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Beijing condemns ‘long-arm jurisdiction’ after U.S. seizure of oil tanker sparks accusations of ‘State Piracy.’
On Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun rejected the unilateral sanctions imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on six oil tankers, including several flying the Hong Kong flag.
RELATED:
Iran Condemns U.S. Seizure of Venezuelan Oil Tanker as ‘State Piracy’
Jiakun stressed that such unilateral restrictive measures lack any basis in international law and are not authorized by the U.N. Security Council, the only body with the legal authority to impose sanctions.
He also condemned the practice of “long-arm jurisdiction,” saying it violates the basic principles of the global legal order. China reiterated its stance against the abusive use of sanctions as a tool of political or economic pressure.
The Trump administration’s decision comes after U.S. armed forces seized a Venezuelan oil tanker near that country’s waters.
Breaking: Russia and China defy US sanctions. A Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker, the "Valera," which is subject to US sanctions, docked in Beihai, China, earlier today, carrying a cargo from Russia's newly built Portovaya LNG plant on the Baltic Sea. This is the first… pic.twitter.com/If2GSu4OTq
— The FinanceX (@thefinancexnews) December 10, 2025
On multiple previous occasions, Beijing has rejected external interference in Venezuela’s internal affairs. This stance in international policy is consistent with the China-Venezuela “All-Weather, All-Proof Strategic Partnership.” Beijing has also expressed its support for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s efforts to protect Venezuela’s sovereignty, security and dignity.
On Thursday, the Bolivarian leader said the recent U.S. confiscation of a ship transporting Venezuelan oil has inaugurated a new era of criminal naval piracy in the Caribbean — a claim he said was verified by Trump’s public admission of the assault on the tanker.
The Venezuelan Foreign Affaris Ministry said the admission confirms a plan to strip the Bolivarian nation of its energy resources, arguing that Trump’s true objective was “to take Venezuelan oil without paying anything in return,” rather than addressing drug trafficking or the public health problems caused by uncontrolled consumption in the world’s largest market for such substances.
The anti-war movement and calls for peace get louder in the United States. Plus, a dance battle between Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and U.S. President Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/GTkfHTW7l6
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 8, 2025
teleSUR/ JF
Source: China Daily – teleSUR
From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.
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His move marks a victory for OpenAI and Google, which have been advocating against strict regulatory requirements.
On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to issue a national regulatory framework for AI, curbing the power of states.
RELATED:
Trump is a Very Misinformed Man When It Comes to Colombia: Petro
“To win, United States AI companies must be free to innovate without cumbersome regulation. But excessive State regulation thwarts this imperative,” the order read.
The order argued that state-by-state regulation by definition creates a patchwork of 50 different regulatory regimes that makes compliance more challenging, particularly for start-ups, and state laws are increasingly responsible for requiring entities to embed “ideological bias” within models.
“My Administration must act with the Congress to ensure that there is a minimally burdensome national standard– not 50 discordant State ones,” the order said, calling for Attorney General Pam Bondi to establish an AI Litigation Task Force, “whose sole responsibility shall be to challenge State AI laws.”
BREAKING: 🚨 TRUMP SELLS OUT THE WEST TO BIG AI
Trump just signed an executive order, federally PROTECTING AI companies from state law violations.
This places the AI robber-barons ABOVE the state. Essentially creating a new nobility class.
Agenda 2030pic.twitter.com/rrBuDKf4YV
— ADAM (@AdameMedia) December 12, 2025
States that do not comply could face funding penalties, including the loss of support from the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program, which aims to expand high-speed internet access.
The move marks a victory for companies such as OpenAI and Google, which have been advocating against what they see as overly strict regulatory requirements. In May, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman told Congress that U.S. AI development should not be slowed by regulation, warning that a state-by-state approach would create heavy burdens and significantly weaken companies’ capabilities.
CNN noted that in the absence of federal legislation, some states have already passed laws to address potential AI-related risks and harms. “Critics worry the deregulation push could allow AI companies to evade accountability should their tools harm consumers,” the report said.
The anti-war movement and calls for peace get louder in the United States. Plus, a dance battle between Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and U.S. President Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/GTkfHTW7l6
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 8, 2025
teleSUR/ JF
Source: Xinhua
From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.
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EU moves toward indefinitely blocking €210 billion in Russian holdings.
On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the situation in Ukraine and the possible immobilization of frozen Russian assets in Europe.
RELATED:
Russia Demands Investigation After U.S. Seizes Oil Tanker Near Venezuela
“There was a comprehensive exchange of views on Ukraine, regional issues and international affairs,” Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said after the meeting in Ashgabat, the Turkmen capital.
The two leaders also exchanged views on “the Europeans’ attempts to perpetrate a large-scale scam with Russian funds.” Putin reiterated his position on the matter, which is “well known,” Peskov noted.
The Russian and Turkish leaders agreed that Brussels’ plans regarding Russian assets would undermine the foundations of the Bretton Woods international financial system in place since the mid-20th century.
On Friday, European Union countries were expected to approve the indefinite immobilization of about €210 billion in Russian assets frozen under sanctions imposed on Moscow after the start of the Ukrainian war — a key step toward potentially using those funds for the reconstruction of Ukraine if Belgium lifts its veto on the proposal in the coming weeks.
In late November, Putin called the plan to confiscate Russian assets “the theft of others’ property” and said Moscow would respond to what he described as a hostile measure. On Thursday, the Russian Foreign Ministry insisted that Russia’s retaliation would be “tough.”
So, when you hear about the EU using "Russian frozen assets" for Ukraine
What does it actually mean?
It means stealing. Plain and simple. Stealing to flush one of the world's most glaringly corrupt, dysfunctional countries with more cash. pic.twitter.com/KQvirNoOeF
— Chay Bowes (@BowesChay) December 12, 2025
Russian Central Bank Sues Belgian Depository Euroclear
On Friday, the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) filed a claim with the Moscow Arbitration Court against the Belgian depository Euroclear in an effort to obtain compensation for damages caused by the handling of its assets without the consent of the Russian side.
CBR Governor Elvira Nabiullina argues that Euroclear’s decisions “caused damage to the CBR due to the inability to manage the cash and securities belonging” to the bank that were deposited there.
Russian authorities have argued that the European Commission’s decisions regarding the proposed loan for Ukraine’s reconstruction are illegal because they involve the use of others’ assets without consent.
Therefore, implementation of the plan will result in the CBR’s unconditional challenge to any direct or indirect action leading to the unauthorized use of the Bank of Russia’s assets before all available competent authorities.
“The CBR reserves the right to apply, without prior notice, all legal and other mechanisms available to protect its interests in the event of further progress or any form of implementation of the aforementioned European Union initiatives,” the Russian monetary authorities said.
#FromTheSouth News Bits | Russia and India agreed to increase their trade exchange to an equivalent of a hundred billion dollars by 2030. pic.twitter.com/Nv6IUJ1Jzs
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 9, 2025
teleSUR/ JF
Source: EFE
From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.
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Mexico: Delivering Water to the U.S. Would Cause Hunger in Six Border States
(www.telesurenglish.net)
President Sheinbaum stated that Trump is misinformed, as bilateral agreements already exist.
On Thursday, Jorge Esteve, the president of the Mexican National Agricultural Council (CNA), warned that delivering water to the United States to avoid the President Donald Trump’s tariffs would cause hunger and economic damage in six Mexican border states.
RELATED:
Mexico Rejects Trump’s Threats Regarding the 1944 Water Agreement
Esteve pointed out that communities and producers in Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, Chihuahua, Sonora, and Baja California depend on water resources for basic supplies and irrigation of hundreds of thousands of hectares.
He added that the measure promoted by the U.S would generate hunger and mass migration to the north. The warning comes after Trump announced a 5% tariff on Mexican goods for noncompliance with the 1944 Water Treaty.
The Republican leader justified his sanctions by claiming that Mexico must release 200,000 acre-feet of water before December 31. Furthermore, U.S. producers called for water payments to be included as a priority in the review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
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
The text reads, “Mexico acts in accordance with the 1944 Binational Water Treaty. An agreement will be reached with the U.S. respecting the human right to water and taking into account infrastructure limitations and the extreme hydrological drought in cycle 36, particularly in 2023 and 2024.”
Esteve emphasized that tariffs would also affect American consumers, as Mexican products such as tomatoes and avocados would drive up food prices in the United States, where inflation already exacerbates the situation.
He described Trump’s demand as impossible due to water scarcity in Mexican producing regions, and called for analysis to address internal problems. “Any decision must prioritize food security and the human right to water,” he added.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that Trump is misinformed about the sewage discharges from the Tijuana River, and that bilateral agreements already exist to address the pollution and prevent it from affecting border communities.
She recalled that for years, some of Tijuana’s sewage flowed into the Pacific Ocean, and that the goal is to clean up the river. Sheinbaum indicated that although Trump may have been unaware of these advances, the commitments are already in place between the two countries.
The President of #Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, said that she has used all diplomatic channels to express her disapproval of the mistreatment of Mexican migrants in the #US. She also defends migrants and insists that they are not criminals, but honest people who contribute to the… pic.twitter.com/EyRxzqiSkX
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 10, 2025
teleSUR: JP
Source: EFE – Forbes Mexico
From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.
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This event marks the beginning of the final battle for control of northern Donetsk.
On Friday, senior Russian military officials met with President Vladimir Putin to brief him on the progress of Russian forces on the front, including the liberation of the city of Siversk in the Donetsk region.
RELATED:
Russia Demands Investigation After U.S. Seizes Oil Tanker Near Venezuela
The liberation of Siversk, located just over 30 kilometers from Sloviansk, marks the beginning of the final battle for control of northern Donetsk. The Kremlin has set its sights on Sloviansk, where the Ukrainian conflict began on April 12, 2014.
Putin has ordered the Russian military to liberate the northern part of the Donetsk in the coming months, marking what is expected to be the deadliest battle of the entire war
“We have liberated Siversk, which paves the way for continuing the offensive towards the town of Sloviansk,” said Sergey Medvedev, commander of the Southern Military Group, in a report to President Putin.
“The liberation of Siversk and the successful offensive actions in that direction significantly bring us closer to a new and successful offensive—of that I have no doubt—in other sectors, expelling Ukrainian armed forces from our territory and restoring peace in the Donbas,” Putin remarked.
⚡️🇷🇺Video of a Russian assault group from the 123rd Motorized Rifle Brigade's Zarya battalion that uses motorcycles in their assaults on the Siversk front.
The bikes allow them to reach trenches faster and they are harder to spot. Their assaults are done in coordination with… pic.twitter.com/aEgD7oyjd6— SIMPLICIUS Ѱ (@simpatico771) April 16, 2024
Experts believe the Russian army will need several more months to fully control Donetsk, where Ukrainians still hold 20% of the territory. To reach Sloviansk, the Russians must first liberate Liman, which is about 20 kilometers to the northeast.
Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov told Putin that his troops have received the necessary orders. To reach Kramatorsk, another stronghold in the northern part of the region, the Russians still have significant work to do in Kostiantynivka.
Medvedev emphasized that Russian assault units are advancing in the eastern and southeastern districts of the city and have become engaged in “street fighting in the northeastern part” of the city.
Currently, Russian forces are carrying out operations in nine Ukrainian strongholds across the Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv regions.
The Russian General Staff believes that the liberation of Sloviansk will almost certainly cause the immediate collapse of the front, further symbolized by the city where the pro-Russian population rebelled against Ukraine.
#FromTheSouth News Bits | Russia and India agreed to increase their trade exchange to an equivalent of a hundred billion dollars by 2030. pic.twitter.com/Nv6IUJ1Jzs
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 9, 2025
teleSUR/ JF
Source: EFE
From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.
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Tehran warns of repercussions for global security as Washington cites sanctions to justify confiscation.
On Thursday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei said the United States’ seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker amounted to “state piracy.”
RELATED:
UN Presses Washington to Lift Restrictions on Iranian Diplomats
“He emphasized that the United States’ move to seize and confiscate commercial vessels belonging to other countries represents an explicit disregard for international law and a blatant violation of principles governing the security and safety of international navigation,” IRNA reported.
“Baghaei underlined that invoking U.S. domestic laws and Washington’s unlawful sanctions to justify such conduct can in no way alter the illegal and criminal nature of this armed robbery at sea,” the Iranian news agency added.
The Iranian diplomat warned that the act of piracy carried out by the United States would have repercussions for international peace, security and trade.
US Are 'Pirates Of The Caribbean' – President Maduro After Tanker Carrying 1.9MN Barrels Of Oil Seized By Washington's Forces
📹 Telesurenglish pic.twitter.com/K7j7ngktqD
— RT_India (@RT_India_news) December 12, 2025
“The spokesperson noted that all governments and competent international bodies bear responsibility for opposing such unlawful actions and holding the U.S. accountable,” IRNA said.
On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the confiscation of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. Later, U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi justified the seizure, arguing that the vessel was suspected of carrying Iranian and Venezuelan oil under sanction.
Venezuelan authorities accused the U.S. of committing “an act of international piracy” and said they would turn to international organizations. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed his hope that the United States would provide explanations regarding the detention of the tanker in Caribbean waters.
The #US and #Israel have violated all international agreements and destroyed them by attacking other sovereign countries, such as #Venezuela and #Iran, according to Adolfo Esquivel, a true #NobelPrize winner. pic.twitter.com/Zy9lXY9FOg
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 11, 2025
teleSUR/ JF
Source: IRNA
From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.
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Storm Byron has destroyed tens of thousands of refugee shelters across Gaza, compounding a worsening humanitarian crisis amid continued Israeli restrictions on aid and reconstruction.
RELATED:
Universities in Gaza Reopen: A Hope Amid Ruins
Authorities in Gaza reported that more than 22,000 tents in refugee camps were completely destroyed after days of heavy rain and strong winds. Ismail Al-Thawabta, director of the Government Information Office in Gaza, said the current circumstances are “critical,” noting that severe weather has damaged tens of thousands of additional tents and ruined essential supplies such as insulating covers and blankets.
Al-Thawabta explained that storm Byron flooded shelters and submerged the surrounding camp areas in mud, leaving nearly 1.5 million displaced people living in deteriorated conditions. He also warned of collapsing temporary accommodation centers and contamination in water networks, which has hampered access to medical care and forced the closure of ten mobile health units.
Storm Byron hits Gaza as nearly 1.5 million Palestinians shelter in flood-prone camps with little protection. Aid groups say Israel’s restrictions on vital shelter materials have left families exposed. Al Jazeera's @vpietromarchi explains ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/JhZk11zZye
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) December 12, 2025
Officials estimate that Gaza urgently needs about 300,000 new tents, though only 20,000 have been delivered so far. The harsh weather has already caused fatalities, including the death of eight-month-old Rahaf Abu Yazar, who died from extreme cold and heavy rain linked to the polar storm striking the enclave.
UNRWA stated that flooded streets and water-soaked shelters are worsening conditions for displaced families. The disaster unfolds amid continued Israeli military attacks that have destroyed critical infrastructure and while restrictions on humanitarian access remain in place.
Hazem Qasem, spokesperson for HAMAS, described the situation as a “real catastrophe.” He said that what Gaza is experiencing “requires collective responsibility; we need concrete actions, not just statements.” Qasem stressed that the longstanding blockade continues to hinder reconstruction efforts essential to protecting displaced families from severe weather.
He urged mediators and ceasefire guarantors to exert meaningful pressure on Israel to allow immediate rebuilding, and called on Arab and majority-Muslim countries to take “serious and effective measures” in response to the crisis.
📌Weather authorities reported that Storm Byron caused severe storms and flooding in the city of #Gaza, with tents under water and citizens trapped by heavy rains.
🔴Protection teams said that the makeshift tents set up to cope with the destruction caused by Israeli attacks are… pic.twitter.com/emf5eHo7cP
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 11, 2025
Local authorities reported that heavy rainfall began before dawn on Wednesday, inundating thousands of tents in several parts of the enclave. Under the ceasefire that came into effect on October 10, 2025, Israel was required to open border crossings and allow unrestricted entry of food, fuel and humanitarian supplies.
However, Israel has repeatedly ignored these commitments, keeping most crossings closed and permitting only limited deliveries into a territory devastated by nearly two years of war.
With storm damage mounting and essential reconstruction still blocked, Gaza’s displaced families remain exposed to dangerous weather conditions and deepening humanitarian risks.
From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.
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Venezuela Passes Law Enabling ICC Withdrawal Citing Solidarity With Palestine
(www.telesurenglish.net)
Venezuela’s National Assembly approved a law that would allow the country to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), presenting the move as an expression of solidarity with Palestine and a response to what legislators describe as the court’s persistent inaction.
RELATED.
Storm Damage and Blocked Aid Deepen Gaza’s Humanitarian Emergency
The Assembly passed the *Law for Palestine and Humanity, Repealing the Rome Statute* in a second discussion on Thursday. The measure removes Venezuela’s legal commitment to the Rome Statute, creating the conditions for a formal withdrawal from the ICC.
National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez said the decision reflects the position of the Venezuelan people and their support for Palestinians. He stated that Palestinians have endured “the most horrific genocide, the crime against humanity that this planet has ever known over the past 80 years.” Rodríguez argued that the law signals Venezuela’s stance in the face of what he described as prolonged suffering in Palestine.
Venezuela seeks withdrawal from International Criminal Court’s Rome Statute https://t.co/CtLWmOJtWn pic.twitter.com/zjv2jRrpgK
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) December 12, 2025
He also said the measure exposes “to the world the uselessness and the servility of an institution [the ICC] that should serve to protect peoples and only serves the designs of U.S. imperialism.”
Rodríguez defended the proposal to leave the ICC, saying the court has failed to act regarding what he called the disregard of international norms by the United States and Israel. He explained that once the repeal of the Rome Statute is formalized, President Nicolás Maduro would then be able to decide whether to withdraw from the ICC. If that decision is taken, the withdrawal would become effective one year after notifying the ICC Secretary General.
Venezuela has repeatedly expressed support for Palestinians since the beginning of Israel’s military operations in Gaza, consistently describing the situation in the enclave as genocide.
Venezuela's national assembly on Thursday unanimously voted to repeal a law which ratified the Rome Statute, paving the way for the country to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is investigating human rights abuses in the country.
— CGTN America (@cgtnamerica) December 11, 2025
The approval of the law positions the Venezuelan government to reassess its relationship with the ICC while reaffirming its political alignment with the Palestinian cause.
From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.
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The United Nations has urged the United States to remove newly tightened restrictions on Iranian diplomats in New York, following a formal complaint from Tehran that the measures violate international law and obstruct the work of its mission.
RELATED:
Venezuela and Iran Reaffirm Strategic Cooperation Amid U.S. Threats
UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq reaffirmed that the United States, as host of the organization’s headquarters, is legally bound to ensure that accredited diplomats can perform their duties without interference. He made the remarks after receiving an official letter from Iran protesting the escalation of restrictions imposed by Washington.
Haq noted that the measures—which limit the mobility of Iranian diplomats and restrict access to bank accounts and routine purchases—are inconsistent with U.S. obligations under the Vienna Convention and the UN Headquarters Agreement. He underscored the UN’s long-standing position, stating, “Our view regarding all countries, not just Iran, is that we want to ensure that the host country allows its diplomats, once accredited here, to freely carry out their functions.”
UN says US must lift restrictions on Iranian diplomats https://t.co/Gavp8fBrwl
— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) December 12, 2025
Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned the restrictions, describing them as unlawful pressure against its delegation and part of a broader campaign aimed at undermining its diplomatic work. Tehran argued that such limits raise doubts about the suitability of the United States to host the UN headquarters and called on Secretary-General António Guterres to intervene.
According to the ministry, the measures reflect a “maximum pressure” approach and are intended to obstruct the legitimate activities of its mission. It noted that the U.S. State Department’s decision to restrict the work of three members of the delegation violates binding international commitments.
Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned the US government's new restrictions on its diplomatic mission at the UN, asserting that such measures are deliberately designed to disrupt the lawful duties of Iranian diplomats.
Follow Press TV on Telegram: https://t.co/LWoNSpkJSh pic.twitter.com/NY7RU1BnTt
— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) December 11, 2025
The dispute follows a complaint filed in September, when Iran’s UN ambassador, Amir Saeed Iravani, protested mobility restrictions applied to President Masud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and other senior officials during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly.
Haq’s intervention highlights the organization’s role in upholding international norms and stresses that bilateral tensions must not interfere with the functioning of the multilateral system. For Iran, UN support is key to challenging what it views as an abuse of host-country authority by the United States.
From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.
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President Maduro Rejects Drug-Trafficking Allegations, Accuses Opposition Figures of Human-Smuggling Network
(www.telesurenglish.net)
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro dismissed claims linking his government to drug-trafficking and insecurity, asserting that Venezuela has strong public safety and is being targeted for its natural resources. He made the remarks during a meeting with community representatives in the Caracas neighborhood of Pinto Salinas.
RELATED:
Venezuela denounces to the IMO violation of freedom of navigation in the Caribbean
The head of state repeated accusations that several opposition leaders — Juan Guaidó, David Smolansky, Carlos Vecchio, Leopoldo López and María Corina Machado — “created a network of human trafficking” and that this network moved “a recognized group of criminals” through the Darién route toward the United States. He argued that these individuals were part of the Tren de Aragua group, which, according to him, the Venezuelan state dismantled “with the law and the Constitution in hand.”
Defending the government’s security record, he said Venezuela “enjoys great security in its cities and towns.” He attributed this to the intelligence, counterintelligence and police services, which he described as “one of the best in the world, professional at a university level and with very dedicated and patriotic people.” He pointed to the national “quadrants of peace” strategy as central to that approach, asserting: “All those fables, all those fake news fall on their own.”
Addressing allegations of drug-trafficking, the president cited reports from the DEA, the United Nations, the European Union and the World Customs Organization, which he said demonstrate that Venezuela is “irrelevant in production and trafficking of drugs.” He contrasted Venezuela with neighboring Colombia, claiming past Colombian administrations had “created a narco-state” with extensive coca cultivation. “In Venezuela there is not a single hectare of coca leaf and not a single hectare of marijuana,” he stated. According to Maduro, Venezuelan authorities intercept “more than 70%” of the cocaine attempting to cross from Colombia and aim to reach “100%” next year.
The Venezuelan leader also directed accusations at Ecuador’s commercial sector, claiming drug shipments to the United States and Europe pass through ports linked to private companies there. “Seventy percent of the cocaine leaves from the ports of the personal and family company of Daniel Novoa. That is the truth,” he said.
The president framed international pressure on Venezuela as driven by interest in the country’s vast oil reserves. “If Venezuela did not have the world’s largest oil reserves, Venezuela would not exist for the multimillionaires and supremacists of the United States,” he said, and reaffirmed that under Venezuelan law, “everything beneath the earth… belongs to the sovereign people of Venezuela by constitutional mandate.”
President Maduro urged Venezuelan communicators to strengthen international outreach, particularly in the United States and allied nations, saying the global audience “believes in our truth.” he argued that recent political discourse reveals the underlying motive for foreign pressure: “It is for oil. No blood for oil.”
From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.
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This article originally appeared in the December 11, 2025 edition of La Jornada, Mexico’s premier left wing daily newspaper.
Beijing. China’s Ministry of Commerce called the tariff measures approved by Mexico on Wednesday erroneous and expressed hope that the country would rectify them.
“China has always opposed all unilateral tariff increases and hopes that Mexico will promptly rectify these erroneous practices of unilateralism and protectionism. To safeguard the interests of relevant Chinese industries, the Ministry of Commerce initiated an investigation into trade and investment barriers related to Mexico at the end of September, in accordance with the law, and this investigation is currently underway,” a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce stated.
The spokesman indicated that the proposal approved yesterday introduces some adjustments to the September version, “with moderate reductions in the proposed tariff rates for certain products such as auto parts, light consumer goods, textiles and clothing,” but noted that “these measures will continue to substantially harm the interests of the affected trading partners, including China.”
On December 10, the Mexican Chamber of Deputies approved amendments to the General Import and Export Tax Law, establishing tariffs of up to 35 percent by 2026 on thousands of products, including automobiles, auto parts, textiles, clothing, plastics, and steel from China, South Korea, India, and other Asian nations that do not have free trade agreements with Mexico. The reform aims to raise nearly $52 billion in tariffs on these imports.
The government argues that the tariffs aim to strengthen domestic production and address trade imbalances with China.
According to forecasts, the tariff increase will serve as a basis for the future review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) scheduled for 2026.
The United States demands that Canada and Mexico prevent the use of free trade in North America as an export base for China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and other countries.
“China welcomes countries resolving their trade differences through economic and trade agreements, but no agreement should be conditioned on affecting the development of global trade or harming China’s legitimate interests. We hope Mexico will pay close attention to this matter and act prudently,” the spokesperson commented.
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China Calls on Mexico to Reconsider Tariffs on its Products
December 11, 2025December 11, 2025
Under Article 32.10 of the USMCA, Mexico can only pursue a free trade agreement with a non-market economy like the People’s Republic of China if the US government approves.
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Mexico’s Strategy to Continue Handing Water Over to US is Unsustainable, Warns Expert
December 11, 2025December 11, 2025
The Director of the Permanent Forum on Binational Waters asserted that Mexico must renegotiate the 1944 Treaty, otherwise it will not be able to guarantee deliveries.
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Mexico’s Tariff Hikes on China Will Cause Major Disruptions for Key Mexican Industries
December 11, 2025
Manufacturers reliant on Chinese inputs warned of rising costs, and lawmakers, including some from Morena, sought to avoid a dispute with a nation many consider crucial to Mexico’s trade diversification.
The post China Calls on Mexico to Reconsider Tariffs on its Products appeared first on Mexico Solidarity Media.
From Mexico Solidarity Media via This RSS Feed.
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Venezuela denounces to the IMO violation of freedom of navigation in the Caribbean
(www.telesurenglish.net)
The government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela filed a formal complaint with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), headquartered in London, regarding the recent attack on an oil tanker carrying Venezuelan crude in the Caribbean Sea, which constitutes a violation of freedom of navigation and trade.
RELATED:
President Maduro Accuses US of Piracy for Oil Theft: “Their Mask Has Slipped”
During a visit to La Guaira State, Executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez reported on Thursday that she had communicated with the Executive Secretary of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Domínguez, with the aim of formally and legally addressing this serious situation.
Rodríguez described the incident as a blatant robbery and stated that the action exposes the true interests of the United States in its ongoing aggression against Venezuela.
She also emphasized that there are international conventions that protect freedom of navigation against illicit acts that threaten it, such as the attack on an oil tanker carrying Venezuelan crude. Rodríguez stated that the disproportionate military deployment in the Caribbean Sea, with aircraft carriers and destroyers, appears to be an operation to disrupt the region’s economic and commercial activity, as well as to blatantly steal Venezuela’s natural resources.
Vice President Rodríguez affirmed that Venezuela is doing what must be done: “Appeal to the law, to international legality, and defend its natural resources.”
The Vice President emphasized that the illegal action by the US seeks to harm maritime oil trade.
This Thursday, the 6th edition of the La Guaira Emprende Fair was inaugurated, a space that promotes local talent and strengthens the Entrepreneurial Engine in the region.
More than 200 entrepreneurs are participating in this event, which is taking place on the Eastern Coastal Strip, where creativity, innovation, and the productive efforts of the people of La Guaira converge.
From December 11 to 25, this fair will offer the public a variety of gastronomic products, concerts, and cultural activities to enjoy during this holiday season.
From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.
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President Maduro Accuses US of Piracy for Oil Theft: “Their Mask Has Slipped”
(www.telesurenglish.net)
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro denounced on Thursday the military assault, hijacking, and theft of an oil tanker by the United States north of Trinidad and Tobago, as the vessel “entered the Atlantic.” The president described this act as the beginning of a “new era of criminal naval piracy against the entire Caribbean.”
“It was an act of piracy against a merchant, commercial, civilian, and private vessel,” the head of state stated, adding that “the ship was private, civilian, and carrying 1.9 million barrels of oil that they bought from Venezuela.”
During a visit to the Amalivaca Socialist Commune in the Pinto Salinas sector of the El Recreo parish in Caracas, Maduro asserted that with this incident, the United States “has slipped,” revealing that the true interest behind the action is the seizure of Venezuelan oil. “It is the oil they want to steal, and Venezuela will protect its oil,” the president emphasized.
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In this regard, the president stated that “if Venezuela did not have the largest oil reserves in the world, Venezuela would not exist for the billionaires and supremacists of the United States.”
Likewise, the Venezuelan head of state expressed his deep concern for the ship’s crew, noting that the sailors are being “held hostage” and that their current whereabouts are unknown. The statement underscores the gravity of the situation, which, in President Maduro’s words, threatens Venezuelan sovereignty and regional maritime security.
“The destiny of the United States and Venezuela must be one of respect, friendship, and cooperation,” the president emphasized while greeting the international delegations present. He also called on the American people to “win peace, tie the hands of the warmongers, and defeat the plans for a senseless war” in South America. In this regard, he delivered a message in English in which he exclaimed, “No blood for oil! Not war for oil!”
On Wednesday, the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry condemned “what constitutes a blatant theft and an act of international piracy, publicly announced by the President of the United States, who confessed to the hijacking of an oil tanker.”
The Foreign Ministry recalled that this is not the first time he has admitted this, stating that “during his 2024 campaign, he openly affirmed that his objective has always been to seize Venezuelan oil without paying anything in return, making it clear that the policy of aggression against our country is part of a deliberate plan to plunder our energy resources.”
The Venezuelan National Assembly expressed its criticism of the robbery of the Venezuelan corporation #CITGO Petroleum by the U.S. government and leaders of the national fascist far-right. On Tuesday, the Plenary resolved to request that the National Executive that the… pic.twitter.com/uW30ySV6pe
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 2, 2025
It also denounced that this new criminal act adds to the theft of Citgo, an important asset of the strategic patrimony of all Venezuelans, seized through fraudulent judicial mechanisms and outside the bounds of any legal framework.
He maintained that in these circumstances, “the true reasons for the prolonged aggression against Venezuela have finally been revealed. It is not migration. It is not drug trafficking. It is not democracy. It is not human rights. It has always been about our natural wealth, our oil, our energy, the resources that belong exclusively to the Venezuelan people.”
#Caribbean | The United States Department of War abandons all pretenses and turns to full-fledged piracy, all while the U.S. House of Representatives passes an almost $1 trillion war budget. pic.twitter.com/ug0FfLIF6N
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 11, 2025
The statement reiterates the call to all Venezuelans to remain steadfast in defense of the homeland and urges the international community “to reject this vandalistic, illegal, and unprecedented aggression that they seek to normalize as a tool of pressure and plunder.”
The Bolivarian Government reaffirms that it will appeal to all existing international bodies to denounce “this grave international crime” and will defend “with absolute determination its sovereignty, its natural resources, and its national dignity.”
Venezuela – the statement concludes – “will not allow any foreign power to attempt to deprive the Venezuelan people of what belongs to them by historical and constitutional right.”
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