Venezuela

CARACAS, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday announced he was severing "diplomatic and political" ties with the United States after the U.S. authorities recognized the opposition leader Juan Guaido as the nation's interim president.

"I have decided to break diplomatic and political relations with the imperialist U.S. government," Maduro said in a speech to supporters gathered outside the presidential headquarters in Caracas.

"Out they go from Venezuela, enough of interventionism," said Maduro, who was accompanied by his cabinet.

Caracas, January 22 : Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez Tuesday said U.S. Vice President Mike Pence was "openly calling for a coup d'état in Venezuela " after Pence issued a video message of support to the Venezuelan opposition to encourage those who are protesting against President Nicolas Maduro and underline U.S. backing for opposition lawmaker Juan Guaido, the self-appointed head of the suspended National Assembly.

23 Jan 2019; AFP: Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro on Tuesday accused Washington of ordering a coup against his government and called for a "total revision" of ties with the US.

The latest claims by Caracas of a US coup plot came the day before a mass street protest announced by the opposition, and one day after a mutiny by some soldiers.

Maduro was specifically reacting to comments by US Vice President Mike Pence, who posted a video on Twitter branding Maduro "a dictator with no legitimate claim to power."

21 Jan 2019; AFP: A group of 27 soldiers rose up against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro at a command post in Caracas on Monday, but they were quickly arrested after posting an appeal for public support in a video.

"We are the professional troop of the National Guard against the regime, which we completely repudiate. I need your help, take to the streets," a man who identified himself as the group's leader said in a video circulated on social media.

CARACAS, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Ten member countries of the Lima Group have distanced themselves from interfering in Venezuela's internal affairs, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said Saturday.

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, Panama and Saint Lucia, once urging Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to cede power, have rectified their position, Arreaza said at a news conference at the headquarters of the ministry.

CARACAS, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was sworn in before the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) to begin a new six-year term on Thursday.

Maduro told the president of the TSJ, Maikel Moreno, that he swore on behalf of the people of Venezuela and that he would fulfill and enforce all constitutional mandates to "seek to defend the independence and absolute integrity of the country."

After the inauguration ceremony, the president said the ceremony "was a peace step for the country."

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s opposition-controlled congress opened its first session of the year Saturday, installing a fresh-faced leader who struck a defiant tone and vowed to take up the battle against socialist President Nicolas Maduro.

Juan Guaido, 35, assumes the presidency of a National Assembly stripped of power by Maduro, whose government is blamed for leading the once-wealthy oil nation into a historic political and humanitarian crisis.

13 Dec 2018; DW: A reporter known for his bylines in right-wing newspapers has been charged with spying and rebellion. Press freedom groups have called for his release, saying he has a right to report "regardless of his personal views."

The German Foreign Ministry on Wednesday confirmed to DW that German journalist Billy Six has been arrested in Venezuela.

The ministry said it has extended consular services to the journalist, who is known for his bylines in the Berlin-based right-wing Junge Freiheit newspaper.

CARACAS, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said Friday that his administration will continue to boost the production of minerals, and gold in particular, in spite of sanctions imposed by the United States.

"Venezuela will never follow the orders of the U.S. empire and Venezuela will continue to produce gold," Maduro said, referring to the latest sanctions imposed by Washington on Venezuela.

CARACAS, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's Prosecutor General Tarek William Saab on Monday confirmed the suicide of an opposition councilman Fernando Alban, who jumped from the building of the National Intelligence Service (SEBIN) where he was detained.

The councilman would appear later in the day before the courts for alleged involvement in the failed assassination attempt against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in August.