News: All

Fury over Violent Dispersal of Worker Protest in Venezuela

Dec 10th 2012

Marcela Maspero (centre, left) and other union leaders expressed fury over the violent dispersal of a worker protest last week (

The violent dispersal of a protest by workers and the subsequent arrest of several prominent union leaders has generated an angry response among the Venezuelan labour movement.

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Venezuela’s Chavez’s Cancer Returns, Leaves Vice-President in Charge

Dec 8th 2012

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez will return to Cuba tomorrow for fresh surgery (VTV)

Tonight President Hugo Chavez announced on public television that he will return to Cuba to receive surgery for new malignant cells, and that vice-president Nicolas Maduro will be in charge during his absence.

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Venezuela Abolishes Entrance Visas for Palestinians

Dec 7th 2012

Venezuelan vice president Nicolas Maduro (right) with Palestinian foreign minister, Riad-Al-Maliki this Tuesday (VTV)

Venezuela has abolished entrance visas for Palestinian visitors among a set of new agreements with the Middle Eastern country. Meanwhile, Venezuela president Hugo Chavez returned from Cuba this morning after receiving complimentary medical treatment.

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Venezuela’s Dancing Devils Receive Country’s First Intangible Heritage Recognition by Unesco

Dec 7th 2012

One of Venezuela’s most celebrated traditions was granted Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity status by the United Nation’s Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) on Wednesday during a committee meeting of the international body in Paris.

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Mercosur Opens New Economic Opportunities for Venezuela

Dec 7th 2012

Venezuela's entry into the Mercosur trade bloc is opening new economic opportunities for the South American country (Juan M

Venezuela’s recent entry into the South American trading block Mercosur has opened new opportunities for the country’s private and public sector firms, including alliances with multinational firms such as Samsung and Renault for export to the region.

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Venezuela Celebrates Advances for People with Disabilities

Dec 5th 2012

People with disabilities marked their day yesterday with ceremonies and activities across Venezuela (AVN)

“One Disability, a Thousand Potentials” was the motto yesterday as Venezuela marked the International Day of People with Disabilities, holding a range of cultural and awareness raising activities.

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Venezuela’s Vice-President Demands “Respect” for Chávez’s Health

Dec 3rd 2012

Venezuelan vice-president Nicolas Maduro demanded “respect” for Huge Chavez’s health “In the name of the Venezuelan peop

Venezuelan vice-president Nicolas Maduro demanded “respect” for President Hugo Chavez’s health, claiming that the Venezuelan opposition is trying to take political advantage of Chavez’s latest health visit to Cuba.

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Inmate Testimony Casts Doubt on Venezuelan Judge’s Rape Allegations

Dec 3rd 2012

Maria Lourdes Afiuni in her home where she has been under house arrest since February 2011 (El Universal)

Various statements from inmates and state officials have cast doubt on the allegations by Venezuelan Judge Maria Lourdes Afiuni that she was raped while in prison two years ago. Venezuelan authorities say the new allegations are part of a media campaign against the Chavez government.

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Unasur Creates Electoral Council, Moves toward Greater Economic Cooperation

Dec 3rd 2012

Unasur’s first experience in electoral observation was in Venezuela’s presidential election in October this year (archive)

The Union of South American nations (Unasur) has created an electoral council, as well as moving forward on initiatives for greater economic integration.

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Venezuela and Palestine to Strengthen Relations after Landmark UN Vote

Nov 30th 2012

Farid Suwwan, Palestine’s ambassador to Venezuela (VTV)

Venezuela will be the first country to receive an official Palestinian delegation after the Middle-eastern country was recognised by the United Nations as a non-member observer state yesterday.

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Gender and Sexuality Groups Rally for Greater Gender Equality in Venezuela

Nov 29th 2012

Members of the Feminist Spider network gathered in front of the Attorney General’s Office, near Carabobo Park in Caracas, to carry out a series of activities for the International Day against Violence against Women on Monday.

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Venezuela’s Chavez Returns to Cuba for Medical Treatment

Nov 28th 2012

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez arrives to Havana early Wednesday morning (El Carabobeño)

Venezuela's National Assembly approved a request by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez yesterday for him to travel to Cuba to receive medical treatment. National and international private media used the announcement to speculate about the Venezuelan president's health.

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Venezuela's State Election Campaigns Take Shape

Nov 28th 2012

PSUV candidate for Miranda state, Elias Jaua, on the campaign trail (AVN)

While polls show President Hugo Chavez’s United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) candidates for governors to be leading in most states, some tense situations are developing as both opposition and pro-Chavez forces are divided in some states, and the membership of both sides are criticising campaign strategies being employed.

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Venezuela Again the Target of Human Rights Accusations

Nov 26th 2012

Officials from the Ministry of Prison Services held a press conference to refute the allegations (Prensa MPPSP)

Venezuela has become the target once again of accusations regarding supposed human rights violations after the UN Human Rights Commission published a decision in the case of Eligio Cedeño last week, and new allegations of rape were made in the case of Maria Lourdes Afiuni.

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