Venezuela

• Tuesday, July 9th 2013 - 01:50 UTC

  Paraguay not interested in Mercosur if Venezuela holds the chair, says top official

  

  Paraguay called for practical sense from its Mercosur partners Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay to try and overcome the current impasse which could lead to a rift if Venezuela occupies the chair of the group at this week’s summit in Montevideo. Paraguay does not recognize Venezuela’s full membership because it was decided in its absence.

• Saturday, July 6th 2013 - 07:16 UTC

  Venezuela and Nicaragua prepared to offer ‘humanitarian asylum’ to Snowden

  

  Presidents Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua and Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela said Friday they were willing to grant asylum to NSA leaker Edward Snowden. The NSA whistleblower has asked for asylum in several countries, including Nicaragua and Venezuela.

• Friday, June 28th 2013 - 12:26 UTC

  Petrocaribe: Central America and the Caribbean’s Energy Dilemma

  

  In the eve of the Managua summit which will focus on creating a new Economic Zone, Petrocaribe, the late Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez’s oil treaty, continues to play a vital role in the economic development of its 18 member states from the Central America and Caribbean region. But given the current political and economic climate in Venezuela, the question remains if Petrocaribe’s cheap oil is sustainable?

• 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.