Published on 13 Aril 2016 by teleSUR English

According to the Iawyer and journalist, "there is a very strong possibility that President Chavez was assassinated."

Renowned journalist Eva Golinger spoke to teleSUR about the alleged assassination of Hugo Chavez.

Do you think that Hugo Chavez was murdered and, if so, who do you think might have been involved?

I believe there is a very strong possibility that President Chavez was assassinated. There were notorious and documented assassination attempts against him throughout his presidency.

Most notable was the April 11, 2002 coup d’etat, during which he was kidnapped and set to be assassinated had it not been for the unprecedented uprising of the Venezuelan people and loyal military forces that rescued him and returned him to power within 48 hours. I was able to find irrefutable evidence using the U.S. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), that the CIA and other U.S. agencies were behind that coup and supported, financially, militarily and politically, those involved.

Later on, there were other attempts against Chavez and his government, such as in 2004 when dozens of Colombian paramilitary forces were captured on a farm outside of Caracas that was owned by an anti-Chavez activist, Robert Alonso, just days before they were going to attack the presidential palace and kill Chavez.

There was another, lesser-known plot against Chavez discovered in New York City during his visit to the United Nations General Assembly in September 2006. According to information provided by his security services, during standard security reconnaissance of an event where Chavez would address the U.S. public at a local, renowned university, high levels of radiation were detected in the chair where he would have sat. The radiation was discovered by a Geiger detector, which is a handheld radiation detection device the presidential security used to ensure the president wasn’t in danger of exposure to harmful rays. In this case, the chair was removed and subsequent tests showed it was emanating unusual amounts of radiation that could have resulted in significant harm to Chavez had it gone undiscovered. According to accounts by the presidential security at the event, an individual from the United States who had been involved in the logistical support for the event and had provided the chair was shown to be acting with U.S. intelligence agents.

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Published on 8 April 2016 by teleSUR

In only two days over two and half million Venezuelans have signed a petition expressing their rejection of a bill approved by the opposition-controlled National Assembly that aims to grant amnesty to a number of jailed opponents of the socialist government.

President Nicolas Maduro told a crowd of supporters Thursday that he believed the country's Supreme Court would declare the bill unconstitutional, which will now be sent to the country's highest court for final consideration. 

“The people should rebel against unconstitutional laws,” exclaimed Maduro.

“It is my duty as head of state to ensure constitutionality (and) justice so there may be peace in Venezuela,” he added.

Supporters of the government will continue to collect signatures against the law for the next few days before presenting them to the Supreme Court.

The protest was convened by the United Socialist Party of Venezuela, or PSUV, and was joined by other social and political movements.

The so-called “Amnesty Law” covers the period beginning with the arrival of former President Hugo Chavez to the presidency in 1999 to the present.

The legislative measure seeks to release approximately 115 incarcerated convicted criminals, including some who participated in the coup against President Hugo Chavez in 2002, as well as many of those that both organized and participated in violent protests.

Published on 4 April 2016 by Granma

To visit the Solidaridad con Panamá (Solidarity with Panama) School, where 180 children and young people with physical and intellectual disabilities or cerebrovascular diseases study, is a moment to rid oneself of sorrows, and be inspired by the determination to overcome any difficulties that lie ahead.

Students at the school are motivated by the staff who work closely with them every day, some 110 workers in total, including 64 teachers, and over 40 assistants, physical therapists and other professionals. Some of whom have also provided educational services in Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Nicaragua and other countries.

The school, located in the Fontanar neighborhood in the municipality of Boyeros, Havana, is a site without architectural barriers to mobility, characterized for its cleanliness, order, discipline, lighting in every corner and use of color to invoke peace and happiness.

The Solidaridad con Panamá School was inaugurated by the leader of the Cuban Revolution Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro Ruz on 31 December 1989, in the context of U.S. military aggression against Panama. The school teaches at three levels: primary, secondary, and for children with intellectual and developmental difficulties. The school also participates in the “Educate Your Child” program, which offers tools for parents with disabled children.

Walking around the site, one comes across children with no hands eating with their feet; a child who has difficulty walking pushing the wheelchair of another; or another holding a pencil between his teeth to write during class. They all play the normal games for their age, particularly enjoy art classes and get up to mischief now and again. There is no sense here of pity for these children, solely because they have certain limitations.

What stands out is the joy expressed on each of their faces. They all are eager to be photographed and open to talk to anyone. Teachers, workers and students clearly recall key moments in the 25 year history of the school.

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Published on 10 April 2016 by teleSUR

Independent investigations continue to continue to cast doubt on Mexico's official story about what happened to the 43 Ayotzinapa students.

The Mexican government’s claims about what happened to the 43 forcibly disappeared Ayotzinapa students has been dealt another blow, this time by Austrian forensic experts who found no DNA links between the missing students and human remains treated as key evidence in the case, the Mexican daily La Jornada reported Saturday.

Investigators from Austria’s University of Innsbruck studied 53 samples of bones, hair, and clothing found on the bus where the students were traveling before they were kidnapped and almost a dozen samples from the garbage dump and river where authorities claim the bodies were burned and dumped.

But with no DNA links to the 43 students, none of the samples offered evidence of the whereabouts of the 43 students’ remains.The Austrian experts plan to carry out new genetic testing to further investigate the samples.

The analysis comes as the relationship between Mexican prosecutors and the Interdisciplinary Group of Independent Experts working on the case, known as GIEI, has suffered a breakdown after the Mexican authorities unilaterally presented study results that manipulated findings to serve the government’s political interests of closing the case.

Mexican authorities have insisted on solidifying the version of events they call the “historical truth” of the Ayotzinapa case. This official version claims that the 43 students were burned in the Cocula garbage dump, located about 18 miles (almost 30 km) south of Iguala, Guerrero, where they were kidnapped on Sept. 26, 2014.

Independent experts and families of the victims have rejected the story. An opposition lawmaker recently called it the “historical lie” of Ayotzinapa. Preliminary analysis by independent foreign fire experts recently found that there was enough evidence to prove that there was a fire in the Cocula garbage dump, but added that a “large scale test” would be needed to scientifically determine whether the students’ bodies were indeed burned. Mexican authorities argued the evidence suggests that “17 adult human beings were burned.”

Amnesty International has now joined the GIEI in slamming the Mexican government for exaggerating the findings of the latest study, saying it was “totally absurd” to paint this evidence as groundbreaking news in the case, La Jornada reported Saturday. The organization argued that by presenting the findings as “conclusive,” the Mexican government “only played with the suffering of the families, denying their right to truth and justice.”

Published on 8 April by Granma

Cuban leader Fidel Castro attended an event honoring revolutionary heroine Vilma Espín, on April 7.

He visited the Vilma Espín educational center located in the Havana municipality of Playa, where, along with preschool and elementary students and teachers, he participated in a tribute to the founder of the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC), held on the 86th anniversary of Vilma’s birth.

“I am sure that on a day like today, Vilma would be very happy,” the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution said.

“She would be seeing why she sacrificed her life, why those who die struggling for the Revolution leave energy along the way, leave strength, and struggle for this,” he added

Fidel, who will celebrate his 90th birthday in August, could be seen in the television broadcast spiritedly greeting the children and teachers, and discussing issues related to education, health and nutrition.

“Those of us who are here consider being in this school today a privilege, since this type of school is getting close to a kind of dream. I was trying to remember if I had known of a place where a school like this one existed. Such a place doesn’t appear,” Fidel said.

Boris Fuentes, the Cuban television journalist covering the event, reported that Fidel emphasized the school’s experience and its utility for rural areas.

Currently attending the Vilma Espín School are preschool and elementary children, while a middle school program is to be initiated next September.

The educational center was inaugurated April 9, 2013, with two classroom buildings, a library, as well as computer lab, and is staffed by a total of 43 individuals including teachers, assistants and service workers.

Link to video in Spanish can be found here

Published on 28 March 2016 by teleSUR.

Cuba's Fidel Castro has responded to U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to his country last week in an opinion piece for the website Cuba Debate.

In the article, published Monday, the iconic revolutionary figure explained that "Cuba doesn't need the empire to give us anything," adding that "nobody should be under the illusion that the people of this noble and selfless country will surrender their rights and spiritual wealth that they have won with the development of education, science and culture,” under the Cuban Revolution.

He added that Cuba can "produce the food and material wealth we need through effort and intelligence of our people."

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Published on 30 March 2016 by Granma.

Much more is revealed by what Obama didn’t say in Havana, than the little he did, no matter how choice his words. This is the same Obama who could do much more given his Presidential powers and yet has not.  Dario Machado reports.  

Like many others, I followed the visit by Barack Obama to our country and experienced mixed feelings: on the one hand, the healthy patriotic and revolutionary pride of witnessing a U.S. president rectifying the policy toward Cuba and repeating on our own soil that the blockade must be ended, reaffirming respect for our sovereignty and independence, which we Cubans have earned with our sacrifice, our sweat, our blood, our history; and on the other hand, the danger posed by those who believe that with these lukewarm changes, the contradiction between the interests of U.S. imperialism and the Cuban nation has disappeared. But it was only after listening to his speech that Tuesday morning that I decided to write this, because, as Fidel warned over half a century ago, from now on everything will be more difficult.

Who could doubt the enormous complexity of U.S. society, where black and white analysis is of little value?

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Published on 28 March 2016 by venezuelanalysis.com.

Caracas, March 28, 2016 (venezuelanalysis.com) – Haitian-Venezuelan political leader and solidarity activist Fritz Saint Louis, 54, was shot dead in his home by masked gunman on Saturday evening.

According to a statement by the Public Prosecutor’s office, Saint Louis was reportedly inside his home located on the outskirts of Caracas in Santa Lucia del Tuy, “when a group of armed men entered and, without a word, shot the politician various times, causing his immediate death.”

Saint Louis’ son, Louis Nervil Fritz Jr., 23, was also injured in the incident, suffering a shot to the arm.

Two suspects in the case, Victor Jose Cisneros (22) and Henry Anthony Torrealba (23), reportedly died in a shootout with police on Sunday afternoon, while three others were arrested by authorities. Police recovered two 16mm shotguns without serial numbers alleged to have been used in the murder.

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Published on 5 April 2016 by Granma.

CARACAS.—Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro approved funding of over $1.4 billion dollars this Monday, April 4, to strengthen the 2016 Cooperation Plan signed with Cuba in health, education, culture and sports.

The head of state signed the document during a meeting of the Cuba-Venezuela High Level Joint Commission, held at the Miraflores Palace, reported Prensa Latina.

Maduro highlighted the efforts made by his government to ensure a truly socialist healthcare system. “The right wing media devote themselves to silencing what is being done for the benefit of Venezuelans,” he stated.

The Venezuelan leader also approved the Cuba-Venezuela binational plan to strengthen the Misión Barrio Adentro (Inside the Neighborhood Mission) health care program.

He noted total investment of $1.428 billion dollars, as well as 6.954 billion bolivars in the case of health, which will be used to strengthen and expand the medical assistance provided through the Misión Barrio Adentro.

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Published on 25 March 2016 by ALTERNET.  (Written by Jake Johnston of the Centre for Economic and Policy Research in Washington DC.)

Economic growth is stagnant and millions of Haitians are facing food shortages after a series of droughts in the countryside.

More than a month after his selection as Haiti’s provisional president, Jocelerme Privert finally has a government. His nomination for prime minister, and a 16-member cabinet, was approved by parliament in a marathon session that ended early this morning. It was a necessary first step in getting the delayed electoral process moving again, though no official date has been set. But as the political crisis drags on, international actors are increasing the pressure on the provisional government, reducing aid just as the country needs it most.

Economic growth is stagnant, and millions of Haitians are facing food shortages after a series of droughts in the countryside. With inflation well in the double digits and a local currency that has lost 20 percent of its value in the last six months, many Haitians are scrambling to survive. But, an International Monetary Fund agreement, which could provide funds necessary to stabilize the economy and exchange rate, has stalled. Furthermore, support from the European Union and other donors is contingent upon the IMF agreement, leaving Haiti even worse off.

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Published on 18 March 2016 by teleSUR.

Cuba has awarded Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro one of the Caribbean country’s highest honors, the Maximum National Order.

"Jose Marti was the biggest Bolivariano of the 19th century, a loyal interpreter of the genuine spirit of the Liberator."          

Maduro was in Cuba on Friday to accept the award, named after Cuban revolutionary Jose Marti.

“Our union comes from love, brotherhood, identity, from two peoples with heroic histories,” Maduro said on receiving the award.  This award is truly for the heroic people of Venezuela, who have battled, and who do not give in.”

Cuba and Venezuela have a long history of solidarity, with joint projects like Miracle Mission, to cure blindness, and Mission Barrio Adentro, bringing thousands of Cuban doctors to Venezuela.

Published on 22 March by Granma.

The President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, set off from Havana’s José Martí International Airport aboard the Air Force One plane this Tuesday afternoon, bringing his official visit to Cuba, which began on Sunday March 20, to an end.

He was accompanied and bid farewell at the airport by the President of the Councils of State and Ministers Raúl Castro Ruz.

Obama will now travel to Argentina to meet with his counterpart Mauricio Macri.

During his visit to the island, the U.S. President, together with his accompanying delegation, toured sites in Old Havana including the Plaza de Armas, the Captain Generals' Palace and the Cathedral of Havana, accompanied by City Historian Eusebio Leal Spengler.

On the morning of Monday, March 21, Barack Obama paid tribute to Cuba’s national hero, José Martí, laying a floral wreath to the monument in Havana’s Plaza de la Revolución, and held official talks with the President of the Councils of State and Ministers, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz. Following the talks, both presidents offered statements to the press, which received wide international media coverage.

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Published on 22/03/16 by teleSUR. 

Below we look at how the United States government has provided “assistance” in order to sow dissent within Cuban society.

President Barack Obama is scheduled to meet with U.S.-backed opposition organizations on Tuesday in Cuba as part of his visit to the island.          

Leading up to his meeting, teleSUR takes a look at the historic ties between Cuban dissidents and the U.S. government.

Despite the thawing of diplomatic relations, the U.S. government continues to provide financial “assistance” to individuals and groups dedicated to "regime change" in Cuba.

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Published on 17 March 2016 by teleSUR.

In the context of developing Cuba-U.S. relations, on March 2, 2016 in Geneva, the Deputy secretary of State of the U.S. State Department, Antony J. Blinken, issued the National Statement at the Human Rights Council of the United Nations. In this statement he indicated that Obama during his visit to Cuba in March “will emphasize that the Cuban people are best served by an environment where people are free to choose their political parties and their leaders ...”

Let us concentrate for the moment on the theme of “choosing their leaders.”

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Dr Helen Yaffe, author of Che Guevara: The Economics of Revolution, speaks to the BBC on the arrival of Obama in Cuba.

Published on 16 March 2016 by teleSUR.

The rapporteur has been critical of the Venezuelan state without first requesting information from the government.

Venezuela spoke out against the rapporteur for freedom of expression Edison Lanza of the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights on Wednesday.

Venezuelan Ambassador to the U.S. Bernardo Alvarez told the Organization of American States that he “categorically rejects” the official for his “loss of independence and lack of impartiality in regard to the Venezuelan state.”

Lanza publicly criticized Venezuela’s freedom of expression in an “irresponsible and biased” way and failed to contact the state before publishing a negative press release.      

“There is no doubt that this reprehensible behaviour is part of a national and international political-media campaign to discredit the Venezuelan state and its government on freedom of expression,” said Alvarez.            

“Venezuela today is characterized by a deep respect for the right to freedom of expression in the broadest sense, protecting the exercise of that right beyond vision of private media corporations to give space to all individual and collective expression, in a country where the plurality of opinions are expressed through social media and thousands of community and alternative media,” he added.

Alvarez’s speech ended with an appeal to respect the standards of ethics in the OAS and the human rights commission.

Published on 16 March 2016 by teleSUR.

Taking to the streets of La Paz to defend their leader, President Evo Morales, supporters say the attacks against him must stop.

More than 5,000 community representatives marched through the streets of La Paz in a major show of support for President Evo Morales.

Shouting "We stand by Evo," the crowds brought a large part of the center of La Paz to a complete standstill.

Supporters of the president decided to march to show "that we still have a voice," said Quisa Cossio, who came from the town of Viacha to take part in the event.

She was referring to the recent referendum result where the "No" campaign scored a narrow and rare victory over the government supported "Yes" campaign.

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Published on March 14 2016 by Granma.

Dr. Loai Aloja, chargé d'affaires of the Syrian Arab Republic in Havana, described the fraternal relations between his government and Cuba as those of sister nations, exemplified by the island’s support for independence causes in the Arab nation.

Speaking with national media in Havana, the diplomat referred to Cuba’s continued support in defense of the anti-colonial struggles of underdeveloped countries. He noted that the leaders of the Revolution, the Communist Party of Cuba and institutions, have never held back on providing political support for movements fighting for national sovereignty.

With regard to Syria and the Ba'ath Party, he stated that Cuba has denounced military aggression promoted from abroad, and the interventionist pretensions of Western powers in the country, in international forums. “Cuba presents its opinions in an open manner and without shying away, based on a position of internationalist principle,” he said.

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Published on March 15 2016 by Granma.

On the morning of Monday, March 14, the 16th International Computer Sciences Convention & Fair 2016 opened its doors in Havana’s Pabexpo exposition center where - through March 18 - exhibitors will present products and projects across 73 stands; 34 affiliated with Cuban entities and 39 foreign companies.

Grisel Reyes León, executive secretary of the fair, which this year has the central theme of “Connecting Societies”, noted that the event is a demonstration of Cuba’s desire to occupy an important role within the field of communications, and is undoubtedly a space for interaction and professional exchanges, where Cuban and foreign entities can present their newest products.

Participating in the event – featuring 300 exhibitors – was Mal­com John­son, deputy secretary-general of the International Telecommunication Union; Maimir Me­sa Ramos, minister of Communications of Cuba; Rashid R. Ismailov and Dmitry M. Alkha­zov, deputy ministers of Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation; as well as other foreign and national sector representatives.

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