News

Social Movement Victory: Venezuela’s Maduro Derails Plan for New Carbon Mines

Sep 4th 2015

Ecologist Jorge Guerrero was one of the many activists to draw attention to the environmental disaster that would be caused by a

After months of grassroots organizing, a “correction” of the presidential Decree 1,606 was published in last week’s Official Gazette revoking plans for new coal mines and a carbon-electric plant in Venezuela’s western region, in acknowledgement of the damage it would cause for the ecosystem and indigenous communities in the region.

UPDATED: Venezuela’s Maduro Signs Deals with China, Vietnam, Meets with Russia to Discuss Oil Prices

Sep 2nd 2015

China’s President Xi Jinping (R) and Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro before their meeting at the Great Hall of the Peop

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro set out for a diplomatic tour of Vietnam and China over the weekend, and plans to meet tomorrow in Beijing with Russian president Vladimir Putin to discuss possible steps for stabilizing oil prices.

Venezuela Arrests Over 50 National Guard for Ties to Border Smuggling

Sep 2nd 2015

Venezuelan GNB on the border with Colombia. (AFP)

The governor of Venezuela’s Tachira state reported that over 50 Venezuelan National Guards (GNB) have been arrested for their alleged rolls in smuggling operations on the Colombian border, while 110 regional police officers have been fired for related activity.

Venezuela Responds to International Criticism Regarding Border Closure

Aug 31st 2015

Venezuela's Vice President Jorge Arreaza (L) supervises security operations in the border with Colombia. (VTV)

Venezuela accused the United States and the European Union of hypocrisy after both bodies criticized the South American nation for deporting over 1000 undocumented Colombians in a crackdown on border smuggling last week.

Maduro Announces Further Border Closures After Colombia and Venezuela Recall Ambassadors

Aug 29th 2015

Colombian police stand guard in front of the border with Venezuelan Bolivarian Army soldiers near Villa del Rosario village, Aug

Venezuela and Colombia recalled their ambassadors for consultations on Thursday after a meeting between the two nations’ foreign ministers on Wednesday failed to calm diplomatic tensions over Venezuelan border closures and Colombian smuggling activities. The move was followed by further border closures announced by Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro on Friday.

Colombia and Venezuelan Ambassadors to Meet after Border Closure Highlights Tensions

Aug 26th 2015

1. A man carries another man while crossing to Colombia through the Tachira river, next to others carrying their belongings, at

Venezuelan and Colombian foreign ministers will meet today to discuss the issues surrounding Venezuela’s border closure and the crackdown on smuggling and undocumented Colombian immigrants in Tachira state, amid rising controversy.

2,000 Soldiers Deployed to Venezuelan Border to Maintain State of Exception

Aug 24th 2015

The state of exception, which went into effect on Saturday morning, affects five municipalities in Tachira state. (TeleSUR Engli

More than 2,000 soldiers from the National Bolivarian Armed Forces (FANB) and other state security forces were deployed in the early hours of the morning to the La Invasion region in San Antonio, Tachira state after Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro declared a state of exception in the area.

Uproar after Chavista Colonel Detained for Giving Controversial Interview

Aug 21st 2015

Jose Martin Raga gives an interview to Newsweek. (Photo: Aporrea)

Venezuelan Colonel Jose Martin Raga was detained Wednesday after Newsweek en Español published an interview in which he shared his critical perspective on the Bolivarian government, while maintaining his support for the revolution. The military official was released today without charges, after his arrest took social media by storm.

Colombian and Venezuelan Governments Work Together after Attack Closes Border

Aug 21st 2015

The attack of two soldiers caused Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro to close the International Simon Bolivar bridge (pictured)

On Wednesday, following an attack on Venezuelan troops leaving two soldiers in critical condition, president Nicolas Maduro closed a major border crossing to Colombia for “at least 72 hours” and launched a search for the assailants.

Alleged Paramilitary Charged with Murder of Robert Serra, Awaits Trial in Venezuela

Aug 19th 2015

Leiver Padilla arriving in Venezuela following his extradition from Colombia (AVN)

Alleged Colombian paramilitary Leiver Padilla (alias "El Colombia") has been formally charged by Venezuelan prosecutors with the murder of the young socialist parliamentarian Robert Serra and his partner Maria Herrera.

Attacks on Venezuelan Commune and Farmland Reported, Crops Destroyed

Aug 19th 2015

Edison Diaz (center) accuses Barinas state governor Adan Chavez of ordering a raid to evict farmworkers and destroy their crops.

Over the past week, two different Venezuelan groups have stepped forward to denounce illegitimate raids conducted by National Guard officials (GNB) against peasants on disputed farmland in Barinas state, and on the agricultural commune El Maizal, respectively

Murderer of Sabino Romero Given Maximum Sentence in Historic Ruling

Aug 17th 2015

(aporrea tvi)

Venezuelan social movements celebrated victory on Friday following a long awaited court ruling sentencing to 30 years the man accused of murdering Yukpa indigenous leader Sabino Romero.

Maduro Calls for Radicalizing Bolivarian Revolution, Voices Solidarity with Ecuadorian and Brazilian Leaders

Aug 17th 2015

President Nicolas Maduro speaking at a meeting of the Presidential Council of Communes Government on Saturday (Photo: Correo del

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro issued calls for "a more radical revolution" on Saturday, announcing expanded funding for the country's growing commune movement.

Venezuela Frees Ex-Defense Minister Convicted of Corruption

Aug 13th 2015

Raul Isaias Baduel (Photo: archive/UltimasNoticias)

Former defense minister Raul Isaías Baduel was granted parole by a Venezuelan military tribunal yesterday after serving six years for corruption charges.

Jailed Ex-Mayor Granted House Arrest amid Fracturing Opposition

Aug 12th 2015

Hard right opposition leader Daniel Ceballos (archive)

Daniel Ceballos, a former mayor of the Venezuelan city of San Cristobal, was granted house arrest yesterday due to health issues. The announcement comes amid fresh schisms in the opposition electoral coalition.