<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-guaido-calls-for-largest-march-in-history-to-oust-maduro-211962">Venezuela's government</a> announced on Monday two marches to counter the ones opposition leader Juan Guaido has planned.

The street demonstrations in favour of President Nicolas Maduro will take place on Saturday, and May 1, Labor Day.

Saturday's event will also mark Venezuela's official exit from the Organization of American States, two years after Maduro made the decision to leave the bloc, accusing it of being part of a US campaign to "intervene" in Venezuela.

"We want to summon our members to two great demonstrations," said Hector Rodriguez, a leader of Maduro's United Socialist Party in Venezuela (PSUV).

"We summon the whole chavista population to mobilize and celebrate the definitive exit from this area of US domination and subordination," he added, referring to supporters of the late president and Maduro's predecessor Hugo Chavez.

The government's announcement comes three days after Guaido revealed his plans for events on those two dates, including what he said would be "the biggest demonstration in this country's history" on May 1 to demand the end of Maduro's "usurpation."

Guaido, 35, and the National Assembly have branded Maduro a "usurper" over his controversial re-election last year in polls widely viewed as rigged.

The National Assembly head launched a challenge to Maduro's authority in January, declaring himself acting president, quickly receiving the backing of more than 50 countries including the United States.

The government's announcement is in line with its recent policy of calling a counter-demonstration every time Guaido plans a protest of his own.

Venezuela's government announced on Monday two marches to counter the ones opposition leader Juan Guaido has planned. The street demonstrations in favour of President Nicolas Maduro will take place on Saturday, and May 1, Labor Day.

Venezuela's government announced on Monday two marches to counter the ones opposition leader Juan Guaido has planned. The street demonstrations in favour of President Nicolas Maduro will take place on Saturday, and May 1, Labor Day. Saturday's event will also mark Venezuela's official exit from the Organization of American States, two years after Maduro made the decision to leave the bloc, accusing it of being part of a US campaign to "intervene" in Venezuela. "We want to summon our members to two great demonstrations," said Hector Rodriguez, a leader of Maduro's United Socialist Party in Venezuela (PSUV). "We summon the whole chavista population to mobilize and celebrate the definitive exit from this area of US domination and subordination," he added, referring to supporters of the late president and Maduro's predecessor Hugo Chavez. The government's announcement comes three days after Guaido revealed his plans for events on those two dates, including what he said would be "the biggest demonstration in this country's history" on May 1 to demand the end of Maduro's "usurpation." Guaido, 35, and the National Assembly have branded Maduro a "usurper" over his controversial re-election last year in polls widely viewed as rigged. The National Assembly head launched a challenge to Maduro's authority in January, declaring himself acting president, quickly receiving the backing of more than 50 countries including the United States. The government's announcement is in line with its recent policy of calling a counter-demonstration every time Guaido plans a protest of his own.

Venezuela government calls two new counter protests

Venezuelan opposition leader <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/juan-guaido-nicolas-maduro-rallies-set-as-venezuela-struggles-with-blackout-202146&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiLzNeI6t3hAhUMinAKHUJ2AJEQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw16PYQz61BliBWay1xIaTVu">Juan Guaido</a> on Friday called on supporters to take to the streets on May 1 for what he called "the largest march in the history" of the South American country to keep the pressure on President <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-guaido-tells-nicolas-maduro-pressure-just-beginning-calls-for-civic-strike-201425&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiLzNeI6t3hAhUMinAKHUJ2AJEQFggLMAI&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0Ak9mHVKs2pflzw8xVlWEP">Nicolas Maduro</a> to leave power.

Guaido, the head of the opposition-controlled National Assembly who in January invoked the constitution to assume an interim presidency on the basis that Maduro's 2018 re-election was illegitimate, reiterated his call for the country's armed forces to take his side in the three-month power struggle.

"They will need to listen to the people saying: enough," Guaido told a crowd gathered at a plaza in eastern Caracas, setting the date for the march for May 1, International Workers' Day.

"We call on all the people to join in the largest march in the history of Venezuela to demand the end to the usurpation so this tragedy can end."

Guaido has been recognized by the United States and most Western nations as the South American country's rightful leader. The oil-rich country is in the sixth year of recession, marked by hyperinflation and shortages of basic goods that have prompted more than three million to emigrate.

Maduro calls Guaido a US puppet seeking to oust him in a coup and blames the country's economic woes on a US-led "economic war." His ruling socialist party has frequently responded to Guaido's calls for protests over the past few months with simultaneous marches of their own.

Guaido did not specify the final destination of the May 1 demonstration. But some in attendance on Friday called out suggestions that they march on the Miraflores presidential palace.

"He is not alone," said Aleida Vargas, a 58-year-old retired teacher who attended the opposition rally on Friday. "Each day we are moving forward, and there is no turning back. It might not happen tomorrow, but it will be soon."

Despite Guaido's offers of amnesty to members of the military who facilitate a transition, Maduro remains in control of the armed forces and the day-to-day functions of government.

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido on Friday called on supporters to take to the streets on May 1 for what he called "the largest march in the history" of the South American country to keep the pressure on President Nicolas Maduro to leave power.

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido on Friday called on supporters to take to the streets on May 1 for what he called "the largest march in the history" of the South American country to keep the pressure on President Nicolas Maduro to leave power. Guaido, the head of the opposition-controlled National Assembly who in January invoked the constitution to assume an interim presidency on the basis that Maduro's 2018 re-election was illegitimate, reiterated his call for the country's armed forces to take his side in the three-month power struggle. "They will need to listen to the people saying: enough," Guaido told a crowd gathered at a plaza in eastern Caracas, setting the date for the march for May 1, International Workers' Day. "We call on all the people to join in the largest march in the history of Venezuela to demand the end to the usurpation so this tragedy can end." Guaido has been recognized by the United States and most Western nations as the South American country's rightful leader. The oil-rich country is in the sixth year of recession, marked by hyperinflation and shortages of basic goods that have prompted more than three million to emigrate. Maduro calls Guaido a US puppet seeking to oust him in a coup and blames the country's economic woes on a US-led "economic war." His ruling socialist party has frequently responded to Guaido's calls for protests over the past few months with simultaneous marches of their own. Guaido did not specify the final destination of the May 1 demonstration. But some in attendance on Friday called out suggestions that they march on the Miraflores presidential palace. "He is not alone," said Aleida Vargas, a 58-year-old retired teacher who attended the opposition rally on Friday. "Each day we are moving forward, and there is no turning back. It might not happen tomorrow, but it will be soon." Despite Guaido's offers of amnesty to members of the military who facilitate a transition, Maduro remains in control of the armed forces and the day-to-day functions of government.

Venezuela's opposition leader Guaido calls for 'largest march in history' to oust Maduro

Surrounded by vultures perched on trees awaiting their turn, Venezuelan migrants scrape out a living scavenging for metal, plastic, cardboard and food in a Brazilian border town's rubbish dump.

Trapped in a wasteland limbo, they barely make enough to feed their families and cannot afford a bus ticket to get away and find regular work in Brazilian cities to the south.

They blame leftist President Nicolas Maduro for mismanaging their oil-producing nation's economy and causing the deep crisis that has driven several million Venezuelans to emigrate across Latin America.

"I left because I was dying of hunger. We are trying to get ahead looking through this rubbish. Every night I pray to God to take me out of here," said Rosemary Tovar, a 23-year-old mother from Caracas.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/guaido-says-regime-has-run-out-of-rhetoric-as-red-cross-aid-arrives-in-venezuela-211051">Guaido says 'regime has run out of rhetoric' as Red Cross aid arrives in Venezuela</a>

Tens of thousands of Venezuelans have fled the political and economic upheaval in their country through Pacaraima, the only road crossing to Brazil, overloading social services and causing tension in the northern border state of Roraima. More than 40,000 Venezuelans have swollen the population of state capital Boa Vista by 11 per cent, Mayor Tereza Surita told Reuters.

The influx has also been a headache for Brazil's new, far-right government of President Jair Bolsonaro, who has so far resisted US pressure to take a more forceful attitude against Maduro. About 3.7 million people have left Venezuela in recent years, mostly via its western neighbour Colombia, according to the World Bank.

A dozen Venezuelans scramble to grab bags of rubbish that tumble from the Pacaraima trash truck twice a day. They then sift through the piles as fetid plumes of smoke rise from the smouldering landfill. Sometimes they scavenge at night using headlamps.

"We are looking for copper and cans, and hopefully something valuable, even food," said Astrid Prado, who is eight months pregnant. "My goal is to get out of here. Nobody wants to spend their life going through garbage."

Charly Sanchez, 42, arrived in Brazil a year ago and has not been able to get to Boa Vista to get his work papers so that he can find employment.

"We live off this. We make enough to buy rice, maybe some sausage, but not enough to buy a ticket to Boa Vista," he said.

Copper pays best, 13 reais ($3.30) a kilo, but it takes Sanchez a whole week to gather that much "wire by wire."

On a lucky day he said he had found a discarded cellphone, but not today. Some spaghetti, a small jar of sugar and a bit of cooking oil was Sanchez's pickings for the day.

Samuel Esteban, using a breathing mask for the smoke, stuffed cardboard into a large sack. For 50 kilos he will earn five reais, one third of the minimum monthly wage in Venezuela but just enough to buy a litre of milk in Brazil and some bread.

Tovar criticized Maduro for denying that Venezuela is facing a humanitarian crisis.

"He is so wrong. Look at us here in this dump," she said. "If Maduro does not leave Venezuela, I will never return there."

Surrounded by vultures perched on trees awaiting their turn, Venezuelan migrants scrape out a living scavenging for metal, plastic, cardboard and food in a Brazilian border town's rubbish dump.

Surrounded by vultures perched on trees awaiting their turn, Venezuelan migrants scrape out a living scavenging for metal, plastic, cardboard and food in a Brazilian border town's rubbish dump. Trapped in a wasteland limbo, they barely make enough to feed their families and cannot afford a bus ticket to get away and find regular work in Brazilian cities to the south. They blame leftist President Nicolas Maduro for mismanaging their oil-producing nation's economy and causing the deep crisis that has driven several million Venezuelans to emigrate across Latin America. "I left because I was dying of hunger. We are trying to get ahead looking through this rubbish. Every night I pray to God to take me out of here," said Rosemary Tovar, a 23-year-old mother from Caracas. Guaido says 'regime has run out of rhetoric' as Red Cross aid arrives in Venezuela Tens of thousands of Venezuelans have fled the political and economic upheaval in their country through Pacaraima, the only road crossing to Brazil, overloading social services and causing tension in the northern border state of Roraima. More than 40,000 Venezuelans have swollen the population of state capital Boa Vista by 11 per cent, Mayor Tereza Surita told Reuters. The influx has also been a headache for Brazil's new, far-right government of President Jair Bolsonaro, who has so far resisted US pressure to take a more forceful attitude against Maduro. About 3.7 million people have left Venezuela in recent years, mostly via its western neighbour Colombia, according to the World Bank. A dozen Venezuelans scramble to grab bags of rubbish that tumble from the Pacaraima trash truck twice a day. They then sift through the piles as fetid plumes of smoke rise from the smouldering landfill. Sometimes they scavenge at night using headlamps. "We are looking for copper and cans, and hopefully something valuable, even food," said Astrid Prado, who is eight months pregnant. "My goal is to get out of here. Nobody wants to spend their life going through garbage." Charly Sanchez, 42, arrived in Brazil a year ago and has not been able to get to Boa Vista to get his work papers so that he can find employment. "We live off this. We make enough to buy rice, maybe some sausage, but not enough to buy a ticket to Boa Vista," he said. Copper pays best, 13 reais ($3.30) a kilo, but it takes Sanchez a whole week to gather that much "wire by wire." On a lucky day he said he had found a discarded cellphone, but not today. Some spaghetti, a small jar of sugar and a bit of cooking oil was Sanchez's pickings for the day. Samuel Esteban, using a breathing mask for the smoke, stuffed cardboard into a large sack. For 50 kilos he will earn five reais, one third of the minimum monthly wage in Venezuela but just enough to buy a litre of milk in Brazil and some bread. Tovar criticized Maduro for denying that Venezuela is facing a humanitarian crisis. "He is so wrong. Look at us here in this dump," she said. "If Maduro does not leave Venezuela, I will never return there."

Venezuelan scavengers vie with vultures for Brazilian trash

Opposition leader Juan Guaido hailed a victory as the first shipment of humanitarian aid from the Red Cross arrived in the once-prosperous, oil-rich country on Tuesday.

The delivery came after an about-face by President Nicolas Maduro, who last week said his socialist government had reached an agreement with the Red Cross to bring aid. Maduro had blocked previous efforts to deliver assistance and has denied the existence of a humanitarian crisis.

There was little hope that the shipment - intended to help hospitals cope with shortages of equipment and frequent power outages - would be anything more than a palliative measure for Venezuela, where over three million people have fled the chaos of hyperinflation and chronic shortages of food and medicine.

Venezuela was plunged into a political deadlock in January, when Juan Guaido, the leader of the opposition-controlled National Assembly invoked the country's constitution to assume an interim presidency, arguing Maduro's 2018 re-election was illegitimate.

Opposition leader Juan Guaido hailed a victory as the first shipment of humanitarian aid from the Red Cross arrived in the once-prosperous, oil-rich country on Tuesday.

Opposition leader Juan Guaido hailed a victory as the first shipment of humanitarian aid from the Red Cross arrived in the once-prosperous, oil-rich country on Tuesday. The delivery came after an about-face by President Nicolas Maduro, who last week said his socialist government had reached an agreement with the Red Cross to bring aid. Maduro had blocked previous efforts to deliver assistance and has denied the existence of a humanitarian crisis. There was little hope that the shipment - intended to help hospitals cope with shortages of equipment and frequent power outages - would be anything more than a palliative measure for Venezuela, where over three million people have fled the chaos of hyperinflation and chronic shortages of food and medicine. Venezuela was plunged into a political deadlock in January, when Juan Guaido, the leader of the opposition-controlled National Assembly invoked the country's constitution to assume an interim presidency, arguing Maduro's 2018 re-election was illegitimate.

Guaido says 'regime has run out of rhetoric' as Red Cross aid arrives in Venezuela

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo landed in the city of Cucuta, Colombia on Sunday where he met with Colombian President Ivan Duque as part of a tour to shore up regional support for President Donald Trump's hard line stance against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Mike Pompeo visits Venezuelan border with Colombian President Duque

The United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he believes the fall of Nicolás Maduro's regime in Venezuela was closer by the day and reiterated his opposition to Russian and Cuban support for the leftist president during an interview with Spanish news agency Efe near the Venezuelan border.&nbsp;

The US' top diplomat spoke with Efe near the Tiendita international border bridge on the outskirts of the northeastern Colombian city of Cúcuta, which has witnessed a mass influx of migrants escaping the ongoing humanitarian and socio-economic crisis in oil-rich Venezuela.&nbsp;

Both the Tiendita bridge and the nearby Simón Bolivar bridge, were the scene of recent tensions and sporadic clashes after Maduro blocked off access to US-provided humanitarian aid stockpiled on the Colombian side of the border.

Capping off a tour of four South American countries – Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and Colombia – Pompeo braved the torrential rain that welcomed him off the plane from Lima, to visit a centre for Venezuelan migrants and meet with Colombian President Ivan Duque.

Question: Mr Secretary, after your visit to the border, do you think that the fall of Maduro is getting closer? And what do you think about what you saw on the Simón Bolivar bridge?

Pompeo: It was really quite something today to see, we visited one of the migration centres, we got to talk to some of the children, some of the families that fled horrible conditions that had been imposed on them by Maduro and his military thugs.

It was really quite something to get a chance to talk to them and hear what their lives were before and then how bad they've gotten under Maduro. To your first question, yes, I think every minute, every hour is one step closer to Maduro leaving, all the Venezuelan people want is democracy restored, a chance to live, to work, to be with their families and Maduro is denying them that. The Russians are no help, the Cubans are worse; I hope there'll be a change soon.

Question: Does the US have a plan to counter the growing presence of both Russia and Cuba in Venezuela?

Pompeo: The Russians are responsible for allowing Maduro to stay in power. The Cubans even more so, they've been there longer, they're more deeply committed. How the Cuban government can watch the faces of these people, to watch their starvation when there's food in the building in which we're sitting, see the kids not get medicine, vaccines, when there's medicine sitting right here in this building. How the Cubans and Russians permit that to happen is beyond me just as a human being, and the United States is committed to restoring democracy in Venezuela.

Question: Is the White House intensifying the blockade on Cuba as the government in Havana claims?

Pompeo: We need the Cubans to stop supporting that murderous tyrant Nicolaás Maduro; that's our goal, that's our objective. We are going to use the tools that we have available to create a setup so that the Cubans will see – the Cuban people will see that it's not in their best interest to control Venezuela and to keep Nicolás Maduro in power, that's our simple goal, that's our mission.

Question: Will the US support negotiations with new Chavista factions to remove Maduro from power?

Pompeo: Look, we've said all along, those who behave well, those who land on the right side of history, on the right side of freedom, they can be part of the government moving forward. Those who don't, those who commit acts of aggression, those who commit violence, those who act in ways that are inconsistent with it, those who support Maduro to the end, will face a very different fate.

Question: Will the US sanction the Spanish oil company Repsol for doing business in Venezuela?

Pompeo: We never get in front of announcing sanctions before we do them. We've made very clear what is lawful and what is unlawful, and each day that goes by we are further tightening that set of restrictions, not only the political restrictions but economic restrictions as well.

Question: Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin revealed today that the US is working with other countries to create a fund with $10 billion to help the next Venezuelan government. What impact could this fund have on the fall of Maduro?

Pompeo: Well, we are fully prepared for the day after, not only to provide the economic support that secretary Mnuchin spoke of, but to help provide the infrastructure, the political infrastructure, we want free and fair elections. Juan Guaidó is the interim president. We want to lead the path forward for democracy so that Venezuelan people can have the basic freedom that they so richly deserve. That's the mission for the day after Maduro leaves.

Question: How is the relationship between the US and Colombia? President Trump has criticized President Ivan Duque twice this month about the drug war.

Pompeo: I think you saw it today, the relationship with President Duque is excellent: we have economic relationships, we have political relationships, we are working incredibly closely to restore democracy in Venezuela, we have been working for years to reduce coca production here in Colombia, president Duque is working on that as well. We want it to go faster, I think President Duque wants it to go faster as well and we are committed to doing what we can to support that.

Question: How do you think that the withdrawal aid to the countries in the Northern Triangle of Central America (Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador) will contribute to reducing the flow of migrants to the US?

Pompeo: Here's what we know: hundreds of millions of dollars have been provided to the Northern Triangle countries and we have an enormous migration problem, people fleeing El Salvador, people fleeing Guatemala. What we're trying to do is get those governments to take this seriously, to assist the people of their country so that they won't have to do this long, dangerous track along Mexico.&nbsp;

President Trump is committed to securing our southern border and that effort in the Northern Triangle is to get them to do what those countries need to do; to have not only the will, but to demonstrate that will in closing down the capacity of their people to flee their countries.

Question: The US government has said that this crisis at the southern border is caused by criminal gangs and drug dealers. Do you think that it's useful to separate those migrant kids from their parents in order to fight that crisis?

Pompeo: We're going to stop their flow across our southern border, period, full stop. President Trump has made that every country has the right to determine who comes into their country. We have to stop the flow of drugs, we have to stop the flow of migrants, to watch these people who are traversing Mexico. They're being preyed upon by drug cartels inside of Mexico. This is morally wrong and President Trump is determined to stop that.

The United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he believes the fall of Nicolás Maduro's regime in Venezuela was closer by the day and reiterated his opposition to Russian and Cuban support for the leftist president during an interview with Spanish news agency Efe near the Venezuelan border.

The United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he believes the fall of Nicolás Maduro's regime in Venezuela was closer by the day and reiterated his opposition to Russian and Cuban support for the leftist president during an interview with Spanish news agency Efe near the Venezuelan border. The US' top diplomat spoke with Efe near the Tiendita international border bridge on the outskirts of the northeastern Colombian city of Cúcuta, which has witnessed a mass influx of migrants escaping the ongoing humanitarian and socio-economic crisis in oil-rich Venezuela. Both the Tiendita bridge and the nearby Simón Bolivar bridge, were the scene of recent tensions and sporadic clashes after Maduro blocked off access to US-provided humanitarian aid stockpiled on the Colombian side of the border. Capping off a tour of four South American countries – Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and Colombia – Pompeo braved the torrential rain that welcomed him off the plane from Lima, to visit a centre for Venezuelan migrants and meet with Colombian President Ivan Duque. Question: Mr Secretary, after your visit to the border, do you think that the fall of Maduro is getting closer? And what do you think about what you saw on the Simón Bolivar bridge? Pompeo: It was really quite something today to see, we visited one of the migration centres, we got to talk to some of the children, some of the families that fled horrible conditions that had been imposed on them by Maduro and his military thugs. It was really quite something to get a chance to talk to them and hear what their lives were before and then how bad they've gotten under Maduro. To your first question, yes, I think every minute, every hour is one step closer to Maduro leaving, all the Venezuelan people want is democracy restored, a chance to live, to work, to be with their families and Maduro is denying them that. The Russians are no help, the Cubans are worse; I hope there'll be a change soon. Question: Does the US have a plan to counter the growing presence of both Russia and Cuba in Venezuela? Pompeo: The Russians are responsible for allowing Maduro to stay in power. The Cubans even more so, they've been there longer, they're more deeply committed. How the Cuban government can watch the faces of these people, to watch their starvation when there's food in the building in which we're sitting, see the kids not get medicine, vaccines, when there's medicine sitting right here in this building. How the Cubans and Russians permit that to happen is beyond me just as a human being, and the United States is committed to restoring democracy in Venezuela. Question: Is the White House intensifying the blockade on Cuba as the government in Havana claims? Pompeo: We need the Cubans to stop supporting that murderous tyrant Nicolaás Maduro; that's our goal, that's our objective. We are going to use the tools that we have available to create a setup so that the Cubans will see – the Cuban people will see that it's not in their best interest to control Venezuela and to keep Nicolás Maduro in power, that's our simple goal, that's our mission. Question: Will the US support negotiations with new Chavista factions to remove Maduro from power? Pompeo: Look, we've said all along, those who behave well, those who land on the right side of history, on the right side of freedom, they can be part of the government moving forward. Those who don't, those who commit acts of aggression, those who commit violence, those who act in ways that are inconsistent with it, those who support Maduro to the end, will face a very different fate. Question: Will the US sanction the Spanish oil company Repsol for doing business in Venezuela? Pompeo: We never get in front of announcing sanctions before we do them. We've made very clear what is lawful and what is unlawful, and each day that goes by we are further tightening that set of restrictions, not only the political restrictions but economic restrictions as well. Question: Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin revealed today that the US is working with other countries to create a fund with $10 billion to help the next Venezuelan government. What impact could this fund have on the fall of Maduro? Pompeo: Well, we are fully prepared for the day after, not only to provide the economic support that secretary Mnuchin spoke of, but to help provide the infrastructure, the political infrastructure, we want free and fair elections. Juan Guaidó is the interim president. We want to lead the path forward for democracy so that Venezuelan people can have the basic freedom that they so richly deserve. That's the mission for the day after Maduro leaves. Question: How is the relationship between the US and Colombia? President Trump has criticized President Ivan Duque twice this month about the drug war. Pompeo: I think you saw it today, the relationship with President Duque is excellent: we have economic relationships, we have political relationships, we are working incredibly closely to restore democracy in Venezuela, we have been working for years to reduce coca production here in Colombia, president Duque is working on that as well. We want it to go faster, I think President Duque wants it to go faster as well and we are committed to doing what we can to support that. Question: How do you think that the withdrawal aid to the countries in the Northern Triangle of Central America (Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador) will contribute to reducing the flow of migrants to the US? Pompeo: Here's what we know: hundreds of millions of dollars have been provided to the Northern Triangle countries and we have an enormous migration problem, people fleeing El Salvador, people fleeing Guatemala. What we're trying to do is get those governments to take this seriously, to assist the people of their country so that they won't have to do this long, dangerous track along Mexico. President Trump is committed to securing our southern border and that effort in the Northern Triangle is to get them to do what those countries need to do; to have not only the will, but to demonstrate that will in closing down the capacity of their people to flee their countries. Question: The US government has said that this crisis at the southern border is caused by criminal gangs and drug dealers. Do you think that it's useful to separate those migrant kids from their parents in order to fight that crisis? Pompeo: We're going to stop their flow across our southern border, period, full stop. President Trump has made that every country has the right to determine who comes into their country. We have to stop the flow of drugs, we have to stop the flow of migrants, to watch these people who are traversing Mexico. They're being preyed upon by drug cartels inside of Mexico. This is morally wrong and President Trump is determined to stop that.

US is committed to restoring democracy in Venezuela: Mike Pompeo

US Secretary of State <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/mike-pompeo-says-trump-resort-arrest-shows-chinas-threat-208259&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiB1-SP4s7hAhUX3Y8KHVscBYwQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0FExGDZDzqoKhD9gUwfp72">Mike Pompeo</a> landed in Peru on Saturday on the third leg of a four-nation tour of Latin American allies focusing heavily on Venezuela and countering China's economic reach.

Pompeo held talks with President Martin Vizcarra and Foreign Minister Nestor Popolizio before attending a dinner for business leaders.

He paid tribute to Peru's welcome for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan refugees and Vizcarra's fight against corruption, which has embroiled the previous four Peruvian presidents.

But he became irritated when a reporter asked if that contradicted the US President Donald Trump's harsh immigration policy at home.

"Our objective is to allow people to stay in their home countries, this is President Trump's desire, we want to create conditions in these countries where they can stay in their own country," he told the press conference with Popolizio.

Pompeo also spoke by telephone with Brazil's Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo, the State Department announced late Saturday.

"They reaffirmed the close friendship between the United States and Brazil and pledged to continue working together to address the... crises in Venezuela, their effects on Venezuela's neighbours, and the need for outside actors, including Cuba, Russia, and China, to stop propping up Nicolas Maduro," spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement.

Visit Paraguay

Earlier Pompeo had become the first US secretary of state to visit Paraguay, formerly ruled as a dictatorship, since 1965, paying tribute to the country's transition to democracy as an inspiration to the region.

The top US diplomat arrived in Asuncion late Friday after talks with Chile's President Sebastian Pinera in Santiago that focused heavily on his country's developing trade relationship with China.

The highlight of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-protecting-violent-islamic-terror-groups-from-un-sanctions-mike-pompeo-206163">Pompeo</a>'s trip will be a brief visit Sunday to the Colombian city of Cucuta on the Venezuelan border, where he will meet refugees.&nbsp;

All four countries on his itinerary are led by right-wing or centre-right leaders favourable to Washington's uncompromising approach to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

In Asuncion, Pompeo had praised Paraguay's support for US-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido in Venezuela, and its role in the Lima Group of mostly Latin American nations seeking a solution to the Venezuela crisis.&nbsp;

"Paraguay is a leader in defending democracy and calling Maduro as he is, a tyrant who has ruined his country," Pompeo said.

Foreign Minister Luis Castiglioni said Paraguay's position on Venezuela remained strongly aligned with that of the United States.

"We have always said: with dictators, with tyrants, there is no dialogue. You fight them. We must fight them until liberties are restored so that the Venezuelan people can return to live with dignity," he told reporters.

Asked by a US journalist if Paraguay would back military intervention in Venezuela, he said: "We are convinced that all the diplomatic efforts that are being made to isolate this regime will have results in a short time."

Transnational crime&nbsp;

The two officials also discussed Paraguay's commitments on combatting threats of terrorism, drug trafficking and transnational crime in what is known as the tri-border area, the border region Paraguay shares with Argentina and Brazil.

"Paraguay has declared all-out war against transnational crime," said Castiglioni.

"This battle that we are fighting is a battle of no return until we win. We have assured the Secretary of State that Paraguay wants to cooperate very closely with the US government since we are on the same path."

The US official said before his arrival in Chile on Friday that the current US administration had "spent a lot of time" in Latin America seeking to improve trade in a region which has turned its back in recent years on a slew of leftist governments.

"This is a historic opportunity," he told reporters, referring to "a handful of countries that are truly market driven, democratic in ways that we haven’t had in South America for decades. And we think it creates real opportunity."

Asked about China's influence at a press conference following a working lunch with his Chilean counterpart Roberto Ampuero, Pompeo said: "I think the Chilean government and the United States government both share the same concerns."

"China's trade activities often are deeply connected to their national security mission, their technological goals, their desire to steal intellectual property, to have forced technology transfer, to engage in activity that is not economic," he said.&nbsp;

He iterated his concerns Saturday in Peru.

"Too often we see China's predatory lending and debt diplomacy reverse positive advances in this area," he said.&nbsp;

"Our shared goal would be to resist Chinese overtures and promote transparency."

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo landed in Peru on Saturday on the third leg of a four-nation tour of Latin American allies focusing heavily on Venezuela and countering China's economic reach.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo landed in Peru on Saturday on the third leg of a four-nation tour of Latin American allies focusing heavily on Venezuela and countering China's economic reach. Pompeo held talks with President Martin Vizcarra and Foreign Minister Nestor Popolizio before attending a dinner for business leaders. He paid tribute to Peru's welcome for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan refugees and Vizcarra's fight against corruption, which has embroiled the previous four Peruvian presidents. But he became irritated when a reporter asked if that contradicted the US President Donald Trump's harsh immigration policy at home. "Our objective is to allow people to stay in their home countries, this is President Trump's desire, we want to create conditions in these countries where they can stay in their own country," he told the press conference with Popolizio. Pompeo also spoke by telephone with Brazil's Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo, the State Department announced late Saturday. "They reaffirmed the close friendship between the United States and Brazil and pledged to continue working together to address the... crises in Venezuela, their effects on Venezuela's neighbours, and the need for outside actors, including Cuba, Russia, and China, to stop propping up Nicolas Maduro," spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement. Visit Paraguay Earlier Pompeo had become the first US secretary of state to visit Paraguay, formerly ruled as a dictatorship, since 1965, paying tribute to the country's transition to democracy as an inspiration to the region. The top US diplomat arrived in Asuncion late Friday after talks with Chile's President Sebastian Pinera in Santiago that focused heavily on his country's developing trade relationship with China. The highlight of Pompeo's trip will be a brief visit Sunday to the Colombian city of Cucuta on the Venezuelan border, where he will meet refugees. All four countries on his itinerary are led by right-wing or centre-right leaders favourable to Washington's uncompromising approach to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. In Asuncion, Pompeo had praised Paraguay's support for US-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido in Venezuela, and its role in the Lima Group of mostly Latin American nations seeking a solution to the Venezuela crisis. "Paraguay is a leader in defending democracy and calling Maduro as he is, a tyrant who has ruined his country," Pompeo said. Foreign Minister Luis Castiglioni said Paraguay's position on Venezuela remained strongly aligned with that of the United States. "We have always said: with dictators, with tyrants, there is no dialogue. You fight them. We must fight them until liberties are restored so that the Venezuelan people can return to live with dignity," he told reporters. Asked by a US journalist if Paraguay would back military intervention in Venezuela, he said: "We are convinced that all the diplomatic efforts that are being made to isolate this regime will have results in a short time." Transnational crime The two officials also discussed Paraguay's commitments on combatting threats of terrorism, drug trafficking and transnational crime in what is known as the tri-border area, the border region Paraguay shares with Argentina and Brazil. "Paraguay has declared all-out war against transnational crime," said Castiglioni. "This battle that we are fighting is a battle of no return until we win. We have assured the Secretary of State that Paraguay wants to cooperate very closely with the US government since we are on the same path." The US official said before his arrival in Chile on Friday that the current US administration had "spent a lot of time" in Latin America seeking to improve trade in a region which has turned its back in recent years on a slew of leftist governments. "This is a historic opportunity," he told reporters, referring to "a handful of countries that are truly market driven, democratic in ways that we haven’t had in South America for decades. And we think it creates real opportunity." Asked about China's influence at a press conference following a working lunch with his Chilean counterpart Roberto Ampuero, Pompeo said: "I think the Chilean government and the United States government both share the same concerns." "China's trade activities often are deeply connected to their national security mission, their technological goals, their desire to steal intellectual property, to have forced technology transfer, to engage in activity that is not economic," he said. He iterated his concerns Saturday in Peru. "Too often we see China's predatory lending and debt diplomacy reverse positive advances in this area," he said. "Our shared goal would be to resist Chinese overtures and promote transparency."

Pompeo in Peru to maintain regional pressure on Venezuela's Maduro

President Nicolas Maduro and his supporters on Saturday celebrated the 10th anniversary of the founding of Venezuela's National Bolivarian Militia by his predecessor, Hugo Chavez.

Maduro celebrates 10th anniversary of militia

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-in-peru-to-maintain-regional-pressure-on-venezuelas-maduro-210223">US Secretary of State on a visit to Lima on Saturday</a> praised Peru for taking in 700,000 Venezuelans fleeing the political and humanitarian crisis in their country.&nbsp;

Mike Pompeo spoke to reporters alongside Minister of Foreign Affairs of Peru Nestor Popolizio after meeting President Martin Vizcarra in Lima.

"They, the people of Peru, generously host almost three-quarters of a million refugees from Venezuela," Pompeo said at the presidential palace.&nbsp;

"They fled their home country to escape the breakdown of health services, the limited water supply, the bare bread shelves, rolling blackouts and hyperinflation - part of the reason the United States has provided more than $30 million in humanitarian aid to Peru, complimenting your government’s efforts to provide protection for these Venezuelans," he added.&nbsp;

Pompeo said that Peru has "felt firsthand the effects of the disastrous Nicolas Maduro" administration, which Popolizio described as "illegitimate."

The US Secretary of State also thanked Peru for supporting Juan Guaido as the leader of the interim government in Venezuela and said that the responsibility of the country's refugees "lies squarely with Nicolas Maduro, not any policies that any democratic nation has taken with our deep intent to make lives better for the Venezuelan people."&nbsp;

"We in each case have exactly the same objective (as Peru). Our objective is to allow people to stay in their home countries... We want to create conditions in these countries where they can stay in their own country and they don’t have the need to migrate somewhere else from Venezuela," Pompeo said.

Popolizio said that Peru was working with the other countries of the Lima Group to step up international pressure to isolate Maduro's government and to support the people of Venezuela through humanitarian aid.

"In Venezuela, there is a systematic violation of human rights. We have to continue isolating Maduro's illegitimate and dictatorial regime," he added.

The Peruvian minister said that Peru, with the Lima Group, the Organization of American States and the Security Council, is carrying out a number of activities to complement the measures that the United States and other countries of the European Union have already taken in economic terms to isolate Maduro's government.

"In Venezuela, human rights are constantly being violated, as well as the freedoms. So we’re going to continue working under the scope of the Lima Group as well as with other countries to continue to isolate the illegitimate government of dictator Nicolas Maduro," Popolizio said.

Pompeo and the Peruvian president also discussed bilateral trade, which Pompeo said has "virtually doubled" since the signing of the trade agreement between the two countries in 2009, as well as the fight against corruption and drug-trafficking in the South American country.

Pompeo, whose tour includes Chile and Paraguay, will travel to the Venezuelan border in Colombia on Sunday to assess the situation of thousands of migrants fleeing Venezuela.&nbsp;

The US Secretary of State on a visit to Lima on Saturday praised Peru for taking in 700,000 Venezuelans fleeing the political and humanitarian crisis in their country.

The US Secretary of State on a visit to Lima on Saturday praised Peru for taking in 700,000 Venezuelans fleeing the political and humanitarian crisis in their country. Mike Pompeo spoke to reporters alongside Minister of Foreign Affairs of Peru Nestor Popolizio after meeting President Martin Vizcarra in Lima. "They, the people of Peru, generously host almost three-quarters of a million refugees from Venezuela," Pompeo said at the presidential palace. "They fled their home country to escape the breakdown of health services, the limited water supply, the bare bread shelves, rolling blackouts and hyperinflation - part of the reason the United States has provided more than $30 million in humanitarian aid to Peru, complimenting your government’s efforts to provide protection for these Venezuelans," he added. Pompeo said that Peru has "felt firsthand the effects of the disastrous Nicolas Maduro" administration, which Popolizio described as "illegitimate." The US Secretary of State also thanked Peru for supporting Juan Guaido as the leader of the interim government in Venezuela and said that the responsibility of the country's refugees "lies squarely with Nicolas Maduro, not any policies that any democratic nation has taken with our deep intent to make lives better for the Venezuelan people." "We in each case have exactly the same objective (as Peru). Our objective is to allow people to stay in their home countries... We want to create conditions in these countries where they can stay in their own country and they don’t have the need to migrate somewhere else from Venezuela," Pompeo said. Popolizio said that Peru was working with the other countries of the Lima Group to step up international pressure to isolate Maduro's government and to support the people of Venezuela through humanitarian aid. "In Venezuela, there is a systematic violation of human rights. We have to continue isolating Maduro's illegitimate and dictatorial regime," he added. The Peruvian minister said that Peru, with the Lima Group, the Organization of American States and the Security Council, is carrying out a number of activities to complement the measures that the United States and other countries of the European Union have already taken in economic terms to isolate Maduro's government. "In Venezuela, human rights are constantly being violated, as well as the freedoms. So we’re going to continue working under the scope of the Lima Group as well as with other countries to continue to isolate the illegitimate government of dictator Nicolas Maduro," Popolizio said. Pompeo and the Peruvian president also discussed bilateral trade, which Pompeo said has "virtually doubled" since the signing of the trade agreement between the two countries in 2009, as well as the fight against corruption and drug-trafficking in the South American country. Pompeo, whose tour includes Chile and Paraguay, will travel to the Venezuelan border in Colombia on Sunday to assess the situation of thousands of migrants fleeing Venezuela.

Pompeo praises 'generous' Peru for taking in 700,000 Venezuelans

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday defended sanctions on Venezuela and said the United States would not "quit the fight" in the socialist-run Latin American nation which is spiralling into deepening the economic and political crisis.

Pompeo is on a three-day trip to Chile, Paraguay and Peru, a clutch of fast-growing countries in a region where Washington's concerns are focused on China's growing presence as well as the Venezuelan crisis.

Washington is pressuring President Nicolas Maduro to step down and urging more countries to join the coalition supporting opposition leader Juan Guaido.

South America has seen a political shift in recent years towards the right, and most nations have backed Guaido.

Asked about China in Santiago, Pompeo warned about "predatory" lending practices and "malign or nefarious" actions, mirroring criticism previous US officials have made about China during Latin America trips.

China, whose booming economy over the past two decades has driven up demand for raw materials, is already the top trade partner for nations from tiny Uruguay to Brazil, Latin America's largest economy and the world's top soybean exporter. The pivot by Latin American countries towards China for financing has alarmed Washington.

Pompeo will travel later on Friday to Paraguay, the first visit by a U.S. secretary of state to the country since 1965, a gesture experts say underscores U.S. commitment to the region. On Sunday he is set to visit Cucuta, a Colombian border city receiving significant numbers of Venezuelan migrants fleeing hunger and violence in their homeland.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday defended sanctions on Venezuela and said the United States would not "quit the fight" in the socialist-run Latin American nation which is spiralling into deepening the economic and political crisis.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday defended sanctions on Venezuela and said the United States would not "quit the fight" in the socialist-run Latin American nation which is spiralling into deepening the economic and political crisis. Pompeo is on a three-day trip to Chile, Paraguay and Peru, a clutch of fast-growing countries in a region where Washington's concerns are focused on China's growing presence as well as the Venezuelan crisis. Washington is pressuring President Nicolas Maduro to step down and urging more countries to join the coalition supporting opposition leader Juan Guaido. South America has seen a political shift in recent years towards the right, and most nations have backed Guaido. Asked about China in Santiago, Pompeo warned about "predatory" lending practices and "malign or nefarious" actions, mirroring criticism previous US officials have made about China during Latin America trips. China, whose booming economy over the past two decades has driven up demand for raw materials, is already the top trade partner for nations from tiny Uruguay to Brazil, Latin America's largest economy and the world's top soybean exporter. The pivot by Latin American countries towards China for financing has alarmed Washington. Pompeo will travel later on Friday to Paraguay, the first visit by a U.S. secretary of state to the country since 1965, a gesture experts say underscores U.S. commitment to the region. On Sunday he is set to visit Cucuta, a Colombian border city receiving significant numbers of Venezuelan migrants fleeing hunger and violence in their homeland.

Pompeo says US won't quit fight in Venezuela, defends sanctions

US Vice President Mike Pence asked the United Nations on Wednesday to revoke the UN credentials of the government of Nicolas Maduro and recognise opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate president.

Venezuela unrest: United States asks UN to recognise Guaido as President

World governments are working on recognising a Venezuelan government, a key step before international aid can flow into the crisis-stricken country, IMF chief Christine Lagarde said Thursday.

The South American oil-producer is facing an economic and humanitarian crisis that resembles the collapse of a country at war.

But without a recognised government, after Venezuela's national assembly leader Juan Guaido in late January challenged the legitimacy of embattled leader Nicolas Maduro, the IMF, World Bank and other institutions cannot help with financing.

"We are really very, very concerned about the humanitarian crisis that is unfolding in front of our eyes in Venezuela," Lagarde said.

"We are waiting to be guided by our membership and I know that it is in process at the moment as we speak from quite a few members. As soon as that happens we will follow through."

The IMF has had no direct access to events on the ground as the global crisis-lender had not been welcome in Venezuela for about 15 years, she said.

However, "We have done as much preparatory work as we could... in order to be prepared to act as quickly and as swiftly as we can," Lagarde said.

The IMF estimates that Venezuela’s economy will contract by one-fourth in 2019, and a further 10 per cent in 2020 -- a greater collapse than projected in the October 2018, along with unprecedented hyperinflation of 10 million per cent.

She stressed that the international response to the Venezuela crisis -- which is facing shortages of food and medicine, power outages, and an exodus of its citizens -- would have to be a "multi-pronged effort" by many institutions.

Her comments echoed those of newly-installed World Bank President David Malpass, who also told reporters that the institution's shareholders would decide when and how to engage with Caracas.

Malpass also said Venezuela was of "deep concern" and was facing a "humanitarian crisis."

"As far as the political side, we will be guided by the international community and the views of our shareholders," he added. "This is something that is not chosen by the bank but by the shareholders of the bank."

The IMF said Wednesday it would have no contact with Caracas, and would not allow the country access to its IMF-held reserves, until the international community recognised a government in Caracas.

The United States is among about four dozen countries to recognise Guaido, and Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday called on the UN to do so as well.

The Organisation of American States' permanent council and the Inter-American Development Bank have recognised Guaido's representative.

 
&nbsp;

World governments are working on recognising a Venezuelan government, a key step before international aid can flow into the crisis-stricken country, IMF chief Christine Lagarde said Thursday.

World governments are working on recognising a Venezuelan government, a key step before international aid can flow into the crisis-stricken country, IMF chief Christine Lagarde said Thursday. The South American oil-producer is facing an economic and humanitarian crisis that resembles the collapse of a country at war. But without a recognised government, after Venezuela's national assembly leader Juan Guaido in late January challenged the legitimacy of embattled leader Nicolas Maduro, the IMF, World Bank and other institutions cannot help with financing. "We are really very, very concerned about the humanitarian crisis that is unfolding in front of our eyes in Venezuela," Lagarde said. "We are waiting to be guided by our membership and I know that it is in process at the moment as we speak from quite a few members. As soon as that happens we will follow through." The IMF has had no direct access to events on the ground as the global crisis-lender had not been welcome in Venezuela for about 15 years, she said. However, "We have done as much preparatory work as we could... in order to be prepared to act as quickly and as swiftly as we can," Lagarde said. The IMF estimates that Venezuela’s economy will contract by one-fourth in 2019, and a further 10 per cent in 2020 -- a greater collapse than projected in the October 2018, along with unprecedented hyperinflation of 10 million per cent. She stressed that the international response to the Venezuela crisis -- which is facing shortages of food and medicine, power outages, and an exodus of its citizens -- would have to be a "multi-pronged effort" by many institutions. Her comments echoed those of newly-installed World Bank President David Malpass, who also told reporters that the institution's shareholders would decide when and how to engage with Caracas. Malpass also said Venezuela was of "deep concern" and was facing a "humanitarian crisis." "As far as the political side, we will be guided by the international community and the views of our shareholders," he added. "This is something that is not chosen by the bank but by the shareholders of the bank." The IMF said Wednesday it would have no contact with Caracas, and would not allow the country access to its IMF-held reserves, until the international community recognised a government in Caracas. The United States is among about four dozen countries to recognise Guaido, and Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday called on the UN to do so as well. The Organisation of American States' permanent council and the Inter-American Development Bank have recognised Guaido's representative.

IMF awaits decision on Venezuela government recognition

Cuban Communist <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelans-hit-street-as-opposition-leader-guaido-declares-definitive-escalation-208468">Party leader Raul Castro</a> said on Wednesday said Cuba would never abandon its leftist ally Venezuela despite US "blackmail," even as the Trump administration threatened more sanctions over its support.

In a speech to the national assembly, meeting to enact the new constitution,<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelan-government-to-cut-electricity-18-hours-per-week-208214"> Castro said Cuba had been</a> upping defence preparedness in recent months in view of increased US hostility.

The island nation had also been adopting economic measures to contend with the Trump administration's tightening of the decades-old US&nbsp;trade embargo, Castro told legislators.

US Vice President Mike Pence told the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday the United States would announce additional action to hold Cuba accountable for its support of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

The enactment of the new constitution allows Cuba's government to launch a modest revamp of its centrally planned single party system with dozens of laws expected on everything from the justice system to political structures.

Many observers are hopeful the government will open Cuba's still inefficient state-run economy further to free enterprise with a law recognising private businesses, not just self-employment, although they do not expect that to be among the first pieces of legislation it tackles.

That could give a boost to an economy which has had to contend with declining aid from Venezuela and a resulting cash crunch over the past three years, prompting the government to introduce austerity measures.

Cubans overwhelmingly ratified the new constitution in a February referendum after a year of debate, updating its 1976 Soviet-era Magna Carta. While it retains socialism as "irrevocable," it codifies changes in Cuban society since 1991, like the opening of the economy to free enterprise, and includes a political restructuring among other changes.

The constitution stipulates that the national assembly must approve a new electoral law to reflect the restructuring of government within six months. Within the following three months, it must elect a president, widely expected to remain Miguel Diaz-Canel, who succeeded Castro last April. That president must then appoint provincial governors and a prime minister - a new post separating the role of head of state from head of government.

The Magna Carta stipulates that within 18 months, new laws reflecting constitutional changes to the judicial system such as the presumption of innocence in criminal cases and habeas corpus should also be introduced. The process of a popular consultation and referendum on a new family code, that will address the controversial issue of gay marriage, should also be kicked off within two years.

Cuban Communist Party leader Raul Castro said on Wednesday said Cuba would never abandon its leftist ally Venezuela despite US "blackmail," even as the Trump administration threatened more sanctions over its support.

Cuban Communist Party leader Raul Castro said on Wednesday said Cuba would never abandon its leftist ally Venezuela despite US "blackmail," even as the Trump administration threatened more sanctions over its support. In a speech to the national assembly, meeting to enact the new constitution, Castro said Cuba had been upping defence preparedness in recent months in view of increased US hostility. The island nation had also been adopting economic measures to contend with the Trump administration's tightening of the decades-old US trade embargo, Castro told legislators. US Vice President Mike Pence told the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday the United States would announce additional action to hold Cuba accountable for its support of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The enactment of the new constitution allows Cuba's government to launch a modest revamp of its centrally planned single party system with dozens of laws expected on everything from the justice system to political structures. Many observers are hopeful the government will open Cuba's still inefficient state-run economy further to free enterprise with a law recognising private businesses, not just self-employment, although they do not expect that to be among the first pieces of legislation it tackles. That could give a boost to an economy which has had to contend with declining aid from Venezuela and a resulting cash crunch over the past three years, prompting the government to introduce austerity measures. Cubans overwhelmingly ratified the new constitution in a February referendum after a year of debate, updating its 1976 Soviet-era Magna Carta. While it retains socialism as "irrevocable," it codifies changes in Cuban society since 1991, like the opening of the economy to free enterprise, and includes a political restructuring among other changes. The constitution stipulates that the national assembly must approve a new electoral law to reflect the restructuring of government within six months. Within the following three months, it must elect a president, widely expected to remain Miguel Diaz-Canel, who succeeded Castro last April. That president must then appoint provincial governors and a prime minister - a new post separating the role of head of state from head of government. The Magna Carta stipulates that within 18 months, new laws reflecting constitutional changes to the judicial system such as the presumption of innocence in criminal cases and habeas corpus should also be introduced. The process of a popular consultation and referendum on a new family code, that will address the controversial issue of gay marriage, should also be kicked off within two years.

Will support Venezuela despite US 'blackmail': Cuban leader Raul Castro

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/diego-maradona-to-legally-recognize-three-children-he-has-in-cuba-argentine-lawyer-202215">Diego Maradona</a> has been fined for dedicating a recent victory by his Mexican club to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Mexico's football federation said on Monday.

The Argentine great, who coaches Dorados de Sinaloa, had dedicated a 3-2 win over Tampico Madero to Maduro and Venezuela in a news conference at the end of last month.

The body said in a statement that Maradona had been fined an unspecified sum for violating the federation's code of ethics which mandates political neutrality.

Maradona had said he was dedicating the victory to Maduro and Venezuelans caught up in an economic crisis. He also criticized U.S. President Donald Trump. 
&nbsp;

Diego Maradona has been fined for dedicating a recent victory by his Mexican club to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Mexico's football federation said on Monday.

Diego Maradona has been fined for dedicating a recent victory by his Mexican club to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Mexico's football federation said on Monday. The Argentine great, who coaches Dorados de Sinaloa, had dedicated a 3-2 win over Tampico Madero to Maduro and Venezuela in a news conference at the end of last month. The body said in a statement that Maradona had been fined an unspecified sum for violating the federation's code of ethics which mandates political neutrality. Maradona had said he was dedicating the victory to Maduro and Venezuelans caught up in an economic crisis. He also criticized U.S. President Donald Trump.

Soccer: Maradona fined after dedicating win to Venezuela's Maduro

Diego Maradona has been fined for dedicating a recent victory by his Mexican club to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Mexico's football federation said on Monday.

The Argentine great, who coaches Dorados de Sinaloa, had dedicated a 3-2 win over Tampico Madero to Maduro and Venezuela in a news conference at the end of last month.

The body said in a statement that Maradona had been fined an unspecified sum for violating the federation's code of ethics which mandates political neutrality.

Maradona had said he was dedicating the victory to Maduro and Venezuelans caught up in an economic crisis. He also criticized U.S. President Donald Trump.

Diego Maradona fined after dedicating win to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro

Venezuela's opposition leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelan-government-to-cut-electricity-18-hours-per-week-208214">Juan Guaido urged his supporters </a>to demonstrate in the streets Saturday to maintain pressure on his rival President Nicolas Maduro, amid rising anger over the collapse of public services.

Thousands of opposition supporters are expected to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/11-million-children-affected-by-venezuela-crisis-unicef-208027">march through the capital</a> Caracas from 11:00 am on Saturday as Venezuela's power struggle is exacerbated by massive blackouts and the collapse of water supplies.

Guaido, recognized as interim president by more than 50 countries, said in a Twitter message on Friday: "Let's remain firm in the streets, this fight is for the lives of all Venezuelans."

Maduro, who blames US-backed sabotage on recent blackouts that deprived millions of power, has also called a pro-government march in Caracas, urging his supporters onto the streets for a "March in defence of peace."

Guaido said earlier this week he feared abduction by government agents after pro-Maduro lawmakers stripped him of his parliamentary immunity on Tuesday and authorized the country's top court to prosecute him for proclaiming himself president.

The United States, among the first countries to recognize Guaido when the National Assembly leader proclaimed himself interim president on January 23, meanwhile kept up the international pressure on Maduro to step down.

Vice President Mike Pence announced fresh sanctions against 34 vessels belonging to Venezuela's state oil company and two companies that ship crude to Cuba.

"The United States will continue to exert all diplomatic and economic pressure to bring about a peaceful transition to democracy," Pence said in a speech in Houston, Texas.

"Venezuela's oil belongs to the Venezuelan people," he said.

"Those looking on should know this: All options are on the table. And Nicolas Maduro would do well not to test the resolve of the United States of America," he said.

The action is the latest by the United States as it tries to choke off revenue for the cash-strapped leftist government, which has nonetheless held onto power and enjoys backing from China and Russia.

It comes ahead of a meeting of the UN Security Council next Wednesday, called by the US to discuss the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Latin American country.

"The United States will urge the world to reject Maduro's failed regime, to stand with the Venezuelan people, and to help us bring the humanitarian crisis to an end."

Venezuela's oil economy has crumbled under the collapse of crude exports and international sanctions against Maduro.

The socialist president is viewed by the US and its allies as illegitimate since taking the oath of office in January for a second six-year term, following elections last May seen as deeply flawed.

Malnutrition and disease are on the rise as living conditions plummet in Venezuela, which is spiralling ever deeper into economic chaos during the protracted political crisis.

The blackouts have knocked out water supplies as well as transport and communications.

"We are tired but we have to go out on the street because it is the only way to get these people out," said Verony Mendez, 48, adding that his household has been without water for two months.

Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido urged his supporters to demonstrate in the streets Saturday to maintain pressure on his rival President Nicolas Maduro, amid rising anger over the collapse of public services.

Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido urged his supporters to demonstrate in the streets Saturday to maintain pressure on his rival President Nicolas Maduro, amid rising anger over the collapse of public services. Thousands of opposition supporters are expected to march through the capital Caracas from 11:00 am on Saturday as Venezuela's power struggle is exacerbated by massive blackouts and the collapse of water supplies. Guaido, recognized as interim president by more than 50 countries, said in a Twitter message on Friday: "Let's remain firm in the streets, this fight is for the lives of all Venezuelans." Maduro, who blames US-backed sabotage on recent blackouts that deprived millions of power, has also called a pro-government march in Caracas, urging his supporters onto the streets for a "March in defence of peace." Guaido said earlier this week he feared abduction by government agents after pro-Maduro lawmakers stripped him of his parliamentary immunity on Tuesday and authorized the country's top court to prosecute him for proclaiming himself president. The United States, among the first countries to recognize Guaido when the National Assembly leader proclaimed himself interim president on January 23, meanwhile kept up the international pressure on Maduro to step down. Vice President Mike Pence announced fresh sanctions against 34 vessels belonging to Venezuela's state oil company and two companies that ship crude to Cuba. "The United States will continue to exert all diplomatic and economic pressure to bring about a peaceful transition to democracy," Pence said in a speech in Houston, Texas. "Venezuela's oil belongs to the Venezuelan people," he said. "Those looking on should know this: All options are on the table. And Nicolas Maduro would do well not to test the resolve of the United States of America," he said. The action is the latest by the United States as it tries to choke off revenue for the cash-strapped leftist government, which has nonetheless held onto power and enjoys backing from China and Russia. It comes ahead of a meeting of the UN Security Council next Wednesday, called by the US to discuss the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Latin American country. "The United States will urge the world to reject Maduro's failed regime, to stand with the Venezuelan people, and to help us bring the humanitarian crisis to an end." Venezuela's oil economy has crumbled under the collapse of crude exports and international sanctions against Maduro. The socialist president is viewed by the US and its allies as illegitimate since taking the oath of office in January for a second six-year term, following elections last May seen as deeply flawed. Malnutrition and disease are on the rise as living conditions plummet in Venezuela, which is spiralling ever deeper into economic chaos during the protracted political crisis. The blackouts have knocked out water supplies as well as transport and communications. "We are tired but we have to go out on the street because it is the only way to get these people out," said Verony Mendez, 48, adding that his household has been without water for two months.

Venezuela's oil belongs to the people, says Pence after fresh US sanctions

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-cuts-workday-extends-school-cancelation-over-blackouts-207070">Nicolas Maduro government</a> on Friday released its schedule for electricity rationing for Venezuela, with the exception of Caracas and three other states, according to which the general public will be without electric power for at least 18 hours per week.

The Electric Energy Ministry and the state-run Corpoelec electricity company designed a schedule dividing 20 of the country's 23 states into five sectors with different rationing schemes with the idea of implementing daily three-hour blackouts six days per week.

According to this plan, on one day per week, each sector will have electricity for the full 24 hours.

The rationing measure specifically excludes the state of Vargas near Caracas where Venezuela's main airport is located, along with the southern state of Amazonas and the northeastern state of Delta Amacuro, border regions far from the capital.

Last Sunday, Maduro announced the launching of the rationing plan slated to last for 30 days but as of Friday, the details of the schedule had not been made public.

The programmed power outages are the government's response to the electricity crisis that has beset the country since March 7, when a series of massive blackouts paralyzed Venezuela for at least 11 days.

The power failures have persisted this past week, particularly in the west, where whole communities have been without electricity for more than 100 hours.

Maduro's leftist government has blamed the United States and Venezuelan opposition for "sabotaging" the power grid claiming that "electromagnetic" attacks and a "long-range" sniper attack have been staged on the main hydroelectric plant and elsewhere.

After the blackouts, the government announced the modernization, intervention in and restructuring of the electric system, which has been managed by the military since 2013, with an eye toward "confronting these attacks" in the future.

The Venezuelan opposition, on the other hand, blames the government for the system's failures, pointing to ineptitude and poor management of the electric sector's resources as the real causes of the outages.

In 2010, the government for the first time decreed a state of emergency in the electric sector and imposed the first electricity rationing, from which it exempted Caracas, which lasted for four months and included cutting power to each citizen for 24 hours per week.

Since then, blackouts have been becoming more frequent, especially in regions like the western state of Zulia, where over the last decade several rationing plans, not to mention unannounced cuts in service, have been implemented.

The Nicolas Maduro government on Friday released its schedule for electricity rationing for Venezuela, with the exception of Caracas and three other states, according to which the general public will be without electric power for at least 18 hours per week.

The Nicolas Maduro government on Friday released its schedule for electricity rationing for Venezuela, with the exception of Caracas and three other states, according to which the general public will be without electric power for at least 18 hours per week. The Electric Energy Ministry and the state-run Corpoelec electricity company designed a schedule dividing 20 of the country's 23 states into five sectors with different rationing schemes with the idea of implementing daily three-hour blackouts six days per week. According to this plan, on one day per week, each sector will have electricity for the full 24 hours. The rationing measure specifically excludes the state of Vargas near Caracas where Venezuela's main airport is located, along with the southern state of Amazonas and the northeastern state of Delta Amacuro, border regions far from the capital. Last Sunday, Maduro announced the launching of the rationing plan slated to last for 30 days but as of Friday, the details of the schedule had not been made public. The programmed power outages are the government's response to the electricity crisis that has beset the country since March 7, when a series of massive blackouts paralyzed Venezuela for at least 11 days. The power failures have persisted this past week, particularly in the west, where whole communities have been without electricity for more than 100 hours. Maduro's leftist government has blamed the United States and Venezuelan opposition for "sabotaging" the power grid claiming that "electromagnetic" attacks and a "long-range" sniper attack have been staged on the main hydroelectric plant and elsewhere. After the blackouts, the government announced the modernization, intervention in and restructuring of the electric system, which has been managed by the military since 2013, with an eye toward "confronting these attacks" in the future. The Venezuelan opposition, on the other hand, blames the government for the system's failures, pointing to ineptitude and poor management of the electric sector's resources as the real causes of the outages. In 2010, the government for the first time decreed a state of emergency in the electric sector and imposed the first electricity rationing, from which it exempted Caracas, which lasted for four months and included cutting power to each citizen for 24 hours per week. Since then, blackouts have been becoming more frequent, especially in regions like the western state of Zulia, where over the last decade several rationing plans, not to mention unannounced cuts in service, have been implemented.

Venezuelan government to cut electricity 18 hours per week

By David Smilde

Even in a country where the crisis has become the norm, the past month has been eventful for Venezuela.

On April 3 Juan Guaidó, the Venezuelan National Assembly president who is leading an effort to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office, was stripped of his parliamentary immunity. The arrest seems increasingly likely. Guaidó’s chief-of-staff was jailed on March 22, on charges of organising a “terrorist cell.”

Two days later, two Russian military planes carrying 35 tons of unspecified equipment and 100 soldiers landed at the international airport in Caracas.

Meanwhile, three blackouts leftover 90 per cent of the country in the dark. Since water pumps need electricity to run, neighbourhoods and families were forced to organise water rationing systems or fetch water from polluted rivers and streams.

Maduro blames the blackouts on “sabotage” by Guaidó and the United States. The opposition blames government corruption and neglect of Venezuela’s energy grid.

Thousands of Venezuelans protesting the power outages on March 30 were met with violent repression. Counter-protestors came out to support the Maduro government.

These extraordinary events may give the appearance that armed conflict is on the horizon. But having researched Venezuela for over 25 years, I believe a prolonged deadlock – and deeper human suffering – is the more likely result.

International conflict

Each side in Venezuela’s political struggle has powerful international backers.

Guaidó has been coordinating with the Trump administration since before assuming the interim presidency, and Trump has made regime change in Venezuela a foreign policy priority. Over 50 countries now recognise Guaidó as Venezuela’s legitimate president.

Maduro’s government retains important support from Cuba, Turkey and China – though China, which has loaned Venezuela some $60 billion over the last 12 years, has diminished its public backing of Maduro.

Russia has become Maduro’s most important ally. The Russian military equipment and personnel sent in March will likely help maintain and operate Venezuela’s sophisticated Russian-made S-300 air defence system, which protects the capital and key military bases from air attack.

The missile defence system may have been damaged in recent power outages or left understaffed by desertions from Venezuela’s military.

In a March 29 press statement, White House national security adviser John Bolton called Russia’s military assistance to Venezuela a “direct threat to international peace and security in the region” that will “perpetuate the economic crisis that has destroyed Venezuela’s economy.”

Russian officials retorted that the deployment is part of a prior bilateral arms trade agreement with Venezuela.

“The United States is present in many parts of the world and no one is telling it where it should or shouldn’t be,” said Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov at a March 28 Kremlin press conference.

Regime change stalled

Venezuela’s opposition coalition and its allies in the US appear to have thought that global rejection of Maduro’s re-election and Guaidó’s assuming the interim presidency – coupled with threats of a US military invasion and sanctions on Venezuelan oil – would lead Venezuela’s armed forces to turn against Maduro.&nbsp;

That would then usher in a democratic transition.

Recent events have shown that this strategy was simplistic.

More than 500 Venezuelan soldiers have defected to Colombia and Brazil. But most have stayed loyal, as have the generals who hold high positions in Maduro’s government. And Maduro has shown himself quite adept at using dispersed violence to discourage dissent.

Despite President Donald Trump’s repeated mentions of a “military option” for dealing with Venezuela, it’s become clear in recent weeks that the US has no actual plans for military action. Indeed, it does not have significant military assets in position near Venezuela.

Venezuela’s armed forces are the fifth most powerful in Latin America, according to Global Fire Power, which ranks military strength. It has around 200,000 troops, a volunteer militia, plus paramilitary forces and a fleet of Russian Sukhoi fighter jets.

The presence of Russian troops in Venezuela further complicates any plans for US intervention. Russia is a nuclear power, so incurring Russian casualties is probably too big of a risk for the US to take.

Adam Isacson, a defence expert at the Washington Office on Latin America, a human rights organization, suggests that removing Maduro by force would not only kill thousands of people on the ground, it would likely require tens of thousands of US troops to occupy Venezuela for years in order to stabilize it.

Outside of South Florida, where some 200,000 Venezuelan exiles are clamouring for Maduro’s ouster, few Americans would have an appetite for such a prolonged operation.

US economic sanctions – which are now targeting Venezuelan oil – appear to be hurting the Venezuelan people more than Maduro’s government.

That will only make a democratic transition more elusive. Depriving the Venezuelan government of cash and credit will impede it from fixing the electrical grid by preventing the purchase of new equipment. And without electricity and water, Venezuelans, who in their vast majority oppose Maduro, will be concentrating on survival rather than protest.

Working for peace

An international effort led by the European Union, Uruguay, Ecuador and Costa Rica is seeking to negotiate new elections. Calling itself the International Contact Group, this coalition has sent technical teams to Caracas twice to meet with the Maduro government and the opposition.

The International Contact Group has not actually found much interest on either side.

The opposition and its allies in the Trump administration still believe that their strategy of political pressure and economic punishment will lead to the government’s collapse. Maduro, it appears, thinks he can hunker down and wait out the storm.

There is one glimmer of hope.

After years of political wrangling over humanitarian aid, on March 29 the International Committee of the Red Cross announced that it had brokered agreements with both the Maduro government and the opposition. They will allow the Red Cross to distribute food and medicine to Venezuelans, who have suffered severe shortages of both since 2015.

The United Nations estimates that 94 per cent of Venezuela’s population now lives in poverty, and a quarter of its people urgently need humanitarian assistance.

The Red Cross deal shows what can be achieved with “satellite diplomacy” – that is, negotiations that engage with rival factions independently rather than requiring them to meet face to face.

This is significant. It is the first time that this diplomatic technique has succeeded in Venezuela’s conflict.

In the best-case scenario, the humanitarian aid agreement will stick. And it could serve as a model for how international actors can facilitate a democratic transition in Venezuela.

(David Smilde is Professor of Sociology, Tulane University)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/venezuelas-power-struggle-reaches-a-tense-stalemate-as-human-suffering-deepens-114545">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

By David Smilde Even in a country where the crisis has become the norm, the past month has been eventful for Venezuela. On April 3 Juan Guaidó, the Venezuelan National Assembly president who is leading an effort to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office, was stripped of his parliamentary immunity.

By David Smilde Even in a country where the crisis has become the norm, the past month has been eventful for Venezuela. On April 3 Juan Guaidó, the Venezuelan National Assembly president who is leading an effort to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office, was stripped of his parliamentary immunity. The arrest seems increasingly likely. Guaidó’s chief-of-staff was jailed on March 22, on charges of organising a “terrorist cell.” Two days later, two Russian military planes carrying 35 tons of unspecified equipment and 100 soldiers landed at the international airport in Caracas. Meanwhile, three blackouts leftover 90 per cent of the country in the dark. Since water pumps need electricity to run, neighbourhoods and families were forced to organise water rationing systems or fetch water from polluted rivers and streams. Maduro blames the blackouts on “sabotage” by Guaidó and the United States. The opposition blames government corruption and neglect of Venezuela’s energy grid. Thousands of Venezuelans protesting the power outages on March 30 were met with violent repression. Counter-protestors came out to support the Maduro government. These extraordinary events may give the appearance that armed conflict is on the horizon. But having researched Venezuela for over 25 years, I believe a prolonged deadlock – and deeper human suffering – is the more likely result. International conflict Each side in Venezuela’s political struggle has powerful international backers. Guaidó has been coordinating with the Trump administration since before assuming the interim presidency, and Trump has made regime change in Venezuela a foreign policy priority. Over 50 countries now recognise Guaidó as Venezuela’s legitimate president. Maduro’s government retains important support from Cuba, Turkey and China – though China, which has loaned Venezuela some $60 billion over the last 12 years, has diminished its public backing of Maduro. Russia has become Maduro’s most important ally. The Russian military equipment and personnel sent in March will likely help maintain and operate Venezuela’s sophisticated Russian-made S-300 air defence system, which protects the capital and key military bases from air attack. The missile defence system may have been damaged in recent power outages or left understaffed by desertions from Venezuela’s military. In a March 29 press statement, White House national security adviser John Bolton called Russia’s military assistance to Venezuela a “direct threat to international peace and security in the region” that will “perpetuate the economic crisis that has destroyed Venezuela’s economy.” Russian officials retorted that the deployment is part of a prior bilateral arms trade agreement with Venezuela. “The United States is present in many parts of the world and no one is telling it where it should or shouldn’t be,” said Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov at a March 28 Kremlin press conference. Regime change stalled Venezuela’s opposition coalition and its allies in the US appear to have thought that global rejection of Maduro’s re-election and Guaidó’s assuming the interim presidency – coupled with threats of a US military invasion and sanctions on Venezuelan oil – would lead Venezuela’s armed forces to turn against Maduro. That would then usher in a democratic transition. Recent events have shown that this strategy was simplistic. More than 500 Venezuelan soldiers have defected to Colombia and Brazil. But most have stayed loyal, as have the generals who hold high positions in Maduro’s government. And Maduro has shown himself quite adept at using dispersed violence to discourage dissent. Despite President Donald Trump’s repeated mentions of a “military option” for dealing with Venezuela, it’s become clear in recent weeks that the US has no actual plans for military action. Indeed, it does not have significant military assets in position near Venezuela. Venezuela’s armed forces are the fifth most powerful in Latin America, according to Global Fire Power, which ranks military strength. It has around 200,000 troops, a volunteer militia, plus paramilitary forces and a fleet of Russian Sukhoi fighter jets. The presence of Russian troops in Venezuela further complicates any plans for US intervention. Russia is a nuclear power, so incurring Russian casualties is probably too big of a risk for the US to take. Adam Isacson, a defence expert at the Washington Office on Latin America, a human rights organization, suggests that removing Maduro by force would not only kill thousands of people on the ground, it would likely require tens of thousands of US troops to occupy Venezuela for years in order to stabilize it. Outside of South Florida, where some 200,000 Venezuelan exiles are clamouring for Maduro’s ouster, few Americans would have an appetite for such a prolonged operation. US economic sanctions – which are now targeting Venezuelan oil – appear to be hurting the Venezuelan people more than Maduro’s government. That will only make a democratic transition more elusive. Depriving the Venezuelan government of cash and credit will impede it from fixing the electrical grid by preventing the purchase of new equipment. And without electricity and water, Venezuelans, who in their vast majority oppose Maduro, will be concentrating on survival rather than protest. Working for peace An international effort led by the European Union, Uruguay, Ecuador and Costa Rica is seeking to negotiate new elections. Calling itself the International Contact Group, this coalition has sent technical teams to Caracas twice to meet with the Maduro government and the opposition. The International Contact Group has not actually found much interest on either side. The opposition and its allies in the Trump administration still believe that their strategy of political pressure and economic punishment will lead to the government’s collapse. Maduro, it appears, thinks he can hunker down and wait out the storm. There is one glimmer of hope. After years of political wrangling over humanitarian aid, on March 29 the International Committee of the Red Cross announced that it had brokered agreements with both the Maduro government and the opposition. They will allow the Red Cross to distribute food and medicine to Venezuelans, who have suffered severe shortages of both since 2015. The United Nations estimates that 94 per cent of Venezuela’s population now lives in poverty, and a quarter of its people urgently need humanitarian assistance. The Red Cross deal shows what can be achieved with “satellite diplomacy” – that is, negotiations that engage with rival factions independently rather than requiring them to meet face to face. This is significant. It is the first time that this diplomatic technique has succeeded in Venezuela’s conflict. In the best-case scenario, the humanitarian aid agreement will stick. And it could serve as a model for how international actors can facilitate a democratic transition in Venezuela. (David Smilde is Professor of Sociology, Tulane University) (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.)

Venezuela’s power struggle reaches a tense stalemate as human suffering deepens

The rise and fall of Venezuela

The EU on Thursday condemned a decision to strip Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido of immunity from prosecution, calling it a "serious violation" of the constitution that undermined the chances of a peaceful solution to the country's crisis.

"The EU rejects the decision taken by the non-recognised National Constituent Assembly to lift Juan Guaido's parliamentary immunity," EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini said, in a statement on behalf of all 28 members of the bloc.

Lawmakers in Venezuela's Constituent Assembly, which is loyal to President Nicolas Maduro, authorised the high court to prosecute Guaido for proclaiming himself the country's ruler.

"This decision constitutes a serious violation of the Venezuelan Constitution, as well as of the rule of law and separation of powers, as the only body authorised to lift the immunity of members of the parliament is the National Assembly," Mogherini said.

"These acts undermine a political way out of the crisis and only lead to further polarisation and escalation of tensions in the country."

Guaido, the speaker of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, declared himself interim president in January as Venezuela's economic and political crisis plunged new depths -- a move recognised by more than 50 countries, including many from the EU.

Mogherini called for Guaido's "constitutionally mandated" immunity to be respected, saying he must not be detained or intimidated.

Critics of the controversial two-year-old Constituent Assembly say it was created to rubber-stamp Maduro's decisions and to sideline the opposition-controlled National Assembly.

Alongside the political tussle, Venezuela has been hit by a series of devastating blackouts that have left millions without water, prompting the government to replace the country's energy minister and institute power rationing.

The EU on Thursday condemned a decision to strip Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido of immunity from prosecution, calling it a "serious violation" of the constitution that undermined the chances of a peaceful solution to the country's crisis.

The EU on Thursday condemned a decision to strip Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido of immunity from prosecution, calling it a "serious violation" of the constitution that undermined the chances of a peaceful solution to the country's crisis. "The EU rejects the decision taken by the non-recognised National Constituent Assembly to lift Juan Guaido's parliamentary immunity," EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini said, in a statement on behalf of all 28 members of the bloc. Lawmakers in Venezuela's Constituent Assembly, which is loyal to President Nicolas Maduro, authorised the high court to prosecute Guaido for proclaiming himself the country's ruler. "This decision constitutes a serious violation of the Venezuelan Constitution, as well as of the rule of law and separation of powers, as the only body authorised to lift the immunity of members of the parliament is the National Assembly," Mogherini said. "These acts undermine a political way out of the crisis and only lead to further polarisation and escalation of tensions in the country." Guaido, the speaker of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, declared himself interim president in January as Venezuela's economic and political crisis plunged new depths -- a move recognised by more than 50 countries, including many from the EU. Mogherini called for Guaido's "constitutionally mandated" immunity to be respected, saying he must not be detained or intimidated. Critics of the controversial two-year-old Constituent Assembly say it was created to rubber-stamp Maduro's decisions and to sideline the opposition-controlled National Assembly. Alongside the political tussle, Venezuela has been hit by a series of devastating blackouts that have left millions without water, prompting the government to replace the country's energy minister and institute power rationing.

EU condemns stripping of immunity from Venezuela's Guaido

Venezuela's ruling Constituent Assembly stripped <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-auditor-general-strips-guaido-of-public-office-206376">opposition leader Juan Guaido's immunity</a> Tuesday and authorised the crisis-hit country's high court to criminally prosecute him for usurpation of functions.

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido on Tuesday insisted nothing would stop his bid to remove his rival.

"The people are determined and nothing is going to stop us," the self-declared interim president, who is recognized by over 50 countries, announced to supporters and journalists.

"There is no turning back in this process," he added.

Guaido -- who is recognised by over 50 countries -- had earlier expressed fears of being abducted by government agents following a request by the Supreme Court on Monday to the Constituent Assembly to lift his parliamentary immunity.

Critics of the controversial two-year-old body say it was created to rubber-stamp Maduro's decisions and sideline the opposition-controlled National Assembly.

"They can try to kidnap me," said Guaido, recognised as the oil-rich country's interim president by more than 50 countries.

The Constituent Assembly's president, Diosdado Cabello, announced pro-Maduro lawmakers had unanimously authorised the Supreme Court to prosecute Guaido, leaving him also liable to be charged for breaching a January 29 government ban on leaving the country.

The court had been investigating Guaido for usurping Maduro's powers by declaring himself interim president on January 23 -- a move which rapidly gained international support.

"You know how the regime acts. This is not even persecution -- this is an inquisition," said Guaido, who recognises neither the court nor the Constituent Assembly.

Neither institution "has the quality of being able to lift immunity or invalidate, we have to say things as they are," he said.

Travel ban&nbsp;

Guaido was speaking to reporters prior to a meeting of his own National Assembly, which sits in the same federal palace building as the rival Constituent Assembly.

Monday's court ruling cited Guaido's violation of a ban on his travel outside Venezuela when he visited Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Paraguay from late February to early March.

The move came after Venezuela's auditor general's office announced Thursday that it had stripped Guaido of the right to hold public office for 15 years, a decision he rejected as invalid.

Parallel to the political battle, the country has been hit by a series of devastating blackouts that have left millions without water, prompting the government to replace the country's energy minister and institute power rationing in a bid to address the outages.

Three major blackouts hit Venezuela in March, worsening already dire living and economic conditions in the country, and prompting authorities to take steps aimed at curbing the outages

Maduro -- whose government has blamed "terrorists" for alleged attacks that have damaged the country's main hydroelectric power plant -- announced that he was appointing Igor Gavidia Leon to replace retired general Luis Motta Dominguez as energy minister.

The new minister "is an electrical industry worker with 25 years of experience, an engineer who had many responsibilities," Maduro said.

On Sunday, Maduro announced 30 days of electricity rationing, after his government said it was shortening the workday and keeping schools closed due to blackouts.

The measures are a stark admission by the government that there is not enough electricity to go around, and that the power crisis is here to stay.

With no electricity, pumping stations can't work, so water service is limited.

Schools and universities are scheduled to reopen on Wednesday.

Venezuela's ruling Constituent Assembly stripped opposition leader Juan Guaido's immunity Tuesday and authorised the crisis-hit country's high court to criminally prosecute him for usurpation of functions.

Venezuela's ruling Constituent Assembly stripped opposition leader Juan Guaido's immunity Tuesday and authorised the crisis-hit country's high court to criminally prosecute him for usurpation of functions. Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido on Tuesday insisted nothing would stop his bid to remove his rival. "The people are determined and nothing is going to stop us," the self-declared interim president, who is recognized by over 50 countries, announced to supporters and journalists. "There is no turning back in this process," he added. Guaido -- who is recognised by over 50 countries -- had earlier expressed fears of being abducted by government agents following a request by the Supreme Court on Monday to the Constituent Assembly to lift his parliamentary immunity. Critics of the controversial two-year-old body say it was created to rubber-stamp Maduro's decisions and sideline the opposition-controlled National Assembly. "They can try to kidnap me," said Guaido, recognised as the oil-rich country's interim president by more than 50 countries. The Constituent Assembly's president, Diosdado Cabello, announced pro-Maduro lawmakers had unanimously authorised the Supreme Court to prosecute Guaido, leaving him also liable to be charged for breaching a January 29 government ban on leaving the country. The court had been investigating Guaido for usurping Maduro's powers by declaring himself interim president on January 23 -- a move which rapidly gained international support. "You know how the regime acts. This is not even persecution -- this is an inquisition," said Guaido, who recognises neither the court nor the Constituent Assembly. Neither institution "has the quality of being able to lift immunity or invalidate, we have to say things as they are," he said. Travel ban Guaido was speaking to reporters prior to a meeting of his own National Assembly, which sits in the same federal palace building as the rival Constituent Assembly. Monday's court ruling cited Guaido's violation of a ban on his travel outside Venezuela when he visited Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Paraguay from late February to early March. The move came after Venezuela's auditor general's office announced Thursday that it had stripped Guaido of the right to hold public office for 15 years, a decision he rejected as invalid. Parallel to the political battle, the country has been hit by a series of devastating blackouts that have left millions without water, prompting the government to replace the country's energy minister and institute power rationing in a bid to address the outages. Three major blackouts hit Venezuela in March, worsening already dire living and economic conditions in the country, and prompting authorities to take steps aimed at curbing the outages Maduro -- whose government has blamed "terrorists" for alleged attacks that have damaged the country's main hydroelectric power plant -- announced that he was appointing Igor Gavidia Leon to replace retired general Luis Motta Dominguez as energy minister. The new minister "is an electrical industry worker with 25 years of experience, an engineer who had many responsibilities," Maduro said. On Sunday, Maduro announced 30 days of electricity rationing, after his government said it was shortening the workday and keeping schools closed due to blackouts. The measures are a stark admission by the government that there is not enough electricity to go around, and that the power crisis is here to stay. With no electricity, pumping stations can't work, so water service is limited. Schools and universities are scheduled to reopen on Wednesday.

Venezuela's Constituent Assembly strips Guaido of immunity, may face prosecution

Venezuela crisis: Maduro loyalists lift Juan Guaido's immunity

Venezuela's top court called on the ruling Constituent Assembly Monday to strip <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-auditor-general-strips-guaido-of-public-office-206376">opposition leader Juan Guaido</a> of parliamentary immunity.

The decision by the Supreme Court of Justice could open the way for President Nicolas Maduro's rival Guaido, recognised as interim president by more than 50 countries, to be prosecuted.

The court ruling cited Guaido's violation of a ban on his travel outside Venezuela when he visited Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Paraguay from late February to early March.

It came as Guaido and Maduro are locked in a battle for power in the oil-rich country, which is facing a crippling and deepening economic and political crisis.

The competition has been escalated into a geopolitical struggle, drawing in the United States and its allies that support Guaido, and Russia, Cuba and China backing Maduro.

Though unpopular in a country spiralling ever deeper into economic chaos, Maduro has the upper hand at home, thanks to loyalty from his military chiefs and, more recently, the presence of 100 Russian troops.

Abroad, Guaido is buoyed by US sanctions against Maduro's regime funnelling funds his way, and efforts to have his envoys recognised over Maduro's in diplomatic missions and international organizations.

Maduro, who so far has heeded US warnings to not arrest Guaido under threat of unspecified repercussions, appears nonetheless more confident since Moscow's overt protection.

Venezuela's top court called on the ruling Constituent Assembly Monday to strip opposition leader Juan Guaido of parliamentary immunity. The decision by the Supreme Court of Justice could open the way for President Nicolas Maduro's rival Guaido, recognised as interim president by more than 50 countries, to be prosecuted.

Venezuela's top court called on the ruling Constituent Assembly Monday to strip opposition leader Juan Guaido of parliamentary immunity. The decision by the Supreme Court of Justice could open the way for President Nicolas Maduro's rival Guaido, recognised as interim president by more than 50 countries, to be prosecuted. The court ruling cited Guaido's violation of a ban on his travel outside Venezuela when he visited Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Paraguay from late February to early March. It came as Guaido and Maduro are locked in a battle for power in the oil-rich country, which is facing a crippling and deepening economic and political crisis. The competition has been escalated into a geopolitical struggle, drawing in the United States and its allies that support Guaido, and Russia, Cuba and China backing Maduro. Though unpopular in a country spiralling ever deeper into economic chaos, Maduro has the upper hand at home, thanks to loyalty from his military chiefs and, more recently, the presence of 100 Russian troops. Abroad, Guaido is buoyed by US sanctions against Maduro's regime funnelling funds his way, and efforts to have his envoys recognised over Maduro's in diplomatic missions and international organizations. Maduro, who so far has heeded US warnings to not arrest Guaido under threat of unspecified repercussions, appears nonetheless more confident since Moscow's overt protection.

Top Venezuela court calls to strip opposition leader Guaido's immunity

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