Venezuela

• Wednesday, June 26th 2013 - 22:12 UTC

  Venezuela main purchaser of weapons in 2012, but Brazil has largest defence budget

  

  The defence industry is booming in Latin America amid economic growth and greater concerns regarding national security, said the renowned security and defence consultancy firm IHS Jane's. Imports of weapons soared 16% in the subcontinent in 2008-2012, climbing from 3.42 billion to 3.96 billion dollars annually, the firm said in a report called “The Balance of Trade.”

• Tuesday, June 25th 2013 - 06:20 UTC

  Maduro warns that extended corruption “could devour” the motherland and the revolution

  

  Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro warned on Monday that corruption will “gobble the motherland” unless there is a tough frontal fight, and underlined that no Socialist or ‘revolutionary’ can be corrupt.

• Tuesday, June 18th 2013 - 02:25 UTC

  To silence rationing rumours, Venezuela announces 760.000 tons of imported food is on the way

  

  Venezuela is awaiting the arrival of 760.000 tons of food from different associated countries and which are destined to build a national reserve of food, according to Food Minister Felix Osorio. The announcement follows strong suggestions that rationing of certain food and toiletry items was in the pipeline.

• Monday, June 17th 2013 - 19:38 UTC

  Maduro meets Francis: agrees on ‘sincere’ dialogue with Venezuelan bishops’ conference

  

  Pope Francis on Monday received in a 20-minute audience President of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro in the hall of the Vatican Apostolic Library. On arrival at the hall known as Sala del Tronetto, the Venezuelan president said it was “an honour” to meet the pope, adding that he was “very impressed” and “happy” to be there. He also thanked the Argentine pope “for everything you are doing”.

• Sunday, June 16th 2013 - 17:07 UTC

  Venezuelan government turns breast feeding into national controversy

  

  Venezuela's Congress will discuss legislation this week that would prohibit bottle feeding of infants to try to encourage breast feeding and reduce the use of baby formula, said a lawmaker of the ruling Socialist Party.

• Sunday, June 16th 2013 - 15:39 UTC

  ”Venezuela is not part of Mercosur; it was not ratified by Paraguayan congress”

  

  Venezuela “is not part of Mercosur, it was not ratified by the Paraguayan congress” according to one of the main foreign policy advisors of president elect Horacio Cartes who is scheduled to take office next August 15. Meanwhile Paraguay continues to advance it its intention of belonging to the Alliance of the Pacific.

• Wednesday, June 12th 2013 - 07:24 UTC

  Venezuela’s electoral council ratifies Maduro victory; Capriles appeals to Supreme Court

  

  Venezuela's National Electoral Council said an audit of the results of presidential elections in April confirmed President Nicolas Maduro did win by 1.5 percentage points, despite opposition claims that the vote was fraudulent.

• Saturday, June 8th 2013 - 06:25 UTC

  Venezuelan 12 month inflation reaches 35.2%; prospects of food rationing

  

  With inflation in May reaching 6.1%, the highest monthly rate in 17 years, mostly because of the shortage of basic foods, some states in Venezuela are already planning food rationing fearing the situation could worsen. The Venezuela's Central Bank released the figure on Friday.

• Thursday, June 6th 2013 - 02:13 UTC

  U.S. and Venezuela agree to start dialogue to restore respective ambassadors

  

  The United States is to start a dialogue with Venezuela aimed at restoring their respective ambassadors, US Secretary of State John Kerry has said. He was speaking after Venezuela freed and deported a US filmmaker who had been held on conspiracy charges. Mr Kerry welcomed Timothy Tracy's release as a “positive development”.

• Tuesday, June 4th 2013 - 05:27 UTC

  Strong reaction from Bolivarian countries to Colombia’s cooperation with NATO

  

  President Juan Manuel Santos announcement over the weekend that Colombia will look for a cooperation understanding with NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) on their invitation, has irked the so called Latinamerican group of ‘anti-imperialist countries’, at a moment when relations between neighbouring Colombia and Venezuela have hit a new low.