The European Union on Monday approved new sanctions against Venezuela and added 19 officials in the government of President Nicolás Maduro to its list of people subject to restrictive measures for their role in “acts and decisions that threaten democracy” in the country after the fraudulent elections held in December.
Category: Venezuela

Venezuela — Chevron Meeting with US Officials Over Venezuela Oil Sanctions
Chevron wants the US government to ease Venezuelan oil sanctions in order to help the company wade out of deep waters. This is according to a new Bloomberg report. It indicates that officials from the company have been meeting with US government officials in order to work out the issue.

Chinese Firms have Been Buying Venezuelan Crude Oil Despite Sanctions
Some unscrupulous Chinese oil-dealing companies have been buying Venezuelan crude oil and mixing it with additives to disguise its true origin. This is according to a new Bloomberg report. It reveals a range of crafty methods used by guileful dealers to skirt US sanctions imposed on the Venezuelan oil industry.

Trump Offers Deportation Protections to Venezuelans
Former US President Donald Trump announced deportation protections for Venezuelans residing in the United States just hours before he left office. The latest move was aimed at underscoring the US government’s commitment to take down the Nicolas Maduro administration.

Trump Puts Cuba Back on State Sponsors of Terror List
The Administration of the outgoing US president, Donald Trump, once again included Cuba on its list of State Sponsors of Terrorism Monday. Cuba had been taken off the list in 2015 by the Obama administration. The decision was made just nine days before President Trump leaves the White House.

Venezuela — Russia Supports Maduro-Dominated Assembly
Russia has today expressed its readiness to cooperate “closely” with the Venezuelan National Assembly, dominated by supporters of President Nicolas Maduro, and to strengthen “strategic relations” between the two countries. The National Assembly took office Tuesday in Caracas.

Report: UAE a New Hub for Embargoed Shipping Companies
The United Arab Emirates has become a new hub for shipping companies looking to avoid US sanctions. This is as revealed in a new Reuters investigative report. It divulges how a collective of shipping companies previously embargoed by the US are taking advantage of UAE registration loopholes.

Maduro: Colombia Planning Attacks Against Venezuelan Military
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has asserted that Colombia is planning to attack the Venezuelan military in coming weeks. According to his statement, the longtime adversary is plotting to use trained mercenaries to carry out the assault. His statement comes at a time when tensions between the two nations are at an all-time high.

Russia Continuing Activities in Latin America
This month, Russian diplomats were expelled from Colombia on the grounds of espionage. Russia denied the allegations, and claimed that US and UK intelligence were involved. Nevertheless, Russia is trying to expand its presence in Latin America, in order to counter the United States.

Venezuela — National Assembly Votes to Extend its Term
Venezuela’s opposition has voted in favor of a term extension for the National Assembly beyond 2020. The opposition-held National Assembly is headed by opposition leader Juan Guaido. A collective of major western powers, including the United States and the United Kingdom, recognize him as the country’s legitimate leader.

Venezuela — Capriles Says Guaido has Failed
Former Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Henrique Capriles has called for the disbandment of the country’s interim government. Speaking to the BBC about the country’s crestfallen state of affairs, Capriles has said that there is no need for the interim government, which was set up in 2019, to continue to exist.

Venezuela — EU, US Reject “Fraudulent” Election
The European Union has unanimously rejected the results of the Venezuelan legislative elections held on Sunday. The vote gave the incumbent President, Nicolás Maduro, a massive win, hence ultimate control of the National Assembly. Earlier, the EU had warned that the elections should be postponed and conducted in a “fair and transparent” way.

Treasury Department Sanctions CEIEC
The United States imposed sanctions on Chinese state-owned company China Electronics Import and Export Corporation (CEIEC) on Monday, accusing it of supporting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s attempts to restrict internet access and conduct digital surveillance of the regime’s political opponents, undermining democracy.

What is Stopping Erdogan from Meddling in Venezuela?
This week, the Venezuelan leader of the opposition, Juan Guaido, gave an interview regarding the continuation of the US’ bipartisan support of the Venezuelan opposition by the newly-elected US President, Joe Biden, and his administration. However, Venezuela can suffer the same fate as Syria, except the trajectory will differ.

Latin Leaders Apart From Bolsonaro Congratulate Biden
The election of the new president of the United States, Joe Biden, was welcomed by most of the leaders of the main countries of Latin America Saturday and Sunday With the exception of the presidents of Brazil and Mexico. Head of State of the largest Latin nation, Jair Bolsonaro has yet to speak out officially about Joe Biden’s victory.

Iranian Plane Sanctioned by U.S. Arrives in Venezuela
According to Reuters, a Fars Air Qeshm plane, belonging to Mahan Iran, landed in Venezuela on Tuesday. The airline had started operating to transport cargo and personnel on the orders of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The United States and Iran have not commented on the matter.

Leopoldo Lopez Leaves Spanish Embassy in Caracas, Goes to Madrid
The Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez yesterday left the residence of the Spanish ambassador in Caracas, where he had been a guest since April 30, 2019, when he led a civic-military uprising with Juan Guaido that sought to overthrow Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro.

UK Court Overturns Venezuelan Gold Ruling
A British appeals court on Monday overturned an earlier lower court ruling, which had granted Venezuela’s self-declared President, Juan Guaidó, access to the more than 30 tons of Venezuelan gold that are deposited in the Bank of England. The ruling thus presents a new twist in the conflict.

EU Draws Ire for ‘Clandestine’ Mission to Venezuela
The European Union has come under heavy criticism from the European People’s Party (EPP) after organizing a diplomatic mission to Venezuela. The move, according to the party leaders, is inappropriate and sends a message to Nicolas Maduro’s regime that he is the recognized leader of the nation.

Venezuela Accuses the US of Causing Insecurity
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has accused the United States of spreading insecurity around the world as it seeks to impose its will upon smaller nations that have resisted its policies. He said that the world is less peaceful now because of the aggression projected by the United States.

Venezuela to Manufacture Own Defense Weapons
The Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced on September 25, his new order to create a Military Science Council to work on the country’s own weapons system. The announcement was commemorated to the 15th anniversary of the operational strategic command of the armed forces of the Republic.

EU Foreign Ministers Agree Not to Recognize Lukashenko, Fail to Pass Sanctions
The European Union foreign ministers on Monday unanimously agreed not to recognize the democratic legitimacy of the Belarusian president, Alexandr Lukashenko, following the country’s recent controversial elections. The said ministers, However, failed to adopt sanctions against the regime after Cyprus vetoed.

Venezuela — Pompeo Asks Maduro to Leave Office
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has asked Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to leave office in order to liberate his nation from the devastating sanctions imposed by the US. The US official said this while visiting Guyana. According to Pompeo, Maduro was preventing economic progress in his nation by holding on to power.

More Details About US Spy Caught in Venezuela
News outlets aligned to the ruling Socialist Party in Venezuela have revealed more details about the US spy captured near the Amuay and Cardon oil refineries a few days ago. The initial statement indicated that the man was found with a substantial amount of money in dollars as well as specialized equipment.

Iranian Oil Tanker Arrives in Venezuela
A tanker from Iran recently arrived in Venezuela with condensed gas to produce gasoline, circumventing the sanctions imposed by the United States against both countries, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza announced. The announcement was made via the social media network, Twitter.

Venezuela Says It Has Captured Spy Near Refinery
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has announced that a US spy has been caught spying close to the Amuay and Cardon refineries. According to his statement, the man is linked to the CIA. He was reportedly found with a sizeable amount of money as well as specialized weapons. No further details have been revealed except that he is in detention.

Alex Saab: Extradition Under Influence
On 12 June 2020, Alex Saab, Special Envoy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, was on his way to Tehran, Iran, on a humanitarian mission to alleviate the difficulties arising from the Covid-19 crisis in that country, when he was arrested by Cape Verdean authorities during a refuelling stop in the country. This arrest took place before the publication of the Interpol notice and was therefore carried out without a valid international warrant and in a totally irregular manner, since, as a special envoy of his country, he enjoys inviolability and diplomatic immunity and can therefore be detained only on the basis of an international warrant such as the one issued subsequently.

Maduro: Buying Missiles From Iran ‘A Good Idea’
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in response to remarks by his Colombian counterpart that Venezuela was considering buying Iranian missiles, described the idea as “good” and called on his defense minister to negotiate with Iran. On Saturday described, the Venezuelan President called the purchase of missiles from Iran as a “good idea”.

Venezuelan Opposition Vows Boycott of December Elections
The Venezuelan opposition officially stated on Sunday that it would not participate in the legislative elections scheduled for December this year. The Venezuelan opposition considers the said elections as a “fraudulent process.” The statement was signed by 27 opposition parties.

US Negotiations with Venezuela Stymied by Bounties
The US government recently issued a $5 million bounty for information leading to arrest and incarceration of Venezuelan Chief Justice Maikel José Moreno Pérez. The chief judicial officer is accused of receiving significant amounts of assets to influence the ruling of judicial cases in the country.

Efforts to Secure Release of Americans in Venezuela Fail
Former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson has just concluded a visit to Venezuela to negotiate the release of eight prisoners. Seven of them are Americans. According to Richardson, he had a meeting with Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro. Richardson described the president as friendly and cordial.

Britain Sides with Guaido in Venezuelan Gold Dispute
A British court has ruled against an application by Venezuela’s central bank for a refund of €890 million in gold reserves. According to the ruling by the British high court, Venezuela’s existing gold reserves in the UK will be given to the parallel government of Venezuela, led by Juan Guaido.

US Seeks to Seize Iranian Gasoline Bound for Venezuela
Donald Trump’s administration has instructed prosecutors to file a lawsuit to seize four Iranian tankers carrying gasoline to Venezuela, according to Reuters. The lawsuit aims to seize Iranian tankers, prevent future deliveries of gasoline to Venezuela, and increase sanctions and economic pressure on both.

UK Court Rules Against Maduro in Quest for Gold
A court in Britain today ruled that it is opposition leader Juan Guaidó, and not President Nicolás Maduro, who has authority over Venezuela’s gold reserves deposited at the Bank of England. The London Commercial Court ruled that the government had “unequivocally recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as president,” rather than Maduro.

Maduro Orders EU Ambassador to Leave Venezuela
Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, has ordered the European Union (EU) ambassador in Caracas, Isabel Brilhante Pedrosa, to leave the country within 72 hours. Maduro gave the order on Monday following Brussels’ imposition of sanctions on 11 Venezuelan officials.

Forced Disappearances on the Rise in Venezuela
There is a sharp increase in forced disappearances in Venezuela. This is according to a new report released by the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization. It highlights that the despotic government, led by President Nicolás Maduro, is detaining more civilians without cause.

Trump Not Interested in Installing Guaidó in Venezuela
US President Donald Trump has indicated that he has little interest at the moment to influence Venezuelan politics or usurp Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from power. He has also publicly pronounced that he is not particularly interested in installing opposition leader Juan Gerardo Guaidó Márquez.

Axios: Trump Open to Meeting with Maduro
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has stated that he is open to an eventual meeting with his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolás Maduro, in an interview published on Sunday. The move by Trump in a way reduces the weight of his Venezuelan opponent Juan Guaidó.

Venezuela Continues to Receive Help Despite Sanctions
Iran is reportedly sending a ship ferrying cargo to Venezuela. The move comes amidst growing sanctions on vessels and companies involved in facilitating bilateral trade between the two nations. Last week, the US Treasury Department enacted sanctions targeting four shipping companies.

UN: Nearly 80 Million People Displaced Worldwide
Nearly 80 million people around the world have been forced to flee their homes due to war and conflict, fear of terror and violence, as well as economic collapse and poverty. According to a recent report released by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Thursday, the number of refugees in the world has reached 79.5 million.

China Stops Chartering Oil Tankers in Venezuelan Deliveries
Chinese oil companies have stopped chartering oil tankers that have, in the past year, delivered consignments to Venezuela. This is following a new directive by the United States government sanctioning vessels involved in boosting the Venezuela oil sector. According to the Department of the Treasury, companies aiding the corrupt regime of President Nicholas Maduro are in contravention of current statutes.

France, Spain Deny Venezuelan Opposition Leaders Hiding in Embassies
Venezuela’s foreign minister is accusing France of having given refuge to opposition leader Juan Guaidó at its embassy in Caracas, a charge that Paris denies. “Mr Juan Guaido is not at the French residency in Caracas. We have confirmed this to the Venezuelan authorities several times,” French foreign ministry spokeswoman Agnes von der Muhll said.

Venezuelan Parliament Recognizes Juan Guaido as President
Venezuela’s Supreme Court, which is loyal to President Nicolas Maduro, has approved Luis Parra as the President of the National Assembly. However, the opposition-dominated parliament did not recognize the court’s decision, and reaffirmed Juan Guaido’s authority.

Venezuelan Supreme Court Orders Guaidó Removed
The Venezuelan Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) ruled on Wednesday that the self-proclaimed interim president, Juan Guaidó, is not the legitimate president of the country’s National Assembly, the country’s Parliament. As per the court’s ruling, the legislative presidency is now in the hands of deputy Luis Parra, who had initially been elected to the post in a controversial session on January 5.

Iran Warns U.S. Not to Interfere with Shipment to Venezuela
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has sternly warned the United States and threatened retaliatory action against Washington should it dare cause any hitches to the transportation of Iranian oil tankers to Venezuela. Rouhani says Iran would never start a conflict but has the legitimate right to defend its national interests, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

Venezuelan Army Escorts Iranian Oil Tankers
The Iranian army is escorting tankers to Venezuela to deliver oil. Earlier, the United States said it could block the tanker from reaching Venezuela. The five tankers are expected to reach Venezuela soon. Venezuela’s Defense Minister noted that oil tankers will stop at the port in the special economic zone.

Venezuelans Losing Hope in Guaidó’s Leadership
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Gerardo Guaidó Márquez is recognized by the United States, and a slew of other western nations, as the rightful leader of Venezuela. The US government has imposed a series of economic sanctions on the ruling regime in a bid to usurp rival Nicolas Maduro and his cohorts from power.

Iranian Media Warns US Against Meddling in Venezuela
An Iranian media network that is aligned to the reigning regime has issued a warning to the United States government against carrying out any moves that would jeopardize its oil shipment to Venezuela. The ship that is destined for the Latin American nation has already left the port.

Are China or Russia Behind the Fake Story About the US Being Involved in Failed Venezuelan Coup?
On May 6 The Washington Post reported that the Venezuelan opposition in October 2019 signed a contract with the American PMC Silvercorp to overthrow Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The Post states the contract amount was approximately $213 million. The agreement supposedly outlined Nicolas Maduro was the target and specifically indicated the undertaking to overthrow Maduro. Additionally, it included the clause to establish the regime and bring to power Juan Guaido.

Coronavirus— UN Warns of Rapid Spread in American Prisons
The United Nations warned today of the rapid spread of cases of covid-19 in prisons on the American continent. They stressed that overcrowding and poor hygiene conditions in most of the prison facilities are a key contributor to the situation. “Thousands of inmates and prison officials have already been infected across North and South America,” said the spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Rupert Colville, at a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland today.