(2021-05-12). Venezuela Condemns New Violent Actions Against the Palestinian People (Communiqué). orinocotribune.com 
The Foreign Affairs Minister of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Jorge Arreaza reported, through a statement, that Venezuela expresses its strongest condemnation of Israel's new military actions against the Palestinian people, which have left at least 20 dead. | Through his official account on the social media network Twitter the senior official wrote: "Venezuela condemns the new violent actions against the Palestinian people by Israel, and calls upon the international community, reaffirming its historical position in defense of the sovereignty, independence, and self-determination of Palestine." | In the sta…
(2021-05-12). Venezuela's Supreme Court Authorizes Leopoldo López Extradition Request from Spain. orinocotribune.com This Tuesday, May 11, the Criminal Cassation Chamber of Venezuela's Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) admitted a request to the government of Spain for the extradition of the fugitive from the Venezuelan justice, Leopoldo López Mendoza, leader of the extreme right-wing political party Popular Will (Voluntad Popular). | The extradition request was executed for the fulfillment of the remainder of the right-wing politician's sentence to be served in Venezuela, which is eight years, six months, 25 days and 12 hours. | López was convicted of committing the crimes of inciting arson, inciting damages, public instigation, a…
(2021-05-12). Venezuela to Hold Regional Elections as Opposition Groups Signal Intent to Participate. venezuelanalysis.com President Nicolás Maduro said US-backed Juan Guaidó's call for dialogue was a desperate attempt to avoid being marginalized.
(2021-05-12). Economics of the new cold war and US 'super imperialism' with economist Michael Hudson. thegrayzone.com The Grayzone's Max Blumenthal and Ben Norton interview world-renowned economist Michael Hudson on his concept of American "super imperialism" and the economics of the new cold war on China and Russia. In this wide-ranging discussion on the Moderate Rebels podcast, Hudson addresses US sanctions on Venezuela and Iran, the policies of the Joe Biden administration, Beijing's economic model, cryptocurrencies, and dedollarization — the potential end to the dollar as the global reserve currency. Transcript Ben Norton 0: 03 Hello everyone, I'm …
(2021-05-12). China Urges the US to Lift Sanctions Against Venezuela. orinocotribune.com The government of China demanded an end to the coercive measures of the United States administration against Venezuela, calling the unilateral sanctions illegal and highlighting that the coercive measures were intensified amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the fact that the sanctions are violating human rights. | China's position was ratified by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hua Chunying, who pointed out that while Washington presents itself as a defender of legal guarantees and human rights, it nonetheless is intensifying its illegal measures, not only against Venezuela, but also agains…
(2021-05-12). Colombia se levanta contra el neoliberalismo de guerra. globalizacion.ca "Aquí si no te mueres por covid te matan de hambre o de bala", vociferaba una manifestante veinteañera a un micrófono extranjero condensando en una frase al voleo el nudo central del paro que se volvió estallido social. | Si la…
(2021-05-12). Colombia: 12 Wounded in Shooting Targeting Indigenous Minga. orinocotribune.com 
Twelve members of an indigenous Minga were injured, at least four with serious bullet wounds, after being shot by armed men in plain clothing on Sunday afternoon in the city of Cali, Valle del Cauca, during the 12th day of mass mobilizations. | In an evening
(2021-05-12). Duque's Lightning Visit to Cali & the Stark Contrast with How He Addressed Venezuelans. orinocotribune.com The president of Colombia, Iván Duque, made a lightning visit early morning on Monday, May 10, to the city of Cali, the epicenter of the protests that have been going on in Colombia since April 28. The president stayed in Cali for hardly four hours to meet with the security council established there in the aftermath of the paramilitary attacks perpetrated against an indigenous minga [community reunion]. | On May 9, Duque was emphatic that he had no intention of visiting the capital of Valle del Cauca department; however, eventually he yielded to the pressure from the members of his Democratic Center party. At 3: 4…
(2021-05-12). Colombia's Leaders Want to Stain Their Country with the Blood of the Working Class. counterpunch.org 
According to Temblores and Indepaz, two human rights organizations that have been tracking reports of police violence, from April 28 to May 8, the violent actions of the state security forces resulted in the death of at least 47 people, the arbitrary detention of 963 people, 28 victims of eye-related injuries, and 12 victims of sexual violence. In total, they registered 1,876 cases of police violence.
(2021-05-12). Colombia's Leaders Want to Stain Their Country with the Blood of the Working Class. counterpunch.org According to Temblores and Indepaz, two human rights organizations that have been tracking reports of police violence, from April 28 to May 8, the violent actions of the state security forces resulted in the death of at least 47 people, the arbitrary detention of 963 people, 28 victims of eye-related injuries, and 12 victims of sexual violence. In total, they registered 1,876 cases of police violence.
(2021-05-12). Colombia: State terror won't stop the struggle. workers.org 
Since April 28, workers in Colombia have been waging a general strike. The strike was provoked by the third of three recent tax "reforms" imposed by the right-wing government of President Iván Duque. The new taxes squeeze workers at both ends, by raising taxes on personal income and charging sales . . . |
(2021-05-12). Gustavo Petro: 'The End of the Neoliberal Model in Colombia is Coming'. orinocotribune.com 
The former mayor of Bogotá and candidate for president, Gustavo Petro, analyzed the political and social crisis that Colombia is going through, where at least 379 have disappeared, and at least 20 deaths have been recorded, following more than nine days of protests against the government of Iván Duque. He denounced the transformation of young urban protesters into "military targets." | Petro assured Colombians that "the end of the neoliberal model in Colombia is coming" while indicating that "the public policies of Duque have exhausted the patience of Colombian society." | The candidate for the presidency of Colo…
(2021-05-12). Uprising Across the Global South. orinocotribune.com 
By Nicholas Ayala — May 11, 2021 | For the past week massive uprisings in Colombia have captured international attention. The scale of the unrest has been so large and vocal that long-time allies to the Duque regime have been forced to speak up. The US released a statement saying "citizens in democratic countries have the unquestionable right to protest peacefully" but that "Violence and vandalism is an abuse of that right." After claiming that the protesters were guilty of some of the violence they then stated "we continue to support the Colombian government's efforts to address the current situation" and t…
(2021-05-12). Venezuela's popular Democracy under siege: A conversation with Elías Jaua. mronline.org 
Chavez's former Vice President and long-time minister talks about the internal dynamics of the Bolivarian process. | May 12, 2021 | Exchange…
(2021-05-12). The Tax Protests in Colombia. zcomm.org As long as there are income disparities and class disparities in Colombia, and the pandemic continues to put people in financial jeopardy, the unrest will likely continue…
(2021-05-12). Rally on Milwaukee's southside in solidarity with Colombians struggling against political repression. fightbacknews.org Milwaukee, WI – On the sunny afternoon of May 10, members of the Milwaukee's Colombian community, activists and supporters gathered at Walker's Square Park on the Southside to demonstrate solidarity with the people of Colombia in the wake of the violent repression. Nearly 40 people joined the protest, including members of the Red Condor Collective, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, The People's Revolution, and Our Wisconsin Revolution. | On April 28, most sectors of Colombia began a general strike in response to anti-people measures put forward by the…
(2021-05-12). Rally on Milwaukee's southside in solidarity with Colombians struggling against political repression. fightbacknews.org Milwaukee, WI – On the sunny afternoon of May 10, members of the Milwaukee's Colombian community, activists and supporters gathered at Walker's Square Park on the Southside to demonstrate solidarity with the people of Colombia in the wake of the violent repression. Nearly 40 people joined the protest, including members of the Red Condor Collective, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, The People's Revolution, and Our Wisconsin Revolution. | On April 28, most sectors of Colombia began a general strike in response to anti-people measures put forward by the…
(2021-05-12). The Battle for Colombia. orinocotribune.com Both the fierce protests and the brutal repression in Colombia have deep historical roots, and the outcome of the current crisis will certainly have crucial geopolitical consequences for the entire Latin American region. | Before launching his controversial tax reform on April 15, President Iván Duque had received instructions from Washington. On April 6, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken
(2021-05-12). SOS: Will the World Answer the Calls for Help? counterpunch.org With tears in her eyes my South American friend and colleague asked for help: "can you please share this story with the world?" SOS is Morse code for distress—Save Our Ship. "SOS Colombia" is a call to protect human rights, end the violence, and stop the militarization of cities and police departments in Colombia. My
(2021-05-12). The Tax Protests in Colombia. counterpunch.org Colombia today is in complete chaos. Protests there have been ongoing since April 28th and are not abating any time soon. Some media outlets have claimed that 23 civilians and 1 police officer have died so far as well as hundreds injured. Yet, Amnesty International has registered that at least 26 people have been killed
(2021-05-12). Colombia, una democracia paramilitar (I). globalizacion.ca Dos años antes del nacimiento de las FARC, en febrero de 1962 el teniente general William Yarborough promovió la idea de los grupos paramilitares "entrenadas de forma clandestina para la represión" en América Latina como forma de combatir a los…
(2021-05-12). Venezuela needs $77.6 bn to rebuild gas, oil industry. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 12 (MNA) — Venezuelan state-owned oil giant Petroleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA) believes it needs $77.6 billion investment to rebuild the country's oil and gas industry.
(2021-05-11). Headlines for May 11, 2021. democracynow.org Israeli Airstrikes Kill 26 Palestinians in Gaza, Including 9 Children, Bodies of Indian COVID-19 Victims Found on Banks of Ganges River, World Health Organization Chief Blasts "Shocking Global Disparity" in Vaccine Access, U.S. Drug Regulator Clears Pfizer's COVID-19 Vaccine for Use in Children 12 and Older, Democrats Urge President Biden to Lift Iran Sanctions and Return to 2015 Nuclear Deal, Colombian President Warns Indigenous Protesters Amid Mounting Attacks by Vigilantes, Mother's Day Marchers Demand Mexican Government Take Action to Find Missing Children, Moroccan Authorities Raid Home of Western Sahara Ind…
(2021-05-11). ALBA-TCP Urges Colombia to Respect Human Rights. orinocotribune.com This Monday, May 10, the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America — Peoples' Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) asked the Colombian state to respect the human rights of its citizens. | "ALBA expresses its concern about the violence that is being experienced in Colombia, and condemns it. It calls on the State to respect human rights and guarantee dialogue," stated the executive secretary of the regional bloc, Sasha Llorenti, at the conclusion of a conference with representatives of the Global South, Africa, America, and Europe, reported the news agency AVN. | Llorenti stressed the importance of other countries…
(2021-05-11). Uprising Across the Global South. libya360.wordpress.com Nicholas Ayala For the past week massive uprisings in Colombia have captured international attention. The scale of the unrest has been so large and vocal that long-time allies to the Duque regime have been forced to speak up. The US released a statement saying "citizens in democratic countries have the unquestionable right to protest peacefully" but that…
(2021-05-11). Colombia: Duque's Meeting with National Strike Committee Ends with No Agreement. orinocotribune.com The meeting of Colombian President Iván Duque and the National Strike Committee—made up of unions and organizations that led the demonstrations ongoing since April 28—ended this Monday, May 10, without agreement. As a result a new day of demonstrations was called for on Wednesday. | "The government, on the two central issues that were raised—regarding the guarantees of the protests, and concerning the cessation of repressive actions by police, military and paramilitary forces against the people… did not say anything concrete," stated the Secretary General of the Central Union of Workers of Col…
(2021-05-11). 'Stones Against Guns': Baltasar Garzón's Letter to Colombia's Iván Duque. orinocotribune.com The Spanish legal expert Baltasar Garzón sent a letter to the president of Colombia, Iván Duque, in light of the serious situation facing the South American country. In the letter, which he titled "Stones Against Guns," Garzón demands that the Colombian president put a stop to the violence and enter a dialogue, while accusing him of allowing the systematic violation of human rights that has occurred during the national strike and demonstrations. | In the letter, Garzón classified the police repression against protesters in Colombia as "savage." | "Mr. Duque, do not make the same mistake as Piñera, declaring war o…
(2021-05-11). Colombian Protesters Are Ready for the Long Haul. thenation.com Colombian Protesters Are Ready for the Long Haul…
(2021-05-11). Colombian Police are Killing Civilians. British Police are Training Them. orinocotribune.com By John McEvoy — May 1, 2021 | Over recent days, the Colombian national police have killed a number of civilians protesting a proposed tax hike on basic goods. Many more civilians have been injured, and Colombia's riot police reportedly sexually assaulted a woman. | Though numbers remain unclear, human rights group Isais Cifuentes de Cali has estimated up to 14 people have died. | Documents obtained by The Canary can reveal that the UK's College of Policing has been training Colombian police over the past three years. This is despite Colombia being one of only 30 countries the Foreign, Commonwealth & Develop…
(2021-05-11). La excepción colombiana. globalizacion.ca A estas alturas de mayo del 2021, cuando las protestas sociales en Colombia han demostrado su consistencia y la respuesta del gobierno en turno ha dado muestras, a su vez, de la brutalidad a la cual puede escalar —aún más—…
(2021-05-11). Colombia's Leaders Want to Stain Their Country with the Blood of the Working Class. zcomm.org In Colombia, the people are giving birth to a new country…
(2021-05-11). Colombia: 350.Org Supports People's Demands for Freedom of Demonstration and New Social Policies. commondreams.org ______________________________…
(2021-05-11). Rubio Stands With Colombian President, but Other Senators Not so Sure. latinorebels.com Latino Rebels asked some senators on Monday afternoon at the Capitol if the United States should reconsider its relationship with Colombian President Iván Duque Márquez, who has been criticized for his lack of response towards the violence but has also called for dialogue with national strike leaders.
(2021-05-11). European Union Foreign Ministers: Venezuela's New CNE a 'First Step'. orinocotribune.com The European Union's Foreign Affairs Ministers consider the new National Electoral Council (CNE) of Venezuela appointed by Parliament as "one step among others" towards elections that the "international community" considers democratic. European former colonial powers usually consider themselves as the "international community." | "The National Council is one step among others that will have to come in order to be able to hold elections with democratic guarantees at the regional, local level, and of course, at the presidential level," said Arancha González Laya, Spain's Foreign Minister, summarizing "the sentiment…