Klyuchevskoi volcano this morning with what is likely a new lava flow (KVERT webcam)
April 25, 2016 - EARTH - The following constitutes the new activity, unrest and ongoing reports of volcanoes across the globe.
Kliuchevskoi (Kamchatka):
The activity of the volcano has intensified, in particular during the
past 24-36 hours. KVERT reported that strong strombolian explosions
produced an ash plume that rose to 8-9 km altitude that drifted more
than 400 km to the SW.
Webcam images have been mostly unclear, but
view from this evening (dawn in Kamchatka) suggest that a new lava flow
might have started to descend the volcano's flanks, which would be a
typical occurrence if the magma supply rate has indeed increased. An
intense thermal anomaly is being recorded on satellite data as well.
KVERT
alerted this morning that the "explosive eruption of the volcano
continues. Ash explosions up to 19,700-26,240 ft (6-8 km) a.s.l. could
occur at any time. Ongoing activity could affect international and
low-flying aircraft." The aviation color code was raised to ORANGE.
Sinabung (Sumatra, Indonesia):
The volcano's current and long-lasting eruption (now well in its 3rd
year) continues essentially unchanged: viscous lava slowly rises into
the summit crater, building up a complex dome that over-spills as sticky
lobes onto sections of the upper outer slopes on the southeastern side.
Explosion from Sinabung last Friday
When these steeply emplaced lava lobes become too large, they also
become unstable and begin to collapse. These collapses generate glowing
rockfalls and small to moderate pyroclastic flows when enough material
rich in gas is involved. From time to time, accumulated gas trapped
beneath the dome also gives way to vertical explosions. These explosions
have been occurring almost daily over the recent months, producing ash
plume that rise 1-2 km, typically.
San Cristobal (Nicaragua): The volcano had a series of new explosive eruptions on Friday, producing
ash plumes that rose up to approx. 2 km above the summit crater,
drifted south and caused moderate ash fall in areas up to 10-15 km south
and southeast of the volcano, including Las Brisas, Santa Narcisa, and
Chichigalpa town.
The new series of eruptions began on 22 April around 10:20 local
time with a first explosion, followed immediately by a stronger one
(image). Weaker explosions followed intermittently throughout the day,
but activity seems to have faded again as of today.
.
Ash plume from San Cristobal's eruption last Friday (INETER)
Whether these eruptions were caused by superficial steam explosions
(phreatic activity) or involved new magma that has risen inside the
volcano's conduit is unknown at the moment (without analysis of the ash
and seismic and other parameters)
In any case, the volcano has been at elevated unrest for some time
and might continue to do so for a while: unconfirmed minor explosions
seem to have occurred earlier this year in February and similar, more
significant explosions took place in March and June last year (2015).
Nevado del Ruiz (Colombia):
The volcano produced a small ash plume today, Manizales volcano
observatory reported to Washington VAAC. Webcam views are obscured by
weather clouds.
Sporadic mild ash emissions have been occurring from the volcano from time to time during the past weeks.
A night-time photo of eruptions observed from the west and north of Colima volcano.
March 9, 2015 - EARTH - The following constitutes the new activity, unrest and ongoing reports of volcanoes across the globe.
Colima (Western Mexico):
Activity remains similar as during the past week when we observed it
from close - intermittent small to moderate explosions producing ash
plumes of 1-2 km height. During our last overflight on Saturday, we
could see that the lava dome had disappeared, likely a result of the
recent explosions.
WATCH: Eruption at the Colima volcano.
Soputan (North Sulawesi, Indonesia):
Mount Soputan in Southeast Minahasa District, North Sulawesi erupted on
Saturday at 05:09 pm Central Indonesian Time (GMT+8), shooting plumes
of ash 4,500 meters to the sky, an official said.
Head of Data
and Information Center of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB)
Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said here, Saturday, on a broadcast statement that
according to a report of the Volcanology and Geology Disaster
Mitigation Center (PVMBG), Mount Soputan spewed pyroclastic flow to the
east side of the volcano reaching 2,500 meters from its peak.
Eruption of Soputan volcano this morning (Image: VSI).
Volcanic ash were falling to several sub-districts in Southeast Minahasa
District such as Silian Raya, Touluaan, Tombatu, Pasan and Rataha.
The volcano is still in alert level III status.
"There are no people evacuated as the nearest residential area is located eight kilometers from the mounts peak," Nugroho said.
In June 2008, Mount Soputan erupted and spewed pyroclastic flow reaching a radius of 6.5km from the peak.
The authority, therefore, stated that people activities are banned in the area within 6.5km radius from the Mount Soputan peak. UPDATE: Activity continues at the volcano, but has been decreasing.
Following the strong explosion on Saturday, mild lava fountaining from
two vents and the effusion of a small lava flow on the western flank
occurred,- signs that the eruption had been caused by a new batch of
fresh magma. Seismic activity remains strong.
Fuego (Guatemala):
The volcano is in mild to moderate strombolian activity with a few
explosions on average per hour. Incandescent material is being ejected
to 100 m above the crater and ash plumes rise up to 800 m.A phase of
strong lava effusion on 1-2 March had produced a lava flow reaching 2 km
length.
Turrialba (Costa Rica):
Small ash emissions were observed yesterday.A series of 4 small
explosions occurred between 13:41 and 15:17 local time, generating
plumes of up to 500 m height.It is not known at the moment, if the
eruptions are phreatic, i.e. the result of exploding overheated water,
or caused by fresh magma arriving at the summit.
Kliuchevskoi (Kamchatka): The explosive-effusive eruption of the volcano probably finished.
According to KVERT, volcanic tremor significant decreased yesterday and
no lava or ash emissions could be seen any more at the summit crater.
Moderately degassing and a thermal anomaly at the summit continue.
Aviation color code was lowered from orange to yellow.
Shiveluch (Kamchatka):
Explosions continue to occur at the volcano sporadically, although none
of the previous days has been as strong as the violent eruption on 28
Feb. The most recent was an explosion yesterday morning, producing an
ash plume that rose to approx. 25,000 ft (7.5 km) altitude, but no
pyroclastic flows. KVERT maintains aviation color code orange.
Explosion at Shiveluch yesterday morning.
San Cristobal (Nicaragua): Two explosions occurred last Thursday afternoon, producing moderately strong ash emissions of a few hundred meters height. No damage was reported, only slight ash fall causing visibility problems on nearby roads and similar minor problems.
Popocatépetl (Central Mexico):
The activity of the volcano remains at fluctuating, but overall similar
levels as during the past months. An increase in tremor yesterday
probably corresponded to a phase of active dome growth, accompanied by
bright glow visible at the crater and intense degassing and light ash
emissions reaching 1500 m height.
Venezuelans face extreme shortages with long line and strict quotas. In Venezuela, the new year has brought little change to the scarcity
problem that is becoming alarming: long lines across the country to buy even the most basic products.
March 9, 2015 - VENEZUELA -
Venezuela will begin installing some 20,000 fingerprint scanners at
supermarkets nationwide in a bid to stamp out hoarding and panic buying,
which the government blames for long lines and widespread shortages of
basic goods.
The oil-rich nation has been selectively rolling out
the rationing system for months at state-run supermarkets along the
western border with Colombia, where smuggling of price-controlled goods
is a major problem.
On Saturday, President Nicolas Maduro said
that seven large private retail chains had voluntarily agreed to install
the scanners.
"I ask for the the comprehension of all of
Venezuela, to understand this problem, because there is a lot of
manipulation taking place," Maduro said at the inauguration of a
state-run supermarket.
Economists say the effort is bound to
fail. They blame decade-old price controls for destroying local
manufacturing and attracting smugglers who can resell the goods on the
black market and in Colombia for huge gains.
In recent days,
those profits have become juicier as a result of Venezuela's tanking
currency. The bolivar has slid 35 percent in the past two weeks on the
black market and now trades at nearly one-fortieth the official rate
used to import food, according to DolarToday, a website that tracks the
illegal rate based on currency trades along the border.
The fall
of world oil prices by nearly half since November is also diminishing
the supply of dollars available to import everything from milk to cars.
Crude oil accounts for 95 percent of Venezuela's exports.
As
Venezuela's economic crisis deepens the government is increasingly
lashing out at its opponents and the United States, which it says is
trying to sow instability and set the stage for a coup.
But many
Venezuelans point to Maduro. Recent polls say the embattled president
has a 22 percent approval rating, the lowest since the start of the
socialist revolution 16 years ago by the late President Hugo Chavez
On
Friday, a delegation of visiting South American foreign ministers
announced that the region would help Venezuela address the shortages.
But
many in the opposition expressed dismay that the 12-nation Unasur bloc
did not take a tougher stance against the government amid what they say
is an impending humanitarian crisis. - FOX News.
U.S. declares Venezuela a threat, sanctions top officials
Opposition supporters shout during a rally to commemorate International Women's Day and in support of jailed opposition leaders, Leopoldo Lopez
and Antonio Ledezma, in Caracas, March 8, 2015.Credit: Reuters/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
The United States on Monday declared Venezuela
a national security threat and ordered sanctions against seven
officials in the worst diplomatic dispute with the oil-rich country
since socialist President Nicolas Maduro took office in 2013.
President
Barack Obama issued and signed the executive order, which senior
administration officials said did not target the energy sector or
Venezuela's broader economy. The move raises tensions between Washington
and the OPEC member just as U.S. relations with Cuba, another longtime
U.S. foe in Latin America, are set to be normalized.
Declaring a
country a national security threat is the first step in starting a
sanctions regime. The same process has been followed with countries such
as Iran and Syria, U.S. officials said.
The White House said the
executive order targeted people whose actions undermined democratic
processes or institutions, had committed acts of violence or abuse of
human rights, were involved in prohibiting or penalizing freedom of
expression, or were government officials involved in public corruption.
"Venezuelan
officials past and present who violate the human rights of Venezuelan
citizens and engage in acts of public corruption will not be welcome
here, and we now have the tools to block their assets and their use of
U.S. financial systems," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said in a
statement.
"We are deeply concerned by the Venezuelan government's
efforts to escalate intimidation of its political
opponents. Venezuela's problems cannot be solved by criminalizing
dissent," he added.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez told reporters that Caracas would respond to the U.S. move soon.
The
seven individuals named in the order, which included top domestic
security and intelligence officials, would have their property and
interests in the United States blocked or frozen and would be denied
entry into the United States. U.S. persons would also be prohibited from
doing business with them. BLAME GAME
The
White House also called on Venezuela to release all political
prisoners, including "dozens of students," and warned against blaming
Washington for its problems.
"We've seen many times that the
Venezuelan government tries to distract from its own actions by blaming
the United States or other members of the international community for
events inside Venezuela," Earnest said in the statement.
"These
efforts reflect a lack of seriousness on the part of the Venezuelan
government to deal with the grave situation it faces."
U.S. officials told reporters in a conference call that the executive order did not target the Venezuelan people or economy and stressed that upcoming legislative elections should be held without intimidation of the government's opponents.
The
sanctions effectively confirm Venezuela as the United States' primary
adversary in Latin America, a label that was for decades applied to
Communist-run Cuba until Washington and Havana announced a diplomatic
breakthrough in December.
Washington said last week it would
respond through diplomatic channels to Venezuela's demand for a cut in
the U.S. Embassy's staff in Caracas after the government called for a
plan within 15 days to reduce staff to 17 from 100 at the American
facility.
Commercial ties between Venezuela and the United States
have, however, been largely unaffected by diplomatic flare-ups, which
were common during the 14-year-rule of late socialist leader Hugo
Chavez.
The United States is Venezuela's top trading partner, and
Venezuela in 2014 remained the fourth-largest supplier of crude to the
United States at an average of 733,000 barrels per day - despite a
decade-long effort by Caracas to diversify its oil shipments to China
and India.
Opposition leader and twice-presidential candidate
Henrique Capriles told Reuters the sanctions were a problem for a
corrupt elite in the Maduro government, but not ordinary Venezuelans.
"It's not a problem with Venezuela or with Venezuelans; it's a problem for the corrupt ones. It doesn't affect we Venezuelans." - Reuters.
People line up outside the Dia a Dia supermarket in hopes of buying
coffee, oil, precooked corn flour, detergent and fabric softener as a
National guard soldier stands guard in the Propatria neighborhood of
Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015. The government is temporarily
taking over the Dia a Dia supermarket chain as part of a crackdown on
private businesses it blames for worsening shortages and long lines. (AP
Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
February 5, 2015 - VENEZUELA -
National guardsmen and state price adjusters fanned out across Venezuela
Wednesday to impose a military-style occupation with an unusual goal:
Making sure shoppers can buy enough sugar.
The South American country's socialist administration temporarily took over the Dia a Dia supermarket chain as part of a crackdown on the private businesses it blames for worsening shortages and long lines. Embattled President Nicolas Maduro says right-wing owners are purposely making shopping a nightmare by hoarding goods and removing checkout stations. He has promised to jail any business owner found to be fomenting economic chaos.
Two executives of Venezuela's largest drugstore chain, Farmatodo, were detained over the weekend as part of an investigation by price-control authorities.
On Monday night, Congress President Diosdado Cabello said officials had arrested Dia a Dia's owner and taken over its 35 stores "for the protection of Venezuelans." By Tuesday morning, armed soldiers were overseeing lines for bags of sugar at a Dia a Dia location near the presidential palace.
Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, pauses during his annual
state-of-the-nation address at the National Assembly in Caracas,
Venezuela, Wednesday, Jan 21, 2015. President Maduro acknowledged the
economic crisis wracking Venezuela during his annual address Wednesday
night, but did not announce the reforms many had expected. (AP
Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Many economists blame price and currency controls for causing the economic distortions plaguing the country at a time when falling oil prices are battering its revenues. Analysts see this week's moves against business owners as an attempt to drive home Maduro's counter-narrative that the right-wing is waging an economic war.
"The government is starting to prepare for a social explosion," said Diego Moya-Ocampos, an analyst with the London-based consulting firm IHS Global Insight. "They're trying to channel all the social discontent against the private sector."
Many Venezuelans agree with Maduro. Even Dia a Dia branch manager Carlos Barrios said it was possible that his bosses were hoarding. He'd seen the photos government workers had posted outside his store of pallets of sugar, corn flour and toilet paper apparently sitting at the chain's central warehouse.
A woman waits in line to check out at the Dia a Dia supermarket in the Propatria neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
People line up outside the Dia a Dia supermarket after it was taken over
by the government in the Propatria neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela,
Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Shoppers wait in line to check out at the Dia a Dia supermarket in the Propatria neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
A government worker puts a bottle of fabric softener into a shopper's bag inside the Dia a Dia supermarket in the Propatria neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
A woman wears a pot marked with a list of basic goods shortages and
holds an empty roll of toilet paper, during an event billed as the
¨March of the empty pots¨, in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 24,
2015. Thousands of opponents of President Nicolas Maduro marched in the
capital Saturday to denounce the socialist government for a deepening
economic crisis marked by widespread shortages and galloping inflation.
(AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
The administration has a history of temporarily taking control of private enterprises. Just ahead of a key 2013 election, Maduro ordered electronics stores to begin selling goods at give-away prices. But this latest crackdown may reverberate more widely among the business class, because it has added the threat of imprisonment to the always present possibility of expropriation, Moya-Ocampos said.
Adding to the government's woes, some former loyalists are starting to loudly criticize the administration's handling of the shortages. In an interview published Monday, former economy chief Jorge Giordani said the government's refusal to acknowledge the mounting crisis is turning the country into the "laughingstock" of Latin America.
"If the situation is bad — if the thermometer is at 40 degrees — there are those who will say the problem is that the thermometer is broken," he said. "But if it says 40 degrees, it's because it's 40 degrees. We have to be honest. We have to acknowledge the crisis."
A close adviser to late President Hugo Chavez, Giordani was fired by Maduro last summer.
On Tuesday, state workers limited the patrons who could enter Dia a Dia using a system based on government identification numbers. Unlike Farmatodo, which serves patrons across the class spectrum, Dia a Dia caters to lower income shoppers, the bedrock of Maduro's shrinking base of support.
Shoppers who were able to enter the store praised the takeover and rationing system.
"It's a good policy; people need to learn to consume less," said Eli Asar Martinez, who works as an electrician for the local government.
Those on the outside were less enthusiastic.
"Now you're going to have to wait in line for everything. And I still haven't gotten any sugar," Estephanie Ferrera called out as she passed by, prompting cheering from those milling around on the corner. - Yahoo.
People line up to buy toilet paper and baby diapers as national guards
control the access at a supermarket in downtown Caracas January 19,
2015. There's a booming new profession in Venezuela:
standing in line. The job usually involves starting before dawn,
enduring long hours under the Caribbean sun, dodging or bribing police,
and then selling a coveted spot at the front of huge shopping lines. As
Venezuela's ailing economy spawns unprecedented shortages of basic
goods, panic-buying and a rush to snap up subsidized food, demand is
high and the pay is reasonable. Picture taken January 19, 2015.
REUTERS/Jorge Silva
January 24, 2015 - VENEZUELA
- Robbers and looters are targeting trucks carrying food across
Venezuela in another sign of worsening shortages that have turned basics
like flour and chicken into coveted booty.
Crime has long plagued shops and roads in Venezuela, which has one of the world's highest murder rates.
But widespread shortages due to a restriction of dollars for imports have worsened since the New Year.
This has made food delivery increasingly risky even as certain trucks have been fitted with GPS devices and are sometimes protected by private security agents.
"I won't transport food anymore because the streets are too dangerous," said Orlando Garcia, a 37-year-old driver from the western state of Tachira who has been ambushed twice as he crisscrossed the country.
"They put screws on the road (to burst your tires), and when you stop to fix the tire they attack you," said Garcia, who now refuses to work past midnight and will only transport plastics.
Queues that stretch around blocks are now a common sight throughout the OPEC country. Armed National Guard troops have been deployed to maintain order, but frustration mounts quickly during hours-long waits under the Caribbean sun.
"It's become a security problem to bring trucks to big supermarket stores," said Arsenio Manzanares, who heads a Venezuelan truckers' union.
A woman stands next to empty shelves inside a Makro supermarket in Caracas. (Reuters)
"This wasn't a problem before, but now with these queues, people see a truck and they lunge for it."
Local media have reported several food robberies in Caracas this month, including one by four armed thieves who stole canned tuna, corn flour and refined sugar.
President Nicolas Maduro blames the scarcities on an "economic war" waged by right-wing foes trying to topple his socialist government. This week, he announced yet another crackdown on hoarders and contrabandists who sell price-fixed goods in Colombia for a tidy profit.
Industry leaders and drivers say shortages have been exacerbated by the phasing out of night deliveries for security reasons, lack of truck batteries and tires due to the impact of currency controls, and poor roads.
The government did not reply to a request for comment.
Statistics on deliveries are hard to come by, but Manzanares estimates they have dropped by 30 percent.
But despite mounting risks, some truckers are still hitting the road.
"They've robbed me five times already," said driver Jose Alexander Rincon, 39, also from Tachira. "I'm nervous. It's more dangerous by the day, but I don't have an alternative." - Yahoo.
City That Sparked Venezuela Protests Braces for More Unrest
The young men move furtively among the would-be shoppers queued outside a supermarket, passing out pamphlets calling for the resignation of President Nicolas Maduro, whose socialist policies they blame for leaving store shelves barren and Venezuela's economy in shambles.
A lookout signals that he's spotted an armed national guardsman approaching, and the group scatters like birdshot. This is not the time to risk being detained, student activist Osmel Garcia explained.
"Nobody wants to get arrested now when things are about to heat up," he said.
One year ago, Garcia was among the thousands of people who staged violent protests in this mountain city in Venezuela's far west. Home to several colleges, San Cristobal was the crucible of student-led unrest that spread to other cities and provoked clashes with authorities and pro-government demonstrators, ultimately leaving 43 people dead and sending hundreds to jail, but failing to unseat Maduro.
The barricades of burning tires and steel manned here by rock-throwing youth only fell after the government sent in tanks, thousands of troops and even scrambled fighter jets to make low, menacing passes over the city of 1 million.
While the streets are calmer now, tension is building again as the anniversary of the February uprising nears.
Venezuela's crisis has only deepened with falling crude prices crippling the oil-dependent economy, leading to a cash crunch that has restricted imported goods to just a trickle. Basic items like flour and diapers are hard to come by even on the black market and the government has had to deploy soldiers to keep peace outside stores where people wait hours for a chance to pick through near-barren shelves.
"Things are as bad as they were a year ago but now, in addition to the crime, there are more shortages in other parts of the country and the lines are longer," says Jose Vicente Garcia, a city councilman who helped lead last year's rebellion. "All the conditions needed to end this government are coming together."
The combination of shortages and spiraling inflation have shaken support for Maduro even among the poor who rely on the social programs launched by his mentor, the late President Hugo Chavez. Polls show Maduro's approval ratings have sunk to 22 percent, a low for his 2-year-old administration and just half the support for opposition leaders Henrique Capriles and the jailed Leopoldo Lopez.
Activists who took part in the 2014 unrest say they've learned from their mistakes and are working hard to counter mistrust of the traditionally elitist opposition.
An anti-government protest called for Saturday in Caracas, the first there in 10 months, seeks to harness anger over the shortages under the slogan "March of the Empty Pots." It's a departure from the previous rally cry that called for Maduro's departure: "La Salida," or "The Exit." Analysts said that phrase helped bolster Maduro's contention he's been the target of a right-wing conspiracy led by the United States.
Activists in San Cristobal appear to be preparing for battle. One student who helped organize the 2014 uprising said protesters are lining up supplies of gunpowder needed to assemble small explosive devices called "potato bombs" and to prepare spike-strips made of nails placed on a hose to stop pro-government motorcyclists. He spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of arrest.
WATCH: In shortages-hit Venezuela, lining up becomes a profession.
A small demonstration last week ended in clashes with police firing tear gas and stun grenades at students who'd taken refuge on a college campus. The university has yet to reopen for fear of more disturbances.
Nellyver Lugo, a ruling-party state legislator in San Cristobal, says violence should be expected.
"We know for a fact that the students, who are really criminals, have been preparing for the last year for another round of violence to spur chaos," she said.
Nearly 500 miles southwest of Caracas, San Cristobal long has been a bastion of the opposition. Capriles defeated Maduro here almost two-to-one in the 2013 vote. The 2014 protests cost Mayor Daniel Ceballos his position and he has been jailed since for allegedly instigating the violence.
As the gateway to Colombia, the city is a center for smugglers who load up on goods and gasoline at low government-mandated prices and resell them across the border at a huge profit. The illegal trade has made shortages common here for years.
Now that economic misery is spreading, opposition leaders hope they might do well enough in legislative elections later this year to take control of Congress and push for a referendum to recall Maduro.
Historically, however, the opposition has overestimated its strength and been torn apart by infighting. More importantly, last year's harsh crackdown has left many people too afraid to take to the streets again, said Margarita Maya Lopez, a political analyst in Caracas. Plus, many are too busy standing in line to buy food.
"The sense I get is that it's not the moment for demonstrations," she said.
San Cristobal resident Ruth Molina said that despite working for the government, she's fed up with Maduro's mismanagement of the economy. She spoke Wednesday night while attending the annual state fair, helping her 12-year-old daughter into a bumper car while a televised broadcast of the president's state of the union address flickered nearby.
"It doesn't matter what he says. It's all just a farce to cover up the economic reality," Molina said. "The worst part of Maduro's speech is that inflation is so bad, by the time he finishes, prices will have risen again." - ABC News.
Students block a street as they clash with national guards during a
protest against the government in San Cristobal January 14, 2015.
REUTERS/Carlos Eduardo Ramirez
January 17, 2015 - SAN CRISTOBAL, VENEZUELA
- Masked youths are once again blocking streets and burning tires in
the Venezuelan city of San Cristobal, the epicenter of last year's
massive anti-government protests.
The groups are small and the unrest contained, but dissent is rising in this volatile Andean city, a barometer of frustration with nationwide shortages that are putting pressure on the socialist government of Nicolas Maduro.
Students, who also accuse the government of corruption and repression but whom Maduro labels "coupsters," are threatening to unleash larger demonstrations again.
"It's time," Deiby Jaimes, 21, said from behind a barricade of burning trash as police gazed down from their hilltop perch. "There's a social, economic and political crisis. Economically we're completely lost and in a delirium."
But Jaimes and other students said they were restraining themselves to see if other Venezuelans also take to the streets.
Last year's protests split the opposition and failed to attract widespread support from Venezuela's poor, meaning mainstream anti-government leaders like Henrique Capriles are calling for less radical tactics including peaceful rallies and a good showing at an upcoming parliamentary vote.
"People are scared," said Jaimes, an accounting student, as dozens around him knocked rocks together menacingly. "But fear is disappearing due to shortages. We're expecting a social explosion."
Masked students block a street as they clash with national guards during
a protest against the government in San Cristobal January 14, 2015.
REUTERS/Carlos Eduardo Ramirez
Students clash with national guards during a protest against the
government in San Cristobal January 14, 2015. REUTERS/Carlos Eduardo
Ramirez
National guards control the entrance of a private supermarket as people
line up to enter in San Cristobal January 15, 2015. REUTERS/Carlos
Eduardo Ramirez
High demand and a Christmas lull in distribution have aggravated shortages across the nation of 30 million people. Queues sometimes snake around entire blocks, prompting isolated scuffles for coveted milk or diapers
Although there has been scattered violence around the OPEC nation, many eyes are once again on the opposition hotbed of San Cristobal, where clusters of demonstrators have been facing off with security forces since the New Year.
It was here that the attempted rape of a student last year prompted protests that spread into a wave of national demonstrations.
Major General Efrain Velasco Lugo, who is in charge of security for the western Andean region, called the protesters misguided delinquents. "They want to torch the city again."
Their motto, he added, can be boiled down to "because I think differently to you, I'm going to topple you."
Indeed, Maduro says right-wing foes, encouraged by the United States and compliant foreign media, are plotting an "economic coup" to topple his socialist government. Protesters retort they are decrying flawed policies, like currency controls that have crimped imports and led to shortages.
Army officials said on Thursday 18 protesters had been arrested in San Cristobal, capital of Tachira state, in the last 10 days, with six currently behind bars.
Rights group Penal Forum said 56 demonstrators were arrested nationally this year, with most now released.
A national guard shot a protester in the chest on Thursday night during clashes in San Cristobal, a student leader said. Reuters could not immediately verify the information.
The situation remains a far cry from unrest between February and May that left 43 dead and hundreds injured during the biggest disturbances in more than a decade. Victims included demonstrators, government supporters and security officials.
COMBATIVE 'CORDIAL CITY'
Still, the mood is increasingly combative in San Cristobal, traditionally known as the "cordial city," as life becomes a series of queues.
Taxi driver Luis Perez wakes up around 5 a.m. to wait in line for gasoline.
"We produce so much oil, and look how we're suffering," he said as he finally filled up his creaking blue 1982 Chevrolet.
"We need a change of government," he added before paying less than 2 cents a liter for the world's cheapest gasoline.
Roughly 15 percent of fuel in Tachira is smuggled out of the state, estimates Nellyver Lugo, a ruling party state legislator who heads a commission on gasoline. Lack of spare parts for trucks and tricky contract negotiations reduced supplies this year, she added.
Up to 25 percent of food is smuggled out for sale at a hefty profit in Colombia, the army says, citing discoveries of subsidized flour stashed in tires or rice in engines.
Even once-fervent "Chavistas" are becoming skeptical as inflation and shortages threaten anti-poverty advances under the late Hugo Chavez's 1999-2013 rule.
People line up to buy basic goods at a supermarket in San Cristobal January 14, 2015. REUTERS/Carlos Eduardo Ramirez
A man is detained by police during a protest against the government in
San Cristobal January 15, 2015. REUTERS/Carlos Eduardo Ramirez
Masked students block a street during a protest against the government
in San Cristobal January 14, 2015. REUTERS/Carlos Eduardo Ramirez
"There was a lot of hope, but things didn't pan out the way we wanted," Ronald, a government employee who would not give his last name, said as he stood in line clutching scarce toilet paper. "Now we're paying the price. I hope they implement changes."
But Maduro, whose approval levels have steadily eroded since his 2013 election, has so far balked at implementing pressing but unpopular measures such as raising gasoline prices or unifying a baffling three-tiered currency control system.
Sinking oil prices have compounded Venezuela's cash crunch, prompting fears that the nation may have to default. An impending national parliamentary election has raised the stakes further.
With Maduro out of the country for the last 10 days on an apparently unsuccessful trip to lobby for an oil supply cut, Venezuela's perennially fragmented opposition is scrambling to unite and call for peaceful protests.
"The government is weaker," 24-year-old student leader Reinaldo Manrique said, standing next to a charred bus near the University of the Andes.
"It won't survive an explosion like last year's." - Yahoo.
April 14, 2014 - WORLDWIDE VOLCANOES - The following constitutes the new activity, unrest and ongoing reports of volcanoes across the globe, courtesy of Volcano Discovery.
As more magma arrives to build up the
new lava dome in the summit crater, more gasses are being released as
well and cause near-constant explosive activity with moderately strong
ash emissions at the moment (see video below).
WATCH: Ubinas volcano activity - April 14, 2014.
Hekla (Iceland):
A shallow (around 8 km depth) earthquake swarm including two quakes at
2.7 and 2.9 magnitude has started in an area 12 km to the south of Hekla
volcano.
Latest GPS measurements
suggest a slight trend of inflation is occurring as well, which could
be related to magma intrusion into shallow magma chambers.
Earthquakes in southern Iceland during the past 48 hours.
We don't know whether these earthquakes are volcanic in origin or
could be a precursor to a new eruption in a near future (probably not).
On the other hand, since one is being considered "due" by many
scientists, it would not be very surprising either.
Another earthquake swarm has been occurring off the SW tip of
Iceland on the Reykjanes ridge, the submarine continuation of the active
western rift zone.
Karymsky (Kamchatka): An eruption yesterday evening produced an ash plume that rose to estimated 14,000 ft (4.2 km) altitude.
Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): A slight increase of activity (but no significant change) was reported
by CENAPRED. During 11-12 April, the volcano had 120 exhalations of
small to medium intensity, some of which have been followed by emissions
of steam, gas and sometimes small amounts of ash.
Small explosion at Popocatépetl yesterday morning (CENAPRED)
The most important of these were recorded yesterday morning at 02:19
and at 04:55 h (local time). The latter explosion threw some
incandescent fragments to distances of approx. 100 m onto the upper
eastern slope.
Gas-steam emissions remain elevated, sometimes producing a plume
rising 1 km. Incandescence is visible at night from the slowly growing
lava dome.
According to CENAPRED, small explosions releasing incandescent
fragments no more than 4 kilometers from the crater could occur any
time. The alert level remains unchanged at "Yellow Phase 2".
Reventador (Ecuador): Activity continues at moderate levels with small intermittent explosions, but (probably) no longer active lava flows.
Current seismic signal from Reventador (CONE station, IGPEN)
Most of the time, the volcano is hidden in clouds, but this activity can be inferred from seismic and satellite data.
Momotombo (Nicaragua): Seismicity in the volcanic chain between Momotombo and Apoyeque
volcanoes remains high. Dozends of shallow earthquakes in the magnitude
3-5 range have been occurring daily in a cluster SE of Momotombo and
near Apoyeque.
Current seismic signal at Momotombo volcano (MOMN station, INETER)
There are no reports of unusual activity at either volcano.
A shallow magnitude 6 earthquake occurred on Thursday evening 15 km NE from
Momotombo volcano, followed by ongoing numerous aftershocks in the area
east of the volcano, as well as near Apoyeque volcano on the peninsula
in Lake Managua to the SE.
The quakes are probably tectonic in
origin, and INETER has not reported any unusual activity at the
volcanoes. On the other hand, earthquakes of this size could disturb the
plumbing system of the volcanoes and potentially help trigger new
activity.
Recent earthquakes near Momotombo volcano (Friday 24 hours)
Nyamuragira (DRCongo):
News started to spread on twitter and other media that a new eruption
of the volcano started today, including pictures from the 2010 eruption
as (false) evidence.
Degassing from a crater of Nyamuragira (source: Julien Paluku / Twitter: pic.twitter.com/oKmCMMrkVX)
An overflight today by members of Nord-Kivu's
government showed only intense degassing from a pit crater (but no lava
erupting), although they suggested that "an eruption is imminent".
While
it is difficult to judge the situation from the current sources
available, it seems that the eruption reports are a case of rumor
spreading faster than actual evidence.
Fuego (Guatemala): On April 12, activity at the volcano continues to increase and could be heading
towards a new paroxysm with lava flows, strong explosions and potential
pyroclastic flows. Constant avalanches were observed on the upper
southern flank, which could be related to the opening of an effusive
vent.
The increased rise of magma to the crater has been producing
stronger and more frequent explosions, at averages of 8 per hour
reported in last night's special bulletin of the volcano observatory.
Incandescent lava fragments could be ejected to more than 1 km
distance, judging from webcam images. Ash plumes rose to more than 1 km
height, drifting west and southwest, where ash fall occurred in
Panimaché, Sangre de Cristo and other villages.
Moderate to strong rumblings were audible in more than 15 kilometers
distance and shock waves rattled roofs and windows of houses.
A typical strombolian eruption at Fuego yesterday morning
Current seismic signal of Fuego (FG3 station, INSIVUMEH)
The volcano has since returned to normal levels of activity without producing a
new paroxysm when activity climbed during 10 April. Intermittent
explosions of strombolian type and small to moderate size were heard
during the past 24 hours, but could not be directly observed due to
cloud cover.
San Cristobal (Nicaragua):
A small eruption probably occurred last evening. VAAC Washington issued
an alert against a possible ash plume at 8,000 ft (2.4 km) altitude
drifting west of the volcano.
Forecast ash from San Cristobal volcano (VAAC Washington)
The seismic signal shows an increased
tremor signal today and the numerous aftershocks of the recent magnitude
6 earthquakes near Lake Managua.
Tungurahua (Ecuador):
A lava flow descended from the volcano's summit crater cn the upper NW
flank between 10-11 April. The flow likely appeared early of 10 April,
it appearance was documented on both visual and infrared photos and
corresponds to a tremor signal detected by the observatory.
The new lava flow observed on April 10 at 22:03 (Source: P. Ramón OVT / IG)
In the
afternoon of Thursday, its front was between the Mandur and Hacienda
canyons at 3400 m elevation. By last night, it had only advanced a bit
and apparently stopped by around 23:30 local time. Its estimated length
is about 3 km from the inner crater.
Activity decreased during 12 April, but has quickly picked up again. The
volcano continues to show intermittent small to moderate vulcanian
explosions with ash emissions of up to 3 km above the crater,
accompanied by loud detonations and shock waves. In addition,
strombolian activity were reported by the observatory.
Explosion at Tungurahua volcano this afternoon.
Lava blocks
rolled down on the southern flanks of the volcano to distances of
approx. 1 km. No reports of ash fall were received.
The lava flow from 10-11 April appears to have stopped.
Etna (Sicily, Italy):
A small event on April 11, from the New SE crater
produced a reddish-brown ash plume generated by partial collapse on the
eastern flank of the cone.
Partial collapse on the NE flank of the New SE crater (Etna Trekking webcam on Schiena dell'Asino)
Sinabung (Sumatra, Indonesia):
Activity continues at the volcano in form of slow lava extrusion that
feeds the thick lobe formed on the southern flank. Overall, the
intensity of this activity continued to decrease. Authorities decreased
the alert status from the highest (4) to 3 (on a scale of 1-4).
Evolution of Sinabung volcano's lava extrusion lobe (VSI)
People
from some of the evacuated areas (to the E and NE) have been allowed to
return to their homes where the process of cleaning up the ash is in
full progress. Only the areas within 3 km radius and several villages in
the SE sector, namely Sukameriah and Beras Tapu, where the fatal
pyroclastic flow on1 February claimed victims, remain off limits.
Paluweh (off Flores Island, Indonesia):
The Indonesian Volcanological Survey (VSI) has lowered the status of
the volcano from 3 to 2 (on a scale of 1-4), after no new significant
activity has been detected at the volcano in recent months.
Seismicity
also has decreased since the last week explosions and avalanches that
were noticed from the new lava dome in last November.
Dukono (Halmahera): Ash plumes from stronger (probably strombolian-type) explosions are regularly spotted on satellite imagery by VAAC Darwin.
The semi-permanently erupting volcano apparently continues to be in a relatively elevated phase of activity.
Colima (Western Mexico):
Weak explosive and effusive activity continues at the slowly growing
viscous lava dome of the volcano.
Incandescent avalanche at Colima on 4 April (photo: Sergio Tapiro Velasc)
Occasionally, explosions and/or small
rockfalls from the dome produce incandescent avalanches that reach 1-2
km distance on the steep slope.
Santa María / Santiaguito (Guatemala):
Activity has not changed much over the past weeks. The observatory
reports moderate explosions ejecting gray ash plumes rising up to about
800 m and causing light ash falls in areas to the west of the lava dome.
Pacaya (Guatemala):
Weak sporadic explosions have resumed at the Mackenney crater. Fine ash
plume were observed rising to 2,6 km altitude and drifting approx. 1 km
to the S and SW. The seismic signal shows continuous tremor and weak
explosion signals.
February 06, 2014 - WORLDWIDE VOLCANOES - The following constitutes the new activity, unrest and ongoing reports of volcanoes across the globe, courtesy of the Volcano Discovery.
Nishino-Shima (Volcano Islands): New images from an overflight on 3 February confirm that the activity on
the former new island continues steadily. Over the past weeks, the vent
has been feeding several active lava flow fronts, that enlarged the
land covered by new lava in more or less all directions.
Nishino-Shima island on 3 Feb. For comparison, the previous shorelines
on 20 Jan (yellow) and 21 Nov past year (white). (Image: Japanese Coast
Guard)
In particular, there are two active flows relatively close to the
vent which have been heading out towards the southeast and formed a
small almost closed bay with green-orange discolored water inside. The
water color is a result of dissolved volcanic gasses and lava fragments
in suspension.
In addition to the ongoing lava effusion, strombolian explosions
occur from the main vent as well, which has built a small perfectly
circular cone.
Etna (Sicily, Italy):
Lava continues to flow from the fissure vent at the eastern base of the
New SE crater. Accompanied by slowly rising tremor, an overall gradual
increase of the activity can be noted.
Panoramic view of the Bove Valley at dawn (Photo: Emanuela / VolcanoDiscovery Italia)
The front of the old lava flow
is stopped at 1660 m while the active lava flow is descending on the
upper wall of the valle del Bove.
Ash emission continues from the summit vent of the New SE crater.
Dukono (Halmahera):
Low-level ash plumes continue to be detected on satellite imagery
almost every day, suggesting that explosive activity (strombolian type)
is currently intense.
Santa María / Santiaguito (Guatemala):
Activity has shown no to little variations but has decreased a bit
overall. The lava dome has currently active flows on the SW and NE
flanks and continues to produce small to moderate ash explosions from
time to time.
Pacaya (Guatemala):
No visible eruptive activity except degassing is being mentioned by
INSIVUMEH. The seismic signal shows degassing tremor and deep-seated
small explosions.
Current seismic signal from Pacaya (PCG station, INSIVUMEH)
Fuego (Guatemala):
Strombolian activity remains relatively intense and the seismic signal
suggests it currently increasing. The volcano observatory reported that
during the past 24 hours, there were frequent small to moderate
explosions with incandescent ejecta reaching up to about 100 m above the
crater and ash plumes of up to 500 m. Shock waves commonly accompany
the explosions.
Current seismic signal of Fuego (FG3 station, INSIVUMEH)
The lava flow on the upper southern slope had decreased to only about 75 m length.
San Cristobal (Nicaragua):
A series of small, probably phreatic explosions occurred at the
volcano's summit crater early on Tuesday. INETER indicated the activity
took place between 6:41 - 8:50 local time and consisted of at least 2
explosions, which generated a small steam and ash plume rising to about
200 m height.
INETER believes that these eruptions were an isolated
event and not sign of a new eruptive phase with new magma involved, but
most likely caused by the sudden vaporization of overheated infiltrated
rain water. The alarm level of the volcano was not raised and no
particular measures are planned.
Reventador (Ecuador):
Intense degassing and occasional weak explosions with ash emissions
probably continue, based on the more or less unchanged moderately
intense seismic activity. Visual observations were not possible over the
past days due to cloud cover.
Tungurahua (Ecuador):
The volcano continues to be very active with frequent explosions that
eject incandescent lava to several hundred meters height and ash plumes
rising up to 3-4 km above the summit.
Ash plume from an explosion of Tungurahua this afternoon.
Current seismic signal from Tungurahua (RETU station, IG)
Strong shock waves and
cannon-shot explosion sounds accompany the eruptions. Ash fall occurred
in Pondoa, Runtún, Triunfo, and Río Verde.
October 13, 2013 - SOUTH AMERICA - On Saturday, October 5, 2013, at around 6:30 PM, a huge firewall struck
over Venezuela and Colombia scaring inhabitants from San Cristobal,
Tachira and Cucuta in Colombia.
It was probably a draconid meteor or fireball. The yellow incandescent material had a long white tail during its fall.
Here some pictures of the sightings collected from the web:
July 21, 2013 - WORLDWIDE VOLCANOES - The following constitutes the new activity, unrest and ongoing reports of volcanoes across the globe.
Sakurajima volcanoes.
Sakurajima (Kyushu, Japan):
An ash plume at 20,000 ft (6 km) altitude was reported this morning at
03:08 GMT (12:08 local time). This would be the largest explosion of the
volcano in at least 1 year.
Map of recent earthquakes at Mt Churchill volcano in eastern Alaska.
Churchill (United States, Eastern Alaska):
A seismic swarm with magnitudes up to 3.5 has been occurring in the
Wrangell Arc about 40 km NE of Mt. Churchill volcano during the past few
days. The intensity and frequency of the quakes has calmed down
yesterday.
While some few of the quakes are near the volcano, most are not, and
the swarm is probably not linked to the volcanic system of Mt Churchill
volcano.
Map of recent quakes at the Long Valley caldera (California).
Long Valley (California):
Normal seismic activity with numerous tiny earthquakes continues to
occur at the southern and western parts of the caldera as well as under
Mammoth mountain. There are no signs of a possible eruption in a near
future.
Colima (Western Mexico):
Although the volcano is no longer making much news, a lava flow
continues to effuse as a viscous flow on the upper eastern flank of the
volcano (source: pers. communicataion).
Aerial view of the crater of Popocatepetl on 15 July (CENAPRED).
Popocatépetl (Central Mexico):
Activity has been comparably low with an average of 1-2 emissions of
steam and gas, sometimes some ash, per hour during the past days. The
strong explosion from 12 July has effectively destroyed the new lava
dome, an aerial inspection via helicopter on 15 July showed.
In the past 24 hours, a number of volcanic-tectonic quakes have
appeared, which could indicate that a new batch of magma is currently
intruding, and lead to another phase of increased activity soon. The
alert level remains unchanged at Yellow Phase 3.
Moderate explosion from Santiaguito early on 18 July.
Santa María / Santiaguito (Guatemala):
Not much has changed in the generally weak activity. Occasional
explosions, sometimes moderately large, occur at irregular intervals.
One yesterday morning at 05:59 local time produced an ash plume of 700 m
height and ash fall in areas to the SW. The lava flow on the southern
flank of the dome remains active and produces small rock avalanches.
Pacaya (Guatemala): Mild strombolian activity from the Mackenney crater continues.
Fuego (Guatemala):
The lava flow on the southern side has remained active and was about
250 m long this morning, producing near-constant rockfalls towards the
Taniluya canyon.
At the summit, there are occasional strombolian explosions with
incandescent material ejected to 100-125 m height above the crater.
Current seismic recording at Telica (TELN station, INETER).
Telica (Nicaragua): The swarm of small earthquakes continues with little changes over the past days.
Seismic recording from San Cristobal volcano (CRIN station, INETER).
San Cristobal (Nicaragua):
Some elevated seismicity was recorded at the volcano during recent days
and continues. This includes phases of harmonic tremor and long-period
events.
Current seismic recording from Turrialba volcano (VTUC station, OVSICORI).
Turrialba (Costa Rica): The seismic swarm continues but has decreased in strength during the past day.
Last night's seismic signal from Tungurahua (RETU station, IGPEN).
Tungurahua (Ecuador):
After the strong vulcanian explosion on 14 July, the volcano calmed
down first, but resumed activity on 16 July which has been characterized
by ash venting and small to moderate explosions and is continuing.
This activity was accompanied by the appearance of tremor and
long-period earthquakes indicative of fluid movements. In addition,
inflation is measured at the NW flank, suggesting that more magma is
rising, and could lead to new powerful explosions similar to the one
from last Sunday... [read more]
Recent earthquakes near Sabancaya volcano.
Sabancaya (Peru):
A strong seismic swarm has occurred during the past days under the
volcano, culminating in a magnitude 5.9 earthquake on 16 July. The swarm
consisted almost entirely of volcanic-tectonic quakes, that relate to
rock fracturing due to rapid pressure changes and might be caused by an
intrusion of magma. IGP reports that up to 1500 earthquakes were
recorded per day.
At the moment, the swarm still continues, but is decreasing. No
changes of activity have been noticed at the surface. The number of
long-period quakes (thought to correspond to internal movements of
magma, gasses and other fluids) has remained low.
