By Marco Aponte-Moreno

President Donald Trump has spoken forcefully about the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, calling it a “human tragedy” at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

Venezuela’s humanitarian crisis – which began in late 2014, when a drop in oil prices deprived the government of its primary income source – has worsened to previously unimaginable levels. People are now dying from shortages of food and medicine.

Noting that 2 million Venezuelan refugees have escaped “the anguish inflicted by the socialist Maduro regime,” Trump asked world leaders to join forces and “seek the restoration of democracy in Venezuela.”

Vice President Mike Pence, who visited Latin America in June, described the situation in Venezuela as “heart breaking.”

This sounds like strong support for my ailing native country. My academic research on political rhetoric, however, has taught me that politicians’ words often deceive.

Close analysis of Trump’s Venezuela policy shows that his administration is doing much less than it could to ease Venezuelans’ suffering. But that hasn’t stopped the president from using the country’s crisis for Republicans’ political gain ahead of November’s midterm elections.

Sanctions that don’t work

Venezuela was once Latin America’s richest nation. Now inflation may reach 1 million per cent and a recent poll found that 30 per cent of Venezuelans eat only once a day.

To pressure Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro to “restore democratic order,” the US in September imposed sanctions on his wife, the country’s defence minister and the head of its Constituent Assembly, an all-powerful body created in 2017 to supersede the opposition-led legislature.

This is the fourth round of sanctions on Venezuelan leadership since Trump took office in 2017.

President Barack Obama also targeted Maduro’s regime, passing sanctions in 2015 and declaring Venezuela a threat to US national security.

Latin America’s crisis

Despite repeated sanctions, the authoritarian Maduro regime remains firmly in power.

As conditions in Venezuela worsen, a massive and growing number of people are fleeing to neighbouring nations. The UN High Commission on Refugees estimates that 5,000 people leave every day.

The Venezuelan exodus “is on the scale of Syria,” said Matthew Raynolds, of the United Nations refugee agency.

The influx of migrants is straining resources in Brazil and Colombia, where border cities have seen flare-ups of xenophobia and violent attacks on refugees.

The US says it will allocate an additional $48 million in humanitarian aid to fund US agencies that are providing disaster and food relief to Venezuelan migrants in Latin America.

Combined with the $46.8 million already earmarked as humanitarian aid for Venezuelan refugees this fiscal year, US foreign aid for the South American nation totals $94.8 million – up from $14 million in 2017.

But even with that big boost, foreign assistance for Venezuela is just a fraction of the $475 million given last year to Colombia and only slightly higher than the Latin American regional average of $62 million in annual aid.

Closed borders 
 
Despite Trump’s statements of sympathy for Venezuelan refugees, they are not exempt from his administration’s immigration crackdown.

Nearly 260 Venezuelans were deported from the US in the first half of 2018 alone, up from 248 deportations in all 2017 and 182 in 2016.

And though Vice President Pence’s recognized that “violence and tyranny” rule the country, Venezuelans are routinely denied political asylum. Over the past five years, immigration judges have denied nearly 50 per cent of all Venezuelan asylum applications.

Venezuelans now represent the biggest group of asylum-seekers in the US, surpassing Central Americans in 2016. Last year Venezuelan refugees filed 27,629 asylum claims, more than 10 times the 2,181 petitions made in 2014.

Immigration attorneys in Miami say the U.S. Consulate there has also been revoking tourist visas from Venezuelans, and the federal government has drastically reduced the number of non-immigrant visas issued to Venezuelans, from 239,772 in 2015 to 47,942 last year.

In Florida, home to the United States’ largest Venezuelan community, politicians from both parties – including Sens. Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio – say they would support giving Temporary Protective Status to Venezuelans. That policy would allow migrants to remain legally in the U.S. until Venezuela stabilizes.

Previous administrations have granted TPS to Nicaraguans, Hondurans and Sudanese during similar times of crisis.

But the Trump administration, which is in a court fight over its termination of TPS for most immigrant groups, says Venezuelans do not qualify for protected status.

The military option

Trump seems more interested in military action in Venezuela.

Administration officials met secretly with dissidents from Venezuela’s armed forces over the last year to discuss plans to overthrow Maduro, according to a New York Times story.

Ultimately, the US declined to participate in a coup. But Maduro’s regime “could be toppled very quickly by the military,” Trump has said, evidently referring to the Venezuelan armed forces.

Navy Vice Adm. Craig Faller, nominated to lead the US military’s Southern Command, recently told a Senate panel that he was unaware of any plan for military action in Venezuela.

“We are not doing anything other than normal prudent planning … to prepare for a range of contingencies,” he said.

The lack of serious American efforts to address Venezuela’s migration crisis has left Latin American governments alone in dealing with this historic migration crisis.

Eleven nations in the region, including refugee-saturated Brazil and Colombia, recently agreed to accept more Venezuelans, including those whose documents have expired. Many Venezuelans cannot obtain a passport or renew their national identity cards because of the Maduro regime’s slow, dysfunctional and corrupt bureaucracy.

‘They want to turn American into Venezuela!’

The White House’s failure to act on Venezuela has not stopped Trump from using its crisis for electoral gain in November’s midterm elections.

“The new Democrats are radical socialists who want to model America’s economy after Venezuela,” Trump wrote in an October 10 USA Today op-ed.

And at an event to in Tennessee earlier this month, Trump insisted that Democrats “want to shut down American energy and replace freedom with socialism.”

They “want to turn America into Venezuela!” he yelled.

Bellicose rhetoric against Maduro’s regime coupled with expressions of compassion for its victims may play well with Trump’s base.

But it will not help those living through the worst humanitarian crisis the Americas have ever seen.

 
(Marco Aponte-Moreno is Assistant Professor of Global Business, St Mary's College of California)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/trump-sees-opportunity-in-venezuelas-humanitarian-crisis-as-midterms-approach-104047">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

By Marco Aponte-Moreno President Donald Trump has spoken forcefully about the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, calling it a “human tragedy” at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

By Marco Aponte-Moreno President Donald Trump has spoken forcefully about the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, calling it a “human tragedy” at the United Nations General Assembly in September. Venezuela’s humanitarian crisis – which began in late 2014, when a drop in oil prices deprived the government of its primary income source – has worsened to previously unimaginable levels. People are now dying from shortages of food and medicine. Noting that 2 million Venezuelan refugees have escaped “the anguish inflicted by the socialist Maduro regime,” Trump asked world leaders to join forces and “seek the restoration of democracy in Venezuela.” Vice President Mike Pence, who visited Latin America in June, described the situation in Venezuela as “heart breaking.” This sounds like strong support for my ailing native country. My academic research on political rhetoric, however, has taught me that politicians’ words often deceive. Close analysis of Trump’s Venezuela policy shows that his administration is doing much less than it could to ease Venezuelans’ suffering. But that hasn’t stopped the president from using the country’s crisis for Republicans’ political gain ahead of November’s midterm elections. Sanctions that don’t work Venezuela was once Latin America’s richest nation. Now inflation may reach 1 million per cent and a recent poll found that 30 per cent of Venezuelans eat only once a day. To pressure Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro to “restore democratic order,” the US in September imposed sanctions on his wife, the country’s defence minister and the head of its Constituent Assembly, an all-powerful body created in 2017 to supersede the opposition-led legislature. This is the fourth round of sanctions on Venezuelan leadership since Trump took office in 2017. President Barack Obama also targeted Maduro’s regime, passing sanctions in 2015 and declaring Venezuela a threat to US national security. Latin America’s crisis Despite repeated sanctions, the authoritarian Maduro regime remains firmly in power. As conditions in Venezuela worsen, a massive and growing number of people are fleeing to neighbouring nations. The UN High Commission on Refugees estimates that 5,000 people leave every day. The Venezuelan exodus “is on the scale of Syria,” said Matthew Raynolds, of the United Nations refugee agency. The influx of migrants is straining resources in Brazil and Colombia, where border cities have seen flare-ups of xenophobia and violent attacks on refugees. The US says it will allocate an additional $48 million in humanitarian aid to fund US agencies that are providing disaster and food relief to Venezuelan migrants in Latin America. Combined with the $46.8 million already earmarked as humanitarian aid for Venezuelan refugees this fiscal year, US foreign aid for the South American nation totals $94.8 million – up from $14 million in 2017. But even with that big boost, foreign assistance for Venezuela is just a fraction of the $475 million given last year to Colombia and only slightly higher than the Latin American regional average of $62 million in annual aid. Closed borders Despite Trump’s statements of sympathy for Venezuelan refugees, they are not exempt from his administration’s immigration crackdown. Nearly 260 Venezuelans were deported from the US in the first half of 2018 alone, up from 248 deportations in all 2017 and 182 in 2016. And though Vice President Pence’s recognized that “violence and tyranny” rule the country, Venezuelans are routinely denied political asylum. Over the past five years, immigration judges have denied nearly 50 per cent of all Venezuelan asylum applications. Venezuelans now represent the biggest group of asylum-seekers in the US, surpassing Central Americans in 2016. Last year Venezuelan refugees filed 27,629 asylum claims, more than 10 times the 2,181 petitions made in 2014. Immigration attorneys in Miami say the U.S. Consulate there has also been revoking tourist visas from Venezuelans, and the federal government has drastically reduced the number of non-immigrant visas issued to Venezuelans, from 239,772 in 2015 to 47,942 last year. In Florida, home to the United States’ largest Venezuelan community, politicians from both parties – including Sens. Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio – say they would support giving Temporary Protective Status to Venezuelans. That policy would allow migrants to remain legally in the U.S. until Venezuela stabilizes. Previous administrations have granted TPS to Nicaraguans, Hondurans and Sudanese during similar times of crisis. But the Trump administration, which is in a court fight over its termination of TPS for most immigrant groups, says Venezuelans do not qualify for protected status. The military option Trump seems more interested in military action in Venezuela. Administration officials met secretly with dissidents from Venezuela’s armed forces over the last year to discuss plans to overthrow Maduro, according to a New York Times story. Ultimately, the US declined to participate in a coup. But Maduro’s regime “could be toppled very quickly by the military,” Trump has said, evidently referring to the Venezuelan armed forces. Navy Vice Adm. Craig Faller, nominated to lead the US military’s Southern Command, recently told a Senate panel that he was unaware of any plan for military action in Venezuela. “We are not doing anything other than normal prudent planning … to prepare for a range of contingencies,” he said. The lack of serious American efforts to address Venezuela’s migration crisis has left Latin American governments alone in dealing with this historic migration crisis. Eleven nations in the region, including refugee-saturated Brazil and Colombia, recently agreed to accept more Venezuelans, including those whose documents have expired. Many Venezuelans cannot obtain a passport or renew their national identity cards because of the Maduro regime’s slow, dysfunctional and corrupt bureaucracy. ‘They want to turn American into Venezuela!’ The White House’s failure to act on Venezuela has not stopped Trump from using its crisis for electoral gain in November’s midterm elections. “The new Democrats are radical socialists who want to model America’s economy after Venezuela,” Trump wrote in an October 10 USA Today op-ed. And at an event to in Tennessee earlier this month, Trump insisted that Democrats “want to shut down American energy and replace freedom with socialism.” They “want to turn America into Venezuela!” he yelled. Bellicose rhetoric against Maduro’s regime coupled with expressions of compassion for its victims may play well with Trump’s base. But it will not help those living through the worst humanitarian crisis the Americas have ever seen. (Marco Aponte-Moreno is Assistant Professor of Global Business, St Mary's College of California) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Trump sees opportunity in Venezuela’s humanitarian crisis as midterms approach

By Louis Monroy-Santander

Colombia’s new president Ivan Duque has begun his tenure facing a number of significant challenges. He must manage the 2016 peace deal achieved by his predecessor, Juan Manuel Santos, which he believes lets some former Farc guerillas off too lightly.&nbsp;

He must battle drug production, which has been rising since the end of the armed conflict. And he must manage the desperate humanitarian and political crisis that is seeping across the border from neighbouring Venezuela.

Thanks to Santos’s peace diplomacy, which helped bring to an end five decades of fighting, Colombia now has the opportunity to open up and expand its foreign policy approach. Duque could now develop a more amicable and positive vision that enables him to establish agreements on social, political, economic and humanitarian issues with countries around the world.

Consequently, Duque’s foreign policy approach is being closely monitored – particularly how it tallies with that of the Trump administration in the US. Closer ties between the US and Colombia were evident during Duque’s intervention at the United Nations General Assembly and his encounter with president Donald Trump, where both drug trafficking and the Venezuelan crisis were discussed.

President Duque’s intervention insisted on the need to combat drug trafficking as a global threat, the need to combat the evident increase in illicit crop plantations, his commitment to fighting corruption, and the need to work with the international community in dealing with the most difficult migratory and humanitarian problem in the region: the Venezuelan crisis.

Colombia’s alignment with American foreign policy has increased tensions between Bogota, Washington and Caracas, leading to speculation about a possible military intervention into Venezuela to topple the regime of Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s president. Meanwhile, Trump has expressed publicly his support for Colombia as an ally in the war on drugs and offered support for Colombia in the event of a military clash with Venezuela. The US administration also announced sanctions against Cilia Flores, Maduro’s wife, and Diosdado Cabello, Maduro’s top political ally.

For his part, Duque has insisted that Colombia will not support a military intervention into Venezuela, and has instead called on the international community to support sanctions that bring an end to Maduro’s regime.

The Venezuela question

Indeed, Duque opposes a closed border approach and has insisted on opening up diplomatic channels and resources to deal with the crisis in Venezuela, including the International Criminal Court to denounce the violations of the Maduro regime and initiate a peaceful democratic transition. Back in 2017, for example, Duque, together with other senators, initiated a complaint against Maduro at the ICC for the crimes of torture, political discrimination, murder and kidnapping.

But Maduro has contested the US sanctions imposed on his wife, and challenged Duque to a televised debate (to be broadcast both in Colombia and Venezuela) to discuss the range of issues affecting bilateral relations – an invitation rejected by Duque, who deemed it a mere electoral stunt. Maduro has also deployed Venezuelan troops along the Colombian border, justifying these troop movements as a strategy for combating illegal drug networks located along the border, an act interpreted by both Trump and Duque as intimidation.

Although international pressure is a useful instrument for weakening Maduro’s administration, the ongoing and escalating verbal clashes between the three presidents is a dangerous strategy.

US military interventions are viewed with great suspicion in Latin America, particularly after those in Granada and Panama became enforced occupations. A US/Colombian intervention in Venezuela would likely require troops to stay for the long haul, in a country where most physical and social structures have been destroyed, drug traffickers benefit from widespread lawlessness and nation-building would be a lengthy process. The presence of US troops would also play into the hands of Maduro, who already rails to his supporters about US plots against him.

However, the US has often used indirect means to influence events in South America, using allied forces and governments in the region to intervene on its behalf. Trump, for example, has met with various officers of the Venezuelan military since 2017, to discuss the possibility of a coup against president Maduro, although none have ended in concrete material support.

Colombia, therefore, plays a vital role in the current situation – both as Venezuela’s closest neighbour and the most important regional US ally – and the Duque administration has rejected signing the Lima declaration which would have ruled out any intervention leading to regime change in Venezuela.

But an internal coup in Venezuela – with the support of the US and Colombia – would be beset with difficulties. It would require an overarching political and military strategy, as well as regional tactical coordination, with agreements based on varying interests and loyalties. The Venezuelan military, meanwhile, has been purged and politicised through a constant rotation of army commanders since 2002. Irrespective of what Colombia and the US want, putting plans into place in a country as chaotic as Venezuela will be no easy feat.

 
(Louis Monroy-Santander is Teaching Fellow in Defence, Development and Diplomacy, Durham University)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/tensions-rise-between-colombia-us-and-venezuela-amid-rumours-of-a-military-intervention-104340">original article)</a>

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

By Louis Monroy-Santander Colombia’s new president Ivan Duque has begun his tenure facing a number of significant challenges. He must manage the 2016 peace deal achieved by his predecessor, Juan Manuel Santos, which he believes lets some former Farc guerillas off too lightly.

By Louis Monroy-Santander Colombia’s new president Ivan Duque has begun his tenure facing a number of significant challenges. He must manage the 2016 peace deal achieved by his predecessor, Juan Manuel Santos, which he believes lets some former Farc guerillas off too lightly. He must battle drug production, which has been rising since the end of the armed conflict. And he must manage the desperate humanitarian and political crisis that is seeping across the border from neighbouring Venezuela. Thanks to Santos’s peace diplomacy, which helped bring to an end five decades of fighting, Colombia now has the opportunity to open up and expand its foreign policy approach. Duque could now develop a more amicable and positive vision that enables him to establish agreements on social, political, economic and humanitarian issues with countries around the world. Consequently, Duque’s foreign policy approach is being closely monitored – particularly how it tallies with that of the Trump administration in the US. Closer ties between the US and Colombia were evident during Duque’s intervention at the United Nations General Assembly and his encounter with president Donald Trump, where both drug trafficking and the Venezuelan crisis were discussed. President Duque’s intervention insisted on the need to combat drug trafficking as a global threat, the need to combat the evident increase in illicit crop plantations, his commitment to fighting corruption, and the need to work with the international community in dealing with the most difficult migratory and humanitarian problem in the region: the Venezuelan crisis. Colombia’s alignment with American foreign policy has increased tensions between Bogota, Washington and Caracas, leading to speculation about a possible military intervention into Venezuela to topple the regime of Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s president. Meanwhile, Trump has expressed publicly his support for Colombia as an ally in the war on drugs and offered support for Colombia in the event of a military clash with Venezuela. The US administration also announced sanctions against Cilia Flores, Maduro’s wife, and Diosdado Cabello, Maduro’s top political ally. For his part, Duque has insisted that Colombia will not support a military intervention into Venezuela, and has instead called on the international community to support sanctions that bring an end to Maduro’s regime. The Venezuela question Indeed, Duque opposes a closed border approach and has insisted on opening up diplomatic channels and resources to deal with the crisis in Venezuela, including the International Criminal Court to denounce the violations of the Maduro regime and initiate a peaceful democratic transition. Back in 2017, for example, Duque, together with other senators, initiated a complaint against Maduro at the ICC for the crimes of torture, political discrimination, murder and kidnapping. But Maduro has contested the US sanctions imposed on his wife, and challenged Duque to a televised debate (to be broadcast both in Colombia and Venezuela) to discuss the range of issues affecting bilateral relations – an invitation rejected by Duque, who deemed it a mere electoral stunt. Maduro has also deployed Venezuelan troops along the Colombian border, justifying these troop movements as a strategy for combating illegal drug networks located along the border, an act interpreted by both Trump and Duque as intimidation. Although international pressure is a useful instrument for weakening Maduro’s administration, the ongoing and escalating verbal clashes between the three presidents is a dangerous strategy. US military interventions are viewed with great suspicion in Latin America, particularly after those in Granada and Panama became enforced occupations. A US/Colombian intervention in Venezuela would likely require troops to stay for the long haul, in a country where most physical and social structures have been destroyed, drug traffickers benefit from widespread lawlessness and nation-building would be a lengthy process. The presence of US troops would also play into the hands of Maduro, who already rails to his supporters about US plots against him. However, the US has often used indirect means to influence events in South America, using allied forces and governments in the region to intervene on its behalf. Trump, for example, has met with various officers of the Venezuelan military since 2017, to discuss the possibility of a coup against president Maduro, although none have ended in concrete material support. Colombia, therefore, plays a vital role in the current situation – both as Venezuela’s closest neighbour and the most important regional US ally – and the Duque administration has rejected signing the Lima declaration which would have ruled out any intervention leading to regime change in Venezuela. But an internal coup in Venezuela – with the support of the US and Colombia – would be beset with difficulties. It would require an overarching political and military strategy, as well as regional tactical coordination, with agreements based on varying interests and loyalties. The Venezuelan military, meanwhile, has been purged and politicised through a constant rotation of army commanders since 2002. Irrespective of what Colombia and the US want, putting plans into place in a country as chaotic as Venezuela will be no easy feat. (Louis Monroy-Santander is Teaching Fellow in Defence, Development and Diplomacy, Durham University) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Tensions rise between Colombia, US and Venezuela amid rumours of a military intervention

The United States has issued new Venezuela-related sanctions targeting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's wife as well as the country's vice president and defense minister, according to a statement Tuesday on the Treasury Department's website.

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Eloina Rodriguez Gomez and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez were among the six individuals targeted, according to the statement. Three entities and an aircraft were also listed.

The United States has issued new Venezuela-related sanctions targeting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's wife as well as the country's vice president and defense minister, according to a statement Tuesday on the Treasury Department's website.

The United States has issued new Venezuela-related sanctions targeting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's wife as well as the country's vice president and defense minister, according to a statement Tuesday on the Treasury Department's website. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Eloina Rodriguez Gomez and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez were among the six individuals targeted, according to the statement. Three entities and an aircraft were also listed.

US targets Venezuelan president's wife, others in fresh sanctions

Peru rejects a military solution to the crisis in Venezuela but further options are under discussion to increase pressure on the Maduro government to restore democracy, including a human rights complaint, Peru's president said in an interview.

Venezuela, which has suffered an economic collapse and mass emigration under Nicolas Maduro, is likely to be a focal point of the latest UN General Assembly in New York this week.

To that end, Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra said that fresh economic and diplomatic measures were under consideration against Venezuela, including a "human rights" complaint. But there could be no question of military action, he added.

"As a country, we must be clear to say we reject a warlike, military solution," Vizcarra told Reuters in New York.

"What we need to do is find a way to sanction the regime without affecting the population," he added.

Vizcarra did not elaborate on the rights initiative, though shortly after he spoke, Colombia`s president Ivan Duque, also in New York, told an event that he and other heads of state would this week sign a declaration to denounce Maduro`s government with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.

In May, the Organization of American States (OAS) accused the Maduro administration of committing "crimes against humanity", and vowed to present evidence to the ICC.

Peru and Colombia both belong to the so-called Lima Group of nations formed last year to address the crisis in Venezuela.

Venezuela has rejected criticism of the Maduro government as hostile propaganda and attempts to set the stage for an intervention by foreign powers in the country. 
Pressure is steadily growing, however.

Last week, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the United States was preparing a "series of actions" to raise pressure on Maduro, whom Washington and its allies accuse of stifling democracy by jailing opposition leaders.

Domestic reform

Separately, Vizcarra, who last week won a confidence vote in Congress over his planned political and judicial reforms that seek to combat corruption in Peru, said he expected the remaining measures to pass before an October 4 deadline.

Because of that, he saw no need to consider dissolving Congress - which could have occurred if he had lost the vote.

"Given the events of the past week, we can say that the problem is en route to being resolved," he said.

Vizcarra, who became president in March after his predecessor Pedro Pablo Kuczynski stood down when facing near-certain impeachment over a graft scandal, vowed to respect rulings made by the judiciary in pending probes of politicians.

To fail to do so would be to undermine the very confidence in the political system that he was trying to restore, he said.

Turning to trade, Vizcarra said that the Pacific Alliance - a bloc comprising Colombia, Chile, Mexico and Peru - could admit its four associate members Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Canada as soon as this November. 
&nbsp;

Peru rejects a military solution to the crisis in Venezuela but further options are under discussion to increase pressure on the Maduro government to restore democracy, including a human rights complaint, Peru's president said in an interview.

Peru rejects a military solution to the crisis in Venezuela but further options are under discussion to increase pressure on the Maduro government to restore democracy, including a human rights complaint, Peru's president said in an interview. Venezuela, which has suffered an economic collapse and mass emigration under Nicolas Maduro, is likely to be a focal point of the latest UN General Assembly in New York this week. To that end, Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra said that fresh economic and diplomatic measures were under consideration against Venezuela, including a "human rights" complaint. But there could be no question of military action, he added. "As a country, we must be clear to say we reject a warlike, military solution," Vizcarra told Reuters in New York. "What we need to do is find a way to sanction the regime without affecting the population," he added. Vizcarra did not elaborate on the rights initiative, though shortly after he spoke, Colombia`s president Ivan Duque, also in New York, told an event that he and other heads of state would this week sign a declaration to denounce Maduro`s government with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. In May, the Organization of American States (OAS) accused the Maduro administration of committing "crimes against humanity", and vowed to present evidence to the ICC. Peru and Colombia both belong to the so-called Lima Group of nations formed last year to address the crisis in Venezuela. Venezuela has rejected criticism of the Maduro government as hostile propaganda and attempts to set the stage for an intervention by foreign powers in the country. Pressure is steadily growing, however. Last week, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the United States was preparing a "series of actions" to raise pressure on Maduro, whom Washington and its allies accuse of stifling democracy by jailing opposition leaders. Domestic reform Separately, Vizcarra, who last week won a confidence vote in Congress over his planned political and judicial reforms that seek to combat corruption in Peru, said he expected the remaining measures to pass before an October 4 deadline. Because of that, he saw no need to consider dissolving Congress - which could have occurred if he had lost the vote. "Given the events of the past week, we can say that the problem is en route to being resolved," he said. Vizcarra, who became president in March after his predecessor Pedro Pablo Kuczynski stood down when facing near-certain impeachment over a graft scandal, vowed to respect rulings made by the judiciary in pending probes of politicians. To fail to do so would be to undermine the very confidence in the political system that he was trying to restore, he said. Turning to trade, Vizcarra said that the Pacific Alliance - a bloc comprising Colombia, Chile, Mexico and Peru - could admit its four associate members Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Canada as soon as this November.

Peru wants no military solution on Venezuela: President

The United States is preparing a “series of actions” in the coming days to increase pressure on the Venezuelan government, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Fox News on Friday.

“You’ll see in the coming days a series of actions that continue to increase the pressure level against the Venezuelan leadership folks, who are working directly against the best interest of the Venezuelan people,” Pompeo said. “We’re determined to ensure that the Venezuelan people get their say.”

He did not give further details on the nature of the planned actions.

Venezuela’s information ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Trump administration has steadily increased sanctions against officials in the leftist government of President Nicolas Maduro, accusing it of stifling democracy by jailing opposition leaders.

Last year, Washington imposed sanctions prohibiting trading new debt and equity issued by the Venezuelan government and its state oil company PDVSA. It has imposed several rounds of sanctions on government officials, including on Maduro.

Venezuela’s economy has collapsed under Maduro, with annual inflation running at 200,000 per cent, and staple foods and basic medicine increasingly difficult to obtain, which has led to mass emigration.

Pompeo’s warning comes ahead of the annual United Nations General Assembly in New York next week attended by heads of state from around the world. Maduro has not attended the meetings since 2015 and this week said he may not attend the gathering because of concerns about his safety.

In August, two drones exploded over an outdoor rally in Caracas where Maduro was giving a speech, injuring seven soldiers and leading to the arrest of over a dozen suspects, including several military officials. Maduro described it as an assassination attempt.

The United States is preparing a “series of actions” in the coming days to increase pressure on the Venezuelan government, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Fox News on Friday.

The United States is preparing a “series of actions” in the coming days to increase pressure on the Venezuelan government, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Fox News on Friday. “You’ll see in the coming days a series of actions that continue to increase the pressure level against the Venezuelan leadership folks, who are working directly against the best interest of the Venezuelan people,” Pompeo said. “We’re determined to ensure that the Venezuelan people get their say.” He did not give further details on the nature of the planned actions. Venezuela’s information ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Trump administration has steadily increased sanctions against officials in the leftist government of President Nicolas Maduro, accusing it of stifling democracy by jailing opposition leaders. Last year, Washington imposed sanctions prohibiting trading new debt and equity issued by the Venezuelan government and its state oil company PDVSA. It has imposed several rounds of sanctions on government officials, including on Maduro. Venezuela’s economy has collapsed under Maduro, with annual inflation running at 200,000 per cent, and staple foods and basic medicine increasingly difficult to obtain, which has led to mass emigration. Pompeo’s warning comes ahead of the annual United Nations General Assembly in New York next week attended by heads of state from around the world. Maduro has not attended the meetings since 2015 and this week said he may not attend the gathering because of concerns about his safety. In August, two drones exploded over an outdoor rally in Caracas where Maduro was giving a speech, injuring seven soldiers and leading to the arrest of over a dozen suspects, including several military officials. Maduro described it as an assassination attempt.

US preparing 'actions' in coming days against Venezuela: Pompeo to Fox News

US President Donald Trump will receive his Chilean counterpart, Sebastian Pinera, late this month for talks on "efforts to restore democracy in Venezuela," the White House said Friday.

The Chilean president had planned to visit the United States for the annual United Nations General Assembly meeting next week.

His visit on September 28 to the White House comes with regional concerns growing about an exodus of Venezuelans fleeing their country's economic meltdown.

Trump has accused Venezuela's leftist President Nicolas Maduro of leading a "dictatorship" and a report in The New York Times earlier this month said US officials had met with Venezuelan military officers seeking support for a coup.

Pinera will be received by Trump for what the White House described as a "working visit."

Trump and Pinera "will build upon the strong partnership between their nations in pursuit of a more prosperous, secure, and democratic Western Hemisphere," the White House statement said.

"The leaders expect to discuss a shared commitment to pro-growth policies, combating corrupt and illicit networks, strategic partnerships in energy and cybersecurity, and efforts to restore democracy in Venezuela," it said.

US President Donald Trump will receive his Chilean counterpart, Sebastian Pinera, late this month for talks on "efforts to restore democracy in Venezuela," the White House said Friday.

US President Donald Trump will receive his Chilean counterpart, Sebastian Pinera, late this month for talks on "efforts to restore democracy in Venezuela," the White House said Friday. The Chilean president had planned to visit the United States for the annual United Nations General Assembly meeting next week. His visit on September 28 to the White House comes with regional concerns growing about an exodus of Venezuelans fleeing their country's economic meltdown. Trump has accused Venezuela's leftist President Nicolas Maduro of leading a "dictatorship" and a report in The New York Times earlier this month said US officials had met with Venezuelan military officers seeking support for a coup. Pinera will be received by Trump for what the White House described as a "working visit." Trump and Pinera "will build upon the strong partnership between their nations in pursuit of a more prosperous, secure, and democratic Western Hemisphere," the White House statement said. "The leaders expect to discuss a shared commitment to pro-growth policies, combating corrupt and illicit networks, strategic partnerships in energy and cybersecurity, and efforts to restore democracy in Venezuela," it said.

Trump to meet Chile's president for talks on Venezuela

Venezuelans over the past five years have been suffering through the collapse of the public transportation system, which has been decimated by rising prices and the scarcity of spare parts, as well as by the lack of government investment.

The crisis is forcing thousands of users to either walk wherever they need to go or stand in long lines waiting for the "perreras," cargo trucks that belong to the Caracas Mayor's Office or private citizens but without any safety measures for transporting people, since there are very few public buses available.

The situation has prevailed in virtually all Venezuelan cities since the end of last year, when hyperinflation began to beset the country, rapidly eroding purchasing power and worsening the already-terrible economic crisis by leading to a lack of basic goods, including food, medicines and auto parts.

Climbing onto a "perreira" may well be taking your life in your hands, since they don't have any doors and at least 50 people often try to cram themselves on board the ramshackle vehicles as they creep along dangerous roadways on hills and mountains.

"Every day it's the same: it's chaos," Jesus Garcia, a 59-year-old government employee living in Barrio Paez, told EFE.

"Taking a taxi is impossible, we don't get paid enough," he said, given that an average monthly salary amounts to 2.5 million bolivares - $32 - and a taxi can cost up to twice that much, depending on the route.

The majority of the routes in the capital used to be covered by buses owned by Colectivos del Norte, which used to operate 80 vehicles but which now has only two on the streets due to the lack of spare parts. Most of the buses are almost 50 years old, but about a third of them could return to service if the parts were available.

"We want to work. Who doesn't? We have faith that this (situation) can change," 45-year-old company administrator Luis Bolaños told EFE.

President Nicolas Maduro, however, has claimed in recent weeks that the country's transportation system is being sabotaged and that some drivers are taking bribes not to work in order to "harm the people," a charge that Bolaños calls "a joke."

President Nicolas Maduro, however, has claimed in recent weeks that the country's transportation system is being sabotaged and that some drivers are taking bribes not to work in order to 'harm the people,' a charge that Bolaños calls 'a joke'

Venezuelans over the past five years have been suffering through the collapse of the public transportation system, which has been decimated by rising prices and the scarcity of spare parts, as well as by the lack of government investment. The crisis is forcing thousands of users to either walk wherever they need to go or stand in long lines waiting for the "perreras," cargo trucks that belong to the Caracas Mayor's Office or private citizens but without any safety measures for transporting people, since there are very few public buses available. The situation has prevailed in virtually all Venezuelan cities since the end of last year, when hyperinflation began to beset the country, rapidly eroding purchasing power and worsening the already-terrible economic crisis by leading to a lack of basic goods, including food, medicines and auto parts. Climbing onto a "perreira" may well be taking your life in your hands, since they don't have any doors and at least 50 people often try to cram themselves on board the ramshackle vehicles as they creep along dangerous roadways on hills and mountains. "Every day it's the same: it's chaos," Jesus Garcia, a 59-year-old government employee living in Barrio Paez, told EFE. "Taking a taxi is impossible, we don't get paid enough," he said, given that an average monthly salary amounts to 2.5 million bolivares - $32 - and a taxi can cost up to twice that much, depending on the route. The majority of the routes in the capital used to be covered by buses owned by Colectivos del Norte, which used to operate 80 vehicles but which now has only two on the streets due to the lack of spare parts. Most of the buses are almost 50 years old, but about a third of them could return to service if the parts were available. "We want to work. Who doesn't? We have faith that this (situation) can change," 45-year-old company administrator Luis Bolaños told EFE. President Nicolas Maduro, however, has claimed in recent weeks that the country's transportation system is being sabotaged and that some drivers are taking bribes not to work in order to "harm the people," a charge that Bolaños calls "a joke."

Venezuelans resorting to alternative transport as system collapses

Oil prices fell on Friday, reversing early gains as signs of weakening demand in China and surging U.S. output weighed on markets despite support from supply woes in Venezuela and OPEC's production cuts.

Brent crude futures, the international benchmark for oil prices, were at $76.79 per barrel at 0654 GMT, down 53 cents, or 0.7 per cent, from their last close.

US&nbsp;West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were down 38 cents, or 0.6 per cent, at $65.57 a barrel.

China's May crude oil imports eased away from a record high hit the month before, customs data showed on Friday, with state-run refineries entering planned maintenance.

May shipments were 39.05 million tonnes, or 9.2 million barrels per day (bpd), according to the General Administration of Customs. That compared with 9.6 million bpd in April.

Further weighing on prices has been surging U.S. output, which hit another record last week at 10.8 million bpd.

That's a 28 per cent gain in two years, or an average 2.3 per cent growth rate per month since mid-2016. It puts the United States close to becoming the world's biggest crude oil producer, edging nearer to the 11 million bpd churned out by Russia.

The surge in U.S. production has pulled down U.S. WTI crude into a steep discount versus Brent to more than $11 per barrel, its steepest since 2015.

"This is occurring because of the rapid increase in production from U.S. shale coupled with the tightening of supplies elsewhere through the actions of OPEC and Russia," said William O'Loughlin, investment analyst at Australia's Rivkin Securities.

Despite Friday's falls, Brent remains more than 15 per cent above its level at the start of the year.

U.S. investment bank Jefferies said on Friday that the "crude market is tight and spare capacity could dwindle to 2 per cent of demand in 2H18, its lowest level since at least 1984".

Markets have been tightened by supply trouble in Venezuela, where state-owned oil firm PDVSA is struggling to clear a backlog of around 24 million barrels of crude waiting to be shipped to customers.

More generally, Brent has been pushed up by voluntary production cuts led by the Middle East dominated producer cartel of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and by top producer Russia, which were put in place in 2017.

The group and Russia are due to meet at its headquarters in Vienna on June 22 to discuss production policy.

"The June 22 OPEC meeting will now likely become the most important factor influencing (the) crude price," Jefferies said.

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were down 38 cents, or 0.6 per cent, at $65.57 a barrel

Oil prices fell on Friday, reversing early gains as signs of weakening demand in China and surging U.S. output weighed on markets despite support from supply woes in Venezuela and OPEC's production cuts. Brent crude futures, the international benchmark for oil prices, were at $76.79 per barrel at 0654 GMT, down 53 cents, or 0.7 per cent, from their last close. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were down 38 cents, or 0.6 per cent, at $65.57 a barrel. China's May crude oil imports eased away from a record high hit the month before, customs data showed on Friday, with state-run refineries entering planned maintenance. May shipments were 39.05 million tonnes, or 9.2 million barrels per day (bpd), according to the General Administration of Customs. That compared with 9.6 million bpd in April. Further weighing on prices has been surging U.S. output, which hit another record last week at 10.8 million bpd. That's a 28 per cent gain in two years, or an average 2.3 per cent growth rate per month since mid-2016. It puts the United States close to becoming the world's biggest crude oil producer, edging nearer to the 11 million bpd churned out by Russia. The surge in U.S. production has pulled down U.S. WTI crude into a steep discount versus Brent to more than $11 per barrel, its steepest since 2015. "This is occurring because of the rapid increase in production from U.S. shale coupled with the tightening of supplies elsewhere through the actions of OPEC and Russia," said William O'Loughlin, investment analyst at Australia's Rivkin Securities. Despite Friday's falls, Brent remains more than 15 per cent above its level at the start of the year. U.S. investment bank Jefferies said on Friday that the "crude market is tight and spare capacity could dwindle to 2 per cent of demand in 2H18, its lowest level since at least 1984". Markets have been tightened by supply trouble in Venezuela, where state-owned oil firm PDVSA is struggling to clear a backlog of around 24 million barrels of crude waiting to be shipped to customers. More generally, Brent has been pushed up by voluntary production cuts led by the Middle East dominated producer cartel of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and by top producer Russia, which were put in place in 2017. The group and Russia are due to meet at its headquarters in Vienna on June 22 to discuss production policy. "The June 22 OPEC meeting will now likely become the most important factor influencing (the) crude price," Jefferies said.

Oil prices fall on dip in China demand, surging US output

US President Donald Trump announced Saturday that Venezuela has released an American from detention and said he would be welcomed at the White House with his family in the evening. 
 
Trump, in a tweet, did not identify the American by name but he appeared to be referring to Joshua Holt, who was arrested shortly after arriving in Venezuela nearly two years.&nbsp;

The Venezuelan government on Saturday released an American, Josh Holt, who it has held since 2016 on weapons charges.

Holt, a Utah citizen, and his wife Thamy, were returning to the United States and were expected to arrive in Washington on Saturday evening, Trump tweeted. Hatch posted a statement saying the release was the culmination of two years of hard work.

Yesterday,&nbsp;Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro met with US&nbsp;Senator Bob Corker on Friday, the socialist-led government said, less than a week after Maduro was re-elected to a six-year term in a vote the United States did not recognise.

The election prompted a further deterioration in relations between the two countries. The United States responded to the vote, which it called undemocratic, with additional sanctions, prompting Venezuela to expel the top two US&nbsp;diplomats posted in Caracas. The United States responded with a similar move.

“It was a very good meeting, it is good news for the Venezuelan people,” Venezuelan Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez told reporters, without providing details of what the officials discussed.

US&nbsp;lawmakers have previously held discussions with Venezuelan officials on the release of Josh Holt, a US&nbsp;citizen and Mormon missionary from Utah imprisoned in the South American country since 2016 on weapons charges. US&nbsp;officials say Venezuela is using Holt as a bargaining chip in sanctions talks.

&nbsp;

Trump, in a tweet, did not identify the American by name but he appeared to be referring to Joshua Holt, who was arrested shortly after arriving in Venezuela nearly two years

US President Donald Trump announced Saturday that Venezuela has released an American from detention and said he would be welcomed at the White House with his family in the evening. Trump, in a tweet, did not identify the American by name but he appeared to be referring to Joshua Holt, who was arrested shortly after arriving in Venezuela nearly two years. The Venezuelan government on Saturday released an American, Josh Holt, who it has held since 2016 on weapons charges. Holt, a Utah citizen, and his wife Thamy, were returning to the United States and were expected to arrive in Washington on Saturday evening, Trump tweeted. Hatch posted a statement saying the release was the culmination of two years of hard work. Yesterday, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro met with US Senator Bob Corker on Friday, the socialist-led government said, less than a week after Maduro was re-elected to a six-year term in a vote the United States did not recognise. The election prompted a further deterioration in relations between the two countries. The United States responded to the vote, which it called undemocratic, with additional sanctions, prompting Venezuela to expel the top two US diplomats posted in Caracas. The United States responded with a similar move. “It was a very good meeting, it is good news for the Venezuelan people,” Venezuelan Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez told reporters, without providing details of what the officials discussed. US lawmakers have previously held discussions with Venezuelan officials on the release of Josh Holt, a US citizen and Mormon missionary from Utah imprisoned in the South American country since 2016 on weapons charges. US officials say Venezuela is using Holt as a bargaining chip in sanctions talks.

Trump says detained American released in Venezuela

Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro was sworn in Thursday for a second term as president of the crisis-wracked Latin American country.

Maduro swore "to respect and enforce the Constitution and lead all revolutionary changes" in a ceremony at the Constituent Assembly, which he set up himself last year and stacked with his supporters.

The 55-year-old former bus driver was re-elected Sunday in a vote boycotted by the main opposition and widely condemned by the international community, including the United States, which denounced it as a "sham."

Maduro swore 'to respect and enforce the Constitution and lead all revolutionary changes' in a ceremony at the Constituent Assembly, which he set up himself last year and stacked with his supporters

Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro was sworn in Thursday for a second term as president of the crisis-wracked Latin American country. Maduro swore "to respect and enforce the Constitution and lead all revolutionary changes" in a ceremony at the Constituent Assembly, which he set up himself last year and stacked with his supporters. The 55-year-old former bus driver was re-elected Sunday in a vote boycotted by the main opposition and widely condemned by the international community, including the United States, which denounced it as a "sham."

Nicolas Maduro sworn in for second term in Venezuela

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kumaraswamy-to-take-oath-as-karnataka-chief-minister-today-139001">HD Kumaraswamy to be sworn in as Karnataka Chief Minister today, floor test tomorrow</a>

Alongside Kumaraswamy, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President G. Parameshwara will take oath as the Deputy Chief Minister. &nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/tamil-nadu-at-least-11-killed-in-clashes-with-police-over-protests-against-sterlite-plant-139005">Tamil Nadu: At least 11 killed in clashes with police over protests against Sterlite copper plant</a>

As many as 11 people have been reported dead in clashes between locals and the police in Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin. Chaos broke out as locals continued to protest Sterlite’s industrial plant for the 100th consecutive day on Tuesday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/rohingya-militants-killed-hindu-villagers-in-myanmar-violence-amnesty-international-139009">Rohingya militants killed Hindu villagers in Myanmar: Amnesty International</a>

Campaign group Amnesty International said on Tuesday it had gathered evidence that insurgents from a Rohingya Muslim armed group killed scores of Hindu civilians in August last year, amid a surge in violence in western Myanmar.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-maduro-expels-us-diplomats-rejects-sanctions-138999">Venezuela's Maduro expels US diplomats, rejects sanctions</a>

Venezuela ordered the expulsion of the top two US diplomats in the country Tuesday, charging it was the victim of a "political and financial lynching" after Washington tightened sanctions over Nicolas Maduro's re-election.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-face-off-eu-gets-little-news-from-zuckerberg-about-social-networks-data-policies--139003">Facebook face-off: EU gets little news from Zuckerberg about social network's data policies</a>

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg sailed through a grilling from EU lawmakers about the social network's data policies as lengthy questions left the 34-year-old American little time to answer.

HD Kumaraswamy to be sworn in as Karnataka Chief Minister today, floor test tomorrow Alongside Kumaraswamy, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President G. Parameshwara will take oath as the Deputy Chief Minister. Tamil Nadu: At least 11 killed in clashes with police over protests against Sterlite copper plant As many as 11 people have been reported dead in clashes between locals and the police in Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin. Chaos broke out as locals continued to protest Sterlite’s industrial plant for the 100th consecutive day on Tuesday. Rohingya militants killed Hindu villagers in Myanmar: Amnesty International Campaign group Amnesty International said on Tuesday it had gathered evidence that insurgents from a Rohingya Muslim armed group killed scores of Hindu civilians in August last year, amid a surge in violence in western Myanmar. Venezuela's Maduro expels US diplomats, rejects sanctions Venezuela ordered the expulsion of the top two US diplomats in the country Tuesday, charging it was the victim of a "political and financial lynching" after Washington tightened sanctions over Nicolas Maduro's re-election. Facebook face-off: EU gets little news from Zuckerberg about social network's data policies Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg sailed through a grilling from EU lawmakers about the social network's data policies as lengthy questions left the 34-year-old American little time to answer.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Venezuela ordered the expulsion of the top two US diplomats in the country Tuesday, charging it was the victim of a "political and financial lynching" after Washington tightened sanctions over Nicolas Maduro's re-election.

Maduro announced the expulsions in a televised speech after being officially proclaimed the winner of Sunday's election in the South American nation mired in an acute economic crisis and facing growing international isolation.

The vote was boycotted by the main opposition parties and widely condemned by the international community, including the United States, which denounced it as a "sham."

The Venezuelan president declared US charge d'affaires Todd Robinson and deputy head of mission Brian Naranjo "personae non-gratae."

"They must leave the country in 48 hours in protest and in defence of the dignity of the Venezuelan homeland... Enough of conspiracies!" he said.

The United States immediately threatened to retaliate.

A State Department official told AFP that Washington had "not received notification from the Venezuelan government through diplomatic channels," but that if the expulsions are confirmed, "the United States may take appropriate reciprocal action."

On Monday, President Donald Trump tightened sanctions against Caracas, making it harder for the Maduro regime to sell off state assets.

"I repudiate all the sanctions that are sought against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela because they harm it, they generate suffering for the people of Venezuela," Maduro said in the speech.

He promised to present "evidence" that both diplomats were engaged in a political, military and economic "conspiracy."

Robinson denied the allegations.

"We strongly reject the accusations against me and against" Naranjo, he told journalists in the western city of Merida, promising to return there even despite Maduro expulsing him.

'Threat to world peace'

Washington and Caracas have not exchanged ambassadors since 2010, and relations between the two countries have been tense since the late leftist President Hugo Chavez, Maduro's mentor, assumed power in 1999.

The deeply unpopular Maduro was declared the winner with 68 percent of the vote, but with a record abstention rate.

The foreign ministry earlier lashed out at the US sanctions, accusing Washington of intensifying a "criminal financial and economic blockade," which it called a crime against humanity for impeding "access to essential goods."

"We alert the international community to the threat to world peace represented by the supremacist, racist and interventionist regime that governs Washington today, inspired by the nefarious postulates of the Ku Klux Klan," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

It said US policy "promotes hatred, intolerance and political and financial lynching" of Venezuela.

Venezuelans are reeling under a deepening crisis, with hyperinflation projected by the IMF to reach 13,800 percent this year and dire shortages of food and medicine.

Hundreds of thousands of people have fled the country to escape the growing deprivation.

Washington has previously slapped sanctions on the president and his senior aides, and banned US entities from buying any more debt from Caracas or state oil company PDVSA.

The European Union said it was also weighing new sanctions after the election was marred by "irregularities" and failed to meet international standards.

Caracas is facing increasing international isolation, with the United States, the European Union and the 14 countries of the Lima Group, which includes Argentina, Brazil and Canada, refusing to recognize the election result.

"Venezuela is beginning to suffer an economic boycott by the United States and its allies, and this is going to be fatal to the regime," political analyst Carlos Romero told AFP.

Maduro, a former bus driver, union leader and foreign minister, has insisted Venezuela is the victim of an "economic war" waged by the conservative opposition and external powers including the United States aimed at toppling him.

'The enemies of Venezuela'

Most economists attribute the oil-rich country's economic collapse to years of mismanagement, corruption and a period of sharply lower oil prices.

Maduro, 55, earlier Tuesday received his official credentials from the National Electoral Council, or CNE by its Spanish acronym, as the winner of the election.

"The CNE... confirms citizen Nicolas Maduro Moros as president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela for a period of six years," starting in January 2019, CNE head Tibisay Lucena declared.

Lucena, from the same leftist party as Maduro, rejected allegations by the opposition and much of the international community that the polls were not legitimate.

"Never have we witnessed an international attack as bad as the one that characterized this process," she said.

"The voices of denunciation returned, without evidence. If offers up the possibility for the enemies of Venezuela to attack our sovereignty."

The United States immediately threatened to retaliate

Venezuela ordered the expulsion of the top two US diplomats in the country Tuesday, charging it was the victim of a "political and financial lynching" after Washington tightened sanctions over Nicolas Maduro's re-election. Maduro announced the expulsions in a televised speech after being officially proclaimed the winner of Sunday's election in the South American nation mired in an acute economic crisis and facing growing international isolation. The vote was boycotted by the main opposition parties and widely condemned by the international community, including the United States, which denounced it as a "sham." The Venezuelan president declared US charge d'affaires Todd Robinson and deputy head of mission Brian Naranjo "personae non-gratae." "They must leave the country in 48 hours in protest and in defence of the dignity of the Venezuelan homeland... Enough of conspiracies!" he said. The United States immediately threatened to retaliate. A State Department official told AFP that Washington had "not received notification from the Venezuelan government through diplomatic channels," but that if the expulsions are confirmed, "the United States may take appropriate reciprocal action." On Monday, President Donald Trump tightened sanctions against Caracas, making it harder for the Maduro regime to sell off state assets. "I repudiate all the sanctions that are sought against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela because they harm it, they generate suffering for the people of Venezuela," Maduro said in the speech. He promised to present "evidence" that both diplomats were engaged in a political, military and economic "conspiracy." Robinson denied the allegations. "We strongly reject the accusations against me and against" Naranjo, he told journalists in the western city of Merida, promising to return there even despite Maduro expulsing him. 'Threat to world peace' Washington and Caracas have not exchanged ambassadors since 2010, and relations between the two countries have been tense since the late leftist President Hugo Chavez, Maduro's mentor, assumed power in 1999. The deeply unpopular Maduro was declared the winner with 68 percent of the vote, but with a record abstention rate. The foreign ministry earlier lashed out at the US sanctions, accusing Washington of intensifying a "criminal financial and economic blockade," which it called a crime against humanity for impeding "access to essential goods." "We alert the international community to the threat to world peace represented by the supremacist, racist and interventionist regime that governs Washington today, inspired by the nefarious postulates of the Ku Klux Klan," the foreign ministry said in a statement. It said US policy "promotes hatred, intolerance and political and financial lynching" of Venezuela. Venezuelans are reeling under a deepening crisis, with hyperinflation projected by the IMF to reach 13,800 percent this year and dire shortages of food and medicine. Hundreds of thousands of people have fled the country to escape the growing deprivation. Washington has previously slapped sanctions on the president and his senior aides, and banned US entities from buying any more debt from Caracas or state oil company PDVSA. The European Union said it was also weighing new sanctions after the election was marred by "irregularities" and failed to meet international standards. Caracas is facing increasing international isolation, with the United States, the European Union and the 14 countries of the Lima Group, which includes Argentina, Brazil and Canada, refusing to recognize the election result. "Venezuela is beginning to suffer an economic boycott by the United States and its allies, and this is going to be fatal to the regime," political analyst Carlos Romero told AFP. Maduro, a former bus driver, union leader and foreign minister, has insisted Venezuela is the victim of an "economic war" waged by the conservative opposition and external powers including the United States aimed at toppling him. 'The enemies of Venezuela' Most economists attribute the oil-rich country's economic collapse to years of mismanagement, corruption and a period of sharply lower oil prices. Maduro, 55, earlier Tuesday received his official credentials from the National Electoral Council, or CNE by its Spanish acronym, as the winner of the election. "The CNE... confirms citizen Nicolas Maduro Moros as president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela for a period of six years," starting in January 2019, CNE head Tibisay Lucena declared. Lucena, from the same leftist party as Maduro, rejected allegations by the opposition and much of the international community that the polls were not legitimate. "Never have we witnessed an international attack as bad as the one that characterized this process," she said. "The voices of denunciation returned, without evidence. If offers up the possibility for the enemies of Venezuela to attack our sovereignty."

Venezuela's Maduro expels US diplomats, rejects sanctions

As fuel prices hit record highs, the government may be mulling a tax cut.&nbsp

Petrol was selling in Delhi on Sunday at <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/petrol-diesel-prices-hit-record-highs-in-delhi-138381">Rs 76.24 a litre</a>, the highest ever since September 14, 2013.&nbsp

On Monday, prices climbed even higher to Rs 76.57 a litre.&nbsp

This is the eighth straight day fuel prices have risen.&nbsp

Oil retailers had frozen prices on April 24 — after being nudged by the government to do so&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp— as Karnataka went to the polls.&nbsp

The freeze was lifted on May 14, two days after the elections.&nbsp

The retailers are now trying to catch up with global oil prices.&nbsp

On Sunday however, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said in Bhubaneshwar that the Centre was "sensitive" about "rising fuel prices". That alternatives were being explored and that he hoped something would "work out soon".&nbsp

That, news reports said Monday, indicated the government may be thinking about a tax cut.&nbsp

Pradhan has so far&nbspruled out an excise cut, saying the price rise is temporary. He has blamed the price rise on OPEC's decision to cut production, US sanctions on Iran, and the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-maduro-wins-presidential-vote-138497">instability in Venezuela</a>.&nbsp

He has instead urged states to cut VAT and bring fuels under the GST regime.&nbsp

But the minister's statement on Sunday, the reports said, indicates a rethink by the government in order to avoid the public outcry getting any louder. 
&nbsp

Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Sunday that the Centre was 'sensitive' about 'rising fuel prices'. That alternatives were being explored and that he hoped something would 'work out soon'

As fuel prices hit record highs, the government may be mulling a tax cut. Petrol was selling in Delhi on Sunday at Rs 76.24 a litre, the highest ever since September 14, 2013. On Monday, prices climbed even higher to Rs 76.57 a litre. This is the eighth straight day fuel prices have risen. Oil retailers had frozen prices on April 24 — after being nudged by the government to do so — as Karnataka went to the polls. The freeze was lifted on May 14, two days after the elections. The retailers are now trying to catch up with global oil prices. On Sunday however, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said in Bhubaneshwar that the Centre was "sensitive" about "rising fuel prices". That alternatives were being explored and that he hoped something would "work out soon". That, news reports said Monday, indicated the government may be thinking about a tax cut. Pradhan has so far&nbspruled out an excise cut, saying the price rise is temporary. He has blamed the price rise on OPEC's decision to cut production, US sanctions on Iran, and the instability in Venezuela. He has instead urged states to cut VAT and bring fuels under the GST regime. But the minister's statement on Sunday, the reports said, indicates a rethink by the government in order to avoid the public outcry getting any louder.

As fuel prices hit record highs, government may be mulling a tax cut

US Vice President <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-maduro-wins-presidential-vote-138497">Mike Pence today called the Venezuela</a> election a &nbsp;"sham" threating new sanctions against Venezuela where President Nicolas Maduro won a second term.

"Venezuela's election was a sham - neither free nor fair. The illegitimate result of this fake process is a further blow to the proud democratic tradition of Venezuela," Pence said.

&nbsp;Maduro principal rival declared the elections "illegitimate" due to alleged irregularities. Maduro bagged 5.8 million votes against 1.8 million won by his rival Henri Falcon.&nbsp;

"The United States will not sit idly by as Venezuela crumbles and the misery of their brave people continues," the US vice president added.

Reports said the White House is set to announce sanctions against Venezuela which is already hit after oil prices crashed last year. People have been unable to procure basic needs namely food and medicine with inflation skyrocketing.

Election officials said Maduro had won 68 per cent votes in the presidential poll trouncing Falcon who reportedly won 21 per cent of the votes.

The Opposition coalition which boycotted the polls said the elections was a "farce".

The Opposition coalition which boycotted the polls said the elections was a "farce."

US Vice President Mike Pence today called the Venezuela election a "sham" threating new sanctions against Venezuela where President Nicolas Maduro won a second term. "Venezuela's election was a sham - neither free nor fair. The illegitimate result of this fake process is a further blow to the proud democratic tradition of Venezuela," Pence said. Maduro principal rival declared the elections "illegitimate" due to alleged irregularities. Maduro bagged 5.8 million votes against 1.8 million won by his rival Henri Falcon. "The United States will not sit idly by as Venezuela crumbles and the misery of their brave people continues," the US vice president added. Reports said the White House is set to announce sanctions against Venezuela which is already hit after oil prices crashed last year. People have been unable to procure basic needs namely food and medicine with inflation skyrocketing. Election officials said Maduro had won 68 per cent votes in the presidential poll trouncing Falcon who reportedly won 21 per cent of the votes. The Opposition coalition which boycotted the polls said the elections was a "farce".

US calls Venezuela election a 'sham', mulls sanctions

Amid a controversial vote, Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro won re-election on Sunday. Maduro's main rivals had declared the poll illegitimate due to alleged widespread irregularities and called for fresh polls to be held later in the year.

Around 46.1 percent voter turnout was registered, the election board said. Nearly 80 percent voter turnout was registered during the last presidential polls in 2013.

Maduro bagged 5.8 million votes, versus 1.8 secured by his nearest rival Henri Falcon.&nbsp;

With more than 90 percent of the votes counted, &nbsp;Maduro had 67.7 percent of the vote, with his main rival Henri Falcon taking 21.2 percent, the National Election Council chief Tibisay Lucena announced, AFP reported.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

With more than 90 percent of the votes counted, Maduro had 67.7 percent of the vote

Amid a controversial vote, Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro won re-election on Sunday. Maduro's main rivals had declared the poll illegitimate due to alleged widespread irregularities and called for fresh polls to be held later in the year. Around 46.1 percent voter turnout was registered, the election board said. Nearly 80 percent voter turnout was registered during the last presidential polls in 2013. Maduro bagged 5.8 million votes, versus 1.8 secured by his nearest rival Henri Falcon. With more than 90 percent of the votes counted, Maduro had 67.7 percent of the vote, with his main rival Henri Falcon taking 21.2 percent, the National Election Council chief Tibisay Lucena announced, AFP reported. (With inputs from agencies)

Venezuela: Nicolas Maduro wins re-election amid outcry over vote

The United States is actively considering oil sanctions on Venezuela and Sullivan said a response to Sunday's vote would be discussed at a G20 meeting in Buenos Aires on Monday.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was seeking a six-year term in a Sunday election boycotted by the opposition and condemned by foes as the "coronation" of a dictator. Results are expected by late evening.

The G20 meeting, from May 20 to May 21, seeks to provide an opportunity to discuss the contributions and role of the G20 in support of multilateralism and global governance. It will also provide an opportunity to look at ways to promote fair and sustainable development and prepare for the G20 Leaders' Summit due to take place for the first time in South America from November 30 to December 1.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was seeking a six-year term in a Sunday election boycotted by the opposition and condemned by foes as the "coronation" of a dictator. Results are expected by late evening

The United States is actively considering oil sanctions on Venezuela and Sullivan said a response to Sunday's vote would be discussed at a G20 meeting in Buenos Aires on Monday. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was seeking a six-year term in a Sunday election boycotted by the opposition and condemned by foes as the "coronation" of a dictator. Results are expected by late evening. The G20 meeting, from May 20 to May 21, seeks to provide an opportunity to discuss the contributions and role of the G20 in support of multilateralism and global governance. It will also provide an opportunity to look at ways to promote fair and sustainable development and prepare for the G20 Leaders' Summit due to take place for the first time in South America from November 30 to December 1.

US will not recognise Venezuela election result: State Department

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is seeking a six-year term on Sunday in a vote condemned by foes as the "coronation" of a dictator and likely to bring fresh foreign sanctions.

With the mainstream opposition boycotting the election, two of his most popular rivals barred from standing and state institutions in loyalists' hands, the 55-year-old former bus driver is expected to win despite his unpopularity.

That could trigger oil sanctions from the U.S. government, and more censure from the European Union and Latin America.

The self-described "son" of Hugo Chavez says he is battling an "imperialist" plot to crush socialism and take over the OPEC nation's oil wealth. But opponents say the leftist leader has destroyed Venezuela's once-wealthy economy and ruthlessly crushed dissent.

Maduro's main challenger is former state governor Henri Falcon, who predicts an upset on the back of some polls showing him ahead and widespread fury among Venezuela's 30 million people at the collapse of their economy.

"I will free Venezuela from dictatorship!" Falcon, 56, vowed at his last rally. "Venezuelans want you to disappear, Maduro, you've done too much damage," he added, scattering fake $100 bills to symbolize his proposal for replacing the collapsed bolivar currency.

Most analysts believe, however, that Falcon has only a slim chance given anticipated abstention, the opposition split over his break with the boycott, the vote-winning power of state handouts, and Maduro's allies on the election board.

"These are not elections. They are a farce intended to keep Maduro in power without popular support," said Juan Pablo Guanipa, of the main opposition coalition, which is boycotting the vote.

Further hurting Falcon's chances by splitting the anti-Maduro vote is a third candidate, evangelical pastor Javier Bertucci, who has picked up quite a following on the campaign trail, not least thanks to his free soup handouts.

On the streets, many Venezuelans are disillusioned and angry over the election: They criticize Maduro for economic hardships and the opposition for its dysfunctional splits.

Reeling from a fifth year of recession, falling oil production and U.S. sanctions blocking new debt issues, Venezuela is seeing growing levels of malnutrition and hunger, hyperinflation, and mass emigration.

"If you give me victory, I will defeat the economic war," Maduro roared at his final campaign event, blaming opponents for the country's mess but giving no specifics of possible reforms to nearly two decades of state-led economic policies.

Given Venezuelans' despondency over the crisis, campaign rallies have been poorly attended compared with previous votes and the atmosphere has been the most lackluster in memory.

Pro-boycott activists were planning some scattered protests on Sunday, but authorities deployed 300,000 soldiers and policemen around the nation to protect voting stations.

Results are expected by late evening.

"I'm not voting. No one trusts the politicians. Both sides are useless, government and opposition," said bank worker Jhonny Castro, 36, in central Barquisimeto city.

"People are resigned, you hardly see any election publicity. I ask around at work and among my friends, and for every five people, three or four won't vote."

Should Maduro win, he may choose to use the domestic political advantage to deepen a successful purge of critics within the ruling "Chavismo" movement.

Various high-profile figures, including former ministers under both him and Chavez, are in exile or jail.

Abroad, Maduro is likely to face an avalanche of western protests should he win, although Russia and China remain big allies and have been important financial backers.

With oil output at a 30-year low, foreign debtors looking to up the pressure, and multinationals departing or minimizing operations in Venezuela, Maduro will face a Herculean task to turn around the moribund economy.

With the mainstream opposition boycotting the election, two of his most popular rivals barred from standing and state institutions in loyalists' hands, the 55-year-old former bus driver is expected to win despite his unpopularity

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is seeking a six-year term on Sunday in a vote condemned by foes as the "coronation" of a dictator and likely to bring fresh foreign sanctions. With the mainstream opposition boycotting the election, two of his most popular rivals barred from standing and state institutions in loyalists' hands, the 55-year-old former bus driver is expected to win despite his unpopularity. That could trigger oil sanctions from the U.S. government, and more censure from the European Union and Latin America. The self-described "son" of Hugo Chavez says he is battling an "imperialist" plot to crush socialism and take over the OPEC nation's oil wealth. But opponents say the leftist leader has destroyed Venezuela's once-wealthy economy and ruthlessly crushed dissent. Maduro's main challenger is former state governor Henri Falcon, who predicts an upset on the back of some polls showing him ahead and widespread fury among Venezuela's 30 million people at the collapse of their economy. "I will free Venezuela from dictatorship!" Falcon, 56, vowed at his last rally. "Venezuelans want you to disappear, Maduro, you've done too much damage," he added, scattering fake $100 bills to symbolize his proposal for replacing the collapsed bolivar currency. Most analysts believe, however, that Falcon has only a slim chance given anticipated abstention, the opposition split over his break with the boycott, the vote-winning power of state handouts, and Maduro's allies on the election board. "These are not elections. They are a farce intended to keep Maduro in power without popular support," said Juan Pablo Guanipa, of the main opposition coalition, which is boycotting the vote. Further hurting Falcon's chances by splitting the anti-Maduro vote is a third candidate, evangelical pastor Javier Bertucci, who has picked up quite a following on the campaign trail, not least thanks to his free soup handouts. On the streets, many Venezuelans are disillusioned and angry over the election: They criticize Maduro for economic hardships and the opposition for its dysfunctional splits. Reeling from a fifth year of recession, falling oil production and U.S. sanctions blocking new debt issues, Venezuela is seeing growing levels of malnutrition and hunger, hyperinflation, and mass emigration. "If you give me victory, I will defeat the economic war," Maduro roared at his final campaign event, blaming opponents for the country's mess but giving no specifics of possible reforms to nearly two decades of state-led economic policies. Given Venezuelans' despondency over the crisis, campaign rallies have been poorly attended compared with previous votes and the atmosphere has been the most lackluster in memory. Pro-boycott activists were planning some scattered protests on Sunday, but authorities deployed 300,000 soldiers and policemen around the nation to protect voting stations. Results are expected by late evening. "I'm not voting. No one trusts the politicians. Both sides are useless, government and opposition," said bank worker Jhonny Castro, 36, in central Barquisimeto city. "People are resigned, you hardly see any election publicity. I ask around at work and among my friends, and for every five people, three or four won't vote." Should Maduro win, he may choose to use the domestic political advantage to deepen a successful purge of critics within the ruling "Chavismo" movement. Various high-profile figures, including former ministers under both him and Chavez, are in exile or jail. Abroad, Maduro is likely to face an avalanche of western protests should he win, although Russia and China remain big allies and have been important financial backers. With oil output at a 30-year low, foreign debtors looking to up the pressure, and multinationals departing or minimizing operations in Venezuela, Maduro will face a Herculean task to turn around the moribund economy.

Defying global pressure, Maduro seeks re-election in Venezuela

A prison riot in northern Venezuela left at least 11 people dead, an NGO said Friday, days ahead of presidential elections in the crisis-hit country.

"There was an uprising resulting in 11 deaths, including two guards and nine prisoners," and 28 wounded on Thursday, Carlos Nieto, the director of prisoners' rights group A Window on Freedom, told AFP.

A group of inmates in the prison in the town of Irribarren snatched the gun from a guard, sparking a 20-minute shootout, the NGO said, quoting family members of the victims.

Some of the dead and wounded were shot or stabbed.

The riot came after 68 prisoners died in a fire in a police station's jail in the northern city of Valencia in March.

The fire was started by the detainees to force the guards to unlock the cells in a bid to escape.

Last month, five police officials were charged with homicide over the fire, one of the deadliest in Venezuela's long history of prison disasters.

The South American country's prisons suffer from dire overcrowding and a shortage of basic supplies, struggling under the deepening economic crisis that is gripping the once-wealthy oil-producing country.

Socialist President Nicolas Maduro is seeking a second six-year term in a controversial election on Sunday that is being boycotted by the opposition.

Maduro is the clear favorite, despite trailing in opinion polls to his main rival Henri Falcon, and a low approval rating among Venezuelans fed up with hyperinflation, food and medicine shortages, rising crime and broken water, power and transportation networks.

Some of the dead and wounded were shot or stabbed

A prison riot in northern Venezuela left at least 11 people dead, an NGO said Friday, days ahead of presidential elections in the crisis-hit country. "There was an uprising resulting in 11 deaths, including two guards and nine prisoners," and 28 wounded on Thursday, Carlos Nieto, the director of prisoners' rights group A Window on Freedom, told AFP. A group of inmates in the prison in the town of Irribarren snatched the gun from a guard, sparking a 20-minute shootout, the NGO said, quoting family members of the victims. Some of the dead and wounded were shot or stabbed. The riot came after 68 prisoners died in a fire in a police station's jail in the northern city of Valencia in March. The fire was started by the detainees to force the guards to unlock the cells in a bid to escape. Last month, five police officials were charged with homicide over the fire, one of the deadliest in Venezuela's long history of prison disasters. The South American country's prisons suffer from dire overcrowding and a shortage of basic supplies, struggling under the deepening economic crisis that is gripping the once-wealthy oil-producing country. Socialist President Nicolas Maduro is seeking a second six-year term in a controversial election on Sunday that is being boycotted by the opposition. Maduro is the clear favorite, despite trailing in opinion polls to his main rival Henri Falcon, and a low approval rating among Venezuelans fed up with hyperinflation, food and medicine shortages, rising crime and broken water, power and transportation networks.

Riot in Venezuela prison leaves 11 dead: Report

By: Natasha Ezrow*

All around the world, democracy is looking shaky. While consolidated democracies are struggling to stay healthy, many flawed ones have turned into outright authoritarian regimes – most notably Russia under Vladimir Putin and Turkey under Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. But the news isn’t all bad: On several continents over the last decade, longstanding dictators have resigned, lost elections, or been deposed.

But has their demise led to any kind of democratic reform? It’s a mixed picture to say the least. While a handful of promising cases deserve praise, only a few of the dictatorships that have fallen in recent years have given way to lasting, stable democracies.

The 2010s began with tremendous optimism for the future of global democracy, reaching an apogee with the Arab Spring protests in 2011.

Across the Middle East and North Africa, several dictators fell in a row: After Tunisia’s Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia and Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak, Muammar Gaddafi of Libya was toppled in a civil war. Fighting also erupted in Yemen, leading to the eventual flight of longtime strongman Ali Abdullah Saleh.

It seemed for a moment that in one fell swoop, a clutch of countries were suddenly shaking off authoritarianism at last. But with the exception of Tunisia – whose situation is still somewhat fragile – none of them have developed into democracies.

Egypt’s brief spell under the elected Muslim Brotherhood came to an end in 2013, when a military intervention brought General Abdel Fatteh al-Sisi to power. He remains president today, legitimised by largely meaningless elections. Libya is still a weak state beset by instability and violence Yemen has slipped into devastating conflict and humanitarian crisis.

Though protests exploded throughout the Middle East, only modest reforms took place elsewhere. And in Syria, the Assad regime’s crackdown on the 2011 protests helped spark a nightmarish conflict that has torn the country apart.

Iraq and Afghanistan, meanwhile, saw a change in leadership with the elections that forced Nouri al-Maliki and Hamid Karzai out of power. But neither country’s democracy has notably improved. Afghanistan is still authoritarian and unstable, and in Iraq, Maliki is still very powerful behind the scenes.

Mixed bag

Latin America was home to a clutter of military dictatorships for decades, but since the mid-to-late 1980s, most of its countries have been flawed but functioning democracies.

The two notable holdouts were Venezuela under Hugo Chávez and Cuba under Fidel Castro – and in the last decade, the two have diverged considerably.

While Cuba has reformed a little under the rule of Fidel’s brother Raúl, who has now handed over to Miguel Díaz-Canal, Venezuela is falling apart under the dictatorial leadership of Chavez’s hand-picked successor, Nicolás Maduro. Other regimes in Latin America continue to hold free and fair elections, but struggle to uphold the rule of law.

In Asia, meanwhile, a few less-than-democratic countries have made strides towards reform, but most authoritarian regimes have stayed the same. Still, some reforms and resignations are noteworthy.

In the Caucasus, Armenia’s Serzh Sargsyan was recently forced to resign after mass protests against his rule. Almazbek Atambayev of Kyrgyzstan also stepped down after elections, the first peaceful handover of power in the country’s history.

In South-East Asia, most of the attention since 2015 has been on surprising events in Myanmar, when the military regime that ran the country for decades allowed open elections for the first time since 1990. Myanmar’s military government was oppressive even by authoritarian standards, so it was quite something to see it holding elections, releasing political prisoners and allowing more press freedom.

The regime’s leader, Thein Sein, stepped down to make way for Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy.

But the democratic transformation was short-lived. The regime has continued to violate the human rights of its minority groups, most notably the Rohingya minority, and civil liberties and press freedoms are in serious jeopardy.

Turfed out

One place where things are looking up for democracy is Sub-Saharan Africa. The last decade has seen the overall standing of democracy in Africa improve. In the early 1980s, only five countries in Africa could be considered democratic: Botswana, Gambia, Mauritius, Senegal and Zimbabwe.

The end of the Cold War saw the expansion of elections and civil liberties. But more recent years has seen the fall or peaceful resignation of important authoritarian figures, many of them old men who had clung on to power for decades.

Yahya Jammeh of the Gambia eventually fled the country in 2017 after he lost the presidential elections to the opposition. Blaise Compaoré of Burkina Faso resigned after political protests broke out in 2014, following nearly three decades in power.

José Eduardo dos Santos of Angola resigned after nearly 40 years in power (though he remains influential in Angolan politics). All three countries have become slightly more democratic as a result.

But the biggest tree felled in Africa was undoubtedly Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe. In his capacity as president since 1980, Mugabe had become increasingly dictatorial and brutal, and his misguided leadership plunged the country into chaos.

When he unceremoniously fired his vice-president Emmerson Mnangagwa at the end of 2017, his previous backers in the military decided they had finally had enough. With parliamentary impeachment hearings in the offing, Mugabe eventually resigned, and new elections are scheduled for July 2018.

The bloodless Zimbabwean transition was a heartening spectacle, but there are nonetheless plenty of other countries to worry about. Hungary’s Viktor Orban is threatening to constrict his country’s democracy by clamping down on civil liberties, even as he wins landslide election victores.

China’s Xi Jinping recently orchestrated the removal of term limits, giving him the power to rule indefinitely. Thailand’s military is heading the most repressive government the country has seen in years. Still, while many countries have taken an authoritarian turn, others have made a success of their escape from dictatorship.

As recent events in Armenia attest, citizens the world over are becoming more involved in politics and taking their displeasure to the streets. And while it’s true that most dictators who fall are replaced by another dictator, there are enough examples to the contrary to give the defenders of democracy some hope.

*Natasha Ezrow is a&nbspSenior Lecturer, University of Essex

(This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/are-dictators-on-the-way-out-or-on-the-way-up-95128">original article</a>.)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

While a handful of promising cases deserve praise, only a few of the dictatorships that have fallen in recent years have given way to lasting, stable democracies

By: Natasha Ezrow* All around the world, democracy is looking shaky. While consolidated democracies are struggling to stay healthy, many flawed ones have turned into outright authoritarian regimes – most notably Russia under Vladimir Putin and Turkey under Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. But the news isn’t all bad: On several continents over the last decade, longstanding dictators have resigned, lost elections, or been deposed. But has their demise led to any kind of democratic reform? It’s a mixed picture to say the least. While a handful of promising cases deserve praise, only a few of the dictatorships that have fallen in recent years have given way to lasting, stable democracies. The 2010s began with tremendous optimism for the future of global democracy, reaching an apogee with the Arab Spring protests in 2011. Across the Middle East and North Africa, several dictators fell in a row: After Tunisia’s Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia and Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak, Muammar Gaddafi of Libya was toppled in a civil war. Fighting also erupted in Yemen, leading to the eventual flight of longtime strongman Ali Abdullah Saleh. It seemed for a moment that in one fell swoop, a clutch of countries were suddenly shaking off authoritarianism at last. But with the exception of Tunisia – whose situation is still somewhat fragile – none of them have developed into democracies. Egypt’s brief spell under the elected Muslim Brotherhood came to an end in 2013, when a military intervention brought General Abdel Fatteh al-Sisi to power. He remains president today, legitimised by largely meaningless elections. Libya is still a weak state beset by instability and violence Yemen has slipped into devastating conflict and humanitarian crisis. Though protests exploded throughout the Middle East, only modest reforms took place elsewhere. And in Syria, the Assad regime’s crackdown on the 2011 protests helped spark a nightmarish conflict that has torn the country apart. Iraq and Afghanistan, meanwhile, saw a change in leadership with the elections that forced Nouri al-Maliki and Hamid Karzai out of power. But neither country’s democracy has notably improved. Afghanistan is still authoritarian and unstable, and in Iraq, Maliki is still very powerful behind the scenes. Mixed bag Latin America was home to a clutter of military dictatorships for decades, but since the mid-to-late 1980s, most of its countries have been flawed but functioning democracies. The two notable holdouts were Venezuela under Hugo Chávez and Cuba under Fidel Castro – and in the last decade, the two have diverged considerably. While Cuba has reformed a little under the rule of Fidel’s brother Raúl, who has now handed over to Miguel Díaz-Canal, Venezuela is falling apart under the dictatorial leadership of Chavez’s hand-picked successor, Nicolás Maduro. Other regimes in Latin America continue to hold free and fair elections, but struggle to uphold the rule of law. In Asia, meanwhile, a few less-than-democratic countries have made strides towards reform, but most authoritarian regimes have stayed the same. Still, some reforms and resignations are noteworthy. In the Caucasus, Armenia’s Serzh Sargsyan was recently forced to resign after mass protests against his rule. Almazbek Atambayev of Kyrgyzstan also stepped down after elections, the first peaceful handover of power in the country’s history. In South-East Asia, most of the attention since 2015 has been on surprising events in Myanmar, when the military regime that ran the country for decades allowed open elections for the first time since 1990. Myanmar’s military government was oppressive even by authoritarian standards, so it was quite something to see it holding elections, releasing political prisoners and allowing more press freedom. The regime’s leader, Thein Sein, stepped down to make way for Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy. But the democratic transformation was short-lived. The regime has continued to violate the human rights of its minority groups, most notably the Rohingya minority, and civil liberties and press freedoms are in serious jeopardy. Turfed out One place where things are looking up for democracy is Sub-Saharan Africa. The last decade has seen the overall standing of democracy in Africa improve. In the early 1980s, only five countries in Africa could be considered democratic: Botswana, Gambia, Mauritius, Senegal and Zimbabwe. The end of the Cold War saw the expansion of elections and civil liberties. But more recent years has seen the fall or peaceful resignation of important authoritarian figures, many of them old men who had clung on to power for decades. Yahya Jammeh of the Gambia eventually fled the country in 2017 after he lost the presidential elections to the opposition. Blaise Compaoré of Burkina Faso resigned after political protests broke out in 2014, following nearly three decades in power. José Eduardo dos Santos of Angola resigned after nearly 40 years in power (though he remains influential in Angolan politics). All three countries have become slightly more democratic as a result. But the biggest tree felled in Africa was undoubtedly Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe. In his capacity as president since 1980, Mugabe had become increasingly dictatorial and brutal, and his misguided leadership plunged the country into chaos. When he unceremoniously fired his vice-president Emmerson Mnangagwa at the end of 2017, his previous backers in the military decided they had finally had enough. With parliamentary impeachment hearings in the offing, Mugabe eventually resigned, and new elections are scheduled for July 2018. The bloodless Zimbabwean transition was a heartening spectacle, but there are nonetheless plenty of other countries to worry about. Hungary’s Viktor Orban is threatening to constrict his country’s democracy by clamping down on civil liberties, even as he wins landslide election victores. China’s Xi Jinping recently orchestrated the removal of term limits, giving him the power to rule indefinitely. Thailand’s military is heading the most repressive government the country has seen in years. Still, while many countries have taken an authoritarian turn, others have made a success of their escape from dictatorship. As recent events in Armenia attest, citizens the world over are becoming more involved in politics and taking their displeasure to the streets. And while it’s true that most dictators who fall are replaced by another dictator, there are enough examples to the contrary to give the defenders of democracy some hope. *Natasha Ezrow is a&nbspSenior Lecturer, University of Essex (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Are dictators on the way out or on the way up?

Venezuela on Sunday slammed comments by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about the government of President Nicolas Maduro, denouncing "supremacist policies" and aggression by the "regime of Donald Trump."

In a speech on Friday, Pompeo said that "a dictator today in Venezuela cripples his economy and starves his people," and urged the State Department help to those who flee the crisis-stricken country.

"Mr. Pompeo shows false concern for the reality of Venezuela, while hiding the perverse effects of the unilateral coercive measures of his government," Venezuela's Foreign Ministry said in a statement, referring to financial sanctions levied against Venezuela by the Trump government.

It said Trump's government "has launched erratic maneuvers, typical of the arrogance and despair of imperialist politics, after having failed once and again in the face of the will of a free and independent people."

Close to 1 million people left Venezuela between 2015 and 2017, according to U.N. figures, to escape the rising incidence of malnutrition and preventable diseases as a result of the collapse of the country's socialist economic system.

Maduro blames the situation on U.S. sanctions and an "economic war" waged by the opposition. He is up for re-election on May 20 in a vote that is being boycotted by the opposition's main coalition, which calls it a sham.

Opposition politician Henri Falcon is breaking the boycott and will stand against Maduro.

In a speech on Friday, Pompeo said that 'a dictator today in Venezuela cripples his economy and starves his people,' and urged the State Department help to those who flee the crisis-stricken country.

Venezuela on Sunday slammed comments by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about the government of President Nicolas Maduro, denouncing "supremacist policies" and aggression by the "regime of Donald Trump." In a speech on Friday, Pompeo said that "a dictator today in Venezuela cripples his economy and starves his people," and urged the State Department help to those who flee the crisis-stricken country. "Mr. Pompeo shows false concern for the reality of Venezuela, while hiding the perverse effects of the unilateral coercive measures of his government," Venezuela's Foreign Ministry said in a statement, referring to financial sanctions levied against Venezuela by the Trump government. It said Trump's government "has launched erratic maneuvers, typical of the arrogance and despair of imperialist politics, after having failed once and again in the face of the will of a free and independent people." Close to 1 million people left Venezuela between 2015 and 2017, according to U.N. figures, to escape the rising incidence of malnutrition and preventable diseases as a result of the collapse of the country's socialist economic system. Maduro blames the situation on U.S. sanctions and an "economic war" waged by the opposition. He is up for re-election on May 20 in a vote that is being boycotted by the opposition's main coalition, which calls it a sham. Opposition politician Henri Falcon is breaking the boycott and will stand against Maduro.

Venezuela slams 'supremacist policies' of Pompeo, Trump 'regime'

Key crude oil prices rose by 1 percent to their highest levels since late-2014 on Monday, pushed up by a deepening economic crisis in Venezuela and a looming decision on whether the United States will re-impose sanctions against Iran.

Brent crude oil futures were at $75.57 per barrel at 0650 GMT, up 70 cents, or 0.9 percent, from their last close. Earlier in the session, they touched their highest since November 2014 at $75.89 a barrel.

US&nbsp;West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 70 cents, or 1 percent, to $70.42 per barrel. Monday was the first time since November 2014 that WTI had climbed above $70 per barrel.

Meanwhile, China’s Shanghai crude oil futures, launched in March, broke their dollar-converted record-high of $71.32 per barrel by rising as far as $72.54 on Monday.

Open interest and traded volumes for Shanghai crude also hit a fresh record on Monday.

Analysts warned that the deepening economic crisis in major oil exporter Venezuela threatened to further crimp its production and exports.

Shannon Rivkin, investment director of Australia’s Rivkin Securities, said that oil prices had been driven up due to “growing concerns over the economic collapse of Venezuela and its oil industry, plus possible new sanctions against Iran from the Trump administration”.

US&nbsp;oil firm ConocoPhillips has moved to take key Caribbean assets of Venezuela’s state-run PDVSA to enforce a $2 billion arbitration award, actions that could further impair PDVSA’s declining oil production and exports.

Venezuela’s oil output has halved since the early 2000s to just 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd), as the South American country has failed to invest enough to maintain its petroleum industry.

Beyond Venezuela’s woes, Greg McKenna,&nbsp;chief&nbsp;market strategist at futures brokerage AxiTrader, said “the big story this week is going to be about oil and the Iran Nuclear deal”. Most market participants expect Trump to withdraw from the pact, he said.

Iran re-emerged as a major oil exporter in 2016 after international sanctions against it were lifted in return for curbs on Iran’s nuclear program.

Expressing doubts over Iran’s sincerity, Trump has threatened to walk away from the 2015 agreement by not extending sanctions waivers when they expire on May 12, which would likely result in a reduction of Iran’s oil exports.

Looming over markets, however, is surging U.S. output, which has soared by more than a quarter in the last two years, to 10.62 million bpd.

US&nbsp;output will likely rise further this year, towards or past Russia’s 11 million bpd, as its energy firms keep drilling for more.

US&nbsp;energy companies added nine oil rigs looking for new production in the week to May 4, bringing the total count to 834, the highest level since March 2015, energy services firm Baker Hughes said last Friday.

Analysts warned that the deepening economic crisis in major oil exporter Venezuela threatened to further crimp its production and exports.

Key crude oil prices rose by 1 percent to their highest levels since late-2014 on Monday, pushed up by a deepening economic crisis in Venezuela and a looming decision on whether the United States will re-impose sanctions against Iran. Brent crude oil futures were at $75.57 per barrel at 0650 GMT, up 70 cents, or 0.9 percent, from their last close. Earlier in the session, they touched their highest since November 2014 at $75.89 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 70 cents, or 1 percent, to $70.42 per barrel. Monday was the first time since November 2014 that WTI had climbed above $70 per barrel. Meanwhile, China’s Shanghai crude oil futures, launched in March, broke their dollar-converted record-high of $71.32 per barrel by rising as far as $72.54 on Monday. Open interest and traded volumes for Shanghai crude also hit a fresh record on Monday. Analysts warned that the deepening economic crisis in major oil exporter Venezuela threatened to further crimp its production and exports. Shannon Rivkin, investment director of Australia’s Rivkin Securities, said that oil prices had been driven up due to “growing concerns over the economic collapse of Venezuela and its oil industry, plus possible new sanctions against Iran from the Trump administration”. US oil firm ConocoPhillips has moved to take key Caribbean assets of Venezuela’s state-run PDVSA to enforce a $2 billion arbitration award, actions that could further impair PDVSA’s declining oil production and exports. Venezuela’s oil output has halved since the early 2000s to just 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd), as the South American country has failed to invest enough to maintain its petroleum industry. Beyond Venezuela’s woes, Greg McKenna, chief market strategist at futures brokerage AxiTrader, said “the big story this week is going to be about oil and the Iran Nuclear deal”. Most market participants expect Trump to withdraw from the pact, he said. Iran re-emerged as a major oil exporter in 2016 after international sanctions against it were lifted in return for curbs on Iran’s nuclear program. Expressing doubts over Iran’s sincerity, Trump has threatened to walk away from the 2015 agreement by not extending sanctions waivers when they expire on May 12, which would likely result in a reduction of Iran’s oil exports. Looming over markets, however, is surging U.S. output, which has soared by more than a quarter in the last two years, to 10.62 million bpd. US output will likely rise further this year, towards or past Russia’s 11 million bpd, as its energy firms keep drilling for more. US energy companies added nine oil rigs looking for new production in the week to May 4, bringing the total count to 834, the highest level since March 2015, energy services firm Baker Hughes said last Friday.

Oil prices reach highest since November 2014 on Venezuela, Iran worries

President Nicolas Maduro scoffed at international criticism of Venezuela's upcoming May 20 vote in which he is seeking re-election and offered a prize for those who vote with a state-issued card.

Venezuela's mainstream opposition is boycotting the election on the grounds it is rigged in favour of the 55-year-old socialist incumbent. The United States, European Union and various Latin American neighbours have also slammed it as unfair.

"So they're not going to recognize Maduro around the world. What the hell do I care?" Maduro said at an election rally in La Guaira, on the coast outside Caracas, late on Wednesday. "What the hell do I care what Europe and Washington say?"

Maduro, who is casting his re-election campaign as a battle against imperialism, has only one serious rival: Henri Falcon, 56, a former state governor. Falcon has broken with the opposition coalition's boycott of the vote, believing anger at an economic crisis will win him votes.

OPEC member Venezuela is in the fifth year of punishing recession, inflation is the highest in the world, oil production is at a three-decade low, shortages of food and medicines are widespread, and millions are skipping meals.

Some polls show Falcon more popular than Maduro, who narrowly won election to replace Hugo Chavez in 2013.

But the opposition abstention campaign, the presence of Maduro loyalists in key institutions including the election board, and vote-winning power of state welfare programs like housing and food giveaways make a Falcon victory look a tall order.

In his speech, Maduro told supporters that all those who vote showing a government-issued "Fatherland Card," which is needed to access certain welfare programs, probably would receive "a really good prize."

He did not give details but critics say that, and other pre-election cash and other bonuses via the card, is akin to vote bribery. Voting in Venezuela is secret but state workers say they are constantly pressured to support the government.

Falcon, a former soldier, has been largely shunned by Venezuela's best-known opposition leaders but this week received the support of at least one high-profile leader, Enrique Marquez, who is vice president of A New Time party.

He also has been wooing twice-presidential candidate Henrique Capriles to join his campaign but without success so far. Capriles, and another popular opposition leader, Leopoldo Lopez, are both barred from standing in the election.

Maduro says Venezuela's election system is the cleanest in the world but even the official operator of the voting platform, UK-based Smartmatic, denounced fraud in an election last August. Little is known about the Argentine company that has replaced it for this month's election.

If Maduro does win re-election, attention will turn immediately to whether he plans to use the political breathing space to deepen an internal purge of rivals, and if the United States will carry out a threat to impose oil sanctions.

President Donald Trump's administration already has imposed some financial and individual sanctions on Maduro's government, accusing senior officials of rights abuses and corruption.

Venezuela's mainstream opposition is boycotting the election on the grounds it is rigged in favour of the 55-year-old socialist incumbent.

President Nicolas Maduro scoffed at international criticism of Venezuela's upcoming May 20 vote in which he is seeking re-election and offered a prize for those who vote with a state-issued card. Venezuela's mainstream opposition is boycotting the election on the grounds it is rigged in favour of the 55-year-old socialist incumbent. The United States, European Union and various Latin American neighbours have also slammed it as unfair. "So they're not going to recognize Maduro around the world. What the hell do I care?" Maduro said at an election rally in La Guaira, on the coast outside Caracas, late on Wednesday. "What the hell do I care what Europe and Washington say?" Maduro, who is casting his re-election campaign as a battle against imperialism, has only one serious rival: Henri Falcon, 56, a former state governor. Falcon has broken with the opposition coalition's boycott of the vote, believing anger at an economic crisis will win him votes. OPEC member Venezuela is in the fifth year of punishing recession, inflation is the highest in the world, oil production is at a three-decade low, shortages of food and medicines are widespread, and millions are skipping meals. Some polls show Falcon more popular than Maduro, who narrowly won election to replace Hugo Chavez in 2013. But the opposition abstention campaign, the presence of Maduro loyalists in key institutions including the election board, and vote-winning power of state welfare programs like housing and food giveaways make a Falcon victory look a tall order. In his speech, Maduro told supporters that all those who vote showing a government-issued "Fatherland Card," which is needed to access certain welfare programs, probably would receive "a really good prize." He did not give details but critics say that, and other pre-election cash and other bonuses via the card, is akin to vote bribery. Voting in Venezuela is secret but state workers say they are constantly pressured to support the government. Falcon, a former soldier, has been largely shunned by Venezuela's best-known opposition leaders but this week received the support of at least one high-profile leader, Enrique Marquez, who is vice president of A New Time party. He also has been wooing twice-presidential candidate Henrique Capriles to join his campaign but without success so far. Capriles, and another popular opposition leader, Leopoldo Lopez, are both barred from standing in the election. Maduro says Venezuela's election system is the cleanest in the world but even the official operator of the voting platform, UK-based Smartmatic, denounced fraud in an election last August. Little is known about the Argentine company that has replaced it for this month's election. If Maduro does win re-election, attention will turn immediately to whether he plans to use the political breathing space to deepen an internal purge of rivals, and if the United States will carry out a threat to impose oil sanctions. President Donald Trump's administration already has imposed some financial and individual sanctions on Maduro's government, accusing senior officials of rights abuses and corruption.

Venezuela's Maduro defies foreign censure, offers 'prize' to voters

Oil&nbspprices rose on Thursday, supported by an expectation that the United States will re-impose sanctions against Iran, a decline in output in Venezuela and ongoing strong demand.

Brent crude&nbspoil&nbspfutures were at 74.42 per barrel at 0135 GMT, up 42 cents, or 0.6 percent, from their last close.

US&nbspWest Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 33 cents, or 0.5 percent, at $68.38 per barrel.

Traders said markets rose on expectations that the United States will in May re-impose sanctions against Iran, a major&nbspoil&nbspproducer and member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday during a state visit to the United States that he expected Trump to pull out of a deal with Iran reached in 2015, in which Iran suspended its nuclear programme in return for western powers lifting crippling sanctions.

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump will decide by May 12 whether to restore U.S. sanctions on Tehran, which would likely result in a reduction of its&nbspoil&nbspexports.

Further pushing&nbspoil&nbspprices has been declining output in Venezuela, OPEC's biggest producer in Latin America.

Venezuela's crude production has fallen from almost 2.5 million barrels per day (bpd) in early 2016 to around 1.5 million bpd due to political and economic turmoil.

US&nbspoil&nbspmajor Chevron Corp has evacuated executives from Venezuela after two of its workers were imprisoned over a contract dispute with state-owned&nbspoil&nbspcompany PDVSA.

Venezuela's plunging output and looming US&nbspsanctions against Iran come against a backdrop of strong demand, especially in Asia, the world's biggest&nbspoil&nbspconsuming region.

However, not all market indicators point towards tighter supplies.

US&nbspcrude&nbspoil&nbspinventories rose by 2.2 million barrels in the week to April 20, to 429.74 million barrels. That's almost 10 million barrels above the five-year average.

US&nbspcrude production rose by 46,000 barrels per day (bpd) on the previous week, to 10.59 bpd. That's an increase of more than a quarter since mid-2016.

American crude&nbspoil&nbspoutput has overtaken that of top exporter Saudi Arabia. Only Russia currently produces more, at around 11 million bpd.

With U.S. output surging, some analysts warn that the 20-percent climb in Brent prices since February is starting to look overdone.

"The market does look a little&nbsptoppish," said Greg McKenna,&nbspchief&nbspmarket strategist at futures brokerage AxiTrader.

Brent crude oil futures were at 74.42 per barrel at 0135 GMT, up 42 cents, or 0.6 percent, from their last close.

Oil&nbspprices rose on Thursday, supported by an expectation that the United States will re-impose sanctions against Iran, a decline in output in Venezuela and ongoing strong demand. Brent crude&nbspoil&nbspfutures were at 74.42 per barrel at 0135 GMT, up 42 cents, or 0.6 percent, from their last close. US&nbspWest Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 33 cents, or 0.5 percent, at $68.38 per barrel. Traders said markets rose on expectations that the United States will in May re-impose sanctions against Iran, a major&nbspoil&nbspproducer and member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday during a state visit to the United States that he expected Trump to pull out of a deal with Iran reached in 2015, in which Iran suspended its nuclear programme in return for western powers lifting crippling sanctions. US&nbspPresident Donald Trump will decide by May 12 whether to restore U.S. sanctions on Tehran, which would likely result in a reduction of its&nbspoil&nbspexports. Further pushing&nbspoil&nbspprices has been declining output in Venezuela, OPEC's biggest producer in Latin America. Venezuela's crude production has fallen from almost 2.5 million barrels per day (bpd) in early 2016 to around 1.5 million bpd due to political and economic turmoil. US&nbspoil&nbspmajor Chevron Corp has evacuated executives from Venezuela after two of its workers were imprisoned over a contract dispute with state-owned&nbspoil&nbspcompany PDVSA. Venezuela's plunging output and looming US&nbspsanctions against Iran come against a backdrop of strong demand, especially in Asia, the world's biggest&nbspoil&nbspconsuming region. However, not all market indicators point towards tighter supplies. US&nbspcrude&nbspoil&nbspinventories rose by 2.2 million barrels in the week to April 20, to 429.74 million barrels. That's almost 10 million barrels above the five-year average. US&nbspcrude production rose by 46,000 barrels per day (bpd) on the previous week, to 10.59 bpd. That's an increase of more than a quarter since mid-2016. American crude&nbspoil&nbspoutput has overtaken that of top exporter Saudi Arabia. Only Russia currently produces more, at around 11 million bpd. With U.S. output surging, some analysts warn that the 20-percent climb in Brent prices since February is starting to look overdone. "The market does look a little&nbsptoppish," said Greg McKenna,&nbspchief&nbspmarket strategist at futures brokerage AxiTrader.

Oil prices rise on Iran sanctions worries, falling Venezuelan output

Panama on Thursday ordered Venezuela's ambassador out and recalled its own envoy to the country as Caracas imposed sanctions on senior Panamanian officials and suspended flights in an escalating diplomatic row.

At issue is Panama's alignment with other Latin American countries as well as the European Union, Canada and the United States that have taken measures against President Nicolas Maduro's and his government on the grounds that he is undemocratically tightening his hold on power.

"Panama's government has decided to withdraw its ambassador to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Miguel Mejia, and asks the Venezuelan government to withdraw its ambassador accredited to Panama, Jorge Duran Centeno," the Panamanian foreign ministry said in a statement.

The communique came hours after Venezuela's government news agency AVN announced sanctions on Panama's president and other officials, and on a number of Panamanian companies including its main airline Copa.

Venezuelan aviation authorities also announced that all Copa flights "to and from the country are suspended as of April 6, 2018 as a measure to protect the Venezuelan financial system."

The Venezuelan announcements followed a declaration by Panama this week that it had added President Nicolas Maduro to a list of individuals deemed a "high risk" in terms of money laundering.

Peru meanwhile told Maduro he is not welcome to attend a summit of leaders from across the Americas to be held in Lima next week.&nbsp

That gathering will include US President Donald Trump, who has branded Maduro a "dictator" and taken steps to reduce Venezuela's access to international credit.

Crisis gripping Venezuela

Venezuela is teetering on the brink of default despite sitting atop the biggest oil reserves in the world.&nbsp

Hyperinflation, scarcities of basic food and medicine, and skyrocketing violence are gripping the country, prompting a swelling exodus of its citizens that is increasingly concerning the United Nations.

According to AVN, the sanctions against the Panamanian individuals and companies will result in a suspension "for 90 days (of) economic and financial relations."

In terms of Copa, that could signal significant problems for Venezuela itself.

Panama is the nearest major airline hub to Venezuela, and Copa is the main airline used by passengers in and out of Caracas. Departures from the Venezuelan capital are often booked up weeks or months in advance.

A succession of international airlines have in the past couple of years ended their flights to Venezuela, including Delta, United, Aerolineas Argentinas and Avianca.

The few left flying include Air France, Spain's Iberia, American Airlines and Swiftair from the US, Cubana and Turkish Airlines.

Humberto Figuera, head of the Airlines Association of Venezuela, old AFP ahead of the Copa suspension announcement that such a moved would be "really serious."

"Copa has 35 weekly flights. Venezuela would find itself more isolated, as Copa is an airline with the most connections to destinations on the American continent," he said.

Tit-for-tat sanctions

According to AVN, among the individuals singled out for the Venezuelan sanctions were Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela, his vice president, Isabel de Saint Malo, and the minister for the presidency and the minister for the government.

The state news agency said Venezuelan prosecutors called for the sanctions were because of the alleged "recurrent use of the Panamanian financial system by Venezuelan nationals to move money and assets derived from crime against the nation's wealth."

It said such transactions were made possible by the "obscurity" of Panama's financial system.&nbsp

The ability for wealthy people to stash assets through Panamanian companies and law firms has been highlighted in the past couple of years through the "Panama Papers" and "Paradise Papers" scandals.

Under intense international pressure, Panama has recently made moves to bring improved transparency to its financial sector.

The Central American country has at the same time faced pressure from the United States and other Latin American nations to take measures against Maduro and his government.

On Tuesday, De Saint Malo, who is also Panama's foreign minister, announced that the Venezuelan president had been added to a national list of individuals seen as being a "high risk" for money laundering.

She said the move brought the country into line with the European Union, Canada and the United States, which also have hit Maduro and his officials with sanctions.

Venezuela's Supreme Court has called those lists "grotesque" and an assault on the South American country's sovereignty.

Other Venezuelan officials put on Panama's "high risk" list last week include the head of Maduro's Socialist Party, the chief justice of Venezuela's Supreme Court, the head of the electoral council, the chief national prosecutor, and the ministers for education and for culture.

Panama on Thursday ordered Venezuela's ambassador out and recalled its own envoy to the country as Caracas imposed sanctions on senior Panamanian officials and suspended flights in an escalating diplomatic row

Panama on Thursday ordered Venezuela's ambassador out and recalled its own envoy to the country as Caracas imposed sanctions on senior Panamanian officials and suspended flights in an escalating diplomatic row. At issue is Panama's alignment with other Latin American countries as well as the European Union, Canada and the United States that have taken measures against President Nicolas Maduro's and his government on the grounds that he is undemocratically tightening his hold on power. "Panama's government has decided to withdraw its ambassador to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Miguel Mejia, and asks the Venezuelan government to withdraw its ambassador accredited to Panama, Jorge Duran Centeno," the Panamanian foreign ministry said in a statement. The communique came hours after Venezuela's government news agency AVN announced sanctions on Panama's president and other officials, and on a number of Panamanian companies including its main airline Copa. Venezuelan aviation authorities also announced that all Copa flights "to and from the country are suspended as of April 6, 2018 as a measure to protect the Venezuelan financial system." The Venezuelan announcements followed a declaration by Panama this week that it had added President Nicolas Maduro to a list of individuals deemed a "high risk" in terms of money laundering. Peru meanwhile told Maduro he is not welcome to attend a summit of leaders from across the Americas to be held in Lima next week. That gathering will include US President Donald Trump, who has branded Maduro a "dictator" and taken steps to reduce Venezuela's access to international credit. Crisis gripping Venezuela Venezuela is teetering on the brink of default despite sitting atop the biggest oil reserves in the world. Hyperinflation, scarcities of basic food and medicine, and skyrocketing violence are gripping the country, prompting a swelling exodus of its citizens that is increasingly concerning the United Nations. According to AVN, the sanctions against the Panamanian individuals and companies will result in a suspension "for 90 days (of) economic and financial relations." In terms of Copa, that could signal significant problems for Venezuela itself. Panama is the nearest major airline hub to Venezuela, and Copa is the main airline used by passengers in and out of Caracas. Departures from the Venezuelan capital are often booked up weeks or months in advance. A succession of international airlines have in the past couple of years ended their flights to Venezuela, including Delta, United, Aerolineas Argentinas and Avianca. The few left flying include Air France, Spain's Iberia, American Airlines and Swiftair from the US, Cubana and Turkish Airlines. Humberto Figuera, head of the Airlines Association of Venezuela, old AFP ahead of the Copa suspension announcement that such a moved would be "really serious." "Copa has 35 weekly flights. Venezuela would find itself more isolated, as Copa is an airline with the most connections to destinations on the American continent," he said. Tit-for-tat sanctions According to AVN, among the individuals singled out for the Venezuelan sanctions were Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela, his vice president, Isabel de Saint Malo, and the minister for the presidency and the minister for the government. The state news agency said Venezuelan prosecutors called for the sanctions were because of the alleged "recurrent use of the Panamanian financial system by Venezuelan nationals to move money and assets derived from crime against the nation's wealth." It said such transactions were made possible by the "obscurity" of Panama's financial system. The ability for wealthy people to stash assets through Panamanian companies and law firms has been highlighted in the past couple of years through the "Panama Papers" and "Paradise Papers" scandals. Under intense international pressure, Panama has recently made moves to bring improved transparency to its financial sector. The Central American country has at the same time faced pressure from the United States and other Latin American nations to take measures against Maduro and his government. On Tuesday, De Saint Malo, who is also Panama's foreign minister, announced that the Venezuelan president had been added to a national list of individuals seen as being a "high risk" for money laundering. She said the move brought the country into line with the European Union, Canada and the United States, which also have hit Maduro and his officials with sanctions. Venezuela's Supreme Court has called those lists "grotesque" and an assault on the South American country's sovereignty. Other Venezuelan officials put on Panama's "high risk" list last week include the head of Maduro's Socialist Party, the chief justice of Venezuela's Supreme Court, the head of the electoral council, the chief national prosecutor, and the ministers for education and for culture.

Panama orders Venezuela envoy out, Caracas suspends flights

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