Hopefully today's vote to reduce Ukrainian president Yanukovych's powers and restore the 2004 constitution will begin to ease tensions after lengthy and deadly protests in Ukraine. But the ultimate goal is to get rid of Yanukovych, period, and now protesters are disappointed that opposition leaders have agreed to only a curtailing of his powers.
Reports are coming in claiming that injured protesters fleeing across the border into Poland to seek medical attention are doing so out of fear of being kidnapped by the military and tortured while seeking treatment in Ukraine. There are even reports of kidnapped individuals being murdered by military forces.
Meanwhile in Venezuela independent media report that Venezuelan police and military forces are attacking citizens who are likely to engage in protests against the government. Venezuela's president is threatening to oust CNN and other media out of the country and has already removed several American diplomats. Internet blocking has begun with reports that Facebook has been blocked and heavy restrictions on Internet access imposed.
Mainstream media coverage of events taking place in Venezuela has been scarce and often misses the mark according to independent media and Venezuelans are calling for more international coverage as government forces try to instill fear in the populace while suggesting government opposition is at the behest of the US.