Monthly Archives: January 2020

2020-01-21: News Headlines

WSWS (2020-01-21). Venezuela's Maduro offers Trump a "win-win" bargain. wsws.org In an interview with the Washington Post, the Venezuelan president "suggested that a bonanza could be waiting for U.S. oil companies" if the White House ends sanctions.

Justin Podur (2020-01-20). The people of Colombia are cracking up the walls of war and authoritarianism. mronline.org The protests that started with the national strike called by Colombia's central union on November 21 to protest pension reforms and the broken promises of the peace accords have persisted for two months and grown into a protest against the whole establishment. And the protests have continued into the new year and show no signs […] |

Ben Norton (2020-01-20). Brazil's far-right government backed terror plot against Venezuela, top newspaper reveals. mronline.org Brazil's extreme Bolsonaro government backed an attack on Venezuela in a plot to overthrow its elected president. The shocking terror operation has received no coverage in mainstream U.S. media. |

Fight Back (2020-01-20). Embassy Protectors speak out in Fort Lauderdale. fightbacknews.org Fort Lauderdale, FL — Over 60 people from South Florida's tri-county area gathered at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation Church of Fort Lauderdale to hear a panel and question-and-answer session featuring anti-war activists Kevin Zeese and Margaret Flowers. Zeese and Flowers are two of the four Embassy Protector activists who spent 37 days protecting international law and peace within the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington, D.C. They are currently facing bogus federal charges brought by the Trump administration that, if convicted, would mean up to one year in prison and $100,000 fines each. | Also on th…

Orlenys Ortiz (2020-01-20). Cómo Juan Guaidó perdió el control de la Asamblea Nacional en Venezuela. thegrayzone.com øNo entiendes lo sucedido el 5 de enero en la Asamblea Nacional de Venezuela? Echemos un vistazo cronológico al fracaso…

teleSUR (2020-01-20). Venezuelan FM Makes Official Visit to Iran to Boost Relations. telesurenglish.net Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza met on Monday with his counterpart from the Islamic Republic of Iran, Javad Zarif, to discuss a number of topics, including the strengthening of bilateral relations. | RELATED: | Heading a high-ranking delegation, Arreaza, arrived in Tehran on Sunday night for a three-day visit. Arreaza's visit to Iran comes just a week after he made his first official visit to China. | "The Minister o…

Paul Dobson (2020-01-20). Venezuela Strengthens Cuba, China, Iran Ties Despite Guatemala Rupture. venezuelanalysis.com Cuba and Venezuela have reportedly signed more than 1,400 agreements since 2000.

teleSUR, jg (2020-01-20). Venezuelan President Proposes Respectful Dialogue With US Gov't. telesurenglish.net Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro expressed once again that he welcomes dialogue with the United States as long as it is based on mutual respect between both governments. | In an exclusive interview with The Washington Post, published this weekend, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro proposed dialogue with the United States, which would establish a different relationship between both countri…

teleSUR (2020-01-19). One More Social Leader Killed In Colombia, 21 So Far in 2020. telesurenglish.net The Cordobexia Social Foundation denounced Saturday the assassination of social leader Luis Dario Rodriguez, the second activist killed in the northwestern department of Cordoba this week and the 21st so far in Colombia this year. | RELATED: | According to the statement released by the foundation, the social leader was murdered on Friday afternoon as he was returning home from a fishing trip in the municipality of Tierr…

Staff (2020-01-17). What Really Happened With Venezuela's Parallel President? therealnews.com Media reports and the Trump administration presented a very one-sided version of the election of Venezuela's National Assembly leadership, presenting it as a coup. But who is trying to overthrow whom?

John Catalinotto (2020-01-17). In Venezuela, reactionary Guaidó humiliated by assembly defeat. workers.org The self-appointed "interim president" of Venezuela, Juan Guaidó, received a humiliating setback in that country's National Assembly vote on Jan. 5. He was deposed as leader of the parliamentary body. Throughout 2019, Guaidó served as the designated puppet of U.S. imperialism in Venezuela. He made five attempts with a reactionary, . . . |

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 …

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.

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.

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…

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.

Anya Parampil (2020-01-11). Juan Guaidó's top 5 fails. thegrayzone.com Anya Parampil reflects on Juan Guaidó's greatest failures throughout his first year as wannabe president of Venezuela along with Diego…

pip.hinman (2020-01-10). Venezuela: Guaido installs parallel parliament, US threatens more sanctions. greenleft.org.au The…

Lucas Koerner (2020-01-10). For Western Press, the Only Coup in Venezuela Is Against Guaidó. fair.org The Washington Post ( 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. | In headline after headline, Venezue…

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.

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

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

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.

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."

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.

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.

2020-01-21: Social Media Postees

Please be social by posting these 'POSTEES' on social media!

Venezuela's Maduro offers Trump a "win-win" bargain
wsws.org | 2020-01-21
In an interview with the Washington Post, the Venezuelan president "suggested that a bonanza could be waiting for U.S. oil companies" if the White House ends sanctions.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/01/21/vene-j21.html

Brazil's far-right government backed terror plot against Venezuela, top newspaper reveals
Ben Norton | mronline.org | 2020-01-20
Brazil's extreme Bolsonaro government backed an attack on Venezuela in a plot to overthrow its elected president. The shocking terror operation has received no coverage in mainstream U.S. media. | Source…
mronline.org/2020/01/20/brazils-far-right-government-backed-terror-plot-against-venezuela-top-newspaper-reveals/

Embassy Protectors speak out in Fort Lauderdale
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2020-01-20
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Cómo Juan Guaidó perdió el control de la Asamblea Nacional en Venezuela
Orlenys Ortiz | thegrayzone.com | 2020-01-20
øNo entiendes lo sucedido el 5 de enero en la Asamblea Nacional de Venezuela? Echemos un vistazo cronológico al fracaso…
thegrayzone.com/2020/01/20/juan-guaido-asamblea-nacional-venezuela/

The people of Colombia are cracking up the walls of war and authoritarianism
Justin Podur | mronline.org | 2020-01-20
The protests that started with the national strike called by Colombia's central union on November 21 to protest pension reforms and the broken promises of the peace accords have persisted for two months and grown into a protest against the whole establishment. And the protests have continued into the new year and show no signs […] | Source…
mronline.org/2020/01/20/the-people-of-colombia-are-cracking-up-the-walls-of-war-and-authoritarianism/

The People of Colombia Are Cracking Up the Walls of War and Authoritarianism
Justin Podur | globalresearch.ca | 2020-01-20
The protests that started with the national strike called by Colombia's central union on November 21 to protest pension reforms and the broken promises of the peace accords have persisted for two months and grown into a protest against the …
globalresearch.ca/people-colombia-cracking-up-walls-war-authoritarianism/5701116

Venezuelan FM Makes Official Visit to Iran to Boost Relations
telesurenglish.net | 2020-01-20
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza met on Monday with his counterpart from the Islamic Republic of Iran, Javad Zarif, to discuss a number of topics, including the strengthening of bilateral relations. | RELATED: | 'Latin America in Constant Siege from US': Venezuela's FM | Heading a high-ranking delegation, Arreaza, arrived in Tehran on Sunday night for a three-day visit. Arreaza's visit to Iran comes just a week after he made his first official visit to China. | "The Minister o…
telesurenglish.net/news/Venezuelan-FM-Makes-Official-Visit-to-Iran-to-Boost-Relations-20200120-0002.html

Venezuela Strengthens Cuba, China, Iran Ties Despite Guatemala Rupture
Paul Dobson | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-01-20
Cuba and Venezuela have reportedly signed more than 1,400 agreements since 2000.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14769

Moscow Hopes Iran Won't Quit Global Nuclear Pact
telesurenglish.net | 2020-01-20
Moscow hopes that Iran will not withdraw from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted as saying Monday. | "We warn the Iranian side against reckless steps in terms of maintaining the obligations of the Islamic Republic under the NPT," RIA Novosti news agency quoted Ryabkov as saying. | RELATED: | Venezuelan FM Makes Official Visit to Iran to Boost Relations | "We talk about this openly and consider t…
telesurenglish.net/news/Moscow-Hopes-Iran-Wont-Quit-Global-Nuclear-Pact-20200120-0005.html

Venezuelan President Proposes Respectful Dialogue With US Gov't
teleSUR, jg | telesurenglish.net | 2020-01-20
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro expressed once again that he welcomes dialogue with the United States as long as it is based on mutual respect between both governments. | RELATED: | 'Latin America in Constant Siege from US': Venezuela's FM | In an exclusive interview with The Washington Post, published this weekend, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro proposed dialogue with the United States, which would establish a different relationship between both countri…
telesurenglish.net/news/venezuelan-president-proposes-respectful-dialogue-with-us-gvt-20200119-0018.html

One More Social Leader Killed In Colombia, 21 So Far in 2020
telesurenglish.net | 2020-01-19
The Cordobexia Social Foundation denounced Saturday the assassination of social leader Luis Dario Rodriguez, the second activist killed in the northwestern department of Cordoba this week and the 21st so far in Colombia this year. | RELATED: | 17 Social Leaders Assassinated so Far This Year in Colombia | According to the statement released by the foundation, the social leader was murdered on Friday afternoon as he was returning home from a fishing trip in the municipality of Tierr…
telesurenglish.net/news/another-social-leader-killed-in-colombia-21-so-far-this-year-20200119-0010.html

Brazil's far-right government backed terror plot against Venezuela, top newspaper reveals
Ben Norton | thegrayzone.com | 2020-01-17
Brazil's extreme Bolsonaro government backed an attack on Venezuela in a plot to overthrow its elected president. The shocking terror…
thegrayzone.com/2020/01/17/brazil-paper-reveals-bolsonaro-terror-plot-venezuela/

What Really Happened With Venezuela's Parallel President?
Staff | therealnews.com | 2020-01-17
Media reports and the Trump administration presented a very one-sided version of the election of Venezuela's National Assembly leadership, presenting it as a coup. But who is trying to overthrow whom?
therealnews.com/stories/what-happened-venezuela-juan-guaido-president

In Venezuela, reactionary Guaidó humiliated by assembly defeat
John Catalinotto | workers.org | 2020-01-17
The self-appointed "interim president" of Venezuela, Juan Guaidó, received a humiliating setback in that country's National Assembly vote on Jan. 5. He was deposed as leader of the parliamentary body. Throughout 2019, Guaidó served as the designated puppet of U.S. imperialism in Venezuela. He made five attempts with a reactionary, . . . | Continue reading In Venezuela, reactionary Guaidó humiliated by assembly defeat at Workers.org
workers.org/2020/01/45597/

Trump Prosecutors Make Move to Ensure that Embassy Protectors are Convicted
Ajamu Baraka and Bahman Azad | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-01-15
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 …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/01/trump-prosecutors-make-move-to-ensure-that-embassy-protectors-are-convicted/

Venezuela: Oil Output Stabilizes as Government Eyes Foreign Investment
Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-01-15
The Maduro government is reportedly looking to offer greater advantages to private companies in joint oil ventures.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14766

US Sanctions Venezuela's New Parliament Leader, Senior Opposition Lawmakers
Lucas Koerner | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-01-14
The legislature's new opposition leadership "categorically" rejected the sanctions.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14764

Colombia: 'Staggering number' of human rights defenders killed in 2019
news.un.org | 2020-01-14
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.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2020/01/1055272

Under US pressure, social media companies censor critical content and suspend Venezuelan, Iranian, and Syrian accounts
Ben Norton | thegrayzone.com | 2020-01-13
As the US escalates its hybrid wars, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are suspending accounts and censoring content that conflicts with…
thegrayzone.com/2020/01/12/us-pressure-social-media-censoring-suspending-venezuela-iran-syria/

Venezuela Blames Sanctions After UN Voting Right Suspended
Paul Dobson | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-01-13
Venezuela, which has one of the highest UN contribution rates in the region, has not paid its dues since 2018.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14762

Juan Guaidó's top 5 fails
Anya Parampil | thegrayzone.com | 2020-01-11
Anya Parampil reflects on Juan Guaidó's greatest failures throughout his first year as wannabe president of Venezuela along with Diego…
thegrayzone.com/2020/01/11/juan-guaidos-top-5-fails/

For Western Press, the Only Coup in Venezuela Is Against Guaidó
Lucas Koerner | fair.org | 2020-01-10
The Washington Post ( 1/5/20) described Venezuelan lawmakers voting against someone other than Washington's chosen candidate to head the assembly as "sedition within the opposition." | 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. | In headline after headline, Venezue…
fair.org/home/for-western-press-the-only-coup-in-venezuela-is-against-guaido/

Venezuela: Guaido installs parallel parliament, US threatens more sanctions
pip.hinman | greenleft.org.au | 2020-01-10
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…
greenleft.org.au/content/venezuela-guaido-installs-parallel-parliament-us-threatens-more-sanctions

Venezuela: Guaido Installs Parallel Parliament After Washington Threatens More Sanctions
Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-01-08
The Trump administration is reportedly mulling sanctions against opposition deputies who voted against Guaido.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14759

Venezuelan Government and Opposition Fraction Announce Release of 14 'Political Prisoners'
Paul Dobson | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-01-06
The National Roundtable for Peaceful Dialogue also offered its backing to the new National Assembly president, Luis Parra.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14757

Venezuela: Guaido Replaced as Parliament Head in Disputed Vote
Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-01-05
Pro-Guaido opposition lawmakers have rejected the vote, forming a parallel parliament with US and international right-wing support.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14755

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