South America

MONTEVIDEO, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez and Argentine President Mauricio Macri on Wednesday expressed their wish to revive regional integration following a meeting in the Uruguayan department of Colonia.

During the meeting, both leaders evaluated the situation of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), according to a joint statement released after the meeting.

BEIRUT, February 13. /TASS/. Venezuelan opposition leaders "have acted against the interests of the Venezuelan people and caused damage to the state," Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro told Al Mayadeen TV channel on Wednesday.

"Juan Guaido and his supporters will sooner or later be brought to justice and will bear responsibility for an attempt to seize power," Maduro said.

BEIRUT, February 13. /TASS/. The Venezuelan government plans to increase oil output by more than 1 million barrels, President Nicolas Maduro told Al Mayadeen TV channel on Wednesday.

"We are using difficulties that resulted from sanctions to create a modern, self-sustainable economy, and call upon investors from Arabic and Islamic countries to invest their money into developing the oil and gas industry," Maduro said.

According to the Venezuelan president, the country's government "plans to triple gold mining rates, as well as production of aluminum and other metals."

CARACAS, Feb 12 (NNN-TELESUR) — Venezuela wants to double its oil sales to India and is open to barter payment arrangements with the world’s third biggest crude consumer, Venezuelan Oil Minister Manuel Quevedo said.

“India also wants to increase the intake,” Quevedo said after a meeting with Indian refiners. “We are selling more than 300,000 barrels a day but of course we want to increase that and India also wants to increase the intake from Venezuela. We want to double that amount.”

CARACAS, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said on Monday that there are "no sanctions that will unnerve or fracture national dignity."

The minister said the Venezuelan military is underestimated by those who "have come with tricks by saying 'if you come out against the Constitution and the legitimate authorities, you will be exonerated' from those purported sanctions."

"We've said we'll remain with the sanctions and the fatherland," he added.

CARACAS, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's Comptroller General Elvis Amoroso on Monday announced starting an asset audit on the accounts of opposition leader and self-proclaimed "interim president" Juan Guaido.

Amoroso said Guaido has allegedly "received money from international entities without any type of justification," and he is also accused of hiding or falsifying "data contained in his sworn asset statement."

Caracas, February 10;  Xinhua:  Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro led military exercises on Sunday, pledging to strengthen the country's anti-aircraft defensive system.

As part of the drill, Venezuelan air force troops at Guicaipuro Fort, in northern state of Miranda, deployed Russian-made 9M317 and Igla-S surface-to-air missiles.

The 9M317 is a medium-range missile that can hit targets up to 50 km away, while the Igla-S is a man-portable missile with a 6 km reach.

Caracas, February 9; GANASHAKTI: The Economic Debates Unit of the Latin American Geopolitical Strategic Center (CELAG) released a report on "the economic consequences of the boycott against Venezuela," on Friday, in which it is proved that the "international financial blockade to Venezuela since 2013 is the main responsible for the economic crisis."

CARACAS, 09 Feb 2019; AA: A Venezuelan Supreme Court justice said Friday that National Assembly leader Juan Guaido’s decision to declare himself interim president was “null and void”. 

In a statement, Justice Juan Mendoza said Guaido’s interim government conflicts with the country’s constitution and he is usurping presidential powers.  

The court has already barred Guaido from leaving the country and frozen his bank accounts. 

09 Feb 2019; AFP: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro vowed on Friday not to let in "fake" aid from the United States requested by opposition leader Juan Guaido, which is being stockpiled at the border with Colombia.

"Venezuela won't allow the spectacle of fake humanitarian aid because we're no-one's beggars," Maduro said at a press conference in Caracas.