South America

Colombia declares conflict with FARC over with disarmament complete

BOGOTA, Colombia (AFP) — Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos declared the country’s 50-year conflict with the FARC guerrilla group “truly over” Tuesday, with the disarming of the rebel group complete. The United Nations-supervised process concluded with the delivery of the last truckloads of weapons from areas where the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) began demobilizing at the start of the year. “With the laying down of arms … the conflict is truly over and a new […]

US VP Pence stresses ‘peaceable’ solution for Venezuela

BOGOTA, Colombia (AFP) — The United States “will not stand by as Venezuela crumbles,” Vice President Mike Pence said Sunday, but he emphasized a peaceful path even as he stood by President Donald Trump’s startling warning that US military action remained a possibility. “We have many options for Venezuela, but the president also remains confident that working with all of our allies across Latin America we can achieve a peaceable solution,” Pence said in a news conference alongside […]

Peru expels Venezuela ambassador over ‘break with democratic rule’

LIMA, Peru (AFP) — Peru on Friday ordered the expulsion of Venezuela’s ambassador over his country’s “break with democratic rule” under President Nicolas Maduro, the foreign ministry said. Ambassador Diego Molero has five days to leave Peru, the ministry said. The decision came days after Peru’s congress voted for the Venezuelan envoy to be kicked out. “The Peruvian government ratifies its firm position of continuing to contribute to the restoration of democracy in Venezuela,” a […]

US slaps new sanctions on Venezuela

by Alexander Martinez The United States imposed new sanctions on crisis-hit Venezuela, targeting members of a controversial, all-powerful, loyalist assembly installed last week to bolster what Washington calls the “dictatorship” of President Nicolas Maduro. The measures were aimed at six members of the so-called Constituent Assembly — among them the brother of late president Hugo Chavez — as well as a military officer in charge of security for the body, and a board member of […]

Venezuela’s military: Key things to know

CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP) — The powerful military in riot-torn Venezuela has sworn “unconditional loyalty” to the leftist government of embattled President Nicolas Maduro. It is a key player in the ongoing political crisis. Maduro in turn has granted it vast powers, not just in military matters but over key government ministries — active or retired officers head 12 of 32 ministerial posts — and in vital economic sectors including petroleum. The military’s capabilities — and […]

Maduro installs disputed new Venezuela assembly

by Maria Isabel Sanchez Agence France Presse CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP) — Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was to install a powerful new assembly of his allies on Friday, dismissing an international outcry and opposition protests saying he is burying democracy in his country. The Constituent Assembly, elected last weekend in a vote marred by violence and allegations of fraud, will sit in a chamber in the Legislative Palace in Caracas, where the opposition-controlled legislature is located. […]

Venezuela’s Maduro rejects ‘imperial’ US sanctions

CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP) — Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro lashed out Monday at the United States for slapping sanctions on him, saying the move smacked of American “imperialism.” “I will not obey imperial orders. I do not obey foreign governments. I’m a free president,” he said after Washington froze his US assets and called him a “dictator” for pushing through a vote for a powerful new assembly that will rewrite the country’s constitution. © Agence France-Presse

Venezuela braces for new protests after vote

by Maria Isabel Sanchez CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP) — Venezuela braced for new protests Monday after a controversial election for an assembly to rewrite the constitution unleashed a wave of unrest that left 10 people dead. Opponents of embattled President Nicolas Maduro vowed another day of nationwide marches, defying an intensifying crackdown on protests that have left more than 120 people dead in four months. Flouting international condemnation — including the threat of new sanctions by United States President […]

Venezuela vote triggers deadly ‘war’ in the streets

by Maria Isabel SANCHEZ Agence France Presse CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP) — A controversial vote in Venezuela on Sunday championed by beleaguered President Nicolas Maduro sparked an escalation of deadly violence, with at least nine people reported killed and troops and protesters attacking each other in Caracas and elsewhere. “This is war!” Caracas resident Conchita Ramirez exclaimed on television as she described troops firing at people and buildings in the capital. The unrest confirmed fears over […]

‘Despacito’ singers slam Venezuela’s Maduro for ‘illegal’ use of song

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AFP) — The Puerto Rican duo behind the worldwide sexy smash Latin pop hit “Despacito” on Monday slammed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro for “illegally” using their song to promote a controversial vote he is organizing. “Illegally appropriating a song doesn’t compare to the crimes you are committing and have committed in Venezuela,” one of the two, Daddy Yankee, wrote on his Instagram feed, directly addressing Maduro. The Venezuelan leader on Sunday […]

Fears mount over Venezuela as death toll passes 100

by Maria Isabel Sanchez Agence France-Presse CARACAS, Venezuela – International fears over Venezuela’s growing unrest soared on Friday as prosecutors said the death toll in months of anti-government protests had passed 100, and a political gridlock between President Nicolas Maduro and the opposition worsened. The climbing tally of fatalities, rising to 103 since April, underscored the spiraling chaos in the oil-rich but increasingly impoverished South American nation. Stakes have risen further with the United States […]

6.4-magnitude earthquake hits Peru: USGS

LIMA, Peru (AFP) — A 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck just off Peru’s southern coast Monday, the US Geological Survey said, with no immediate reports of injuries or damage. The quake hit at approximately 9:05 pm local time (0205 GMT) with a depth of 44 kilometers (27 miles). It occurred some 220 kilometers west of Arequipa, Peru’s second most populous city. Though there was no initial evidence of damage, the tremor provoked alarm among Peruvians, with the […]