- 9 months ago
02/01/2026
FTS 20.30
*Bolivian workers’ union protests continue in rejection of Decree 5503.
*6.5-magnitude earthquake leaves one dead in Mexico City.
teleSUR
These and many more stories now!
FTS 20.30
*Bolivian workers’ union protests continue in rejection of Decree 5503.
*6.5-magnitude earthquake leaves one dead in Mexico City.
teleSUR
These and many more stories now!
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NewsTranscript
00:00In the port of Manta, Ecuador, the death toll has risen to seven, following the
00:16extension of the state of emergency state at the end of the year, which has
00:20been considered the most violent in Ecuador's history.
00:23The Bolivian Workers' Central Union blamed the national government for the radicalization
00:33of protest actions, pointing out that Degree 5503 is selling the country to neoliberal interests.
00:44And the 6.5 magnitude earthquake recorded this Friday in Mexico City left one person dead
00:51during the evacuation of a building.
00:57Hello and welcome to From the South, I'm Alejandra Garcia from Telesur Sirius in Havana, Cuba.
01:02We begin with the news.
01:15In the port of Manta, Ecuador, the death toll has risen to seven, following the extension
01:20of the state of emergency instated during the end of the year, which has been considered
01:25the most violent in Ecuador's history.
01:26The report from the authorities indicated that armed individuals attacked a family in the
01:32port city of Manta B, living to dead at the scene, while five others, including a child,
01:37died in the hospital and at least ten were wounded.
01:41The attack occurred three days after a similar incident that claimed the lives of six other
01:46people in Puerto Lopez, in the same province.
01:50Following the tragedy, the government declared a state of emergency in Manta B and the other
01:55provinces due to the increasing homicides.
01:58The Organized Crime Observatory predicts that the death rate from violence will rise in 2026.
02:03The Bolivian Workers Central Union blamed the national government for the radicalization
02:14of protest actions, pointing out that Supreme Decree 5503 is selling the South American country
02:21to neoliberal interests.
02:23The Executive Secretary of the COB, Mario Argoyo, stated that the demonstrations that began
02:29on December 19th, 2025, aimed to protect the interests of the Bolivian people in the face
02:36of the imposition of a measure that under the products of macroeconomic stabilization, endangers
02:42the working classes.
02:44In this regard, Argoyo also denounce the campaign of intimidation carried out by the government
02:51of Rodrigo Paz, which includes the deprivation of liberty of union leaders involved in the protests.
02:57In this context, the Workers Union announced a large mobilization for Saturday, January 3rd.
03:03The march will start from the municipality of Calamarca to the government headquarters
03:08under the slogan, Bolivia is not for sale.
03:15And now we go to Panama.
03:18The National Assembly began its new regular session on Friday, January 2nd, and will feature
03:24a message to the nation from President José Raúl Molina.
03:28During the news session, President José Raúl Molina will give an account of his administration
03:33and outline the priorities for 2026.
03:37The formal installation ceremony began with protocolary activities including the rising
03:42of the national flag, the singing of the national anthem, and the rising of the flags
03:48of the parties that make up the National Assembly.
03:51In addition, the President of the Assembly, Jorge Herrera, presented his management report
03:56for the first legislative session and the challenges for the second session, while one of the first
04:02issues to be debated is expected to be the reform of the internal regime's organic regulations.
04:07Mingual in Venezuela, President Nicolás Maduro welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping's
04:19Special Envoy at the Miraflores Palace.
04:21The meeting between the Venezuelan President and Special Envoy Kyu Xiaoxi is part of the
04:272026 work agenda and will allow for a review of the cooperation map between the two nations.
04:34The Asian giant is Venezuela's main trading partner in the region with 51 years of diplomatic
04:41relations.
04:42The meeting was attended by Vice President Delsi Rodriguez and Foreign Minister Ivan Gil,
04:48while the Chinese delegation was represented by the Ambassador of the People's Republic of
04:54China in Venezuela and the Director of the Latin America and Caribbean Department of the
04:58Ministry of Foreign Affairs and his Attaché.
05:01And now we stay in Venezuela.
05:09Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro sent a direct message to the people of the United
05:13States assuring them that they have a friendly government in Caracas.
05:17During an interview with writer and journalist Ignacio Ramonet, the Venezuelan leader distinguished
05:23the U.S. people from the actions of their government while affirming that Venezuelans are a friendly
05:29people.
05:30For his part, the head of state denounced the excessive use of force by the United States
05:35as an international crime.
05:37President Maduro also argued that U.S. policy in the country is isolated and evidences the
05:43failure of Washington's strategy to take over the South American country's resources.
05:49Finally, the head of state assured that the Venezuelan, the people of Venezuela are against
05:53war.
05:54The people of the United States, I even tell you, here you have a friendly government.
06:06I know the United States well.
06:11I have driven around New York, Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Queens, Manhattan,
06:17Washington.
06:18I have driven around a lot.
06:19I told the President of the United States that.
06:22I know a lot.
06:23I know Constitution Avenue, which is beautiful, Pennsylvania Avenue, where the statue in Hubbard
06:32to Bolivar is located, the Lincoln Memorial, which is beautiful, and I have driven there
06:37a lot.
06:38And the people of the United States should know that they have a friendly, peaceful people
06:43here and a friendly government too.
06:49They should know that and that our slogan is very clear, since that this is a gift I have
06:55here for our day.
06:56Our slogan is very clear, no war, yes peace.
07:05In this context, the head of state defended the Venezuelan democracy model and defied critics
07:10and the hegemonic media to go to the communes to debate directly with the people.
07:19This year, we had four national consultations, but of course, for AP, CNN, AFP, and for the
07:25Western media, direct democracy doesn't exist.
07:28What exists for them is the permanent attack against the Bolivarian Venezuela.
07:35But here I defy anyone who wants to debate, whoever, no matter their name or position, I defy them
07:45to go to any neighborhood in Caracas and debate with our people, not with me, with the people,
07:51so they can see how a new democracy is being built.
07:54We don't claim to be models for anyone, but we are proud of what we are building, so the
08:02people are being empowered, forging themselves and training themselves.
08:10Now we go to Cuba.
08:11President Emil Diaz-Canel expresses gratitude for the expressions of affection received from
08:17all corners of the globe on the 67th anniversary of the Trump of the Cuban Revolution.
08:22Through his social media accounts, the Cuban leader stated,
08:25We are a nation of solidarity which shares what it has and even what it lacks with other peoples
08:31in greater need, sending doctors where others send bums.
08:36We are Cuba dignified and just, rebellious and supportive.
08:40The support we have received is proof that we are not alone, that the justice of our cause
08:45is visible and shared.
08:47In thanking you, we reaffirm our unwavering will to continue the struggle on every front,
08:53with dignity as our banner.
08:55Our gratitude is, above all, a renewed commitment to the principles of justice, independence and
09:00humanism bequered to us by Fidel, and that we will continue to defend in the year of the
09:07He Centenary.
09:13And now we have a short break coming up, but first remember you can join us on TikTok at
09:16TeleSUR English, where you'll find news in different formats, news updates and much more.
09:21We will be right back, stay with us.
09:43Welcome back to From the South.
09:45Here we go.
09:46Right away to Afghanistan, at least 17 people died due to sudden flooding caused by heavy
09:50rains and snowfall that brought an end to the prolonged drought in the country.
09:55According to the authorities, the first heavy rains and snowfalls of the season caused unexpected
10:00flooding in several regions of the country, where 11 people have been reported injured and
10:05at least 17 dead so far.
10:09The flash floods also impacted the infrastructure of the affected districts, killing livestock
10:14and aggravating the living conditions of 1,800 families in rural and urban communities that
10:21were already vulnerable before the weather event.
10:24According to the spokesperson for the National Disaster Management Authority, Mohamed Josef Hamad,
10:30the severe flooding has disrupted daily life in the country.
10:35And the 6.5 magnitude earthquake recorded this Friday in Mexico City left one people that
10:45did in the evacuation of a building.
10:47The victim was identified as a 67-year-old person who fell down the stairs while leaving
10:53the building where they were on the second floor in the Alamos neighborhood Benito Juarez
10:58borrows in Mexico City as well.
11:01Paramedics from the Mexican Red Cross responded to the scene and confirmed that the person
11:06no longer had viral signs.
11:08Likewise, the seismic movement left at least 12 people injured as well as falling utility
11:14poles and trees and reports of powered-out agents in various communities.
11:20Regional authorities also reported that they are assessing two structures due to the risk
11:24of collapse and, as a preventive measure, 34 buildings and five homes are being inspected.
11:31In Vietnam, an innovative cultural exhibition, Hanoi Light and Heritage is blending art and
11:42technology to offer an immersive experience of the Vietnamese capital 13th centuries of history.
11:50The exhibition, organized by local authorities and company Vietsoft Pro uses 3D mapping on silk,
11:55visual reality, interactive walls and kinetic LED lights so that the public can touch, see
11:57and feel the national heritage.
11:59the national heritage.
12:00It is a space that invites visitors to travel from the ancient symbols of the citadel of
12:01Thang Long, projected on fabrics to a vanguardist image of Hanoi.
12:02in 2050 passing through visual painting in the city in the city of Hong Kong,
12:03and the city of Hong Kong, the city of Hong Kong, the city of Hong Kong, a city of Hong Kong,
12:04and the city of Hong Kong, the city of Hong Kong, and the city of Hong Kong.
12:05It is a space that invites visitors to travel from the ancient symbols of the citadel of Thang Long,
12:09projected on fabrics to a vanguardist image of Hanoi in 2050 passing through virtual
12:24Long projected on fabrics to a vanguardist image of Hanoi in 2050 passing through virtual
12:33tours of emblematic sites. The exhibition aims to make history more accessible and exciting,
12:39connecting the past with the future through multi-sensory experiences.
12:50In other news, the People's Liberation Army of China concluded the Joint Military Exercises
12:55Mission Justice 2025 around the island of Taiwan. The spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry
13:01of National Defense emphasized that these maneuvers served to demonstrate military preparedness
13:08and also to counter separatist activities and foreign intervention intentions. In addition,
13:14Beijing stressed that attempts to stop reunification will never succeed and that any provocative
13:20acts regarding the Taiwan issue will be met with strong countermeasures. For its part,
13:27the government rejected the statements by Taiwanese leader Lai Xingte, who asserted that these exercises
13:34increase both uncertainty and risk in the region, while for Beijing they are legitimate and necessary
13:40for its sovereignty.
13:46Now we go to the United States, where official data has revealed that in 2025 alone, at least
13:5240,000 people were shot, leaving more than 14,600 dead and more than 26,100 injured. Preliminary statistics published by the Gun Violence Archive revealed the figure, also showing that the country saw at least 400 people
14:07mass shooting incidents in 2025. The data also indicates that at least 224 children aged 11 or younger were killed by gunshots, while another 461 in the same age group were injured in the same period. The figures also showed that more than 1,000 teenagers aged 12 to 17 died in shootings and 2,700
14:36were injured. The toll of firearms related deaths includes homicides, murders, defensive use of weapons and accidental shootings.
14:43And now we have a short break coming up. Before we invite you to visit our Facebook page at Telesur English, there you'll be able to watch our top stories, special life coverage and much more. Follow our page and activate the notification button to stay up to the
15:06date on the world's most recent events.
15:08We have a short break, but we'll be right back.
15:10Welcome back to From the South, and we go to the United Kingdom, where four activists from the Palestine Action Group are in critical condition and lie in life-threatening situation after being on hunger strike since October.
15:1320th, 2025. All of them together with some 20 members of the organization aged between 20 and 20 members of the organization aged between 21 and 25 years and 25 years.
15:22Welcome back to From the South.
15:24And we go to the United Kingdom, where four activists from the Palestine Action Group are in critical condition and lie in life-threatening situation after being on hunger strike since October 20, 2025.
15:3620th 2025 all of them together with some 20 members of the organization aged
15:42between 20 and 31 face charges under the anti-terrorism law for participating in
15:48protest actions in the vicinity and facilities of two companies that supply
15:52military technology to Israel since July 2025 more than 2,300 people have been
15:59arrested for protesting in support of Palestine action group including the
16:04Swedish activist Greta Stomberg in this context in Northern Ireland citizens
16:14demonstrated in Belfast on New Year's Eve in solidarity with a Palestine action
16:19group activist with renewed calls for freedom and justice for Palestine amid
16:24the ongoing genocide at the hands of Israel the rally kicked off from Riders
16:29square at noon and made their way to the front of the shrine house government
16:35offices the march follows a similar protest held outside the royal courts of
16:40justice in another Irish city on Sunday by members of the Belfast Palestine
16:46solidarity campaign these actions are part of a growing international campaign
16:52urging the British government to intervene as the health of the detainees in hunger
16:57and now we go to Yemen Saudi planes attacked separatists backed by the United Arab Emirates
17:25leaving 20 dead in the south of the country the Saudi-led coalition bombed
17:30separatist positions striking military bases in the provinces of Hadramaut and
17:36Almara the Saudi offensive is in response to the advance of the separatists who
17:41last month took control of the these oil rich areas
17:45Rijad described its ground operations as an attempt to peacefully transfer control in
17:51what has become an internal struggle that has led to a major humanitarian crisis in this regard the Yemeni government backed by Rijad appointed the governor of Hadramaut Salem al-Kambashi as commander of the national shield forces in the province which comprises several groups aligned with the Saudi-led coalition according to a televised speech
17:58al-Kambashi said that the operation is preventative in nature aim at avoiding chaos and removing weapons of the Greatest
18:28weapons from camps that could threaten local security.
18:39In that same context, tensions spread to Aden International Airport, the main gateway to
18:45the southern regions where air operations were suspended.
18:49The Saudi ambassador to Yemen, Mohammad al-Jaber, accused the leader of the Southern Transitional
18:55Council, Idharus al-Subadi, of denying permission to land to a Saudi delegation sent to mediate
19:02the crisis.
19:03The Southern Transitional Council responded by accusing Saudi Arabia of imposing an air
19:08blockade, forcing international flights to undergo inspections in Jeddah.
19:14This dispute has left flights in Aden and suspended intensifying logistical and humanitarian
19:20difficulties in the region.
19:28And to understand a little bit the situation, what began as an alliance against the Houthi
19:32rebels has turned into a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for control
19:39of the Strategic South and its ports.
19:41Regarding Saudi interests, Saudi Arabia seeks the support unity of Yemen on its southern border
19:47to guarantee its national security.
19:50Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates supports separatism in southern Yemen and seeks to secure
19:55influence to control maritime routes and also oil terminals in the Gulf of Aden.
20:08Now we go to Iran.
20:09The Foreign Minister Abbas Araguje called U.S. President Donald Trump's threat of intervention
20:14in Teheran highly irresponsible and dangerous and assure that the Persian nation is ready
20:19for defense.
20:20The Iranian official recalled that President Trump himself ordered the deployment of the
20:25National Guard within the United States and is fully aware that criminal attacks against
20:30public property cannot be tolerated.
20:32Araguje denounced the exploitation of isolated riots recently reported in the country to attempt
20:39to undermine Iranian sovereignty.
20:42The Persian nation's authorities reiterated that peaceful expressions of this content are
20:47a legitimate right while warning about the actions of external actors who are attempting
20:53to exploit the situation to provoke episodes of violence.
21:04And in the face of the U.S. threats, Iran reiterated that any foreign aggression will be met with
21:09a strong response.
21:11The Defense Minister of the Persian country, Brigadier General Aziz Nasir-Isadeh emphasized that
21:17neither bombs nor assassinations can destroy the Iran's missile power.
21:22The Defense Minister emphasized that the country's military capacity has grown significantly compared
21:27to the period before the start of the Israeli 12-day aggression in June 2025.
21:33These statements come days after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened military attacks against
21:40Iran over the country's missile capabilities.
21:49And the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela expressed its deep concern over the recent confrontational
21:55rhetoric issued by the government of the United States of America against the sister Islamic
21:59Republic of Iran.
22:01In a statement, the government said, Venezuela expresses its firm solidarity with the Iranian
22:06people and government calling for an end to interventionist positions that compromise
22:12regional stability.
22:14We believe that the use of forceful language deviates from the fundamental principles of the
22:19United Nations Charter such as pronouncements represents a risk to international peace,
22:24and hinder the construction of solutions based on mutual respect.
22:29The statement concludes, the Bolivarian government, faithful to its commitment to peace, reaffirms
22:35that the only path to lasting stability is sovereign dialogue and diplomacy without foreign interference.
22:42We urge the international community to promote spaces for understanding where Iran's inalienable
22:47right to resolve its internal affairs under the framework of its own legality and autonomy
22:53is respected.
22:59And after this information, we have come to the end of this news brief.
23:03Remember you can find this and many other stories on our website at telesurenglish.net.
23:07Also join us on social media, we are on Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, and TikTok as well.
23:13For Telesur English, I'm Alejandra Garcia.
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