This week: Venezuela’s opposition releases an audio recording of Mario Silva, prominent talk show host and top government operative, which suggests Cuban meddling in the country’s politics, internal dissension within the party and widespread corruption; after the leak, Silva takes ‘leave of absence’ in Cuba, citing health issues; in the aftermath of the controversy, a Venezuelan prosecutor is set to open an investigation into the leaked recording. Meanwhile, Venezuela releases opposition leader and retired General Antonio Rivero after being jailed in post-election crackdown; the U.S. State Department publically denounces Venezuela’s record of anti-Semitism by the government and state-run media; three weeks after the violent brawl, the National Assembly reconvenes but remains deeply divided; and new owners of Globovisión, Venezuela’s only channel critical of the government, decide to tone down its news coverage. Feeling the pressure of a crumbling economy, Maduro makes timid reforms unlikely to improve Venezuela’s economy; the Cuban population in Venezuela doubles in one decade; water service is restored after a three-day outage in parts of Caracas; and though the Venezuelan oil basket price has been above the $100 ceiling, its debt soars 97.5 percent in three years.
Venezuela opposition releases recording it says suggests Cuban meddling in country’s politics, Associated Press
Venezuela’s opposition has released an audio recording that it said contains a prominent member of the ruling party discussing political strategy with a Cuban intelligence officer.
Venezuela talk-show host, who revealed infighting among Chavistas takes ‘leave of absence’ in Cuba, MercoPress
The fact that Mario Silva has decided to be absent from the talk show and has flown to Cuba, “is clear indication that the recording, despite official rejection of its contents, is true”, said Venezuelan political analyst Carlos Romero.
Venezuela prosecutor to open probe over leaked recording, Reuters
Venezuela’s prosecutor’s office said on Thursday it would open an investigation into in a recording the opposition says features a top government ally accusing the deputy head of the ruling Socialist Party of corruption and conspiring against the new president.
Venezuela releases ex-general jailed in post-election crackdown on opposition, Associated Press
Venezuelan authorities have released a dissident ex-general who was jailed on charges of inciting unrest after the country’s disputed presidential election.
Washington denounces anti-Semitism in Venezuela, El Universal
The United States on Monday denounced anti-Semitic expressions by the government and state-run media in Venezuela.
Venezuela parliament reconvenes 3 weeks after brawl that injured opposition lawmakers, Fox News
Venezuela’s parliament roared back to life Tuesday with fractious debates between government and opposition lawmakers after a three-week paralysis following a brawl on the assembly floor.
Globovision owners hint at toned-down news stance, Associated Press
The new owners of Venezuela’s only television channel to take critical stands against the government say they will, in their words, “contribute to a climate of peace and not of conflict.”
In Venezuela, a halfhearted crisis response, Foreign Policy
As you may have heard, Venezuela’s economy is in trouble.
Cuban population in Venezuela doubles in one decade, El Universal
Strengthened Cuba-Venezuelan political ties led the Cuban population living in Venezuela to climb from 9,795 in 2001 to 20,991 in 2011, thus becoming the community of Latin American immigrants with the largest expansion in the South American country.
Venezuela Capital Water Service to be Restored After Three Days, Bloomberg
Water service will be restored today after a three-day outage in parts of Caracas, capital of South America’s biggest oil producer, the Venezuela state news agency AVN said.
Venezuela’s domestic debt soars 97.5% in three years, El Universal
Although the Venezuelan oil basket price has been above the USD 100 ceiling, Venezuela’s debt has continued growing.