CounterVortex

The Andes

Trump officials push Venezuela regime change

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced that he is ready to declare a state of emergency in response to aggression by the United States. Such a declaration would give the army control over public services and the country’s oil industry, which Venezuelan leaders say the US is preparing to grab. US officials, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA director John Ratcliffe, are reported to be pushing plans to overthrow Maduro. The US has increased its naval presence in the Caribbean and launched repeated deadly strikes on civilian vessels in international waters off Venezuela. President Trump has claimed, without evidence, that the vessels were carrying drug traffickers. Rubio recently described Maduro as a “fugitive from American justice” who leads a terrorist and criminal organization bringing narcotics into the US, posing an “imminent, immediate threat.” (Image: Grunge Love via Flickr)

The Andes

Popular protests turn deadly in Ecuador

Widespread protests in Ecuador, sparked by cuts to fuel subsidies, reached a boiling point, as an indigenous land defender was killed by the armed forces, a government aid convoy was reportedly attacked by protesters, and 12 soldiers went missing. Meanwhile, the government continued to advance its plan to rewrite the constitution—an initiative that has further intensified public anger. Undeterred, the powerful Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities (CONAIE), which initiated the nationwide strike, announced that it would extend the action. (Photo: CONAIE via Peoples Dispatch)

Africa

Sudan: ‘roadmap’ to peace —amid escalation to genocide

After months of US-led negotiations, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (the “Quad“) issued a “roadmap to peace” in Sudan, starting with a push for a three-month “humanitarian truce.” However, despite the agreement with the main regional backers of the two sides in the war, fighting continues between the Sudanese armed forces and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Since the “roadmap” was announced, the RSF has continued to close its ring around El Fasher, the besieged capital of North Darfur state. UN officials have condemned the assault and warned of catastrophic consequences for civilians under siege, facing severe shortages of food, clean water, and medical services. When the RSF offensive was launched earlier this year, a coalition of aid organizations and human rights groups issued a statement finding: “Genocide and atrocity crimes are being committed now in North Darfur. The RSF is engaged in the mass killing of civilians and will likely continue this if/when they reach El Fasher.” (Map via Radio Tamazuj)

Africa

‘Gen Z’ uprisings in Morocco, Madagascar

Youth-led protests demanding better education and healthcare in Morocco escalated into violent clashes with security forces. The protests were organized online by a loose network calling itself “GenZ 212,” after Morocco’s country code. In the southern cities of Tiznit, Inzegane and Ait Amira, as well as the eastern city of Oujda and Temara near the capital Rabat, hundreds of protesters hurled stones at security forces attempting to disperse the gatherings. At least two protesters were killed when police opened fire in Lqliaa, near the coastal city of Agadir. But there was far worse violence in Madagascar, where President Andry Rajoelina announced the dissolution of the government in response to youth protests over power and water shortages. The UN criticized Malagasy authorities’ response to the demonstrations, reporting at least 22 people killed and hundreds injured. The Madagascar demonstrations were also organized under the banner of “Gen Z.” (Photo via Mika R/Twitter. Madagascar protesters use appropriated image from One Piece manga series.)

The Andes

US ‘decertifies’ Colombia as drug war partner

The United States decertified Colombia as a reliable partner in the War on Drugs, citing a rise in coca cultivation and cocaine production. While the White House waived the crushing sanctions that usually come with decertification, the decision underscores the strained relations between the US and Colombia under Trump. The administration was quick to blame Colombian President Gustavo Petro directly, arguing in its submission to Congress that the “failure of Colombia to meet its drug control obligations over the past year rests solely with its political leadership.” The administration also decertified Venezuela, Bolivia, Afghanistan and Burma. While these latter countries have been frequently decertified over the years, this marks the first time Colombia has been decertified since 1997. (Map: PCL)

Syria

Syria: perilous ‘roadmap’ to reconciliation with Druze

Syria, Jordan and the United States jointly announced a “roadmap” to resolve the ongoing crisis in the southern Syrian province of as-Suwayda, where July clashes between Druze and Bedouin forces escalated to sectarian killings and mass displacement. The plan seeks to strengthen a fragile ceasefire, let UN investigators look into the July events while holding perpetrators accountable under Syrian law, allow aid deliveries, and facilitate the return of some 160,000 people who remain displaced. However, some Druze leaders have rejected the plan. Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri ruled out negotiations with the government, while adding: “I thanked Israel because it defended us and provided us with protection.” His followers have announced the creation of a “National Guard” for as-Suwayda region, which according to regional media reports has received thousands of light arms from Israel. (Map: PCL)

The Amazon

Peru nixes plan for Yavarí Mirim indigenous reserve

Officials in Peru voted against a proposal to create an indigenous reserve in the country’s Amazon rainforest, where isolated tribes face threats from logging, mining and drug trafficking. The decision will likely delay efforts to protect them by several years and could lead to their displacement, critics said. The proposed Yavarí Mirim Indigenous Reserve would have protected 1.17 million hectares (2.9 million acres) of rainforest in Loreto region, an area a fifth the size of Ireland that’s home to several indigenous communities living in isolation. A commission reviewed anthropological evidence of the communities’ presence in the area but voted in line with the interests of business sectors and logging concessions. (Photo: Pieritograbriel via Wikimedia Commons)

Inner Asia

Demand release of imprisoned Tibetan nomad leader

The New York chapter of Students for a Free Tibet held a rally outside the Chinese consulate in Manhattan to demand freedom for A-Nya Sengdra, an imprisoned Tibetan nomad leader and ecologist. Sengdra, who had long campaigned against corruption, illegal mining and wildlife poaching, was arrested in September 2018 in Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai province, and charged with the usual offenses of “gathering people to disturb public order” and “picking quarrels and provoking trouble.” Convictions follow as a matter of course in such cases, and Sengdra spent the next seven years in near-total isolation, suffering severe deterioration of his health. He was initially scheduled for release the day before the rally, but weeks earlier authorities brought new charges against him while he was still imprisoned, extending his sentence through February 2026. (Photo: CounterVortex)

Palestine

White House plans revealed for mass displacement of Gazans

Future plans for the Gaza Strip currently circulating among United States government officials call for for the relocation of the entire population to make way for construction of tourist resorts and tech industry hubs under a decade of US administrative control, according to a Washington Post exclusive. The 38-page document obtained by the newspaper includes full-color artist renderings of the envisioned “Riviera of the Middle East.” The prospectus, yet to be officially approved, would see the US take the Strip under trusteeship for at least 10 years, overseeing “voluntary departures” of the residents to third countries or into “restricted” zones within the territory. A “Gaza Reconstitution, Economic Acceleration & Transformation Trust” (GREAT Trust) would be established to coordinate the effort. (Image via Mada Masr)

Palestine

Israeli cabinet meets on West Bank annexation

The Israeli cabinet will convene to discuss annexation of areas of the West Bank, local media report. The discussion has been called in light of the recently-approved settlement construction plan spearheaded by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, which will see some 3,400 housing units built in the West Bank’s contentious E1 area between Jerusalem and the Ma’ale Adumim settlement bloc. This follows approval of a Knesset resolution in favor of annexing the entirety of the West Bank. The motion, which passed 71-13, declared that the West Bank is “an inseparable part of the Land of Israel, the historical, cultural and spiritual homeland of the Jewish people,” and that “Israel has the natural, historical and legal right to all of the territories of the Land of Israel.” (Photo: delayed gratification via New Jewish Resistance)

The Caribbean

US destroyers menace Venezuela

Three US Aegis guided-missile destroyers have been dispatched to waters off the coast of Venezuela, as part of what the Trump administration calls an effort to counter threats from Latin American drug cartels. The mobilization follows Washington’s decision to increase the bounty for the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, doubling it to an unprecedented $50 million. In response to the increased US military presence in the Caribbean, President Maduro announced plans to mobilize 4.5 million members of the territorial militia across the country. “Rifles and missiles for the rural forces! To defend Venezuela’s territory, sovereignty and peace,” he proclaimed. (Photo: US Navy via Latin America Reports)

The Caribbean

US mercenaries to fight gangs in Haiti

The US indicted Jimmy Chérizier AKA “Barbecue,” leader of the gang coalition in control of most of the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince, and offered a $5 million reward for information leading to his arrest. Chérizier and an alleged stateside collaborator, Bazile Richardson, are charged with sanctions violations related to arms sales. Meanwhile, private military contractor and Trump ally Erik Prince told Reuters he has signed a 10-year deal with the Haitian government to fight armed groups and help collect taxes—a move some observers fear could further weaken the Haitian security forces and lead to rights violations. Prince’s new security firm, Vectus Global, has been operating in Haiti since March. (Photo: Haiti Liberte)