“We believe the data — the statistics that the Venezuelan government give, Maduro’s statistics — are absolutely absurd and are not credible,” HRW director for the Americas Jose Miguel Vivanco said during a videoconference Tuesday while presenting the report. The true number could ultimately be closer to “at least 30,000” coronavirus deaths, according to Johns Hopkins associate medicine professor Kathleen Page, , who interviewed several Venezuelan doctors and nurses for the report.

An OCCRP investigation has exposed the intimate financial relationships between the administration of President Nicolás Maduro and a coterie of generals with ties to private companies. Analysts say the embattled regime used financial rewards such as lucrative state contracts to ensure their loyalty as the political and economic situation deteriorated. Full text -> OCCRP

Military options including naval blockade remain possible. U.S. put Reliance, Repsol, Chevron on notice, official says. By Josh Wingrove. Full text-> Bloomberg