Monthly Archives: April 2020

2020-04-15: News Headlines

Medea Benjamin, Leonardo Flores (2020-04-15). Threatening Military Intervention in Venezuela During a Pandemic? commondreams.org Littoral combat ship USS Detroit off the coast of Venezuela. (Photo: US Navy/DoD) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/venevzuela_intervention_coronavirus.png

Lucas Koerner (2020-04-15). Corporate Media Cover for US Mob Threats Against Venezuela. fair.org The Trump administration unveiled on March 31 a "democratic transition" plan to remove Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from office, in favor of a "council of state" composed of both opposition and ruling party loyalists. | The plan was, however, less an offer to negotiate than a diktat, with the US State Department ( Despite the obvious mafioso over…

Telesur (2020-04-15). Venezuela Has the Lowest Contagion Rate in Latin America. globalresearch.ca According to data compiled through April 11, Venezuela had carried out 181,335 COVID-19 tests, which allowed this South American country to detect patients in time and become the Latin American nation with the lowest infection rate. | " …

sputniknews (2020-04-15). Strong 5.4-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Colombia – EMSC. sputniknews.com The incident occurred just a few hundred kilometres from the San Diego volcano. There have so far been no reports about casualties or damages inflicted by the quake.

teleSUR (2020-04-14). Colombia: UN Worried About Attacks Against Ex-FARC Members. telesurenglish.net In Colombia, the persecution of former combatants of the ex-guerrilla group FARC-EP persists, even though they are returning to normal life, The Common Alternative Revolutionary Force political party said on Monday. | RELATED: | The United Nations also discussed the recent violence affecting Colombia, as members of the Peace Mission attended a meeting that discussed the latest attacks against the ex-FARC members inside…

teleSUR (2020-04-14). Mural in the West Bank Painted in Honor of Cuba and Venezuela. telesurenglish.net A large mural named "Al Ahrar" (Liberators in Arabic) was painted on a wall in the illegally occupied Palestinian territory of the West Bank in honor of Cuba and Venezuela, local media reported Tuesday. | RELATED: | The stone wall, which measures 10 meters wide by three high, is located on the highest summit of the city of Dura, in the southern West Bank. In Dura, and more generally in Palestine, murals are an important way to showcase the art…

Eds. (2020-04-14). President Maduro announced 6 new confirmed coronavirus cases for a 181 total—Venezuela moving to massive screenings. mronline.org The President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro Moros , reported this Sunday that 6 new positive cases for Covid -19 were recorded in the country, for a total of 181 infected patients and zero [new] fatalities.

Xinhua News Agency (2020-04-14). Lucha contra COVID-19 refleja amistad profunda entre China y Venezuela. peoplesworld.org CARACAS (Xinhua) — La solidaridad demostrada por China a Venezuela en medio de la pandemia del nuevo coronavirus refleja la amistad profunda entre ambos pueblos de Venezuela y de China, expresó hoy el analista internacional Sergio Rodríguez Gelfenstein. En entrevista con Xinhua, el experto explicó que "esta es la continuidad de lo que se ha …

Federico Fuentes (2020-04-14). Combatting COVID-19 through solidarity. mronline.org Despite a deep economic recession, a profound political crisis and international sanctions that have ravaged its health sector, the South American nation of Venezuela is demonstrating that prioritising lives is possible in the battle against COVID-19.

news.un (2020-04-14). Colombia: Security Council hears of 'epidemic of violence' against civil society and ex-combatants. news.un.org While political actors in Colombia are uniting to confront COVID-19, they must also work together to fight "the epidemic of violence" against civil society leaders, human rights defenders and former combatants, the head of the UN mission in the country said on Tuesday during a Security Council meeting held by videoconference.

Alan Macleod (2020-04-13). Exactly 18 Years After US Coup Against Venezuela, Pompeo and Abrams Warn Another is Coming. mintpressnews.com US regime change cheerleaders Mike Pompeo and Elliot Abrams warned Venezuala's government not to resist the upcoming implementation of a "transitional government."

Fight Back (2020-04-13). Interview with Tom Burke of FRSO on Trump's war moves against Venezuela. fightbacknews.org Fight Back! interviewed Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) Organizational Secretary Tom Burke, who led the FRSO labor delegation to Venezuela on March 8. | Francisco Torrealba, president of the Venezuelan Transport Workers Federation, elected Venezuelan National Assembly member, and important leader of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) invited Burke and four Teamsters to see for themselves the changes happening in Venezuela. | Fight Back!: Why did President Trump order U.S. Navy ships to patrol near Venezuela? | Tom Burke: It is a military provocation by the U.S., and it is dangerous. Preside…

teleSUR (2020-04-13). Venezuela and Iran Strengthen Ties Against US Sanctions. telesurenglish.net Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani spoke over the phone Monday in order to strengthen cooperation and brotherhood in the face of the illegal unilateral measures imposed by the United States on both nations. | RELATED: | Both leaders "are evaluating making a common front to fight against the imperial sanctions that affect our nations," the Venezuelan president wrote on his Twi…

Federico Fuentes (2020-04-13). Community organisation key to fighting COVID-19. mronline.org While, by April 9, Brazil to its east had registered more than 16,000 cases and 822 deaths and Colombia to its west, had seen its tally climb above 2000 cases and 54 deaths, Venezuela had only recorded 167 cases and 9 deaths.

Fight Back (2020-04-12). ILPS U.S. Chapter Stands Firmly with Venezuela. fightbacknews.org Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the International League of Peoples' Struggle – US chapter. | The International League of Peoples' Struggle – US chapter (ILPS US) expresses our deep and genuine solidarity with the people of Venezuela and their government under duly-elected President Nicolas Maduro. We absolutely reject the war mongering of the Donald Trump administration, including the fabricated charges of drug trafficking against President Maduro, the deployment of the U.S. Navy to Venezuela under the flimsy guise of fighting drug trafficking, and the continuing economic san…

Ben Norton (2020-04-08). Billionaire-backed Human Rights Watch lobbies for lethal US sanctions on leftist governments as Covid crisis rages. thegrayzone.com Regime change-hungry HRW is proudly taking credit for crushing new US sanctions on Nicaragua while pushing to escalate Washington's economic…

Anya Parampil (2020-04-03). Ex UN anti-narcotics chief & mob expert says US Treasury running 'mafia racket' against Venezuela. thegrayzone.com Pino Arlacchi, the former Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Drug Control and Prevention, says US is behaving…

Aaron Maté (2020-04-01). Pompeo's 'transition' plan tells Venezuela to suffer into submission. thegrayzone.com Declaring that "Nicolas Maduro will never again govern Venezuela," Mike Pompeo unveils a so-called "transition" plan that tells Venezuelans to…

Joe Emersberger (2020-03-13). No, Venezuela does not have a six child per family policy. zcomm.org I respect UK journalist Andrew Buncombe. As I noted for FAIR last year, he was one of the few corporate journalists who reported on a study linking Trump's financial sanctions on Venezuela to thousands of deaths by the end of 2018. Since 2018, Trump has repeatedly intensified the sanctions and threatened Venezuela with military action,

Venezuela Analysis (2020-02-06). Embassy Protection Collective: "We Are Not the Ones Who Violated the Law" theantimedia.com In this exclusive interview, VA talks to the activists who defended the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington DC ahead of their trial.

2020-04-15: Social Media Postees

Please be social by posting these 'POSTEES' on social media! (Copy the text of the postee below, then paste it on social media and the story images will also appear.)

Threatening Military Intervention in Venezuela During a Pandemic?
Medea Benjamin, Leonardo Flores | commondreams.org | 2020-04-15
Littoral combat ship USS Detroit off the coast of Venezuela. (Photo: US Navy/DoD) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/venevzuela_intervention_coronavirus.png
commondreams.org/views/2020/04/15/threatening-military-intervention-venezuela-during-pandemic?cd-origin=rss

Corporate Media Cover for US Mob Threats Against Venezuela
Lucas Koerner | fair.org | 2020-04-15
The Trump administration unveiled on March 31 a "democratic transition" plan to remove Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from office, in favor of a "council of state" composed of both opposition and ruling party loyalists. | The plan was, however, less an offer to negotiate than a diktat, with the US State Department ( 3/31/20) vowing that "sanctions will remain in effect, and increase, until the Maduro regime accepts a genuine political transition." | Despite the obvious mafioso over…
fair.org/home/corporate-media-cover-for-us-mob-threats-against-venezuela/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=corporate-media-cover-for-us-mob-threats-against-venezuela

Venezuela Has the Lowest Contagion Rate in Latin America
Telesur | globalresearch.ca | 2020-04-15
According to data compiled through April 11, Venezuela had carried out 181,335 COVID-19 tests, which allowed this South American country to detect patients in time and become the Latin American nation with the lowest infection rate. | " President Nicolas Maduro's | …
globalresearch.ca/venezuela-lowest-contagion-rate-latin-america/5709721

Strong 5.4-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Colombia – EMSC
sputniknews.com | 2020-04-15
The incident occurred just a few hundred kilometres from the San Diego volcano. There have so far been no reports about casualties or damages inflicted by the quake.
sputniknews.com/latam/202004151078964165-strong-54-magnitude-earthquake-hits-colombia—emsc/

Colombia: UN Worried About Attacks Against Ex-FARC Members
telesurenglish.net | 2020-04-14
In Colombia, the persecution of former combatants of the ex-guerrilla group FARC-EP persists, even though they are returning to normal life, The Common Alternative Revolutionary Force political party said on Monday. | RELATED: | Killings of Ex-FARC Members Continue in Colombia With Impunity | The United Nations also discussed the recent violence affecting Colombia, as members of the Peace Mission attended a meeting that discussed the latest attacks against the ex-FARC members inside…
telesurenglish.net/news/colombia-farc-denounces-persecution-of-exguerrillas-20200414-0002.html

President Maduro announced 6 new confirmed coronavirus cases for a 181 total–Venezuela moving to massive screenings
Eds. | mronline.org | 2020-04-14
The President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro Moros , reported this Sunday that 6 new positive cases for Covid -19 were recorded in the country, for a total of 181 infected patients and zero [new] fatalities.
mronline.org/2020/04/14/president-maduro-announced-6-new-confirmed-coronavirus-cases-for-a-181-total-venezuela-moving-to-massive-screenings/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=president-maduro-announced-6-new-confirmed-coronavirus-cases-for-a-181-total-venezuela-moving-to-massive-screenings

Venezuela Has the Lowest Contagion Rate in Latin America
telesurenglish.net | 2020-04-14
According to data compiled through April 11, Venezuela had carried out 181,335 COVID-19 tests, which allowed this South American country to detect patients in time and become the Latin American nation with the lowest infection rate. | RELATED: | Venezuela Donates COVID-19 Tests to Caribbean Countries | " President Nicolas Maduro's measures place Venezuela as the…
telesurenglish.net/news/Venezuela-Has-the-Lowest-Contagion-Rate-in-Latin-America-20200414-0012.html

Mural in the West Bank Painted in Honor of Cuba and Venezuela
telesurenglish.net | 2020-04-14
A large mural named "Al Ahrar" (Liberators in Arabic) was painted on a wall in the illegally occupied Palestinian territory of the West Bank in honor of Cuba and Venezuela, local media reported Tuesday. | RELATED: | A Palestinian Guide to Surviving a Quarantine | The stone wall, which measures 10 meters wide by three high, is located on the highest summit of the city of Dura, in the southern West Bank. In Dura, and more generally in Palestine, murals are an important way to showcase the art…
telesurenglish.net/news/Mural-in-the-West-Bank-Painted-in-Honor-of-Cuba-and-Venezuela–20200414-0025.html

IMF Approves Debt Relief for 25 Countries Due to COVID-19
telesurenglish.net | 2020-04-14
To help address the impact of the COVID-19 crisis, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved immediate debt service relief for 25 countries on Monday. | RELATED: | EU Supports Iran, Venezuela Bids for IMF COVID-19 Funds | The decision will allow "a greater share of scarce financial resources to be channeled to the health sector in these times of pandemic," IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said in a statement. | It is expected that the immediate debt service relief will…
telesurenglish.net/news/imf-approves-debt-relief-for-25-countries-to-covid19-20200414-0007.html

Lucha contra COVID-19 refleja amistad profunda entre China y Venezuela
Xinhua News Agency | peoplesworld.org | 2020-04-14
CARACAS (Xinhua)

Combatting COVID-19 through solidarity
Federico Fuentes | mronline.org | 2020-04-14
Despite a deep economic recession, a profound political crisis and international sanctions that have ravaged its health sector, the South American nation of Venezuela is demonstrating that prioritising lives is possible in the battle against COVID-19.
mronline.org/2020/04/14/combatting-covid-19-through-solidarity/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=combatting-covid-19-through-solidarity

Europe: Italy Reports 602 Deaths, France a Fall in ICU Patients
telesurenglish.net | 2020-04-14
The following are the latest developments of the COVID-19 pandemic in European countries. | ROME

Colombia: Security Council hears of 'epidemic of violence' against civil society and ex-combatants
news.un.org | 2020-04-14
While political actors in Colombia are uniting to confront COVID-19, they must also work together to fight "the epidemic of violence" against civil society leaders, human rights defenders and former combatants, the head of the UN mission in the country said on Tuesday during a Security Council meeting held by videoconference.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2020/04/1061732

Venezuela and Iran Strengthen Ties Against US Sanctions
telesurenglish.net | 2020-04-13
Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani spoke over the phone Monday in order to strengthen cooperation and brotherhood in the face of the illegal unilateral measures imposed by the United States on both nations. | RELATED: | Pope Francis Calls for Debt Forgiveness and Ending Sanctions | Both leaders "are evaluating making a common front to fight against the imperial sanctions that affect our nations," the Venezuelan president wrote on his Twi…
telesurenglish.net/news/Venezuela-and-Iran-Strengthen-Ties-Against-US-Sanctions-20200413-0014.html

Exactly 18 Years After US Coup Against Venezuela, Pompeo and Abrams Warn Another is Coming
Alan Macleod | mintpressnews.com | 2020-04-13
US regime change cheerleaders Mike Pompeo and Elliot Abrams warned Venezuala's government not to resist the upcoming implementation of a "transitional government."
mintpressnews.com/18-years-after-us-coup-against-venezuela-us-warns-another-attempt/266598/

Interview with Tom Burke of FRSO on Trump's war moves against Venezuela
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2020-04-13
Fight Back! interviewed Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) Organizational Secretary Tom Burke, who led the FRSO labor delegation to Venezuela on March 8. | Francisco Torrealba, president of the Venezuelan Transport Workers Federation, elected Venezuelan National Assembly member, and important leader of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) invited Burke and four Teamsters to see for themselves the changes happening in Venezuela. | Fight Back!: Why did President Trump order U.S. Navy ships to patrol near Venezuela? | Tom Burke: It is a military provocation by the U.S., and it is dangerous. Preside…
fightbacknews.org/2020/4/13/interview-tom-burke-frso-trump-s-war-moves-against-venezuela

Community organisation key to fighting COVID-19
Federico Fuentes | mronline.org | 2020-04-13
While, by April 9, Brazil to its east had registered more than 16,000 cases and 822 deaths and Colombia to its west, had seen its tally climb above 2000 cases and 54 deaths, Venezuela had only recorded 167 cases and 9 deaths.
mronline.org/2020/04/13/community-organisation-key-to-fighting-covid-19/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=community-organisation-key-to-fighting-covid-19

ILPS U.S. Chapter Stands Firmly with Venezuela
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2020-04-12
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the International League of Peoples' Struggle – US chapter. | The International League of Peoples' Struggle – US chapter (ILPS US) expresses our deep and genuine solidarity with the people of Venezuela and their government under duly-elected President Nicolas Maduro. We absolutely reject the war mongering of the Donald Trump administration, including the fabricated charges of drug trafficking against President Maduro, the deployment of the U.S. Navy to Venezuela under the flimsy guise of fighting drug trafficking, and the continuing economic san…
fightbacknews.org/2020/4/12/ilps-us-chapter-stands-firmly-venezuela

Billionaire-backed Human Rights Watch lobbies for lethal US sanctions on leftist governments as Covid crisis rages
Ben Norton | thegrayzone.com | 2020-04-08
Regime change-hungry HRW is proudly taking credit for crushing new US sanctions on Nicaragua while pushing to escalate Washington's economic…
thegrayzone.com/2020/04/08/billionaire-human-rights-watch-sanctions-nicaragua-venezuela/

Ex UN anti-narcotics chief & mob expert says US Treasury running 'mafia racket' against Venezuela
Anya Parampil | thegrayzone.com | 2020-04-03
Pino Arlacchi, the former Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Drug Control and Prevention, says US is behaving…
thegrayzone.com/2020/04/03/un-narcotics-mob-treasury-running-mafia-venezuela/

Pompeo's 'transition' plan tells Venezuela to suffer into submission
Aaron Maté | thegrayzone.com | 2020-04-01
Declaring that "Nicolas Maduro will never again govern Venezuela," Mike Pompeo unveils a so-called "transition" plan that tells Venezuelans to…
thegrayzone.com/2020/04/01/pompeos-transition-plan-tells-venezuela-to-suffer-into-submission/