Source: RT en Español
What it’s about: On May 21th, 2019—RT en Español reported on a press conference by Venezuelan Ambassador to Russia Carlos Rafael Faría Tortosa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation to address the current situation in Venezuela. During the press conference, Faría Tortosa spoke about the latest sanctions imposed by the United States against Venezuela and their consequences on the country’s economy. Faría Tortosa also addressed what he views as “an insistence by the United States on breaking into Venezuelan territory through the so-called humanitarian aid,” and touched on the eviction notice by U.S. authorities on the Embassy of Venezuela in Washington, D.C. last May 16th, which Faría Tortosa charcterized as a “violation of all international norms.”
Why it’s misleading: Once again, RT en Español is serving as a platform for the Maduro regime to denounce a U.S. economic blockade on Venezuela as the cause of food and medicine shortages in the country. RT en Español presents a one-sided version of the story during the hour-long press conference offered by Venezuelan Ambassador Carlos Rafael Faría Tortosa, in which he mentioned how “as a result of the economic blockade imposed by the United States, the losses [of Venezuela’s economy] are estimated at $130 billion for the 2015-2018 period.” Amb. Faría Tortosa mentioned that with these funds, Venezuela could have sustained its economy for nine years. Amb. Faría Tortosa also enumerated the banks that have frozen Venezuelan monetary assets—more than 40 financial institutions in 17 countries blocking $5.47 billion at this moment. According to Amb. Faría Tortosa, with this money the government “could have purchased what the population needs, such as drugs and medicines, primary products, and equipment to increase industrial production.” According to the Venezuelan official, the government is in no position to buy such goods now. Unfortunately, it is no surprise that neither the featured press conference nor reporting from RT en Español addresses the Maduro administration’s mismanagement, but rather help to support the regime’s denial of any responsibility in the Venezuelan humanitarian and economic crisis.