Six social leaders assassinated in past week in Colombia
Peoples Dispatch | peoplesdispatch.org | 2019-12-27
The humanitarian tragedy in Colombia continues. In the past five days, too many families and communities have been shaken by the loss of loved ones who were targeted because of their commitment to fighting for peace and justice in the country. | Despite constant demands from movements to the government to take measures to protect the lives of social leaders, assassinations continue to occur with impunity. | Reinaldo Carrillo Vera: | Early on Christmas morning, while Reinaldo Carrillo Vera was celebrating with his family, three armed men came to his home on motorcycles and shot at him. He was immediately t…
peoplesdispatch.org/2019/12/27/six-social-leaders-assassinated-in-past-week-in-colombia/

Criminal War Monger Pelosi & Demos Appropriate Millions For War On Venezuela
repost | indybay.org | 2019-12-27
Criminal war monger Demo leader Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats joined Trump in supporting tens of millions of dollars to overthrow the Venezuelan government.
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/12/24/18829164.php

Venezuela's Economy Will Grow in 2020 Despite US Blockade
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-27
In an interview with the international news agency Xinhua, the Venezuelan economist, Jesus Faria said that economic recovery is the number one issue on the country's agenda for 2020. | RELATED: | Venezuelan Oil Production Sets Historical Record in November | The also former Minister of Foreign Trade and International Investment of Venezuela (2016-2017) stated that "there is a perceived activation of trade and some productive activities as well as a stabilization of the oil activi…
telesurenglish.net/news/Venezuelas-Economy-Will-Grow-in-2020-Despite-US-Blockade-20191226-0019.html

Colombia: Farmer Leader Shot to Death in Front of His Family
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-26
The National Association of Farmer Users (ANUC) activist Reinaldo Carrillo was killed at dawn on Wednesday by hitmen who entered his house and shot him in front of his family in Pitalito town, Department of Huila, Colombia. | RELATED: | Violence in Colombia Continues As Social Leader Assassinated | "We reject the murder of Reinaldo Carrillo. He was a member of a group of people which expected the government to grant them the ownership title of a vacant land called La Conaca," sai…
telesurenglish.net/news/Colombia-Farmer-Leader-Shot-to-Death-in-Front-of-His-Family-20191226-0008.html

Colombian Attorney Asks to Stop Murder of Social Leaders
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-26
The Colombian attorney general, Fernando Carrillo, urged the government of Colombia led by Iván Duque to stop the systematic murder of social leaders in that country. | RELATED: | Colombia: Farmers Leader Shot to Deat in Front of His Family | The official urged the Government, through his Twitter account, to convene the National Security Guarantees Commission "immediately and ensure its operation." | He added that the threat against social leaders in Colombia "is latent and must…
telesurenglish.net/news/colombian-attorney-asks-to-stop-murder-of-social-leaders-20191226-0010.html

Violence in Colombia Continues As Social Leader Assassinated
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-25
Social leader Lucy Villarreal was assassinated in the Llorente Commuity, Tumaco municipality (southwest), reported the Social Process of Warranties for the work of human rights on Tuesday. | RELATED: | Colombia: Death of Student Remains in Impunity After One Month | Villarreal, a mother of two who worked for the promotion of culture in her territory and the defense of human rights, was assassinated after finishing a workshop with children, reported the local Contagio Radio.
telesurenglish.net/news/Violence-in-Colombia-Continues-As-Social-Leader-Assassinated-20191225-0007.html

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

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/

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/

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

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/

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/

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

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/

123 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
'I'll be back' within a year, ousted Bolivian leader Morales vows Mexico says surveillance of embassy in Bolivia has eased after spat Mexico accuses Bolivia of intimidating its diplomats in La Paz 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 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/

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

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

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

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/

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

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

US Vows to 'Reinforce' Sanctions, Accuses Venezuela and Cuba of Stirring Regional 'Strife'
Lucas Koerner | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-11-28
Elliott Abrams reiterated support for Guaido and denied that sanctions are damaging the Venezuelan economy.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14734