Daily Archives: May 5, 2020

2020-05-05: News Headlines

Vijay Prashad, Paola Estrada, Ana Maldonado, and Zoe PC (2020-05-05). Defeat of a Dirty Military Incursion into Venezuela on a Sunday Morning. counterpunch.org In the early morning hours of Sunday, May 3, speedboats left the Colombian coastlines and headed toward Venezuela. These boats had no authorization to cross the maritime border. They landed on the Venezuelan coastline at La Guaira. This was clearly a hostile action, since the boats carried heavy weaponry, including assault rifles and ammunition; the people on the boats possessed satellite phones as well as uniforms and helmets with the flag of the United States of America.

Steve Sweeney (2020-05-05). Venezuela says U.S. behind another attempted coup this past weekend. peoplesworld.org Washington has been accused of orchestrating a coup attempt against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro after the police and armed forces stopped "a terrorist group" entering the country by sea on Sunday. President of Venezuela's constituent assembly Diosdado Cabello Rondón described the attack as "a coup financed from the United States, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) …

RT (2020-05-05). Maduro says 2 Americans 'on Trump's security team' were among 'mercenaries' behind failed invasion attempt. rt.com Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro claimed that two US citizens were captured along with a group of "mercenaries" Caracas accused of trying to infiltrate the Latin American nation in order to assassinate him. | Also on rt.com | | "Among those captured are the traitor Antonio Sequea and a citizen with the last name Baduel, who stated that two Americans from Donald Trump's security team were in the raiding group," Maduro's office twee…

Prensa Latina (2020-05-05). Venezuela denuncia serie de acciones de EE.UU y Colombia. peoplesworld.org CARACAS, 5 may (Prensa Latina) El Ministerio Público denunció hoy que el intento de invasión del pasado domingo a Venezuela forma parte de una serie de acciones preparadas y financiadas por Colombia y Estados Unidos para derrocar al presidente Nicolás Maduro. En la cuenta oficial de esa institución, en la red social Twitter, se anuncian …

en.mehrnews (2020-05-05). Venezuela arrests 13 mercenaries, incl. two Americans, for incursion attempt. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 05 (MNA) — Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said that 13 mercenaries including two US citizens working with an American military veteran who has earlier claimed responsibility for a recent marine incursion attempt into Venezuela have been arrested.

Nic de la Riva (2020-05-05). Paramilitary invasions in Venezuela: Made in USA. liberationnews.org Attempted invasion taken care of swiftly and efficiently by the Venezuelan government.

Federico Fuentes (2020-05-05). Bolivia vs Venezuela: COVID-19 response reveals true nature of governments. mronline.org Government responses to the COVID-19 pandemic have put into sharp relief their true nature. This is perhaps no more evident than when we compare Bolivia and Venezuela.

WSWS (2020-05-05). Washington and its puppet Guaidó implicated in armed attacks on Venezuela. wsws.org At least two of those captured in the abortive invasion plot have been identified as US citizens.

Adriaan Alsema (2020-05-05). Colombia to call former army chief in for questioning over illegal spying. colombiareports.com Colombia's former army chief will be called in for questioning over his alleged role in spying on journalists, NGOs, opposition politicians and even the president's office, the chief prosecutor said…

Alan Macleod (2020-05-04). New Details Emerge Linking US to Latest Coup Attempt in Venezuela. mintpressnews.com The government of Venezuela is celebrating after thwarting another foreign-backed coup attempt Sunday, just two days after self-declared another coup attempt by "Interim President" Juan Guaidó

Adriaan Alsema (2020-05-04). The narco history of Colombia's security forces | Part 1: Santa Marta. colombiareports.com Colombia's security forces have been involved in the drug trade since the beginning. On the Caribbean coast, cops began extorting marijuana traders in the 1960s and ended up being their…

Paul Dobson (2020-05-04). Venezuela: 45 Killed in Guanare Prison Riot. venezuelanalysis.com The government pledged to investigate the May 1 riot, which it described as an attempted breakout.

Adriaan Alsema (2020-05-04). Colombia's ELN rebels have 'no offensive plans,' during coronavirus crisis. colombiareports.com Colombia's ELN rebels will adopt a defensive strategy during the coronavirus pandemic, according to the guerrilla group's leadership, which urged a bilateral ceasefire. In an interview with Caracol Radio, former…

Adriaan Alsema (2020-05-04). IMF agrees to lend Colombia $10.8B to combat coronavirus crisis. colombiareports.com The International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreed to extend a $10.8 billion flexible credit line (FCL) to Colombia's central bank to bolster its reserves while coping with the economic impact of…

Adriaan Alsema (2020-05-04). Restarting Colombia's economy take 2: regional reactivation. colombiareports.com President Ivan Duque is planning a second push to restart Colombia's economy, this time allowing the reactivation of normal economic activity in regions where the virus hasn't spread. A first…

Peoples Dispatch (2020-05-03). Venezuela thwarts invasion attempt by mercenaries. peoplesdispatch.org The National Bolivarian Armed Forces (FANB) and the National Bolivarian Police repelled an attempted invasion by a group of mercenaries early on May 3, Sunday. The group of mercenaries attempted to enter Venezuela on the coast of the La Guaira State. They arrived in speed boats from Colombia, according to the GPS system of the boats. | In the confrontation, eight mercenaries were killed and two were detained, one of whom has confessed to being an agent of the Drug Enforcement Agency of the United States. Venezuelan security forces also seized large amounts of weaponry, including assault rifles and ammunition, as…

Ricardo Vaz (2020-05-03). Venezuelan Armed Forces: Paramilitary Incursion Neutralized. venezuelanalysis.com Former US green beret Jordan Goudreau, reported to have led preparations for a coup, confirmed the operation.

Joe Emersberger (2020-05-02). Remembering Henri Falcon's May 2018 Presidential campaign in Venezuela. zcomm.org Henri Falcon was a viable candidate — attacked by his own side Venezuela's opposition had a viable candidate in Henri Falcon, a two-time governor of the state of Lara. He was first elected governor of the state of Lara in 2008 as a pro-Chavez candidate.[1] He broke with Chavez in 2010 and was then re-elected

Lucas Koerner (2020-05-02). Former US Special Ops Soldier Led Plot to Invade Venezuela: Sources. venezuelanalysis.com AP reports that the Venezuelan opposition and Colombian authorities were aware of the plan.

Alan Macleod (2020-05-01). Groundhog Day: Juan Guaidó Is Trying to Overthrow the Venezuelan Government Again. mintpressnews.com 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.

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 (2020-04-06). 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.

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.

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.

2020-05-05: 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.)

Defeat of a Dirty Military Incursion into Venezuela on a Sunday Morning
Vijay Prashad, Paola Estrada, Ana Maldonado, and Zoe PC | counterpunch.org | 2020-05-05
In the early morning hours of Sunday, May 3, speedboats left the Colombian coastlines and headed toward Venezuela. These boats had no authorization to cross the maritime border. They landed on the Venezuelan coastline at La Guaira. This was clearly a hostile action, since the boats carried heavy weaponry, including assault rifles and ammunition; the people on the boats possessed satellite phones as well as uniforms and helmets with the flag of the United States of America.
counterpunch.org/2020/05/05/defeat-of-a-dirty-military-incursion-into-venezuela-on-a-sunday-morning/

Venezuela denuncia serie de acciones de EE.UU y Colombia
Prensa Latina | peoplesworld.org | 2020-05-05
CARACAS, 5 may (Prensa Latina) El Ministerio Público denunció hoy que el intento de invasión del pasado domingo a Venezuela forma parte de una serie de acciones preparadas y financiadas por Colombia y Estados Unidos para derrocar al presidente Nicolás Maduro. En la cuenta oficial de esa institución, en la red social Twitter, se anuncian …
peoplesworld.org/article/venezuela-denuncia-serie-de-acciones-de-ee-uu-y-colombia/

Maduro says 2 Americans 'on Trump's security team' were among 'mercenaries' behind failed invasion attempt
rt.com | 2020-05-05
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro claimed that two US citizens were captured along with a group of "mercenaries" Caracas accused of trying to infiltrate the Latin American nation in order to assassinate him. | Also on rt.com | | President's ASSASSINATION was ultimate goal of US/Colombia-staged mercenary invasion of Venezuela

Venezuela says U.S. behind another attempted coup this past weekend
Steve Sweeney | peoplesworld.org | 2020-05-05
Washington has been accused of orchestrating a coup attempt against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro after the police and armed forces stopped "a terrorist group" entering the country by sea on Sunday. President of Venezuela's constituent assembly Diosdado Cabello Rondón described the attack as "a coup financed from the United States, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) …
peoplesworld.org/article/venezuela-says-u-s-behind-another-attempted-coup-this-past-weekend/

Bolivia vs Venezuela: COVID-19 response reveals true nature of governments
Federico Fuentes | mronline.org | 2020-05-05
Government responses to the COVID-19 pandemic have put into sharp relief their true nature. This is perhaps no more evident than when we compare Bolivia and Venezuela.
mronline.org/2020/05/05/bolivia-vs-venezuela-covid-19-response-reveals-true-nature-of-governments/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bolivia-vs-venezuela-covid-19-response-reveals-true-nature-of-governments

Washington and its puppet Guaidó implicated in armed attacks on Venezuela
wsws.org | 2020-05-05
At least two of those captured in the abortive invasion plot have been identified as US citizens.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/05/05/vene-m05.html

Venezuela arrests 13 mercenaries, incl. two Americans, for incursion attempt
en.mehrnews.com | 2020-05-05
TEHRAN, May 05 (MNA)

Paramilitary invasions in Venezuela: Made in USA
Nic de la Riva | liberationnews.org | 2020-05-05
Attempted invasion taken care of swiftly and efficiently by the Venezuelan government.
liberationnews.org/paramilitary-invasions-in-venezuela-made-in-usa/

Colombia to call former army chief in for questioning over illegal spying
Adriaan Alsema | colombiareports.com | 2020-05-05
Colombia's former army chief will be called in for questioning over his alleged role in spying on journalists, NGOs, opposition politicians and even the president's office, the chief prosecutor said…
colombiareports.com/colombia-to-call-former-army-chief-in-for-questioning-over-illegal-spying/

Defeat of a dirty military incursion into Venezuela on a Sunday morning
Vijay Prashad | peoplesdispatch.org | 2020-05-04
A group of mercenaries attempted to invade Venezuela early on Sunday May 3. This is the latest in a series of attacks against the Bolivarian Republic.
peoplesdispatch.org/2020/05/04/defeat-of-a-dirty-military-incursion-into-venezuela-on-a-sunday-morning/

New Details Emerge Linking US to Latest Coup Attempt in Venezuela
Alan Macleod | mintpressnews.com | 2020-05-04
The government of Venezuela is celebrating after thwarting another foreign-backed coup attempt Sunday, just two days after self-declared another coup attempt by "Interim President" Juan Guaidó ended in total failure. A flotilla of small speed boats filled with up to 300 paramilitary units, sailed from their training ground in Colombia heading for a port near the country's capital Caracas, from where they were aiming to kickstart an…
mintpressnews.com/new-details-latest-us-hatched-coup-attempt-venezuela/267224/

Venezuela: 45 Killed in Guanare Prison Riot
Paul Dobson | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-05-04
The government pledged to investigate the May 1 riot, which it described as an attempted breakout.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14863

IMF agrees to lend Colombia $10.8B to combat coronavirus crisis
Adriaan Alsema | colombiareports.com | 2020-05-04
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreed to extend a $10.8 billion flexible credit line (FCL) to Colombia's central bank to bolster its reserves while coping with the economic impact of…
colombiareports.com/imf-agrees-to-lend-colombia-10-8b-to-combat-coronavirus-crisis/

Restarting Colombia's economy take 2: regional reactivation
Adriaan Alsema | colombiareports.com | 2020-05-04
President Ivan Duque is planning a second push to restart Colombia's economy, this time allowing the reactivation of normal economic activity in regions where the virus hasn't spread. A first…
colombiareports.com/restarting-colombias-economy-take-2-regional-reactivation/

Colombia's ELN rebels have 'no offensive plans,' during coronavirus crisis
Adriaan Alsema | colombiareports.com | 2020-05-04
Colombia's ELN rebels will adopt a defensive strategy during the coronavirus pandemic, according to the guerrilla group's leadership, which urged a bilateral ceasefire. In an interview with Caracol Radio, former…
colombiareports.com/colombias-eln-rebels-have-no-offensive-plans-but-defensive-plans-during-coronavirus-crisis/

The narco history of Colombia's security forces | Part 1: Santa Marta
Adriaan Alsema | colombiareports.com | 2020-05-04
Colombia's security forces have been involved in the drug trade since the beginning. On the Caribbean coast, cops began extorting marijuana traders in the 1960s and ended up being their…
colombiareports.com/the-narco-history-of-colombias-security-forces-part-1-santa-marta/

Venezuela thwarts invasion attempt by mercenaries
Peoples Dispatch | peoplesdispatch.org | 2020-05-03
The National Bolivarian Armed Forces (FANB) and the National Bolivarian Police repelled an attempted invasion by a group of mercenaries early on May 3, Sunday. The group of mercenaries attempted to enter Venezuela on the coast of the La Guaira State. They arrived in speed boats from Colombia, according to the GPS system of the boats. | In the confrontation, eight mercenaries were killed and two were detained, one of whom has confessed to being an agent of the Drug Enforcement Agency of the United States. Venezuelan security forces also seized large amounts of weaponry, including assault rifles and ammunition, as…
peoplesdispatch.org/2020/05/03/venezuela-thwarts-invasion-attempt-by-mercenaries/

Venezuelan Armed Forces: Paramilitary Incursion Neutralized
Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-05-03
Former US green beret Jordan Goudreau, reported to have led preparations for a coup, confirmed the operation.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14861

Former US Special Ops Soldier Led Plot to Invade Venezuela: Sources
Lucas Koerner | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-05-02
AP reports that the Venezuelan opposition and Colombian authorities were aware of the plan.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14859

Remembering Henri Falcon's May 2018 Presidential campaign in Venezuela
Joe Emersberger | zcomm.org | 2020-05-02
Henri Falcon was a viable candidate

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/

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

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

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/