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"What is the PHYSICALLY most painful experience you have ever had?"Stones.November 22th, 2013, around midnight, just as I was about to go to bed after a long day, I got abdominal pains. At first I thought it was indigestion, but the pain got worse and worse, and I couldn’t find any position to ease the pain. Sitting, standing, lying down, nothing worked. And the pain got worse, like a hot poker stabbing the left side of my back.I’m not unfamiliar with pain, even excruciating pain, but this was worse. This wasn’t a sharp pain for a moment, but an enduring sharp pain that I couldn’t ignore. I swallowed paracetomol and diclofenac and those painkillers did exactly nothing. Standing bent over under a hot shower eased the pain somewhat, but it was three in the morning and I couldn’t sleep in the bathroom stall under a pulsing spray.My wife woke up at half past five when she heard me downstairs, crying and moaning as I sat on the toilet with a bowl on my lap to throw up while I had diarrhea. I was pale and sweating, close to passing out from the pain. And I still didn’t know what was going on.We went to the hospital an hour later, with our sleepy children in tow because we couldn’t find a sitter on Saturday morning. I had to give a urine sample, which had blood in it, and my blood glucose was spiking at 10.6, so they told me I probably had Diabetes type 2.Great, but I was still in pain. Moving about seemed to give me some relief, but I was unsteady and delirious. They took me to the emergency wing, where I was put in a bed and examined. It was there that I learned that my pain was probably the result of a kidney stone.As the pain suddenly diminished, the consensus among the doctors were that the stone had shifted and no longer blocked the urethra, so I could go home. I could come back when the stone blocked my urethra again.I asked what we were supposed to do about the stone? ‘Drink lots of water and orange juice to flush your kidneys’, was the only advice. I got more diclofenac and a brochure and was sent packing. At home I could finally sleep, but I felt like I had been stomped in the back with steel-nosed boots.Over the week the pain slowly lessened. The Monday after the weekend of pain I had my blood tested again for glucose, but it had dropped to 7, so I didn’t have Diabetes type 2. Which was a relief.Monday, December 30th, the pressure in my back began to build again. I called on my physician, but the first moment I could have my kidneys scanned with ultrasound and x-ray was the next Friday. So my New Year’s Day was pretty much spoiled by stomach cramps and nausea. At Friday morning the ultrasound showed that my left kidney was swollen, filled with urine and blood, so they also took two x-rays of my kidneys and bladder.I called my physician in the afternoon, but they were clearly too busy with other patients, so finally I got a message that they had taken a cursory look at the X-rays and report from Radiology, but they’d have a referral letter for Urology ready for me the next Monday.So I suffered through another mostly sleepless weekend, called the hospital on Monday and made an appointment for Tuesday at eleven. With no immediate need for the referral letter, I stayed at home and went to my physician Tuesday at ten to get my referral letter.The referral letter had not been made yet, my physician wanted my urine to check for blood and… The sleep deprivation and pain took its toll and I cursed her for wanting to do more tests and reneging on her word that the referral letter would be ready. Due to my anger she referred me to her younger colleague to write me the referral letter.In the office with the younger colleague, I found out a few things. A) I should’ve been taking my diclofenac with two paracetomols, that would have increased the effectiveness of the diclofenac and diminished my pain, and B) when I told her I had been drinking three liters of water a day, as per advice of my physician, she told me I should’ve stopped drinking more than absolutely needed when the pain began…I got my referral and at Urology they told me that my six-millimeter kidney stone was an average size and their usual advice was pain management for a month. However, since my left kidney was swollen with fluids (because I had followed my physician’s advice to drink three liters of water per day), they deemed the kidney stone an urgent case for removal. So I got an appointment for early the next morning when they were going to break up the stone by using ESWL (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy). In the meantime, they prescribed Tramadol, an opiate to reduce the pain so I could finally get some sleep.At eight the next morning I rode my bicycle back to the hospital for the ESWL treatment.The process for ESWL is: You lie on a water-filled cushion, and the surgeon uses X-rays or ultrasound tests to precisely locate the stone. High-energy sound waves pass through your body without injuring it and break the stone into small pieces. These small pieces move through the urinary tract and out of the body more easily than a large stone.I would receive three thousand high energy sound waves, which feel like someone is whacking your lower back with a small hammer. The intensity of the whacks is increased in increments, from 1 (the least painful intensity) to 6 (the most painful intensity). The first few increments were easy, and while the pulses became more painful, I easily managed the last thousand pulses at the highest intensity. The nurse who handled the ESWL was pleased with reaching level 6, since most people can’t handle anything above level 4 or 5.My wife drove me to another hospital, where I visited an orthopedic expert for recurring pain in my wrist (caused by an irritated tendon in my wrist), and afterward I could take public transport back to the first hospital to retrieve my bicycle and cycle home. Three hours later the pain increased and I was retching, pale and sweating again, close to passing out. At half past eight in the evening we asked a neighbor to sit in our house in case the children woke up and rushed back to the ER at the hospital.At the hospital I got an IV drip with Diclofenac and Fentanyl, which took away aaaallll my pain. I drowsily answered their questions, but while the pain had been extreme, I could expect some pain when I’d be flushing out the crushed kidney stone. When the fentanyl drip was empty, the pain returned, and they gave me three doses of morphine, but the morphine only diminished the pain somewhat without removing it altogether, like the Fentanyl.Still, there was not much they could do, and my pain was not harmful, so I was sent home again. So that’s the situation I’m currently in. I feel ‘okay’ most of the time and the rest I’m between cramps and outright pain.The next Wednesday the urologist would check my kidneys for progress and determine whether I needed more ESWL treatments. Meanwhile the drugs made me drowsy, so I put my fiction writing on hold until that pesky stone left my body.The CT scan found six stone fragments forming a queue in my urethra and Wednesday February 12th I went into the hospital to have them removed. Thankfully under complete anesthetic, they inserted tubes through my male organ to reach the bladder, where they burrowed through the urethra to the left kidney, crushing every stone they found with lasers and flushing them out, leaving a JJ shunt between the kidney and the bladder to prevent the urethra from collapsing as it healed.I woke up after the operation with an IV drip and a catheter that continuously gave me the urge to urinate. After a drug-induced sleep between Wednesday and Thursday, both IV and catheter were removed and I was discharged. I felt fine until the drugs wore off, then I felt extremely violated…Since I’d been too stoned to pay attention, I missed the part about the drugs I needed to take at home, so I spent Friday in increasing bouts of severe abdominal cramps and went back to the hospital on Saturday, where they told me (haha), I should’ve gone to the pharmacy to pick up my Oxybutinine, which would relax my abdominal muscles and at the same time make me too stoned to concentrate on even the most mundane tasks.March 5th my JJ shunt came out. The procedure should've been relatively painless. First they put some numbing gel on your genitals, then a hollow tube with a light and camera goes inside and through the hollow tube goes a flexible snake with pliers at the end that grab the shunt and pull it out.The problem is that the JJ shunt has two curls on either end, so there’s some resistance as the pliers pull on the shunt as the upper curl (in the kidney) uncurls and straightens so it can pass through the urethra. Got that picture? Good.I could follow through a monitor as the camera inched closer to the curl in my bladder. The pliers opened and after some maneuvering the pliers closed on the end of the curl and started pulling it toward the camera tube. Then the slippery shunt escaped the pliers and sprung back.I can tell you right now, that doesn’t feel good at all.Second attempt, and the shunt is almost at the camera tube when the beak of the pliers let go and the shunt sprang back. Like someone uses your innards like a slinky. Spooooinggg.Then I lost my cool and snapped at the assistant, “Can you hold tight on the damn thing?”She excused herself and the third attempt went fine, the JJ shunt slithering out of my body like a reluctantly evicted squatter. They asked if they should throw the JJ shunt away, but I had them lock the bastard into a specimen bottle so I’d have something to gloat over.I've had two more URS procedures to remove additional stones, and the medication of the second URS with JJ shunt exacerbated dormant closed angle glaucoma and damaged the optic nerve and cornea of my left eye, so now I'm half-blind as well. So, if the urologist prescribes medication that increases your eye pressure, like VesiCare, make sure you don't have any problems with your eyes.The problem was, they told me to drink a lot of water, but they neglected to tell me that I shouldn't drink when I was in pain. Thing is, they neglect to tell you a lot of things:After my colic, they didn't tell me not to drink when I was in pain.After my first URS, they forgot to give me my pain meds for home, so I had to be rushed back the same evening to get them.When they gave me Tamsulosine, they forgot to tell me that Tamsulosine can cause IFIS (intermittent floppy iris syndrome).When they gave me VesiCare, they forgot to tell me that it would increase my IOP and that as a farsighted person I should get my eyes checked before taking this medicine.When they gave me eyedrops for glaucoma, they forgot to tell me that the main ingredient were beta blockers that gave me monster headaches, flatlined my emotions and killed my libido.During the pre-op prep for my CLEAR (clear lens extraction and replacement) they forgot to read my medication from 2014 until I told them as an afterthought that I had used Tamsulosine for three months, which propensity to increase the chances on IFIS can seriously screw up the surgery.When they operated on my eye, they forgot to mention that my cornea was already too damaged from the IOP spike that my vision was screwed up forever anyway.Need I go on? Whenever you visit your doctor, make sure you read up on what they are about to do, so that you know what questions to ask.

Ans.Rishi Kapoor Cremation HIGHLIGHTS: Veteran Actor Laid To Rest at Mumbai's Chandanwadi CrematoriumRishi Kapoor Death: Bollywood's legendary actor Rishi Kapoor passed away in Mumbai on Thursday morning. The actor was admitted to Mumbai's Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital on Wednesday morning. Actor's last rites were preformed at Chandanwadi Crematorium in Kalbadevi area at around 4 pm.Rishi Kapoor is survived by his daughter Riddhima, son Ranbir Kapoor, and wife Neetu. Rishi Kapoor passed away at the age of 67, dealing a major loss to the film industry, as the fraternity was mourning the loss of Irrfan Khan.Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted to condole the shocking demise of the Bollywood veteran. He wrote: ‘Multifaceted, endearing and lively..this was Rishi Kapoor ji."Check all HIGHLIGHTS related to Bollywood veteran actor Rishi Kapoor's unfortunate demise here:Actress Padmini Kolhapure, who worked with Rishi Kapoor in numerous films including Raj Kapoor's "Prem Rog", cannot believe Rishi kapoor i am totally shellshocked. I don't think I am able to process my feelings and express them. This is a personal loss to me, and I am feeling helpless and weak right now. I am not able to do anything or even move out and lend a helping hand. I cannot see him, attend his last rites, take his parting blessings. I cannot do anything, except sit at home and pray for him and his family,' Padmini told IANS, pointing out that she could not attend the funeral owing to the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown.1.Ramesh Sippy on Rishi Kapoor, 'the romanticist'We made just one film together and it was a wonderful association. I was very happy with the turnout, and all the actors -- especially Rishi Kapoor. He contributed a lot in the romantic film.Rishi Kapoor was a very versatile and wonderful actor. A romantic lead in the earlier part of his life. Even at the time of "Saagar", he was still a romanticist. Later, he went on to do all kinds of roles and excelled in those. (IANS)2.Kareena's tribute to Chintu uncleSoon after the death of her uncle, actor Rishi Kapoor on Thursday, Kareena Kapoor Khan rushed to HN Reliance Hospital in Mumbai to be with late actor's wife Neetu and son Ranbir Kapoor. Rishi, who is the brother of Kareena's father, Randhir Kapoor, died in hospital after a two-year battle with leukemia. He was 67.Kareena even took to social media to bid adieu to her uncle, who's fondly called Chintu. She posted a cute childhood picture of Rishi and her father Randhir Kapoor, and wrote: "The best boys I know... Papa and Chintu uncle."3.Kumar Sanu: I consider myself lucky to have been Rishi ji's voicePlayback star Kumar Sanu's song "Sochenge tumhe pyaar" in the 1992 film "Deewana" was filmed on Rishi Kapoor, and the singer counts the number among his all-time favourites."There are so many fond memories attached to this song. I remember sitting with him (Kapoor) and discussing the song. It was such an interactive discussion. He was always so inquisitive in every part of filmmaking -- be it acting, direction or making of a song, he was a complete entertainer," Sanu told news agency IANS.4.Southern actors like Mahesh Babu, Allu Arjun join B'wood to bid adieu to Bollywood's veteran actor Rishi Kapoor who passed away this morning after battling 2-years-long fight to cancer.Taking to Twitter, Mahesh Babu wrote: Heartbreaking to hear about #RishiKapoor sir. Yet another irreplaceable loss in our world of cinema... A complete entertainer and an incredibly talented actor... A true legend. My deepest condolences and strength to Ranbir and his family. May his soul rest in peace.5.Meanwhile, Allu Arjun too is "grief-stricken" by the demise of the charismatic actor Rishi Kapoor. "A Versatile Performer... who I always admired . An actor from a legendary family entertaining us for decades gone too soon . Condolences to the entire family . RIP . #Rishikapoor," he tweeted.6.President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and prominent political leaders across party lines remembered veteran actor Rishi Kapoor, who died on Thursday in Mumbai after a two-year battle with leukaemia, as an "evergreen" and "multifaceted" personality.The death of the 67-year-old veteran actor comes a day after the sudden demise of versatile actor Irrfan Khan. Rishi Kapoor and Irrfan co-starred in 2013 film "D-Day".In view of the coronavirus-enforced lockdown, the mortal remains of Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor were taken to crematorium straight from the hospital where he died on Thursday morning, said an official told news agency PTI.First visual of Rishi Kapoor's son Ranbir Kapoor who was present at the Chandanwadi Crematorium in Mumbai to perform the last rites of his father.JUST IN | As per reports, the cremation rituals of the veteran actor Rishi Kapoor, who passed away this morning, have been completed in Mumbai's Chandanwadi Crematorium in presence of his family, relatives and close friends.7.Reportedly, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Abhishek Bachchan, Randhir Kappor, Rajiv Kapoor and others were present at the Crematorium to pay last respect to the late actor.Meanwhile, late actor Rishi Kapoor's mortal remains will be taken directly to a crematorium near the hospital where he breathed his last.Mumbai Police have reportedly requested the actor's family not to take his mortal remains home owing to the lockdown. Instead his body will be driven directly to a crematorium in Marine Lines Chandanwadi, close to HN Reliance Foundation Hospital where he was admitted, reportsRishi Kapoor was a versatile actor: Himachal CMHimachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Thursday expressed grief over the demise of film star Rishi Kapoor. Rishi Kapoor was a versatile actor, who in his about five decades of illustrious career won the hearts of millions by his acting skills in films like 'Bobby', 'Naseeb', 'Karz', 'Coolie' 'Chandni', 'Prem Rog', 'Henna', etc, he said.The Chief Minister said his contribution to the Indian film industry was immense and he would always be remembered as an fine actor and a thorough gentleman.Subhash Ghai on Rishi Kapoor the 'child star'I have so many memories with him that I can write a book on Rishi Kapoor. I came to know about his demise through Amitabh Bachchan's tweet. Then I called up his family, there was no response then I saw the TV, I was shocked. I couldn't believe it.Earlier this year, I had met him and he spoke to me about his new film and shooting. I told him 'Why do you work? You should take rest now. God has rung an alarm'. He said 'You can rest, but I can't. In the last five years, you didn't make any film after 'Kaanchi'. Make a new film, I am with you, everyone is with you'. It was like my dad scolding me whereas I had gone to scold him! I started laughing. For me, he is always Chintu, a kid. I could see a child in him till the end of his life.When SUBHASH GHAI directed RISHI KAPOOR in Karz (1980), the actor was at the peak of his career as a dashing teenybopper icon. The film would establish Kapoor's credential as a versatile actor who could also effortlessly deliver blockbusters.IANS4:12 PM IST | 30 APR 20203:48 PM IST | 30 APR 2020BREAKING: Mortal remains of Rishi Kapoor being taken to Chandanwadi crematorium for last rites. He passed away at city's HN Reliance Foundation hospital today morning.3:44 PM IST | 30 APR 2020Rishi Kapoor's mortal remains being taken for funeral to Chandanwadi crematorium. LIVE Coverage: ABP News Free Live TV, Enjoy Live News Streaming @ ABP Live2:30 PM IST | 30 APR 2020Those unforgettable songs that defined his stardomRishi's launch as a hero happened with Raj Kapoor's "Bobby" in 1973. Till date, the film is synonymous with Laxmikant-Pyarelal's unforgettable score. Songs like "Tu maike mat jaiyo" and Main Shayar toh nahin" define the arrival of a young loverboy hero who would redefine romance on the Hindi screen forever.Youngsters who were growing up in the 70s era have shaken their legs to the iconic actor's several songs -- especially "Dafli wale dafli baja" in "Sargam". Sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi, the song, which featured actress-politician Jaya Prada opposite Rishi Kapoor, was a massive hit back then.2:26 PM IST | 30 APR 2020Check Below: And old picture of young Rishi Kapoor shared by his wife Neetu Kapoor on Instagram on mother's day.2:25 PM IST | 30 APR 20202:11 PM IST | 30 APR 2020BREAKING: Rishi Kapoor's mortal remains will be taken from H N Reliance hospital at 4pm for cremation to Chandanwadi crematorium2:17 PM IST | 30 APR 2020Rishi Kapoor's last rites to be held at Marine Lines' Chandanwadi crematorium2:09 PM IST | 30 APR 2020Rishi Kapoor Lost His Sister Ritu Nanda Early This Year To CancerRishi Kapoor's sister Ritu Nanda was an entrepreneur and passed away in Delhi after a long battle with cancer at the age of 71....news.abplive.com1:25 PM IST | 30 APR 2020Jeetendra and Shobha Kapoor’s statement on Rishi Kapoor’s demise:The magnitude of his loss and the void he leaves behind will be felt forever. We’ve lost one of our closest friends, our very dear brother and one of the finest human beings. It was an honour to be a part of his life. Our deepest condolences to Neetu, Riddhima, Ranbir and the entire Kapoor family.1:04 PM IST | 30 APR 2020BREAKING: Movement pass issued for Rishi Kapoor's daughter Riddhima KapoorA movement pass for 5 people has been issued for Riddhima Kapoor's family to travel from DelhiRishi Kapoor's death stuns Maharashtra leadersMaharashtra leaders were stunned at the demise of veteran actor Rishi Kapoor on Thursday, coming just a day after another stalwart Irrfan Khan passed away, the news left them in shock.Leading the state in paying glowing tributes, Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari said Rishi Kapoor was born in the afirst family' of Bollywood which made vast contributions to Indian film industry for a long period."His greatness lies in the fact that he made his distinct mark amidst a galaxy of stalwarts and superstars during the golden era of film industry. The numerous roles crafted by his with his superb acting skills will be remembered for many years. His demise, coming soon after the passing of Irrfan Khan, has come as a major jolt to the filmRishi Kapoor debuted as the romantic hero in the 1973 film Bobby. The superhit film brought many changes in pop culture and filmmaking. Not only did Kapoor's and Kapadia's fashion replicated by people, it also introduced new techniques in cinema.11:54 AM IST | 30 APR 2020Mamata Banerjee condoles Rishi Kapoor's demiseWest Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condoled the death of veteran actor Rishi Kapoor and said that he had endured his illness with dignity and grace. Kapoor died of cancer in a Mumbai hospital on Thursday, his brother Randhir Kapoor said. He was 67. "Deeply shocked & saddened at the demise of the iconic & versatile film actor #RishiKapoor. A National Film Award winner, he acted in more than 150 films. "He endured his illness with dignity and grace. My condolences to his family, friends, fans & the entire film fraternity," Banerjee tweeted.Pawar condoles Rishi Kapoor's death, calls him versatile actorNCP chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday expressed grief over veteran actor Rishi Kapoors death, saying the Indian film industry has lost a versatile and charismatic artist. The 67-year-old actor, who was suffering from cancer, died in a Mumbai hospital. "Saddened to know about the sad demise of veteran actor Rishi Kapoor. Indian film industry has lost a versatile and charismatic actor. My sincere condolences to Kapoor family, Pawar twDivya Dutta: He was vibrant and he spread smiles all overctress Divya Dutta worked with Rishi Kapoor in films like "Delhi-6", "Manto" and "Chalk n Duster". The news of of the veteran actor's demise on Thursday left her "speechless" as she found the news "tough to digest" and got emotional as she reminisced the days she worked with him.67-Year-Old Rishi Kapoor Passes Away In Mumbai, Brother Randhir Confirms!In 2018, Rishi Kapoor was diagnosed with cancer for the first time, following which the actor was in New York for nearly a year to undergo treatment...Kapoor breathed his last at 8:45 am after two-year long battle with leukemia, says statement from kapoor family.According to a statement issued by the family, “Our dear Rishi Kapoor passed away peacefully at 8:45am IST in hospital today after a two-year battle with leukemia. The doctors and medical staff at the hospital said he kept them entertained to the last. He remained jovial and determined to live to the fullest right through two years of treatment across two continents. Family, friends, food and films remained his focus and everyone who met him during this time was amazed at how he did not let his illness get the better of him.”He was grateful for the love of his fans that poured in from the world over. In his passing, they would all understand that he would like to be remembered with a smile and not with tears. In this hour of personal loss, we also recognise the world is going through a very difficult and troubled time. There are numerous restrictions around movement and gathering in public. We would like to request all his fans and well-wishers and friends of the family to please respect the laws that are in force.He would not have it any other way.10:18 AM IST | 30 APR 2020Rishi Kapoor returned to India last September after undergoing treatment for cancer in the US for almost a year. In February, Kapoor was hospitalised twice due to his health issues.Similar like Irrfan, Rishi had not attended mother's funeral as he was undergoing treatmentThe actor recently announced his next project, a remake of Hollywood film "The Intern", also featuring Deepika Padukone.RIP! Veteran Actor Rishi Kapoor Dies In Mumbai!And as the world was still mourning the death of Irrfan Khan, the shocking news of passing away of veteran Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor has left the film fraternity and fans devastated....BackgroundRishi Kapoor Death HIGHLIGHTS: Rishi Kapoor's funeral is sheduled to take place today in the evening at Chandanwadi crematorium in Mumbai's Marine Lines. The mortal remains of Rishi Kapoor will be taken for his funeral from HN Reliance hospital at 4 pm . Rishi kapoor's daughter Riddhima Kapoor Sahni will be travelling from Delhi to Mumbai as she was issued a movement pass by the Delhi Police to attend the last rites of herfather, howver, it apparently seems that she will not be able to make it to Mumbai before the funeral. The veteran Bollywood actor died at 8:45 am on Thursday after 2=year-long struggle with leukemia.As Bollywood veteran actor Rishi Kapoor passed away on Thursday morning, dealing an irreparable damage to the world of India cinema, several celebrities and politicians poured out their condolences, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Rishi Kapoor's funeral will take place today in the evening at Chandanwadi crematorium in Mumbai's Marine Lines. His mortal remains will be taken from HN Reliance hosptal for funeral at 4 pm.He passed away after two-year-long struggle with leukemia.Heartbroken fans across country are searching the internet for old photos of Rishi Kapoor and are sharing screenshots of his memorable films to pay their regards. Rishi Kapoor is survived by his daughter Riddhima, son Ranbir and wife Neetu.Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor passed away at Mumbai's H N Reliance hospital on Thursday morning, in a major loss to the film industry. Rishi Kapoor is survived by wife Neetu Kapoor, son Ranbir and daughter Ridhima. Rishi Kapoor was not keeping well and had been admitted to a city hospital here, his elder brother Randhir Kapoor said last night.According to a statement issued by the family, 'Our dear Rishi Kapoor passed away peacefully at 8:45am IST in hospital today after a two-year battle with leukemia. The doctors and medical staff at the hospital said he kept them entertained to the last.'The actor returned to India last September after undergoing treatment for cancer in the US for almost a year.In February, Kapoor was hospitalised twice due to his health issues.He was first admitted to a hospital in Delhi where he was attending a family function. At the time, Kapoor had said that he was suffering from an 'infection'.After his return to Mumbai, he was again admitted to a hospital with viral fever. He was discharged soon after.Kapoor, who has been quite active on social media, hasn't posted anything on his Twitter account since April 2.The actor recently announced his next project, a remake of Hollywood film 'The Intern', also featuring Deepika Padukone.

Blockage of Humanitarian aid $20 million in American medicines and food ready to be unloaded this week just outside Venezuelan territory in Cúcuta, Colombia; This is the New Venezuela roadblock by the Maduro Venezuela government to stop entering any medecine or food.Dictator Nicola Maduro a similar style as Adolf HitlerTwo Russia’s most modern, nuclear-capable bombers landed in Venezuela The Tu-160 bombers are among the most advanced strategic bombers in the world. They are capable of flying at twice the speed of sound and carrying both conventional and nuclear-armed cruise missiles that have a range of more than 3,400 miles.The arrival of the Tu-160 “White Swan” strategic bombers in Caracas serves to remind the United States that Russia can still project military might into the Western hemisphere, says Miriam Lanskoy, the Senior Director for Russia National Endowment for Democracy, a non-profit.Nicolás Maduro has retained most of the support of the different Venezuelan military{Venezuela has not reached the point of war, and strategic bombers will not help deal with demonstrators, Russian commentators have noted, stressing that the Kremlin will not deploy soldiers to fight street battles against opposition protesters in Caracas or other cities.} NY TimesRUSSIA decision to land bombers in Venezuela also comes as the U.S. plans to pull out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, which restricts the United States and Russia from keeping a broad range of nuclear-armed missiles.Venezuelan Colonel Jose Luis Silva, Venezuela’s military attache in Washington embassy to the United States, after announcing that he is defecting from the government of President Nicolas Maduro, Jan. 26, 2019.Idea of putting U.S. troops on the ground 'a little bit absurd,' says Alan McPhersonForeign intervention in Venezuela's political crisis could come at a high cost, and meet resistance from the Venezuelan people themselves, warns an author who has written about the issue."The Venezuelan public is so divided that half would probably welcome some kind of intervention," said Alan McPherson, author of A Short History of U.S. Interventions in Latin America and the Caribbean."It really depends how it goes … support for Guaido and part of the military, I think that would be somehow acceptable," he told The Current's Anna Maria Tremonti."But an actual full-scale foreign intervention, especially a unilateral one just from the United States, I think that would garner the hostility of most Venezuelans."Regardless U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that "all options are on the table" if Maduro tries to repress the opposition with force. But McPherson said that "talk of invasion is a little bit absurd these days.""This would be a massive operation that could or would would cause hundreds perhaps thousands of American deaths, not to mention Venezuelan ones."While it’s still far from certain and a long way for the day that Mr. Guaidó will ever set foot in the Caracas Miraflores presidential palace, the number of ordinary Venezuelans and foreign powers taking his side is slowly growing.So far, more than 20 have recognized him as the country’s interim president, including the United States, Canada, and most of the rest of South America. On Monday, several European Union countries joined the list, including France, Germany, Britain, Spain, Austria, Sweden and Denmark. The European nations had given Mr. Maduro a deadline of midnight Sunday night to call a free and fair presidential election."This all seems very complex and complicated and it is, but it is all grounded in human rights, the rule of law and Venezuela's own constitution. Guaido cites Article 233, which gives temporary presidential power to the head of the National Assembly when the presidency is otherwise vacant, in his claim to be Venezuela's rightful president. Under the country's 1999 constitution, enacted under Maduro's predecessor Hugo Chavez, the head of the legislature — in this case, Guaido — can lead a caretaker government in the event of the absence of a lawful one until a new election can be held."The international community recognized that there were not free and fair elections in Venezuela, and therefore Maduro is not the president of Venezuela in the eyes of the world and also in the eyes of Venezuelans. Article 233 actually provides for what happens when there is no president in Venezuela."Ottawa Ontario Canada 10th ministerial meeting of the Lima Group in Ottawa, Canada, 04 February 2019."Venezuela is a country where the government [under Maduro] is not respecting human rights, it's not respecting its own constitution," said Boehm, who served as Canada's point person for the 2018 G7 summit before being appointed to the Senate in October.Quiet Canadian diplomacy helped GuaidHow far will it go?The three Paramilitary groups, the Collectivos, the University Militias and the Armed Youth have created a extreme high crime tension state and complete disorder inside the political system accelerating a big strenght factor used by Maduro to harass and suppress the opposition mostly in the poor neighborhoods. The others dozens of groups called colectivos chavistas”, sindicatos, Consejos Comunales, Comités Locales de Abastecimiento y Producción (CLAP), Frente Francisco de Miranda, Frente de Juventudes Bolivarianas, Clase Media Revolucionaria y Unidades de Batalla Bolívar Chávez (UBCh), which see themselves as the defenders of Chávez's Bolivarian revolution and vow to defend President Nicolás Maduro, as he now faces his biggest challenge yet."We're a militia and when the moment arrives, we'll take up arms," Mr Navas said, despite most colectivo members usually denying having any involvement in armed violence. The colectivos emerged during Chávez's years and, with government backing, spread across communities as social organisations supporting the implementation of official aid programmes. They are believed to have a few thousand members all around the country.But some have been accused by the opposition and human rights groups of acting as paramilitary groups, often using force to impose their control over neighbourhoods and attack government critics, protestors and journalists.The main military group Bolivian National Militia, have over 500,000 plus members, the National Guard, the Air force, have 125,000 members aproximately. These are the groups currently supporting Maduro versus the oposition. Nobody can predict when they will accept a peace truce or a compromise allowing to form a new government if they ever consider accepting a new form of law and order something that has not existed for the last 20 years.Crime is the biggest business after PDVSA Oil business, Gold mining , selling the drugs with the shipping logistics business that is openly supported by the Maduro military heads. Under these circumstances very few will or may accept to modify or end their free lucrative illegal incomes. On Friday, Abu Dhabi investment firm Noor Capital said it had bought 3 metric tons of gold from Venezuela's central bank. A plane departed Maiquetia Caracas Airport Friday after being on the ground for a couples of days. Guaido has claimed government officials loyal to Maduro want to sell off the country's foreign gold reserves in the U.K. to relocate the profits to the central bank of Venezuela."If the money is transferred... It will be used by the illegitimate and kleptocratic regime of Nicolas Maduro to repress and brutalize the Venezuelan people," he added, as reported by Reuters.Exclusive: Venezuela plans to fly central bank gold reserves to UAE...CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela will sell 15 tonnes of gold from central bank vaults to the United Arab Emirates in coming days in return for euros in cash, a senior official with knowledge of the plan said, as the crisis-stricken country seeks to stay solvent. In total, the plan is to sell 29 tonnes of gold held in Caracas to the United Arab Emirates by February in order to provide liquidity for imports of basic goods, the source said, requesting anonymity in order to speak freely. The 3-tonne shipment that left Maiquetia airport on Jan. 26 was transported on small Venezuelan cargo airline Solar Cargo to the United Arab Emirates, the source said. The same airline will be used to ship 15 tonnes as soon as Friday, and 11 tonnes in February, the source said. A person who answered the phone at Solar Cargo denied the company was involved in transporting gold, then hung up. Buyers in the United Arab Emirates pay Venezuela with cash in euros for the gold, said the source. However, Nicolas Maduro regime halted plans to ship 20 tons of Venezuelan gold overseas as a growing international push to ring-fence the country’s dwindling hard assets unnerved those handling the transaction, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter.The gold bars, which are worth about $850 million, had been weighed and separated for transportation, but will not be sent out anytime soon from the central bank’s vaults in Caracas. The blocking of the shipment comes just a week after the Bank of England denied Maduro officials’ request to withdraw $1.2 billion of gold stored there. While the destination of the gold and the nature of the transactions aren’t known with certainty, it’s unusual for a country to be shipping around such massive amounts of gold.Socialist President Nicolas Maduro is under intense pressure to step down, with Venezuela in deep economic crisis and the government facing widespread international condemnation for elections last year seen as fraudulent.The United States, which is backing an attempt by the opposition to oust Maduro and call new elections, warned bankers and traders on Wednesday not to deal in Venezuelan gold.At the start of 2018, Venezuela's central bank reportedly held 150 tons of gold but by November, holdings had fallen to 132 tons — a 75-year low.The foreign ministry pledge to do "everything" to back Nicolás Maduro does seem to have limits."It would be madness for Russia to try to intervene with force," Andrei Movchan agrees. "Venezuela is not Syria. The Chinese are there and the Americans are much closer." Any type of War may not be for certenty the correct answer for on the ground political therapy and considering restructuring the economy and the high debt ratio..https://scholarship.law.duke.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=&httpsredir=1&article=1516&context=djcilAt least in public, Russia has settled for condemning US pressure, calling for dialogue - and waiting. Perhaps it is hoping its ally can weather the storm.As one tabloid newspaper here argued, opposition rallies on Wednesday were smaller than expected."They held the decisive protest - and then they called the next one," Komsomolskaya Pravda joked, suggesting "something went wrong".Another paper, though, is convinced President Maduro's days in office are numbered, suggesting the Kremlin should simply offer "its friend" political asylum."The long, cold Moscow winter is not ideal of course for Maduro, used to palm trees and a year-round average of 25C," Moskovsky Komsomolets reasoned."But it's still better than a warm prison cell in Caracas.""I don't think Russia would defend Maduro militarily. We are for a political settlement," argues retired Lieutenant-General Evgeny Buzhinsky. He describes those bombers sent to Caracas last year as simply "symbolic".Venezuela has being in a type of civil war since Nicola Maduro has being president in April 2013. Venezuela death toll and crime rates exceed all those of Syria and Afghanistan. If this is not a realistic indicator ticket, manifestation in the streets are extremely violent and so far 46 people were reportedly killed in demonstrations just last week and the UN has warned that the situation could spiral out of control.The biggest moral dilemma that Venezuela will need to face sooner than later is what to do with the hundred of thousands of hard-core criminals it has on its midst. Venezuela has more criminals than military that are also mostly hard core criminals involved in various different lines of criminal activities.[People overseas have absolutely no idea to the level of anarchy, violence and crime that exists in Venezuela. I mean, Venezuela has as much murders in a year than many countries that are in actual war. }Read {What do you think is the greatest moral dilemma currently facing Venezuela? } Andrea Pargel, lived in VenezuelaThese echoes of old cold war proxy conflicts have grown stronger with the appointment of Elliott Abrams, a notorious Reagan-era neoconservative, as US “special envoy” to Venezuela. It’s true that Trump lacks sensible, expert advice, but he won’t get it from Abrams. If anything is guaranteed to revive bloody memories of 1980s US neocolonialist machinations across Latin America, it is Abrams’s return to the fray.Venezuela today, children and adults die, not from illness, but from lack of medicine or medical attention. The majority of the poor and former middle classes go hungry; there is one of the highest murder rates in the world; and every day close to one hundred thousands flee abroad to join an ever-growing diaspora.Venezuela’s top military envoy to the United States has defected from the government of Nicolás Maduro as the South American nation’s political crisis deepened.More than four million Venezuelans have fled their country over recent years, blaming hunger, lack of medical care, rising unemployment and violent crime.Here are charts that try to explain what's going on.Venezuela’s top military envoy to the United States has defected from the government of Nicolás Maduro as the South American nation’s political crisis deepened.Col José Luis Silva says he now recognises opposition leader Juan Guaidó as president instead.Mr Guaidó declared himself "acting president" on Wednesday, gaining the backing of several countries including the US.In response, Mr Maduro accused his rival of attempting a coup, and broke off relations with the US.President Maduro was sworn in for a second term earlier this month after an election marred by an opposition boycott and allegations of vote-rigging, leading to large anti-Maduro protests."The significant fact is that Latin American countries have really lined up on this for the first time," Boehm said. "They're feeling the impact of three million refugees coming out of Venezuela, spilling into Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chili, Argentina, Brazil and Guyana."​Why is Col Silva's defection significant?Tens of thousands have protested against Mr Maduro, but, crucially, he has retained the support of the country's military so far.REUTERSMr Guaidó's supporters fear he could be arrestedThe security forces are seen as the key player in this crisis, and Mr Guaidó has asked them to "put themselves on the side of the Venezuelan people".Venezuela crisis - in seven chartsWhat's behind Venezuela's political crisis?In a video, filmed at the Venezuelan embassy in Washington, Col Silva called for free elections and urged his "brothers in the armed forces of the nation to recognise President Juan Guaidó as the only legitimate president"."The armed forces have a fundamental role in the restoration of the democracy in our country. Please, brothers, do not attack our people," he said.Later, he told Reuters news agency that two other Venezuelan consular officials in the US also recognised Mr Guaidó as leader.Col Silva appealed to the military, saying: "The state has given us weapons to defend our country, not to attack our equals".It is not clear whether more members of the military will be encouraged to defect.Mr Guaidó thanked Col Silva and urged others to join him, while Venezuela's defence ministry said Col Silva was guilty of treason, and tweeted photos of him with the word "traitor" on it.Top Venezuela diplomat defects amid crisisPrensa FANB@PrensaFANBSubordinarse ante los intereses internacionales es un acto de traición y cobardía con la Patria heredada por nuestro Libertador Simón Bolívar, por ello, repudiamos las declaraciones por parte del Cnel. Jose Luis Silva Silva, quien desempeñaba cargo como Agregado Militar en EEUU.Meanwhile, Mr Maduro backed down over his demand that all US diplomats leave the country.After cutting ties with the US on Thursday, he had ordered US envoys to depart within 72 hours.1-Venezuela's military envoy to US defects to opposition and calls for more to follow2-The Observer view on why Venezuela needs consensus, not conflict | Observer editorial3-With Spies and Other Operatives, a Nation Looms Over Venezuela’s Crisis: Cuba4-In a reversal, Venezuela will allow U.S. diplomats to stay in the country5-For the Kremlin, Venezuela Is Not the Next Syria6-Guaidó Steers Venezuela to a Perilous Crossroads7-EU powers recognise Guaidó as leader8-Forget oil: Here's why gold is key to Venezuela's crisis-stricken government9-Canada pledges $53M to help Venezuelan refugee crisis | CBC News10-Foreign intervention risks 'the hostility of most Venezuelans,' warns expert | CBC Radio11-Principal puerta de entrada a la República Bolivariana de Venezuela12-Maduro halts 20-tonne gold shipment as jet flies off empty-handed | MINING.com13-The men willing to die for Maduro's cause14-Why Venezuela's military is backing Maduro15-Opinion | The U.S. Can Help Solve the Venezuelan Crisis by Not Being a Bully16-Amnesty Offer Could Oust Maduro. Critics Call It a Road to Impunity.