Venezuela

Latin America Monitor
A day in the life of Caracas shortages

Guest blogger Miguel Octavio writes how a brief errand after work can turn into an all-night wild goose chase.
Latin America Monitor
Chavez re-election: Many Venezuelan voters are undecided

An influx of new voters and widespread apathy may be key factors, writes guest blogger Miguel Octavio.
Latin America Monitor
Oil proceeds: Venezuelan driver wins F1 race with $66 million from Chavez

Venezuela's state oil company, PDVSA, sponsored Formula One champion Pastor Maldonado, stirring controversy over the PR campaign at home, writes a guest blogger.
Brazil, Venezuela, and Mexico: three ways to nationalize oil

Argentina's renationalization of its biggest oil company, YPF, recently caused an outcry. But the cases of oil nationalization in Brazil, Mexico, and Venezuela show that outcomes can vary widely.
Imagining Cuba after Chávez

Venezuela provides Cuba with up to $15 billion a year, which helps offset the US embargo. But there is the real possibility Chávez may not win or survive another six-year term as president.
Latin America Monitor
How 'socially inclusive' is Latin America? New indicator ranks countries.

In lead up to Summit of the Americas, a new indicator measures 'social inclusion' based on variables like access to education and jobs in 11 Latin American countries.
Latin America Monitor
In Venezuelan barrios, fences make good neighbors

Wealthy communities across Latin America put up gates and fences to fend off criminals. In Venezuela, rising crime has led poor neighborhoods to do the same, dividing the country further.
Latin America Monitor
Shooting of Chilean diplomat's daughter underscores security threat in Venezuela

The teenage daughter of the Chilean consul in Venezuela was shot after driving through a police checkpoint Saturday, causing an outcry in Venezuela over the state of security. 
The man who would defeat Hugo Chávez

A young state governor, Henrique Capriles Radonski is the leading candidate to go up against Venezuela's President Hugo Chávez in elections.
Global News Blog
Chávez appointment - a slap to Colombia?

Venezuela President Hugo Chávez's new defense minister is worrying officials in both the US and Colombia because of his links to Colombia's FARC rebels.
Latin America Monitor
US expels Venezuelan diplomat as Ahmadinejad makes Latin America tour

Venezuela's consul general to Miami was expelled today amid accusations that she assisted with a cyberattack – coordinated by Iran, Cuba, and Venezuela – against the US. 
Chávez' supporters ask: How can our superman be ill?

To his supporters, Hugo Chávez is far more than just a president.
Latin America Monitor
Prison crisis in Venezuela becomes political football

The struggle to retake a Venezuelan prison from its heavily-armed inmates has spawned a political battle, with the government opening an investigation into the prison gang bosses’ alleged links to opposition politicians.
Terrorism & Security
Venezuela threatens to interrupt US oil supply

The threat came in response to new US sanctions on Venezuela's state oil company, which currently provides about 10 percent of American oil imports.
Latin America Monitor
Venezuela resorts to rationing amid new blackouts

The government blames transmission line failures, but critics such as guest blogger Miguel Octavio point to government inefficiency. Last year Venezuelans endured blackouts for months.
Venezuela-Colombia ties remain strong despite Chávez's reported links to FARC

Newly published findings that Venezuela financed the FARC rebel group in Colombia seem unlikely to harm growing economic and diplomatic links between the two countries.
Why six MLB clubs stay in Venezuela despite rising crime and bitter politics

Major League Baseball teams are shuttering their academies in Venezuela due to rising crime and political tension, but the country remains the No. 2 source of foreign players in the MLB.
Why many Venezuelans scoff at Chávez's minimum wage hike

President Hugo Chávez said he will raise the minimum wage by 26.5 percent in increments starting May 1, but that doesn't keep pace with annual inflation projected at 30 percent.
Spread of drone programs in Latin America sparks calls for code of conduct

At least nine Latin American nations are developing drone programs, raising calls for a code of conduct that will assuage concerns over potential misuse.
Walid Makled's extradition case highlights warming Venezuela-Colombia ties

Colombian President Santos looks likely to announce the extradition of alleged drug kingpin Walid Makled to Venezuela during a meeting Saturday with Chávez.
Venezuela's Chávez bankrolled Nicaragua with $1.6 billion since 2007

Nicaragua's Central Bank released a long-awaited report Wednesday that reveals the government's growing dependency on the oil largesse of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.
Debating the merits of a press prize for Venezuela's Chávez

A top Argentine university awarded a press prize to Hugo Chávez, who has pumped millions of dollars into community radio and TV stations. He has closed another 40.
Backchannels
In extradition of Walid Makled, Colombia weighs ties with US, Venezuela

Both Venezuela and the US seek the extradition of suspected drug kingpin Walid Makled from Colombia. President Santos must decide whether to placate Chávez or Washington.
Backchannels
Chávez ratchets up military spending, as Obama reaches out to Latin America

Reports that Hugo Chávez has ordered more than $15 billion in weapons, along with recently hosting leaders from Hamas and Hezbollah, doesn't put worried minds at ease.
China grabs Latin America, well ahead of Obama's outreach

In the past year, China has secured some $65 billion in regional deals. President Obama's current visit to Latin America is seen as a counteracting move.