- 3 hours ago
19/02/2026
FTS 10.30
*Argentina: Unions strike against Milei´s labor reform
*Youth of the world reiterates solidarity with Cuba
FTS 10.30
*Argentina: Unions strike against Milei´s labor reform
*Youth of the world reiterates solidarity with Cuba
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:12In the Beruvian Congress elected Congressman José María Balcazar as the new president,
00:18following the destitution of right-wing politician José Herí as interim president of the South
00:23American country. In Argentina, the General Confederation of Labor launched a 24-hour
00:32general strike on Thursday in protest of the labor reform promoted by President Javier
00:37Millay's government. And members of the Bureau of the World Federation of Democratic Youth ratified
00:48their support for the Cuban people and government amidst the escalation of U.S. aggressions against
00:53the Caribbean country. Hello and welcome to From the South. I'm Alejandra García from
01:02Telesur Studios in Caracas, Venezuela. We begin with the news. Stay with us.
01:18The Beruvian Congress elected Congressman José María Balcazar as the new interim president
01:24following the destitution of right-wing politician José Herí. The appointment in the Peruvian
01:29parliament focused on the election of the head of the board of directors who will immediately assume
01:34the interim presidency of the country. It should be noted that Javier's removal has led to an
01:40institutional crisis and has exacerbated the nation's political landscape in times of crisis.
01:46In this sense, the new leader's main responsibility will be to guarantee the country's democratic transition
01:53towards the upcoming general election schedule for April 12th.
02:02The result of the vote is as follows. Candidate number to 46 votes. Candidate number for 60 votes. Blank
02:12zero votes. Invalid votes 34 votes. Blank zero votes. Invalid votes 3 votes. Consequently, Congressman
02:21Balcazar has been elected president of the Congress of the Republic and has therefore been proclaimed as such.
02:31Once the parliamentary vote was completed and the results were published, José María
02:36Balcazar was running amidst a context of political transition. In his first message to the country,
02:41he committed to defending national sovereignty.
02:48I, José María Balcazar, swear by God, by the country, and by all Peruvians who have faithfully served
02:56as president of the republic, which I assume in accordance with the political constitution of Peru
03:02from this moment until July 26, 2026, that I will defend national sovereignty. The physical and moral
03:10integrity of the republic and the independence of its democratic institutions, that I will expand and
03:17enforce the political constitution and laws of Peru, and that I will soon recognize the cultural and
03:23moral self-determination of the people. José María Balcazar.
03:29Also, José María Balcazar, who has assumed the position of interim president of Peru, has declared his
03:35commitment to a democratic and peaceful transition. In his speech, he assured that his goal is to
03:40ensure that the upcoming elections are conducted in a transparent manner without any doubt as to
03:46their legitimacy.
03:49There will be a peaceful, transparent democratic and electoral transition with no doubt about the
03:55elections. Second, to maintain true peacefulness and to have actions in the ministries to tackle citizen
04:02insecurity. I realize that they are not addressing the issue where they should. I have always said,
04:07MR, president, that criminal organizations. I have been in the system. I have been in the justice system
04:14for many years. And if someone wants to solve the problem of the National Penitentiary Institute of
04:20Peru, and I say, well, they are wrong, completely wrong. That problem is not solved with a few laws. The
04:28National Penitentiary Institute responds to the entire national justice system. The public prosecutor's office,
04:35the judiciary, the ministry of justice, criminology institutes, universities, otherwise we cannot solve
04:43it. And on top of that, organized crime is no longer a crime, as it traditionally was national, no
04:49longer. The Aragut train, for example, has connotations of international terrorism. And well, that is why it
04:57should be punished by any country in the world. But we have to discuss this. And we have to sit
05:02down with
05:03thinking people, with people who really want to bring peace to this country.
05:10Also in this context, Congressman José María Balcazar Celada was appointed interim president of
05:17Peru amid the deep political crisis facing the country. At 33 years of age, Congressman José María
05:24Balcazar is one of the most controversial figures in Peruvian politics, as his candidacy for the presidency of
05:31Congress has generated a wave of rejection rooted in a past of alleged financial and ethical irregularities.
05:37His most recent scandal is his permanent expulsion from the Lambayeque Barak Association ratified in
05:45December 2024. And he is accused of having appropriated more than two million seven hundred thousand
05:51soles using his personal accounts to receive payments from the institution he previously led.
05:57In addition, his controversies go beyond financial issues. Balcazar openly opposed the ban on child
06:04marriage, arguing that sexual relationships at an early age were normal. After this, his position
06:11has been described as misogynist by his own colleagues in parliament.
06:22And now we have a short break coming out. And Gawai will be right back with more information.
06:47Welcome back to From the South. And let's go to Argentina, where the General Confederation of Labor
06:52has launched a 24-hour general strike on Thursday in protest of the labor reform promoted by President
06:59Javier Mele's government, which is scheduled to be debated today at 2 p.m. local time in the
07:04Chamber of Deputies. The country is already at a standstill with preliminary reports showing multiple
07:10public transport services suspended. Although the strike does not include marches, some protesters have
07:17gathered near the Congress and the first cassero-lassos or pot banging protests have been heard in several
07:24cities. This is the fourth strike called against the libertarian government and was confirmed after the
07:30ruling party secured a majority report in the plenary of the labor legislation and budget committees
07:35following the collection of 44 signatures. Since midnight, train, subway and most bus services have been interrupted.
08:04And now we go to Mexico. An enormous attack on Tuesday in the Park of Renovacion in San Francisco del
08:10Rincón,
08:10Guanajuato, left one person dead and then wounded, most of them minors. According to preliminary reports,
08:17on Tuesday night, men with long guns arrived and opened fire on those gathered there, then fled on their
08:24motorcycles. The far-off victim died in the emergency room while several injured people were taken by
08:30family members to the local hospital. The governor of Guanajuato, Olivia Denise Garcia, described the attack
08:36as unacceptable and assured that the authorities are working with the attorney general's office to clarify
08:42the facts and capture those responsible.
08:51Also, we go to Venezuela now where Acting President Delci Rodriguez led the assessment of the 2026
08:57Carnival for Peace event. The 2026 Carnivals for Peace in Venezuela concluded on Tuesday February 17th
09:05after several days of recreational and cultural activities that took place in different regions of
09:12the country with the aim of promoting community coexistence. In addition, the fervor of the carnivals was
09:18felt in the rest of the regions such as Carecas and the central heartland all the way to the east,
09:24the plains,
09:25the Andes and the western coasts. It is worth mentioning that the main events took place in the states of
09:31La Guayra, Falcón, Nueva Esparta, Bolívar and Sucre where residents and tourists gathered to enjoy concerts,
09:38parades, sport games and also activities for the whole family.
09:49No one come and say that thanks is not thanks to the Venezuelan people. Thanks to the efforts of our
09:54people who, in the midst of a terrible criminal blockade, are a people who. It is a people that is
10:00rising up.
10:01We begin the year 2026, well, with an attack on the 3rd of January. Annual leader respects, is recovering.
10:09It is a people that is rising up. We began the year 2026, well, with an aggression on January 3rd,
10:17an aggression against our country, and here it is. It is February, and the Venezuelan poll is standing.
10:23The Venezuelan people are working, the Venezuelan poll is fighting. And I want to congratulate the
10:29security officials of the civil protection agencies, to the firefighters who we have seen in all
10:34scenarios, on beach vacations, in the mountains, in the plains, taking charge of high-ranking officials.
10:55On Wednesday, over 200 heroes of labor in Cuba begin to receive photovoltaic modules in their homes as
11:03part of a program created to address the country's energy crisis due to the US blockade. The installation
11:09is part of a plan to provide more than 10,000 workers with compact solar energy systems to mitigate the
11:15effects of power outages. Of the 208 heroes of labor on the island, 138 systems have already been installed,
11:24representing more than 63% of the plan's implementation. The program also extends to
11:31thousands of workers' families throughout the country. Nearly 8,000 photovoltaic systems are
11:36already in operation, while the sale and installation of the rest continues amid a complex energy
11:44situation caused by the intensification of United States aggression against the island.
11:56Also on Wednesday, members of the Bureau of the World Federation of Democratic Youth ratified their
12:01support for the Cuban people and government amidst the escalation of US aggression against the Caribbean
12:06country. In this context, the members of the Bureau wanted to tell the Cuban people that the support
12:12they support and back the revolution more than ever. The President of the Federation, José González,
12:18and the Vice President for the Middle East for the organization Adnan el-Mogdad were present on the
12:24island, where they were accompanied by this representative of the Union of Young Communists of Cuba,
12:31Sunil Sosa Cordero. This federation was founded in 1945 and has presence in dozens of countries.
12:39Their message was clear. Organized solidarity continues to be a living political tool and Cuba continues to
12:46have the support of broad sectors around the world.
12:58Now we have a second solve break coming up. Don't go away. We'll be right back with more
13:02information here from the South.
13:25Welcome back to From the South and we go right away to the United Kingdom where former Prince Andrew was
13:30arrested on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Andrew has been under scrutiny
13:37by Thames Valley Police since revelations about his links to sexual offender Jeffrey Epstein. Among
13:44the recent allegations is that he shared confidential government documents with Epstein during his time
13:49as UK Trade Envoy. Images released by the US Department of Justice show former Prince Andrew bending
13:56over a non-identified woman as well as others with Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell. In this
14:04regard, Andrew has denied any wrongdoing but has not responded to specific requests for comments
14:10following the release of the latest files by the US government.
14:36two Palestinian prisoners' rights organizations denounced the escalation of civilian arrest perpetrated by
14:43Israeli military forces. Spokesperson for the Palestinian Prisoners Affairs Authority and the Prisoners Club
14:50condemned Israel's approval of legal amendments that seek to affect kidnapped Palestinians. In a statement,
14:58the group stated the changes represent an attempt to evade the basic rights of Palestinians
15:04under the guise of legal cover. The statement notes that approximately 3,360 people are imprisoned in
15:11Tel Aviv which has been turned into a torture center through an official police policy based on physical
15:18and psychological abuse, starvation and also medical neglect.
15:32Also, the United Nations Development Programme UNDP warned that 90% of the population in
15:38Gaza is currently living among ruins. According to the agency, the accumulation of 61 million tons of debris
15:45poses a serious health and safety risk. Alexander the program's administrator noted that at the current
15:54piece, clean-up operations will take seven years since only 0.5% of the material has been removed.
16:01In response to this crisis, the agency is implementing an emergency plan that prioritizes debris removal
16:08and also the installation of temporary shelters to replace the current tents. Although about 4,500 basic
16:15housing units have already been arranged, up to 300,000 units are needed to improve living conditions.
16:34In other information, a court in Seoul on Thursday convicted former President Junsu Joe for leading an
16:41insurrection after declaring martial law in 2024. The court has described that decision as an illegal
16:49attempt to subvert the constitutional order and neutralize the parliamentary opposition. Judge G. Cui Jun argued
16:57that former presidents claim that the opposition was a multi-state force, was unfounded, and that there was
17:04never a real threat that would justify activating the mechanism. The court has sent a clear message.
17:10National security cannot be used as a predictor to suspend rights or disrupt the balance of powers.
17:23National security cannot be used as a threat.
17:24On Wednesday night, Russian air defense systems intercepted a total of 130 unmanned aerial vehicles
17:29launched by the Ukrainian armed forces. On Thursday, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
17:35reported that these drones were targeted at various regions of the country. Of the total number of devices
17:42shut down, 38 were neutralized in the province of Bryansk, 32 in Smolensk, and 10 in Tiber. In addition,
17:51shutdowns were recorded in other provinces such as Leningrad and Kaluga. According to Russian authorities,
17:58military counterintelligence efforts made it possible to contain these actions before they caused harm to the civilian population.
18:20In the Russian capital, Moscow has been affected by heavy snowfall on Thursday. The weather phenomenon has caused traffic jams
18:28and accidents. In addition,
18:31approximately 140 flights have been cancelled or rescheduled. According to experts, the snowfall could
18:37be one of the five most intense on record, with the snow drafts reaching up to 80 centimetres. Furthermore,
18:44winds are expected to strengthen region guards of up to 17 metres per second.
18:55Also, three people died and several were injured after being caught in an avalanche while skiing in the Italian Alps.
19:0215 rescuers,
19:03three Canadian units and two helicopters were mobilized in the search and rescue operations. A study is estimated that the
19:10original group consisted of six French nationals. However, they have not specified the total number of people affected so far.
19:17Experts have warned that even the dust clouds generated by avalanches can knock people down,
19:24create dangerous breathing conditions and also cause panic. During February,
19:30more than a dozen people have lost their lives in the Italian Alps due to avalanches,
19:34making this month one of the most tragic of the season.
19:45In other topics, Brazilian President Luis Inácio Lula da Silva begins his visit to India to strengthen his strategic alliances.
19:53This Wednesday, Brazilian President Lula da Silva landed in New Delhi, where he was received with honours to begin his
20:01official tour. This visit represents an opportunity for both Brexit powers to review their strategic partnership,
20:07with an emphasis also on reformed multilateralism, global governance and the defense of the interests of the nations of the
20:16Global South as they move toward multipolarity.
20:19After completing his engagement in India, the President will travel to Seoul to meet with South Korean President Lee Jae
20:26-min-yong.
20:45In Pakistan, the artist Abed Shah keeps alive the art of wheat straw, a century's old craft at the risk
20:51of disappearing. More details in the following segment.
21:00Pakistani artist Abed Shah says he is the last creator of wheat straw paintings.
21:07It's called wheat straw art because we only use wheat straw. I'm the only artist in Asia still doing this.
21:13It's a 200-year-old art form.
21:18The paintings, which resemble gold embroidery, are a 200-year-old craft made entirely from dried wheat stalks.
21:27Each piece is the result of meticulous work, starting with the selection of wheat stalks, followed by cleaning, soaking, and
21:35dyeing, which are then transformed into masterpieces a routine Shah has followed since a young age.
21:44I was introduced to this art at the age of 10, in 1970. I had no choice but to cut
21:49up my own clothes, placing them on cardboard to make my first two pieces.
21:56Wheat straw art is a distinctive form of folk art that showcases the country's artisanal creativity and an aesthetic appreciation
22:04of one of Pakistan's most important crops.
22:11Calligraphy, portraits, and landscapes are some of the subjects Abed Shah depicts in each of his works.
22:19However, the artist emphasizes his desire to share his knowledge with the world to preserve the legacy of this centuries
22:25-old craft in the country.
22:31People don't understand this art in Pakistan. But yes, if someone invites me abroad, I can teach it, and pass
22:38this art on to other children.
22:42From wheat strands, shimmering gold-like paintings emerge from Shah's workshop, a cultural and artistic relic of Pakistan, a tangible
22:50memory that evokes the people's connection to their wheat fields, a fragment of their identity, whose last practitioner calls for
22:57greater interest in its preservation.
23:05And like this, we have come to the end of this news brief.
23:08For Telesur English, I'm Alejandra Garcia. Thank you for watching.
Comments