Daily Archives: December 18, 2019

2019-12-18: News Headlines

Telesur (2019-12-18). De-Facto Bolivian President to Issue Arrest Warrant for Morales. globalresearch.ca The self-proclaimed president of Bolivia, Jeanine àÅñez, said on Saturday that an arrest warrant could be issued for the democratically elected President, Evo Morales, in the coming days. | "If he has to come to Bolivia, he knows that …

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

yenisafak (2019-12-18). McDonald's shuts all Peru restaurants to mourn dead workers. yenisafak.com McDonald's has shut all its restaurants in Peru for two days of mourning after two of its employees died, the burger chain said on Twitter.The two teenaged employees were electrocuted while cleaning the kitchen of a McDonalds in Pueblo Libre, a district in the capital Lima, Peruvian daily La Republica reported."In response to the terrible loss of our two colleagues Carlos Gabriel Edgardo Campos Zapata and Alexandra Antonella Porras Inga, we wish to announce that we have declared two days of mourning from this morning, during which all our restaurants nationwide will remain closed," McDonald's Peru said on Twitter…

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…

WSWS (2019-12-17). Bolivian trade union confederation enters far-right coup regime. wsws.org Following massacres of workers and peasants and amid the continued hunting down of protest leaders and indigenous people, the COB's decision is a criminal betrayal of the working class.

teleSUR (2019-12-17). Chile: Piñera May Face 20 Years for Crimes Against Humanity. telesurenglish.net The 7th Court of Guarantees of Santiago Tuesday admitted a complaint about crimes against humanity presented by the Upper House's Human Rights Commission president Alejandro Navarro against Chile's President Sebastian Piñera. | RELATED: | Chilean NGO Detects Caustic Soda in Water Used by Riot Police | "He will be punished with imprisonment in any of its g…

teleSUR (2019-12-17). Colombian Ambassador to US Admits He Tried to Overthrow Maduro. telesurenglish.net The Colombian Ambassador to the United States, Francisco Santos, said on Monday that he 'underestimated' the Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, and his ability to stay in power, and acknowledged that they miscalculated his departure from the government. | RELATED: | Colombians Launch National Cacerolazo Against Tax Reform | While at the Colombian Embassy in Washington,, among a small group of journalists, Santos said that "we underestimated the ability of Maduro to stay in power a…

Peoples Dispatch (2019-12-17). One month of fascist coup in Bolivia. peoplesdispatch.org The civic-military, right-wing, US-backed coup d'état against the democratically elected Bolivian President Evo Morales, which installed a fascist and racist dictatorship of the right-wing usurper Jeanine Añez, completed a month on December 10. In this video, we explain the developments that have occurred in Bolivia after the coup.

Franklin Frederick (2019-12-17). Nestlé and the Privatization of Water: A Tale of Many Cities. globalresearch.ca On November 14th the Canadian group Wellington Water Watchers organized the "All Eyes on Nestlé" conference in the city of Guelph, Ontario, bringing together indigenous' peoples and citizens' movements fighting Nestlé's water takings from Canada, the US, France and Brazil. …

teleSUR (2019-12-17). Deforestation on Brazilian Indigenous Lands Highest in 11 Years. telesurenglish.net Deforestation on protected Indigenous lands in the Amazon was almost three times higher than the loss of trees in the region as a whole and the highest since 2008, according to a new study based on satellite imagery published Friday. | RELATED: | UN Accuses Brazil's Bolsonaro of Violating Anti-Torture Pact | The data from Brazil's space research institute INPE st…

WSWS (2019-12-17). Sà£o Paulo Ford plant closure exposes Brazilian union as agent of capitalist "restructuring" wsws.org The Ford plant closure follows a series of similar union-imposed defeats that have radically changed the Brazilian auto industry.

teleSUR (2019-12-17). Argentina to Freeze Gas and Electricity Rates. telesurenglish.net The Government of Alberto Fernández sent the draft law on Social Solidarity and Productive Reactivation to Congress on Tuesday morning, which, among other matters, plans to freeze gas and electricity rates for six months. | RELATED: | Argentina New Gov't Presents 1st Major Set of Economic Measures | The bill also contemplates a "reduction of the real tariff burden on households and businesses by the year 2020", a policy that will reverse the tariffs imposed since the Mauricio M…

teleSUR (2019-12-17). More Than 90% of Chileans Support a New Constitution: Poll. telesurenglish.net Preliminary results from the Dec. 15 citizen poll conducted by the Chilean Association of Municipalities (ChAM) revealed Tuesday that 92.4 percent of voters favor a new constitution. | RELATED: | Chile: Piñera May Face 20 Years for Crimes Against Humanity | The report, presented by ChAM to right-wing President Sebastian Piñera in La Moneda, also showed that 86 percent of voters are in favor of establishing a mandatory vote for the April 2020 plebiscite prior to the drafting of the…

Joe Emersberger (2019-12-17). Reuters Shields OAS Over False Claims That Sparked Bolivia Coup. fair.org by Joe Emersberger 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…

Editor (2019-12-17). Defendamos levantamientos populares de América Latina. workers.org Las manifestaciones y huelgas populares y masivas contra el gobierno han desafiado a los regímenes corruptos y antipopulares que gobiernan varios países de América Latina, comenzando en diferentes momentos durante los últimos seis meses. Estos países incluyen Puerto Rico, Haití, Ecuador, Chile y Colombia. Cómo los regímenes locales y sus . . . | Continue reading Defendamos levantamientos populares de América Latina at Workers.org

Roger D. Harris (2019-12-16). 2019 Latin America in Review: Year of the Revolt of the Dispossessed. mintpressnews.com 2019 has not been an entirely bullish year for US imperialism, notwithstanding the hard turns to the right in Brazil, Bolivia, and Ecuador. Powerful winds against neoliberalism are gusting in Brazil, Ecuador, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Haiti, Honduras, Guatemala, and even in the US "Commonwealth" of Puerto Rico.

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.

Alan Macleod (2019-12-16). Bolivia's New US-Backed Interim Gov't Wastes No Time Privatizing Economy. mintpressnews.com It has been barely one month since the administration of Jeanine Añez seized power in a military coup in Bolivia, but it has wasted no time in attempting to transform the economy and society. Its latest move is aimed at privatizing the country's economy. A government spokesperson confirmed the fears of many, claiming that "I believe the government should reduce its own size" and a protagonistic role should be given to private enterprises. In case that was not clear enough, he emphasized, "Yes, I'm talking a…

teleSUR (2019-12-16). UN Accuses Brazil's Bolsonaro of Violating Anti-Torture Pact. telesurenglish.net The United Nations in Geneva accused Monday the government of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro for failing to comply with the international pact against torture. | RELATED: | Brazil's Amazon Deforestation Rises Over 100% Year-Over-Year | A report written by the U.N. Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture denounced the dismantling of the National Mechanis…

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…

Editor (2019-12-16). °Manos de Estados Unidos fuera de Venezuela! workers.org En la reunión del Tratado Interamericano de Asistencia Recíproca (TIAR) en Bogotá, Colombia, el 3 de diciembre, unos 15 países tomaron medidas contra el gobierno bolivariano de Venezuela. Restringieron los viajes de los principales miembros del gobierno venezolano, incluidos su presidente y vicepresidente. Este paso hostil de estos países, cuyos . . . | Continue reading °Manos de Estados Unidos fuera de Venezuela! at Workers.org

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). 114 Reuters articles on Bolivia since October 20, 2019 election with no mention of expert criticism of OAS audit UPDATED. zcomm.org Argentina to allow refugee Morales of Bolivia to make political statements Bolivia's interim leader says arrest warrant to be issued against Morales Bolivia's Morales arrives in Argentina, to get refugee status Bolivia's Morales visits Cuba for medical appointment Bolivian minister seeks Israel help in fighting alleged leftist 'terrorism' Article sattes "Last week, the government struck Read more…

Andre Vltchek (2019-12-14). Indigenous Bolivia Ready to go to War Against Fascism. dissidentvoice.org Bolivia, December 2019, three weeks after the fascist coup. It is devilishly cold. My comrade's car is carefully navigating through the deep mud tracks. Enormous snow-covered mountain peaks are clearly visible in the distance. The Bolivian Altiplano; beloved, yet always somehow hostile, silent, impenetrable. So many times in the past I came close to death …

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 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.

news.un (2019-12-13). UN human rights report cites 'multiple root causes' of deadly Chile protests. news.un.org During the recent mass protests which led Chile to declare a state of emergency, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said in a report published on Friday that international human rights norms had been violated by both police and army personnel, which should be prosecuted.

news.un (2019-12-13). Friday's Daily Brief: Yemen exclusive, India rights, Chile, Ebola updates. news.un.org Our top stories for Friday include an exclusive UN News interview with Yemen Envoy Martin Griffiths; India's new "discriminatory" citizenship law; a milestone smallpox eradication anniversary; helicopters deployed in DR Congo Ebola fight; Mediterranean migrant latest, and Chile's deadly protests: UN report finds clear pattern of repression.

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…

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…

Staff (2019-12-12). "We Want People Power Solutions": Activists Ousted from COP25 for Protesting Corporations at Summit. democracynow.org Inside the halls of the U.N. climate summit, hundreds of activists gathered Wednesday to demand rich countries step up their efforts to finance climate action. The protest began just as Democracy Now! was finishing our live broadcast, and we spoke to some of the people there from around the world, including Rita Iyke-Uwaka of Friends of the Earth Nigeria; Angela Valenzuela of Fridays for Future in Santiago, Chile; Sandra Tukup of CONFENIAE (Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of the Ecuadorian Amazon); Amalen Sathananthar of Artivist Network; Brandon Wu of ActionAid USA; and Nina Gualinga, an indigenous lea…

Staff (2019-12-12). Greta Thunberg Slams COP25, Says Response to Climate Crisis Is "Clever Accounting and Creative PR" democracynow.org At the U.N. climate summit in Madrid, 16-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg addressed world leaders Wednesday, hours after she was named Time magazine's Person of the Year. Thunberg came to the talks after a trip to meet with climate leaders across North America in anticipation of the scheduled climate conference in Santiago, Chile, before the talks were abruptly moved to the Spanish capital. In her address, Thunberg warned that the planet's carbon budget is down to just eight years, and urged bold action. "I still believe that the biggest danger is not inaction. The real danger is when politicians…

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.

Staff (2019-12-11). "Shame!" Indigenous Leaders & Delegates from Global South Stage Dramatic Protest at COP25 in Madrid. democracynow.org Democracy Now! was broadcasting live from the United Nations climate summit in Madrid, Spain, when hundreds of climate advocates and people's movements at the U.N. climate action summit staged a protest inside the conference venue. As the demonstration unfolds, we speak with Tom Goldtooth, executive director of the Indigenous Environmental Network; Karin Nansen, chair of Friends of the Earth International; Nigerian climate activist Nnimmo Bassey with Health of Mother Earth Foundation; and indigenous climate activist Daiara Tukano from Brazil.

Staff (2019-12-10). Amazonian Forest Protectors Rally Outside COP25 Amid Death of Two Indigenous Chiefs. democracynow.org On Monday, indigenous activists from the Brazilian, Colombian and Ecuadorian Amazon rallied outside the COP25 venue to protest the targeting of indigenous forest protectors and the destruction of their lands, known as the "lungs of the Earth." Their protest came just days after two indigenous chiefs, Firmino Prexede Guajajara and Raimundo Guajajara, were gunned down in a drive-by shooting Saturday in Brazil.

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."

Jeff Abbott (2019-12-04). The Other Americans: Latin America's Uprising Against Neoliberalism. progressive.org Colombians join a wave of protest across the continent.

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.

Boaventura de Sousa Santos (2019-12-02). Ecuador: From the middle of the world to the end of the world. zcomm.org Demonstration in Quito Ecuador, by Fabiana Lando/Shutterstock.com As its very name suggests, Ecuador is geographically located in the middle of the world. And now, from all appearances, neoliberalism has decided to carry out its end-of-the-world maneuvers in this country. That is perhaps the reason it is coming to the realization that the Ecuadorean people are Read more…

American Indian Movement West (2019-12-01). American Indian Movement West: No to Bolivia coup! Hands off Venezuela, Cuba! liberationnews.org "We declare our full solidarity and support to the heroic resistance of the Indigenous people against the fascist coup. While there is struggle, victory is assured."

2019-12-18: Social Media Postees

Please be social by posting these 'POSTEES' on social media!

De-Facto Bolivian President to Issue Arrest Warrant for Morales
Telesur | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-18
The self-proclaimed president of Bolivia, Jeanine àÅñez, said on Saturday that an arrest warrant could be issued for the democratically elected President, Evo Morales, in the coming days. | "If he has to come to Bolivia, he knows that | …
globalresearch.ca/de-facto-bolivian-president-issue-arrest-warrant-morales/5698107

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/

McDonald's shuts all Peru restaurants to mourn dead workers
yenisafak.com | 2019-12-18
McDonald's has shut all its restaurants in Peru for two days of mourning after two of its employees died, the burger chain said on Twitter.The two teenaged employees were electrocuted while cleaning the kitchen of a McDonalds in Pueblo Libre, a district in the capital Lima, Peruvian daily La Republica reported."In response to the terrible loss of our two colleagues Carlos Gabriel Edgardo Campos Zapata and Alexandra Antonella Porras Inga, we wish to announce that we have declared two days of mourning from this morning, during which all our restaurants nationwide will remain closed," McDonald's Peru said on Twitter…
yenisafak.com/en/news/mcdonalds-shuts-all-peru-restaurants-to-mourn-dead-workers-3507726

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/

Bolivian trade union confederation enters far-right coup regime
wsws.org | 2019-12-17
Following massacres of workers and peasants and amid the continued hunting down of protest leaders and indigenous people, the COB's decision is a criminal betrayal of the working class.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/12/17/boli-d17.html

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

Colombian Ambassador to US Admits He Tried to Overthrow Maduro
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-17
The Colombian Ambassador to the United States, Francisco Santos, said on Monday that he 'underestimated' the Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, and his ability to stay in power, and acknowledged that they miscalculated his departure from the government. | RELATED: | Colombians Launch National Cacerolazo Against Tax Reform | While at the Colombian Embassy in Washington,, among a small group of journalists, Santos said that "we underestimated the ability of Maduro to stay in power a…
telesurenglish.net/news/Colombian-Ambassador-to-US-Admits-He-Tried-to-Overthrow-Maduro-20191217-0002.html

One month of fascist coup in Bolivia
Peoples Dispatch | peoplesdispatch.org | 2019-12-17
The civic-military, right-wing, US-backed coup d'état against the democratically elected Bolivian President Evo Morales, which installed a fascist and racist dictatorship of the right-wing usurper Jeanine Añez, completed a month on December 10. In this video, we explain the developments that have occurred in Bolivia after the coup.
peoplesdispatch.org/2019/12/17/one-month-of-fascist-coup-in-bolivia/

Sà£o Paulo Ford plant closure exposes Brazilian union as agent of capitalist "restructuring"
wsws.org | 2019-12-17
The Ford plant closure follows a series of similar union-imposed defeats that have radically changed the Brazilian auto industry.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/12/17/ford-d17.html

Nestlé and the Privatization of Water: A Tale of Many Cities
Franklin Frederick | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-17
On November 14th the Canadian group Wellington Water Watchers organized the "All Eyes on Nestlé" conference in the city of Guelph, Ontario, bringing together indigenous' peoples and citizens' movements fighting Nestlé's water takings from Canada, the US, France and Brazil. …
globalresearch.ca/water-new-colonial-powers-tale-many-cities/5697982

Deforestation on Brazilian Indigenous Lands Highest in 11 Years
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-17
Deforestation on protected Indigenous lands in the Amazon was almost three times higher than the loss of trees in the region as a whole and the highest since 2008, according to a new study based on satellite imagery published Friday. | RELATED: | UN Accuses Brazil's Bolsonaro of Violating Anti-Torture Pact | The data from Brazil's space research institute INPE st…
telesurenglish.net/news/Deforestation-on-Brazilian-Indigenous-Lands-Highest-in-11-Years-20191217-0019.html

Defendamos levantamientos populares de América Latina
Editor | workers.org | 2019-12-17
Las manifestaciones y huelgas populares y masivas contra el gobierno han desafiado a los regímenes corruptos y antipopulares que gobiernan varios países de América Latina, comenzando en diferentes momentos durante los últimos seis meses. Estos países incluyen Puerto Rico, Haití, Ecuador, Chile y Colombia. Cómo los regímenes locales y sus . . . | Continue reading Defendamos levantamientos populares de América Latina at Workers.org
workers.org/2019/12/44921/

Argentina to Freeze Gas and Electricity Rates
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-17
The Government of Alberto Fernández sent the draft law on Social Solidarity and Productive Reactivation to Congress on Tuesday morning, which, among other matters, plans to freeze gas and electricity rates for six months. | RELATED: | Argentina New Gov't Presents 1st Major Set of Economic Measures | The bill also contemplates a "reduction of the real tariff burden on households and businesses by the year 2020", a policy that will reverse the tariffs imposed since the Mauricio M…
telesurenglish.net/news/Argentina-to-Freeze-Gas-and-Electricity-Rates–20191217-0009.html

Chile: Piñera May Face 20 Years for Crimes Against Humanity
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-17
The 7th Court of Guarantees of Santiago Tuesday admitted a complaint about crimes against humanity presented by the Upper House's Human Rights Commission president Alejandro Navarro against Chile's President Sebastian Piñera. | RELATED: | Chilean NGO Detects Caustic Soda in Water Used by Riot Police | "He will be punished with imprisonment in any of its g…
telesurenglish.net/news/Chile-Pinera-May-Face-20-Years-for-Crimes-Against-Humanity-20191217-0007.html

More Than 90% of Chileans Support a New Constitution: Poll
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-17
Preliminary results from the Dec. 15 citizen poll conducted by the Chilean Association of Municipalities (ChAM) revealed Tuesday that 92.4 percent of voters favor a new constitution. | RELATED: | Chile: Piñera May Face 20 Years for Crimes Against Humanity | The report, presented by ChAM to right-wing President Sebastian Piñera in La Moneda, also showed that 86 percent of voters are in favor of establishing a mandatory vote for the April 2020 plebiscite prior to the drafting of the…
telesurenglish.net/news/more-than-90-of-chileans-support-a-new-constitution-survey-20191217-0018.html

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/

°Manos de Estados Unidos fuera de Venezuela!
Editor | workers.org | 2019-12-16
En la reunión del Tratado Interamericano de Asistencia Recíproca (TIAR) en Bogotá, Colombia, el 3 de diciembre, unos 15 países tomaron medidas contra el gobierno bolivariano de Venezuela. Restringieron los viajes de los principales miembros del gobierno venezolano, incluidos su presidente y vicepresidente. Este paso hostil de estos países, cuyos . . . | Continue reading °Manos de Estados Unidos fuera de Venezuela! at Workers.org
workers.org/2019/12/44915/

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

Bolivia's New US-Backed Interim Gov't Wastes No Time Privatizing Economy
Alan Macleod | mintpressnews.com | 2019-12-16
It has been barely one month since the administration of Jeanine Añez seized power in a military coup in Bolivia, but it has wasted no time in attempting to transform the economy and society. Its latest move is aimed at privatizing the country's economy. A government spokesperson confirmed the fears of many, claiming that "I believe the government should reduce its own size" and a protagonistic role should be given to private enterprises. In case that was not clear enough, he emphasized, "Yes, I'm talking a…
mintpressnews.com/bolivia-interim-government-privatizing-economy/263529/

2019 Latin America in Review: Year of the Revolt of the Dispossessed
Roger D. Harris | mintpressnews.com | 2019-12-16
2019 has not been an entirely bullish year for US imperialism, notwithstanding the hard turns to the right in Brazil, Bolivia, and Ecuador. Powerful winds against neoliberalism are gusting in Brazil, Ecuador, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Haiti, Honduras, Guatemala, and even in the US "Commonwealth" of Puerto Rico.
mintpressnews.com/2019-latin-america-review-year-revolt-dispossessed/263494/

UN Accuses Brazil's Bolsonaro of Violating Anti-Torture Pact
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-16
The United Nations in Geneva accused Monday the government of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro for failing to comply with the international pact against torture. | RELATED: | Brazil's Amazon Deforestation Rises Over 100% Year-Over-Year | A report written by the U.N. Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture denounced the dismantling of the National Mechanis…
telesurenglish.net/news/un-accuses-bolsonaro-of-violating-anti-torture-pact-20191216-0018.html

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/

114 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
Argentina to allow refugee Morales of Bolivia to make political statements Bolivia's interim leader says arrest warrant to be issued against Morales Bolivia's Morales arrives in Argentina, to get refugee status Bolivia's Morales visits Cuba for medical appointment Bolivian minister seeks Israel help in fighting alleged leftist 'terrorism' Article sattes…
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/

Indigenous Bolivia Ready to go to War Against Fascism
Andre Vltchek | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-12-14
Bolivia, December 2019, three weeks after the fascist coup. It is devilishly cold. My comrade's car is carefully navigating through the deep mud tracks. Enormous snow-covered mountain peaks are clearly visible in the distance. The Bolivian Altiplano; beloved, yet always somehow hostile, silent, impenetrable. So many times in the past I came close to death …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/12/indigenous-bolivia-ready-to-go-to-war-against-fascism/

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

UN human rights report cites 'multiple root causes' of deadly Chile protests
news.un.org | 2019-12-13
During the recent mass protests which led Chile to declare a state of emergency, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said in a report published on Friday that international human rights norms had been violated by both police and army personnel, which should be prosecuted.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/12/1053491

Friday's Daily Brief: Yemen exclusive, India rights, Chile, Ebola updates
news.un.org | 2019-12-13
Our top stories for Friday include an exclusive UN News interview with Yemen Envoy Martin Griffiths; India's new "discriminatory" citizenship law; a milestone smallpox eradication anniversary; helicopters deployed in DR Congo Ebola fight; Mediterranean migrant latest, and Chile's deadly protests: UN report finds clear pattern of repression.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/12/1053541

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

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/

"We Want People Power Solutions": Activists Ousted from COP25 for Protesting Corporations at Summit
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-12-12
Inside the halls of the U.N. climate summit, hundreds of activists gathered Wednesday to demand rich countries step up their efforts to finance climate action. The protest began just as Democracy Now! was finishing our live broadcast, and we spoke to some of the people there from around the world, including Rita Iyke-Uwaka of Friends of the Earth Nigeria; Angela Valenzuela of Fridays for Future in Santiago, Chile; Sandra Tukup of CONFENIAE (Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of the Ecuadorian Amazon); Amalen Sathananthar of Artivist Network; Brandon Wu of ActionAid USA; and Nina Gualinga, an indigenous lea…
www.democracynow.org/2019/12/12/cop25_protesters_forced_out_of_summit

Greta Thunberg Slams COP25, Says Response to Climate Crisis Is "Clever Accounting and Creative PR"
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-12-12
At the U.N. climate summit in Madrid, 16-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg addressed world leaders Wednesday, hours after she was named Time magazine's Person of the Year. Thunberg came to the talks after a trip to meet with climate leaders across North America in anticipation of the scheduled climate conference in Santiago, Chile, before the talks were abruptly moved to the Spanish capital. In her address, Thunberg warned that the planet's carbon budget is down to just eight years, and urged bold action. "I still believe that the biggest danger is not inaction. The real danger is when politicians…
www.democracynow.org/2019/12/12/greta_thunberg_speech_cop_time_magazine

Venezuela Oil Production Continues Slow Recovery
Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-12-11
According to state oil company PDVSA, production is again approaching one million barrels per day.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14744

"Shame!" Indigenous Leaders & Delegates from Global South Stage Dramatic Protest at COP25 in Madrid
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-12-11
Democracy Now! was broadcasting live from the United Nations climate summit in Madrid, Spain, when hundreds of climate advocates and people's movements at the U.N. climate action summit staged a protest inside the conference venue. As the demonstration unfolds, we speak with Tom Goldtooth, executive director of the Indigenous Environmental Network; Karin Nansen, chair of Friends of the Earth International; Nigerian climate activist Nnimmo Bassey with Health of Mother Earth Foundation; and indigenous climate activist Daiara Tukano from Brazil.
www.democracynow.org/2019/12/11/cop25_walkout_indigenous_leaders_global_south

Amazonian Forest Protectors Rally Outside COP25 Amid Death of Two Indigenous Chiefs
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-12-10
On Monday, indigenous activists from the Brazilian, Colombian and Ecuadorian Amazon rallied outside the COP25 venue to protest the targeting of indigenous forest protectors and the destruction of their lands, known as the "lungs of the Earth." Their protest came just days after two indigenous chiefs, Firmino Prexede Guajajara and Raimundo Guajajara, were gunned down in a drive-by shooting Saturday in Brazil.
www.democracynow.org/2019/12/10/indigenous_organizers_of_brazilian_colombian_ecuadorian

Venezuela's Civilian Militia Surpasses Target, Reaches 3.3 Million Members
Paul Dobson | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-12-09
The body is due to be legally incorporated into the Armed Forces as a "combat unit."
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14742

Iran False Flag, Bolivia's Coup Gov Seeks Israel's Help, Israel's Been In Yemen 'Since Day One'
Ryan Cristián | thelastamericanvagabond.com | 2019-12-09
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 …
thelastamericanvagabond.com/daily-wrap-up/iran-false-flag-bolivias-coup-gov-seeks-israels-help-israels-been-in-yemen-since-day-one/

Venezuela: Guaido Embattled as Opposition Splits over New Corruption Scandal
Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-12-05
The latest scandal has further called into doubt Guaido's credibility as leader of the opposition.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14739

A Facade Drops in Chile
Maxine Lowy | progressive.org | 2019-12-05
The current social revolution is years in the making.
progressive.org/dispatches/facade-drops-chile-lowy-191205/

TIAR Countries Blacklist Top Venezuelan Officials as US Slaps New Sanctions
Lucas Koerner | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-12-04
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Venezuela of "hijacking" mass anti-neoliberal protests in "our own backyard."
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14737

The Other Americans: Latin America's Uprising Against Neoliberalism
Jeff Abbott | progressive.org | 2019-12-04
Colombians join a wave of protest across the continent.
progressive.org/dispatches/latin-americas-uprising-against-neoliberalism-abbott-191204/

Red Cross Chief: Venezuela Aid Being Politicized to 'Destabilize the Country'
Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-12-04
Francesco Rocca slammed the underfunding of aid programs as a problem of "political will."
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14738

Massive Colombia strike hits neoliberal policies, repression
Cathy Rojas | liberationnews.org | 2019-12-04
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.
liberationnews.org/massive-colombia-strike-hits-neoliberal-policies-repression/

Venezuela's PDVSA Secures Temporary Lease Extension for Curacao Refinery
Paul Dobson | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-12-02
Despite the extension, refinery owners are looking to end the 34-year cooperation under pressure from US sanctions.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14736

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

Ecuador: From the middle of the world to the end of the world
Boaventura de Sousa Santos | zcomm.org | 2019-12-02
Demonstration in Quito Ecuador, by Fabiana Lando/Shutterstock.com As its very name suggests, Ecuador is geographically located in the middle of the world. And now, from all appearances, neoliberalism has decided to carry out its end-of-the-world maneuvers in this country. That is perhaps the reason it is coming to the realization that the Ecuadorean people are Read…
zcomm.org/zmagazine/ecuador-from-the-middle-of-the-world-to-the-end-of-the-world/

American Indian Movement West: No to Bolivia coup! Hands off Venezuela, Cuba!
American Indian Movement West | liberationnews.org | 2019-12-01
"We declare our full solidarity and support to the heroic resistance of the Indigenous people against the fascist coup. While there is struggle, victory is assured."
liberationnews.org/american-indian-movement-west-no-to-bolivia-coup-hands-off-venezuela-cuba/