Venezuela

Oil sanctions on Venezuela have been reinstated by the US, criticizing President Nicolás Maduro's attempts to solidify his rule just 6 months after the US had relaxed restrictions in an effort to support “now-faded hopes” for democracy in the nation

The Venezuelan NGO Acceso a la Justicia denounced the reduction of voter registration centers in Venezuela, claiming that this is aiming to discourage citizen participation in the upcoming presidential elections on 28 July

Venezuela has approved the creation of a state in the disputed, oil-rich Essequibo region across the border in Guyana, sparking a "violation" of Guyana's sovereignty, with tensions escalated as the area has been administered by Guyana for over a century

President Maduro, following a meeting with his Guyanese counterpart, Irfaan Ali, reiterated his call for a "peaceful solution" to the longstanding territorial dispute between the two countries

Venezuela has allegedly stopped receiving deported flights from the US and Mexico in response to US sanctions

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has demanded all UN Human Rights personnel in the country to leave within 72 hours, accusing them of a 'colonialist, abusive' attitude, and disregarding their claims of a repressive government

Satellite images have revealed Venezuela's recent military buildup near the border with Guyana, contradicting diplomatic efforts to address the historic territorial dispute over the oil-rich Esequibo region

A recent report from the Congressional Research Service in the US acknowledges the ineffectiveness of sanctions against Venezuela, stating that they only contributed to an economic crisis, prompting 7,7 million Venezuelans to flee

President Nicolás Maduro has announced a plan to "make tangible" the annexation of the disputed Esequibo territory with Guyana, expressing gratitude for the unanimous support of the December referendum by Venezuelan lawmakers

Venezuela’s oil exports increased 12% last year to almost 700.000 barrels per day as the United States eased sanctions imposed since 2019 on the country’s energy sector, according to data and documents viewed by Reuters

The US has released an ally of President Maduro’s in exchange for 10 Americans, signaling a diplomatic shift amid improved relations and commitments, though facing criticism for potential leniency towards Maduro and its impact on future negotiations

Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has appealed her disqualification from running in the 2024 presidential elections; challenging the decision, Machado asserted her legitimacy based on a strong victory in the opposition primaries