Daily Archives: May 2, 2020

2020-05-02: News Headlines

Adriaan Alsema (2020-05-02). Paranoid Colombia: even Duque's former chief of staff target of military spying. colombiareports.com Colombia's military used US resources to spy on American journalists, local NGO's and politicians, and even President Ivan Duque's former chief of staff, according to weekly Semana. Weekly Semana on…

teleSUR (2020-05-01). Colombia: Protests Over Lack of Food Aid Persist. telesurenglish.net Colombian protests continue due to a lack of food aid and financial help. Bogota citizens demonstrated and blocked roads despite COVID-19 preventive measures. | RELATED: | As local news media reported, Barrio Quindío inhabitants gathered at the San Cristobal locality. Crowds surpassed 20 people. Protesters stated their will not to use violent demonstrations and requested Bogota's mayor presence. | Claudia Lopez, Bogo…

Adriaan Alsema (2020-05-01). Colombia vows to pay health workers' back payment 6 weeks into state of emergency. colombiareports.com Colombia's health minister said Thursday he will pay health workers' back payments amid confusion over where the $1.5 billion promised by President Ivan Duque six weeks ago went. In Duque's…

Zero Hedge (2020-05-01). Pompeo Demands Countries Block Airspace to Iran's 'Terrorist Airline' After Venezuela Deliveries. globalresearch.ca The US is going on the offensive once again against Venezuela, this time attempting to break up growing Iranian cooperation and assistance to Caracas. The two so-called 'rogue states' recently targeted for US-imposed regime change are helping each other fight …

teleSUR (2020-05-01). Colombia: Medical Team to Assist Villavicencio Prison Inmates. telesurenglish.net Colombia's National Penitentiary and Prison Institute (INPEC) Thursday decided to send a medical team to the Villavicencio prison, a public facility located in the Meta department that has 1,738 inmates and at least 421 COVID-19 cases. | RELATED: | "They will have to ensure that the social isolation protocol is respected," the INPEC Director Norberto Mujica said. | He also explained that the Penitentiary Services Unit will be in charge of hi…

Adriaan Alsema (2020-04-30). How to turn Colombia's prisons into coronavirus death camps and stay positive. colombiareports.com It took months of inaction, but Colombia's government finally turned Villavicencio's prison into the perfect coronavirus petri dish from where its prison chief infected at least three more prisons. The…

Adriaan Alsema (2020-04-30). ELN ends coronavirus ceasefire weeks ahead of expected peak in infections. colombiareports.com Despite calls for an extension, Colombia's ELN rebels end their unilateral ceasefire on Thursday, claiming that military offensives demonstrated President Ivan Duque is not interested in peace or in combating…

teleSUR (2020-04-30). Colombia: Hunger Protests Continue Amid Pandemic. telesurenglish.net Colombian protests continued due to the food crisis and lack of governmental help during COVID-19 outbreak across the South American country. | RELATED: | In Ibague, several families demonstrated demanding humanitarian aid from Tolima's Mayor Office, despite social isolation measures to prevent the virus from spreading. Furthermore, the Las Ferias neighborhood residents blocked a street entrance and burned tires…

Adriaan Alsema (2020-04-30). Duque's approval rating surges to 52%, opponents see support skyrocket. colombiareports.com The approval rating of Colombia's President Ivan Duque surged to a record 52% in April after reaching an all-time low of 23% in February, according to pollster Invamer / Gallup….

Alan MacLeod (2020-05-01). Groundhog Day: Juan Guaidó Is Trying to Overthrow the Venezuelan Government Again. thealtworld.com One year since his audacious coup attempt failed spectacularly, Guaidó is once again trying to overthrow the government of Nicolas Maduro. | MPN— Exactly one year since his audacious coup attempt failed spectacularly, self-declared Venezuelan president Juan Guaidó is once again trying to overthrow the government of Nicolas Maduro. "Today I speak to the patriotic soldiers of our Armed Forces who rebelled against hunger and destruction and sided with the constitution," he

Ricardo Vaz and Lucas Koerner (2020-04-30). US to Mobilize Military Reservists in 'Anti-Drug' Operation Against Venezuela. venezuelanalysis.com The Trump administration is also targeting oil-for-food deals involving the Venezuelan government and Mexican companies.

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.

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.

sputniknews (2020-05-02). Tehran Denies US Envoy's Claims About Iran Helping Venezuela in Exchange for Gold. sputniknews.com The US special envoy for Venezuela earlier claimed that Iran has been helping Venezuela to restore its oil refineries, crippled by American sanctions, in exchange for gold. The official, however, presented no evidence to support his claims.

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…

Zero Hedge (2020-05-01). Pompeo Demands Countries Block Airspace To Iran's 'Terrorist Airline' After Venezuela Deliveries. iranian.com The US is going on the offensive once again against Venezuela, this time attempting to break up growing Iranian cooperation and assistance to Caracas. The two so-called 'rogue states' recently targeted for US-imposed regime change are helping each other fight coronavirus as well as Washington-led sanctions. Specifically, Tehran has ramped up cargo deliveries related getting Venezuela's …

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.

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.

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.

2020-05-02: 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.)

Paranoid Colombia: even Duque's former chief of staff target of military spying
Adriaan Alsema | colombiareports.com | 2020-05-02
Colombia's military used US resources to spy on American journalists, local NGO's and politicians, and even President Ivan Duque's former chief of staff, according to weekly Semana. Weekly Semana on…
colombiareports.com/paranoid-colombia-even-duques-former-chief-of-staff-target-of-military-spying/

Colombia: Medical Team to Assist Villavicencio Prison Inmates
telesurenglish.net | 2020-05-01
Colombia's National Penitentiary and Prison Institute (INPEC) Thursday decided to send a medical team to the Villavicencio prison, a public facility located in the Meta department that has 1,738 inmates and at least 421 COVID-19 cases. | RELATED: | Colombia: Hunger Protests Continue Amid Pandemic | "They will have to ensure that the social isolation protocol is respected," the INPEC Director Norberto Mujica said. | He also explained that the Penitentiary Services Unit will be in charge of hi…
telesurenglish.net/news/colombia-medical-team-to-assist-villavicencio-prison-inmates-20200501-0008.html

Colombia: Protests Over Lack of Food Aid Persist
telesurenglish.net | 2020-05-01
Colombian protests continue due to a lack of food aid and financial help. Bogota citizens demonstrated and blocked roads despite COVID-19 preventive measures. | RELATED: | Colombia: Medical Team to Assist Villavicencio Prison Inmates | As local news media reported, Barrio Quindío inhabitants gathered at the San Cristobal locality. Crowds surpassed 20 people. Protesters stated their will not to use violent demonstrations and requested Bogota's mayor presence. | Claudia Lopez, Bogo…
telesurenglish.net/news/colombia-protests-over-lack-of-food-aid-persist-20200501-0009.html

Groundhog Day: Juan Guaidó Is Trying to Overthrow the Venezuelan Government Again
Alan MacLeod | thealtworld.com | 2020-05-01
One year since his audacious coup attempt failed spectacularly, Guaidó is once again trying to overthrow the government of Nicolas Maduro. | MPN– Exactly one year since his audacious coup attempt failed spectacularly, self-declared Venezuelan president Juan Guaidó is once again trying to overthrow the government of Nicolas Maduro. "Today I speak to the patriotic soldiers of our Armed Forces who rebelled against hunger and destruction and sided with the constitution," he announced on social media last night, "To the…
thealtworld.com/alan_macleod/groundhog-day-juan-guaido-is-trying-to-overthrow-the-venezuelan-government-again

Groundhog Day: Juan Guaidó Is Trying to Overthrow the Venezuelan Government Again
Alan Macleod | mintpressnews.com | 2020-05-01
Exactly one year since his audacious coup attempt failed spectacularly, self-declared Venezuelan president Juan Guaidó is once again trying to overthrow the government of Nicolas Maduro. "Today I speak to the patriotic soldiers of our Armed Forces who rebelled against hunger and destruction and sided with the constitution," he announced on social media last night,…
mintpressnews.com/juan-guaido-trying-to-overthrow-venezuela-government/267201/

Pompeo Demands Countries Block Airspace to Iran's 'Terrorist Airline' After Venezuela Deliveries
Zero Hedge | globalresearch.ca | 2020-05-01
The US is going on the offensive once again against Venezuela, this time attempting to break up growing Iranian cooperation and assistance to Caracas. The two so-called 'rogue states' recently targeted for US-imposed regime change are helping each other fight …
globalresearch.ca/pompeo-demands-countries-block-airspace-iran-terrorist-airline-after-venezuela-deliveries/5711461

Colombia vows to pay health workers' back payment 6 weeks into state of emergency
Adriaan Alsema | colombiareports.com | 2020-05-01
Colombia's health minister said Thursday he will pay health workers' back payments amid confusion over where the $1.5 billion promised by President Ivan Duque six weeks ago went. In Duque's…
colombiareports.com/colombia-vows-to-pay-health-workers-back-payment-6-weeks-into-state-of-emergency/

How to turn Colombia's prisons into coronavirus death camps and stay positive
Adriaan Alsema | colombiareports.com | 2020-04-30
It took months of inaction, but Colombia's government finally turned Villavicencio's prison into the perfect coronavirus petri dish from where its prison chief infected at least three more prisons. The…
colombiareports.com/how-to-turn-colombias-prisons-into-coronavirus-death-camps-and-stay-positive/

ELN ends coronavirus ceasefire weeks ahead of expected peak in infections
Adriaan Alsema | colombiareports.com | 2020-04-30
Despite calls for an extension, Colombia's ELN rebels end their unilateral ceasefire on Thursday, claiming that military offensives demonstrated President Ivan Duque is not interested in peace or in combating…
colombiareports.com/eln-ends-coronavirus-ceasefire-weeks-ahead-of-expected-peak-in-infections/

Colombia: Hunger Protests Continue Amid Pandemic
telesurenglish.net | 2020-04-30
Colombian protests continued due to the food crisis and lack of governmental help during COVID-19 outbreak across the South American country. | RELATED: | Colombia: Gunmen Kill Social Leader and Family Members in Cauca | In Ibague, several families demonstrated demanding humanitarian aid from Tolima's Mayor Office, despite social isolation measures to prevent the virus from spreading. Furthermore, the Las Ferias neighborhood residents blocked a street entrance and burned tires…
telesurenglish.net/news/colombia-hunger-protests-continue-amid-pandemic-20200430-0013.html

US to Mobilize Military Reservists in 'Anti-Drug' Operation Against Venezuela
Ricardo Vaz and Lucas Koerner | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-04-30
The Trump administration is also targeting oil-for-food deals involving the Venezuelan government and Mexican companies.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14857

Duque's approval rating surges to 52%, opponents see support skyrocket
Adriaan Alsema | colombiareports.com | 2020-04-30
The approval rating of Colombia's President Ivan Duque surged to a record 52% in April after reaching an all-time low of 23% in February, according to pollster Invamer / Gallup….
colombiareports.com/duques-approval-rating-surges-to-52-opponents-see-support-skyrocket/

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

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

Tehran Denies US Envoy's Claims About Iran Helping Venezuela in Exchange for Gold
sputniknews.com | 2020-05-02
The US special envoy for Venezuela earlier claimed that Iran has been helping Venezuela to restore its oil refineries, crippled by American sanctions, in exchange for gold. The official, however, presented no evidence to support his claims.
sputniknews.com/world/202005021079171493-tehran-denies-us-envoys-claims-about-iran-helping-venezuela-in-exchange-for-gold/

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/

Pompeo Demands Countries Block Airspace To Iran's 'Terrorist Airline' After Venezuela Deliveries
Zero Hedge | iranian.com | 2020-05-01
The US is going on the offensive once again against Venezuela, this time attempting to break up growing Iranian cooperation and assistance to Caracas. The two so-called 'rogue states' recently targeted for US-imposed regime change are helping each other fight coronavirus as well as Washington-led sanctions. Specifically, Tehran has ramped up cargo deliveries related getting Venezuela's …
iranian.com/2020/04/30/pompeo-demands-countries-block-airspace-to-irans-terrorist-airline-after-venezuela-deliveries/