Colombia’s Congress approved the 2027 national budget of 200 billion dollars on October 20, igniting a backlash from opposition lawmakers who say the plan favors debt payments and financial interests over education, peace and regional development.

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The approval of the General Budget of Colombia for 2027 capped a tense legislative session.

President Abelardo de la Espriella’s government secured passage of the law, worth 634.9 trillion Colombian pesos (about $200 billion), over the objections of the opposition, which was led mainly by the Historic Pact party.

RELATED: Colombia’s First National Strike Against De la Espriella Met With Police Crackdown

Representative María Fernanda Carrascal described the debate as a “disaster” and faulted the national government for refusing to accept any of the 700 proposals submitted by her party. The initiatives sought to channel more resources into public education, support for victims of violence and the regions, she detailed. Faced with the lack of agreement, the opposition walked out of the debate, stating it would not back a measure it considers harmful to the country.

The Historic Pact also questioned the law’s orientation, arguing that the government chose to protect financial entities, oligopolies and the most favored sectors. They further denounced that the project promotes over-indebtedness, which they say will end up shifting heavier tax burdens onto Colombian citizens.

🇨🇴 ¡Colombia tiene Presupuesto para 2027!
El Congreso de la República aprobó por $634,9 billones el Presupuesto de la Verdad, el primer paso para volver a encaminar la economía del país hacia el crecimiento, la responsabilidad fiscal y la atención de las necesidades del país. pic.twitter.com/pHiLhYzVTU

— MinHacienda (@MinHacienda) October 20, 2026

Text reads: “Colombia has budget for 2027! The Congress of the Republic approved the Truth Budget for $634.9 trillion, the first step to reorient the country’s economy toward growth, fiscal responsibility, and meeting the country’s needs.”

Other voices in the legislature added their objections. Senator Jennifer Pedraza of the Dignity and Commitment party (Dignidad y Compromiso, in Spanish) criticized the absence of a fixed allocation to address the consequences of the earthquake that struck on August 10. She questioned the fact that assistance to hard-hit departments such as Risaralda, Chocó and Valle del Cauca depends solely on leftover budget balances.

Senator Ariel Ávila, in turn, lamented the underfunding of resources earmarked for electric infrastructure and energization in non-interconnected zones such as Vichada, Guainía, Arauca, Putumayo and Vaupés. He also pointed to a lack of concern for victims of the armed conflict and what he called a budgetary strangling of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP).

After the law’s validation, Congress gave the Executive 90 days to draft a fiscal adjustment plan, which the national administration has called the Rescue Law. The Ministry of Finance and the cabinet are already holding talks with the International Monetary Fund, a signal that new credit instruments and the conditions attached to them may be on the negotiating table.

Mobilization Set for November

The Historic Pact called on citizens to join a national mobilization on November 24 to reject the budget. The party maintains that the project raises debt service by 46% while cutting investment in the Special Jurisdiction for Peace by 82% and stripping 500 billion Colombian pesos (about $157 million) from the National Learning Service (SENA).

Lawmakers also warned that 14 departments will see their real investment shrink. They denounced that the norm prioritizes debt repayment over the financing of peace, education and regional development. “The complaint is clear: more resources for debt and less for peace, education and the regions,” the party stated on social media.

The mobilization announced for late November now stands as the opposition’s next test of strength. In the meantime, the government’s 90-day clock to deliver its fiscal adjustment plan is running, and the talks with the International Monetary Fund could define the conditions under which Colombia finances its 2027 spending. The opposition has vowed to keep the pressure on, both in the streets and in the legislature.

📢 ¡24 DE NOVIEMBRE: MOVILIZACIÓN NACIONAL!

La bancada del Pacto Histórico llama a la movilización frente al Presupuesto 2027 del Gobierno de Abelardo de la Espriella, por $634,9 billones.

Según la bancada, el servicio de la deuda aumenta un 46%, la inversión de la JEP cae un… pic.twitter.com/F5IYf2YDVb

— Pacto Histórico Oficial (@PactoCol) October 20, 2026

Text reads: “November 24: National Mobilization! The Historic Pact bench calls for mobilization against the 2027 budget of the government of Abelardo de la Espriella, for $634.9 billion. According to the bank, debt service increases by 46%, Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) investment falls by 82%, National Learning Service (SENA) loses $500 billion, and 14 departments will receive less real investment. The denunciation is clear: more resources for debt and less for peace, education, and regions.”

On October 14, tens of thousands of Colombians took to the streets to protest against the government of far-right leader Abelardo de la Espriella, who has been in office for just two months.

The protests demonstrated the opposition’s clear ability to mobilize its base and fill the streets of several Colombian cities, even though the new government is still in its early days.

Protesters – including members of labor unions, Indigenous organizations, opposition parties, and students – marched through the streets of the capital, Bogotá, as well as other major cities across the country, such as Cali, Medellín, Bucaramanga, Riohacha, and Pereira.

In an address to the nation, De la Espriella stated that 98% of the protests were peaceful, though he also warned the demonstrators: “From the very first day of my administration, I have issued a directive that leaves no room for interpretation: peaceful protest is respected, protected, and guaranteed. But violence, vandalism, and any attempt to violate the rights of others will have no place under my administration.”

He also added: “Here there is a state, here there is authority, and here there is a government that respects freedoms, enforces the law, and protects the millions of Colombians who get up early every day to work and build our nation.”

Criticism

The main criticisms leveled against the government focused on the executive branch’s neoliberal agenda and its security policy. According to the protesters, De la Espriella is failing to address the difficult labor, educational, economic, and territorial conditions faced by Colombians; on the contrary, his political agenda is making these circumstances worse.

Specifically, the protesters complained about cuts and adjustments to the budgets of public institutions, the lack of greater public investment in education, and the fear among several indigenous organizations that the government’s new measures will prevent them from freely exercising their right to protest.

In fact, one of the main catalysts for the protests has been the signing of a presidential decree that empowers state agents to intervene more directly against protesters – a move that has been criticized, according to the protesters, for its anti-democratic intent.

On this point, social organizations, such as the Cauca Regional Indigenous Council assert that, fearing a popular backlash like the one Iván Duque faced (which turned into what some called a “rebellion” by young people that lasted several weeks in 2021), De la Espriella signed Decree 1525, which modifies law enforcement protocols to give state forces greater leeway when dealing with protesters.

Among other measures, law enforcement can now take direct action in response to protests without the need for exhaustive dialogue, as previously required by the regulation. Several human rights organizations have expressed concern about the decree, stating that it could increase the risk of abuses and reduce mediation as the primary course of action, which already was barely used. During the 2021 national strike in Colombia, 46 people were killed in the context of the heavy police repression of the strike.

One of the people attending the demonstrations last week was former President Gustavo Petro, who optimistically stated that the protests reflect a popular response to the executive branch’s decisions: “The people can organize themselves, and two months into the start of a tyrannical and imposed government, this is the best wake-up call. The time has come for a Latin American day of popular mobilization.”

Petro, who has just resumed leadership of the Pacto Histórico – a coalition of movements that supported his political project – also said: “This is how we respond to adversity with dignity, with the determination to win again, without fear. Life is our companion, not death. The people won’t give up, damn it.”

The funds were channeled to private agencies to develop national and international advertising campaigns.

An investigation by the specialized media outlet Infodemia reported that the Nayib Bukele administration allocated at least US$76.6 million over the past seven years to advertising, media consulting, and strategic communication services funded with state resources.

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According to the report, spending on institutional promotion has maintained an upward trend since Bukele took office in 2019, reaching its highest level during his administration in the first seven months of 2026.

The investigation indicates that the funds were channeled to private agencies to develop national and international campaigns, manage social media, purchase advertising space, organize events, and monitor media coverage by public bodies.

The journalists responsible for the analysis reviewed more than 2,150 public procurement processes and identified over 2,000 contracts related to communication and marketing services awarded to hundreds of companies and suppliers.

The report also questions the lack of transparency surrounding these expenditures, noting that the Presidency keeps information related to institutional advertising confidential and that some contracts are not available in public records.

Among the cases examined is Obermet company, historically linked to the Bukele family, which obtained a contract from the Ministry of Health in 2019 for communication services worth more than US$108,000, according to the analyzed documentation.

Lo que pasó en El Salvador pasó en Colombia: falsos positivos y judiciales para decir que estaban ganando la guerra para vender seguridad. Bukele tendrá que dejar en libertad a 45 000 inocentes.@petrogustavo tenía razón, lo de Bukele se va a caer por violación de los DDHH. pic.twitter.com/BRSlqIrQDZ

— U L D A R I C O (@UldaricoRamire) October 17, 2026

The text reads, “What happened in El Salvador happened in Colombia: false positives and judicial setups to claim they were winning the war in order to sell security. Bukele will have to release 45,000 innocents.”

The investigation also recalls that the company has been the “subject of previous scrutiny” for alleged conflicts of interest related to public contracts during the current Salvadoran president’s political career.

Another finding concerns the financing of advertising space in Diario El Salvador, a newspaper that reportedly received more than one million dollars through hundreds of contracts from various state entities.

Infodemia maintains that this newspaper has repeatedly published information deemed false, misleading, or presented out of context by fact-checkers, especially on issues related to public safety and national political activity.

The investigation also identifies contracts awarded to Lared, a company linked to influencer Porfirio Chica, to develop digital communication strategies aimed at promoting programs of state institutions.

The media outlet indicates that some of the agencies that benefited from contracts during the current administration had previously appeared in judicial investigations related to cases of corruption and misappropriation of public funds during previous governments.

#FromTheSouth News Bits | Costa Rican President Laura Fernandez visited El Salvador’s controversial Cecot megaprison to align national security policies with President Nayib Bukele's militarized model. pic.twitter.com/eCP6g8xfMA

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) October 20, 2026

teleSUR: JP

Source: Resumen Latinoamericano

Data indicate that there are over 1,500 Colombian mercenaries involved in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

On Tuesday, the Colombian government confirmed that its Foreign Minister Omar Bula and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha discussed the situation of Colombian mercenaries fighting on Ukrainian territory.

RELATED:

Latin Americans Make Up 40% of Mercenaries Fighting for Ukraine

Although their telephone conversation took place on Oct. 9, details of its contents became partially known only today, when Bula expressed Colombia’s rejection of the use of force against the territorial integrity of any state.

“Colombia appreciates the Ukrainian government’s willingness to jointly address the situation of Colombian citizens involved in the conflict,” he said.

As of September, Colombia had recorded 863 requests for consular assistance related to Colombians in Ukraine and another 890 requests involving Colombians in Russia. Cases include people who have died, those missing in action, people reported missing by their families, and detained citizens.

🇷🇺🇺🇦 DOS MIL MILITARES UCRANIANOS CAYERON EN LA BOCA DEL OSO

El asedio de Volchansk ha terminado, un área del tamaño de Andorra ha sido liberada por los rusos. Los intentos de romper el bloqueo fueron infructuosos y los mercenarios colombianos prefirieron abandonar posiciones. pic.twitter.com/h6vMIZrMk4

— Líneas Rojas (@LineasRojasX) October 19, 2026

The text reads, “Two thousand Ukrainian soldiers walked straight into the bear’s den. The siege of Vovchansk has ended. An area the size of Andorra has been liberated by the Russians. Attempts to break the blockade proved unsuccessful, and the Colombian mercenaries chose to abandon their positions.”

In September, the Colombian diplomacy informed that it had formally asked Moscow and Kiev to stop recruiting Colombians into their armed forces and facilitate the return of those already participating in hostilities.

The issue of the “Soldiers of Fortune” abroad has also prompted legislative measures, including one approved in March, when Colombia signed on to the International Convention Against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989.

During the conversation, both ministers also highlighted the potential to strengthen bilateral relations, particularly in defense and trade. However, the Colombian statement did not detail any specific agreements or concrete initiatives resulting from the dialogue.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

Escalating tensions around Cuba could destabilize Latin America and the Caribbean, Moscow warns.

On Tuesday, Russia’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning the issuance of a U.S. arrest warrant for Cuban revolutionary leader Raul Castro. The statement reads as follows:

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“We categorically reject and strongly condemn the issuance by a judge in Miami, United States, of an arrest warrant for Cuba’s historic leader, Army General Raul Castro.

The political and legal assessments of the events of February 1996, for which the Americans hold Raul Castro personally responsible, are set out in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1067, adopted on July 26 of that year.

The resolution contains no calls for measures to hold any individual personally accountable. This effectively means that the Council, including the U.S., agreed that this aspect of the incident was closed.

Bringing baseless, contrived charges more than 30 years later can only be seen as an act of revenge by Miami’s anti-Cuban lobby — an attempt to settle scores with Raul Castro, who celebrated his 95th birthday in June.

We wish to emphasize that further escalating tensions around the Island of Freedom, which is already enduring extremely difficult times amid an unprecedented trade, economic, financial and energy blockade, could destabilize the entire Latin American and Caribbean region.

A social upheaval in Cuba could well trigger a mass exodus of Cuban citizens to neighboring countries, potentially plunging them into a social crisis.

This court ruling might have been regarded merely as an expression of the sentiments of a particular group of individuals, were it not for the events in Venezuela earlier this year, when its leader was abducted in violation of all norms and principles of international law.

For our part, we reaffirm our unwavering solidarity with the government of fraternal Cuba, with which we will continue to strengthen our close ties of friendship, mutual support, assistance, and comprehensive cooperation.

We are confident that the indomitable Cuban people and their leaders will respond with dignity to this latest attack by foreign ill-wishers.

We wish Russia’s friend, Comrade Raul Castro, sound health and continued courage, bravery, and strength of spirit — qualities that have always distinguished him.”

teleSUR/ JF

Source: MFA

She maintained that the measure seeks electoral support among certain sectors.

On Tuesday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she believes the arrest warrant issued by a Florida court against former Cuban President Raul Castro is primarily politically motivated and linked to the U.S. elections.

RELATED:

Cuban President Rejects U.S. Arrest Warrant Against Gen. Raul Castro

The Mexican president’s statements came after the Florida Attorney General’s Office announced it had obtained a state arrest warrant for Raul Castro, 95, in a case related to events that occurred in 1996.

Sheinbaum maintained that the measure seeks support among certain sectors of the U.S. electorate. During her morning press conference, she stated that the judicial decision responds to political interests related to the November elections in the United States.

The indictment accuses the former Cuban leader of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in connection with the downing of two planes belonging to the Brothers to the Rescue organization.

“Es político”, afirma Claudia Sheinbaum al dar su opinión sobre la orden de detención contra el expresidente cubano, Raúl Castro. La presidenta mexicana considera que el caso también tiene relación con las elecciones de noviembre en Estados Unidos. pic.twitter.com/17oxb2t0bQ

— La Periodista (@LaPeriodista_MX) October 20, 2026

The text reads, “‘It’s political,’ affirms Claudia Sheinbaum when giving her opinion on the arrest warrant against the former Cuban president, Raul Castro. The Mexican president considers that the case also has a connection to the November elections in the United States.”

In that incident, which occurred on February 24, 1996, Cuban military fighter jets shot down two civilian aircraft that had departed from Florida, in which four people died. The reopened case coincides with stringent measures taken by Washington against the island.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier maintains that Castro, who was then Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, was part of the chain of command that authorized the military operation.

The arrest warrant comes in addition to the charges filed in May by U.S. federal authorities against the former Cuban leader for his alleged involvement in the same events.

#WorldCup2026 | @CharlieMontero_ continues his journey through Mexico and discovers the incredible friendship and positive energy shared between Japanese fans and Mexican supporters.

Why is there such a special bond between them?

Find out here on teleSUR English. pic.twitter.com/Tn5dmE83CT

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) June 15, 2026

teleSUR: JP

Source: EFE

Three union leaders were arrested during a protest over a labor sanction and the hiring of workers outside the union agreement.

On Tuesday, workers on the Buenos Aires subway unexpectedly halted service on all six lines following the arrest of three union leaders during a protest against a labor sanction imposed on a worker and the hiring of personnel outside the union agreement.

RELATED:

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The work stoppage began at around 10 a.m. local time and affected all lines, as well as the Premetro, according to the Subway and Premetro Workers Union (AGTSyP). The union denounced the workers’ arrests as “arbitrary” and announced that service would remain suspended until they were released.

The arrests took place while workers were opening the turnstiles at Juan Manuel de Rosas station on Line B, a protest measure that allows passengers to enter for free.

The action was in response to a sanction imposed on a fellow worker and the lack of dialogue with Emova, the company that operates the subway under a concession.

Urgente, nueva provocación de la policía de la Ciudad gracias a la cual no funcionan las líneas de subte. Se llevan detenidos a delegados porque estaban participando de una protesta. Es un escándalo.
Libertad ya a Claudio y a Facundo ya! pic.twitter.com/5DCsVdZ67x

— Vanina Biasi (@vaninabiasi) October 20, 2026

The text reads, “Urgent: a new provocation by the City police has caused the subway lines to stop running. Union representatives have been taken into custody for participating in a protest. It’s an outrage. Free Claudio and Facundo —now!”

The protest is part of a dispute over the presence of subcontracted companies performing tasks that fall within the responsibilities of maintenance staff.

On Monday, the union organization rejected this practice, considering it a violation of the collective bargaining agreement and a form of illegal hiring intended to address staff shortages.

Union leader Claudio Dellecarbonara denounced an “illegal and unconstitutional escalation of repression” on his social media account on X. Minutes later, he was arrested along with another union leader, Sebastian Carrizo.

Later, the union confirmed that Nestor Segovia, the organization’s general secretary, was the third union leader detained. The police intervention took place amid a large deployment of officers from the Buenos Aires City Police’s Subway Division.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

Brazilian president challenges Flavio Bolsonaro to disclose his financial records, businesses and family assets.

On Monday, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said he would submit an authorization to the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) on Tuesday to lift bank secrecy protections on his accounts and those of his family members.

RELATED:

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However, Lula specified that the measure was contingent on his presidential election rival, Sen. Flavio Bolsonaro, submitting similar authorization covering his own financial records, his businesses and those close to him.

The proposal follows a tense exchange between the two candidates during Sunday’s presidential debate, in which the opposition senator’s financial assets became one of the central topics of discussion.

“I will submit this tomorrow to the TSE, hoping that the opposing candidate will submit a proposal to lift the confidentiality of his records, as well as those of his businesses and family,” Lula said, explaining that he had included his five children to avoid unfounded accusations during the campaign.

The public dispute erupted when Lula questioned the source of the funds Flavio Bolsonaro used to purchase a property in Lago Sul, an exclusive neighborhood in Brasilia, valued at 5.97 million Brazilian reais ($R).

É tão lento de raciocínio que escreveu na própria mão “corrupto”. E o pior é que no final ainda correu do desafio lançado pelo Lula de abrir contas e provar que é honesto. Essa foto resume a imagem que ficou do Flávio Bolsonaro. Que surra, e implorando pra virar meme. Fraco. pic.twitter.com/MRGq7azi8e

— GugaNoblat (@GugaNoblat) October 19, 2026

The text reads, “He is so slow-witted that he wrote ‘corrupt’ on his own hand. And the worst part is that, in the end, he even backed away from the challenge issued by Lula to open up his accounts and prove his honesty. This photo sums up the impression left by Flávio Bolsonaro. What a thrashing—and he practically begged to become a meme! Pathetic.”

During the debate, Lula compared his own assets — a 190-square-meter apartment valued at 1.5 million reais — with Flavio’s wealth, pointing to the disparity between parliamentary earnings and the value of the residence.

When asked how he financed the purchase, the far-right senator replied that he had acquired the property “through work.” However, that answer appears to conflict with actual financial figures.

An analysis of salary data from the Transparency Portal shows that between February 2019 and September 2026, Flavio Bolsonaro received approximately 2.9 million reais in net salary and allowances as a senator.

Without accounting for interest, personal expenses or other income, the lawmaker would have needed to save his entire net salary for about 15 years to cover the property’s value.

When registering his presidential candidacy in 2026, the far-right politician declared total assets of 8.18 million reais, an increase of 6.44 million reais compared with the 1.74 million reais he declared in 2018.

The transaction, completed in 2021, included a down payment of 2.87 million reais and 3.1 million reais in financing through Banco de Brasilia (BRB) over 30 years. The loan was paid off in full in 2024, just three years later.

The terms of the loan are under investigation by the Federal Police as part of Operation Cumprimento Zero, which is examining alleged irregularities involving BRB and Banco Master.

In response to the questions, Flavio Bolsonaro has maintained that his funds were obtained legally, arguing that his income comes from his work as a lawmaker, his activities as a businessman and lawyer, the sale of a previous property, and his stake in a chocolate shop.

teleSUR/ J

F Sources: Brasil de Fato – EFE

The officers are being investigated for the crimes of homicide and aggravated torture.

On Tuesday, the Technical Investigation Unit of the General Attorney’s Office arrested four members of the National Police for their responsibility in the death of Afro-Colombian Donovan Balanta, which occurred while he was in police custody in Bogota.

RELATED: Colombia Groups Demand Justice Over Donovan Balanta Death

The officers are being investigated for the crimes of homicide and aggravated torture. The investigation seeks to clarify both the reported physical assaults and the alleged failure to provide medical assistance that preceded the victim’s death.

According to authorities, the events date back to September 20, when a patrol responded to a dispute between neighbors in southern Bogota, which escalated into a confrontation between civilians and police officers.

During the operation, Donovan was detained by the officers. The Attorney General’s Office maintains that a sub-lieutenant and three patrol officers allegedly handcuffed him, punched and kicked him, and used a Taser on him.

Se conocen nuevos detalles del caso Donovan Balanta: capturan a cuatro policías y buscan a otros dos

Ampliación 👉 https://t.co/cAFAhkNcOT pic.twitter.com/reGjVavYX4

— Noticias Caracol (@NoticiasCaracol) October 19, 2026

The text reads, “New details emerge in the Donovan Balanta case: four police officers captured and two others sought”

The investigation indicates that, after his arrest, Balanta was taken to a police station, where the violence allegedly continued while he was detained within the official facilities.

According to the case file, the victim repeatedly requested medical attention due to respiratory difficulties and severe chest pains. Another detainee also reportedly requested assistance for Balanta, but he did not receive timely help.

The National Institute of Legal Medicine determined that the cause of death was a cardiac arrhythmia caused by the electric shocks he received during the procedure, according to the results of the forensic analysis.

Experts also documented multiple burns and various injuries on different parts of his body, evidence that supports the hypotheses investigated by the Prosecutor’s Office regarding possible acts of torture.

Demonstrators gather in Bogota to defend labor rights, public education, and social reforms.

Trade unions, social movements, and students took to the streets of Bogotá to protest in defense of labor rights, public education, and key social protections achieved for workers.… pic.twitter.com/Mfx1HL1vpN

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) October 14, 2026

teleSUR: JP

Source: teleSUR

Flooding has affected nine departments, forced families to relocate and prompted rescue operations as forecasters warn of more rain.

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Flooding caused by heavy rainfall and the overflowing Paraná River has affected at least 3,000 families across nine departments in Paraguay, prompting emergency assistance and the relocation of thousands of families as authorities warn of further rainfall, according to the National Emergency Secretariat (SEN).

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The southern departments of Ñeembucú, Misiones and Itapúa have been among the hardest hit, with floodwaters inundating homes and forcing emergency crews to distribute food, plastic sheeting and construction materials to affected residents.

The flooding has also affected Central, Guairá, Caaguazú, Concepción, San Pedro and Canindeyú, extending the emergency across nine of the country’s 17 departments.

In Misiones, the municipality of Ayolas has been particularly hard hit because of its proximity to the Yacyretá Dam, which is jointly managed by Paraguay and Argentina. Around 1,040 families in the area have received assistance, according to the SEN.

#FromTheSouth News Bits | About 1,200 families were evacuated last week in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay's second most populous city, due to severe flooding caused by the El Niño phenomenon, which raised the Parana River's water levels. pic.twitter.com/fu7fTJHzah

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) October 19, 2026

Rescue operations have also extended to animals. The nonprofit organization SOS Animal Ayolas has rescued about 247 pets trapped in flooded areas in recent days.

In Alto Paraná, along the border with Brazil, at least 1,300 families have been relocated. Water levels in the Paraná River have fallen slightly in the area, reaching 117.57 meters above sea level after approaching 121.19 meters on Thursday.

Firefighters from Bombers Pel Món, an organization based in the Spanish municipality of Valencia, have joined local emergency crews in assisting communities affected by the flooding near Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil.

Despite the recent decline in water levels in Alto Paraná, Paraguay’s Directorate of Meteorology and Hydrology has warned of a high probability of further rainfall from Wednesday through Sunday, with the greatest impact expected in the country’s Eastern Region.

Flooding along the Paraná River has affected thousands of families in Paraguay, prompting evacuations, rescue operations and emergency aid. Photo:
Flooding in Paraguay as the Paraná River overflows, affecting thousands of families and prompting emergency evacuations.

Demonstrators demand algorithmic transparency as Brazil’s electoral court gives Meta 24 hours to prove equal treatment of presidential campaigns.

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Hundreds of Brazilians protested outside Meta’s São Paulo offices on Monday, accusing the technology giant of restricting the reach of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s campaign while boosting far-right candidate Flávio Bolsonaro, six days before the presidential runoff. The demonstration coincided with a court order giving Meta 24 hours to prove it was treating both campaigns equally.

RELATED: Brazilian Court Gives Meta 24 Hours to Prove Equal Treatment of Presidential Campaigns

The protest on Faria Lima Avenue called for an end to what demonstrators described as the suppression of progressive political content. Organizers also demanded transparency in content moderation algorithms, protections for activists and journalists, and compensation for damage to public debate.

The Superior Electoral Court (TSE) imposed the 24-hour deadline amid mounting scrutiny of Meta’s handling of the campaigns. The dispute intensified after internal messages emerged in which company employees acknowledged that Lula’s account had faced restrictions compared with Bolsonaro’s. The messages indicated that Lula’s Instagram posts could not be promoted for nearly 24 hours between Oct. 9 and 10.

“META NO SE META!”

Movimientos brasileños ocupan la sede de la plataforma de redes sociales. pic.twitter.com/wetfUpEryA

— Nacho Lemus (@LemusteleSUR) October 19, 2026

Text Reads: “META DON’T GET INVOLVED!” Brazilian movements occupy the headquarters of the social media platform.

TSE Justice Marco Aurélio Bellizze warned that appeals would not suspend the court’s orders and doubled the daily fine for noncompliance from 500,000 reais to 1 million reais, or about $180,000.

The court also ordered Meta to submit individual reports in Portuguese, explain its recommendation algorithms, provide details on electoral advertising oversight, and identify potential networks of fake accounts and AI-generated images.

“Unilaterally replacing deadlines set by the court amounts to noncompliance, particularly in a process whose effectiveness depends on time,” Bellizze said.

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

Una publicación compartida por teleSUR English (@telesurenglish)

Meta maintains that its content moderation policies apply equally to all political actors. Bolsonaro has also sought to join the proceedings, arguing that his own content has been harmed.

Concerns over digital sovereignty

Protesters argued that the dispute exposed the broader influence of social media platforms over Brazil’s electoral process. They noted that 70% of the Brazilian population uses Instagram to obtain information and accused Meta, owned by Mark Zuckerberg, of wielding opaque power over political visibility.

“We cannot say we have fair elections when a company uses its economic, technical and technological power to tilt public debate toward one side, which is what is happening,” said Dani Silva, executive director of Ctrl+Z, one of the organizations behind the demonstration.

The rally was organized by the Não se Meta coalition, which included the Landless Workers’ Movement (MST), Levantamento da Juventude Popular, Brasil Popular, Article 19, Ctrl+Z, Código No Binário, Diracom, the National Forum for the Democratization of Communication and Sleeping Giants Brazil.

Under the slogan “Meta, stay out of our election,” demonstrators displayed signs featuring Zuckerberg alongside U.S. President Donald Trump and chanted for digital sovereignty and Meta’s exclusion from the electoral process.

Activist Veronyka Gimenes, known as Trava Hacker, described the company’s actions as part of what she called “digital colonialism,” alleging that technology companies seek to influence domestic politics across the Global South.

“Digital sovereignty is no joke; it is something that must be taken very seriously,” she said.

Activist Tiana Cauton urged people to take to the streets to demand the democratization of communications. She also expressed hope that a new presidential term would advance “autonomy through our own open and clean social networks.”

Demonstrators said Meta’s influence over political communication had undermined Brazil’s national sovereignty since the 2018 elections, renewing calls for greater accountability for social media platforms during the electoral process.

A Bogotá court ordered the National Museum to safeguard nearly 30 removed works as professors protested the government’s decision.

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A Bogotá court has ordered Colombia’s National Museum to preserve nearly 30 artworks removed from its exhibitions, prohibiting further alterations or removals without legal authorization amid growing protests over the government’s decision to take down pieces related to the armed conflict, feminism and LGBTQ+ communities.

RELATED: De La Espriella’s Cultural Counterrevolution In Colombia Kicks Off

The 24th Family Court of Bogotá issued the precautionary measures in response to a constitutional protection petition filed by Gabriel Becerra Yáñez, secretary-general of the Unión Patriótica party, and members of the León Zuleta and Revolución en Rosa collectives.

Judge César Enrique Osorio Ortiz ordered the museum to keep the affected works in appropriate conservation conditions and prohibited the institution from moving, destroying, altering, deaccessioning or returning them to third parties. The museum must also preserve all records, exhibition plans, minutes and communications related to the removals.

The court gave the museum’s management 24 hours to submit a detailed report identifying the works’ current locations and conservation conditions, including items removed from exhibition rooms and the Miguel Ángel Díaz memorial garden. The report must also identify the authority responsible for ordering their removal.

🇨🇴 Seis museos de arte moderno de Colombia cuestionaron el retiro de al menos 30 piezas históricas del Museo Nacional en Bogotá. #teleSUR #Colombia #Cultura pic.twitter.com/dsicaHCuPI

— teleSUR TV (@teleSURtv) October 18, 2026

Text Reads: Six modern art museums in Colombia questioned the removal of at least 30 historical pieces from the National Museum in Bogotá.

The dispute began last week after President Abelardo de la Espriella ordered nearly 30 works removed from the museum’s permanent exhibitions. His office characterized the pieces as an “ode to terrorism.” The works address historical memory of Colombia’s armed conflict, feminist demands, LGBTQ+ rights and the 2016 peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

Court cites constitutional protection for historical memory

In its ruling, the court emphasized that artistic expressions connected to historical memory, truth-seeking and symbolic reparation for victims are protected under Colombia’s Constitution.

The decision cited the Constitutional Court’s recognition that such works serve a broader public purpose.

“Artistic expressions associated with processes of historical memory, extrajudicial truth and symbolic reparation for victims are not merely cultural manifestations, but constitutionally protected instruments for building collective memory, dignifying victims and ensuring guarantees of non-repetition,” the ruling stated.

The judge added that these expressions warrant enhanced protection because of their close links to the fundamental rights to truth, historical memory, artistic freedom of expression and symbolic reparation for victims.

The court found reasonable grounds to suspect that these rights had been violated and warned that further harm could occur without immediate conservation measures. It said the precautions were necessary, urgent and proportionate to prevent irreparable damage while the case is considered on its merits.

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A post shared by Pacto Histórico Oficial (@pactohistoricooficial)

Text Reads: Historical memory cannot be erased!
The justice system accepted our legal petition and ordered the protection of the works removed from the National Museum, the halting of any further unjustified removals, and the preservation of the garden dedicated to Miguel Ángel Díaz.
The memory of the victims and the rights that have been won must be defended!

The petition names both the Ministry of Cultures, the Arts and Knowledge and the National Museum. Each has one business day to respond, submit evidence and clarify whether administrative decisions authorized the removals, as well as the degree of institutional autonomy between the two bodies.

The proceedings also involve President de la Espriella, Bogotá’s Secretariat for Women, the Sexual Diversity Directorate of the District Planning Secretariat, the Secretariat for Social Integration, the Sí Mujer Foundation and the Colombian Communist Party. These parties were also given one business day to submit evidence.

Professors hold classes outside museum in protest

The legal challenge comes as opposition to the removals has spread beyond the courtroom. On Monday, university professors moved their classes to the steps of the National Museum, holding open-air lectures to discuss the government’s decision and what they described as censorship.

Academics from several disciplines used an amplification system to address the public. The sessions took place under the watch of numerous officers from the National Anti-Riot Unit (Unadi), the same force deployed during large demonstrations outside the museum over the weekend.

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A post shared by Pacto Histórico Oficial (@pactohistoricooficial)

Text Reads: ABELARDO DE LA ESPRIELLA SEEKS TO ERASE HISTORICAL MEMORY
The president has ordered the removal of images and references to Carlos Pizarro Leongómez—former M-19 commander and a key figure in the peace process—from government-controlled public spaces. This decision follows the provisional suspension of the designation of his hat as a piece of cultural heritage, and comes amid a visit to the Ministry of Culture, during which he also lashed out against inclusive language.
Arguing that “terrorists” should not occupy public spaces, the government is attempting to dictate which parts of history deserve to be remembered.
Memory cannot be erased by decree. History cannot be rewritten from a position of power.

Catalina Muñoz Rojas, an associate professor in the Department of History and Geography at the University of the Andes and an organizer of the classes, said the removed works were part of exhibitions developed over years to reflect the pluralism and diversity enshrined in Colombia’s 1991 Constitution.

She argued that the president’s intervention disrupted democratic, participatory curatorial processes involving communities from across the country. The professors plan to continue their educational activities throughout the week, engaging members of the public and the officers stationed outside the museum. Organizers urged the officers to respect the peaceful, academic nature of the protest.

Ana López, a resident of Colombia who attended the demonstrations, described the government’s decision as arbitrary and authoritarian, warning of the risk of more sweeping censorship aimed at silencing the country’s cultural and social diversity.

The removals have also prompted public criticism from Colombia’s modern art museums and the Colombian committee of the International Council of Museums (ICOM Colombia), alongside protests outside the institution.

The court’s precautionary measures will remain in force while it considers the petition’s merits. The proceedings will address the legal basis for the removals and allegations that the decision violated rights related to historical memory, artistic expression and symbolic reparation.

Havana accuses Washington of using a disputed event at UN headquarters to divert attention from its decades-long economic blockade.

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Cuba has accused the United States of staging an unauthorized event at UN headquarters to discredit the island ahead of a General Assembly debate on ending Washington’s decades-long economic blockade.

RELATED: Cuban President Rejects U.S. Arrest Warrant Against Gen. Raul Castro

Cuba’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Ernesto Soberón Guzmán, condemned the gathering, organized by the U.S. Mission to the UN, as a clandestine meeting unrelated to the organization’s official agenda. He also criticized the UN Secretariat for failing to stop the event despite repeated warnings from the Cuban delegation.

According to Soberón Guzmán, the U.S. mission selectively invited a small group of member states to promote what he described as false claims about Cuba. He alleged that the panelists were funded by the U.S. State Department and had criminal records or links to organizations responsible for attacks against the Cuban people.

“This charade is an attempt to distract attention from a simple fact: the United States is acting as an international criminal, imposing collective punishment on the Cuban people. It is inflicting immense suffering on the entire population of a peaceful nation,” Soberón Guzmán said.

Declaraciones del Representante Permanente de Cuba🇨🇺 ante @UN 🇺🇳, @SoberonGuzman, denunciando el provocador y vergonzoso evento realizado por la misión de EEUU en ONU.#CubaNoEsUnaAmenaza, el bloqueo sí! pic.twitter.com/lmDcWv2SAT

— Cancillería de Cuba (@CubaMINREX) October 19, 2026

Text Reads: Statements by Cuba’s Permanent Representative to @UN, @SoberonGuzman, denouncing the provocative and shameful event held by the US mission at the UN. #CubaNoEsUnaAmenaza, the blockade is!

Debate on the blockade

The Cuban protest comes ahead of a formal debate at the UN General Assembly on a resolution calling for an end to the U.S. economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba. The assembly is scheduled to consider the issue on October 27 and 28 in an open and inclusive debate, marking the 34th time the body has addressed the resolution.

Soberón Guzmán accused Washington of exploiting human rights concerns to undermine Cuba’s sovereignty and right to self-determination, weaken the Cuban people’s resolve and subvert the country’s constitutional order. He also argued that the U.S.-organized event was intended to divert attention from the consequences of Washington’s policy of maximum economic pressure on the island.

The ambassador expressed confidence that the resolution would again receive broad international support, insisting that Cuba posed no threat to other countries.

“The U.S. government knows very well that the vast majority of countries will once again support our demand, because Cuba is not the threat; the blockade is,” he said.

Soberón Guzmán rejected the prospect that U.S. pressure would force Cuba to abandon its position, saying that efforts to break the determination and unity of the Cuban people would fail.

“If anyone in the U.S. government thinks they will break the determination and unity of the Cuban people, they are wasting their time, their efforts and no small amount of resources. We will never bend the knee. We will not surrender,” he said.

Wildfires in Brazil’s Amazon region have driven air pollution to dangerous levels in cities such as Santarém and Manaus, prompting the federal government to deploy a joint armed forces command, more water-bombing aircraft and emergency funds.

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A wave of forest fires is consuming the western zone of Brazil’s Pará state, where authorities have counted 922 active outbreaks. The dense smoke has left the city of Santarém under air pollution levels described as very unhealthy for the local population.

Figures released by the Queimadas platform, which operates under the National Institute for Space Research, place Pará at the top of the national registry of environmental disasters.

RELATED: Brazil Faces Increased Wildfires Due to Super El Niño Phenomenon

The neighboring state of Amazonas reports 90 active fire points after having surpassed one thousand outbreaks in recent weeks.

Conditions grew especially dire in Santarém, where the air quality index climbed to 260 points, according to measurements from the international monitoring platform IQAir. Scientific stations detected concentrations of fine particles reaching 185 micrograms per cubic meter.

That reading exceeds the limit allowed by Brazilian environmental law by an enormous margin. The permitted daily average stands at 32 micrograms per cubic meter. Experts note that these microscopic particles penetrate deep into the respiratory tract and pose a severe threat to public health.

In Manaus, the capital of Amazonas state, the picture remains critical as well. The persistent dispersion of toxic gases pushed the air quality index to 153 units during the early hours of the day, consolidating a harmful atmosphere across the urban centers of the rainforest.

The fires arrive during the dry season, when large stretches of forest are cleared by intentional burns. The flames spread through drought-stricken vegetation, and the resulting smoke drifts over populated areas with no immediate relief in sight.

Manaus respira 12 vezes mais veneno que o limite da OMS — e o pior horário ainda está por virhttps://t.co/9Gd6YlfkL3

Instagram: https://t.co/5ljysPP0H9 pic.twitter.com/OxWcgJCI4Y

— Portal do Holanda (@portaldoholanda) October 18, 2026

Text reads: “Manaus breathes 12 times more poison than the W.H.O. limit – and worst time is yet to com.”

Military Response Activated

Faced with the environmental collapse, Brazil’s federal government ordered an extraordinary operational deployment. Defense Minister José Múcio Monteiro confirmed the activation of a Joint General Staff of the Armed Forces based in Manaus to coordinate ground and air containment efforts.

The response added five aircraft, raising the military fleet fighting the flames in the northern region to 16 water-bombing planes. The Ministry of Integration and Regional Development transferred 14 million reais, about 2.8 million dollars, to the Amazonas state government to mitigate the emergency.

Health authorities announced the installation of a base of the National Force of the Unified Health System. Its main task will be to provide direct medical care to the thousands of residents affected by respiratory illnesses caused by the pollution.

Environmental organizations warn that the scale of the fires exposes the structural vulnerability of the world’s largest tropical rainforest. The combination of prolonged drought, deforestation and insufficient fire control threatens the ecological stability of the Amazonia and the integrity of native communities.

The local government has declared a state of emergency in Autazes as suspected arson fires, aggravated by El Niño, rip through the Brazilian Amazon and trigger health alerts in Manaus🇧🇷🔥 #Amazonas #BrazilFires pic.twitter.com/u9I1i0Ocpd

— SG News (@SGNews123) October 14, 2026

The crisis reflects the devastating consequences of climate change and agricultural pressure on the biome. During the dry season, extensive areas of jungle are razed by intentional burns meant to open land for cattle ranching and large-scale farming.

With 922 active outbreaks in Pará and the fires still spreading, the emergency response faces a race against deteriorating air quality. The health base and the expanded air fleet mark the government’s immediate answer to a crisis that shows no sign of easing.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez led a meeting on Monday with Venezuela’s main business federations and national union confederations to consolidate agreements on wage restoration, salary scales and worker’s protections.

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The meeting brought together the Federation of Chambers and Associations of Commerce and Production of Venezuela (Fedecámaras), the Federation of Chambers and Companies of Venezuela (Fedeindustria) and the country’s various union confederations.

The dialogue table evaluated the progress made in the days of debate focused on restoring workers’ purchasing power.

RELATED: Venezuela Promotes Venezuela Feeds Plan and Local Economy Law to Achieve “Hunger 0”

Three core areas shaped the agenda. The first was the progressive conversion of workers’ income into formal salary, a shift the government describes as progressive salary restructuring.

The second involved adjusting salary scales and tables. The third centered on designing guarantees of stability for Venezuelan workers. In this sense, the working group also reviewed draft laws and regulatory instruments meant to shield the framework of social and economic protection for workers.

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Una publicación compartida de teleSUR English (@telesurenglish)

Dialogue for Sovereign Growth

Venezuelan Acting President Rodríguez reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to protecting the inalienable rights conquered by the people. She insisted on preserving the workday, end of year bonuses, additional bonuses, vacations, seniority premiums and social benefits in the face of external economic aggression. Following this, the authorities said the three-way dialogue strengthens the model of social justice and lays the groundwork for sovereign economic growth.

The government’s participants included Economy Minister and sector Vice-president Anabel Pereira, Sectoral Vice President for Social and Territorial Socialism Héctor Rodríguez, Planning Minister Ricardo Menéndez and Economy Sectoral Vice-President Calixto Ortega. Labor Minister Carlos Alexis Castillo, University Education Minister Ana María San Juan and Presidential Commissioner for the Constituent Assembly and Labor Consensus Eduardo Piñate also attended.

The labor meeting follows Rodríguez’s announcement days earlier before the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) that the executive will submit a draft Law for the Local Economy to the National Assembly.

Rodríguez explained that the legal text has as its strategic objective the dynamization of the domestic productive apparatus through the effective linkage of the different economic sectors of the country. Before the multilateral delegations, the Venezuelan Acting President detailed the guiding principles of the norm, designed to strengthen the food sovereignty and security of the Venezuelan people against the blockade of foreign powers.

Argentina’s Provincial Commission for Memory (CPM, in Spanish) filed a criminal complaint Monday against national government officials over the police operation that left more than 550 people injured during the fifth federal university march in Buenos Aires.

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The complaint, submitted to the Federal Court led by Judge Sebastián Ramos, calls for an investigation into both the officers who took part in the operation and the political authorities who ordered the security deployment during the day of protest.

A report prepared by the autonomous body found that the police intervention stretched on for more than three hours.

RELATED: Repression at Argentina’s University March: Over 30 Detained

Security forces fired rubber bullets horizontally at the bodies of demonstrators, deployed water cannons at high pressure and launched more than 120 tear gas grenades in what the report described as a disproportionate use of force.

The formal filing also stated that the attacks reached medical assistance teams, press workers and human rights observers. At the same time, the National Committee for the Prevention of Torture monitored the street actions and warned of an abusive use of force that led to the detention of four adults and two teenagers.

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Una publicación compartida de teleSUR English (@telesurenglish)

Over 550 Injured

The figure of more than 550 people affected or injured gives the operation a scale recorded in Argentine protests. The Argentine Provincial Commission for Memory report documented the trajectory of the rubber bullets, the intensity of the water cannons and the volume of chemical agents deployed against a crowd that included students, teachers and ordinary citizens.

The fifth federal university march brought thousands of people into the streets across the country to demand that President Javier Milei enforce the University Financing Law. The legislation, approved by the National Congress and reaffirmed after being vetoed by the executive branch, has the backing of the judiciary to guarantee the budget of the public education system.

Human rights organizations demanded the urgent delimitation of criminal and institutional responsibilities in the face of the reported escalation of violence. Torture prevention bodies stressed that the use of less lethal weapons requires strict protocols to protect the integrity of those exercising their constitutional right to protest.

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Una publicación compartida de Comisión por la Memoria (@cpmemoria)

Judicial Action Advances

The advance of the legal actions keeps the conduct of the Ministry of Security and the management of social conflict in the Argentine capital at the center of national debate. The complaint before Judge Ramos seeks to establish who ordered the deployment and who allowed the operation to continue for hours despite the growing number of injuries.

University communities announced that they will maintain institutional and street actions to demand the budget allocation that the law grants to higher education institutions. The protest movement shows no sign of retreat, even as the judicial process begins to examine the events of the march.

The Provincial Commission for Memory (CPM, in Spanish), an autonomous body with a long record of documenting state violence, placed the operation within a broader pattern of concern. Its report argues that the use of force crossed the line separating legitimate public order maintenance from punishment aimed at those who dissent.

The case now rests with the Federal Court, which must decide whether to summon the security agents and the political officials identified in the filing. The outcome will shape how Argentina addresses the use of force against social protest, a question that has divided the country since the march left its toll of injured demonstrators on the streets of the capital.

The decision affects 163,020 citizens residing abroad registered in the Electoral Census of Absent Residents (CERA).

Last Monday, the Spanish Supreme Court upheld the precautionary suspension of voting rights for some citizens who acquired Spanish nationality through the Democratic Memory Law, which generated concern among descendants of Spaniards residing in Cuba.

RELATED: TVBrics and Cuba’s Canal Habana Sign Content Cooperation Agreement

The measure maintains restrictions on registration in the CERA for individuals who obtained nationality under an instruction signed in October 2022 by Sofia Puente, then Director General of Legal Security and Public Faith.

The decision does not affect all beneficiaries of the Democratic Memory Law, but rather 163,020 citizens residing abroad registered in the CERA. It also does not restrict the right to vote for those who obtained nationality and subsequently established their residence in Spain.

The Democratic Memory Law allowed children, grandchildren, and other descendants of Spaniards who lost or renounced their citizenship as a consequence of exile for political, ideological, or other reasons stipulated in the legislation to obtain Spanish nationality.

The now-challenged instruction established a presumption of exile for Spaniards who left the country between July 1936 and December 1955, provided they could prove their departure from Spain during that period.

The strong expression of support for #Cuba at the @UN today sends an unmistakable message: no U.S. political maneuver can conceal the devastating humanitarian impact of the blockade and energy siege on our people.

While the U.S. staged an event aimed at discrediting Cuba,… pic.twitter.com/yY25kULBnl

— Ernesto Soberón (@SoberonGuzman) October 19, 2026

Estela Marina Perez, president of the Association of Descendants of Spaniards Around the World (ADEM), pointed out that around 90% of nationality applications were based on this instruction, especially in countries like Cuba.

ADEM filed an appeal against the precautionary measures and argues that the suspension of voting rights harms people who obtained nationality through procedures officially approved by the Spanish State.

However, Perez stated that among naturalized citizens residing in Cuba, the main concern is not the inability to vote, but rather the possibility that a future ruling could invalidate the instruction that facilitated thousands of applications.

The ADEM representative warned that if the Supreme Court were to conclude that this instruction was irregular, numerous naturalization processes already granted or still pending could be affected, generating uncertainty among thousands of descendants of Spaniards abroad.

#Cuba | British Lawmaker Jeremy Corbyn calls for an end to the US blockade following his participation in a humanitarian aid mission, stressing that lasting relief requires more than emergency assistance.#JeremyCorbyn #Blockade #teleSUREnglish pic.twitter.com/ZbRzDGqd76

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) October 17, 2026

teleSUR: JP

Source: Diario de Cuba

It charges the Revolutionary leader with ‘conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.’

On Monday, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel called the Florida Court’s arrest warrant for Army General Raul Castro a “reprehensible action” and a “pathetic Miami circus”.

RELATED:

Cuba Denounces U.S. Oil Blockade and Lack of Progress in Talks

“The reprehensible action taken against the Army General this morning—a pathetic circus in Miami with an electoral agenda—lacks, and will forever lack, any legal basis, let alone any practical merit. Raul is Raul, and every affront to his person will always be met with the determination of a people to defend the Revolution,” he said.

“This maneuver, dressed up in legal terms by anti-Cuban politicians against Raul and against Cuba, deserves our firm condemnation. It is part of an aggressive agenda and reflects the difficulties they face in trying to justify the blockade and the collective punishment of our people,” Diaz-Canel stressed.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez also condemned what he called a “sterile maneuver” driven by anti-Cuban politicians in South Florida. The minister maintained that the accusations were unfounded and linked them to a strategy of political pressure and hostility.

YES to a 30-year-old Cuba case. NO to today's problems.
FYI: A U.S. grand jury in Florida has indicted Cuban leader Raul Castro, a move widely seen as an escalation of Washington's pressure campaign against Cuba.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez swiftly condemned the… pic.twitter.com/WDXuhlWeeT

— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) May 21, 2026

The attack occurred on February 24, 1996, in international waters, where three U.S. citizens and one legal permanent resident of the United States died. Miami-based “Brothers to the Rescue” carried out missions to locate and assist Cubans attempting to leave the island by sea for the United States.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that the warrant charges the former Cuban leader with “conspiracy to commit first-degree murder” for the events that occurred nearly three decades ago.

The warrant, signed by a Miami judge, is based on an investigation into Castro’s alleged role as Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba. According to U.S. authorities, Cuban agents gathered information about flights belonging to the Brothers to the Rescue organization and transmitted it to Havana.

The U.S. investigation maintains that this information “facilitated” the interception of the aircraft by Cuban military fighter jets during an operation that resulted in the downing of both planes.

#Cuba | Cuba is reforming its state-owned enterprises to expand financial autonomy, boost domestic production, and strengthen cooperation with the private sector amid US sanctions.
The government says public ownership will remain central to its economic model.#EconomicReforms… pic.twitter.com/GJMG0FJz6d

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) October 16, 2026

teleSUR: JP

Source: France 24

Magistrate Bellizze warns daily fine could double to about US$185,000 if Meta fails to comply.

On Monday, the Brazilian Superior Electoral Tribunal gave the technology company Meta a 24-hour deadline to demonstrate that the campaigns of the two presidential candidates, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Flavio Bolsonaro, are receiving equal treatment on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.

RELATED:

Brazilian Police Investigate Flavio Bolsonaro Over Money Laundering

Magistrate Marco Aurelio Bellizze warned that if Meta does not demonstrate that it has complied with the equity measures previously ordered, the court will double the planned daily fine to about US$185,000 until the end of the runoff that will take place on Oct. 25.

His decision comes after both campaigns went to court to denounce that their political content is being harmed by Meta’s platforms and to accuse the company of favoring its rival.

This discriminatory treatment has been particularly notable against the campaign of President Lula da Silva, according to denunciations by militants of the Workers’ Party.

More generally, Brazilians have confirmed that Meta-controlled social networks have imposed limitations on the advertising boost of the leftist candidacy and have selectively restricted the dissemination of posts linked to Lula and his supporters.

Esto es un escándalo por el que tendría que responder Zuckerberg
La periodista Daniela Lima muestra en directo como la IA de Meta favorece la campaña de Bolsonaro creando imágenes de "Flavio 22", y con las mismas instrucciones se niega a hacerlas de "Lula 13". pic.twitter.com/SGb5NjStcR

— Julián Macías Tovar (@JulianMaciasT) October 14, 2026

The text reads, “This is a scandal for which Zuckerberg would have to answer. Journalist Daniela Lima shows live how Meta’s AI favors Bolsonaro’s campaign by creating images of ‘Flavio 22,’ and with the same instructions refuses to make images of ‘Lula 13’.”

Last week, Judge Bellizze determined that Meta offer equal treatment to both candidates in a decision that was endorsed on Friday by the entire electoral tribunal.

In Monday’s decision, the magistrate stated that there are still not enough elements to conclude that Meta deliberately manipulated the distribution of content, but he considered that the multinational has not satisfactorily demonstrated compliance with all previous orders.

Bellizze also questioned that Meta has assumed the authority to modify the deadlines set by the Court, since it requested more time to comply.

Among the court’s demands on Meta are explanations about recommendation systems, the review of ads from both candidacies, the identification of those responsible for political advertising and the measures adopted against possible networks of inauthentic profiles.

The new decision comes after Meta last week denied any interference in the Brazilian elections and rejected accusations of favoring a candidate. The company attributed the problems denounced by the Lula campaign to technical incidents and assured that its systems do not classify or distribute content based on political ideology.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

Christopher Landau met with Paraguayan President Peña to discuss regional security and investment opportunities.

On Monday, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau began a three-day visit to Paraguay, where he announced that U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are interested “on refocusing attention on the Western Hemisphere.”

RELATED:

Trump Approval Falls to New Low of 33% Two Weeks Before Midterms

Landau specified that their attention is focused specifically on “the Great America,” a territory that Washington considers extending from Canada to Tierra del Fuego, at the southern tip of South America.

During the day, the senior U.S. official met with President Santiago Peña and Vice President Pedro Alliana as part of a visit he described as “very important” for U.S. diplomacy, which seeks to explore investment opportunities and regional security.

“We talked about security issues. Paraguay is located in the heart of South America, and I think there are many opportunities to strengthen those ties,” he said after meeting with Peña and Alliana.

🇵🇾🇺🇸 El presidente Santiago Peña recibió al subsecretario de Estado adjunto de Estados Unidos, Christopher Landau, quien inició una visita oficial de tres días a Paraguay.

🔗🗞 https://t.co/bVQpC0lwLs pic.twitter.com/EaZXZZ4wB6

— IP Paraguay (@IPParaguay) October 19, 2026

The text reads, “President Santiago Peña received the U.S. Deputy Undersecretary of State, Christopher Landau, who began a three-day official visit to Paraguay.”

He also indicated that his visit recognizes “the great importance” of the relationship between the two nations and that there are “many win-win situations given Paraguay’s great potential” for investors.

On Monday, Landau arrived accompanied by a delegation of U.S. business executives and Juan Pablo Segura, deputy assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs.

On social media, President Peña posted a welcome message in Guarani and Spanish in response to a post by Landau, who lived in Paraguay from 1972 to 1977, when his father, George Landau, served as ambassador to the South American country during the U.S.-backed dictatorship of Alfredo Stroessner (1954-1989).

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE