Venezuela

• Wednesday, January 15th 2014 - 19:24 UTC

  Uruguay among the world's ten countries with highest inflation

  

  Uruguay is ranked among the world's ten countries with the highest inflation, having climbed from position 15 to 10 last year, only surpassed in Latin America by Venezuela and Argentina. Last year Uruguay ended with an inflation of 8.52%, well above the 4% to 6% target, and according to Central bank officials “it remains the main challenge for the country's economic policy”.

• Monday, January 13th 2014 - 06:10 UTC

  Maduro names new cabinet but main ministries remain unchanged

  

  Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro appointed seven new ministers. His announcement was made during an event with the Movement for Peace and Life. Venezuela has been shocked by the extent of crime and killings, which means according to private organizations stats that only two out of ten cases ever are caught and face trial.

• Saturday, January 11th 2014 - 06:30 UTC

  Airlines operating in Venezuela have 3.3bn dollars trapped by currency controls

  

  International airlines operating in Venezuela have 3.3 billion trapped because of currency controls, the International Air Transport Association, IATA, revealed. Airlines have to wait around 12 months for the government to convert their Bolivar earnings into dollars, with the time lag growing, according to the Venezuela Airline Association.

• Saturday, January 11th 2014 - 06:27 UTC

  Silent protest: thousands at funeral of ex-Miss Venezuela slain in an armed robbery

  

  Thousands of people attended the funeral of actress and former Miss Venezuela Monica Spear and her ex husband this Friday, in solidarity with the family of the couple that was slain this week in an armed robbery.

• Wednesday, January 8th 2014 - 05:48 UTC

  Venezuela's violent crime unstoppable: former beauty queen and husband shot dead

  

  Gunmen shot dead a former Miss Venezuela and her ex-husband in the South American nation, authorities said today. Monica Spear, 29, a soap opera actress, and Henry Berry, 39, died in an attempted robbery on the highway between Puerto Cabello and Valencia in central Venezuela.

• Friday, December 20th 2013 - 06:09 UTC

  Venezuela considering increase in gasoline prices, world's cheapest: 2 cents a liter

  

  President Nicolas Maduro said he was contemplating a three-year period to raise domestic fuel prices; a sensitive issue for Venezuela where a similar move helped spark deadly 1989 riots.

• Wednesday, December 18th 2013 - 06:29 UTC

  Paraguay set to approve Venezuela Mercosur membership this Wednesday, ending 18-month rift

  

  Paraguay is waiting for the formality of a Wednesday vote in the Lower House floor to acknowledge the controversial incorporation of Venezuela as full member of Mercosur, putting an end to an 18 months political and diplomatic rift in the block. The Deputies' Constitution Affairs and Foreign Affairs committees on Tuesday afternoon approved Venezuela's Mercosur incorporation protocol, which means all is ready for the full house expected positive vote.

• Friday, December 13th 2013 - 18:10 UTC

  Venezuela clashes with World Bank over oil deal with Haiti

  

  Venezuela has dismissed as “disrespectful” comments made by a senior World Bank official that Haiti was not transparent in its handling of funds provided under the Caracas-led PetroCaribe.

• Monday, December 9th 2013 - 16:57 UTC

  Election confirms Venezuelan remains split and with no reconciliation on sight

  

  Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro declared victory in municipal elections as his ruling Socialists won a majority of votes nationwide on Sunday, even though they lost to the opposition in five key cities. He also pledged to deepen his “economic offensive” to force businesses to cut prices, which was a turning point in his campaign.

• Saturday, December 7th 2013 - 20:30 UTC

  Municipal elections in Venezuela most probably will confirm deeply divided country

  

  Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says that winning Sunday's municipal elections is essential for continuing the country's socialist revolution and honoring the legacy of the late Hugo Chavez. For opposition leader Henrique Capriles Radonski, the vote is seen as a referendum on Maduro's economic policies, which he says are destroying the country.