(2022-02-01). Role of Workers' Productive Councils in Venezuela's Economic Recovery—Interview with Manuel Páez. orinocotribune.com 
On February 19, 2020, President Nicolás Maduro decreed an energy emergency and a state of exception in the country's hydrocarbon industry, which led to the creation of the General Staff of the Workers' Productive Councils (CPTT). Manuel Páez, who belongs to the presidential commission of the CPTT for the hydrocarbon sector, in an interview with àöltimas Noticias, explained that there are "71 colleagues who were assigned (by the president and the working class itself) the task of directing the transformation of the industry… presenting a new management model, which is basically collective management." | Páe…
(2022-02-01). Miami caravan against Cuba blockade a huge success. fightbacknews.org Miami, FL- Over 60 members of the South Florida community joined in the monthly caravan in Miami on Sunday, January 30, to demand President Joe Biden end the criminal U.S. blockade on Cuba. The group called on the U.S president to end all sanctions on Cuba, restore the family reunification program and recommence freedom of travel between the United States and Cuba for both Americans and Cubans. The event was organized by the U.S. Hands Off Cuba and Venezuela South Florida and Puentes de Amor. | Dozens of cars draped with banners and signs reading "End the criminal blockade of Cuba," and "No mas bloqueo," most do…
(2022-02-01). Can Colombia's left survive the persistent logic of armed conflict? greenleft.org.au In Colombia, former guerilla Gustavo Petro leads in the presidential polls. Petro is the lead candidate for a coalition of left political parties called Pacto Historico (Historic Pact), reports Ben Gilvar-Parke.
(2022-01-31). Fewer Than 15 Countries Recognize US-Appointed Venezuelan Coup Leader Juan Guaidó. orinocotribune.com 
By Benjamin Norton — Jan 28, 2022 | A right-wing Venezuelan opposition leader and former top Juan Guaidó functionary admitted a maximum of 15 countries recognize the unelected coup leader as "interim president." The Joe Biden administration is one of them. | January 23, 2022 marks the third anniversary of the US government's ongoing coup attempt against Venezuela's only constitutional government, that of democratically elected President Nicolás Maduro. | On that day in 2019, the Donald Trump administration appointed little-known Venezuelan opposition politician Juan Guaidó, who had never received a single vo…
(2022-01-31). Historical Pact coalition heads for elections in violence-ridden Colombia. peoplesworld.org 
Campaigning in Colombia began Jan. 15 for congressional elections on March 13, and for first-round voting for a new president on May 29. Gustavo Petro, leader of the progressive Humane Colombia movement, will likely be the Historical Pact coalition's presidential candidate. A former urban guerrilla, congressional representative, mayor of Bogotá, and now senator, Petro ran …
(2022-01-31). Venezuelan Mayors, Deputies Arrested in Drug and Fuel Smuggling Crackdown. venezuelanalysis.com Operation "Iron Fist" has reportedly led to more than two dozen arrests across six states.
(2022-01-31). CIA Knew of Plans for Coup Attempt Against President Maduro: Operation Gideon. orinocotribune.com A retired Venezuelan general reveals that top CIA officials were aware of coup plans to overthrow President Nicolás Maduro. | The stunning revelation of the Venezuelan general, identified as Cliver Alcalá, came in a court document filed by his lawyers seeking to nullify narco-terrorism charges. The charges were filed against him nearly two years ago by US federal prosecutors in New York, as reported on Saturday, January 29, by the US news agency Associated Press (AP). | Indeed, Alcalá had lived in Colombia since he fled Venezuela in 2018 after it was discovered that he was secretly leading a plan that sought to o…
(2022-01-31). PSUV Training System to be Relaunched Within '3 Rs Dot Net' Strategy. orinocotribune.com The National Training System of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) will be reactivated throughout Venezuela within the framework of the "three Rs dot net" initiative carried out by the president of the party, Nicolás Maduro, to build the new era of transition to socialism. | Reading circles, courses, and diplomas, as well as the Institute of Higher Studies, will return to their activities "with more force," following the exceptional situation created by COVID-19. The pandemic will force them to adapt to a new work methodology, said PSUV Vice President for Training, Héctor Rodríguez, in this regard. Th…
(2022-01-31). Venezuela will Debate Law to Protect Fighting Bulls. orinocotribune.com The Attorney General of Venezuela, Tarek William Saab, reported that a law will soon be presented to the Venezuelan National Assembly to protect the lives of fighting bulls and stop the practice of bullfighting in the country. | He explained that he has offered his opinion on the subject. Because Venezuela is "a democratic country," said Attorney General Saab, "there is a debate, and we are having that battle of ideas that is important and that does not have any personal overtones, it is neither for nor against this or that." | "It has to do with the defense of life," Attorney General Saab said, reiterating "this…
(2022-01-31). Radical Land Reform in Venezuela: A Conversation with Juan Carlos Loyo (Part I). mronline.org 
Chávez's agriculture minister talks about the revolutionary changes in land tenure that took place under the former president.
(2022-01-31). Colombia's moderate election candidates in crisis. colombiareports.com Infighting among Colombia's moderate presidential candidates caused the implosion of their "centrist" coalition. Presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt said Saturday that her Green Oxygen party would leave the "Center Hope Coalition"…
(2022-01-31). UN flags Colombia as 'hunger hotspot'. colombiareports.com 
The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned that the food security of Colombia's poor could deteriorate in the coming months. The FAO added Colombia to a list of…