Venezuela
VenezuelaVenezuelan opposition airs conspiracy recordings against Maduro from his own party
The Venezuelan opposition has released an audio recording that it said contains a prominent member of the ruling party discussing political strategy with a Cuban intelligence officer. Opposition lawmaker Ismael García said the recording captures a phone conversation between state TV personality Mario Silva, a staunch government ally, and a Cuban identified as Lieutenant Colonel Aramis Palacios.
Venezuelan overture to the US: “time to resume diplomatic representation at the highest level”
Venezuela on Sunday made a rare diplomatic overture to the United States, suggesting it could be time for better ties. Foreign minister Elias Jaua said on Televen Sunday program that “we are going to remain open to normalizing relations with the United States”.
Brazil trapped by Argentina and Venezuela economic mismanagements
Brazil’s main financial newspaper Valor Economico revealed that the recent summit between Presidents Cristina Fernandez and Dilma Rousseff from Argentina and Brazil was far from polite and enlightening, rather the contrary with “strong disagreements in the fields of trade and investment” shaking the foundations of Mercosur.
Venezuela releases ex-general jailed on charges of inciting unrest
Venezuelan authorities have released a dissent ex-general who was jailed on charges of inciting unrest after the country’s disputed presidential election. Retired General Antonio Rivero, who is also a member of the opposition movement Popular Will, said he would “take care of my health” as he was freed late Friday.
Maduro admits to knowing “the IDs and all” of the 900.000 Chavistas who did not vote for him
Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro admitted to knowing ‘with IDs and all’ who are the 900.000 Chavistas who crossed lines and did not vote for him in the 14 April election which anointed him as the successor of deceased Hugo Chavez.
Venezuelan oil monopoly in joint ventures with Chevron and China Petroleum
PDVSA, Venezuela’s government oil and gas giant will allow joint ventures with China National Petroleum Corp. and Chevron Corp. to manage 6 billion dollars in loans designed to revert oil output declines, said a PDVSA official.
Chinese Vice-president asks Venezuelan government for efficiency in joint-projects
Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao on Tuesday asked the Venezuelan government for efficiency in managing an agro-industrial plant it has begun building near Caracas with a 52 million dollars investment from Beijing.
Venezuela net importer of gasoline in 2012 because of Amuay refinery fire
Venezuela in 2012 became a net importer of gasoline as a result of escalating problems at its refineries and increasing demand for fuel in its internal market, joining a growing list of countries that struggle with fuel supplies despite ample oil reserves.
Under Brazilian suggestion, Maduro says he is prepared for political dialogue with Capriles
Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro said he is prepared for political dialogue with the leader of the opposition Henrique Capriles to ensure peace in the country, even if it means “talking to the devil”. He also warned that United States must “give a huge leap forward” if relations as equals are to be advanced between Caracas and Washington.
Maduro trying to deal with his main challenges: food scarcity and inflation
President Nicolas Maduro accused Lorenzo Mendoza, owner of Empresas Polar SA, Venezuela’s largest privately held company, of reducing food production and creating shortages amid record scarcity and the region’s fastest inflation close to 30%.
