Courtesy of: Reuters
This week: With Hugo Chávez still absent, Venezuela considers a US proposal to return DEA agents kicked out of the country eight years ago; Venezuelan state-run oil company PDSVA’s debt spikes 150% in five years; Venezuela’s high court dismisses request for medical board to assess Chávez’s health condition; and allies and adversaries of Chávez hold separate rallies to mark the anniversary of Venezuela’s democracy. Venezuelan Vice President Nicolás Maduro travels again to Cuba to visit ailing Chávez; amidst uncertainty over Chávez’s health, dozens of nations with favorable oil ties to Venezuela worry about their future; leading Spanish newspaper El País withdraws front-page exclusive photo of Chávez in Cuba saying it’s fake; and Maduro claims to be the target of an assassination plot, but fails to provide proof of the claim. Lastly, trying to fill the void of Chávez’s 45-day absence, the government churns out images, slogans and sound bites of the president; Foreign Minister Elías Jaua admits that Chávez still faces the most complex phase of his recovery after cancer surgery; the Venezuelan government tries to crack down on used cars, one of the last refuges against its growing inflation; and the IMF forecasts a drop in Venezuela’s oil revenue and a reduction of its economic growth.
Envoy says Venezuela open to better ties with U.S., Reuters
Venezuela’s government is open to improving troubled ties with Washington and is considering a U.S. proposal for the return of anti-drug agents kicked out of the country eight years ago by President Hugo Chavez, a senior official said.
Pdvsa’s debt spikes 150% in five years, El Universal
Venezuelan state-run oil company Pdvsa is under significant pressure, amidst its obligations with the central Government and the need to invest in core activities, which has translated into higher debt.
High court president dismisses request for a medical board, El Universal
“We have standing information about the health condition of the Venezuelan president,” Luisa Estella Morales, the president of the Venezuelan Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ), told state-run TV channel Venezolana de Televisión (VTV) on Monday evening during an interview.
Allies and adversaries of Chavez hold separate rallies to mark Venezuela democracy anniversary, Associated Press
Allies of President Hugo Chavez took to the streets of Venezuela’s capital by the thousands on Wednesday to commemorate the anniversary of Venezuela’s democracy amid uncertainty about the president’s health more than six weeks after he underwent cancer surgery in Cuba.
Venezuela VP Maduro Arrives in Havana to Visit Ailing Chavez, Businessweek
Venezuelan Vice President Nicolas Maduro arrived in Havana yesterday to receive instructions from cancer-stricken President Hugo Chavez on a regional summit taking place this week.
Venezuela oil deals: Poor nations worry about future, BBC News
As Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez continues to receive medical care in Cuba after a fourth cancer operation, many small countries across the region have their own reasons for carefully monitoring his health.
Leading Spanish newspaper El Pais pulls back edition with fake photo of Chavez, Associated Press
Leading Spanish newspaper El Pais says it withdrew and reprinted Thursday’s edition after discovering its front-page exclusive photograph supposedly showing ailing Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez being treated in Cuba was a fake.
Venezuela’s vice president says he’s target of assassination plot, Reuters
Venezuelan Vice President Nicolas Maduro said unidentified groups had entered the country with the aim of assassinating him and the head of the National Assembly as President Hugo Chavez recovers from cancer in Cuba.
Hugo Chavez a potent symbol in Venezuela as cult of personality flourishes during long absence, Associated Press
While Venezuela’s sick president recuperates from surgery behind closed doors in Cuba, at home he is more visible than ever.
Chavez Faces Most Complex Phase of Cancer Recovery, Businessweek
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez still faces the “most complex” phase of his recovery after cancer surgery last month in Cuba, Foreign Minister Elias Jaua said yesterday after returning from a trip to Havana.
Venezuela Ready to Crack Down on Clunker Car Inflation Refuge, Bloomberg
Venezuela’s government is preparing to crack down on one of the last refuges against the fastest inflation in Latin America — used cars.
IMF forecasts drop in Venezuela’s oil revenues, El Universal
In its World Economic Outlook Update report for 2013, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) cut by 0.3% its growth projection for Latin America and the Caribbean, and estimated growth in the region at 3.6%, AP cited.