Monthly Archives: January 2020

2020-01-08: News Headlines

Staff (2020-01-08). Headlines for January 8, 2020. democracynow.org Iran Strikes 2 Iraqi Bases in Retaliation for Soleimani's Assassination, McConnell Says He Has Enough Votes to Open Impeachment Trial Without Witnesses, Trump Declares Emergency for Puerto Rico Following Earthquake, Spain Poised to Form First Progressive Coalition Government Since 1930s, Argentina Deals Blow to Legitimacy of Venezuela's U.S.-Backed Opposition, Indian Workers & Students Launch Strike to Protest Privatization, Wet'suwet'en Nation Issues Eviction Notice to Workers of Pipeline Company in Canada, Planned Parenthood Attacked with Incendiary Device in Delaware, NYT: More Than 20 Shootings at After Schoo…

teleSUR (2020-01-08). Twitter Suspends Dozens of Accounts of Venezuelan Officials. telesurenglish.net Twitter accounts linked to Venezuela's Central Bank, the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB), public media, political leaders, and journalists were suspended without explanation on Tuesday. | RELATED: | Venezuelan National Assembly To Reactivate Legislative Agenda | Accounts belonging to the FANB Strategic Operating Command and Press Department…

teleSUR (2020-01-08). Colombia: A Woman Is the First Social Leader Killed This Year. telesurenglish.net Colombia's first political assassination of this year occurred in the Putumayo Department on Monday night when hitmen murdered Gloria Ocampo, the Estrella Community Action Board (JAC) Secretary. | RELATED: | Colombia's Truth Commission Rejects Threats to Social Leaders | "Two men arrived at Gloria's house and asked about her. She identified herself and they shot her repeatedly," local outlet El Tiempo reported. | Ocampo stood out in her community because she promoted the volunta…

WSWS (2020-01-07). Maduro government ousts Guaidó as speaker of the Venezuelan National Assembly. wsws.org The move to sideline the opposition is largely based on calculations that it can exploit the war crisis in the Middle East and growing popular opposition to the lawlessness of US foreign policy.

teleSUR (2020-01-07). Argentina Doesn't Recognize Guaido, Revokes Envoy's Credentials. telesurenglish.net Argentina's government said Tuesday it did not recognize lawmaker Juan Guaido as Venezuela's president and revoked the credentials of his representative in Buenos Aires. | RELATED: | Venezuelan Opposition Rejects Juan Guaido's Leadership | The new administration of Argentina's progressive President Alberto Fernandez sent a letter to Elisa Trotta Gamus, who represented Guaido in Argentina, to notify her that her "special mission" in Argentina had been terminated. | "I am writing to you…

Staff (2020-01-07). Headlines for January 7, 2020. democracynow.org John Bolton Willing to Testify in Senate Impeachment Trial, Confusion in Pentagon & Trump Administration over U.S. Policy on Iran, Julián Castro Endorses Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Can Now Deport Mexican Asylum Seekers to Guatemala, Wildfires Rage in Australia; India Suffered Hottest Decade on Record, Harvey Weinstein Charged with Rape in Los Angeles County, Mexico: 60,000 People Disappeared Since U.S.-Backed Drug War Began, Bolivia Sets May 3 Date for New Election, After Morales's Ouster, Confusion over Leader of National Assembly Reigns in Venezuela, Earthquake Knocks Out Power Across Puerto Rico, Men Sue Boy Scout…

news.un (2020-01-07). UN chief monitoring Venezuela developments 'with concern'. news.un.org The latest twist in Venezuela's ongoing political crisis "make urgently needed dialogue even more difficult to achieve", the UN Secretary-General has said.

teleSUR (2020-01-07). Bolivia's MAS to Launch Presidential Campaign in Argentina. telesurenglish.net The campaign for the presidential elections in Bolivia will start on Jan. 22 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where exiled President Evo Morales will lead an event that he hopes will attract more than 15,000 people. | RELATED: | Morales Slams De Facto Bolivian Gov't for Meddling in Venezuela | Morales announced it during a visit to Isla Maciel in Argentina where he also met with religious and Bolivian authorities residing there. | The Indigenous leader also confirmed that on Jan. 1…

teleSUR (2020-01-07). Venezuela Urges the US to Abide by International Law. telesurenglish.net Venezuela's Foreign minister Jorge Arreaza urged Tuesday United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to respect international law as well as the sovereignty of the South American country with regards to the National Assembly's newly-elected leadership. | RELATED: | Argentina Doesn't Recognize Guaido, Revokes Envoy's Credentials | "Mr. Pompeo, consider for once that your strategy failed. You showed no skills as puppeteers and now you lost your main puppet. Respect international…

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.

teleSUR (2020-01-06). Venezuelan National Assembly To Reactivate Legislative Agenda. telesurenglish.net The new President of the National Assembly (NA) of Venezuela Luis Parra said Monday that the new directive will work to "reactivate the legislative agenda" and move towards the formation of a National Electoral Council (CNE) to regulate the next round of elections in the country. | RELATED: | Morales Slams De Facto Bolivian Gov't for Meddling in Venezuela | The deputy of the Venezuelan opposition political party "Justice First" questioned the actions of lawmakers Juan Guaido wh…

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.

Andre Vltchek (2020-01-03). Colombia: Where Life has to Defeat Death. dissidentvoice.org In one of the poorest neighborhoods of Bogota, Belen, I saw two people bleeding in the middle of the road. One person was clearly dead. A group of onlookers was moving frantically, shouting loudly. There was an attempt to resurrect an injured man. I asked the driver to inquire whether our help was needed, but …

The Grayzone (2020-01-02). Top 20 The Grayzone stories of 2019: From Venezuela coup attempt to Russiagate delusions, information warfare to new cold war. thegrayzone.com 2019 was a big year for The Grayzone. We traveled the world and broke many stories, exposing the empire's schemes…

Staff (2019-12-30). Headlines for December 30, 2019. democracynow.org Man Stabs 5 Jewish Worshipers Celebrating Hanukkah at Rabbi's Home in New York, Gunman Shoots and Kills 2 Worshipers During Church Service in Texas, U.S. Launches Airstrikes in Iraq & Syria After U.S. Contractor Killed in Iraq, 250,000 People Flee Syrian Government Offensive in Idlib, Bombing Kills 79 in Mogadishu, Somalia, Taliban Agrees to Temporary Ceasefire in Afghanistan, 10 Killed in Strike on Military Parade in Southern Yemen, Politico: Democratic Party Insiders Now Think Sanders Could Win Nomination, WaPo: Giuliani Held Back-Channel Call with Maduro, France: Strikes Against Pension Overhaul Enter 25th Day…

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 Read more…

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.

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.

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 Read more…

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.

Ricardo Vaz (2019-11-01). Venezuelan Leftist Parties and Unions Stage Protest, Demand Gov't Answers. venezuelanalysis.com Dozens of activists demanded better wages and respect for collective bargaining rights.

Ricardo Vaz (2019-10-30). Venezuela: Opposition Demands Bond Annulment, Gov't Grants Rosneft Tax Breaks. venezuelanalysis.com Rosneft will reportedly invest in natural gas production in Venezuela.

Paul Dobson (2019-10-28). Venezuela Applauds Regional Leftist Victories. venezuelanalysis.com Caracas rejoiced at the "defeat of the IMF" in elections in Argentina, Uruguay, and swathes of Colombia this Sunday.

Lucas Koerner (2019-10-23). US Renews Chevron License as European Refiner Cuts Venezuela Ties over Sanctions. venezuelanalysis.com Finnish-Venezuelan refiner Nynas is one of PDVSA's few remaining cash buyers.

Paul Dobson (2019-10-21). Venezuela Government Hosts International Commune Congress. venezuelanalysis.com Maduro affirmed that popular power is "the soul" of the Bolivarian project.

2020-01-08: Social Media Postees

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

Twitter Suspends Dozens of Accounts of Venezuelan Officials
telesurenglish.net | 2020-01-08
Twitter accounts linked to Venezuela's Central Bank, the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB), public media, political leaders, and journalists were suspended without explanation on Tuesday. | RELATED: | Venezuelan National Assembly To Reactivate Legislative Agenda | Accounts belonging to the FANB Strategic Operating Command and Press Department…
telesurenglish.net/news/twitter-suspends-dozens-of-accounts-of-venezuelan-officials-20200107-0021.html

Colombia: A Woman Is the First Social Leader Killed This Year
telesurenglish.net | 2020-01-08
Colombia's first political assassination of this year occurred in the Putumayo Department on Monday night when hitmen murdered Gloria Ocampo, the Estrella Community Action Board (JAC) Secretary. | RELATED: | Colombia's Truth Commission Rejects Threats to Social Leaders | "Two men arrived at Gloria's house and asked about her. She identified herself and they shot her repeatedly," local outlet El Tiempo reported. | Ocampo stood out in her community because she promoted the volunta…
telesurenglish.net/news/Colombia-A-Woman-Is-the-First-Social-Leader-Killed-This-Year-20200108-0003.html

Guaidó and supporters storm Venezuelan Parliament building
Peoples Dispatch | peoplesdispatch.org | 2020-01-07
The far-right Venezuelan opposition led by Juan Guaidó continues to manufacture international media charades in order to spread lies and create chaos. After losing his post as president of the National Assembly on Sunday January 5 to Luis Parra of the center party Justice First (PJ), Guaidó has refused to recognize the results and set up a parallel parliament. Today, the first ordinary session of the National Assembly was held under the direction of the newly elected leadership. | The session which met quorum and was carried out normally was denounced by far-right opposition legislators as being a "farce." As had…
peoplesdispatch.org/2020/01/07/guaido-and-supporters-storm-venezuelan-parliament-building/

Bolivia's MAS to Launch Presidential Campaign in Argentina
telesurenglish.net | 2020-01-07
The campaign for the presidential elections in Bolivia will start on Jan. 22 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where exiled President Evo Morales will lead an event that he hopes will attract more than 15,000 people. | RELATED: | Morales Slams De Facto Bolivian Gov't for Meddling in Venezuela | Morales announced it during a visit to Isla Maciel in Argentina where he also met with religious and Bolivian authorities residing there. | The Indigenous leader also confirmed that on Jan. 1…
telesurenglish.net/news/mas-to-launch-presidential-campaign-on-jan-22nd-in-argentina-20200107-0012.html

UN chief monitoring Venezuela developments 'with concern'
news.un.org | 2020-01-07
The latest twist in Venezuela's ongoing political crisis "make urgently needed dialogue even more difficult to achieve", the UN Secretary-General has said.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2020/01/1054881

Maduro government ousts Guaidó as speaker of the Venezuelan National Assembly
wsws.org | 2020-01-07
The move to sideline the opposition is largely based on calculations that it can exploit the war crisis in the Middle East and growing popular opposition to the lawlessness of US foreign policy.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/01/07/vene-j07.html

Venezuela Urges the US to Abide by International Law
telesurenglish.net | 2020-01-07
Venezuela's Foreign minister Jorge Arreaza urged Tuesday United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to respect international law as well as the sovereignty of the South American country with regards to the National Assembly's newly-elected leadership. | RELATED: | Argentina Doesn't Recognize Guaido, Revokes Envoy's Credentials | "Mr. Pompeo, consider for once that your strategy failed. You showed no skills as puppeteers and now you lost your main puppet. Respect international…
telesurenglish.net/news/Venezuela-Urges-the-US-to-Abide-by-International-Law-20200107-0022.html

Argentina Doesn't Recognize Guaido, Revokes Envoy's Credentials
telesurenglish.net | 2020-01-07
Argentina's government said Tuesday it did not recognize lawmaker Juan Guaido as Venezuela's president and revoked the credentials of his representative in Buenos Aires. | RELATED: | Venezuelan Opposition Rejects Juan Guaido's Leadership | The new administration of Argentina's progressive President Alberto Fernandez sent a letter to Elisa Trotta Gamus, who represented Guaido in Argentina, to notify her that her "special mission" in Argentina had been terminated. | "I am writing to you…
telesurenglish.net/news/Argentina-Doesnt-Recognize-Guaido-Revokes-Envoys-Credentials-20200107-0005.html

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

Venezuelan National Assembly To Reactivate Legislative Agenda
telesurenglish.net | 2020-01-06
The new President of the National Assembly (NA) of Venezuela Luis Parra said Monday that the new directive will work to "reactivate the legislative agenda" and move towards the formation of a National Electoral Council (CNE) to regulate the next round of elections in the country. | RELATED: | Morales Slams De Facto Bolivian Gov't for Meddling in Venezuela | The deputy of the Venezuelan opposition political party "Justice First" questioned the actions of lawmakers Juan Guaido wh…
telesurenglish.net/news/venezuelan-national-assembly-to-reactivate-legislative-agenda-20200106-0014.html

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

Colombia: Where Life has to Defeat Death
Andre Vltchek | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-01-03
In one of the poorest neighborhoods of Bogota, Belen, I saw two people bleeding in the middle of the road. One person was clearly dead. A group of onlookers was moving frantically, shouting loudly. There was an attempt to resurrect an injured man. I asked the driver to inquire whether our help was needed, but …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/01/colombia-where-life-has-to-defeat-death/

Top 20 The Grayzone stories of 2019: From Venezuela coup attempt to Russiagate delusions, information warfare to new cold war
The Grayzone | thegrayzone.com | 2020-01-02
2019 was a big year for The Grayzone. We traveled the world and broke many stories, exposing the empire's schemes…
thegrayzone.com/2020/01/01/top-20-the-grayzone-stories-of-2019/

Top 20 The Grayzone stories of 2019: From Venezuela coup attempt to Russiagate delusions, information warfare to new cold war
The Grayzone | thegrayzone.com | 2020-01-02
2019 was a big year for The Grayzone. We traveled the world and broke many stories, exposing the empire's schemes…
thegrayzone.com/2020/01/01/top-20-the-grayzone-stories-of-2019/

Headlines for December 30, 2019
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-12-30
Man Stabs 5 Jewish Worshipers Celebrating Hanukkah at Rabbi's Home in New York, Gunman Shoots and Kills 2 Worshipers During Church Service in Texas, U.S. Launches Airstrikes in Iraq & Syria After U.S. Contractor Killed in Iraq, 250,000 People Flee Syrian Government Offensive in Idlib, Bombing Kills 79 in Mogadishu, Somalia, Taliban Agrees to Temporary Ceasefire in Afghanistan, 10 Killed in Strike on Military Parade in Southern Yemen, Politico: Democratic Party Insiders Now Think Sanders Could Win Nomination, WaPo: Giuliani Held Back-Channel Call with Maduro, France: Strikes Against Pension Overhaul Enter 25th Day…
www.democracynow.org/2019/12/30/headlines

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

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

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/

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