MBDA’s Alabama factory makes components for Boeing’s GBU-39 bombs used to kill civilians in Gaza. Its profits flow through Stevenage to Paris — and it is one of the British government’s favourite firms, reveals SOLOMON HUGHES
Venezuela’s Chavistas rally as the elections approach
While Maduro promises more social progress from wages to housing, the right-wing opposition prepares to cry ‘rigged’ as Washington imposes new oil sanctions, reports FRANCISCO DOMINGUEZ
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro greets young supporters marching against the U.S. sanctions imposed on Venezuela, in Caracas, Venezuela, May 17, 2024
President Maduro mobilises the 4.5 million-strong Bolivarian National Militia in response to US ‘threats’, vowing to defend the country’s sovereignty and independence, DEVIN B MARTINEZ reports
Washington plays innocent bystander while pouring weapons and intelligence into Ukraine, just as it enables the Gaza genocide — but every US escalation leaves Ukraine weaker than the neutrality deal rejected in 2022, argue MEDEA BENJAMIN and NICOLAS JS DAVIES
For those in the West, hunger is often just the familiar feeling of a growling stomach between meals — in Gaza, it has become a strategic weapon of slow, systematic and deadly destruction, writes MARC VANDEPITTE
After almost two decades of rule by the Movement Toward Socialism, once led by Evo Morales, right-wing parties have emerged in the lead after the first round of elections on August 17 and are now in control of the legislature, reports PABLO MERIGUET
DAVID MATTHEWS looks at what a collective future for welfare might have in store for us
THE start of the election campaign period in Venezuela was almost axiomatically followed by a mass unity mobilisation of Chavista forces, a messy crisis of leadership and candidacy for the right-wing opposition and the announcement by the US of the imposition of more sanctions against the country’s main revenue earner: the oil industry.
The Chavista movement is fielding incumbent President Nicolas Maduro, while the various opposition currents have, thus far, nearly 10 candidates), with the US (and therefore the EU bureaucracy) supporting extreme-right candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia.
The Chavista forces staged an impressive mobilisation for International Workers’ Day on May 1, in tumultuous and large rallies in Venezuela’s key cities. So far, rallies held by the extreme right in support of Gonzalez have been rather small and have not covered as much of the country’s geography as the Chavista demos.
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FRANCISCO DOMINGUEZ explains that Venezuela’s plan to absorb parts of Guyana is a dispute that dates back to the 1800s and the colonial era. Now, a peaceful solution must be found
FRANCISCO DOMINGUEZ looks at the grim implications of the shock victory for a shocking candidate, assessing how much damage they might do to the nation and the continent
