(2021-05-05). Violent Crackdown On Colombia Protests Leaves At Least 19 Dead (18+, Videos). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | The UN Human Rights office (OHCR) expressed its concern over the violent crackdown on protests against tax changes in the Colombian city of Cali. | In comments made on May 4th, during a press briefing in Geneva, spokeswoman Maria Hurtado said the body was working to verify the exact number of casualties but reports suggested a number of people had been killed and wounded overnight in Cali."We express our profound shock at the events there and stress our solidarity with those…
(2021-05-05). Colombia: Looking South. orinocotribune.com By Angel Guerra Cabrera — May 2, 2021 | On April 28 there was a national strike and march in rejection of President Iván Duque's tax reform and a health reform bill that seeks to deepen the failed model of privatization established in the health system. | The tax reform would impose a 19% VAT on eggs, meat, fish, coffee, and salt, and proposes to tax salaries over 2.4 million pesos per month and pensions over 7 million pesos, to freeze for five years the salaries of public employees, and even a scandalous tax on burials. The protesters had to overcome two factors. First, the third wave of the pandemic. The M…
(2021-05-05). Colombians Keep Protesting Despite Curfew. telesurenglish.net Human rights advocate Andres Maiz confirmed that Colombians remained in the streets protesting on Tuesday night despite the curfew imposed by President Ivan Duque. | RELATED: | "Duque believed the curfew would prevent students, Indigenous people, farmers, and Afro-descendants from continue protesting against the systematic violations of their rights," Maiz said. | Colombians also rejected the statements made by former Presid…
(2021-05-05). Colombian Campesino Leader: This is an Authoritarian Regime. libya360.wordpress.com Kawsachun News Social movements participate in Colombia's national strike demonstrations. April 28, 2021. Photo: Surcando Comunicaciones We interviewed Ernesto Alexander Roa, President of the Coordinador Nacional Agrario de Colombia (National Agrarian Coordinator of Colombia — CNA), an indigenous and Afro-campesino organization that works for the defense and recovery of Colombia's rural areas, dignified life and popular sovereignty. Ernesto spoke to…
(2021-05-05). US Actor Steven Seagal Presents Maduro With Samurai Sword During Visit to Venezuela. sputniknews.com American actor, producer and musician Steven Seagal, who received Russian citizenship in 2016 and was subsequently appointed as a Russian special envoy for humanitarian liaison with the US, is also a widely-renowned aikido ace.
(2021-05-05). Video: Steven Seagal Presents Maduro With Samurai Sword During Visit to Venezuela. sputniknews.com American actor, producer and musician Steven Seagal, who received Russian citizenship in 2016 and was subsequently appointed as a Russian special envoy for humanitarian liaison with the US, is also a widely-renowned aikido ace.
(2021-05-05). #SOSColombia: UN, EU & Rest of World Condemn Duque's Genocide. orinocotribune.com 
Hundreds of reactions from international figures and organizations have been expressed in support of the Colombian people in struggle. Although large media corporations have been oblivious to what has been happening in Colombia, so as to hide State responsibility in the killings of civilians during the ongoing popular demonstrations against Iván Duque's policies, many around the world have described the acts of brutality as "genocide." | En video quedó registrado el momento en el que matrimonios de Policías y ESMAD persiguen a manifestantes en el barrio Fátima en Manizales. En otro video se evidencia que Policías…
(2021-05-05). Venezuela's National Assembly Appoints New Electoral Authorities (CNE). orinocotribune.com 
This Tuesday, May 4, in accordance with the provisions of Venezuela's Magna Carta, the National Assembly (AN), by a qualified majority, selected the rectors of the National Electoral Council (CNE) for a period of seven consecutive years. These are 15 qualified individuals, chosen from a list of 103 applications, who have been thoroughly reviewed by the special legislative commission designated for this purpose. | Once the files had been reviewed in a special session, the following were elected as main rectors: | ‚Ä¢ Pedro Enrique Calzadilla Pérez, professor and historian | ‚Ä¢ Alex…
(2021-05-05). Venezuela Begins Clinical Trials of Russian EpiVacCorona Vaccine—Russian Ambassador First to be Vaccinated. orinocotribune.com 
Venezuela officially began clinical trials of Russian vaccine EpiVacCorona, as the Russian ambassador to Caracas, Sergey Melik-Bagdasarov, became the first volunteer to receive a dose of the COVID-19 immunization drug. | The start of clinical trials was reported by the Executive Vice President, Delcy Rodríguez, who noted that the vaccine simulates small fragments of the virus; this strengthens the immune system of recipients to prevent COVID-19. | "Thus begins the process of applying the vaccine candidate EpiVacCorona to combat COVID-19 in the country," said Rodríguez, "a vaccine developed by Russia that is advan…
(2021-05-05). Conviasa Starts Air Route Between Moscow and Caracas. telesurenglish.net The Venezuelan state-owned airline Conviasa inaugurated the Caracas-Moscu air route, which will have one direct flight with a fortnightly frequency. | RELATED: | On Monday, the inaugural flight came from Russia and arrived at the Simon Bolivar International Airport, in Maiquetia, La Guaira State. Onboard the Airbus A340 there were 90 tour operators, journalists, influencers, and investors. | "The new air route will contribute to f…
(2021-05-05). US Affirms That With Its Allies, It Will Pressure Venezuela to 'Return to Democracy'. orinocotribune.com WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken declared that the United States and its allies plan to continue the pressure campaign against the Venezuelan government so as to bring democracy to the country. | Blinken affirmed at the 51st annual Washington Conference on the Americas that: "We will continue to work with our partners across the region both to alleviate the suffering of the Venezuelan people and to exert pressure on the regime so the country can peacefully return to democracy." | Blinken also alleged that the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had mismanaged the h…
(2021-05-05). Colombians Rekindle Their National Strike Amid State Terrorism. telesurenglish.net Colombians continue to take to the streets to demand the resignation of President Ivan Duque despite extreme expressions of police brutality. | RELATED: | The marches began mid-morning in Bogota, Barranquilla, Bucaramanga, and Cali with chants, music, and white flags. The country's main avenues also were filled with car caravans carrying Colombian flags. | In the capital city, protesters took to the streets with signs r…
(2021-05-05). Social Movements Worldwide Protest In Support Of Colombians. telesurenglish.net Progressive social organizations on Wednesday called for protests worldwide to reject the police brutality upsurge against Colombians who have been demonstrating against President Ivan Duque for eight days in a row. | RELATED: | The Global Network Against Police Violence called on social organizations from Chile, Ecuador, Spain, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico to take to the…
(2021-05-05). Mass protests in Colombia continue into second week amid deadly repression. wsws.org Colombia's police and military have turned in a systematic and coordinated fashion to the use of live ammunition against demonstrators, killing at least 27 of them.
(2021-05-05). Jamaica Imposes Travel Ban on Trinidad and Tobago. telesurenglish.net To prevent the entry of the South African variant of the coronavirus, Jamaica will prohibit the entry of all visitors from Trinidad and Tobago. | RELATED: | The Jamaican government has also an extended list of countries that are restricted for travel. Among them are Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, and Peru where the Brazilian variant has been found. | On Monday, Trinidad's Prime Minister Keith Rowley announced the new ban on his count…
(2021-05-05). Colombia Wracked by Massive Anti-Government Protests. zcomm.org Protests broke out across Colombia this week, including a general strike that brought thousands of workers into the streets of cities all across the country…
(2021-05-05). Top US Senate Democrat Concerned Deadly Protests in Colombia Risk Destabilizing Region. sputniknews.com WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman, Bob Menendez, in a statement expressed concern over the risk the recent deadly clashes between police and protesters in the Colombian city of Cali poses to regional stability.
(2021-05-05). Colombia: Appeal to guarantee safety of protesters. greenleft.org.au The following appeal has been issued by United for Colombia, Australia, in response to the repression of nationwide protests that began in opposition to the government's tax reform.
(2021-05-05). UN Alarmed Over Police Violence in Colombia Protests. latinorebels.com BOGOTàÅ, Colombia (AP) — The United Nations human rights office said it was "deeply alarmed" over violence against protesters in the Colombian city of Cali, where "police opened fire on demonstrators" and allegedly killed and injured several people Monday night.
(2021-05-04). 'Duque Behaves as if He Had a License To Kill', Residente Says. telesurenglish.net World leaders, political figures, and human rights advocates on Tuesday took to social media to condemn police brutality and genocide unleashed during the anti-government protests in Colombia. | RELATED: | "President Ivan Duque's administration is acting as if it has a license to kill. When the people take to the streets amid a pandemic, it is because their government is more dangerous than a deadly virus," said P…
(2021-05-04). Colombia an Imperial Beachhead: The War of the Colombian Oligarchy and Duque against Venezuela. libya360.wordpress.com Mison Verdad Colombian President, Iván Duque, participates in a military promotion ceremony in Bogotá (Photo: EFE) One year after it sought to invade Venezuela and capture President Nicolás Maduro with Operation Gideon, the Colombian government continues to participate in conspiracies planned in Washington to bring about regime change in Caracas. Since 2018, when the attempted…
(2021-05-04). Government Report Documents US Responsibility for Venezuela's Humanitarian Dilemma. counterpunch.org 
In January 2019 the US and its allies ceased to recognize Maduro as Venezuela's legitimate president after then National Assembly leader Juan Guaidó, who had never run for national office, "announced he was willing to serve as interim president." Guaidó's coup attempts are euphemistically described as "high-profile but ultimately unsuccessful efforts to encourage security forces to abandon Maduro."
(2021-05-04). Colombia: Protesters to Remain in Streets Despite Tax Reform 'Withdrawal'. orinocotribune.com 
Colombia arose again in protest today, despite the fact that President Iván Duque announced the withdrawal of the recent tax reform bill. Demonstrators stated that this was not their only request, and that they will continue to occupy the streets. | The loudest demand voiced today was that "Duque stop the massacre," a response to the brutal repression with which protests have been met in almost all cities of Colombia. Outraged Colombians called attention to the case of the 19-year-old young man who died as a result of a gunshot in the head during a demonstration in Cali. | Nicolás Guerrero died early this Monday,…
(2021-05-04). Between the Lines: Congressional Report Finds US Sanctions to Blame for Venezuela Crisis. mintpressnews.com 
If the U.S. government's propaganda is correct that the current crisis is due to Maduro's mismanagement and corruption, then illegal and inhumane sanctions would not be needed to dislodge the "regime."
(2021-05-04). Recognizing Lies about Latin America: Seven Tips. dissidentvoice.org 
Headlines from two major Venezuelan newspapers (Photo Credit: Laura Wells) Even when we're being lied to by almost every available source across the media and political spectrum, we can still become better lie detectors. A focus on lies about Latin America is important because we do care about how the US treats other people, and …
(2021-05-04). Sixth Shipment of Sputnik V: Venezuela Already has 1.48 Million Doses. orinocotribune.com 
This Monday, May 3, the sixth shipment of Russian Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccines arrived in Venezuela, unloaded from a plane of national airline Conviasa that landed at Maiquetía Simón Bolívar International Airport, in the state of La Guaira. This sixth shipment contained 50,000 doses, and brings the total of doses in the hands of Venezuela's government to 1.48 million doses, between China's Vero Cell and the Russian Sputnik V. | In addition, the Ministry of Health announced an expansion of the Venezuelan immunization plan that began on February 18 with Sputnik V. | Venezuelan Minister of Health, Carlos Alvarado, pe…
(2021-05-04). Ombudsman's Office Confirms the Disappearance of 87 Colombians. telesurenglish.net The Ombudsman's Office on Tuesday informed that it has registered at least 19 Colombians killed, 800 injured citizens, and 87 missing people since the beginning of the protests against President Ivan Duque's tax reform on April 28. | RELATED: | "Eighteen out of 19 killed people are civilians," the Ombudsman's office confirmed without giving details about the identity of those murdered or the circumstances of their deaths. | These are the fir…
(2021-05-04). Colombia: Senators Submit Motion Against Defense Minister. telesurenglish.net On Tuesday afternoon, Colombians took to the streets to reject Ivan Duque ¥s government and denounce police brutality as the international community is denouncing the violence against the demonstrators. | RELATED: | Senator Wilson Arias submitted a censorship motion to Congress, demanding the resignation of Defense Minister Diego Molano. There have been reported 1443 police brutality cases, at least 31 killin…
(2021-05-04). Colombians Denounce Escalation Of Police Brutality In Cali. telesurenglish.net Colombians denounced an escalation in police brutality during protests in Cali city, where people have remained protesting against President Ivan Duque's administration for six days in a row. The death toll stands at 12. | RELATED: | Images spread on social networks show Mobile Anti-Riot Squad (ESMAD) agents cracking down on protesters with blows, gunshots, and tear gas canisters. On Monday, Cali's governor Jorge Ospina…
(2021-05-04). Operation Gideon: One Year After Defeated Mercenary Invasion Contracted by Guaidó & Co. orinocotribune.com On May 3, 2020, the Venezuelan authorities neutralized the mercenary invasion known as Operation Gideon. | The incursion was plotted and organized in Colombia, with mercenaries who left there in speedboats to try to enter Venezuelan territory through the beaches of the central states of La Guaira and Aragua. | The mission was to carry out attacks on military bases and strategic utility services, and to conduct selective assassinations of members of the government. | The plan was the result of a criminal contract for political purposes which involved deserting Venezuelan military personnel, US instructors, drug-tr…
(2021-05-04). La protesta masiva en Colombia en medio de la pandemia. globalizacion.ca Este miércoles 28 de abril fue un día de paro nacional y de movilización callejera. Los ciudadanos nuevamente ocupan masivamente las calles, el espacio público, para manifestar su rechazo a la reforma tributaria presentada por el gobierno de Duque y…
(2021-05-04). Colombian Unions Call to Increase National Strike Actions. orinocotribune.com Colombia's National Strike Committee is calling on citizens to maintain and increase national mobilizations despite Ivan Duque's withdrawal of the neoliberal tax reform bill. | During a 10am press conference on Monday, the Committee made up of the Central Unitaria de Trabajadores (CUT), Confederación General del Trabajo (CGT), Confederación de Trabajadores de Colombia (CTC) and Federación Colombiana de Trabajadores de la Educación (FECODE) announced its decision to continue the strike and national mobilization and stated the Committee's central objectives. | Representatives read a statement by the Committee: "We…
(2021-05-04). UN human rights office urges calm, after bloodshed in Colombian city of Cali. news.un.org The United Nations human rights office (OHCHR) on Tuesday voiced deep alarm over the violence in the city of Cali in Colombia overnight, as a number of people were reportedly killed and wounded as police opened fire on demonstrators.
(2021-05-04). UN human rights office urges calm, after bloodshed in Colombian city of Cali. news.un.org The United Nations human rights office (OHCHR) on Tuesday voiced deep alarm over the violence in the city of Cali in Colombia overnight, as a number of people were reportedly killed and wounded when police opened fire on demonstrators.
(2021-05-04). UN Breaks Silence and Requests Investigation Following Killings by Colombia Police; Crickets from HRW and OAS. orinocotribune.com After several days of brutal police repression in Colombia, the local office of the United Nations finally raised its voice and recommended an investigation into the deaths of dozens of people in protests against President Ivan Duque. On the other hand, nothing have been heard from the Organization of American States (OAS), US Department of State, or Human Rights Watch (HRW)—other than a timid tweet posted on 3 May by HRW's regional spokesperson Jose Miguel Vivanco. | Colombia has experienced massive protests since April 28 in rejection of a controversial tax reform project drafted by Ivan Duque's governmen…
(2021-05-04). UN Breaks Silence and Requests Investigation Following Killings by Colombia Police; Silence from HRW and OAS. orinocotribune.com After several days of brutal police repression in Colombia, the local office of the United Nations finally raised its voice and recommended an investigation into the deaths of dozens of people in protests against President Ivan Duque. On the other hand, nothing have been heard from the Organization of American States (OAS), US Department of State, or Human Rights Watch (HRW)—other than a timid tweet posted on 3 May by HRW's regional spokesperson Jose Miguel Vivanco. | Colombia has experienced massive protests since April 28 in rejection of a controversial tax reform project drafted by Ivan Duque's governmen…
(2021-05-04). 19 dead, 846 injured in days-long Colombia protests. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 04 (MNA) — The office of Colombia's human rights ombudsman said 18 civilians and a police officer died in violence during the protests that began throughout the country on April 28, while 846 people, including 306 civilians, were injured.
(2021-05-04). World Leaders Join Human Rights Defenders in Condemning Colombia's Deadly Crackdown on Protesters. commondreams.org The OCHCR and European Union on Tuesday joined human rights defenders in condemning Colombia's deadly crackdown against ongoing protests over scrapped tax reforms and a host of other issues. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/colombia.jpg …
(2021-05-04). Venezuela's Office of the Prosecutor General Presents Report on Operation Gideon. orinocotribune.com On May 3, one year after the failed Operation Gideon in which mercenaries tried to enter Venezuelan territory to attack Venezuelan institutions, the Public Ministry presented a report on the actions taken by the Venezuelan state to punish terrorism and mercenary invasion attempts. | To date, the Prosecutor's Office has requested 114 arrest warrants and 33 search warrants. Likewise, the Prosecutor General, Tarek William Saab, reported through his Twitter account the apprehension in flagrante of 34 subjects involved and 51 others on arrest warrants—a total of 85 people nationwide brought before the 4th Contro…
(2021-05-04). National Electoral Council Sworn in Venezuela. telesurenglish.net Venezuela's National Assembly was sworn in on Tuesday as the new members of the National Electoral Council (CNE) for the period 2021-2027. | RELATED: | After a national dialogue with several parties and organizations and according to article 296 of the Venezuelan constitution, the four members of the CNE rectory were elected. | These individuals have no links with political organizations and are chosen to represent civil s…
(2021-05-04). Venezuela — Mitos monetaristas sobre los salarios. globalizacion.ca El salario mínimo legal en Venezuela cubre el 0,65% de lo que básicamente necesita el trabajador para producir y mantener su fuerza de trabajo. Tomando en cuenta el reciente incremento de Bs 7.000.000, equivale a 0,045 petros. La canasta alimentaria…