Venezuelan government dismantles a new USAID-financed conspiracy plan // Mexico calls on U.S. action against drug trafficking // Israeli forces pursue attacks on southern Lebanese border
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00:00The government of Venezuela dismantles a new conspiratorial plan of the extreme right-wing
00:08opposition financed by the United States Agency for International Development, USAID.
00:18The president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, called on the US government to take greater
00:23responsibility in tackling drug trafficking.
00:29And in Lebanon, Israeli occupation forces continue their escalation of aggressions against
00:34the southern border area.
00:42Hello and welcome to From the South, I'm Alejandra Garcia from Telesur Studios in Caracas, Venezuela.
00:47We begin with the news, stay with us.
01:03The government of Venezuela dismantles on Thursday a new conspiratorial plan of the
01:07extreme right-wing with terrorist operations financed by the United States Agency for International
01:13Development, USAID.
01:15Precisely, the Venezuelan Minister of Interior, Diosdado Cabello, unveiled the new destabilization
01:21plan forged by the fascist right-wing against the people of Venezuela.
01:26Cabello detailed that the Operation Oro, or Gold, was aimed at settling in the state of
01:31Huarico and causing the fall of the government of Nicolás Maduro.
01:36The Venezuelan Minister of Interior also disclosed authorities investigated and succeeded in
01:41dismantling the terrorist group, detaining 18 terrorists who sought to destabilize and
01:47damage military units in the territory.
01:59We investigated and a group of mercenaries was arrested, and I repeat, there's no way
02:04to disassociate political violence from this type of violence, because they were the initial
02:08promoters.
02:09Or do you really believe that the assault on the fort in the state of BolĂvar was spontaneous?
02:13No, that was all part of their plan, and they are the same ones who at this moment are claiming
02:19and saying that there is going to be signals in the Venezuelan sky.
02:23But the signals are here.
02:25They are arrested.
02:26That is the best signal we can have for the peace of this country, that this terrorist
02:30group has been dismantled and arrested.
02:33They know we will get to them if they participate actively in this kind of actions.
02:37There's no way we cannot get to them.
02:43Cabello also denounced the role of foreign governments, such as that of former Brazilian
02:48President Jair Bolsonaro, which helped terrorists during Operation Aurora, a similar plan executed
02:53six years ago against Venezuela.
03:01We have been following up on a series of statements made by the spokespersons of this terrorist
03:05group who have a presence in the social media, in the networks.
03:09We have always insisted that foreign governments have been actively behind this whole operation.
03:23Just pay attention to what this man says, that it was extracted from the jungle by a
03:27Brazilian army helicopter.
03:29So Brazil knew what had happened in Venezuela, and the Brazilian army took them out of the
03:33jungle and takes them to a place in another city, where they were held for 20 days and
03:47then released.
03:48That they were told to leave Brazil is a lie.
03:51That's what he says, but they never left.
03:53The Bolsonaro government played an operative role in that terrorist action against the
03:56Venezuelan military forces.
04:04In Venezuela, the government rejected the statements made by the Commander Albino Jolsae
04:08during his recent appearance before the U.S. Senate and demanded that the U.S. political
04:13sectors abandon the rhetoric of confrontation and respect the self-determination of the
04:18free peoples.
04:20In a communique, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela categorically repudiated the false
04:25and reckless statements made by the Commander of the Southern Command Albino Jolsae during
04:30his recent appearance before the U.S. Senate.
04:33These statements are baseless and repeat the same deceitful narrative bought by the Biden
04:39administration, with which the Venezuelan ultra-right has swindled them, using millions
04:45of dollars from U.S. citizens' contributions.
04:47The statement adds, the Venezuelan ultra-right has swindled them out of millions of dollars
04:53in contributions from U.S. citizens.
04:55The accusation of drug trafficking, corruption and destabilization are nothing more than
05:00fake news and dirty war campaigns of the past, which have already proven their failure.
05:07They seek to justify their own mistakes as well as the complicity and corruption that
05:11has led them to the situation faced today by extremists in Venezuela, trying in addition
05:17to cover up the real illicit trafficking networks in the region, whose roots are widely known
05:22by the Southern Command.
05:24The government concluded by stating, Venezuela faces drug trafficking with a sovereign and
05:30responsible model, firmly combating a problem whose roots are outside its borders.
05:36We reject the disqualifications of U.S. military organizations such as the Southern Command,
05:41which have a history of interference and colonialist attitudes.
05:45The Bolivarian government reaffirms its commitment to peace, stability and a multi-centric and
05:51pluripolar world.
05:53We call upon the political sectors of the U.S. and other countries of the world to support
05:57the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
06:06In Haiti, several refugees from the town of Cairns Cove remain sheltered in a school as
06:11criminal groups continue to lay siege.
06:14The population of Cairns Cove, a commune high above the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area,
06:19continues to suffer the consequences of terrorist attacks that took place 15 days ago, claiming
06:24at least 150 lives.
06:27Local authorities stated that criminal groups have been murdering and setting fires to homes
06:32and schools.
06:33The International Organization for Migration reported that in 2024 and so far in 2025,
06:40the number of displaced Haitians has tripled, exceeding one million people, more than half
06:46of them minors.
06:49The Haitian National Police eliminated several members of the criminal group Crassé-Bargier
07:01in the capital's community of Petionville on Tuesday.
07:05On social networks, the Haitian National Police reported that during the shooting, several
07:09members of the group led by Betelhume Innocent were seriously injured, although the exact
07:15figure of members executed was not specified.
07:18According to data verified by the United Nations, the armed conflict in Haiti has left
07:23around 5,626 deaths and 2,213 wounded.
07:29For several years, the capital area has been marked by criminal operations of the Crassé-Bargier,
07:35who impose their law by means of intimidation and violence.
07:49And now we have a short break coming up, but first remember you can join us on TikTok at
07:53TeleCity English, where you'll find news in different formats, news updates and more.
07:57We'll be right back, stay with us.
08:03Welcome back to From the South.
08:05The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, called on the US government to take greater
08:09responsibility in tackling drug trafficking.
08:12Sheinbaum assured that the issue is not solely a Mexican problem, but it involves US criminal
08:18organizations responsible for the distribution of drugs.
08:21In this regard, the Mexican head of state emphasized that there is an ongoing cooperation
08:26with the US administration in the fight against drugs and highlighted efforts to curb the
08:31flow of narcotics.
08:32Additionally, Sheinbaum addressed the issue of arms trafficking from Washington to Mexico,
08:39noting that she and former President Trump are...
08:54There's also organized crime in the United States, and there are people from that country
09:00that come to Mexico to carry out these illegal activities.
09:04We mention that because then who will distribute fentanyl in the cities of the United States?
09:11Because the problem is not only the drug that passes from Mexico to the United States, but
09:19who distributes that drug in the United States for the unfortunate big consumption, particularly
09:26of fentanyl, in that country.
09:29Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva questioned Thursday Trump's intention to prevent
09:37rich countries from negotiating on the environment to confront climate change.
09:42In this sense, the Brazilian president condemned Trump's behavior, regretting that fewer and
09:47fewer countries want to commit themselves to saving the planet.
09:52Trump announced the exit of the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement, promised
09:57to increase oil exploration in addition to encouraging the use of plastic straws.
10:02Despite the differences, the Brazilian government intends to invite Trump to the United Nations
10:07Conference on Climate Change, although diplomat asses that his presence is unlikely.
10:28In Argentina, dozens of wildfires remain active in Corrientes province, where over 200,000
10:35hectares have been hit by the blaze.
10:38The Association of Rural Societies of Corrientes argued that fire outbreaks have damaged grasslands,
10:44pine forests and crop fields located in scarcely populated rural areas.
10:49The National Institute of Agricultural Technology reported that so far in 2025 in Corrientes
10:56fires have devastated just over 94,000 hectares, which represents 1.1% of the entire surface area.
11:04The coordinator of the Operational Command of Emergencies of Corrientes, Bruno Lovinson,
11:10described the situation as extreme, but he advanced experts' forecast that rainfalls
11:15on the week could bring relief to the damaged departments.
11:18Australia braces for the arrival of Cyclone Celia and announces closures of schools, airports
11:30and mining activity.
11:31The country's meteorological department said that Celia is expected to reach Category 5
11:37and that there could be very heavy rainfall and destructive wind gusts.
11:41It also reported that it is expected to make landfall on Friday afternoon between the towns
11:46of Carratha and Port Hetland, registering sustained winds of 175 km per hour and wind
11:53gusts of 250 km per hour.
11:55Authorities took timely action by moving vessels to save areas and suspending all academic
12:00aviation and mining activity in likely areas to be affected by the phenomenon.
12:10And we have a second show of recovery coming up before we invite you to visit our YouTube
12:14channel at TELUSR English, that you will be able to re-watch our interviews, top stories,
12:18special broadcastings and more.
12:20Hit the subscribe button and activate the notification bell to stay up to date on the
12:25world's most recent events.
12:26Fun and show break, don't go away!
12:33Welcome back to From the South.
12:35Israeli army committed 270 systematic humanitarian violations in Gaza after ceasefire began.
12:41Palestinian authorities claimed that Israel was violating humanitarian agreements and
12:46urged mediators to force Tel Aviv to abide by the terms of the pact.
12:50Last week, more than 90 people were killed and 822 others injured by Israeli attacks
12:57since the beginning of the ceasefire.
12:59In addition to more citizens were killed by bombs buried in rubble and 24 died as a result
13:04of injuries sustained during the aggression.
13:12For its part, the Israeli army has destroyed 85% of the water and sanitation facilities
13:18in the Gaza Strip during the 15 months of its aggressions against the territory.
13:23The Palestinian government warned that as a result of the situation, the coastal enclave
13:28is suffering a serious crisis in the sector, which is home to more than 2 million people.
13:34In addition, the paralysis of the sewage treatment plants is exposing the population to numerous
13:39epidemics and diseases.
13:41The Israeli occupation forces have intensified their incursions into the occupied Palestinian
13:52territory of the West Bank, killing more than 70 people in 2025 alone.
13:57The city of Tul Karem and the surrounding refugee camps have been the target of Zionist
14:02attacks for 18 consecutive days, causing extensive material damage and heavy losses.
14:08The United Nations Organization revealed that at least 40,000 Palestinians have been
14:13forced to leave their homes since the beginning of 2025 as a result of the Israeli bombardments
14:19and siege.
14:20In this context, the governor of the neighboring city of Jenin, Mohammad Jahar, denounced illegal
14:25detentions and said that the damage caused by Israeli bulldozers in the last three years
14:30is estimated at more than 3 billion dollars.
14:38The Egyptian and Jordanian governments reaffirmed their position on the immediate start of the
14:46reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and the rejection of the displacement of Palestinians.
14:53Both countries reiterated their positions, including the crucial need to fully implement
14:58the ceasefire agreement, continue the release of prisoners and facilitate the delivery of
15:03humanitarian aid to the area.
15:05They also expressed the need to put an end to the genocidal and displacement practices
15:09of the Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinians in the West Bank.
15:14They also reaffirmed their willingness to work with the United States to achieve a just
15:18and lasting peace in the Middle East, and stressed that they remain firmly opposed to
15:23the forced transfer of Palestinians.
15:26In Lebanon, Israeli occupation forces continued their escalation of aggressions against the
15:38southern border area.
15:39In the village of Odaissi, the Israeli army carried out intense raids and bombardments
15:44that left dozens of houses destroyed.
15:47At the same time, the occupation troops attacked the southern zone and set fire to heavy machinery
15:52in a factory in Lebanese territory.
15:55In this context, the Lebanese government has stated that there is no agreement with
16:00Tel Aviv to extend the ceasefire beyond upcoming February 18th.
16:13In China, at least four people died and 20 others were injured after an explosion at
16:18a warehouse in the city of Taichung on the island of Taiwan.
16:22According to the city's fire department, the fire broke out in the Xinkan Mitsuki shopping
16:28mall at around 11 am local time.
16:31The agency also stressed that more victims may be found during the inspection of the
16:35site.
16:36Although evidence points to a gas leak, the authorities have ordered an investigation
16:41into the cause of the incident, as it is not yet known whether it is related to renovation
16:46work being carried out at the complex.
16:52In Cuba, the Havana International Book Fair opened its doors and is set to welcome 400
17:06guests from more than 40 countries.
17:09Offering an estimated 2.4 million books during its upcoming edition, the most renowned literary
17:15event on the island is scheduled to take place from February 13th to 23rd.
17:21According to organisers, the Republic of South Africa will be the guest of honour of
17:25this edition that will be dedicated to the 130th anniversary of the fall in combat of
17:31Cuba's national hero, JosĂ© MartĂ.
17:35The main theme of the event will be a whole country in books, in commemoration of the
17:3925th anniversary of the Territorial Editions System, and it will pay tribute to Cuban writer
17:45Vigilio LĂłpez Lemus and researcher Francisca LĂłpez-Ibeira.
17:52The Chilean artist Rata Virus, alongside the artistic Contra la Pared and Casa One groups,
18:01have been carving a mural in La Teja neighbourhood to pay homage to former president José Bebe
18:07Mujica.
18:08They are using the virus' unique technique for the mural, which measures around 25 square
18:12metres containing the image of Mujica together with his phrase, to stop fighting is to stop
18:18dreaming.
18:19The leftist Tupamaro leader had fought against the 1973-1985 dictatorship, and he was president
18:26of Uruguay for the term 2010-2015.
18:30Nowadays the 89-year-old former guerrilla is suffering from esophageal terminal cancer,
18:36therefore the artists were willing to tribute him alive.
18:40Bebe made me realize that it is possible to fight for ideals, to give one's life for
18:51ideals, to give one's life for the neighbourhood, to give one's life for the people.
18:58It is a very unique neighbourhood.
19:01The people who live here are very rooted, and Bebe Mujica is an ethical and political
19:07reference.
19:08Radio is a medium of entertainment and communication that has been in use since the last decades
19:17of the 19th century, and precisely every February 13th is celebrated as World Radio Day.
19:24The date was proclaimed in 2011 by the Member States of UNESCO and adopted in 2012 by the
19:30United Nations General Assembly.
19:32Its main objective is to make of radio an interactive media that encourages debate on
19:38different topics of collective interest.
19:40Every year a theme is chosen for the celebration of World Radio Day, and this year's theme
19:46is radio and climate change.
19:53And like this we have come to the end of this News Brief, but you can find this and many
19:57other stories on our website at teleselinglish.net and join us on social media.
20:02We are on Facebook, X, Instagram, Telegram and TikTok as well.
20:06For TELESINGLISH I'm Alejandra Garcia, thank you for watching.