The Most Lethal Virus is Not COVID. It is War
John Pilger | counterpunch.org | 2020-12-15
In the midst of the greatest health emergency in modern times, with more than 4 million surgical procedures delayed by the National Health Service, Boris Johnson has announced a record increase of £16.5 billion in so-called defence spending — a figure that would restore the under-resourced NHS many times over.
counterpunch.org/2020/12/15/the-most-lethal-virus-is-not-covid-it-is-war/

For U.S.-Mexico Relations, The Real Hope Lies with Energized Social Movements
Laura Carlsen | zcomm.org | 2020-12-15
The real hope doesn't lie with the governments but in recognizing the power and vision of progressive grassroots organizing…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/for-u-s-mexico-relations-the-real-hope-lies-with-energized-social-movements/

15-year-old is assassinated while being treated in hospital in Mexico as homicides reach record levels
wsws.org | 2020-12-15
Local, state, and federal authorities have demonstrated a complete indifference to the terrible conditions of the working class, exacerbated by the raging COVID-19 pandemic.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/12/15/teca-d15.html

John Pilger: The Most Lethal Virus Is Not COVID. It Is War
John Pilger | mintpressnews.com | 2020-12-14
In the midst of the greatest health emergency in modern times, with more than 4 million surgical procedures delayed by the National Health Service, Britain has announced a record increase of £16.5 billion in so-called defense spending.
mintpressnews.com/john-pilger-lethal-virus-not-covid-war/273597/

Panama: Police Says 70% of Homicides Linked To Organized Crime
telesurenglish.net | 2020-12-14
Panamanian Police reported on Monday that high-caliber weaponry, as well as $2,872,020, were found during an operation in a neighborhood near the capital. | RELATED: | Panama: President Cortizo Calls for a National Dialogue | According to the Chief Drug Prosecutor Javier Caraballo, this is a "major setback for organized crime." The police discovered 21 packages with chargers and ammunition and two containers with cartridges. | Un total de 2,872,020 balboas fueron hallados en el sector…
telesurenglish.net/news/Panamas-Police-70-of-Homicides-Linked-To-Organized-Crime-20201214-0016.html

ILO Praises Mexico for Labor Reforms Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic
telesurenglish.net | 2020-12-14
The International Labor Organization (ILO) praised the Mexican government over its labor reforms, which the organization qualifies as the "most important advance in the field of labor rights" amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. | RELATED: | Mexico: Lower House Approves a Bill to Reform Judicial Branch | ILO's Office Director for Mexico and Cuba Pedro Américo Furtado de Oliveira highlighted that the government policies prioritize "guaranteeing collective bargaining, strengthening freed…
telesurenglish.net/news/IlO-Praises-Mexico-for-Labor-Reform-Amid-COVID-19-Pandemic-20201214-0020.html

Guatemalans Protest for Fourth Straight Weekend
teleSUR, ce | telesurenglish.net | 2020-12-13
Thousands of Guatemalans demonstrated for the fourth consecutive weekend in the country's capital to demand the resignation of the president, Alejandro Giammattei, and more than 115 deputies allied to the ruling party. | RELATED: | El Salvador: 1981 El Mozote Massacre Survivors Pursue Justice | The protest this Saturday brought together music and poetry, with the presence of organizations including Otra Guatemala Ya, Gente Positiva, Coincidir, Marx Guatemala, Landivarianos, Jóven…
telesurenglish.net/news/guatemalans-protest-for-fourth-straight-weekend–20201213-0001.html

ICE Is Targeting Women in Sanctuary With Obscure Laws and Retaliatory Fines
Staff | truthout.org | 2020-12-13
Around Thanksgiving, another letter from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrived for Hilda Ramirez at Austin, Texas', St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. The federal immigration agency's latest correspondence informed Ramirez that she was being fined $59,126 as a "civil penalty pursuant to section 274D of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)." Essentially, the federal immigration agency was once again warning the Indigenous Guatemalan asylum-seeker of a gigantic fine for not compl…
truthout.org/articles/ice-is-targeting-women-in-sanctuary-with-obscure-laws-and-retaliatory-fines/

Bolivia Moves to Rebuild Ties with Iran, Cuba and others
teleSUR, ce | telesurenglish.net | 2020-12-13
Bolivia wants to rebuild the relationships with Venezuela, Mexico, Cuba, Argentina, Nicaragua, Iran and Russia. Foreign Minister Rogelio Mayta reported that the Bolivian State must interact with all the countries of the world within the framework of respect for sovereignty and said that a plan is already in motion with Caracas. | RELATED: | President Luis Arce Travels to Brazil for Medical Check-up | Mayta received his Venezuelan counterpart, Jorge Arreaza, in November during Luis…
telesurenglish.net/news/bolivia-moves-to-rebuild-relations-with-iran-cuba-and-others-20201213-0004.html

Go Vote Yourself a Raise, Georgia—You've Long Earned It
Ralph Nader | commondreams.org | 2020-12-12
Candidates should be pushed to say if they stand with the super-rich profiteering, callous Big Business tycoons or with the people who work for pitiful wages, on the rugged frontlines, and keep our society running. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/georgia_primary.jpg …
commondreams.org/views/2020/12/12/go-vote-yourself-raise-georgia-youve-long-earned-it?cd-origin=rss

Honduran Refugee Caravan Denied at Guatemala Border
teleSUR, ce | telesurenglish.net | 2020-12-12
The caravan of Honduran refugees which left the city of San Pedro Sula on Thursday, headed for the United States, has been prevented from crossing into Guatemala. | RELATED: | New Caravan of Honduran Migrants Sets off To the United States | The migrant refugees were detained by Honduran riot police and told they were required to have a negative Covid-19 test and a passport to enter Guatemala. | Officials of the migration institute indicated that they would not allow the passage…
telesurenglish.net/news/honduran-migrant-caravan-fails-to-enter-guatemala-20201212-0001.html

OAS's New Attempt To Interfere In Venezuela Rejected
_____ | popularresistance.org | 2020-12-12
On Wednesday, the representatives of Argentina, Mexico, and Bolivia to the Organization of American States (OAS) rejected a new resolution that disregards Venezuela's Sunday elections and calls for a transitional government. | The representatives condemned the new attempts of destabilization against Venezuela, noting the belligerent strategy promoted by the OAS resolution that claimed the elections did not observe International Law's guarantees. | Argentina's ambassador to the OAS Carlos Raimundi rejected both the calls to not recognize the elections' results and the imposition of conditions to the Venezuelan gov…
popularresistance.org/oass-new-attempt-to-interfere-in-venezuela-rejected/