https://www.middleeastmonitor.com Latest news from the Middle East and North Africa Tue, 08 Aug 2023 11:19:35 +0000 en-GB Middle East Monitor 30 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/favicon.png?fit=32%2C32&quality=85&strip=all&zoom=1&ssl=1 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com 32 32 116394717 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-venezuela-mural-expresses-solidarity-with-palestine/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 09:32:02 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658278 Artists have been working diligently for the past few weeks to create a mural that covers a whole building in 23 de Enero neighbourhood in Caracas, Venezuela. The artists were brought together by local artist Julvio Millar to express their solidarity with the Palestinian people and put the spotlight on Palestine's ongoing struggle to resist Israeli colonialism. The mural includes a map of Palestine, a key of return, the Palestinian flag, as well as a picture of a Palestinian fighter wearing the traditional keffiyeh and making the V for Victory sign. The giant artwork is part of a larger project undertaken by Plataforma de solidaridad con Palestina group that is currently working on several initiatives and activities in Venezuela to […]]]> 658278 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230722-venezuela-increases-trade-with-turkiye-to-3bn/ Sat, 22 Jul 2023 11:09:59 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654462 Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil announced on Friday that his country is looking forward to raising the value of trade with Turkiye to $3 billion, Anadolu Agency reported. During a press conference in Istanbul with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan, Gil highlighted the significant investment and cooperation policies developed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Latin America. Gil also noted that Erdogan's visit to Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, in the coming months would further accelerate the momentum of the agreements between the two countries. Gil shared that Venezuela sees Turkiye as a rising country and a strong nation under the leadership of President Erdogan. READ: President Erdogans Gulf tour grabs media attention "We view it as a guarantor of […]]]> 654462 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230714-irans-diplomatic-drive-raisis-focus-on-the-global-south/ Fri, 14 Jul 2023 07:55:35 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=652188 It's been quite a busy year for Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in terms of diplomatic engagement. In February he made an official state visit to China, where 20 agreements were signed, in addition to receiving pledges from President Xi Jinping to strengthen security and economic cooperation – more on that later. Beijing was also the venue where Raisi's administration agreed to resume diplomatic relations with regional rival Saudi Arabia the following month. In May, Raisi visited close regional ally Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and signed long-term cooperation agreements. During his visit, Raisi also symbolically prayed at the historic Umayyad Mosque, achieving a gesture that Turkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan once famously vowed to do in 2014 at the height of […]]]> 652188 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230705-number-of-asylum-applications-in-the-eu-reaches-highest-6-year-record/ Wed, 05 Jul 2023 14:44:29 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=649999 The number of asylum applications in the European Union reached 996,000 in 2022, the highest in six years, according to an annual report published by the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) on Tuesday. Most asylum seekers in Europe come from Syria, Afghanistan, Turkiye, Venezuela and Colombia. The number of Ukrainians who fled their country due to the Russian war was counted in a separate census. Around four million of them live in the European Union, with special temporary protection status. The Russian invasion of Ukraine caused forced displacement of unprecedented levels in recent decades in Europe, and added pressure on already-saturated reception systems. Many of the 27 member states of the European Union, including Italy, Poland and Sweden, are […]]]> 649999 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230703-united-in-solidarity-the-mission-of-the-latin-palestinian-forum/ Mon, 03 Jul 2023 12:38:36 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=648980 We often hear voices raised in solidarity with the Palestinian people coming from organisations and individuals committed to ending Israeli apartheid in occupied Palestine. However, it is interesting that the first meeting of the Latin Palestinian Forum's Board of Trustees pointed out divisive issues. Connecting solidarity for more effective action is a sincere proposal from the entities that carry the flag of a Free Palestine, but the means to achieve such a goal need reinforcement. The forum was born out of the World League of Parliamentarians for Al-Quds (Jerusalem). It aims to add a Latin American perspective to strategic approaches to be taken. The first meeting of its trustees was held on 13 June. Forum members hailed it as an […]]]> 648980 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230624-weighing-expansion-brics-increasingly-draws-membership-requests/ Sat, 24 Jun 2023 15:36:09 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=646894 The BRICS group, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, continues to attract applications from numerous countries as it explores expansion opportunities, Anadolu Agency reports. Anadolu compiled the developments regarding the enlargement process of BRICS. Amid the search for a multipolar world, Brazil, Russia, India and China laid the foundations in 2009, with South Africa joining in 2010. BRICS, while criticising the unequal structures and resolutions of the Group of Seven (G-7) and the UN Security Council, calls for reforms in international structures and norms to establish a multipolar order. With a combined population representing nearly 42 per cent of the world's population, the BRICS countries control 18 per cent of global exports. The collective gross domestic product (GDP) of […]]]> 646894 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230613-irans-raisi-hails-new-world-order-favouring-independent-states/ Tue, 13 Jun 2023 14:23:54 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=644435 Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi says a new world order is being formed, favouring free and independent states while "imperialism is falling." He made the remarks yesterday at a joint meeting of high-ranking officials, during an official visit to Venezuela, the first leg of a three-nation tour of Latin America. Speaking on joint efforts to reduce economic dependence on oil revenues and bolstering the resistance of their respective economies "against the arrogant system and [to] overcome the sanctions," Raisi said: "In the new world that is being formed, imperialism is falling and the countries that have resisted the arrogance of the arrogant are on the verge of victory." While praising the strategic cooperation between Tehran and Caracas, Raisi said: "Despite the […]]]> 644435 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230613-iran-venezuela-eye-trade-increase-sign-petrochemical-deal/ Tue, 13 Jun 2023 13:15:35 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=644417 Iran and Venezuela want to increase bilateral trade to $20 billion, up from $3 billion, Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi, said on Monday during a visit to Caracas. During the visit, the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding to expand cooperation in petrochemicals with a view to carrying out joint projects, building on their already-close cooperation in oil, Reuters reports. "We have decided to increase the cooperation between the two countries," Raisi said, through translation, in a statement with Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, after the petrochemical deal and a dozen other cooperation deals were signed. "The goal we have for commercial and economic cooperation, the first step is to take the level of cooperation to $10 billion," Raisi said. "The […]]]> 644417 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230609-iran-president-to-visit-3-us-sanctioned-latin-american-countries-to-bolster-ties/ Fri, 09 Jun 2023 14:11:42 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=643879 Iran's President, Ebrahim Raisi, will lead a high-ranking government delegation on a maiden three-nation tour of Latin America on Sunday as his administration seeks expansion of ties with "friendly countries", Anadolu Agency reports. Accompanied by ministers of foreign affairs, defence, oil, and health, Raisi will visit Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua, the three nations that shared close ties with Iran and also are at odds with the US. Hassan Rouhani was the last Iranian president to visit Venezuela and Cuba in 2016, while his predecessor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, had visited Nicaragua in 2007. According to Iran's state media, the three-nation Latin American tour, the first since Raisi came to power in 2021, seeks expansion of Iran's "economic, political and scientific cooperation" with […]]]> 643879 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230608-iran-president-to-visit-three-latin-american-countries-next-week/ Thu, 08 Jun 2023 13:20:19 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=643450 Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi, will visit Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela next week, Iran's state news agency, IRNA, announced on Wednesday, adding that the upcoming tour stemmed from invites from the presidents of each of the Latin American nations, Reuters reports. IRNA said documents to expand bilateral cooperation will be signed between Iran and the three countries during Raisi's visit, mentioning economic, political and scientific issues, but without going into further detail. The state news agency said Raisi will leave Tehran on 11 June. The three-country tour will give Raisi face time with three regional allies, each of whom lead leftist governments that have been accused by critics of human rights violations. Iran and Venezuela are both members of the Organisation […]]]> 643450 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230605-saudi-arabia-hosts-venezuela-president-maduro-welcoming-yet-another-us-adversary/ Mon, 05 Jun 2023 19:27:54 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=642706 Saudi Arabia has welcomed Venezuela's President to the Kingdom on an official visit, hosting yet another adversary of the West as it carves a more independent foreign policy path. According to the state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, arrived in the Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah late yesterday, greeted by Saudi officials. State media did not reveal the reason for Maduro's visit or any details of his schedule, but it is believed his visit may be connected to an international conference on combating extremism later this week, which will be hosted by the Saudi government in the capital, Riyadh. If the Venezuelan leader does attend and participate in the conference, it would be despite the fact […]]]> 642706 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230516-waves-of-solidarity-sweep-across-latin-america-on-75th-nakba-anniversary/ Tue, 16 May 2023 15:15:40 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=637354 Solidarity activists across Latin America have marked the 75th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba with talks, meetings, cultural activities, media interviews and social media campaigns. The Palestinian flag has been raised and people have chanted their support on the streets. Support for Palestine has been particularly strong in Brazil, Peru, Venezuela and Chile. Palestinians and their supporters around the world mark Nakba Day every year. The day has come to symbolise the struggle of the Palestinian people for their legitimate rights to their own land, homes and property; indeed, their legitimate right to their homeland. The Palestinian "Key of Return" was never an ordinary key. It speaks of the years of refugee status and suffering that Palestinians have endured. It […]]]> 637354 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230328-palestinian-activists-gather-from-across-latin-america-to-boost-cause/ Tue, 28 Mar 2023 14:54:39 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=625060 The Palestinian Latin Forum has participated in the second conference of the Palestinian National Union (UPAL) held recently in Barranquilla, Colombia. The conference lasted for three days and was attended by Palestinian and foreign delegations from various countries across Latin America, including Venezuela, Bolivia, Brazil, Honduras, Guatemala, Colombia and El Salvador. The aim of the conference was to renew Palestinian activism in Latin America, building trust and cohesion across its broad spectrum of Palestinian society, seeking a more effective role and building a political entity that represents all Palestinian communities across the continent. The conference also attacked the Palestinian Authority and the Oslo normalisation process and affirmed its rejection and lack of recognition of both. It also stressed its refusal […]]]> 625060 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230321-palestinian-venezuelan-author-exposes-israeli-crimes/ Tue, 21 Mar 2023 10:00:42 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=623291 In his book Seven days in Palestine, Jehad Yousef weaves a deeply personal journey with stories of the persecuted Palestinians in their land as he seeks to expose the crimes of the Israeli occupation authorities. The Palestinian doctor, who has lived in Venezuela for more than 30 years, narrates in detail his first return to his homeland under the control of the Israeli occupation. He offers detailed insights into the history of the Zionist movement and how British colonialism paved the way for the ethnic cleansing of Palestine. The book has been published in Spanish. The author talks about the continuing suffering of Palestinians in moving between Israeli checkpoints, ongoing arrest campaigns, illegal settler incursions and the apartheid wall. "The […]]]> 623291 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230218-zelensky-ukraine-will-acquire-missile-drone-interception-system/ Sat, 18 Feb 2023 11:46:15 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=615876 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced during the Munich Security Conference on Friday that Ukraine's acquisition of an Israeli missile interception system to use against Russia "is only a matter of time". He added that his country needs to acquire the David's Sling air defence system from Israel to use against the Russian Goliath. The David's Sling system is a system for intercepting medium-range missiles and drones. Ukraine has requested to obtain missile interception systems several times since the start of the war with Russia, but Israel has so far refused. During his speech, Zelensky attacked Iran for providing aid to Russia and said Iran would use the experience of using drones in Ukraine to improve its performance and use it […]]]> 615876 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230105-giuseppe-trani-and-the-human-condition-suggest-positive-vibes-for-2023/ Thu, 05 Jan 2023 15:55:25 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=603879 When the newsstand of Giuseppe Trani was swept away by disastrous flooding that devastated the southern Italian town of Casamicciola at the end of November, the 70-year-old man lost everything. Not for long, though, as the townsfolk, who were also affected by the flooding and landslides experienced throughout the whole region, raised the funds needed to help Trani rebuild his kiosk. Moreover, when a five-year-old Moroccan boy, Rayan Oram, fell into a well in the impoverished northern Chefchaouen province, tens of millions followed the story with trepidation throughout Africa, the Middle East and, eventually, around the world. The fact that the story had a sorrowful ending may have distracted some of us from the realisation that little Rayan had unwittingly […]]]> 603879 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221207-iran-oil-tanker-arrives-in-venezuela-uani-says/ Wed, 07 Dec 2022 09:07:10 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=599014 An Iranian tanker carrying about 2 million barrels of ultra light-oil arrived this week in Venezuelan waters, non-government organisation, United Against Nuclear Iran, said on Tuesday, Reuters reports. Venezuela and Iran have recently expanded cooperation mainly through a swap that provides Venezuela's state-run oil company, PDVSA, with light oil for refining and diluents to produce exportable crude grades. PDVSA, in return, supplies Iran with Venezuelan heavy oil and fuel. The Iran-flagged tanker, "Dore", was seen in satellite images near PDVSA's Jose terminal on Monday, UANI's Chief of Staff, Claire Jungman, told Reuters. It was previously seen near Asaluyeh, in the Iranian province of Bushehr, in October, Jungman added. PDVSA did not immediate reply to a request for comment. READ: Iran arrests […]]]> 599014 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221022-turkiye-lift-sanctions-on-venezuela-iran-to-alleviate-oil-price-crisis/ Sat, 22 Oct 2022 10:40:37 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=588022 Turkiye has called on Friday to lift sanctions imposed by the US and the West on Venezuela and Iran to help alleviate the international energy price crisis. "The entire world needs Venezuela's oil and natural gas," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was reported saying by news agencies. "On the other side, there have been embargoes on Iranian oil," he added. Cavusoglu reiterated: "Remove these sanctions… If you want the prices to drop, remove the embargoes on the countries that will offer their products to the market." Meanwhile, Turkiye has sided with Saudi Arabia in its crisis with the US over the OPEC+ decision to cut oil production. "We see that a country stands up and threatens Saudi Arabia," Cavusoglu asserted, […]]]> 588022 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221019-22-countries-requested-to-purchase-iran-military-drones-official-says/ Wed, 19 Oct 2022 09:03:53 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=587401 Some 22 countries have submitted official requests to purchase Iranian-made military drones, former Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and top military aide to Iran's Supreme Leader, Major General Yahia Rahim Safavi, said. "The current candidate countries to buy Iranian drones are Armenia, Tajikistan, Serbia, Algeria, Venezuela and other countries," Safavi said yesterday. He added that before the Islamic Revolution, Iran used to import 80 per cent of its military needs from abroad, however, it now produces them. On Monday, Israeli media outlets reported that the Iranian-made drone Shahed 136 had been used by Russia in Ukraine. Israel's Walla website said Israel is closely following this development as it may affect any future conflict with Iran. READ: Iran agrees […]]]> 587401 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220826-uae-sudan-express-support-for-saudi-comments-on-opec-oil-cuts/ Fri, 26 Aug 2022 08:05:33 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=575820 The United Arab Emirates and Sudan have expressed their support for comments made by Saudi Arabia regarding the possibility of introducing production cuts to balance an oil market it described as schizophrenic, Reuters reported. Sudan Eenergy and Petroleum Minister Mohamed Abdallah said in a statement his country supports OPEC+ efforts to maintain market stability in the face of distortions and volatility. He also stressed the importance of the statement "that was made… by the Saudi energy minister about market instability and volatility of prices." READ: UAE returns envoy to Iran, 6 years after diplomatic downgrade Sudan, which is a member of OPEC+, also expressed its full support for the mechanism formulated under OPEC+ alliance "which provided the necessary tools, inducing adjusting oil production, […]]]> 575820 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220803-us-asks-argentina-to-confiscate-aircraft-linked-to-iran/ Wed, 03 Aug 2022 10:37:11 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=571034 The US Department of Justice said on Tuesday that it has asked the government in Buenos Aires for permission to seize an Iranian plane that was sold to new owners in Venezuela but is being held in Argentina on suspicion of being linked to international terrorist groups. The unannounced arrival of the plane in Argentina on 8 June raised concerns within the Argentinian government about its relations with Iran, Venezuela and companies that the US has imposed sanctions on. The Justice Department said that the seizure request followed the disclosure of a warrant in the District Court for the District of Columbia dated 19 July to take the aircraft for violating export control laws. According to the department, the US-made […]]]> 571034 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220801-iran-tehran-caracas-direct-flights-are-launched/ Mon, 01 Aug 2022 15:20:51 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=570706 Iran's Imam Khomeini Airport announced yesterday the launch of direct commercial flights between Tehran and Venezuela's Caracas, as well as the schedule of weekly flights. According to reports, the first scheduled passenger flight of Venezuela's flag carrier, Conviasa Airline, landed in Tehran yesterday and will leave for Caracas tomorrow. The inaugural ceremony, ahead of the direct flight from Tehran was attended by Iran's Vice President for Science and Technology alongside Venezuela's Transport Minister. The commercial flights are the latest developments in bilateral relations between the two countries and are a result of agreements made between Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro and his Iranian counterpart, Ebrahim Raisi. Last month, both countries, hit with US-imposed sanctions signed a 20-year cooperation agreement during Maduro's […]]]> 570706 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220713-former-us-official-john-bolton-admits-to-having-planned-coups-in-foreign-countries/ Wed, 13 Jul 2022 14:00:40 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=566541 Former US National Security Advisor, John Bolton, has admitted that he helped Washington plan coups in foreign countries, seeming to confirm an unspoken practice which many have long accused the US of conducting. In an interview with the CNN anchor, James Tapper, Bolton addressed accusations that former President Donald Trump orchestrated a planned coup or insurrection on January 6 last year, when hundreds of his supporters overran the Capitol building in protest against the presidential election results. Bolton denied the accusations that Trump planned the incident, stating that "As somebody who has helped plan coups d'etat – not here, but you know [in] other places – it takes a lot of work. And that's not what he [Trump] did." John […]]]> 566541 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220628-france-wants-iran-venezuela-to-return-to-global-oil-market/ Tue, 28 Jun 2022 13:14:19 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=564120 The international community should explore all options to alleviate the squeeze of energy supplies that has spiked prices, including talks with producing nations like Iran and Venezuela, a French presidency official said yesterday, Reuters reported. Venezuela has been under US oil sanctions since 2019, and could reroute crude if those restrictions were lifted. Meanwhile, indirect talks between Iran and the United States to revive the 2015 nuclear deal that could see sanctions on Tehran lifted and its oil exports resume have been on hold since March, but are due to resume in Doha soon. "There are resources elsewhere that need to be explored," a French official said on the sidelines of a G7 summit in Germany, when asked about how […]]]> 564120 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220617-direct-flights-to-begin-from-venezuela-to-qatar/ Fri, 17 Jun 2022 09:18:16 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=562318 Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro yesterday announced that direct flights between Caracas and Doha, the capital of Qatar, will begin from October, Reuters reports. Maduro's tour of Qatar lasted two days and he is now in Baku, capital of Azerbaijan, to discuss the two countries' "bilateral agenda", he said. "We were reviewing the entire investment plan of Qatari businessmen in oil, gas, petrochemicals, tourism and food production," Maduro said of meetings in Qatar in a Venezuelan state television broadcast from Baku. Maduro's visit to Qatar is part of an international tour that has included visits to Turkiye, Algeria, Iran, Kuwait and Qatar. Venezuela's government has also announced direct flights to Algeria and Iran. READ: President Maduro says Venezuela, Iran to sign 20-year cooperation plan]]> 562318 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220615-tanker-built-by-iran-for-venezuela-to-carry-fuel-components-in-first-trip-sources/ Wed, 15 Jun 2022 22:01:09 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=562135 A tanker built by an Iranian shipyard for Venezuela plans to depart next month from the Middle Eastern country with a cargo of fuel components for the gasoline-thirsty nation, three sources with knowledge of the deal told Reuters. The new vessel is the latest sign of the growing energy collaboration between the two nations under US sanctions. Iran and Venezuela are increasingly swapping crude for diluents and for fuel the South American country desperately needs due to the poor condition of its refining network. The deals have given a boost to Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, who is not recognised by the US government as the country's leader, by helping him revive Venezuela's economy after years of recession and hyperinflation. The […]]]> 562135 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220613-iran-airline-denies-plane-seized-in-argentina/ Mon, 13 Jun 2022 08:19:56 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=561555 Iran's Mahan Air has denied media reports claiming the Venezuelan-flagged cargo plane seized by Argentina at the Buenos Aires airport belongs to it, Anadolu news agency reports. Mahan said in a statement yesterday that the plane seized in Argentina was owned by Venezuela and had nothing to do with the Iranian airline. The statement came a day after a Venezuelan-flagged Boeing 747, allegedly owned by Iran's Mahan Air, was reportedly seized by Argentinian civil aviation authorities immediately after arrival at Ezeiza International Airport. The cargo plane is blacklisted under US sanctions and so was immobilised, it's five-member crew was detained. Mahan explained that the plane's ownership had been transferred to a Venezuelan company. The statement further said the seizure of the plane had "political […]]]> 561555 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220610-president-maduro-says-venezuela-iran-to-sign-20-year-cooperation-plan/ Fri, 10 Jun 2022 19:37:15 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=561131 Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, announced on Friday that a 20-year cooperation plan with Iran will be signed, as he arrived in Tehran for a two-day official visit, Reuters reports. In an interview with the Iranian television station, Hispantv, Maduro announced the opening of a weekly flight route from Caracas to Tehran and said Venezuelan coffee could be sold to Iran, alongside the plan to sign an agreement on Saturday in different areas of cooperation. Details on the cooperation plan were not provided. Hispantv also said Maduro will meet with Iran's President, Ebrahim Raisi, during the two-day visit. Iran and Venezuela, both sanctioned by the United States, have expanded cooperation since 2020, particularly for energy projects and oil swaps, helping the […]]]> 561131 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220609-turkiye-plays-globally-important-role-says-venezuela-president/ Thu, 09 Jun 2022 07:52:33 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=560818 Turkiye has great potential and plays a very important role in the world, the Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said yesterday. "Turkiye has great potential in Europe, Asia and among the world's most important economies," Maduro said during a meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyib Erdogan, in Ankara. Maduro called for "peace and the establishment of international law across the world." Maduro arrived in Turkiye hours after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. It was not known if Maduro and Lavrov would meet. Erdogan: Turkiye won't change position on NATO expansion until demands are met]]> 560818 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220607-venezuela-president-maduro-to-visit-turkiye-meet-erdogan/ Tue, 07 Jun 2022 19:16:30 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=560654 Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, will pay a two-day official visit to Turkiye, beginning on Tuesday, the Turkish government said, Reuters reports. Maduro has repeatedly said he will visit Turkiye, one of a handful of countries globally with whom he maintains ties amidst stiff sanctions by the United States. "All aspects of Turkiye-Venezuela relations will be reviewed and steps to enhance the relations will be discussed during the visit," the Turkish government said in a statement posted on its English-language website, adding the visit is at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "The two leaders are expected to exchange views on regional and global matters as well." Turkiye has, since 2018, increased its exports to Venezuela, including food and personal hygiene products. The South […]]]> 560654 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220521-hamas-hails-malaysia-venezuela-for-supporting-palestine/ Sat, 21 May 2022 09:10:57 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=557228 The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas hailed on Friday all stances taken by states and governments in support of the Palestinian people in their fight for their legitimate rights. Ezzet Al-Resheq, member of the Hamas Political Bureau, praised remarks delivered by Malaysia's Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as he asked the US administration to be "transparent" and "honest" when handling Palestinian rights and their struggle with the Israeli occupation. The Malaysian prime minister's remarks came during a meeting with US President Joe Biden. Al-Resheq praised Malaysia for its official and popular positions supporting Palestine, Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque and its rejection of normalisation with the Israeli occupation. READ: Malaysian aid team first to enter Gaza after Israeli offensive Meanwhile, […]]]> 557228 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220517-palestinians-and-their-supporters-across-latin-america-have-commemorated-the-nakba-anniversary/ Tue, 17 May 2022 12:28:26 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=555914 Many events have been held across Latin America on the 74th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba, both official and popular. The Nakba — Catastrophe — was the ethnic cleansing of Palestine and the creation of the Zionist state of Israel by terror gangs helped by the British Mandate authorities. More than 750,000 Palestinians were driven from their homes and villages at gunpoint. At least 500 Palestinian towns and villages have since been razed to the ground by Israel in the effort to Judaise historic Palestine. With more than 15,000 Palestinians killed during the Nakba, the refugees fled to the West Bank, Gaza Strip and neighbouring Arab countries. They and their descendants have never been allowed to fulfil their legitimate right […]]]> 555914 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220516-there-are-challenges-and-opportunities-in-relations-between-iran-and-venezuela/ Mon, 16 May 2022 10:50:45 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=555735 Political and economic relations between Iran and Venezuela have grown over the past two decades. The South American country has the largest known oil reserves in the world but, despite being recognised as a leading economy on the continent for many years, Venezuela is a prime example of the "economic downturn". Many analyses can be made about the relevance of the rich energy resources of both countries given the US sanctions on them. Much can also be said about the relationship between the ideological identities of both countries in the face of sanctions, and the solidarity that they have developed. We can also comment on the legality of US sanctions and those of Washington's allies against Iran and Venezuela. Following […]]]> 555735 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220504-eu-protection-to-267000-asylum-seekers-in-2021/ Wed, 04 May 2022 13:34:04 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=553573 More than 267,000 asylum-seekers received protection in the European Union last year and Syrian, Afghan, and Venezuelan nationals were the main beneficiaries, the bloc's statistical office announced on Wednesday. "In 2021, EU Member States granted protection status to 267,360 asylum-seeker, down by 5% compared with 2020," the Eurostat said in a statement. Nearly half of the successful applicants were of Syrian and Afghan nationality, representing 26% and 20% respectively of the total number of granted protection statutes. Venezuelans became the third biggest group of beneficiaries with 5% of all successful candidates. One-third of accepted applications were registered in Germany, followed by France and Italy which granted protection to 17% and 12% respectively of the successful asylum-seekers. In addition, 23,255 applicants […]]]> 553573 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220503-irans-oil-minister-meets-venezuelas-maduro-eyes-boosting-cooperation/ Tue, 03 May 2022 14:49:17 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=553204 Iranian Oil Minister Javad Owji said on Twitter on Tuesday that he met Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during his visit to the Latin American ally and that the two oil producers aimed to develop their cooperation, reports Reuters. "Today I had meetings with the President of Venezuela, Mr Maduro and other high-ranking Venezuelan officials," Owji said on Twitter. "Iran-Venezuela relations have a long history and we want to use all capacities to develop joint relations and cooperation," Owji said. Venezuela and Iran are both under U.S. sanctions and have tightened their relationship regarding oil in recent months. Owji's visit to Venezuela had not been announced in advance. Owji met with his Venezuelan counterpart Tareck El Aissami on Monday, according to […]]]> 553204 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220503-irans-oil-minister-visits-venezuela-counterpart/ Tue, 03 May 2022 09:01:43 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=553182 Iranian Oil Minister Javad Owji met with his Venezuelan counterpart Tareck El Aissami on Monday, according to a video published by El Aissami on his Instagram account, reports Reuters. "It's a pleasure to have you here," El Aissami said in the video, which gave no details of the meeting. Venezuela and Iran are both under US sanctions and have tightened their relationship regarding oil in recent months. The Bloomberg news agency on Sunday reported the Iranian official had visited and that deals had been signed. "I now have the honor to meet you face to face," the Iranian minister said in the video, according to an official translation into Spanish. READ: Iran, Venezuela, six other UN members lose voting rights […]]]> 553182 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220321-in-the-new-great-game-can-venezuela-negotiate-an-end-to-deadly-us-sanctions/ Mon, 21 Mar 2022 13:30:35 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=544431 The tables have turned. A high-level US delegation visited Venezuela on 5 March, hoping to repair economic ties with Caracas. One of the world's poorest countries, in part due to US-Western sanctions, Venezuela is, for once, in the driving seat and capable of alleviating an impending US energy crisis if dialogue with Washington continues to move forward. Venezuela is not a poor country. In 1998, it was one of the leading OPEC members, producing 3.5 million barrels of oil a day. Although Caracas largely failed to take advantage of its former oil boom by diversifying its oil-dependent economy, it was the combination of lower oil prices and US-led sanctions that pushed the once relatively thriving South American country onto its […]]]> 544431 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220310-venezuela-backs-russia-despite-tempting-us-offers/ Thu, 10 Mar 2022 12:16:02 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=541521 The US has been trying to tempt Venezuela into increasing its oil production, but President Nicolas Maduro insists on standing by his traditional ally and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. US officials have visited the country with the promise of continued access to US markets. Venezuela and other South American countries were surprised by the visits by the officials from the White House and the State Department as soon as the Russian military operation against Ukraine started. Venezuelan newspapers reported that the American justification was the difference in the vision of the administration of Democratic President Joe Biden compared with its predecessor run by Republican President Donald Trump, who once threatened to wage war against Venezuela's socialist President Maduro to remove […]]]> 541521 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220221-ex-egypt-president-mubaraks-cronies-had-millions-in-swiss-bank-reveals-credit-suisse-leak/ Mon, 21 Feb 2022 15:05:14 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=537571 A leak from one of the world's biggest private banks, Credit Suisse, reveals that it opened accounts for clients involved in torture and corruption including from the Middle East and kept them open even after details of their crimes were made public. An anonymous whistleblower leaked details of thousands of the bank's clients to the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, which found among them dictators, spies and corrupt politicians with accounts worth a collective value of $8 billion. Breaching bank secrecy is a criminal offence under Swiss law, which protected many of the clients and helped them carry out corruption scandals in poor countries. "I believe that Swiss banking secrecy laws are immoral," the whistleblower said in a statement. "The pretext of protecting financial […]]]> 537571 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220206-cuba-venezuela-and-nicaragua-the-us-russia-conflict-enters-a-new-phase/ Sun, 06 Feb 2022 10:47:06 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=532931 As soon as Moscow received an American response to its security demands in Ukraine, it answered indirectly by announcing greater military integration between it and three South American countries, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Cuba. Washington's response, on 26 January, to Russia's demands of withdrawing NATO forces from Eastern Europe and ending talks about a possible Kyiv membership in the US-led alliance, was noncommittal. For its part, the US spoke of 'a diplomatic path', which will address Russian demands through 'confidence-building measures'. For Russia, such elusive language is clearly a non-starter. On that same day, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced, in front of the Duma, Russia's parliament, that his country "has agreed with the leaders of Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua to […]]]> 532931 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220112-iran-venezuela-six-other-un-members-lose-voting-rights-because-of-unpaid-dues/ Wed, 12 Jan 2022 23:17:43 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=526370 Eight UN member states, including Iran and Venezuela, have lost their voting rights because of unpaid dues, according to documents revealed on Wednesday and reported by Anadolu News Agency. In an 11 October letter, Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, identified 11 countries as being in arrears under the terms of the UN Charter, including Antigua and Barbados, Comoros, the Republic of Congo, Guinea, Iran, Papua New Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe, Sudan, Vanuatu and Venezuela. The UN Charter stipulates that members that owe money that is equal to, or in excess of dues, in the two preceding years will lose voting rights. It does allow the General Assembly to "permit such a Member to vote if it is satisfied that the failure […]]]> 526370 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220106-venezuelas-president-maduro-no-one-dares-to-ask-us-to-abandon-palestine/ Thu, 06 Jan 2022 12:30:00 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=524757 Under the presidencies of Hugo Chavez (1999-2013) and now Nicolas Maduro (2013-present), Venezuela has expressed strong solidarity with the Palestinian cause. It was the first country in Latin America to recognise the State of Palestine on the 1967 nominal borders. In 2009, Venezuela and the Palestinian Authority established diplomatic relations and announced the opening of a Palestinian embassy in Caracas. Diplomatic ties remain close, and Venezuela has supported the Palestinian cause at the UN. They have also established and economic ties, including oil deals, emergency aid and scholarships for Palestinian medical students. Venezuela was the first country to grant free travel and movement to the Palestinians without a prior visa, and grants residence rights to Palestinians. According to President Maduro, […]]]> 524757 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20211227-venezuelas-president-to-visit-iran-very-soon/ Mon, 27 Dec 2021 11:40:19 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=522655 Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Sunday he will soon visit Iran to finalize new agreements on cooperation with the Middle Eastern country, which has become Venezuela's top ally in boosting oil output amid US sanctions, reports Reuters. Venezuela and Iran have strengthened their ties since last year. Maduro's government has received vital equipment for its oil industry from Iran, which in return has received crude and other primary resources from the South American country. Iran has been crucial for Venezuela's rising oil production in 2021. "I am going to Teheran very soon, for a visit that President (Ebrahim) Raisi offered me, so that we meet in person, to hold conversations and sign new agreements … and speed up processes […]]]> 522655 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210823-lebanon-hezbollah-says-more-iran-fuel-is-on-the-way/ Mon, 23 Aug 2021 12:40:06 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=490160 Lebanon's Hezbollah movement has announced that more Iranian fuel is on its way to the country, with vessels expected to arrive "within a few days", according to yesterday's speech by Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. It was the second time in four days that Nasrallah said that the fuel shipments would be leaving Iran for Lebanon amid the country's severe fuel shortages. The Lebanese government has not commented on Nasrallah's announcement but said yesterday that it will be raising gasoline prices by 66 per cent as part of a partial reduction of fuel subsidies. While the Iranian shipment of much-needed diesel could risk violating US sanctions, should it dock at one of Lebanon's ports, the National reported that it may instead be diverted to neighbouring Syria […]]]> 490160 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210629-eu-asylum-applications-fall-by-32/ Tue, 29 Jun 2021 15:06:26 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=480864 The European Asylum Support Office (EASO) has announced that the number of asylum applications in the European Union fell in 2020 by an average of 32 per cent, compared with the previous year, Anadolu has reported. The EASO added in its 2021 asylum report that EU countries received 485,000 asylum applications last year, the lowest figure since 2013. The office explained that asylum applications were concentrated in three European countries: Germany, France and Spain. Germany received 112,000 asylum applications in 2020, followed by France with 93,000 and Spain with 89,000. The report pointed out that one of the main reasons for the decline in asylum applications is the coronavirus epidemic and the measures imposed to counter it. The report emphasised […]]]> 480864 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210607-egypt-arrests-diplomat-who-criticised-handling-of-ethiopia-dam-row/ Mon, 07 Jun 2021 14:34:32 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=476434 Egyptian authorities jailed a former ambassador last month allegedly in connection to his criticism of the government's handling of the Great Ethiopia Renaissance Dam crisis, it was revealed yesterday. According to the family of Yahya Najm, who served as Cairo's ambassador to Venezuela, he was arrested following a raid by security forces at his home and subsequently "disappearing" for three days. The New Arab reported, citing close sources to Najm that the state security prosecution charged him with "joining a terrorist group, spreading false news, and misusing social media" and that he was sentenced to 15 days imprisonment, pending investigation. His family also claims that after the investigation, he was transferred to an unknown location "in flagrant violation of Egyptian law". Despite having […]]]> 476434 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210522-israel-should-be-brought-to-international-court-palestine-envoy-to-venezuela/ Sat, 22 May 2021 11:34:12 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=472434 Israel's crimes in the Gaza Strip must be brought to the International Criminal Court (ICC), Palestinian Ambassador to Venezuela Fadi Alzaben said Friday, Anadolu Agency reported. "Israel cannot enjoy such impunity. They have to pay for their crimes and must be tried at the ICC," he said. His comment came in response to Israel's recent bombings of Gaza that lasted 11 days. Alzaben's remarks were made during an event to show solidarity with the people of Palestine in Guarenas, a municipality bordering Venezuela's capital of Caracas. READ: Latin America calls for sanctions to end Israel's Apartheid He said that more than 75 Palestinian children and women were killed as a result of Israel's recent attacks. "More than 75 Palestinian children and women […]]]> 472434 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210515-venezuela-urges-international-community-to-stop-israels-attacks-on-gaza/ Sat, 15 May 2021 11:29:17 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=470833 Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza on Friday called on the international community to take action to stop the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip. Arreaza posted a video on Twitter showing Israel's bombing of a 9-storey building in Gaza that entirely collapsed. He stressed the need for the United Nations (UN) to ensure an urgent response to these attacks, urging: "An immediate response should be established without bias against any ideology or religion." According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the death toll resulting from the continuous violent Israeli raids on the Gaza Strip since Monday evening has risen to 119, including 31 children and 19 women, in addition to 830 injuries. Pakistan on Israeli attacks: 'Not conflict but a […]]]> 470833 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210429-syria-to-invite-friendly-states-to-observe-presidential-elections/ Thu, 29 Apr 2021 12:51:32 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=468547 The Syrian People's Assembly yesterday agreed to invite friendly Arab and foreign parliaments to observe the presidential elections scheduled in May, local media reported. SANA news agency said the parliaments of Russia, Algeria, Oman, Mauritania, Iran, Armenia, China, Venezuela, Cuba, Belarus, South Africa, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Bolivia will be invited to observe the elections. President Bashar Al-Assad recently met with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, and briefed him on preparations for the elections. Both Iran and Russia have confirmed their support for holding presidential elections in Syria, in accordance with the country's constitution. READ: 14 candidates for Syria presidency in addition to Assad ]]> 468547 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210315-the-us-must-end-its-collective-punishment-of-the-people-of-venezuela/ Mon, 15 Mar 2021 09:42:09 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=461155 Recent statements by US officials suggest that Washington will continue to pursue a hard-line policy on Venezuela. The Biden administration, however, needs to rethink its approach urgently. US State Department spokesperson Ned Price remarked on 3 February that he "certainly" does not "expect this administration to be engaging directly with [President] Maduro" in Venezuela. Namely, Price expects that the Biden administration will stick to its predecessor's strategy which is predicated on completely ignoring the current government in Caracas. Moreover, the Biden team will continue to have a dialogue with Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaidó. On March 2, Guaidó had a discussion with the new US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken. It was the highest-level US contact with the increasingly-discredited and […]]]> 461155