2020-01-16: News Headlines

WSWS (2020-01-16). Former Colombian President àÅlvaro Uribe linked to international drug trafficking through Sinaloa Cartel. wsws.org The charges against Uribe expose Colombia's "war on drugs," like that of the US, as a smokescreen for government criminality and a pretext for violence against the population.

sputniknews (2020-01-16). It's Splitsville For Bollywood Star Amit Sadh and Brazilian Model Annabel Dasilva. sputniknews.com New Delhi (Sputnik): Bollywood actor Amit Sadh has earned praise for his performances in films like "Kai Po Che" (2013), "Sarkar 3", and very recently "Super 30". However, his personal life also made headlines when he announced his separation from Punjabi actress Neeru Bajwa amicably.

teleSUR (2020-01-15). Brazilian Indigenous Leaders Mobilize to Protest Amazon Mining. telesurenglish.net A four-day-long tribal meeting among the Brazilian Indigenous leaders has begun in the Amazon to protest far-right President Jair Bolsonaro's push to open their reservations for commercial mining and agriculture. | RELATED: | Brazil to Go Through With Mining on Tribal Lands | The meeting, which is being attended by several tribal leaders, seeks to develop a contingency to combat Bolsonaro's plan to exploit this historical region for commercial purposes. | "The riches Bolsonaro speaks of are…

teleSUR (2020-01-15). IACHR Denounces Ecuadorean Govt. Repression In October Protests. telesurenglish.net The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) presented on Tuesday a report on its visit to Ecuador last October, when massive protests took place against the neoliberal measures promoted by President Lenin Moreno. | RELATED: | Ecuador Buys $4m Worth of Non-Lethal Weapons for Armed Forces | The IACHR report states that "the acts of protest, in…

Ajamu Baraka and Bahman Azad (2020-01-15). Trump Prosecutors Make Move to Ensure that Embassy Protectors are Convicted. dissidentvoice.org As the trial approaches, the lawyers for the Trump Administration's prosecution of the four Venezuelan Embassy Protectors who were arrested last May are asking the court to make sure the jury is kept ignorant about the facts and circumstances surrounding the actions of the protectors. In a recently filed motion by government lawyers, state prosecutors …

teleSUR (2020-01-15). Bolivian FM Wants Argentina to Condemn Comments by Evo Morales. telesurenglish.net The Bolivian Foreign Ministry wants the Argentinian government to condemn the recent comments made by the democratically elected President Evo Morales about defending civilians defending themselves against the brutality of the de facto regime in La Paz. | RELATED: | Evo Morales Urges Bolivia to Restore Rule of Law | In an interview last Sunday with Reuters, Morales told the news agency that Bolivians have the right to organize and defend themselves, without the use of firearms, against the b…

Eric Toussaint (2020-01-15). Brazil: From Lula to Bolsonaro. globalresearch.ca I arrived in Sao Paulo, the financial and economic capital of Brazil, on the night of 14 November 2019. The city has over 12 million inhabitants. In all the districts I visited poverty is flagrant. You see homeless people living …

WSWS (2020-01-15). Bolsonaro backs Trump in war on Iran, while Workers' Party appeals to Brazilian military. wsws.org Brazil's fascistic President Jair Bolsonaro was one of the first to defend Washington's assassination of Iranian general Qassem Suleiman.

teleSUR (2020-01-15). China, Venezuela to Boost Bilateral Cooperation, Brotherhood. telesurenglish.net In response to an invitation from the Chinese government, Venezuela's Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza Wednesday arrived in Beijing to strengthen strategic cooperation relations and brotherhood between the Bolivarian Nation and this Asian country. | RELATED: | Venezuela Asks Electoral Body to Invite UN, EU to Observe Polls | Venezuela and China have maintained diplomatic and commercial relations for 45 years, which were strengthened since the arrival of Hugo Chavez to the Presiden…

Ricardo Vaz (2020-01-15). Venezuela: Oil Output Stabilizes as Government Eyes Foreign Investment. venezuelanalysis.com The Maduro government is reportedly looking to offer greater advantages to private companies in joint oil ventures.

teleSUR (2020-01-15). Chile Takes a Step Towards the Approval of Same-Sex Marriage. telesurenglish.net Chile took an important step towards equal marriage on Wednesday after the Senate of the southern country took one step forward to approve legislation allowing it, a fact that LGTBI associations and much of the political spectrum described as " historic". | "Today's accomplishment is due to organizations that have been demanding their rights for decades. From that first public demonstration in 1973 until the last Pride march. It was an honor to make the Senate available to equality and love," said the President of the Upper House, opposition lawmaker, Jaime Quintana. | By 22 votes in favor, 16 against and one…

Alan MacLeod (2020-01-14). Bolivia's new right-wing government intensifies crackdown on journalists, doctors. mronline.org The U.S.-backed administration of Jeanine Añez is arresting prominent members of the press and even doctors in what it calls a "dismantling of the propaganda apparatus of the dictatorial regime of Evo Morales." | Source

Peoples Dispatch (2020-01-14). US issues unilateral coercive measures against Venezuelan legislators. peoplesdispatch.org The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Department of the Treasury, announced on January 13, that it would impose unilateral coercive measures against seven opposition legislators of the National Assembly (AN) of Venezuela. | According to the official statement issued by the US agency, the punitive measure was taken due to the "failed attempt" of these seven parliamentarians "to illegitimately seize control of the National Assembly" and because they allegedly prevented the far-right opposition leader and self-proclaimed interim president "Juan Guaidó and other deputies from participating in a consti…

Lucas Koerner (2020-01-14). For Western Press, the only Coup in Venezuela is against Guaidó. mronline.org The international corporate media have entered crisis mode following the replacement of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó as head of the country's National Assembly. | Source

Lucas Koerner (2020-01-14). US Sanctions Venezuela's New Parliament Leader, Senior Opposition Lawmakers. venezuelanalysis.com The legislature's new opposition leadership "categorically" rejected the sanctions.

news.un (2020-01-14). Colombia: 'Staggering number' of human rights defenders killed in 2019. news.un.org The UN human rights office, OHCHR, is "deeply troubled by the staggering number of human rights defenders killed in Colombia" last year, its spokesperson said on Tuesday.

teleSUR (2020-01-14). Venezuela Asks Electoral Body to Invite UN, EU to Observe Polls. telesurenglish.net Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro asked the National Electoral Council (CNE) Tuesday to invite the European Union (EU) and the United Nations as observers in the process of legislative elections scheduled for this year. | RELATED: | Venezuela and Red Cross Monitor Protection for Blockade Victims | During the presentation of his 2019 balance, the Venezuelan president was also firm in expressing that "what is definitive is that neither the Organization of American States (OAS…

Ben Norton (2020-01-13). Under US pressure, social media companies censor critical content and suspend Venezuelan, Iranian, and Syrian accounts. thegrayzone.com As the US escalates its hybrid wars, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are suspending accounts and censoring content that conflicts with…

news.un (2020-01-13). Colombia: 'Significant strides' towards integrated peace, UN envoy tells Security Council. news.un.org Colombia has continued to make "significant strides in its peace process", the top UN envoy in the country told the Security Council on Monday.

Paul Dobson (2020-01-13). Venezuela Blames Sanctions After UN Voting Right Suspended. venezuelanalysis.com Venezuela, which has one of the highest UN contribution rates in the region, has not paid its dues since 2018.

pip.hinman (2020-01-10). Venezuela: Guaido installs parallel parliament, US threatens more sanctions. greenleft.org.au Venezuela Ricardo VazIssue 1248 Venezuela Juan Guaido US Vice President Mike PenceJanuary 10, 2020Opposition leader Juan Guaido installed a "parallel" parliament in Caracas on January 7. | The…

Leonardo Flores (2020-01-09). This might be the final episode of Juan Guaidó's surreal Venezuela regime-change reality show. thegrayzone.com The farcical scene of Juan Guaido attempting to break into Venezuela's National Assembly as its members voted him out was…

Ricardo Vaz (2020-01-08). Venezuela: Guaido Installs Parallel Parliament After Washington Threatens More Sanctions. venezuelanalysis.com The Trump administration is reportedly mulling sanctions against opposition deputies who voted against Guaido.

Paul Dobson (2020-01-06). Venezuelan Government and Opposition Fraction Announce Release of 14 'Political Prisoners'. venezuelanalysis.com The National Roundtable for Peaceful Dialogue also offered its backing to the new National Assembly president, Luis Parra.

Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz (2020-01-05). Venezuela: Guaido Replaced as Parliament Head in Disputed Vote. venezuelanalysis.com Pro-Guaido opposition lawmakers have rejected the vote, forming a parallel parliament with US and international right-wing support.

Luiz ignacio lula Da silva (2019-12-28). Prison gave me a greater will to fight. zcomm.org Interview on the reality that Brazil is experiencing and the social protests that have occurred in several Latin American countries…

The Real News (2019-12-28). Chileans Demand New Constitution as Protests Continue. zcomm.org For two months, Chileans have been protesting all over the country on a daily basis…

Ricardo Vaz (2019-12-23). Venezuela Repels 'Terrorist' Attack on Military Bases, 1 Soldier Dead. venezuelanalysis.com The assailants stormed several military installations before being engaged by the Venezuelan army.

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…

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.

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…

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 (2019-12-15). 128 Reuters articles on Bolivia since October 20, 2019 election with no mention of expert criticism of OAS audit UPDATED. zcomm.org Bolivia ¥s foreign minister says Mexico appeal to International Court 'a mistake' Bolivia's YPFB strikes transition deal with Petrobras to extend natural gas exports Bolivia is not a Mexican colony, acting foreign minister Longaric tells El Pais Mexico says Spanish diplomats' cars blocked by Bolivia at La Paz embassy Mexico appeals to international court as diplomatic Read more…

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."

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.

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."

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…

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.

Lucas Koerner (2019-11-28). US Vows to 'Reinforce' Sanctions, Accuses Venezuela and Cuba of Stirring Regional 'Strife'. venezuelanalysis.com Elliott Abrams reiterated support for Guaido and denied that sanctions are damaging the Venezuelan economy.

Paul Dobson (2019-11-25). Venezuela Unveils First Gold Processing Complex in Mining Arc. venezuelanalysis.com While already operational, the complex will reportedly be the 5th largest in the continent upon completion.

Lucas Koerner (2019-11-21). Colombia's US Ambassador Advocates 'Covert Actions' Against Venezuela in Leaked Audio. venezuelanalysis.com Top Colombian officials acknowledged failure of regime change in Venezuela and total disarray in Washington.

Paul Dobson (2019-11-18). Venezuelans Protest Bolivia Coup After Diplomatic Break. venezuelanalysis.com The de facto government in La Paz has broken relations with Caracas and recognised Guaido.

CounterSpin (2019-11-15). Alex Main on Bolivia Coup. fair.org Media…

Lucas Koerner (2019-11-14). Venezuelan Embassy Attacked in Brazil. venezuelanalysis.com Bolsonaro denied any prior knowledge of the attack.

Ricardo Vaz (2019-11-14). Venezuelan Oil Output Sees Modest Rise in October: OPEC. venezuelanalysis.com Reviving production has led Chevron convert a blending plant back to a crude upgrader for export of heavier grades.

Paul Dobson (2019-11-11). Venezuela Condemns Bolivia Coup d'État. venezuelanalysis.com Government forces and grassroots movements are holding vigils across the country in support of Evo Morales.

Ricardo Vaz and Lucas Koerner (2019-11-06). US Authorizes Tax Payments to Maduro Gov't, Sanctions Five More Venezuelan Officials. venezuelanalysis.com Washington has eased some of the restrictions imposed under its recent Venezuela embargo.

Paul Dobson (2019-11-04). Venezuela, El Salvador Break Relations as Maduro Applauds 'New Anti-Neoliberal Wave'. venezuelanalysis.com Guatemala's president-elect has similarly pledged to break with the Maduro government upon assuming office in January.