Assange gives evidence in Spanish case against security contractor
wsws.org | 2019-12-21
David Morales, a former Spanish military officer, is accused of spying on Assange in the Ecuadorian embassy and was charged in October with privacy violation, bribery and money laundering.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/12/21/ucgl-d21.html

Medical Opinion, Torture, and Julian Assange
Binoy Kampmark | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-12-21
On November 27 this year, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Nils Melzer, delivered an address to the German Bundestag outlining his approach to understanding the mental health of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. These comprised two parts, the initial stage covering his diplomatic asylum in the Ecuadorean embassy, the second dealing with his formal detention in …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/12/medical-opinion-torture-and-julian-assange/

Gender Parity and Indigenous Presence Passed for Constituent
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-21
In a 180-degree turn that changes the landscape of the constituent process, the Chilean Chamber of Deputies approved gender parity, seats for indigenous peoples and posts for independent candidates. | RELATED: | Anti-Government Protests Reach 2nd Month in Chile | The vote occurred which occurred Thursday night was radically different from the one taken just one day before, where those issues were blocked by right-wing lawmakers | However, in the second attempt, this time introduced as a co…
telesurenglish.net/news/chile-gender-parity-and-indigenous-presence-passed-in-constituent-20191220-0013.html

Faran Balanced: Hanging out with wrong 'crowd'? Bad Santa US will give you SANCTIONS for Christmas
rt.com | 2019-12-21
It's Christmastime and everybody is shopping for presents, but not the US, which has already given out its very special gift — sanctions — to those who it happens to dislike for the 'crime' of pursing an independent policy. | Iran, Cuba, Venezuela, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Germany– the list of countries who have been punished or threatened to be punished by the US for their "misbehavior" is longer than Santa's naughty list. But what have all these done to earn a lump of coal from the US? They have been doing business with China or Russia behind Washington's back, or dare to have their own policy.
rt.com/news/476538-sanctions-us-christmas-gift/

Bolivia's Plurinational Healthcare Revolution Will Not Be Defeated
Chris Hartmann | zcomm.org | 2019-12-21
Under the Morales administration, Indigenous healthcare beliefs and practices stepped out from long shadows cast by colonialism and racism. Those achievements are now under threat…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/bolivias-plurinational-healthcare-revolution-will-not-be-defeated/

Those who search for dawn don't fear the night; nor the hand that holds the dagger
Vijay Prashad | mronline.org | 2019-12-20
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…
mronline.org/2019/12/20/those-who-search-for-dawn-dont-fear-the-night-nor-the-hand-that-holds-the-dagger/

Chronicle of a Coup Foretold
Brian Mier | counterpunch.org | 2019-12-20
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…
counterpunch.org/2019/12/20/chronicle-of-a-coup-foretold-2/

Colombia's FARC Demands Implementation of Peace Agreement
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-20
In the midst of today's persistent violence against former guerrillas, the Colombian FARC party demanded the "real implementation of the Peace Agreement" signed in 2016 by the Colombian State and the decommissioned FARC-EP. | RELATED: | Colombian Police to be Investigated for Excessive Use of Force | The recurrent demand followed the assassination o…
telesurenglish.net/news/Colombias-FARC-Demands-Implementation-of-Peace-Agreement-20191220-0006.html

Brazil Poll Shows Growing Rejection of Bolsonaro
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-20
The approval rating of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's government is dropping steadily and its negative rating is climbing, a CNI/Ibope poll showed on Friday, as his combative political style and a weak recovery weigh on his popularity. | RELATED: | Brazil: The Bolsonaro Clan Is Investigated for Money Laundering | The number of Brazilians that rate his government as great or good has slipped to…
telesurenglish.net/news/Brazil-Poll-Shows-Growing-Rejection-of-Bolsonaro-20191220-0014.html

Bolivia: De-Facto Govt Continues Political Persecution
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-20
Since the coup d'état of Nov. 10, the de facto government in Bolivia has been carrying out political persecution against members of the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) party and its supporters, including its leader, the former president, now a political refugee in Argentina, Evo Morales. | RELATED: | Coup Leaders in Bolivia Issue Arrest Warrant for Evo Morales | On Friday, the attack on the physical integrity and property of three members related to the MAS party was made public…
telesurenglish.net/news/Bolivia-DE-Facto-Govt-Continues-Illegitimate-Political-Persecution-20191220-0010.html

Media, Human Rights Groups Silent Over Politically-Motivated Murder of Journalist in Bolivia
Alan Macleod | mintpressnews.com | 2019-12-20
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.
mintpressnews.com/human-rights-groups-media-murder-journalist-sebastian-moro-bolivia/263676/

Media, Human Rights Groups Silent Over Politically-Motivated Murder of Journalist in Bolivia
Alan Macleod | mintpressnews.com | 2019-12-20
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.
mintpressnews.com/human-rights-groups-media-murder-journalist-sebastian-moro-bolivia/263676/

Baltasar Garzon to Be Evo Morales' Lawyer to Invalidate Warrant
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-20
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…
telesurenglish.net/news/Baltasar-Garzon-to-Be-Evo-Morales-Lawyer-to-Invalidate-Warrant-20191220-0001.html

Coup Plotters Seek To Eliminate Inclusive Education in Bolivia
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-20
De facto Bolivian Minister of Education, Virginia Patty, urged today a repeal the Avelino Siñani Law enacted by Evo Morales in 2010, which proposes decolonizing the country through a revolutionary and liberating educational system. | RELATED: | Deadlines Adjusted, Bolivian TSE To Call For Elections In 2020 | She also announced that in the coming days s…
telesurenglish.net/news/Coup-Plotters-Seek-To-Eliminate-Inclusive-Education-in-Bolivia-20191220-0007.html

Argentina: Lawmakers Approve Solidarity Law to Resolve Crisis
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-20
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…
telesurenglish.net/news/Argentina-Lawmakers-Approve-Solidarity-Law-to-Resolve-Crisis-20191220-0002.html

Bolivian coup regime issues arrest warrant for Evo Morales
Zoe PC | peoplesdispatch.org | 2019-12-20
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…
peoplesdispatch.org/2019/12/20/bolivian-coup-regime-issues-arrest-warrant-for-evo-morales/

'Absolutely unaware' Assange testifies in trial of Spanish company that spied on WikiLeaks founder inside embassy
rt.com | 2019-12-20
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange briefly stepped out of maximum security prison in the UK to testify via video-link in a Spanish case against a company that spied on him inside the Ecuadorian embassy, allegedly on the US' behalf. | Assange, who is being held at Belmarsh prison in southern London pending his hearing on extradition to the US, was driven over to the Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday, where a video-link was set up for him to speak with a judge in Madrid. The proceedings were closed to the press on the grounds of "national security." | | Protesters supporting WikiLeaks founder Julian Assan…
rt.com/news/476529-assange-testify-spanish-spying/

Bolsonaro says Trump will toss planned tariffs on aluminum & steel after phone call
rt.com | 2019-12-20
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro says he has convinced his American counterpart to forego new tariffs on steel and aluminum, which President Trump threatened to impose earlier this month. | "I was pleased to receive a call from President Trump, a 15-minute conversation. I understood what he wanted and intended to do and give my arguments to him," Bolsonaro said in a Facebook live broadcast after the call on Friday. | He became convinced of my arguments and decided to tell us all that our steel and aluminum will not be overcharged. That way our policy remains the best possible. | President Trump said he had a…
rt.com/news/476534-bolsonaro-trump-brazil-tariffs/

All I want for Christmas is $23tn in debt: Rand Paul lays waste to reckless US spending in annual Festivus Report
rt.com | 2019-12-20
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…
rt.com/usa/476451-rand-paul-2019-festivus/

All I want for Christmas is $23tn in debt: Rand Paul lays waste to reckless US spending in annual Festivus Report
rt.com | 2019-12-20
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…
rt.com/usa/476451-rand-paul-2019-festivus/

Notes on a private TV newscast in Bolivia. The contrast with Venezuela is clear as day
Joe Emersberger | zcomm.org | 2019-12-20
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…
zcomm.org/zblogs/notes-on-a-private-tv-newscast-in-bolivia-the-contrast-with-venezuela-is-clear-as-day/

Chileans Demand New Constitution as Protests Continue
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-12-19
For two months, Chileans have been protesting all over the country on a daily basis.
therealnews.com/stories/chileans-demand-new-constitution-protests-continue

Colombia's Bomba Estereo and More Show Support For Protests
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-19
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…
telesurenglish.net/news/Colombias-Bomba-Estereo-and-More-Show-Support-For-Protests-20191219-0019.html

Colombia: Protests Against Tax Reform and Police Repression
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-19
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…
telesurenglish.net/news/colombia-protests-against-tax-reform-and-police-repression-20191219-0021.html

Peru: McDonald's Shuts for Inspection After Employee Deaths
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-19
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…
telesurenglish.net/news/Peru-McDonalds-Shuts-for-Inspection-After-Employee-Deaths-20191219-0008.html

A Rapist in Your Path
AKARI | thenation.com | 2019-12-19
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.
thenation.com/article/a-rapist-in-your-path/

Argentinian Govt: "We Will Not Hand Over" Evo Morales
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-19
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…
telesurenglish.net/news/Argentinian-Govt-We-Will-Not-Deliver-to-Evo-Morales—20191219-0020.html

Brexit Could See the Return of the Falkland Islands to Argentina
Paul Antonopoulos | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-19
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 …
globalresearch.ca/brexit-could-see-return-falkland-islands-argentina/5698274

Brexit Could See the Return of the Falkland Islands to Argentina
Paul Antonopoulos | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-19
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 …
globalresearch.ca/brexit-could-see-return-falkland-islands-argentina/5698274

Venezuela: Guaido Introduces Remote Voting in Bid to Secure Reelection
Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-12-18
The opposition leader has been under fire amid recent scandals.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14749

Ousted President Evo Morales Says Transnational Corporations, US Gov't Were Behind Bolivia Coup
Alan Macleod | mintpressnews.com | 2019-12-18
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.
mintpressnews.com/bolivia-evo-morales-interview-us-coup/263579/

Getting away with murder: 'clash' as media euphemism for 'massacre'
Alan MacLeod | mronline.org | 2019-12-18
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…
mronline.org/2019/12/18/getting-away-with-murder-clash-as-media-euphemism-for-massacre/

Wednesday's Daily Brief: Global Refugee Forum, Venezuela human rights, breast cancer hopes
news.un.org | 2019-12-18
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.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/12/1053971

Misery for Venezuelans continues ahead of 2020 elections: UN rights chief Bachelet
news.un.org | 2019-12-18
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.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/12/1053791

US Venezuelan embassy protectors denied right to fair trial
The Grayzone | thegrayzone.com | 2019-12-17
Four US activists protecting Venezuela's embassy in Washington, DC face prison time after the Trump administration illegally arrested them. And now…
thegrayzone.com/2019/12/16/venezuelan-embassy-defenders-denied-right-fair-trial/

Reuters Shields OAS Over False Claims That Sparked Bolivia Coup
Joe Emersberger | fair.org | 2019-12-17
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…
fair.org/home/reuters-shields-oas-over-false-claims-that-sparked-bolivia-coup/

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

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

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

ALBA Summit: Venezuela Promises to Relaunch PetroCaribe in 2020
Paul Dobson | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-12-16
Heads of state also pledged to bolster various regional social programs including the Miracle Mission and Latin American Medical Schools.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14745

Argentines Celebrate Inauguration of New Center-Left Government
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-12-16
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.
therealnews.com/stories/argentines-celebrate-inauguration-new-center-left-government

Francisco Rodriguez answers some questions I asked about Venezuela
Joe Emersberger | zcomm.org | 2019-12-16
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…
zcomm.org/zblogs/francisco-rodriguez-answers-some-questions-i-asked-him-about-venezuela/

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

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

118 Reuters articles on Bolivia since October 20, 2019 election with no mention of expert criticism of OAS audit UPDATED
Joe Emersberger | zcomm.org | 2019-12-15
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…
zcomm.org/zblogs/112-reuters-articles-on-bolivia-since-october-20-2019-election-with-no-mention-of-expert-criticism-of-oas-audit/

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

COP25: Developing Countries Charge Ahead with Bold Climate Plans as Rich Countries Drag Their Feet
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-12-13
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…
www.democracynow.org/2019/12/13/cop25_developing_countries_charge_ahead_with

COP25 Was Moved to Spain to Conceal Chilean Government's Human Rights Violations
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-12-13
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.
therealnews.com/stories/cop25-spain-chile-human-rights-violations

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

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