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Venezuela’s Chavez wins election, but by narrower margin

By Bill Van Auken, October 10, 2012

Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez won another six-year term in an election Sunday that saw the margin he enjoyed over the right-wing opposition sharply reduced compared to previous contests.

Venezuela’s Chavez turns further right in face of election challenge

By Bill Van Auken, October 5, 2012

In the closing weeks of the Venezuelan election campaign, President Hugo Chavez has mixed “socialist” rhetoric with appeals to the rich to back him as a guarantor of social peace.

Death toll in Venezuelan refinery blast rises to 41

By Bill Van Auken, August 28, 2012

President Chavez urged the public not to engage in “speculation” on the cause of the disaster, even as union officials charged that Venezuela’s state-owned oil company had neglected maintenance and safety.

Venezuelan TV cuts broadcast after workers challenge Chavez

By Bill Van Auken, August 23, 2012

Venezuelan television abruptly cut off its broadcast of a public appearance by President Hugo Chavez Monday night amid vocal interruptions from a mass audience of workers.

Chavez deports opposition journalist back to Colombia

By Bill Van Auken, April 28, 2011

The government of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez summarily deported Colombian journalist Joaquin Perez Becerra back to Colombia Monday, igniting angry protests in Venezuela and elsewhere in Latin America.

Venezuela breaks with Colombia over guerrilla accusations

By Bill Van Auken, July 24, 2010

Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez broke off diplomatic relations with neighboring Colombia over charges by that country’s government that Caracas has sheltered FARC guerrillas.

Venezuela: Two students killed in clashes

By Bill Van Auken, January 28, 2010

Two students, one a government supporter and the other an opponent, were killed Monday as demonstrations and counter-demonstrations took place across Venezuela following an order to suspend broadcasts by an anti-Chávez television channel.

Venezuela, Russia in $2.2 billion arms deal

By Bill Van Auken, September 15, 2009

Sunday’s announcement by President Hugo Chávez that Venezuela has reached a $2.2 billion deal to purchase Russian tanks and missiles is symptomatic of the growing international tensions in Latin America.

Americas Summit ends with no agreement on economic crisis

By Bill Van Auken, April 21, 2009

While the media has focused its attention on the handshakes between Obama and his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez, what dominated the Americas Summit was the absence of agreement on policies to confront the deepening capitalist crisis.

Chavez wins referendum vote as Venezuela’s crisis deepens

By Bill Van Auken, February 19, 2009

President Hugo Chavez registered another victory at the polls last Sunday as Venezuelans voted to end term limits, allowing him to run for a third term. The vote took place amid signs of mounting economic crisis and increasing class struggle.

Venezuela: Divided election points to sharpening social struggle

By Rafael Azul, December 3, 2008

Local and state elections held in Venezuela in the third week of November yielded sharply mixed results, pointing to increased political polarization and a resurgence of social struggles.

Chinese president tours America’s “backyard”

By John Chan, November 29, 2008

Chinese President Hu Jintao’s visits to Costa Rica, Cuba and his presence in Peru for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit last week testified to Beijing’s more assertive economic and diplomatic engagement in Latin America.