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16 June 2014 Last updated at 13:57 ET
Ms Machado has described Venezuela as "a ruined, split and scared country"
Venezuelan opposition politician Maria Corina Machado has been questioned in connection with an alleged plot to assassinate President Nicolas Maduro.
Ms Machado is accused of being the primary organiser of the plot, unveiled by government officials last month.
She denies the accusations and says emails attributed to her that called for Mr Maduro to be killed were fake.
Hundreds of Venezuelans have taken to the streets this year to protest against high inflation and crime.
At least 42 people have been killed at anti and pro-government demonstrations since the unrest began in February.
Some 3,000 have also been detained, human rights groups say.
'Solidarity of millions'
Ms Machado, a former member of parliament, says the government wants to "annihilate" her.
"I have the solidarity of millions of Venezuelans who refused to bow down," she told reporters outside the attorney general's office on Monday.
Protests against the government have often ended in violence
She was stripped off her mandate earlier this year by the government-controlled National Assembly.
The opposition blames failed left-wing government policies for the economic crisis.
Mr Maduro says right-wing groups in Venezuela and the United States have plotted to destabilise his government.
Last week, Venezuela's Attorney General Luisa Ortega issued arrest warrants against three prominent opposition leaders.
They are Diego Arria, a former presidential candidate and permanent representative to the United Nations; Pedro Burelli, a former external director of the state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela; and Ricardo Koesling, a lawyer who has been a strong critic of the government.
Ms Ortega's office said the three were not officially charged with participating in the alleged assassination plot, but they had failed to testify in an investigation.
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19 June 2014 Last updated at 09:58 ET
Fumigating the mosquitoes which spread the virus is one of the ways of slowing its spread
Health authorities in Cuba have confirmed six cases of the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus on the island.
Cuba is the latest Caribbean nation to confirm cases of the virus, which resembles dengue fever and can cause high fever, skin rash and joint pain.
According to the Pan American Health Organization, there had been 4,600 confirmed and 166,000 suspected cases in the Caribbean as of mid-June.
There is currently no vaccine or treatment for chikungunya.
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Chikungunya
- Viral disease spread by mosquitoes which bite during daylight hours
- No direct person-to-person transmission
- Name derives from a word meaning "to become contorted" from the African Kimakonde language
- Symptoms include the sudden onset of fever and joint pain, particularly affecting the hands, wrists, ankles and feet
- Most patients recover after a few days but in some cases the joint pain may persist for weeks, months or even longer
The Cuban health ministry said those affected had recently travelled to Haiti or the Dominican Republic, where thousands of people have reported suffering from the severe headaches, high fever and intense joint pain symptomatic for the virus.
Officials said they would "strengthen surveillance and control measures of travellers arriving from countries at risk of the disease, mainly in the Caribbean".
The virus has long been present in Africa and Asia but it was only detected in the Caribbean in December.
On Wednesday, the Central American nation of El Salvador put seven municipalities on alert after its first cases were confirmed.
The virus is also spreading quickly in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, and there have been confirmed cases in most of the Caribbean island states.
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By Rebecca Banuchi 06/22/2014 | 02:45 pm
A day after the Decolonization Committee of the United Nations Organization (UN) again discuss the case of Puerto Rico, about a dozen of independence organizations marched Sunday Ashford Avenue in Condado, to draw attention the independence and demand a prompt solution to the problem of the political status of the island
This is the first time you will lay down on the issue before the UN committee in New York, representatives of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), an organization that brings together 33 countries in the region, confirmed Héctor Pesquera, co-chair National Hostos Independence Movement (MINH), one of the organizations that participated in the "March Independence Ya".
"It is very important for us that regional solidarity, and besides, this march is intended to clearly express to the people of Puerto Rico that if we do not address our colonial problem, we will not be able to draw up to the plate. Which problems economic and social suffering that we have a direct link with our problem of lack of power to make the decisions that we have to take, "Pesquera said shortly before hereby initiate the activity in which over 500 people participated.
"We can not continue with a constitution that is a paper payment guarantee for investors of Wall Street. Ours Constitution says that there are insufficient funds from the public treasury, you must first pay the debt and then if something spare, will serve the interests of the workers and the people in terms of health, education and roads. A Constitution does not serve us well, it only serves the interests of the United States, "he added.
Independence groups chose the Condado tourist area to manifest, because along the way distributed to tourists loose sheets with details, in Spanish and English on the political status of Puerto Rico.
"Our fight is not against the American people. Our fight is against the U.S. government, which has kept us in this condition for the past 116 years, and we want to recruit the people of the United States here, which is as a tourist, beyond to help us in our campaign for decolonization, "the leader MINH.
The independence activists, who left at about 11:00 am from the premises of Hotel Condado Plaza, come to the square Antonia Quiñones, opposite Stella Maris parish, where organizers would read a statement on the public policy proposal Independence Roundtable, which brings together the organizations participating in the march.
The group is also composed of the Socialist Front, the Revolutionary Workers Party-Macheteros Hostosiana Youth, Collective Resistance and the Caribbean and Latin American Coordinator.
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Por InterNewsService – 5:45 pm
Various organizations that make up the Roundtable Independence march Sunday morning to claim the right of the Puerto Rican people to self-determination and sovereignty, on the eve of the United Nations debated in the case of Puerto Rico, under the dominion of the United States.
"Colonialism, corruption and extreme dependence have led our country to economic collapse and a deep social crisis," said Hector Pesquera, a spokesman for the Roundtable.
Protesters will leave at 10:00 am on Dos Hermanos Bridge to march through the hotel zone to the Plaza County Antonia Quiñones, where they will make a statement jointly prepared by organizations Roundtable.
Pesquera, co-chairman of the National Hostos Independence Movement (MINH), the agency told Inter News Service (INS) that the march will be held in the County because they want to impress American tourists moving through the area.
"We want to recruit the people of the United States. We have no enmity with any people, including the people of the United States, but against a government that invaded us and before us to colonialism in the past 116 years, "said the politician.
The MINH leader argued that "the American people is important in the struggle for decolonization and we recruit in the fight and we want to educate about the political situation in Puerto Rico as they are here visiting."
Pesquera said that "independence is the only option available to remove the obstacles that prevent us from entering aa Petrocaribe, which would bring extraordinary relief the pocket of the consumer and we allow people once repeal cabotage laws that increase the cost life so unfair and unreasonable. "
The group emerged with the aim of uniting the independence groups, many secreted by the diversity of their respective ideologies.
The Roundtable is made up Collective Resistance, Caribbean and Latin American Coordinator, Socialist Front, National Party, Our School and the Workers Party of Puerto Ricans, among others.
InterNewsService
Inter News Service (INS) is a news agency founded by journalist Nelson del Castillo and is based in San Juan de Puerto Rico.
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By <a href="http://Primerahora.com" rel="nofollow">Primerahora.com</a> 06/22/2014 | 9:28 a.m.
A man was stabbed in the stomach Saturday night while I was outside his home in the PR-185 highway in the Carruzo Carolina district, police said Sunday.
ACCORDING to the preliminary report, at 11:57 pm Saturday acerca, Samuel Vicente Roman, 24, was outside his home, at kilometer 11 of the aforementioned means, and to have Attacked her masked man with a knife.
The injured was Treated at the scene by paramedics who Transported him in stable condition to the Hospital of the University of Puerto Rico at Carolina.
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Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) on Monday presented in the Decolonization Committee of the UN on the case of Puerto Rico, in Which the support of CELAC instance is displayed on the notion That Latin America "is a territory free from colonialism and colonies," According To UN resolution itself.
San Juan. Representing the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) to Attend Monday's annual view of the Decolonization Committee of the UN on the case of Puerto Rico in That forum will present the statement of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) on the island.
This is the chief executive of PIP, Fernando Martin, who will Attend the United Nations headquarters in New York to Participate in a meeting of a committee of 29 country clubs and 32 years Annually Adopts a resolution in behalf of self-determination and independence of Cuba Explained .
Puerto Rico has the status of a U.S. Commonwealth, que Allows the island a large measure of autonomy, although Washington paragraphs as defense, international relations, or borders book.
The speakers will present Their views to the committee, as has-been happening for decades, although the issue has never managed to pass to the consideration of the General Assembly, to what is required of general consensus Within the UN.
In the second summit of CELAC, held in Havana in January, its members reiterated the nature of Latin American and Caribbean Puerto Rico, Noting That the decolonization of the island is a matter of interest to the regional organization.
"The country clubs of CELAC members are Committed to continue working Within the framework of international law, and in particular, resolution 1514 (XV) of the General Assembly of the United Nations, from December 14, 1960, to make the Latin America and the Caribbean is a territory free from colonialism and colonies, "said the resolution approved then.
Also Instructed the "Quartet CELAC," Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador and Trinidad and Tobago, que, "with the participation of other Member States wishing to join this mandate, to submit Proposals advance" On These Objectives.
The UN took six Decades to Puerto Rico from the list of non-self governing government territories ago, que has allowed U.S. not filing reports on the status of the island.
Martin Noted That the U.S. Authorities are based on the lack of agreement Puerto Ricans Among Themselves to take Responsibility and not end the current situation.
Puerto Rico is part of the territories since 1970 Observed by the Decolonization Committee, que deals in Addition to progress in solving cases like Western Sahara or Gibraltar.
The leader of the PIP, que will go to the UN General Accompanied by party secretary, Juan Dalmau, stressed the U.S. That strategy to shelve the matter is Favored by the fact That the government is currently in Puerto Rico in the hands of the People's Democratic Party (PPD), a group advocates That Maintain this status.
The PPD will not Attend the UN, as usual, Because, as Explained to Efe a Spokesman for training, do not Consider Puerto Rico is a colony.
The opposition today is Represented by the legislature of New Progressive Party (PNP), José Enrique Melendez, Efe Who Told That his intention is to Provide Latin American country clubs That support the independence of Puerto Rico Puerto Ricans are actually pro annexation to the U.S.
So said Those from Latin America to opt for the independence of Puerto Rico "do a disservice to the country That claim to help" and asked them to inform Themselves before thinking.
At the hearing on Monday, Melendez insist That recall the consultation in November 2012 54% of Puerto Ricans was in opposition to the current model.
In a second question, que was asked to choose Between three other options, the annexation Advocated 61.1%, 33.3% for seeking an improved variant of the current status and 5.5% for independence.
The resolution passed last year at the UN recalls That has not been successfully Initiated a process of decolonization of Puerto Rico.
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By <a href="http://Primerahora.com" rel="nofollow">Primerahora.com</a> 06/22/2014 | 11:35 a.m.
A man is being held in the Rio Piedras Medical Center after being attacked with a machete in Salinas, police said on Sunday.
According to the Office of Dam Police Guayama, that 6:10 pm Saturday reported a call 9-1-1 system alerting an aggravated assault on Calle Joaquin Venilla, neighborhood Plots Vazquez Salinas.
According to preliminary information, Kelvin Solis Montes, 28, a homeless person who is believed, was near a Pentecostal church located in the street when a man attacked him with a machete in different parts of the body.
Solis Montes was initially treated at the MED-SUR Hospital of Salinas, where he was diagnosed open wound in the head, right arm and elbow, and was subsequently taken to the Rio Piedras Medical Center, where his condition was stable, as indicated.
Related to these facts, the police arrested later that night to Luis Vidal Gonzalez, alias Piti, 37, a resident of Salinas.
Vidal Gonzalez could be charged today with attempted murder and Arms Act.
When the motive for the attack is unknown, police said.
Groups spread information to tourists about the political situation in Puerto Rico
A day after the Decolonization Committee of the United Nations Organization (UN) again discuss the case of Puerto Rico, about a dozen of independence organizations marched Sunday Ashford Avenue in Condado, to draw attention the independence and demand a prompt solution to the problem of the political status of the island
This is the first time you will lay down on the issue before the UN committee in New York, representatives of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), an organization that brings together 33 countries in the region, confirmed Héctor Pesquera, co-chair National Hostos Independence Movement (MINH), one of the organizations that participated in the "March Independence Ya".
"It is very important for us that regional solidarity, and besides, this march is intended to clearly express to the people of Puerto Rico that if we do not address our colonial problem, we will not be able to draw up to the plate. Which problems economic and social suffering that we have a direct link with our problem of lack of power to make the decisions that we have to take, "Pesquera said shortly before hereby initiate the activity in which over 500 people participated.
"We can not continue with a constitution that is a paper payment guarantee for investors of Wall Street. Ours Constitution says that there are insufficient funds from the public treasury, you must first pay the debt and then if something spare, will serve the interests of the workers and the people in terms of health, education and roads. A Constitution does not serve us well, it only serves the interests of the United States, "added
Independence groups chose the Condado tourist area to manifest, because along the way distributed to tourists loose sheets with details, in Spanish and English on the political status of Puerto Rico.
"Our fight is not against the American people. Our fight is against the U.S. government, which has kept us in this condition for the past 116 years, and we want to recruit the people of the United States here, which is as a tourist, beyond to help us in our campaign for decolonization, "the leader MINH.
The independence activists, who left at about 11:00 am from the premises of Hotel Condado Plaza, come to the square Antonia Quiñones, opposite Stella Maris parish, where organizers would read a statement on the public policy proposal Independence Roundtable, which brings together the organizations participating in the march.
The group is also composed of the Socialist Front, the Revolutionary Workers Party-Macheteros Hostosiana Youth, Collective Resistance and the Caribbean and Latin American Coordinator.
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GURABO - Looking for full activity in the facilities of the Police Academy in Villalba through partnerships, leadership, Michelle M. Hernandez Fraley and the mayor of the municipality of Villalba, Luis Javier Hernández Ortiz, met to identify identity of Opportunities for villalbeños areas can benefit as members of the Puerto Rico Police and the Municipal Police.
As Explained by the rector, after learning That the facilities of the Academy in Villalba are in good condition Initiatives bet for learning as an alternative to it That They are used to high capacity. Modern facilities Provide space for 480 people in Their bedrooms. Lounges, library and dining room. In Addition, a large area of training and recreation.
During the conclave, the head of the Police Academy, I Expressed interest in the more who can build a Polygon. THEREFORE, begin a feasibility analysis for the proposal They support. 've Recalled That the Police currently has four polygon That is used to train staff Serves and re training. Agreement The requirements of the qualification and certification of annual shot with Assigned weapon Creates demand for more polygons That meet the needs of all police in Puerto Rico.
"I presented the greater our willingness to reach collaborative agreements leading to the use of our facilities for the Police Academy in Villalba for educational purposes. They are comfortable and modern facilities for Which May "Hernandez said Fraley.
I Also assured That "the construction of a polygon will be of great benefit to the retraining of Hundreds of state and local police who work or reside in the municipality of Villalba or surrounding areas would not Have to travel to Cabo Rojo to practice or re train ".
The meeting Lasted for an hour, ended with a Commitment to continue the agreement to Promote the use of the facilities and Contribute to the professional development of local and state police.