Taliban does not recognize High Peace Council: spox
en.mehrnews.com | 2020-05-16
TEHRAN, May 17 (MNA)

Trade exchange between Iran, Venezuela has nothing to do with anyone else
en.mehrnews.com | 2020-05-16
TEHRAN, May 16 (MNA)

Venezuela calls on UK government to 'abandon coup-mongering plans' after The Canary's investigation
John McEvoy | thecanary.co | 2020-05-16
Following an investigation by The Canary, the Venezuelan government has formally called on the UK to "abandon Washington's coup-mongering plans and any destabilizing initiative". | Venezuela Reconstruction Unit: | On 13 May, The Canary revealed the existence of a specialist unit within the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) dedicated to the 'reconstruction' of Venezuela. Files obtained un…
thecanary.co/uk/news/2020/05/16/venezuela-calls-on-uk-government-to-abandon-coup-mongering-plans-after-the-canarys-investigation/

Anonymous shootings target students as violence against activists increases in Chile
Carole Concha Bell | thecanary.co | 2020-05-15
Chile has had a turbulent few months. And at the end of April, a dozen people were shot from an unmarked car in one of Santiago's most populated suburbs, La Florida, during a peaceful protest. This was not an isolated incident. Violence against students and protesters by anonymous attackers has…
thecanary.co/feature/2020/05/15/anonymous-shootings-target-students-as-violence-against-activists-increases-in-chile/

Puebla Group Discusses Peace in Colombia and Pandemic Crisis
telesurenglish.net | 2020-05-15
The Puebla Group today is discussing the peace process in Colombia, the health crisis, and the regional economy, during a new virtual meeting that brings together progressive leaders from Latin America. | RELATED: | Puebla Group to Analyze COVID-19 Crisis in Latin America | Colombia is the host of the new virtual meeting, in the voices of former President Ernesto Samper and former Minister of Labor Clara Lopez Obregon. | "Peace measures are the level of civilization of a country," sa…
telesurenglish.net/news/puebla-group-to-discuss-peace-in-colombia-and-pandemic-crisis-20200515-0010.html

Socialism and Collective Responses: Attacking Venezuela in a Pandemic
Macdonald Stainsby | counterpunch.org | 2020-05-15
That feeling of international solidarity. This pandemic has brought terror in daily life to many, including this home where a 79 year old with COPD resides. Global calls of "we are all in this together" have served to blunt the bleakness in the face of unprecedented threats to our collective health. However, the initial rush…
counterpunch.org/2020/05/15/socialism-and-collective-responses-attacking-venezuela-in-a-pandemic/

Canadians Must Ask Questions About the Mercenary Raid on Venezuela
Nino Pagliccia | globalresearch.ca | 2020-05-15
Details of the failed armed mercenary incursion on Venezuela are surfacing daily thanks to the prompt public information system from Venezuela and scant corporate media reports. The so-called Operation Gideon took off from Colombia on May 3 and was effectively …
globalresearch.ca/canadians-must-ask-questions-about-mercenary-raid-venezuela/5712996

Venezuelan TV Exposed US Mercenaries' Names, Photos and Incursion Plan a Month Before It Happened
Ryan Parry | anti-empire.com | 2020-05-15
The Americans behind the failed Venezuelan coup went ahead with the ill-fated mission even though the country's ruling regime publicly exposed their plan on live TV more than a month earlier. | In footage unearthed by DailyMail.com Venezuelan state television claimed its government had infiltrated the 'mercenaries' and even aired photographs of the coup's US leader, Jordan Goudreau. | They also appeared to have the names of the other two Americans captured and paraded on TV this week, ex Green Berets Luke Denman and Airan Berry. | The revelation, alongside the apparent lack of funding and adequate equipment fo…
anti-empire.com/venezuelan-tv-exposed-us-mercenaries-names-photos-and-incursion-plan-a-month-before-it-happened/

Guaidó and the Failed Military Operation Against Venezuela: a Story of Betrayal and Financial Corruption
Patricio Zamorano | counterpunch.org | 2020-05-15
Now that we have had a few days to study the failed, illegal paramilitary incursion by a group of American and Venezuelan mercenaries into Venezuela, some key details have emerged in this incredible story. They reveal the internal dynamics of the fractured, demoralized, and financially corrupt nature of the hardline sectors of the opposition. Much…
counterpunch.org/2020/05/15/guaido-and-the-failed-military-operation-against-venezuela-a-story-of-betrayal-and-financial-corruption/

'Together We'll Overcome' ANC Leader Tells the World's Peoples
telesurenglish.net | 2020-05-15
The African National Congress (ANC) General Secretary Elias Sekgobelo Magashule Friday delivered a public lecture about the significance of human solidarity and internationalism and the role of the Cuban revolution in the struggle against imperialism and colonialism. | RELATED: | Venezuela Denounces US at UN Security Council | "We are proud and much encouraged that young…
telesurenglish.net/news/Together-Well-Overcome-ANC-Leader-Tells-the-Worlds-Peoples-20200515-0011.html

For Cuba and Venezuela, US Silence May Not Be Golden
W. T. Whitney | counterpunch.org | 2020-05-15
The U. S. President and his Secretary of State frequently expound about the supposed failings of enemies abroad. Recently they've blasted China's response to the pandemic, Venezuela's dictatorship, Cuba's "slave doctors" overseas, and even Iranian border guards beating up on Afghan migrants. But they've been mostly silent about two recent disruptions of the imperialist status…
counterpunch.org/2020/05/15/for-cuba-and-venezuela-us-silence-may-not-be-golden/

Venezuelan TV Exposed US Mercenaries' Names, Photos and Incursion Plan a Month Before It Happened
Ryan Parry | anti-empire.com | 2020-05-15
The Americans behind the failed Venezuelan coup went ahead with the ill-fated mission even though the country's ruling regime publicly exposed their plan on live TV more than a month earlier. | In footage unearthed by DailyMail.com Venezuelan state television claimed its government had infiltrated the 'mercenaries' and even aired photographs of the coup's US leader, Jordan Goudreau. | They also appeared to have the names of the other two Americans captured and paraded on TV this week, ex Green Berets Luke Denman and Airan Berry. | The revelation, alongside the apparent lack of funding and adequate equipment fo…
anti-empire.com/venezuelan-tv-exposed-us-mercenaries-names-photos-and-incursion-plan-a-month-before-it-happened/

Up to Five Iranian Tankers en Route to Venezuela Carrying Much-Needed Gasoline
Irina Slav | anti-empire.com | 2020-05-15
An Iranian tanker loaded with gasoline has set sail for Venezuela, Reuters reports, citing tanker tracking data. The cargo should help alleviate a growing shortage of gasoline in the sanctions-stricken South American country. | The Clavel, a medium tanker, loaded in March at the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, and this week passed the Suez Canal, the data showed. | TankerTrackers.com co-founder Samir Madani confirmed the data to Oilprice.com, noting that there were several vessels en route from Iran to Venezuela, with the cargo all or mostly gasoline. | twitter.com/Joyce_Karam/status/1261022167669…
anti-empire.com/up-to-five-iranian-tankers-en-route-to-venezuela-carrying-much-needed-gasoline/

'Zombie Neocon': How This Iran Contra Architect Is Leading Trump Policy
Andrey Areshev | strategic-culture.org | 2020-05-14
Hawk Elliot Abrams, reborn as a U.S. envoy, is at the spear point of recent aggressive moves in Venezuela. | Barbara BOLAND | As we await answers on who funded the plot to use a handful of mercenaries and ex-Green Berets to oust Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, it's worth taking a closer look at the man behind regime change policy, the special envoy on Venezuela, Elliott Abrams. | Called the "neocon zombie" by officials at the State Department, Abrams is know…
strategic-culture.org/news/2020/05/14/zombie-neocon-how-this-iran-contra-architect-is-leading-trump-policy/

President Maduro: New Mercenary Groups are Formed in Colombia
telesurenglish.net | 2020-05-14
Venezuela's president, Nicolas Maduro, denounced this Thursday that "new groups of mercenaries are being formed in Colombia" under the complicity of the Ivan Duque government, with the purpose of attempting new attacks against his country. | "New groups of hitmen, mercenaries and terrorists are being formed in Colombia; We have the names, the place where they are, those who protect them and everything points to Ivan Duque again ", denounced the president while leading the day with the health sector to evaluate the protocols implemented in the combat of Covid-19. | The head of state asserted that those who pro…
telesurenglish.net/news/President-Maduro-New-Mercenary-Groups-are-Formed-in-Colombia-20200514-0022.html

The Colombian Political System is Ravaged by Corruption: Pablo Beltrán
Sasha Yumbila Paz | peoplesdispatch.org | 2020-05-14
The ELN, took up arms in 1964. Since 1989, it has held peace talks with five administrations. The government of Juan Manuel Santos and the ELN advanced an agenda to end the conflict. The last round of negotiations was held in Havana, Cuba, where the ELN's Dialogue Delegation continues to work for a political solution to Colombia's armed conflict. | The government of Iván Duque Márquez, since taking office in August 2018, has ignored the Agenda for Peace Talks, including the security protocols and the return of the ELN to Colombia; and in January 2019 it terminated all dialogue. | Over 56 years, the armed conflict…
peoplesdispatch.org/2020/05/14/the-colombian-political-system-is-ravaged-by-corruption-pablo-beltran/

Revealed: Secretive British Unit Planning for 'Reconstruction' of Venezuela
John McEvoy | globalresearch.ca | 2020-05-14
Documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act have exposed a secretive Foreign Office unit aimed at the 'reconstruction' of Venezuela. The files also reveal private discussions between Venezuelan opposition figures and UK officials, detailing proposals for the promotion of …
globalresearch.ca/british-unit-planning-reconstruction-venezuela/5712896

[UPDATED] Venezuelan Oil Sector Continues Slump Amid Pandemic, US Sanctions
Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-05-13
The Maduro government is working to repair refineries with Chinese and Iranian assistance to tackle fuel shortages.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14874

Revealed: Secretive British unit planning for 'reconstruction' of Venezuela
John McEvoy | thecanary.co | 2020-05-13
Documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act have exposed a secretive Foreign Office unit aimed at the 'reconstruction' of Venezuela. The files also reveal private discussions between Venezuelan opposition figures and UK officials, detailing proposals for the promotion of British business after a planned coup.UK support for coup attempt in Venezuela: Over the past 16 months, the UK government has consistently supported Venezuelan opposition figure Juan…
thecanary.co/exclusive/2020/05/13/revealed-secretive-british-unit-planning-for-reconstruction-of-venezuela/

Trump's Ex-Security Company and Their Botched Plot to Overthrow the President of Venezuela
ahtribune.com | 2020-05-12
Reports coming out of Venezuela and Miami, Florida in the United States are boarding on the hilarious. If you thought you had seen it all with Venezuela's hard right-wing opposition and their allies in the U.S. with their actions to overthrow the socialist government of Nicolas Maduro, well, think again. In recent days, images of two captured North American mercenaries have been flooding the air waves in the South American country of Venezuela where Maduro remains the president, despite harsh U.S. economic sanctions. | Accord…
ahtribune.com/world/americas/venezuela/4143-trump-security-company-silvercorp.html

Guaidó's mercenary hit contract on Venezuela's Maduro mirrors official US bounty, authorizes death squad killings
Alan MacLeod | thegrayzone.com | 2020-05-11
The leaked contract between Juan Guaidó and the Silvercorp USA mercenary firm closely resembles a DEA bounty placed on the…
thegrayzone.com/2020/05/10/guaido-mercenary-contract-venezuelas-maduro-us-bounty-death-squad/

Western Venezuela Rocked by Rolling Blackouts
Paul Dobson | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-05-11
Low water levels at hydroelectric dams, "terrorist sabotage" and damaged infrastructure have been blamed for the power cuts.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14873

Washington places Cuba and Venezuela on "terror" list
wsws.org | 2020-05-16
After fostering an abortive mercenary invasion aimed at overthrowing Venezuela's government and murdering its president, the US placed Caracas on a list of governments deemed uncooperative in the "war on terrorism."
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/05/16/cuba-m16.html

As US Reels From COVID-19, Trump Turns to Sanctions, War Making and Threats
Alan Macleod | mintpressnews.com | 2020-05-15
The Trump admin has decisively chosen war over peace and conflict over cooperation. Yet it appears less able than ever to coerce the world into following its lead.
mintpressnews.com/us-reels-covid-19-trump-sanctions-war-threats/267592/

Venezuela Shows World Under No Less Threat of War After Donald Trump's First Term
ahtribune.com | 2020-05-15
When Donald Trump ran for president in the 2016 election, his criticisms of regime change presented a real opportunity for anti-war voices and organizations to demand an end to U.S. regime change wars abroad. That did not happen. In fact, the Trump administration has become even more bellicose amid the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide. Anti-war forces in the U.S. made the mistake of believing Donald Trump would truly make a difference in the bipartisan war agenda. Venezuela is facing th…
ahtribune.com/world/americas/venezuela/4153-no-less-threat-of-war.html

Give Peace a Chance: Saudi Arabia and the UAE Jostle for Position in War-Ravaged Countries for Contracts
Andrey Areshev | strategic-culture.org | 2020-05-15
Is the coronavirus, which has hit GCC countries quite hard, going to fuel proxy wars further with the economic objective of fortunes to be made, once the fighting stops? Or dig them in deeper? Don't overlook Russia in the scramble for reconstruction contracts. | The bigger they are, the harder they fall. This certainly applies to countries in the GCC which are attempting to pick themselves up again. It's a cruel irony, some might argue, that the UAE's diversification in its economy away from oil dependency, made it more vulnerable than Saudi Arabia's and so was hit harder by the virus. An economy dependent on tou…
strategic-culture.org/news/2020/05/15/give-peace-chance-saudi-arabia-and-uae-jostle-for-position-war-ravaged-countries-contracts/

Jordan's king warns Israel of 'massive conflict' if it proceeds with West Bank annexation plans
rt.com | 2020-05-15
Jordan's King Abdullah II warned Israel of a "massive conflict" if it proceeds with plans to annex large parts of the occupied West Bank. | Israel has vowed to annex Jewish settlements and the Jordan Valley. The move could spell the end of the long-stalled peace process by making it virtually impossible to establish a viable Palestinian state. | "Leaders who advocate a one-state solution do not understand what that would mean," Jordan's king said in an interview with the German magazine Der Spiegel. | European Union foreign ministers met on Friday to discuss what action the bloc might take in response to Israe…
rt.com/newsline/488812-jordan-israel-conflict-annexation/

No Lockdowns: The Terrifying Polio Pandemic of 1949-52
Jeffrey A. Tucker | anti-empire.com | 2020-05-15
World War II had ended four years earlier and the U.S. was trying to return to peace and prosperity. Price controls and rationing were ended. Trade was opening. People were returning to normal life. The economy started humming again. Optimism for the future was growing. Harry Truman became the symbol of a new normacy. From Depression and war, society was on the mend. | As if to serve as a reminder that there were still threats to life and liberty present, an old enemy made its appearance: polio. It's a disease with ancient origins, with its most terrifying effect, the paralysis of the lower extremities. It mai…
anti-empire.com/no-lockdowns-the-terrifying-polio-pandemic-of-1949-52/

A universal appeal for humanity to end militarism and stop war
Abdallah El Harif | peoplesdispatch.org | 2020-05-15
On March 15, 1950, the World Peace Council sent out the Stockholm Appeal, a short text that called for a ban on nuclear weapons and that would eventually be signed by almost 2 million people. The appeal was made up of three elegant sentences: | -We demand the outlawing of atomic weapons as instruments of intimidation and mass murder of peoples. We demand strict international control to enforce this measure. | -We believe that any government which first uses atomic weapons against any other country whatsoever will be committing a crime against humanity and should be dealt with as a war criminal. | -We call on a…
peoplesdispatch.org/2020/05/15/a-universal-appeal-for-humanity-to-end-militarism-and-stop-war/

Pivot To Peace Must Replace US Pivot To War With China
Kevin Zeese and Margaret Flowers | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-05-12
US and Chinese Fists and Weapons face-off (from the Financial Times) The Trump administration, in seeking to divert attention from its bungled response to the COVID-19 pandemic and mishandling of the economic collapse, is escalating the bipartisan anti-China policy, which has a long history. This increases the potential of military conflict and economic war between …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/05/pivot-to-peace-must-replace-us-pivot-to-war-with-china/

Western Venezuela Rocked by Rolling Blackouts
Paul Dobson | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-05-11
Low water levels at hydroelectric dams, "terrorist sabotage" and damaged infrastructure have been blamed for the power cuts.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14873

Was the Latest Coup Plot Against Democratic Venezuela Made in the US?
ahtribune.com | 2020-05-11
UN Charter Article 2(4) states the following: | "All members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations." | Since US grand theft of half of Mexican territory in the mid 19th century, long before the UN Charter's existence, the US time and again waged wars by hot and other means against nations threatening no one, including countless coups

[UPDATED] Venezuela Makes Fresh Arrests as Opposition Splinters over Failed Coup
Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-05-10
Trump said the operation "was not a good attack," again denying any US involvement.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14869

[UPDATED] Venezuela Makes Fresh Arrests as Opposition Splinters over Failed Coup
Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-05-10
Trump said the operation "was not a good attack," again denying any US involvement.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14869

Silvercorp co-founder speaks with The Grayzone: What did State Department know about failed Venezuela invasion?
Anya Parampil | thegrayzone.com | 2020-05-08
The Grayzone speaks to Drew White

Palestinians And Israelis Remember Casualties Together
Staff | therealnews.com | 2020-05-08
The alternative memorial service organized by peace organizations in Israel/Palestine challenges the racist official memorial services of the State of Israel in which only Israeli casualties are remembered.
therealnews.com/stories/palestinians-israelis-remember-casualties-memorial-service

US Investigating Ex-Green Beret, Denies 'Direct' Involvement in Failed Venezuela Coup
Ricardo Vaz and Lucas Koerner | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-05-07
New documents confirm that the Venezuelan opposition signed a contract with Florida-based Silvercorp to kidnap President Nicolas Maduro.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14867

Horrifying Glimpse Into How DARPA Will "Save" You From COVID-19 & Venezuela Coup Tied Back To Trump
Ryan Cristián | thelastamericanvagabond.com | 2020-05-06
Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (5/6/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …
thelastamericanvagabond.com/daily-wrap-up/horrifying-glimpse-into-how-darpa-will-save-you-from-covid-19-venezuela-coup-tied-back-to-trump/

A Massive "COVID-19" Cover Up Is Underway & 'US Mercenaries' Caught In Venezuelan Coup Attempt
Ryan Cristián | thelastamericanvagabond.com | 2020-05-06
Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (5/5/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …
thelastamericanvagabond.com/daily-wrap-up/massive-covid-19-cover-up-underway-us-mercenaries-caught-venezuelan-coup-attempt/

Horrifying Glimpse Into How DARPA Will "Save" You From COVID-19 & Venezuela Coup Tied Back To Trump
Ryan Cristián | thelastamericanvagabond.com | 2020-05-06
Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (5/6/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …
thelastamericanvagabond.com/daily-wrap-up/horrifying-glimpse-into-how-darpa-will-save-you-from-covid-19-venezuela-coup-tied-back-to-trump/

A Massive "COVID-19" Cover Up Is Underway & 'US Mercenaries' Caught In Venezuelan Coup Attempt
Ryan Cristián | thelastamericanvagabond.com | 2020-05-06
Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (5/5/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …
thelastamericanvagabond.com/daily-wrap-up/massive-covid-19-cover-up-underway-us-mercenaries-caught-venezuelan-coup-attempt/

Venezuela: Two US Citizens Captured in Botched Coup Attempt
Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-05-05
Two former green berets were arrested in a second failed assault on Venezuelan shores on Monday.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14864

Paramilitary invasions in Venezuela: Made in USA
Nic de la Riva | liberationnews.org | 2020-05-05
Attempted invasion taken care of swiftly and efficiently by the Venezuelan government.
liberationnews.org/paramilitary-invasions-in-venezuela-made-in-usa/

Venezuela: 45 Killed in Guanare Prison Riot
Paul Dobson | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-05-04
The government pledged to investigate the May 1 riot, which it described as an attempted breakout.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14863

[Correspondence] The arrival of SARS-CoV-2 in Venezuela
Alberto E Paniz-Mondolfi, Emilia M Sordillo, Marilianna C Márquez-Colmenarez, Lourdes A Delgado-Noguera, Alfonso J Rodriguez-Morales | thelancet.com | 2020-05-04
We read with interest the World Report about the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on Venezuelan migrants.1 We concur wholeheartedly that the COVID-19 pandemic will have a negative impact on Venezuelans who have taken refuge in neighbouring countries.
thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)31053-9/fulltext?rss=yes

Venezuela: 45 Killed in Guanare Prison Riot
Paul Dobson | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-05-04
The government pledged to investigate the May 1 riot, which it described as an attempted breakout.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14863

[Correspondence] The arrival of SARS-CoV-2 in Venezuela
Alberto E Paniz-Mondolfi, Emilia M Sordillo, Marilianna C Márquez-Colmenarez, Lourdes A Delgado-Noguera, Alfonso J Rodriguez-Morales | thelancet.com | 2020-05-04
We read with interest the World Report about the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on Venezuelan migrants.1 We concur wholeheartedly that the COVID-19 pandemic will have a negative impact on Venezuelans who have taken refuge in neighbouring countries.
thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)31053-9/fulltext?rss=yes

Venezuelan Armed Forces: Paramilitary Incursion Neutralized
Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-05-03
Former US green beret Jordan Goudreau, reported to have led preparations for a coup, confirmed the operation.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14861

Former US Special Ops Soldier Led Plot to Invade Venezuela: Sources
Lucas Koerner | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-05-02
AP reports that the Venezuelan opposition and Colombian authorities were aware of the plan.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14859

US to Mobilize Military Reservists in 'Anti-Drug' Operation Against Venezuela
Ricardo Vaz and Lucas Koerner | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-04-30
The Trump administration is also targeting oil-for-food deals involving the Venezuelan government and Mexican companies.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14857