Brazil's ex-President Lula on Venezuela: Maduro is democratic, Guaidó should be in prison, US blockade kills civilians
Ben Norton | thegrayzone.com | 2020-03-31
In comments ignored by English language media, Lula da Silva slammed the US coup attempt against Venezuela, calling Nicolás Maduro…
thegrayzone.com/2020/03/30/brazil-lula-maduro-guaido-us-blockade/
Brazil's ex-President Lula on Venezuela: Maduro is democratic, Guaidó should be in prison, US blockade kills civilians
Ben Norton | thegrayzone.com | 2020-03-31
In comments ignored by English-language media, Lula da Silva slammed the US coup attempt against Venezuela, calling Nicolás Maduro a…
thegrayzone.com/2020/03/30/brazil-lula-maduro-guaido-us-blockade/
Southcom boosts US military presence in Latin America, citing China, Russia 'threats'
Ben Norton | thegrayzone.com | 2020-03-31
Southern Command is ramping up the US military presence in Latin America to counter China, Russia, and Venezuela, after signing…
thegrayzone.com/2020/03/30/southcom-latin-america-china-russia-threats-brazil/
Attempted coup & assassinations: Venezuelan prosecutors subpoena Guaido as 'among main perpetrators' in US-backed regime-change op
rt.com | 2020-03-31
Venezuela's prosecutors have summoned Juan Guaido over his role in the "attempted coup d'etat," as well as in alleged assassination attempts. Guaido is the main figure in US-backed efforts to oust President Nicolas Maduro. | The move was announced by Attorney General Tarek William Saab on Tuesday in a televised speech. The official described Guaido as "one of the main perpetrators" of a "new" attempted coup. | The move comes after a cache of weaponry, said to be smuggled into Venezuela, was seized in neighboring Co…
rt.com/news/484602-coup-assassinations-venezuela-guaido/
Trump's narcoterrorism indictment of Maduro already backfires
Leonardo Flores | mronline.org | 2020-03-31
Among those indicted by the U.S. was Cliver Alcalá, a retired general who is considered the military leader of the pro-Juan Guaidó forces. Soon, Alcalá posted videos that threaten to cause further splits in the opposition and could result in the arrest of Guaidó.
mronline.org/2020/03/31/trumps-narcoterrorism-indictment-of-maduro-already-backfires/
Russia sets up new oil company to potentially take over operations in Venezuela
rt.com | 2020-03-31
A company specializing in the production and transportation of oil and gas has been set up in Russia, according to the state registry data. The new firm could take over projects in Venezuela after Rosneft sold its assets there. | Roszarubezhneft, which is owned by the Federal Agency for Government Property Management, will have an authorized capital of 322.7 billion rubles (over $4 billion). | The company was registered in Moscow on March 28, after Russia's oil major Rosneft announced the sale of its assets in Venezuela. On Saturday, Rosneft signed an agreement with the newly established government-run company…
rt.com/business/484546-russia-new-oil-company-venezuela/
US military veterans who fought as mercenaries for Ukrainian fascists indicted on double murder charges
wsws.org | 2020-03-31
Alex Zwiefelhofer and Craig Lang are accused of orchestrating the double murder and robbery of Serafin and Deana Lorenzo to finance a trip to Venezuela for the purpose of killing "communists."
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/03/31/murd-m31.html
Beyond Chutzpah: US Charges Venezuela With Nacro-Terrorism
Roger Harris | counterpunch.org | 2020-03-31
According to the parable, the ungrateful son takes out a life insurance policy on his parents, murders them to collect, and is caught and found guilty. At his sentencing, the judge asks if he has anything to say on his behalf. The son replies: "Have mercy upon me because I am an orphan." That's chutzpah.
counterpunch.org/2020/03/31/beyond-chutzpah-us-charges-venezuela-with-nacro-terrorism/
Pompeo Calls on Maduro and Guaido to Step Aside for New Venezuela Elections
sputniknews.com | 2020-03-31
The US secretary of state also said that the two men need to establish a transitional government to arrange the polls.
sputniknews.com/latam/202003311078778105-pompeo-calls-on-maduro-and-guaido-to-step-aside-for-new-venezuela-elections-/
As the World Tackles the COVID-19 Pandemic, the U.S. Raises the Pressure on Venezuela
Vijay Prashad, Paola Estrada, Ana Maldonado, and Zoe PC | counterpunch.org | 2020-03-30
In a press conference on March 26, it was almost comical how little evidence the U.S. Department of Justice provided when it accused Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro and several of the leaders of his government of narco-trafficking. The U.S. offered $15 million for the arrest of Maduro and $10 million for the others. Maduro, U.S.
counterpunch.org/2020/03/30/as-the-world-tackles-the-covid-19-pandemic-the-u-s-raises-the-pressure-on-venezuela/
IMF Conditions Emergency COVID-19 Loan to Venezuela on Regime Change
Alan Macleod | mintpressnews.com | 2020-03-30
Earlier this month, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) blocked a request from Venezuela for an emergency loan to deal with the COVID–19 pandemic on the grounds that President Nicolas Maduro "lacked recognition." "IMF engagement with member countries is predicated on official government recognition by the international community, as reflected in the IMF's membership. There is no clarity on recognition at this time," a spokesperson for the international banking organization said. In…
mintpressnews.com/imf-conditions-emergency-coronavirus-loan-venezuela-regime-change/266185/
IMF Conditions Emergency COVID-19 Loan to Venezuela on Regime Change
Alan Macleod | mintpressnews.com | 2020-03-30
Earlier this month, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) blocked a request from Venezuela for an emergency loan to deal with the COVID–19 pandemic on the grounds that President Nicolas Maduro "lacked recognition." "IMF engagement with member countries is predicated on official government recognition by the international community, as reflected in the IMF's membership. There is no clarity on recognition at this time," a spokesperson for the international banking organization said. In…
mintpressnews.com/imf-conditions-emergency-coronavirus-loan-venezuela-regime-change/266185/
Going After Maduro
Ron Jacobs | counterpunch.org | 2020-03-30
The recent indictments of Nicolas Maduro and other Venezuelan government officials on drug trafficking and narco-terrorism charges is a sham. It is a politically motivated and hypocritical attack on the elected government of Venezuela. Obviously, it is another front in the ongoing US low-intensity war on the majority of Venezuelans. It is cynical in that Venezuela's neighbor Colombia has been literally governed by drug traffickers for most of the past thirty years, if not longer. | …
counterpunch.org/2020/03/30/going-after-maduro/
Trump's Narcoterrorism Indictment of Maduro Already Backfires
Leonardo Flores | zcomm.org | 2020-03-30
The indictments are another brick in the foundation for a pretext for either a direct U.S. military invasion or a proxy war…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/trumps-narcoterrorism-indictment-of-maduro-already-backfires/
Colombia: Violence Against Social Leaders Continues
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-30
Harassment and violence against social leaders in Colombia has continued, despite the ongoing quarantine that has been imposed due to the Covid-19 outbreak. | RELATED: Colombia: ELN Announces Ceasefire Over COVID-19 | Social and agricultural leaders comply with isolation in their homes as part of the restrictive measures for the spread of the virus. Because of this circumstance, they are easy targets for violent acts. | The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights said on Twitter this week that the aggression against John Restrep…
telesurenglish.net/news/colombia-violence-on-social-leaders-continues-despite-the-quarantine-20200330-0005.html
Colombia: ELN Announces Ceasefire Over COVID-19
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-30
The National Liberation Army (ELN) announced a unilateral ceasefire in Colombia for the month of April. This is a humanitarian gesture by the organization facing the diffiult situation caused by Covid-19 in the South American nation. | RELATED: | Colombia: Two COVID-19 Cases Among Native Population | In the communique, the paramilitary group denounced the lack of response in resources and action by the state concerning the virus spreading. It also criticizes Colombian President…
telesurenglish.net/news/colombia-eln-announces-ceasefire-over-covid19-20200330-0003.html
Chinese Specialists Arrive in Venezuela to Combat Coronavirus
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-30
On Monday morning, a HAINAN Airlines flight from Beijing arrived in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, to deliver aid and transport several medical specialists to help fight the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. | RELATED: | China Gradually Back to Normal After the COVID-19 Pandemic | According to reports, the HAINAN Airlines aircraft arrived in Caracas at 2: 30 A.M. (local time) on Monday. The aircraft reportedly transported a large amount of humanitarian aid and eight specialist. | "
telesurenglish.net/news/Chinese-Specialists-Arrive-in-Venezuela-to-Combat-Coronavirus-20200330-0004.html
Beyond Chutzpah: the Hypocrisy of US Nacroterrorism Charges Against Venezuela
Roger D. Harris | mintpressnews.com | 2020-03-30
This latest escalation of the US hybrid war against Venezuela takes place amid a global pandemic, which the US apparently sees as an opportunity to further attack a people made more vulnerable by the health crisis.
mintpressnews.com/hypocrisy-nacroterrorism-charges-against-venezuela/266160/
Magnitude 5.6 Earthquake Hits Colombia-Ecuador Border – US Geological Survey
sputniknews.com | 2020-03-30
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – A magnitude 5.6 earthquake was registered on Monday at the border of Colombia and Ecuador, the US Geological Survey said.
sputniknews.com/latam/202003301078759830-magnitude-56-earthquake-hits-colombia-ecuador-border—us-geological-survey/
U.S. Imperialism Pulls Desperate Move in Venezuela
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2020-03-29
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC). | For years, the criminal government of the United States has attempted to remove the democratically elected president of Venezuela and discredit the peoples' movement in that country that has been so successful in lifting millions of Venezuelans out of extreme poverty. Under the corrupt Trump administration alone, the United States has conducted multiple illegal attacks against President Nicolas Maduro and the people of Venezuela, including: failed assassination attempts by drone, poorly orchestrated mi…
www.fightbacknews.org/2020/3/29/us-imperialism-pulls-desperate-move-venezuela
Venezuela Never Part of US Drug Circuit: Ex-UN Anti-Drugs Chief
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-29
Former Vice Secretary of the United Nations and Former Executive Director of the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime Pino Arlacchi reminded Saturday that Venezuela has always been outside the main cocaine trafficking circuits between the world's main producer and consumer; Colombia and the United States. | RELATED: | The U.S. Harasses Venezuela Amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic | "I have been dealing with the issue of drugs for forty years, and I have never encountered Venezuela. Before, durin…
telesurenglish.net/news/Venezuela-Never-Part-of-US-Drug-Circuit-Ex-UN-Anti-Drugs-Arlacchi-20200329-0011.html
Evo Morales Expresses Solidarity With Venezuela Amid US Attacks
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-29
Former Bolivian President Evo Morales said that with the most recent attack by the United States government against Venezuela, Washington intends to distract public opinion about the collapse of the country's health services in the face of Covid-19. | RELATED: | Russia Calls to Lift 'Genocidal' Sanctions Against Venezuela | "The US is in a humanitarian crisis. The health services of its main cities are beginning to collapse," stressed the leader of the Movement to Socialism (MAS) o…
telesurenglish.net/news/Evo-Morales-Expresses-Solidarity-With-Venezuela-Amid-US-Attacks-20200329-0004.html
Beyond Chutzpah: US Charges Venezuela with Nacro-Terrorism
Roger D. Harris | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-03-29
According to the parable, the ungrateful son takes out a life insurance policy on his parents, murders them to collect, and is caught and found guilty. At his sentencing, the judge asks if he has anything to say on his behalf. The son replies: "Have mercy upon me because I am an orphan." That's chutzpah. …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/03/beyond-chutzpah-us-charges-venezuela-with-nacro-terrorism/
[World Report] Venezuelan migrants "struggling to survive" amid COVID-19
Joe Parkin Daniels | thelancet.com | 2020-03-28
Humanitarian organisations are concerned that border closures and health-care shortages are amplifying the challenges posed by COVID-19. Joe Parkin Daniels reports from Bogotá.
thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30718-2/fulltext?rss=yes
[World Report] Leadership changes at USAID
Susan Jaffe | thelancet.com | 2020-03-28
Mark Green, the respected head of the US Agency for International Development, has resigned. Susan Jaffe reports from Washington.
thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30721-2/fulltext?rss=yes
Trump's Narcoterrorism Indictment of Maduro Already Backfires
Leonardo Flores | commondreams.org | 2020-03-28
A U.S. Justice Department images displays charges against Venezuelan President Nicol√°s Maduro and other Venezuelan officials on March 26, 2020. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/charges-maduro-doj.jpg …
commondreams.org/views/2020/03/28/trumps-narcoterrorism-indictment-maduro-already-backfires?cd-origin=rss
Russia Calls to Lift 'Genocidal' Sanctions Against Venezuela
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-28
Russia's Foreing Minister Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova Friday reiterated her country's call to lift the illegal economic sanctions imposed by the United States on Venezuela, which they consider as a "genocide tool" in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. | RELATED: | Putin Urges G20 to Lift Sanctions on Goods Due to COVID-19 | "We will not tire of repeating our call to immediately cancel arbitrary unilateral sanctions that at the current juncture of the epidemic become almost a weapo…
telesurenglish.net/news/Russia-Calls-to-Lift-Genocidal-Sanctions-Against-Venezuela-20200328-0001.html
Trump admin's $15 million bounty on Maduro triggers explosive confession of violent Guaidó plot
Leonardo Flores | thegrayzone.com | 2020-03-27
The Trump administration's deception-laden indictment of President Nicolas Maduro and members of his inner circle has badly backfired, resulting in…
thegrayzone.com/2020/03/27/trump-bounty-maduro-guaido-plot/
As the World tackles the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. raises the pressure on Venezuela
Vijay Prashad | mronline.org | 2020-03-26
In a press conference on March 26, it was almost comical how little evidence the U.S. Department of Justice provided when it accused Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro and several of the leaders of his government of narco-trafficking. The U.S. offered $15 million for the arrest of Maduro and $10 million for the others. Maduro, U.S. …
mronline.org/2020/03/26/as-the-world-tackles-the-covid-19-pandemic-the-u-s-raises-the-pressure-on-venezuela/
Colombian prisoners ask for medical help and receive bullets
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2020-03-26
The National Prison Movement (Movimiento Nacional Carcelario) and other prisoner rights groups called a demonstration in Colombian prisons on March 21, to protest the lack of protection against the COVID-19 virus and the general lack of decent healthcare in the Colombian prisons. Twelve Colombian prisons answered the call for a 'cacerolazo,' a protest where one bangs on pots and pans to make enough noise so that the protest is heard. | The protest in the prison Carcel Nacional Modelo de Bogotá began at 9 p.m. on March 21. The prisoners were mostly on lockdown in their cells and began banging on their pots and pan…
www.fightbacknews.org/2020/3/26/colombian-prisoners-ask-medical-help-and-receive-bullets
Media Struggle to Defend Washington's Cruelty Toward Venezuela and Iran as Coronavirus Spreads
Joe Emersberger | fair.org | 2020-03-25
AP (New York Times, 3/17/20) accepts the IMF's excuse that lack of "clarity" over Venezuela's "rightful leader" prevents it from giving the country coronavirus aid–even though in 2002, the IMF rapidly offered aid to a short-lived coup government. | An Associated Press article (New York Times, 3/17/20) headlined "IMF Rejects Maduro's Bid for Emergency Loan to Fight Virus" declared: The r…
fair.org/home/media-struggle-to-defend-washingtons-cruelty-toward-venezuela-and-iran-as-coronavirus-spreads/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=media-struggle-to-defend-washingtons-cruelty-toward-venezuela-and-iran-as-coronavirus-spreads
Venezuela's Coronavirus Response Might Surprise You
Leonardo Flores | mintpressnews.com | 2020-03-25
Unlike in the United States where coronavirus treatment can cost up to $35,000 and where Trump seems more concerned about the economy than about peoples' lives, Venezuela is handling the crisis by placing value in health over profits.
mintpressnews.com/venezuelas-coronavirus-response-might-surprise-you/266036/
"Humanitarian Solidarity": Even Under U.S. Sanctions, Cuba Sends Doctor Brigade to Italy and More
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-03-24
As Italy's death toll soars past 6,000, Cuba has sent medical brigades to combat COVID-19. Cuba has also deployed doctors to Venezuela, Nicaragua, Jamaica, Suriname and Grenada. "The arrival of a medical brigade from Cuba to Italy is pretty historic. You have a leading European nation accepting support in the form of a medical team from a small Caribbean island," says our guest, Peter Kornbluh, director of the Cuba Documentation Project at the National Security Archive at George Washington University. "It just goes to the history of Cuba's deep and long-lasting commitment to humanitarian solidarity with other cou…
www.democracynow.org/2020/3/24/cuba_medical_diplomacy_italy_coronavirus
Expert: US sanctions on Iran, Venezuela during pandemic could be genocidal
Aaron Maté | thegrayzone.com | 2020-03-20
Intensified US sanctions on Iran, Venezuela during the COVID-19 pandemic could amount to genocide, a former UN expert warns. Iran…
thegrayzone.com/2020/03/20/expert-us-sanctions-on-iran-venezuela-during-pandemic-could-be-genocidal/