+ Reply to Thread
Page 3 of 28 FirstFirst 1 3 13 28 LastLast
Results 41 to 60 of 543

Thread: Turmoil in Venezuela

  1. Link to Post #41
    Venezuela Avalon Member perolator's Avatar
    Join Date
    6th December 2011
    Age
    58
    Posts
    192
    Thanks
    276
    Thanked 353 times in 122 posts

    Default Re: Turmoil in Venezuela

    Cuba Out of Venezuela – The Wall Street Journal

    link to article

    Cristian Hernandez/Zuma Press
    International support for a return to democracy in Venezuela has been growing since Juan Guaidó took the oath of interim president on Wednesday. The crucial but underreported question now is whether dictator Nicolás Maduro’s protectors in Cuba and Russia will intervene to stop this democratic uprising.

    The Venezuelan military holds the key to whether Mr. Maduro will step down peacefully. Common sense and reporting in the country suggest that a good part of the army is ready to side with the Venezuelan people. The rank and file have families who are also suffering the privation caused by nearly two decades of socialist rule.

    Yet Cuba controls Mr. Maduro’s personal security detail and has built a counterintelligence network around the high command. Venezuela’s 1,000 or so flag officers operate in silos and are spied on by minders. An officer who sides with the opposition is putting his life and perhaps his family at risk. The head of the armed forces expressed support for Mr. Maduro on Thursday, but the real test may come if soldiers are ordered to fire on protesters or Venezuelans trying to protect Mr. Guaidó.

    Nations that want better for Venezuela should focus as much on Havana as Caracas. If civilized countries want to end the starvation and mass migration of Venezuelans, they have to convince the Cuban regime to back off. That means targeting Havana with diplomatic pressure, as well as sanctions such as travel restrictions and frozen bank accounts.

    The Kremlin is also backing Mr. Maduro. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Thursday that if the U.S. didn’t stay out of Venezuela there “would be a catastrophic scenario that would shake the foundations of the development model we see in the Latin American region.”

    But Cuba is the imperial power in Caracas, not the U.S., and the only recent “development” in Venezuela has been malnutrition. Russia certainly wouldn’t mind a Syrian-style civil war in Venezuela that spread more chaos in the Americas and more opportunity to undermine democratic governments.

    The U.S. must also protect its diplomatic personnel in Caracas. Mr. Maduro on Wednesday ordered Americans to leave the country within 72 hours, but Secretary of State Mike Pompeo replied that the U.S. now recognizes Mr. Guaidó as interim president and will not comply. The U.S. needs to make clear that if Mr. Maduro or his paramilitaries act against Americans, the Administration will hold Cuba responsible. Now that Venezuelans are risking their lives for democracy, free nations owe them support.

  2. Link to Post #42
    England Unsubscribed ripple's Avatar
    Join Date
    16th December 2018
    Location
    south of England
    Posts
    293
    Thanks
    109
    Thanked 687 times in 211 posts

    Default Re: Turmoil in Venezuela

    It will be interesting to see how Uncle Volodya handles matters if Madura is forced out by the Oil grabbing and grubby Americans
    Russia has a lot to lose if Nicolas Maduro’s government collapses. In recent years, Russian state-owned Rosneft has ramped up its investment in Venezuela by participating in a multitude of joint ventures with its Venezuelan counterpart PDVSA.
    In 2017 alone, total oil production from those projects was estimated to be around 8 million tonnes, or 161,000 barrels per day.
    On known form Uncle is 4/5 versus the Bolton Bully Boys at 11/8 to win the end game .

  3. Link to Post #43
    Philippines Avalon Member
    Join Date
    29th May 2013
    Age
    58
    Posts
    3,059
    Thanks
    4,661
    Thanked 13,266 times in 2,725 posts

    Default Re: Turmoil in Venezuela

    Quote Posted by perolator (here)
    [B][SIZE="2"] Now that Venezuelans are risking their lives for democracy, free nations owe them support.
    Not interesting at all.

    If anything I see this as a bait for Russia and China to engage in WWIII.

  4. Link to Post #44
    Spain Deactivated
    Join Date
    8th August 2018
    Location
    Canary Islands overlooking a beach with forest covered mountains behind.
    Age
    75
    Posts
    214
    Thanks
    24
    Thanked 918 times in 170 posts

    Default Re: Turmoil in Venezuela

    Frankly I'm shocked and disappointed how people here just unquestioningly believe the Mainstream News Media both from Russia and the US/Canada (when it suits).

    Several people here have made up their minds what is happening when they don't have a clue.

    And we have Herve quoting the Russia Today propaganda machine! Yes I know the Russia view is often more truthful than the US but in this case, Russia has billions invested in Maduro who is on friendly terms with Putin.

    Incredible how brainwashed you all are - Avalon, I thought you were better...

  5. The Following User Says Thank You to 5th For This Post:

    perolator (5th March 2019)

  6. Link to Post #45
    Venezuela Avalon Member perolator's Avatar
    Join Date
    6th December 2011
    Age
    58
    Posts
    192
    Thanks
    276
    Thanked 353 times in 122 posts

    Default Re: Turmoil in Venezuela

    Quote Posted by 5th (here)
    Frankly I'm shocked and disappointed how people here just unquestioningly believe the Mainstream News Media both from Russia and the US/Canada (when it suits).
    I was, that's why I posted my favorite Morpheus quote above. People believe what they want to believe.

    Quote Several people here have made up their minds what is happening when they don't have a clue.

    And we have Herve quoting the Russia Today Pravda propaganda machine! Yes I know the Russia view is often more truthful than the US but in this case, Russia has billions invested in Maduro who is on friendly terms with Putin.

    Incredible how brainwashed you all are - Avalon, I thought you were better...
    I am also surprised people were not interested in Venezuela at all for years and... They did not know Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Turkey, Bolivia, Nicaragua (among others) were taking advantage of dealing with criminals while the country went to the drain for 20 years. Now, The U.S., Brasil and Colombia started to support Venezuela and wannabe leftists started to argue "U.S. is ousting a legitimate president" yelling "Yankee Go Home" to the skies.

    That's gruesome aversion to all that the U.S. represents. While people in my country struggle daily to get food and basic services, experiencing power outages daily... People said nothing about it.

    That is an hypocrite stance. Fight for socialism, communism or whatever in your own countries.

  7. Link to Post #46
    United States Avalon Member Dennis Leahy's Avatar
    Join Date
    14th January 2011
    Location
    North Carolina
    Language
    English
    Age
    69
    Posts
    6,741
    Thanks
    47,010
    Thanked 48,583 times in 5,817 posts

    Default Re: Turmoil in Venezuela

    Quote Posted by perolator (here)
    Quote Posted by Dennis Leahy (here)

    Doesn't it disturb you greatly that a big bully nation has covertly manipulated markets to destroy Venezuela's economy, and overtly applied sanctions that directly affect every Venezuelan? You must be aware that the USA, INC. doesn't actually "help" other nations, right? The USA helps itself to other nations. Do you have any idea how many Yemeni people are being starved to death right now, that the USA is not just 100% completely aware of but actually participating in a naval blockade with saudi arabia, to starve the Yemenis? Do you realize you are asking for help from sociopathic monsters that pick other nations out of their teeth?
    Mr. Leahy,

    It is completely fine that the "big bully nation" where you live in, by the way, takes care of its own interests, or "helps itself".
    No, not "helps itself", you need the whole phrase: "helps itself to." It's in bold. And italics. It includes the word "to" that completely changes the meaning to "predatory."

    Quote Posted by perolator (here)
    They divert a large amount of national resources to their beloved Cuba...
    Wow! That could be an interesting piece to the puzzle. By "divert", do you mean "give?" Give me some source material to read up about this. It simply makes no sense that Venezuela would be giving away valuable resources during its own crisis, so it should be interesting to find out if this is so.

    Quote Posted by perolator (here)
    Regarding the sanctions that affect every venezuelan: The bulk of sanctions are targeted to individuals of the chavista regime.
    No, that's not how sanctions work. All the inhabitants of the country are affected by sanctions. It does (deliberately) put the highest pressure first onto the most vulnerable sector: the poor. But, the bigger picture is, why would an altruistic country place any form of economic sanctions on another country, that is, target the poor, and especially when the other country was already in economic trouble? Go back and listen again to John Perkins explain this tactic. It is warfare. Economic warfare. Try to get the poor people to revolt and overthrow the guy that "American interests" wants overthrown.

    This isn't rocket surgery. What is happening in Venezuela is a 100% textbook globalist overthrow of Venezuela, by exactly the methods exposed by John Perkins.


    Quote Posted by perolator (here)
    Venezuela is one of the largest illegal drug distribution hubs of the planet. The government officials and the military have getting so much money in the process they are getting ways to invest their acquired multi-millionaire status all over the world. All of them have made huge investments in the U.S. and Europe via bogus companies and third parties.
    Again, it would be very interesting to see details on this allegation, but I'd guess it is at least partially true - there are always grifters and embezzlers and bribe-takers in any large organization/government, but how much corruption is honestly the direct actions of or the direct fault of Maduro, I have no real idea. (You don't either.) He may not be the right person for the job simply because he is not savvy enough to deal with a powerful, predatory nation, like the USA. He certainly didn't prepare for the contingency of oil prices dropping drastically in the world market (engineered, or not) and had far too much dependence on oil revenue, and what the USA so easily has done to them already. (Once Venezuelan oil is fully secured by the globalists, look for world prices on oil to double or triple. -my prediction)

    I'm not trying to tell you (or Venezuela) how to run Venezuela; I'm warning you not to acquiesce to USA, INC. globalist interests telling Venezuelans how to run Venezuela, and telling Venezuelans who will preside over the government of Venezuela. (They are already dictating to Venezuelans who Venezuelans can and cannot trade with.)

    Part of the mandate of the globalists that own and control the USA is to stomp out socialism. Shall I name a few examples in Central America? So, it's not JUST about the oil. This is a "two-fer", a slam-dunk cause for the neocon and neoliberal mobsters in the US government to support: stomp out Socialism in Venezuela, AND take control of Venezuelan oil - at the very least by taking a "cut", a percentage off the top, and controlling the release onto the world market of Venezuelan oil.

    Quote Posted by perolator (here)
    The money laundering scheme is so big and broad, that prompted the U.S. to impose sanctions to protect its currency.
    I think it's to force the trade of that big blob of oil to be in US dollars - petrodollars, really, but now just called US dollars. It's not protecting the currency it is protecting the skim off the top flow of currency. The "take." Ya gotta see the USA, INC. gang as mobsters, or you'll misunderestimate the malevolence, and become a willing victim.

    Quote Posted by perolator
    Quote Posted by Dennis Leahy (here)
    Do you think that the USA, INC. respects, has compassion for, and will help Venezuelan citizens but not the Yemenis?
    Quote Posted by perolator (here)
    I do not know about the Yemeni situation, so I cannot comment about it. Sincerely, I don't care about the issues in other countries.
    Well, my example of the people of Yemen was to show a modern, even current, example of the USA, INC. sociopathy whitewashed as "compassion", versus actual compassion.

    Venezuela is 51% Mestizo. Do you care about those Venezuelans, who are more than half your country? What if the majority of Venezuelans want some form of Socialism, and believe that Venezuelan oil is owned by all Venezuelans? Are you against Socialism and Maduro, or just Maduro? Would it be better for Venezuela to heavily tax the oil, leasing the drilling to private oil companies, like Norway does? There are certainly better solutions for Venezuela that can come from the heart of the Venezuelan people than to invite globalists to take over Venezuela. Besides, you know that the reason that I mentioned the dire situation of millions of Yemeni lives and the sociopathic/psychopathic response of the US government was to warn you that the people that control the USA government are sociopathic, greed-and-power-driven globalist mobsters and not to be trusted. Ignore that advice at your peril.


  8. Link to Post #47
    Spain Deactivated
    Join Date
    8th August 2018
    Location
    Canary Islands overlooking a beach with forest covered mountains behind.
    Age
    75
    Posts
    214
    Thanks
    24
    Thanked 918 times in 170 posts

    Default Re: Turmoil in Venezuela

    Quote Posted by Dennis Leahy (here)

    This isn't rocket surgery. What is happening in Venezuela is a 100% textbook globalist overthrow of Venezuela, by exactly the methods exposed by John Perkins.
    It may appear to be but you make this statement not knowing what you are talking about. Of course there is US backing of the Maduro opposition and of course Maduro is backed by Russia (400 Russian Mercanaries according to Zero Hedge) but this is certainly not a textbook globalist overthrow of Venezuela. That partially happened a long time ago as John Perkins regrets.

    The difference here is that Maduro has already brought the country to its knees without US help. The average person spends his entire wages on one day's food. This isn't helped by sanctions but is not a direct result. there is food in the country but as I posted earlier there are two reasons it doesn't reach the supermarkets. The first is that people can't afford to buy it (so why would suppliers send it?) and the second is the delivery trucks are prevented from getting there by the Military who back Maduro.


    Unlike the 'textbook overthrows' that we have seen, Maduro has almost no support from the people, kills or imprisons any who oppose him and maintains power illegally. Over three million Venezuelans have fled the country (that's 10% of the population!). The news that other countries see coming out of Venezuela is heavily doctored and the rest of the world doesn't know the truth unless they have personal contacts inside the country (like me).

    You know, sometimes there just can be an evil dictator who bleeds his country to death and actually needs to be overthrown.

    Yes, I know how the US operates but you need to know more about what is really going on in Venezuela before jumping to the obvious conclusion.

  9. The Following User Says Thank You to 5th For This Post:

    perolator (5th March 2019)

  10. Link to Post #48
    United States Avalon Member onawah's Avatar
    Join Date
    28th March 2010
    Language
    English
    Posts
    22,208
    Thanks
    47,680
    Thanked 116,086 times in 20,639 posts

    Default Re: Turmoil in Venezuela

    I think you should keep in mind that Avalon is not a forum that focuses primarily on political issues.
    There are plenty of other venues for that, but not a lot that delve into ET/UFO/paranormal conspiracies.
    I think Avalonians are generally more interested in what goes on WAY,WAY behind the scenes and how that affects current and future affairs, subjects that most forums simply consider to be far too 'woo-woo" (and which is why they very rarely have a REAL clue as to what is going on and why).

    Quote Posted by 5th (here)
    Frankly I'm shocked and disappointed how people here just unquestioningly believe the Mainstream News Media both from Russia and the US/Canada (when it suits).

    Several people here have made up their minds what is happening when they don't have a clue.

    And we have Herve quoting the Russia Today propaganda machine! Yes I know the Russia view is often more truthful than the US but in this case, Russia has billions invested in Maduro who is on friendly terms with Putin.

    Incredible how brainwashed you all are - Avalon, I thought you were better...
    Each breath a gift...
    _____________

  11. The Following User Says Thank You to onawah For This Post:

    perolator (5th March 2019)

  12. Link to Post #49
    United States Avalon Member RunningDeer's Avatar
    Join Date
    6th February 2012
    Location
    Forest Dweller
    Language
    English
    Posts
    18,341
    Thanks
    127,398
    Thanked 168,298 times in 18,139 posts

    Default Re: Turmoil in Venezuela

    Quote Posted by 5th (here)
    Frankly I'm shocked and disappointed how people here just unquestioningly believe the Mainstream News Media both from Russia and the US/Canada (when it suits).
    Several people here have made up their minds what is happening when they don't have a clue.
    And we have Herve quoting the Russia Today propaganda machine!
    Incredible how brainwashed you all are - Avalon, I thought you were better...

  13. Link to Post #50
    Avalon Member Flash's Avatar
    Join Date
    26th December 2010
    Location
    Montreal
    Posts
    9,637
    Thanks
    38,027
    Thanked 53,692 times in 8,940 posts

    Default Re: Turmoil in Venezuela

    Quote Posted by RunningDeer (here)
    Quote Posted by 5th (here)
    Frankly I'm shocked and disappointed how people here just unquestioningly believe the Mainstream News Media both from Russia and the US/Canada (when it suits).
    Several people here have made up their minds what is happening when they don't have a clue.
    And we have Herve quoting the Russia Today propaganda machine!
    Incredible how brainwashed you all are - Avalon, I thought you were better...
    Yes, Russia propaganda machine may be as well oiled (pun intended) as the American or European ones, Chinese surpassing all of them for their own people.
    But, having some information from propaganda, mostly when it comes to seemingly opposite sides, may give us an idea of what is planned or at a minimum what each proponent want us to believe.

    I do sometimes read the propaganda machine of Turkey because it is another point of view as well, different from Russia or USA.

    Your comment does not depict the why we bring those mass media once in a while. Listen, compare, and have critical analysis abilities, from all side including the sometimes quite f k ed up alternative media (and sometimes spot on). I think this suits more to Avalon members than anything else.
    How to let the desire of your mind become the desire of your heart - Gurdjieff

  14. Link to Post #51
    Avalon Member Flash's Avatar
    Join Date
    26th December 2010
    Location
    Montreal
    Posts
    9,637
    Thanks
    38,027
    Thanked 53,692 times in 8,940 posts

    Default Re: Turmoil in Venezuela

    For Cuba:

    i went in Cuba for vacation. Even in the deemed "rich" sector of Cuba, it is so dam poor that they cannot even repair their hotels. One day you have beer, the second day there aren't any beer, but you have let say gin, then third day gin is gone and you have beer again. I haven't seen any tourism sector, world wide, functioning like this. They are dam poor. Pipes are repaired as it goes with about nothing, sliding doors which do not slide anymore won't ever again because they do not have the grease needed, etc etc.

    It is very hard to believe that all the Venezuelan wealth is going to Cuba. Very hard. And if it is, Cuba does a very poor job of using it, very poor job. Unless we are talking here of the oligarch of one country selling to the oligarch of the other country, people in both countries getting nothing out of it.

    However, one day, only one day, there was beer from Venezuela. Cuba produces its own petrol, maybe they import a bit from Venezuela, being cut off from all other sources. if so, this was happening way before any change of Venezuela government.

    Anyhow, supply us with some proof, I would be ready to change my mind.

    Oh... and yes I speak Spanish fluently enough to be able to chat with people.
    How to let the desire of your mind become the desire of your heart - Gurdjieff

  15. The Following User Says Thank You to Flash For This Post:

    perolator (5th March 2019)

  16. Link to Post #52
    Avalon Member Flash's Avatar
    Join Date
    26th December 2010
    Location
    Montreal
    Posts
    9,637
    Thanks
    38,027
    Thanked 53,692 times in 8,940 posts

    Default Re: Turmoil in Venezuela

    Quote Posted by perolator (here)
    Quote Posted by 5th (here)
    Frankly I'm shocked and disappointed how people here just unquestioningly believe the Mainstream News Media both from Russia and the US/Canada (when it suits).
    I was, that's why I posted my favorite Morpheus quote above. People believe what they want to believe.

    Quote Several people here have made up their minds what is happening when they don't have a clue.

    And we have Herve quoting the Russia Today Pravda propaganda machine! Yes I know the Russia view is often more truthful than the US but in this case, Russia has billions invested in Maduro who is on friendly terms with Putin.

    Incredible how brainwashed you all are - Avalon, I thought you were better...
    I am also surprised people were not interested in Venezuela at all for years and... They did not know Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Turkey, Bolivia, Nicaragua (among others) were taking advantage of dealing with criminals while the country went to the drain for 20 years. Now, The U.S., Brasil and Colombia started to support Venezuela and wannabe leftists started to argue "U.S. is ousting a legitimate president" yelling "Yankee Go Home" to the skies.

    That's gruesome aversion to all that the U.S. represents. While people in my country struggle daily to get food and basic services, experiencing power outages daily... People said nothing about it.

    That is an hypocrite stance. Fight for socialism, communism or whatever in your own countries.
    Broaden your view, please.


    Turkey itself is governed by criminals. Those were criminals (Turkish, Russian, etc) doing business with other criminals (Venezuelan). Nothing else. It is call world economics, or better the New World Order.
    How to let the desire of your mind become the desire of your heart - Gurdjieff

  17. The Following User Says Thank You to Flash For This Post:

    perolator (5th March 2019)

  18. Link to Post #53
    Avalon Member guayabal's Avatar
    Join Date
    5th January 2011
    Location
    Cali, Colombia
    Age
    49
    Posts
    191
    Thanks
    2,155
    Thanked 657 times in 153 posts

    Default Re: Turmoil in Venezuela

    Quote Posted by Flash (here)
    Broaden your view, please.
    You should be more specific here... from what I see, it is you that needs to broaden the view.

  19. The Following User Says Thank You to guayabal For This Post:

    perolator (5th March 2019)

  20. Link to Post #54
    Avalon Member Flash's Avatar
    Join Date
    26th December 2010
    Location
    Montreal
    Posts
    9,637
    Thanks
    38,027
    Thanked 53,692 times in 8,940 posts

    Default Re: Turmoil in Venezuela

    Quote Posted by guayabal (here)
    Quote Posted by Flash (here)
    Broaden your view, please.
    You should be more specific here... from what I see, it is you that needs to broaden the view.
    I presume that you have lived in South America somewhere, have been many times to Cuba, have lived in North America, have lived in the Middle East, have traveled widely in Europe, speak many languages (not just 2) and read from all over the world. I also presumed you have work in NGOs and in turn with hundred of corporations as well.

    I also presume that you are quite educated.

    Since you are much better than me.

    I did not want to insult, but yes, to understand the underpinning of misery, wherever in the world, including Venezuela and Cuba, or Columbia, one has to have broad views covering history, really far back, and the whole planet.
    How to let the desire of your mind become the desire of your heart - Gurdjieff

  21. Link to Post #55
    Avalon Member guayabal's Avatar
    Join Date
    5th January 2011
    Location
    Cali, Colombia
    Age
    49
    Posts
    191
    Thanks
    2,155
    Thanked 657 times in 153 posts

    Default Re: Turmoil in Venezuela

    Quote Posted by Flash (here)
    Anyhow, supply us with some proof, I would be ready to change my mind.
    It doesn't take too much to find after googling something like:



    There is a beautiful but sad commentary from "el llanero" on this youtube vid, for those who speak spanish:
    "Luz para afuera y tinieblas para adentro, legado del comandante eterno."

  22. The Following User Says Thank You to guayabal For This Post:

    perolator (5th March 2019)

  23. Link to Post #56
    Avalon Member Flash's Avatar
    Join Date
    26th December 2010
    Location
    Montreal
    Posts
    9,637
    Thanks
    38,027
    Thanked 53,692 times in 8,940 posts

    Default Re: Turmoil in Venezuela

    I can tell you that the mattress that are being carried in the background are NOT ending up in Cuban's hotel. I have rarely seen so bad used up mattresses in hotels.

    He is saying that they are continuing relationships that date back and that they are solidarly with the Cuban people. Not many are buying from Venezuela. It may be the last a bit worthwhile commerce that Venezuela has. But be assured that the Cuban people do not see much of anything in terms of wealth. No more than the Venezuelans. What I heard was talks about commerce, and little commerce, nothing major.

    Now, tell me, what are the underlying factor internationally that brought Venezuela to its knees? What were the international factor that bought Columbia, years ago, to its knees as well?

    Dig deeper.
    How to let the desire of your mind become the desire of your heart - Gurdjieff

  24. The Following User Says Thank You to Flash For This Post:

    perolator (5th March 2019)

  25. Link to Post #57
    France On Sabbatical
    Join Date
    7th March 2011
    Location
    Brittany
    Posts
    16,763
    Thanks
    60,315
    Thanked 95,891 times in 15,481 posts

    Default Re: Turmoil in Venezuela

    Is President Maduro ‘Illegitimate’? 10 Facts to Counter the Lies

    By Guest Author Pascualina Curcio

    Last updated Jan 26, 2019


    Editor’s Note – the following from 15yUltimo indeed delivers the facts straight. It’s important for those still sharing the ‘democracy = elections’ dream not to wind up in error on the subject of Venezuela – the last election that saw Maduro defeat his opponents was clean, transparent, and fair by the liberal, western standards of late modernity. FRN is not of the view that legitimacy and sovereignty are determined by the specific mechanics of what a particular time and place considers ‘democratic’, or that ‘democratic = legitimate’. This is a larger historical, theoretical, and philosophical question which, however, has deep ramifications if one wants to be consistent. Venezuela is a sovereign state because it asserts itself as such through its actions. Maduro is the legitimate leader of Venezuela for reasons beyond the scope of the below. Still, the Empire has decided that their attack on Venezuela will use, as an opening, a debate over whether specific and somewhat fetishized technical practices occurred or did not occur in the last election. All states are dictatorships – the immediate question even at the surface revolves around the degree of social and economic justice in that society, or in short – in whose interests is the dictatorship wielded? – J. Flores

    *
    Have those who state that Nicolás Maduro is a dictator, a usurper, and that the 2019-2025 presidential period lacks legitimacy, asked themselves why he is illegitimate? Or do they just repeat what they hear?

    This opinion was first advanced by the 12 Latin American countries that make up the Lima Group. Their statement reads: “The electoral process carried out in Venezuela on 20th May 2018 lacks legitimacy in that it didn’t have the participation of all Venezuelan political actors, nor the presence of independent international observers, nor the international guarantees and standards needed for it to be a free, just, and transparent process.”

    The leaders of the Venezuelan opposition, the non-democratic ones, repeat ceaselessly, and without arguments, that Maduro is a usurper.

    In a desperate act, the United States Vice-President Mike Pence, having had to call personally for the opposition march on January 23 due to the incompetence of the opposition’s leaders, insisted and repeated that President Nicolás Maduro is a dictator, usurper, and illegitimate.

    The strategy is clear: repeat the lie a thousand times to turn it into truth. Let’s dismantle this lie.

    ***
    1.
    There was a presidential election. It was carried out on May 20, 2018, months before January 10, when according to articles 230 and 231 of the Constitution, the 2013-2019 presidential period runs out. The Constitution would have been contravened if the election was carried out after January 10 — or never held.

    2.
    It was the Venezuelan opposition that requested an early election. It was held in May rather than December, as is tradition, because the opposition asked, during a dialogue with the government held in the Dominican Republic, for it to be conducted in the first term of 2018.

    3.
    In Venezuela voting is a right, but not compulsory. Those who freely, although influenced by undemocratic political organisations that called for abstention, decided not to vote had every right to do so. But in no way does this delegitimise the electoral process, especially when this would imply disregarding the 9,389,056 people who decided to vote and exercised democratically their right to suffrage.

    4.
    Sixteen political parties participated in the electoral contest, including governing PSUV and the MSV, Tupamaro, UPV, Podemos, PPT, ORA, MPAC, MEP, PCV, AP, MAS, Copei, Esperanza por el Cambio, and UPP89.

    In Venezuela it is not compulsory that all political parties participate in electoral processes. It is their right to choose whether to participate or not. That’s exactly why our system is democratic. The fact that three parties (AD, VP, and PJ) decided freely not to participate does not delegitimise the electoral process.

    5.
    Six candidates competed for presidency: Nicolás Maduro, Henri Falcón, Javier Bertucci, Reinaldo Quijada, Francisco Visconti Osorio and Luis Alejandro Ratti (the last two later decided to withdraw.)

    6.
    Maduro won by a wide margin, obtaining 6,248,864 votes, that is 67.84%; followed by Henri Falcón with 1,927,958, or 20.93%; Javier Bertucci with 1,015,895, 10.82%; and Reinaldo Quijada, who obtained 36,246 votes, or 0.39% of the total. The difference between Maduro and Falcón was of 46.91 percentage points.

    7.
    The electoral process was observed by about 150 people, including 14 electoral commissions from eight countries; two technical electoral missions; 18 journalists from different parts of the world; one member of the European Parliament, and one technical-electoral delegation from the Russian Electoral Centre.

    8.
    This election was carried out with the same electoral system used in the election for Venezuela’s National Assembly in December 2015, in which the Venezuelan opposition won. This system is automated, and audited before, during, and after the elections. The system guarantees the principle of “one voter, one vote” because only fingerprints enable the voting machine, as well as guaranteeing secrecy of vote.

    9.
    Eighteen audits were carried out on the automated system. The representatives of Henri Falcón participated in all 18 and signed the minutes in which they state their conformity with the voting system.

    The audits are public and broadcast live by the National Election Council’s TV channel. Once the audits are done, the system locks, and the only way of accessing it again is by introducing simultaneously the passwords that each political organisation has.

    10.
    None of the candidates that participated in the electoral process contested the results. There is no proof of fraud; no evidence or concrete reports of fraud have been presented. The presidential elections of May 20, 2018 were free, transparent, reliable, secure, and conforming with the Constitution and the law, despite the anti-democratic calls to abstention from a sector of the opposition.

    ***

    It is others who aspire to usurp the presidency. They argue there is a supposed absent power, which is not contemplated in our Constitution, and seek to establish a “transition government”, a concept that does not exist in the Constitution either. Furthermore, they aspire to exercise power outside our borders, in violation of article 18, which defines Caracas as the location for the public office.

    In view of all this, it is clear that it is not Maduro but others who are the usurpers, illegitimate and anti-democratic.

    The fact that some sectors of the opposition intend to assert themselves, with the support of foreign imperialist governments, to exercise an authority that neither the people nor the Constitution gives them is clearly illegitimate and an attempt to usurp.
    Let’s repeat this truth a thousand times.

    *

    [Pascualina Curcio is an economist based at the Simon Bolivar University in Caracas, Venezuela. Translated by Pedro Alvarez from 15yUltimo and appeared first on GreenLeft Weekly]
    "La réalité est un rêve que l'on fait atterrir" San Antonio AKA F. Dard

    Troll-hood motto: Never, ever, however, whatsoever, to anyone, a point concede.

  26. Link to Post #58
    Venezuela Avalon Member perolator's Avatar
    Join Date
    6th December 2011
    Age
    58
    Posts
    192
    Thanks
    276
    Thanked 353 times in 122 posts

    Default Re: Turmoil in Venezuela

    Quote Posted by Flash (here)
    It is very hard to believe that all the Venezuelan wealth is going to Cuba. Very hard. And if it is, Cuba does a very poor job of using it, very poor job. Unless we are talking here of the oligarch of one country selling to the oligarch of the other country, people in both countries getting nothing out of it.
    @Flash: I believe you have a view broadened enough to... believe.

    This link (in spanish) describes the 15-year "convenio" between Cuba and Venezuela. They (cubans) wisely removed the "anexos" from their webpage, the worst part for Venezuela, the conditions of the "trade". But in this link (also in spanish) The "anexos" are included. There were yearly revisions of that "convenio", thus, it was spiced with addenda. In any country, a contract like this may be considered as an act of high treason. In this link (in spanish) the "convenio" is described in detail.

    Sorry, Mr. Leahy, no translation. When I can find the equivalent to those links in English, I will let you know.

    Quote However, one day, only one day, there was beer from Venezuela. Cuba produces its own petrol, maybe they import a bit from Venezuela, being cut off from all other sources. if so, this was happening way before any change of Venezuela government.

    Anyhow, supply us with some proof, I would be ready to change my mind.

    Oh... and yes I speak Spanish fluently enough to be able to chat with people.
    No señor, Cuba does not produce its own petrol. Venezuela subsidized the Cienfuegos oil plant or at least tried. Fortunately, this article in English will allow you to understand I am not exaggerating a bit the Venezuela situation.

    From the article:
    Quote Venezuela continues to supply Cuba with around 55,00 barrels of oil per day, costing the nation around $1.2 billion per year, an unthinkable generosity when 9 million Venezuelans are reporting that they can only afford to eat once a day.
    The quantity is not right, by the way. It is 55,000 barrels/day. More than half that oil is re-sold. 19 years of uninterrupted oil supply, my friend.

    No, it is not just the oil.

  27. Link to Post #59
    Avalon Member Flash's Avatar
    Join Date
    26th December 2010
    Location
    Montreal
    Posts
    9,637
    Thanks
    38,027
    Thanked 53,692 times in 8,940 posts

    Default Re: Turmoil in Venezuela

    Quote Posted by perolator (here)
    Quote Posted by Flash (here)
    It is very hard to believe that all the Venezuelan wealth is going to Cuba. Very hard. And if it is, Cuba does a very poor job of using it, very poor job. Unless we are talking here of the oligarch of one country selling to the oligarch of the other country, people in both countries getting nothing out of it.
    @Flash: I believe you have a view broadened enough to... believe.

    This link (in spanish) describes the 15-year "convenio" between Cuba and Venezuela. They (cubans) wisely removed the "anexos" from their webpage, the worst part for Venezuela, the conditions of the "trade". But in this link (also in spanish) The "anexos" are included. There were yearly revisions of that "convenio", thus, it was spiced with addenda. In any country, a contract like this may be considered as an act of high treason. In this link (in spanish) the "convenio" is described in detail.

    Sorry, Mr. Leahy, no translation. When I can find the equivalent to those links in English, I will let you know.

    Quote However, one day, only one day, there was beer from Venezuela. Cuba produces its own petrol, maybe they import a bit from Venezuela, being cut off from all other sources. if so, this was happening way before any change of Venezuela government.

    Anyhow, supply us with some proof, I would be ready to change my mind.

    Oh... and yes I speak Spanish fluently enough to be able to chat with people.
    No señor, Cuba does not produce its own petrol. Venezuela subsidized the Cienfuegos oil plant or at least tried. Fortunately, this article in English will allow you to understand I am not exaggerating a bit the Venezuela situation.

    From the article:
    Quote Venezuela continues to supply Cuba with around 55,00 barrels of oil per day, costing the nation around $1.2 billion per year, an unthinkable generosity when 9 million Venezuelans are reporting that they can only afford to eat once a day.
    The quantity is not right, by the way. It is 55,000 barrels/day. More than half that oil is re-sold. 19 years of uninterrupted oil supply, my friend.

    No, it is not just the oil.
    Interesting. Cienfuegos is subsidized by Venezuela!! I did not know this.

    The anexos you presented seem to be describing what Cuba offered to Venezuela in the agreement (agriculture, tourism, medical equipement and training, doctors sent in Venezuela, etc).

    I have not read it carefully yet, (it is late and my whole body is in pain, I felt on icy sidewalk today, hurting elbow, shoulder, hips, name it), but I do not seem to find the anexo where the Venezuela services to Cuba are written. If I am right and these are absent, is there a way to find it?

    One thing for sure, Chavez was hated by the USA, it is obvious why. He was really going towards communist countries (not only socialists).

    Thank you for bringing new information on the topic.
    How to let the desire of your mind become the desire of your heart - Gurdjieff

  28. The Following User Says Thank You to Flash For This Post:

    perolator (5th March 2019)

  29. Link to Post #60
    Venezuela Avalon Member perolator's Avatar
    Join Date
    6th December 2011
    Age
    58
    Posts
    192
    Thanks
    276
    Thanked 353 times in 122 posts

    Cool Re: Turmoil in Venezuela

    Quote Posted by Hervé (here)
    Pasqualina Curcio is an economist based at the Simon Bolivar University in Caracas, Venezuela.
    GreenLeft Weekly
    Pasqualina Curcio Curcio is an Economist, Full Professor (Universidad Simón Bolívar) and holds a Doctorate in Political Science.
    Impressive.

    She is also an active chavista operative. Even more impressive. How she has time to teach, to manage a very active blog, to write for aporrea.org (a known chavista webpage) and independent leftist media?

    I am an average Joe. I will have to become chavista to boost my productivity.

+ Reply to Thread
Page 3 of 28 FirstFirst 1 3 13 28 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts