Venezuela's Hyperinflation Is Working Out Very Well for Mastercard

Venezuela’s economic collapse is driving factories out of business, leaving store shelves barren and wiping out workers’ purchasing power.

Venezuela inches toward new forex platform

(Reuters) - Venezuela unveiled currency regulations on Tuesday to help usher in a new foreign exchange platform to combat black market trading, promising the much-delayed system would start in coming days.

Cuba hosts LatAm leaders against crisis backdrop

Havana (AFP) - Leaders from across Latin America put aside domestic financial stability concerns to converge on Cuba for the summit of a major group set up to counter US influence.

Venezuelan oil diplomacy curbed by economic crisis

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The late President Hugo Chavez's dream of leveraging Venezuela's oil wealth to spread revolution across Latin America is crumbling under the weight of an economic crisis that is forcing his hand-picked successor to cut back on generous foreign aid.

Venezuela’s Maduro Secures Powers to Rule Without Congress

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro received authority to pass economic laws without congressional approval, a move the opposition says will increase the harassment of businesses and attacks on political rivals ahead of local elections.

Investor Insight: Can President Maduro Right Venezuela's Economy?

A former bus driver once responsible for navigating Venezuela’s complex web of roads, the country’s current president, Nicolas Maduro, now faces the more difficult task of steering the country’s economy.

U.S. defends diplomats expelled from Venezuela

CARACAS (Reuters) - The U.S. Embassy in Venezuela on Tuesday defended three diplomats expelled by President Nicolas Maduro, rejecting charges they were involved in espionage and accusations Washington is trying to destabilize the OPEC nation.

Venezuela admits its economy has 'structural problems'

Venezuela's finance minister has acknowledged that the economic policies of late President Hugo Chavez and his successor have not yet succeeded.

Venezuela's Maduro buries hatchet with billionaire businessman

CARACAS (Reuters) - Socialist leader Nicolas Maduro and the billionaire boss of Venezuela's biggest private company have buried the hatchet after a war of words over food shortages and other economic problems in the South American nation.

Analysis: After Chavez, Latin America's ideological battle may ease

CARACAS (Reuters) - Hugo Chavez's exit from the world stage may take the sting out of an ideological battle that has enveloped Latin America since a new batch of leftists started taking power about 15 years ago to challenge U.S. "imperialism".

Venezuela devalues currency amid dollar shortage

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela's currency devaluation took effect on Wednesday amid questions about how the government can get a grip on 22-percent inflation and satisfy growing demand for dollars to pay for imported goods.

Venezuela sharply devalues its currency

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela's government announced Friday that it is devaluing the country's currency, a long-anticipated change expected to push up prices in the heavily import-reliant economy.

Venezuela's Chavez in "best moment" since surgery: VP Maduro

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is in his "best moment" since undergoing cancer surgery in Cuba 45 days ago, the vice president said on Saturday, adding Chavez has made important economic decisions to strengthen exports.

Chavez Cancer Imperils $7 Billion Caribbean Oil Funding: Energy

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s battle with cancer threatens $7 billion of subsidized oil exports that help prop up Cuba’s economy and contain inflation in Caribbean nations from Jamaica to the Bahamas.

Venezuela's Economy Grew 5.5% in 2012 -Central Bank

CARACAS--Venezuela's economy grew 5.5% in 2012, spurred by a sweeping government initiative to address a housing shortfall of 2.7 million homes in the South American country, according to preliminary data released by the central bank Thursday.

Chavez's cancer may put Venezuela devaluation on hold

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's battle with cancer and the possibility of a new presidential election look likely to delay key economic policy decisions including a sharp currency devaluation needed to shore up public finances.

Chavez Names Loyalist Heir as Venezuela Eyes Succession

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez named a longtime ally with close ties to Cuba his heir apparent as the cancer-stricken leader prepares for a potential departure after almost 14 years in power.

Chavez Choking on Bolivars to Spur Venezuelan Bond Sales

The bolivar’s plunge to a record on the black market is pressuring Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to end the longest drought of dollar-bond sales in five years.

Fidel Castro alive and well: Chavez aide

HAVANA (Reuters) - Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro is alive and well, according to Elias Jaua, a former Venezuelan vice president who says he met with Castro over the weekend.

Venezuela joins Mercosur trading bloc

Venezuela has joined Mercosur, six years after first applying to join the South American trading bloc.