Venezuelans over the years have gotten used to shortages of basic necessities like milk and sugar, but the latest shortage overwhelming the country is a bit more uncomfortable: toilet paper. Embarrassed government leaders blame the toilet paper shortage on the efforts of its enemies to destabilize the government. They have pledged to import 50 million [...]
Venezuelans Eager to Put Hugo Chavez Successor to Work
May 6, 2013 | Posted by
The second phase of a presidential election audit in Venezuela begins on Monday. Losing opposition leader Henrique Capriles has boycotted the process, saying it does not go far enough. Meanwhile, even supporters of Nicolas Maduro are impatient for the new president to tackle the country’s problems ranging from power outages to inflation. Rather than celebrating [...]
Venezuela Lawmakers Brawl Over Presidential Election Outcome
May 1, 2013 | Posted by
A number of Venezuelan members of parliament were injured Tuesday after a fight broke out over the recent presidential election dispute. Post-election tensions spilled over as the parliament erupted into a brawl among lawmakers. According to reports, pro-government legislators started throwing punches after opposition members unfurled a protest banner.
Security Lapse Mars Swearing-In of Venezuela President
April 20, 2013 | Posted by
The swearing in of Nicolas Maduro as Venezuela’s new president was interrupted by a man who ran on stage and grabbed the microphone. The man, who tried to appeal for the president’s help, was quickly tackled by bodyguards. The lapse in security was perhaps embarrassing for Maduro, with leaders and dignitaries from around the world [...]
Fear of More Violence Prompts Venezuela Opposition Leader to Cancel Rally
April 17, 2013 | Posted by
Henrique Capriles, Venezuela’s opposition leader, has called off a march by his supporters in the capital, Caracas, saying his rivals were plotting to “infiltrate” the rally to trigger violence. The announcement came Tuesday after demonstrations turned violent a day earlier. Seven people were killed in the violence after the electoral council ruled out Capriles’ demands [...]
Hugo Chavez’s Legacy Still Bears Influence on Venezuela’s Voters
April 12, 2013 | Posted by
Venezuela’s presidential contenders have held huge rallies as their campaigns draw to a close ahead of Sunday’s election. For the first time in 14 years he is absent, but Hugo Chavez’s name is on everyone’s lips. The late leader’s choice to succeed him, acting President Nicolas Maduro, says he is the sole guarantor of the [...]
Chavez as Cult Figure Shaping Venezuela Polls
April 9, 2013 | Posted by
Venezuela’s murder rate, economy and land rights are among the major issues for voters in Sunday’s presidential election. But the poll is being influenced by memories of the late former President Hugo Chavez, who is becoming a cult figure in the country. Critics say the government, including administration candidate Nicolas Maduro, is shamelessly exploiting Chavez’s [...]
Cuba’s Economy at Mercy of Venezuela’s Voters
April 2, 2013 | Posted by
It is not just Venezuelans who are looking anxiously at their post-Hugo Chavez future. Cubans, too, have much to lose if Venezuela’s government changes after the April 14 election, and they’re not happy about it. In campaign speeches, Venezuelan opposition leader Henrique Capriles is threatening to axe the long-time lifeline Venezuela has been providing to [...]
Venezuela to Investigate Possible Poisoning of Hugo Chavez
March 14, 2013 | Posted by
Venezuela will investigate whether or not late President Hugo Chavez was poisoned, according to acting President Nicolas Maduro. Chavez died while battling an undisclosed cancer in his pelvic region. Speaking on a regional TV network, Telesur, Maduro said that he believes Chavez was poisoned, echoing similar statements he made earlier this month accusing the United [...]
U.S. Expels 2 Venezuelan Diplomats in ‘Reciprocal Action’
March 11, 2013 | Posted by
In what has been deemed a retaliatory action, the U.S. State Department announced the expulsion of two Venezuelan diplomats, one week after Venezuela expelled a pair of U.S. Embassy officials from the country. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland announced that Orlando Jose Montanez Olivares and Victor Camacaro Mata were both declared persona non grata, and [...]
