Venezuela

World News

Venezuela's Top Court And President Reverse Course, Restore Powers To Legislature

1:03pm April 01, 2017

by Jason Slotkin

Judges reinstated the National Assembly's authority following a request from Nicolas Maduro. The ruling that annulled the assembly prompted accusations that a dictatorship was in the works.

Tarek El Aissami, then Venezuela's interior minister, holds a press conference in Caracas in April 2012. El Aissami became the country's vice president last month, and the U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions against him on Monday.

World News

U.S. Treasury Sanctions Venezuelan Vice President Over Drug Trade Allegations

8:32pm February 13, 2017

by Camila Domonoske

The Trump administration accuses Tareck El Aissami of playing a "significant role" in international narcotics trafficking. As a result of the designation, his assets in the U.S. will be frozen.

Colombian actor Andres Parra (left) plays Hugo Chavez in the new telenovela, El Comandante.

Arts

For Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, A Second Life On The Small Screen

5:56pm January 24, 2017

by John Otis

A new TV series recounts the life of the late strongman — and suggests his rule laid the groundwork for the food shortages, hyperinflation and political polarization plaguing Venezuela today.

A Venezuelan soldier watches over cargo trucks leaving the port in Puerto Cabello, which handles the majority of the country's food imports. Across the chain of command, from high-level generals to the lowest foot soldiers, military officials are using th

World News

As Venezuelans Go Hungry, The Military Is Trafficking In Food

4:38pm January 09, 2017

by NPR Staff

Venture into the black markets and you'll find foods unavailable in the cheaper state-run grocery stores. The military isn't just running the markets — it's getting rich off them, an AP probe finds.

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A man shows 100-Bolivar notes while crossing the Francisco de Paula Santander international bridge, linking Urena, in Venezuela and Cucuta, in Colombia Saturday, despite the border closing order issued by the Venezuelan government.

After Outbreak Of Looting, Venezuela Delays Phase-Out Of Large Currency

12:10pm December 18, 2016

by Bill Chappell

In a short TV appearance Saturday night, Maduro told his nation that 500-bolivar notes that are meant to replace the 100-bolivar currency are delayed.

A photo released by Venezuelan government agency Sundde shows the group's head, William Contreras, with one of the toys that have been seized from a distributor's warehouses in Caracas.

Venezuela Seizes Nearly 4 Million Toys, Saying They're Overpriced

5:25pm December 11, 2016

by Bill Chappell

"Boys and girls of the country will have a happy Christmas," says Venezuela's national superintendent for the defense of socioeconomic rights.

People wait at the border in Maicao, Colombia, just across from Venezuela. Venezuelans used to come to buy TVs, computers and other expensive goods. But with the Venezuelan economy in ruins, they now come to buy basic items like rice and sugar.

Venezuelans Used To Cross Borders For Luxuries; Now It's For Toilet Paper

4:39pm November 22, 2016

by John Otis

Venezuelans are going to Colombia to buy essentials unavailable at home like bread, sugar and medicines. But life on the border is going through its own economic downturn.

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Lilian Tintori, wife of prominent jailed opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, waves a Venezuelan flag during a rally against the government of President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas on Wednesday.

World News

Huge Crowds Rally Against Venezuela's Deeply Unpopular President

5:33pm October 26, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

After the government blocked opponents' efforts to trigger a recall election, they say their only option is to take to the streets and convince President Nicolas Maduro to resign.

Riot police confront students opposed to President Nicolas Maduro's government in San Cristobal, Venezuela, on Monday. Pope Francis met with Maduro on Monday night to discuss the crisis in Venezuela.

World News

Pope Francis Meets With Venezuelan President To Discuss Country's Crisis

11:08am October 25, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

The pope urged President Nicolas Maduro to "alleviate the suffering of the people" amid Venezuela's economic and political disaster. The Vatican will mediate between the government and the opposition.

World News

Venezuelan Authorities Halt Drive To Recall President Nicolas Maduro

5:12pm October 21, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

Officials have blocked the opposition's effort to trigger a recall election against Maduro, who is presiding over an economic implosion. Key opposition leaders say they have received travel bans.