Venezuela arrests U.S. fugitive as part of oil graft purge
April 14, 2023 GMTMIAMI (AP) — Authorities in Venezuela have brought corruption charges against a businessman who is a fugitive in a separate U.S. money laundering case targeting a top ally of the country's president, Nicolás Maduro.
Getting safe water a struggle for many of Venezuela’s poor
March 22, 2023 GMTCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Everyone knows Franklin Cáceres in his neighborhood on the far east side of Venezuela’s capital. A roadside vendor directs a visitor downhill, past a curve and to the left.
A generation of Venezuelan children know only struggles
March 5, 2023 GMTCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Valerie Torres’ mother has tried to shield her from the worst of Venezuela’s protracted crisis — the deadly protests, the sick people begging for help, the malnourished children with protruding ribs.
Brazilian team suffers racist abuse before match in Caracas
February 23, 2023 GMTSAO PAULO (AP) — South American soccer body CONMEBOL condemned racist incidents that took place in Venezuela's capital before a Copa Libertadores qualifying match between Carabobo and Brazil's Atletico Mineiro.
US court gives $153 million to Miami man jailed in Venezuela
January 23, 2023 GMTMIAMI (AP) — A federal judge in Miami has awarded $153 million in damages to the family of an exiled Venezuelan lawyer lured back home by his father’s kidnapping only to end up imprisoned for two years on trumped up charges of working as a “financial terrorist” undermining President Nicolás Maduro's rule.
Pelicans dying as bird flu outbreak spreads to Venezuela
December 5, 2022 GMTCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — An outbreak of bird flu in pelicans has authorities in Venezuela taking emergency efforts to protect poultry producers.
Numerous pelicans were found dead over the weekend along Venezuela’s coast as the species arrived amid their annual winter migration.
Colombian government, guerrilla group resume peace talks
November 21, 2022 GMTCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The Colombian government and the South American country’s largest remaining guerrilla group resumed peace talks Monday, breaking a roughly four-year hiatus during which the rebels have expanded the territory where they operate.
Airline flights resume between Colombia and Venezuela
November 8, 2022 GMTBOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Commercial flights between Colombia and Venezuela resumed Monday as relations improve between the South American neighbors following the election of Colombia’s first leftist president.
Colombia leader to see Venezuela’s Maduro as isolation thaws
October 31, 2022 GMTThe presidents of Colombia and Venezuela will have a face-to-face meeting Tuesday for the first time in six years as Colombia's new leader moves rapidly to improve long-frigid relations with a socialist neighbor still facing international sanctions.
Survivors of Venezuelan mudslide bury dead, look for missing
October 13, 2022 GMTLAS TEJERÍAS, Venezuela (AP) — A day after burying his mother, Rafael Negrín on Wednesday carried the coffin of his aunt who also died in floods and landslides in central Venezuela that killed at least 43 people and left dozens missing.
Rain-fueled landslide sweeps through Venezuela town; 22 dead
October 9, 2022 GMTLAS TEJERÍAS, Venezuela (AP) — A landslide fueled by flooding and days of torrential rain swept through a town in central Venezuela, leaving at least 22 people dead as it dragged mud, rocks and trees through neighborhoods, authorities said Sunday.
Venezuela swaps 7 jailed Americans for Maduro relatives
October 2, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — In a rare softening of hostile relations, Venezuela freed on Saturday seven imprisoned Americans in exchange for the United States releasing two nephews of President Nicolás Maduro’s wife who had been jailed for years on narcotics convictions.
Officials: Navy bribery case fugitive tried to get to Russia
September 23, 2022 GMTSAN DIEGO (AP) — Since escaping two weeks ago, officials say the fugitive Malaysian defense contractor nicknamed “Fat Leonard” — who orchestrated one of the U.S.
UN experts: Rights abuses continue in Maduro’s Venezuela
September 20, 2022 GMTCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Independent experts working with the U.N.’s top human rights body say Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro personally ordered the detention of government opponents and critics who ended up suffering electric shocks, beatings, asphyxiation and other cruel acts while in custody.
US court awards $73 million for Venezuelan opponent’s death
September 20, 2022 GMTMIAMI (AP) — A federal judge in Miami has awarded $73 million in damages to the family of a prominent opponent of Venezuela's socialist government who died while in custody in what he described as a “murder for hire” carried out by a criminal enterprise led by President Nicolás Maduro.
Despite setbacks, Venezuelan opposition leader touts record
September 17, 2022 GMTCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó gave a quasi-state of the nation address Friday, offering a broad accounting of millions of dollars under his control and taking credit for social programs benefiting people across the troubled South American country.
Colombia, Venezuela border to reopen to cargo traffic
September 9, 2022 GMTBOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — The presidents of Colombia and Venezuela on Friday announced that the years-long closure of their countries' shared border to cargo transport will end Sept. 26. Air service between their capitals will also resume.
Venezuela, Colombia take step toward normalizing ties
August 30, 2022 GMTCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The governments of Venezuela and Colombia took a step toward normalizing ties Monday when President Nicolás Maduro hosted an event to welcome the newly appointed ambassador from the neighboring country, a post that had been empty since 2019 over a diplomatic impasse.
Pay pushes Venezuelan teachers to protest, consider quitting
August 15, 2022 GMTCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Public school teachers across Venezuela had planned to use their annual vacation bonus to buy uniforms for their children, waterproof leaky roofs, get new prescription glasses or fix the pair barely held together by adhesive tape.
Ride-sharing apps rise in Venezuela as public transit decays
July 30, 2022 GMTCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Ride-sharing apps like Uber, DiDi and Lyft may have driven across much of the globe, but they haven't yet rolled into Venezuela, where U.S. sanctions and years of hyperinflation and other woes made it difficult to operate.
US officials back in Venezuela in a bid to rebuild ties
June 28, 2022 GMTCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Senior U.S. government officials have quietly traveled to Caracas in the latest bid to bring home detained Americans and rebuild relations with the South American oil giant as the war in Ukraine drags on, forcing the U.S.
Venezuelan opposition to file complaint for attack on leader
June 14, 2022 GMTCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The Venezuelan opposition group backed by the United States will file a complaint with the Inter-American Court of Human Rights for the physical attack its leader suffered over the weekend during a visit to a rural community as part of a tour meant to unite his party and allies.
Venezuelan opposition leader attacked during national tour
June 12, 2022 GMTCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The leader of the U.S.-backed opposition in Venezuela was physically attacked Saturday during a visit to a rural community, according to members of his parallel government, who accused a group of ruling party associates of carrying out the assault.
Venezuelan leader, Iranian president sign 20-year agreement
June 11, 2022 GMTTEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and Iran's hard-line president signed a 20-year cooperation agreement Saturday, a day after Maduro praised the Islamic Republic for sending badly needed fuel to his nation despite U.S.
Biden renews sanctions license for Chevron in Venezuela
May 27, 2022 GMTMIAMI (AP) — The Biden administration has renewed a license partially exempting Chevron from sanctions on Venezuela so it can keep operating in the oil-rich, socialist-run nation.
On Venezuelan roads, old cars prevail, break down everywhere
May 21, 2022 GMTCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — A 1983 Chevrolet C-10 pickup is the workhorse of Argenis Ron’s party equipment rental business. He uses it to haul chairs, tents and tables to gatherings all across Venezuela's sprawling capital.
US to ease a few economic sanctions against Venezuela
May 17, 2022 GMTCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The United States government is moving to ease a few economic sanctions on Venezuela in a gesture meant to encourage resumed negotiations between the U.S.-backed opposition and the government of President Nicolás Maduro.
Venezuela opposition faction to hold presidential primaries
May 16, 2022 GMTCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The Venezuelan opposition faction backed by the United States announced plans Monday to hold a primary contest next year to choose a presidential candidate for the planned 2024 election.
Venezuela plans stock sale in break from socialist model
May 14, 2022 GMTCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s government is seeking private investors to pump funds into vital but crippled state-run companies, decades after seizing them in the name of socialism.
The government on Monday intends to offer 5% to 10% stakes in companies ranging from telephone and internet service providers to a petrochemical producer.
Music stars return to Venezuela after skipping it for years
April 4, 2022 GMTCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The ground shook at the instant the voice of Mexican music star Alejandro Fernandez collided with the deafening cheers of fans gathered for his first concert in Venezuela in over a decade.
International Criminal Court to open office in Venezuela
March 31, 2022 GMTCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The prosecutor’s office of the International Criminal Court said Thursday that it will open an office in Venezuela as it investigates allegations of torture and killings by the South American country’s security forces.
Mexican president revels in new airport; questions remain
March 21, 2022 GMTMEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador inaugurated a new Mexico City airport on Monday, one of his four hallmark building projects.
The government pulled out all the fanfare it could muster, including releasing a documentary on the project showing an army general talking to a statue.
Pressure builds on Biden to repay Venezuela’s goodwill moves
March 10, 2022 GMTMIAMI (AP) — Pressure is building on the Biden administration to begin unwinding sanctions on Venezuela after President Nicolas Maduro freed two American prisoners and promised to resume negotiations with his opponents.
American freed from Venezuela says his ‘nightmare’ has ended
March 9, 2022 GMTMIAMI (AP) — An American oil executive freed from custody in Venezuela said that even as he celebrates with his family the end of a long “nightmare,” he's praying for the release of five colleagues who are still imprisoned and “deserve the same blessings.”
Venezuelan opposition gathers to hear call for unity
February 12, 2022 GMTCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelan opposition parties on Saturday staged one of their largest rallies since the coronavirus pandemic erupted, hearing calls for unity to end more than two decades of socialist governments — though they were outnumbered by a pro-government demonstration elsewhere in the capital.
Venezuela’s Guaidó, opposition seek to unite under big tent
February 11, 2022 GMTCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The Venezuelan opposition was reenergized recently by an unexpected gubernatorial victory in the home state of the late President Hugo Chavez. Now it is trying to use that momentum to bring its divided factions together and launch yet another attempt to topple his political heirs.
Venezuela upholds long jail sentences for US oil executives
February 5, 2022 GMTMIAMI (AP) — A court in Venezuela has upheld long prison sentences for six American oil executives detained in the South American country on corruption charges for more than four years.
US hostage envoy visited Venezuela to meet jailed Americans
December 11, 2021 GMTMIAMI (AP) — A senior U.S. diplomat quietly traveled to Venezuela this week and met with imprisoned Americans as part of an ongoing effort to secure release of men the Biden administration believes are being held as bargaining chips by a top U.S.
Venezuela’s high court retroactively disqualifies candidate
November 30, 2021 GMTCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — A Venezuelan opposition candidate who has been leading in vote count in the governor's race for the home state of the late President Hugo Chávez has been retroactively disqualified by the country’s highest court more than a week after the election was held.
EU reports improvements, old tactics in Venezuela election
November 23, 2021 GMTCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s regional elections last weekend happened under better conditions compared to the country's elections in recent years but were marred by the use of public funds to benefit pro-government candidates, European Union monitors announced Tuesday.
Venezuela votes in regional election under international eye
November 22, 2021 GMTCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — A divided Venezuelan opposition found itself Monday on familiar territory, having lost an overwhelming majority of races disputed in a regional election a day earlier. But the divisions over how to move forward from their expected defeat and achieve their goal of knocking off President Nicolás Maduro have never been so evident.
Venezuela votes in regional election under international eye
November 22, 2021 GMTCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Under the scrutiny of international observers, Venezuelans cast ballots for thousands of local races in elections that for the first time in four years included major opposition participation, a move that divided the already fractured bloc adversarial to President Nicolás Maduro.
Venezuelan musicians set world’s largest orchestra record
November 21, 2021 GMTCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Thousands of Venezuelan musicians, most of them children and adolescents, have earned the title of the world’s largest orchestra.
Venezuelans to participate in high-stakes regional elections
November 19, 2021 GMTCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — President Nicolás Maduro is not on the ballot for Sunday’s elections across Venezuela and the winners of the gubernatorial and local races likely won’t be well known beyond their country’s borders.
Businessman in Venezuela corruption case pleads not guilty
November 15, 2021 GMTMIAMI (AP) — A businessman accused of siphoning off millions in state contracts from Venezuela pleaded not guilty on Monday in a high profile case that's strained relations between Washington and Caracas.
Venezuelan musicians pursue world’s largest orchestra record
November 14, 2021 GMTCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Hundreds of violins, violas and double basses sounded at Venezuela’s military academy Saturday, then woodwinds, brass and percussion gradually joined in — and thousands of musicians, mostly children and adolescents, were playing with a single goal: setting the record as the world’s largest orchestra.
International Criminal Court to probe abuses in Venezuela
November 4, 2021 GMTCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The International Criminal Court is opening a formal investigation into allegations of torture and extrajudicial killings committed by Venezuelan security forces under President Nicolás Maduro’s rule, the first time a country in Latin America is facing scrutiny for possible crimes against humanity from the court.
Miami prosecutors partly dismiss charges against Maduro ally
November 1, 2021 GMTMIAMI (AP) — Federal prosecutors in Miami have dismissed several criminal charges against an ally of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro due to assurances they made to Cape Verde over a year ago as part of a rancorous extradition fight.
Venezuela halts talks after Maduro ally’s extradition to US
October 17, 2021 GMTMIAMI (AP) — Venezuela’s government said Saturday it would halt negotiations with its opponents in retaliation for the extradition to the U.S. of a close ally of President Nicolás Maduro who prosecutors believe could be the most significant witness ever about corruption in the South American country.
Russia struggles to meet global orders for Sputnik V vaccine
October 15, 2021 GMTCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Esperita García de Perez got her first vaccination against COVID-19 in May. That, along with her Catholic faith, made her feel better protected against the virus, and she had hoped to get her second shot of the Russian-developed Sputnik V vaccine a few weeks later.
Without Neymar, Brazil tests its options against Venezuela
October 6, 2021 GMTSAO PAULO (AP) — Not having star playmaker Neymar or midfielder Casemiro available for selection will allow Brazil coach Tite to experiment with his lineup in Thursday's World Cup qualifier at Venezuela.
Venezuela introduces new currency with 6 fewer zeros
October 1, 2021 GMTCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — A new currency with six fewer zeros debuted Friday in Venezuela, whose currency has been made nearly worthless by years of the world’s worst inflation.
But the new bills were difficult to find in the capital, where consumers' fears that prices will continue to spiral upward proved to be right.
Scott Smith, AP reporter in Venezuela, dies at 50
August 20, 2021 GMTMIAMI (AP) — Scott Smith, a correspondent for The Associated Press who traveled across Venezuela to document personal stories of desperation and hope in the troubled country, has died. He was 50.
Smith was diagnosed in February with brain cancer and was evacuated from the capital, Caracas, in a rare show of cooperation between the U.S.
Hyperinflation, US dollars pricing out Venezuelan consumers
August 11, 2021 GMTCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Yosmar Sanguino says she struggles to put food on the table for her two daughters and three grandchildren in a low-income neighborhood of Venezuela’s capital.
She often whips up arepas — traditional flat, round corn patties — with butter and cheese.