Debate: Who Is Behind Nicaragua's Turmoil?

The Real News Network - Debate between Dr. Mary Ellsberg of George Washington University and Max Blumenthal of the Grayzone Project.

Watch all three parts here.

Who is Jean-Henry Céant, Haiti’s New Prime Minister Nominee?

By Kim Ives - Counterpunch

On Sun., Aug. 5, Haitian President Jovenel Moïse nominated two-time presidential candidate Jean Henry Céant, 61, leader of the Renmen Ayiti (Love Haiti) party, to be his next prime minister.

If approved by Parliament, Céant would replace Jack Guy Lafontant, who resigned on Sat., Jul. 14 as Moïse’s first prime minister following a three-day nationwide uprising from Jul. 6-8 (and then a two-day general strike), which resulted in a few deaths and dozens of businesses being burned or damaged. The rebellion against corruption, waste, and austerity, which is still smoldering, was sparked by steep fuel price hikes on gasoline (38%), diesel (47%), and kerosene (51%).

Moïse’s announced his choice over Twitter (as he had for Lafontant) after two days of protracted negotiations with parliamentarians.

Trained as a lawyer, Céant has a genial personality but is widely viewed and reviled by the Haitian people as a “land thief” (volè tè) for his conduct as a notaireor notary, who in Haiti is a cross between an accountant and lawyer supposedly safeguarding the titles to their clients’ land. Almost every notaire is accused, rightly or wrongly, of absconding with land titles, often after their clients die.

Rightwing in Haiti facing criticism over corruption

Here are copies of some recent tweets criticizing the role of the Jovenel Moïse government in corruption, which had already heightened under the rightwing predecessor administration of Michel Martelly. Both of these administrations entered office under historically low-turn outs and mass voter suppression.

Residents block @moisejovenel's motorcade at Pelerin 5 in PAP, #Haiti. He is accused of confiscating their land & homes to create "security buffer" for his private residence. pic.twitter.com/UdgOStEFTz

— HaitiInfoProject 📡 (@HaitiInfoProj) August 22, 2018

On Facebook's Removal of the HaitiAnalysis Page

We are currently preparing a response to the recent removal of our page from Facebook. It is important to note that many other independent media and information outlets have faced a similar crackdown over the internet, including Venezuelanalysis.