Venezuela

• Friday, February 21st 2014 - 06:46 UTC

  Argentina and Brazil fearful Venezuelan crowds in the streets could be contagious

  

  The current political crisis in Venezuela is rattling regional organizations, has two of the leading countries fearful of the crowds in the streets, while Latin American left wing populism believes there is a concerted right wing effort to destabilize the governments of Venezuela and Argentina, according to Argentine political analyst Rosendo Fraga.

• Wednesday, February 19th 2014 - 23:01 UTC

  In a pre-recorded message López calls for protests against Maduro to continue

  

  Imprisoned protest leader Leopoldo Lopez urged supporters to keep fighting for the departure of Venezuela's populist government, even as he was due in court accused of fomenting unrest that has killed at least five people.

• Wednesday, February 19th 2014 - 22:38 UTC

  Mercosur to meet 7 March to finalize the proposal to be presented to EU

  

  In early March Mercosur will have readied its proposal to liberate trade to be presented to the European Union, the basis for a wide-ranging cooperation and trade agreement between the two blocks, announced Rubens Barbosa, head of the Trade Council from the Sao Paulo State Industries Federation, FIESP.

• Wednesday, February 19th 2014 - 04:48 UTC

  Kirchnerite picket leader tells Maduro he should have Lopez shot for being a traitor and CIA agent

  

  An Argentine picket leader closely aligned with the administration of President Cristina Fernandez openly supported the Venezuelan government of president Nicolas Maduro and called for the opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez to be sentenced to a firing squad.

• Tuesday, February 18th 2014 - 20:25 UTC

  In the midst of a huge turnout, Venezuelan opposition leader hands himself to security forces

  

  Hard-line opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez has handed himself over to Venezuelan security forces answering an arrest warrant placed on the figure following last week's fatal protests against the regime of President Nicolas Maduro. The government formally accused Lopez of instigating the protests and conspiring for a right-wing coup.

• Tuesday, February 18th 2014 - 05:25 UTC

  Chile's incoming coalition with divided support over events in Venezuela

  

  The Chilean coalition of Chilean president elect Michelle Bachelet is divided on how to address events in Venezuela, according to the latest statements. While the Christian Democrats support the 'democratic forces' in Venezuela in reference to the marches against President Nicolas Maduro, the Communist party accused 'destabilization attempts' as the reason for the widespread violence.

• Tuesday, February 18th 2014 - 05:19 UTC

  Unasur calls for preservation of institutions and democratic principles in Venezuela

  

  The Union of Southern Nations (UNASUR) expressed on Monday its “energetic condemnation” of the violent episodes recorded over the last week in Venezuela during conflicting opposition and pro-government marches, and called for “the preservation of institutions and democratic principles” in the divided nation.

• Tuesday, February 18th 2014 - 05:13 UTC

  OAS expresses concern about Tuesday's protests in Venezuela, calls for dialogue

  

  The Organization of American States (OAS), expressed concern on Monday over the possibility that new protests in the streets of the capital of Venezuela “could lead to more acts of violence that would only further separate the positions of the government and the opposition and polarize to an even greater degree the sensitive political moment the South American country is going through.”

• Monday, February 17th 2014 - 09:54 UTC

  Mercosur condemns violence in Venezuela and calls for dialogue

  

  Mercosur country members, in an official release rejected all acts of violence and condemned the destabilization attempts against the government of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro.

• Monday, February 17th 2014 - 09:42 UTC

  Uruguay and Venezuela will further increase energy related cooperation

  

  Uruguay will renew the contract for the purchase of Venezuela oil and accept the stake increase of that country in a local bio-fuels corporation during the scheduled visit of President Nicolas Maduro to Montevideo next month; it was announced by the Uruguayan Foreign affairs ministry.