South America

CARACAS, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- The United States is blocking Venezuelan state funds to be used on treating children with cancer or kidney problems due to its economic and financial sanctions, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said on Thursday.

The U.S. government denied a request from Venezuela to access funding for medical treatments, which were normally channeled via state oil firm PDVSA and its U.S.-based subsidiary Citgo, said Rodriguez.

MEXICO CITY, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- Mexico's fight against rampant fuel theft is expected to save the government nearly 50 billion pesos (2.6 billion U.S. dollars) in losses this year, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Thursday.

"We were able to considerably reduce the theft of fuel. If we continue on this path, we could save close to 50 billion pesos, money that belongs to the people and will be returned to the people through benefits of all types," the president said at a press conference.

CARACAS, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Thursday ordered the country's southern border with Brazil be sealed off.

"I have decided: in south Venezuela, starting at 8 p.m. today Thursday Feb. 21, the land border with Brazil will be totally and absolutely closed," said Maduro.

The measure will be in effect until further notice, the president said during a meeting with the high command of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces.

The move comes amid what he called "provocation" from Brazil's right-wing government.

CARACAS, February 21. /TASS/. The US government plans to use the territory of Caribbean countries to stage illegal operations aimed at overthrowing the Venezuelan government, the Latin American country's foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

CARACAS, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said Wednesday that the country's internal order and proper protection of its borders are guaranteed.

Rodriguez made the remarks at a press conference when she was asked about whether incidents will occur during political and social activities slated for Feb. 23 on the border with Colombia.

CARACAS, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's Minister of Culture Ernesto Villegas on Tuesday launched an international solidarity campaign with Venezuela in the country's capital Caracas, in response to intervention threats from the U.S. government.

The call is aimed at the expression of artists of the world in favor of peace and under the slogan "Trump hands off Venezuela."

Villegas called on artists from all over the world to "generate and disseminate content in solidarity with Venezuela, for peace in the Americas, against intervention and war."

19 Feb 2019; DW: US President Donald Trump called on the Venezuelan armed forces to back interim President Juan Guaido. Trump said he sought a peaceful transition of power in Venezuela, but that "all options" remained open.

US President Donald Trump reaffirmed his commitment to Venezuela's interim President Juan Guaido and delivered a strong rebuke to socialism, in a speech he delivered on Monday in Miami.

CARACAS, February 18. /TASS/. Venezuela's direct losses sustained as a result of US sanctions over the last three years stand at around $38 billion, Venezuela's Vice President for Planning Ricardo Menendez told Agencia Venezolana de Noticias on Monday.

CARACAS, February 19. /TASS/. Russia will send 300 tonnes of medicines to Venezuela, the Latin American country's President Nicolas Maduro said on Monday.

"On Wednesday 300 tonnes of legitimate humanitarian aid will arrive from Russia," Maduro said.

Russia will deliver medicines to Venezuela, he added. "We paid for them," he noted.

Last week over 60 containers with 933 tonnes of medicines were delivered to Venezuela from abroad. Most cargo arrived from China and Cuba.

CARACAS, February 19. /TASS/. Venezuela should start producing its own weapons systems to defend the country, President Nicolas Maduro said on Monday.

"We need our own weapons systems for the existing concept of national security," Maduro said. He added that Venezuela possesses "a good weapons system for defense," including missile defense systems.