Redcuban1959

Leftist congressman José María Balcázar was sworn in this Wednesday as the new interim president of Peru, after winning the vote in the chamber to head Congress following the dismissal of fellow congressman José Jerí, who was removed the day before.

Balcázar, 83, was sworn in as interim head of state with the mission of leading the government for five months., until July 28, when he must hand over the presidential power to the winner of the presidential elections called for April 12.

Thus, this lawyer belonging to the Marxist party Peru Libre, with which former president Pedro Castillo (2021-2022) won the elections in 2021, became the oldest president in the history of Peru, surpassing Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (2016-2018), who was 79 years old when he resigned to avoid being removed from office.

"I will defend national sovereignty, the physical and moral integrity of the Republic, and the independence of its democratic institutions. I will expand and enforce the political Constitution and the laws of Peru," Balcázar stated.

With 64 votes, the parliamentarian caused a surprise by winning the congressional vote against the right-wing María del Carmen Alva , who received 46 votes despite starting as the favorite to occupy the position, after having already been president of the Legislature in the 2021-2022 period, where she was characterized by a strong confrontation and opposition to the Castillo Government.

Balcázar managed to defeat Alva with the support of both Perú Libre and right-wing parties that rejected Alva, after reaching an agreement to join the Government, such as the right-wing Alliance for Progress (APP) and Podemos Perú (PP), of presidential candidates César Acuña and José Luna, respectively.

The octogenarian politician replaces Jerí, who was dismissed by Congress on Wednesday.Following investigations opened against him for influence peddling during his short term of just four months, allegedly incurred by meeting semi-clandestinely with Chinese businessmen and alleged irregular hiring of officials with whom he met previously at the Government Palace.

However, Balcázar, who became a judge of the Supreme Court of Justice of Peru, also faces a series of questions and investigations for various crimes , in addition to controversies such as his defense of child marriage, during a debate on a bill to prohibit this type of union.

Mexico City, Feb 18 (Prensa Latina) Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum today reaffirmed her support for Cuba, expressed her hope that more countries would join in sending aid, and insisted on defending the self-determination of peoples.

“And hopefully more countries will join in. We will continue sending aid, not only the government supporting Cuba and the Cuban people, but there are also many citizen initiatives already underway,” he said in response to a question about Spain’s announcement of support.

During her usual meeting with the media, the president highlighted the start on Sunday of the campaign "From town to town, let's end the blockade", convened by the organizations Va por Cuba and the Association of Cubans Residing in Mexico José Martí.

Referring to the collection of supplies as part of this initiative, which will continue in the Zócalo until February 22, the dignitary mentioned that the government is helping so that "it can be taken to the ships that are already coming back" and reloaded.

On Thursday, the ships Papaloapan and Isla Holbox, from the Mexican Navy, sent by the federal administration, arrived in the largest of the Antilles with some 814 tons of basic food and hygiene items, which are already being received by the population.

“And to the extent that we can help, we will help. Mexico has always been supportive. Always. And this will be no exception,” he stated.

The statements come in a context marked by the United States' threat to impose tariffs on countries that supply crude oil to Cuba, another turn of the screw in the blockade applied by Washington to Cuba for more than 60 years.

Organizations have warned that depriving the country of access to oil would paralyze it, as it affects such sensitive areas as electricity generation, the operation of hospitals, food production and distribution, and water pumping.

The president reiterated on Wednesday the importance of self-determination of peoples, non-intervention, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts, and stressed that these are principles of the country's Constitution, "and we also do it out of conviction."

“The only ones who can decide the government in Cuba are the Cubans. The only ones who can decide the government of Mexico are the Mexicans. No one else. There should be no interference, no invasions. It is the decision of the people. That is our constitution and that is how it should be,” he emphasized.

Regarding Mexico's willingness to facilitate a dialogue between the United States and Cuba, Sheinbaum noted that "talks are underway to see if it is feasible, but it depends on both governments."

"It depends not only on the will of the Mexican government, but also on the will of the Cuban government and the will of the United States government, and on the conditions that the Cuban government may be establishing within the framework of its self-determination," he said.

Moscow, Feb 18 (Prensa Latina) Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed today that Russia has always stood by Cuba in defense of its sovereignty and independence.

Upon receiving Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez at the Kremlin, who is in Moscow on a working visit as an envoy of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) and the Government, the leader of the Eurasian giant highlighted the special relationship that both nations have maintained for decades.

“We have always stood with Cuba in its struggle for independence, for the right to pursue its own path of development, and we have always supported the Cuban people,” the Russian leader emphasized.

He also emphasized that his government and Russian society know how difficult it has been for Cuba to defend its more than six decades of sovereignty, "fighting for its right to live according to its own rules and defend its national interests," he added.

"We are in a special period, with new sanctions. You already know what we think about this. We will not accept anything of the sort," he stated.

Putin also emphasized that bilateral relations between Moscow and Havana are on a positive path. He also noted that this year marks the centenary of the birth of the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro (1926-2016), and affirmed that "we will celebrate it together."

For his part, the Cuban Foreign Minister expressed special gratitude for the solidarity shown by the Russian President and Government in a solid and unwavering manner in the face of the tightening of the blockade against Cuba and the energy embargo that creates difficult situations for the economy and the Cuban people.

Syrian authorities have launched a swift evacuation of the Al-Hol camp in Hasakah, relocating thousands to Akhtarin in northern Aleppo, in an urgent humanitarian needs. Syrian authorities initiated on February, 17 the evacuation of the Al-Hol Camp in Al-Hasakah province, relocating residents to Akhtarin camp, northern Aleppo. The urgent decision to transfer Al-Hol’s inhabitants stemmed from severe shortages in essential living resources, as stated by Fadi al-Qassem, the official managing the facility.

The Akhtarin camp in Aleppo has been specifically prepared to accommodate the displaced individuals, ensuring their immediate reception and improved living conditions. Syrian authorities began evacuating al-Hol camp, transferring remaining residents from Hasakah to Akhtarin in northern Aleppo. The move follows Damascus takeover and a sharp drop in the camp’s population. February 17, 2026 A Government source confirmed the departure of the convoys destined for the new reception area earlier this Tuesday, marking a significant and expedited step in the ongoing evacuation process. Celine Schmitt, spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Syria, reported a substantial reduction in Al-Hol’s overall population over recent weeks.

For its part, The Syrian Government had previously communicated its firm intention to the international organization to finalize the relocation and subsequently sought UNHCR’s support in implementing this crucial measure.

Humanitarian sources further indicated that the majority of foreign nationals residing in the Al-Hol Camp had already departed in late January.

Humanitarian Response Efforts

Historically, the Al-Hol settlement had housed approximately 24,000 individuals, which included nearly 15,000 Syrian citizens and about 6,300 foreign women and children from 42 different nationalities, highlighting its diverse and international character.

The camp’s impending closure represents a significant step in managing the aftermath of prolonged conflict and extensive displacement in Syria, aiming to provide more stable and resource-rich environments for its former residents.

This strategic move also underscores the continuous efforts of Syrian authorities to restore order and implement effective humanitarian solutions across the country, particularly in regions most affected by conflict.

The swift timeline for closure within a week emphasizes the urgency and strategic importance placed on this operation, hoping to provide more stable and dignified living conditions for the affected populations throughout Syria.

The Peruvian Congress dismissed Interim President Jose Jeri after he was accused of alleged influence peddling, marking the eighth presidential change in the country in a decade of political instability.

The Congress of Peru removed this Tuesday, February 17, the Interim President, the right-wing Jose Jeri, with 75 votes in favor, 24 against and 3 abstentions, less than two months before general elections and 130 days after his designation.

Being censored as the highest authority of Parliament, Jeri automatically loses his status as Head of State in charge.

The dismissal of Jose Jeri, after little more than four months in office, occurred after reaching the votes required in the Extraordinary Plenum of the Congress of the Peruvian Republic, following a series of situations involving the now former President, such as the tax investigation for alleged influence peddling and after failing to overcome seven censure motions related to unregistered meetings with Chinese businessmen and other ethics questions.

His precarious position was exacerbated by allegations concerning the irregular hiring and entry of women into the Government Palace under the Managerial Support Fund, which significantly contributed to a sharp decline in his popularity.

In recent months, Jeri’s brief tenure has been increasingly embroiled in a series of severe political scandals. The most prominent of these, colloquially known as”Chiremovedate” began to unravel with the publication of compromising media reports. These revelations quickly initiated the censure motions that ultimately led to his removal from the highest office, highlighting deep-seated concerns over transparency and ethics.

Secret Business Meetings

The crisis for Interim President Jeri intensified significantly when local media obtained compelling video footage, where the then-president was arriving late at night at a specific restaurant, where he engaged in a meeting with Chinese businessman Zhihua Yang.

Yang’s company had previously secured Government approval for the construction of a major hydroelectric power plant, immediately raising questions about potential conflicts of interest. This particular encounter was not recorded on the official presidential agenda, constituting a direct violation of Peruvian law, which mandates transparency for all such engagements.

Additional visual evidence subsequently surfaced, showing Jeri at yet another one of Yang’s businesses just days later, suggesting a clear pattern of undocumented interactions.

Furthermore, the ex-Peruvian Interim President was also reported to have met with a second Chinese businessman, Jiwu Xiaodong, who was, at the time of their alleged meeting, under house arrest for his involvement in alleged illegal activities.

These repeated, unscheduled engagements with figures tied to significant financial and legal issues intensely escalated public scrutiny and political pressure on Jeri’s already beleaguered administration.

Jeri has largely attempted to dismiss these informal meetings, seeking to reframe some of them as mere planning sessions for an upcoming Chinese-Peruvian friendship event.

Questionable Hires

A second significant investigation on Jeri began to unfold in early February, further compounding his mounting political woes. Peruvian media showed the irregular hiring of several women within Jeri’s presidential administration, alongside potentially questionable contracts that he allegedly awarded.

These reports strongly hinted at a possible pattern of bribery or favoritism, adding another critical layer to the increasing accusations against the President and raising serious questions about the transparency and fairness of the governmental hiring process under Jeri’s administration.

The removal of Interim President Jeri after such a brief period in office marks yet another turbulent chapter in Peru’s recent political history, characterized by successive presidential impeachments and ongoing corruption allegations.

A Decade of Instability

Jose Jeri assumed the Peruvian Presidency on October 10, 2026 in his capacity as President of the Congress, following the impeachment of his predecessor, Dina Boluarte. Boluarte herself had taken office after Pedro Castillo was similarly removed by Congress under the same constitutional clause of “permanent moral incapacity”, which followed his attempt at a self-coup.

Affiliated to the right-wing “We are Peru” Party (“Somos Perú”, in Spanish) since 2013, Jeri held various positions within the party and ran unsuccessfully for municipal elections in Lima. In 2021, he took over as a substitute congressman after the disqualification of Vizcarra, despite having obtained only 11,600 preference votes. At the beginning of 2025, he faced a complaint for sexualremoved, which was dropped in August due to lack of evidence.

Jeri has become the eighth Pesident to vacate office in almost a decade of political instability, started after the 2016 elections.

This continuous cycle of presidential removals underscores the inherent fragility of the nation’s political institutions and the ongoing struggles for effective and stable governance.

On Wednesday, February 18, at 06:00 P.M. (local time) the Peruvian Legislature will design -as announced the President of the Congress of the Republic, Fernando Rospigliosia- a new President to assume the interim presidency of the Republic, thus becoming the nineth in a ten years-period.

According to the legal process, the Congress will have to choose a new Interim President from among the legislators, who must lead the country until July 28, date when the new President will take office, after the elections on April 12.

For his part, Jeri will continue to face a tax investigation for alleged influence peddling in the “Chiremovedate” case.

Venezuela reaffirmed the Geneva Agreement as the only valid legal instrument to resolve the Guayana Essequiba dispute, marking the 60th anniversary with a strong defense of sovereignty.

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela forcefully reaffirmed the 1966 Geneva Agreement as the sole valid and existing legal instrument to resolve the territorial dispute over Guayana Essequiba, rejecting unilateral actions by Guyana.

The nation commemorated on this Tuesday, February 17, the 60th anniversary of its signing, underscoring its unwavering commitment to a just and mutually satisfactory solution.

The Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodriguez highlighted that this treaty, officially deposited with the United Nations (UN), effectively nullified the fraudulent 1899 Paris Arbitral Award. This arbitral decision had been historically denounced as an imperialist scheme orchestrated by the United Kingdom, which unjustly deprived Venezuela of a vast portion of its territory.

Geneva Accord’s Rights

The Geneva Agreement mandates both nations to engage in direct negotiations to achieve a practical and mutually acceptable settlement, thereby reaffirming Venezuela’s historical rights over 159,542 square kilometers of territory that have been an integral part of the country since the establishment of the Captaincy General.

The document, signed in Switzerland on February 17, 1966, stands as a pivotal international instrument registered before the UN, designed to address the border controversy between Venezuela and then-British Guiana. This accord reasserted the Venezuelan claim to recover the land expropriated through the fraudulent 1899 Paris Arbitral Award, a process that even attorney Severo Mallet-Prevost exposed as a procedural fraud.

By subscribing to this agreement, both parties agreed to declare that imperial ruling null and void, committing themselves to finding a practical and satisfactory solution through direct negotiation, acknowledging the territory as an integral part of Venezuela since the era of the Captaincy General.

Sovereignty Dispute

Venezuelan diplomacy has consistently pointed out Guyana’s attempts to internationalize the conflict through an unlawful lawsuit before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), an institution which Venezuela maintains lacks jurisdiction to settle this territorial dispute.

Furthermore, the Venezuelan Government has strongly criticized Guyana’s granting of illicit concessions in the Stabroek block, located in waters pending delimitation. This action constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and poses a threat to regional stability, directly contravening the peace agreements signed in Argyle during 2023.

Foreign Minister Yvan Gil had emphasized that the path of mutual understanding between two sovereign nations remains the only viable way to overcome this unfortunate legacy of the imperialist period. In accordance with the popular mandate expressed in the December 3, 2023, referendum, where 95% of voters rejected the ICJ’s jurisdiction, Venezuela unequivocally reaffirmed that it will never renounce its sovereign titles.

Over these six decades, Venezuela has consistently demonstrated its commitment to peace and good faith, even following the 1970 Protocol of Port of Spain, which aimed to improve relations with the newly independent Cooperative Republic of Guyana. However, the Guyanese Government has chosen to disregard the spirit of the treaty, particularly since 2015, after the discovery of oil deposits by the transnational corporation ExxonMobil.

This company has financed campaigns to present Venezuela as an alleged aggressor country, pressuring to internationalize the conflict.