties, initially strengthened under Xiomara Castro’s early presidency through cooperation on migration and drug enforcement, may face their deepest strain since the 2009 coup against Manuel Zelaya — Castro’s husband and predecessor.

Analysts from Georgetown University and the Latin American Council of Social Sciences (CLACSO) argue that, if proven, interference by a U.S. political leader — rather than the government per se — could blur lines between private influence and state responsibility under international law. The affair may therefore compel the U.N. Human Rights Council to consider setting new parameters for defining foreign interference in democratic processes.

Economic and strategic stakes

Beyond ideology, the Honduras election interference case carries tangible geopolitical consequences. Honduras is a critical logistics hub connecting Atlantic and Pacific trade routes through Puerto Cortés, one of Central America’s busiest ports. Trump’s alleged support for Asfura, aligned with privatization and pro-U.S. policies, endangers recent Chinese investment projects linked to telecommunications and renewable energy — sectors Beijing has targeted as part of its Belt and Road Initiative in Latin America.

A shift in political alignment could therefore tilt regional trade toward Washington and Panama, weakening Honduras’ commercial ties with China and the ALBA bloc. For CELAC observers, this would signify not only a domestic crisis but also a geoeconomic realignment affecting neighboring Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua, each facing domestic debates over U.S. influence and national sovereignty.

Sputnik: U.S. Role in Honduras Under Fire

Al Mayadeen: Latin America Rejects U.S. Electoral Pressure

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Regional and Global Reactions

Latin American governments respond

The Honduras election interference allegations have triggered a wave of diplomatic responses across the region.

• Colombia called for an emergency CELAC consultation to examine “foreign influence in democratic sovereignty.”
• Mexico’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement supporting Honduras’ right to an autonomous electoral process, while stressing adherence to OAS mechanisms.
• Brazil signaled concern through its foreign minister, warning that U.S.-linked disruptions could erode trust in regional institutions.

Meanwhile, Venezuela, Cuba, and Bolivia expressed “unconditional solidarity” with Honduras, labeling events as part of an “imperialist attempt to subvert democracy in Central America.”

Cubadebate: Latin American Solidarity Grows with Honduras

U.N. and OAS positions

At the international level, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres acknowledged receiving Honduras’ formal complaints and urged respect for “institutional transparency and non-interference.”
The OAS faces renewed scrutiny over its neutrality after past allegations of bias in Bolivia’s 2019 elections. A team of OAS legal experts is expected to meet with the Honduran mission in Washington, D.C. this week to review evidence of manipulation.

Xinhua: OAS Reviewing Evidence from Honduras Complaint

Media and public opinion

International media coverage has deepened regional divides. U.S. outlets emphasize the lack of concrete proof linking Trump directly to the alleged interference, while Latin American networks frame the case as one more chapter in a long history of external control over democratic transitions.

Protests in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula have drawn thousands demanding “transparency and respect for sovereignty.” Demonstrators wave both Honduran and CELAC flags, symbolizing continental defiance of U.S. involvement.

X (Twitter): Protest in Tegucigalpa Defends Democracy

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Social Response and Next Steps

Vice Minister Torres announced he will travel to OAS headquarters in Washington to present evidence of interference and fraud personally. Protests are spreading across Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula demanding electoral transparency.

X (Twitter): Gerardo Torres Announces OAS Trip

X (Twitter): Libre Party Calls for Mobilization

Cubadebate: Honduras Election Fraud Allegations Deepen

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Mexico and China have entered a trade dispute following the approval of the new General Import and Export Tax Law, proposed by the government of President Claudia Sheinbaum.

The tariff changes, which Mexico supports and China opposes, were approved this week by the Mexican Congress, capping a year marked by US President Donald Trump’s global trade war. Trump has repeatedly threatened both Mexico and China with tariffs and has acknowledged his interest in diminishing China’s influence in Latin America.

According to Sheinbaum, the reform represents the prelude to the renegotiation of the free trade agreement between Mexico, the US, and Canada (known as the USMCA) that will begin next year.

Is the Mexican tariff reform against China?
The new law imposes tariffs of between 5% and 50% on the import of products from countries with which Mexico does not have free trade agreements and that until now paid maximum tariffs of 25%.

This means that it not only impacts China but also Brazil, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, India, Indonesia, Nicaragua, Malaysia, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, Taiwan, Turkey, and Vietnam, among other countries.

However, China is the most affected because, according to a report prepared by Mexican parliamentarian Ricardo Monreal, in the last two decades China has become the second-largest exporter to Mexico, after the US.

Last year, 20.8% of Mexican imports came from China, a figure surpassed only by the US with 40.1%.

Many analysts raise suspicions about Mexico’s tariff initiative, as it came just after Mexico began negotiations with the US to ease the tariff hike imposed by President Trump on Mexican exports. Some consider it a concession Sheinbaum made to avoid more aggressive US commercial and economic policies against her country.

The parliamentary process of the reform
The initiative, presented by Sheinbaum in September as part of the 2026 Economic Package and allegedly aimed at protecting domestic industry, imposes tariffs of up to 50% on 1,463 products belonging to 17 strategic sectors, including automotive, textiles, apparel, plastics, appliances, and footwear. These represent $52 billion in imports.

The parliamentary process was swift, with the bill being approved in the Chamber of Deputies in the early hours of Wednesday, December 10, and in the Senate hours later. It will come into effect on January 1, 2026.

Trade relationship between Mexico and China
According to official data, the trade balance between Mexico and China is negative for Mexico, as it sells only 1.44% of its total exports to China. Conversely, China accounts for 20.8% of Mexico’s imports.

This means that last year Mexico bought $129.14 billion worth of Chinese products but sold only $8.84 billion worth to its Asian partner.

The main products that Mexico buys from China, and which will now suffer higher import tariffs due to the new law, are telephones, machine parts and accessories, automobiles and auto parts—precisely the Chinese items that have spread across international markets.

On the other hand, Mexico sells China mainly copper ores and concentrates, as well as vehicle parts and accessories.

Moeover, foreign direct investment from China in Mexico reached $710 million last year.

Venezuela & China Discuss Zero-Tariff Agreement at Shanghai Expo 2025

China’s protest
As soon as the law was passed, China’s Ministry of Commerce reiterated its long-standing opposition to “unilateral tariff increases” in all forms, urging Mexico to act prudently and rectify “incorrect practices” such as protectionism that imposes trade barriers.

“We will closely monitor the implementation of the Mexican measures and further evaluate their potential impact,” warned a spokesperson, who also noted that automotive exports from China to Mexico will be especially affected and will now have to pay higher tariffs.

Sheinbaum’s response
The Mexican president’s argument to justify the measure was that it was not taken solely against China but is part of a general trade policy to boost production in Mexico.

She also stated that there had been communication with the governments of South Korea and China to explain the initiative, which had undergone several changes from the original proposal. “We are fully prepared to continue working with the governments of China, Korea and other countries with which we do not have a trade agreement,” she said.

Sheinbaum referred in particular to the Mexican textile industry, which has been affected by imports since the COVID pandemic, and to the automotive industry, in which China plays a leading role.

“Our interest is not to create conflict with any country in the world. We have great respect for China and very good relations. The reason for these adjustments is to strengthen the national economy. So, the goal is to continue the dialogue,” she added.

(RT) with Orinoco Tribune content

Translation: Orinoco Tribune

OT/JRE/SC

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

According to the military report published on its official Telegram channel, 53 unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down over Bryansk region; 32 in the Crimean Peninsula; 22 in Krasnodar; 15 in Tula; 13 in Kaluga region; and seven in Kursk.

Four were also shot down in Ryazan; three in Belgorod; two in the Leningrad region; and one each in Smolensk, Pskov, Novgorod, and Moscow.

For its part, the national air transport agency, Rosaviatsia, reported temporary flight restrictions at the airports of Gelendzhik, Kaluga, Pskov, Ivanovo, Yaroslavl, St. Petersburg (Pulkovo), Grozny, Krasnodar, and two of Moscow’s four airports (Domodedovo and Zhukovsky) on Saturday night into Sunday morning, for security reasons.

On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine, according to President Vladimir Putin, to protect the population from “genocide by the government in Kyiv” and to address the national security risks posed by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s eastward expansion.

Drone attacks launched from Ukraine against military and industrial facilities in the Russian rear have since become commonplace.

jdt/jav/dfm/gfa

The post Russian air defenses repel new massive drone attack first appeared on Prensa Latina.

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Admiral Alvin Holsey has resigned as head of U.S. Southern Command after just one year, amid intense Congressional scrutiny and internal concerns over the legality of U.S. military strikes in the Caribbean.

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Alvin Holsey, a U.S. Navy admiral who oversaw military operations in Latin America, officially concluded his leadership responsibilities this Friday, December 12, in th U.S. Southern Command, marking his retirement, amid intense Congressional scrutiny of U.S. attacks in the Caribbean, though he did not provide a reason for his early departure.

The reasons behind his departure may involve U.S. Secretary of “War” (formerly “Defense”) Pete Hegseth. According to reports cited by Axios, Holsey was concerned about the legality of the strikes and, while not formally objecting—according to the Pentagon—he proceeded “more cautiously” than Hegseth desired.

RELATED: Intellectuals Network Denounces U.S. “Modern-Day Piracy” Off Venezuelan Coast

Washington’s strikes on Caribbean vessels in an alleged “war on drugs” have sparked criticism from Latin American governments—including Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, and Venezuela—as well as from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Russia.

U.S. experts have described the attacks as violations of international law, while Human Rights Watch has stated that they amount to “extrajudicial killings.”

Message from #SOUTHCOM Commander Adm. Alvin Holsey. pic.twitter.com/k0TdV49O0z

— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) October 16, 2025

The admiral formally transferred command to Air Force Lieutenant General Evan Pettus during a ceremony on Friday morning. Pettus is now the acting head of U.S. Southern Command.

Holsey’s early departure is rare but not unprecedented. In 2008, Admiral William Fallon stepped down from his post as Central Command commander just a year into overseeing U.S. forces in the Middle East, following remarks about Iran and other matters that displeased the George W. Bush administration.

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From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.

A last-minute agreement over shared water rights has averted a 5% tariff on Mexican exports to the United States, with Mexico committing to release nearly 250 million cubic meters of water under the 1944 treaty.

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Mexico and the United States have reached an agreement that averts the imposition of a 5% tariff on Mexican goods, after both governments reaffirmed their commitment to the 1944 Water Treaty and agreed to the immediate release of nearly 250 million cubic meters of water, according to a joint statement issued Friday.

RELATED: Trump Sets a 5% Tariff on Mexico to Pressure for Water Transfers

Under the agreement, Mexico intends to release 249.163 million cubic meters of water, with deliveries scheduled to begin during the week of December 15. The volume meets a U.S. demand that Mexico deliver at least 246.6 million cubic meters before December 31, a condition set following Trump’s remarks earlier in the week.

Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said negotiations are ongoing and that both sides aim to finalize a broader implementation plan by January 31, 2026.

The agreement followed several days of intense negotiations after Trump accused Mexico of owing more than 986.4 million cubic meters of water accumulated over the past five years, alleging economic harm to U.S. farmers and ranchers.

Mexican Deputy Foreign Minister for North America Roberto Velasco said severe drought conditions in 2022 and 2023 restricted the country’s ability to meet delivery targets. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, however, acknowledged that Mexico delivered more water in a single year than in the previous four years combined, according to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, as cited in the joint statement.

México actúa conforme a lo establecido en el Tratado binacional de Aguas de 1944.
Se llegará a un acuerdo con EU respetando el derecho humano al agua, considerando las limitaciones de infraestructura, así como la sequía extrema hidrológica en el ciclo 36, sobre todo en 2023 y 24. pic.twitter.com/QITQhwjMcw

— Jesús Ramírez Cuevas (@JesusRCuevas) December 9, 2025

Text reads: “Mexico acts in accordance with the Binational Water Treaty of 1944. An agreement will be reached with the EU respecting the human right to water, considering infrastructure constraints as well as extreme hydrological drought in cycle 36, especially in 2023 and 24.”

The 1944 Water Treaty

Under the 1944 deal, the United States is required to deliver 1.85 billion cubic meters of water annually from the Colorado River to Mexico, while Mexico must provide 2.185 billion cubic meters from the Rio Grande over five-year cycles.

Both governments stressed the importance of complying with the treaty, which for more than eight decades has governed the shared management of the Colorado, Rio Grande, and Conchos rivers.

The statement also noted that in the event of noncompliance, each country retains the right to act in accordance with its national interests, subject to its international obligations.

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The expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank has reached unprecedented levels, according to the latest report presented by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to the Security Council.

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The number of housing approvals issued by Tel Aviv’s regime has surpassed, highlighting an illegal policy of expropriating Palestinian land in violation of international law.

RELATED: Gaza Ramains Densely Mined with Unexploded Devices

In 2025 alone, the Tel Aviv regime approved approximately 47,390 housing units for settlers—nearly double the 26,170 units approved the previous year, marking an all-times record since the UN began systematic monitoring in 2017.

This sharp increase contrasts with the annual average of roughly 12,800 units between 2017 and 2022, which already reflected ongoing Israeli violations of Palestinian sovereignty and the right to self-determination.

Last night, Israeli settler militias attacked the Bedouin community of Ein El-Duyuk near Jericho, east of the occupied West Bank, terrifying the local residents, especially children and women. This footage was taken in the aftermath of the assault. pic.twitter.com/X4iHy16ogD

— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) December 14, 2025

Guterres strongly condemned the rapid expansion of settlements, warning that it heightens regional tensions and restricts Palestinian access to their own land. He emphasized that these illegal constructions threaten the feasibility of establishing a sovereign and independent Palestinian state.

The Secretary-General also stressed that such measures consolidate Israel’s illegal occupation, representing a clear breach of international law and the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. He called on Israeli authorities to immediately halt all settlement activity in the occupied territories.

A Dangerous Escalation

The report highlighted an “alarming increase” in violence by settlers, often carried out in the presence of, or with the tacit support of, Israeli security forces. Guterres also condemned military operations that have resulted in numerous deaths—including women and children—and the destruction of Palestinian homes and infrastructure.

Resistance group Hamas joined the international criticism on December 12, condemning the Israeli government’s approval of 19 new settlements in the West Bank, announced by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. The movement described the move as a dangerous escalation of annexation and Judaization efforts, reflecting an extremist government that treats Palestinian land as “colonial spoils.”

After more than 10 months of forced displacement, over 55 Palestinians from Tulkarm and Nour Shams remain without shelter as Israeli aggression ravages the occupied West Bank. pic.twitter.com/O3jaEdfEwe

— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) December 13, 2025

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Hurricane Melissa damaged over 100,000 homes in eastern Cuba, an impact detailed in a Central Committee meeting of the Communist Party, which also highlighted progress in recovery efforts and the international solidarity received.

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Hurricane Melissa damaged 116,100 homes during its passage through eastern Cuba in late October, bringing strong winds and intense associated rains. This was reported on Saturday, December 13, during the XI Plenary Session of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC, in Spanish), which addressed the impact and the progress of recovery in affected areas.

RELATED: Cuban President Diaz-Canel Visits Hard-Hit Holguin and Santiago Provinces After Hurricane Melissa

President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, First Secretary of the Communist Party’s Central Committee, highlighted that no lives were lost. He attributed this success to the timely declaration of alert and alarm phases, the effective functioning of management systems at all levels during the hurricane, and efficient evacuation and rescue operations, alongside “the achieved risk perception and the discipline of the people.”

Speaking via teleconference at the meeting, Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, President of the Provincial Defense Council in Santiago de Cuba, reported 93,000 affected homes in her province. She noted that the bulk of debris and waste has been cleared, and the epidemiological situation is improving. Simultaneously, working groups are installing roofs, and land is being prepared and sowed following crop damage caused by the hurricane.

Vicente de la O Levy, Minister of Energy and Mines, stated that electricity service restoration stands at 98.9% in the province of Santiago de Cuba. He explained that vital systems across the province have been restored to over 95%, with water supply reporting a 96% recovery rate in Santiago de Cuba.

Restoration and International Solidarity

The report presented at the meeting indicated significant progress in electricity restoration in other provinces hit by Hurricane Melissa. Granma province is at 100%; Guantanamo, 99.95%; and Holguin, 99.9%.

Likewise, 100% percent of basic and mobile telephone services have been recovered in these provinces and in neighboring province of Las Tunas. In Santiago de Cuba, basic telephone services have been restored to over 94%.

🗣️| Ahora tenemos que hacer también análisis para actualizar los planes de reducción de desastres.

— Presidencia Cuba 🇨🇺 (@PresidenciaCuba) December 13, 2025

Text reads: “I think we have also given a lesson to everyone. A very rare way of being a “Failed State”, a very rare “Failed State” that is able to mobilize people, all participating, and manage to recover in a solidarity way. Now we also need to do analysis to update disaster reduction plans.”

Following the hurricane’s impact on eastern Cuba, multilateral agencies, NGOs such as the Red Cross, and organizations like ALBA-TCP have mobilized aid. Additionally, countries including Venezuela, China, Colombia, Mexico, Spain, and South Korea have dispatched food, humanitarian assistance, and collaboration for infrastructure recovery efforts.

Melissa traversed eastern Cuba as a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, with winds reaching 200 kilometers per hour. Rainfall exceeded 400 millimeters in some areas, causing severe flooding. These conditions damaged homes, infrastructure networks, and crops, leaving thousands of people displaced and in need of assistance.

Recovery efforts continue to focus on rebuilding and restoring essential services for the affected communities.

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Nationwide demonstrations are set to sweep Brazil as social movements mobilize against a controversial sentencing reform bill and a constitutional amendment that restricts Indigenous land rights, denouncing the measures as a right-wing offensive.

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Brazilian social and political movements will lead a nationwide demonstration on Sunday to oppose the draft Sentencing Dosage Bill -known as the “Dosimetry Law”- and a constitutional amendment establishing a “temporal framework” for the demarcation of Indigenous lands, measures they describe as part of a broader right-wing offensive in Congress.

RELATED: Brazilian Lower House Approves Reduction of Bolsonaro’s Sentence

The Workers’ Party (PT, in Portuguese), the Brazil Popular Front, People Without Fear, and trade unions will be among the participants.

“All of us will be in the streets, in defense of the Brazilian people,” said PT national president Edinho Silva.

The Dosimetry Law

The sentencing bill promoted by conservative lawmakers would change the rules for calculating penalties under the Criminal Code and the Criminal Enforcement Law.

Legal experts warn the proposal could create loopholes that allow reduced sentences for serious crimes, effectively functioning as a concealed amnesty that, according to the PT and social movements, would benefit those involved in the January 8, 2023, coup attempt led by convicted former president Jair Bolsonaro and undermine public rights.

In a statement, the Workers’ Party said the bill, which has passed the Chamber of Deputies and is now under Senate review, amounts to an amnesty for Bolsonaro, calling it a serious threat to democracy and the popular will.

The bill will now be considered by the Federal Senate, where it is expected to be debated in plenary session on December 17.

🚨 BOM DIA! É AMANHÃ!

Veja onde vai ter ato na sua cidade e bora pra rua neste domingo contra a anistia aos golpistas!

DIA 14 POVO NAS RUAS
SEM ANISTIA
SEM DOSIMETRIA pic.twitter.com/NPqDDKxN9j

— Lázaro Rosa 🇧🇷 (@lazarorosa25) December 13, 2025

Threat to Indigenous Communities

The proposed constitutional amendment known as the “Temporal Framework” would restrict the demarcation of Indigenous lands to areas occupied before the 1988 Constitution came into force. Indigenous organizations and human rights groups say the measure represents a historic setback and threatens communities whose lands were taken prior to that date.

The PT accused right-wing lawmakers of advancing a coordinated offensive in Congress that violates the Constitution and Indigenous rights. The party said the debate has been marked by scenes of intimidation, restrictions on journalists and disruptions to public broadcasting on TV Câmara.

Meanwhile, Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court has begun deliberating on the Temporal Framework, examining two constitutional challenges to the law passed by a conservative-majority Congress in 2023. The ruling could have major implications for Indigenous land rights and the protection of the Amazon.

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Una publicación compartida de PT – Partido dos Trabalhadores (@ptbrasil)

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The Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of America (ALBA-TCP, in Spanish) on Friday condemned the detention of former Bolivian President Luis Arce Catacora, warning that the case signals the onset of a politically motivated judicial campaign in Bolivia, as Arce appeared in court to deny allegations of corruption linked to his administration.

The regional bloc cautioned that a pattern already known to the region has been set in motion -one through which the judicial system has historically been instrumentalized “or purposes of “political persecution”.

RELATED:Venezuela Warns On Bolivia’s Judicial Apparatus US for Political Confrontation

ALBA-TCP further warned that these proceedings resemble classic lawfare tactics, designed to “delegitimize, neutralize, and persecute” progressive political figures.

Such actions are not driven by democratic will, but by the actions of lobbies and national oligarchies, as part of a strategy that, according to ALBA-TCP, aims to “reverse social achievements, dismantle sovereign projects, and undermine the will of the peoples through non-electoral mechanisms.”

The organization also accused far-right forces across the region of orchestrating a broader strategy intended to override the will of the electorate through judicial and administrative means rather than elections.

#COMMUNIQUÉ || ALBA EXPRESSES ITS DEEP CONCERN REGARDING THE EVENTS THAT OCCURRED AGAINST FORMER PRESIDENT LUIS ARCE CATACORA pic.twitter.com/4PbZfshRtg

— ALBA (@ALBATCP) December 13, 2025

Arce Denies the Charges

Meanwhile, on Friday, Arce appeared before a Bolivian court, where he denied all wrongdoing and dismissed allegations that he misappropriated funds from a government program created to benefit Indigenous communities.

Days earlier, a judge had ordered him held in preventive custody for five months at a La Paz detention facility, as part of an inquiry into alleged irregularities tied to the fund during his tenure as a minister under former President Evo Morales.

Arce’s defense team reaffirmed his innocence, citing the presumption of innocence and protections outlined in Article 6 of Bolivia’s Criminal Procedure Code. They also pledged full cooperation with investigators and guaranteed Arce’s attendance at all required legal proceedings.

Prosecutors maintain that the accusations relate exclusively to actions taken before Arce became president.

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