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The day Edmundo González was plucked from obscurity and chosen to take on South America’s longest ruling authoritarian leader, technicians were busy making sure his home was not wiretapped. “This was not in our plans,” his wife, Mercedes López de González, said in an interview that day in April in their apartment in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. Not long ago, Mr. González, 74, was a retired diplomat and grandfather of four with no political aspirations. He kept busy writing academic papers, speaking at conferences and taking his grandchildren to haircuts and music lessons. Now, many Venezuelans have placed their hopes in him to end years of repressive rule as he challenges President Nicolás Maduro, who has held power since 2013, in elections scheduled in late July.

Persons: Edmundo González, ”, Mercedes López de González, González, Nicolás Maduro Locations: Caracas, Venezuela

☆ Murders, imprisonment and violence: Threats to press freedom grow in Latin America
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Esteban Campanela | Sol Amaya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

These are just the tip of the iceberg of the challenges faced by many media workers in Latin America, where experts say the status of press freedom is increasingly worrisome. The Prosecutor’s Office confirmed in a press conference that they believed the crime was linked to his journalistic work. Last week, the Mexican president criticized the US State Department’s report on human rights in the world, which refers to concerns over press freedom in Mexico, saying that US authorities should “be respectful”. In a publication in social network X, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez said US officials are not concerned about the human rights of Cubans and that the United States has its own human rights violations. Nicaragua: Ortega-Murillo regime targets journalismHarassment of the press in Nicaragua has been widely reported on numerous occasions.

Persons: CNNE, Francisco Cobos, ”, Cobos, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, López Obrador, Enrique Peña Nieto, Felipe Calderón, Lourdes Maldonado López, Maldonado López, Séptimo Día, Roberto Figueroa, Xochitl Zamora, Lourdes Maldonado, Maldonado ´, Marco Ugarte, AP López Obrador, Andres Oppenheimer, Javier Milei, Lopez Obrador, Abraham Jimenez, Jimenez, civically, “, Miguel Diaz, Yamil Lage, Jiménez, Bruno Rodríguez, Ortega, Murillo, Juan Lorenzo Hollman Chamorro, Hollman Chamorro, Chamorro, Carlos Fernando Chamorro, Rosario Murillo, … provocateurs, Chávez, Vos, Chavez, ” Edgar López, López, Juan Pablo Lares, Maximiliano Bruzual, Ariana Cubillos, Nicolas, Maduro’s, Yván Gil, ” Jeannine Cruz, Gustavo Petro, Nayib Bukele, Gonzalo Zegarra, Rey Rodríguez, Manuela Castro, Ana María Cañizares, Ivonne, José Álvarez, Elvin Sandoval, Iván, Sarmenti, Español Organizations: CNN, Amnesty International, Protect Journalists, Univision, Televisa, Prosecutor’s, AP, CIA, Canel, Getty, Cuban Foreign, La Prensa, National Police, ”, El, Regional, Democracy, Nicaraguan, State Department, National College of Journalists, Venezuelan, TC Television, Communication, “ Locations: Mexico, Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Latin America, Mexican, American, Tamaulipas, McAllen , Texas, Tijuana, Morelos, Tijuana , Mexico, Spain, Cuban, Havana, AFP, United States, Costa Rica, El Confidencial, Managua, NIcaragua, Sur, Washington, Venezuelan, “, Caracas, ”, Ecuador, Guayaquil, America, Argentina, Colombian

☆ ‘Avengers Assemble:’ Five years after ‘Endgame,’ the box office needs more than just a blip
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

For many it felt like a soothing balm, underscoring the kind of communal experience people were missing as the still-new coronavirus pandemic shuttered theaters. Even allowing for that, the operatic heights achieved by “Endgame,” which grossed nearly $2.8 billion worldwide, would have been difficult to replicate. Such a concept would have sounded particularly foreign in the run-up to “Endgame,” when Marvel and its leader, Kevin Feige, appeared to possess a Midas touch. Venezuelan filmgoers watch the first screening in Venezuela of Marvel Studios' "Avengers: Endgame" at a cinema in Caracas on April 26, 2019. Unlike “Endgame,” the challenges that face the movie business can’t be undone with a snap of the fingers.

Persons: Captain, Thanos, ”, Marvel, Kevin Feige, Federico Parra, Joe, Anthony Russo, America, Russo, Joe Russo, Barbie ”, Captain America Organizations: CNN, Captain America, Marvel Studios, Marvel, DC, Warner Bros, Hollywood, “, Getty, Film, Captain, Disney Locations: Venezuela, Caracas, AFP

☆ World leaders call for restraint in the aftermath of Iran’s unprecedented air attack against Israel
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty ImagesWorld leaders have called for calm in the aftermath of Iran's large-scale air attacks on Israel on Saturday, with many expressing deep concern over the prospect of a broader regional conflict. Ahead of a war cabinet meeting on Monday, Israel has pledged to "exact a price" from Iran in response to the Saturday attack. watch nowU.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday said that he condemned "in the strongest possible terms" Iran's unprecedented air attack against military facilities in Israel. 'No one wants to see more bloodshed'European leaders castigated Iran's attack against Israel and vowed to work to de-escalate the situation. France and the U.K. intercepted some of Iran's strikes on Israel on Saturday.

Persons: Israel, Joe Biden, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Iran's, Emmanuel Macron, Rishi Sunak, Annalena Baerbock, Baerbock, Sunak, Yoko Kamikawa, Kamikawa, Gustavo Petro, Petro, Nicolas Maduro Organizations: Anadolu, Getty, CNBC, NBC News, Downing, German, NBC, Israel, Saudi Arabia's Foreign, United Nations Security Council, Sunday, UN, UNRWA, Kyodo, Japan's, United Nations, Colombia's, Bloomberg Locations: Israel, Tehran, Iran, Syria, Gaza, Syrian, Damascus, France, London, England, Germany, East, North Africa, Saudi, Egypt, Asia, China, Beijing, Palestine, Tokyo, Japan, South America, U.S, Miraflores, Caracas, Venezuela

☆ These US restaurants and chefs are 2024 James Beard Award finalists
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Marnie Hunter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —A New Orleans restaurant featuring a modern Senegalese tasting menu and an Ethiopia-born chef who studied psychology before turning to a culinary career are among the restaurants and chefs named as finalists for the coveted James Beard Awards. The finalists for the Restaurant and Chef Awards were announced Wednesday in Washington, DC. In the Emerging Chef category, Fariyal Abdullahi, executive chef at Hav & Mar in New York, is among the five finalists. Masako Morishita moved to Washington, DC to be a cheerleader for the Washington Commanders. Fariyal Abdullahi, executive chef at Hav & Mar in New York, is among the five finalists in the Emerging Chef category.

Persons: James Beard, Fariyal Abdullahi, Abdullahi, Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s, Masako Morishita, Andy Thomas Lee, Chef Serigne Mbaye’s, Sarah Minnick, Dean Neff, foodie, James Beard’s, “, ” Beard, Mamba, Nadia Nijimbere, Yenvy Pham, Phở, Chris Viaud, Hollis Wells Silverman, Erika Whitaker, Kelly Whitaker, Michael Rafidi, Renee Touponce, David Uygur, Dallas , TX, Scott Suchman, Justin Hamel, Janet Becerra, Ryan Fernandez, Baker, Susan Bae, Jesus Brazon, Manuel Brazon, Atsuko Fujimoto, Crystal Kass, Valentine, Anna Posey, Gemma, Lula Drake Wine, Morris, Vin, Geoff Davis, Rogelio Garcia, Auro, Maynard Llera, Kuya, Tara Monsod, Billy ” Ngo, Vinnie Cimino, Cordelia, OHJose Salazar, Sarkar, Hajime Sato, Sozai, Jenner, Tony Conte, Jesse Ito, Matt Kern, Harley Peet, Kevin Tien, Ann Ahmed, Rob Connoley, Dan Jacobs, Dan Van Rite, Christina Nguyen, Hai, Tim Nicholson, Brandon Cunningham, Ali Sabbah, Matt Vawter, Penelope Wong, Yuan Wonton, Nick Zocco, Atsushi Kono, Chris Mauricio, Charlie Mitchell, Clover, Jeremy Salamon, Conor Dennehy, Talulla, Maria Meza, David Standridge, Jake Stevens, Cara Tobin, Honey, Avery Adams, Matia, Kristi Brown, Josh Dorcak, Gregory Gourdet, Melissa Miranda, Jamie Davis, The, Rod Lassiter, Parnass Savang, James London, Chubby Fish, Robbie Robinson, Paul Smith, Valerie Chang, Hunter Evans, Jackson, Gabriel Hernandez, Carlos Portela, Rene Andrade, Jeff Chanchaleune, Ma Der, Steve, Steve Riley, Eduardo Rodriguez, Zacatlán, Emmanuel Chavez, Christopher Cullum, Cullum’s Attaboy, Tracy Malechek, Ezekiel, Birdie’s, Misti Norris, Petra, Ana Liz Pulido, Ana Liz Taqueria Organizations: CNN, Lyric Opera, Hav, Culinary Institute of America, Noma, Mar, Washington Commanders, Dakar NOLA, Texas :, James Beard Foundation, The New York Times, D.C, Albi Restaurant, Washington Post, New York Times, Nikko, SC, Comfort, Dakar, Caracas Bakery, Lula, Woodford Food & Beverage, Beverages, Social Haus, UT, New, Pacific, PR Locations: New Orleans, Ethiopia, Washington ,, Chicago, New York, Copenhagen, Washington, Perry’s, Portland , Oregon, Wilmington , North Carolina, Texas, Texas : West Texas, Marfa, Mixtli, San Antonio, Detroit , MI, Seattle, WA, Greenleaf, Ansanm, Milford, Wolfeboro, NH, The Wells, Boulder, Portland, Wilmington , NC, Albi , Washington, The, Lucia, Dallas ,, Albi, Washington , DC, Santa Fe, Marfa , TX, San Antonio , TX, Springs, , New York, NY, Pancita, Kultura, Charleston, Southern Junction, Buffalo , NY, Waitsburg, Lockhart , TX, Carmel, CA, Dorchester, MA, Dakar NOLA , New Orleans, LA, Hayward, McMinnville, Orlando, FL, Nashville, TN, Nixta , Minneapolis, MN, Shan, Bozeman, Albuquerque, NM, Long Beach , CA, Hudson, Bakery, Caracas, Doral, Miami, Phoenix, AZ, Elske, IL, Son, Raleigh , NC, Dallas , TX, Columbia, San Francisco , CA, Anaheim , Anaheim , CA, , Washington, Buffalo, Montpelier, VT, Baltimore, , New Orleans, Brownsville , TX, San Francisco ,, California, Burdell, Oakland, Calistoga, Los Angeles , CA, San Diego , CA, Kru, Sacramento, Lakes, MI, Cleveland, Mita’s, Cincinnati, Indienne, Clawson , MI, Esmé, NJ, PA, Philadelphia, Fenwick, Bas Rouge, Easton, KS, MO, Khâluna, Minneapolis, St, Louis, EsterEv, Milwaukee , WI, Hai Hai , Minneapolis, Omaha, UT, Greenough, MT, Salt Lake City, Rootstalk, Breckenridge, Denver, Urban, Sofreh, Brooklyn, Kono , New York, Harana, Accord, Clover Hill, RI, Cambridge, Dolores, Providence , RI, Leeward, Burlington, Island, MÄS, Ashland, kann, Musang, KY, NC, The Hackney, Washington , NC, Talat, Atlanta, West Columbia, Maty’s, Elvie’s, Verde Mesa, San Juan, Saffron , New Orleans, Bacanora, Oklahoma City, Henderson, NV, Mesa, Tatemó, Houston , TX, Austin , TX, Mission

☆ Argentina and Colombia move to mend ties after Milei calls Petro a ‘terrorist murderer’ in CNN interview
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( Marlon Sorto | Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Argentina and Colombia say they have taken “concrete steps” to improve frayed relations between the two countries after far-right Argentine leader Javier Milei called his left-wing Colombian counterpart a “terrorist murderer” in a CNN interview. In a joint statement Sunday, the two nations’ foreign ministries said they had held talks under orders from Milei and Colombian President Gustavo Petro. The measures include the return of both countries’ respective ambassadors after Colombia last week expelled all Argentine diplomats from Bogota following Milei’s comments to CNN. “You can’t expect much from someone who was a terrorist murderer,” Milei said in the interview of Petro, a former guerilla who became Colombia’s first left-wing president in 2022. Colombia recalled its ambassador to Argentina in January following similar comments from Milei, Reuters reported.

Persons: Javier Milei, ”, Gustavo Petro, “, ” Milei, Petro, Colombia’s, Milei, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, ” López Obrador, López Obrador, Argentinians “, Nicolás Maduro Organizations: CNN —, Colombian, CNN, Reuters, Venezuela’s, Español Locations: CNN — Argentina, Colombia, Argentine, Milei, Bogota, Argentina, Venezuela, Caracas, Buenos Aires, Nazi

☆ Argentina accuses Venezuela of cutting power to its embassy in Caracas after hosting opposition leaders
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Mauricio Torres | Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Argentina on Tuesday accused Venezuela of cutting the electricity supply to its embassy in Caracas after the diplomatic mission hosted a meeting with the country’s opposition leaders, the latest sign of souring relations between the two South American nations’ ideologically opposed governments. CNN has contacted the governments of Venezuela and Argentina for comment. Venezuela’s opposition has accused Maduro’s government of repressing its leaders and stifling any free and fair campaigning ahead of the country’s presidential elections on July 28. Colombia and Brazil issued statements Tuesday expressing concern over the opposition’s ability to fairly compete in the upcoming presidential contest. Maduro on Tuesday criticized foreign governments which he claimed, “seek to intervene in the internal affairs of Venezuela.”

Persons: Javier Milei, Nicolás Maduro, ”, Maduro’s, Maduro, Hugo Chavez, María Corina Machado, Machado, “ Organizations: CNN, Argentine, Venezuela’s, Español Locations: Argentina, Venezuela, Caracas, Argentine, Venezuelan, Buenos Aires, Nazi, United States, Colombia, Brazil

☆ Why Some Colombians Call Their Mothers ‘Your Mercy’
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-02 | by ( Julie Turkewitz | Nathalia Angarita | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

After Altair Jaspe moved from Venezuela to the Colombian capital, Bogotá, she was taken aback by the way she was addressed when she walked into any shop, cafe or doctor’s office. In a city that was once part of the Spanish empire, she was no longer “señora,” as she would have been called in Caracas, or perhaps, in her younger years, “muchacha” or “chama.” (Venezuelan terms for “girl” or “young woman.”)Instead, all around her, she was awarded an honorific that felt more fitting for a woman in cape and crown: Your mercy. Would your mercy like a coffee? Will your mercy be taking the appointment at 3 p.m.? Excuse me, your mercy, people told her as they passed in a doorway or elevator.

Persons: Altair Jaspe, “ Locations: Venezuela, Bogotá, Caracas

☆ DC and Marvel are reprinting coveted crossover comics
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( John Towfighi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —Comic-book store owner Jermaine Exum couldn’t believe his ears when a customer asked to reserve a copy of the upcoming 960-page “DC versus Marvel” comics collection. The "DC Versus Marvel Omnibus," to be released August 6, 2024, is a collection of various crossover comics, and just the second collaboration by DC and Marvel in two decades. From 1976 to 2003, crossovers between the DC and Marvel universes (“Superman vs. Uslan recalled similar “interplay” among the companies, citing a regular DC vs. Marvel softball match in Central Park as evidence of camaraderie. The comic "Marvel and DC Present Featuring the Uncanny X-Men and the New Teen Titans #1", will be reprinted in the upcoming collection.

Persons: Jermaine Exum couldn’t, “, ”, Lex Luthor –, ” Marvel, Exum, Michael Uslan, Carmine Infantino, Stan Lee, ” Uslan, Marvel, DC Walt Simonson, I’m, ” Simonson, Uslan, Walt Simonson, DC Ben Saunders, Denny O’Neil, George Pérez, Chris Claremont, John Romita Jr, Batman, Simonson, ” Saunders, Saunders, Federico Parra, James Gunn, Marvel’s, Peter Safran, Kevin Feige, ” Ethan Sacks, “ Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster, Bob Kane, Bill Finger, William Moulton Marston Organizations: CNN, Marvel, DC, Warner Bros, Discovery, Disney, Hollywood, ” Comics, Teen Titans, New Teen Titans, University of Oregon, Acme Comics, “, Marvel Studios, Guardians, Galaxy, DC Studios Locations: Greensboro, North Carolina, Central, Greensboro , North Carolina, Venezuela, Caracas, AFP, Greece, Rome, Egypt

☆ How America’s once great department stores became a dying breed
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

But department stores, focused on America’s middle class, are fading. The victims of shifting consumer tastes were not the department stores that anchored the local mall, it was the small, locally owned stores along downtown shopping districts that were closing their doors. And possibly even more than the big box competitors, department stores have suffered from consumers shifting to buying items online rather than in person. The steady closing of the department stores that once served as “anchors” of malls across suburban America has been another nail in the coffin of many malls, hurting the department stores that remained in hollowed-out malls with a fraction of their earlier traffic. Saunders said one of the primary problem for Macy’s is that its holding company, formerly known as Federated Department Stores, spent much of its resources on buying other department store brands, such May’s Department Stores, and Filene’s, rather than investing in the stores its held.

Persons: New York CNN —, Neil Sauders, ”, JC Penney, It’s, “, Neil Saunders, Shannon Stapleton, Saunders, ” Saunders, Al Bello, Sunny Zheng, Macy’s, Tony Spring, Taylor, Brian Snyder, Eddie Lambert, Michael Brown, Kearney, ” Brown, Mike Segar, Richard W, Sears, Alvah Roebuck, Sears Roebuck, Bettmann, PhotoQuest, Jack Manning, Frank Scherschel, Owen, Lucille Jagusch, Arlene Hardt, Martin Luther King Jr, Michael Ochs, Ron Frehm, Ralf, Finn Hestoft, Mark Peterson, Seth Meyers, Hugh Jackman, NBCUniversal, Kaylin Wilson, Jim Cole, Rene Johnston, Maria Alejandra Cardona, Scott Olson, Cesar Villasenor, Mel Melcon, Sarah Blesener, Paul Hennessy, Patti Naleck, Naleck, Stacey Wescott, Brown Organizations: New, New York CNN, American, Walmart, Company, Department, Sears, Target, GlobalData, JCPenney, Research, RadioShack, Reuters Sears, Federated Department Stores, May’s, Reuters, Chicago History, Sears Roebuck, Roebuck, Hulton, AP, AP Soldiers, Michael Ochs Archives, Getty, Bettmann, Kmart, Bloomberg, Toronto Star, Reuters Residents, Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Tribune, Service Locations: New York, GlobalData, America, Nanuet , New York, North Redwood , Minnesota, Chicago, El Paso , Texas, Jackson , Mississippi, Tucson , Arizona, Caracas, Venezuela, Niles , Illinois, Morton Grove , Illinois, Baltimore, White Plains , New York, Woodfield , Illinois, Hicksville , New York, Nashua , New Hampshire, Mentor , Ohio, Mississauga , Ontario, Hialeah , Florida, Janesville , Wisconsin, Santa Monica , California, Rockaway , New Jersey, Leesburg , Florida, Schaumburg , Illinois

Of all the government critics, few thought that Rocío San Miguel would be the one to disappear. Ms. San Miguel, 57, has long been one of Venezuela’s best known security experts, a woman who dared investigate her country’s authoritarian government even as others fled. But late last week, Ms. San Miguel arrived at the airport outside Caracas with her daughter, bound for what a relative called a short trip to Miami, when she was picked up by counterintelligence agents. For four days, the only public information about Ms. San Miguel came from Venezuela’s top prosecutor, who claimed on social media, without providing evidence, that Ms. San Miguel had been linked to a plot to kill the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro. Finally, on Tuesday evening, her lawyers said she had surfaced — and was being held in a notoriously brutal detention center.

Persons: San, San Miguel, Nicolás Maduro Organizations: Venezuelan Locations: San Miguel, Caracas, Miami, Venezuela’s

☆ Rocio San Miguel: White House ‘concerned’ as Venezuela detains activist over alleged ‘White Bracelet’ plot to kill Maduro
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Stefano Pozzebon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —White House spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Tuesday that the US government is “deeply concerned” by the arrest of activist and security analyst Rocio San Miguel in Caracas, Venezuela. On Tuesday, Venezuela’s Attorney General Tarek William Saab announced on X that San Miguel had been charged overnight with treason, conspiracy, terrorism and criminal association as part of an investigation into the “White Bracelet” plot. “White Bracelet” is the name of an alleged plot to kill President Nicolas Maduro that the Venezuelan government denounced in January, and for which it has presented no evidence. San Miguel’s ex-husband Alejandro Gonzales was also charged with revealing military secrets, while four other citizens were released, Saab said. They are complicit in (terrorism) and interventionist actions against Venezuela,” Gil wrote on X.

Persons: CNN —, John Kirby, “, Rocio San, …, ” Kirby, Juan Luis Gonzalez, Tarek William Saab, Miguel, Nicolas Maduro, Miguel’s, Alejandro Gonzales, Yvan Gil, Maduro, Vladimir Padrino, Freddy Bernal, ”, ” Gil Organizations: CNN, Maiquetia, Venezuela’s, Saab, UN, Commission, Human Rights, Interamerican, Amnesty International Locations: Rocio San Miguel, Caracas, Venezuela, Miguel, Venezuelan, Spanish, United States, Tachira

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government has seized a Boeing 747 cargo plane that officials say was previously sold by a sanctioned Iranian airline to a state-owned Venezuelan firm in violation of American export control laws. The Justice Department said Monday that the American-built plane had arrived in Florida and would be disposed of. The plane was detained in June 2022 by Argentine law enforcement, and U.S. officials moved several weeks later to take possession of it. The Justice Department has identified the registered captain of the plane as an ex-commander for the Revolutionary Guard. Mahan Air has denied any ties to the aircraft, and Venezuela has demanded that Argentine authorities release the plane.

Persons: Mahan, Matthew Olsen, ”, Nicolas Maduro, Regina Garcia Cano Organizations: WASHINGTON, Boeing, Justice Department, Air, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Quds Force, Officials, Revolutionary Guard, Justice, Argentine, The, Mahan Air, Associated Press Locations: U.S, Iranian, Venezuelan, Florida, United States, Argentine, Argentina, Emtrasur, Moscow, Caracas, Tehran, Venezuela

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The government of Venezuela accused neighboring Guayana Sunday of granting illegal oil exploration concessions in territory the two nations are disputing. The comments Sunday came after Guyana said Saturday that it has satellite imagery showing Venezuelan military movements near the South American country’s eastern border with Guyana. Venezuela has been laying claim to the mineral-rich Essequibo region, which covers about two thirds of Guyana’s surface area. But for more than 60 years Venezuela has accused the commission of cheating it out of the Essequibo region. Several top American administration and military officials have visited Guyana in recent weeks as a show of support.

Persons: Guayana, Vincent, Robert Persaud, Irfaan Ali, Nicolás Maduro Organizations: ”, ExxonMobil, Argyle, US Center for Strategic, International Studies, Venezuelan Locations: CARACAS, Venezuela, Guyana, Essequibo, Caribbean, St, Brazil, Punta Barima, Netherlands, U.S

☆ Venezuelan Human Rights Activist Detained at Airport - Rights Groups
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

CARACAS (Reuters) - Human rights groups on Sunday demanded the release of prominent Venezuelan lawyer and activist Rocio San Miguel, whom Venezuelan authorities detained on Friday near Caracas according to Amnesty International and other groups. Rocio San Miguel is the president of the non-governmental organization Control Ciudadano, which advocates for citizen oversight of Venezuela's armed forces. Local media reported she was detained at the international airport on the outskirts of Caracas. Amnesty International wrote on X that it "calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Rocio San Miguel" and is monitoring the reports of her "forced disappearance." Rocio San Miguel is an expert in issues of security, defense and human rights.

Persons: Rocio San Miguel, Rocio San, Vivian Sequera, Mayela, Josie Kao Organizations: Sunday, Amnesty International, Control, Local, Amnesty, Ministry, Mayela Armas Locations: CARACAS, Venezuelan, Caracas, Rocio San Miguel

☆ Venezuela builds forces near Guyana border despite agreement to de-escalate
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Vasco Cotovio | Allegra Goodwin | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Satellite images show Venezuela has bolstered its military presence near the border with Guyana, despite Caracas saying it would pursue a diplomatic avenue to try and resolve the long-standing territorial dispute over an oil-rich piece of Guyanese land. Anacoco Island military base on July 28, 2021. Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies Anacoco Island military base on January 13, 2024. Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies Aerial views of Anacoco Island military base on July 28, 2021 and January 13, 2024. Venezuela later reached an agreement with Guyana on December 15 to avoid escalation and try to settle the dispute between the two countries without force.

Persons: “, ” Organizations: CNN, 11th Armoured Brigade, 6th Venezuelan Army Corps Engineers, Venezuelan Army, Center for Strategic, International Studies Locations: Venezuela, Guyana, Caracas, Guayana, Republic, Washington, Venezuelan

☆ Analysis: Maduro’s immigration card could influence America’s election, not just Venezuela’s
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Rafael Romo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Let’s get united,” Maduro said. Banning Machado from running for president amounts to a repudiation of the agreement, both the opposition and the United States have claimed. “In response to anti-democratic actions by Maduro representatives, the United States has revoked sanctions relief for Venezuela’s gold sector. Venezuela has recently been cooperating with the United States to reduce illegal immigration by allowing removal flights. It’s also immigration and oil during an election year in the United States.

Persons: Voters don’t, Nicolás Maduro, Joe Biden, Biden, Hugo Chávez, Maduro, ” , Let’s, ” Maduro, María Corina Machado, Machado, Maria Corina Machado, Gaby Oraa, ”, ” Machado, Leopoldo López, Maduro’s, Brian Winter, there’s, “, ” Winter, John Moore, Banning Machado, Matthew Miller, Delcy Rodríguez, “ Maduro, It’s Organizations: CNN, Venezuelan, Voters, Socialist United Party of Venezuela, American, US, Venezuela’s, Justice, National Assembly, Bloomberg, Getty, Americas Quarterly, Immigrants, Border Patrol, Biden, US State Department, Twitter, State Department Locations: Venezuela, United States, Caracas, Madrid, Spain, Rio Grande, Eagle Pass , Texas, Barbados, Maduro, Mexico

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is considering additional measures against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro ’s government after the South American country’s highest court blocked the presidential candidacy of an opposition leader. This comes after the U.S. government on Monday pulled back part of the sanctions relief it granted Venezuela last year, following through on its threat to do so after Maduro reneged on a deal his administration made last year in Barbados with the Venezuelan opposition to hold free elections in 2024. A spokesperson for the National Security Council said the U.S. is clear about the path forward in support of democratic elections and is considering additional measures against the Maduro regime. The department had allowed transactions with the mining company in October after the Maduro government agreed to level the playing field ahead of this year’s presidential election. Matthew Miller, a U.S. State Department spokesperson, said the Barbados electoral roadmap is the most viable mechanism to resolving Venezuela’s longstanding political and economic problems.

Persons: Nicolás Maduro, Maduro, María Corina Machado, Machado, Matthew Miller, ” ___ Garcia Cano Organizations: WASHINGTON, Venezuelan, American, U.S, Monday, Venezuela’s, National Security Council, Department’s, Foreign, U.S . State Department Locations: U.S, Venezuela, Barbados, Venezuelan, Caracas

This is called judicial criminality,” Machado said of Friday's ruling by the Supreme Tribunal of Justice. The longtime government foe was able to participate, because the primary was organized by a commission independent of Venezuela’s electoral authorities. On Monday, she sought to reassure supporters, telling them that her campaign is “stronger than ever” and she will represent them during the presidential election. The court and the National Electoral Council, the country’s electoral body, are stacked with people affiliated with the ruling party. "Should there be an aggressive action, our response will be calm, reciprocal and energetic.”___Zeke Miller contributed to this report from Washington.

Persons: María Corina Machado, ”, Machado, Nicolás Maduro, ” Machado, “, Friday’s, Maduro, They’ve, John Kirby, Elvis Amoroso, Tarek William Saab, Roberto Abdul, Gerardo Blyde, Jorge Rodríguez, Blyde, Rodríguez, ” Rodríguez, ___ Zeke Miller Organizations: Monday, Justice, National Security, of American, Electoral Council, U.S Locations: CARACAS, Venezuela, Venezuelan, United States, Venezuela's, U.S, Barbados, Spain, Latin America, Washington

☆ U.S. reviewing Venezuelan sanctions policy in wake of court decision
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

It is "an evident and overwhelming victory for the 'Yes' in this consultative referendum," said the president of the National Electoral Council, Elvis Amoroso. "The United States is currently reviewing our Venezuela sanctions policy, based on this development and the recent political targeting of democratic opposition candidates and civil society," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement. Miller said the court ruling was a "deeply concerning decision" that ran contrary to the commitments made by Maduro to allow all parties to select candidates. Gerardo Blyde, head of the opposition negotiating team, denied members had been linked to acts of violence and demanded the court ruling be reversed. "We will never hesitate to remain in the talks, to remain in the discussion," said Hector Rodriguez, the ruling party governor for Venezuela's Miranda state.

Persons: Nicolás, Elvis Amoroso, Pedro Rances Mattey, PEDRO RANCES MATTEY, Maria Corina Machado, Machado, Matthew Miller, Nicolas Maduro's, Miller, Maduro, Gerardo Blyde, Hector Rodriguez, Miranda Organizations: Bolivarian, Electoral, Venezuelan, Electoral Council, Getty, U.S . State Department, Venezuela's, Department Locations: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Essequibo, Caracas, Guyana, AFP, U.S, Venezuela, United States

☆ US Reviewing Venezuelan Sanctions Policy in Wake of Court Decision - State Dept
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - The United States is reviewing its sanctions policy against Venezuela after a court upheld a ban which prevents presidential candidate Maria Corina Machado from holding office, the State Department said on Saturday. The ruling by Venezuela's Supreme Justice Tribunal on Friday means Machado, a 56-year-old industrial engineer, cannot register her candidacy for presidential elections scheduled for the second half of 2024. "The United States is currently reviewing our Venezuela sanctions policy, based on this development and the recent political targeting of democratic opposition candidates and civil society," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement. Miller said the court ruling was a "deeply concerning decision" that ran contrary to the commitments made by Maduro to allow all parties to select their candidates for the presidential election. Maduro on Thursday said the deal with his opponents was in danger of collapse after what he has described as "conspiracies" against him.

Persons: Maria Corina Machado, Machado, Matthew Miller, Nicolas Maduro's, Miller, Maduro, David Ljunggren, Diane Craft Organizations: Reuters, State Department, Venezuela's, Department Locations: United States, Venezuela, Caracas

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The U.S. government and nearly 30 conservative world leaders on Saturday condemned the decision of Venezuela’s highest court to block the presidential candidacy of opposition leader María Corina Machado. “The United States is currently reviewing our Venezuela sanctions policy, based on this development and the recent political targeting of democratic opposition candidates and civil society,” U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement. Machado insisted throughout the campaign that she never received official notification of the ban and said voters, not ruling-party loyalists, were the rightful decision-makers of her candidacy. The ruling came more than three months after Maduro and the U.S.-backed opposition reached a deal to work on basic conditions for a fair election. The deal led Washington to ease some economic sanctions on Venezuela's oil, gas and mining sectors.

Persons: María Corina Machado, Biden, Nicolás Maduro, Matthew Miller, Machado, Miller, Justice “, Maduro, ” Gerardo Blyde, Emmanuel Macron, Luis Inácio Lula da Silva, Gustavo Petro —, Blyde, Maduro’s, Hector Rodríguez, ” Rodríguez, Machado “, Iván Duque, Mauricio Macri, Vicente Fox, Felipe Calderón, ” Organizations: Saturday, U.S . State Department, U.S, Justice, Democratic Initiative of Spain Locations: CARACAS, Venezuela, U.S, United States, Washington, Barbados, France, Brazil, Colombia, Americas, Venezuelan, Spain, Latin America, Iván Duque of Colombia, Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela's

☆ Venezuela's Maduro Says Election Deal With Opposition Could Collapse
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro warned on Thursday that a deal with the political opposition for elections to be held later this year was in danger of collapse, after what he has described as "conspiracies" against him. Later, U.S. officials said they were "concerned" about the arrests, which included members of the political opposition. KEY QUOTES"Today the Barbados agreements are mortally wounded, they're in intensive care, they were stabbed, kicked," Maduro said in a televised state broadcast. "Hopefully we can save the Barbados agreements and, through dialogue, reach real overarching agreements through national consensus," he added. WHAT'S NEXTThe government's arrest of opposition members could put the agreements at risk, and cause the sanctions to snap back.

Persons: Nicolas Maduro, Maduro's, Maria Corina Machado, Maduro, Deisy Buitrago, Kylie Madry, Clarence Fernandez Locations: CARACAS, Barbados, United States, Caracas, Venezuela

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Dueling political factions took to the streets of Venezuela's capital on Tuesday for the first competing rallies of the presidential election year, showcasing their ability to draw people en masse, as voters grapple with political disappointments and uncertainty over the candidate who ultimately will challenge President Nicolás Maduro. Political Cartoons View All 253 Images“They talk about elections, but they are terrified of elections,” Machado said, referring to Maduro and his allies. Let them know clearly, no one takes us out of this electoral route.”Maduro and the opposition faction behind the primary agreed last year to hold a presidential election in the second half of 2024. His challenger's participation in the election remains in doubt even though she won the primary with more than 90% of support. “And not only her, any other candidate who has expressed their intention to participate in a presidential election must participate.”____Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

Persons: Nicolás Maduro, María Corina Machado, Maduro, —, Hugo Chávez —, Machado, ” Machado, Tarek William Saab, Yeickson Ramos, Ramos, “ Will, ”, Maduro’s, Chavistas —, Chávez, Leonard Suarez, Suarez Organizations: American, Authorities, Digital Locations: CARACAS, Venezuela, Caracas, U.S, Guyana, America, Caribbean

☆ China defies sanctions to make Russia its biggest oil supplier in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Seen here is an oil pumping unit at Huabei oil field on the outskirts of Hejian city, Hebei province, China. Russia leapfrogged Saudi Arabia to become China's top crude oil supplier in 2023, data showed on Saturday, as the world's biggest crude importer defied Western sanctions to purchase vast quantities of discounted oil for its processing plants. To support prices, Saudi Arabia and Russia, two of the world's top three oil producers, announced output and export cuts last year. Chinese refiners use intermediary traders to handle the shipping and insurance of Russian crude to avoid violating the Western sanctions. China's overall crude imports for 2023 rose to a record of 563.99 million metric tons, equivalent to 11.28 million bpd.

Persons: Buyers, Nicolas Maduro's Organizations: ICE, U.S Locations: Russia, Hejian, Hebei province, China, Russia leapfrogged Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Ukraine, Russian, Malaysia, Iran, Venezuela, Caracas, Beijing, Washington, U.S

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