Síntesis informativa - 25 de enero 2019
THE NEW YORK TIMES
Venezuela’s Military Backs Maduro, as Russia Warns U.S. Not to Intervene
CARACAS, Venezuela — The embattled government of Venezuela struck back against its opponents on Thursday, winning strong support from the country’s armed forces and the solid backing of Russia, which warned the United States not to intervene.
The events put Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, at the center of a Cold War-style showdown between Russia, an ally that has shored up his government with billions of dollars, and the United States, which has denounced him as a corrupt autocrat with no legitimacy.
The Trump administration pressed its case on Thursday, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calling on all countries in the hemisphere to reject Mr. Maduro and “align themselves with democracy,” setting up a test of wills with the Kremlin.
Afghan War Casualty Report: Jan. 18-24
At least 90 pro-government forces and 21 civilians were killed in Afghanistan during the past week. The casualties of pro-government forces increased this week, but the number of the Taliban attacks decreased. The bloodiest attack took place in Wardak Province, where a Taliban suicide attacker drove an armored Humvee packed with explosives to an Afghan intelligence agency’s base, killing 50 intelligence personnel and wounding dozens others. It is the first time in recent weeks that Taliban attacks across the country decreased dramatically, perhaps due to the cold weather and the first heavy snowfalls in many parts of the county. One American service member was killed in Oruzgan Province by enemy fire during a combat mission.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/25/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fworld
Greeks Approve Deal to Rename Macedonia, in Victory for the West
ATHENS — Overcoming Russian meddling in the Balkans and intensive domestic opposition, Greek lawmakers on Friday cast a wrenching vote to set aside historical antagonisms and recognize the newly renamed nation of North Macedonia, in a rare victory for the European Union and NATO.
The 153 to 146 vote by the Greek Parliament now essentially clears a path for Greece’s northern neighbor Macedonia, under its new name, to join NATO and potentially the European bloc, strengthening the West’s foothold in the Balkans over Moscow’s protests.
Greece had fiercely objected to its neighbor’s use of the name Macedonia, arguing that it appropriated Greek history going back to Alexander the Great and implied territorial ambitions over the northern Greek territory of the same name.
U.N. Execution Expert Will Investigate Khashoggi Killing
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — An expert from the United Nations human rights office will look into the death of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi dissident and Washington Post columnist killed in October by Saudi agents, the agency said on Friday.
Agnès Callamard, the special rapporteur for extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, will lead the inquiry into the killing of Mr. Khashoggi at Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul and will report her findings in June, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights announced.
She “will review and evaluate, from a human rights perspective, the circumstances surrounding the killing of Khashoggi,” the office said in a statement, and “will assess the steps taken by governments to address and respond to the killing, and the nature and extent of states’ and individuals’ responsibilities for the killing.”
AL JAZEERA
Venezuela in crisis: All the latest updates
Latest updates as Venezuela plunges further into crisis amid a growing row over Nicolas Maduro's presidency.
"One simple word oil, the control of the oil resources in Venezuela, as well as the diamonds, the gold, the water, the gas and a whole range of natural resources, is massively important for the United States, and [their] geostrategic interests across the world," he added.
A US official says that some American diplomats and their families have headed in a caravan to the Venezuelan capital's airport amid diplomatic standoff with President Nicolas Maduro.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/venezuela-crisis-latest-updates-190123205835912.html
'The regime has to go': Sudan's ex-PM tells Bashir to step down
Sadiq al-Mahdi, who was toppled by Bashir in 1989, throws his support behind protests that erupted five weeks ago.
After nearly a year in exile, Mahdi returned to Sudan last month on the same day protests began.
He added on Friday that his party had signed a document with the Sudanese Professionals' Association (SPA), an umbrella group of unions representing doctors, teachers and engineers, that is leading the campaign against Bashir's government.
Sudan's economy has struggled to recover in recent years following the loss of between 75 and 80 percent of its oil reserves - its main source of foreign currency - since South Sudan seceded in 2011.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/regime-sudan-pm-tells-bashir-step-190125142820834.html
Erdogan: Turkey expects Syria 'safe zone' within months
Erdogan says Turkey will form buffer zone along Syria border on its own if logistical support not given by allies.
Erdogan previously said he and US President Donald Trump had discussed setting up a 32km security zone in Syria along the border, after Trump's decision to withdraw all 2,000 US troops from Syria. The technical aspects of the area were still being discussed.
Turkey is seeking the zone to contain the US-allied fighters of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), which the US has armed and trained to fight against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, ISIS).
AL MAYADEEN
Fiasco para EE.UU. en la OEA en intento por desconocer Gobierno de Nicolás Maduro en Venezuela
La mayoría de los países de la Organización de Estados Americanos (OEA) evitó reconocer hoy a Juan Guaidó como presidente interino de Venezuela, pese a las presiones de Estados Unidos para respaldarlo.
Fueron Argentina, Bahamas, Canadá, Brasil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Colombia, Honduras, Guatemala, Haití, Panamá, Paraguay, Perú, República Dominicana, además de Estados Unidos, los que firmaron un pronunciamiento de apoyo a lo que ha sido denunciado por el Gobierno constitucional de Venezuela como un intento de golpe de Estado.
Moscú acoge diálogo palestino con la participación de todas las facciones
Moscú acogerá el 13 y 14 de febrero un diálogo palestino con la participación de todas las facciones, según revelaron fuentes al canal de Al Mayadeen.
