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.
Tag: Juan Guaido

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Venezuela: EU Comes Out in Favor of American Framework
The European Union considered an American proposal for a “democratic transition” in Venezuela on Friday, which they believe is aimed at achieving a peaceful solution to the crisis the country is experiencing. It involves “a negotiated path towards a democratic government.”

Venezuela’s Maduro Indicted on Drug Trafficking
The United States has filed an indictment against Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro and four other associates for drug trafficking. The administration is offering a $15 million reward for information leading to the capture and conviction of the president, and $10 million for each of his conspirators.

Trump, Bolsonaro Sign Defense Agreement, Keep Pressure on Maduro
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro signed a defense agreement in Miami Sunday, enabling joint development of military capabilities with the United States. The signing took place a day after U.S. President Donald Trump received Bolsonaro at his residence and Mar-a-Lago golf club in Palm Beach, near Miami.

Guaido Supporters Occupy Venezuelan Embassy in Brazil
Suрроrtеrѕ оf Venezuelan dіѕѕіdеnt Juаn Guaido оссuріеd a раrt of thе Vеnеzuеlаn embassy in Brazil оn Wеdnеѕdау mоrnіng, аftеr mеmbеrѕ оf thе expedition team opened dооrѕ tо them tо ѕhоw thеіr loyalty to thе opposition lеаdеr. A Brazilian роlісе ѕоurсе said the grоuр wаѕ “trуіng tо nеgоtіаtе реасеfullу” wіth ѕuрроrtеrѕ оf Prеѕіdеnt Nicolas Mаdurо іnѕіdе thе еmbаѕѕу, whеrе the ѕіtuаtіоn ѕееmѕ аmbіguоuѕ. Meanwhile, bilateral tаlkѕ have bеgun between the BRICS countries іn thе Brаzіlіаn саріtаl.

El Salvador Expels Venezuelan Diplomats
El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele, has ordered that all Venezuelan diplomats appointed by President Nicolas Maduro must leave the country within two days. Bukele argues the decision is in line with the position of the current Salvadorian government, which does not recognize the legitimacy of Maduro’s regime.

Venezuela Wins Seat on UN Human Rights Council Despite Human Rights Abuses
Venezuela won a contested election to a seat on the UN Human Rights Council Thursday, a move the opposition has called “incoherent.” The governing regime is currently being investigated for “human rights violations and crimes against humanity.”

Venezuela’s Maduro to Skip UN General Assembly in New York
Nicolas Maduro, the President of Venezuela, announced that he would not go to New York during this years’ session of the UN General Assembly, in which leaders from around the world are expected to participate. The event is scheduled for September 23rd. Maduro, however, took part in last year’s event.

Maduro Opts Out of Peace Dialogue in Barbados in Protest of US Sanctions
The Venezuelan government has officially distanced itself from participating in the new round of talks with the opposition held in Barbados, the Caribbean. The mediation efforts are being spearheaded by Norway, and initially scheduled to take place on Thursday (today) and Friday. The late Wednesday decision by the Maduro Government came a day after the United States announced sanctions on individuals and companies negotiating with the Venezuelan Government.

Trump Pushes Venezuela’s Maduro to the Wall, Slams the Country with Fresh Sanctions
It is now even more evident that the push by the US to have Venezuela’s President Nicholas Maduro vacate office is still actively on. In the most recent move to frustrate Maduro’s administration, US President Donald Trump has imposed a total blockade on the state assets of the Venezuela government in the US. The move by Trump is most likely aimed at imposing a future total embargo on Venezuela. Before Venezuela’s inclusion on the list, the blockade of state assets in the US was only effective on; Cuba, Syria, Iran, and North Korea.

Venezuela: United States Warns Nicolas Maduro Has a “Short Term” to Leave Power
The US government warned Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro that he has a “short term” to leave power if he does not want to face international justice and new US measures. US officials expressed confidence that the Lima Group will send the same message soon to Chavismo.

Unrest Around the World – A Country by Country Look
Today following the world news can be seen in a world at unrest. In these countries especially is apparent World Unrest:
Khazakhstan – The world’s largest land locked country and the ninth largest in the world with an area of 2,724,900 square kilometers. It is a democratic secular republic with a diverse heritage. After the elections resulting in the overwhelming victory of interim president Toqaev began wave of protests against the lack of fairness in the elections.

Opposition Government in Venezuela Moves to Reduce Maduro’s Communication Influence
The interim government of Venezuela, constitutionally appointed by the National Assembly and presided over by Juan Guaido, announced this week the creation of the National Communication Center in an effort to continue limiting the public capacity of the illegal regimen of Nicolas Maduro.

Rival Marches in Venezuela on Wednesday Could Lead to Violence
Things may be coming to a head in Venezuela on Wednesday as the major forces at odds in that country have both decided to hold major rallies on May Day (May 1).
Venezuela’s opposition leader Juan Guaidó, 35, has called for huge protests on Wednesday to demand the resignation of the current President Nicolas Maduro. The regime, in turn, has asked its Chavista supporters (referring to supporters of the late president and Maduro’s predecessor Hugo Chavez) to take to the streets on Wednesday in a show of support.

International Roundup: Runoffs, Recordings, Reshuffles, and Rolling Blackouts
- In European elections, liberal Zuzana Caputova defeated Socialist Maros Sefcovic in the second round, to become SLOVAKIA’s first woman President. The election took place in the shadow of the murder of an investigative journalist last year. Meanwhile, in UKRAINE, incumbent President Petro Poroshenko trails Volodymyr Zelenskiy, a comedian who portrays Poroshenko on television.

International Roundup: Leaders in Trouble, Subcontinent in Tension
- Things have, for the most part, returned to normal, after a tumultuous week between nuclear-armed rivals, India and Pakistan. An Indian pilot was returned from Pakistan Friday, after being shot down over the disputed region of Kashmir on Wednesday. Now Washington wants to know if an F-16 was used in the dogfight.

International Roundup: Caracas, Catalonia, Kurds, Kings
- SYRIA: The US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces announced Sunday they were engaged in fierce fighting as part of a “final push” against Daesh in Syria. The offensive comes as President Trump announced plans to declare, as early as next week, that all Daesh territory has been recovered.

Are Oil Prices About to Gush?
- The President of Venezuela’s opposition-dominated National Assembly Juan Guaido will announce new boards of directors for state oil company PDVSA and its U.S. business, Citgo, UPI reports. U.S. Treasure Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the he’ll hold PDVSA’s proceeds from crude oil sales to the United States, adding that the company could avoid being sanctioned if it recognized Guaido as the legitimate president of Venezuela.
- Saudi Arabia is determined to restore the balance on the oil market and is cutting deeper than required in the OPEC+ deal, with February crude production likely close to 10.1 million bpd, compared to the 10.3-million-bpd ceiling in the production cut agreement.