Important Takeaways:
- In a letter addressed to Trump, Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón said, “[J]ust a few days after holding an illegitimate swearing-in ceremony in a desperate attempt to cling to power in Venezuela,” Maduro “publicly proposed an invasion of Puerto Rico.”
- Maduro, who was sworn in for a third six-year presidential term despite international condemnation of his recent reelection as illegitimate, made the threat Saturday at the end of the “International Anti-Fascist Festival” hosted in Caracas. The socialist dictator made an apparent reference to Trump’s remarks eyeing U.S. control of the Panama Canal and Greenland, stating: “Just as the North has an agenda of colonization, we have an agenda of liberation.” Maduro vowed that the “freedom of Puerto Rico is pending, and we will achieve it with Brazilian troops,” according to Latin America Reports.
- “This is an open threat to the United States, our national security, and stability in the region,” González-Colón told Trump. “I trust your incoming administration will swiftly respond and make clear to the Maduro regime that, under your leadership, the United States, will protect American lives and sovereignty and will not bow down to the threats of petty, murderous dictators.”
- González-Colón, who took office just earlier this month, went on to say that Puerto Rico has been an “essential part of the United States” since 1898, and she reiterated how Puerto Ricans were granted American citizenship in 1917 and “have contributed to every aspect of American life, including the hundreds of thousands of service members from the Island who have fought alongside our fellow citizens in every U.S. military conflict since World War I.”
- “Contrary to Maduro’s and other adversaries’ calls for independence, the people of Puerto Rico have repeatedly rejected this option. Instead, we have voted to strengthen our union with the United States through statehood – most recently in the November 5, 2024, plebiscite held alongside our general elections,” González-Colón wrote, referring to the latest nonbinding referendum regarding Puerto Rico’s political status.
- The results showed 56.87% voted in favor of U.S. statehood, while 12.29% opted for “free association with the United States.” Meanwhile, 30.84% voted for independence.
- She noted that the United States shares a maritime boundary with Venezuela in Puerto Rico.
- “Maduro’s calls for an invasion are a clear attempt to get rid of the United States’ presence and grow his influence in the area,” González-Colón wrote, telling Trump that she’s “ready to work with you and your administration to counter this and other threats posed by the illegitimate Maduro dictatorship and support the people of Venezuela in their quest for freedom.”
- “Maduro’s days are numbered,” the congressman added. “If the dictator in Venezuela does not want to end up like other dictators Mussolini and Gaddafi, he should leave Venezuela without delay.”
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Important Takeaways:
- Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has called for a campaign for the “liberation” of Puerto Rico from the United States.
- The U.S. and other governments recognized Maduro’s opponent Edmundo González as the victor of last July’s election.
- On Friday, the U.S. announced a $25 million reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest or conviction, highlighting a renewed effort to destabilize Maduro’s presidency and bolster the opposition’s bid to restore democracy.
- Maduro invoked Simón Bolívar, the Venezuelan solider who liberated much of South America from Spanish rule, as he spoke about Puerto Rico.
- “Just as in the north they have a colonization agenda, we have a liberation agenda,” Maduro said during the closing of the International Anti-Fascist Festival in Caracas on Saturday. “And our agenda was written by Simón Bolívar. The freedom of Puerto Rico is pending, and we will achieve it with Brazilian troops…leading the way.”
- Puerto Rico has been under U.S. control since the 1898 Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans have been U.S. citizens since 1917, but they cannot vote in general elections and have no voting representation in Congress because of the island’s political status.
- A majority of voters, 57 percent, opted for Puerto Rico to become a U.S. state in a nonbinding referendum in November, while just 12 percent voted for independence. The vote was the first referendum that did not provide an option for maintaining the island’s current status as a U.S. territory. But Puerto Rico’s status can change only with approval from Congress.
- Maduro began his third term more isolated on the world stage than ever, with the U.S. announcing bounties for him and several high-ranking officials.
- González said he plans to return to Venezuela to take up the mantle of president, although it is not clear if and when he would do so. The Venezuelan government has said González will be arrested if he returns.
- The U.S. and its allies have indicated they are willing to increase sanctions on Venezuela if there is further evidence of repression.
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Important Takeaways:
- Venezuela’s former opposition candidate, Edmundo González, on Wednesday said he was coerced into signing a letter effectively recognizing his defeat in July’s presidential election, which electoral authorities claim was won by President Nicolás Maduro.
- The revelation of the letter is the latest strain to the country’s political crisis, which was exacerbated by the disputed election results and González’s recent departure for exile in Spain.
- The document states it was meant to be confidential, but Jorge Rodríguez, head of the National Assembly and Maduro’s chief negotiator, presented it during a nationally televised press conference hours after a local news outlet published parts of it.
- “They showed up with a document that I would have to sign to allow my departure from the country,” González said. “In other words, either I signed or I would face consequences. There were very tense hours of coercion, blackmail and pressure.”
- The opposition coalition collected tally sheets from 80% of the nation’s electronic voting machines and posted them online. González and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said the voting records showed the former diplomat won the election with twice as many votes as Maduro.
- González then became the subject of an arrest warrant over an investigation into the publishing of the tally sheets.
- Venezuela’s next presidential term begins Jan. 10 and lasts six years.
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Important Takeaways:
- New wars, old wars, famine, panic everywhere. So much for a quiet August
- From Bangladesh to Venezuela, one calamity rapidly overtakes another, but common denominators include poverty, corruption and lack of hope
- [Bangladesh] Last week’s revolution in Bangladesh captured the tone. Recalling the 1986 “people power” overthrow of Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines, Sheikh Hasina, a pro-democracy prime minister turned late-life autocrat, did not merely lose her job. She nearly lost her head, legging it into last-minute exile. Bangladesh, in turmoil and beset by score-settling, must piece itself back together. It won’t be easy.
- [Venezuela] …the uproar following Venezuela’s election travesty. President Nicolás Maduro, no Chávez he, thought it was in the bag. Then the actual votes started coming in. Appalled, he belatedly realized he was losing. Publication of results was abruptly suspended, Maduro claimed a bogus victory, and the familiar lies, crackdowns and violence began.
- Except, this time, like Bangladesh, repression hasn’t worked. Vote tallies have not been released, so no one believes him. The US and Europe say that opposition candidate Edmundo González won. Even friendly leftwing governments in Brazil, Colombia and Mexico are jibbing. Hundreds have been arrested, dozens have died. Yet Maduro won’t budge, and so the crisis deepens.
- [Africa] Poverty, lack of opportunity and official corruption roil the global street. In Kenya, young anti-government demonstrators sparked copycat generation Z protests in Nigeria and Uganda. About 70% of Africa’s fast-expanding population is under 30. Youthful insurrection is not confined to a single calendar month. It’s ongoing.
- In the Middle East, matters go from bad to seriously worse, fueling fears of region-wide war. Iran’s response to the assassination of Hamas’s leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran is awaited with trepidation. It’s an old story. Western countries conduct emergency evacuations. Israel, backed by the US, prepares to strike back.
- [Ukraine] The conflict dramatically intensified this month after a large Ukrainian force invaded Russia right back.
- Sudan’s civil war is a catastrophe with dire implications for the whole Sahel region, terrorism and migration – yet few seem to notice, let alone care.
- At the opposite end of the spectrum, the wealthy wolves of Wall Street and other financial centers were busy making their own contribution to international insecurity with an irresponsible, rollercoaster display of record stock market instability. Yet jobbers’ jitters surely reflect the fears and uncertainties of a world running clean out of control.
- Speaking of control, the “indispensable” country that much of the world looks to in times of trouble spent August hopelessly distracted by domestic political tumult. Don’t expect the US to sort things out, unless Joe Biden produces a parting rabbit. Harris v Trump is shaping up to be the knock-down, scratch-your-eyes-out, photo-finish fight of the century.
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Important Takeaways:
- This is not a drill. We stand on the brink of multiple dangerous and life-altering precipices. Act accordingly.
- As the rhythmic beat of war drums grows louder, the global economy quivers, with stock markets plummeting in a dizzying freefall.
- The storm is coming, and we need to prepare for it.
- If you think stocks are cratering now, just wait until Iran closes the Straight of Hormuz, sending energy prices skyrocketing globally. Food prices will explode. Businesses will be hit by mass bankruptcies. Russia will receive a windfall of energy profits… Prepare accordingly. Gold, in other words. Plus shoring up necessary supplies in food, medicine, emergency comms, etc.
- Venezuela
- The situation remains tense and fluid, with the opposition continuing to challenge the election results and the government maintaining its stance on Maduro’s disputed victory. Venezuela is in the midst of a civilian uprising. The conflict is primarily between a majority of citizens and Maduro’s government, which is accused of stealing the election from opposition candidate Edmundo González.
- Middle East
- The tensions between Israel and Iran have reached a critical point in recent months, with both nations engaging in direct and proxy confrontations that threaten to destabilize the entire Middle East region and world.
- NEARLY $2 TRILLION GONE OVERNIGHT
- As most of you know by now, stock markets have experienced significant drops as investors react to the growing instability. Disruptions in oil supplies have led to spikes in energy prices, exacerbating inflationary pressures worldwide.
- UK’S PUBLIC OUTCRY, THE GOVERNMENT’S BETRAYAL & ENGINEERED RACE WAR
- The sharp rise of violent crimes by migrants while UK leaders not only ignore the protests but blatantly protect the migrants has fueled a fast-spreading fire of rebellion. This is being repeated in nations throughout the EU.
- The recent tragic stabbing of three young girls in Southport, UK, has ignited a firestorm of outrage and violence across the country and into Ireland. The incident, which took place at a Taylor Swift-themed summer dance class, left Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Bebe King, 6, dead, and several others injured. The suspect, 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, has been charged with murder and attempted murder.
- While Rudakubana may not be a migrant, his murder spree on children did the trick and has fueled violent protests and attacks on mosques and asylum seeker accommodations, leading to widespread chaos and fear in towns and cities throughout the UK.
- The UK’s lack of response to the migrant hostility has sparked further outrage among those who believe the government is not doing enough to tackle the root causes of the unrest — most likely by design. The perception that the rise in violent crimes may be due to the activation of sleeper cells has only intensified the public’s fear and anger.
- NO SCARE-MONGERING INTENDED
- I know the news I’m reporting is frightful, but I believe it is necessary to relay it in order for people to truly understand our dangerous position. The transgressions we are seeing in the UK will surely erupt here as well. This appears to be a well-funded and oiled machine at play, potentially backed by influential figures like Soros. In the US, the situation may escalate further, with guns likely to be involved, not “simply” machetes and knives as seen in the UK.
- The fencing that appeared around the Capitol last week suggests that our leaders expect massive unrest.
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Important Takeaways:
- Venezuela on brink of civil war after BOTH Putin’s pal Maduro & opposition leader declare victory in tinderbox election
- Official results said Maduro, 61, had claimed 51.2 per cent of the vote, while opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, 74, received 44.2 per cent of the vote.
- But the Venezuelan opposition has also claimed victory with their presidential candidate Gonzalez receiving 70 per cent of the vote in their own tabulation.
- Maduro controls the ballot process through cronies and has been accused by the opposition of rigging the vote.
- Marxist Maduro has blasted them back, saying it was the “extreme right” opposition who had committed “fraud”.
- He threatened “justice” for those who challenge the results, telling cheering supporters in Caracas late Sunday night: “They are ugly faces. The gorgeous ones are the people who are here and noble.”
- Maduro also accused, without evidence, foreign enemies of trying to hack the voting system of the South American country.
- But Gonzalez claimed the opposition was kept from scrutinizing results and said they “knew what happened”.
- He said: “All rules and norms were violated to an extent that we were denied seeing most of the ballots.
- The National Electoral Council is yet to release results from each of the 30,000 polling booths nationwide.
- Long-suffering Venezuelans saw the vote as their best opportunity to end 25 years of socialist one-party rule
- Videos posted to social media on Sunday showed massive queues with claims spreading that voters were blocked from entering polling stations.
- The brave turnout came after Maduro threatened last weekend that electing the opposition would see the country fall into a “bloodbath” and “civil war”.
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Important Takeaways:
- Twelve-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray was walking to a convenience store in Houston when she disappeared, police say; she was found dead in a creek earlier this month.
- Two undocumented men from Venezuela are accused of killing the girl and both are facing charges of capital murder in her death, according to the Houston Police Department.
- It is also the latest case to bring immigration to the forefront as a critical issue this election year, as the two men were in the country illegally, according to the US Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
- Where and when they entered the country is unclear, the spokesperson said, but each had been apprehended near El Paso by US Border Patrol – Martinez-Rangel on March 14 and Peña Ramos on May 28 – and released with a notice to appear in court in the future.
- The family will have a celebration of life for Jocelyn on Thursday afternoon in Houston.
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Important Takeaways:
- Venezuela raises stakes in border dispute, creates military zone to be carved out of Guyana
- In what is likely to further inflame tensions in the hemisphere, Venezuelan ruler Nicolás Maduro announced Tuesday the creation of a new military zone that would be in charge of defending an oil -and mineral-rich territory of neighboring Guyana that he’s claiming belongs to his nation.
- Maduro also designated a general, Alexis Rodríguez Cabello, as the sole authority of the Essequibo, a chunk of land in Guyana slightly smaller than the state of Florida. He also ordered that the more than 125,000 Guyanese living in the area, which is mostly jungle, be granted Venezuelan citizenship.
- The announcement comes after Maduro claimed that 98% of Venezuelans overwhelmingly approved on Sunday his annexation of a new state that accounts for three quarters of Guyana’s current land mass. While Guyana objected to the vote and called it illegal, international observers have questioned the election results.
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Important Takeaways:
- Should Venezuela invade its oil-rich neighbor? Maduro will put it to a vote Sunday
- Venezuelans going to the polls Sunday will be asked to answer an unusually provocative question:
- Should their government be given a blank check to invade neighboring Guyana, and wrest away three-quarters of its oil-rich territory?
- The question will be on the ballot in a five-part referendum that, among other things, would grant Maduro special powers to invade Guyana and create a new Venezuelan state encompassing 74% of English-speaking Guyana’s current landmass. The new area would be called Guayana Esequiba.
- Some experts see the whole thing as a political ploy, though many Guyanese see the threat as real and fear, among other things, the loss of their citizenship.
- The growing tensions became evident this week when Brazil — a close ally of both nations that shares its border with both — sent top foreign advisor Celso Amorin to mediate while announcing that it was increasing its military presence along its northern border amid fears that the long-standing dispute could turn into a war.
- The border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela stretches back to the second half of the 19th century, and escalated after Guyana began discovering oil on its territory a few years ago. Venezuela claims ownership of about 61,600 square miles of Guyana — a chunk of land slightly smaller than the state of Florida called the Essequibo — tracing its possession to the time both countries were European colonies. Although Venezuela has unceasingly contested an 1899 ruling made by international arbitrators that established the current borders between the two countries, it had allowed the issue to remain on the back burner for decades
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Important Takeaways:
- Chicago is so unpleasant migrants are fleeing BACK to Venezuela after being dumped in shelters and refused jobs, with 20,700 border crossers so-far bussed to Dem-run ‘sanctuary city’
- Since August last year, 20,700 migrants have arrived in Chicago from Texas. The Lone Star State’s Governor Greg Abbott sent migrants to Chicago and other Democrat-run cities because of their proud status as ‘sanctuary cities.’ They offer enhanced protection against detention or deportation for undocumented migrants.
- Now, Illinois’ harsh winters, lack of migrant infrastructure, and ambivalent support from locals has made many people, who undertook the harsh US-Mexico border journey, actually turn around and go back home.
- Michael Castejon, 39, told the Chicago Tribune: ‘The American Dream doesn’t exist anymore. There’s nothing here for us.’
- ‘We didn’t know things would be this hard. I thought the process was faster,’ he said about the job permit situation in Chicago.
- The city is also notorious for violent crime, with migrants forced to sleep in public more vulnerable to attack than most.
- At least 40 people in the last month have left Chicago’s 1st District station to either move back home or elsewhere in the States, with the help of Catholic Charities of Chicago.
- While most hail from Venezuela, they come from all over the world, including Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
- The city has allocated $4 million to help migrants find temporary housing, and the state has contributed another $38 million.
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