- 2 hours ago
18/02/2026
FTS 12.30
*Peru: Congress to elect new president after destitution of Jose Jeri
*DR Congo: UN reports nearly 100 deaths in January amid clashes
FTS 12.30
*Peru: Congress to elect new president after destitution of Jose Jeri
*DR Congo: UN reports nearly 100 deaths in January amid clashes
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NewsTranscript
00:09At a meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov with his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez,
00:15Moscow reaffirmed its will continue to support Havana in defending its sovereignty and security.
00:23On Wednesday, the Peruvian Congress will decide on the election of a new president following the destitution of right-wing
00:30politician Jose Heri as interim president of the South American country.
00:37During January 2026 in Italy, 100 civilians died in the Democratic Republic of Congo due to clashes between armed groups
00:45in North Kibu province.
00:51Hello, welcome to From the South, I am Lorena Fon from Telesur Studios in Havana, Cuba.
00:56We begin with the news, stay with us.
01:10The Cuban government continues the distribution of the solidarity aid shipment received from Mexico in the midst of the intensification
01:18of the US economic and fuel blockade on the Caribbean island.
01:21According to the Ministry of Domestic Trade, the donation consisting of food and hygiene products will benefit people in the
01:29provinces of Artemisa, Havana, Mayabeque and the Special Municipality of Isla de la Juventud,
01:35with priority given to children aged 0-13, people over 65, pregnant women and children as well as vulnerable groups.
01:44In this regard, the authority assured the operation is being carried out with the utmost speed in the reception and
01:51distribution of the products which will gradually arrive in the territories on February 12,
01:57to ship sent by Mexico arrived in Havana with 814 tons of humanitarian aid to help meet the basic needs
02:04of the Cuban people in the complex energy scenario the island faces,
02:08aggravated by Washington's imposition of a fuel blockade on late January.
02:17Faced with the intensification of unilateral coercive measures by the United States against Cuba,
02:23the Caribbean island is developing an alternative to ensure food distribution and advance toward technological innovation.
02:30The Cuban Bread Company implemented a new measure that replaces the use of imported diesel with domestically produced manufactured gas.
02:38This adjustment seeks to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and mitigate the impact of the blockade.
02:45This new measure is a direct response to the fuel shortage facing the island as a result of coercion by
02:52the United States.
02:59On Tuesday, Cuban President Miguel DĂaz-Canel received Argentine Congressman Juan Graboa, leader of Patria Grande Party at the Palace
03:07of the Revolution.
03:08During the meeting focused on the defense of sovereignty and Latin American integration,
03:13Graboa expressed a solidarity with Cuba in the face of the U.S. blockade, describing it as brutal and illegal.
03:20He also warned that recent measures taken by the Trump administration constitute a crime against international law.
03:28For his part, the Cuban President highlighted the importance of the support of regional movements in the face of external
03:34pressure from Washington.
03:36The meeting concluded with a joint call for self-determination and harmonious coexistence among nations above ideological differences.
03:51Also, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peska reiterated on Wednesday his government's consistent opposition to the U.S. blockade against Cuba
03:59and reaffirmed that many countries in the world acted the same way.
04:03The statement was reported by the Russian news agency, which also informed that Moscow would soon begin delivering oil and
04:11petroleum products to the Caribbean island as humanitarian aid.
04:15The United States strengthened its blockade against Cuba in January, declaring its intention to overthrow the island's government by imposing
04:23a blockade on all supplies of fuel after it had succeeded in halting oil supplies to Cuba from Mexico and
04:31Venezuela.
04:32The U.S. administration also announced its intention to impose proportional import duties on goods from countries that dare to
04:39supply Cuba with fuel.
04:46In this context, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held a meeting with his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez Barrilla.
04:53At this occasion, Lavrov projected accusations that cooperation between Russia and Cuba poses a threat to the U.S. or
05:00other countries.
05:02In addition, Moscow declared that it will continue to support Havana in defending its sovereignty and security.
05:07For his part, the Cuban Foreign Minister expressed that the island will continue to implement joint projects and agreements with
05:14Russia despite the difficulties.
05:16In this scenario, Bruno Rodriguez reaffirmed that the Cuban government is open to dialogue with any country on the basis
05:23of respect for self-determination.
05:25The Cuban Foreign Minister is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin today.
05:34Together, with the majority of the world community, we call on the United States to show common sense and a
05:40responsible approach,
05:41and to refrain from plans for a noble blockade of the Iceland of freedom.
05:48I want to reiterate the absolute unacceptability of the U.S. decree stating that Cuba possess a threat to U
05:58.S. national interest.
06:01And in the same decree, it is written that this threat is aggravated by your cooperation with us, with Russia,
06:09which this decree calls a hostile and malicious state.
06:16Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Barrilla warned about the deterioration of the international order
06:22as a result of the unilateral practices of the United States government.
06:27We are concerned about the deterioration of the international order, which was already unfair and precarious.
06:39But today, it is being replaced by the practice of the United States government,
06:44by operations of expulsion and occupation of natural resources.
06:53Total transgression of international law, ignorance of the United Nations, which retains not only the current order,
07:01multilateralism, the organization of the United Nations and others, but also the sovereignty and security of all states without the
07:14section.
07:19Today, we face an even greater threat in Cuba, which adds up to decades of blockade,
07:24and which is now getting worse with the executive order that declares Cuba an unusual and extraordinary threat to the
07:30national security,
07:36and foreign policy of the United States.
07:44As always, we will defend with all determination our independence and sovereignty.
07:48We will maintain our unwavering direction in search of greater economic efficiency.
07:58We will work tirelessly, as so far, in the recovery of our economy.
08:07And at the same time, we will always be ready for a respectful dialogue on equal terms with any country.
08:14Of the conditions of the United States.
08:17Civil society activists in Mali gather outside the Cuban Embassy in the capital city, Bamako,
08:23to express their solidarity with the Caribbean nation amid US oil pressure and essential supply shortages.
08:29The demonstrators wave the Malian and Cuban flags and shunted anti-U.S. slogans before entering the premises and singing
08:37the national anthems of both countries.
08:40The Secretary of the Association of Former Malian Students in Cuba, Alassane Sanogo, called the international community to praise racist
08:49voices to condemn the U.S. aggression against the island and the threats of destabilization hanging over the entire world.
08:57On the other hand, Cuba's charge of affairs, Viviana Hernández Fonseca, condemned U.S. pressure and reiterated the Cuban people's
09:04determination to resist.
09:12We must emphasize the need to voice our strong condemnation of threats of any kind, including the use of force,
09:19our demand for respect for international law, and our solidarity with the brotherly people of Cuba in these difficult and
09:27very trying times.
09:35We call on the international community, in particular sovereign peoples, the United Nations, international organizations, global citizen societies, and friends
09:45of Cuba to work urgently to protect the Cuban people and preserve the achievement of their development in education.
09:52On the protection of the Cuban people, the health, health, agriculture, sports, and science, from which we have benefited, we
10:08call on the sovereign authority for many who have always enjoyed fraternal relations with Cuba to use all their influence
10:17to strengthen the bonds of solidarity with our beloved people.
10:24And now we have a short break.
10:25And now we have a short break coming up, but first remember, you can join us on TikTok at Tala
10:28Sur English, where you will find news in different formats, news updates and more. We'll be right back. Stay with
10:34us.
10:54Welcome back to From the South. On Wednesday, the Peruvian Congress will decide on the election of a new president
11:00following the destitution of right-wing politician Jose Heri.
11:03As interim president of the South American country. The plenary session is due to convene at 18 p.m. to
11:10select a new president who will assume leadership of the legislator and become the eighth president of the Republic in
11:17less than a decade.
11:18The election of Heady's successor will take place at an extraordinary plenary session convened in person.
11:25Fernando Respigliosi, the first vice president of Congress, who temporarily took over the leadership of parliament and the executive to
11:33avoid a power vacuum, will preside over the process.
11:36Once elected, the new president of Congress will be sworn in and assume their duties immediately.
11:51In Venezuela, the Public Prosecutor's Office reported the arrest on February 13 of citizens Evan and Romero Gutierrez for crimes
12:01of fraud and conspiracy.
12:02In this regard, the statement informed the public prosecutor's office reports that on February 13, Evan and Romero Gutierrez was
12:12arrested at La Chinita International Airport in Maracaibo.
12:15He had been wanted since May 26, 2025, for the crimes of fraud and conspiracy.
12:22The document added it should be noted that this proceeding is not related to oil issues or activities related to
12:29the sector, as have been reported in various media outlets.
12:32On February 17, 2026, the preliminary hearing was held in view of the age of the citizen under investigation and
12:41in strict compliance with constitutional and procedural guarantees.
12:45According to the statements, the Public Prosecutor's Office requested a substitute precautionary measure consistent of a reporting regime.
12:53This request was granted by a competing court.
12:56The Public Prosecutor's Office remains committed to the country's process dialogue.
13:25And we go now to the Middle East.
13:27The Palestinian Center for the Missing and Forcibly Disappeared reported
13:31that more than 7,000 people are still missing since October 2023 due to the Israeli genocide against the Gaza
13:38Strip.
13:39According to the report, the missing victims remain buried under rubble or in the custody of the illegal Israeli detention
13:46system,
13:47and that the concealment of figure is a tool to erase evidence of crimes against civilians.
13:52The organization also assured the international community to put pressure for the immediate location of their whereabouts.
13:59It also demanded access to the disaster areas for civil defense teams and the use of DNA technology to identify
14:06the victims and end the cycle of uncertainty.
14:15Eight countries and international organizations condemned Israel's unilateral decisions and measures aimed at suspending its illegal presence in the West
14:26Bank.
14:27During a press conference, Riyad Mansour, the permanent observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations,
14:33delivered the statement in which the group said the decision contradicts Israel's obligation under international law and must be preserved
14:42immediately.
14:42The group expressed firm opposition to any form of annexation.
14:46The statement reiterated the rejection of all measures aimed at altering the demographic, composition, character or legal status of Palestinian
14:55territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem.
15:04In other topics, in Palestine, thousands of worshippers performed the Isha and Tarawih prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque on
15:12the first night of the holy month of Ramadan.
15:15Despite the restriction imposed by the occupying forces, a crowd was able to access the sacred complex after the sighting
15:22of the waxing moon was confirmed.
15:25The day was remarked by tension after the police broke into the mosque.
15:29The massive attendance of the faithful is seen as an act of resistance and faith in the face of the
15:35complex security situation in the region.
15:43Also, as part of preparations for the holy month of Ramadan, Pakistani citizens go to markets to buy traditional food
15:50for this occasion.
15:51Sellers reported an increase in demand for products associated with Ramadan, including spices and legumes.
15:59Citizens also prepared mosques to welcome the faithful installing new lighting, cleaning and conditioning the premises.
16:06The atmosphere in the streets combines special devotion with families' efforts to manage tight budgets.
16:17We have a second short break coming up before we invite you to visit our Facebook page at Telesur English.
16:23There you'll be able to watch our top stories' special live coverage and much more.
16:28Follow our page and activate the notification button to stay up to date on the world's most recent events.
16:33But we'll be back with more for From the South. Don't go!
16:56Welcome back to From the South.
16:58During January 2026, nearly 100 civilians died in the Democratic Republic of Congo due to clashes between armed groups in
17:07North Kibu province.
17:08A report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OSHA, revealed that the actions left numerous
17:16people injured and caused massive displacement of the population.
17:20At the same time, drone attacks were also reported causing concern among the population as the threats make it difficult
17:28to access humanitarian aid.
17:30Since the beginning of January, the OSHA has reported new armed confrontations in several villages located in the sanitary zones
17:40of Masisi and Katoi.
17:50President of Ghana John Dramani Mahama announced that the African Union will submit a landmark resolution to the United Nations
17:59to recognize the transatlantic slave trade as a crime against humanity.
18:04This announcement was made at the close of the 39th African Union Assembly in Addis Ababa, where it was confirmed
18:12that the text is being finalized for submission in March 2026.
18:17The initiative seeks to dignify the 12 million Africans forcibly displaced and the 2 million who perished during the crossing.
18:25Mahama emphasized that the struggle transcends financial compensation focusing instead on truth and genuine equality.
18:32During a roundtable discussion, the participants agreed that restitution is an essential element for the identity of peoples in light
18:41with international conventions that seeks to redress the plunder of colonial culture.
18:51In other topics, in Switzerland, the second round of negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian delegations ended on Wednesday with the
19:00aim of achieving an effective progress.
19:03Representatives from Moscow and Kiev meet in Geneva with mediators from the United States to reach an agreement and end
19:10the conflict between the parties.
19:11Kiev negotiator Rosteyn Gumerov said the talks showed significant progress toward an agreement.
19:18On the other hand, the head of the Russian delegation Vladimir Medinsky said the negotiations have been difficult but business
19:25-like and affirmed that the situation is still unresolved,
19:29but he hopes that a fair territorial solution could be reached.
19:38As you know, negotiations were going for two days, yesterday for a very long time in different formats, and today
19:45as well for approximately two hours.
19:51They were difficult, but business-like. The next meeting will take place in the near future. That's all we wanted
19:57to say.
20:01The head of the Ukrainian delegation Rosteyn Gumerov said that a significant progress had been made in the U.S.
20:07broker talks with Russia, but declined to give details about the negotiation results.
20:12The discussions were intensive and substantive. We thank our U.S. partners for ensuring that the process is not stopping
20:21and continues, and Swiss side for hosting us and hospitality.
20:27Within the delegation both political and military tracks were engaged, security parameters and mechanisms for implementing possible decisions were discussed,
20:35a number of issues were clarified, while others remain under additional coordination.
20:42We are focused on working through the key provisions required to finalize the process. This is complex work that requires
20:49alignment among all parties and sufficient time.
20:52There is progress, but no details can be disclosed at this stage. The next step is to achieve the necessary
20:59level of consensus to submit the developed decisions for consideration by the presidents.
21:07Teachers in France took part in a strike to protest the elimination of thousands of jobs in the country's education
21:14system.
21:15Protesters denounced the cancellation of hundreds of positions in the academies of Versailles and Paris,
21:21rejecting the official argument of declining student numbers. They stated that the cuts will deteriorate working conditions in the classroom.
21:29As a result, the trade unions are demanding the immediate cancellation of the reductions, which for the 2026 school year
21:38plan to eliminate almost 4,000 positions in the public and private sectors.
21:48Like this, we have come to the end of this news brief. You can find this and many other stories
21:52on our website at TelesurEnglish.net and join us on social media.
21:57We are on Facebook, X, Instagram, Telegram and TikTok. For Telesur English, I am Lorena Fong. Thank you for watching.
22:03.
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