Monthly Archives: April 2020

2020-04-29: News Headlines

Adriaan Alsema (2020-04-29). Colombia's great coronavirus exodus. colombiareports.com After years of receiving foreigners, from tourists and immigrants to refugees, the coronavirus pandemic abruptly reversed this trend and triggered a mass exodus from Colombia. The most dramatic migration is…

Adriaan Alsema (2020-04-29). 'Coronavirus used as excuse to roll back Colombia's peace process and democracy'. colombiareports.com President Ivan Duque and his far-right party are using the coronavirus to cover up "assaults" on Colombia's peace process while promoting authoritarianism, the country's peace movement told the United Nations…

Adriaan Alsema (2020-04-29). Colombia's southeast in crisis as coronavirus breaks out and promised medical aid is missing. colombiareports.com The government of Colombia's southeastern Amazonas province urged for help on Tuesday after a coronavirus outbreak almost instantly collapsed its healthcare system. The National Health Institute (INS) reported that the…

Adriaan Alsema (2020-04-29). UN genocide prevention chief looking into Colombia's mass killing of rights defenders. colombiareports.com The United Nations' genocide prevention chief wants to visit Colombia while looking into the ongoing mass killing of human rights defenders, community leaders and demobilized guerrillas. The UN's Special Adviser…

Ajamu Baraka (2020-04-28). Video: Venezuela and the Struggle Against Empire: Ajamu Baraka. globalresearch.ca Black Alliance for Peace National Organizer Ajamu Baraka discussed the role of U.S. activists in stopping the U.S. war machine during "An Inside View of Resistance to US Imperialism in Venezuela and How to Build International Solidarity," a webinar co-hosted …

Barbara Boland (2020-04-28). Is Trump Using the U.S. Military for Regime Change in Venezuela? globalresearch.ca U.S. policy towards Venezuela has been a head-spinning series of contradictions lately, with no end in sight. From placing a bounty on the heads of President Nicolas Maduro and a dozen current and former Venezuelan officials, to upping sanctions and …

(2020-04-28). U.S. uses 'drug' lies to menace Venezuela. workers.org By Raymond Tyler During a time when thousands are dying every day in the United States of COVID-19 and resources are dwindling, the United States has found the resources and money to plant "anti-drug" navy ships off the Venezuelan coast and threaten that country's leaders with arrest. The Pentagon ordered . . . |

Fight Back (2020-04-28). Venezuela: Solidarity vs. COVID-19 (and Capital). fightbacknews.org Chicago, IL – These are hard days for people the world over. The COVID-19 virus has forced billions of people to stay at home, bringing the global economy to a near standstill. At the moment of writing, nearly 3 million people have been confirmed to have COVID-19 across the world, and over 200,000 people have died. | It is in a crisis like this that society is tested, that the strength of human organization must prove itself. And if there is one thing that every American can see, it is that our society has failed this test. "American exceptionalism" means that our economy and our way of life is superior, that it…

teleSUR (2020-04-28). Venezuela Leads Region in COVID-19 Tests Per Million People. telesurenglish.net Venezuela has become the country with most screening tests for COVID-19 per million inhabitants in Latin America and the Caribbean, Minister of Communication and Information Jorge Rodriguez announced Tuesday. | RELATED: | "Venezuela is the country in Latin America and the Caribbean that has carried out the most tests per million inhabitants. Today we are above 15,500 tests per million inhabitants," Rodriguez said duri…

teleSUR (2020-04-28). Colombia: Bus Crowds Mark Gradual Opening Since Quarantine. telesurenglish.net The cities of Cali, Barranquilla and Bucaramanga in Colombia reported rush hour crowds at bus stops following the gradual reopening of the country's lockdown. | RELATED: | Although in the capital, Bogotá, and in Medellín, Monday went by normally, those other cities were saturated with public transport, with an increase in users of between 9 and 32 percent. | During the course of the day, congestion decreased, Secretary of…

Adriaan Alsema (2020-04-28). Francisco Barbosa: Colombia's saddest excuse for a chief prosecutor ever? colombiareports.com The fine for violating Colombia's quarantine is $230 (COP935,320), unless President Ivan Duque thinks you're mean and trumped up charges could send you to prison for eight years. In chief…

Venezuelanalysis (2020-04-27). Venezuela Rolls out Cabinet Change, Economic Measures to Combat Inflation. venezuelanalysis.com Measures include a 60 percent wage increase and a push to bring food prices under control.

Lucas Koerner (2020-04-23). Venezuela: Guaido to Use Funds Frozen in US to Pay Loyalists $5000 Monthly Salaries. venezuelanalysis.com Pro-Guaido lawmakers and diplomats will take nearly a third of an $80 million "Liberation Fund."

Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz (2020-04-22). Trump Administration Orders Chevron to Shutter Venezuela Operations. venezuelanalysis.com The latest measures followed reports of fresh dialogue between the government and the opposition.

Paul Dobson (2020-04-20). US 'Plunders' $342m of Venezuelan Funds as COVID-19 Hotspot Breaks Out at Baseball Academy. venezuelanalysis.com The money has been transferred from a Venezuelan Central Bank account at Citibank to an account at the US Federal Reserve.

Max Blumenthal (2020-04-16). Coronavirus stimulus bill funds State Dept/USAID operations that once helped trigger polio outbreak in Syria. thegrayzone.com A look at recent USAID schemes from Pakistan to Syria shows US empire can be very hazardous to your health….

Ricardo Vaz (2020-04-16). Venezuelan Crude Production Falls amid Coronavirus Crisis. venezuelanalysis.com The Caribbean country has seen worsening gasoline shortages as the US ramps up secondary sanctions.

Whitney Webb (2020-04-14). Driven By The Dramatic Collapse Of US Shale, The Trump Administration Takes Aim At Venezuela. thelastamericanvagabond.com President Trump has claimed that the U.S. no longer needs foreign oil and is "energy independent." Yet, now the U.S. shale oil industry faces near total ruin, meaning that another "war for oil" could be in our future. With Trump again taking aim at Venezuela, we may be closer to war than we think. On …

Paul Dobson (2020-04-13). Venezuela Extends COVID-19 Quarantine as Pope Criticizes Sanctions. venezuelanalysis.com This is the first time the Pontiff has spoken out against the measures.

Lucas Koerner (2020-04-08). European Left Slams EU Support for Trump's Venezuela 'Transition' Plan. venezuelanalysis.com The European Union took "positive note" of Washington's initiative.

Paul Dobson (2020-04-06). Venezuela Braces for Migrant Return as Coronavirus Rattles Latin America. venezuelanalysis.com The Caribbean country's 159 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 7 deaths is considerably lower than its neighbours' tallies.

Ricardo Vaz and Lucas Koerner (2020-04-02). US Sends Navy Ships to Caribbean in 'Anti-Drug' Mission Targeting Venezuela. venezuelanalysis.com Venezuela denounced an attack on one of its naval vessels in recent days.

Lucas Koerner (2020-03-31). Venezuela Blasts US 'Transition' Plan as 'Tutelage'. venezuelanalysis.com Washington has threatened to "increase" crippling sanctions until Caracas accepts the deal.

Paul Dobson (2020-03-30). Rosneft Dodges US Sanctions by Transferring Venezuela Operations to Russian State Firm. venezuelanalysis.com Moscow insists that its support for the Venezuelan government and role in its oil industry will remain unchanged.

Ricardo Vaz (2020-03-29). Former Venezuelan General Hands Himself over to US Authorities. venezuelanalysis.com Cliver Alcala had recently confessed to plotting a coup against the Venezuelan government.

Ricardo Vaz (2020-03-27). [UPDATED] Venezuela Registers First Coronavirus Deaths. venezuelanalysis.com There are 113 diagnosed cases as of Friday evening.

Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz (2020-03-26). Venezuela Dismisses US Justice Department 'Narco-terrorism' Accusations. venezuelanalysis.com Cliver Alcala, also indicted, confessed to organizing a coup plot against the Maduro government.

Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz (2020-03-25). UN, EU Urge Venezuela Sanctions Relief as Coronavirus Outbreak Intensifies. venezuelanalysis.com The South American nation has 91 reported COVID-19 cases so far.

Susan Price (2020-04-28). Venezuela: Bolivarian Revolution stopping COVID-19 in its tracks. greenleft.org.au

Ben Norton (2020-04-20). Human Rights Watch cabildea por sanciones letales contra Nicaragua y Venezuela, mientras arrecia la crisis de Covid-19. thegrayzone.com Human Rights Watch está orgullosamente asumiendo el crédito por sanciones devastadoras contra Nicaragua, mientras busca escalar la guerra económica en…

Paul Dobson (2020-03-23). Venezuela Suspends Rent Payments, Protects Wages as Coronavirus Cases Rise to 77. venezuelanalysis.com The economic measures come as the country enters its seventh day of national lockdown.

Ricardo Vaz (2020-03-18). IMF Rejects Venezuela Emergency Fund Appeal. venezuelanalysis.com The Maduro government asked for a $5 billion loan to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

Paul Dobson (2020-03-17). [UPDATED] Venezuela Imposes Nationwide Lockdown to Combat Coronavirus. venezuelanalysis.com The rising number of cases has forced a full quarantine across the country.

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,

Ricardo Vaz and Lucas Koerner (2020-03-12). [UPDATED] Venezuela Confirms Coronavirus Cases as US Slaps New Sanctions. venezuelanalysis.com The Venezuelan president denounced the difficulties caused by US sanctions in tackling coronavirus.

Ricardo Vaz (2020-03-11). Venezuela Oil Output Steadies as Prices Tumble. venezuelanalysis.com Sanctions and a fall in oil prices could threaten Venezuela's main source of foreign currency.

Paul Dobson (2020-03-09). Venezuela: Nearly 50,000 Voting Machines Burnt in 'Terrorist Attack'. venezuelanalysis.com An unknown hard-right militant group has claimed responsibility for the fire which destroyed 99 percent of the country's automated machines.

Ricardo Vaz (2020-03-05). Venezuela's PDVSA to Restart Production in Joint Ventures Despite Sanctions. venezuelanalysis.com Petrocedeño and Petromonagas facilities will be converted into blending plants.

Paul Dobson (2020-03-02). Venezuela Adopts Preventative Measures as Coronavirus Spreads in Latin America. venezuelanalysis.com No cases have been confirmed in the country so far, but fears concerning the capacity of Venezuela's sanctions-battered health system to respond remain.

Ricardo Vaz (2020-02-27). Venezuelan Foreign Minister Denounces Sanctions at UN as Trump Issues New Threats. venezuelanalysis.com Trump said there could be "serious sanctions" in the near future.

Paul Dobson (2020-02-24). Venezuela: Presidential Commission to Restructure Oil Industry. venezuelanalysis.com The vital industry will now be overseen by Economy Vice President Tareck El Aissami in efforts to increase output.

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.

2020-04-29: 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.)

Colombia's great coronavirus exodus
Adriaan Alsema | colombiareports.com | 2020-04-29
After years of receiving foreigners, from tourists and immigrants to refugees, the coronavirus pandemic abruptly reversed this trend and triggered a mass exodus from Colombia. The most dramatic migration is…
colombiareports.com/colombias-great-coronavirus-exodus/

'Coronavirus used as excuse to roll back Colombia's peace process and democracy'
Adriaan Alsema | colombiareports.com | 2020-04-29
President Ivan Duque and his far-right party are using the coronavirus to cover up "assaults" on Colombia's peace process while promoting authoritarianism, the country's peace movement told the United Nations…
colombiareports.com/coronavirus-used-as-excuse-to-roll-back-colombias-peace-process-and-democracy/

Colombia's southeast in crisis as coronavirus breaks out and promised medical aid is missing
Adriaan Alsema | colombiareports.com | 2020-04-29
The government of Colombia's southeastern Amazonas province urged for help on Tuesday after a coronavirus outbreak almost instantly collapsed its healthcare system. The National Health Institute (INS) reported that the…
colombiareports.com/colombias-southeast-in-crisis-as-coronavirus-breaks-out-and-promised-medical-aid-is-missing/

UN genocide prevention chief looking into Colombia's mass killing of rights defenders
Adriaan Alsema | colombiareports.com | 2020-04-29
The United Nations' genocide prevention chief wants to visit Colombia while looking into the ongoing mass killing of human rights defenders, community leaders and demobilized guerrillas. The UN's Special Adviser…
colombiareports.com/un-genocide-prevention-chief-looking-into-colombias-mass-killing-of-rights-defenders/

Video: Venezuela and the Struggle Against Empire: Ajamu Baraka
Ajamu Baraka | globalresearch.ca | 2020-04-28
Black Alliance for Peace National Organizer Ajamu Baraka discussed the role of U.S. activists in stopping the U.S. war machine during "An Inside View of Resistance to US Imperialism in Venezuela and How to Build International Solidarity," a webinar co-hosted …
globalresearch.ca/video-contradictory-role-u-s-left-struggle-against-empire/5711074

Colombia: Bus Crowds Mark Gradual Opening Since Quarantine
telesurenglish.net | 2020-04-28
The cities of Cali, Barranquilla and Bucaramanga in Colombia reported rush hour crowds at bus stops following the gradual reopening of the country's lockdown. | RELATED: | Hunger Protests Grow in Colombia Amid Coronavirus Lockdown | Although in the capital, Bogotá, and in Medellín, Monday went by normally, those other cities were saturated with public transport, with an increase in users of between 9 and 32 percent. | During the course of the day, congestion decreased, Secretary of…
telesurenglish.net/news/colombia-bus-crowds-mark-gradual-opening-of-quarantine-20200428-0007.html

Is Trump Using the U.S. Military for Regime Change in Venezuela?
Barbara Boland | globalresearch.ca | 2020-04-28
U.S. policy towards Venezuela has been a head-spinning series of contradictions lately, with no end in sight. From placing a bounty on the heads of President Nicolas Maduro and a dozen current and former Venezuelan officials, to upping sanctions and …
globalresearch.ca/trump-using-u-s-military-regime-change-venezuela/5711130

U.S. uses 'drug' lies to menace Venezuela
| workers.org | 2020-04-28
By Raymond Tyler During a time when thousands are dying every day in the United States of COVID-19 and resources are dwindling, the United States has found the resources and money to plant "anti-drug" navy ships off the Venezuelan coast and threaten that country's leaders with arrest. The Pentagon ordered . . . | Continue reading U.S. uses 'drug' lies to menace Venezuela at Workers.org
workers.org/2020/04/47988/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=u-s-uses-drug-lies-to-menace-venezuela

Venezuela: Solidarity vs. COVID-19 (and Capital)
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2020-04-28
Chicago, IL – These are hard days for people the world over. The COVID-19 virus has forced billions of people to stay at home, bringing the global economy to a near standstill. At the moment of writing, nearly 3 million people have been confirmed to have COVID-19 across the world, and over 200,000 people have died. | It is in a crisis like this that society is tested, that the strength of human organization must prove itself. And if there is one thing that every American can see, it is that our society has failed this test. "American exceptionalism" means that our economy and our way of life is superior, that it…
www.fightbacknews.org/2020/4/28/venezuela-solidarity-vs-covid-19-and-capital

Venezuela Leads Region in COVID-19 Tests Per Million People
telesurenglish.net | 2020-04-28
Venezuela has become the country with most screening tests for COVID-19 per million inhabitants in Latin America and the Caribbean, Minister of Communication and Information Jorge Rodriguez announced Tuesday. | RELATED: | Brazil and Colombia Are Epidemiological Threats to Venezuela | "Venezuela is the country in Latin America and the Caribbean that has carried out the most tests per million inhabitants. Today we are above 15,500 tests per million inhabitants," Rodriguez said duri…
telesurenglish.net/news/Venezuela-Leads-Region-in-COVID-19-Tests-Per-Million-People-20200428-0021.html

Francisco Barbosa: Colombia's saddest excuse for a chief prosecutor ever?
Adriaan Alsema | colombiareports.com | 2020-04-28
The fine for violating Colombia's quarantine is $230 (COP935,320), unless President Ivan Duque thinks you're mean and trumped up charges could send you to prison for eight years. In chief…
colombiareports.com/francisco-barbosa-colombias-saddest-excuse-for-a-chief-prosecutor-ever/

COVID-19 Is Exacerbating Food Crisis in Haiti: UN
telesurenglish.net | 2020-04-27
More than four million Haitians, almost a third of the island's population, are in need of emergency food assistance, the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) warned Friday, highlighting that the COVID-19 crisis has worsened the situation. | RELATED: | Hunger Protests Grow in Colombia Amid Coronavirus Lockdown | "The situation was already very worrying in Haiti, but it has worsened with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced the closure of ports and airports, as well as school…
telesurenglish.net/news/COVID-19-Is-Exacerbzting-the-Food-Crisis-in-Haiti-UN-20200427-0015.html

Venezuela Rolls out Cabinet Change, Economic Measures to Combat Inflation
venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-04-27
Measures include a 60 percent wage increase and a push to bring food prices under control.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14855

Venezuela: Guaido to Use Funds Frozen in US to Pay Loyalists $5000 Monthly Salaries
Lucas Koerner | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-04-23
Pro-Guaido lawmakers and diplomats will take nearly a third of an $80 million "Liberation Fund."
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14853

Trump Administration Orders Chevron to Shutter Venezuela Operations
Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-04-22
The latest measures followed reports of fresh dialogue between the government and the opposition.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14852

US 'Plunders' $342m of Venezuelan Funds as COVID-19 Hotspot Breaks Out at Baseball Academy
Paul Dobson | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-04-20
The money has been transferred from a Venezuelan Central Bank account at Citibank to an account at the US Federal Reserve.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14850

Coronavirus stimulus bill funds State Dept/USAID operations that once helped trigger polio outbreak in Syria
Max Blumenthal | thegrayzone.com | 2020-04-16
A look at recent USAID schemes from Pakistan to Syria shows US empire can be very hazardous to your health….
thegrayzone.com/2020/04/16/coronavirus-stimulus-state-usaid-polio-syria/

Venezuelan Crude Production Falls amid Coronavirus Crisis
Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-04-16
The Caribbean country has seen worsening gasoline shortages as the US ramps up secondary sanctions.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14847

Driven By The Dramatic Collapse Of US Shale, The Trump Administration Takes Aim At Venezuela
Whitney Webb | thelastamericanvagabond.com | 2020-04-14
President Trump has claimed that the U.S. no longer needs foreign oil and is "energy independent." Yet, now the U.S. shale oil industry faces near total ruin, meaning that another "war for oil" could be in our future. With Trump again taking aim at Venezuela, we may be closer to war than we think. On …
thelastamericanvagabond.com/foreign-policy/driven-dramatic-collapse-us-shale-trump-administration-takes-aim-venezuela/

Venezuela Extends COVID-19 Quarantine as Pope Criticizes Sanctions
Paul Dobson | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-04-13
This is the first time the Pontiff has spoken out against the measures.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14842

European Left Slams EU Support for Trump's Venezuela 'Transition' Plan
Lucas Koerner | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-04-08
The European Union took "positive note" of Washington's initiative.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14839

Venezuela Braces for Migrant Return as Coronavirus Rattles Latin America
Paul Dobson | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-04-06
The Caribbean country's 159 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 7 deaths is considerably lower than its neighbours' tallies.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14835

US Sends Navy Ships to Caribbean in 'Anti-Drug' Mission Targeting Venezuela
Ricardo Vaz and Lucas Koerner | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-04-02
Venezuela denounced an attack on one of its naval vessels in recent days.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14832

Venezuela Blasts US 'Transition' Plan as 'Tutelage'
Lucas Koerner | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-03-31
Washington has threatened to "increase" crippling sanctions until Caracas accepts the deal.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14830

Rosneft Dodges US Sanctions by Transferring Venezuela Operations to Russian State Firm
Paul Dobson | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-03-30
Moscow insists that its support for the Venezuelan government and role in its oil industry will remain unchanged.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14829

Former Venezuelan General Hands Himself over to US Authorities
Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-03-29
Cliver Alcala had recently confessed to plotting a coup against the Venezuelan government.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14827

Venezuela: Bolivarian Revolution stopping COVID-19 in its tracks
Susan Price | greenleft.org.au | 2020-04-28
Healthcare Nelson DávilaIssue 1263 Venezuela COVID-19 Bolivarian revolution CaracasApril 28, 2020At the time of writing, 37 day…
greenleft.org.au/content/venezuela-bolivarian-revolution-stopping-covid-19-its-tracks

Human Rights Watch cabildea por sanciones letales contra Nicaragua y Venezuela, mientras arrecia la crisis de Covid-19
Ben Norton | thegrayzone.com | 2020-04-20
Human Rights Watch está orgullosamente asumiendo el crédito por sanciones devastadoras contra Nicaragua, mientras busca escalar la guerra económica en…
thegrayzone.com/2020/04/20/human-rights-watch-sanciones-nicaragua-venezuela/