Russia, Venezuela to set up joint bank Nov 27, 2008
"An intergovernmental agreement on this issue will be signed in the next two weeks. The formation of the charter capital of this bank will begin in the near future," Medvedev told a news conference following the highest level talks in Caracas ... In particular, Medvedev noted that the signed agreement on air space cooperation "creates a base for opening up Moscow-Caracas flights.". (Onet.pl)
Chavez: Latin America should abandon IDB Nov 27, 2008
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- President Hugo Chavez is urging his leftist allies in Latin America and the Caribbean to stop seeking loans from the Inter-American Development Bank ... Chavez encouraged the leaders of Bolivia, Nicaragua, Honduras, Ecuador and Dominica during a summit in Caracas on Wednesday to create their own regional development bank as an alternative. (WSVN-TV Miami, FL)
Perez ready for bigger role in 2009 Nov 27, 2008
Perez hopes to provide such moments for the Rays on more of a regular basis in 2009, which is one of the reasons he has headed south to Venezuela for the winter where he's currently playing for the Caracas club ... " Perez is viewed as the organization's intellectual based on the fact he has a degree in American Studies and Creative Writing from Columbia University. But he's focused on baseball and doesn't like to send out signals he has any other agenda in the present time other than playing... (MLB.com -- Tampa Bay Devil Rays)
Medvedev Raises Russia's Profile In Latin America Nov 27, 2008
CARACAS, Venezuela, Nov. 27, 2008 ... In Caracas, Russian and Venezuelan officials signed a series of accords, including one pledging cooperation in nuclear energy for peaceful uses. (CBS News -- World)
Firm friends Nov 26, 2008
By Will Grant BBC News, Caracas ... The exercises coincide with a visit to Caracas by the Russian president, Dmitry Medvedev, who is due in Venezuela on Wednesday, and are illustration of how close military ties between the two countries have grown in recent years. (BBC News -- Americas)
In Sea Exercises, A Sign for Obama Nov 26, 2008
Vladimir Sergeevich, commander of Russia's fleet, left, shakes hands with his Venezuelan counterpart, Zahin Quintana, during a meeting in Caracas ... CARACAS, Venezuela, Nov. 25 -- The arrival of Russian President and a naval squadron in Venezuela this week is an unequivocal message to President-elect that his most nettlesome challenge in the Americas will be Venezuela's populist government and its oil-fueled crusade against U.S. influence, political analysts say. (Washington Post)
Hugo Chavez’s Bleak Political Future Nov 26, 2008
As it happened, although his candidates won 17 state governorships and numerous mayoralties, he lost the five most important states of the country: Zulia (oil), Miranda (where the capital, Caracas, is mostly located), Carabobo (the main industrial state), Nueva Esparta (the tourist hub of the country) and Tachira (a prosperous cattle raising and agricultural state bordering with Colombia). Even worse, he lost four of the five mayoralties that govern the capital city, Caracas. (Human Events Online)
Chavez salutes Russians Nov 26, 2008
CARACAS: The arrival of the Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev, and a Russian naval squadron in Venezuela this week is an unequivocal message to the US president-elect, Barack Obama, that his greatest challenge in the Americas will be Venezuela's populist government and its oil-fuelled crusade against US influence, analysts say. The Venezuelans provided a memorable welcome as Russia made its first big military deployment to Latin America since the Cold War. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Russian warship arrives in Venezuela for drill Nov 26, 2008
The Russian war ships arrived in La Guaira port, in the state of Vargas, 30 kilometers north to Caracas. The cruiser will be anchored at high seas. (Xinhuanet, China)
Russian Warships Arrive Off Venezuela's Coast Nov 26, 2008
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev also is visiting Caracas this week. 2008 Associated Press. (Newsmax)
* Russian president visits Venezuela Nov 26, 2008
ALLIES: After meeting Hugo Chavez, Dmitry Medvedev was to continue on to Peru, Brazil and Cuba in a tour widely seen as a challenge to US influence in the region AFP, CARACAS Thursday, Nov 27, 2008, Page 7. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev was to visit Venezuela yesterday for talks with firebrand anti-US leader Hugo Chavez and naval exercises set to send a defiant message to Washington close to US shores. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Venezuela rivals both claim wins in election Nov 25, 2008
CARACAS - After sharing the spoils from weekend elections, Venezuela's growing opposition and President Hugo Chvez's left-wing party jostled for political momentum yesterday ... In power for almost a decade, the popular anti-American president won 17 of 22 states, but the opposition held on to the two states it won at the last regional elections four years ago, picked up three more, and won the powerful mayoralty of Caracas. (Boston Globe)
Mixed election results for Chavez Nov 25, 2008
Young supporters of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez peer from a car after the National Electoral Council announced the results of state and city elections in Caracas onSunday ... CARACAS, Venezuela - President Hugo Chavez said Monday that allies' victories in state and local elections mean Venezuelans want him to press ahead with his socialist policies, but his opponents gained ground by winning the two largest states and two largest cities ... But the oft-battered opposition also gained by... (MSNBC -- International)
Mixed emotions Nov 25, 2008
By Will Grant BBC News, Caracas. Chavez supporters in Caracas did not get the result they wanted ... From the looks on the faces of people at the socialist party's celebration in the centre of Caracas, it was not the result they had been hoping for. (BBC News)
Chavez's Hopes to Scrap Term Limits Dealt a Blow Nov 25, 2008
Nov. 23: Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez talks to supporters upon his arrival at a polling station in Caracas. CARACAS, Venezuela Modest opposition gains in state and local elections, coupled with sagging oil prices, could hamper President Hugo Chavez as he lays the groundwork for a new attempt to persuade Venezuelans to do away with term limits ... But the defeat of a pro-Chavez candidate in Caracas' poverty-stricken Sucre district "destroyed the myth" that such areas are "bastions of... (Fox News)
Venezuela's Chavez Welcomes Russian Warships Nov 25, 2008
CARACAS, Venezuela Russian warships neared Venezuela's Caribbean coast on Tuesday in a show of strength meant to send a cautionary message to the United States and showcase Moscow's ambitions of making inroads in Latin America. The deployment of a naval squadron led by the nuclear-powered cruiser Peter the Great is the first of its kind in the Caribbean since the Cold War and was timed to coincide with President Dmitry Medvedev's visit to Caracas the first ever by a Russian president ... More... (Fox News)
Result of Venezuela's elections: More political turmoil likely Nov 25, 2008
" Opposition party candidates on Monday celebrated winning the country's three most populous states, two smaller ones and the city of Caracas in their best electoral showing in eight years.Chavez, however, remains the country's dominant political figure. His candidates won about 58 percent of the overall vote in the governor's races, including 17 of the 22 contests. Chavez said his candidates won 80 percent of the mayoral races.Chavez's older brother, Adan, was elected governor of Barinas by... (Anchorage Daily News)
Russian warships approach Venezuela... Nov 25, 2008
The Russian warships were due to sail into La Guaira, near Caracas, and Puerto Cabello in northern Carabobo state. The fleet includes five aircraft and several small ships, and Venezuela will provide eight aircraft and 11 ships, Gonzalez said Monday, adding that 1,150 Russian forces and 600 Venezuelans would take part in the exercises. (The Drudge Report)
* Opposition makes gains in Venezuelas state, city elections Nov 25, 2008
AP, CARACAS Tuesday, Nov 25, 2008, Page 7. Young supporters of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez peer from a car after the National Electoral Council announced the results of local elections in Caracas on Sunday ... Venezuelan President Hugo Chavezs allies won a majority in local elections on Sunday, but the opposition made important gains, capturing the Caracas mayors office and two of the most populous states. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Mailbag: Winn deserved Gold Glove? Nov 25, 2008
-- Cesar, Caracas, Venezuela. Cesar's enthusiasm is based on Sandoval's output in his first 26 games for Magallanes in the Venezuelan Winter League. (MLB.com -- San Francisco Giants)
Chavez's Party Says It May Seek to End Venezuela Presidential Term Limits Nov 25, 2008
To contact the reporter on this story: in Caracas at. Last Updated: November 24, 2008 23:52 EST. (Bloomberg -- Latin America)
Venezuela hands Chávez some crucial defeats Nov 25, 2008
An opposition candidate also won in Sucre, a municipality in Caracas with sprawling slums that had been a symbolic bastion of support for Chvez since he rose to power a decade ago ... Particularly here in Caracas, the results were rooted in festering discontent over the government's inability to lower violent crime as homicides and kidnappings have surged over the past decade, making it one of the world's deadliest cities ... "Those who should feel defeated are the criminals," said Antonio... (International Herald Tribune)
Venezuela vote emboldens Chávez Nov 25, 2008
the new mayor of the capital, Caracas celebrated their victories ... Caracas, Venezuela - Allies of Venezuelan President Hugo Chvez swept statewide elections Sunday, reaffirming the socialist leader's popularity ... But victories by the opposition in key races, including the mayoral post in Caracas, could prove an obstacle to Mr. Chvez's agenda, which received its first major blow last December after a stinging defeat in a constitutional referendum. (Christian Science Monitor)
Russia's new presence in Latin America Nov 25, 2008
Caracas, Venezuela; and Moscow - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's visit this week with Venezuela's leftist leader Hugo Chvez is the first ever for a Kremlin leader to this oil-rich nation ... Purchased items include 54 helicopters, 24 Sukhoi fighter jets, and 5,000 Dragunov sniper rifles, says Rocio San Miguel, a defense analyst in Caracas. (Christian Science Monitor)
106 detained during Venezuelan elections Nov 25, 2008
CARACAS, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- A total of 106 people were detained due to crimes or minor incidents during Venezuela's municipal and regional elections, the chief of the Operational Strategic Command, General Jesus Gonzalez Gonzalez, said Monday ... With 96 percent of votes counted nationally, Chavez's ruling United Socialist Party garnered 17 states while the opposition gained the capital Caracas and the two most populous states -- Miranda, Zulia -- as well as three other states ... CARACAS, Nov.... (Xinhuanet, China)
Venezuela's Chavez welcomes Russian warships Nov 25, 2008
Venezuelan sailors fired off cannons in a 21-gun salute as the destroyer Admiral Chabanenko docked in La Guaira, near Caracas ... The deployment is the first of its kind in the Caribbean since the Cold War and was timed to coincide with President Dmitry Medvedev's visit to Caracas - the first ever by a Russian president ... Ian James reported from Caracas. (New York Post -- News)
Venezuela's Chavez Faces New Challenges Nov 25, 2008
CARACAS, Venezuela Modest opposition gains in state and local elections, coupled with sagging oil prices, could hamper President Hugo Chavez as he lays the groundwork for a new attempt to persuade Venezuelans to do away with term limits ... But the defeat of a pro-Chavez candidate in Caracas' poverty-stricken Sucre district "destroyed the myth" that such areas are "bastions of support" for Chavez, said Jose Vicente Carrasquero, a political scientist at Simon Bolivar University. (Newsmax)
Chávez: A Mixed Victory in Venezuela Elections Nov 25, 2008
Perhaps worse for Ch;vez, the socialists lost the mayor's seat in the largest city, Caracas, the nation's capital even after Ch;vez's government had successfully engineered the disqualification of the most popular opposition candidate in that race, Leopoldo L;pez, on murky corruption charges ... In Caracas, for example, Ch;vez has poured billions of dollars from his petro windfalls into admirable social projects for the long-neglected barrios ... Yet those slums are reminders of his failure to... (Time.com)
Chvez's allies win most races; opposition takes biggest states Nov 24, 2008
President Hugo Chvez waved to supporters before entering a polling station in Caracas to vote in yesterday's elections ... CARACAS - Venezuelan President Hugo Chvez's allies won a majority in Venezuela's local elections yesterday, but the opposition made important gains, capturing the mayor's office in the capital and winning the two most populous states ... The Caracas mayor's office now shifts from a Chvez supporter to an opponent. (Boston Globe)
Chavez allies win majority in Venezuela Nov 24, 2008
Army soldiers wait to cast their ballots at polling station in Caracas, on Sunday ... CARACAS, Venezuela - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's allies have won a majority in Venezuela's state elections ... But the opposition has made important gains, winning two of the most populous states and the mayor's post in Caracas. (MSNBC -- International)
Both sides predicting victory in Venezuela provincial elections Nov 24, 2008
Latest Political Stories. Latest World Stories. (Anchorage Daily News)
High turnout... Nov 24, 2008
(AP) Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez waves upon his arrival at a polling station in Caracas, Sunday. CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - President Hugo Chavez sought to hold on to his dominance in state and municipal elections Sunday, facing an opposition aiming to win back power in key states and cities ... (AP) Residents wait to cast their ballots outside a polling station in Caracas, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008. (The Drudge Report)
Venezuelans swamp polls in key vote for Chavez... Developing... Nov 24, 2008
(AP) Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez waves upon his arrival at a polling station in Caracas, Sunday. CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Venezuelans voted to choose state governors and mayors Sunday in elections that could either hand President Hugo Chavez his second straight electoral setback or give his leftist government a new mandate ... "We're prepared to recognize any result," Chavez said after voting in Caracas. (The Drudge Report)
Venezuela Opposition Candidates Win Caracas, 3 States (Update2) Nov 24, 2008
Nov. 24 (Bloomberg) -- Venezuelan opposition parties won races for mayor of Caracas and governor in at least three states, beating President s candidates four years after his coalition took near total control of regional governments ... Were committed to this city and to the most poor, Caracas mayor-elect and opposition leader said after hearing the results ... To the president of the republic I have a message: You and I have many differences, but I invite the president to work with us... (Bloomberg)
* Venezuelans local polls a popularity test for Chavez Nov 24, 2008
DESTINY: With the opposition set to win between five and seven governorships, symbolic wins in Caracas or big states could do the most damage to Chavezs party AGENCIES, CARACAS Monday, Nov 24, 2008, Page 7 ... Observers say that opposition gains in symbolic areas of the oil-rich OPEC country such as Caracas or big states his allies have controlled for years would do the most damage. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Thomas eases back into uniform Nov 24, 2008
I left Cleveland on Tuesday afternoon and arrived in Caracas at about 10:30 local time Tuesday evening. I stayed in a hotel in Caracas right on the ocean. (MLB.com -- Seattle Mariners)
Chavez Says He's More Concerned About Global Crisis Than Oil-Price Decline Nov 24, 2008
Venezuela is prepared to withstand the recent drop in prices, the president said after casting his ballot today in Caracas for the country's state and municipal elections ... To contact the reporter on this story: in Caracas at. (Bloomberg -- Latin America)
Chavez hails party's victories in key local test Nov 24, 2008
AFP Venezuelans wait to vote in Caracas ... CARACAS, (AFP) Leftist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Monday hailed his party's majority victories in key local polls but recognized opposition gains in at least three states and the capital Caracas ... Fireworks popped in the early hours in the capital Caracas, where opposition candidate Antonio Ledezma won a surprise victory over the socialist party candidate, Aristobulo Isturiz. (Yahoo News -- Top Stories)
Chavez and opposition share Venezuela election spoils Nov 24, 2008
Chavez's socialist allies won a clear majority of state races but the multi-party opposition dented his dominance of regional posts, wrenching from him control over some of Venezuela's most populous areas including the capital Caracas ... The opposition held onto the two states it won at the last regional elections four years ago, appeared to pick up three more including the heavily populated state metropolitan area around Caracas and won the mayoralty of the capital ... "I invite the president... (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
Venezuela calls for OPEC production cut Nov 24, 2008
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Venezuela is calling on OPEC to slash oil output by 1 million barrels per day to boost falling prices. Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez says OPEC should make the cuts at its Nov. 29 meeting in Cairo, and carry them out before the year's end. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Business)
Venezuela Oppn makes election gains Nov 24, 2008
CARACAS: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's allies won a majority in Venezuela's local elections Sunday, but the opposition made important gains, capturing the mayor's office in the capital and winning two of the most populous states ... The Caracas mayor's office now shifts from a Chavez supporter to an opponent ... Aquiles Vera, a 47-year-old construction worker who voted in a Caracas slum, said he supported Chavez's candidates and believed the president's ability to stay in office was at... (India Times, India)
Venezuelan vote seen as key test for Chavez Nov 23, 2008
CARACAS, Venezuela - President Hugo Chavez knows just how important Sunday's state and municipal elections are to his own grip on power ... His candidates also have enjoyed plentiful state news media coverage and a blitz of government spending on public works projects, including new cable cars that will lift passengers into Caracas' hillside slums. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Chvez's power eroding among Venezuelan voters Nov 23, 2008
He then urges them to abandon "El Comandante" and throw their support behind him in the mayoral race for Sucre - a down-at-the-heels district of Caracas that was once fertile political ground for Chvez ... The president's allies are expected to still wield power, particularly after his government disqualified promising candidates who would have won the Caracas city hall and key governorships. (Boston Globe)
Thinking local Nov 23, 2008
By Will Grant BBC News, Caracas ... These elections are to choose mayors and state governors for 22 states in Venezuela plus the capital, Caracas ... KEY ELECTION BATTLEGROUNDS Caracas: Chavez supporter Aristobulo Isturiz against anti-Chavez politician Antonio Ledezma Zulia state: currently governed by Chavez rival Manuel Rosales Miranda state: current governor Chavez aide Diosdado Cabello up for re-election Barinas state: President Chavez's home state. (BBC News)
Venezuelans vote in local election test for Chavez Nov 23, 2008
CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelans vote Sunday in state elections where President Hugo Chavez aims to consolidate his grip on the OPEC nation to re-energize his drive toward socialism a year after he suffered a referendum defeat. Still popular among the majority poor for spending oil wealth on schools, clinics and subsidized food, Chavez needs his allies to score a decisive win to build a platform to push reforms that would allow him to seek re-election in 2012. (Reuters)
Venezuelan Oil Falls to Lowest Price in 22 Months Nov 23, 2008
CARACAS, Venezuela November 21, 2008 (AP) The Associated Press FONT SIZE. Prices for Venezuelan oil reached their lowest level in 22 months Friday as fears of a global recession stalled demand, slashing the main source of cash for President Hugo Chavez's hefty state spending. (ABC News -- Wire)
Chavez faces test in Sunday elections Nov 23, 2008
CARACAS, Venezuela (CNN) -- Nearly 17 million Venezuelans are eligible to vote Sunday in about 600 races for governors, mayors and legislators. But President Hugo Chavez has made it clear the election is really all about one person not on any ballot -- himself. (CNN -- World)
Iran Raises Profile In Latin America Nov 23, 2008
This concern has already led Washington to impose new sanctions on an Iran-owned bank in Caracas last month, accusing it of providing financial services in support for Iran's weapons program. The bank, Banco Internacional de Desarrollo, recently opened an unobtrusive office on the eighth floor of a Caracas high-rise that looks out over the palm trees of an exclusive golf course ... Venezuela has already become Iran's gateway for travel to the region, with a flight between Tehran and Caracas... (CBS News -- World)
Flooding, slides kill 9 in Venezuela Nov 22, 2008
Roads cut off in Caracas and more rain is expected. Some homes were destroyed and others left exposed by mudslides in this shanty town in Caracas, Venezuela, on Thursday ... CARACAS, Venezuela - Heavy rains unleashed flooding and mudslides in Venezuela that killed at least nine people, including five children, authorities said Friday. (MSNBC -- International)
Floods, Mudslides Kill at Least Eight in Venezuela Nov 22, 2008
Nov. 21: A woman cries after firefighters found her daughter dead in the debris after heavy rain triggered a mudslide in a shanty town in Caracas. CARACAS, Venezuela Heavy rains unleashed flooding and mudslides in Venezuela that killed at least eight people, including four children, authorities said Friday ... The victims following Thursday's downpours included two girls, 9 and 11, who died in a mudslide that hit a poor Caracas neighborhood. (Fox News)
Election viewed as a 'plebiscite on Chavez' Nov 22, 2008
Pedestrians sit on a bench Friday under a graffiti image of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in Caracas ... CARACAS, VENEZUELA President Hugo Chavez has waged a fierce campaign ahead of Sunday's state and local elections to keep his socialist revolution on track and to show that a stunning loss at the polls last year was a fluke ... "Both sides view the elections as a plebiscite on Chavez," said Maryclen Stelling, a sociology professor at Andres Bello Catholic University in Caracas. (Houston Chronicle)
Medvedev faces hard sell in Latin America Nov 22, 2008
Two Russian strategic bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons made a visit to Venezuela in September, a few weeks before Russia announced a $1 billion loan to Caracas for weapons purchases. And a contingent of the Russian Navy's North Sea Fleet is now en route to the Caribbean to take part in training exercises with the Venezuela military, maneuvers scheduled to coincide with Medvedev's visit. (International Herald Tribune)
Venezuela's fork in the road: socialism or capitalism? Nov 22, 2008
Caracas, Venezuela As the dust settles after the US presidential vote, there is another important election that the world should watch ... In the meantime, McDonalds, Burger King, and Wendy's are located throughout Caracas and always seem jam packed with customers. (Yahoo News)
9 dead in Venezuela storms Nov 22, 2008
Four died and a fifth was missing in the capital Caracas, where 73 homes were damaged, mainly in slums perched on hills around the city, said Interior Minister Tareck El Aissami. Two of the dead were small children dragged away by flood waters in a Caracas slum, said fire chief Delio Martinez ... Torrential rains and mudslides in Vargas, north of Caracas, in December 1999, killed more than 10 000 people. (iAfrica.com)
Venezuela, Vietnam Strengthen Ties With Joint Fund Nov 21, 2008
CARACAS, Venezuela November 20, 2008 (AP) The Associated Press FONT SIZE ... Vietnam's President Nguyen Minh Triet, left, is embraced by Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez during a welcoming ceremony at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008. (ABC News -- Wire)
* World News Quick Take Nov 21, 2008
Caracas and Zimbabwe have signed a cooperation deal to strengthen ties in energy, agriculture, economic and social affairs and culture, a government statement said on Wednesday. The government has in recent years upped its involvement in Africa, and has ties with all 54 countries on the continent. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Latin lessons Nov 20, 2008
By Will Grant BBC News, Caracas. The barrios of Caracas have some of Latin America's worst murder rates ... Then, former mayor of London Ken Livingstone began advising authorities in Caracas on traffic problems. (BBC News -- Americas)
* Russia, Venezuela agree on first nuclear reactor Nov 20, 2008
THE GUARDIAN, CARACAS AND MOSCOW Thursday, Nov 20, 2008, Page 7 ... It is one of many accords he hopes to sign while hosting Medvedev in Caracas next week ... The prospect of a nuclear deal between Moscow and Caracas, following a surge in Russian economic, military, political and intelligence activity in Latin America, is likely to alarm the US and present an early challenge to the Obama administration. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Venezuela's vice president meets PLA senior official Nov 20, 2008
CARACAS, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's Vice President Ramon Carrizales met with a senior official of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) here on Wednesday. Carrizales welcomed the visit of Xu Caihou, vice chairmen of China's Central Military Commission, and said the relations between Venezuela and China have developed smoothly in recent years. (Xinhuanet, China)
President's Latin America tour cements Beijing's trade clout Nov 19, 2008
President's Latin America tour cements Beijing's trade clout. Wednesday November 19 2008 00. (guardian.co.uk)
Hu's Cuba visit highlights China's growing LatAm clout Nov 19, 2008
" China is now far more important economically to Cuba than its historic ally and protector Russia. Beijing has become the communist-led Caribbean island's second-largest trading partner after Venezuela. Zhao said their total volume of trade in 2007 was worth $2.3 billion. The ambassador also said bilateral cooperation was also rapidly expanding in transportation, communication, agriculture and education. China does not have the strategic military power that Russia can bring to Latin America.... (United Press International)
Cuban President to Make First Visit to Venezuela Nov 19, 2008
CARACAS, Venezuela -- Raul Castro's first official trip abroad since assuming Cuba's presidency will be to Venezuela. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says he received a letter from Castro two days ago and will announce the date of the Cuban leader's visit soon. (Newsmax)
Nigeria's Chinese-built satellite goes dark Nov 18, 2008
Now, with the window of opportunity for a thorough pre-launch assessment of Venesat-1 lost, its operators in Caracas are almost completely powerless to control its fate, and no doubt evaluating the need for a new game-plan ... No matter if NIGCOMSAT-1 fully comes back to life or not, the Chinese satellite communications program is in for big changes, and while all of this is underway, Caracas can only wonder what might happen next. (Asia Times Online)
Election a test for Chavez family Nov 17, 2008
Adan Chavez moved from a Cabinet post in Caracas to run for governor, and Hugo Chavez has campaigned vigorously for his big brother. "Adan, I love you so much, man," Chavez exclaimed as they stood arm-in-arm before thousands of supporters during the televised rally in a stadium. (MSNBC -- International)
Chavez Plans Meeting to Counter G-20 Summit Nov 16, 2008
CARACAS, Venezuela November 14, 2008 (AP) The Associated Press FONT SIZE. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is planning to hold his own summit to counter a meeting of the so-called Group of 20 industrialized and developing countries this weekend in Washington. (ABC News -- Wire)
