Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro begins a second term in office on Thursday, shrugging off international criticism that his reelection last year was illegitimate but facing further isolation as an economic crisis fuels a humanitarian emergency.

Leaders from the ruling Socialist Party have disavowed criticism of Maduro's inauguration, which will keep him at the helm of the OPEC member until 2025, and called for rallies in his support.

Opposition leaders, however, have portrayed the inauguration as the moment at which Maduro will be internationally branded a dictator following a widely boycotted 2018 election that many foreign governments described as a farce.

But continued support from the military, a fractured opposition and a relentless crackdown on opposition critics means that Maduro appears to face few serious challenges at home, despite the international outcry.

"They've tried to turn a constitutional swearing-in ceremony into a world war," Maduro said during a news conference on Wednesday. "But whether there's rain, thunder or lightning, we're going to triumph."

He will be sworn in by the Supreme Court rather than the opposition-run congress, which has been stripped of its powers since the Socialist Party lost control of it in 2016 - a move that underpins opposition criticism that Maduro has consolidated a dictatorship.

Maduro will then head to a ceremony at Venezuela's military academy, signaling the importance of the armed forces in his governing coalition.

His triumphalist discourse echoes that of his predecessor, late socialist leader Hugo Chavez, who used abundant oil revenues to flood Venezuela with consumer goods while providing heavily subsidized food and medicine.

That contrasts sharply with the Venezuela of today.

Inflation is fast approaching 2 million per cent. Some three million people have emigrated since 2015 - many on foot - to escape malnutrition and disease, according to the United Nations.

Bank notes that once paid for months' worth of groceries are now tossed in trash cans or even woven into multi-coloured women's handbags sold by street merchants.

Maduro last year won reelection despite the economic chaos in large part because the opposition boycotted the vote. He blames an "economic war" led by the United States and the domestic opposition to try to undermine socialism as the cause for the country's woes.

"I agree with the measures that Venezuela is taking," said Francisco Rivas, 53, a state employee wearing a red shirt who joined a crowd outside the Miraflores presidential palace in support of Maduro. "[Maduro] is looking out for the wellbeing of the Venezuelan people, but many have betrayed him."

Losing Patience

The United States and many Latin American and European countries condemned the vote, leaving Maduro backed by just a handful of stalwart allies from leftist governments.

There are few signs that countries will shutter embassies or sever ties with Venezuela, according to diplomatic sources, but most will not send diplomats to the inauguration.

Opposition activists have called for protests on Thursday. Authorities have responded by filling streets with police checkpoints and rifle-toting troops.

"They're trying to scare us so that we don't protest," said Henry Ramirez, 39, a computer engineer in the western city of San Cristobal, attempting to cut into a line for gasoline, the type of queue that has become increasingly frequent during the crisis. "Tomorrow the dictatorship continues."

While politically motivated demonstrations have faded, protests take place nearly every day to demand salary improvements, access to food and medicine, or improvements to erratic power and water services. Even supporters of Chavez's "Bolivarian revolution" were losing patience with the economy.

"I ask that the president focus on increasing wages," said Daveli Valecillos, a 29-year-old homemaker who travelled to Caracas from the eastern state of Monagas to witness the inauguration. "Every time prices go up it's a blow to this country, and we don't know how much longer we can last."

But many had lost hope that Maduro's inauguration could change anything.

"I'm just trying to get a few more documents together so I can leave the country," said Angela Perez, 26, who works the cash register at a fast-food restaurant in the city of Valencia. "There's no future here. It's sad but true."

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro begins a second term in office on Thursday, shrugging off international criticism that his reelection last year was illegitimate but facing further isolation as an economic crisis fuels a humanitarian emergency.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro begins a second term in office on Thursday, shrugging off international criticism that his reelection last year was illegitimate but facing further isolation as an economic crisis fuels a humanitarian emergency. Leaders from the ruling Socialist Party have disavowed criticism of Maduro's inauguration, which will keep him at the helm of the OPEC member until 2025, and called for rallies in his support. Opposition leaders, however, have portrayed the inauguration as the moment at which Maduro will be internationally branded a dictator following a widely boycotted 2018 election that many foreign governments described as a farce. But continued support from the military, a fractured opposition and a relentless crackdown on opposition critics means that Maduro appears to face few serious challenges at home, despite the international outcry. "They've tried to turn a constitutional swearing-in ceremony into a world war," Maduro said during a news conference on Wednesday. "But whether there's rain, thunder or lightning, we're going to triumph." He will be sworn in by the Supreme Court rather than the opposition-run congress, which has been stripped of its powers since the Socialist Party lost control of it in 2016 - a move that underpins opposition criticism that Maduro has consolidated a dictatorship. Maduro will then head to a ceremony at Venezuela's military academy, signaling the importance of the armed forces in his governing coalition. His triumphalist discourse echoes that of his predecessor, late socialist leader Hugo Chavez, who used abundant oil revenues to flood Venezuela with consumer goods while providing heavily subsidized food and medicine. That contrasts sharply with the Venezuela of today. Inflation is fast approaching 2 million per cent. Some three million people have emigrated since 2015 - many on foot - to escape malnutrition and disease, according to the United Nations. Bank notes that once paid for months' worth of groceries are now tossed in trash cans or even woven into multi-coloured women's handbags sold by street merchants. Maduro last year won reelection despite the economic chaos in large part because the opposition boycotted the vote. He blames an "economic war" led by the United States and the domestic opposition to try to undermine socialism as the cause for the country's woes. "I agree with the measures that Venezuela is taking," said Francisco Rivas, 53, a state employee wearing a red shirt who joined a crowd outside the Miraflores presidential palace in support of Maduro. "[Maduro] is looking out for the wellbeing of the Venezuelan people, but many have betrayed him." Losing Patience The United States and many Latin American and European countries condemned the vote, leaving Maduro backed by just a handful of stalwart allies from leftist governments. There are few signs that countries will shutter embassies or sever ties with Venezuela, according to diplomatic sources, but most will not send diplomats to the inauguration. Opposition activists have called for protests on Thursday. Authorities have responded by filling streets with police checkpoints and rifle-toting troops. "They're trying to scare us so that we don't protest," said Henry Ramirez, 39, a computer engineer in the western city of San Cristobal, attempting to cut into a line for gasoline, the type of queue that has become increasingly frequent during the crisis. "Tomorrow the dictatorship continues." While politically motivated demonstrations have faded, protests take place nearly every day to demand salary improvements, access to food and medicine, or improvements to erratic power and water services. Even supporters of Chavez's "Bolivarian revolution" were losing patience with the economy. "I ask that the president focus on increasing wages," said Daveli Valecillos, a 29-year-old homemaker who travelled to Caracas from the eastern state of Monagas to witness the inauguration. "Every time prices go up it's a blow to this country, and we don't know how much longer we can last." But many had lost hope that Maduro's inauguration could change anything. "I'm just trying to get a few more documents together so I can leave the country," said Angela Perez, 26, who works the cash register at a fast-food restaurant in the city of Valencia. "There's no future here. It's sad but true."

President Maduro to start new term as Venezuela isolation grows

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro defended his government's legitimacy Sunday as his bid for a second six-year term has come under growing fire internationally and by the country's opposition-controlled National Assembly.

But in another sign of turmoil around Maduro, who is to be sworn in Thursday, a<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ex-venezuela-supreme-court-judge-flees-to-us-raps-president-maduro-188658"> Supreme Court judge</a> and former ally appeared on US television to denounce last year's election, having fled the country.

"I have decided to leave Venezuela ... to disavow the government of Nicolas Maduro," Christian Zerpa, who sat on a panel that deals with electoral issues, told EVTV Miami.

"It was not a free election, it was not a competitive election," he said of last year's vote, going on to accuse Maduro of manipulating the court.

News of the Zerpa's defection came a day after the opposition-controlled National Assembly declared Maduro's presidency to be illegitimate and called for a transitional government to organize democratic elections.

Responding on Twitter, Maduro declared: "Legitimacy has been given us by the people with their vote. To those who hope to break our will, make no mistake. Venezuela will be respected!"

Maduro was re-elected May 20 in presidential elections called by a regime-backed Constituent Assembly and boycotted by the opposition, many of whose best-known leaders were under house arrest or barred from running.

The United States, the European Union and a grouping of countries from the Western Hemisphere called the Lima Group have refused to recognize the election.

On Friday, Canada and 12 other Lima Group countries joined in calling for Maduro to step down and open the way for a transitional government formed by leaders of the National Assembly.

The US State Department issued a statement Saturday saying the United States stands with the National Assembly as "the only legitimate and last remaining democratically elected institution that truly represents the will of the Venezuelan people."

On Sunday, the Venezuelan foreign ministry accused Washington of attempting "to consummate a coup d'etat ... in promoting the repudiation of legitimate and democratic institutions."

Harassment allegations

The Supreme Court, meanwhile, said it has opened an investigation into Zerpa, over allegations he sexually harassed women who worked in his office.

The Supreme Court said the investigation dates back to November 2018, but it was only made public after the reports that the justice had fled to Florida.

Venezuelan journalists based in the US linked the defection to Maduro's controversial attempt to remain in office for another six years.

Journalist Carla Angola, who said she interviewed Zerpa, reported he was in Florida and was prepared to cooperate with US prosecutors investigating Venezuelan corruption and human rights violations.

Supreme Court president Maikel Moreno charged that Zerpa was the subject of numerous allegations of "indecorous and immoral conduct to the detriment of a group of women."

The Supreme Court statement said he was being investigated for "sexual harassment, lascivious acts and psychological violence" against women in his office.

Moreno denied that the case exposes divisions within the court, which has acted consistently in line with the government.

"Far from separating us, it unites us," he said. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Zerpa was a member of the ruling United Socialist Party (PSUV) and was appointed to the high court in 2015 just days before the opposition assumed the majority in the National Assembly.

He was among a group of Venezuelan officials hit with financial sanctions by Canada, as it moved to put pressure on the Maduro government. 
&nbsp;

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro defended his government's legitimacy Sunday as his bid for a second six-year term has come under growing fire internationally and by the country's opposition-controlled National Assembly.

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro defended his government's legitimacy Sunday as his bid for a second six-year term has come under growing fire internationally and by the country's opposition-controlled National Assembly. But in another sign of turmoil around Maduro, who is to be sworn in Thursday, a Supreme Court judge and former ally appeared on US television to denounce last year's election, having fled the country. "I have decided to leave Venezuela ... to disavow the government of Nicolas Maduro," Christian Zerpa, who sat on a panel that deals with electoral issues, told EVTV Miami. "It was not a free election, it was not a competitive election," he said of last year's vote, going on to accuse Maduro of manipulating the court. News of the Zerpa's defection came a day after the opposition-controlled National Assembly declared Maduro's presidency to be illegitimate and called for a transitional government to organize democratic elections. Responding on Twitter, Maduro declared: "Legitimacy has been given us by the people with their vote. To those who hope to break our will, make no mistake. Venezuela will be respected!" Maduro was re-elected May 20 in presidential elections called by a regime-backed Constituent Assembly and boycotted by the opposition, many of whose best-known leaders were under house arrest or barred from running. The United States, the European Union and a grouping of countries from the Western Hemisphere called the Lima Group have refused to recognize the election. On Friday, Canada and 12 other Lima Group countries joined in calling for Maduro to step down and open the way for a transitional government formed by leaders of the National Assembly. The US State Department issued a statement Saturday saying the United States stands with the National Assembly as "the only legitimate and last remaining democratically elected institution that truly represents the will of the Venezuelan people." On Sunday, the Venezuelan foreign ministry accused Washington of attempting "to consummate a coup d'etat ... in promoting the repudiation of legitimate and democratic institutions." Harassment allegations The Supreme Court, meanwhile, said it has opened an investigation into Zerpa, over allegations he sexually harassed women who worked in his office. The Supreme Court said the investigation dates back to November 2018, but it was only made public after the reports that the justice had fled to Florida. Venezuelan journalists based in the US linked the defection to Maduro's controversial attempt to remain in office for another six years. Journalist Carla Angola, who said she interviewed Zerpa, reported he was in Florida and was prepared to cooperate with US prosecutors investigating Venezuelan corruption and human rights violations. Supreme Court president Maikel Moreno charged that Zerpa was the subject of numerous allegations of "indecorous and immoral conduct to the detriment of a group of women." The Supreme Court statement said he was being investigated for "sexual harassment, lascivious acts and psychological violence" against women in his office. Moreno denied that the case exposes divisions within the court, which has acted consistently in line with the government. "Far from separating us, it unites us," he said. Zerpa was a member of the ruling United Socialist Party (PSUV) and was appointed to the high court in 2015 just days before the opposition assumed the majority in the National Assembly. He was among a group of Venezuelan officials hit with financial sanctions by Canada, as it moved to put pressure on the Maduro government.

'Venezuela will be respected,' tweets Maduro defending his rule as legitimate

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will meet Colombian President Ivan Duque in the resort city of Cartagena next week, as tensions flare with neighbouring Venezuela.

Duque and Pompeo will seek to "continue strengthening the bilateral relationship and discuss the crisis provoked by the dictatorship in Venezuela" of President Nicolas Maduro, a statement from the Colombian president's office said Thursday.

The US State Department, in its own announcement, said the two would discuss "the regional crisis perpetrated by the disastrous policies of the Maduro regime."

The meeting is scheduled for next Wednesday and comes after Duque asked countries "that defend democracy" not to recognize Maduro's new administration, due to be seated on January 10.

The socialist leader, who has overseen Venezuela's descent into the worst economic crisis of its history, will start a second mandate after winning an election earlier this year that was branded a fraud by the US, European Union, opposition groups and the Organization of American States.

Colombia, a strategic ally of the United States, is leading the regional opposition to Venezuela, with which it has extremely frayed diplomatic ties.

The arrival of Russian strategic bombers in Venezuela to participate in military exercises at the start of December sent tensions soaring.

Millions of Venezuelans have fled the economic crisis in their country, many into neighboring Colombia. According to the United Nations, 2.3 million people have left since 2015.

Maduro, who frequently denounces plots against him, insisted this month that the United States was planning to overthrow him with the help of Colombia's right-wing government and Brazil's far-right president-elect Jair Bolsonaro.

Pompeo is visiting South America for Bolsonaro's inauguration.

The US State Department, in its own announcement, said the two would discuss 'the regional crisis perpetrated by the disastrous policies of the Maduro regime.'

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will meet Colombian President Ivan Duque in the resort city of Cartagena next week, as tensions flare with neighbouring Venezuela. Duque and Pompeo will seek to "continue strengthening the bilateral relationship and discuss the crisis provoked by the dictatorship in Venezuela" of President Nicolas Maduro, a statement from the Colombian president's office said Thursday. The US State Department, in its own announcement, said the two would discuss "the regional crisis perpetrated by the disastrous policies of the Maduro regime." The meeting is scheduled for next Wednesday and comes after Duque asked countries "that defend democracy" not to recognize Maduro's new administration, due to be seated on January 10. The socialist leader, who has overseen Venezuela's descent into the worst economic crisis of its history, will start a second mandate after winning an election earlier this year that was branded a fraud by the US, European Union, opposition groups and the Organization of American States. Colombia, a strategic ally of the United States, is leading the regional opposition to Venezuela, with which it has extremely frayed diplomatic ties. The arrival of Russian strategic bombers in Venezuela to participate in military exercises at the start of December sent tensions soaring. Millions of Venezuelans have fled the economic crisis in their country, many into neighboring Colombia. According to the United Nations, 2.3 million people have left since 2015. Maduro, who frequently denounces plots against him, insisted this month that the United States was planning to overthrow him with the help of Colombia's right-wing government and Brazil's far-right president-elect Jair Bolsonaro. Pompeo is visiting South America for Bolsonaro's inauguration.

Mike Pompeo to visit Colombia amid tensions with Venezuela

By Marco Aponte-Moreno

President Donald Trump has spoken forcefully about the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, calling it a “human tragedy” at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

Venezuela’s humanitarian crisis – which began in late 2014, when a drop in oil prices deprived the government of its primary income source – has worsened to previously unimaginable levels. People are now dying from shortages of food and medicine.

Noting that 2 million Venezuelan refugees have escaped “the anguish inflicted by the socialist Maduro regime,” Trump asked world leaders to join forces and “seek the restoration of democracy in Venezuela.”

Vice President Mike Pence, who visited Latin America in June, described the situation in Venezuela as “heart breaking.”

This sounds like strong support for my ailing native country. My academic research on political rhetoric, however, has taught me that politicians’ words often deceive.

Close analysis of Trump’s Venezuela policy shows that his administration is doing much less than it could to ease Venezuelans’ suffering. But that hasn’t stopped the president from using the country’s crisis for Republicans’ political gain ahead of November’s midterm elections.

Sanctions that don’t work

Venezuela was once Latin America’s richest nation. Now inflation may reach 1 million per cent and a recent poll found that 30 per cent of Venezuelans eat only once a day.

To pressure Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro to “restore democratic order,” the US in September imposed sanctions on his wife, the country’s defence minister and the head of its Constituent Assembly, an all-powerful body created in 2017 to supersede the opposition-led legislature.

This is the fourth round of sanctions on Venezuelan leadership since Trump took office in 2017.

President Barack Obama also targeted Maduro’s regime, passing sanctions in 2015 and declaring Venezuela a threat to US national security.

Latin America’s crisis

Despite repeated sanctions, the authoritarian Maduro regime remains firmly in power.

As conditions in Venezuela worsen, a massive and growing number of people are fleeing to neighbouring nations. The UN High Commission on Refugees estimates that 5,000 people leave every day.

The Venezuelan exodus “is on the scale of Syria,” said Matthew Raynolds, of the United Nations refugee agency.

The influx of migrants is straining resources in Brazil and Colombia, where border cities have seen flare-ups of xenophobia and violent attacks on refugees.

The US says it will allocate an additional $48 million in humanitarian aid to fund US agencies that are providing disaster and food relief to Venezuelan migrants in Latin America.

Combined with the $46.8 million already earmarked as humanitarian aid for Venezuelan refugees this fiscal year, US foreign aid for the South American nation totals $94.8 million – up from $14 million in 2017.

But even with that big boost, foreign assistance for Venezuela is just a fraction of the $475 million given last year to Colombia and only slightly higher than the Latin American regional average of $62 million in annual aid.

Closed borders 
 
Despite Trump’s statements of sympathy for Venezuelan refugees, they are not exempt from his administration’s immigration crackdown.

Nearly 260 Venezuelans were deported from the US in the first half of 2018 alone, up from 248 deportations in all 2017 and 182 in 2016.

And though Vice President Pence’s recognized that “violence and tyranny” rule the country, Venezuelans are routinely denied political asylum. Over the past five years, immigration judges have denied nearly 50 per cent of all Venezuelan asylum applications.

Venezuelans now represent the biggest group of asylum-seekers in the US, surpassing Central Americans in 2016. Last year Venezuelan refugees filed 27,629 asylum claims, more than 10 times the 2,181 petitions made in 2014.

Immigration attorneys in Miami say the U.S. Consulate there has also been revoking tourist visas from Venezuelans, and the federal government has drastically reduced the number of non-immigrant visas issued to Venezuelans, from 239,772 in 2015 to 47,942 last year.

In Florida, home to the United States’ largest Venezuelan community, politicians from both parties – including Sens. Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio – say they would support giving Temporary Protective Status to Venezuelans. That policy would allow migrants to remain legally in the U.S. until Venezuela stabilizes.

Previous administrations have granted TPS to Nicaraguans, Hondurans and Sudanese during similar times of crisis.

But the Trump administration, which is in a court fight over its termination of TPS for most immigrant groups, says Venezuelans do not qualify for protected status.

The military option

Trump seems more interested in military action in Venezuela.

Administration officials met secretly with dissidents from Venezuela’s armed forces over the last year to discuss plans to overthrow Maduro, according to a New York Times story.

Ultimately, the US declined to participate in a coup. But Maduro’s regime “could be toppled very quickly by the military,” Trump has said, evidently referring to the Venezuelan armed forces.

Navy Vice Adm. Craig Faller, nominated to lead the US military’s Southern Command, recently told a Senate panel that he was unaware of any plan for military action in Venezuela.

“We are not doing anything other than normal prudent planning … to prepare for a range of contingencies,” he said.

The lack of serious American efforts to address Venezuela’s migration crisis has left Latin American governments alone in dealing with this historic migration crisis.

Eleven nations in the region, including refugee-saturated Brazil and Colombia, recently agreed to accept more Venezuelans, including those whose documents have expired. Many Venezuelans cannot obtain a passport or renew their national identity cards because of the Maduro regime’s slow, dysfunctional and corrupt bureaucracy.

‘They want to turn American into Venezuela!’

The White House’s failure to act on Venezuela has not stopped Trump from using its crisis for electoral gain in November’s midterm elections.

“The new Democrats are radical socialists who want to model America’s economy after Venezuela,” Trump wrote in an October 10 USA Today op-ed.

And at an event to in Tennessee earlier this month, Trump insisted that Democrats “want to shut down American energy and replace freedom with socialism.”

They “want to turn America into Venezuela!” he yelled.

Bellicose rhetoric against Maduro’s regime coupled with expressions of compassion for its victims may play well with Trump’s base.

But it will not help those living through the worst humanitarian crisis the Americas have ever seen.

 
(Marco Aponte-Moreno is Assistant Professor of Global Business, St Mary's College of California)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/trump-sees-opportunity-in-venezuelas-humanitarian-crisis-as-midterms-approach-104047">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

By Marco Aponte-Moreno President Donald Trump has spoken forcefully about the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, calling it a “human tragedy” at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

By Marco Aponte-Moreno President Donald Trump has spoken forcefully about the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, calling it a “human tragedy” at the United Nations General Assembly in September. Venezuela’s humanitarian crisis – which began in late 2014, when a drop in oil prices deprived the government of its primary income source – has worsened to previously unimaginable levels. People are now dying from shortages of food and medicine. Noting that 2 million Venezuelan refugees have escaped “the anguish inflicted by the socialist Maduro regime,” Trump asked world leaders to join forces and “seek the restoration of democracy in Venezuela.” Vice President Mike Pence, who visited Latin America in June, described the situation in Venezuela as “heart breaking.” This sounds like strong support for my ailing native country. My academic research on political rhetoric, however, has taught me that politicians’ words often deceive. Close analysis of Trump’s Venezuela policy shows that his administration is doing much less than it could to ease Venezuelans’ suffering. But that hasn’t stopped the president from using the country’s crisis for Republicans’ political gain ahead of November’s midterm elections. Sanctions that don’t work Venezuela was once Latin America’s richest nation. Now inflation may reach 1 million per cent and a recent poll found that 30 per cent of Venezuelans eat only once a day. To pressure Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro to “restore democratic order,” the US in September imposed sanctions on his wife, the country’s defence minister and the head of its Constituent Assembly, an all-powerful body created in 2017 to supersede the opposition-led legislature. This is the fourth round of sanctions on Venezuelan leadership since Trump took office in 2017. President Barack Obama also targeted Maduro’s regime, passing sanctions in 2015 and declaring Venezuela a threat to US national security. Latin America’s crisis Despite repeated sanctions, the authoritarian Maduro regime remains firmly in power. As conditions in Venezuela worsen, a massive and growing number of people are fleeing to neighbouring nations. The UN High Commission on Refugees estimates that 5,000 people leave every day. The Venezuelan exodus “is on the scale of Syria,” said Matthew Raynolds, of the United Nations refugee agency. The influx of migrants is straining resources in Brazil and Colombia, where border cities have seen flare-ups of xenophobia and violent attacks on refugees. The US says it will allocate an additional $48 million in humanitarian aid to fund US agencies that are providing disaster and food relief to Venezuelan migrants in Latin America. Combined with the $46.8 million already earmarked as humanitarian aid for Venezuelan refugees this fiscal year, US foreign aid for the South American nation totals $94.8 million – up from $14 million in 2017. But even with that big boost, foreign assistance for Venezuela is just a fraction of the $475 million given last year to Colombia and only slightly higher than the Latin American regional average of $62 million in annual aid. Closed borders Despite Trump’s statements of sympathy for Venezuelan refugees, they are not exempt from his administration’s immigration crackdown. Nearly 260 Venezuelans were deported from the US in the first half of 2018 alone, up from 248 deportations in all 2017 and 182 in 2016. And though Vice President Pence’s recognized that “violence and tyranny” rule the country, Venezuelans are routinely denied political asylum. Over the past five years, immigration judges have denied nearly 50 per cent of all Venezuelan asylum applications. Venezuelans now represent the biggest group of asylum-seekers in the US, surpassing Central Americans in 2016. Last year Venezuelan refugees filed 27,629 asylum claims, more than 10 times the 2,181 petitions made in 2014. Immigration attorneys in Miami say the U.S. Consulate there has also been revoking tourist visas from Venezuelans, and the federal government has drastically reduced the number of non-immigrant visas issued to Venezuelans, from 239,772 in 2015 to 47,942 last year. In Florida, home to the United States’ largest Venezuelan community, politicians from both parties – including Sens. Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio – say they would support giving Temporary Protective Status to Venezuelans. That policy would allow migrants to remain legally in the U.S. until Venezuela stabilizes. Previous administrations have granted TPS to Nicaraguans, Hondurans and Sudanese during similar times of crisis. But the Trump administration, which is in a court fight over its termination of TPS for most immigrant groups, says Venezuelans do not qualify for protected status. The military option Trump seems more interested in military action in Venezuela. Administration officials met secretly with dissidents from Venezuela’s armed forces over the last year to discuss plans to overthrow Maduro, according to a New York Times story. Ultimately, the US declined to participate in a coup. But Maduro’s regime “could be toppled very quickly by the military,” Trump has said, evidently referring to the Venezuelan armed forces. Navy Vice Adm. Craig Faller, nominated to lead the US military’s Southern Command, recently told a Senate panel that he was unaware of any plan for military action in Venezuela. “We are not doing anything other than normal prudent planning … to prepare for a range of contingencies,” he said. The lack of serious American efforts to address Venezuela’s migration crisis has left Latin American governments alone in dealing with this historic migration crisis. Eleven nations in the region, including refugee-saturated Brazil and Colombia, recently agreed to accept more Venezuelans, including those whose documents have expired. Many Venezuelans cannot obtain a passport or renew their national identity cards because of the Maduro regime’s slow, dysfunctional and corrupt bureaucracy. ‘They want to turn American into Venezuela!’ The White House’s failure to act on Venezuela has not stopped Trump from using its crisis for electoral gain in November’s midterm elections. “The new Democrats are radical socialists who want to model America’s economy after Venezuela,” Trump wrote in an October 10 USA Today op-ed. And at an event to in Tennessee earlier this month, Trump insisted that Democrats “want to shut down American energy and replace freedom with socialism.” They “want to turn America into Venezuela!” he yelled. Bellicose rhetoric against Maduro’s regime coupled with expressions of compassion for its victims may play well with Trump’s base. But it will not help those living through the worst humanitarian crisis the Americas have ever seen. (Marco Aponte-Moreno is Assistant Professor of Global Business, St Mary's College of California) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Trump sees opportunity in Venezuela’s humanitarian crisis as midterms approach

The UN decried Tuesday &quot;widespread and systematic use of excessive force&quot; against demonstrators in Venezuela, saying security forces and pro-government groups were responsible for at least 73 protester deaths.

Presenting the preliminary findings from an investigation conducted in June and July, the UN rights office described &quot;a picture of the widespread and systematic use of excessive force and arbitrary detentions against demonstrators in Venezuela.&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;Witness accounts suggest that security forces, mainly the National Guard, the National Police and local police forces, have systematically used disproportionate force to instil fear, crush dissent, and to prevent demonstrators from assembling, rallying and reaching public institutions to present petitions,&quot; the rights office said in a statement.

&quot;Government authorities have rarely condemned such incidents,&quot; it stressed.

Venezuela, which is suffering from an acute economic crisis marked by shortages of basic goods, has experienced four months of street demonstrations against President Nicolas Maduro that have left 125 people dead.

After receiving no response to repeated requests for access to Venezuela to investigate the situation in the country, UN rights chief Zeid Ra&#39;ad Al Hussein deployed a team of human rights officers to monitor the country remotely.

The investigators conducted 135 interviews between June 6 and July 31 with victims and their families, witnesses, civil society organisations, journalists, lawyers and doctors, among others.

&quot;Since the wave of demonstrations began in April, there has been a clear pattern of excessive force used against protesters,&quot; Zeid said in the statement.

&#39;Degrading treatment&#39;

&quot;Several thousand people have been arbitrarily detained, many reportedly subjected to ill-treatment and even torture, while several hundred have been brought before military rather than civilian courts,&quot; he said, stressing that &quot;these patterns show no signs of abating.&quot;

According to the preliminary findings, security forces were allegedly responsible for at least 46 of the protester deaths, while pro-government armed groups were behind 27.

It remained unclear who was behind the remaining deaths, the rights office said.

At the same time, nearly 2,000 people have been injured, while more than 5,050 people have been arbitrarily arrested, with over 1,000 reportedly still in detention, it said.

The rights office also decried &quot;credible reports of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment by security forces of such detainees, amounting in several cases to torture,&quot; saying tactics included &quot;electric shocks, beatings.., suffocation with gas, and threats of killings, and in some cases threats of sexual violence.&quot;

Zeid warned that &quot;these violations have occurred amid the breakdown of the rule of law in Venezuela, with constant attacks by the Government against the National Assembly and the Attorney-General&rsquo;s Office.&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;The responsibility for the human rights violations we are recording lies at the highest levels of government,&quot; he said.

Venezuela, which is suffering from an acute economic crisis marked by shortages of basic goods, has experienced four months of street demonstrations against President Nicolas Maduro that have left 125 people dead

The UN decried Tuesday "widespread and systematic use of excessive force" against demonstrators in Venezuela, saying security forces and pro-government groups were responsible for at least 73 protester deaths. Presenting the preliminary findings from an investigation conducted in June and July, the UN rights office described "a picture of the widespread and systematic use of excessive force and arbitrary detentions against demonstrators in Venezuela." "Witness accounts suggest that security forces, mainly the National Guard, the National Police and local police forces, have systematically used disproportionate force to instil fear, crush dissent, and to prevent demonstrators from assembling, rallying and reaching public institutions to present petitions," the rights office said in a statement. "Government authorities have rarely condemned such incidents," it stressed. Venezuela, which is suffering from an acute economic crisis marked by shortages of basic goods, has experienced four months of street demonstrations against President Nicolas Maduro that have left 125 people dead. After receiving no response to repeated requests for access to Venezuela to investigate the situation in the country, UN rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein deployed a team of human rights officers to monitor the country remotely. The investigators conducted 135 interviews between June 6 and July 31 with victims and their families, witnesses, civil society organisations, journalists, lawyers and doctors, among others. "Since the wave of demonstrations began in April, there has been a clear pattern of excessive force used against protesters," Zeid said in the statement. 'Degrading treatment' "Several thousand people have been arbitrarily detained, many reportedly subjected to ill-treatment and even torture, while several hundred have been brought before military rather than civilian courts," he said, stressing that "these patterns show no signs of abating." According to the preliminary findings, security forces were allegedly responsible for at least 46 of the protester deaths, while pro-government armed groups were behind 27. It remained unclear who was behind the remaining deaths, the rights office said. At the same time, nearly 2,000 people have been injured, while more than 5,050 people have been arbitrarily arrested, with over 1,000 reportedly still in detention, it said. The rights office also decried "credible reports of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment by security forces of such detainees, amounting in several cases to torture," saying tactics included "electric shocks, beatings.., suffocation with gas, and threats of killings, and in some cases threats of sexual violence." Zeid warned that "these violations have occurred amid the breakdown of the rule of law in Venezuela, with constant attacks by the Government against the National Assembly and the Attorney-General’s Office." "The responsibility for the human rights violations we are recording lies at the highest levels of government," he said.

UN slams 'widespread and systematic use of excessive force' in Venezuela

Venezuela&#39;s attorney general raised the stakes in her standoff with the government Tuesday by demanding eight Supreme Court judges loyal to President Nicolas Maduro be put on trial.

A staunch figure of the ruling party, Attorney General Luisa Ortega, 59, is the highest public official to break ranks with Maduro over the country&#39;s deadly political crisis.

She has accused him and his allies of acting unconstitutionally in their standoff against the opposition in recent months of anti-government protests.

In her latest maneuver to pressure the socialist president, she told reporters she&#39;d filed a case accusing the eight judges of allowing &quot;a breakdown in constitutional order.&quot;

The charge refers to a ruling by the court in late March that seized power from the opposition-controlled National Assembly legislature.

The court later revoked the decision under international pressure, but it sparked a series of protests that has continued ever since.

Clashes between demonstrators and police have left 67 people dead, according to prosecutors.

Ortega said in a radio interview on Monday that intelligence officials had been threatening and harassing her family.

Pro-government lawmaker Pedro Carreno filed a motion in the assembly calling for the court to order that Ortega be examined by a psychologist.

&quot;It is clear that this lady is not in her right mind,&quot; he told reporters. He called for experts to declare she was suffering from &quot;insanity&quot; and should be fired.

&nbsp;

A stubborn fight against president

Former Supreme Court judge Blanca Rosa Marmol told AFP the assembly was the only body legally entitled to remove an attorney general from her post.

Analysts say Ortega&#39;s legal challenges to the government could widen divisions in Maduro&#39;s camp, making it harder for him to stay in power.

Last week, she filed a challenge against his effort to rewrite the constitution, branding it undemocratic.

The court dismissed the appeal on Monday, but Ortega promptly responded with a new series of legal challenges against the judges.

Maduro is accused of controlling the Supreme Court, which has fended off numerous legal and legislative moves against him over the past year and a half.

Protestors blame him for an economic crisis that has caused desperate shortages of food and medicine in the oil-rich country.

Maduro says the crisis is a US-backed conspiracy. He retains the public backing of the military.

&quot;Whether it rains, thunders or lightens on July 30 there will be elections,&quot; Maduro said, referring to the constitutional assembly he wants to rewrite the document to expand his powers. &quot;And in August, we&#39;ll have our constituent assembly,&quot; he said.

Maduro says the reforms are in response to the protests, but his opponents say that is a mere ploy to cling to power.

A survey by pollster Datanalisis indicated that 85 per cent of Venezuelans opposed Maduro&#39;s plan.

(AFP)

Attorney General Luisa Ortega told reporters she'd filed a case accusing the eight judges of allowing 'a breakdown in constitutional order'

Venezuela's attorney general raised the stakes in her standoff with the government Tuesday by demanding eight Supreme Court judges loyal to President Nicolas Maduro be put on trial. A staunch figure of the ruling party, Attorney General Luisa Ortega, 59, is the highest public official to break ranks with Maduro over the country's deadly political crisis. She has accused him and his allies of acting unconstitutionally in their standoff against the opposition in recent months of anti-government protests. In her latest maneuver to pressure the socialist president, she told reporters she'd filed a case accusing the eight judges of allowing "a breakdown in constitutional order." The charge refers to a ruling by the court in late March that seized power from the opposition-controlled National Assembly legislature. The court later revoked the decision under international pressure, but it sparked a series of protests that has continued ever since. Clashes between demonstrators and police have left 67 people dead, according to prosecutors. Ortega said in a radio interview on Monday that intelligence officials had been threatening and harassing her family. Pro-government lawmaker Pedro Carreno filed a motion in the assembly calling for the court to order that Ortega be examined by a psychologist. "It is clear that this lady is not in her right mind," he told reporters. He called for experts to declare she was suffering from "insanity" and should be fired. A stubborn fight against president Former Supreme Court judge Blanca Rosa Marmol told AFP the assembly was the only body legally entitled to remove an attorney general from her post. Analysts say Ortega's legal challenges to the government could widen divisions in Maduro's camp, making it harder for him to stay in power. Last week, she filed a challenge against his effort to rewrite the constitution, branding it undemocratic. The court dismissed the appeal on Monday, but Ortega promptly responded with a new series of legal challenges against the judges. Maduro is accused of controlling the Supreme Court, which has fended off numerous legal and legislative moves against him over the past year and a half. Protestors blame him for an economic crisis that has caused desperate shortages of food and medicine in the oil-rich country. Maduro says the crisis is a US-backed conspiracy. He retains the public backing of the military. "Whether it rains, thunders or lightens on July 30 there will be elections," Maduro said, referring to the constitutional assembly he wants to rewrite the document to expand his powers. "And in August, we'll have our constituent assembly," he said. Maduro says the reforms are in response to the protests, but his opponents say that is a mere ploy to cling to power. A survey by pollster Datanalisis indicated that 85 per cent of Venezuelans opposed Maduro's plan. (AFP)

Venezuela's renegade attorney general targets judges

Thousands of women dressed in white marched in Venezuela&#39;s capital on Saturday to maintain pressure on President Nicolas Maduro, whose authority is being increasingly challenged by protests and deadly unrest.

Led by opposition leaders, lawmakers and Lilian Tintori -- the wife of jailed opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez -- the crowd carried flowers and placards denouncing &quot;repression.&quot;&nbsp;

Police and soldiers prevented it from reaching the interior ministry, but no clashes or other violence took place during daytime.

A lawmaker taking part in the protest, Gaby Arellano, told AFP that some in the security forces &quot;were wondering if today they were going to open fire on their wives, daughters or mothers.&quot;

Similar rallies took place in other cities.

They were the latest in more than a month of anti-government demonstrations, many of which have been countered by pro-Maduro crowds and security forces.

The death toll since April -- when the protests intensified after Maduro&#39;s administration and the courts stepped up efforts to undermine the opposition -- is at least 36, according to prosecutors.

&quot;May the last death be that of the dictatorship,&quot; one slogan in the Caracas rally read.The last death in Venezuela&#39;s unrest, of a 22-year-old man, occurred Friday during looting in impoverished Venezuelan cities hardest hit by a worsening economic crisis. In Valencia, where the man died, some areas looked like disaster zones with bars on shop windows bent and windows broken.

Demonstrators blame Maduro for the country&#39;s plight and the penury of food and medicine. They are demanding elections to remove the leftist president.

Maduro, backed by the Venezuelan military, is resisting. He and the opposition have blamed each other of using armed groups to sow violence.&nbsp;

The president has started a process to rewrite the current constitution enacted under his late predecessor and mentor Hugo Chavez. The opposition and many protesters say his real aim is to dodge elections.

With anger boiling over, young protesters in the western municipality of Rosario de Perija on Friday burned, pulled down and then smashed a statue of Chavez, shown in a video posted on social media.

Maduro supporters also marched against what they called &quot;violence by terrorists,&quot; Minister for Women Blanca Eekhout said.

&quot;We are out here pushing for justice against those who are encouraging hatred and rage,&quot; she said, warning, &quot;they are trying to set the stage for civil war.&quot;

The conference of Catholic bishops issued a statement quoting Pope Francis as expressing concern about the &quot;dead, wounded and detained&quot; in the protests and asking both sides to look for &quot;negotiated solutions.&quot;Maduro and his officials say the crisis rocking the country is a US-backed conspiracy designed to topple him and install a right-wing government.

The United States, which had remained relatively quiet over the situation in Venezuela, is now taking a stronger tone against Maduro&#39;s &quot;violent crackdown on protestors.&quot;

The US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, said in a statement that his &quot;disregard for the fundamental rights of his own people has heightened the political and economic crisis in the country.&quot;

She called for the immediate release of &quot;political prisoners,&quot; including Lopez, who has been &quot;held on trumped up charges by the government since 2014.&quot;

Haley also raised the issue of Venezuela&#39;s detention of an American citizen, Joshua Holt, arrested in Caracas nearly a year ago on what US media said was false evidence planted by police.

A White House statement said the leader of Venezuela&#39;s opposition-held legislature, Julio Borges, had met on Friday with US National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster. Both agreed &quot;there is a strong need to bring the crisis to a quick and peaceful conclusion.&quot;

Although the statement made no mention of it, a senior administration official later told AFP that US Vice President Mike Pence had also met Borges, but &quot;did not participate in the full meeting with General McMaster.&quot;

(AFP)

The death toll since April, when the protests intensified after Maduro's administration and the courts stepped up efforts to undermine the opposition, is at least 36.

Thousands of women dressed in white marched in Venezuela's capital on Saturday to maintain pressure on President Nicolas Maduro, whose authority is being increasingly challenged by protests and deadly unrest. Led by opposition leaders, lawmakers and Lilian Tintori -- the wife of jailed opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez -- the crowd carried flowers and placards denouncing "repression." Police and soldiers prevented it from reaching the interior ministry, but no clashes or other violence took place during daytime. A lawmaker taking part in the protest, Gaby Arellano, told AFP that some in the security forces "were wondering if today they were going to open fire on their wives, daughters or mothers." Similar rallies took place in other cities. They were the latest in more than a month of anti-government demonstrations, many of which have been countered by pro-Maduro crowds and security forces. The death toll since April -- when the protests intensified after Maduro's administration and the courts stepped up efforts to undermine the opposition -- is at least 36, according to prosecutors. "May the last death be that of the dictatorship," one slogan in the Caracas rally read.The last death in Venezuela's unrest, of a 22-year-old man, occurred Friday during looting in impoverished Venezuelan cities hardest hit by a worsening economic crisis. In Valencia, where the man died, some areas looked like disaster zones with bars on shop windows bent and windows broken. Demonstrators blame Maduro for the country's plight and the penury of food and medicine. They are demanding elections to remove the leftist president. Maduro, backed by the Venezuelan military, is resisting. He and the opposition have blamed each other of using armed groups to sow violence. The president has started a process to rewrite the current constitution enacted under his late predecessor and mentor Hugo Chavez. The opposition and many protesters say his real aim is to dodge elections. With anger boiling over, young protesters in the western municipality of Rosario de Perija on Friday burned, pulled down and then smashed a statue of Chavez, shown in a video posted on social media. Maduro supporters also marched against what they called "violence by terrorists," Minister for Women Blanca Eekhout said. "We are out here pushing for justice against those who are encouraging hatred and rage," she said, warning, "they are trying to set the stage for civil war." The conference of Catholic bishops issued a statement quoting Pope Francis as expressing concern about the "dead, wounded and detained" in the protests and asking both sides to look for "negotiated solutions."Maduro and his officials say the crisis rocking the country is a US-backed conspiracy designed to topple him and install a right-wing government. The United States, which had remained relatively quiet over the situation in Venezuela, is now taking a stronger tone against Maduro's "violent crackdown on protestors." The US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, said in a statement that his "disregard for the fundamental rights of his own people has heightened the political and economic crisis in the country." She called for the immediate release of "political prisoners," including Lopez, who has been "held on trumped up charges by the government since 2014." Haley also raised the issue of Venezuela's detention of an American citizen, Joshua Holt, arrested in Caracas nearly a year ago on what US media said was false evidence planted by police. A White House statement said the leader of Venezuela's opposition-held legislature, Julio Borges, had met on Friday with US National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster. Both agreed "there is a strong need to bring the crisis to a quick and peaceful conclusion." Although the statement made no mention of it, a senior administration official later told AFP that US Vice President Mike Pence had also met Borges, but "did not participate in the full meeting with General McMaster." (AFP)

Venezuela: Women's march keeps pressure on President Maduro

Venezuela will be suspended from South American trade bloc Mercosur at the beginning of next&nbsp;month, a top official said Monday.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro&#39;s socialist government has not adopted 112 resolutions as Venezuelan law, routine procedure for members, leading to its sidelining beginning December 1, Paraguay&#39;s Foreign Minister Eladio Loizaga said.

Venezuela has said it cannot adopt the text because it conflicts with its domestic laws.&nbsp;

&quot;If you join an international agreement and something conflicts with local law, you indicate reservations,&quot; and Caracas has not, Loizaga said.

Mercosur countries had given Venezuela a three-month period to get up to date on putting the bloc&#39;s measures into effect.

Although Venezuela joined Mercosur in 2012, it has yet to ratify a large number of rules governing trade, politics, democracy and human rights.

Venezuela&#39;s neighbors are becoming increasingly wary of developments in the once-booming economy.

Maduro&#39;s opponents blame him for an economic meltdown marked by food shortages, riots and looting in the oil-rich country which is facing its third year of deep recession, hit hard by the plunge in global crude prices since mid-2014.

The crisis comes at a delicate moment for Mercosur, which has relaunched free-trade negotiations with the European Union.

Tensions between Maduro&#39;s government and its Mercosur partners were exacerbated with the election of Mauricio Macri as president of Argentina in 2015 and the replacement of Brazil&#39;s ousted former president Dilma Rousseff with Michel Temer.

Both right-leaning leaders replaced leftist presidents.

(AFP)

Venezuela joined Mercosur in 2012 but is yet to ratify a ?number of rules governing trade, politics, democracy and human rights

Venezuela will be suspended from South American trade bloc Mercosur at the beginning of next month, a top official said Monday. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's socialist government has not adopted 112 resolutions as Venezuelan law, routine procedure for members, leading to its sidelining beginning December 1, Paraguay's Foreign Minister Eladio Loizaga said. Venezuela has said it cannot adopt the text because it conflicts with its domestic laws. "If you join an international agreement and something conflicts with local law, you indicate reservations," and Caracas has not, Loizaga said. Mercosur countries had given Venezuela a three-month period to get up to date on putting the bloc's measures into effect. Although Venezuela joined Mercosur in 2012, it has yet to ratify a large number of rules governing trade, politics, democracy and human rights. Venezuela's neighbors are becoming increasingly wary of developments in the once-booming economy. Maduro's opponents blame him for an economic meltdown marked by food shortages, riots and looting in the oil-rich country which is facing its third year of deep recession, hit hard by the plunge in global crude prices since mid-2014. The crisis comes at a delicate moment for Mercosur, which has relaunched free-trade negotiations with the European Union. Tensions between Maduro's government and its Mercosur partners were exacerbated with the election of Mauricio Macri as president of Argentina in 2015 and the replacement of Brazil's ousted former president Dilma Rousseff with Michel Temer. Both right-leaning leaders replaced leftist presidents. (AFP)

Venezuela suspended from South American trade bloc Mercosur

Venezuela&#39;s President Nicolas Maduro on Thursday promised workers a 40 per cent rise in the minimum wage, after opponents seeking to drive him from power called for a general strike.

Speaking on Thursday at a ceremony to inaugurate a social housing project, Maduro added a gesture of appeasement with the wage proposal.

&quot;I decree and will sign a 40 per cent overall rise in workers&#39; legal minimum wage,&quot; he said in a public speech, a day after the opposition staged mass street demonstrations against him.

The socialist leader is resisting growing pressure from the opposition MUD coalition, which blames him for Venezuela&#39;s plunge into economic chaos.

Opposition leaders have sharpened their tone after authorities infuriated them last week by halting procedures to hold a referendum on removing Maduro.

The MUD called a 12-hour general strike for Friday and vowed to march in protest to the presidential palace next week.

Clashes broke out at some of Wednesday&#39;s protests, which drew hundreds of thousands of people. The government said a police officer was killed in the northern state of Miranda.

Three people were shot in the northwestern city of Maracaibo, said Alfredo Romero, head of Venezuelan rights group Foro Penal.

Maduro&#39;s number two Diosdado Cabello warned that any business that shuts for a general strike could be taken &quot;by the workers, and by the armed forces.&quot;

It was unclear to what extent the move would soothe popular anger in Venezuela, where citizens are suffering shortages of food, medicine and basic supplies.

(AFP) 
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After opposition protests, seeking to drive Maduro from power, turned violent the President proposed a pay hike to appease the angry mob

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro on Thursday promised workers a 40 per cent rise in the minimum wage, after opponents seeking to drive him from power called for a general strike. Speaking on Thursday at a ceremony to inaugurate a social housing project, Maduro added a gesture of appeasement with the wage proposal. "I decree and will sign a 40 per cent overall rise in workers' legal minimum wage," he said in a public speech, a day after the opposition staged mass street demonstrations against him. The socialist leader is resisting growing pressure from the opposition MUD coalition, which blames him for Venezuela's plunge into economic chaos. Opposition leaders have sharpened their tone after authorities infuriated them last week by halting procedures to hold a referendum on removing Maduro. The MUD called a 12-hour general strike for Friday and vowed to march in protest to the presidential palace next week. Clashes broke out at some of Wednesday's protests, which drew hundreds of thousands of people. The government said a police officer was killed in the northern state of Miranda. Three people were shot in the northwestern city of Maracaibo, said Alfredo Romero, head of Venezuelan rights group Foro Penal. Maduro's number two Diosdado Cabello warned that any business that shuts for a general strike could be taken "by the workers, and by the armed forces." It was unclear to what extent the move would soothe popular anger in Venezuela, where citizens are suffering shortages of food, medicine and basic supplies. (AFP)

Anti-Maduro protests: Venezuelan President vows 40% pay hike to soothe unrest

Venezuela&#39;s political crisis deepened as the opposition-led national assembly on Tuesday voted to open a political and criminal trial against President Nicolas Maduro for violating democracy.&nbsp;

A majority of lawmakers voted in favour of the motion after Maduro had blocked their drive for a referendum to remove him from power. &quot;We will show clearly to Venezuela and the world that in this crisis, responsibility for breaking the constitution has clearly been Nicolas Maduro&#39;s,&quot; said majority leader Julio Borges.

The national assembly has ordered Maduro to appear at a session next Tuesday - which he will almost certainly refuse to do - and said it would also consider charges of abandoning his duties.

But the socialist government dismissed the move as meaningless, with the government and Supreme Court declaring congress illegitimate.&nbsp;

Refering to the court rulings that measures in the congress are null and void until it removes three lawmakers linked to vote-buying claims, vice-president Aristobulo Isturiz said, &quot;legally, the national assembly does not exist.&quot;&nbsp;

The opposition has accused Maduro of veering into dictatorship by sidelining the referendum. They also hold him accountable for a dire economic crisis in the country.&nbsp;

The opposition had earlier rejected the government claims that the opposition leaders had agreed to hold talks after the Vatican&#39;s intervention.&nbsp;

They have called for nationwide street protests from Wednesday to raise pressure on the Maduro government.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

The congress lawmakers voted on Tuesday to initiate a political and criminal trial against Maduro, who dismissed the vote as illegitimate

Venezuela's political crisis deepened as the opposition-led national assembly on Tuesday voted to open a political and criminal trial against President Nicolas Maduro for violating democracy. A majority of lawmakers voted in favour of the motion after Maduro had blocked their drive for a referendum to remove him from power. "We will show clearly to Venezuela and the world that in this crisis, responsibility for breaking the constitution has clearly been Nicolas Maduro's," said majority leader Julio Borges. The national assembly has ordered Maduro to appear at a session next Tuesday - which he will almost certainly refuse to do - and said it would also consider charges of abandoning his duties. But the socialist government dismissed the move as meaningless, with the government and Supreme Court declaring congress illegitimate. Refering to the court rulings that measures in the congress are null and void until it removes three lawmakers linked to vote-buying claims, vice-president Aristobulo Isturiz said, "legally, the national assembly does not exist." The opposition has accused Maduro of veering into dictatorship by sidelining the referendum. They also hold him accountable for a dire economic crisis in the country. The opposition had earlier rejected the government claims that the opposition leaders had agreed to hold talks after the Vatican's intervention. They have called for nationwide street protests from Wednesday to raise pressure on the Maduro government. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Venezuelan opposition launches trial against President Maduro

Hours after the Vatican announced that the Maduro government and the Venezuelan opposition had agreed on Monday to launch talks this month, a top opposition leader dismissed the claim.&nbsp;

The opposition leader said they did not agree to hold talks with the government&nbsp;after Pope Francis weighed in on the dispute. Henrique Capriles, a top figure in the opposition MUD coalition, said the announcement of talks was a ploy by President Nicolas Maduro to keep resisting the opposition&#39;s efforts to remove him from power.

&quot;What dialogue? No dialogue has been started in Venezuela,&quot; said Henrique Capriles, a senior MUD figure, in an address broadcast online.&nbsp;

The Vatican had intervened to calm tensions in the country after the opposition accused the President of trampling on democracy by blocking a referendum to vote him out of power.&nbsp;&nbsp;However, the opposition said that President Maduro had jumped the gun&nbsp;by announcing the talks before terms had been agreed, with one leader accusing him of &nbsp;taking advantage of the Pope&#39;s &quot;good faith&quot;.&nbsp;

Earlier, the Vatican envoy to Argentina, Emil Paul Tscherring said that both sides had met and agreed to initiate a national dialogue with the purpose of establishing conditions for holding a plenary meeting later this month.&nbsp;

Capriles, however, added that he welcomed the Vatican&#39;s offer to help.

His announcement came after President Maduro received a private audience at the Vatican with Pope Francis. &quot;I thanked him in the name of Venezuela for all the support, so that at last, definitively, a formal dialogue could be started in Venezuela between the opposition and the legitimate Bolivarian government that I lead,&quot; Maduro said in televised comments afterward.

The pope urged both parties &quot;to show courage in pursuing the path of sincere and constructive dialogue, to alleviate the suffering of the people, particularly of the poor, and to promote renewed social cohesion,&quot; a Vatican statement said.&nbsp;

The opposition had vowed mass protests to fight what it called Maduro&#39;s &quot;dictatorship&quot; as it embarked on a new strategy to oust him.&nbsp;

The brewing political tensions in the country have increased the risk of violent unrest in the South American nation that is already dealing with an economic crisis.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Senior opposition leader denied agreeing to hold talks with government, saying it was a ploy to resist efforts to remove Maduro from power

Hours after the Vatican announced that the Maduro government and the Venezuelan opposition had agreed on Monday to launch talks this month, a top opposition leader dismissed the claim. The opposition leader said they did not agree to hold talks with the government after Pope Francis weighed in on the dispute. Henrique Capriles, a top figure in the opposition MUD coalition, said the announcement of talks was a ploy by President Nicolas Maduro to keep resisting the opposition's efforts to remove him from power. "What dialogue? No dialogue has been started in Venezuela," said Henrique Capriles, a senior MUD figure, in an address broadcast online. The Vatican had intervened to calm tensions in the country after the opposition accused the President of trampling on democracy by blocking a referendum to vote him out of power. However, the opposition said that President Maduro had jumped the gun by announcing the talks before terms had been agreed, with one leader accusing him of taking advantage of the Pope's "good faith". Earlier, the Vatican envoy to Argentina, Emil Paul Tscherring said that both sides had met and agreed to initiate a national dialogue with the purpose of establishing conditions for holding a plenary meeting later this month. Capriles, however, added that he welcomed the Vatican's offer to help. His announcement came after President Maduro received a private audience at the Vatican with Pope Francis. "I thanked him in the name of Venezuela for all the support, so that at last, definitively, a formal dialogue could be started in Venezuela between the opposition and the legitimate Bolivarian government that I lead," Maduro said in televised comments afterward. The pope urged both parties "to show courage in pursuing the path of sincere and constructive dialogue, to alleviate the suffering of the people, particularly of the poor, and to promote renewed social cohesion," a Vatican statement said. The opposition had vowed mass protests to fight what it called Maduro's "dictatorship" as it embarked on a new strategy to oust him. The brewing political tensions in the country have increased the risk of violent unrest in the South American nation that is already dealing with an economic crisis. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Venezuela opposition: No talks with Maduro government

Thousands of Venezuelans staged rival demonstrations on Wednesday for and against President Nicolas Maduro in a new test of strength as the opposition pushes for a vote on driving him from power. 
 
A week after a mass protest in the capital Caracas, Maduro opponents rallied near offices of the electoral authorities nationwide, demanding a recall referendum in the crisis-stricken country by the end of the year. 
 
The leftist leader&#39;s supporters held rallies of their own nearby, but the rival demos -- far smaller than last week&#39;s -- went off with no reports of major clashes. 
 
Oil giant Venezuela&#39;s once-booming economy has gone into meltdown as crude prices have crashed since mid-2014. 
 
Outrage is mounting over shortages of food and medicine, threatening Maduro and the socialist &quot;revolution&quot; his late predecessor, Hugo Chavez, launched in 1999. 
 
&quot;We have to do something. Voting and peaceful protest are the only weapons we have,&quot; said Rosmina Castillo, 52, demonstrating against Maduro in the town of Los Teques, just southwest of the capital. 
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She was among a crowd of some 1,500 opposition protesters who gathered a block away from roughly the same number of Maduro supporters. A metal barrier and lines of police kept them apart. 
 
&quot;We&#39;re here defending the revolution against an attack by this unpatriotic right,&quot; said state oil company employee Alexander Rangel at a pro-government demo in Caracas. 
 
The protests&#39; target, the electoral authorities&#39; 24 regional offices, were closed and tightly guarded by police. 
 
&nbsp;&#39;Coup-mongering&#39;&nbsp; 
 
Maduro accuses his opponents of plotting protest violence in a bid to oust him. 
 
&quot;No one will bring fascist violence to Venezuela, nor coup-mongering, nor hate,&quot; he told a crowd of supporters on Wednesday. 
 
The center-right opposition, for its part, accuses the government of waging an authoritarian crackdown. 
 
Dozens of protesters were arrested in the aftermath of last Thursday&#39;s rally, human rights groups say. 
 
The opposition says around one million people flooded the streets of Caracas that day, the biggest protest in decades. Maduro put the turnout at a maximum of 30,000 people. 
 
But the massive crowds, dressed in white and venting months of pent-up anger, gave the opposition new momentum. 
 
&quot;The opposition&#39;s roadmap is to try to keep people participating,&quot; political analyst Luis Vicente Leon said. &quot;The challenge is to stay active and peaceful in the street while pushing a referendum.&quot; 
 
War of words&nbsp; 
 
Long lines and bare supermarket shelves have become the norm in Venezuela, where inflation is forecast to top 700 per cent this year. 
 
Outbreaks of looting have erupted and violent crime is festering. 
 
Maduro blames the crisis on an &quot;economic war&quot; by Venezuelan elites backed by &quot;American imperialism.&quot; 
 
Although the opposition has won control of the legislature, it has been hamstrung by a Supreme Court it condemns as loyal to Maduro.
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If Maduro loses a recall vote before January 10 -- as opinion polls predict he would -- it would trigger new elections. After that date, he would simply hand power to his hand-picked vice president. 
 
Maduro&#39;s number two, Diosdado Cabello, vowed there was &quot;no chance&quot; of the recall referendum taking place this year. 
 
&quot;We demand the constitution be respected. We have the right to a referendum,&quot; fired back Jesus Torrealba, spokesman for the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD). 
 
Cracks in Maduro camp&nbsp; 
 
In the next stage of the referendum process, the opposition must gather four million signatures within three days. 
 
The electoral authorities are due to announce the dates for that petition next Tuesday. 
 
The opposition has called for a full 24 hours of protests the following day. 
 
&quot;They are pushing the people&#39;s patience,&quot; senior opposition figure Henrique Capriles said of Maduro&#39;s side. 
 
&quot;What will happen if they keep pushing? A social explosion.&quot; 
 
Maduro meanwhile faces growing pressure within his own camp. 
 
Former Chavez minister Ana Elisa Osorio, once a steadfast ally, told AFP this week that recent events show Maduro is &quot;not up to the job.&quot; 
 
Crucially, however, the embattled president has so far maintained the backing of the security forces. 
 
Seeking to contain the crisis, he has given the army vast powers over food distribution, and on Wednesday announced a new $25-million spending program for arms and equipment for the national police force. 
 
(AFP)

President Nicholas Maduro has accused his opponents of plotting protest violence in a bid to oust him

Thousands of Venezuelans staged rival demonstrations on Wednesday for and against President Nicolas Maduro in a new test of strength as the opposition pushes for a vote on driving him from power. A week after a mass protest in the capital Caracas, Maduro opponents rallied near offices of the electoral authorities nationwide, demanding a recall referendum in the crisis-stricken country by the end of the year. The leftist leader's supporters held rallies of their own nearby, but the rival demos -- far smaller than last week's -- went off with no reports of major clashes. Oil giant Venezuela's once-booming economy has gone into meltdown as crude prices have crashed since mid-2014. Outrage is mounting over shortages of food and medicine, threatening Maduro and the socialist "revolution" his late predecessor, Hugo Chavez, launched in 1999. "We have to do something. Voting and peaceful protest are the only weapons we have," said Rosmina Castillo, 52, demonstrating against Maduro in the town of Los Teques, just southwest of the capital. Outrage is mounting over shortages of food and medicine, threatening Maduro and the socialist "revolution" his late predecessor, Hugo Chavez, launched in 1999. She was among a crowd of some 1,500 opposition protesters who gathered a block away from roughly the same number of Maduro supporters. A metal barrier and lines of police kept them apart. "We're here defending the revolution against an attack by this unpatriotic right," said state oil company employee Alexander Rangel at a pro-government demo in Caracas. The protests' target, the electoral authorities' 24 regional offices, were closed and tightly guarded by police. 'Coup-mongering' Maduro accuses his opponents of plotting protest violence in a bid to oust him. "No one will bring fascist violence to Venezuela, nor coup-mongering, nor hate," he told a crowd of supporters on Wednesday. The center-right opposition, for its part, accuses the government of waging an authoritarian crackdown. Dozens of protesters were arrested in the aftermath of last Thursday's rally, human rights groups say. The opposition says around one million people flooded the streets of Caracas that day, the biggest protest in decades. Maduro put the turnout at a maximum of 30,000 people. But the massive crowds, dressed in white and venting months of pent-up anger, gave the opposition new momentum. "The opposition's roadmap is to try to keep people participating," political analyst Luis Vicente Leon said. "The challenge is to stay active and peaceful in the street while pushing a referendum." War of words Long lines and bare supermarket shelves have become the norm in Venezuela, where inflation is forecast to top 700 per cent this year. Outbreaks of looting have erupted and violent crime is festering. Maduro blames the crisis on an "economic war" by Venezuelan elites backed by "American imperialism." Although the opposition has won control of the legislature, it has been hamstrung by a Supreme Court it condemns as loyal to Maduro. Although the opposition has won control of the legislature, it has been hamstrung by a Supreme Court it condemns as loyal to Maduro. If Maduro loses a recall vote before January 10 -- as opinion polls predict he would -- it would trigger new elections. After that date, he would simply hand power to his hand-picked vice president. Maduro's number two, Diosdado Cabello, vowed there was "no chance" of the recall referendum taking place this year. "We demand the constitution be respected. We have the right to a referendum," fired back Jesus Torrealba, spokesman for the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD). Cracks in Maduro camp In the next stage of the referendum process, the opposition must gather four million signatures within three days. The electoral authorities are due to announce the dates for that petition next Tuesday. The opposition has called for a full 24 hours of protests the following day. "They are pushing the people's patience," senior opposition figure Henrique Capriles said of Maduro's side. "What will happen if they keep pushing? A social explosion." Maduro meanwhile faces growing pressure within his own camp. Former Chavez minister Ana Elisa Osorio, once a steadfast ally, told AFP this week that recent events show Maduro is "not up to the job." Crucially, however, the embattled president has so far maintained the backing of the security forces. Seeking to contain the crisis, he has given the army vast powers over food distribution, and on Wednesday announced a new $25-million spending program for arms and equipment for the national police force. (AFP)

Venezuelans demand referendum, Maduro hard-pressed

Opponents of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro claimed to have mobilised a million demonstrators on Thursday in the biggest rally in decades, vowing weekly mass protests to demand a referendum on ousting him from power. Protesters took to the street to demonstrate against&nbsp;food and medicine shortages 
 
Hundreds of policemen were deployed to keep anti-government protesters apart from Maduro&#39;s supporters, who vowed to defend his &quot;socialist revolution.&quot; 
 
The rallies raised fears of violence in the oil-rich South American state, where anti-government protests in 2014 led to clashes with police that left 43 people dead. 
 
The leader of the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable, Jesus Torrealba, told AFP it was the &quot;biggest rally in recent decades&quot; with &quot;between 950,000 and 1.1 million people&quot; taking part. 
 
Demonstrators dressed in white marched in the east of the capital, yelling &quot;Venezuela is hungry&quot; and &quot;This government is going to fall.&quot; 
 
&quot;We either come out to march or we will die of hunger. We are no longer afraid of the government,&quot; said one demonstrator, Ana Gonzalez, 53. 
 
The rallies come at a highly volatile time for Venezuela, where a plunge in prices for oil exports has led to shortages, violent crime and outbreaks of looting. 
 
&quot;This is a historic march. Today begins a definitive stage in this struggle,&quot; Torrealba said. 
 
&#39;People&#39; for Maduro 
 
Thousands of Maduro supporters in red T-shirts and caps meanwhile rallied in the central Plaza Bolivar yelling to their leader: &quot;The people are with you.&quot; 
 
Maduro estimated his supporters&#39; turnout at up to 30,000. 
 
&quot;Today we have defeated a coup d&#39;etat,&quot; he told the crowd. &quot;They have failed once again. The victory is ours.&quot; 
 
The opposition blames Maduro for the economic crisis and wants a referendum on removing him from power. He has branded the effort a right-wing &quot;coup.&quot; 
 
&quot;We are here at the call of our president, to defend the revolution,&quot; said 37-year-old housewife Carolina Aponte at the pro-government rally. 
 
The authorities arrested three opposition leaders in the days ahead of the march. Senior opposition figure Henrique Capriles said on Thursday that two mayors had also been arrested. 
 
Thursday&#39;s marches remained mostly peaceful, finishing in the mid-afternoon, but isolated clashes between demonstrators and security officers did occur, with some violent incidents reported in other cities. 
 
After the protest, state security agents fired tear gas against protestors who tried to block the main highway of the city after a group of masked men threw stones at some officers. 
 
Opposition leaders and human rights organizations also reported outbreaks of violence in Maracay and San Cristobal. 
 
The MUD said in a statement it would hold two further nationwide demonstrations: at electoral offices on September 7, and a &quot;national mobilization day&quot; on September 14. 
 
Referendum drive 
 
The referendum&#39;s timing lies at the heart of the battle. 
 
If it takes place before January 10 and Maduro loses, new elections must be held. If he loses in a recall after that date, he would simply hand power to his hand-picked vice president. 
 
Maduro said Thursday he had prepared a decree to strip lawmakers in the National Assembly of their immunity. He accused the opposition speaker of the legislature, Henry Ramos Allup, of inciting violence. 
 
The opposition &quot;cannot be intimidated,&quot; Ramos retorted. 
 
&quot;President Maduro, look at all these people who have poured into the streets of Caracas,&quot; he said. 
 
The polling firm Venebarometro says 64 percent of the electorate would vote against Maduro. A study by another pollster, Datanalisis, indicated eight out of 10 Venezuelans want a change of government. 
 
Maduro blames the crisis on the collapse of oil prices and an &quot;economic war&quot; by businesses backed by US &quot;imperialism.&quot; 
 
He faces deep public discontent over shortages of basic goods and an inflation rate projected to hit 720 percent this year. 
 
(AFP)

They have vowed weekly mass protests to demand a referendum on ousting him from power

Opponents of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro claimed to have mobilised a million demonstrators on Thursday in the biggest rally in decades, vowing weekly mass protests to demand a referendum on ousting him from power. Protesters took to the street to demonstrate against food and medicine shortages Hundreds of policemen were deployed to keep anti-government protesters apart from Maduro's supporters, who vowed to defend his "socialist revolution." The rallies raised fears of violence in the oil-rich South American state, where anti-government protests in 2014 led to clashes with police that left 43 people dead. The leader of the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable, Jesus Torrealba, told AFP it was the "biggest rally in recent decades" with "between 950,000 and 1.1 million people" taking part. Demonstrators dressed in white marched in the east of the capital, yelling "Venezuela is hungry" and "This government is going to fall." "We either come out to march or we will die of hunger. We are no longer afraid of the government," said one demonstrator, Ana Gonzalez, 53. The rallies come at a highly volatile time for Venezuela, where a plunge in prices for oil exports has led to shortages, violent crime and outbreaks of looting. "This is a historic march. Today begins a definitive stage in this struggle," Torrealba said. 'People' for Maduro Thousands of Maduro supporters in red T-shirts and caps meanwhile rallied in the central Plaza Bolivar yelling to their leader: "The people are with you." Maduro estimated his supporters' turnout at up to 30,000. "Today we have defeated a coup d'etat," he told the crowd. "They have failed once again. The victory is ours." The opposition blames Maduro for the economic crisis and wants a referendum on removing him from power. He has branded the effort a right-wing "coup." "We are here at the call of our president, to defend the revolution," said 37-year-old housewife Carolina Aponte at the pro-government rally. The authorities arrested three opposition leaders in the days ahead of the march. Senior opposition figure Henrique Capriles said on Thursday that two mayors had also been arrested. Thursday's marches remained mostly peaceful, finishing in the mid-afternoon, but isolated clashes between demonstrators and security officers did occur, with some violent incidents reported in other cities. After the protest, state security agents fired tear gas against protestors who tried to block the main highway of the city after a group of masked men threw stones at some officers. Opposition leaders and human rights organizations also reported outbreaks of violence in Maracay and San Cristobal. The MUD said in a statement it would hold two further nationwide demonstrations: at electoral offices on September 7, and a "national mobilization day" on September 14. Referendum drive The referendum's timing lies at the heart of the battle. If it takes place before January 10 and Maduro loses, new elections must be held. If he loses in a recall after that date, he would simply hand power to his hand-picked vice president. Maduro said Thursday he had prepared a decree to strip lawmakers in the National Assembly of their immunity. He accused the opposition speaker of the legislature, Henry Ramos Allup, of inciting violence. The opposition "cannot be intimidated," Ramos retorted. "President Maduro, look at all these people who have poured into the streets of Caracas," he said. The polling firm Venebarometro says 64 percent of the electorate would vote against Maduro. A study by another pollster, Datanalisis, indicated eight out of 10 Venezuelans want a change of government. Maduro blames the crisis on the collapse of oil prices and an "economic war" by businesses backed by US "imperialism." He faces deep public discontent over shortages of basic goods and an inflation rate projected to hit 720 percent this year. (AFP)

'Million' demonstrators rally against Venezuela President Maduro

The Roman Catholic Church may soon join Ibero-American leaders seeking dialogue between Venezuela&#39;s feuding government and opposition, the head of a regional bloc said on Thursday.

&quot;I think it&#39;s good news this petition has been accepted by both sides. It will enrich us spiritually and, hopefully, politically,&quot; said former Colombian president Ernesto Samper, who heads the UNASUR bloc of South American states.

With Venezuela enduring an unprecedented economic crisis, President Nicolas Maduro&#39;s socialist government is locked in a bitter standoff with the Democratic Unity opposition coalition.

The opposition won control of the legislature in 2015 and is pushing for a recall referendum this year to try and remove Maduro, whom they blame for Venezuela&#39;s runaway inflation, product shortages and third year of recession.

But Maduro, 53, the former bus driver who won election to succeed Hugo Chavez in 2013, accuses them of planning a coup and says the referendum will not happen. The government-leaning Supreme Court has shot down most of the legislature&#39;s measures.

Union of South American Nations&#39;&nbsp;(UNASUR)&nbsp;Samper, and three other former heads of state - Spain&#39;s Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Panama&#39;s Martin Torrijos and the Dominican Republic&#39;s Leonel Fernandez - have for weeks been trying to bring both sides to the negotiating table.

But the rhetoric remains bitter, and various opposition leaders say Maduro&#39;s public exhortations to support dialogue are a cynical attempt to buy time and cling to power.

The opposition is suspicious of UNASUR and had been requesting a widening of potential mediators, including the&nbsp;Vatican. Pope Francis played a key role in facilitating Cuba and the United States&#39; recent rapprochement, and the Church has said it is willing to help in Venezuela&#39;s crisis. 
 
Local church leaders have been extremely critical of Maduro. Democratic Unity head Jesus Torrealba said the coalition would respond to Samper&#39;s invitation to dialogue at the weekend.

But he added that the opposition maintained its condition for talks: a recall referendum this year, permission for international humanitarian aid to Venezuela, the freeing of jailed government opponents, and respect for the legislature.

While critics blame failed socialist economic policies for the OPEC nation&#39;s economic woes, Maduro points to the fall in oil prices, along with an &quot;economic war&quot; led by domestic opponents and businesses with the backing of Washington.

Maduro, who met with Samper and the other former leaders on Thursday, said &quot;the path was opening ... for a political dialogue about all Venezuelans&#39; fundamental issues.&quot; 
 
(Reuters)

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With Venezuela in?economic crisis,?President?Maduro's socialist government is locked in a standoff with the Democratic Unity?coalition

The Roman Catholic Church may soon join Ibero-American leaders seeking dialogue between Venezuela's feuding government and opposition, the head of a regional bloc said on Thursday. "I think it's good news this petition has been accepted by both sides. It will enrich us spiritually and, hopefully, politically," said former Colombian president Ernesto Samper, who heads the UNASUR bloc of South American states. With Venezuela enduring an unprecedented economic crisis, President Nicolas Maduro's socialist government is locked in a bitter standoff with the Democratic Unity opposition coalition. The opposition won control of the legislature in 2015 and is pushing for a recall referendum this year to try and remove Maduro, whom they blame for Venezuela's runaway inflation, product shortages and third year of recession. But Maduro, 53, the former bus driver who won election to succeed Hugo Chavez in 2013, accuses them of planning a coup and says the referendum will not happen. The government-leaning Supreme Court has shot down most of the legislature's measures. Union of South American Nations' (UNASUR) Samper, and three other former heads of state - Spain's Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Panama's Martin Torrijos and the Dominican Republic's Leonel Fernandez - have for weeks been trying to bring both sides to the negotiating table. But the rhetoric remains bitter, and various opposition leaders say Maduro's public exhortations to support dialogue are a cynical attempt to buy time and cling to power. The opposition is suspicious of UNASUR and had been requesting a widening of potential mediators, including the Vatican. Pope Francis played a key role in facilitating Cuba and the United States' recent rapprochement, and the Church has said it is willing to help in Venezuela's crisis. Local church leaders have been extremely critical of Maduro. Democratic Unity head Jesus Torrealba said the coalition would respond to Samper's invitation to dialogue at the weekend. But he added that the opposition maintained its condition for talks: a recall referendum this year, permission for international humanitarian aid to Venezuela, the freeing of jailed government opponents, and respect for the legislature. While critics blame failed socialist economic policies for the OPEC nation's economic woes, Maduro points to the fall in oil prices, along with an "economic war" led by domestic opponents and businesses with the backing of Washington. Maduro, who met with Samper and the other former leaders on Thursday, said "the path was opening ... for a political dialogue about all Venezuelans' fundamental issues." (Reuters)

Vatican invited to mediate in Venezuela crisis

Trinidad and Tobago sent approximately 68 tonnes of food and commodities to crisis-hit Venezuela Thursday, with hundreds more tonnes set to arrive in the coming days, a Venezuelan official said. 
 
Venezuela, which is enduring severe shortages of food and other basic commodities, will receive 600 tonnes of goods from Trinidad and Tobago under a trade agreement. 
 
The embattled South American country is grappling with an economic crisis prompted by the plunge in prices for its crucial oil exports. 
 
The country&#39;s opposition is meanwhile seeking to remove President Nicolas Maduro from office with a referendum he is resisting. 
 
Maduro&#39;s critics blame his economic management for the country&#39;s woes and denounce the jailing of his political opponents. 
 
Two Venezuelan military aircraft made two trips Thursday carrying chicken, rice, pasta, tomato sauce, mayonnaise and toilet paper to the country. 
 
Venezuela&#39;s deputy minister of domestic trade, Renier Urbaez, oversaw the shipment. 
 
The goods were flown from Trinidad and Tobago&#39;s Piarco International Airport to nearby Sucre state in northern Venezuela, he said. 
 
The Venezuelan government will transport approximately 170 more tonnes of food in the next three days, while the rest will be sent to other states by sea beginning next week. 
 
The goods will be sold at subsidized prices through a state-owned company, Urbaez said. 
 
The country&#39;s food crisis erupted into deadly looting last week. 
 
At least five people were killed and more than 400 arrested, the authorities said. 
 
(AFP)

Surge in food and basic commodities comes after last week's deadly looting that saw 5 dead and 400 arrested

Trinidad and Tobago sent approximately 68 tonnes of food and commodities to crisis-hit Venezuela Thursday, with hundreds more tonnes set to arrive in the coming days, a Venezuelan official said. Venezuela, which is enduring severe shortages of food and other basic commodities, will receive 600 tonnes of goods from Trinidad and Tobago under a trade agreement. The embattled South American country is grappling with an economic crisis prompted by the plunge in prices for its crucial oil exports. The country's opposition is meanwhile seeking to remove President Nicolas Maduro from office with a referendum he is resisting. Maduro's critics blame his economic management for the country's woes and denounce the jailing of his political opponents. Two Venezuelan military aircraft made two trips Thursday carrying chicken, rice, pasta, tomato sauce, mayonnaise and toilet paper to the country. Venezuela's deputy minister of domestic trade, Renier Urbaez, oversaw the shipment. The goods were flown from Trinidad and Tobago's Piarco International Airport to nearby Sucre state in northern Venezuela, he said. The Venezuelan government will transport approximately 170 more tonnes of food in the next three days, while the rest will be sent to other states by sea beginning next week. The goods will be sold at subsidized prices through a state-owned company, Urbaez said. The country's food crisis erupted into deadly looting last week. At least five people were killed and more than 400 arrested, the authorities said. (AFP)

Massive food imports to arrive in crisis-hit Venezuela