- 5 hours ago
21/04/2026
FTS 8.30
*Haiti: number of dead, injured and displaced people is rising due to violence by criminal groups
*Iran reiterates that it will not negotiate under U.S. threats
FTS 8.30
*Haiti: number of dead, injured and displaced people is rising due to violence by criminal groups
*Iran reiterates that it will not negotiate under U.S. threats
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NewsTranscript
00:09In Venezuela, the people of Bolivar State joined the national pilgrimage aimed at unifying voices for peace and the country's
00:16social well-being.
00:33The situation in Haiti continues to worsen the number of death, injuries and displaced people increases due to criminal group
00:40violence.
00:46The Iranian government stated on Tuesday that it will not negotiate under pressure in the face of U.S. threats
00:52regarding the Persian Gulf.
00:59Hello, welcome to From the South. I'm Luis Alberto Matos from the Lesotho Studios in Caracas, Venezuela. We begin with
01:05the news.
01:22In Venezuela, the people of Bolivar State joined the national pilgrimage aimed at unifying voices for peace and the country's
01:29social well-being.
01:30The president of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodriguez, led Monday's pilgrimage for peace, reiterating that the march demands the definitive
01:37lifting of all sanctions imposed on the South American nation.
01:40In this regard, Rodriguez also stated that without these coercive measures, the country could continue to advance in building the
01:48prosperity that future generations deserve.
01:51In this context, the head of the legislature reiterated that Venezuelans have a long history of fighting for independence and
01:57freedom, a pillar that he confirmed remains strong.
01:59The parliamentarian also questioned a recent far-right event in Spain that promoted racist expressions against Venezuelans.
02:19We have to eradicate any racist discourse through love and the strength of this pilgrimage.
02:26The feeling we have noticed just today is impressive. I come from the state of the Amazonas, and right now
02:33we are entering one of the most beautiful states in Venezuela, Bolivar. Join us.
02:41In addition, the president of the National Assembly of Venezuela, Jorge Rodriguez, emphasized that it is time to put differences
02:47aside and embrace solidarity and forgiveness.
02:56The time has come to put our differences aside and consider what we have in common, what things we share.
03:04I don't know if I'm committing an act of blasphemy, but I ask forgiveness from the apostle, the vicar and
03:11the church representatives here. Listen to the words of the representatives of the so-called monotheistic religions.
03:21They are all governed by the same principles and ideas, above all the search for redemption and forgiveness, and a
03:29spirit of solidarity and embrace.
03:39And the Venezuelan acting president, Joseph Rodriguez, emphasized that the country is advancing in the national pilgrimage process with the
03:47aim of achieving a sanction-free Venezuela.
03:49During the inauguration of the Dr. Jose de Jesus Arrocha Educational Unit following its comprehensive rehabilitation, the acting president celebrated
03:58people's participation in a large-scale pilgrimage against sanctions, saying that it is a time for reconciliation and national dialogue.
04:06In this regard, Rodriguez affirmed that the mobilization had transcended the political sphere to become a cultural and spiritual expression.
04:14The acting president also confirmed that the recovery of resources would be allocated to schools, hospitals, sports facilities, and essential
04:21infrastructure, as well as to strategic production that would generate income for the country and benefits for workers.
04:36The school looks beautiful, and I want to emphasize that we are currently on a pilgrimage across the entire country
04:43to achieve a sanctions-free Venezuela.
04:46Resources will go to schools, hospitals, sports facilities, and essential infrastructure services such as electricity and water.
04:54They will also go to strategic production, allowing the country to generate income and translate that into income for workers.
05:03This will bring social happiness to our people.
05:06That is why I will not rest until every single Venezuelan joins the pilgrimage.
05:17The government of Venezuela requested the criminal justice system consider alternative measures for individuals deprived of liberty for actions against
05:25democracy and national peace.
05:27The statement expresses, in response to the request made last Thursday, April 16, 1926, the Public Prosecutor's Office requested before
05:34the judicial authorities the adoption of alternative measures for 51 individuals prosecuted or convicted of crimes related to various attacks
05:42against democratic institutions, peace, and the development of the Republic.
05:46These measures were agreed upon by the competent courts and implemented on the same day.
05:52The document states that the government of Venezuela reaffirms its commitment to adopting measures aimed at fostering reconciliation among Venezuelans
06:02and strengthening the nation's social fabric as essential requirements for the consolidation of peace and the preservation of national sovereignty.
06:17And the Public Prosecutor's Office of Venezuela and the United Nations are working together to explore new partnerships that will
06:24improve access to justice and protect human rights in the South American country.
06:28The Public Prosecutor's Office announced on its Telegram channel that, on Monday, the Attorney General of the Republic, Larry DeVoe
06:35Marquez, held a working meeting with Gianluca Rampolla, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Venezuela, and Maria Angelic Alvarado, the
06:44Coordinator of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
06:48In addition, the Post informed that, during the meeting, potential areas of cooperation were explored that could be developed to
06:55strengthen the work of the Public Prosecutor's Office within the criminal justice system.
06:59The aim is to increase access to justice and protect the human rights of the entire population.
07:05Let's now look at a timeline of U.S. sanctions on Venezuela, a review of measures that over the past
07:10decade have sought to impact its economy and directly affect its people. Let's see.
07:16On December 18, 2014, the U.S. Congress imposed the first sanctions against Venezuela, under the pretext of human rights
07:23violations during anti-government protests in which extremists killed Venezuelan citizens.
07:28Then, on March 8, 2015, former President Barack Obama declared Venezuela, an unusual threat to U.S. foreign policy and
07:37national security, laying the legal groundwork for the beginning of financial pressure against the country.
07:43On August 24, 2017, the U.S. sanctioned Venezuela's oil industry, imposing a financial and legal blackade to restrict financing
07:52transactions.
07:53Then, on March 19, 2018, Washington sanctioned the issuance of the Petro and any other cryptocurrency or digital economy instrument
08:01by the Venezuelan government.
08:04On May 21, 2018, Donald Trump tightened sanctions against PDVSA and Venezuela's public finances, prohibiting all financial or legal operations
08:14that would allow Venezuela to obtain international financing.
08:17Then, on November 1, 2019, Trump sanctioned and blocked operations in the gold sector and any other economic sector designated
08:25by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
08:28On January 25, 2019, Executive Order 13,857 was issued to days after Juan 1-80's self-proclamation to adjust
08:37sanctions and legitimize the U.S. political recognition.
08:40On August 5, Donald Trump imposed a total blockade on Venezuela's assets on U.S. soil.
08:46On December 20, Congress approved the Venezuela Emergency Relief, Democracy Assistance and Development Act of 2019 to support the so
08:55-called interim presidency and recognize the 2015 National Assembly dominated by extremism, urging other governments to adopt similar measures.
09:04On February 21, 2025, Trump, through the decree America First Investment Policies, classified Venezuela as a foreign adversary and prohibited
09:14the country from acquiring U.S. technologies.
09:17On March 15, he invoked the alien enemies act of 1798 in an illegal manner all Venezuelans over 14 years
09:25old without U.S. citizenship or permanent residency could be detained and expelled under the pretext of belonging to a
09:31criminal organization.
09:32On March 24, he issued Executive Order 14,245, declaring Venezuela an unusual and extraordinary threat to national security, and
09:42imposed, starting April 2, 2025, 25% tariffs on all countries that import Venezuelan oil.
09:54And the capital of Haiti, Puerto Prince, remains under control of criminal groups.
09:59On Monday, civil society organizations confirmed that the criminal group warfare that has been plaguing the north of the city
10:07for weeks has left an unknown number of people dead.
10:09The dispute between the criminal groups, Jen Mech and 400 Maguazzo, and Taliban against the criminal entities grouped under the
10:17name PR6 has taken over the plain to cool the sack area.
10:21Their important companies operate that these criminal organizations intend to take over.
10:27Human rights organizations and local residents who have managed to flee the area are denouncing the absence of any state
10:34presence amid this tragedy, which makes it impossible to determine the number of deaths, injuries or displaced people.
10:42They claim that the government has left them completely alone.
10:45This new outbreak of violence is not an isolated incident, reiterated the humanitarian activists, who claim that this is the
10:53most brutal expression of decades of accumulated devastation, corrupt governments, and foreign interventions.
11:12And the Ecuadorian bishops conference this Monday sent a strong message to President Daniel Noboa in the face of the
11:18new wave of violence affecting the country.
11:21Pre-religious leaders issued a statement declaring that violence has entered homes, streets, and schools.
11:26They have also denounced that poverty and unemployment are the main causes that have made the country one of the
11:33most violent in the region.
11:34Meanwhile, the head of state announced another new night-time curfew for 10 provinces following a weekend that left more
11:40than 20 dead.
12:00In Peru, left-wing candidate Roberto Sánchez is leading Rafael López Aliaga by over 13,000 votes in the race
12:06for second place in the 2026 presidential election.
12:10According to a report from Peru's National Office of Electoral Processes, the counted tally sheets indicate that presidential candidate Roberto
12:16Sánchez is in second place with 12%, compared to 11.91% for candidate López Aliaga.
12:22In this scenario, right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori is in first place with 17.05% of the votes.
12:27The National Office of Electoral Processes is continuing to count votes, with partial results indicating that a runoff election on
12:36June 7 is imminent.
12:37Let's recall that in Peru, a candidate must obtain 50% plus one of the valid votes to win in
12:43the first round.
12:50And on Monday, Nicaragua's co-presidents Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo presided over a major event in Managua attended by
12:58thousands of people who came together to reaffirm and celebrate the nation's commitment to peace, unity, and well-being.
13:05The event took place on Bolivar Avenue, where the National Heroes Monuments are located in the presence of Nicaraguan families,
13:12members of the Roman cabinet, and state officials.
13:14The co-presidents celebrated April designated as the month of peace, calling for solidarity and an end to sanctions and
13:22aggressions against nations of the Global South.
13:24In this regard, the Nicaraguan people condemned the U.S. blockade against Cuba and U.S.-Israeli attacks in the Middle
13:31East.
13:37They must leave the sanctions they have imposed on many countries, including Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and the list goes on
13:56and on.
14:00Sanctions that treated the lives of citizens, the sovereignty of peoples, and international law.
14:17Let's take a short break when we'll be right back.
14:48Welcome back.
14:49Welcome back.
14:50Pablo XIV arrived in Ecuador, Guinea, the fourth and final stop on his apostolic journey to Africa.
14:56The visit to Ecuador, Guinea includes a series of ceremonies and meetings with civil society government officials and the diplomatic
15:02corps,
15:02as well as a mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Montgomo, and a visit to a prison
15:08in Bata.
15:09The Pope would also meet with young people and families in Bata and celebrate a closing mass at the Malabo
15:14Stadium before returning to Rome.
15:15This tour demonstrates his humanitarian commitment and strengthens the spiritual bond with the African continent.
15:46The Iranian government stated on Tuesday that he will not negotiate under pressure in the face of the United States.
15:51The news of U.S. threats regarding the Persian Gulf.
15:53The announcement of an imminent trip by U.S. Vice President James D. Vance to Pakistan has not been met
16:00with a reciprocal response in Tehran.
16:02The contrary, President Masoud Peshikian stated clearly that Iranians did not submit to the logic of force.
16:07The Speaker of Parliament, Mohammed Bagher Khalibaf, who is also the leader of the Iranian negotiating delegation,
16:12was even more direct in accusing President Donald Trump of imposing a siege and violating the ceasefire.
16:25Iran's oil fleet is defying the U.S. naval blockade in the Persian Gulf and invading the sanctions imposed by
16:31Washington.
16:32At least 26 Iranian vessels have already crossed the exclusion zone in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
16:38According to maritime monitoring reports, 11 oil tankers and one bulk carrier have managed to circumvent the restrictions since April
16:4613, transporting Iranian crude.
16:48These vessels, known as the Shadow Fleet, use tactics such as flag changing to evade Washington's coercive measures.
16:55Tensions are rising as Tehran denounces the United States acts of piracy and reaffirms its control over the street waterway
17:01for global trade.
17:09And in this context, thousands of citizens remain on the streets, reiterating their support for the government and the Iranian
17:15armed forces.
17:16These constant protests constitute a sign of popular support for the armed forces' defensive actions.
17:21Iranian authorities see these rallies as a clear sign of international cohesion,
17:26and at least note that the protests aim to send a message of strength and unity to the international community.
17:41And tensions arise in the Middle East.
17:43The Iraqi resistance has warned that it will intensify its attacks if the United States or Israel attack Iran.
17:49The Iraqi group Saraya Abliya al-Dham warned that the United States and Israel would intensify its military operations if
17:56they attacked Iran.
17:57In a statement, the faction said it was prepared for a prolonged war and announced the use of advanced weaponry
18:03for the first time.
18:04In this sense, the warning comes at the end of the truce with what they call aggressors after more than
18:10200 previous operations in the region.
18:13The faction also called on the population to maintain support for the peoples of Iran and Lebanon, whom they consider
18:18to be part of the same structure.
18:32A report prepared by the European Union and the World Bank on the situation in Palestine was released this Monday
18:37and denounces the negative impact of the genocide in the Gaza Strip.
18:41The report clearly describes the multisectoral collapse as a very vicious cycle of hunger, disease and social fragmentation.
18:49Nearly 1.9 million Gazans have been displaced.
18:52More than half of the hospitals are closed.
18:55Over 60% of the population has lost their homes and nearly all schools have been destroyed.
18:59The report estimates that the economic cost of these destructions amounts to more than $71 billion.
19:11In other topics, thousands of Argentinians paid tribute in Buenos Aires Plaza de Mayo to Pope Francis on the anniversary
19:18of his death with a massive electronic mass.
19:21The Portuguese priest Guillaume Peixoto, known as the DJ priest, led the tribute that blended music and messages from the
19:28pontiff about peace, family, hope and youth.
19:31The gathering, organized free of charge, sought to celebrate Jorge Bergoglio's legacy of unity from a modern and relaxed perspective,
19:39far from the strict and traditional protocols.
19:50Well, like this, we are from the end of this news break.
19:52You can find more on our website at www.tellestoryenglish.net and also on our social media.
19:55For TellestoryEnglish, I'm with Roberto Matos.
19:57Thanks for watching.
19:58.
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