Ricardo Marquina

Russia Using Tourism as Weapon Against Georgia

Russia appears to be using one of its most powerful weapons — tourism — against Georgia, its smaller neighbor to the south. Moscow has banned direct flights between Russia and Georgia, after the latest wave of protests in Georgia against Russia's occupation of two of its regions.

Russia Using Tourism as Weapon Against Georgia

Russia appears to be using one of its most powerful weapons — tourism — against Georgia, its smaller neighbor to the south. Moscow has banned direct flights between Russia and Georgia, after the latest wave of protests in Georgia against Russia's occupation of two of its regions. Moscow has also called for its citizens to return home. That is meant to damage the Georgian economy, which is highly dependent on tourism. Ricardo Marquina reports from Tbilisi in this report narrated by Jim Randle.

After Russian Occupation, Georgia's Refugees Dream of Returning

The Georgian-Russian war of 2008 caused the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people and most of them still live in refugee camps in Georgia. Dispossessed of their lands and their homes, many remain unemployed and vulnerable, while continuing to dream of returning to their homes in territory now controlled by Russia. Ricardo Marquina traveled to the Tserovani refugee camp north of the Georgian capital, Tbilisi and filed this report, narrated by Jim Bertel

After Russian Occupation, Georgia's Refugees Dream of Returning

In Georgia, the Wounds of War Still Fester

The Russian occupation of the Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in 2008 created a dividing line in Georgian lands that has affected the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.

Georgia's Culture War: The Push for LGBT Rights

LGBT activists in the Republic of Georgia this summer have been looking for ways to hold a parade on the streets of the capital, Tbilisi.

Russia Raises Pressure on Georgia as Anger Mounts

Public anger exploded after conservatives in the Georgian government invited the Communist Deputy of the Russian Duma, Andrei Gavrilov, to speak before the Georgian parliament

Russia Raises Pressure on Georgia as Anger Mounts

It has been more than a month since people in the Republic of Georgia started taking to the streets to protest what many say is their government’s compliance with Russia, whose troops occupied 20 percent of Georgian territory 11 years ago. Public anger exploded after conservatives in the Georgian government invited the Communist Deputy of the Russian Duma, Andrei Gavrilov, to speak before the Georgian parliament. Ricardo Marquina has this report from Tblisi, narrated by VOA's Steve Redisch.

Russians Have Low Expectations of Latest Putin-Trump Encounter

The scheduled meeting Friday between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Osaka, Japan, on the sidelines of the G-20 summit comes as tensions between the two powers have been rising.

Russians Have Low Expectations of Latest Putin-Trump Encounter

The scheduled meeting Friday between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Osaka, Japan, on the sidelines of the G-20 summit comes as tensions between the two powers have been rising. Yet in Russia, people are viewing this latest encounter between these two leaders with some hope but also skepticism. For VOA from Moscow, Ricardo Marquina has this report narrated by Philip Alexiou.

Russia Frees Journalist, But Pressure Continues

Free press advocates scored a victory when police freed investigative reporter Ivan Golunov, but worries persist

Russia Frees Journalist, But Pressure Continues

It has been a turbulent few weeks for the independent media in Russia, after authorities in Moscow accused Ivan Golunov - a prominent investigative journalist - of producing and trafficking drugs, using what observers say was dubious evidence.

In Russia, Journalism is a Dangerous Business

The international media freedom advocate, Reporters Without Borders, ranks Russia at number 149 in its 2019 World Press Freedom Index

A Look Inside a Bastion of Russia's Far Right

Cossack region is a hotbed of Russian conservatism and nostalgia for an imperial past.

Russian Helicopters to Boost Venezuela's Maduro

Russia is getting ready to set up a helicopter maintenance base in Venezuela. The move is yet another sign that Russia continues to pile economic, political and military support for the government of embattled leader Nicolas Maduro. Ricardo Marquina visited the helicopter factory where Russian officials showcased the aircraft and other equipment destined for Moscow’s allies in Venezuela. Jim Bertel narrates.

Migrants: Fortune Elusive in Moscow

Russia's economy has stagnated for some years and suffers under sanctions imposed by the West after it annexed Crimea in 2014. Still, Moscow remains a vibrant city that attracts immigrants from around the world, most of them from the former Soviet republics of Central Asia. For many of those migrants, the search for prosperity is often not easy. Ricardo Marquina has more from Moscow in this report narrated by Jim Randle.