(2021-05-15). [Correspondence] Venezuela is collapsing without COVID-19 vaccines. thelancet.com Once considered a rich oil-producing country, Venezuela is confronting a rapidly increasing COVID-19 epidemic that adds to a complex humanitarian crisis that has been affecting the country since 2016.1 The health-care system has collapsed and is incapable of responding to the ever-increasing number of patients who require hospitalisation. Health-care personnel, including doctors, nurses, and other first-line health staff, have been substantially affected by the epidemic, leading to the highest lethality reported in the Americas.
(2021-05-15). Venezuelan Oil Production Down as PDVSA Targets Major Investment. venezuelanalysis.com The state oil company is reportedly looking for "new business models" with bigger private sector involvement.
(2021-05-15). Venezuela's Attorney General Unveils Corruption Plot at Lácteos Los Andes: Its President was Arrested. orinocotribune.com Earlier today the Attorney General of Venezuela, Tarek William Saab announced the dismantling of a corruption scheme at Lácteos Los Andes CA, a public enterprise in the dairy industry, carried out by the president of the company, Colonel Luis Augusto Piligra Jiménez. | During a press conference, Saab indicated that the Public Ministry (MP) together with the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM ) pursued an investigation following complaints about irregularities within the company. | The prosecutor announced the arrest of the president of Lácteos Los Andes, Colonel Luis Augusto Piligra Jiméne…
(2021-05-15). Venezuela: Regional & Municipal Elections Scheduled for November 21—Complete Electoral Calendar Announced. orinocotribune.com Venezuela's regional and municipal elections will take place on Sunday, November 21, 2021. This was announced to the country on Thursday, May 13, by the president of the National Electoral Council (CNE), Pedro Calzadilla, following the approval of the corresponding electoral calendar. | This calendar comprises, as usual, a set of dates: | ‚Ä¢ The special day for new voter registration and data update will be…
(2021-05-14). President Maduro: Former Deputy Guaidó Wants to Talk Now Because they Gave him the Order from the North. orinocotribune.com Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro confirmed on Wednesday, May 12, the willingness of his government to dialogue with opposition actors who have not yet participated in the national dialogue table. Maduro made the statement in regard to the change of discourse by former deputy Juan Guaidó, who proposed this Tuesday, through a message published on his social media accounts, "a national salvation agreement" that includes conciliation with the Bolivarian Executive. | "Guaidó now went from R2P, which was the invasion of Venezuela, to dialogue with Maduro," commented the head of state during a televised broadcast. "N…
(2021-05-14). How Being a Self-Educated Street Intellectual May Have Saved My Life. dissidentvoice.org 
1970: Weeks When Decades Happen I was 20 years old in 1968, a good year to be 20 years old. Between the spring of 1970 and the spring of 1972 there were weeks when decades happened for me. In the space of one year: I moved out of my parents' house in Jamaica, Queens to …
(2021-05-14). Solidarity with Colombia in the Netherlands. orinocotribune.com 
Several thousands marched and protested against the repressive Colombian regime — the Dutch Press agency ANP however counted only a few dozen. | On Friday, May 7, protest demonstrations were announced in The Hague and Amsterdam in solidarity with Colombians who are striking and fighting against the many human rights violations and Neo-liberal exploitation and poverty in their country. | This was prompted by a number of measures that would make life even worse and harder for many Colombians, such as huge VAT increases, petrol price hikes, dismantling of social services, freezing civil servants' salaries, …
(2021-05-14). Jorge Rodríguez: If You Want Dialogue Begin Admitting to the Horrendous Crimes Committed — No Amnesia. orinocotribune.com This Thursday, May 13, the President of Venezuela's National Assembly (AN), Jorge Rodríguez, stressed that the Venezuelan opposition cannot now appear on the national stage and call for dialogue without acknowledging their actions that affected the Venezuelan people. | During a regular session in which a draft agreement was approved in support of the implementation of the Constitutional Anti-Blockade Law for National Development and the Guarantee of Human Rights, Rodríguez assured that "the capacity of the people to resist the attacks has been incredible," especially those in recent years. He questioned whether s…
(2021-05-14). Venezuelan Parliament Declares May 17 National Day Against LGBTQ Hatred. orinocotribune.com This Thursday, May 13, Venezuela's National Assembly unanimously approved a Draft Agreement to declare May 17 as a national day against hatred and all kinds of discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in Venezuela. In addition, the creation of a sub-committee attached to the Comprehensive Social Development Committee was announced, to be coordinated by deputy Niloha Delgado, to meet the demands of the LGBTQ community. | Delgado, president of the Gender Equality Subcommittee of the Permanent Committee for Comprehensive Social Development, outlined the discrimination suffere…