Venezuela nears deal to move its gold reserves to New York, Financial Times reports

The agreement would give Delcy Rodríguez’s government legal control over some 31 metric tons of Central Bank gold, although it could not immediately sell the bullion. The proposal would allow the government to use the reserves as collateral for loans, including financing for reconstruction following the June earthquakes. The Daily Journal.- The interim administration of […]

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Delcy Rodríguez meets with Human Rights Watch 18 years after its expulsion from Venezuela

The Daily Journal.- Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, met in Caracas with Human Rights Watch (HRW) Deputy Global Director Federico Morelo to discuss human rights, freedom of expression, and democratic coexistence, according to information the Venezuelan government shared on social media. The meeting comes after authorities announced the unblocking of news media websites and as […]

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Continental Resources and PDVSA agree to develop Ayacucho 2 block with potential 30 billion barrels

The Daily Journal.- U.S. oil company Continental Resources signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Venezuelan state-owned oil company PDVSA to develop and operate the Ayacucho 2 block in the Orinoco Oil Belt. PDVSA Executive Vice President Jovanny Martínez and Continental Resources founder Harold Hamm signed the agreement in Houston during the G20 Energy Ministers’ […]

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Government program urges Delcy Rodríguez to lift media website blocks ahead of new round of talks

The Daily Journal.- The Program for Peace and Democratic Coexistence recommended that Acting President Delcy Rodríguez remove restrictions on access to media websites ahead of a new round of negotiations between the government and opposition representatives, who plan to discuss freedom of expression. In a statement released on September 16, the program said that, after […]

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What comes after the oil deal? From a secret contract to accountability

Neirlay Andrade.— The historic oil agreement signed by Acting President Delcy Rodríguez’s administration and the White House has left a trail of doubts and questions in its wake. It could hardly be otherwise: the document committing the fate of one-fifth of Venezuela’s proven crude oil reserves remains secret. This detail has cooled the optimism that […]

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Structures linked to ‘serious’ human rights violations remain intact despite decline in repression in Venezuela

The Daily Journal. — The United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela said Wednesday that, despite a decline in some forms of repression and the release of hundreds of people detained for political reasons, state structures linked to serious human rights violations and crimes against humanity remain essentially intact. In its latest report and […]

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UNDP estimates Venezuela’s post-earthquake recovery needs at US$21 billion

The Daily Journal.- Venezuela will need an estimated US$21 billion to recover from the earthquakes that struck the country on June 24, according to the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) that the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) presented Tuesday in Caracas. The amount covers “measures to build back better, ensure resilience and reduce risk conditions,” UNDP […]

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Oil under secrecy: U.S. deal raises questions about parliamentary oversight

The reform of the Organic Hydrocarbons Law reduced the National Assembly’s role in approving oil deals. At the same time, the technical terms of the agreement announced between Venezuela and the United States remain unpublished. Legal scholar Mariana Campos warns that parliamentary oversight has not disappeared; it must be exercised over implementation. Neirlay Andrade The […]

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More than 86,000 students relocated after earthquake damage

The Daily Journal.— Authorities relocated more than 86,000 students to different schools in Caracas and other Venezuelan states due to damage caused by the earthquakes that struck on June 24, acting President Delcy Rodríguez said Monday during the start of the new academic year. “We relocated them so that everyone can attend classes,” Rodríguez said […]

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Alex Saab to plead guilty in money laundering case, AP reports

The Daily Journal.— Former Venezuelan Industries Minister Alex Saab plans to plead guilty Tuesday before a federal court in Miami in a money laundering case involving government food-import contracts, The Associated Press (AP) reported. Saab, 54, will appear before U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams for a change-of-plea hearing, according to court records cited by AP. […]

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