Hugo Chavez

A soldier is shown wearing a face mask and a military uniform while standing in front of a wall painted with the eyes of the late President Hugo Chávez.

Venezuela's Maduro claims sweep of boycotted election

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's political alliance claimed a sweeping victory Monday in congressional elections boycotted by the most influential opposition politicians and widely criticized internationally as being fraudulent.

Venezuela's Maduro claims sweep of boycotted election
audience at a comedy show in venezuela

Venezuela's crisis is a tragedy — but comedy gold for satire, cartoons and memes

Venezuela's crisis is a tragedy — but comedy gold for satire, cartoons and memes
Red stencil of eyes on a turquoise blue background.

Chávez’s revolutionaries caught between legacy and change in Venezuela

Chávez’s revolutionaries caught between legacy and change in Venezuela
Maduro waves in front of a white flag

Former chief of staff: Maduro is 'focused on consolidating his power'

Former chief of staff: Maduro is 'focused on consolidating his power'
Cutouts depicting images of oil operations

Why Venezuela’s oil money could keep undermining its economy and democracy

Why Venezuela’s oil money could keep undermining its economy and democracy
Venezuelans walk past a wall painted with the face of then presidential candidate Hugo Chávez. The leftist military leader tapped into a wave of discontent in the country with falling living standards and corrupt public institutions, December 1998.

Venezuela was once the richest, most stable, democracy in Latin America. What happened?

Venezuela used to be one of the wealthiest countries in the world. So what happened? The World’s Jason Margolis looks at the economic collapse that led to the election of Hugo Chávez in 1998.

Venezuela was once the richest, most stable, democracy in Latin America. What happened?
The corporate logo of Venezuelan state-owned oil company PDVSA is seen at a gas station sign

Why does oil matter so much to Venezuela?

Oil accounts for 95 percent of Venezuelan exports. It's became even more critical when the Trump administration blocked US revenue to a subsidiary of Venezuela's state oil company in a bid to force Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from office.

Why does oil matter so much to Venezuela?
The corporate logo of the state oil company PDVSA is seen at a gas station in Caracas,

Understaffed and overextended: How Venezuela’s oil industry fell apart

Venezuela is flush with oil. But in the past three years its economy has collapsed.

Understaffed and overextended: How Venezuela’s oil industry fell apart
A protester holds a national flag while standing in front of a fire burning at the entrance of a building housing the magistracy of the Supreme Court of Justice, during a rally against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela, June 12,

Photos: A year of protests and crisis in volatile Venezuela

Even by the volatile and violent standards of recent times in Venezuela, 2017 was an exceptional year, a “perfect storm” of political and economic crisis. Take a look back at 2017 with these remarkable photos.

Photos: A year of protests and crisis in volatile Venezuela
Venezuela

In Venezuela, chaos worsens as political crisis grows

Under pressure, Venezuela's top court reversed its decision to strip the legislature of its power. But to government critics the case was clear: They say judges loyal to President Nicolas Maduro attempted to set the stage for one-man rule.

In Venezuela, chaos worsens as political crisis grows
Nicolás Maduro

Venezuela's president finally discovers Facebook, constituents flood his profile

Facebook arrived in Venezuela in 2007, but it wasn't until this year that one of its most famous citizens became a user.

Venezuela's president finally discovers Facebook, constituents flood his profile
Supporters of Caracas mayor Antonio Ledezma gather to protest his arrest by President Nicolas Maduro. The banner reads: "Freedom to Ledezma. No more political prisoners".

The arrest of Caracas' mayor stuns and angers Venezuelans

Caracas Mayor Antonio Ledezma was arrested Thursday night, accused of plotting to overthrow President Nicolas Maduro. But even in a country where political arrests are common, this latest accusation is more than just business as usual.

The arrest of Caracas' mayor stuns and angers Venezuelans
Tower of David, Caracas

Caracas is finally ending the 'world's tallest squat'

The "Tower of David" in downtown Caracas is called "the world's tallest squat" because thousands of people have been living in the unfinished skyscraper. Now, the government is moving people to new housing outside the city — and many squatters have mixed feelings.

Caracas is finally ending the 'world's tallest squat'

Need a primer on how we got into the crisis in Crimea?

Russia's conga line through Crimea has left many of us scratching our heads. The online site Mashable offers nine basic questions, and answers. That story, plus a look at an Indian grocery store's social media marketing plan gone wrong and the music inspiring Venezuela's protesters.

Need a primer on how we got into the crisis in Crimea?
La Vida Boheme

La Vida Boheme provides the soundtrack to Venezuela's protest movement

An album released by a Venezuelan band nearly a year ago is inspiring the growing protests in Venezuela. The group's lyrics seem to capture both the despair amidst the country's high crime, rising inflation and troubled economy and the hope for change.

La Vida Boheme provides the soundtrack to Venezuela's protest movement