Topic: Venezuelan Politics

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.

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.

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.

Can Colombia's Santos unify the Americas?

Building consensus is important as the Americas struggle with high crime and violence. At this weekend's Summit of the Americas in Colombia, all eyes are on President Santos.

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.

Ozzie Guillen to address pro-Castro remarks Tuesday

Miami Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen expressed his love for the former Cuban dictator in an interview with TIME magazine, upsetting the Cuban-American and expatriate community in South Florida.

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. 

Investors bet on Chavez: Big money in Venezuelan bonds?

Venezuelan bond prices soar as investors see a possible change in the way the country's finances are managed if Chavez isn't reelected, writes guest blogger Miguel Octavio. 

Chavez vs. Capriles: Stark choice for Venezuela's independent voters

Some 36 percent of Venezuelan voters aren't aligned with a political party. But their votes could determine the outcome of this year's heated presidential election.

FARC strategy change a result of Chavez's illness?

With Chavez's health on the line, groups who have benefited from the Venezuelan president's tenure – like the FARC – are hedging their bets, writes guest blogger James Bosworth.

Sean Penn jumps into Falkland Islands fray

Sean Penn lashes out at the deployment of a British prince to the Falklands. The UK is not amused.

Security could be weakness for Venezuela opposition

Crime prevention is a hot-button issue in Venezuela, where nearly three times as many deaths as in Iraq occurred in 2009.

Chavez stokes fears that if he goes, popular welfare projects go with him

But opposition candidate Henrique Capriles says he would keep the best of Chavez's welfare programs, which include healthcare and subsidized food staples, and build on them.

Venezuela's opposition unites around Capriles. Can he beat Chavez?

A record turnout of nearly 3 million people voted in Venezuela's opposition presidential primary yesterday, selecting Henrique Capriles Radonski as the candidate.

Is it the end of paramilitarism in Colombia?

The last of Colombia's paramilitary leaders were captured in Venezuela, marking the end for a group that dominated Colombia's drug trade, writes guest blogger Jeremy McDermott.

Argentina says it will take Falklands question to the UN

Britain rejected the possibility of talks with Argentina, while Argentina has accused Britain of 'militarizing' the dispute over the Falkland Islands' sovereignty.

Chávez celebrates failed coup that propelled him into office

Some 20 years after going to prison for a failed coup, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez celebrates the anniversary of his beginnings while opposition candidates prepare to challenge him for the presidency.

Is Venezuela's military playing role in drug trafficking?

President Hugo Chavez's new defense minister has been accused of drug trafficking, suggesting a level of institutional corruption that could surpass Chavez's control and impact neighboring Colombia.

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.

What's Ahmadinejad getting out of his Latin America tour?

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s Latin America trip, a whirlwind four-nation tour that began in Venezuela on Jan. 8, is now taking him to the inauguration of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega. The trip is his fifth visit to the region since 2007 and has prompted alarm in some corners of the United States that Iran is using the region as a staging ground to attack US interests.

However, many who study Iran’s relationship with Latin America, in particular Venezuela, say fear of an Iranian threat in the Americas is overblown, at least at this point. Here are four reasons why:  

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. 

US foes unite: Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega cozies up to Iran's Ahmadinejad

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran will be the guest of honor at the inauguration of Nicaragua's newly-reelected president, Daniel Ortega.

Why did Hugo Chavez spam Venezuelans on Christmas?

Every Venezuelan received a holiday greeting from President Hugo Chavez on their mobile phone at Christmas. It was a very effective message, writes guest blogger Miguel Octavio.