Monday, May 23, 2016

So, are we invaded or not?

One maddening thing about being overseas is dependency on tweeter to try to follow what is really going on in Venezuela. Except for the honorable mention of El País in Spain the rest of the world has, understandably, more important matters to deal with than a suicidal asshole of a country. And yet even French TV, the all news channels that is, find time between the ridiculous "Nuit Debout" with their spoiled trade unions protests and Egyptian  mystery planes to cover recent Venezuelan events.


The point here is that no one seems to believe anymore what the regime says. True, there are some like PODEMOS in Spain who unable to hide their past financing by Chavez are still defending the regime or at least remain silent. But the fact of the matter is that Venezuela is an embarrassment for all, for having let it go so far or for having supported it so long. All want it to go away. At least this is the impression I get.

And why would it be otherwise?

Maduro publishes a super-duper emergency decree controlling everything under the sun. The National Assembly turns it down. The high court TSJ declares it constitutional, which it is not, and the way it was turned down by the Assembly was so constitutional that even the TSJ could not directly assail it. So now, for the love of the deity, I am not sure whether the decree is applicable or not. Though apparently there is a state of commotion or something at play....  You tell me.

Saturday the military exercises to defend Venezuela took place. We saw pictures of soldiers? militia? wearing Cuban flags, wielding sticks in lieu of rifles for a gran total of "troops" larger than D-day operations, if we are to believe tweeter wits. Meanwhile no one nowhere reported of any troop concentration unless you count an AWACS doing its routine drug traffic control over the Caribbean as the preparation of massive US Marine landing. If Uribe is raising an mercenary army against Maduro he learned well from the FARC on how to hide it.

But the cherry over the cake of ridicule was added by Maduro himself who with anti invasion military maneuvers, threat of coups, internal commotions, left Saturday to promote scientific and commercial exchanges with Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.

Huh?

These islands have not much to offer Venezuela, and Venezuela even less back. However Maduro goes there for one and only one reason, to start a campaign to ensure he will retain at least a third of the OAS vote he needs to stop the application of the Democratic Charter on Venezuela. If Jamaica and Trinidad vote for the sanctions the small islands will follow and Venezuela will be an official pariah state. Brazil and Argentina lost there is only some cash left to buy these island votes, cash coming from killing a few Venezuelans from malnutrition and lack of medicine. But who cares?

That much we can understand. Coups, revolt and invasion  are all smoke screens to distract the Venezuelan hoi poloi. What really matters is revolutionary respectability, and places where to hide when the time comes.

The Hague is starting to look too good for some in the regime........







.

25 comments:

  1. Did you notice the timing? Evo Morales went to Havana, met with Raúl, flew to Caracas and told Nicolás to hang tough, Nicolas got on a plane and flew to Jamaica and Trinidad?

    I'm starting to think the pressure is getting to Nicolás, and Raúl keeps trying to prop him up so he can last until early 2017, when they will allow the referendum to take place and swap Maduro for somebody agreeable to the Cubans AND the Venezuelan military. The Democratic Unity has to respond by committing not to carry out the referendum if it means replacing Maduro with Raul's man. They need a plan B. I suggest labor strikes may be the only option left to push for a referendum in 2016.

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    1. Jeeze Fernando you keep pushing this strike and work slow down theory even in face of Maduro making 2 day work weeks. The guy would be happy if half the population left Venezuela and the other half starved to death. Why would he care if there is a work slow down?

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  2. The world press in general is leftist. They will not criticize a socialist regime if they can avoid it, despite whatever insanity is ensuing. The problems in Venezuela and the immigration chaos in Europe are the direct result of Marxist stupidity on a grand scale.

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    1. Good point. Also, what would they do with their collection of Che t-shirts?

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    2. Although most of the press is socialist in nature you must live u der a rock. Google Venezuela News and other the the few sources left under Venezuela and Cuban control all the press from around the world are telling it as it is. Yes many or ignorant to the depth of detail of what has got it here but all speaks out badly of the regime.

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  3. In the USA no one talks anymore about Venezuela. Except in a few areperas in Miami. It's an old story. Everyone knows it's simply a corrupt regime, a bunch of thugs. And the "people" do nothing to change that, and improve their own lives. Scared and/or complicit. And the MUD is probably largely bribed by now too.

    The World is tired of Venezuelan crap. And every one who cared, and could, left the country long ago. 1.5 Million of the best. Heck, in Europe, they only care about themselves. Ask a French man in Paris if he gives a rat's ass about freaking Vzla.. Or a Canadian. Or a German. They could not care less. They are too concerned with their own problems and neighbors. And compared to Brazil, now that oil prices are low and other sources of energy available, Vzla is like Nicaragua or Peru. No one cares. And to some extent, they deserve it.

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  4. Roberto Carlos6:23 PM

    Well well well, it looks like Daniel is not coming back. I predicted this months ago and was crucified for it.
    Thank g.o.d. he didn't move to the US or he would be voting for Sanders or Hillary. (Yes even non-citizens vote in the US)
    What happened to the medicine you were going to bring back?

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    1. Your funny in that you visit a guys site endlessly that you cannot stand. You must have a myserible life. I cannot believe anyone would support Bernie as would be a complete socialist disaster. And as horrible as Hillary is and the one person when I seen was running I said I hope she loses, she is all thats left. I would love to root for the republicans but why Trump. He is not Republican or Democrate he is just a self serving con-artist manipulating the weak minded. He cares less for the USA and its people then Chavez ever did. Cannot understand what brought the rebublican process for selecting a candidate to where you need to be such a person to win the candicy.

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  5. In the news today:
    Venezuela Ruling Party Vows No Recall of Maduro This Year
    PSUV Vice President Diosdado Cabello warns that the opposition will be given no concessions in its request for a recall referendum, and will require that all steps to prepare for that procedure must be strictly complied with…

    “It is impossible to hold a referendum here in Venezuela this year, they can say what they want,” Cabello told a press conference by way of repeating that, according to his calculations, the procedure for organizing a recall referendum, as the opposition wishes to remove President Nicolas Maduro from office, will necessarily take 243 days.

    “We ask that every stage of the process be complied with as the law requires, not every stage as the right would like,” he said.

    The Chavista also spoke of the work being done by a presidential commission designated by Maduro to check on the signatures of opposition members on ballots calling for a recall, a procedure during which, Cabello said, “no concessions” will be given.

    “We’re not giving them options of any kind,” he said.

    He also said the National Electoral Council, or CNE, will be required to hand over all the information about who signed the recall request, because, he said, Chavistas have to know exactly who want to remove the Venezuelan head of state.

    Cabello also said a demonstration will be held Tuesday condemning the aggression against several police officers by opposition members during a recent march to demand that procedures for the recall referendum be completed more quickly.

    The ruling party, including Maduro himself, has said up to now that it is “impossible” to hold a referendum this year, but for now electoral authorities have not given an opinion on the matter.

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  6. Latest news: Cuban Foreign Minister Expresses “Solidarity” with Maduro in Caracas

    CARACAS – Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez met with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, where he traveled – he said Tuesday – to bring a message of “solidarity” from Cuban President Raul Castro.

    “We were with President Nicolas Maduro. We had an extraordinary meeting,” said Rodriguez on Venezuelan state-run VTV television regarding the encounter at which, he added, he confirmed “Cuba’s full solidarity, which is the message from Raul, the embrace of Fidel and the Cuban people, which is what I’ve brought to Caracas.”

    The meeting, about which no further details were made public, was held Monday evening at the Miraflores government palace, a get-together that Rodriguez first announced in remarks made Tuesday at the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry.

    Cuba’s top diplomat said he knows that Venezuela has “many” problems, but “the work” of the Chavista government in Caracas “is enormous.”

    Rodriguez said that actions being taken by the Maduro government to deal with Venezuela’s crisis constitute a “heroic battle” in which it will “surely (be) victorious.”

    Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez, who accompanied the Cuban official for his statement, thanked the Cuban people for their solidarity in the face of “imperialist attacks” that, she said, the petroleum-producing nation is experiencing.

    The Venezuelan official said that her country is a victim of an “imperial assault” that is being transformed into what the Chavista government is calling an “economic war” and is intended to destabilize the Caracas administration.

    Cuba, which she said “is still suffering the criminal imperial blockade,” and Venezuela “are a single Flag, which is not yielding to the enemy.”

    Both Cuba and Venezuela use the term “the empire” to refer to the United States.

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  7. Both should call the USA the empire as it bankrupted both and Venezuela without having to do anything. Thats impressive. Too bad they cannot find anyone who cares. Hard to believe Castro conquered Venezuela and almost most of S America and the Carribean without ever firing a shot.

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  8. "But the cherry over the cake of ridicule was added by Maduro himself who with anti invasion military maneuvers, threat of coups, internal commotions, left Saturday to promote scientific and commercial exchanges with Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago."

    One has to wonder how many millions of "pueblo" people actually believe these idiotic international conspiracy theories, imperio economic wars, the miami-midrid axis of evil, and such. Are they just uneducated, plain dumb, or simply corrupt and complicit with the lying regime?

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  9. "scientific and commercial exchanges with Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago"

    What would that be.. Marijuana shipments, 1+1= 2 theories, or monkey experiments in the lab?

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    1. Jamaica esta en una revolución de Violencia! I dare them to try make it about a few!!!

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  10. Opposition Protests High Court Ruling That Bans Marches in Venezuela
    The demonstrations will go on for as long as the council’s members continue “violating the laws and rules of the people,” former presidential candidate Henrique Capriles said outside the Supreme Court in east Caracas.

    CARACAS – The opposition on Wednesday staged a protest against a Venezuelan Supreme Court ruling that bans “unauthorized acts, marches, protests (and) gatherings,” as well as “violent demonstrations” at election offices.

    “The first thing I want to tell the whole country is that there’s no ruling, measure or anything that’s going to keep us from going to the National Elections Council to demand respect for Article 72 of the constitution,” two-time presidential candidate Henrique Capriles said during the protest.

    The demonstrations will go on for as long as the council’s members continue “violating the laws and rules of the people,” Capriles said outside the Supreme Court in east Caracas.

    The protest was brief and ended after the addresses by opposition leaders, who delivered a document to the high court.

    Venezuela’s problems will “not be solved with court rulings,” Democratic Unity Roundtable, or MUD, secretary Jesus Torrealba said.

    “What’s happening in Venezuela is too serious, you don’t solve hunger simply with court rulings, the lack of medicines is not solved with court rulings, the people’s indignation over the low lives murdering Venezuelans is not solved with court rulings that limit protests,” Torrealba said.

    The opposition leader called on the government to “connect with reality” because “you don’t govern” with the security forces deployed around the National Elections Council’s downtown Caracas headquarters to repress the people.

    National Assembly member Tomas Guanipa, for his part, said “the repression being unleashed (by the ruling party) is ... simply that of a government that is afraid of the will that can be expressed at the ballot box.”

    The opposition wants to hold a referendum to recall President Nicolas Maduro from office, but the government contends that it will be impossible to hold the referendum this year.

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  11. In today news here in Ecuador: Nicolas Maduro sold 16 % of the gold reserves to pay debts

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    1. It's not Nicolas Masburro. It's a hundred thugs, Cabello, some powerful bolichicos and the corrupt military calling the shots.

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    2. Maduro has to authorize the sale no? In the end they are are corrupt and thugs.

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  12. In today news: Venezuelans in Miami Denounce Government Supporters Who Live Abroad...

    MIAMI – A group of anti-government Venezuelan expatriates in Miami protested on Thursday against government supporters who choose to live outside the country.

    Some 30 people gathered near downtown Miami to hold what they called the first in a series of protests to denounce supporters of the Nicolas Maduro government who live in South Florida.

    The leader of the protest, Antonio Colina, told EFE the group wants to spotlight “the lack of integrity” of Maduro partisans who reside outside Venezuela.

    Colina cited Hermann Escarra, a constitutional lawyer who once backed the opposition but has recently become a Maduro ally.

    Escarra “protects Nicolas Maduro” while residing in the U.S. even as Venezuelans live amid a “deep economic, social and political crisis,” Colina said.

    Colina said his group has asked the State Department and immigration authorities to institute a “much more rigorous” review of Venezuelans’ applying for visas and residence permits.

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  13. Note: The term "Americans" here means natives of the American continent.

    "Venezuelans: an army of brothers, sent by the sovereign Congress of New Granada, has come to free you, and it is already amongst you, after evicting the oppressors from the provinces of Mérida and Trujillo.

    We are the ones sent to destroy the Spaniards, to protect the Americans, and to reestablish the republican governments that formed the Confederation of Venezuela. The states covering our arms (weapons) are once again ruled by their old constitutions and magistrates, fully enjoying their liberty and independence; for our mission is only to break the chains of servitude, which still oppress some of our peoples, not claiming to create laws, or enforce acts of domination, which the right of war could authorize us to do.

    Touched by your misfortunes, we could not indifferently watch the afflictions inflicted to you by the barbaric Spaniards, who have annihilated you with robbery and destroyed you with death, infringed the most solemn treaties and capitulations; in one word, committed every crime, reducing the Republic of Venezuela to the most horrific desolation. It is so that justice demands vindication, and necessity forces us to take it. May the monsters that infest Colombian soil, and have covered it with blood disappear for good; may their punishment be equal to the magnitude of their treason, so that the stain of our ignominy is washed off, and to show the nations of the universe that the sons of America cannot be offended without punishment.

    In spite of our just resentments against the iniquitous Spaniards, our magnanimity still deigns itself to open, for the last time, a route to conciliation and friendship; we still invite them to live peacefully among us, if, hating their crimes and turning to good faith, they cooperate with us in the destruction of the intruding government of Spain, and the reestablishment of the Republic of Venezuela.

    All Spaniards who do not conspire against tyranny in favor of our just cause, using the most effective and active resources, will be considered enemies, and will be punished as traitors to the homeland, and therefore, will be promptly executed. On the other hand, a general and absolute pardon is issued to all Spaniards who pass into our army, with or without their weapons; to those who offer aid to the good citizens working hard to shake off the shackles of tyranny. War officers and magistrates that proclaim the government of Venezuela and join our cause will keep their destinies and work positions; in one word, all Spaniards who perform service for the State will be reputed and treated as Americans.

    And you, Americans, who have been separated from the road of justice by error and perfidy, know that your brothers forgive you and seriously regret your misdeeds, intimately persuaded that you cannot be guilty, and that only the ignorance and blindness imposed on you by the authors of your crimes could cause you to perpetrate them. Do not fear the sword that comes to avenge you and cut the ignominious bindings which tie you to your executioners' fate. Rely on absolute immunity for your honor, life and properties; the mere title of Americans will be you warranty and safeguard. Our weapons have come to protect you, and will never be used against a single one of our brothers.

    This amnesty extends to the very traitors who have most recently committed their acts of felony; and will be so religiously carried out that no reason, cause or pretext will be enough to make us break our offer, no matter how extraordinary the reasons you give us to excite our adversity.

    Spaniards and Canarians, count on death, even if indifferent, if you do not actively work in favor of the independence of America. Americans, count on life, even if guilty."

    (Please note, this English translation is subject to scrutiny.)

    References

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  14. Venezuelans in Miami Denounce Government Supporters Who Live Abroad...

    MIAMI – A group of anti-government Venezuelan expatriates in Miami protested on Thursday against government supporters who choose to live outside the country.

    Some 30 people gathered near downtown Miami to hold what they called the first in a series of protests to denounce supporters of the Nicolas Maduro government who live in South Florida.

    The leader of the protest, Antonio Colina, told EFE the group wants to spotlight “the lack of integrity” of Maduro partisans who reside outside Venezuela.

    Colina cited Hermann Escarra, a constitutional lawyer who once backed the opposition but has recently become a Maduro ally.

    Escarra “protects Nicolas Maduro” while residing in the U.S. even as Venezuelans live amid a “deep economic, social and political crisis,” Colina said.

    Colina said his group has asked the State Department and immigration authorities to institute a “much more rigorous” review of Venezuelans’ applying for visas and residence permits.

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  15. I wonder what it takes to bribe those little poor countries' leaders for their OAS vote like Trinidad and Tobago who's PM suddenly loves Maduro after a visit.

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    Replies
    1. Firma ahora luego confirma en tu email!!! Sign this petition and then confirm it in your email!!!


      https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/support-and-approve-hr3744-venezuelan-refugee-assistance-act-0

      Delete
  16. OAS Chief Invokes Democratic Charter over Crisis in Venezuela
    Luis Almagro becomes the first OAS secretary general to invoke the Democratic Charter against a member state contrary to the will of its government.

    WASHINGTON – Organization of American States head Luis Almagro on Tuesday invoked the body’s Democratic Charter against Venezuela, an unprecedented step that could lead to the country’s suspension from the OAS.

    In a 132-page report published on Tuesday, Almagro cites Article 20 of the Charter to call for a Permanent Council meeting of member states between June 10-20, in response to “the alteration of the constitutional order and how it gravely affects the democratic order” in Venezuela.

    Almagro thus becomes the first OAS secretary general to invoke the Democratic Charter against a member state contrary to the will of its government.

    He says his assertion that this “alteration” exists in Venezuela is based on complaints presented him by the Venezuelan National Assembly, where the opposition is in the majority, and from his own conclusions which are fully explained in his long report.

    “The secretary general considers that the institutional crisis in Venezuela demands immediate changes to the executive power” because it is “at risk of falling immediately into a situation of illegitimacy,” the document says.

    The reasons Almagro gave for that statement included violations of the constitution by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, particularly with regard to the separation of powers, as well as human rights violations and the inability to deal with the severe humanitarian, economic and security crisis Venezuelans are going through.

    With this step, a process of meetings and votes is initiated that could lead to resolutions and diplomatic moves for the eventual suspension of Venezuela from membership in the organization, which would require a two-thirds majority of the foreign ministers, something that has only occurred once, after the coup d’etat in Honduras in 2009.

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  17. June 3rd: Venezuela Electoral Body Cancels Recall Referendum Meeting.
    CARACAS – The Venezuelan opposition denounced the cancellation of a key meeting convened by the electoral authority on the recall referendum process to remove the president Nicolas Maduro.

    One day after the Organization of American States (OAS) analyzed the situation of the country in a special session, the National Electoral Council (CNE) left the opposition on Thursday in suspense. Exactly one month ago, they delivered more than 1.8 million signatures, much more than the nearly 200,000 needed to trigger a recall referendum.

    The opposition awaits the electoral authority’s verification of the authenticity of the signatures collected and if approved, it could proceed to the next phase when it must gather nearly four million signatures to endorse a recall vote.

    “A meeting must be held five times, leaving the Venezuelans waiting absurdly?” asked secretary general of the opposition alliance Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD), Jesus Torrealba.

    The leader warned that “Venezuela is a minefield about to explode due to social unrest” and called those who supported the referendum to ratify their signature next Monday.

    “We are calling all two and a half million people who signed to come out to reiterate their decision for change.”

    He said that in these sessions “every Venezuelan who has signed” will be asked to express in writing their reason to revoke the government and to “record their testimony” if they are willing.

    And while the opposition expressed its dissatisfaction, Maduro received support from indigenous natives marching in Caracas whom he received at the Miraflores Palace, as broadcast on radio and television.

    ReplyDelete

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