After the Argentina Debacle, the IMF Endorses Weakening Capital Controls in Ecuador
Lara Merling | counterpunch.org | 2019-12-24
Over the past year, a rebranded International Monetary Fund (IMF) returned to Latin America with promises of loan agreements that would be different than the dreaded "structural adjustment programs" of the past. Behind statements about inclusive growth and protecting the most vulnerable, are policies similarto the structural adjustments of the Washington Consensus era. While the…
counterpunch.org/2019/12/24/after-the-argentina-debacle-the-imf-endorses-weakening-capital-controls-in-ecuador/
The US Approves Bill That May Legislate Hybrid Warfare on Venezuela
Nino Pagliccia | counterpunch.org | 2019-12-24
On December 16 both houses in the US approved the appropriation bill to be signed by President Trump. Aside from the mind-boggling amount of $1.4 trillion that was approved in total our interest was in looking at the details concerning Venezuela. A press release issued by the organization Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) is…
counterpunch.org/2019/12/24/the-us-approves-bill-that-may-legislate-hybrid-warfare-on-venezuela/
Inside Brazil's War on Small Farmers
Michael Fox | zcomm.org | 2019-12-24
Not long ago, Brazil's government walked a thin, complicated line between protecting the right to private property and the right to agrarian reform. Today, that line has been obliterated…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/inside-brazils-war-on-small-farmers/
Colombia Holds National Strike, Concert & Marches in Medellin
teleSUR, jg | telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-23
After 30 days of a nationwide strike in Colombia due to the approval of the new tax law, the protests continued, although with less intensity, in Medellin, where the concert "Medellin Resiste Cantando" was also held. | RELATED: | Colombian Gov't Responsible for Crimes Committed by ESMAD | Three types of marches took place in Medellin this week, including the…
telesurenglish.net/news/colombia-national-strike-concert-and-marches-in-medellin–20191222-0013.html
Fernandez Questions International Silence Over Chilean Protests
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-23
Argentinian President, Alberto Fernández, questioned the international silence regarding the human rights violations committed by the security forces in Chile during the protests against the policies of Sebastián Piñera that began more than two months ago. | RELATED: | Opposition Party to Sue Santiago Mayor Over Human Rights Crimes | He also compared the international action regarding the situation in Venezuela and other countries in the region, pointing out how the world choo…
telesurenglish.net/news/Fernandez-Questions-International-Silence-Over-Chilean-Protests-20191223-0006.html
Chile Human Rights Abuses Worst Since Dictatorship: NHRI Warns
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-23
The repression of ongoing protests in Chile has resulted in the most serious human rights violations in 30 years since the country was ruled by the military dictatorship, the country's National Institute of Human Rights (NHRI) warned Monday. | RELATED: | Fernandez Questions International Silence Over Chilean Protests | According to the director of the country's official human rights body Sergio Micco, the state's response to the mass protests "produced, as a whole, the most se…
telesurenglish.net/news/chile-nhri-report-focused-on-carabineros-recent-violations–20191223-0016.html
Reuters Shields OAS over False Claims that Sparked Bolivia Coup
Joe Emersberger | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-23
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 final report contrasted sharply with …
globalresearch.ca/reuters-shields-oas-false-claims-sparked-bolivia-coup/5698440
Much work needed to 'target unacceptable levels' of racism in Ecuador: UN experts
news.un.org | 2019-12-23
Ecuador must implement and enforce laws and policies to protect the rights of Afro-Ecuadorians, the UN Working Group on People of African Descent said on Monday, calling for an end to the "discrimination, exclusion and extreme poverty they suffer."
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/12/1054201
Classic Orwellian Obfuscation: U.S. States Condemns DPRK, Syria, China, Zimbabwe, Iran, Venezuela, Russia for Human Rights Abuses
Carla Stea | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-23
The gloves came off, revealing the iron fist in the velvet glove of U.S. obfuscation condemning innumerable countries for abuse of human rights; a recorded vote was required on December 18, exposing which countries actually vote in support of UN …
globalresearch.ca/classic-orwellian-obfuscation-united-states-condemns-dprk-syria-china-zimbabwe-iran-venezuela-russia-human-rights-abuses/5698487
Venezuela denounces attack on a military base in the south of the country
Peoples Dispatch | peoplesdispatch.org | 2019-12-23
During the early hours of Sunday morning, December 22, a Venezuelan military base in Gran Sabana municipality in the south of the country, bordering Brazil, was attacked by a group of terrorists. | The armed men killed a soldier and managed to steal 122 AK-103 rifles, 120 grenades, 3 anti-missile rocket launchers, 3 machine guns, 10 bazookas, 10 AK-103 ammunition boxes and 2 trucks from the base. | Immediately after the attack, military and police officials were deployed in the area to capture the perpetrators. The officials managed to capture six of the attackers and recovered all the stolen weapons and trucks,…
peoplesdispatch.org/2019/12/23/venezuela-denounces-attack-on-a-military-base-in-the-south-of-the-country/
Venezuela Repels 'Terrorist' Attack on Military Bases, 1 Soldier Dead
Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-12-23
The assailants stormed several military installations before being engaged by the Venezuelan army.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14752
Mexico Accuses Bolivia of Intimidating Its Diplomats in La Paz
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-23
Mexico's Foreign Affairs Ministry said Monday that it was "deeply concerned" about "excessive" surveillance of the Mexican ambassador's residence and Mexican embassy in Bolivia by about 150 Bolivian intelligence and security service personnel. | RELATED: | Bolivia Joins US-Backed Lima Group Against Venezuela | Mexico said the Bolivians were "intimidating" diplomatic staff and attempted to "detain and inspect" the ambassador's vehicle on Monday. While the Undersecretary for Latin America…
telesurenglish.net/news/mexico-accuses-bolivia-of-intimidating-its-diplomats-in-la-paz-20191223-0008.html
Peru-Based Mercenaries Attacked Venezuelan Soldiers: Arreaza
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-23
The Foreign Minister of Venezuela Jorge Arreaza stated that the group of mercenaries that attacked a military unit in the southern part of the country on Sunday morning has its base of operations in Peru. | RELATED: | Venezuela's Armed Forces Denounce Attack on Military Base | "We denounce the group of mercenaries that have sought to generate violence and today, they assaulted the military unit in Gran Sabana; they have their base of operations in Peru," Arreaza tweeted. | He said…
telesurenglish.net/news/Peru-Based-Mercenaries-Attacked-Venezuelan-Soldiers-Arreaza-20191223-0001.html
Venezuela Urges Brazil to Arrest Attackers of Military Base
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-23
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro urged Monday for the government of Brazil to not support "terrorist actions" against the South American country and required its authorities to arrest those involved in Sunday's attack to a military border outpost. | RELATED: | 'There Is No Virtual Congress' Venezuela's Supreme Justice Says | "I ask the Brazilian gover…
telesurenglish.net/news/Venezuela-Urges-Brazil-to-Arrest-Attackers-of-Military-Base-20191223-0017.html
Panama: President Cortizo Removes Constitutional Reform Package
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-23
Panamanian President Laurentino Cortizo Cohen and his team of ministers will ask the National Assembly to withdraw the package of constitutional reforms Monday, and will announce a major national dialogue to draw up a new Constitution, official sources said. | RELATED: | Bolivia Joins US-Backed Lima Group Against Venezuela | This new dialogue will be coordin…
telesurenglish.net/news/panama-president-cortizo-removes-constitutional-reform-package-20191223-0018.html
The vanguard of Chavism has a woman's face: A chronicle of their resistance in 2019
Eds. | mronline.org | 2019-12-23
In the middle of the year, we Venezuelans received a visit from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michel Bachelet, on the occasion of meeting with the different political actors in the country to "evaluate" the complex economic and social environment brought about by the White House's decision. | Source…
mronline.org/2019/12/23/the-vanguard-of-chavism-has-a-womans-face-a-chronicle-of-their-resistance-in-2019/
Chile: TV broadcast live when two armored cars crushed citizen
Eds. | mronline.org | 2019-12-23
Real-time scenes evidenced once again how the Chilean state acts with rampant and absurd violence. | Source…
mronline.org/2019/12/23/chile-tv-broadcast-live-when-two-armored-cars-crushed-citizen/
Incoming government in Argentina passes measures to alleviate socio-economic crisis
Tanya Wadhwa | peoplesdispatch.org | 2019-12-23
Alberto Fernández froze the price of basic public services, reduced the prices of medicines, announced special bonuses for retirees, special and underprivileged people, suspended the ban on the sale of abortion pills…
peoplesdispatch.org/2019/12/23/incoming-government-in-argentina-passes-measures-to-alleviate-socio-economic-crisis/
Mexico denounces excessive security presence at embassy in Bolivia
Peoples Dispatch | peoplesdispatch.org | 2019-12-23
In the afternoon on December 23, the Mexican government released a statement in which it alerted to an excessive presence of security forces at the installations of its diplomatic mission in La Paz, Bolivia. According to reports, as many as 150 civilian and uniformed officers arrived to the installations in the Bolivian capital on Monday December 23 and surrounded both the residency and the embassy itself. | On November 10, the democratically elected govern…
peoplesdispatch.org/2019/12/23/mexico-denounces-excessive-security-presence-at-embassy-in-bolivia/
Emergency Cleanup Underway After Fuel Spill in Galapagos Islands Sparks Concern for Unique and Fragile Ecosystem
Jessica Corbett, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2019-12-23
A ship carrying 600 gallons of diesel fuel sank in the Galapagos Islands Sunday, sparking widespread concerns about the impact on local wildlife and the environment as Ecuadorian officials took emergency action to contain the spill. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/twitter-oil-spill.jpg …
commondreams.org/news/2019/12/23/emergency-cleanup-underway-after-fuel-spill-galapagos-islands-sparks-concern-unique?cd-origin=rss
Mexican ambassador resigns after 'shoplifting spree'
rt.com | 2019-12-23
Mexico's ambassador to Argentina has resigned for health reasons, after he appeared to be caught on camera stealing a $10 book, and was also accused of pilfering a shirt from an airport shop. | Ricardo Valero, 77, was first recalled by Mexico's foreign ministry earlier this month, after he was allegedly caught on camera taking a book from the shelf of a Buenos Aires bookstore, hiding it inside a newspaper, and walking out of the shop. | The book is believed to be a biography of Giacomo Casanova, the 18th-Century author, spy and playboy, and retailed for around $10. | The government accepted Valero's resigna…
rt.com/news/476697-mexico-ambassador-resigns-shoplifting/
Mexico was 1st to grant asylum to Morales after 'coup' and now it's 'deeply concerned' about Bolivia monitoring its embassy
rt.com | 2019-12-23
Mexico's government has expressed "deep concern" about the monitoring of its La Paz embassy by Bolivian intelligence and security services. Last month, Mexico offered deposed Bolivian leader Evo Morales asylum following a "coup." | Mexico's Foreign Ministry sounded the alarm on Monday, claiming that Bolivia's security and intelligence apparatus has been monitoring the diplomatic mission since the country granted political asylum to Morales last month. The deposed leader lost the support of his police and military in early November, after the opposition declared his re-election in October fraudulent. Morales wa…
rt.com/news/476699-mexico-bolivia-monitoring-embassy/
Child Labor Behind Chocolate Ferrero Rocher: UK Rights Group
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-22
The hazelnuts used by the chocolate company Ferrero in its products, including the famous Ferrero Rocher, and sold across the world for Christmas, may have been harvested by children working in the agricultural sector in Turkey, human rights campaigners denounced Friday. | RELATED: | Outrage as 2 McDonald's Employees Found Electrocuted in Peru | The Guardian reported that interviews with child workers filmed by United Kingdom campaigning group WeMove Europe and the Centre for C…
telesurenglish.net/news/Chocolate-Company-Ferrero-May-Use-Child-Labour-Rights-Activists–20191222-0009.html
Bolivia Joins US-Backed Lima Group Against Venezuela
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-22
Bolivia on Sunday announced its entry into the U.S.-led Lima Group regional bloc that was set up to overthrow the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. | RELATED: | Morales Announced Party Candidates Until End of Month | The Bolivian foreign ministry said in a statement that it hoped to "contribute to a peaceful, democratic and constitutional solution to the crisis in Venezuela, which must be guided by the Venezuelan people." | The Lima Group was founded in 2017 by countri…
telesurenglish.net/news/Bolivia-Joins-US-Backed-Lima-Group-Against-Venezuela-20191222-0004.html
Around The World 74: Chile uprising, Algeria protests
Peoples Dispatch | peoplesdispatch.org | 2019-12-22
It's been over two months since the momentous uprising in Chile. It began with a protest about a hike in metro fares and ended up as the largest protest in the country since the end of the civic-military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. The people of Chile made it clear that it was structural change they wanted. In this episode of Around the World in 8 minutes, we look at the situation in Chile now, as well as protests in Algeria and Poland.
peoplesdispatch.org/2019/12/22/around-the-world-74-chile-uprising-algeria-protests/
Venezuela's Armed Forces Denounce Attack on Military Base
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-22
Venezuelan Defense Minister General Vladimir Padrino Lopez confirmed Sunday an attack on a military base in Gran Sabana in the south of the country, in which an army trooper was killed during the assault. | RELATED: | Bolivia Joins US-Backed Lima Group Against Venezuela | "In the early morning hours today, a military unit in the south of the country was assaulted by extremist sectors of the opposition, and a batch of weapons was taken from the unit," Padrino informed. | The minister als…
telesurenglish.net/news/venezuela-armed-forces-denounced-assault-on-military-base-20191222-0010.html
Opposition Party to Sue Santiago Mayor Over Human Rights Crimes
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-22
Social organizations and parties of the Chilean opposition will lodge a complaint against the metropolitan mayor of Santiago, Felipe Guevara, for "crimes against the constitution, quasi-homicide and use of horses as an instrument of repression", and they will also require his immediate resignation. | RELATED: | Chile: TV Broadcast Live When Two Armored Cars Crushed Citizen | Among the demands, the groups and the political entities of the opposition demand the resignation of Guev…
telesurenglish.net/news/Opposition-Party-to-Sue-Santiago-Mayor-Over-Human-Rights-Crimes-20191222-0003.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/
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/
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/
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
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
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
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/
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/
120 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
Bolivia announces entry into Lima Group to resolve Venezuelan crisis Bolivia's ex-president Morales plans party rally on Argentina border 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 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/
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
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/