- 5/25/2025
25/05/2025
FTS 16.30
*Milei's govt. orders severe cuts in scholarships.
*Palestine: death toll from malnutrition rises to 58.
teleSUR
These and many more stories now!
FTS 16.30
*Milei's govt. orders severe cuts in scholarships.
*Palestine: death toll from malnutrition rises to 58.
teleSUR
These and many more stories now!
Category
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NewsTranscript
00:00Hello and welcome to From the South. I'm Alejandra Garcia from Telesur Studios in
00:08Havana, Cuba. We begin with the news. Stay with us. In Venezuela, as regional and legislative
00:26elections unfold, President Nicolás Maduro highlighted the collective effort that has
00:30allowed neutralizing the violence of the extreme right wing in the country. The head of state
00:35invited the citizens to exercise their early vote, a custom established in certain sectors
00:42of the Venezuelan citizenship that initiate the electoral party at Don, a legacy of President
00:48Hugo Chavez. From the headquarters of the recently inaugurated National University of the Communes
00:54in the state of Carabobo, in the north of Venezuela, the head of state acknowledged on Saturday
00:59the people and the security agencies that have neutralized the attempts of the extreme right
01:05wing to sabotage this day.
01:08In this context, the Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro cast his vote in the framework of the
01:28nation's regional and also legislative election. He was accompanied by the nation's first combatant,
01:34CEO Flores, and they both took part in the election that of course will define the head of all 24 states
01:43and also the composition of the legislative assembly that is going to rule the legislative power
01:49to vote for the next 2031 year.
01:54In eastern Venezuela, the people of the state of Monagas have been voting as well since very early in the morning.
02:13The citizens of that region have highlighted the speed of the process and the warranties established
02:19by the security measures implemented in the 581 voting centers.
02:25Monagas, let's recall, elects four candidates to the government and also the deputies and the regional legislative council.
02:32And let's stay in the same eastern region of Venezuela. The people of the state of Sucre have been participating as well,
02:53actively, peacefully, since early in the morning in these electoral centers deployed throughout the city of Kumaná.
03:02In the state of Sucre, there are 702 voting centers and 1,038 polling stations that were unable to carry out this electoral process.
03:14After exercising his right to vote during Sunday's elections in Venezuela, Vice President of the PSU,
03:29VÃdeos Dao Cabello, talked to the press and stressed that the Venezuelans had not stopped voting despite the heavy rain.
03:36Despite of the rain, people are voting peacefully. Despite the rain, there is calm. Everyone has the right patience.
03:51We have been through some polling stations. So after all, regardless of the rain, there is peace, tranquility.
04:08The Vice President of the PSUV also emphasized that the country remains calm even in spite of the destabilizing attempts of mercenaries and terrorists.
04:19Well, we wish we hadn't had any mercenaries coming. But not even that has stopped this process.
04:31Because we have a military-popular fusion. The people know what's going on.
04:42For his part, the head of the 25 Mass Campaign Command, Jorge Rodriguez, emphasized the importance of holding these elections in peace despite calls for violence by the far right wing of the country to prevent the elections.
04:57In the face of calls for violence, in the face of calls for extra constitutional outbursts, in the face of the macabre alliance between the factors of violence, what the people of Venezuela are saying, the voting machines, is that they want peace, that they want concord, and that above all they want to express themselves in a fruitful dialogue.
05:19Because an election is nothing more than a dialogue between people, between citizens, between neighbors. And the reports we have is that the election takes place in absolute peace. Fortunately, it's not even raining.
05:31Rodriguez also affirmed that these elections, these mega-elections will be the definitive seal that will consolidate national peace in the Venezuelan territory.
05:44Today is a historic day, and also a very auspicious day, historic in the first place because peace has triumphed.
05:55Every time the people of Venezuela go to the voting machines and choose, through direct and secret voting, their leaders, the people who must accompany them in the process of building the future.
06:06Today, we are electing almost 600 people for the popular election. We are electing 24 state governors. We are electing the deputies of the regional legislative councils. And we are electing the National Assembly of the elective period 2026 to 2031.
06:22It is also historic because it certainly corresponds to a mega-election. There are two elections in a single day.
06:29During this Sunday's election day in Venezuela, the Minister of Defense, Vladimir Padrino López, also reaffirmed that these elections are a democratic process which does not constitute a threat to the authorities or the territory of Guiana.
06:46This is an autonomous process. We cannot see an autonomous process as a threat like the Guiana authorities are viewing this process. We are not making any aggression on Guiana.
07:08This is a constitutional mandate for people to express themselves. We are fulfilling a mandate from December 3rd, 2023.
07:27We are reaffirming our sovereignty. And we are putting up a battle so that Guiana may an agreement be reached on Guiana to move forward with policies, dialogue, with no aggressions.
07:55And following the agreements that have been signed so far.
08:09And now we have a short break coming up. But first remember, you can join us on TikTok at Telesur English where you'll find news in different formats, news updates and more.
08:17We'll be right back. Stay with us.
08:19Welcome back to From the South. Panama's indigenous ethnic groups ask Pope Leon XIV to intercede in the face of government oppression in the country.
08:47Following a document signed by seven indigenous ethnic groups, they asked the Supreme Pontiff to call on the Panamanian government to use dialogue as a way to solve the problems and the persecution in the demonstrations.
09:01The indigenous community denounces the systematic violation of their fundamental rights by the Molina government.
09:09It is evidenced in the repression against the demonstrators as well as the criminalization of the protest.
09:17While the teachers, university students, workers, indigenous people and the whole community in general demand the repeal of law 462 that reform the insurance fund.
09:29In Argentina, the government of President Javier Milley orders a severe cut in the so-called Progresar scholarships intended to support young people in completing their studies.
09:49Since the beginning of Javier Milley's presidential term, the Argentine government has cut 500,000 beneficiaries of the Argentine student support program scholarships, popularly known as Progresar, and reduced the projected budget for 2025 for the educational program, which also warranties the completion of young people's studies and as well their professional training.
10:17For its part, the Argentine Center for political economy warned that the budget projection for 2025 suggests that there is a possibility that the government of Javier Milley will order further cuts in the number of beneficiaries of the scholarship program.
10:35And let's go to the Dominican Republic now where the death toll from the jet set nightclub tragedy has risen after a young woman who had stayed 46 days in the intensive care that died Saturday.
10:57Alba Montero, a 33-year-old woman died Saturday afternoon in Santo Domingo after being hospitalized due to the serious injuries suffered in the collapse of the roof of the jet set discotheque on April 8th.
11:12Alba's death brings to 236 the number of fatalities in the third big tragedy in the history of the island nation according to the official list of authorities.
11:24In addition, the Dominican authorities announced an investigation into the tragedy but have not yet reported the conclusions while the national government acknowledged a legal vacuum in infrastructure regulations.
11:39And we stay in the region Haiti and authorities reported the restoration of electricity in the city of Portal Prince, the capital, after protesters shut down the country's hydroelectric power plant.
12:07According to reports, the electric service will arrive in a gradual manner, so some communities are still without electricity.
12:14Haiti's hydroelectric power plant had been closed since May 11th, 2025 as a protest, a way of protest against the generalized violence in the popular communities of the capital city of Portal Prince.
12:29The demonstrators also assured the government that if it does not comply with the legitimate demands of the population, the closure of the hydroelectric power plant will be resumed.
12:41And we have a second show break coming up, but before we invite you to visit our Facebook page at Telesur English.
12:55There you'll be able to watch our top stories, especially live coverage and much more.
13:13Follow our page and activate the notification button to stay up to date on the world's most recent events.
13:18Find a show break, but we'll be right back, don't go away.
13:39Welcome back to From the South.
13:41Russia and Ukraine completed a non-precedented exchange of prisoners Sunday after direct talks held by both nations in Turkey early this month.
13:51According to the Russian Defense Ministry, 303 Russian soldiers were returned from Kayiv-controlled territory while 303 Ukrainian prisoners of war were handed over by Moscow.
14:03All of the returned Russian soldiers and civilians will be transferred to Russia for treatment and rehabilitation in medical institutions of the Russian Defense Ministry.
14:13During the swap negotiations held in the Turkish city of Istanbul, both parties agreed on the largest prisoner exchange based on the so-called 1000 for 1000 formula.
14:26Who are you all?
14:28Come on!
14:30Who are you all?
14:43Who are you!
14:44Who are you!
14:46Good sounds!
14:47You see a couple more primary ض моей.
14:49And I'm with you.
14:52An important start of google doesn't textile.
14:54And Venezuela is going to the polls this Sunday in a mega-election to choose Governors and
15:01Members of Parliament.
15:02To keep analyzing today's key elections for Venezuelans, let's go to our studios in Caracas,
15:08Venezuela with our colleague Anna Marrero, who is joined by a very special guest, politician
15:13Arnold Agost.
15:14Hi, Anna.
15:15Hello, Alejandra, and hello to the audience, and well, welcome to Telesur English, and welcome
15:28to From the South.
15:29It's a pleasure.
15:31As a collaborator of Telesur, it's always a pleasure to collaborate, whether it's here
15:36in Caracas or Havana, or by writing articles for Telesur.
15:40Oh, that's so good, and it's really nice to have you here.
15:45Well, what can we tell you, so what do you think about the 32nd elections being held
15:52in Venezuela during the 26 years?
15:54Well, you mentioned 32 elections, actually there's more.
15:58For example, today it counts as one election, but in reality there are two.
16:04One is for the National Assembly deputies, and the other is for Governors and the Legislative
16:12Consulta in the level of the state, so it's really much more than 32.
16:17I think without any doubt, Venezuela is the champion of elections and democracy.
16:24But nevertheless, the United States and their allies always try to demonize Venezuela, saying
16:30that it's not democratic.
16:32It's pretty ironic when you have so many elections.
16:35Yeah.
16:36Yeah.
16:37And also, how do you describe the democracy that Venezuelans are demonstrating that exists
16:43in the country through the vote?
16:45Because, as you said, the right wing tries to demonize the government of Venezuela, saying
16:53that here is no democracy, but the people voting are showing that there is.
16:59What do you think about it?
17:00Well, actually, of course I'm attending today, I went to the voting centers and saw how they
17:08voted.
17:09I did that previously for the presidential elections in July of last year.
17:14In July 28th.
17:15In July 28th of last year for the presidential.
17:17I saw the voting procedure there, and I saw it again today.
17:21So, once again, anyone who is any way objective, they have to say, in my view, it's a fraud-free
17:28electoral system.
17:30It's not possible to carry out any fraud.
17:33Now, for me, it's not just the elections.
17:36Like yesterday, with the help of some friends, I visited two barrios, two neighborhoods.
17:42One is in Petari, which is the biggest neighborhood, the biggest barrio in Latin America in terms
17:49of population.
17:50It was very, very inspiring.
17:51I went there.
17:52I spoke to the people.
17:54And it's very clear from the point of view of the people that this is their revolution.
18:00You know, the Venezuela, I mentioned this a long time during my first visit in Venezuela
18:06in Telesur with Ray Gomez.
18:08I think it was 2015, a long time ago.
18:11He asked me-
18:12A long time ago.
18:13Yeah.
18:14He asked me, what do you think, you're in Barrio 23 de Janeiro, what is your opinion?
18:19I said, the main thing then, and I say it now, what distinguishes the Venezuelan democracy
18:25from any other democracy around the world.
18:28It is its protagonist.
18:29That is, people see themselves as the author of their own revolution.
18:34And it's the same thing today.
18:35When I was there yesterday in that barrio, everyone I spoke to, irrespective of how they're
18:40going to vote, they say they want to vote in peace.
18:43And the United States cannot give lessons to anyone about a democracy and to carry out elections.
18:52The same thing, I went to the Barrio 23 de Janeiro, and of course, there it's very militant,
18:58and they said the same thing.
18:59People want to vote in peace.
19:00People have confidence in the electoral system in Venezuela.
19:04They see it as part of an overall process that began in 1998 when Hugo Chavez was first
19:10elected and went through all of the major transformations, social, economic, health, etc.
19:16And so this, they're part of this whole dynamic, and you know, for example, the way they participate
19:22in the communas, they're the ones who decide what are the projects which they're proposing.
19:29And once it's accepted by vote, then they get the funds from the central government
19:34to carry out these programs.
19:35So, you know, it may be strange for someone coming from the United States or Canada who has
19:40very preconceived notions against Venezuela, but Venezuelans see this as part, this is their
19:46revolution, and it's up to them to carry out the way they think it's best.
19:52Yeah, and also, there are not only elections of governors here in Caracas or in Miranda State
20:03or in Tachira, but also is being held elections of governor the first time in the Guayanese,
20:11Kiva.
20:12Yeah.
20:13What can you tell us about it being the first time Venezuela is electing a governor there?
20:18Yeah.
20:19Well, as far as the governor is concerned, of course, this is a very important test case.
20:23Let us hope that the Chavista governor wins there.
20:27It will be a ratification of the decision taken by the Venezuelan people in a sovereign
20:33way with regarding that area that will be incorporated into the territory of Venezuela.
20:39I have a good feeling, even though I didn't visit it, I have a good feeling that this is how
20:43people vote for a governor that will follow in the footsteps of the referendum that took
20:48place to include that area into Venezuela.
20:52And, of course, Miranda is also important.
20:55There's a Chavista governor now.
20:57Hopefully, the Chavista governor would be elected there.
21:02When I was there yesterday, it was very interesting.
21:04It's a very controversial neighborhood.
21:06It's very Chavista.
21:07At the same time, as you recall, during the elections, right after the elections on July
21:1327th, the night of July 28th, there were disturbances, riots that took place, organized
21:19by the United States and their allies.
21:21And some of these disturbances took place from that area in Petani.
21:25So, hopefully, the Chavista trend will triumph over those who want to make trouble with regards
21:31to the results of the elections that are taking place today.
21:34Yeah.
21:35And also, the lessons, the lessons of these elections for not only Venezuelans or the extreme right
21:46for the world and Latin America and the Caribbean, the lessons that Venezuela can give during
21:53these democratic processes being held today.
21:56Okay.
21:57Let me just say one point.
21:58United States or where I come from, Canada, their governments, they have no lessons, no moral
22:03authority to lecture Venezuela about elections and democracy.
22:08Like today, even before the election results are in, for example, I verified with the New
22:13York Times about two hours ago, they're already saying that the elections are fraud.
22:18And what do they give as a, as a, they say, according to recognized international observers,
22:24they give the example, it's hidden in the article.
22:27You have to open it up to see, it's from the Carter Center.
22:30The Carter Center previously, when Jimmy Carter was there, it did play a progressive role,
22:36a good role.
22:37They were objective.
22:38And he wrote, when they, when they, when they quote, when the New York Times quotes reliable
22:43sources, why don't they say that previously?
22:45The Carter Center said, and that's written, that the most transparent, well-organized elections
22:52take place in Venezuela.
22:54Of course, a change took place.
22:55And someone who had very close ties with the CIA and USA has taken over the Carter Center.
23:02So they really don't have any moral authority to lecture Venezuela with regards to elections
23:08and the democratic process.
23:10But the government and the people are demonstrating and giving lessons to the world.
23:16Exactly.
23:17I think so.
23:18I mean, I'm prejudiced, but I think that Venezuela has lessons to give to all over the world with
23:23regards to elections and democracy.
23:25Well, thank you very much for being here with us today and teaching us some more about
23:33these elections process and to analyze it to the perspective of these elections and Western
23:42perspective too.
23:43Well, thank you very much.
23:44Thank you very much for having me.
23:46I thank you for being here.
23:48Well, like this, we are back to Alejandra in Havana, Cuba, to more information in from the South.
23:56For all the remarks on the relevance of these mega elections that matter, not just Venezuelans,
24:10but also Latin Americans as well and equally.
24:13And with this special interview, we have come to the end of this news brief.
24:17But you can find this and many other stories on our website at telestoryenglish.net.
24:21And join us on social media.
24:23We are on Facebook, X, Instagram, Telegram, and TikTok.
24:27For TeleStory English, I'm Alejandra Garcia.