Venezuela

World News

Venezuela's Maduro Not Welcome At Regional Summit, Host Peru Says

11:32am February 14, 2018

by Scott Neuman

Peru's foreign minister says an invitation to the Summit of the Americas in Lima has been withdrawn over concerns the presidential elections in Venezuela will not be free and fair.

A volunteer from the non-profit Accion Solidaria organizes imported medicines alphabetically, in a store room in Caracas, Venezuela, last April. The Pharmaceutical Federation of Venezuela estimates the country is suffering from an 85 percent shortage of m

Venezuela's Health Care System Ready To Collapse Amid Economic Crisis

3:21pm February 01, 2018

by Samantha Raphelson

The Pharmaceutical Federation of Venezuela estimates the country is suffering from an 85 percent shortage of medicine amid an economic crisis also marked by severe hyperinflation and food scarcity.

Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro shows his ballot after casting a vote in 2017 for a constitutional assembly in Caracas, Venezuela.

World News

Venezuelan Supreme Court Bans Opposition Leaders From Upcoming Presidential Election

7:20pm January 26, 2018

President Maduro's critics say the court's decision is a political maneuver to rig the election in his favor. Meanwhile, opposition leaders are scrambling to come up with a new plan.

Venezuelan Bolivarian National Guards officers control shoppers as they line up outside a supermarket to buy food at discounted prices in Caracas on Jan. 6.

World News

Venezuela Calls For Presidential Election Amid Worsening Economic Crisis

4:22pm January 25, 2018

by Samantha Raphelson

The pro-government constitutional assembly called for a new presidential election in Venezuela by the end of April as the country continues to deal with a growing economic and political crisis.

Defendants Efrain Antonio Campos Flores (center left) and Franqui Francisco Flores de Freitas (center right), as depicted in federal court in New York on Thursday, were sentenced to 18 years in prison on drug conspiracy charges.

Nephews Of Venezuelan First Lady Sentenced In U.S. Drug Smuggling Case

6:38pm December 14, 2017

by Amy Held

Efrain Antonio Campo Flores and his cousin Franqui Francisco Flores de Freitas received 18 years in prison.

The president of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro makes a speech after casting his vote for municipal elections at a polling station in Caracas on Sunday.

World News

Venezuela's Ruling Socialists Sweep Mayoral Races Amid Opposition Boycott

6:01am December 11, 2017

by Scott Neuman

President Nicolás Maduro said any party that did not participate in Sunday's vote will be barred from next year's presidential election.

Faced with rocketing inflation and low oil prices, Venezuela has introduced new, larger banknotes this year. Now the country is planning a cryptocurrency tied to its oil reserves.

World News

Venezuela Will Create New 'Petro' Cryptocurrency, President Maduro Says

1:25pm December 04, 2017

by Bill Chappell

President Nicolás Maduro says Venezuela will use the "petro," backed by oil reserves and other natural resources, to defeat a financial blockade on his country.

A woman walks past an oil pump in Caracas earlier this month. Part of Venezuela's fiscal woes arises from lowered gas prices worldwide — a huge hit to an economy so reliant on its oil production.

World News

After Default, Venezuela's Fiscal Woes Spiral While Prosecutors Focus On Corruption

6:39pm November 22, 2017

by Colin Dwyer

After months of popular unrest, President Nicolas Maduro appears to have cemented his grip on power. But the towering economic troubles that helped inspire that unrest are only getting worse.

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a press conference at the presidential palace, in Caracas, Venezuela, in October.

World News

Venezuela Constituent Assembly Cracks Down On Media

8:36pm November 08, 2017

by Richard Gonzales

Human rights groups say President Nicolas Maduro's autocratic government aims to stifle dissent in both broadcasting and social platforms.

People read voting instruction as they wait to cast their ballots for regional elections outside a polling station in Caracas, Venezuela, on Sunday.

World News

Venezuela's Ruling Party Wins Surprise Victory In Regional Elections

4:09am October 16, 2017

by Scott Neuman

Opposition leaders have denounced what they say are widespread voting irregularities after pre-election polls indicated big wins for parties opposed to President Nicolas Maduro.