'How dark! No! How ugly!'&nbsp;a Mexican social media star exclaimed after accidentally using a filter that darkened her face during a live broadcast on Instagram, reigniting the country`s longstanding debate about racism.&nbsp; 
 
The remarks by Barbara de Regil, a popular actress in movies and soap operas, came as Mexicans are engaging in their own conversations about racism after the death in the United States of George Floyd, an African American, under the knee of a white police officer. 
 
In Mexico, the debate has centred on discrimination against indigenous groups, who have long suffered from poverty, isolation and a lack of representation in politics and popular culture. 
 
With many Mexicans still confined to their homes by the coronavirus pandemic, the discussion has played out largely online. 
 
Amid the backlash to de Regil's remarks, some fans rushed to her defence, saying she had made an innocent mistake. Others called for people to stop following her on social media. 
 
"We will not tolerate more racism. Neither in Mexico nor the world," one user wrote on Twitter, proclaiming that the actress was "CANCELLED." 
 
The video is no longer available on de Regil`s Instagram page. Neither de Regil or Instagram responded to a request for comment. 
 
The success of Yalitza Aparicio, the indigenous Mexican star of the Oscar-winning 2018 film 'Roma', has helped bring conversations about race and ethnicity to the fore. She stands in stark contrast to the pale women and men with European features who dominate Mexican television and film, though they represent only a sliver of the country`s overwhelmingly mestizo and indigenous population. 
 
The actress, who was disparaged by a telenovela actor using crude and racially-charged language even as she was being feted during last year's award season, has spoken out in recent days about the importance of amplifying indigenous voices. 
 
"Our voice is less heard because of our skin colour," she said Thursday in a virtual event organized by the magazine. 
 
Roughly a quarter of Mexico's population is indigenous, and at least 7 million people speak an indigenous language, according to official data. 
 
The isolation and poverty that indigenous people suffer were brought to international attention in the 1990s by the leftist Zapatista rebellion. But little progress has been made. 
 
A recent study by global aid charity Oxfam found Mexicans who identify as indigenous and have darker skin tones suffer greater disadvantages. 
 
Many Mexicans also face discrimination because of their dress, weight, height, religious beliefs and sexual preferences, experts say. 
 
According to a 2017 survey by the National Statistics Institute and the National Council to Prevent Discrimination (Conapred), 20% of respondents said they had experienced discrimination in the last 12 months. 
 
"As in the United States, in Mexico, there is a lot of discrimination and racism. No one here is exempt from being discriminated against," said Susana Reyes, who last week participated in a small demonstration in Mexico City over Floyd`s death.

'How dark! No! How ugly!' a Mexican social media star exclaimed after accidentally using a filter that darkened her face during a live broadcast on Instagram, reigniting the country`s longstanding debate about racism.

'How dark! No! How ugly!' a Mexican social media star exclaimed after accidentally using a filter that darkened her face during a live broadcast on Instagram, reigniting the country`s longstanding debate about racism. The remarks by Barbara de Regil, a popular actress in movies and soap operas, came as Mexicans are engaging in their own conversations about racism after the death in the United States of George Floyd, an African American, under the knee of a white police officer. In Mexico, the debate has centred on discrimination against indigenous groups, who have long suffered from poverty, isolation and a lack of representation in politics and popular culture. With many Mexicans still confined to their homes by the coronavirus pandemic, the discussion has played out largely online. Amid the backlash to de Regil's remarks, some fans rushed to her defence, saying she had made an innocent mistake. Others called for people to stop following her on social media. "We will not tolerate more racism. Neither in Mexico nor the world," one user wrote on Twitter, proclaiming that the actress was "CANCELLED." The video is no longer available on de Regil`s Instagram page. Neither de Regil or Instagram responded to a request for comment. The success of Yalitza Aparicio, the indigenous Mexican star of the Oscar-winning 2018 film 'Roma', has helped bring conversations about race and ethnicity to the fore. She stands in stark contrast to the pale women and men with European features who dominate Mexican television and film, though they represent only a sliver of the country`s overwhelmingly mestizo and indigenous population. The actress, who was disparaged by a telenovela actor using crude and racially-charged language even as she was being feted during last year's award season, has spoken out in recent days about the importance of amplifying indigenous voices. "Our voice is less heard because of our skin colour," she said Thursday in a virtual event organized by the magazine. Roughly a quarter of Mexico's population is indigenous, and at least 7 million people speak an indigenous language, according to official data. The isolation and poverty that indigenous people suffer were brought to international attention in the 1990s by the leftist Zapatista rebellion. But little progress has been made. A recent study by global aid charity Oxfam found Mexicans who identify as indigenous and have darker skin tones suffer greater disadvantages. Many Mexicans also face discrimination because of their dress, weight, height, religious beliefs and sexual preferences, experts say. According to a 2017 survey by the National Statistics Institute and the National Council to Prevent Discrimination (Conapred), 20% of respondents said they had experienced discrimination in the last 12 months. "As in the United States, in Mexico, there is a lot of discrimination and racism. No one here is exempt from being discriminated against," said Susana Reyes, who last week participated in a small demonstration in Mexico City over Floyd`s death.

Actress Barbara de Regil's comments reignite long debate on racism in Mexico,'How dark! No! How ugly!'

Amid a constant rise in the number of coronavirus cases, the Mayor of Mexico City has announced a possible reopening of the city from Monday.

On Friday, Mexico had reported a record-high 5,000 new positive coronavirus cases.

However, the Mayor of the Mexico City has announced that the national&nbsp;capital will lift restrictions on car traffic and public transport from next week.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/covid-19-mexico-sees-surge-in-deaths-as-lockdown-eases-303974">Also watch|&nbsp;COVID-19: Mexico sees surge in deaths as lockdown eases</a>

The government plans to allow 340,000 factory works to get back to work amid rising number of coronavirus cases.

However, the Mayor feels this would be the right time to reopen the economy as there has been a slight decline in the hospital occupancy due to COVID-19.

"We think next week the city can begin a process of very orderly transition," said Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/mexico-visuals-of-police-officer-set-on-fire-during-protest-304715">Also watch|&nbsp;Mexico: Visuals of Police officer set on fire during protest</a>

According to the latest guidelines, the car traffic and public transport will resume from Monday, the factories can reopen from Tuesday, the small shops can reopen from Thursday and the&nbsp;professional services and scientific workers linked to "industry" can go back as of Friday.

The city government also added that if conditions look better, the street markets and the&nbsp;historic center of the city will reopen the week of June 22-28.

All shops and public transport have been guided to properly sanitize the premises before resuming services.

Amid a constant rise in the number of coronavirus cases, the Mayor of Mexico City has announced a possible reopening of the city from Monday. On Friday, Mexico had reported a record-high 5,000 new positive coronavirus cases.

Amid a constant rise in the number of coronavirus cases, the Mayor of Mexico City has announced a possible reopening of the city from Monday. On Friday, Mexico had reported a record-high 5,000 new positive coronavirus cases. However, the Mayor of the Mexico City has announced that the national capital will lift restrictions on car traffic and public transport from next week. Also watch| COVID-19: Mexico sees surge in deaths as lockdown eases The government plans to allow 340,000 factory works to get back to work amid rising number of coronavirus cases. However, the Mayor feels this would be the right time to reopen the economy as there has been a slight decline in the hospital occupancy due to COVID-19. "We think next week the city can begin a process of very orderly transition," said Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum. Also watch| Mexico: Visuals of Police officer set on fire during protest According to the latest guidelines, the car traffic and public transport will resume from Monday, the factories can reopen from Tuesday, the small shops can reopen from Thursday and the professional services and scientific workers linked to "industry" can go back as of Friday. The city government also added that if conditions look better, the street markets and the historic center of the city will reopen the week of June 22-28. All shops and public transport have been guided to properly sanitize the premises before resuming services.

COVID 19: Mexico City to reopen economy from Monday amid rising cases

Mexico: A police officer has been set on fire by a protester over the death of a man in custody. In a 20 second long video, officers can be seen confronting protesters when one of the officers gets onto his bike.

Mexico: Visuals of Police officer set on fire during protest

The British Empire is said to have ignited the flame of racism. 400 years later, its flames have engulfed the UK itself. Thousands are rallying in support of the 'Black Lives Matter' movement across Britain. Statues are being torn down, even defaced.

Gravitas: Black Lives Matter' protests engulf the UK

Thousands of protesters gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in London on Sunday to condemn police brutality after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis

Thousands turn up for black lives matter protests in London

Councilors in the US city of Minneapolis vowed to demolish and rebuild the police department, after the death in custody of George Floyd sparked nationwide protests about racism in law enforcement.

A call for reforms in police department | Minneapolis department to be dismantled | George Floyd

Mr Floyd, an unarmed black man, died in police custody in Minneapolis on 25 May. Video showed a white police officer kneeling on his neck for almost nine minutes while he is pinned to the floor.

George Floyd death: Violent clashes across major states in US

13th consecutive day of protests across America over George Floyd's killing by a cop in Minneapolis. Watch this video to know more.

Protests across the globe after George Floyd's death

Retired Major General Dana Pittard. He spent decades in the U.S. Army, becoming one of a few African Americans to rise to the level of major general.

US armed forces speak out against racism

The police department in the US city of Minneapolis will be dismantled and rebuilt, city councilors said late Sunday

Minneapolis Police Department To Be Dismantled

12th consecutive day of protests across America over George Floyd's killing by a cop in Minneapolis. Watch this video to know more.

Black lives matter protests gain momentum worldwide

George Floyd protests: 12th consecutive day of protests across America

The governor of a Mexican state recently roiled by clashes between security forces and demonstrators apologized on Saturday for abuses carried out by police against people protesting the against death of a man in police custody.

Enrique Alfaro, governor of the western region of Jalisco, said he was appalled that police in the state capital of Guadalajara had on Friday beaten some participants in a demonstration over the death of the man, Giovanni Lopez.

"It embarrasses me, it distresses me, it greatly pains me as a man from Jalisco, and as governor," Alfaro said in a video posted on Twitter.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ten-shot-dead-in-attack-on-mexican-drug-rehabilitation-centre-303984">Also read:&nbsp;Ten shot dead in attack on Mexican drug rehabilitation centre</a>

After Friday's clashes, media reported more than a dozen people were missing after being abducted by armed men.

Alfaro ordered the missing people to be tracked down and said late on Saturday they had all been found.

"We can say that they are all in their homes," he said on Twitter. "No one has disappeared."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexico-3593-new-coronavirus-cases-registered-actual-figures-much-higher-303987">Also read:&nbsp;Mexico: 3,593 new coronavirus cases registered; actual figures much higher</a>

The 2014 disappearance of 43 student teachers who were apparently massacred after being abducted by corrupt police in southwest Mexico sparked international outrage and did lasting damage to the reputation of then-president Enrique Pena Nieto.

Inspired by the case of George Floyd, a black American man killed in Minneapolis last month after a white police officer knelt on his neck during an arrest, protests over police abuses have flared up in other parts of the world.

Floyd's death helped drive demonstrations over the fate of Lopez, who died in police custody in Jalisco last month after reportedly being detained by municipal officers for not wearing a face mask to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.

A resulting demonstration triggered clashes and the arrest of protesters in Guadalajara on Thursday. Alfaro said he had decided to release the detainees without charges.

The governor of a Mexican state recently roiled by clashes between security forces and demonstrators apologized on Saturday for abuses carried out by police against people protesting the against death of a man in police custody.

The governor of a Mexican state recently roiled by clashes between security forces and demonstrators apologized on Saturday for abuses carried out by police against people protesting the against death of a man in police custody. Enrique Alfaro, governor of the western region of Jalisco, said he was appalled that police in the state capital of Guadalajara had on Friday beaten some participants in a demonstration over the death of the man, Giovanni Lopez. "It embarrasses me, it distresses me, it greatly pains me as a man from Jalisco, and as governor," Alfaro said in a video posted on Twitter. Also read: Ten shot dead in attack on Mexican drug rehabilitation centre After Friday's clashes, media reported more than a dozen people were missing after being abducted by armed men. Alfaro ordered the missing people to be tracked down and said late on Saturday they had all been found. "We can say that they are all in their homes," he said on Twitter. "No one has disappeared." Also read: Mexico: 3,593 new coronavirus cases registered; actual figures much higher The 2014 disappearance of 43 student teachers who were apparently massacred after being abducted by corrupt police in southwest Mexico sparked international outrage and did lasting damage to the reputation of then-president Enrique Pena Nieto. Inspired by the case of George Floyd, a black American man killed in Minneapolis last month after a white police officer knelt on his neck during an arrest, protests over police abuses have flared up in other parts of the world. Floyd's death helped drive demonstrations over the fate of Lopez, who died in police custody in Jalisco last month after reportedly being detained by municipal officers for not wearing a face mask to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. A resulting demonstration triggered clashes and the arrest of protesters in Guadalajara on Thursday. Alfaro said he had decided to release the detainees without charges.

Mexican governor apologises for police abuses at protest

Even with a strict lockdown in place, Mexico recorded&nbsp;3,593 new confirmed cases of coronavirus and 341 additional fatalities, taking the total in the country to 113,619 cases and 13,511 deaths.

The total number of infections, however, are likely to be much higher, according to the government. The unknown infections can be due to people not coming ahead to get tested, according to local media and local experts.

The country has been under a strict lockdown for a while now. However, the number of cases has been on a constant rise.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/covid-19-mexico-begins-reopening-after-two-month-lockdown-despite-surge-in-cases-303102">Also watch|&nbsp;COVID-19: Mexico begins reopening after two-month lockdown despite surge in cases</a>

The government is also looking into the matter of fake death certificates which may have been issued by several doctors instead of declaring COVID-19 as the cause of death, according to Mexico City officials.

Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum also alleged that many doctors have been selling the death certificates instead of issuing them for free, as is the usual norm, to avoid the lengthy and&nbsp;bureaucratic process.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ten-shot-dead-in-attack-on-mexican-drug-rehabilitation-centre-303984">Also read:&nbsp;Ten shot dead in attack on Mexican drug rehabilitation centre</a>

This is not the first business to have surfaced from the pandemic. Mexicans&nbsp;have attracted a bad name for making a business out of illegally dumping hospital and medical waste, and also funeral services.

Not just the coronavirus cases, homicide cases and protests, too, have been recording an increase during the lockdown.

Even with a strict lockdown in place, Mexico recorded 3,593 new confirmed cases of coronavirus and 341 additional fatalities, taking the total in the country to 113,619 cases and 13,511 deaths.

Even with a strict lockdown in place, Mexico recorded 3,593 new confirmed cases of coronavirus and 341 additional fatalities, taking the total in the country to 113,619 cases and 13,511 deaths. The total number of infections, however, are likely to be much higher, according to the government. The unknown infections can be due to people not coming ahead to get tested, according to local media and local experts. The country has been under a strict lockdown for a while now. However, the number of cases has been on a constant rise. Also watch| COVID-19: Mexico begins reopening after two-month lockdown despite surge in cases The government is also looking into the matter of fake death certificates which may have been issued by several doctors instead of declaring COVID-19 as the cause of death, according to Mexico City officials. Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum also alleged that many doctors have been selling the death certificates instead of issuing them for free, as is the usual norm, to avoid the lengthy and bureaucratic process. Also read: Ten shot dead in attack on Mexican drug rehabilitation centre This is not the first business to have surfaced from the pandemic. Mexicans have attracted a bad name for making a business out of illegally dumping hospital and medical waste, and also funeral services. Not just the coronavirus cases, homicide cases and protests, too, have been recording an increase during the lockdown.

Mexico: 3,593 new coronavirus cases registered; actual figures much higher

With almost 10,000 COVID-19 deaths and more than 90,000 confirmed cases, Mexico is second only to Brazil in Latin America for the number of fatalities and fourth in the region in terms of infections.

COVID-19: Mexico sees surge in deaths as lockdown eases

Hundreds gathered in the affluent coastal community of Santa Monica in Los Angeles on Friday, to take a stand against police brutality after the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.

George Floyd protests: 11th day of protests across America

Protests over the killing of George Floyd continue across the World. In Mexico, vandalism is denting the credibility of the cause, in South Korea, the anger is shifting towards the Government.

Gravitas: 'Black Lives Matter' protests: Vandalism denting credibility?

Mexico began gradually reopening its economy on Monday after more than two months of shutdown because of the coronavirus pandemic.

COVID-19: Mexico begins reopening after two-month lockdown despite surge in cases

Latin America is on the way to becoming the new epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic after Brazil and Mexico record spike in coronavirus deaths.&nbsp;

Brazil has recorded 1,349 coronavirus deaths in 24 hours whereas Mexico has recorded more than 1,000 deaths in one day for the first time. Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has opposed the lockdown in the country, but many local authorities have defied him and have placed Bahia state under curfew.&nbsp;

The Chilean government has decided to extend their lockdown in their capital city Santiago for three weeks due to surge in daily deaths.&nbsp;

In Peru, which is also the second worst-hit Latin American country has seen residents lining up to buy oxygen tanks for their loved ones.

"We haven't found oxygen yet," said Lady Savalla in the capital Lima.

"I'm worried about my mom more than anything else because she's going to need a lot of oxygen and the hospital doesn't have enough."

Coronavirus cases have crossed 6.5 million mark worldwide, taking positive patients toll to &nbsp;6,513,301 with 386,091 deaths while &nbsp;2,808,183 have recovered, according to Johns Hopkins University's report.

United States, Spain, Russia, India, UK, Germany, Brazil, Italy, France are among the worst-hit countries having maximum cases of coronavirus and the numbers are increasing every day.

The US has the highest number of confirmed cases and deaths. It recorded 107,148 deaths and 1,851,530 cases so far. In the US, New York alone counted 30,019 deaths till date.

Latin America is on the way to becoming the new epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic after Brazil and Mexico record spike in coronavirus deaths. Brazil has recorded 1,349 coronavirus deaths in 24 hours whereas Mexico has recorded more than 1,000 deaths in one day for the first time.

Latin America is on the way to becoming the new epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic after Brazil and Mexico record spike in coronavirus deaths. Brazil has recorded 1,349 coronavirus deaths in 24 hours whereas Mexico has recorded more than 1,000 deaths in one day for the first time. Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has opposed the lockdown in the country, but many local authorities have defied him and have placed Bahia state under curfew. The Chilean government has decided to extend their lockdown in their capital city Santiago for three weeks due to surge in daily deaths. In Peru, which is also the second worst-hit Latin American country has seen residents lining up to buy oxygen tanks for their loved ones. "We haven't found oxygen yet," said Lady Savalla in the capital Lima. "I'm worried about my mom more than anything else because she's going to need a lot of oxygen and the hospital doesn't have enough." Coronavirus cases have crossed 6.5 million mark worldwide, taking positive patients toll to 6,513,301 with 386,091 deaths while 2,808,183 have recovered, according to Johns Hopkins University's report. United States, Spain, Russia, India, UK, Germany, Brazil, Italy, France are among the worst-hit countries having maximum cases of coronavirus and the numbers are increasing every day. The US has the highest number of confirmed cases and deaths. It recorded 107,148 deaths and 1,851,530 cases so far. In the US, New York alone counted 30,019 deaths till date.

Latin America witnesses surge in coronavirus cases

Mexicans are throwing food out of windows and from balconies to help their fellow residents. It's all part of a donation campaign called "Avienta Una Despensa" ("Throw an Item out of the Window") that launched recently to support Mexicans affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Mexicans toss donations from balconies for fellow residents in need during pandemic

Mexican archaeologists have found the remains of a 200-year-old shipwreck off the country's sparkling Caribbean coast, according to Mexico's National Institute Of Anthropology And History (INAH).

Archaeologists discover 200-year-old shipwreck in Mexico's Caribbean

Archaeologists near Mexico City are unearthing the remains of some 60 mammoths, according to officials from Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).

Archaeologists discover remains of some 60 mammoths near Mexico City

The number of new cases reported Tuesday also set a daily high, with 3,455 additional infections confirmed. Mexico has recorded nearly 74,560 confirmed cases and 8,134 deaths

Mexican authorities ask cemeteries to dig over 300 new graves

The FBI is probing several Mexican and European companies allegedly involved in trading Venezuelan oil as it gathers information for a US Treasury Department inquiry into possible sanctions busting, according to four people familiar with the matter.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and special envoy for Venezuela Elliott Abrams told reporters late last month the State and Treasury departments were investigating whether several firms were violating sanctions imposed on Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA since January 2019.

The sanctions are part of a campaign by Washington to strangle the revenues of President Nicolas Maduro, which has failed to break his grip on power. US officials say privately that is a source of frustration for President Donald Trump, whose administration has tightened the implementation of sanctions in recent months.

Three of the people who provided information to the FBI - who asked for anonymity to discuss the matter - said the agency was investigating three Mexican companies: Libre Abordo, Schlager Business Group, and Grupo Jomadi Logistics &amp; Cargo.

Reuters could find no record of Venezuelan oil purchases by those companies prior to sanctions.&nbsp;

The three people also said the FBI was gathering information on two Europe-based oil trading companies that do have a track record of dealing in Venezuelan oil or selling fuel to PDVSA: Elemento Ltd and Swissoil Trading SA.

One of the sources familiar with the matter in Washington said any action against the Mexican and European companies could be postponed or cancelled if the firms had already halted trade with Venezuela.

The three others said the probe by the Treasury and the State departments could potentially lead to action in the coming weeks if they discovered a violation of sanctions.

A spokesman for the US Department of Justice, which handles media enquiries for the FBI, declined to comment, as did a State Department spokesperson. The Treasury Department did not reply to a request for comment.

Emails and phone calls seeking comment from Swissoil went unanswered. Emails sent to an address on Jomadi's website bounced back.

Law firm Holman, Fenwick &amp; Willan (HFW), representing Elemento, said in a letter to Reuters after this story was published on May 13 that its client "is not aware of any investigations into it or its business" by the FBI, the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) or any other body.

"Our client does not currently trade oil of Venezuela origin or sell fuel to PDVSA," it said, adding that Elemento does not have any intention of doing so in the future. "Our client goes to great lengths to ensure that its business activities comply with applicable rules, regulations and sanctions, including obtaining legal advice."

Elemento and its lawyers did not respond to requests for comment prior to publication of the May 13 story.

In a lawsuit in January 2020 in a British court, Tansy Shiptrade Inc alleged Elemento had used its name without permission to load a cargo of about 2 million barrels of Venezuelan crude in December 2019, according to a judge's ruling refusing Elemento’s request to be allowed to sell the oil.

The judgement said Elemento had admitted using Tansy's name to receive the cargo but that Elemento had said it had permission to do so and had asserted that Swissoil had acted as its agent in the trade.

According to the judge's ruling, Richard Rothenberg, Elemento's chief financial officer, said in an affidavit that between 2016 and 2019 the firm carried out Venezuela-related trades as part of an agreement with US-based Castleton Commodities International (CCI).

While CCI ceased its involvement due to US sanctions imposed on Venezuela in early 2019, Elemento did 13 more trades on its own after that date, Rothenberg said, according to the ruling. He did not provide dates for the trades.

Reuters was unable to immediately reach Rothenberg for comment. CCI said Elemento was its counterparty on petroleum trades until early 2019, but the US commodities firm said it ceased its trading participation before the January 2019 sanctions on PDVSA. 
Reuters could not establish subsequent trading in Venezuelan oil by Elemento and Swissoil following the disputed cargo, aboard Liberia-flagged tanker Respect. &nbsp; &nbsp;

OIL FOR FOOD

Libre Abordo and its affiliate Schlager said in a statement to Reuters, citing legal experts they hired, that two contracts they signed in June 2019 with Venezuela's Corporation for Foreign Trade (Corpovex) to provide food and water trucks in exchange for Venezuelan crude - known as an oil-for-food agreement - were permitted under the sanctions as long as no cash payment reached Maduro's government.

"Neither Libre Abordo nor shipping companies hired to move PDVSA's hydrocarbons are the subject of sanctions," read the statement.

The firms declined to identify the legal experts but provided Reuters with their interpretation of Venezuela sanctions, which the companies said they sent to several shipping firms and other partners.

The undated memorandum said the oil-for-food deal did not contravene US measures because Corpovex was not specifically named on the Treasury Department's list of sanctioned people and entities, unlike PDVSA, and because there were exceptions under the sanctions for humanitarian goods.

Neither Corpovex, PDVSA nor Venezuela's trade ministry responded to requests for comment. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; 
VENEZUELA RELIANT ON SWAP DEALS

The two small Mexican companies have emerged as the largest middlemen for Venezuelan oil in recent months, according to internal PDVSA export documents, reviewed by Reuters.&nbsp;

OPEC member Venezuela has come to rely on trading oil and gold to pay for essential imports using complicated swap agreements because Washington's sanctions bar Maduro's government from using the US financial system.

The PDVSA export documents show that Libre Abordo and Schlager have quickly ramped up trading of Venezuelan oil since receiving a first cargo in December, after a second wave of US sanctions in August 2019 barred non-US oil companies from doing business with PDVSA.

These secondary sanctions blocked the US property of anyone worldwide "materially assisting" Venezuela's government, including PDVSA and other governmental bodies - though it did not specifically name Corpovex. While the measures permitted shipments of food, clothing and medicines, none of the Venezuela-related executive orders issued by Trump specifically allowed oil-for-food agreements.

Whether that ambiguity potentially has created a loophole for companies is a matter of disagreement, some experts said.

Richard Nephew, a senior researcher at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy and a former State Department official dealing with sanctions policy toward Iran, said that while food deals were permitted under sanctions there was no special dispensation for them to be paid for in oil and the involvement of PDVSA could still prompt Treasury to take action.

However, Peter Harrell, an expert on sanctions at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), said that in oil-for-food swaps the companies ultimately supplying the food could be protected from sanctions provided they had no role in physically receiving, transporting or selling the oil.

Harrell added that some US policymakers might be reluctant to impose sanctions on companies involved in a deal to supply basic goods to a nation suffering a humanitarian crisis.&nbsp;

"Policymakers will be concerned that sanctioning an oil for food barter would play into a...narrative that US sanctions are causing humanitarian challenges in Venezuela," Harrell said. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
DECISIONS ON SANCTIONS

The third Mexican company, Grupo Jomadi, held talks with PDVSA to swap 5 million barrels of Venezuelan crude for imports of gasoline, according to an unsigned contract dated in March reviewed by Reuters. Venezuela's refineries have long been crippled by outages, and the country has suffered dire shortages of fuels since the sanctions were imposed.

Two sources told Reuters that Jomadi may have reached an agreement on the swap deal as a crude cargo that departed from Venezuela in April appeared to form part of it, according to the initial information collected by US authorities. Neither Jomadi nor PDVSA responded to requests for comment.

Reuters was unable to independently confirm if the swap deal took place.

While the FBI's principal focus is on domestic intelligence and security, its agents also carry out overseas investigations to aid decisions on sanctions by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, which often also seeks input from the State and Commerce departments, US embassies and the intelligence community.

Libre Abordo and Schlager's oil-for-food deals with Venezuela obliged them to deliver 1,000 water trucks and 210,000 tonnes of corn to the country, the companies said. While some of the trucks have been delivered, the firms said they have not so far supplied any of the food as low oil prices have affected the original delivery schedule.

In exchange, they have so far received more than 26 million barrels of Venezuelan oil for resale, according to PDVSA's export documents.

In just four months, Libre Abordo and Schlager increased their intake of PDVSA's oil from less than 3% to 39% of the Venezuelan company's total exports, which averaged 850,000 barrels per day in April.

The agreements threw a lifeline to Maduro, whose administration is struggling to afford imports of everything from food to medicine and industrial equipment.

The FBI is probing several Mexican and European companies allegedly involved in trading Venezuelan oil as it gathers information for a US Treasury Department inquiry into possible sanctions busting, according to four people familiar with the matter.

The FBI is probing several Mexican and European companies allegedly involved in trading Venezuelan oil as it gathers information for a US Treasury Department inquiry into possible sanctions busting, according to four people familiar with the matter. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and special envoy for Venezuela Elliott Abrams told reporters late last month the State and Treasury departments were investigating whether several firms were violating sanctions imposed on Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA since January 2019. The sanctions are part of a campaign by Washington to strangle the revenues of President Nicolas Maduro, which has failed to break his grip on power. US officials say privately that is a source of frustration for President Donald Trump, whose administration has tightened the implementation of sanctions in recent months. Three of the people who provided information to the FBI - who asked for anonymity to discuss the matter - said the agency was investigating three Mexican companies: Libre Abordo, Schlager Business Group, and Grupo Jomadi Logistics & Cargo. Reuters could find no record of Venezuelan oil purchases by those companies prior to sanctions. The three people also said the FBI was gathering information on two Europe-based oil trading companies that do have a track record of dealing in Venezuelan oil or selling fuel to PDVSA: Elemento Ltd and Swissoil Trading SA. One of the sources familiar with the matter in Washington said any action against the Mexican and European companies could be postponed or cancelled if the firms had already halted trade with Venezuela. The three others said the probe by the Treasury and the State departments could potentially lead to action in the coming weeks if they discovered a violation of sanctions. A spokesman for the US Department of Justice, which handles media enquiries for the FBI, declined to comment, as did a State Department spokesperson. The Treasury Department did not reply to a request for comment. Emails and phone calls seeking comment from Swissoil went unanswered. Emails sent to an address on Jomadi's website bounced back. Law firm Holman, Fenwick & Willan (HFW), representing Elemento, said in a letter to Reuters after this story was published on May 13 that its client "is not aware of any investigations into it or its business" by the FBI, the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) or any other body. "Our client does not currently trade oil of Venezuela origin or sell fuel to PDVSA," it said, adding that Elemento does not have any intention of doing so in the future. "Our client goes to great lengths to ensure that its business activities comply with applicable rules, regulations and sanctions, including obtaining legal advice." Elemento and its lawyers did not respond to requests for comment prior to publication of the May 13 story. In a lawsuit in January 2020 in a British court, Tansy Shiptrade Inc alleged Elemento had used its name without permission to load a cargo of about 2 million barrels of Venezuelan crude in December 2019, according to a judge's ruling refusing Elemento’s request to be allowed to sell the oil. The judgement said Elemento had admitted using Tansy's name to receive the cargo but that Elemento had said it had permission to do so and had asserted that Swissoil had acted as its agent in the trade. According to the judge's ruling, Richard Rothenberg, Elemento's chief financial officer, said in an affidavit that between 2016 and 2019 the firm carried out Venezuela-related trades as part of an agreement with US-based Castleton Commodities International (CCI). While CCI ceased its involvement due to US sanctions imposed on Venezuela in early 2019, Elemento did 13 more trades on its own after that date, Rothenberg said, according to the ruling. He did not provide dates for the trades. Reuters was unable to immediately reach Rothenberg for comment. CCI said Elemento was its counterparty on petroleum trades until early 2019, but the US commodities firm said it ceased its trading participation before the January 2019 sanctions on PDVSA. Reuters could not establish subsequent trading in Venezuelan oil by Elemento and Swissoil following the disputed cargo, aboard Liberia-flagged tanker Respect. OIL FOR FOOD Libre Abordo and its affiliate Schlager said in a statement to Reuters, citing legal experts they hired, that two contracts they signed in June 2019 with Venezuela's Corporation for Foreign Trade (Corpovex) to provide food and water trucks in exchange for Venezuelan crude - known as an oil-for-food agreement - were permitted under the sanctions as long as no cash payment reached Maduro's government. "Neither Libre Abordo nor shipping companies hired to move PDVSA's hydrocarbons are the subject of sanctions," read the statement. The firms declined to identify the legal experts but provided Reuters with their interpretation of Venezuela sanctions, which the companies said they sent to several shipping firms and other partners. The undated memorandum said the oil-for-food deal did not contravene US measures because Corpovex was not specifically named on the Treasury Department's list of sanctioned people and entities, unlike PDVSA, and because there were exceptions under the sanctions for humanitarian goods. Neither Corpovex, PDVSA nor Venezuela's trade ministry responded to requests for comment. VENEZUELA RELIANT ON SWAP DEALS The two small Mexican companies have emerged as the largest middlemen for Venezuelan oil in recent months, according to internal PDVSA export documents, reviewed by Reuters. OPEC member Venezuela has come to rely on trading oil and gold to pay for essential imports using complicated swap agreements because Washington's sanctions bar Maduro's government from using the US financial system. The PDVSA export documents show that Libre Abordo and Schlager have quickly ramped up trading of Venezuelan oil since receiving a first cargo in December, after a second wave of US sanctions in August 2019 barred non-US oil companies from doing business with PDVSA. These secondary sanctions blocked the US property of anyone worldwide "materially assisting" Venezuela's government, including PDVSA and other governmental bodies - though it did not specifically name Corpovex. While the measures permitted shipments of food, clothing and medicines, none of the Venezuela-related executive orders issued by Trump specifically allowed oil-for-food agreements. Whether that ambiguity potentially has created a loophole for companies is a matter of disagreement, some experts said. Richard Nephew, a senior researcher at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy and a former State Department official dealing with sanctions policy toward Iran, said that while food deals were permitted under sanctions there was no special dispensation for them to be paid for in oil and the involvement of PDVSA could still prompt Treasury to take action. However, Peter Harrell, an expert on sanctions at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), said that in oil-for-food swaps the companies ultimately supplying the food could be protected from sanctions provided they had no role in physically receiving, transporting or selling the oil. Harrell added that some US policymakers might be reluctant to impose sanctions on companies involved in a deal to supply basic goods to a nation suffering a humanitarian crisis. "Policymakers will be concerned that sanctioning an oil for food barter would play into a...narrative that US sanctions are causing humanitarian challenges in Venezuela," Harrell said. DECISIONS ON SANCTIONS The third Mexican company, Grupo Jomadi, held talks with PDVSA to swap 5 million barrels of Venezuelan crude for imports of gasoline, according to an unsigned contract dated in March reviewed by Reuters. Venezuela's refineries have long been crippled by outages, and the country has suffered dire shortages of fuels since the sanctions were imposed. Two sources told Reuters that Jomadi may have reached an agreement on the swap deal as a crude cargo that departed from Venezuela in April appeared to form part of it, according to the initial information collected by US authorities. Neither Jomadi nor PDVSA responded to requests for comment. Reuters was unable to independently confirm if the swap deal took place. While the FBI's principal focus is on domestic intelligence and security, its agents also carry out overseas investigations to aid decisions on sanctions by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, which often also seeks input from the State and Commerce departments, US embassies and the intelligence community. Libre Abordo and Schlager's oil-for-food deals with Venezuela obliged them to deliver 1,000 water trucks and 210,000 tonnes of corn to the country, the companies said. While some of the trucks have been delivered, the firms said they have not so far supplied any of the food as low oil prices have affected the original delivery schedule. In exchange, they have so far received more than 26 million barrels of Venezuelan oil for resale, according to PDVSA's export documents. In just four months, Libre Abordo and Schlager increased their intake of PDVSA's oil from less than 3% to 39% of the Venezuelan company's total exports, which averaged 850,000 barrels per day in April. The agreements threw a lifeline to Maduro, whose administration is struggling to afford imports of everything from food to medicine and industrial equipment.

FBI probes Mexican, European firms over Venezuela oil trading

To mark International Nurses' Day on Tuesday (May 12), Bautista painted walls in the neighbourhood of Benito Juarez with messages calling for a stop to attacks on doctors and nurses on the frontline of the pandemic.

Mexican graffiti artist celebrates health workers on pandemic frontline

Mexicans on Sunday (May 10) adapted Mother's Day traditions to the country's coronavirus lockdown, respecting social distancing while still celebrating their mums.

Virtual mariachis, flower drop offs. Mexicans adapt to Mother's Day under lockdown

Mexico's health ministry has reported 257 fatalities and 1,982 new coronavirus&nbsp;cases in the past 24 hours.

The new figures bring the total number of confirmed cases to 29,616 and 2,961 deaths. However, the reports suggest that the number of infections is more than the total number of confirmed cases.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-to-undergo-covid-19-test-every-day-as-military-aide-tests-positive-for-coronavirus-297381">Also Read:&nbsp;Trump to undergo COVID-19 test every day as military aide tests positive for coronavirus</a>

The government of Mexico is now urging people to exercise caution and make sure they follow social distancing rules, specially as Mothers' Day will be observed on Sunday. Mexico city's main flower market and cemeteries have also been temporarily shut by the officials to make sure people do not crowd. The step has been taken to contain the spread of coronavirus.

Officials have also suggested moving the holiday to July as it is one of the main holidays for Mexico, but have not taken a decision yet.

The Mexican government is requesting citizens to wear masks at all times, and practice social distancing. Even with the economy in a downward spiral, the government is urging people to not step out until it is urgent.

Mexico's health ministry has reported 257 fatalities and 1,982 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours. The new figures bring the total number of confirmed cases to 29,616 and 2,961 deaths.

Mexico's health ministry has reported 257 fatalities and 1,982 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours. The new figures bring the total number of confirmed cases to 29,616 and 2,961 deaths. However, the reports suggest that the number of infections is more than the total number of confirmed cases. Also Read: Trump to undergo COVID-19 test every day as military aide tests positive for coronavirus The government of Mexico is now urging people to exercise caution and make sure they follow social distancing rules, specially as Mothers' Day will be observed on Sunday. Mexico city's main flower market and cemeteries have also been temporarily shut by the officials to make sure people do not crowd. The step has been taken to contain the spread of coronavirus. Officials have also suggested moving the holiday to July as it is one of the main holidays for Mexico, but have not taken a decision yet. The Mexican government is requesting citizens to wear masks at all times, and practice social distancing. Even with the economy in a downward spiral, the government is urging people to not step out until it is urgent.

Mexico records 257 deaths in 24 hours; plans to shift Mothers' Day

The virus is spreading rapidly across Latin America as well and the death toll has surged passed 15,000. Watch report.

Latin America battles coronavirus outbreak | COVID-19 Pandemic

Loyal followers of "Saint Jesus Malverde" paid tribute to the popular narco figure on Sunday (May 03) to mark the anniversary of the execution of Jesus Malverde in Culiacan, in Mexico's state of Sinaloa.

Mexicans celebrate anniversary of "narco saint" despite pandemic

The daughter of Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán is distributing packing boxes with food and supplies for the elderly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic in Mexico.

Coronavirus Pandemic: El Chapo's daughter distributing essentials

Mariachi musicians in their garish, traditional outfits idled in the middle of the plaza on Sunday (March 29) waiting for any passers-by who might pay for a tune.

Mexico City's mariachi culture falls silent as coronavirus takes toll

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