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Under President Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela's prosperity and stability have evaporated. In 2014, Venezuela entered recession. In 2015, the country's inflation rate soared to its highest in history. Failing healthcare, food shortages, corruption and increased crime underpinned deepening dissatisfaction with Maduro's government, enabling the opposition to win control of the National Assembly.
Full-scale political meltdown followed when, in October 2016, the National Electoral Council called for Maduro's removal from the presidency. Months of deadly protests and a crackdown on dissent further polarised the country. In July 2017, Maduro convened a new Constitutional Assembly, made up of his allies, to replace the Venezuelan Constitution and supersede the opposition-controlled National Assembly. Condemnation from the international community was scathing: Maduro was branded a "dictator" intent on undoing Venezuelan democracy, but he has so far remained defiant, cementing his power.
Beijing’s massive investment in the corrupt Maduro regime has been a mistake. China has failed to save Venezuela from economic collapse, and serious questions are being asked about Beijing’s sensitivity in managing geopolitical risks.
- Polls show only 13.9 per cent of Venezuelans plan to vote for the incumbent president, far behind opposition candidate Maria Corina Machado’s 54.5 per cent
- But it is unclear whether Machado will appear on the ballot after the country’s top court upheld a ban barring her from holding public office
The ruling could risk the wrath of the United States, which this month rolled back some sanctions in exchange for the electoral deal.
Government critic Maria Corina Machado declared herself the winner early on Monday after early results showing her ahead with more than 90 per cent of support.
On Friday, the country becomes the South American nation to have removed the most zeros from its currency – 14 since 2008.
Countries including the US and Britain have recognised Guaido as the legitimate president of Venezuela, although China, Russia and many others have not.
Tehran’s intent in sending the vessels in the direction of the western hemisphere remains a mystery, as does their cargo.
A ship that recently loaded Venezuelan crude was found to be using a false signal to disguise its identity, potentially putting Palau in breach of US sanctions.
Many of the 30,000 Chinese-Venezuelans living in Enping, Guangdong province, face a grim scenario: return to their ‘shattered’ South American home or illegally stay in China.
President Nicolas Maduro seized total control of Venezuela’s political institutions with a sweeping victory in legislative elections that were boycotted by the main opposition parties.
The Treasury Department accused the electronics company of supporting Maduro’s efforts to restrict internet and conduct cyber operations against opponents.
Move by Trump administration was aimed at ousting Maduro, but failed to completely halt the South American nation’s oil exports.
The former Caracas-area mayor had been holed up at the Spanish diplomatic compound since a failed military uprising in 2019.
President Nicolas Maduro and his interior and defence ministers ordered or contributed to the crimes documented.
Former National Assembly vice-president and opposition leader Juan Guaido’s chief of staff are among more than two dozen lawmakers pardoned.
The ruling came after Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro’s central bank asked for US$1 billion in gold bullion to be released from the Bank of England.
Fleet is carrying about 1.5 million barrels of fuel, and arrives amid tensions between Tehran and Washington, which has imposed sanctions on Venezuelan oil exports and Iran.
President touts footage of ex-soldier as proof that Trump had backed attempt to remove him from power; critics warn of signs that testimony was forced.
The two American citizens have been identified as Luke Denman and Airan Berry, both former US special forces soldiers.
The group was said to have attempted to land with fast boats before dawn in the northern coastal state of La Guaira but were intercepted by the military.
For some of Venezuela’s high-flying ‘Bolichicos’ – the privileged offspring of the socialist revolution – the party hasn’t stopped amid a widening pandemic in a country already gripped by crisis.
To break political stalemate, Washington calls for transitional government to take power and set up new elections.
US officials have long sought Carvajal because they believe he could provide a treasure trove of information on the alleged drug activities of Maduro.
President accused of conspiring to ‘flood United States with cocaine’; move marks escalation in Trump administration’s campaign to oust socialist leader.
‘Let the homeland grow!’ president exhorts during televised event, drawing criticism from human rights activists.
The US State Department condemned the detention of Juan Jose Marquez, saying that it was politically motivated.
Government-backed lawmakers earlier tried to take control of National Assembly in what opposition decried as attempted coup.
Troops with riot shields blocked Venezuela’s opposition leader Juan Guaido from entering parliament for what was expected to be his re-election as head of Congress.
Washington blacklisted Leopoldo Cintra Frias and his children, Deborah Cintra Gonzalez and Leopoldo Cintra Gonzalez.
Visit comes shortly after the security executive and Trump supporter floated plan to deploy private army to help topple the socialist leader.
Government and state oil company suggest paying suppliers and contractors in yuan accounts in China as Caracas tries to cope without access to the US financial system.
