The self-declared interim president of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-opposition-leader-guaido-delivers-first-cargo-of-humanitarian-aid-196818">Venezuela Juan Guaido</a> on Monday pointed to the Armed Forces as the factor supporting "dictator" Nicolas Maduro but added that a vast majority of "military families" are dissatisfied.

"It is the Armed Forces who support the dictator today (...), that important sector of the country, which has a role not only in stopping the usurpation, but also in the reconstruction of Venezuela," Guaido said in an interview with EFE on Monday night.

It is also clear there are soldiers who have already begun to turn their backs on Maduro publicly, he said, adding there are also 160 active soldiers who were captured and “are being tortured."

According to his data, "80 percent of the military family is absolutely dissatisfied with this regime."

This loyalty of the so-called Bolivarian National Armed Forces (BNAF) to the government would be the main obstacle to undoing what Guaido has called Maduro's "usurpation" of the presidency, and would also be the obstacle to him assuming official interim presidency of the country.

On the possibility of ordering a foreign intervention, Guaido said the topic is “very controversial” but he is going to "do what is necessary to achieve the cessation of the dictatorship."

When Guaido declared himself interim president on Jan. 23 before hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans, he said that his government intends to achieve three objectives that have become a mantra for the opposition: "Cessation of the usurpation, transition government and free elections."

Today, he said Maduro no longer has support but is still occupying the presidential palace of Miraflores because of "the military."

"Maduro is unaware of the crisis (...) the deterioration of the quality of life, of public services, the risk of life we have in Venezuela," he said.

"What do we lack today after 20 years of work, sacrifice, to build a majority? We lack the factor that ultimately sustains dictatorships, which is the Armed Forces," he added.

Guaido did not want to talk about the deadline for Maduro’s "usurpation" and preferred to reiterate areas in which they must continue working, such as "social mobilization," "the international community," "the Armed Forces" and "the union of the opposition."

"We are all desperate. We are all frustrated because of the hard moment in our country. But we must stay on the road. We have spoken very clearly and we are on a road of hope, of change that is getting closer," he said.

He did not know who would be the next candidate for the presidency when the "free elections" are held.

"The best candidate will be the one that emerges from the union of all the factors, from the democratic alternative," he said.

On the investigation that the Venezuelan Comptroller announced it would open for alleged international resources received, Guaido said that "an absolutely deteriorated regime with no credibility does not have any authority or legitimacy to speak after they have stolen all the money."

He also reiterated that he is only interested in "getting out of this dictatorship, achieving the necessary social and political force to achieve the cessation of the usurpation."

Guaido tried to dismantle the pro-government discourse that his actions can lead to a civil war by pointing out that in Venezuela "there is no possibility of a people-to-people confrontation" because "Maduro is isolated. He is alone and has no people’s support."

Maduro only wants to "maintain and protect his privileges," he added.

That is why "nobody would be willing to do anything for Nicolas Maduro, to sacrifice himself or to die for someone who is not willing to even attend to them or to protect them," he insisted.

He also said that Maduro does not know how to finance this alleged warlike scenario and this is one of the reasons why the presiding parliament has asked international financial organizations not to deliver the assets of Venezuela to the government.

"Why do we protect the assets of Venezuela? Precisely so that they do not use the resources of Venezuela in continuing to arm the population," he added.

Meanwhile, Guaido said he is focused on getting humanitarian aid to the country, and that he has already procured 1,700,000 food rations for children in a state of malnutrition.

The self-declared interim president of Venezuela Juan Guaido on Monday pointed to the Armed Forces as the factor supporting "dictator" Nicolas Maduro but added that a vast majority of "military families" are dissatisfied.

The self-declared interim president of Venezuela Juan Guaido on Monday pointed to the Armed Forces as the factor supporting "dictator" Nicolas Maduro but added that a vast majority of "military families" are dissatisfied. "It is the Armed Forces who support the dictator today (...), that important sector of the country, which has a role not only in stopping the usurpation, but also in the reconstruction of Venezuela," Guaido said in an interview with EFE on Monday night. It is also clear there are soldiers who have already begun to turn their backs on Maduro publicly, he said, adding there are also 160 active soldiers who were captured and “are being tortured." According to his data, "80 percent of the military family is absolutely dissatisfied with this regime." This loyalty of the so-called Bolivarian National Armed Forces (BNAF) to the government would be the main obstacle to undoing what Guaido has called Maduro's "usurpation" of the presidency, and would also be the obstacle to him assuming official interim presidency of the country. On the possibility of ordering a foreign intervention, Guaido said the topic is “very controversial” but he is going to "do what is necessary to achieve the cessation of the dictatorship." When Guaido declared himself interim president on Jan. 23 before hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans, he said that his government intends to achieve three objectives that have become a mantra for the opposition: "Cessation of the usurpation, transition government and free elections." Today, he said Maduro no longer has support but is still occupying the presidential palace of Miraflores because of "the military." "Maduro is unaware of the crisis (...) the deterioration of the quality of life, of public services, the risk of life we have in Venezuela," he said. "What do we lack today after 20 years of work, sacrifice, to build a majority? We lack the factor that ultimately sustains dictatorships, which is the Armed Forces," he added. Guaido did not want to talk about the deadline for Maduro’s "usurpation" and preferred to reiterate areas in which they must continue working, such as "social mobilization," "the international community," "the Armed Forces" and "the union of the opposition." "We are all desperate. We are all frustrated because of the hard moment in our country. But we must stay on the road. We have spoken very clearly and we are on a road of hope, of change that is getting closer," he said. He did not know who would be the next candidate for the presidency when the "free elections" are held. "The best candidate will be the one that emerges from the union of all the factors, from the democratic alternative," he said. On the investigation that the Venezuelan Comptroller announced it would open for alleged international resources received, Guaido said that "an absolutely deteriorated regime with no credibility does not have any authority or legitimacy to speak after they have stolen all the money." He also reiterated that he is only interested in "getting out of this dictatorship, achieving the necessary social and political force to achieve the cessation of the usurpation." Guaido tried to dismantle the pro-government discourse that his actions can lead to a civil war by pointing out that in Venezuela "there is no possibility of a people-to-people confrontation" because "Maduro is isolated. He is alone and has no people’s support." Maduro only wants to "maintain and protect his privileges," he added. That is why "nobody would be willing to do anything for Nicolas Maduro, to sacrifice himself or to die for someone who is not willing to even attend to them or to protect them," he insisted. He also said that Maduro does not know how to finance this alleged warlike scenario and this is one of the reasons why the presiding parliament has asked international financial organizations not to deliver the assets of Venezuela to the government. "Why do we protect the assets of Venezuela? Precisely so that they do not use the resources of Venezuela in continuing to arm the population," he added. Meanwhile, Guaido said he is focused on getting humanitarian aid to the country, and that he has already procured 1,700,000 food rations for children in a state of malnutrition.

It is the military which is supporting 'dictator' Maduro: Venezuela opposition leader Guaido

Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro has called on Britain to return "more than 80 tons of gold" reserves deposited in London instead of sending humanitarian aid, in an interview with the BBC.

Venezuela is in the midst of an economic crisis as millions of people face shortages of basic necessities such as food and medicines.

But Maduro refuses to allow in aid sent by the United States to alleviate the crisis.

The socialist leader told the BBC, according to a transcript made public Tuesday, that his country may have gold reserves weighing 80 tons or more deposited at the Bank of England.

Maduro, who faces a challenge to his authority back home from opposition leader Juan Guaido, said the gold is "legally Venezuela's, it belongs to the Central Bank of Venezuela."

Maduro says the US has frozen $10 billion in Venezuelan accounts through its sanctions.

Washington has said it will turn over control of those resources to Guaido once Maduro has been removed from power.

"They should send a convoy with the dollars they've stolen from us," said Maduro, who claims that aid would be a pretext to foreign intervention.

"Send a convoy with the 80 tons of gold. Let it come, the convoy of money, it's our money. With that, we could solve our country's problems."

The government is hamstrung by a serious lack of liquidity, aggravated by US sanctions targeting both regime individuals and the state oil company PDVSA.

Venezuela has spent months trying to repatriate its gold reserves from London.

"I hope there will be respect for international law and the Central Bank of Venezuela," said Maduro, who is under huge international pressure to leave power so self-proclaimed acting president Guaido can set up a transitional government and hold new elections.

"Hopefully justice will prevail and Venezuela won't be expropriated of something it owns," added the socialist leader.

Guaido, who is recognized as Venezuela's true leader by around 50 countries, has asked the British government to ensure the Bank of England doesn't release the gold or other assets held there to Maduro.

British Prime Minister Theresa May is one of the world leaders to have recognized Guaido.

Maduro claims the government needs its foreign assets to alleviate the shortages of food and medicines, which he says is being used by the Washington-backed opposition to paint a picture of a humanitarian crisis to justify a US military intervention.

French corporate and investment bank Natixis claims Venezuela has 31 tons of gold worth $1.3 billion stashed in the Bank of England.

Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro has called on Britain to return "more than 80 tons of gold" reserves deposited in London instead of sending humanitarian aid, in an interview with the BBC.

Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro has called on Britain to return "more than 80 tons of gold" reserves deposited in London instead of sending humanitarian aid, in an interview with the BBC. Venezuela is in the midst of an economic crisis as millions of people face shortages of basic necessities such as food and medicines. But Maduro refuses to allow in aid sent by the United States to alleviate the crisis. The socialist leader told the BBC, according to a transcript made public Tuesday, that his country may have gold reserves weighing 80 tons or more deposited at the Bank of England. Maduro, who faces a challenge to his authority back home from opposition leader Juan Guaido, said the gold is "legally Venezuela's, it belongs to the Central Bank of Venezuela." Maduro says the US has frozen $10 billion in Venezuelan accounts through its sanctions. Washington has said it will turn over control of those resources to Guaido once Maduro has been removed from power. "They should send a convoy with the dollars they've stolen from us," said Maduro, who claims that aid would be a pretext to foreign intervention. "Send a convoy with the 80 tons of gold. Let it come, the convoy of money, it's our money. With that, we could solve our country's problems." The government is hamstrung by a serious lack of liquidity, aggravated by US sanctions targeting both regime individuals and the state oil company PDVSA. Venezuela has spent months trying to repatriate its gold reserves from London. "I hope there will be respect for international law and the Central Bank of Venezuela," said Maduro, who is under huge international pressure to leave power so self-proclaimed acting president Guaido can set up a transitional government and hold new elections. "Hopefully justice will prevail and Venezuela won't be expropriated of something it owns," added the socialist leader. Guaido, who is recognized as Venezuela's true leader by around 50 countries, has asked the British government to ensure the Bank of England doesn't release the gold or other assets held there to Maduro. British Prime Minister Theresa May is one of the world leaders to have recognized Guaido. Maduro claims the government needs its foreign assets to alleviate the shortages of food and medicines, which he says is being used by the Washington-backed opposition to paint a picture of a humanitarian crisis to justify a US military intervention. French corporate and investment bank Natixis claims Venezuela has 31 tons of gold worth $1.3 billion stashed in the Bank of England.

Maduro calls for return of Venezuela's UK-deposited gold

WION Fineprint, 12th February, 2019

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-guaido-to-ask-oas-to-organise-elections-196773">Venezuela's opposition leader, Juan Guaido</a>, said on Monday his team had delivered a first cargo of the humanitarian aid that has become a flashpoint in his tussle with President Nicolas Maduro, without specifying how it had received it.

Guaido, who has been recognized by most Western nations as Venezuela's legitimate president over the past month, tweeted a photo of himself surrounded by stacks of white pots of vitamin and nutritional supplements. He did not say from where or whom they came.

Venezuela's opposition has been coordinating an effort by Western nations, companies and organizations to deliver aid to Venezuela where malnutrition and preventable disease have proliferated in recent years as the economy has nosedived.

Maduro has said this is part of a US-orchestrated strategy to undermine and ultimately overthrow him. He says he will not allow this "show."

Maduro on Monday launched a government programme to consolidate Venezuela's identity, aiming to improve exports. Under the slogan "Venezuela open to the future," it aims to enhance the tourist, commercial, economic and advertising activities of the country.

The United States last month recognized Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate leader after he declared himself president. Guaido argued Maduro's re-election last year was a sham. The United States has since been joined by a majority of Western nations.

Venezuela's opposition leader, Juan Guaido, said on Monday his team had delivered a first cargo of the humanitarian aid that has become a flashpoint in his tussle with President Nicolas Maduro, without specifying how it had received it.

Venezuela's opposition leader, Juan Guaido, said on Monday his team had delivered a first cargo of the humanitarian aid that has become a flashpoint in his tussle with President Nicolas Maduro, without specifying how it had received it. Guaido, who has been recognized by most Western nations as Venezuela's legitimate president over the past month, tweeted a photo of himself surrounded by stacks of white pots of vitamin and nutritional supplements. He did not say from where or whom they came. Venezuela's opposition has been coordinating an effort by Western nations, companies and organizations to deliver aid to Venezuela where malnutrition and preventable disease have proliferated in recent years as the economy has nosedived. Maduro has said this is part of a US-orchestrated strategy to undermine and ultimately overthrow him. He says he will not allow this "show." Maduro on Monday launched a government programme to consolidate Venezuela's identity, aiming to improve exports. Under the slogan "Venezuela open to the future," it aims to enhance the tourist, commercial, economic and advertising activities of the country. The United States last month recognized Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate leader after he declared himself president. Guaido argued Maduro's re-election last year was a sham. The United States has since been joined by a majority of Western nations.

Venezuela opposition leader Guaido delivers first cargo of humanitarian aid

Venezuela oil minister Manuel Quevedo Fernandez speaks exclusively to WION

Venezuela's self-proclaimed acting president, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-opposition-leader-guaido-warns-military-on-blocked-humanitarian-aid-196504">Juan Guaido</a>, will ask for the support of the OAS to restructure the country's electoral authorities and organise new elections in the Andean nation, his envoy said here Monday.

"This is a visit prior to the formal request that is going to be made to the Organisation of American States by President Juan Guaido to ask for the cooperation of the OAS in conducting the next Venezuelan electoral process," Gustavo Tarre told reporters, confirming that the request will be made this week.

Tarre spoke on Monday with the secretary for the strengthening of democracy at the OAS, Francisco Guerrero, to whom he also expressed Guaido's interest in asking for an observer mission for a future election.

"First, we want to reconstruct the electoral branch and an electoral mechanism that will be trustworthy, where not the slightest doubt exists that the will of the voters will be reflected in the results," he added.

Tarre said that a process will be launched for selecting the members of an independent electoral authority, moving toward a new list of voters and creating a voting mechanism.

The United States, Canada, numerous Latin American countries and the major European powers all consider leftist President Nicolas Maduro's May 2018 re-election victory to be tainted by fraud and have recognized Guaido, speaker of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, as interim president.

On a related matter, Tarre said that a small portion of the humanitarian aid now sitting in a warehouse in the Colombian border city of Cucuta will enter Venezuela "at the end of this week or the start of next week."

"A complex logistical process" is under way regarding the aid, he said.

"Because we have to position the aid and also guarantee that once it crosses the border we have organizations from civil society that will distribute the goods," said the delegate, who added that it is expected that the trucks will enter through the border crossing points with Colombia and Brazil.

Although he admitted that any mobilization of aid depends on whether the military allows it to pass, he expressed confidence that there would be no obstacles.

"I don't see a Venezuelan soldier halting with a rifle someone bringing food to his dad, his mom, his kids and his siblings," he said.

Maduro has thus far used the military to block the aid from entering Venezuela, denying that the country is suffering a humanitarian crisis and saying the delivery of the shipments would be a prelude to a US-led military intervention.

On Monday, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino said that his country has a "strengthened (military) presence" along the border with Colombia after a portion of the humanitarian aid had begun to be warehoused in Cucuta.

Guaido, meanwhile, said on Monday that the first shipment of the humanitarian aid had already been received.

"Today we're receiving the first shipment of humanitarian aid items from the Health Centers Association (ASSOVEC) with 85,000 supplements, which translates into 1.7 million food rations for children and 4,500 supplements for pregnant women," Guaido said on his Twitter account.

Venezuela's self-proclaimed acting president, Juan Guaido, will ask for the support of the OAS to restructure the country's electoral authorities and organise new elections in the Andean nation, his envoy said here Monday.

Venezuela's self-proclaimed acting president, Juan Guaido, will ask for the support of the OAS to restructure the country's electoral authorities and organise new elections in the Andean nation, his envoy said here Monday. "This is a visit prior to the formal request that is going to be made to the Organisation of American States by President Juan Guaido to ask for the cooperation of the OAS in conducting the next Venezuelan electoral process," Gustavo Tarre told reporters, confirming that the request will be made this week. Tarre spoke on Monday with the secretary for the strengthening of democracy at the OAS, Francisco Guerrero, to whom he also expressed Guaido's interest in asking for an observer mission for a future election. "First, we want to reconstruct the electoral branch and an electoral mechanism that will be trustworthy, where not the slightest doubt exists that the will of the voters will be reflected in the results," he added. Tarre said that a process will be launched for selecting the members of an independent electoral authority, moving toward a new list of voters and creating a voting mechanism. The United States, Canada, numerous Latin American countries and the major European powers all consider leftist President Nicolas Maduro's May 2018 re-election victory to be tainted by fraud and have recognized Guaido, speaker of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, as interim president. On a related matter, Tarre said that a small portion of the humanitarian aid now sitting in a warehouse in the Colombian border city of Cucuta will enter Venezuela "at the end of this week or the start of next week." "A complex logistical process" is under way regarding the aid, he said. "Because we have to position the aid and also guarantee that once it crosses the border we have organizations from civil society that will distribute the goods," said the delegate, who added that it is expected that the trucks will enter through the border crossing points with Colombia and Brazil. Although he admitted that any mobilization of aid depends on whether the military allows it to pass, he expressed confidence that there would be no obstacles. "I don't see a Venezuelan soldier halting with a rifle someone bringing food to his dad, his mom, his kids and his siblings," he said. Maduro has thus far used the military to block the aid from entering Venezuela, denying that the country is suffering a humanitarian crisis and saying the delivery of the shipments would be a prelude to a US-led military intervention. On Monday, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino said that his country has a "strengthened (military) presence" along the border with Colombia after a portion of the humanitarian aid had begun to be warehoused in Cucuta. Guaido, meanwhile, said on Monday that the first shipment of the humanitarian aid had already been received. "Today we're receiving the first shipment of humanitarian aid items from the Health Centers Association (ASSOVEC) with 85,000 supplements, which translates into 1.7 million food rations for children and 4,500 supplements for pregnant women," Guaido said on his Twitter account.

Venezuela's Guaido to ask American States to organise elections

A group of Venezuelan doctors demonstrated on the Colombian side of the border on Sunday as they demanded President Nicolas Maduro's government allow <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/humanitarian-aid-is-a-big-lie-venezuelan-vice-president-196432">humanitarian aid into their country</a>.

Amid a hyperinflationary economic collapse that has caused malnutrition and the exodus of millions of people, humanitarian aid has become a flashpoint in an intensifying political crisis.

Venezuelan opposition leader and self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaido said last week a global coalition that includes the United States was sending food and medicine to collection points in Colombia, Brazil and an undisclosed Caribbean island before delivering the aid into Venezuela.

But Maduro denies there is even a crisis, saying it is part of a US-directed plot to undermine and overthrow his government and has said his government will not let the aid in.

Venezuela's opposition has so far only publicly announced the arrival of aid in the Colombian border town of Cucuta, where it is now being stockpiled as Venezuelan authorities have made it clear they will not allow it to enter the country.

Doctors at the demonstration said the food and medicine from the aid could be immediately used to befit their patients.

A group of Venezuelan doctors demonstrated on the Colombian side of the border on Sunday as they demanded President Nicolas Maduro's government allow humanitarian aid into their country.

A group of Venezuelan doctors demonstrated on the Colombian side of the border on Sunday as they demanded President Nicolas Maduro's government allow humanitarian aid into their country. Amid a hyperinflationary economic collapse that has caused malnutrition and the exodus of millions of people, humanitarian aid has become a flashpoint in an intensifying political crisis. Venezuelan opposition leader and self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaido said last week a global coalition that includes the United States was sending food and medicine to collection points in Colombia, Brazil and an undisclosed Caribbean island before delivering the aid into Venezuela. But Maduro denies there is even a crisis, saying it is part of a US-directed plot to undermine and overthrow his government and has said his government will not let the aid in. Venezuela's opposition has so far only publicly announced the arrival of aid in the Colombian border town of Cucuta, where it is now being stockpiled as Venezuelan authorities have made it clear they will not allow it to enter the country. Doctors at the demonstration said the food and medicine from the aid could be immediately used to befit their patients.

Venezuelan doctors demand government allow humanitarian aid

Opposition leader Juan Guaido, recognized by some 50 countries as Venezuela's interim president, has warned the military that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelan-doctors-demand-government-allow-humanitarian-aid-into-country-196481">blocking humanitarian aid</a> from entering the country is a "crime against humanity."

The warning came Sunday as international aid has taken centre stage in a test of wills between Guaido and President Nicolas Maduro in which Venezuela's armed forces are seen as the pivotal player.

Medicine and food sent by the United States has been blocked for three days on the border in Cucuta, Colombia after Venezuelan soldiers closed a bridge linking the two countries.

On the Venezuelan side of the border, dozens of doctors protested Sunday&nbsp; 
demanding the aid be allowed in -- including surgeon Jose Luis Mateus de la Riva, who accused Maduro of sinking Venezuelan medicine back to the "medieval era."&nbsp;

"There are people responsible for this and the regime should know it," Guaido said after attending Sunday mass with his wife and 20-month-old baby.

"This a crime against humanity, men of the armed forces." Accusing those blocking aid of being "almost genocidal," he likewise warned that the military would be held responsible for the deaths of protesters -- and reaffirmed his call for a mass march on Tuesday in memory of the estimated 40 people killed in disturbances since January 21.

Guaido has offered amnesty for any members of the armed forces who disavows Maduro -- but the military leadership still publicly backs the president.

On Sunday, the Venezuelan military announced it had started conducting exercises, set to run until February 15 across the country, to "reinforce the country's defensive capacity."

Maduro has rejected humanitarian aid as a US ploy to intervene in Venezuela, calling the deployment of aid a "political show" and blaming US sanctions for the country's widespread shortages of food and medicine.

Guaido countered that the regime was refusing to acknowledge a "crisis that they themselves generated," while Venezuelans were working to deal with the humanitarian emergency.

Speaking to AFP Friday, Guaido vowed to do "whatever necessary" to "stop the usurpation" of power and "save lives" -- without ruling out the possibility of authorizing foreign intervention.

And on Sunday, he said hundreds of volunteers had signed up over the weekend to help bring aid into Venezuela -- with further shipments set to arrive in neighbouring Brazil and on a Caribbean island.

Suffering the worst crisis of its modern history, Venezuelans have had to grapple with life-threatening scarcities amid eye-popping levels of hyperinflation that have rendered salaries and savings worthless.

According to the United Nations, some 2.3 million Venezuelans have fled the country since 2015.

But Guaido on Sunday reiterated that he would not negotiate with Maduro -- as he believes Maduro would use such talks to buy himself time. 
"Democracy is closer than ever before, the future is ours," he said. An international Contact Group, made up of European and Latin American countries, called for snap presidential elections following a meeting in Montevideo this week.

But Maduro, who has asked Pope Francis to act as a mediator, rejected what he said was "bias" by the group.

Last week Maduro also rejected a call by European Union countries to hold elections, prompting them to recognize Guaido.

Guaido, the 35-year-old head of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, stunned Venezuela in January by declaring himself interim president after the legislature declared Maduro a "usurper" following his May 2018 reelection in a vote disputed by the opposition and international community.&nbsp;

Opposition leader Juan Guaido, recognized by some 50 countries as Venezuela's interim president, has warned the military that blocking humanitarian aid from entering the country is a "crime against humanity.

Opposition leader Juan Guaido, recognized by some 50 countries as Venezuela's interim president, has warned the military that blocking humanitarian aid from entering the country is a "crime against humanity." The warning came Sunday as international aid has taken centre stage in a test of wills between Guaido and President Nicolas Maduro in which Venezuela's armed forces are seen as the pivotal player. Medicine and food sent by the United States has been blocked for three days on the border in Cucuta, Colombia after Venezuelan soldiers closed a bridge linking the two countries. On the Venezuelan side of the border, dozens of doctors protested Sunday demanding the aid be allowed in -- including surgeon Jose Luis Mateus de la Riva, who accused Maduro of sinking Venezuelan medicine back to the "medieval era." "There are people responsible for this and the regime should know it," Guaido said after attending Sunday mass with his wife and 20-month-old baby. "This a crime against humanity, men of the armed forces." Accusing those blocking aid of being "almost genocidal," he likewise warned that the military would be held responsible for the deaths of protesters -- and reaffirmed his call for a mass march on Tuesday in memory of the estimated 40 people killed in disturbances since January 21. Guaido has offered amnesty for any members of the armed forces who disavows Maduro -- but the military leadership still publicly backs the president. On Sunday, the Venezuelan military announced it had started conducting exercises, set to run until February 15 across the country, to "reinforce the country's defensive capacity." Maduro has rejected humanitarian aid as a US ploy to intervene in Venezuela, calling the deployment of aid a "political show" and blaming US sanctions for the country's widespread shortages of food and medicine. Guaido countered that the regime was refusing to acknowledge a "crisis that they themselves generated," while Venezuelans were working to deal with the humanitarian emergency. Speaking to AFP Friday, Guaido vowed to do "whatever necessary" to "stop the usurpation" of power and "save lives" -- without ruling out the possibility of authorizing foreign intervention. And on Sunday, he said hundreds of volunteers had signed up over the weekend to help bring aid into Venezuela -- with further shipments set to arrive in neighbouring Brazil and on a Caribbean island. Suffering the worst crisis of its modern history, Venezuelans have had to grapple with life-threatening scarcities amid eye-popping levels of hyperinflation that have rendered salaries and savings worthless. According to the United Nations, some 2.3 million Venezuelans have fled the country since 2015. But Guaido on Sunday reiterated that he would not negotiate with Maduro -- as he believes Maduro would use such talks to buy himself time. "Democracy is closer than ever before, the future is ours," he said. An international Contact Group, made up of European and Latin American countries, called for snap presidential elections following a meeting in Montevideo this week. But Maduro, who has asked Pope Francis to act as a mediator, rejected what he said was "bias" by the group. Last week Maduro also rejected a call by European Union countries to hold elections, prompting them to recognize Guaido. Guaido, the 35-year-old head of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, stunned Venezuela in January by declaring himself interim president after the legislature declared Maduro a "usurper" following his May 2018 reelection in a vote disputed by the opposition and international community.

Venezuela's opposition leader Guaido warns military on blocked humanitarian aid

By Scott Morgenstern and John Polga–Hecimovich

As political and economic crises threaten to topple Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro, political scientists like us are not surprised that he has run into trouble.

Instead, we see Venezuela as another example of what scholars call the “resource curse.” That’s the unfortunate correlation first described by the British economic geographer Richard M. Auty between nations with vast wealth from oil or other natural resources and political instability.

Venezuela is a textbook case of the curse, since nearly 90 per cent of its people are now living in poverty in the country with the world’s largest oil reserves. After decades of leaders who failed to harness this commodity for peace and prosperity, it is questionable whether a new government can do a better job.

Only a few oil and natural gas-rich countries, such as the United States, Canada and Norway have avoided this curse – in part because they built solid institutions and diverse economies before their petroleum drilling began.

The resource curse

The resource curse has afflicted many Latin American countries with profligate and populist elected leaders who succumbed to the temptations of corruption and reckless spending when easy money poured in, followed by right-wing dictatorships imposing repressive technocracies. Oil and wealth from other commodities like gold and copper, and foreign aid, have also supported kleptocrats and dictatorships who have often used their fortunes to retain power in other regions.

The scholars Terry Karl and Thad Dunning have persuasively argued that oil export revenue helped sustain Venezuelan democracy from the 1950s to the early 1980s. The government, they explained, could buy support from the elite with lower taxes and from the poor with social programs.

Oil money, in short, can sustain whatever government is in power, be it dictatorship or democracy.

But when crude prices fall, the loss of revenue polarises politics as the wealthy and the poor fight over the reduced proceeds. And when these countries not only rely on one export but also very limited markets, that adds to their vulnerability.

Oil sales constituted 98 per cent of Venezuela’s export earnings in 2017, with the US buying nearly half of the country’s exported crude.

Boom and bust

After several decades of strong economic performance backed by comparatively impressive social programs, Venezuela’s economy started to sputter in the 1980s. The vast sums of money it had borrowed a decade earlier, backed by future oil revenues, were coming due by that time.

President Carlos Andrés Pérez, who had presided over strong economic growth between 1974 and 1979, returned to power in 1989. However, this time the country faced a weak currency, rising poverty rates, and increased foreign and public debt in combination with low oil prices.

To stabilize the economy, Pérez implemented austerity policies that deregulated capital markets and reduced-price controls on gasoline and other products.

These measures exacerbated economic hardships for the poor, and Venezuelans took to the streets to protest in deadly riots known as the Caracazo. Pérez survived two coup attempts in 1992 only to be impeached and forced out of office for embezzlement in 1993.

Popular anger against economic conditions and the dominant political class led voters to back more polarizing politicians. The first coup attempt against Pérez in 1992 was organized by Hugo Chávez, then a lieutenant-colonel, who famously exclaimed to the nation that he had failed “for now.”

He was right. Just six years later, in 1998, he ran for president and won an overwhelming victory.

Building support 
 
Luckily for Chávez, oil prices had started to rise again, eventually reaching record levels while he was in power. Aside from a brief downturn brought on by the Great Recession, those high oil prices raised enough revenue to help sustain his support.

He gained extra revenue by restructuring Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), the country’s state-owned oil and natural gas company that now faces U.S. sanctions, to increase his control and to direct a bigger percentage of its export earnings into government coffers.

With that money, he built popular support by paying for dozens of safety net programs, such as the “Barrio Adentro” health initiative for the poor and the “Misión Robinson” literacy program, starting massive infrastructure projects, and continuing to subsidise the world’s cheapest gasoline.

When Chávez appointed allies to prominent posts at PDVSA in 2002, dissident members of the military and radicalized leaders of the Venezuelan Federation of Chambers of Commerce staged a coup attempt that ultimately failed to oust him.

Meanwhile, the government invested too little in the oil industry and mismanaged it. At the same time, it did too little to prepare for the possibility of lower revenue from oil, to boost other exports or to stop depending on the United States as its biggest customer. Following a big decline, Venezuela remained America’s third-largest source of foreign oil as of October 2018.

Maduro’s staying power

Maduro arrived to power in 2013, after the 58-year-old Chávez died from cancer. By then, Venezuelan oil production had declined, and just one year later global oil prices began to collapse.

Maduro’s popularity collapsed too, although he did get re-elected in 2018 in a race without any independent international electoral observers that was marked by boycotts, accusations of repressing the opposition, and vote-rigging.

On top of his misfortune to be leading Venezuela during an oil price slump, Maduro has turned out to be even worse at managing the oil industry than Chávez. He installed military cronies as managers, led by Manuel Quevedo, a major general in Venezuela’s National Guard.

Since his rise, there have been more purges of PDVSA executives, and many reports that lower-level workers are staying home since they can no longer afford the commute on their wages. Adding even further to the commotion, corruption has run rampant.

The increased social and economic upheaval has even led many poor people to withdraw their allegiance to Maduro. Amid the turmoil, the U.S. and many other countries are recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaidó, as the nation’s legitimate president.

Whether or not Guaidó manages to dislodge Maduro’s grip on power, the country’s turbulent history suggests that long-term success will require much more than removing its current embattled leader. Any future leaders must also build the coalitions and institutions necessary to break the resource curse and thus empower Venezuela to finally draw social and economic stability from its oil wealth.

(Scott Morgenstern is Professor, University of Pittsburgh; John Polga–Hecimovich is Assistant Professor, United States Naval Academy)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

By Scott Morgenstern and John Polga–Hecimovich As political and economic crises threaten to topple Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro, political scientists like us are not surprised that he has run into trouble.

By Scott Morgenstern and John Polga–Hecimovich As political and economic crises threaten to topple Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro, political scientists like us are not surprised that he has run into trouble. Instead, we see Venezuela as another example of what scholars call the “resource curse.” That’s the unfortunate correlation first described by the British economic geographer Richard M. Auty between nations with vast wealth from oil or other natural resources and political instability. Venezuela is a textbook case of the curse, since nearly 90 per cent of its people are now living in poverty in the country with the world’s largest oil reserves. After decades of leaders who failed to harness this commodity for peace and prosperity, it is questionable whether a new government can do a better job. Only a few oil and natural gas-rich countries, such as the United States, Canada and Norway have avoided this curse – in part because they built solid institutions and diverse economies before their petroleum drilling began. The resource curse The resource curse has afflicted many Latin American countries with profligate and populist elected leaders who succumbed to the temptations of corruption and reckless spending when easy money poured in, followed by right-wing dictatorships imposing repressive technocracies. Oil and wealth from other commodities like gold and copper, and foreign aid, have also supported kleptocrats and dictatorships who have often used their fortunes to retain power in other regions. The scholars Terry Karl and Thad Dunning have persuasively argued that oil export revenue helped sustain Venezuelan democracy from the 1950s to the early 1980s. The government, they explained, could buy support from the elite with lower taxes and from the poor with social programs. Oil money, in short, can sustain whatever government is in power, be it dictatorship or democracy. But when crude prices fall, the loss of revenue polarises politics as the wealthy and the poor fight over the reduced proceeds. And when these countries not only rely on one export but also very limited markets, that adds to their vulnerability. Oil sales constituted 98 per cent of Venezuela’s export earnings in 2017, with the US buying nearly half of the country’s exported crude. Boom and bust After several decades of strong economic performance backed by comparatively impressive social programs, Venezuela’s economy started to sputter in the 1980s. The vast sums of money it had borrowed a decade earlier, backed by future oil revenues, were coming due by that time. President Carlos Andrés Pérez, who had presided over strong economic growth between 1974 and 1979, returned to power in 1989. However, this time the country faced a weak currency, rising poverty rates, and increased foreign and public debt in combination with low oil prices. To stabilize the economy, Pérez implemented austerity policies that deregulated capital markets and reduced-price controls on gasoline and other products. These measures exacerbated economic hardships for the poor, and Venezuelans took to the streets to protest in deadly riots known as the Caracazo. Pérez survived two coup attempts in 1992 only to be impeached and forced out of office for embezzlement in 1993. Popular anger against economic conditions and the dominant political class led voters to back more polarizing politicians. The first coup attempt against Pérez in 1992 was organized by Hugo Chávez, then a lieutenant-colonel, who famously exclaimed to the nation that he had failed “for now.” He was right. Just six years later, in 1998, he ran for president and won an overwhelming victory. Building support Luckily for Chávez, oil prices had started to rise again, eventually reaching record levels while he was in power. Aside from a brief downturn brought on by the Great Recession, those high oil prices raised enough revenue to help sustain his support. He gained extra revenue by restructuring Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), the country’s state-owned oil and natural gas company that now faces U.S. sanctions, to increase his control and to direct a bigger percentage of its export earnings into government coffers. With that money, he built popular support by paying for dozens of safety net programs, such as the “Barrio Adentro” health initiative for the poor and the “Misión Robinson” literacy program, starting massive infrastructure projects, and continuing to subsidise the world’s cheapest gasoline. When Chávez appointed allies to prominent posts at PDVSA in 2002, dissident members of the military and radicalized leaders of the Venezuelan Federation of Chambers of Commerce staged a coup attempt that ultimately failed to oust him. Meanwhile, the government invested too little in the oil industry and mismanaged it. At the same time, it did too little to prepare for the possibility of lower revenue from oil, to boost other exports or to stop depending on the United States as its biggest customer. Following a big decline, Venezuela remained America’s third-largest source of foreign oil as of October 2018. Maduro’s staying power Maduro arrived to power in 2013, after the 58-year-old Chávez died from cancer. By then, Venezuelan oil production had declined, and just one year later global oil prices began to collapse. Maduro’s popularity collapsed too, although he did get re-elected in 2018 in a race without any independent international electoral observers that was marked by boycotts, accusations of repressing the opposition, and vote-rigging. On top of his misfortune to be leading Venezuela during an oil price slump, Maduro has turned out to be even worse at managing the oil industry than Chávez. He installed military cronies as managers, led by Manuel Quevedo, a major general in Venezuela’s National Guard. Since his rise, there have been more purges of PDVSA executives, and many reports that lower-level workers are staying home since they can no longer afford the commute on their wages. Adding even further to the commotion, corruption has run rampant. The increased social and economic upheaval has even led many poor people to withdraw their allegiance to Maduro. Amid the turmoil, the U.S. and many other countries are recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaidó, as the nation’s legitimate president. Whether or not Guaidó manages to dislodge Maduro’s grip on power, the country’s turbulent history suggests that long-term success will require much more than removing its current embattled leader. Any future leaders must also build the coalitions and institutions necessary to break the resource curse and thus empower Venezuela to finally draw social and economic stability from its oil wealth. (Scott Morgenstern is Professor, University of Pittsburgh; John Polga–Hecimovich is Assistant Professor, United States Naval Academy) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Why Venezuela’s oil money could keep undermining its economy and democracy

Venezuela's most successful financial operations in recent years have not taken place on Wall Street, but in primitive gold-mining camps in the nation's southern reaches.

With the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/humanitarian-aid-is-a-big-lie-venezuelan-vice-president-196432">country's economy in meltdown</a>, an estimated 300,000 fortune hunters have descended on this mineral-rich jungle area to earn a living pulling gold-flecked earth from makeshift mines.

Their picks and shovels are helping to prop up the leftist government of President Nicolas Maduro. Since 2016, his administration has purchased 17 tonnes of the metal worth around $650 million from so-called artisan miners, according to the most recent data from the nation's central bank.

Paid with the country's near-worthless bank notes, these amateurs, in turn, supply the government with hard currency to purchase badly needed imports of food and hygiene products. This gold trade is a blip on international markets. Still, the United States is using sanctions and intimidation in an effort to stop Maduro from using his nation's gold to stay afloat.

The Trump administration is pressuring the United Kingdom not to release $1.2 billion in gold reserves Venezuela has stored in the Bank of England. US&nbsp;officials recently castigated an Abu Dhabi-based investment firm for its Venezuela gold purchases, and have warned other potential foreign buyers to back off.

The existence of Maduro's gold program is well-known. How it functions is not.

To get a glimpse inside, Reuters tracked Venezuela's gold from steamy jungle mines, through the central bank in the capital of Caracas to gold refineries and food exporters abroad, speaking with more than 30 people with knowledge of the trade. They included miners, intermediaries, merchants, academic researchers, diplomats and government officials. Almost all requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, or because they feared retribution from Venezuelan or US&nbsp;authorities.

What emerges is the portrait of a desperate experiment in laissez-faire industrial policy by Venezuela's socialist leaders. <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-shifts-oil-ventures-accounts-to-russian-bank-document-and-sources-196318">US&nbsp;sanctions have hammered the nation's oil industry</a> and crippled its ability to borrow. The formal mining sector has been decimated by nationalization. So Maduro has unleashed freelance prospectors to extract the nation's mineral wealth with virtually no regulation or state investment.

The Bolivarian Revolution now leans heavily on ragtag labourers such as Jose Aular, a teenager who says he has contracted malaria five times at a wildcat mine near Venezuela's border with Brazil. Aular works 12 hours daily lugging sacks of the earth to a small mill that uses toxic mercury to extract flecks of precious metal. Mining accidents are common in these ramshackle operations, workers said. So are shootings and robberies.

"The government knows what happens in these mines and it benefits from it," said Aular, 18. "Our gold goes into their hands."

Maduro has also received a crucial assist from Turkish President Recep Erdogan, a fellow strongman who has likewise sparred with the Trump administration.

Venezuela sells most of its gold to Turkish refineries, then uses some of the proceeds to buy that nation's consumer goods, according to people with direct knowledge of the trade. Turkish pasta and powdered milk are now staples in Maduro's subsidized food program. Trade between the two nations grew eightfold last year.

But scrutiny is intensifying as Venezuela's politics reach the boiling point. In recent days, many Western countries have recognized Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido as the South American nation's rightful president.

Maduro's adversaries have called on foreign buyers of Venezuela's precious metal to stop doing business with what they say is an illegitimate regime.

"We are going to protect our gold," opposition legislator Carlos Paparoni told Reuters in an interview.

Gold fever

The gold road begins in places like La Culebra, an isolated jungle area in southern Venezuela. Here, hundreds of men labour in crude mining operations that would be at home in the 19th century. They excavate mineral-laden dirt with picks in hand-dug tunnels, hauling it out with pulleys and winches.

Their activity is laying waste to fragile forest ecosystems and spreading mosquito-borne diseases. Miners complain of shakedowns by military forces sent to guard the region, whose homicide rate is seven times the national average. Venezuela's ministries of defence and information did not respond to requests for comment.

Miner Jose Rondon is used to hardship. Now 47, he arrived in 2016 from northeast Venezuela with his two adult sons. His bus driver's salary could not keep pace with Venezuela's hyperinflation, which the International Monetary Fund projects will hit 10 million per cent this year.

The three men net roughly 10 grams of gold monthly from backbreaking work. Still, it is roughly 20 times what they could earn back home.

"Here I do much better," said Rondon, resting in a crude bunkhouse strung with hammocks.

Gold in hand, miners head to the town of El Callao to sell their nuggets. Most buyers are unlicensed, small-scale traders working in cramped shops fitted with alarms and steel doors.

"The state is buying gold, everyone is buying gold, because it's what is doing well," said Jhony Diaz, a licensed wholesaler in Puerto Ordaz, 171 kilometres (106 miles) north of El Callao. Diaz says he buys gold from traders and resells every three days to the central bank.

Because Venezuela's currency, the bolivar, is worthless every hour someone holds it, the state pays a premium over international prices to make it worthwhile for those who could smuggle gold out of the country to exchange for dollars.

Traders who sell to Diaz end up with bricks of cash to carry back to El Callao and other gold-rush towns to pay miners, who use it to buy food, supplies and send whatever is left to their families.

Gold purchased by the government is smelted in the nearby furnaces of Minerven, the state-run mining company, according to a high-ranking employee. It is then transported to the vaults of the central bank in the capital Caracas, 843 kilometres (524 miles) away.

The gold does not stay there long. The central bank's gold reserves have plummeted to their lowest levels in 75 years. Venezuela is selling the artisan metal as well as existing reserves to pay its bills, according to two high-ranking government officials.

The main buyer these days is Turkey, the officials said.

Turkish alliance

Maduro's gold program has developed in tandem with his deepening relationship with Turkey's Erdogan. Both leaders have been criticized internationally for cracking down on political dissent and undermining democratic norms to concentrate power.

A November 1 executive order signed by US&nbsp;President Donald Trump bars US&nbsp;persons and entities from buying gold from Venezuela. It does not apply to foreigners. Ankara has assured the US&nbsp;Treasury that all of Turkey's trade with Venezuela is in accordance with international law.

Venezuela in December 2016 announced a direct flight from Caracas to Istanbul on Turkish Airlines. The development was surprising given low demand for travel between the two nations.

Trade data show those planes are carrying more than passengers. On New Year's Day, 2018, Venezuela's central bank began shipping gold to Turkey with a $36 million air shipment of the metal to Istanbul. It came just weeks after a visit by Maduro to Turkey.

Shipments last year reached $900 million, according to Turkish government data and trade reports.

Venezuela's central bank has been selling its artisan gold directly to Turkish refiners, according to two senior Venezuelan officials. Proceeds go to the Venezuelan state development bank Bandes to purchase Turkish consumer goods, the officials said.

Gold buyers include Istanbul Gold Refinery, or IGR; and Sardes Kiymetli Mandele, a Turkish trading firm, according to a person who works in Turkey's gold industry as well as a Caracas-based diplomat and the two senior Venezuelan officials.

In an interview with Reuters, IGR CEO Aysan Esen denied the company has been involved in any Venezuelan gold deals. In a written statement, she said she met with Venezuelan and Turkish officials in Istanbul in April to offer her views on compliance with international regulations.

Esen said she advised the Turkish government that working with Venezuela "would not be right for leading institutions or the state."

As for Sardes Kiymetli Mandele, no one at its Istanbul offices responded to inquiries from Reuters.

Turkish consumer products, meanwhile, are making their way to Venezuelan tables. In early December, 54 containers of Turkish powdered milk arrived at the port of La Guaira near Caracas, according to port records seen by Reuters.

The Istanbul-based shipper, Mulberry Proje Yatirim, shares an address with Marilyns Proje Yatirin, a mining company that signed a joint venture with Venezuela's state mining firm Minerven last year, according to filings with a Turkish trade registry gazette in September.

The companies did not respond to a request for comment.

Even Maduro's critics acknowledge he has pulled off a neat trick of alchemy: By compensating hard-pressed citizen miners with inflation-ravaged bolivars and obtaining precious metal in return, he has found a way to spin straw into gold.

Venezuelan economist Angel Alvarado, an opposition lawmaker, said "dark operations and unusual mechanisms of commercial exchange," are among the few tools Maduro has left.

"There is a desperation to stay in power at all costs," Alvarado said.

Venezuela's most successful financial operations in recent years have not taken place on Wall Street, but in primitive gold-mining camps in the nation's southern reaches.

Venezuela's most successful financial operations in recent years have not taken place on Wall Street, but in primitive gold-mining camps in the nation's southern reaches. With the country's economy in meltdown, an estimated 300,000 fortune hunters have descended on this mineral-rich jungle area to earn a living pulling gold-flecked earth from makeshift mines. Their picks and shovels are helping to prop up the leftist government of President Nicolas Maduro. Since 2016, his administration has purchased 17 tonnes of the metal worth around $650 million from so-called artisan miners, according to the most recent data from the nation's central bank. Paid with the country's near-worthless bank notes, these amateurs, in turn, supply the government with hard currency to purchase badly needed imports of food and hygiene products. This gold trade is a blip on international markets. Still, the United States is using sanctions and intimidation in an effort to stop Maduro from using his nation's gold to stay afloat. The Trump administration is pressuring the United Kingdom not to release $1.2 billion in gold reserves Venezuela has stored in the Bank of England. US officials recently castigated an Abu Dhabi-based investment firm for its Venezuela gold purchases, and have warned other potential foreign buyers to back off. The existence of Maduro's gold program is well-known. How it functions is not. To get a glimpse inside, Reuters tracked Venezuela's gold from steamy jungle mines, through the central bank in the capital of Caracas to gold refineries and food exporters abroad, speaking with more than 30 people with knowledge of the trade. They included miners, intermediaries, merchants, academic researchers, diplomats and government officials. Almost all requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, or because they feared retribution from Venezuelan or US authorities. What emerges is the portrait of a desperate experiment in laissez-faire industrial policy by Venezuela's socialist leaders. US sanctions have hammered the nation's oil industry and crippled its ability to borrow. The formal mining sector has been decimated by nationalization. So Maduro has unleashed freelance prospectors to extract the nation's mineral wealth with virtually no regulation or state investment. The Bolivarian Revolution now leans heavily on ragtag labourers such as Jose Aular, a teenager who says he has contracted malaria five times at a wildcat mine near Venezuela's border with Brazil. Aular works 12 hours daily lugging sacks of the earth to a small mill that uses toxic mercury to extract flecks of precious metal. Mining accidents are common in these ramshackle operations, workers said. So are shootings and robberies. "The government knows what happens in these mines and it benefits from it," said Aular, 18. "Our gold goes into their hands." Maduro has also received a crucial assist from Turkish President Recep Erdogan, a fellow strongman who has likewise sparred with the Trump administration. Venezuela sells most of its gold to Turkish refineries, then uses some of the proceeds to buy that nation's consumer goods, according to people with direct knowledge of the trade. Turkish pasta and powdered milk are now staples in Maduro's subsidized food program. Trade between the two nations grew eightfold last year. But scrutiny is intensifying as Venezuela's politics reach the boiling point. In recent days, many Western countries have recognized Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido as the South American nation's rightful president. Maduro's adversaries have called on foreign buyers of Venezuela's precious metal to stop doing business with what they say is an illegitimate regime. "We are going to protect our gold," opposition legislator Carlos Paparoni told Reuters in an interview. Gold fever The gold road begins in places like La Culebra, an isolated jungle area in southern Venezuela. Here, hundreds of men labour in crude mining operations that would be at home in the 19th century. They excavate mineral-laden dirt with picks in hand-dug tunnels, hauling it out with pulleys and winches. Their activity is laying waste to fragile forest ecosystems and spreading mosquito-borne diseases. Miners complain of shakedowns by military forces sent to guard the region, whose homicide rate is seven times the national average. Venezuela's ministries of defence and information did not respond to requests for comment. Miner Jose Rondon is used to hardship. Now 47, he arrived in 2016 from northeast Venezuela with his two adult sons. His bus driver's salary could not keep pace with Venezuela's hyperinflation, which the International Monetary Fund projects will hit 10 million per cent this year. The three men net roughly 10 grams of gold monthly from backbreaking work. Still, it is roughly 20 times what they could earn back home. "Here I do much better," said Rondon, resting in a crude bunkhouse strung with hammocks. Gold in hand, miners head to the town of El Callao to sell their nuggets. Most buyers are unlicensed, small-scale traders working in cramped shops fitted with alarms and steel doors. "The state is buying gold, everyone is buying gold, because it's what is doing well," said Jhony Diaz, a licensed wholesaler in Puerto Ordaz, 171 kilometres (106 miles) north of El Callao. Diaz says he buys gold from traders and resells every three days to the central bank. Because Venezuela's currency, the bolivar, is worthless every hour someone holds it, the state pays a premium over international prices to make it worthwhile for those who could smuggle gold out of the country to exchange for dollars. Traders who sell to Diaz end up with bricks of cash to carry back to El Callao and other gold-rush towns to pay miners, who use it to buy food, supplies and send whatever is left to their families. Gold purchased by the government is smelted in the nearby furnaces of Minerven, the state-run mining company, according to a high-ranking employee. It is then transported to the vaults of the central bank in the capital Caracas, 843 kilometres (524 miles) away. The gold does not stay there long. The central bank's gold reserves have plummeted to their lowest levels in 75 years. Venezuela is selling the artisan metal as well as existing reserves to pay its bills, according to two high-ranking government officials. The main buyer these days is Turkey, the officials said. Turkish alliance Maduro's gold program has developed in tandem with his deepening relationship with Turkey's Erdogan. Both leaders have been criticized internationally for cracking down on political dissent and undermining democratic norms to concentrate power. A November 1 executive order signed by US President Donald Trump bars US persons and entities from buying gold from Venezuela. It does not apply to foreigners. Ankara has assured the US Treasury that all of Turkey's trade with Venezuela is in accordance with international law. Venezuela in December 2016 announced a direct flight from Caracas to Istanbul on Turkish Airlines. The development was surprising given low demand for travel between the two nations. Trade data show those planes are carrying more than passengers. On New Year's Day, 2018, Venezuela's central bank began shipping gold to Turkey with a $36 million air shipment of the metal to Istanbul. It came just weeks after a visit by Maduro to Turkey. Shipments last year reached $900 million, according to Turkish government data and trade reports. Venezuela's central bank has been selling its artisan gold directly to Turkish refiners, according to two senior Venezuelan officials. Proceeds go to the Venezuelan state development bank Bandes to purchase Turkish consumer goods, the officials said. Gold buyers include Istanbul Gold Refinery, or IGR; and Sardes Kiymetli Mandele, a Turkish trading firm, according to a person who works in Turkey's gold industry as well as a Caracas-based diplomat and the two senior Venezuelan officials. In an interview with Reuters, IGR CEO Aysan Esen denied the company has been involved in any Venezuelan gold deals. In a written statement, she said she met with Venezuelan and Turkish officials in Istanbul in April to offer her views on compliance with international regulations. Esen said she advised the Turkish government that working with Venezuela "would not be right for leading institutions or the state." As for Sardes Kiymetli Mandele, no one at its Istanbul offices responded to inquiries from Reuters. Turkish consumer products, meanwhile, are making their way to Venezuelan tables. In early December, 54 containers of Turkish powdered milk arrived at the port of La Guaira near Caracas, according to port records seen by Reuters. The Istanbul-based shipper, Mulberry Proje Yatirim, shares an address with Marilyns Proje Yatirin, a mining company that signed a joint venture with Venezuela's state mining firm Minerven last year, according to filings with a Turkish trade registry gazette in September. The companies did not respond to a request for comment. Even Maduro's critics acknowledge he has pulled off a neat trick of alchemy: By compensating hard-pressed citizen miners with inflation-ravaged bolivars and obtaining precious metal in return, he has found a way to spin straw into gold. Venezuelan economist Angel Alvarado, an opposition lawmaker, said "dark operations and unusual mechanisms of commercial exchange," are among the few tools Maduro has left. "There is a desperation to stay in power at all costs," Alvarado said.

How Venezuela turns its useless bank notes into gold

The provisions of a humanitarian aid initiated by Washington is a “big lie”, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said on Saturday (local time), adding that such moves indirectly reflected on the United States’ intention to topple President Nicolas Maduro from power.

In an interview with the Russian Times, the Venezuelan Vice President said, “This [humanitarian assistance] is a big lie.”

Addressing the ongoing political and humanitarian crisis in the country, Rodriguez added that Venezuela’s social “wounds” resulted due to the economic “blockade” exerted by the US. In order to put an end to the crisis, the incumbent government of Venezuela needs to enter into a dialogue with the Opposition, a move which is impeded by Donald Trump-led US government, the Vice President added to her statement.

“We say: ‘yes to dialogue’ and ‘no to war’,” Rodriguez said, adding that the South American nation has been facing “total political and ideological rejection” by the US and its allies (over the issue) including the member nations of the European Union (EU), Canada, Colombia and many others.

Rodriguez said that humanitarian aid is just an excuse through which the US wants to enter into Venezuela and further create situations of a coup. She also accused the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-guaido-challenging-maduro-through-humanitarian-aid-195434">Opposition led by Juan Guaido</a>, who announced himself as the interim President of the country last month, to be acting upon the orders of Washington.

“Washington believes that [Venezuelan President] Nicolas Maduro should go. Washington’s response is its distorted doctrine of regime change [in] democratic nations that do not like it when someone twists their arms and forcibly interferes into their internal affairs,” Rodriguez explained.

The Vice President noted that the US is creating a “false positive” impression about its own policies against Caracas, which by no means requires any help from Washington, despite reeling from social and economic problems.

Recently, the Venezuelan army had barricaded the Tienditas international bridge on the border with Colombia and blocked trucks and tankers carrying aid from entering into the country.

The remarks by the Venezuelan Vice President came after Guaido told AFP last week that he could “authorize” a foreign military intervention into the country to topple President Maduro.

According to reports, President Maduro, many times since the crisis began in January has called for dialogue with the Opposition but was turned down repeatedly.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Guaido has been recognised as the legitimate Head of the State by the US and the EU.&nbsp;

The provisions of a humanitarian aid initiated by Washington is a “big lie”, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said on Saturday (local time), adding that such moves indirectly reflected on the United States’ intention to topple President Nicolas Maduro from power.

The provisions of a humanitarian aid initiated by Washington is a “big lie”, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said on Saturday (local time), adding that such moves indirectly reflected on the United States’ intention to topple President Nicolas Maduro from power. In an interview with the Russian Times, the Venezuelan Vice President said, “This [humanitarian assistance] is a big lie.” Addressing the ongoing political and humanitarian crisis in the country, Rodriguez added that Venezuela’s social “wounds” resulted due to the economic “blockade” exerted by the US. In order to put an end to the crisis, the incumbent government of Venezuela needs to enter into a dialogue with the Opposition, a move which is impeded by Donald Trump-led US government, the Vice President added to her statement. “We say: ‘yes to dialogue’ and ‘no to war’,” Rodriguez said, adding that the South American nation has been facing “total political and ideological rejection” by the US and its allies (over the issue) including the member nations of the European Union (EU), Canada, Colombia and many others. Rodriguez said that humanitarian aid is just an excuse through which the US wants to enter into Venezuela and further create situations of a coup. She also accused the Opposition led by Juan Guaido, who announced himself as the interim President of the country last month, to be acting upon the orders of Washington. “Washington believes that [Venezuelan President] Nicolas Maduro should go. Washington’s response is its distorted doctrine of regime change [in] democratic nations that do not like it when someone twists their arms and forcibly interferes into their internal affairs,” Rodriguez explained. The Vice President noted that the US is creating a “false positive” impression about its own policies against Caracas, which by no means requires any help from Washington, despite reeling from social and economic problems. Recently, the Venezuelan army had barricaded the Tienditas international bridge on the border with Colombia and blocked trucks and tankers carrying aid from entering into the country. The remarks by the Venezuelan Vice President came after Guaido told AFP last week that he could “authorize” a foreign military intervention into the country to topple President Maduro. According to reports, President Maduro, many times since the crisis began in January has called for dialogue with the Opposition but was turned down repeatedly. Meanwhile, Guaido has been recognised as the legitimate Head of the State by the US and the EU.

Humanitarian aid is a big lie: Venezuelan Vice President

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-opposition-plans-to-get-oil-money-from-us-fund-195717">Venezuela's state-run oil company</a> PDVSA is telling customers of its joint ventures to deposit oil sales proceeds in an account recently opened at Russia's Gazprombank AO, according to sources and an internal document seen by Reuters on Saturday.

PDVSA's move comes after the United States imposed tough, new financial sanctions on January 28 aimed at blocking Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro's access to the country's oil revenue.

Supporters of Venezuelan opposition leader and self-proclaimed <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-goes-after-venezuelas-oil-to-hit-maduro-193555">interim president Juan Guaido</a> said recently that a fund would be established to accept proceeds from sales of Venezuelan oil.

The United States and dozens of other countries have recognized Guaido as the nation's legitimate head of state. Maduro has denounced Guaido as a US puppet seeking to foment a coup.

PDVSA also has begun pressing its foreign partners holding stakes in joint ventures in its key Orinoco Belt producing area to formally decide whether they will continue with the projects, according to two sources with knowledge of the talks.

The joint venture partners include Norway's Equinor ASA, US-based Chevron Corp and France's Total SA.

"We would like to make formal your knowledge of new banking instructions to make payments in US dollars or euros," wrote PDVSA's finance vice president, Fernando De Quintal, in a letter dated February 8 to the PDVSA unit that supervises its joint ventures.

Even after the first round of financial sanctions in 2017, PDVSA's joint ventures managed to maintain bank accounts in the United States and Europe to receive proceeds from oil sales. They also used correspondent banks in the United States and Europe to shift money to PDVSA's accounts in China.

State-run PDVSA several weeks ago informed customers of the new banking instructions and has begun moving the accounts of its joint ventures, which can export crude separately. The decision was made amid tension with some of its partners, which have withdrawn staff from Caracas since US sanctions were imposed in January.

The sanctions gave US oil companies working in Venezuela, including Chevron and oil service firms Halliburton Co, General Electric Co's Baker Hughes and Schlumberger NV, a deadline to halt all operations in the South American country. The European Union has encouraged member countries to recognize a new temporary government led by Guaido until new elections can be held. Europe also has said it could impose financial sanctions to bar Maduro from having access to oil revenue coming from the region.

Maduro has overseen an economic collapse in the oil-rich OPEC country that has left many Venezuelans malnourished and struggling to find medicine, sparking the exodus of an estimated 3 million Venezuelans.

Sanctions designed to deprive Maduro of oil revenue have left an armada of loaded oil tankers off Venezuela's coasts that have not been discharged by PDVSA's customers due to payment issues. The bottleneck has caused problems for PDVSA to continue producing and refining oil without imported diluents and components.

PDVSA also ordered its Petrocedeno joint venture with Equinor and Total to halt extra-heavy oil output and upgrading due to a lack of naphtha needed to make the production exportable, as the sanctions prohibit US suppliers of the fuel from exporting to Venezuela. 
&nbsp;

Venezuela's state-run oil company PDVSA is telling customers of its joint ventures to deposit oil sales proceeds in an account recently opened at Russia's Gazprombank AO, according to sources and an internal document seen by Reuters on Saturday.

Venezuela's state-run oil company PDVSA is telling customers of its joint ventures to deposit oil sales proceeds in an account recently opened at Russia's Gazprombank AO, according to sources and an internal document seen by Reuters on Saturday. PDVSA's move comes after the United States imposed tough, new financial sanctions on January 28 aimed at blocking Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro's access to the country's oil revenue. Supporters of Venezuelan opposition leader and self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaido said recently that a fund would be established to accept proceeds from sales of Venezuelan oil. The United States and dozens of other countries have recognized Guaido as the nation's legitimate head of state. Maduro has denounced Guaido as a US puppet seeking to foment a coup. PDVSA also has begun pressing its foreign partners holding stakes in joint ventures in its key Orinoco Belt producing area to formally decide whether they will continue with the projects, according to two sources with knowledge of the talks. The joint venture partners include Norway's Equinor ASA, US-based Chevron Corp and France's Total SA. "We would like to make formal your knowledge of new banking instructions to make payments in US dollars or euros," wrote PDVSA's finance vice president, Fernando De Quintal, in a letter dated February 8 to the PDVSA unit that supervises its joint ventures. Even after the first round of financial sanctions in 2017, PDVSA's joint ventures managed to maintain bank accounts in the United States and Europe to receive proceeds from oil sales. They also used correspondent banks in the United States and Europe to shift money to PDVSA's accounts in China. State-run PDVSA several weeks ago informed customers of the new banking instructions and has begun moving the accounts of its joint ventures, which can export crude separately. The decision was made amid tension with some of its partners, which have withdrawn staff from Caracas since US sanctions were imposed in January. The sanctions gave US oil companies working in Venezuela, including Chevron and oil service firms Halliburton Co, General Electric Co's Baker Hughes and Schlumberger NV, a deadline to halt all operations in the South American country. The European Union has encouraged member countries to recognize a new temporary government led by Guaido until new elections can be held. Europe also has said it could impose financial sanctions to bar Maduro from having access to oil revenue coming from the region. Maduro has overseen an economic collapse in the oil-rich OPEC country that has left many Venezuelans malnourished and struggling to find medicine, sparking the exodus of an estimated 3 million Venezuelans. Sanctions designed to deprive Maduro of oil revenue have left an armada of loaded oil tankers off Venezuela's coasts that have not been discharged by PDVSA's customers due to payment issues. The bottleneck has caused problems for PDVSA to continue producing and refining oil without imported diluents and components. PDVSA also ordered its Petrocedeno joint venture with Equinor and Total to halt extra-heavy oil output and upgrading due to a lack of naphtha needed to make the production exportable, as the sanctions prohibit US suppliers of the fuel from exporting to Venezuela.

Venezuela tells customers to deposit proceeds of oil sales in Russian bank: Documents, sources

China has backed multinational efforts in finding a solution to an ongoing power tussle in Venezuela, insisting that only a peaceful dialogue would solve the crisis in the South American country.

"Venezuela's affairs should be resolved by its people within the framework of the constitution and the law through peaceful dialogue and political channels," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said in a statement late Friday.

Hua's statement came after Thursday's meeting on Venezuela of an International Contact Group led by Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez. The meeting was attended by leaders of 14 other countries, including Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Sweden.

A handful of Latin American countries such as Uruguay, Ecuador and Costa Rica are also part of the group.

Hua said China hoped all parties would play a constructive role in the peaceful resolution of the Venezuela issue, insisting that dialogue was the only way that long-term peace and stability could be attained in Venezuela.

China is a close ally of embattled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro who is now locked in a bitter power tussle with Juan Guaido, the 35-year-old opposition leader, who has declared himself interim president.

On Thursday, the International Contact Group agreed in Montevideo (Uruguay) to send a technical mission to the country and meet again in March to keep working towards a peaceful solution to the crisis, and prevent the situation from getting worse.

The contact group seeks a solution to Venezuela's political and economic crisis through dialogue and new presidential elections.

On its part, Uruguay, Mexico and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) proposed the initiative Montevideo Mechanism, which seeks to achieve peace in Venezuela in four stages - immediate dialogue, negotiation, commitment and implementation.

The US, Canada, numerous Latin American countries and the major European powers all consider Maduro's May 2018 re-election victory to be tainted by fraud and have recognized Guaido, the speaker of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, as interim president.

Venezuela has been battling political, social and humanitarian crises with instability and breakdown of law and order, along with acute shortage of basic necessities, which has also led to large number of people fleeing to neighboring countries.

On Monday, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement said they could not participate in the distribution of international humanitarian aid to Venezuela from Colombia if there was no prior agreement with those organizations.

However, the first shipment of humanitarian aid from the United States arrived Thursday in the Colombian border city of Cucuta, while officials have been working on means of getting them distributed.

Tensions increased in Venezuela on January 23 when the head of the opposition-controlled Venezuelan Parliament, Guaido, proclaimed himself interim president of the country.

The opposition considers the presidency of Maduro, who has been the head of state since 2013, to be illegitimate after he won "fraudulent" election last May without any meaningful competition.

China has backed multinational efforts in finding a solution to an ongoing power tussle in Venezuela, insisting that only a peaceful dialogue would solve the crisis in the South American country.

China has backed multinational efforts in finding a solution to an ongoing power tussle in Venezuela, insisting that only a peaceful dialogue would solve the crisis in the South American country. "Venezuela's affairs should be resolved by its people within the framework of the constitution and the law through peaceful dialogue and political channels," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said in a statement late Friday. Hua's statement came after Thursday's meeting on Venezuela of an International Contact Group led by Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez. The meeting was attended by leaders of 14 other countries, including Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Sweden. A handful of Latin American countries such as Uruguay, Ecuador and Costa Rica are also part of the group. Hua said China hoped all parties would play a constructive role in the peaceful resolution of the Venezuela issue, insisting that dialogue was the only way that long-term peace and stability could be attained in Venezuela. China is a close ally of embattled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro who is now locked in a bitter power tussle with Juan Guaido, the 35-year-old opposition leader, who has declared himself interim president. On Thursday, the International Contact Group agreed in Montevideo (Uruguay) to send a technical mission to the country and meet again in March to keep working towards a peaceful solution to the crisis, and prevent the situation from getting worse. The contact group seeks a solution to Venezuela's political and economic crisis through dialogue and new presidential elections. On its part, Uruguay, Mexico and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) proposed the initiative Montevideo Mechanism, which seeks to achieve peace in Venezuela in four stages - immediate dialogue, negotiation, commitment and implementation. The US, Canada, numerous Latin American countries and the major European powers all consider Maduro's May 2018 re-election victory to be tainted by fraud and have recognized Guaido, the speaker of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, as interim president. Venezuela has been battling political, social and humanitarian crises with instability and breakdown of law and order, along with acute shortage of basic necessities, which has also led to large number of people fleeing to neighboring countries. On Monday, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement said they could not participate in the distribution of international humanitarian aid to Venezuela from Colombia if there was no prior agreement with those organizations. However, the first shipment of humanitarian aid from the United States arrived Thursday in the Colombian border city of Cucuta, while officials have been working on means of getting them distributed. Tensions increased in Venezuela on January 23 when the head of the opposition-controlled Venezuelan Parliament, Guaido, proclaimed himself interim president of the country. The opposition considers the presidency of Maduro, who has been the head of state since 2013, to be illegitimate after he won "fraudulent" election last May without any meaningful competition.

China backs multinational efforts, calls for talks to end Venezuela crisis

Venezuela's government on Friday said the United States should distribute humanitarian aid in Colombia where it is being stockpiled, while the opposition warned that blocking much-needed food and medicine could constitute crimes against humanity.

A day after the aid convoy arrived in the border city of Cucuta, President Nicolas Maduro ridiculed the United States for offering small amounts of assistance while maintaining sanctions that block some $10 billion of offshore assets and revenue.

Rival Juan Guaido, who is recognised by dozens of countries as Venezuela's legitimate leader, warned military officers against blocking the arrival of aid amid spiralling disease and malnutrition brought on by a hyperinflationary collapse.

"Take all that humanitarian aid and give it to the people of Cucuta, where there is a lot of need," Maduro said in a news conference. "This is a macabre game, you see? They squeeze us by the neck and then make us beg for crumbs."

"They offer us toilet paper, like (US&nbsp;President) Donald Trump threw at the people of Puerto Rico," he said at the conference, which experienced technical difficulties including a blackout and a microphone failure. He was referring to Trump's improvised 2018 aid distribution in the US&nbsp;territory following a hurricane, during which he threw rolls of paper towels.

Venezuela's dire situation has fuelled a political crisis that has peaked over the last month with Guaido invoking a constitutional provision to declare himself the legitimate, interim president.

The 35-year-old argues Maduro was re-elected last year in a sham vote and the country must hold new presidential elections.

More than 40 nations including the United States, major European powers and most of Latin America have recognised Guaido as the country's rightful head of state.

"I want to see how many military officers are willing to commit crimes against humanity by not allowing the lives of the most vulnerable to be saved, 250,000 to 300,000 are at risk of dying if they do not receive immediate attention," Guaido said during a gathering of university students.

Officials at a Cucuta warehouse organised staple foods and sanitary products into sacks during an event attended by US&nbsp;Ambassador to Colombia Kevin Whitaker and called on the armed forces to help it across.

The aid seems unlikely to move into Venezuela.

Humanitarian organizations have warned that attempting to force the aid into the country would be dangerous, and a top U.S. official on Thursday said Washington did not plan to do so.

The Red Cross urged Venezuelans not to politicize the aid issue, without saying how or if the aid would arrive.

In an ironic twist, a Venezuelan navy ship laden with equipment sent by Maduro's government to help Cuba rebuild after a tornado hit Havana last month arrived in the city's port on Friday, Cuban state media reported.

Cuba is one of Venezuela's few remaining allies in the region although the country retains the powerful backing of Russia, China and Turkey too, which have warned others against intervening in its domestic affairs.

The Trump administration last week issued sweeping sanctions against state oil company PDVSA, froze profits generated by refining subsidiary Citgo, and has vowed to starve Maduro's government of all revenue.

Maduro said blocking the OPEC nation's oil shipments would be economically and socially "catastrophic" for the country, adding that anyone who accepted a nomination from Guaido to posts at PDVSA or Citgo would "face justice."

European nations have been broadly critical of Maduro but have sought to strike a counterpoint to the aggressive U.S. stance by urging dialogue.

Maduro said he was willing to meet with envoys of the so-called International Contact Group, that is backed by the European Union, but said a statement from its first meeting on Thursday was partisan and ideological.

"You're deaf to the reality of a revolution with 20 years of democratic patrimony; you only follow the script written by the extreme right," he said.

Critics say three previous rounds of dialogue have allowed the ruling Socialist Party to stall for time without making major concessions on key issues including imprisoned opposition politicians and electoral transparency.

Guaido has said the time for dialogue has passed.

Venezuela's government on Friday said the United States should distribute humanitarian aid in Colombia where it is being stockpiled, while the opposition warned that blocking much-needed food and medicine could constitute crimes against humanity.

Venezuela's government on Friday said the United States should distribute humanitarian aid in Colombia where it is being stockpiled, while the opposition warned that blocking much-needed food and medicine could constitute crimes against humanity. A day after the aid convoy arrived in the border city of Cucuta, President Nicolas Maduro ridiculed the United States for offering small amounts of assistance while maintaining sanctions that block some $10 billion of offshore assets and revenue. Rival Juan Guaido, who is recognised by dozens of countries as Venezuela's legitimate leader, warned military officers against blocking the arrival of aid amid spiralling disease and malnutrition brought on by a hyperinflationary collapse. "Take all that humanitarian aid and give it to the people of Cucuta, where there is a lot of need," Maduro said in a news conference. "This is a macabre game, you see? They squeeze us by the neck and then make us beg for crumbs." "They offer us toilet paper, like (US President) Donald Trump threw at the people of Puerto Rico," he said at the conference, which experienced technical difficulties including a blackout and a microphone failure. He was referring to Trump's improvised 2018 aid distribution in the US territory following a hurricane, during which he threw rolls of paper towels. Venezuela's dire situation has fuelled a political crisis that has peaked over the last month with Guaido invoking a constitutional provision to declare himself the legitimate, interim president. The 35-year-old argues Maduro was re-elected last year in a sham vote and the country must hold new presidential elections. More than 40 nations including the United States, major European powers and most of Latin America have recognised Guaido as the country's rightful head of state. "I want to see how many military officers are willing to commit crimes against humanity by not allowing the lives of the most vulnerable to be saved, 250,000 to 300,000 are at risk of dying if they do not receive immediate attention," Guaido said during a gathering of university students. Officials at a Cucuta warehouse organised staple foods and sanitary products into sacks during an event attended by US Ambassador to Colombia Kevin Whitaker and called on the armed forces to help it across. The aid seems unlikely to move into Venezuela. Humanitarian organizations have warned that attempting to force the aid into the country would be dangerous, and a top U.S. official on Thursday said Washington did not plan to do so. The Red Cross urged Venezuelans not to politicize the aid issue, without saying how or if the aid would arrive. In an ironic twist, a Venezuelan navy ship laden with equipment sent by Maduro's government to help Cuba rebuild after a tornado hit Havana last month arrived in the city's port on Friday, Cuban state media reported. Cuba is one of Venezuela's few remaining allies in the region although the country retains the powerful backing of Russia, China and Turkey too, which have warned others against intervening in its domestic affairs. The Trump administration last week issued sweeping sanctions against state oil company PDVSA, froze profits generated by refining subsidiary Citgo, and has vowed to starve Maduro's government of all revenue. Maduro said blocking the OPEC nation's oil shipments would be economically and socially "catastrophic" for the country, adding that anyone who accepted a nomination from Guaido to posts at PDVSA or Citgo would "face justice." European nations have been broadly critical of Maduro but have sought to strike a counterpoint to the aggressive U.S. stance by urging dialogue. Maduro said he was willing to meet with envoys of the so-called International Contact Group, that is backed by the European Union, but said a statement from its first meeting on Thursday was partisan and ideological. "You're deaf to the reality of a revolution with 20 years of democratic patrimony; you only follow the script written by the extreme right," he said. Critics say three previous rounds of dialogue have allowed the ruling Socialist Party to stall for time without making major concessions on key issues including imprisoned opposition politicians and electoral transparency. Guaido has said the time for dialogue has passed.

Venezuela's Maduro spurns US aid, rival warns military not to block it

The United States is holding direct communications with members of Venezuela's military urging them to abandon <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-military-attache-to-us-urges-army-to-back-maduro-opponent-193034">President Nicolas Maduro</a> and is also preparing new sanctions aimed at increasing pressure on him, a senior White House official said.

The Trump administration expects further military defections from Maduro's side, the official told Reuters in an interview, despite only a few senior officers having done so since opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president last month, earning the recognition of the United States and dozens of other countries.

"We believe these to be those first couple pebbles before we start really seeing bigger rocks rolling down the hill," the official said this week, speaking on condition of anonymity. "We're still having conversations with members of the former Maduro regime, with military members, although those conversations are very, very limited."

The official declined to provide details on the discussions or the level at which they are being held, and it was unclear whether such contacts could create cracks in the Venezuelan socialist leader's support from the military, which is pivotal to his grip on power.

With the Venezuelan military still apparently loyal to Maduro, a source in Washington close to the opposition expressed doubts whether the Trump administration has laid enough groundwork to spur a wider mutiny in the ranks where many officers are suspected of benefiting from corruption and drug trafficking.

Members of the South American country's security forces fear they or their families could be targeted by Maduro if they defect, so the US would need to offer them something that could outweigh those concerns, said Eric Farnsworth, vice president of the Council of the Americas think tank in Washington.

"It depends on what they're offering," Farnsworth said. "Are there incentives built into these contacts that will at least cause people to question their loyalty to the regime?"

Guaido says the May 2018 vote in which Maduro won a second term as president was a sham and on January 23 invoked a constitutional provision to declare himself president, promising free and fair elections.

VENEZUELAN ASSETS

The US government also sees European allies as likely to do more to prevent Maduro from transferring or hiding Venezuela government assets held outside the country, the US official said.

Major European countries have joined the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/venezuela-france-wests-duplicity-196078">United States in backing Guaido </a>but they have stopped short of the sweeping oil sanctions and financial measures that Washington has imposed.

At the same time, the Trump administration is readying further possible sanctions on Venezuela, the official said.

Previous rounds have targeted dozens of Venezuelan military and government officials, including Maduro himself, and last month finally hit the OPEC member's vital oil sector. But the administration has stopped short of imposing so-called "secondary" sanctions, which would punish non-US companies for doing business with the Venezuela government or the state oil monopoly PDVSA.

The US official said that Washington had every tool available to apply pressure on Maduro and his associates "to accept a legitimate democratic transition."

The US government is also weighing possible sanctions on Cuban military and intelligence officials whom it says are helping Maduro remain in power, a second US official and person familiar with the deliberations have told Reuters.

Maduro's government has accused Guaido, who has galvanized Venezuela's opposition, of attempting to stage a US-directed coup.

General Francisco Yanez of the air force's high command became the first active Venezuelan general to recognise Guaido, but he is one of about 2,000 generals. Venezuela's chief military attache to the United States also said he was defecting late last month.

Guaido has actively courted members of the military with promises of amnesty and preferential legal treatment if they disavow Maduro and disobey his orders, and Washington this week raised the prospect of dropping sanctions on senior Venezuelan officers if they recognise Guaido.

Maduro still has the support of the military high command, and now routinely appears in pre-recorded events at military bases where officers stand behind him and chant triumphal slogans such as "Loyal always, traitors never."

The United States is holding direct communications with members of Venezuela's military urging them to abandon President Nicolas Maduro and is also preparing new sanctions aimed at increasing pressure on him, a senior White House official said.

The United States is holding direct communications with members of Venezuela's military urging them to abandon President Nicolas Maduro and is also preparing new sanctions aimed at increasing pressure on him, a senior White House official said. The Trump administration expects further military defections from Maduro's side, the official told Reuters in an interview, despite only a few senior officers having done so since opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president last month, earning the recognition of the United States and dozens of other countries. "We believe these to be those first couple pebbles before we start really seeing bigger rocks rolling down the hill," the official said this week, speaking on condition of anonymity. "We're still having conversations with members of the former Maduro regime, with military members, although those conversations are very, very limited." The official declined to provide details on the discussions or the level at which they are being held, and it was unclear whether such contacts could create cracks in the Venezuelan socialist leader's support from the military, which is pivotal to his grip on power. With the Venezuelan military still apparently loyal to Maduro, a source in Washington close to the opposition expressed doubts whether the Trump administration has laid enough groundwork to spur a wider mutiny in the ranks where many officers are suspected of benefiting from corruption and drug trafficking. Members of the South American country's security forces fear they or their families could be targeted by Maduro if they defect, so the US would need to offer them something that could outweigh those concerns, said Eric Farnsworth, vice president of the Council of the Americas think tank in Washington. "It depends on what they're offering," Farnsworth said. "Are there incentives built into these contacts that will at least cause people to question their loyalty to the regime?" Guaido says the May 2018 vote in which Maduro won a second term as president was a sham and on January 23 invoked a constitutional provision to declare himself president, promising free and fair elections. VENEZUELAN ASSETS The US government also sees European allies as likely to do more to prevent Maduro from transferring or hiding Venezuela government assets held outside the country, the US official said. Major European countries have joined the United States in backing Guaido but they have stopped short of the sweeping oil sanctions and financial measures that Washington has imposed. At the same time, the Trump administration is readying further possible sanctions on Venezuela, the official said. Previous rounds have targeted dozens of Venezuelan military and government officials, including Maduro himself, and last month finally hit the OPEC member's vital oil sector. But the administration has stopped short of imposing so-called "secondary" sanctions, which would punish non-US companies for doing business with the Venezuela government or the state oil monopoly PDVSA. The US official said that Washington had every tool available to apply pressure on Maduro and his associates "to accept a legitimate democratic transition." The US government is also weighing possible sanctions on Cuban military and intelligence officials whom it says are helping Maduro remain in power, a second US official and person familiar with the deliberations have told Reuters. Maduro's government has accused Guaido, who has galvanized Venezuela's opposition, of attempting to stage a US-directed coup. General Francisco Yanez of the air force's high command became the first active Venezuelan general to recognise Guaido, but he is one of about 2,000 generals. Venezuela's chief military attache to the United States also said he was defecting late last month. Guaido has actively courted members of the military with promises of amnesty and preferential legal treatment if they disavow Maduro and disobey his orders, and Washington this week raised the prospect of dropping sanctions on senior Venezuelan officers if they recognise Guaido. Maduro still has the support of the military high command, and now routinely appears in pre-recorded events at military bases where officers stand behind him and chant triumphal slogans such as "Loyal always, traitors never."

US in direct contact with Venezuelan military, urging defections: Report

What appeared to be a carefully calibrated policy to oust Venezuelan President<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-assembly-head-warns-of-irregular-war-upon-foreign-intervention-195790"> Nicolas Maduro </a>was actually a big gamble by a small group of Opposition leaders acting on a hastily assembled plan, according to a Dow Jones Newswires report on Thursday.

The strategy marked a coup of sorts: This one within the country's notoriously fractious Opposition, which had been locked in debate over whether to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-revokes-visas-of-venezuelan-lawmakers-seated-by-maduro-195916">negotiate with Maduro </a>or take more direct action.

When Juan Guaido declared himself Venezuela's interim president on January 23 in front of a crowd of 100,000 people under a broiling sun, some leading Opposition figures had no idea he would do so, say people who work with Guaido and other top leaders. That included a few standing alongside him. A stern look of shock crossed their faces. Some quietly left the stage.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/at-colombia-border-venezuelans-hunger-for-aid-195822">Also read:&nbsp;Colombia border, Venezuelans hunger for aid</a>

"What the hell is going on?" one member of a group of politicians wrote to the others in a WhatsApp group chat. "How come we didn't know about this."

The plan was largely devised by a group of four Opposition leaders, two in exile, one under house arrest and one barred from leaving the country. It came together only in recent weeks, as Maduro prepared to start a second six-year term on Jan 10 after elections widely seen as a sham. Maduro has denounced the ceremony as part of a US-backed coup to overthrow his government.

The act of political skulduggery paid off. The crowd reacted ecstatically to Guaido, and one nation after another recognised him within hours.

The strategy has dramatically altered Venezuela's political landscape, empowering a faction led by Guaido's Popular Will Party that has long lobbied for more direct confrontation with the Maduro regime.

Opposition leaders agreed Maduro was illegitimate and that the National Assembly, with the 35-year-old Guaidó as its newly elected head, was the country's lone democratic institution. However, many were initially against the idea of naming Guaido interim president, according to people familiar with the matter. They worried it might make eventual negotiation with Maduro impossible while deepening the misery for millions suffering from food and medicine shortages and political persecution against his rivals.

Others argued it was critical to strike quickly, and that waiting for consensus was futile.

"This was the moment to go for it," said Maria Corina Machado, one of the four behind the strategy. The timing was also irresistible. The swearing-in took place on a symbolic day in Venezuela: On January 23, 1958, students, unions and the military rose up to topple military dictator Marcos Perez Jimenez.

Guaido himself only agreed to act the day before he declared himself president, his aides said. Some politicians, including those in the traditional Democratic Action Party, the largest Opposition party, weren't told of the plan.

"We didn't want them to mess it up," said one Opposition leader who knew of the strategy.

That evening, after Guaido's move sparked an outpouring of support, Opposition politicians of all stripes, including from Democratic Action, publicly backed the move.

"We've become part of the political package facing off with the government," said Edgar Zambrano, 63, a member of Democratic Action and the vice president of the National Assembly.

Zambrano, one of the Opposition leaders who appeared surprised on stage on January 23, said the possibility of Guaido assuming the presidency had been discussed in the weeks before, but that the final decision was in the hands of the young leader because of the risks it entailed.

For now, at least, the events have electrified the Opposition's base. Guaido draws large, boisterous crowds. He has appointed ambassadors for what is, in essence, a parallel government. His team has laid out plans to bring humanitarian aid from Colombia in a tactic designed to test the resolve of Venezuelan troops loyal to Maduro.

"Only a few weeks ago, I was totally depressed," said Michael Penfold, an advisor to the Opposition who counts himself as one of the doves who has now become a hawk. "I thought nothing was ever going to get Maduro out of power. Now, I wouldn't be surprised if Maduro resigns within days."

The government, meanwhile, seems caught off guard and under siege, symbolised by the sandbags and soldiers toting machine guns that surround Maduro's Miraflores presidential palace. On frequent appearances on state TV, Maduro can be seen jogging with troops and leading them in chants of, "Traitors, never! Loyal, always!"

If the Opposition can force out Maduro, Popular Will and its head, Leopoldo Lopez, will likely take the driver's seat for any future democratic election, politicians and political analysts say. Lopez, Guaido's political mentor, is under house arrest in Caracas.

Lopez, who attended college and graduate school in the US, has long had close contact with American diplomats and is pro-free market. Guaido has laid out an economic recovery plan that calls on private companies to help rescue Venezuela's decaying oil industry, a proposal Lopez had a hand in shaping.

The perception that the hard-line faction of the Opposition has won the day could make the regime more liable to dig in, making any negotiation more unlikely. One Opposition plan posits that Maduro would negotiate his own removal, leaving in exchange for, say, safe passage to a friendly country.

With the Opposition taking action, "the Maduro team doesn't want to talk to them and doesn't trust them," said Phil Gunson, who tracks Venezuela's crisis for the International Crisis Group, a non-profit that studies conflicts. "They think they will all end up in jail or strung up from lampposts."

If Maduro holds firm, it is likely to deepen the economic hardship for millions of Venezuelans. He could even emerge stronger, able to brag that he beat back a superpower.

Zambrano, the member of Democratic Action, said that one big risk with the Opposition strategy is thinking it will all be over too soon and not planning for a long and drawn-out confrontation.

"We've committed a lot of errors in strategies, thinking the government was going to be ousted in a day," he said. "Whoever bases their politics on that is going to fail."

The road to the standoff comes after three years of setbacks for the Opposition that left them despondent, according to interviews with prominent members of several parties.

It also left four prominent leaders with the sense that the time for dramatic action was growing near. All have been targets of the regime.

Antonio Ledezma, 63, is a former Caracas mayor who spent time jailed and under house arrest before escaping to Spain.

His close ally is Maria Corina Machado, 51, an industrial engineer whose brief career as a lawmaker in the National Assembly included getting her nose broken in an attack by ruling party lawmakers, being accused of trying to assassinate Maduro and getting expelled from the legislature in 2014. She is considered among the more intrepid of Opposition leaders for holding rallies and speeches in pro-government communities, where she has been physically beaten and fired upon.

Julio Borges, 49, who lives in exile in Colombia, was the peacenik of the group. A father of quadruplets, he had long favored negotiations and elections. His position hardened toward taking action after he was threatened with jail early last year, forcing him and his family to flee.

And then there is Leopoldo López, 47, the head of Popular Will. The best-known adversary of the regime outside of Venezuela, he has maintained close ties with his Opposition colleagues despite being confined at his apartment with an ankle monitor. He was jailed after protests in 2014 on charges that rights groups, as well as his prosecutors who have since defected, called trumped up. He's a distant relative of Simón Bolívar, the liberation hero whose legacy Maduro's Socialist Party has long leaned on.

The four leaders had in the past often bitterly disagreed over how to remove Maduro, and before him, Hugo Chavez, who turned Venezuela toward socialism after he took office in 1999.

Some in the Opposition argued a tough approach led to costly blunders, including a short-lived 2002 coup that ended up strengthening Chavez's hand, and demonstrations in 2014 and 2017 that failed to force Maduro's ouster while taking the lives of nearly 200 young people.

"The Opposition was a mess," Borges said. "We had no plan. Some wanted dialogue, others not."

The government's own autocracy fueled the hardening in the Opposition. It neutered the Opposition-controlled Congress, created a parallel assembly, illegally sunk a recall referendum on Maduro and barred leading opponents from running against Maduro last year.

The four leaders saw some factors breaking their way. Some 60 countries called the presidential vote illegitimate. The geopolitical stars aligned from South America to Washington and Europe, as conservative governments opposed to Maduro took power and policymakers in Washington who had long wanted to take action on Venezuela received the go-ahead.

By the end of last year, the country was descending into anarchy. Inflation had hit 1.7 million per cent for the year. Food and medicine shortages were critical, and oil production was falling fast. Dec was marked by protests as Venezuelans tried to celebrate Christmas without pork, a holiday tradition.

By December, the four were discussing strategy every day, the Dow Jones Newswires report added.

"We spent hours every day on Zoom, talking about what to do," said Borges, referring to the video conferencing app.

What appeared to be a carefully calibrated policy to oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was actually a big gamble by a small group of Opposition leaders acting on a hastily assembled plan, according to a Dow Jones Newswires report on Thursday.

What appeared to be a carefully calibrated policy to oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was actually a big gamble by a small group of Opposition leaders acting on a hastily assembled plan, according to a Dow Jones Newswires report on Thursday. The strategy marked a coup of sorts: This one within the country's notoriously fractious Opposition, which had been locked in debate over whether to negotiate with Maduro or take more direct action. When Juan Guaido declared himself Venezuela's interim president on January 23 in front of a crowd of 100,000 people under a broiling sun, some leading Opposition figures had no idea he would do so, say people who work with Guaido and other top leaders. That included a few standing alongside him. A stern look of shock crossed their faces. Some quietly left the stage. Also read: Colombia border, Venezuelans hunger for aid "What the hell is going on?" one member of a group of politicians wrote to the others in a WhatsApp group chat. "How come we didn't know about this." The plan was largely devised by a group of four Opposition leaders, two in exile, one under house arrest and one barred from leaving the country. It came together only in recent weeks, as Maduro prepared to start a second six-year term on Jan 10 after elections widely seen as a sham. Maduro has denounced the ceremony as part of a US-backed coup to overthrow his government. The act of political skulduggery paid off. The crowd reacted ecstatically to Guaido, and one nation after another recognised him within hours. The strategy has dramatically altered Venezuela's political landscape, empowering a faction led by Guaido's Popular Will Party that has long lobbied for more direct confrontation with the Maduro regime. Opposition leaders agreed Maduro was illegitimate and that the National Assembly, with the 35-year-old Guaidó as its newly elected head, was the country's lone democratic institution. However, many were initially against the idea of naming Guaido interim president, according to people familiar with the matter. They worried it might make eventual negotiation with Maduro impossible while deepening the misery for millions suffering from food and medicine shortages and political persecution against his rivals. Others argued it was critical to strike quickly, and that waiting for consensus was futile. "This was the moment to go for it," said Maria Corina Machado, one of the four behind the strategy. The timing was also irresistible. The swearing-in took place on a symbolic day in Venezuela: On January 23, 1958, students, unions and the military rose up to topple military dictator Marcos Perez Jimenez. Guaido himself only agreed to act the day before he declared himself president, his aides said. Some politicians, including those in the traditional Democratic Action Party, the largest Opposition party, weren't told of the plan. "We didn't want them to mess it up," said one Opposition leader who knew of the strategy. That evening, after Guaido's move sparked an outpouring of support, Opposition politicians of all stripes, including from Democratic Action, publicly backed the move. "We've become part of the political package facing off with the government," said Edgar Zambrano, 63, a member of Democratic Action and the vice president of the National Assembly. Zambrano, one of the Opposition leaders who appeared surprised on stage on January 23, said the possibility of Guaido assuming the presidency had been discussed in the weeks before, but that the final decision was in the hands of the young leader because of the risks it entailed. For now, at least, the events have electrified the Opposition's base. Guaido draws large, boisterous crowds. He has appointed ambassadors for what is, in essence, a parallel government. His team has laid out plans to bring humanitarian aid from Colombia in a tactic designed to test the resolve of Venezuelan troops loyal to Maduro. "Only a few weeks ago, I was totally depressed," said Michael Penfold, an advisor to the Opposition who counts himself as one of the doves who has now become a hawk. "I thought nothing was ever going to get Maduro out of power. Now, I wouldn't be surprised if Maduro resigns within days." The government, meanwhile, seems caught off guard and under siege, symbolised by the sandbags and soldiers toting machine guns that surround Maduro's Miraflores presidential palace. On frequent appearances on state TV, Maduro can be seen jogging with troops and leading them in chants of, "Traitors, never! Loyal, always!" If the Opposition can force out Maduro, Popular Will and its head, Leopoldo Lopez, will likely take the driver's seat for any future democratic election, politicians and political analysts say. Lopez, Guaido's political mentor, is under house arrest in Caracas. Lopez, who attended college and graduate school in the US, has long had close contact with American diplomats and is pro-free market. Guaido has laid out an economic recovery plan that calls on private companies to help rescue Venezuela's decaying oil industry, a proposal Lopez had a hand in shaping. The perception that the hard-line faction of the Opposition has won the day could make the regime more liable to dig in, making any negotiation more unlikely. One Opposition plan posits that Maduro would negotiate his own removal, leaving in exchange for, say, safe passage to a friendly country. With the Opposition taking action, "the Maduro team doesn't want to talk to them and doesn't trust them," said Phil Gunson, who tracks Venezuela's crisis for the International Crisis Group, a non-profit that studies conflicts. "They think they will all end up in jail or strung up from lampposts." If Maduro holds firm, it is likely to deepen the economic hardship for millions of Venezuelans. He could even emerge stronger, able to brag that he beat back a superpower. Zambrano, the member of Democratic Action, said that one big risk with the Opposition strategy is thinking it will all be over too soon and not planning for a long and drawn-out confrontation. "We've committed a lot of errors in strategies, thinking the government was going to be ousted in a day," he said. "Whoever bases their politics on that is going to fail." The road to the standoff comes after three years of setbacks for the Opposition that left them despondent, according to interviews with prominent members of several parties. It also left four prominent leaders with the sense that the time for dramatic action was growing near. All have been targets of the regime. Antonio Ledezma, 63, is a former Caracas mayor who spent time jailed and under house arrest before escaping to Spain. His close ally is Maria Corina Machado, 51, an industrial engineer whose brief career as a lawmaker in the National Assembly included getting her nose broken in an attack by ruling party lawmakers, being accused of trying to assassinate Maduro and getting expelled from the legislature in 2014. She is considered among the more intrepid of Opposition leaders for holding rallies and speeches in pro-government communities, where she has been physically beaten and fired upon. Julio Borges, 49, who lives in exile in Colombia, was the peacenik of the group. A father of quadruplets, he had long favored negotiations and elections. His position hardened toward taking action after he was threatened with jail early last year, forcing him and his family to flee. And then there is Leopoldo López, 47, the head of Popular Will. The best-known adversary of the regime outside of Venezuela, he has maintained close ties with his Opposition colleagues despite being confined at his apartment with an ankle monitor. He was jailed after protests in 2014 on charges that rights groups, as well as his prosecutors who have since defected, called trumped up. He's a distant relative of Simón Bolívar, the liberation hero whose legacy Maduro's Socialist Party has long leaned on. The four leaders had in the past often bitterly disagreed over how to remove Maduro, and before him, Hugo Chavez, who turned Venezuela toward socialism after he took office in 1999. Some in the Opposition argued a tough approach led to costly blunders, including a short-lived 2002 coup that ended up strengthening Chavez's hand, and demonstrations in 2014 and 2017 that failed to force Maduro's ouster while taking the lives of nearly 200 young people. "The Opposition was a mess," Borges said. "We had no plan. Some wanted dialogue, others not." The government's own autocracy fueled the hardening in the Opposition. It neutered the Opposition-controlled Congress, created a parallel assembly, illegally sunk a recall referendum on Maduro and barred leading opponents from running against Maduro last year. The four leaders saw some factors breaking their way. Some 60 countries called the presidential vote illegitimate. The geopolitical stars aligned from South America to Washington and Europe, as conservative governments opposed to Maduro took power and policymakers in Washington who had long wanted to take action on Venezuela received the go-ahead. By the end of last year, the country was descending into anarchy. Inflation had hit 1.7 million per cent for the year. Food and medicine shortages were critical, and oil production was falling fast. Dec was marked by protests as Venezuelans tried to celebrate Christmas without pork, a holiday tradition. By December, the four were discussing strategy every day, the Dow Jones Newswires report added. "We spent hours every day on Zoom, talking about what to do," said Borges, referring to the video conferencing app.

'What the hell is going on?' How a tiny cabal galvanised Venezuela's Opposition

It's a topsy-turvy world. President Emmanuel Macron's France can recognise Juan Guaido, who is leading the protests in distant Venezuela, as “Interim President” of that country. But Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio cannot meet “Yellow Vest” protesters demonstrating on the streets of Paris. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Why is the recognition of protests acceptable in the case of Venezuela but not when it comes to France? &nbsp;

Because the West led by the United States and its camp followers in Europe say so. This is the so-called “international community” known for its duplicitous standards. &nbsp;

When it comes to bleeding or browbeating a developing country the developed industrial nations of the North band come and set aside their own differences, divisions and disputes. They also find collaborators among poorer southern nations willing to strike against one of their own. Which explains Venezuela's neighbours acting as columns of the US, which is out to topple President Nicolas Maduro; and, as a step towards this, has recognised Guaido as “Interim President”.&nbsp;

What happened in Venezuela?&nbsp; &nbsp;

On January 10, President Maduro began his second term. The next day, Guaido, who is also National Assembly President, declared himself “Interim President”. A week later thousands came out to root for Guaido; and, on January 19, there were violent clashes between supporters of Maduro and Guaido. The army was incited to revolt. However, the Maduro government put down the mutiny even as protests escalated in the capital Caracas.&nbsp; 
 
In the last one month, all efforts to unseat Maduro – from propping up Guaido, his recognition by powerful nations barring Russia, China, India, Iran and Turkey to inciting the armed forces, imposing sanctions, squeezing Venezuela economically, denying the country food and medicines and funding protests – have failed. The US-led community is certain to keep at it till Maduro goes, for South America has been its backyard where its chosen dictators have ruled the roost for the last 100 years.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Those opposed to US-led interference and regime-change in Venezuela have taken the stand that it is for Venezuela to resolve its internal issues. Given the 'big power play' in Venezuela – the world's largest petroleum producer – it is, no coincidence that the protests in Caracas have overshadowed the Yellow Vest protests in France.&nbsp;

The protests in France began on November 17, almost two months before the eruption in Venezuela. A move to hike fuel prices drew more than 300,000 people across France to protest by raising barricades, jamming streets and blocking roads.&nbsp;

Soon the protests, which were not to any script and had no leadership, swelled into a movement where the demonstrators clashed with the police. The violent police crackdown – said to be the worst in 40 years -- has been likened to that unleashed upon students during the 1968 revolt.&nbsp;

President Macron's handling of the protests was repressive and inept. He promised to hold back on the proposed fuel tax and called for a national debate on economic issues. The debate was a flop. His promise to hike wages and pensions did not staunch the tide of protest.&nbsp;

A few days ago, some 12 weeks after the protests began, France passed the anti-hooligan law to suppress the yellow vest protests. The police have been given enormous powers to pick out trouble-makers from demonstrations. Local authorities can ban individual protesters. And, protesters have been banned from hiding their faces.

The passing of this draconian law was dubbed as a “Black Day” for French democracy. President Macron, once hailed as the harbinger of change in France and Europe, proved that he is as intolerant of dissent and protest as Latin American dictators. It is hardly surprising then that President Macron approval ratings are the worst even; and, France's annual growth rate is the worst in over two years.&nbsp;

Yet President Macron recognised Venezuelan protesters leader Guaido as “Interim President”.&nbsp; Can other countries follow the French example and use the same argument to talk to the Yellow Vest protesters?&nbsp;&nbsp;

Apparently not. France recalled its ambassador to Italy because Italian Deputy Prime Minister &nbsp;Luigi di Maio met leaders of the Yellow Vest movement. Earlier France, which is now interfering in the affairs of Venezuela (in the footsteps of the US), had warned Di Maio that "this new provocation is unacceptable”. After his meeting with the protesters, Di Maio, leader of Italy's populist Five Star Movement, tweeted "The wind of change has crossed the Alps".&nbsp;&nbsp;

Italy's ruling coalition, which includes the Five Star movement, is divided on Guaido. Di Maio has not only stopped the Italian government from backing Guaido but also scuttled the European Union from taking a joint position in support of Guaido. Venezuelans of Italian origin are a large and influential group in the South American country.&nbsp; 
 
It is surprising that the EU, which is divided on a host of issues from migrants and refugees to human rights and trade, should be one when it comes to ganging up against Venezuela. And, see it as an opportunity to get on the right side of US President Donald Trump despite disputes and differences that have kept the trans-Atlantic partners far apart in recent years.&nbsp; &nbsp;

In 2012, the EU was awarded the Nobel Prize for its contribution to peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights. That reads more like an epitaph to a Europe where democracy and human rights are little valued except as instruments for striking trade bargains and selling military hardware.&nbsp; 
 
( Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

It's a topsy-turvy world. President Emmanuel Macron's France can recognise Juan Guaido, who is leading the protests in distant Venezuela, as “Interim President” of that country.

It's a topsy-turvy world. President Emmanuel Macron's France can recognise Juan Guaido, who is leading the protests in distant Venezuela, as “Interim President” of that country. But Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio cannot meet “Yellow Vest” protesters demonstrating on the streets of Paris. Why is the recognition of protests acceptable in the case of Venezuela but not when it comes to France? Because the West led by the United States and its camp followers in Europe say so. This is the so-called “international community” known for its duplicitous standards. When it comes to bleeding or browbeating a developing country the developed industrial nations of the North band come and set aside their own differences, divisions and disputes. They also find collaborators among poorer southern nations willing to strike against one of their own. Which explains Venezuela's neighbours acting as columns of the US, which is out to topple President Nicolas Maduro; and, as a step towards this, has recognised Guaido as “Interim President”. What happened in Venezuela? On January 10, President Maduro began his second term. The next day, Guaido, who is also National Assembly President, declared himself “Interim President”. A week later thousands came out to root for Guaido; and, on January 19, there were violent clashes between supporters of Maduro and Guaido. The army was incited to revolt. However, the Maduro government put down the mutiny even as protests escalated in the capital Caracas. In the last one month, all efforts to unseat Maduro – from propping up Guaido, his recognition by powerful nations barring Russia, China, India, Iran and Turkey to inciting the armed forces, imposing sanctions, squeezing Venezuela economically, denying the country food and medicines and funding protests – have failed. The US-led community is certain to keep at it till Maduro goes, for South America has been its backyard where its chosen dictators have ruled the roost for the last 100 years. Those opposed to US-led interference and regime-change in Venezuela have taken the stand that it is for Venezuela to resolve its internal issues. Given the 'big power play' in Venezuela – the world's largest petroleum producer – it is, no coincidence that the protests in Caracas have overshadowed the Yellow Vest protests in France. The protests in France began on November 17, almost two months before the eruption in Venezuela. A move to hike fuel prices drew more than 300,000 people across France to protest by raising barricades, jamming streets and blocking roads. Soon the protests, which were not to any script and had no leadership, swelled into a movement where the demonstrators clashed with the police. The violent police crackdown – said to be the worst in 40 years -- has been likened to that unleashed upon students during the 1968 revolt. President Macron's handling of the protests was repressive and inept. He promised to hold back on the proposed fuel tax and called for a national debate on economic issues. The debate was a flop. His promise to hike wages and pensions did not staunch the tide of protest. A few days ago, some 12 weeks after the protests began, France passed the anti-hooligan law to suppress the yellow vest protests. The police have been given enormous powers to pick out trouble-makers from demonstrations. Local authorities can ban individual protesters. And, protesters have been banned from hiding their faces. The passing of this draconian law was dubbed as a “Black Day” for French democracy. President Macron, once hailed as the harbinger of change in France and Europe, proved that he is as intolerant of dissent and protest as Latin American dictators. It is hardly surprising then that President Macron approval ratings are the worst even; and, France's annual growth rate is the worst in over two years. Yet President Macron recognised Venezuelan protesters leader Guaido as “Interim President”. Can other countries follow the French example and use the same argument to talk to the Yellow Vest protesters? Apparently not. France recalled its ambassador to Italy because Italian Deputy Prime Minister Luigi di Maio met leaders of the Yellow Vest movement. Earlier France, which is now interfering in the affairs of Venezuela (in the footsteps of the US), had warned Di Maio that "this new provocation is unacceptable”. After his meeting with the protesters, Di Maio, leader of Italy's populist Five Star Movement, tweeted "The wind of change has crossed the Alps". Italy's ruling coalition, which includes the Five Star movement, is divided on Guaido. Di Maio has not only stopped the Italian government from backing Guaido but also scuttled the European Union from taking a joint position in support of Guaido. Venezuelans of Italian origin are a large and influential group in the South American country. It is surprising that the EU, which is divided on a host of issues from migrants and refugees to human rights and trade, should be one when it comes to ganging up against Venezuela. And, see it as an opportunity to get on the right side of US President Donald Trump despite disputes and differences that have kept the trans-Atlantic partners far apart in recent years. In 2012, the EU was awarded the Nobel Prize for its contribution to peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights. That reads more like an epitaph to a Europe where democracy and human rights are little valued except as instruments for striking trade bargains and selling military hardware. ( Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Venezuela, France & West's duplicity

In the world of states, there is no such thing as “humanitarian intervention”. But, there is a military intervention which states only take recourse to when their interests are at stake. In the general schema of state interest(s), there is a hierarchy of these and it is only when a given state’s fundamental interests are at stake, that it opts for military intervention. &nbsp;

From this perspective, Venezuela’s warning to the United States that there will be “irregular warfare” if the country intervenes militarily is rich and gratuitous.

It may be recalled that Venezuela is in the midst of a severe political and economic crisis, where the charismatic former president of the country, Hugo Chavez’ successor’s legitimacy and thereby the country’s future is at stake. But, the Venezuelan crisis, as important it is from a humanitarian angle, is a “low stakes game”. It is low stakes because Venezuela, even though an important oil producer and exporter, is neither a significant state in the region nor a swing one.&nbsp;

This is not to detract from the country’s intrinsic importance (because all nations and countries are important in their own right) but to put matters into perspective.

Moreover, the drift, thrust and tenor of international politics and relations is such that Venezuela, in the schema of powers that be constitute a lower order interest, perhaps because of oil and its politics thereof. But, there appears to be a humanitarian crisis brewing in the country. Given all this, will the international community led by the United States opt for military intervention?

No is the flat answer.

Besides the reasons delineated in this essay, other factors that militate against a full-blown military intervention pertain to the United States itself. The country, under Trump, has and is retreated inward into a quasi-isolationist and protectionist posture.&nbsp;

It has exited from Syria, is considering a retreat from Afghanistan and is confrontational toward China in trade matters. Against this backdrop, and the general aversion toward military intervention after the second Gulf War, it is well nigh impossible that the country will put “ boots on the ground” in Venezuela. &nbsp;

Even if these reasons and factors were to be discounted, the United States, at this point in time, does not have the absorptive capacity for the military option even of a limited and sort.

All this then rules out the military instrument. &nbsp;But, the international community along with the United States is not staying silent. It is doing something. The nature of the international community’s commission with respect to Venezuela lies in denying&nbsp;Nicolas Maduro and his government legitimacy.&nbsp;

This is a form of pressure that accrues from the very nature of international relations and politics. The state as a unit in international relations and in the international system derives legitimacy from two sides: internally and externally. It is upon the latter that the international community is focusing on. The hope here appears to be that if the Venezuelan state, in its current form and avatar, is denied legitimacy externally and with sufficient unrest, protests and perhaps even anarchy within, implied and even tacit support for the opposition forces, Maduro’s regime will collapse.&nbsp;

But, there are a plethora of assumptions involved in this approach. That is, there are too many if’s and but’s in it.

But, whatever be the case and howsoever, conditions in Venezuela will pan out and denoue, there will be no military intervention. Venezuela will be in the nature of a split and divided country and too conflicted for its own good.&nbsp;

The international community, by employing the tools and instruments it is taking recourse to, is essentially banking upon a scenario, which might or might not come to pass. &nbsp;But, it is the people of Venezuela that will suffer on a range of levels. However, all said and done, it is the people of Venezuela, not some distant politicians or technocratic experts, sitting in foreign capitals, that must choose and determine their future, how they want to live and be governed, and what system they adopt in a fair and a transparent manner. This choice must then be respected by all.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.) 
&nbsp;

In the world of states, there is no such thing as “humanitarian intervention”. But, there is a military intervention which states only take recourse to when their interests are at stake.

In the world of states, there is no such thing as “humanitarian intervention”. But, there is a military intervention which states only take recourse to when their interests are at stake. In the general schema of state interest(s), there is a hierarchy of these and it is only when a given state’s fundamental interests are at stake, that it opts for military intervention. From this perspective, Venezuela’s warning to the United States that there will be “irregular warfare” if the country intervenes militarily is rich and gratuitous. It may be recalled that Venezuela is in the midst of a severe political and economic crisis, where the charismatic former president of the country, Hugo Chavez’ successor’s legitimacy and thereby the country’s future is at stake. But, the Venezuelan crisis, as important it is from a humanitarian angle, is a “low stakes game”. It is low stakes because Venezuela, even though an important oil producer and exporter, is neither a significant state in the region nor a swing one. This is not to detract from the country’s intrinsic importance (because all nations and countries are important in their own right) but to put matters into perspective. Moreover, the drift, thrust and tenor of international politics and relations is such that Venezuela, in the schema of powers that be constitute a lower order interest, perhaps because of oil and its politics thereof. But, there appears to be a humanitarian crisis brewing in the country. Given all this, will the international community led by the United States opt for military intervention? No is the flat answer. Besides the reasons delineated in this essay, other factors that militate against a full-blown military intervention pertain to the United States itself. The country, under Trump, has and is retreated inward into a quasi-isolationist and protectionist posture. It has exited from Syria, is considering a retreat from Afghanistan and is confrontational toward China in trade matters. Against this backdrop, and the general aversion toward military intervention after the second Gulf War, it is well nigh impossible that the country will put “ boots on the ground” in Venezuela. Even if these reasons and factors were to be discounted, the United States, at this point in time, does not have the absorptive capacity for the military option even of a limited and sort. All this then rules out the military instrument. But, the international community along with the United States is not staying silent. It is doing something. The nature of the international community’s commission with respect to Venezuela lies in denying Nicolas Maduro and his government legitimacy. This is a form of pressure that accrues from the very nature of international relations and politics. The state as a unit in international relations and in the international system derives legitimacy from two sides: internally and externally. It is upon the latter that the international community is focusing on. The hope here appears to be that if the Venezuelan state, in its current form and avatar, is denied legitimacy externally and with sufficient unrest, protests and perhaps even anarchy within, implied and even tacit support for the opposition forces, Maduro’s regime will collapse. But, there are a plethora of assumptions involved in this approach. That is, there are too many if’s and but’s in it. But, whatever be the case and howsoever, conditions in Venezuela will pan out and denoue, there will be no military intervention. Venezuela will be in the nature of a split and divided country and too conflicted for its own good. The international community, by employing the tools and instruments it is taking recourse to, is essentially banking upon a scenario, which might or might not come to pass. But, it is the people of Venezuela that will suffer on a range of levels. However, all said and done, it is the people of Venezuela, not some distant politicians or technocratic experts, sitting in foreign capitals, that must choose and determine their future, how they want to live and be governed, and what system they adopt in a fair and a transparent manner. This choice must then be respected by all. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Venezuela crisis: Will the US opt for military intervention?

Venezuela's opposition on Wednesday said it would use a US-based fund to receive some of the country's oil income in a key step to bankroll its efforts to dislodge <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/you-will-stain-the-presidency-with-blood-venezuelas-maduro-to-trump-194921">President Nicolas Maduro</a>.

The fund would receive income accrued by state-run oil firm PDVSA's US unit Citgo Petroleum Corp since last month when US President Donald Trump recognised Juan Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate head of state, opposition legislator Carlos Paparoni told Reuters.

Guaido, head of Venezuela's National Assembly, last month declared himself to be the South American country's interim ruler.

White House national security adviser John Bolton said on Wednesday the United States would consider lifting sanctions on senior Venezuelan military officers if they recognise Guaido as interim leader. "If not, the international financial circle will be closed off completely," Bolton wrote on Twitter.

Aside from one senior general, who recognised Guaido in a video and urged others in the military to do the same, most of Venezuela's top military officers have not defected from Maduro.

Citgo, the eighth-largest US refiner and Venezuela's top foreign asset, is in the middle of a tug of war as the United States has made aggressive moves to remove it from Maduro's control and imposed sanctions on OPEC-member Venezuela's oil industry.

"This is already quite advanced, I hope that next week it can be announced by our representative in the United States," Paparoni said, though he did not give details about the nature of the US-based fund or the financial institution involved.

Pressure is building on Maduro, a socialist, to resign amid an economic crisis marked by widespread shortages and hyperinflation. Maduro was re-elected last year in a vote critics have called a sham.

Yon Goicoechea, a member of Guaido's policy team, told Reuters that Guaido was in contact with PDVSA's international partners and they were willing to keep operating in Venezuela. He did not identify the partners.

Guaido's team is planning for a post-Maduro government with an emergency arrangement to supply fuel domestically, given widespread shortages across Venezuela, Goicoechea said.

Most Latin American and European countries also recognise Guaido, although Italy so far has not. Guaido has reached out to Italy's ruling coalition seeking its support.

Maduro, who retains control over the state, denounces Guaido as a US puppet who is seeking to foment a coup against him. He is supported by China and Russia, while Slovakia on Wednesday joined Italy in defying the coordinated action of European Union nations and the United States.

GOLD SALES

The opposition has also sought to prevent the government from selling gold, believing that it is using the proceeds to try to stay solvent as the sanctions cut off other revenue streams.

But Maduro's government last year sold 73 tonnes of gold to Turkey and the United Arab Emirates without the required approval of the opposition-led National Assembly, Paparoni told a news conference. Abu Dhabi investment firm Noor Capital bought the largest amount, 27.3 tonnes of gold, and a Turkish firm bought 23.9 tonnes, Paparoni said.

"We will keep working so that not one more gram of gold can be sold," Paparoni said.

Venezuela had gold reserves of 132 tonnes between the central bank's vaults and the Bank of England at the end of November, according to central bank data.

Venezuela's Information Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Noor Capital said it "does not engage in any illegal or prohibited transactions."

In recent days, at least five tankers carrying gasoline, gas oil for power generation and naphtha have been ordered to unload at Venezuela's ports as fuel inventories dwindle. PDVSA issued court orders for most of the tankers to discharge, according to shipping and PDVSA sources.

Guaido asked Italy's ruling coalition leaders in a letter to meet with his representatives as he seeks their explicit backing. Italy's hard-right League has expressed strong support for Guaido, but coalition partner the 5-Star Movement has not, making Italy the only major European Union nation not to recognise him as Venezuela's interim head of state.

League leader and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini's office on Wednesday said he would meet Guaido's envoys on February 11.

As the world's countries line up to support either Maduro or Guaido, the United Nations warned against using aid as a pawn. The United States has sent food and medicine to Venezuela's border, even though it is unclear how it will get past the objections of Maduro.

"Humanitarian action needs to be independent of political, military or other objectives," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has doubled its budget in Venezuela in recent weeks and is also helping Venezuelan migrants in neighbouring Colombia and Brazil, ICRC President Peter Maurer said in Geneva. 
&nbsp;

Venezuela's opposition on Wednesday said it would use a US-based fund to receive some of the country's oil income in a key step to bankroll its efforts to dislodge President Nicolas Maduro.

Venezuela's opposition on Wednesday said it would use a US-based fund to receive some of the country's oil income in a key step to bankroll its efforts to dislodge President Nicolas Maduro. The fund would receive income accrued by state-run oil firm PDVSA's US unit Citgo Petroleum Corp since last month when US President Donald Trump recognised Juan Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate head of state, opposition legislator Carlos Paparoni told Reuters. Guaido, head of Venezuela's National Assembly, last month declared himself to be the South American country's interim ruler. White House national security adviser John Bolton said on Wednesday the United States would consider lifting sanctions on senior Venezuelan military officers if they recognise Guaido as interim leader. "If not, the international financial circle will be closed off completely," Bolton wrote on Twitter. Aside from one senior general, who recognised Guaido in a video and urged others in the military to do the same, most of Venezuela's top military officers have not defected from Maduro. Citgo, the eighth-largest US refiner and Venezuela's top foreign asset, is in the middle of a tug of war as the United States has made aggressive moves to remove it from Maduro's control and imposed sanctions on OPEC-member Venezuela's oil industry. "This is already quite advanced, I hope that next week it can be announced by our representative in the United States," Paparoni said, though he did not give details about the nature of the US-based fund or the financial institution involved. Pressure is building on Maduro, a socialist, to resign amid an economic crisis marked by widespread shortages and hyperinflation. Maduro was re-elected last year in a vote critics have called a sham. Yon Goicoechea, a member of Guaido's policy team, told Reuters that Guaido was in contact with PDVSA's international partners and they were willing to keep operating in Venezuela. He did not identify the partners. Guaido's team is planning for a post-Maduro government with an emergency arrangement to supply fuel domestically, given widespread shortages across Venezuela, Goicoechea said. Most Latin American and European countries also recognise Guaido, although Italy so far has not. Guaido has reached out to Italy's ruling coalition seeking its support. Maduro, who retains control over the state, denounces Guaido as a US puppet who is seeking to foment a coup against him. He is supported by China and Russia, while Slovakia on Wednesday joined Italy in defying the coordinated action of European Union nations and the United States. GOLD SALES The opposition has also sought to prevent the government from selling gold, believing that it is using the proceeds to try to stay solvent as the sanctions cut off other revenue streams. But Maduro's government last year sold 73 tonnes of gold to Turkey and the United Arab Emirates without the required approval of the opposition-led National Assembly, Paparoni told a news conference. Abu Dhabi investment firm Noor Capital bought the largest amount, 27.3 tonnes of gold, and a Turkish firm bought 23.9 tonnes, Paparoni said. "We will keep working so that not one more gram of gold can be sold," Paparoni said. Venezuela had gold reserves of 132 tonnes between the central bank's vaults and the Bank of England at the end of November, according to central bank data. Venezuela's Information Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Noor Capital said it "does not engage in any illegal or prohibited transactions." In recent days, at least five tankers carrying gasoline, gas oil for power generation and naphtha have been ordered to unload at Venezuela's ports as fuel inventories dwindle. PDVSA issued court orders for most of the tankers to discharge, according to shipping and PDVSA sources. Guaido asked Italy's ruling coalition leaders in a letter to meet with his representatives as he seeks their explicit backing. Italy's hard-right League has expressed strong support for Guaido, but coalition partner the 5-Star Movement has not, making Italy the only major European Union nation not to recognise him as Venezuela's interim head of state. League leader and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini's office on Wednesday said he would meet Guaido's envoys on February 11. As the world's countries line up to support either Maduro or Guaido, the United Nations warned against using aid as a pawn. The United States has sent food and medicine to Venezuela's border, even though it is unclear how it will get past the objections of Maduro. "Humanitarian action needs to be independent of political, military or other objectives," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York. The International Committee of the Red Cross has doubled its budget in Venezuela in recent weeks and is also helping Venezuelan migrants in neighbouring Colombia and Brazil, ICRC President Peter Maurer said in Geneva.

Venezuela opposition plans to get oil money from US-based fund

Venezuela Crisis: Maduro govt blocks humanitarian aid

By Thomas Purcell

There appear to be two distinct responses to the current crisis in Venezuela. Either an authoritarian regime (led by Nicolás Maduro) is clinging to power against the wishes of popular forces arrayed around the new self-declared interim President Juan Guaidó. Or Venezuela is facing a coup backed by US imperialism with clear designs on the country’s huge oil reserves.

As with most complex situations, neither of these narratives fully captures what is going on. Indeed, for the majority of Venezuelans – thousands of whom have again taken to the streets across the country in peaceful demonstrations – ideological epithets pale in comparison to the economic impact they are experiencing in their daily lives.

Many face hunger, seeing family members flee the country (upwards of 3m have left the country) and rampant hyperinflation (predicted by the International Monetary Fund to reach an astronomical 10,000,000 per cent in 2019).

And make no mistake – despite the much publicised US sanctions, the economic crisis in Venezuela is homegrown. The government’s attempt to set prices for basic goods, maintain currency and exchange controls and regulate profits has decimated domestic production.

It has also strengthened black markets and encouraged the smuggling of everything from meat to nappies over the border with Colombia – a trade which has become an everyday survival strategy for thousands of Venezuelans.

Maduro’s government has been peddling the line of “economic war” for over four years. It even denies inflation actually exists, while printing more money to pay for increases in a minimum wage that doesn’t even cover the cost of a dozen eggs.

In a recent television interview, Maduro blamed the supposed economic war when asked about a rate of 3 per cent inflation per day in 2018. He also expressed a willingness to hold talks with his political rival Guaidó – while also somewhat ominously stating that 50,000 civilian militia members with access to weapons were on stand by to “defend the peace”.

Sanctions that have been in place since 2017 have exacerbated the economic crisis but were not successful in an attempt to force Maduro out of power. Yet, paradoxically, the very public US backing of Guaidó has increased the plausibility of Maduro’s claim – because with added sanctions now in place designed to restrict food supplies and oil equipment, that economic war has become very real.

The fact that this is a homegrown crisis is not lost on the people taking to the streets. So it can seem surprising that some angry Venezuelans don’t welcome internationally supported regime change. Still, others maintain steadfast supporters of “Chavismo” – the political movement named after the late president Hugo Chávez, Maduro’s predecessor. “Chavismo” still carries significant weight among activists anxious to defend “la patria” (the fatherland) from any external intervention.

Let’s take one salient example. The agricultural commune “El Maizal”, located between the states of Lara and Portuguesa, is perhaps the most successful worker-run cooperative still struggling for their vision of 21st-century socialism. While extremely critical of the “corruption, bureaucracy and clientelism” that pervades the government, the commune’s Twitter feed expresses the militant sentiment of a people prepared to rise up against the perceived threat of “Yankee imperialism”.

(Thomas Purcell is Senior Lecturer in International Political Economy, Leeds Beckett University)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/venezuela-us-sanctions-hurt-but-the-economic-crisis-is-home-grown-111280">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

By Thomas Purcell There appear to be two distinct responses to the current crisis in Venezuela. Either an authoritarian regime (led by Nicolás Maduro) is clinging to power against the wishes of popular forces arrayed around the new self-declared interim President Juan Guaidó.

By Thomas Purcell There appear to be two distinct responses to the current crisis in Venezuela. Either an authoritarian regime (led by Nicolás Maduro) is clinging to power against the wishes of popular forces arrayed around the new self-declared interim President Juan Guaidó. Or Venezuela is facing a coup backed by US imperialism with clear designs on the country’s huge oil reserves. As with most complex situations, neither of these narratives fully captures what is going on. Indeed, for the majority of Venezuelans – thousands of whom have again taken to the streets across the country in peaceful demonstrations – ideological epithets pale in comparison to the economic impact they are experiencing in their daily lives. Many face hunger, seeing family members flee the country (upwards of 3m have left the country) and rampant hyperinflation (predicted by the International Monetary Fund to reach an astronomical 10,000,000 per cent in 2019). And make no mistake – despite the much publicised US sanctions, the economic crisis in Venezuela is homegrown. The government’s attempt to set prices for basic goods, maintain currency and exchange controls and regulate profits has decimated domestic production. It has also strengthened black markets and encouraged the smuggling of everything from meat to nappies over the border with Colombia – a trade which has become an everyday survival strategy for thousands of Venezuelans. Maduro’s government has been peddling the line of “economic war” for over four years. It even denies inflation actually exists, while printing more money to pay for increases in a minimum wage that doesn’t even cover the cost of a dozen eggs. In a recent television interview, Maduro blamed the supposed economic war when asked about a rate of 3 per cent inflation per day in 2018. He also expressed a willingness to hold talks with his political rival Guaidó – while also somewhat ominously stating that 50,000 civilian militia members with access to weapons were on stand by to “defend the peace”. Sanctions that have been in place since 2017 have exacerbated the economic crisis but were not successful in an attempt to force Maduro out of power. Yet, paradoxically, the very public US backing of Guaidó has increased the plausibility of Maduro’s claim – because with added sanctions now in place designed to restrict food supplies and oil equipment, that economic war has become very real. The fact that this is a homegrown crisis is not lost on the people taking to the streets. So it can seem surprising that some angry Venezuelans don’t welcome internationally supported regime change. Still, others maintain steadfast supporters of “Chavismo” – the political movement named after the late president Hugo Chávez, Maduro’s predecessor. “Chavismo” still carries significant weight among activists anxious to defend “la patria” (the fatherland) from any external intervention. Let’s take one salient example. The agricultural commune “El Maizal”, located between the states of Lara and Portuguesa, is perhaps the most successful worker-run cooperative still struggling for their vision of 21st-century socialism. While extremely critical of the “corruption, bureaucracy and clientelism” that pervades the government, the commune’s Twitter feed expresses the militant sentiment of a people prepared to rise up against the perceived threat of “Yankee imperialism”. (Thomas Purcell is Senior Lecturer in International Political Economy, Leeds Beckett 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: US sanctions hurt, but the economic crisis is homegrown

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/oil-ticks-higher-market-eyes-us-state-of-the-union-address-195511">Oil prices slipped</a> on Thursday after US crude inventories rose and the country's production held at record levels, but OPEC-led supply cuts and Washington's sanctions against Venezuela supported markets.

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $53.82 per barrel at 0607 GMT, down 19 cents, or 0.4 per cent, from their last settlement.

International Brent crude oil futures fell 25 cents, or 0.4 per cent, to $62.44 per barrel.

US crude oil inventories climbed by 1.3 million barrels in the week that ended February 1 to 447.21 million barrels, data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, average weekly US crude oil production remained at the record 11.9 million barrels per day (bpd) it reached in late 2018. The United States is currently the world's largest oil producer, ahead of traditional top suppliers Russia and Saudi Arabia.

Countering the rising US crude output and inventories are voluntary supply cuts led by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) aimed at tightening the market and propping up prices.

"The key supply story remains the ongoing OPEC production cuts," US bank Goldman Sachs said on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, US sanctions against Venezuela's oil industry are expected to freeze sales proceeds of Venezuelan crude exports to the United States.

"Around a third of Venezuela's exports head to the US as such, we expect Venezuelan exports to quickly fall by 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) to around 700,000 bpd," ANZ bank said on Thursday.

"The risks are rising that this political standoff will deepen the fall in output as funds dry up and the mass defection of workers accelerates," it added.

Washington said last week that after April 28 foreign companies will not be able to conduct business with PDVSA using the US financial system, effectively banning them from paying in US dollars.

"The ban ... dramatically ramps up the sanctions to a global level and could potentially result in a loss of most Venezuelan output," French bank Societe Generale said in a note published on Wednesday.

Oil prices slipped on Thursday after US crude inventories rose and the country's production held at record levels, but OPEC-led supply cuts and Washington's sanctions against Venezuela supported markets.

Oil prices slipped on Thursday after US crude inventories rose and the country's production held at record levels, but OPEC-led supply cuts and Washington's sanctions against Venezuela supported markets. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $53.82 per barrel at 0607 GMT, down 19 cents, or 0.4 per cent, from their last settlement. International Brent crude oil futures fell 25 cents, or 0.4 per cent, to $62.44 per barrel. US crude oil inventories climbed by 1.3 million barrels in the week that ended February 1 to 447.21 million barrels, data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed on Wednesday. Meanwhile, average weekly US crude oil production remained at the record 11.9 million barrels per day (bpd) it reached in late 2018. The United States is currently the world's largest oil producer, ahead of traditional top suppliers Russia and Saudi Arabia. Countering the rising US crude output and inventories are voluntary supply cuts led by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) aimed at tightening the market and propping up prices. "The key supply story remains the ongoing OPEC production cuts," US bank Goldman Sachs said on Wednesday. Meanwhile, US sanctions against Venezuela's oil industry are expected to freeze sales proceeds of Venezuelan crude exports to the United States. "Around a third of Venezuela's exports head to the US as such, we expect Venezuelan exports to quickly fall by 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) to around 700,000 bpd," ANZ bank said on Thursday. "The risks are rising that this political standoff will deepen the fall in output as funds dry up and the mass defection of workers accelerates," it added. Washington said last week that after April 28 foreign companies will not be able to conduct business with PDVSA using the US financial system, effectively banning them from paying in US dollars. "The ban ... dramatically ramps up the sanctions to a global level and could potentially result in a loss of most Venezuelan output," French bank Societe Generale said in a note published on Wednesday.

International oil prices dip as US crude inventories rise

Venezuelan military officers blocked a bridge on the border with Colombia ahead of an anticipated humanitarian aid shipment, as opposition leader <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-guaido-challenging-maduro-through-humanitarian-aid-195434">Juan Guaido stepped up his challenge</a> to President Nicolas Maduro's authority.

Earlier Tuesday the opposition-dominated National Assembly had warned the armed forces, which make up much of Maduro's power base, not to cross a "red line" by blocking aid.

Guaido, who proclaimed himself acting president on January 23 -- sparking an international crisis -- claims that up to 300,000 people face death if the aid is not delivered.

"You know there's a red line, you know well there's a limit, you know that medicines, food and medical supplies are that limit," lawmaker Miguel Pizarro said in a message to the military.

Maduro, though, said humanitarian aid would be the forerunner of a US-led invasion, insisting that "no one will enter, not one invading soldier."

Venezuelan military officers used a tanker truck and huge shipping container to block access to the Tienditas bridge, which links Cucuta, Colombia to Urena, Venezuela.

Franklyn Duarte, an opposition lawmaker from the border state of Tachira, told AFP that troops from the armed forces were blocking the crossing.

The aid delivery was being coordinated by Guaido, who has declared himself interim president of the oil-rich country and now enjoys the backing of some 40 countries as Venezuela's legitimate leader.

Maduro, 56, has repeatedly accused the United States of fomenting a coup.

The US, which has not ruled out military intervention in crisis-wracked Venezuela, was the first to recognize him as acting president, followed by a dozen Latin American countries.

In his State of the Union address Tuesday night, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/i-will-meet-north-koreas-kim-jong-un-in-vietnam-on-february-27-28-trump-in-state-of-the-union-address-195467">President Donald Trump</a> reaffirmed US support for Guaido, saying "we stand with the Venezuelan people in their noble quest for freedom."

Britain, France, Germany and Spain were among 20 EU nations to side with Guaido this week after Maduro ignored their demands that he announce new presidential elections by February 3

Interference&nbsp;

Guaido is trying to force Maduro from power, set up a transitional government and hold a new presidential poll.

He thanked his EU supporters "for supporting all Venezuelans in this struggle we undertake to rescue our nation's democracy, freedom and justice."

But key Maduro ally Russia slammed what it called interference in the oil-rich but now poor Latin American country, saying it was an attempt to "legitimize usurped power."

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the EU of trying to "topple the government by violence and ruse," while berating the US for treating Venezuela like "one of your states."

Guaido, 35, claims his legitimacy from the constitution and has been ramping up pressure on Maduro by calling his supporters out into the streets.

The next mass demonstration is due for February 12.

Guaido must still find a way to bring in the humanitarian aid given the military's loyalty to Maduro.

He accused the military on Monday of planning to divert aid being stockpiled in Colombia, Brazil and an unidentified Caribbean island, in order to distribute it through the socialist government's subsidized food program for its own supporters.

The National Assembly said the military must decide whether it is on the side of the people or "the problem."

Guaido knows he needs the armed forces on his side to dislodge Maduro. He was boosted on Saturday by the defection of a top air force general.

His fledgling alternative administration will hold talks in Washington February 14 on responding to "the largest hemispheric humanitarian crisis in modern history."

Maduro disclosed Monday that he sent Pope Francis a letter seeking help in mediating the country's crisis. The pope told journalists Tuesday that this would require agreement from both the government and the opposition.

"Getting close to both sides to enact the possibilities of dialogue. That's how diplomacy works," the pope said on the plane bringing him back from the United Arab Emirates. &nbsp; &nbsp;

'Confrontation'&nbsp;

Eurasia Group analysts say the humanitarian crisis "represents a lose-lose gambit for Maduro" who will either have to allow the goods to enter the country, further bolstering Guaido, or force the military to block their entry, risking a backlash in the streets.

Maduro, though, remains steadfast.

"Venezuela doesn't have to beg to anyone," he said. "If they want to help, then end the blockade and the sanctions."

Under Maduro's stewardship, oil-dependent Venezuela has plunged into an economic crisis, suffering from hyperinflation and shortages of food and medicine.

Eurasia said US oil sanctions are "set to have a broad impact" with the government facing "the prospect of running out of gasoline, which could serve as another social catalyst."

Maduro won't cave&nbsp;

Guaido branded Maduro illegitimate over his reelection in May, which the opposition boycotted after several of its leaders were either jailed, barred or forced into exile.

The US and EU dismissed the elections as a fraud.

Maduro has flatly rejected demands for new elections, telling Spanish television he would not "cave in to pressure."&nbsp;

He has supported plans for a meeting of Latin American and EU states in a "Contact Group" in Montevideo on Thursday, though.

The United Nations said 40 people were killed in clashes with security forces in a week of protests last month, coinciding with Guaido's self-proclamation as acting leader. Local NGO Foro Penal said almost 1,000 people were detained between January 21 and 31.

Venezuelan military officers blocked a bridge on the border with Colombia ahead of an anticipated humanitarian aid shipment, as opposition leader Juan Guaido stepped up his challenge to President Nicolas Maduro's authority.

Venezuelan military officers blocked a bridge on the border with Colombia ahead of an anticipated humanitarian aid shipment, as opposition leader Juan Guaido stepped up his challenge to President Nicolas Maduro's authority. Earlier Tuesday the opposition-dominated National Assembly had warned the armed forces, which make up much of Maduro's power base, not to cross a "red line" by blocking aid. Guaido, who proclaimed himself acting president on January 23 -- sparking an international crisis -- claims that up to 300,000 people face death if the aid is not delivered. "You know there's a red line, you know well there's a limit, you know that medicines, food and medical supplies are that limit," lawmaker Miguel Pizarro said in a message to the military. Maduro, though, said humanitarian aid would be the forerunner of a US-led invasion, insisting that "no one will enter, not one invading soldier." Venezuelan military officers used a tanker truck and huge shipping container to block access to the Tienditas bridge, which links Cucuta, Colombia to Urena, Venezuela. Franklyn Duarte, an opposition lawmaker from the border state of Tachira, told AFP that troops from the armed forces were blocking the crossing. The aid delivery was being coordinated by Guaido, who has declared himself interim president of the oil-rich country and now enjoys the backing of some 40 countries as Venezuela's legitimate leader. Maduro, 56, has repeatedly accused the United States of fomenting a coup. The US, which has not ruled out military intervention in crisis-wracked Venezuela, was the first to recognize him as acting president, followed by a dozen Latin American countries. In his State of the Union address Tuesday night, President Donald Trump reaffirmed US support for Guaido, saying "we stand with the Venezuelan people in their noble quest for freedom." Britain, France, Germany and Spain were among 20 EU nations to side with Guaido this week after Maduro ignored their demands that he announce new presidential elections by February 3 Interference Guaido is trying to force Maduro from power, set up a transitional government and hold a new presidential poll. He thanked his EU supporters "for supporting all Venezuelans in this struggle we undertake to rescue our nation's democracy, freedom and justice." But key Maduro ally Russia slammed what it called interference in the oil-rich but now poor Latin American country, saying it was an attempt to "legitimize usurped power." Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the EU of trying to "topple the government by violence and ruse," while berating the US for treating Venezuela like "one of your states." Guaido, 35, claims his legitimacy from the constitution and has been ramping up pressure on Maduro by calling his supporters out into the streets. The next mass demonstration is due for February 12. Guaido must still find a way to bring in the humanitarian aid given the military's loyalty to Maduro. He accused the military on Monday of planning to divert aid being stockpiled in Colombia, Brazil and an unidentified Caribbean island, in order to distribute it through the socialist government's subsidized food program for its own supporters. The National Assembly said the military must decide whether it is on the side of the people or "the problem." Guaido knows he needs the armed forces on his side to dislodge Maduro. He was boosted on Saturday by the defection of a top air force general. His fledgling alternative administration will hold talks in Washington February 14 on responding to "the largest hemispheric humanitarian crisis in modern history." Maduro disclosed Monday that he sent Pope Francis a letter seeking help in mediating the country's crisis. The pope told journalists Tuesday that this would require agreement from both the government and the opposition. "Getting close to both sides to enact the possibilities of dialogue. That's how diplomacy works," the pope said on the plane bringing him back from the United Arab Emirates. 'Confrontation' Eurasia Group analysts say the humanitarian crisis "represents a lose-lose gambit for Maduro" who will either have to allow the goods to enter the country, further bolstering Guaido, or force the military to block their entry, risking a backlash in the streets. Maduro, though, remains steadfast. "Venezuela doesn't have to beg to anyone," he said. "If they want to help, then end the blockade and the sanctions." Under Maduro's stewardship, oil-dependent Venezuela has plunged into an economic crisis, suffering from hyperinflation and shortages of food and medicine. Eurasia said US oil sanctions are "set to have a broad impact" with the government facing "the prospect of running out of gasoline, which could serve as another social catalyst." Maduro won't cave Guaido branded Maduro illegitimate over his reelection in May, which the opposition boycotted after several of its leaders were either jailed, barred or forced into exile. The US and EU dismissed the elections as a fraud. Maduro has flatly rejected demands for new elections, telling Spanish television he would not "cave in to pressure." He has supported plans for a meeting of Latin American and EU states in a "Contact Group" in Montevideo on Thursday, though. The United Nations said 40 people were killed in clashes with security forces in a week of protests last month, coinciding with Guaido's self-proclamation as acting leader. Local NGO Foro Penal said almost 1,000 people were detained between January 21 and 31.

Venezuela's military blocks humanitarian aid shipment

Boosted by the backing of 19 European Union countries, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uk-spain-recognises-venezuela-opposition-leader-guaido-as-acting-president-195050">Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido</a> is ploughing on with his bid to bring humanitarian aid into the country despite <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-maduro-writes-to-pope-francis-for-help-195155">President Nicolas Maduro</a>'s vow to block it.

Venezuela's National Assembly, headed by self-proclaimed acting president Guaido, was to discuss the process of gathering badly-needed food and medicines in neighbouring countries before bringing it in.

Guaido has pleaded with the military, the key power behind Maduro's authority, not to block the aid, claiming that up to 300,000 people face death without it.

"Here in Venezuela nothing will enter, not one invading soldier," said Maduro, who claims humanitarian aid would be a precursor to a US-led invasion.

Maduro has repeatedly accused the United States of being behind an attempted coup by Guaido, who declared himself acting president on January 23.

The US, which has not ruled out military intervention in crisis-wracked Venezuela, was the first to recognize his claims followed by a dozen Latin American countries.

Britain, France and Spain were among 19 EU nations to side with Guaido on Monday after Maduro ignored a deadline they had set for him to announce new presidential elections.

Interference&nbsp;

Guaido is trying to force Maduro from power, set up a transitional government and hold a new presidential poll.

He thanked each EU country in turn on Twitter "for supporting all Venezuelans in this struggle we undertake to rescue our nation's democracy, freedom and justice."

But key Maduro ally Russia slammed what it called interference in the oil-rich but now poor Latin American country, saying it was an attempt to "legitimize usurped power."

Guaido, 35, claims his legitimacy from the constitution and has been ramping up pressure on Maduro by calling his supporters out into the streets.

The next mass demonstration is due for February 12.

Guaido and Maduro led rival rallies in Caracas on Saturday that brought tens of thousands of people into the streets.

Guaido must still find a way to bring in the humanitarian aid given the military's loyalty to Maduro.

The young lawmaker accused the military on Monday of planning to divert aid being stockpiled in Colombia, Brazil and an unidentified Caribbean island, in order to distribute it through the socialist government's subsidized food program for its own supporters.

Guaido appealed to the military's "conscience" to let the aid reach those most in need.

Guaido knows he also needs the armed forces on his side to dislodge Maduro, although he was boosted on Saturday by the defection of a top air force general.

His fledgeling alternative administration will also hold talks in Washington February 14 on responding to "the largest hemispheric humanitarian crisis in modern history."

'Confrontation'&nbsp;

Analysts Eurasia Group says the humanitarian crisis "represents a lose-lose gambit for Maduro as he will either have to allow the goods to enter the country, further bolstering Guaido, or force the military to block their entry, which would likely lead to more blowback in the streets."

Maduro, though, remains steadfast.

"They want to send two little trucks with four casseroles. Venezuela doesn't have to beg to anyone," he said.

"If they want to help then end the blockade and the sanctions."

The US has stepped up the pressure on Maduro's regime by imposing sanctions on state oil company PDVSA in a bid to starve the administration of its funding.

But on Monday, Guaido accused Maduro of trying to illicitly transfer up to $1.2 billion from public coffers to a bank in Uruguay, urging the Montevideo government "not to lend itself to stealing."

Under Maduro's stewardship, oil-dependent Venezuela has plunged into an economic crisis, suffering from hyperinflation and shortages of food and medicine.

Eurasia said US oil sanctions are "set to have a broad impact" with the government facing "the prospect of running out of gasoline, which could serve as another social catalyst."

Maduro won't cave&nbsp;

Guaido branded Maduro illegitimate over his reelection in May, which the opposition boycotted after several of its leaders were either jailed, barred or forced into exile.

The US and EU dismissed the elections as a fraud.

Maduro has flatly rejected demands for new elections, telling Spanish television he would not "cave in to pressure."&nbsp;

He has supported plans for a meeting of Latin American and EU states in a "Contact Group" in Montevideo on Thursday, though, saying it would lead to "dialogue."

The United Nations said 40 people were killed in clashes with security forces in a week of protests last month, coinciding with Guaido's self-proclamation as acting leader. Local NGO Foro Penal said almost 1,000 people were detained between January 21 and 31.

Boosted by the backing of 19 European Union countries, Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido is ploughing on with his bid to bring humanitarian aid into the country despite President Nicolas Maduro's vow to block it.

Boosted by the backing of 19 European Union countries, Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido is ploughing on with his bid to bring humanitarian aid into the country despite President Nicolas Maduro's vow to block it. Venezuela's National Assembly, headed by self-proclaimed acting president Guaido, was to discuss the process of gathering badly-needed food and medicines in neighbouring countries before bringing it in. Guaido has pleaded with the military, the key power behind Maduro's authority, not to block the aid, claiming that up to 300,000 people face death without it. "Here in Venezuela nothing will enter, not one invading soldier," said Maduro, who claims humanitarian aid would be a precursor to a US-led invasion. Maduro has repeatedly accused the United States of being behind an attempted coup by Guaido, who declared himself acting president on January 23. The US, which has not ruled out military intervention in crisis-wracked Venezuela, was the first to recognize his claims followed by a dozen Latin American countries. Britain, France and Spain were among 19 EU nations to side with Guaido on Monday after Maduro ignored a deadline they had set for him to announce new presidential elections. Interference Guaido is trying to force Maduro from power, set up a transitional government and hold a new presidential poll. He thanked each EU country in turn on Twitter "for supporting all Venezuelans in this struggle we undertake to rescue our nation's democracy, freedom and justice." But key Maduro ally Russia slammed what it called interference in the oil-rich but now poor Latin American country, saying it was an attempt to "legitimize usurped power." Guaido, 35, claims his legitimacy from the constitution and has been ramping up pressure on Maduro by calling his supporters out into the streets. The next mass demonstration is due for February 12. Guaido and Maduro led rival rallies in Caracas on Saturday that brought tens of thousands of people into the streets. Guaido must still find a way to bring in the humanitarian aid given the military's loyalty to Maduro. The young lawmaker accused the military on Monday of planning to divert aid being stockpiled in Colombia, Brazil and an unidentified Caribbean island, in order to distribute it through the socialist government's subsidized food program for its own supporters. Guaido appealed to the military's "conscience" to let the aid reach those most in need. Guaido knows he also needs the armed forces on his side to dislodge Maduro, although he was boosted on Saturday by the defection of a top air force general. His fledgeling alternative administration will also hold talks in Washington February 14 on responding to "the largest hemispheric humanitarian crisis in modern history." 'Confrontation' Analysts Eurasia Group says the humanitarian crisis "represents a lose-lose gambit for Maduro as he will either have to allow the goods to enter the country, further bolstering Guaido, or force the military to block their entry, which would likely lead to more blowback in the streets." Maduro, though, remains steadfast. "They want to send two little trucks with four casseroles. Venezuela doesn't have to beg to anyone," he said. "If they want to help then end the blockade and the sanctions." The US has stepped up the pressure on Maduro's regime by imposing sanctions on state oil company PDVSA in a bid to starve the administration of its funding. But on Monday, Guaido accused Maduro of trying to illicitly transfer up to $1.2 billion from public coffers to a bank in Uruguay, urging the Montevideo government "not to lend itself to stealing." Under Maduro's stewardship, oil-dependent Venezuela has plunged into an economic crisis, suffering from hyperinflation and shortages of food and medicine. Eurasia said US oil sanctions are "set to have a broad impact" with the government facing "the prospect of running out of gasoline, which could serve as another social catalyst." Maduro won't cave Guaido branded Maduro illegitimate over his reelection in May, which the opposition boycotted after several of its leaders were either jailed, barred or forced into exile. The US and EU dismissed the elections as a fraud. Maduro has flatly rejected demands for new elections, telling Spanish television he would not "cave in to pressure." He has supported plans for a meeting of Latin American and EU states in a "Contact Group" in Montevideo on Thursday, though, saying it would lead to "dialogue." The United Nations said 40 people were killed in clashes with security forces in a week of protests last month, coinciding with Guaido's self-proclamation as acting leader. Local NGO Foro Penal said almost 1,000 people were detained between January 21 and 31.

Venezuela's Guaido challenging Maduro through humanitarian aid

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