South America

CARACAS, July 21. /TASS/: Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said he met with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during his visit to Caracas on Saturday.

"We had the honor to be received by President Nicolas Maduro," Ryabkov told reporters after the talks.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rather than tangle with a stronger U.S. military, Iran is poking and prodding its Western antagonists in ways apparently designed to avoid triggering war but that nonetheless seem to heighten the risk of missteps and miscalculation that could lead to an armed conflict with global consequences.

CARACAS, July 20. /TASS/: The Venezuelan government will not allow the United States and European Union to influence the outcomes of talks with the opposition, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Friday.

"Venezuela will not give in to blackmail from the side of the US and EU," Maduro said in a speech broadcast on Periscope.

"Agreements that will be reached at Barbados talks will be absolutely sovereign," he added.

The Venezuelan president that the government's delegation has already returned from Barbados after a round of talks with the opposition.

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday confirmed that he will nominate his son Eduardo Bolsonaro to the position of Brazil's ambassador to the United States.

"From my part, it is already a done deal," the president said.

He stressed that though his decision is already made, there are some procedures to complete such as consultation with the U.S. government.

Moreover, the candidate must be questioned by Brazil's Senate and approved by both the Senate and the House.

14 July 2019; DW: Two members of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido's security team have been arrested for allegedly trying to sell guns. There is no indication that the arrest will affect ongoing negotiations with the government.

Two of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido's bodyguards were arrested in Caracas on Saturday, the country's socialist government said.

CARACAS, July 13. /TASS/: The Venezuelan authorities have signed an agreement with one of the largest Russian industrial enterprises, Minister of Industries and National Production Tareck El Aissami said on Friday.

"We have signed an agreement with a large company in Russia," El Aissami told a conference in a speech broadcast live on Venezolana de Television. The minister did not elaborate on the agreement.

He added that Venezuela is in talks with two large automobile manufacturers in China.

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro confirmed on Thursday that he is considering offering his son, federal representative Eduardo Bolsonaro, the post of ambassador to the United States.

"I think he could be an adequate appointment and could perfectly handle things in Washington," the president said. "We considered this possibility last year and analyzed the pros and cons."

Bolsonaro said this at the inauguration ceremony of the new director of the Brazilian Intelligence Agency.

CARACAS, July 11. /TASS/: Talks between the Venezuelan government and opposition in Barbados are proceeding well, Minister of Communications and Information Jorge Rodriguez said on Wednesday.

"Another day at the negotiations table in Barbados is over. Disagreements are resolved by constitutional and peaceful means. Successful exchange of opinions is carried out with the mediation by the Norwegian government," Rodriguez wrote on his official Twitter account.

He also noted that the Venezuelan authorities want to "thank Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley for hospitality."

CARACAS, July 9. /TASS/: The new stage of negotiations between the Venezuelan authorities and opposition in Barbados may result in some new agreements, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Monday.

"I have received a report from the head of our delegation about the negotiations process that had kicked off in Barbados. This report makes me hopeful," Maduro told a press conference broadcast live on Periscope.

8 July 2019; DW: Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido on Sunday announced fresh talks with the government of President Nicolas Maduro.

Guaido, who declared himself acting president earlier this year, said the Norway-brokered talks aim "to establish a negotiation on the end of the dictatorship," referring to Maduro's regime.