Daily Archives: April 7, 2021

2021-04-07: News Headlines

Jose Manuel Blanco Diaz (2021-04-07). Corpses in Black Bags? More Fake News from Venezuelan Anti-Chavista Healthcare Personnel and Students. orinocotribune.com Groups connected to healthcare personnel from Venezuela's extreme right staged another attempt at fake news this Tuesday, April 6, mounting a demonstration with black bags tied up to appear as human corpses at the Hospital Clínico Universitario in Caracas. | Morbidly presenting the supposed corpses, the anti-Chavista healthcare personnel tried to capitalize on the anxiety of Venezuela's population in the midst of a second COVID-19 wave to rally people against the government, but many considered the objective was not accomplished. | The aforementioned healthcare center is one of those that provides specialized car…

orinocotribune (2021-04-07). President Maduro Announced New Economic Measures to Counter COVID-19's Second Wave. orinocotribune.com Tuesday, April 6, President Nicolás Maduro announced new economic measures for the protection of the Venezuelan people in the midst of the fight against COVID-19. From Miraflores Palace, he reported that about 15.1 million cardholders, through the Patria System, will in the coming days receive a special support bonus from the Chavista government to face the pandemic, similar to US stimulus checks. | In this regard, the Head of State also announced the extension, until September, of the prohibition on the collection of credit guarantees, the prohibition on reclassifying credit risk, and the express prohibition of…

José Luis Granados Ceja (2021-04-07). Venezuela Rolls Out Economic Support to Keep Workers Home as COVID-19 Infections Spread. venezuelanalysis.com The measures include a ban on evictions, a special "stay at home" benefit for two million private-sector workers, and a one-time benefit for 15 million people.

orinocotribune (2021-04-07). This is How the Venezuelan Army Dialogues Face-to-Face with those Returning to Apure from Colombia. orinocotribune.com Faced with the media attacks that have generated fear and anxiety in the populations of Apure state, on the border between Venezuela and Colombia, the Bolivarian National Armed Force (FANB) has held people's assemblies with the returnees from El Ripial. The intention is not only to accompany them after what they have experienced after fleeing the violence of Colombian paramilitary groups, but to clarify that the military body is positioned as a guarantor of the comprehensive protection of the inhabitants, and not the other way around. | It should be noted that these groups of displaced people have fled from clash…

Leonardo Flores (2021-04-07). The Capitol raid and pandemic can help us empathize with Venezuelans. peoplesdispatch.org The people of Venezuela have been living under a stage of siege, and enduring attacks on their sovereignty under successive US administrations. These assaults intensified during the Trump era…

Eurasia Review (2021-04-07). Speedbumps Protect One Of Africa's Rarest Primates. eurasiareview.com A new study revealed that a drastic reduction of deaths of one of Africa's rarest primates, the Zanzibar red colobus (Piliocolobus kirkii), followed the installation of four speedbumps along a stretch of road where the species frequently crossed. | Zanzibar red colobus are found only in the Zanzibar archipelago and classified as Endangered by the IUCN Red List. Reliant on Unguja Island's forests for their survival, around half of the species population is found in Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park. | In the study, published in Oryx – The International Journal of Conservation, primatologists from Bangor Universit…

Lorraine Liriano Chávez (2021-04-07). Puerto Rico: The water route is a lifeline for the people of Vieques, Culebra. workers.org On April 2 while Catholics worldwide observed Good Friday, the people of Culebra and Vieques Islands took to the streets to protest the malfunctioning maritime transportation system. Their outcry for justice echoed with the chants: "We want transportation with dignity and efficiency," "The waterway is our road — it is . . . |

_____ (2021-04-07). China Offers To Tutor Planet Following Extreme Poverty Elimination. popularresistance.org Home to nearly one-fifth of the world's population, China's social policies have a dramatic effect on humanity as a whole. Despite a shift toward allowing capitalist markets in the late 1970s, the socialist state has still accounted for nearly three-quarters of global poverty elimination since then. | China's State Council Information Office has published a white paper outlining how the socialist country can teach the rest of the world about how to alleviate poverty. In the last 40 years, China has lifted 770 million people out of poverty, declaring an end to its most extreme forms in November. | Titled "Poverty…

Editor2 (2021-04-07). What Must a Young Communist be. orinocotribune.com By Ernesto Guevara — Apr 5, 2021 | On the occasion of the April 4 anniversary of the Young Communists League, Granma presents excerpts from a speech delivered by Ernest Che Guevara, October 20, 1962, during a commemoration of the integration of Cuba's revolutionary youth organizations | The Young Communist League must define itself with a single word: vanguard. You, comrades, must be the vanguard of all movements. The first to be ready to make the sacrifices that the Revolution demands, whatever the nature of these sacrifices. The first in work. The first in study. The first in the defense of the country…

orinocotribune (2021-04-07). Venezuela More than Willing to Dialogue with Colombia's Chancellor Claudia Bloom — Requests to Mexico, UN and CELAC to Open Communication Channels. orinocotribune.com This Tuesday, April 6, Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister Jorge Arreaza said that he was willing to meet with the Colombian Foreign Minister, Claudia Blum. He intimated that if she wants to "talk to me, make a call and if you want, we'll meet wherever you want, to ensure peace and tranquility to both our peoples. We will continue to be committed to peace," said the Venezuelan Foreign Minister during a press conference. | In his statements, Arreaza stated that Colombia is a failed state, after referring to the armed conflict in Apure. Venezuelan authorities have denounced how Colombian narco paramilitary gangs en…

orinocotribune (2021-04-07). Venezuela More than Willing to Dialogue with Colombia's Chancellor Claudia Bloom — Requests Mexico, UN and CELAC to Open Communication Channels. orinocotribune.com This Tuesday, April 6, Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister Jorge Arreaza said that he was willing to meet with the Colombian Foreign Minister, Claudia Blum. He intimated that if she wants to "talk to me, make a call and if you want, we'll meet wherever you want, to ensure peace and tranquility to both our peoples. We will continue to be committed to peace," said the Venezuelan Foreign Minister during a press conference. | In his statements, Arreaza stated that Colombia is a failed state, after referring to the armed conflict in Apure. Venezuelan authorities have denounced how Colombian narco paramilitary gangs en…

Nan Levinson (2021-04-07). The US Military Is an Extremism Incubator. thenation.com The US Military Is an Extremism Incubator…

orinocotribune (2021-04-07). Why is Venezuela Asking for UN Assistance to Deactivate Landmines Planted by Colombian Paramilitary Gangs? orinocotribune.com Colombian criminal gangs have tried to bring vice and crimes against humanity along a 2,219-km border territory with Venezuela, one of the most dynamic in Latin America and the Caribbean. This has had consequences for human lives, security, public order and political stability. This was stated by Venezuelan Affairs Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza, who reiterated that Venezuela will continue to denounce the installation of antipersonnel mines on its territory by Colombian terrorist cells. | This Tuesday, April 6, from the Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Arreaza recalled the request made by Venezuela to the United Nat…

Staff (2021-04-07). Headlines for April 7, 2021. democracynow.org U.S. Moves Up Vaccine Eligibility for Adults as Global Access Inequities Plague Poorer Nations, Minneapolis Police Trainer Says Derek Chauvin Kneeling on Floyd's Neck Was Not Authorized Technique, Arkansas Becomes First State to Criminalize Gender-Affirming Treatment for Trans Youth, Tishaura Jones Elected as First Black Woman Mayor of St. Louis, Florida Democratic Rep. Alcee Hastings Dies at Age 84, Democrats Can Use Reconciliation to Pass More Budget Bills with Simple Majority, U.S and Iran Say Early Talks on Relaunching Nuclear Deal "Constructive", U.N. Warns One-Third of Population of Democratic Republic of t…

Arab News (2021-04-07). Israel At Crossroads As Rivlin Reluctantly Calls On Netanyahu — OpEd. eurasiareview.com By Yossi Mekelberg* | Over the last week, the Jewish population in Israel observed Passover, a week-long celebration of liberation from a tyrant leader and slavery, when most take time off to enjoy early spring and travel across the country visiting its beauty spots. Notably missing from those taking a break from work, however, were Israel's politicians, who were digesting the results of the previous week's election. The political beehive has been buzzing with activity in an effort to translate another indecisive outcome into something that is capable of ending two years of protracted political deadlock. | On…

orinocotribune (2021-04-07). Confirmed: There is a Link Between AstraZeneca Vaccine and Reported Thrombosis Cases — Haiti Rejects the Controversial Vaccine. orinocotribune.com On Tuesday, April 6, in an interview with the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero, Marco Cavaleri, head of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) that carries out vaccination plans against COVID-19 in the European Union, confirmed "a link" between the AstraZeneca vaccine and the occurrence of thrombosis recorded among people who received this vaccine, . | "Now we can say it, it is clear that there is a link with the vaccine, which causes that reaction. However, we still do not know why (…) In summary, in the next few hours we are going to say that there is a link, but we still have to understand why it happens." | He…

Leonardo Flores (2021-04-06). The Capitol Raid and Pandemic can Help us Empathize with Venezuelans. orinocotribune.com By Leonardo Flores — Apr 6, 2021 | The January 6th raid on the Capitol and the pandemic that has upended the lives of every American seemingly have nothing to do with Venezuela. But the effects they had on U.S. political and economic stability offer a glimpse into what Venezuelans have been going through for the past several years of failed coups and sanctions. | Remember how January 6th felt? The shock, confusion and fear. The constant refreshing of Twitter feeds or eyes glued to cable news, watching a bunch of extremists attempt to overthrow the government. The not knowing what was going to happen next and…

G. Dunkel (2021-04-06). Haiti and masses in the streets: 'Don't change our constitution'. workers.org March 29 marked 34 years since the Haitian constitution of 1987 — marking the end of the Duvalierist dictatorship — was adopted. Two massive demonstrations on March 28 and 29 — not just in Port-au-Prince, but in Saint-Marc, Cap-HaàØtien and Port-de-Paix — were held to defend this constitution. These were . . . |

Andy Worthington (2021-04-06). US Military Closes Camp 7, Guantánamo's 'High-Value Detainee' Prison Block, Moves Men To Camp 5 — OpEd. eurasiareview.com In news from Guantánamo, the US military announced that it had shut Camp 7, the secretive prison block where Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and other so-called "high-value detainees" have been held since their arrival at Guantánamo from CIA "black sites" in September 2006, and had moved the prisoners to Camp 5. | Modeled on a maximum security prison in Terre Haute, Indiana, Camp 5, which cost $17.5 million, opened in 2004, and its solid-walled, isolated cells were used to hold prisoners regarded as non-compliant. As the prison's population shrank, however, it was closed — in September 2016 — and its remain…

John Kendall Hawkins (2021-04-06). Ramallah: A Stop and Start Life Full of Checkpoints. counterpunch.org The fall of Jerusalem to the First Crusade in 1099 stunned the world of Islam, which was at the peak of its achievements. Damascus, Cairo and Baghdad were large cities with combined population of over two million—advanced urban civilisation at a time when the citizens of London and Paris numbered less than fifty thousand in

Mision Verdad (2021-04-06). Review of the Destructive Effects of US Blockade on Venezuela's Orinoco Oil Belt. orinocotribune.com By Misión Verdad — Apr 5, 2021 | At Misión Verdad we have kept track of the negative effects of unilateral coercive measures (UCM) [aka US blockade] on Venezuela, and more specifically, their harmful consequences on the main company that provides oil revenues to Venezuela, Petróleos de Venezuela, SA (PDVSA). | All the reports and papers issued by organizations or individuals that are not binding on each other, but have Venezuela in their focus, provide a clear conclusion regarding the effects of the US blockade on the local economy: each aggression against PDVSA, through executive orders issued by the curren…

Editor2 (2021-04-06). Venezuela Appeals to UN for Landmine Clearance as Colombian Border Clashes Ease. orinocotribune.com Caracas has also created a special military zone and brigade to deal with the situation in Apure state, where 17 people have died. | Mérida, April 5, 2021 ( On Monday, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez revealed that three letters have been sent to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Security Council President Dang Dinh Quy and the Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA). | Caracas is requesting me…

teleSUR (2021-04-06). Venezuela Raises Military Deployment On Border With Colombia. telesurenglish.net Venezuela's Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino on Monday informed that troops of the Bolivian National Armed Forces (FANB) were deployed in three municipalities of the Apure state to fight Colombian irregular armed groups. | RELATED: | "By order of President Nicolas Maduro, we expanded the Special Integral Defense Operational Zone (ZODI) in the municipalities of Paez, Muñoz, and Romulo Gallegos," Padrino explained and reported that eight Ven…

teleSUR (2021-04-06). IMF Predicts Inequality in LatAm and the Caribbean's Recovery. telesurenglish.net The International Monetary Fund (IMF) released this Tuesday its new Global Economic Outlook (WEO) report, in which it predicts growth, although uneven and slight, of the Latin American economy. | RELATED: | "After a sharp downturn in 2020, only a mild and multi-speed recovery is expected in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2021," is the IMF forecast, according to which the region will grow at an average rate of 4.6 percen…

teleSUR (2021-04-06). Cuba Refuses 'Deceitful & Politicised' US Human Rights Report. telesurenglish.net Carlos Fernandez, the director of U.S. affairs at Cuba's Foreign Affairs Ministry, rejected the recent report on human rights released by the U.S Department of State (DoS), describing it as politicized and deceitful. | RELATED: | During a meeting with the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Timothy Zuñiga-Brown, Fernandez condemned the "false" allegations over torture, forced disappearance, and police repression raised by the DoS report. | He urge…

_____ (2021-04-06). How Oil Workers And Environmentalists United In Struggle. popularresistance.org Total's objective in recent years has been to close its refineries in France. It has found ways to refine elsewhere: in Dubai, India, China, and with plans for Africa. The objective is twofold: to refine as close as possible to the crude oil deposits, but also to do so in countries where working conditions are worse and environmental standards are lower. Disastrous consequences have resulted, such as the forced displacement of entire populations in Uganda. | Even though oil refining fulfills important needs in the region around Paris, and it is very profitable, Total's refinery in Grandpuits was put on the list t…

teleSUR (2021-04-06). 'Colombian Criminals Will Not Enter Venezuela' Arreaza Warns. telesurenglish.net Venezuela's Foreign Affairs Minister Jorge Arreaza on Tuesday rejected the terrorist and destabilizing actions promoted by Colombian irregular groups with the consent of President Ivan Duque on the common border. | RELATED: | "We are alerting the international community about the consequences of an armed conflict that is not ours. Venezuela is being attacked by Colombian illegal groups and Ivan Duque's administration i…

Geraldina Colotti (2021-04-06). The United States' Obsession with Venezuela: The Ordeal of One Italian Citizen. orinocotribune.com By Geraldina Colotti — Apr 3, 2021 | This news item illustrates very well the nature of the real witch-hunt that the United States engages in while attempting to prosecute everyone who tries to get around the economic and financial blockade imposed on Venezuela by the US. Yesterday the press agencies carried this story, and today a well-known newspaper has an interview with the person involved. | This is what happened: an Italian restaurant owner, with no connection to politics, had all his bank accounts frozen for months on the orders of Washington. It was a case of mistaken identity. They had confused him…

orinocotribune (2021-04-06). Venezuela Requests UN Assistance to Deactivate Colombian Paramilitary Landmines in Apure — "More Displaced People than Population" orinocotribune.com This Monday, April 5, it was reported that the Venezuelan government requested United Nations (UN) cooperation to eradicate the antipersonnel mines placed in Apure state, bordering Colombia, by drug trafficking groups from Colombia. | In this regard, Venezuela's Foreign Affairs Minister, Jorge Arreaza, sent a letter to Ilene Cohn, deputy director of the UN service in charge of this range of issues. Arreaza recalled that on May 27, 2013, Venezuela was declared a landmine-free territory. | In this sense, the Minister of Defense, Vladimir Padrino López, stressed that the text of the letter indicated that Venezuela h…

Editor2 (2021-04-06). Some Standard Cynical CIA-Style Cuba COVID Reporting at The Washington Post. orinocotribune.com By Paul Street — Apr 2, 2021 | Never underestimate the cynicism of American corporate media. As the Scotland-based historian Helen Yaffe recently observed on Counterpunch, the socialist state of Cuba currently has five COVID-19 vaccines in clinical trials "and is set to be among the first nations to vaccinate its entire population." Further: "Cuba has gone on the offensive against COVID-19, mobilizing the prevention-focused, community based public healthcare system to carry out daily house visits to actively detect and treat cases and channeling the medical science sector to adapt and produce new treatments…

teleSUR (2021-04-06). Trinidad & Tobago Prime Minister Tests Positive For COVID-19. telesurenglish.net Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister Keith Rowley on Tuesday tested positive for COVID-19 after experiencing flu-like symptoms. | RELATED: | According to a Health Ministry statement, Rowle is isolated at his government headquarters and he is under medical supervision. | He was scheduled to receive his first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine this Tuesday, during the first day of the twin-island nation's vaccination pro…

Updated: 2021-04-08 02:55 | 22:55 EST | 31 | 0 | 16 | 16 | 0