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Comrade Insider Shares Opinion as to what is going on in Ecuador

President Moreno goes right, steers away from the left, some see him as a traitor

What’s Going On in Ecuador? An Interview With Wladimir Iza
by Joe Emersberger / counterpunch.org

Former Ecuadorian president, Rafael Correa, is now campaigning to have voters reject seven proposals put forward in a referendum decreed by the new president whom Correa helped elect several months ago, Lenin Moreno. The Ecuadorian right is campaigning in support of Moreno’s proposals. Over a week ago, Guillaume Long, resigned from his position as Moreno’s permanent representative to the United Nations in protest against the right turn of Moreno’s government.

Below is a translation of a conversation I had with Wladimir Iza, a longtime Ecuadorian political activist and supporter of Rafael Correa. Read Article (INTERVIEW)

 

SPEAK SPANISH LIKE AN ECUADORIAN – READ THE BOOK “SPANISH SLANG ECUADOR”

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Venezuela Crisis Deepens

Venezuelans ‘loot or die of hunger’ as crisis deepens theweek.co.uk Jan 22, 2018 Low oil output, spiralling inflation and police indifference has fuelled violence Looting by hungry mobs has led shop owners in Venezuela to take up arms and shutter shops as the country’s economic and political turmoil deepens. INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED SPANISH VOCABULARY – READ THE […]

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Academic Calls for Invasion of Venezuela

AMERICANTHINKER.COM Invade Venezuela and get it over with, top Harvard academic says By Monica Showalter Ricardo Hausmann is no typical academic. This past week, he suggested in an article that a foreign invasion may be the only way out for Venezuela’s collapsing socialist regime. The respected Venezuelan economist who is a professor at Harvard’s Kennedy […]

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Ecuador: Prosecutor to request former President Correa to be barred from leaving country

eldiario.ec / (machine translated) Geovanni Atarihuana, director of Popular Unity (UP), today presented a request to the General Prosecutor’s Office to resume investigations into four previous complaints against former President Rafael Correa. The objective, newspaper El Comercio reported, is for the Prosecutor’s Office to request precautionary measures against the former president and prohibit him from […]

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HE’S BACK. Former President Rafael Correa arrives in Ecuador, political feud continues with current Pres.

NATIONALPOST.COM reported that former Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa returned home Saturday for the first time since leaving office as he gears up for a political fight against his hand-picked successor. A chaotic scene awaited Correa at the arrival terminal of Guayaquil’s airport, where police were called in as dozens of his supporters exchanged insults and […]

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Ecuador: Amendment in Law Gives Free Pass to Genetically Modified crops

GROUP PLANS NATIONWIDE STRIKE OPPOSING SEED LAW Scienceline.org – Changes in Ecuador’s ‘seed law’ angers and frustrates scientists An amendment that gives a free pass to genetically modified crops causes legal turmoil Burning soy seeds lit up the city streets of Guayaquil, Ecuador, last May as dozens of farmers, activists and Indigenous people protested a […]

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Colombia: United Nations issues alert in five areas despite peace truce with ELN

TENSE SITUATION EFE/elmercurio (machine translated) The UN Mission in Colombia warned of the situation of the communities in five conflict zones despite the ceasefire between the Government and the ELN guerrilla that began on October 1. Those five areas are the department of Chocó, the Catatumbo region, northern Cauca, as well as the municipalities of […]

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Iceland blocks Venezuela from receiving shipment of tear gas from China

PANAMPOST.COM/Orlando Avendaño  – The Icelandic Ministry of Transport and Local Government received a letter from the European Transport Agency on Friday, October 20 requesting permission to transport anti-riot gear to Venezuela; however, the query was rejected. The agency requested the transfer of 16 tons of tear gas from China to Venezuela. The material would have […]

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Ecuador’s attempt to extort Chevron begins to wind down (Opinion)

Michael I. Krauss , Contributor Law Prof. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. I have described in detail, in numerous previous columns over several years, Ecuador’s corrupt efforts to almost $10 billion from Chevron Corp. for pollution damages allegedly caused by Texaco (whose interests were purchased by Chevron). Interested readers should consult these […]

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Ecuador: Former President Correa disagrees with Pres. Moreno, may ask for constituent assembly

abc.es reported (machine translated) former President Rafael Correa has assured in Bogota that he does not rule out asking for a National Constituent Assembly in view of the situation that Ecuador is facing because of the public consultation that will be convened by the current president of the country, Lenin Moreno , whose content will […]

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Ecuador: Government Officials Resign, politial gap intensifies

.hispantv.com / The political gap in the Government of Ecuador intensifies: two presidential advisers and the Secretary of Political Management resigned their positions. Ricardo Patiño and Virgilio Hernández, together with Secretary Paola Pabón, all members of the ruling Alianza País (AP) party, announced on Friday that their stance as militants forced them to step down […]

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Chile: Semi Trucks Set on Fire in arson attack, evidence points to Indigenous group

(Reuters/oann.com) – Eighteen semi trucks used to transport food were set on fire in a parking lot in the southern Chilean city of Temuco on Saturday, local authorities said. The incident appeared to be intentional and the governor of the region of Araucania, Nora Barrientos, told local radio that evidence gathered at the scene linked […]

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Venezuela: Military Base Attacked by Civilians, weapons stolen

axar.az/sputnik = The attack targeting the Paramacay military base in Venezuela was carried out by a group of civilians, the country’s Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said Sunday. Earlier in the day, media reported that a group of people wearing military uniform attacked the military base. Vice President of the Venezuelan ruling United Socialist Party […]

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Collapse of Venezuela and Impact on the Region (Analysis)

The Collapse of Venezuela and Its Impact on the Region Dr. R. Evan Ellis / armyupress.army.mil Interediate / Advanced Spanish Vocabulary – get the book In May 2017, as the number killed during pro – tests against the regime of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela climbed toward 40, and with more than 130 injured and over […]

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Son of Venezuelan President threatens to seize White House

(CNN.com )Nicolás Maduro Guerra, the son of the Venezuelan President, is threatening to seize the White House with rifles if President Donald Trump sends the US military to his nation.  The White House has condemned President Nicolás Maduro’s regime for human rights abuses. More than 120 people have died in anti-government protests since April. Read […]

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Peru: Striking teachers block border crossings to Bolivia and in areas of Cusco

Strikers block border crossings from Peru to Bolivia Lima, Aug 10 (Prensa Latina) (machine translated) Striking teachers blocked road traffic in the southern Andean region of Puno, blocking access to vehicles at the border crossing points to Bolivia, radio stations reported. territory. The report notes that strikers block rocks and logs from various points along […]

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Ecuador: Vice President Stripped of powers by President Moreno

Ecuador’s President Lenin Moreno Strips Vice President Jorge Glas Of All Functions ndtv.com – Moreno, who only came to office on May 24, issued a decree removing his running mate from all his functions as vice president, but stopped short of sacking him. Ecuador’s President Lenin Moreno on Thursday stripped his vice president, Jorge Glas, […]

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Venezuela: At Least Nine Killed, clashes reported during vote for new legislative body

Venezuela constitutional vote marred by violence, death At least nine killed and clashes reported as people vote for new legislative body tasked to reform constitution. aljazeera.com At least nine people, including an election candidate, have been killed in the past 24 hours in Venezuela as the country votes for an all-powerful new legislative body tasked […]

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Venezuela: Things to come to a head on Sunday

INTERMEDIATE ADVANCED SPANISH VOCABULARY – READ THIS BOOK france24.com/(AFP) – Venezuela is hurtling toward a high-stakes political confrontation this week pitting an increasingly isolated President Nicolas Maduro against an opposition scenting blood. On Wednesday and Thursday, the opposition is staging its second nationwide strike in a week, then another mass protest on Friday, upping the […]

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Venezuela accuses Sen Rubio, CIA in plotting overthrow of government

zerohedge.com/ CIA And Sen Marco Rubio Accused Of Plotting Regime Change In Venezuela Venezuela’s leftist dictator Nicolas Maduro plans to proceed with a vote to create a new constituent assembly to replace the country’s opposition-controlled Congress with a friendly constituent assembly, potentially enabling the embattled despot to redraft the country’s constitution and officially marginalize his […]

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Despite end of war in Colombia, insecurity growing

32 MURDERS A DAY eldiario.ec /(machine translated) affected by the lack of job opportunities, José traveled with his family from Haycopungo, north of Otavalo, to Colombia. He was selling clothes and crafts. Carmen was in the eighth month of pregnancy and therefore planned to return to Ecuador to give birth in Otavalo. Jose had told […]

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Ecuador halts construction of border wall with Peru

panampost.com/elena toledo – The Ecuadorian government informed Peru of its decision to halt the construction of a border wall that had strained diplomatic relations between the two countries. Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Maria Fernanda Espinosa made the announcement on the decision to stop the controversial construction project during her visit to Peru. “Ecuador‘s Foreign Ministry confirms […]

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Chihuahua, Mexico: Experts report security situation deteriorating

Mexican cartel shootout leaves 26 dead or wounded in latest violent clash Experts say that security has deteriorated in recent months as criminal groups squabble over the remains of the empire once controlled by kingpin El Chapo theguardian.com reported a battle between rival drug cartel factions in Mexico’s northern Chihuahua state left at least 26 […]

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Survey Says: Mexico Second Deadliest Country in the World in 2016

Mexico was second deadliest country in 2016 By Elizabeth Roberts, CNN.com Mexico’s drug wars claimed 23,000 lives during 2016 — second only to Syria, where 50,000 people died as a result of the civil war. “This is all the more surprising, considering that the conflict deaths [in Mexico] are nearly all attributable to small arms,” […]

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Venezuela: Protesters Using Excrement Bombs Against Security Forces “Shit March”

By Girish Gupta and Christian Veron CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuela’s opposition protests on Wednesday may be the messiest in a six-week wave of unrest as demonstrators prepare to throw feces at security forces, adding to the customary rocks, petrol bombs and tear gas. The new tactic has been dubbed the “Poopootov” in a play on […]

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Venezuela: Warao Indigenous people fleeing crisis, arrive in Brazil

INTERMEDIATE ADVANCED SPANISH VOCABULARY – READ THIS BOOK Around 400 indigenous Warao people from the Orinoco Delta in Venezuela have arrived in the Brazilian city of Manaus in the Amazon. BBC.COM / The authorities have declared a social emergency to seek government funds to help with the influx. The Warao say they travelled around 2,000 […]

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Caracas Venezuela: Violent clashes, protests, tensions growing

(CNN)Thousands of protesters clashed Saturday for a fifth consecutive day with security forces in Caracas, the Venezuelan capital. Officers in riot gear blocked a highway as marchers tried to advance, chanting “Liberty, Liberty!” Protesters tossed rocks and returned tear gas canisters used against them. The Venezuelan National Guard also used water tanks against the demonstrators […]

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Targeting of Civilian Aircrafts in South America

Forewarned War: The Targeting of Civilian Aircrafts in South America and the Inter-American Human Rights System Alonso Gurmendi Dunkelberg INTERMEDIATE ADVANCED SPANISH VOCABULARY – READ THIS BOOK Abstract Throughout the War on Drugs, South American governments have fought a difficult and many times losing battle against drug trafficking. Lack of resources and policing capabilities have […]

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Ecuador: Progress Stalls Out over mining Dispute between govt and Shuar Indigenous Group

In Ecuador, progress stalls on mining dispute between government and indigenous Shuar people 8 March 2017 / Daniela Aguilar Adapted by Romina Castagnino The militarization of the community of San Carlos de Limón in Ecuador’s province of Morona Santiago has triggered the displacement of indigenous Shuar populations who live in areas adjacent to a major […]

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Ecuador: Some Indigenous leaders align with the right-wing and reject correa’s allies

telesurtv.net / Some Indigenous leaders have increasingly aligned with Ecuador’s right-wing elite in the name of rejecting President Rafael Correa and his allies. As Ecuador prepares for a second and final round of presidential elections in April, Indigenous leaders of a historically progressive organization have tacitly sided with the right-wing candidate that has promised to […]

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Ecuador: Military emphatically rejects rumors on social media of uprising

vistazo.com (machine translated)- feb. 20,2017 During this morning, pictures and messages from the military circulated on social networks, where they called for a mobilization against alleged electoral fraud. Faced with this, the Armed Forces issued a statement in which they “emphatically” reject such messages. “It is absolutely false that there is an alleged uprising by […]

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Ecuador: Protests outside CNE election facilities in seven provinces

Protests outside CNE facilities in 7 provinces vistazo.com (machine translated) From 17:00 today, February 20, 2017, several citizens self-convoked in Riobamba (Chimborazo), in the avenue Daniel Leon Borja to protest outside the National Electoral Council (CNE) and demand the entity quickly in the delivery of Presidential results. The label to autoconvocarse in networks was #TodosalCNE […]

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Ecuador: uncertainty, tension over election votes

miamiherald.com/By Jim Wyss This Andean nation could face days of uncertainty and tension as election authorities said Sunday’s contentious presidential vote remains too close to call — casting doubt on whether there will be a runoff. The warning came as ruling party candidate Lenín Moreno assured his followers he was on the cusp of winning […]

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Amazon Forest under threat from soya crops

theguardian.com reported….Celso Carlos has made a modest living for 10 years growing manioc and coconuts and rearing poultry on a few hectares of lowland in Brazil’s northern Amazon. But three years ago, out of the blue, Carlos was told by an Amapá state judge that he had to move because his land had been bought […]

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Colombia: Violence spreading in areas abandoned by guerrillas

The Guardian -guardian.com/ Violence is spreading particularly fast in areas abandoned by guerrillas under the peace deal because the promised state security forces have not arrived. There is little clarity about who is behind the killings, but areas once held by guerrillas are often places where illegal mining or farming of coca – the raw […]

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Panama: Protests over Political Scandal

Odebrecht case: Thousands protest in Panama City INTERMEDIATE ADVANCED SPANISH VOCABULARY – READ THIS BOOK aljazeera.com / Demonstrators take part in anti-government rally amid growing scandal over bribes paid by Brazilian firm Odebrecht. Thousands of people have taken to the streets in Panama in protest over a political scandal involving huge bribes paid by a […]

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Indigenous Group Claim governement of Ecuador allocating territory for large-scale mining

Rafael Correa: cease your violent attacks on Ecuador’s Shuar Arutam People! Governing Council of the Shuar Arutam People In law, the Shuar Arutam People of Ecuador’s Amazon control their ancestral forests. But the government has allocated more than 38% of their territory to large-scale mining, and a gigantic hydroelectric dam is about to be built. […]

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Mexico: Chapo’s children wounded in ambush, power struggle within Sinaloa Cartel

INTERMEDIATE ADVANCED SPANISH VOCABULARY – READ THIS BOOK panampost.com/By: Elena Toledo Internal struggles within the Sinaloa Cartel have reached new heights, as the children of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán were wounded last Saturday during an ambush ordered by another leader within the organization. Dámaso López, one of the main operators of the Sinaloa Cartel, ordered […]

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Colombia: Increase in Birth Rates Among FARC

INTERMEDIATE ADVANCED SPANISH VOCABULARY – READ THIS BOOK caracol.com.co/ Rafael Pardo pointed out that this is a reality that must be interpreted as a commitment by the guerrillas to abandon their armed struggle and dedicate themselves as any Colombian to having a family and a job . “This is certainly a good symptom, women who […]

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Peru: Protests block roads to copper mine

reuters.com – Protests over public work projects in a remote highland region of Peru have blocked roads used by MMG Ltd to transport copper concentrates from its mine Las Bambas, a representative of the ombudsman’s office said on Wednesday. Hundreds of residents of the town of Challhuahuacho marched on Wednesday for a third consecutive day […]

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Trump threatens remittances to Mexico

Mexico’s biggest cash cow is under threat from President Donald Trump. The country’s largest source of cash comes from Mexicans living in the United States. That is now under the microscope after Trump issued an executive order Wednesday to start building a wall on the border. During his campaign, Trump said multiple times that Mexico […]

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Ecuador: Abducted Soldiers released by irrregular group in mining conflict

Ecuador Indigenous Group Releases Soldiers Abducted in Mining Conflict telesurtv.net reported … “Freedom and dignity of people are not negotiable, and in Ecuador no one is above the law,” said Ecuador’s Defense Ministry. Two soldiers who were abducted by an irregular group in the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador were released on Saturday in the midst […]

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Mexico, U.S.: Battle Lines Drawn Regarding NAFTA Issues

FT.com/Jude Webber Mexico braced for confrontation with Trump team Enrique Peña Nieto vows to stand up to Nafta pressure from new US president Battle lines have been drawn as Mexico and the US kick off what promise to be tough negotiations on the future of the two-decades old North American Free Trade Agreement, which both […]

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Venezuela: Crisis deepening

By Sofia Barbarani January 23 at 6:03 PM washingtonpost.com CARACAS, Venezuela — Political parties called for a nationwide protest Monday against Venezuela’s socialist-oriented government but attracted only several thousand people, in a sign of the difficulties the opposition is facing in building a strong protest movement even as the nation descends into crisis. In September, […]

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Ecuador: President Correa Denounces Attempts to Destabilize Govt since 2013

radiolaprimerisima.com reported the president of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, denounced on Thursday the plan to destabilize his government implemented since 2013 and led by the brothers Isaiah, exbanqueros responsible for the country’s financial crisis in 1999. According to the president, just days after his second electoral victory in February 2013, the brothers Isaías and their lawyers […]

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Ecuador: environmental organization fights for survival

theguardian.com reported members of one of Latin America’s most well-known environmental organisations, Acción Ecológica, are fighting for their survival against a controversial attempt by Ecuador’s government to shut them down. The move by the government came six days after violence between soldiers, police and indigenous Shuar people opposed to a Chinese-run copper development, Panantza-San Carlos, […]

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U.N. Experts Condemn Ecuador for Suppressing Civil Society

30 December 2016 – Five United Nations human rights experts have condemned Ecuador for suppressing civil society following a Government order to close a non-governmental organization (NGO) that supports environmental and indigenous rights. “The Government of Ecuador seems to be systematically dissolving organizations when they become too vocal or challenge government orthodoxy,” they said in […]

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Ecuador: Military, Police Mobilized to protect mining camp

Shuar tribe face government in Amazon mining protests Ecuador’s Shuar say mining project in Cordillera del Condor threatens their livelihood and encroaches upon their land. aljazeera.com reported/ Morona-Santiago, Ecuador – The death of a police officer during a standoff between military and indigenous Shuar people in a takeover attempt of a mining camp in Ecuador’s […]

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Sarayaku, Ecuador: Military members detained by Indigenous group are released

telesurtv.net reported one Shuar Indigenous community attempted to take over a mining company by force, killing one police officer, injuring five, and abducting 11 officers. Eleven members of the Ecuadorean military were released after one Indigenous group abducted them as part of a violent conflict which broke out last week between members of the community […]

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Ambato Ecuador: Police remove street vendors in downtown area, confiscate goods, Merry Christmas

elcomercio.com reported – AMBATO, ECUADOR – CLASHES BETWEEN STREET VENDORS AND POLICE On the downtown streets of Ambato, street vendors and police clash in effort by police to remove 3,500 vendors. There were at least 100 police involved in the removal operation and much of the vendor’s stock of merchandise was confiscated. Police installed metal […]

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More than 150,000 Venezuelans left so far in 2016, many fleeing in boats0

nytimes.com/ NICHOLAS CASEY wrote: Well over 150,000 Venezuelans have fled the country in the last year alone, the highest in more than a decade, according to scholars studying the exodus. “We have seen a great acceleration,” said Tomás Páez, a professor who studies immigration at the Central University of Venezuela. He says that as many […]

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Venezuela step closer to revolution

zerohedge.com reported once a “flagship socialist nation,” Venezuela has suffered over the past couple of years from a dramatic economic crisis that has resulted in severe shortages of food, clean water, electricity, medicines and hospital supplies all of which have resulted in a desperate population which has resorted to the black market and violence for […]

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Venezuela elections postponed, denounced by opposition

ADVANCED SPANISH VOCABULARY – READ THE BOOK bbc.com reported Venezuela’s elections for state governorships have been postponed until next year, a move denounced by the opposition as unconstitutional. The polls had been expected in December, but the election board said they would now be held around mid-2017. Opinion polls have suggested the government of President […]

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Colombian Voters Shocked World by Rejecting Peace Deal

Joshua Keating / Colombian voters shocked the world over the weekend by rejecting a landmark peace deal between their government and the FARC guerrillas, which would have formally ended a 52-year civil war that has killed more than 220,000 people. Read Article

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Colombia: After deal with FARC what will other criminal groups do in power vacum

By: Julián Villabona Galarza / Despite the deal reached between the Colombian government and the Marxist FARC guerrilla to lay down arms, there is a new cause of concern: what the several other criminal groups that operate in the country will do faced with such a power vacuum. The famous rebel group has been responsible […]

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Colombia: Warning over a no vote on peace referendum

INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED SPANISH VOCABULARY The man who led the Colombian government to a peace deal with the country’s main leftist rebel group has warned that if the public vote against the deal, it could take 10 years before new negotiations are started. Humberto de la Calle spent four years negotiating with the Farc in […]

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Venezuela unraveling at breakneck speed, one dozen eggs $150

OSINT GLOSSARY – GET THE BOOK FOR IMPROVED INTERNET SEARCH RESULTS zerohedge.com reported — The question of whether Socialism can be an effective economic system was famously raised when Margaret Thatcher said of the British Labor Party, “I think they’ve made the biggest financial mess that any government’s ever made in this country for a […]

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Number of Africans, surge in Latin America trying to get to the U.S.

The number of Africans fleeing to the region en route to the United States has been increasing. telesurtv.net reported an increasing number of African refugees fleeing violence are travelling through various parts of Latin America to eventually reach U.S. with the hopes of building a new life. However, they are facing roadbloacks, complications and corruption […]

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Venezuela: Journalist, lawyer charged for money laundering after protest

Reuters.com/ Girish Gupta reported A prominent journalist and lawyer on the Venezuelan island of Margarita was charged Monday with money laundering and will remain behind bars, according to family and a rights group, following his detention after publicizing a protest against President Nicolas Maduro. Videos published by activists, purportedly from the locality of Villa Rosa, […]

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Ecuador: Thousands March against Presidents dissolution of teacher’s union

Quito (AFP) au.news.yahoo.com reported – Thousands of demonstrators marched in Quito and other Ecuadoran cities Thursday against the socialist government of Rafael Correa and its dissolution of a public teachers’ guild. Labor union members and teachers turned out in Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca to denounce the Ministry of Education dissolving the National Union of Educators […]

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Colombia, Farc to sign peace deal

theguardian.com reported after four years of negotiating, the deal will be signed Wednesday evening in Havana, kicking off what promises to be a frenzied campaign to ratify it Colombia’s government and leftwing Farc rebels have reached a final and comprehensive peace deal to end the country’s 52-year war that has left more than 220,000 people […]

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Venezuela: Govt. will fire civil servants for signing recall petition for Maduro

Maduro to fire public workers who backed his recall The Venezuelan government will fire senior civil servants for signing a petition linked to ousting President Nicolas Maduro, according to Maduro’s top aide. Hundreds of people claim they already lost their jobs. The president sent out lists of employees to be fired from posts on the […]

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Ecuador: pro-Palestinian group denounces private security company

Telesurtv.net reported Quito’s pro-Palestinian activists denounced G4S, the country’s largest private security company, for its role in the Palestinian occupation. Pro-Palestine organizers and activists in Ecuador’s capital, Quito, converged Saturday on the nation’s second-largest bank, Banco del Pacifico, calling on it to end its contract with the British-based security company G4S. The action, organized by […]

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Ecuador: Teachers Union Calls For Nationwide Protests August 25, 2016

cuencahighlife.com reported teachers union calls for nationwide protests on Thursday, says government dissolution order is an act of ‘political revenge’ Ecuador’s National Union of Educators (UNE), the country’s largest teachers’ union, has announced a nationwide protest for Thursday against the government decision revoking its right to represent teachers. UNE says the decision was politically motivated. […]

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President Maduro threatens what will happen if there is coup attempt in Venezuelaey child’s play compared to similare event in Venezuela

Theguardian.com reported Venezuelan president warns rivals: ‘Did you see what happened in Turkey?’ Nicolás Maduro has said Erdoğan’s crackdown after the failed Turkish coup is child’s play compared to how he would handle a similar attempt Nicolás Maduro has said the purge Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has meted out on rivals after a failed […]

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Chile: Massive Protests atainst privatized pension plan

bbc.com reported hundreds of thousands of people across Chile have taken part in protests against the country’s controversial privatised pension plan. The scheme was launched in 1981, during the military government of General Augusto Pinochet. Protesters say some 10 million people who joined have now been left with very low retirement incomes – less than […]

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Mexico, Argentina, Brazil in top 21 countries at risk for extreme public unrest

Maplecroft.com reported civil unrest is significantly more disruptive to business in France than in any other western economy, reveals a new global index released by risk consultancy Verisk Maplecroft, which rates the country ‘high risk’ alongside emerging markets, such as Brazil and South Africa. France’s deep-rooted culture of political protest and strikes has seen the […]

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Argentina: Declassified files show Kissinger jeopardized efforts to stop mass killings

theguardian.com reported newly declassified files show the former secretary of state jeopardized efforts to crackdown on bloodshed by Argentina’s 1976-83 military dictatorship Former secretary of state Henry Kissinger jeopardized US efforts to stop mass killings by Argentina’s 1976-83 military dictatorship by congratulating the country’s military leaders for “wiping out” terrorism, according to a large trove […]

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Ecuador: Media Station, Journalist accused of “media lynching”

New York, August 9, 2016 – The Ecuadoran communications regulator should rescind all measures against the broadcaster Teleamazonas and journalist Janet Hinostroza, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Regulators yesterday sanctioned the station and the journalist for “media lynching” in relation to investigative reports into the government’s purchase of medical supplies. According to a […]

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Ecuador pays $112 million to Chevron in arbitration award

energyvoice.com reported oil major Chevron has been paid $112million by Ecuador over a contract dispute lasting more than four decades. The move comes despite the side remaining in disagreement. In 2011, a Hague arbitration awarded Chevron $96million in a dispute stemming from a 1973 deal that called for Texaco – which was later acquired by […]

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Venezuela: At a Cross Roads

Forbes.com/Kenneth Rapoza reported New York’s biggest Venezuela ‘death watch’ specialist, Siobhan Morden of Nomura Securities, says that the crisis-wracked country is at a cross roads. Here’s where it can go, in the simplest of terms: towards a Cuban style autocracy led by Socialist Party leader and current president Nicolas Maduro, or a military coup of […]

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Step by step, Venezuela shutting down, slipping into the dark

Meridith Kohut/NYtimes.com reported — The courts? Closed most days. The bureau to start a business? Same thing. The public defender’s office? That’s been converted into a food bank for government employees. Step by step, Venezuela has been shutting down. This country has long been accustomed to painful shortages, even of basic foods. But Venezuela keeps […]

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Ecuador: Fundamedios reports officials seeking to discredit journalists through social media

freemedia.at reported…Although there are still more than six months to go before the campaign to elect a new president in Ecuador begins, efforts to control political discourse in the country have long since begun. According to a new study, part of this battle is being waged on social networks, where the current president, Rafael Correa, […]

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Crisis worsens in Venezuela, Maduro blames fascist right and U.S.

globalpost.com/Agence France-Presse reported… Under the state of emergency imposed by President Nicolas Maduro, the military, along with government-organized civilian committees, ensures that food packets are delivered door-to-door in order to — as officials say — cut out black market operators. The president however says he is fighting an “economic war” being waged by Venezuela’s “fascist” […]

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U.S. Officials predict that President Maduro not likely to complete his term

reuters.com/Matt Spetalnick roported the United States is increasingly concerned about the potential for an economic and political meltdown in Venezuela, spurred by fears of a debt default, growing street protests and deterioration of its oil sector, U.S. intelligence officials said on Friday. In a bleak assessment of Venezuela’s worsening crisis, the senior officials expressed doubt […]

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Venezuela: Plundering is increasing problem

reuters.com reported Mobs in Venezuela have stolen flour, chicken and even underwear this week as looting increases across the crisis-hit OPEC nation where many basic products have run short. Many people now get up in the dead of night to spend hours in long lines in front of supermarkets. But as more end up empty-handed […]

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Colombia: Armed clashes driving large numbers from homes in Chocó department

GENEVA, May 13 (UNHCR) – Armed clashes between illegal groups fighting for territory in western Colombia are driving a growing number of mostly Afro-Caribbean and indigenous peoples from their homes in Chocó department, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has warned. In the past two months alone, more than 6,000 people have fled the fighting, as […]

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Book reports 82 Cases of repression in Ecuador recorded between 2007 – 2015

ecuadorreview.com reported According to the book ‘Criminalization of Protest’ by activist Karla Calapaqui, published in January 2016, 82 cases of government repression were recorded in Ecuador between 2007 and 2015, affecting 681 people. Some of the more controversial cases are outlined below, evidencing excessive use of force and rights violations. 1. Where it all started: […]

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REASONS WHY VENEZUELA ON VERGE OF COLLAPSE

panampost.com reported — Following the publication of Sabrina Martin’s article in the PanAm Post, “Looting on the Rise as Venezuela Runs Out of Food, Electricity,” several readers have asked how Venezuela, a country regarded as a future Australia in the 1960’s and 70’s, entered its current economic crisis. There are hundreds of reasons for this. […]

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ECUADOR: PROTESTS PLANNED FOR APRIL 14, 2016

Thursday #Ecuador #14abril back to the streets in QUITO Avenida De los Shyris i primary location for planned protests in Quito. ubicatv.com reported the mobilizations are effective. So they decided that De los Shyris Avenue again on Thursday, April 14. The initial plan is to congregate there, do a sit-in for a couple of hours […]

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Colombia announces formal peace process begins with ELN

theguardian.com reported Colombia has opened a new front in its quest to end half a century of war, with the announcement of a formal peace process with the country’s second-largest rebel group, the National Liberation Army, or ELN. In an announcement made in Caracas, the Colombian government and leaders of the ELN said that they […]

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Ecuador bracing for opposition marches, President warns of violent protests

Previous demonstrations by opposition groups have broken out in violence as protesters and police clashed. telesurtv.net reported Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa warned Monday that the country could witness another round of violent protests this week as opposition groups announced that they will take to the streets once again. Opposition organizations, including the Confederation of Indigenous […]

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Brazil: Massive country wide protests calling for Rousseff to step down

cnbc.com/rueters reported hundreds of thousands of Brazilians flooded the streets on Sunday in the biggest ever protests calling for President Dilma Rousseff’s removal, reflecting rising popular anger that could encourage Congress to impeach the leftist leader. The demonstrations were the latest in a wave of anti-government rallies that lost momentum late last year but have […]

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Ecuador: Accused of applauding at protest by govt., man remains in hiding

Applauding a Protest in Ecuador Could Land You in Prison By Gaston Cavanagh/VICE.COM February 25, 2016 Francisco Endara Daza is hiding because he applauded, though he says he didn’t even do that. “I am not considering giving myself up because what we have in Ecuador is not justice, just a group of judges acting to […]

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Analysis of Ecuador’s President dismissing military high command

By José Hernández on February 13, 2016 Analysis Rafael Correa has dismissed the military high command; cut short the career of ten generals; provoked protest from those in passive military service; and mobilized his supporters to take to the streets arguing that “coups will not happen” … all this for an administrative problem worth a […]

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Ecuador: Opposition protests after President fires Generals

RIGHTWINGERS protested across Ecuador on Wednesday following President Rafael Correa’s sacking of the country’s four top generals for issuing statements on “administrative matters.” Head of the joint chiefs of staff General Luis Garzon had condemned the government on Twitter for fining the army pension fund and “taking resources away from … soldiers and their families.” […]

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Cenepa War, conflict between Ecuador/Peru 1995

Wikipedia – The Cenepa War (January 26 – February 28, 1995), also known as the Alto Cenepa War, was a brief and localized military conflict between Ecuador and Peru, fought over control of an area in Peruvian territory (i.e. in the eastern side of the Cordillera del Cóndor, Province of Condorcanqui, Región Amazonas, Republic of […]

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Caracas Venezuela: Group throws grenade at Military Police, killing Sergeant, injuring six

eldiario.ec reported a sergeant was killed and six others were injured by alleged criminals on Sunday night released a Granada against a group of the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB, militarized police) in central Caracas, he reported the prosecution. “According to preliminary information, at about 22.30 local time (03.00 GMT Monday) several people descended from a […]

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Phenomenon of Criminalisation of Social Protest in Ecuador

FIDH.org reported… and its member organisations in Ecuador, CEDHU and INREDH present and publish today a report (in spanish) analysing the phenomenon of criminalisation of social protest in Ecuador and urge the State to recognise the importance of freedom of speech and the legitimacy of peaceful denunciation, opposition and monitoring of extraction projects or land […]

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Ecuador: Ruling Party to Reintroduce wealth redistribution legislation, after postponement

morningstaronline.co.uk reported ECUADOR’S ruling Pais Alliance will reintroduce wealth redistribution legislation which was postponed this year in the face of opposition protests. President Rafael Correa announced on Tuesday that the two Bills to increase inheritance and capital gains taxes for the rich would come before the National Assembly in the next few months. “It is […]

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Ecuador: Opposition Group Rejects Approved Constitutional Amendments

telesurtv.net reported an opposition group in Ecuador on Thursay reiterated their rejection of the country’s recently approved constitutional amendments and vowed to submit a complaint challenging the reforms as unconstitutional as the next step of their protest. The group says it is collecting signatures to push for a referendum on whether to accept the package […]

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Ecuador: journalists say Correa government’s move to define communications as a public service is ploy to muzzle criticism

mwcnews.net reported journalists say Correa government’s move to define communications as a public service is a ploy to muzzle criticism. Ecuador’s government must not start regulating private media and social networks, journalists and press watchdogs warned, after its National Assembly voted to constitutionally define communications as a public service. President Rafael Correa’s party, Alianza Pais, […]

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Street Demonstrations Erupt in Ecuador: Presidential Term Limits abolished from 2021

theguardian.com reported that street demonstrations erupt as National Assembly passes constitutional amendment that paves way for Rafael Correa to be re-elected indefinitely Ecuador’s National Assembly voted on Thursday to pass a constitutional amendment abolishing presidential term limits from 2021 onwards. A few blocks from the building police clashed with demonstrators who see it as an […]

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Ecuador: Trade Union and Social Groups anticipate protests

Unionists and social groups anticipate protests in Ecuador AP/pulsoslp.com.mx reported – The country’s main trade unions, associations and social groups announced Tuesday they will meet a day of mobilization and protests against a proposed 15 constitutional amendments proposed by President Rafael Correa and including indefinite reelection of all elected offices. Workers are particularly resistant to […]

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Quito Ecuador: Correa supporters rally in face of renewed opposition protests

telesurtv.net reported that thousands of supporters of President Rafael Correa rallied in central Quito Wednesday in the face of renewed opposition protests. “Correa has done so many things for our country. So many things,” Correa supporter Rosa Chiquimarea told teleSUR English. Amid crowds clad in the lime green of Correa’s PAIS party, Chiquimarea said the […]

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Cuenca Ecuador: Protests opposed to proposed consitutional amendments

cuencahighlife.com reported… Protesters opposed to proposed constitutional amendments, including one that would allow President Rafael Correa to seek another term, clashed with police Wednesday night at the Parque Calderon glorieta. Police and protesters in a shoving match Wednesday night in Parque Calderon. Photo credit: El Tiempo Police and protesters in a shoving match Wednesday night […]

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Ecuador: Excessive Use of Force, Arbitrary Detentions, Illegal Home Searches of protesters

hrw.oRg REPORTED: Ecuadorian security forces used excessive force to disperse anti-government protests in August 2015, Human Rights Watch said today. The authorities appear to have made no serious effort to investigate officials who committed abuses. Instead, the government congratulated security forces for their performance, dismissed the protests as violent, and brought criminal charges against nonviolent […]

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Ecuador: President Correa asks supporters of democracy to speak out against violent minorities

telesurtv.net reported Rafael Correa called on “democracy supporters” from all political orientations to resist violent political actions. “This week, the same people as usual, will be back with their meetings, marches and strikes. This is their way of life, while we are working hard, for the love of our country,” – Rafael Correa. President Rafael […]

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Ecuador: Mobilization, Protests to resume on Wed. Sept. 16, 2015

news.mongabay.com/Sandra Cuff reported…The streets of Ecuador will fill with colorful flags and footsteps again on Wednesday as indigenous organizations and other groups renew protests over government policies. The planned marches come on the heels of nation-wide protests that wracked the country in August, drawing many thousands of participants. These resulted in arrests, clashes with military […]

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Colombia claims Venezuelan military jets encroached their airspace without warning, permission

bbc.com reported Colombia has said that two Venezuelan military jets entered its airspace without warning or authorisation. The planes encroached into Colombian airspace twice on Saturday morning, according to the defence ministry. They reportedly flew over a border military base in the Alta Guajira region before returning to Venezuela. Colombian officials have demanded an explanation […]

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