South America

Medardo Mairena was sentenced to 216 years in prison for “terrorism” and six other offences related to his participation in the protests that caused the death of four police officers and a civilian, said lawyer Julio Montenegro from the non-governmental Permanent Commission for Human Rights. Pedro Mena was given 210 years for terrorism and other offences.

Montenegro described the sentences as “unprecedented” and “overly exaggerated.”

The two opposition leaders will serve only 30 years in prison, though, as that is the maximum allowed in Nicaraguan law.

CARACAS, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Venezuelan government on Monday said it will send humanitarian aid to Cucuta, a Colombian town bordering Venezuela, to help improve the difficult situation facing children in the area.

The move seems to be a satiric response to Colombia's decision to allow a U.S. military transport plane carrying aid meant for Venezuelans to land in Cucuta.

The border crossing has turned into a potential flashpoint as the Venezuelan opposition, with the support of Washington, steps up pressure on President Nicolas Maduro's government to renounce power.

MOSCOW, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Russia will deliver 300 tons of humanitarian aid to Venezuela, local media reported Monday, quoting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

"We receive humanitarian support every day," Maduro was quoted as saying by Sputnik news agency at a meeting with scientists in Venezuela. Russia's aid will be delivered to the international airport of Caracas, the president added.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that Russia is ready to join mediation efforts to help end the Venezuelan crisis.

CUCUTA, Colombia (AP) — U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio visited a border staging point for U.S. aid to Venezuela on Sunday and warned soldiers loyal to socialist President Nicolas Maduro that it will be a “crime against humanity” if they block entry of the goods that are being channeled through Maduro’s rivals.

CARACAS, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza met with U.S. Special Representative for Venezuela Elliott Abrams over the weekend to address the two countries' relationship.

"We have held two meetings of which I cannot give details because I have to respect the confidentiality of them, but there have been meetings where we have listened to each other," Arreaza said in statements broadcast on Venezuelan state television.

Caracas, Feb 16; AFP?GANASHAKTI: Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro hit out at the United States on Friday for "stealing" billions of dollars and offering "crumbs" in return as humanitarian aid.

Tons of US aid is piling up in Colombia close to the border with Venezuela as opposition leader Juan Guaido has vowed to defy Maduro's efforts to block the supplies from entering the country.

"It's a booby trap, they're putting on a show with rotten and contaminated food," said Maduro, speaking at an event in the southeastern town of Ciudad Bolivar.

CARACAS, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Friday that U.S. President Donald Trump is put by his advisors into a dead end regarding the situation in Venezuela.

Trump has been put into an "alley without exit" by his advisors on Venezuela, he said.

Maduro made the remarks when marking the bicentennial of Venezuela's definitive republican constitution amid a political crisis that broke out on Jan. 23 when opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president and was recognized by the United States and several other countries.

MONTEVIDEO, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez and Argentine President Mauricio Macri on Wednesday expressed their wish to revive regional integration following a meeting in the Uruguayan department of Colonia.

During the meeting, both leaders evaluated the situation of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), according to a joint statement released after the meeting.

BEIRUT, February 13. /TASS/. Venezuelan opposition leaders "have acted against the interests of the Venezuelan people and caused damage to the state," Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro told Al Mayadeen TV channel on Wednesday.

"Juan Guaido and his supporters will sooner or later be brought to justice and will bear responsibility for an attempt to seize power," Maduro said.

BEIRUT, February 13. /TASS/. The Venezuelan government plans to increase oil output by more than 1 million barrels, President Nicolas Maduro told Al Mayadeen TV channel on Wednesday.

"We are using difficulties that resulted from sanctions to create a modern, self-sustainable economy, and call upon investors from Arabic and Islamic countries to invest their money into developing the oil and gas industry," Maduro said.

According to the Venezuelan president, the country's government "plans to triple gold mining rates, as well as production of aluminum and other metals."