In a statement issued on October 13, 2020, the Lima Group urged that complaints about human rights violations in Venezuela included in a United Nations report, serve as evidence for the International Criminal Court in its investigations into the illegitimate Nicolás Maduro regime. “[The Lima Group governments] condemn the systematic [ … ]
Features


Illegitimate Constituent Assembly Confers Extraordinary Powers to Maduro
In early October, Venezuela’s illegitimate National Constituent Assembly (ANC, in Spanish) handed dictator Nicolás Maduro a law that enables him to omit or “disregard” compliance with other laws for the purpose of circumventing sanctions imposed by the international community and bolstering foreign investment. The so-called Anti-blockade Law for National Development [ … ]

Honduras Seeks to Disrupt Cocaine Trafficking Coming from Venezuela
On October 21, the Honduran Air Force, upon receiving intelligence from Colombia, intercepted a narco-aircraft in Brus Laguna municipality, Gracias a Dios department, coming from Venezuela, the Honduran Office of the Attorney General said in a statement. In total, authorities counted more than 200 kilograms of cocaine that the aircraft [ … ]

The Two Choices for Venezuela’s Future
As the fraudulent December 6 elections raise questions about the future of Venezuela, one thing remains clear: Venezuelans cannot have democracy while an illegitimate authoritarian regime is in power, says the U.S. Department of State. “Many of Venezuela’s most popular politicians are not permitted to run in the election, opposition [ … ]

As Fraudulent Election Nears, Maduro Cracks Down On Journalists
Ahead of the unconstitutional and fraudulent December 6 parliamentary elections in Venezuela, the illegitimate regime of Nicolás Maduro is cracking down on journalists. The Venezuelan constitution protects freedom of expression, forbids censorship, and guarantees access to information. However, Venezuela has fallen 31 places since 2014 in the World Press Freedom [ … ]

Interim President Guaidó Calls for Referendum to Reject Regime’s Fraudulent Parliamentary Elections in December
Venezuelan Interim President Juan Guaidó has called for a referendum (popular consultation or the People’s Vote) that will take place in parallel with the December 6 parliamentary elections promoted by the illegitimate Nicolás Maduro regime. Horacio Medina, a member of the Popular Consultation Organizing Committee, said that the event will [ … ]

OAS: Elections in Venezuela Will Not Be Free and Fair
The General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) passed a resolution October 21 declaring that the illegitimate Maduro regime’s December 6 elections in Venezuela will be fraudulent. “We all know there is more work to do to uphold our hemisphere as a hemisphere of freedom,” U.S. Secretary of [ … ]

Venezuelans Protest for Teachers and Basic Services
Venezuelans continue protesting the illegitimate regime of Nicolás Maduro, demanding the restoration of basic services and better treatment for teachers. In one week, from the end of September to the beginning of October 2020, 233 protests have swept the country, from rural towns to cities such as Caracas. There were [ … ]

Brazil: Federal Police Investigates International Gold Smuggling Organization
On October 9, the Brazilian Federal Police (PF, in Portuguese) launched an operation to dismantle a money laundering, tax evasion, and gold smuggling scheme from Venezuela to Brazil. “The investigations concluded that the criminal group consisted of a Lebanese citizen and his two brothers, who would coordinate the illegal scheme [ … ]

Venezuela’s Crisis Threatens Nearby Democracies
Democracy must be restored in Venezuela because undermining a democracy anywhere is a threat to democracy everywhere, experts say. “This is a country where Maduro has not only taken over most of the bigger opposition parties and tried to replace their leadership with his puppets,” said on September 1, Michael [ … ]

Russia’s Private Military Companies: A Threat to Latin America
Private military companies, or PMCs, are legally established international firms that operate as independent corporations, trading military and paramilitary services. In recent years, Russia has taken a leading role using PMCs as an extension of its Armed Forces to advance its foreign policy objectives. The United States Congressional Research Service [ … ]

Authorities Follow the Trail of Alex Saab, Nicolás Maduro’s Front Man
The Colombian Office of the Attorney General seized assets valued at $9.8 million from Alex Saab, a Colombian businessman and Nicolás Maduro’s front man, CNN reported on October 17, 2020. Authorities seized two properties in Barranquilla and Cartagena and three companies that Saab used for money laundering, the report says. [ … ]