The COVID-19 pandemic has created an atmosphere of uncertainty among the people of Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. Lack of transparency in crisis management, inefficient healthcare systems, and systematic violations of human rights paint a bleak picture for the three countries. In Nicaragua the government of Daniel Ortega still refuses to [ … ]
Venezuela
Colombian Guerrillas Subdue Indigenous Populations with Maduro’s Support
The Uwottüja people, who live in Venezuela’s Amazonas state, said in a meeting for indigenous communities that the Nicolás Maduro regime does not address their problems and needs. The communities living near the four rivers (Sipapo, Cuao, Autana, and Guayapo) and the mid-Orinoco sector have decided to defend themselves with [ … ]
Bachelet Calls for Release of Prisoners in Venezuela
Amid the pandemic the world faces due to the spread of COVID-19, United Nations (U.N.) High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet called for the unconditional release of all political prisoners in Venezuela. Bachelet reported more than 130 cases of alleged human rights violations against people imprisoned for disagreeing with [ … ]
Lima Group Supports US, Guaidó Proposal to Set Up Transitional Government in Venezuela
On April 2, the Lima Group announced its support for the proposals by the United States and Venezuelan Interim President Juan Guaidó to create a transitional government, to pull Venezuela out of its institutional, economic, and social crisis. “We support the proposal made by Interim President Juan Guaidó, on behalf [ … ]
Guaidó Calls for Declaring Venezuela Source of Conflict Minerals
Venezuelan Interim President Juan Guaidó continues to pressure the international community to include Venezuelan gold in the list of so-called “conflict minerals.” The president of the National Assembly, recognized by more than 50 countries as interim president of Venezuela, raised the problem of what he called “blood gold” during his [ … ]
Venezuelan Regime Lines Its Pockets With Drug Money
For years, Venezuela has been strengthening narcotrafficking. The leader of the illegitimate National Constituent Assembly, Diosdado Cabello Rondón, plays a decisive role in the process, not only because he is the second most powerful man in the regime, but also because he provides political and military protection to narco-terrorist crimes, [ … ]
US Charges Venezuelan Chief Justice with Corruption and Money Laundering
Maikel Moreno — the highest-ranking judge in Venezuela — was indicted on separate charges in Miami, Florida for money laundering and corruption on March 26, the same day that Nicolás Maduro and others in his regime were charged with narco-terrorism and other criminal charges. Moreno is believed to have doled [ … ]
Venezuelan Ex-General Surrenders to US on Drug Trafficking Charges
A retired Venezuelan general who was charged by the United States with “narco-terrorism” along with Nicolás Maduro and other officials has surrendered in Colombia to U.S. authorities, prosecutors said on March 28. “The national Attorney General learned that Mr Cliver Alcala surrendered to U.S. authorities,” the Colombian prosecutor said in [ … ]
US Shifts Strategy and Offers Venezuela Path Toward Democracy
The United States announced on March 31 that they are prepared to lift sanctions against Venezuela if both Nicolás Maduro and Interim President Juan Guaidó step aside and agree to a transitional government guided by both ruling parties. The plan was outlined by the U.S. special representative to Venezuela, Elliott [ … ]
US Sanctions on Venezuela Explained
Since 2017, the U.S. has sanctioned people, businesses, and oil entities associated with the Nicolás Maduro regime, both inside and outside of Venezuela. Why are sanctions necessary and who actually feels their impact? U.S. sanctions are designed to ensure that Maduro and his cronies don’t profit from illegal gold mining, [ … ]
Petrocaribe Decline Worsens
Petrocaribe, the crude oil and gasoline trade alliance project between Venezuela and Caribbean nations, which the Venezuelan regime promoted for years, is in decline, and its failure is evident. “The program is crashing rapidly due to the crisis in Venezuela and, more specifically, to the decline in production by Petróleos [ … ]
Venezuela Involved In Cocaine Production
Venezuela is no longer just a transit country for drugs, as Venezuelans are involved in the first phases of cocaine production, Venezuelan experts and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) said. The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), a body of the United Nations (U.N.), said in its 2019 report, published February 27, 2020, [ … ]