Globovision owners hint at toned-down news stance

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."

Pacific Alliance Summit

In bloc-happy Latin America, the Pacific Alliance hopes to stand out

The four nations of the Pacific Alliance — Colombia, Chile, Mexico and Peru — are holding a summit in Colombia Thursday. Can the bloc turn into the regional juggernaut it aspires to be?

CUBA

Fiber optic cable linking Cuba to Jamaica active

Cuba has activated a branch of its submarine fiber optic cable that connects to Jamaica, giving it greater bandwidth and a backup in case the main leg to Venezuela is not available, according to a U.S. company that monitors global Internet traffic.

Venezuela

Pro-government TV host at center of Venezuelan tape scandal steps down

Mario Silva, whose alleged comments provoked a brewing government scandal in Venezuela, stepped down from his television show Tuesday amid calls for a congressional investigation.

Venezuela parliament resumes 3 weeks after brawl

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.

Venezuela

Chávez ally paints picture of power struggles in alleged tape

Venezuela’s opposition released a tape of a conversation that pro-government television host Mario Silva allegedly had with a Cuban official. In it, Silva paints a picture of power struggles and corruption.

Venezuela opposition: Audio suggest Cuban meddling

Venezuela's opposition has released an audio recording that it says contains a prominent member of the ruling party discussing political strategy with a Cuban intelligence officer.

Dissident ex-general released in Venezuela

Venezuelan authorities have released a dissident ex-general who was jailed on charges of inciting unrest after the country's disputed presidential election.

Venezuela's military enters high-crime slums

Stern-looking soldiers clutching assault rifles wave down the beat-up Chevy Caprice entering this sprawling slum on the outskirts of Caracas.

Venezuelans scrambling to find scarce toilet paper

Venezuelans scrambled to stock up on toilet paper Thursday as fears of a bathroom emergency spread despite the socialist government's promise to import 50 million rolls.

Venezuela food maker denies blame for shortages

Venezuela's biggest food company on Monday hit back at President Nicolas Maduro's claims that it's to blame for the country's persistent food shortages.

Venezuela's 'Carlos the Jackal' seeks repatriation

A lawyer representing the convicted terrorist known as "Carlos the Jackal" is urging Venezuela's government to demand that France return her Venezuelan-born client to his homeland.

Venezuela

Political tensions run high at Venezuela May Day rallies

The rallies were, ostensibly, to celebrate international workers day, and counted on the support of rival unions and labor organizations. But they were also a show of political strength in a nation still at odds over the April 14 presidential vote.

The Oppenheimer Report

Andres Oppenheimer: U.S., Europe take new step to crack down on ‘tax havens’

While many of us were focused on the Boston bombings, Venezuela’s dubious elections and North Korea’s war noises in recent weeks, the world’s biggest nations took a potentially historic step — they launched a system to detect secret offshore bank accounts.

In My Opinion

Andres Oppenheimer: Latin America’s fastest-growing economies of 2013

New economic projections from the World Bank and the United Nations show that Latin America countries will keep growing at moderate rates this year, except for the booming economies of three countries that start with the letter P — Paraguay, Panama and Peru.

The Oppenheimer Report

Andres Oppenheimer: Venezuela’s Maduro off to a bad start

While media coverage of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s inauguration on Friday centered on the contested April 14 election results, a dramatic escalation of government human rights violations since the election has gone virtually unnoticed.

Venezuela

Tough-talking Nicolás Maduro is sworn in as Venezuela’s president

New Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro ended his inaugural address with a call for unity in a nation split by a bitterly contested election.

Venezuela

Maduro to take power amid questions and protests

Interim Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro will be sworn in to office even as the opposition is calling for a recount of Sunday’s contested vote.

In My Opinion

Andres Oppenheimer: Venezuela’s Maduro hurts his own case

Venezuela’s proclaimed president-elect Nicolás Maduro’s stunning about face after publicly committing to a recount of the April 14 vote is hurting his own chances of serving his term with an aura of legitimacy, and raises growing questions about the entire election process.