Death of FARC-EP's Jesús Santrich: Breaking News, False Positive, Uribismo Media Smokescreen or Colombian Violation of Venezuelan Territory?
Staff | orinocotribune.com | 2021-05-19
The alleged death "in combat" in Venezuelan territory of the Colombian guerrilla commander Jesús Santrich could end up being "breaking news" for Semana news magazine, but it is more likely that it will end up ranking in the top ten of fake news–which is saying a lot because the story concerns Colombia, a country where fabricating fake news, mounting false flag operations, and producing smokescreens is already part of the daily modus operandi of the ruling elite, inextricably associated with its media apparatus. | The alleged news is trending on social media networks and remains as such although, after twelv…
orinocotribune.com/death-of-farc-eps-jesus-santrich-breaking-news-false-positive-uribismo-media-smokescreen-or-colombian-violation-of-venezuelan-territory/

Venezuela Receives 25 Tons of Medical Supplies from China
slorinoco | orinocotribune.com | 2021-05-18
Some 25 tons of medical supplies from China arrived in Venezuela as part of the air bridge established between the two countries to combat and treat COVID-19, reported Venezuelan Health Minister Carlos Alvarado this Monday, May 17. | He emphasized that this air bridge between both nations reaffirms the strong bond of friendship that exists between China and Venezuela. | #UltimoMinuto | | Arriban a Venezuela insumos médicos provenientes de China, como parte del puente aéreo establecido entre ambas naciones para combatir la pandemia…
orinocotribune.com/venezuela-receives-25-tons-of-medical-supplies-from-china/

Repression Of National Protests In Colombia Is Backed By The United States
_____ | popularresistance.org | 2021-05-18
Colombians have been on a national strike since April 28 with protests in 500 cities and blockades that have shut down the major highway. The protests were sparked by a proposed bill that would place the burden of financing the country's debt on the people while cutting taxes for the wealthy, but economic conditions for most people have been in decline for a long time. The government has responded to the protests with violent repression by its militarized police that are funded and trained by the United States. Clearing the FOG speaks with Charo Mina-Rojas, a human rights defender in Colombia who was a leader in…
popularresistance.org/repression-of-national-protests-in-colombia-is-backed-by-the-united-states/

New Murder Added to Over 40 Victims of Police Repression in Colombia
Patricia Ferrer | orinocotribune.com | 2021-05-18
The Office of the Ombudsman of Colombia indicated that, in the midst of over 120 ongoing investigations against police officers for abuse of authority since the start of the national strike, 16 more people were injured and one was killed this Monday, May 17. | The information on the new murder was provided by John Jairo Santamaría, mayor of Yumbo, Valle del Cauca (just north of Cali), based on a report provided by an authority from the Yumbo municipality hospital. | According to videos posted on various social media networks, during a rally rejecting the government of Iván Duque the police fired and threw tear ga…
orinocotribune.com/new-murder-added-to-over-40-victims-of-police-repression-in-colombia/

Colombian government ignores protesters' demands and orders full deployment of police forces
Tanya Wadhwa | peoplesdispatch.org | 2021-05-18
Organizations have condemned the government of Iván Duque for increasing the militarization of cities and repressive actions against protests amid negotiations with mobilized sectors…
peoplesdispatch.org/2021/05/18/colombian-government-ignores-protesters-demands-and-orders-full-deployment-of-police-forces/

Colombia: "Peasants Throughout the Country Remain in the National Strike"
Internationalist 360 ∞ | libya360.wordpress.com | 2021-05-18
Jorge López Peasant communities in all regions of the country have taken part in the National Strike. On the paths, trails and highways they have led marches, blockades and educational days in regions such as Antioquia, Nariño, Arauca and Casanare. In the latter, they have maintained their mobilization since April 28 without rest. We had… Read…
libya360.wordpress.com/2021/05/18/colombia-peasants-throughout-the-country-remain-in-the-national-strike/

Simonovis Resigns as Guaidó's Head of Security
Daniela Jimenez | orinocotribune.com | 2021-05-18
The fugitive from Venezuelan justice, Iván Simonovis, presented his "resignation" as Commissioner of Security and Intelligence, a fictitious position to which Simonovis was appointed by former deputy Guaidó after he proclaimed himself interim president of Venezuela. | Simonovis, who from the United States has participated in plans to overthrow Venezuela's legitimate government, did not provide a reason why he is leaving this position–one that lacked any legal recognition in any case. | It should be noted that his resignation arrives within the framework of Guaidó's newest announcement that he wishes to ente…
orinocotribune.com/simonovis-resigns-as-guaidos-head-of-security/

WEBINAR TOMORROW — Alex Saab's Lawyer: 'How the US Starves Venezuelans' (#SanctionsKill)
Staff | orinocotribune.com | 2021-05-18
(ESPAàëOL ABAJO) | Alex Saab's lawyer, Femi Falana, has agreed to participate in a webinar about this important case related to US "sanctions". | Caracas, May 16 (OrinocoTribune.com)– Alex Saab has been illegally held by Cape Verdean authorities in prison, and most recently in a unique form of house arrest. Saab was apprehended because of his attempts to bypass illegal US and European "sanctions" against the Venezuelan people. | Saab, a special diplomatic envoy of Venezuela at the time of his irregular detention, and currently ambassador of Venezuela to the African Union, was instrumental in procuri…
orinocotribune.com/webinar-tomorrow-alex-saabs-lawyer-how-the-us-starves-venezuelans-sanctionskill/

Change of Strategy Again: Capriles Recommends Opposition Participate in Regional Elections
Carlos Arellán | orinocotribune.com | 2021-05-18
In an interview published this Sunday, May 16, by the Spanish media outlet El País, Henrique Capriles Radonski challenged Juan Guaidó–without mentioning him directly–when Capriles revealed an imminent change of opposition strategy. According to the interview, Venezuela's far right now wishes to participate in the regional elections of November 2021. | The two-time loser in presidential elections remarked that voting is the ideal and most plausible alternative for an opposition that did not achieve anything in almost three years of a "maximalist" strategy. | Capriles concluded that the "all or nothing"
orinocotribune.com/change-of-strategy-again-capriles-recommends-opposition-participate-in-regional-elections/

Colonialism & Imperialism are the Root of Venezuela's Economic Problems, Not Socialism, Says US Economist Michael Hudson (#SanctionsKill)
Steve Lalla | orinocotribune.com | 2021-05-18
May 16 (Special for OrinocoTribune.com)–The US oligarchy became wealthy by exploiting the labor and natural resources of peoples and lands across the Americas, Africa, and Asia. In our millennium, Venezuela's assets were seized by an empire in decline. As its economy continues to weaken, the US lashes out with increasingly desperate policies of economic "sanctions" against those that try to break out of its orbit. In the process, it drives its enemies together. | "Ironically, America's attempt to isolate other countries is turning into an attempt to isolate itself," said economist Michael Hudson recently. O…
orinocotribune.com/colonialism-imperialism-are-the-root-of-venezuelas-economic-problems-not-socialism-says-us-economist-michael-hudson-sanctionskill/

Red Cross to Mediate Release of Captured Venezuelan Soldiers on Colombian Border
Paul Dobson | venezuelanalysis.com | 2021-05-17
Caracas has confirmed that eight soldiers are being held by "irregular Colombian armed groups."
venezuelanalysis.com/news/15206

Sunday COVID-19 Brief: 14 Deaths and 1,070 New Cases in Venezuela
Staff | orinocotribune.com | 2021-05-17
This Sunday, May 16, Venezuela reported 1,070 new COVID-19 cases, out of which 1,063 were from community transmission, and seven were imported (three from Panama, three from Aruba. and one from Mexico). | The state with the most positives in the last 24 hours was Yaracuy, with 183 cases. The rest of the infections were distributed across the country as follows: La Guaira, 164; Aragua, 111; Miranda, 94; Zulia, 86; Caracas, 76; Táchira, 65; Anzoátegui, 59; Trujillo, 41; Guárico, 37; Falcón, 35; Carabobo, 31; Nueva Esparta, 26; Portuguesa, 20; Lara, 11; Sucre, eight; Cojedes, seven; Apure, six; Bolívar, two; and Mér…
orinocotribune.com/sunday-covid-19-brief-14-deaths-and-1070-new-cases-in-venezuela/

Sunday COVID-19 Brief: 14 Deaths and 1,070 New Cases in Venezuela
Staff | orinocotribune.com | 2021-05-17
This Sunday, May 16, Venezuela reported 1,070 new COVID-19 cases, out of which 1,063 were from community transmission, and seven were imported (three from Panama, three from Aruba. and one from Mexico). | The state with the most positives in the last 24 hours was Yaracuy, with 183 cases. The rest of the infections were distributed across the country as follows: La Guaira, 164; Aragua, 111; Miranda, 94; Zulia, 86; Caracas, 76; Táchira, 65; Anzoátegui, 59; Trujillo, 41; Guárico, 37; Falcón, 35; Carabobo, 31; Nueva Esparta, 26; Portuguesa, 20; Lara, 11; Sucre, eight; Cojedes, seven; Apure, six; Bolívar, two; and Mér…
orinocotribune.com/sunday-covid-19-brief-14-deaths-and-1070-new-cases-in-venezuela/

Headlines for May 17, 2021
Staff | democracynow.org | 2021-05-17
Israel's Deadly Assault on Gaza Enters Second Week: 200 Palestinians Killed and Media Attacked, India, Nepal Battle Devastating COVID Wave as More Asian Countries Impose Restrictions Amid Surge, Nurses' Union Challenges New CDC Mask Guidelines; Judge Keeps Eviction Ban in Place for Now, Blast in Afghan Mosque Kills 12 as Fighting Intensifies Between Taliban and Gov't Forces, Chilean Voters Select Delegates to Draft New Constitution, Colombian Protests Call for End to State Violence After Suicide of Teen Sexually Abused by Police, GOP Replaces Liz Cheney with Trump Loyalist Elise Stefanik, Texas Set to Enact Draco…
www.democracynow.org/2021/5/17/headlines

FARC-EP: /The courageous struggle of the Colombian people
| workers.org | 2021-05-17
Reports from Colombia May 17 state the national strike that began April 28 continues and a national mobilization has been called for May 19. The strike has growing mass support from diverse sectors of Colombian society, despite vicious state and private death-squad repression that has killed at least 50 people, . . . | Continue reading FARC-EP: /The courageous struggle of the Colombian people at Workers.org…
workers.org/2021/05/56458/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=farc-ep-the-courageous-struggle-of-the-colombian-people

FARC-EP: /The courageous struggle of the Colombian people
| workers.org | 2021-05-17
Reports from Colombia May 17 state the national strike that began April 28 continues and a national mobilization has been called for May 19. The strike has growing mass support from diverse sectors of Colombian society, despite vicious state and private death-squad repression that has killed at least 50 people, . . . | Continue reading FARC-EP: /The courageous struggle of the Colombian people at Workers.org…
workers.org/2021/05/56458/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=farc-ep-the-courageous-struggle-of-the-colombian-people

South America's 'Business Friendly' Bloodbath
Editor2 | orinocotribune.com | 2021-05-17
By Brasil Wire, May 12, 2021 | International business and banking support for the most repressive regimes in Latin America is even more evident than it was during the original cold war. Now, Wall Street ºs three main men in South America all face charges of crimes against humanity, even genocide, at the International Criminal Court. | Whilst the anglosphere regularly attacks governments of the left in Latin America on human rights grounds, it is its pliant business friendly US regional allies: Brazil ºs Bolsonaro, Chile ºs Piñera, and Colombia ºs Duque, who face being sent before the Hague.
orinocotribune.com/south-americas-business-friendly-bloodbath/

Colombia es más importante para Estados Unidos que Puerto Rico
Alberto Pinzón Sánchez | globalizacion.ca | 2021-05-17
Colombia es más importante para "la totalidad de intereses" de los EEUU en la Región, que la neo colonia de Puerto Rico. Enormes intereses neocoloniales económicos y políticos del neoliberal complejo militar industrial y financiero actualmente gobernante. Intereses geoestratégicos locales…
globalizacion.ca/colombia-es-mas-importante-para-estados-unidos-que-puerto-rico/

‚ÄãThe West is complicit in Colombia's police killings
Kian Seara Rey | zcomm.org | 2021-05-17
The deadly violence by police and paramilitary groups against protesters in Colombia is made possible by the military aid of the government's Western allies…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/%e2%80%8bthe-west-is-complicit-in-colombias-police-killings/

Colombia: Welcome to the Present
Internationalist 360 ∞ | libya360.wordpress.com | 2021-05-17
Piedad Córdoba Ruiz It seems that Colombia has awakened from its lethargy and from that eternal past to which we were bound. "The old has not finished dying while the new has not yet been born, and in this interregnum monsters emerge", the brilliant phrase of the Italian Antonio Gramsci, resounds with relevance in the… Read…
libya360.wordpress.com/2021/05/17/colombia-welcome-to-the-present/

Ex-Rebel Capitalizes on Colombia Unrest by Showing Restraint
The Associated Press | latinorebels.com | 2021-05-17
MIAMI (AP) — As the streets of Colombia smolder amid the biggest anti-government unrest in decades, a former rebel leader who would undo antinarcotics cooperation with the U.S. is looking to capitalize on the growing discontent and ride it to the presidency next year.
latinorebels.com/2021/05/17/exrebelcapitalizescolombiaunrest/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=exrebelcapitalizescolombiaunrest

Dollarization in Venezuela causes a boom in imported goods stores
Michele de Mello | peoplesdispatch.org | 2021-05-17
In the last six years of sanctions, Venezuela's economy has suffered serious attacks. As the country's GDP and oil activity dropped by 60%, imports were taken over by the private sector. Along with the recent process of forced dollarization, the country now faces a boom of bodegons, commercial shops that specialize in selling imported goods. They sell about everything — items of the basic food basket, cleaning and personal hygiene products, candies, beverages, medications. | "The sanctions posed operational limitations that paralyzed the state's import capacity. Thus, the state sought an alternative in outs…
peoplesdispatch.org/2021/05/17/dollarization-in-venezuela-causes-a-boom-in-imported-goods-stores/

Colonialism & Imperialism are the Root of Venezuela's Economic Problems, Not Socialism
Internationalist 360 ∞ | libya360.wordpress.com | 2021-05-17
Steve Lalla The US oligarchy became wealthy by exploiting the labor and natural resources of peoples and lands across the Americas, Africa, and Asia. In our millennium, Venezuela's assets were seized by an empire in decline. As its economy continues to weaken, the US lashes out with increasingly desperate policies of economic "sanctions" against those… Read…
libya360.wordpress.com/2021/05/17/colonialism-imperialism-are-the-root-of-venezuelas-economic-problems-not-socialism/

Dollarization in Venezuela causes a boom in imported goods stores
Michele de Mello | peoplesdispatch.org | 2021-05-17
In the last six years of sanctions, Venezuela's economy has suffered serious attacks. As the country's GDP and oil activity dropped by 60%, imports were taken over by the private sector. Along with the recent process of forced dollarization, the country now faces a boom of bodegons, commercial shops that specialize in selling imported goods. They sell about everything — items of the basic food basket, cleaning and personal hygiene products, candies, beverages, medications. | The first bodegons appeared in 2016 when the country was going through its largest supply crisis in recent history. Bodegas offered im…
peoplesdispatch.org/2021/05/17/dollarization-in-venezuela-causes-a-boom-in-imported-goods-stores/