MEXICO CITY — Venezuela’s presidential election so far is a one-horse race for incumbent President Nicolás Maduro. That’s not for a lack of potential challengers, or because of any great affection from voters. It’s because he’s the only politician with the means for a campaign and a guaranteed spot on the ballot. Electoral authorities this … Read more
LA PARAGUA, Venezuela — Families and friends began burying loved ones on Thursday who were among at least 16 people killed in the collapse of an illegally operated gold mine in a remote area of central Venezuela. The tributes come as anger mounts at the government’s slow response helping the injured and recovering bodies from … Read more
CARACAS, Venezuela — The U.S. government on Monday pulled back part of the sanctions relief it granted Venezuela last year, following through on its threat after the South American country’s highest court blocked the presidential candidacy of an opposition leader. The Department of the Treasury gave companies transacting with Venezuela’s state-owned mining company until Feb. … Read more
CARACAS, Venezuela — Dueling political factions took to the streets of Venezuela’s capital on Tuesday for the first competing rallies of the presidential election year, showcasing their ability to draw people en masse, as voters grapple with political disappointments and uncertainty over the candidate who ultimately will challenge President Nicolás Maduro. Supporters of Maduro’s ruling … Read more
CARACAS, Venezuela — U.S. diplomats on Friday injected confusion into next year’s presidential election in Venezuela by applauding the purported inclination of opposition leader Maria Corina Machado and other government foes to appeal their bans on running for office. A tweet from the U.S. government’s unit that oversees Venezuelan affairs praised Machado’s “courage and willingness” … Read more
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has ordered the country’s oil companies to issue extraction licenses in oil-rich Essequibo, a region in neighboring Guyana—increasing tensions between the two countries and reigniting a longstanding territory dispute. The news comes after more than 95% of Venezuelan voters approved a referendum claiming ownership over land—which makes up more than two-thirds … Read more
SURAMA, Guyana — Congregants of an Anglican church in a sparsely populated rainforest village in Guyana gathered recently to bid on a bounty of bananas, squash and other produce during a community event. They sang hymns and rang a bell after each successful bid. They offered grateful devotions typical of a harvest festival but also … Read more
VALENCIA, Venezuela — Josselyz Essa and a friend, two 9-year-olds with a budding interest in politics as Venezuela starts toward its next presidential election, bubbled with eagerness waiting for the campaign rally to start. Then a thunderous noise spread over the crowd in the streets of the northern city of Valencia. The girls stretched up … Read more
Comment on this storyComment CARACAS, Venezuela — The government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has issued an arrest warrant against opposition leader Juan Guaidó, and said it asked for an Interpol red alert, accusing the politician of using state oil money for his own benefit. Guaidó, who was once recognized by the United States and … Read more
Touch upon this storyComment CARACAS, Venezuela — María Corina Machado had already been barred from leaving Venezuela for a decade and blacklisted by many of the nation’s main tv stations. Then, after she emerged because the clear front-runner on this fall’s main election to decide on a candidate to run towards President Nicolás Maduro, his … Read more