The public debate over a law proposal in the Venezuelan National Assembly (AN) that would legalize same-sex civil unions intensified this week, as Venezuela's Episcopal Church publicly condemned the proposal, and LGBT activists responded.

une 20th marks the beginning of the 2009 Edition of “Venezuela Sounds.” The first tour will feature the renowned “Maestros del Joropo Oriental” and “Grupo Cumaco,” as well as the multitalented violinist Eddy Marcano, all of whom will delight audiences with their musical repertoires.

This week the Venezuelan government nationalized a gas compression plant in the eastern state of Monagas and five prominent steel and iron briquette companies as part of its two year-old national development plan to integrate the country's strategic industries under state control.

Monthly inflation in Venezuela dropped to 1.3 percent in February from 2.3 percent in January, an indication that last year’s high rate of monthly inflation may be coming under control. Also, the unemployment rate in January was 9.5 percent, a decrease from what it was at the beginning of 2008 but represents a typical seasonal increase since December.

Friday, February 27th, 2009 marks the twentieth anniversary of Venezuela’s popular upheaval against the imposition of neoliberal shock policies by the second government of Carlos Andrés Pérez.

Venezuelan Finance Minister Alí Rodríguez announced Wednesday that Venezuela is in a strong position to weather the global financial crisis for at least three years if oil prices remain at their current level, and that Venezuela will propose a new reduction in oil production at a meeting of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

Hugo Chávez has won yet another victory in the referendum to amend the constitution and pave way for the removal of term limits for the election of a person to all the elected posts.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping wrapped up his official visit to Venezuela yesterday, signing a dozen new agreements with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in the areas of energy, telecommunications, information, and agriculture.

With close to 70 percent voter turnout and affirmations of the transparency of the process by international election observers, Venezuelans approved an amendment to their country's constitution to remove term limits on certain elected officials, Sunday, Feb. 15th.

Washington, DC -- A public opinion poll released today by Consultores 30.11 suggests that voter turnout will be very high in a national referendum in Venezuela on Sunday, February 15th, and that the proposed amendment to end term limits for all elected officials will pass.

Any evenhanded comparison of the Colombian and Venezuelan governments’ human rights records would have to note that, though Venezuela’s record is far from perfect, that country is by every measure a safer place than Colombia to live, vote, organize unions and political groups, speak out against the government or practice journalism.

Over 40 United Socialist Party (PSUV) supporters have been injured by members of the opposition during the swearing in of the newly elected governor of Tachira state, according to national assembly member, Iris Varela.

In his end of year speech Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez highlighted the advances in living standards that have been achieved, announced some key projects for the next year, and called for the continuation of the socialist project in Venezuela.

My feeling is exactly what I write in the article, which is to say, I am very hopeful, but I lack sufficient information to be more than hopeful. I wasn't saying that only others need more information, though many other people do, of course.

Over the past week, Venezuelan government officials, labor union leaders, and journalists criticized what they say are inaccuracies in the report on Venezuela that the NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) published last Thursday.

In a presentation to the Venezuelan National Assembly (AN) on Wednesday, former Vice-President José Vicente Rangel detailed the results of his ongoing investigations into plots to assassinate President Hugo Chávez and overthrow the government.

The Sydney Morning Herald made its assessment of the Beijing Olympics under the headline "China misses games opportunity." It trotted out the usual criticisms with a new one thrown in – "too much organization" and "robbing the events of a lively audience" because some events had empty seats.

Venezuela’s first satellite will be launched from Chinese soil on November 1st, President Hugo Chávez announced on his weekly Sunday talk show Aló Presidente, which was broadcast from the satellite control station located at an air base on the vast plains of the state of Guárico, Venezuela.

The Venezuelan government congratulated Bolivian President Evo Morales for a successful national referendum Sunday in which Morales’s presidency was ratified by a record 63.1 percent of the vote.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez approved funds for the construction of a series of new infrastructure projects on his Sunday talk show Aló Presidente yesterday.