Daily Archives: August 21, 2020

2020-08-21: News Headlines

Lucas Leiroz de Almeida (2020-08-21). Drug Trafficking Militias Massacre Social Leaders in Colombia. globalresearch.ca In Colombia, a terrible wave of violence affects the people and especially traditional indigenous communities. According to United Nations data, more than 40 murders of social leaders have occurred this year alone. | Last Tuesday, August 18, three Indians of the …

teleSUR Desk (2020-08-21). Añez intensifies persecution of social leaders. mronline.org Those who took part in the protests against…

Peoples Dispatch (2020-08-21). Mapuche spiritual leader ends hunger strike. peoplesdispatch.org Mapuche political prisoner and spiritual leader, Machi Celestino Córdova, on August 18, announced to end Córdova has repeatedly denounced that Mapuche prisoners face discrimination and harassment in Chilean prisons and…

Ricardo Vaz (2020-08-21). US to Tighten Venezuela Sanctions after Gasoline Seizure. globalresearch.ca The Trump administration is reportedly considering ending all Venezuela oil sanctions exemptions in October. | "Whatever oil business is left has to be completed (by the deadline)," an anonymous source told …

Eds. (2020-08-20). Bolivia's right-wing coup government is facing resistance. mronline.org On 28 July, tens of thousands took to the streets of El Alto, the predominantly working-class and Indigenous city that overlooks La Paz, in a mobilisation called by the Bolivian Workers Centre (Central Obrera Boliviana, or COB), the country's chief trade union federation, together with other worker, peasant and Indigenous organisations (gathered under the title …

Eds. (2020-08-20). Venezuela: The real enemy. mronline.org We became an unusual and extraordinary threat to U.S. imperialism in 1999. From that moment on, our enemy declared war, not a conventional war, but war nonetheless.

Manuela Sole (2020-08-20). Venezuela Welcomes Turkish FM, Signs New Round of Agreements. venezuelanalysis.com Turkey agreed to build a new hospital in Venezuela on the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

WSWS (2020-08-20). MAS, trade unions and coup regime strike deal to quell revolt by Bolivian workers. wsws.org This most recent betrayal of the MAS and COB proves once again they represent the interests of the Bolivian ruling class.

Walden Bello (2020-08-20). Could the Duterte Regime Be COVID-19's Next Victim? zcomm.org Like Trump in the U.S. and Bolsonaro in Brazil, the Philippine strongman's utter failure to contain COVID-19 may kneecap his authoritarian ambitions…

Tanya Wadhwa (2020-08-20). Rafael Correa will run for vice-presidency of Ecuador in 2021 general elections. peoplesdispatch.org Former president Rafael Correa announced that he will run alongside economist Andrés Arauz in the upcoming general elections in Ecuador, but considerable obstacles to their participation in the upcoming elections remain…

teleSUR (2020-08-19). Colombia: Three AWA Indigenous Youths Assassinated in Nariño. telesurenglish.net The National Indigenous Organization of Colombia (ONIC) Tuesday denounced the murder of three Awa indigenous youths in the Pialapi Pueblo Viejo Reservation in the Nariño Department. | RELATED: | Armed Forces representatives had to walk for 12 hours to get to the crime scene and try to clarify what had happened. | The Awa Camaguari community leaders requested to President Ivan Duque's administration more National Unit fo…

teleSUR (2020-08-19). Ecuador: Moreno Does Not Keep His Word on Indigenous University. telesurenglish.net In Ecuador, Indigenous organizations expressed their disagreement with President Lenin Moreno's decision to establish a museum and not an Indigenous university at the former headquarters of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) in Quito. | RELATED: The Ecuadorean Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities (CONAIE) suspects that such a decision is an act of revenge due to the October protests, which stopped the applicati…

Joe Emersberger (2020-08-19). Reuters (Unsurprisingly) Looks Away as Ecuador Tries to Outlaw Opposition Parties. zcomm.org Reuters routinely buries information that would badly damage the reputation of US allies in the Americas…

Vijay Prashad — Manuel Bertoldi (2020-08-19). Will There Ever be Elections Again in Bolivia? counterpunch.org On November 10, 2019, President Evo Morales Ayma of Bolivia announced his resignation from the presidency. Morales had been elected in 2014 to a third presidential term, which should have lasted until January 2020. In November 2019, protests around his fourth electoral victory in October led to the police and the military asking Morales to step down; by every description of the term, this was a coup d'état. Two days later, Morales went into exile in Mexico.

Yves Engler (2020-08-19). Canadian Left Rejects Organization of American States. dissidentvoice.org When people say "America" everyone understands they mean one country, the USA. In a similar fashion it is time for all to understand that the Organization of American States (OAS) serves the interests of that country. In a recent webinar on "Bolivia's fight to restore democracy and Canada's role" organized by the Canadian Latin America …

Brasil de Fato (2020-08-19). Understand the circumstances in which abortion is legal in Brazil. peoplesdispatch.org The While human rights organizations have been trying for decades to consolidate the notion that abortion is exclusively a woman's choice, religious fundamentalists contes…

teleSUR (2020-08-19). Ecuador's Workers Ask Moreno Policies to Mitigate Layoffs. telesurenglish.net The Ecuadorean Workers Confederation (CTE) Tuesday urged President Lenin Moreno to take urgent measures to mitigate the wave of layoffs that employers have unleashed by taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic. | RELATED: | "Layoffs in the public and private sectors are plentiful. Around 45,000 people are unemployed and a program of aggressive layoffs continues," the CTE activist Miguel Garcia warned. | "Th…

teleSUR (2020-08-19). Uruguay: Senate Rejects Political Violence Ahead of Elections. telesurenglish.net Uruguay's Senate adopted on Tuesday a resolution against all forms of political violence ahead of the departmental and municipal elections scheduled for September 27. | RELATED: | After lawmakers from the Broad Front party (Frente Amplio) presented the statement, the Senate voted unanimously to reject politically motivated attacks and stand in solidarity with the victims. | The decision was taken as a response to dea…

teleSUR (2020-08-19). Venezuela Honors Cuban Doctors for Their Fight Against COVID-19. telesurenglish.net Venezuela's Vice-President Delcy Rodriguez Tuesday decorated Cuban doctors for their cooperation in the fight against COVID-19. | RELATED: | Rodriguez presented the Francisco de Miranda Order to the doctors in recognition of the work they do for the benefit of Venezuelans. | She indicated that over 22,000 members of the Henry Reeve Brigade are deployed in her nation, which has saved thousands of lives over…

WSWS (2020-08-19). In act of high seas piracy, US hijacks Iranian oil bound for Venezuela. wsws.org The oil seizure came as Washington failed to secure support at the United Nations Security Council for a resolution extending an arms embargo against Tehran.

Slava Zilber (2020-08-19). Bolivian journalist explains the 'important victory' people have won against the coup government. thecanary.co The Canary

Jessica Corbett, staff writer (2020-08-18). As Fires Surge in Brazilian Amazon, Bolsonaro Strategy to Battle Deforestation Blasted as 'PR Stunt'. commondreams.org "Instead of combating criminal behavior and protecting Indigenous forest guardians already hit hard by Covid-19, this government continues to reduce environmental protection." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/gp_amazon_16aug20.jpg

_____ (2020-08-18). UN Ambassador Moncada: US Keeps Plotting To Invade Venezuela. popularresistance.org The Venezuelan ambassador to the United Nations, Samuel Moncada, reiterated his denunciation of the United States' orchestrating an invasion in Venezuela to destroy the military and political forces of the Bolivarian Revolution. | On his Twitter account, the Ambassador indicated that the White House's war propaganda against Venezuela seeks to assassinate the President of the Republic, Nicolás Maduro and turn the country into a colony. | "War propaganda in the US affirms that its objective is democracy in Venezuela. The truth is more sinister and deadly: eliminating President Maduro continues the invasion to destr…

Staff (2020-08-18). Headlines for August 18, 2020. democracynow.org Virtual DNC Kicks Off with Calls for Unity, Speeches by Michelle Obama and Bernie Sanders, UNC Switches to Remote Classes After 177 Students Contract COVID-19, Indigenous Groups in Brazil Protest Gov't Inaction on Coronavirus; South Korea Outbreak Grows, Postmaster General Agrees to Testify as Fears Mount over USPS Changes That Could Threaten Election, Special Tribunal Delivers Verdict over 2005 Killing of Ex-Lebanese PM Rafik al-Hariri, Mapuche Protesters Demand Hunger-Striking Leader Be Released, Spanish Royal Family Confirms Exiled Former King Juan Carlos Is in UAE, Trump Admin Finalized Plan to Open Alaska's…

_____ (2020-08-18). SouthCom Feels Threatened By Russia's 'Fundamental' Support Of Venezuela. popularresistance.org The head of the Southern Command of the United States Armed Forces, Craig Faller, declared that Russia and Cuba represents a threat to them due to the "fundamental" support they give to Venezuela, a country on which the Donald Trump regime has imposed a brutal total blockade and continually threatens military invasion. | In viralized statements on social networks, Faller says that they have had to set off the alarms because of "the size of the threat" represented by "Russian influence" and the support that the Eurasian country gives to the government presided over by Nicolás Maduro. | "I cannot describe the size…

RT (2020-08-18). US & Brazil are biggest drivers of coronavirus case counts — WHO. rt.com The Americas account for 64 percent of officially reported coronavirus deaths around the globe — despite having just 13 percent of the world's population, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said. | Covid-19 cases in the Americas have reached almost 11.5 million as the region continues to carry the highest burden of the disease, WHO Regional Director Carissa Etienne said on Tuesday. | Over 400,000 people have died in the region as a result of the pandemic, she added, speaking at a virtual briefing from Washington with other Pan American Health Organization directors. | The biggest drivers of the case…

Eds. (2020-08-18). Oil spill threatens disaster for Mauritius. mronline.org The Japanese-owned (Mitsui-operated) MV Wakashio was en route to Brazil from China to fetch iron ore from a port owned by the notorious mining company Vale. Here the ship is seen having run aground near Blue Bay, one of the area's most pristine sites for coral, already threatened by bleaching due to the climate crisis. …

teleSUR (2020-08-18). Venezuela: PSUV Reinforces the Organization of Its Electoral Base. telesurenglish.net Guayana Mayor Tito Oviedo Tuesday announced that the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) is fully prepared and organized to win the December 6 parliamentary elections. | RELATED: | "The electoral roll in the largest city in southeastern Venezuela is 98 percent updated," Oviedo said and commented that PSUV militants will be present at all polling stations to testify about the citizen vote. | He also re…

teleSUR (2020-08-18). Colombia: Uribe Resigns Senate Seat. telesurenglish.net Colombia former president Alvaro Uribe renounced his seat in the Colombian Senate on Tuesday amidst an inquiry against him for witness manipulation. | RELATED: | Uribe sent a resignation letter addressed to Senate president Arturo Char Chaljud, alleging the Supreme Court does not offer legal guarantees in the judicial process. | "The magistrate, José Luis Barcelo, called me to inquire more than two years ago, in a pro…

teleSUR (2020-08-18). President Piñera Launches Bidding to Set up 5G Network in Chile. telesurenglish.net Chile's President Sebastian Piñera launched the first bidding process to install the 5G technology in the country, which is one of the first Latin American nations to develop this network. | RELATED: | "The 5G application will be prioritized in essential sectors such as health, education, transportation, and natural disaster control," Piñera said. | Chile will allocate between US$2.65 billion and US$3 billion to dou…

teleSUR (2020-08-18). Mapuche Leader Celestino Córdova Agrees to End Hunger Strike. telesurenglish.net Mapuche leader Machi Celestino Córdova decided to end his 107 days fast after signing an agreement with the Government on Tuesday. | RELATED: | The spiritual leader accepted ending his hunger strike as Chilean authorities signed an eight-point understanding that includes a 30-hour visit to Celestino's home once he recovers. However, the conditions will be imposed by health and prison entities. | Moreover, the Mini…

teleSUR (2020-08-18). The US Prepares Conditions to Impose Its New 'Colombia Plan'. telesurenglish.net Colombia's President Ivan Duque Monday met with U.S. officials to launch the Colombia Growth Initiative (CGI), which is the new version of the "Colombia Plan", the military aid aimed at combating drug cartels and left-wing insurgents in the 2000s. | RELATED: | At the launch of this geopolitical proposal were the U.S. National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien, the Southern Command Chief Craig Faller, the Presidential Adviser Mauricio Claver-Caron…

teleSUR (2020-08-18). Peru: Doctors to Go on Strike for Better Working Conditions. telesurenglish.net Peru's Medical Federation (FMP) Monday announced a 48-hour national strike to demand greater investment in the health sector as COVID-19 cases soar in the country. | RELATED: | In a letter addressed to Health Minister Pilar Mazzetti, the FMP asked for better working conditions and salary improvement as more of their colleagues become infected. | They also pointed out that the strike will take place on August 26 and 27 since the government…

WSWS (2020-08-18). Peru tops half a million coronavirus cases as political crisis deepens. wsws.org With over 535,000 COVID-19 cases and 26,000 deaths, and amid growing class tensions, President Vizcarra is leaning heavily on the military.

Jorge Arreaza (2020-08-18). Venezuela, and Trump's Irrational Electoral Policy. globalresearch.ca Elections always have an interesting effect on public policy, in particular if the person in charge of designing and implementing a certain policy is up for reelection. In politics, it is logical that an incumbent candidate decides to show successful …

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-18). Oil tankers seized by US 'not Iranian'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 18 (MNA) — Iranian oil minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said on Tuesday that the four oil tankers seized by the US few days ago belong to Venezuela not Iran.

teleSUR (2020-08-18). Ecuador: Rafael Correa Seeks to Run for Vice President. telesurenglish.net Ecuador's former President Rafael Correa seeks to participate in the 2021 elections as a candidate for the vice presidency accompanying the presidential candidate Andres Arauz. | RELATED: | "If you allow me, I will be a candidate. I have to be there not only for my country but also for my harassed colleagues and the tranquility of our families," Correa said. | The Arauz-Correa binomial will be sponsored…