2019-12-20: News Headlines

Alan Macleod (2019-12-20). Media, Human Rights Groups Silent Over Politically-Motivated Murder of Journalist in Bolivia. mintpressnews.com Sebastian Moro's last known words before he was found were denouncing the kidnappings of government officials and mob attacks on journalists and media outlets.

Vijay Prashad (2019-12-20). Those who search for dawn don't fear the night; nor the hand that holds the dagger. mronline.org Jeanine àÅñez, the 'president' of Bolivia, walked into the Burned Palace (Palacio Quemado) with an enormous Bible in her hand. 'The Bible has returned to the Palace', she said as she seized power. | Source

Brian Mier (2019-12-20). Chronicle of a Coup Foretold. counterpunch.org Will the US left work to normalize the impending coup attempt in Mexico the way it did for Venezuela, Bolivia, Brazil and Nicaragua? Last July I gave a speech in the Left Forum in Brooklyn. When it was over, A young activist stood up and announced, in perfect English, that they were an anarchist from More

teleSUR (2019-12-20). Argentina: Lawmakers Approve Solidarity Law to Resolve Crisis. telesurenglish.net Argentina's Chamber of Deputies Friday approved the "Social Solidarity and Productive Reactivation" Bill sent by President Alberto Fernandez as part of his emergency plan to resolve the crisis inherited from Mauricio Macri's administration (2015-2019). | RELATED: | Argentina to Freeze Gas and Electricity Rates | After a parliamentary session that lasted more than 15 hour…

teleSUR (2019-12-20). Baltasar Garzon to Be Evo Morales' Lawyer to Invalidate Warrant. telesurenglish.net Bolivia's President in exile Evo Morales Thursday announced that Spanish jurist Baltasar Garzon will represent him in the efforts to invalidate the arrest warrant issued by the coup-born government. | RELATED: | Coup Leaders in Bolivia Issue Arrest Warrant for Evo Morales | "We formed an international team with Baltasar Garzon… We will act legally against t…

RT (2019-12-20). All I want for Christmas is $23tn in debt: Rand Paul lays waste to reckless US spending in annual Festivus Report. rt.com Offering some relief from the impeachment spectacle grinding on in Washington, Senator Rand Paul has released his yearly Festivus Report, chronicling the outrageous — but sometimes comical — spending habits of the US government. | Whether it's funding costly studies on the mating calls of Panamanian frogs, spending millions to improve the quality of television in Moldova or bankrolling Peru's Green New Deal, Washington has found a number of creative ways to blow through tax dollars in 2019. In an epic "airing of grievances" inspired by the TV sitcom Seinfeld, Paul (R-KY) pulled no punches for the f…

Staff (2019-12-20). Headlines for December 20, 2019. democracynow.org Pelosi Delays Sending Impeachment Articles to Senate, 7 Democratic Candidates Debate in Los Angeles, Senate Passes $1.4 Trillion Spending Package, House Passes USMCA to Replace NAFTA, Protests Erupt in Lebanon as President Names New Prime Minister, Number of Killings by Police Soars in Brazil, Sudan Protesters Mark Anniversary of Uprising That Ousted Omar al-Bashir, Report: WA Republican Rep. Matt Shea Participated in Domestic Terrorism, Amazon Facing Criticism over Data Breach with Ring Home Security System…

Zoe PC (2019-12-20). Bolivian coup regime issues arrest warrant for Evo Morales. peoplesdispatch.org The attorney general of the coup regime issued a warrant for Morales accusing him of sedition, terrorism and financing of terrorism. This is seen as a bid to contain his influence during the presidential elections scheduled for March 2020…

Joe Emersberger (2019-12-20). Notes on a private TV newscast in Bolivia. The contrast with Venezuela is clear as day. zcomm.org In August, I took detailed notes a news broadcast on one of Venezuela's largest TV networks. I summarized these notes in an interview I did with the Real News Network making the point that Venezuela's private media (which reaches 60-90% of households) is remarkably free — most especially when you consider the US is openly Read more…

AKARI (2019-12-19). A Rapist in Your Path. thenation.com Street demonstration, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, November 2019. Original lyrics/music by Las Tesis, Chile. Thousands of women are responding to Las Tesis's call for action, organizing hundreds of artistic street demonstrations around the world.

Staff (2019-12-19). Chileans Demand New Constitution as Protests Continue. therealnews.com For two months, Chileans have been protesting all over the country on a daily basis.

teleSUR (2019-12-19). Colombia: Protests Against Tax Reform and Police Repression. telesurenglish.net Student groups, currently under constant mobilization in the country, demanded the repeal of the Tax Reform and the ending of repression by the National Police. | RELATED: | Colombia: Duque Ignores the National Strike Committee Requests | Holding banners with the face of Dilan Cruz, a young man who died as a result of the impact of an artifact on his head launched by agents of the Mobile Riot Squadron, hundreds of university students rejected the approval of the Executive for th…

teleSUR (2019-12-19). Colombia's Bomba Estereo and More Show Support For Protests. telesurenglish.net Around 40 Colombian singers and bands joined forces on Sunday for a series of live performances in support of the social protests against the government of Ivan Duque with thousands filling the streets of Bogota under the slogan "Un Canto por Colombia" (A Song for Colombia). | RELATED: | Colombia: Duque Ignores the National Strike Committee Requests | "We don't want any presents, we just want what we're due," Lucia said at the start of her performance at the District Planetarium…

teleSUR (2019-12-19). Anti-Government Protests Reach 2nd Month in Chile. telesurenglish.net The popular rejection of the social policies implemented by the regime of Sebastián Pinera in Chile has reached its second month on December 18. The anti-government demonstrations on Wednesday were held across several localities, with most protesters calling for Pinera to resign. | RELATED: | More Than 90% of Chileans Support a New Constitution: Poll | The social outbreak began on October 18 when, mainly, student groups mobilized to reject the increase in the price of the metro tic…

teleSUR (2019-12-19). UN Accepts Credentials of Venezuela's Legitimate Government. telesurenglish.net The General Assembly of the United Nations (U.N.) on Wednesday accepted the credentials of the Bolivarian Government chaired by Nicolás Maduro, validating him as the only representative of Venezuela before the multilateral organization. | RELATED: | Colombian Ambassador to US Admits He Tried to Overthrow Maduro | As confirmed by the Venezuelan Ambassador to the U.N., Samuel Moncada, the largest organization in the world, which consists of 193 countries, promoted this action des…

teleSUR (2019-12-19). 'There Is No Virtual Congress' Venezuela's Supreme Justice Says. telesurenglish.net Venezuela's Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) judge Juan Jose Mendoza, who is the Constitutional Chamber president, Thursday informed that lawmakers of the National Assembly in contempt cannot cast their vote in parliamentary debates if they are not present in the country. | RELATED: | UN Accepts Credentials of Venezuela's Legitimate Government | "We declare the nullity…

teleSUR (2019-12-19). Russia and Venezuela Sign Agriculture Cooperation Agreement. telesurenglish.net The authorities of the Venezuelan state of Guárico on Wednesday signed a memorandum of international understanding with Russian investors as part of a strategic agreement for the new planting cycle in 2020, as part of the strengthening of cooperation in the agricultural sector . | RELATED: | Russia Sends Humanitarian Support In Medicine to Venezuela | "The Bolivarian Revolution does not stop and continues to create new alternatives to boost national agriculture through the allied c…

teleSUR (2019-12-19). Peru: McDonald's Shuts for Inspection After Employee Deaths. telesurenglish.net All 29 McDonald's locations in Peru will remain closed until its local operator, the Arcos Dorados company, completes security and safety inspections to avoid new workplace accidents like the one that happened on Sunday when two teenaged employees died by electrocution. | RELATED: | Outrage as 2 McDonald's Employees Found Electrocuted in Peru | Alexandra Porras and Carlos Campos were electrocuted while cleaning the kitchen at a McDonald's in Puerto Libre, in Lima. Despite the se…

Paul Antonopoulos (2019-12-19). Brexit Could See the Return of the Falkland Islands to Argentina. globalresearch.ca The Islas Malvinas, or more commonly known as the Falkland Islands, archipelago was invaded by the United Kingdom in 1833 and its occupation has continued to date. Argentina's claim for sovereignty through diplomatic means has been a state policy since …

teleSUR (2019-12-19). Argentinian Govt: "We Will Not Hand Over" Evo Morales. telesurenglish.net Argentinian President Alberto Fernandez announced Thursday that his government "will not hand over for any reason" the former president of Bolivia Evo Morales who is in Buenos Aires under refugee status and who on Wednesday received an arrest warrant by the Bolivian Prosecutor's Office, which accuses him of sedition and terrorism. | RELATED: | Coup Leaders in Bolivia Issue Arrest Warrant for Evo Morales | A senior official at the Casa Rosada (Argentina's Government Resident) reve…

Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz (2019-12-18). Venezuela: Guaido Introduces Remote Voting in Bid to Secure Reelection. venezuelanalysis.com The opposition leader has been under fire amid recent scandals.

news.un (2019-12-18). Wednesday's Daily Brief: Global Refugee Forum, Venezuela human rights, breast cancer hopes. news.un.org Our top stories for Wednesday include: First Global Refugee Forum ends in Geneva; Venezuela misery on multiple fronts, outlined by UN rights chief; and a breast cancer update that could make treatment affordable for millions more women.

news.un (2019-12-18). Misery for Venezuelans continues ahead of 2020 elections: UN rights chief Bachelet. news.un.org Demonstrations in Venezuela must be allowed to take place ahead of elections in 2020, the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Wednesday, citing continued reports of harassment, threats, and detention by intelligence services and security forces.

Alan Macleod (2019-12-18). Ousted President Evo Morales Says Transnational Corporations, US Gov't Were Behind Bolivia Coup. mintpressnews.com In a tell-all interview with Glen Greenwald from Mexico, ousted Bolivian President Evo Morales recounted the US' heavy hand in fomenting a coup in his country and the reasons behind it.

Staff (2019-12-18). Headlines for December 18, 2019. democracynow.org House to Hold Historic Impeachment Vote Today, Top U.S. Diplomat to Ukraine William Taylor to Step Down, Rick Gates Sentenced to 45 Days in Jail and $20,000 Fine, FISA Court Orders FBI to Change National Security Wiretaps After DOJ Report, Democratic Primary Debate to Go Forward After Labor Dispute Resolved, Senate Approves One of the Most Expensive Military Spending Bills in U.S. History, Trump Meets with Outgoing Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales, Indian Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to Controversial Citizenship Law, Strikes Continue Nationwide in France over Pension Overhaul, Bolivia's Evo Morales Names Two…

Alan MacLeod (2019-12-18). Getting away with murder: 'clash' as media euphemism for 'massacre'. mronline.org After deposing Evo Morales in a U.S.-backed coup November 11, Bolivia's military selected Jeanine Añez as president. Añez immediately signed a decree pre-exonerating security forces of all crimes during their "re-establishment of order," understood by all sides as a license to kill. Those same forces have now conducted massacres of Morales supporters near the cities […] | Source

Brasil de Fato (2019-12-18). Brazilian Military Police invade two MST camps. peoplesdispatch.org Members of the Landless Rural Workers' Movement (MST) denounced that in an operative that began yesterday December 17, the Military Police established bases inside of two of their camps. The people that live in Patria Livre camp and the Zequinha camp, located in Sà£o Joaquim de Bicas in the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte, of Minas Gerais state have reported that they are experiencing a situation of duress and terror. | The entrance of the Military Police (PM) began at 13h on Tuesday, the day in which the children of the Elizabeth Teixeira school, located within the camp, were participating in their g…

The Grayzone (2019-12-17). US Venezuelan embassy protectors denied right to fair trial. thegrayzone.com Four US activists protecting Venezuela's embassy in Washington, DC face prison time after the Trump administration illegally arrested them. And now…

Joe Emersberger (2019-12-17). Reuters Shields OAS Over False Claims That Sparked Bolivia Coup. fair.org Reuters ( 12/4/19) highlights the findings of the Organization of American States—while omitting the criticism of those findings. | Organization of American States (OAS) election monitors published a "final report" on December 4— 22 days later than promised—on Bolivia's October 20 presidential election, won by President Evo Morales. The tardy release of the fin…

Staff (2019-12-16). Argentines Celebrate Inauguration of New Center-Left Government. therealnews.com As President Alberto Fernandez and VP Cristina Fernandez take over in Argentina, expectations are high that the new government will reverse the neoliberal policies of the previous government and emphasize progressive social policies.

Candice Yanez (2019-12-16). Viral Chilean feminist anthem reveals powerful international sentiment against sexual violence. liberationnews.org The protest song was first performed for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 20 in Valparaíso, Chile.

Anya Parampil (2019-12-16). Why Elliott Abrams is Smurf villain Gargamel. thegrayzone.com Trump Administration Special Representative for Venezuela Elliott Abram is not only the spitting image of Gargamel; the Smurfs are a…

Paul Dobson (2019-12-16). ALBA Summit: Venezuela Promises to Relaunch PetroCaribe in 2020. venezuelanalysis.com Heads of state also pledged to bolster various regional social programs including the Miracle Mission and Latin American Medical Schools.

Joe Emersberger (2019-12-16). Francisco Rodriguez answers some questions I asked about Venezuela. zcomm.org Venezuelan economist Francisco Rodriguez, formerly of Torino Economics, answered a few questions of mine about his country. He was the economic adviser to Henri Falcon, the second place finisher in the May 2018 presidential election. His updated estimate for 2019 is that Venezuela's real GDP will contract by 25% . That's horrific, but less severe Read more…

Wyatt Reed (2019-12-15). While Evo's MAS party regroups, Bolivia's coup leaders are eating each other alive. thegrayzone.com Humiliating scandals are destroying right-wing leader Luis Fernando Camacho and the right is fracturing as a more militant MAS party…

Joe Emersberger (2019-12-15). 118 Reuters articles on Bolivia since October 20, 2019 election with no mention of expert criticism of OAS audit UPDATED. zcomm.org Bolivian lawmakers appoint tribunal to set new election date Bolivian prosecutors issue arrest warrant for exiled former president Morales Bolivia's Morales looks to engineer election win from afar, find successor Trump backs Bolivia's interim president, denounces violence Argentina to allow refugee Morales of Bolivia to make political statements Bolivia's interim leader says arrest warrant to be issued Read more…

Ben Norton (2019-12-14). Gobierno de EEUU retira los cargos falsos contra periodista Max Blumenthal. thegrayzone.com El gobierno estadounidense desistió la causa basada en falsas acusaciones de agresión contra el editor de The Grayzone Max Blumenthal…

Staff (2019-12-13). COP25: Developing Countries Charge Ahead with Bold Climate Plans as Rich Countries Drag Their Feet. democracynow.org As this year's United Nations climate summit wraps up in Madrid, Spain, many activists, scientists, indigenous and grassroots climate leaders say that rich countries most responsible for the climate emergency have spent the talks dialing back ambition and blocking progress. This comes as deadly droughts, flooding, cyclones and wildfires rage around the world. This week, more than 70 developing countries have announced they will accelerate their climate plans, and 72 countries have signed onto goals to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. But major emitters Australia, China, India, Brazil and Saudi Arabia have…

Staff (2019-12-13). COP25 Was Moved to Spain to Conceal Chilean Government's Human Rights Violations. therealnews.com The concept of "loss and damage" and carbon markets are a sticking point at the UN's climate summit, and protests are continuing in Chile, the original site of the talks. Oxfam's Nafkote Dabi and Gary Hughes of Biofuelwatch discuss the realities of COP25.

Anya Parampil (2019-12-12). Latin America says 'No to neoliberalism': Ecuador's ex-foreign minister talks uprisings and Assange. thegrayzone.com The Grayzone premieres its new show Red Lines with Anya Parampil with an interview with the former foreign minister of…

Ricardo Vaz (2019-12-11). Venezuela Oil Production Continues Slow Recovery. venezuelanalysis.com According to state oil company PDVSA, production is again approaching one million barrels per day.

Paul Dobson (2019-12-09). Venezuela's Civilian Militia Surpasses Target, Reaches 3.3 Million Members. venezuelanalysis.com The body is due to be legally incorporated into the Armed Forces as a "combat unit."

Ryan Cristián (2019-12-09). Iran False Flag, Bolivia's Coup Gov Seeks Israel's Help, Israel's Been In Yemen 'Since Day One'. thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (12/8/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …

Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz (2019-12-05). Venezuela: Guaido Embattled as Opposition Splits over New Corruption Scandal. venezuelanalysis.com The latest scandal has further called into doubt Guaido's credibility as leader of the opposition.

Maxine Lowy (2019-12-05). A Facade Drops in Chile. progressive.org The current social revolution is years in the making.

Cathy Rojas (2019-12-04). Massive Colombia strike hits neoliberal policies, repression. liberationnews.org All progressive people should stand in solidarity with all those advocating for the immediate end to the political persecution of human rights, social and political leaders in Colombia.

Lucas Koerner (2019-12-04). TIAR Countries Blacklist Top Venezuelan Officials as US Slaps New Sanctions. venezuelanalysis.com US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Venezuela of "hijacking" mass anti-neoliberal protests in "our own backyard."

Ricardo Vaz (2019-12-04). Red Cross Chief: Venezuela Aid Being Politicized to 'Destabilize the Country'. venezuelanalysis.com Francesco Rocca slammed the underfunding of aid programs as a problem of "political will."

Kimberly Villafuerte Barzola (2019-12-02). ANSWER Statement at 50th Annual Day of Mourning. liberationnews.org "We must recognize and defend the alternative that Evo and the people of the Bolivia worked so hard to build…"

Paul Dobson (2019-12-02). Venezuela's PDVSA Secures Temporary Lease Extension for Curacao Refinery. venezuelanalysis.com Despite the extension, refinery owners are looking to end the 34-year cooperation under pressure from US sanctions.