Scott Smith, Author at Valley News

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, left, chats with Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, as they walk out of a meeting at Miraflores Presidential Palace, in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, June 21, 2019. The United Nations' top human rights official is visiting Venezuela amid heightened international pressure on President Maduro. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

UN: 5,287 killings in Venezuela security operations in 2018

by Jamey Keaten Associated Press, and Scott Smith Associated PressJuly 4, 2019

GENEVA — Venezuela’s government registered nearly 5,300 killings during security operations last year linked to cases of “resistance to authority,” the U.N. human rights chief reported Thursday, denouncing a “shockingly high” number of extrajudicial…

A woman cheers on rebel soldiers who are rising up against the government of Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro outside La Carlota military airbase where loyal troops are located in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó took to the streets with activist Leopoldo Lopez and a small contingent of heavily armed troops early Tuesday in a bold and risky call for the military to rise up and oust socialist leader Nicolas Maduro. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Clashes rock Venezuela as Guaido urges opposition uprising

by Scott Smith Associated Press, and Christopher Torchia Associated PressApril 30, 2019

Opposition National Assembly President Juan Guaido, who declared himself interim president of Venezuela, takes part in a walk out against President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019. Venezuelans are exiting their homes and workplaces in a walkout organized by the opposition to demand that Maduro leave power. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Venezuela opposition leader rejects mediation offers

by Scott Smith Associated PressFebruary 1, 2019

A woman holds a sign with a no symbol over an image representing President Nicolas Maduro in a walk out against Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019. Venezuelans are exiting their homes and workplaces in a walkout organized by the opposition to demand that Maduro leave power. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Venezuelans take to streets in walkout to push Maduro out

by Scott Smith Associated Press, and Christine Armario Associated PressJanuary 30, 2019

Opposition National Assembly leader Juan Guaido, right, who declared himself interim president, greets supporters as he leaves church after attending Mass in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. Guaido says he is acting in accordance with two articles of the constitution that give the National Assembly president the right to hold power temporarily and call new elections. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Venezuela Military Could Tip Balance

by Scott Smith Associated Press, and Fabiola Sanchez Associated PressJanuary 27, 2019

In this photo released by the Venezuelan Defense Ministry press office, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez delivers a message of support for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019. A half-dozen generals belonging largely to district commands and with direct control over thousands of troops joined Maduro in accusing the United States of meddling in Venezuela’s affairs and said they would uphold the socialist leader’s rule. (Venezuelan Defense Ministry press office via AP)

Maduro Foe’s Next Step Awaited as Power Crisis Deepens

by Scott Smith Associated Press, and Christine Armario Associated PressJanuary 24, 2019

In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, an uniformed official bleeds from the head following an incident during a speech by Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018. Drones armed with explosives detonated near Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as he gave a speech to hundreds of soldiers in Caracas on Saturday but the socialist leader was unharmed, according to the government. (Xinhua via AP)

6 Detained in Attack on Maduro

by Scott Smith Associated PressAugust 5, 2018

Relatives cry after learning their loved ones died in a fast-moving fire a day prior that swept through a police station where prisoners were being kept in crowded cells, in Valencia, Venezuela, Thursday, March 29, 2018. Relatives of 68 people killed in the fire at the Venezuelan police station jail waited Thursday for officials to turn over the remains of their loved ones. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Relatives Return to the Scene of Deadly Venezuelan Jail Fire

by Scott Smith Associated PressMarch 30, 2018

FILE - In this Aug. 1, 2017 file photo, Venezuela's National Assembly President Julio Borges, right, speaks with Mexican Ambassador Sylvia Sevilla, from left, British Ambassador Nicolas Harrocks and Spanish Ambassador Jesus Silva, in Caracas, Venezuela. Venezuela's foreign minister said in a statement Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018, that it is stripping Silva of his diplomatic credentials, accusing the European country of meddling in its affairs. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos, File)

Talks to Resume in Venezuela

by Scott Smith Associated PressJanuary 27, 2018

FILE - This Aug. 12, 2005 file photo shows organically grown strawberries for sale at a roadside stand in Watsonville, Calif. Jurors have sided with a California research university in its dispute with a renowned plant scientist credited with developing tasty strawberries as a professor there. Jurors in a San Francisco federal court said Wednesday, May 24, 2017, that professor Shaw broke the law when he and his research partner tried to profit from their work in a company they formed. (AP Photo/Rita Beamish, file)

Jury Finds for University in Spat Over California Strawberries

by Scott Smith Associated PressMay 30, 2017