April 19, 2019 Drug trafficking keeping Maduro in power in Venezuela, analysts say It has been more than three months since the U.S. accelerated its onslaught of economic sanctions, words of warning and announced it was backing a completely new interim President – heightening official expectation that the Nicolas Maduro-led regime of Venezuela would crumble within a few days, if not a few weeks. Only the socialist dictatorship has failed to fall. While there an array of factors to blame, analysts are pointing to illicit trafficking rings as a fundamental Maduro lifeline.
April 17, 2019 Trump reverses slew of Obama-era Cuba policies in new crackdown The Trump administration on Wednesday rescinded several Obama-era policies toward Cuba, while imposing tough sanctions against Venezuela and Nicaragua – as part of a new crackdown on what National Security Adviser John Bolton dubbed the “three stooges of socialism."
April 11, 2019 Ana Quintana: Mike Pompeo’s trip to South America underscores US commitment to the region It is critical that the U.S. continue deepening partnerships with like-minded nations in Latin America.
April 10, 2019 Pence confronts Venezuelan ambassador at UN: ‘You shouldn’t be here’ Vice President Pence called out Venezuela's United Nations ambassador to his face while addressing the body's Security Council on Wednesday -- a speech he used to declare it's time for Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro to step down.
April 8, 2019 As Venezuela's government blocks aid and makes arbitrary arrests, locals turn to an app as a lifeline In a crumbling country where almost all but state-owned media outlets have been shuttered, food and medicine are scarce, unrest is rising and authorities could throw you behind bars at any moment – there is a app that is being accredited as something of a lifeline for desperate Venezuelans and for their compadres abroad.
April 8, 2019 US-blacklisted Iranian airline begins direct flights to Venezuela An Iran airline blacklisted by the United States launched direct flights between Tehran and Venezuela on Monday, signifying a growing relationship between the two nations in the face of U.S. sanctions.
April 4, 2019 Some US Venezuelans flock to GOP amid anger at Dems for lack of action against Maduro As the country’s problems worsen, Democratic Venezuelan-Americans question whether their party’s actions go far enough. A growing number of exiles say they feel forgotten by a new generation of outspoken, progressive Democrats, leaving them less beholden to a party they had long supported.
April 4, 2019 Caracas, once a thriving metropolis, is struggling as country plunges further into chaos In once-thriving Caracus, residents avoid stepping outside their homes due to crime — or for lack of anything to spend — as a creeping economic collapse has accelerated amid a political battle between socialist President Nicolas Maduro and his foes at home and abroad
April 2, 2019 Venezuela moves to strip opposition leader Juan Guaido of immunity Venezuela opposition leader Juan Guaido should be prosecuted for violating a ban on leaving the country and inciting violence linked to street protests, the country’s chief justice said Monday as he asked lawmakers to strip Guaido of his immunity from prosecution.
April 2, 2019 VP Mike Pence to meet in DC with families of 6 Citgo execs detained in Venezuela Vice President Mike Pence is set to meet Tuesday with the families of six Citgo executives being detained in Venezuela. Five of the detainees are U.S. citizens.Â