- 13 minutes ago
13/05/2026
FTS 12.30
*Bolivian senate repeals agricultural law 1720 after days of civil protests
*U.S. pres. Donald Trump arrived in China for official visit
FTS 12.30
*Bolivian senate repeals agricultural law 1720 after days of civil protests
*U.S. pres. Donald Trump arrived in China for official visit
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NewsTranscript
00:13Cuba warned that a U.S. attack on the island would lead to a humanitarian catastrophe and
00:17claim the life of innocent people in both countries. The Bolivian Senate repealed
00:26agricultural law 1720 following days of protests demanding the repeal of the
00:31bill promoted by the government of Frederico Pass. At the same time
00:34discussions are on the way to draft new agricultural regulations and U.S.
00:43President Donald Trump arrived in China for a diplomatic visit where he is
00:47expected to meet with his counterpart Xi Jinping.
00:57Hello, welcome to From the South, I'm Luis Alberto Matos from the LSU Studios in Caracas,
01:02Venezuela. We begin with the news.
01:16Cuba warned that a U.S. attack on the island would lead to a humanitarian catastrophe and claim the
01:21life of innocent people in both countries. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez
01:26stressed that Cuba does not pose a threat to any country and that, on the contrary,
01:31it has been the target of aggression for decades. The minister asserted that the
01:35military threats hanging over Havana are due to the ambitions of a few geopolitical
01:39actors who seek to overthrow the revolutionary government elected by the
01:43people. Rodriguez's statements come amid direct threats from Washington regarding an
01:49armed invasion of the island.
01:59Furthermore, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez denounced media manipulation regarding the
02:03country's image. The New York Times coverage of Cuba in the first month of
02:082026 does not merely describe a crisis. It precisely constructs the image of a
02:13country on the verge of collapse. This framing aligns with the agenda of
02:16political, economic, and media pressure promoted by the United States against the
02:21island. Analysis by the Cuba Debate Media Observatory shows that the Times does not
02:28merely report. It emotionally frames how the situation in Cuba should be perceived while
02:33hiding or minimizing the fact that a large part of the country's difficulties are
02:38directly linked to Washington's policy of economic strangulation.
02:46And the National Assembly of Venezuela addressed the historical significance of
02:52defending territorial sovereignty over the Ezequiva region before the International
02:56Code of Dosis. During a regular session on Tuesday, the National Assembly unanimously
03:02approved and agreed to support the comprehensive defense of Guayana Ezequiva's territory and
03:08the legal strategy that Venezuela maintains before the ICJ. In this scenario, the deputies stated
03:14that this is a decisive moment that must transcend partisan interest as defending Ezequiva requires
03:19unity beyond ideological differences. The National Assembly referenced historical, legal, and
03:25cartographic documents dating back to the 18th century to demonstrate the invalidity of the 1899
03:32arbitral award. The deputies also emphasized that the 1966 Geneva Agreement is the only valid binding
03:38legal instrument that can lead to a practical, satisfactory solution for both parties.
03:50And Colombian President Gustavo Petro confirmed the bombing of the National Liberation Army's Central
03:57Command and said that it was carried out under an agreement with the Venezuelan government.
04:02The military operation took place near the Catatumbo River. It was the government's third bombing of the armed
04:08group in the same region. The first was reported on February 4th and the second on April 9th.
04:13The Colombian President emphasized that organizations that maintain their decision to control illicit
04:19economies and reject agreements to dismantle them are not part of any peace agreement with the state.
04:24In this regard, Gustavo Petro reiterated that the ELN lost the nation's trust by systematically killing
04:30hundreds of unarmed farmers in Catatumbo.
04:38And in Brazil, the 30th anniversary of the Black Knight March was celebrated by hundreds
04:43of people gathering in the city of Sao Paulo. This demonstration marks the eve of the official
04:48abolition of slavery in the country. The gathering was centered around Liberty Square, a place that
04:54participants transformed into the heart of the historical and spiritual protests, dressed in white
04:59and carrying torches. The protesters denounced the 1888 Golden Law as a formal transition that did not guarantee
05:06true redress or economic equality for the Afro-Basilian population. This protest stands not only as an act
05:14of remembrance, but also as a protest against militarized police violence and the marginalization
05:20that still plagues the urban peripheries of the South American giant in the middle of the 21st century.
05:31The Bolivian Senate repealed Agricultural Law 1720 following days of protests demanding the repeal of the bill
05:37promoted by the government of Rodrigo Paz. At the same time, discussions are underway to draft new
05:44agricultural regulations. The Eastern Agricultural Chamber reported that following meetings with government
05:50officials and legislators, it was agreed to promote new measures that provide legal certainty for small
05:56and medium-sized producers. In turn, they requested that pressure measures and roadblocks be lifted to
06:02guarantee the supply of food, oxygen and fuel in the affected regions. For his part, the President of the Senate,
06:07Diogo Avila, committed to initiating a national dialogue process to draft the new regulation.
06:18Although some agricultural sectors have begun to lift roadblocks, there are still some locations in various
06:24departments demanding solutions to the fuel shortage and other issues. The highest concentration of roadblocks is in
06:31La Paz, with at least 16 established on various strategic routes. Bolivia remains marked by social pressure and the
06:37increase in these measures which call on the executive branch to implement policies that guarantee the quality of life
06:43for citizens. We now have a first break. Stay with us.
07:13Welcome back. In Haiti, people are protesting in the capital for a point to demand government protection
07:19amid gun clashes that have forced hundreds of people to flee. Protesters denounced the killing
07:24of civilians by armed groups while authorities still refuse to disclose the number of victims.
07:29In last September 2025, the UN Security Council approved a plan to authorize the deployment of a course of more
07:35than
07:355,000 troops who have not yet fully arrived on the island nation. The International Organization for Migration
07:41Revealed that more than 1.4 million people have fled their homes and more than 200,000 are in overcrowded
07:48camps.
07:54In Aruba, the fuel price increase announced by the national government due to the global oil market
07:59situation has taken effect. The Caribbean nation states that the price adjustment will reach $2.65
08:06per liter of gasoline, while diesel will reach $2.57. The government emphasizes that without the reduction
08:13in the special tax since April, the cost to consumers will have been higher, reaching almost $3 per liter.
08:19The tax reduction is a mitigation measure to cushion the impact of the global rise in oil prices and
08:24maintain stability in the national system.
08:33In the Bahamas, Philip Davis, the candidate of the ruling Progressive Liberal Party, has been re-elected
08:40as Prime Minister after winning Tuesday's general election. Prime Minister Davis won a majority of the
08:4641 seats in parliament, marking the first time in nearly three decades that a Bahamian leader has won two
08:52consecutive terms. After the results were announced, the Prime Minister assured the public that he would
08:57continue to promote policies to ensure the nation's progress. During his administration, Philip Davis has
09:03implemented a series of measures to mitigate economic challenges, including the elimination of the
09:09value-added tax on food, which eases the financial burden on families.
09:20In Chile, scientists are developing Trimulvax, a therapeutic vaccine against skin melanoma derived
09:28from a marine mollusk common to the Chilean coast. The treatment, developed by Oncobiomed and the
09:35University of Chile, uses the derivative of the Chilean sea snail loco to boost the immune system's
09:41response to tumors. Experts know that the vaccine aims to activate antigen-presenting cells, which
09:47are capable of stimulating a broader anti-tumor response. The first human trial focused on safety,
09:52not efficacy. After 14 months, the disease control rate reached 41%, and immunological analysis confirmed
10:00the activation of survival markers and T-cells associated with anti-tumor response.
10:10The Nicaragua government has eliminated tariffs on key imports from China as part of agreements
10:17between the two countries aimed at strengthening bilateral trade. The Minister of Development,
10:22Industry and Commerce, Erwin Ramirez, emphasized that the measures aims to facilitate the entry of
10:29goods into the Central American market. He noted that the decision is based on the free trade agreement
10:33between the two countries, in effect since January 1st, 2024. For this part, China specified that
10:39the elimination of tariffs covers food, agrochemicals, agricultural machinery, and other residential products.
10:53And U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in China to meet with the Chinese leader Xi Jinping
10:57and navigate issues including tech, trade, Taiwan, and Iran. On Wednesday evening, Trump landed in the
11:04Chinese capital for a state visit to the country at the invitation of his counterpart President Xi Jinping.
11:09Trump is visiting China from May 13th to the 15th, the two leaders who have an in-depth exchange of
11:15views
11:16on major issues concerning bilateral relations, world peace, and development. According to China's foreign
11:22ministry, this is Trump's first official visit to China during his second term, a very expected diplomatic
11:28move as the world sees the Middle East conflict unfold with stagnating negotiations. In this sense,
11:34Trump continues giving conflicting statements as before departing for China, he told reporters
11:39that he does not need China's assistance in ending the war on Iran.
11:48And in defense of the one China principle, Beijing warned the United States about the sale of weapons
11:54to Taiwan amid President Donald Trump's visit to the Asian giant. On the eve of the diplomatic meeting
11:59between President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart, the Chinese government reiterated its opposition to
12:06military aid to Taiwan. It called on Washington to respect the regional sovereignty under the one
12:11China policy. Beijing noted that foreign interference and separatist actions by Taiwan threatened regional
12:18stability.
12:23Our resolve to solve the Taiwan issue and achieve national reunification remains unshakable,
12:29and our capacity is indestructible. We strongly warned the leaders of the Democratic Progressive
12:34Party that the reunification of the motherland is unstoppable. Purchasing weapons, no matter how many,
12:39is a futile attempt. It would only accelerate the defeat of the Taiwan separatist force and bring
12:45it to account before history and justice. And on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson
12:52Gua Shaikun accused right-wing forces in Japan of seeking to revive militarism. Shaikun warned that
13:00movements in Tokyo could threaten the country's stability as they seek to promote a so-called state of war.
13:06He explained that these groups seek to ignite new hotspots of war, describing this as an extreme threat.
13:11He added that the current Japanese government is trying to abandon the principle of peace and disregard
13:17the foundation on which the international community accepted Japan after World War II. In this regard,
13:23he warned that the Japanese government is attempting to abandon that principle of peace achieved in the region.
13:34Final short break. Don't go away.
14:01Welcome back.
14:03Around once, it would not allow the passage of U.S. weapons from the U.S.
14:06of the Strait of Hormuz. Brigadier General Mohammed al-Karmini announced that any country wishing
14:13to travel through the waterway must do so under Iran's supervision to ensure a smooth passage.
14:19He explained that the western part of the Strait of Hormuz is under the supervision of Iranian forces,
14:24strengthening surveillance, and national sovereignty. Furthermore, he assured that the nation remains
14:30firm in its readiness to respond to any enemy offensive or mistake.
14:40Iran reaffirms its military readiness amid the stagnation of negotiations with the United States.
14:46Brigadier General Reza Talay, spokesperson for Iran's Ministry of Defense, reiterated on Tuesday that any threat
14:53or act of aggression against Iran would be met with an immediate response urging the United States and Israel
14:59to respect and submit to the legitimate rights of the Iranian people. The official further emphasized
15:04that Iran has demonstrated its capability to defend its people both through diplomacy and on the battlefield,
15:11warning the U.S. that if negotiations failed, the Islamic military would be ready to respond to any aggression.
15:17These remarks come amid the deadlock in U.S.-Iran talks mediated by Pakistan,
15:22following Washington's rejection of Tehran's latest response to a proposal aimed at ending the war.
15:41The Iranian government declared the extension of its defensive perimeter in the Strait of Hormuz and cautioned
15:48that it would not countenance infringements of its territory waters. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy
15:54has stated that it is implementing a new plan that will cover the coast of Jask and Syria, which have
15:59been designated as strategic areas.
16:01Iran indicated that it is monitoring movements in the region with precision and capability to prevent any
16:07aggression against its waters or interests. Also, Islamic forces revealed that a U.S.
16:12frigate was detected attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, where the army fired warning shots that forced it to
16:17change course.
16:25The Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Pakistan to step up its mediation efforts in the Middle East
16:31as part of diplomatic efforts related to the Strait of Hormuz. The call took place during a telephone
16:37conversation with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishakdar, who outlined
16:44his country's efforts to mediate between Iran and the United States. During the exchange,
16:49Dar expressed gratitude for China's support in promoting regional peace and stability.
16:54For his part, Wang Yi reaffirmed Beijing's position and praised Pakistan's contribution to extending the
16:59temporary ceasefire. Finally, both nations agreed to strengthen their strategic coordination in the
17:05context of the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, reaffirming their commitment to
17:10military-terrorism.
17:18And Israel continues its aggressions against Lebanon with attacks against vehicles traveling south of
17:24Beirut and airwaves across southern towns of the country. According to reports by Lebanon's National
17:30News Agency, since early Wednesday, two different attacks targeted cars traveling along a highway connecting
17:37Beirut to southern Lebanon in the area. Meanwhile, in the south of the country, Israel launched new waves of
17:44attacks with airwaves targeting several towns and bombing operations in the town of Ham, where the
17:50Sionese forces swept the town with heavy machine guns. This all came down after Israel issued forced
17:56evacuation orders for six Lebanese towns and villages. In the sense, Israel's relentless violation of the
18:02ceasefire agreement has killed more than a dozen people in the past few hours.
18:12An earlier Israel killed two Lebanese Paramaics while they were conducting a rescue operation in a new
18:18targeted attack against healthcare personnel. Ahmed Noura and Hussein Javer were performing their
18:24humanitarian duty and responding to an injury after an Israeli drone targeted a civilian in Nabatie,
18:30when an Israeli attack deliberately struck the rescue site, killing all three men. This comes as Israel's
18:36systematic targeting of humanitarian and emergency workers in southern Lebanon has continued unabated
18:41with further attacks in the tiered district. This brings the death toll to 380 Lebanese civilians,
18:48including 22 children, since the implementation of the ceasefire, from a total of nearly 2,900 people
18:54killed since the outbreak of the war on March 2. The conflict in the Middle East has severely impacted
19:08Zimbabwe, causing a rise in operational transport costs which affects vegetable exports to Europe and
19:14the United Arab Emirates. The geopolitical conflict between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States
19:22and Israel has generated a critical increase in earthquake rates. This rise puts the stability of the
19:28horticultural industry at risk just as the export of season begins. The company Comenda, allied with
19:35some 5,000 small producers, one of the main entities affected by the inflation of fuel and transport costs.
19:41Currently, the fruit and vegetable sector finds itself at a crossroads, either observe the losses from the
19:47increase in costs or compromise, the expansion of a market that had achieved historic performance the previous year.
20:07According to polls, France ended the first quarter of 2026 with the highest unemployment rate affecting at least 2.6
20:13million people.
20:14Reports from the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies indicated that unemployment
20:19is at its lowest levels compared to 2024, with the youth population being the most affected.
20:25For its part, the French government confirmed that the labor market has undergone transformations in recent years
20:30due to complications such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
20:42The United Nations warned about the potential risks associated with using recycled plastic containers for food.
20:49A study has revealed that despite the environmental benefits of recycled packaging, concerns are arising
20:57regarding chemical safety in food and health. One of the biggest concerns stems from the growing use of new
21:02intentionally added substances such as nanomaterials which are used to improve material performance
21:08or enable active packaging functions. In its regard, the organization points out that the widespread use
21:14of these elements is contributing to a global plastic waste crisis. Furthermore, they estimate that the market
21:21market for the use of this type of packaging could reach $815.51 billion by 2030.
21:37Well, at least we have come to the end of this newsprint. You can find more on our website at
21:40www.telesurenglish.net and also on our social media. For Telesur English, I'm Alberto Matos, thank you for watching.
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