Venezuela Stages Massive Military Exercise To Counter US 'Threat'

Reuters: Venezuela stages military exercise to counter U.S. 'threat'

(Reuters) - Venezuela on Saturday staged a military exercise to counter an alleged U.S. threat, deploying soldiers and partisans across the country to march, man shoulder-fired missiles and defend an oil refinery from a simulated attack.

Socialist President Nicolas Maduro has framed recent U.S. sanctions on seven Venezuelan officials as a bid to topple him, and on Saturday his government mobilized 80,000 soldiers and 20,000 civilians as part of a 10-day military drill.

"The United States has declared Venezuela a threat," said General Vladimir Padrino, Venezuela's defense minister.

WNU Editor: Something to divert everyone's attention in Venezuela from the political problems and economic shortages that they are having.

More News On Venezuela Staging A Massive Military Exercise

Venezuela Conducts Military Exercises, Claiming US Threat -- AP
Venezuela gears up military machine amid economic crunch -- AFP
Venezuela Begins Military Exercises To Protect Against US ‘Threat’ -- IBTimes

Venezuelan State Police Arrest Mayor Of Caracas

FOX News: Caracas Mayor accused of trying to overthrow government arrested in high-drama raid

Police in camouflaged uniforms smashed into the office of Caracas Mayor Antonio Ledezma on Thursday and carried the opposition leader away in a move heightening political tensions in the socialist-run South American country.

President Nicolas Maduro announced that Ledezma, one of his most vocal critics, would be punished for his efforts to sow unrest.

More News On Venezuelan State Police Arresting The Mayor Of Caracas

Tensions up in Venezuela as police arrest opposition leader -- AP
Caracas Mayor Detained By State Agents -- WSJ
Caracas mayor arrested as Venezuelan President decries coup plot -- CNN
Antonio Ledezma, Venezuela opposition leader, arrested -- CBC/Reuters
Venezuela: Caracas Mayor Antonio Ledezma arrested on claims of coup plot -- Euronews

Violent Protests Return To Venezuela

Reuters: Violence flares in Venezuela on anniversary of 2014 fatalities

(Reuters) - Venezuelan security forces faced off with stone-wielding protesters on Thursday as supporters of President Nicolas Maduro also rallied on the anniversary of last year's fatal unrest.

The flare-ups, in the volatile western city of San Cristobal and the capital Caracas, recalled four months of protests and violence in 2014 killing 43 people and underlined just how tense the South American OPEC nation remains.

WNU Editor: When I read stories like this one .... Tweeting for Treatment in Venezuela (OXY) .... it is easy to see why tensions are growing in Venezuela. The government's response is also predictable .... blame the U.S. .... Venezuelan President: U.S.-backed coup plot foiled (CNN).

More News On The Growing Protests In Venezuela

Violent Clashes in Venezuela on Protest Movement Anniversary -- AP
Protests Flare A Year On From Venezuela Deaths -- SKY News
Venezuela Protesters Clash With Police On Anniversary Of Anti-Government Demonstrations That Left Scores Dead -- IBTimes
Competing marches mark anniversary of Venezuela protest movement -- The Guardian
Eight People Reportedly Wounded in Venezuela During Opposition Rallies -- Sputnik
Venezuela's Currency Plunges in Debut of Exchange Rate -- AP
On anniversary of mass protests in Venezuela, people eye the future with uncertainty -- FOX News

U.S. - Venezuelan Relations Are At An All Time Low

NBC: Tensions Grow Between U.S. And Venezuela

WNU Editor: Anyone who has lived in a country where the government believes it should be responsible for directly managing and operating the economy only know too well where all of this will eventually lead to .... economic shortages, a thriving black market, and misery for everyone but the elites in that country. Venezuela is going through that phase right now .... and the Venezuelan government is (predictably) blaming everyone else for their catastrophe while ignoring their own hand in causing this mess. What's my prediction for Venezuela's future .... as one who has lived in such a government managed economy in the old Soviet Union .... it is going to get worse .... much worse.

More News On Venezuela

US bars Venezuelan officials over alleged rights abuses -- France 24
U.S. responds to Maduro with fresh sanctions on Venezuelan officials -- EFE
US Visa Ban On Venezuelan Officials For Rights Abuses, Corruption -- RTT
Venezuelan officials targeted for U.S. visa restrictions -- CBC/AP
Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela’s president: ‘I accuse U.S. Vice President Joe Biden’ of staging coup -- Washington Times
US reject accusations that Joe Biden conspired against Venezuela -- Deutsche Welle
Venezuelan leader lashes out Joe Biden -- News24
Pharmacies in Venezuela are accused of ‘sabotage’ -- CNBC/NYT
Venezuela's 'socialist paradise' turns into a nightmare: medical shortages claims lives as oil price collapses -- The Telegraph
Venezuela jails store owners accused of creating queues - Maduro -- Reuters
Venezuela strikes back in ‘economic war’ with threats to nationalize drug store chain -- Fusion
VenEconomy: Fueling Shortages in Venezuela -- Latin American Herald Tribune
That Venezuelan Spiral Into The Socialist End State Continues -- Time Worstall, Forbes

With Venezuela At The Brink Of Default Venezuela's Maduro Tells Citizens 'God Will Provide'

CSM: Economy in tatters, Venezuela's Maduro tells citizens 'God will provide' (+video)

Venezuelans have been hit hard by plummeting oil prices and high inflation, and Maduro outlined no specific solutions in his highly anticipated address to the nation last night.

WNU Editor: The chickens of past destructive government policies are now coming home to roost.

More News On Venezuela

Venezuela’s Maduro sees U.S. wielding oil as weapon to ‘destroy’ nation -- Fuel Fix
Venezuela in a bind as Nicolás Maduro faces default dilemma -- Financial Times
Maduro admits Venezuela economy in crisis -- Al Jazeera
Venezuela Leader Rejects Devaluation Amid Faltering Economy -- ABC News/AP
Oil Crash Spurs Venezuela Reversal on 18-Year Fuel Freeze -- Bloomberg
Venezuela Mulls Subsidies Cuts -- WSJ
Venezuela Vows Private Currency Market to Fix Dollar Drought -- Bloomberg
Long lines for milk and tampons are sinking Venezuela’s government -- Quartz
Beijing still funds struggling Venezuela, for now -- CNBC
Venezuela should be rich, but its government has destroyed its economy -- Matt O'Brien, Washington Post

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro Attempt To Raise The Global Price For Oil Fails

Fuel Fix: Venezuela’s Asia tour backfires as crude extends slump

WNU Editor: His trip was a failure. And the price for oil (as of this evening) was still declining on gloomy Chinese, European demand.

Venezuela Pushes OPEC For Higher Oil Prices

Deputy Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, right, receives Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015. (Saudi Press Agency)

AP: Venezuela, Saudi Leaders Meet and Talk Oil Prices in Riyadh

WNU Editor: What Venezuela wants is Saudi Arabia to cut back its production (while keeping their own production levels). My prediction .... Saudi Arabia is not going to "bow" to their demands. And as for Venezuela .... their problem is even more complicated .... they do not have enough buyers who want to refine their type of "heavy and dirty" oil .... Venezuela's Oil Falls to $42.44 (Marine Link).

More News On Venezuela Pushing OPEC For Higher Oil Prices

Venezuela’s Maduro seeks support from Saudi Arabia on oil prices -- G&M/Reuters
Venezuela's Maduro in OPEC kingpin Saudi for talks -- AFP
Venezuela president visits Saudi Arabia to hold talks over oil price slump -- Press TV
Venezuela’s Maduro in Saudi Arabia for talks -- Al Arabiya/AFP
Iran vows to help Venezuela to stem oil price fall -- Reuters
Iranian, Venezuelan Leaders Pledge Cooperation On Low Oil Prices -- Radio Free Europe
Iran and Venezuela Push OPEC to Stabilize Falling Oil Prices -- NYT/AP

Grocery Stores Are Now Under Military Protection In Venezuela

People walk at the refrigerated foods section inside a Makro supermarket in Caracas January 9, 2015. Credit: REUTERS/Jorge Silva

Bloomberg: Venezuelans Throng Grocery Stores Under Military Protection

WNU Editor: This reminds me of the good old Soviet Union and its remarkably efficient bureaucratic and distribution system (I am being very sarcastic here). When you mess around with market forces .... this is the end result. Mind you .... I suspect that the black market (like in the old Soviet Union) is flourishing. As for Venezuelan President Maduro attempts to get aid from China and support from Iran .... too little and waaayyyy too late .... and it will ignore the real problem which is Venezuelan government restrictions, bureaucracy, regulation, and a disastrous fiscal/economic policy.

More News On  Grocery Stores Now Under Military Protection In Venezuela

Venezuela supermarket lines swell as shoppers scramble to buy basics -- Reuters
Shopping no fun in shortage-hit Venezuela -- Gulf Times/AFP
Forget the bank run; Venezuelans are on a supermarket run -- Financial Times
Long Lines Everywhere as Shortages Worsen in Venezuela -- Havana Times

As Venezuela's Financial Crisis Deepens, President Maduro Travels To China Seeking Help

Financial Times: Venezuela's Maduro off to China as crisis deepens

WNU Editor: I am not surprise that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is ignoring the IMF/World Bank, etc. .... my guess is that with U.S. sanctions now being imposed coupled with Venezuela's hostile history of treating international firms .... even he realizes that his "credit" with these institutions is no longer any good. The real solution to the crisis is devaluation .... but it looks like he is not willing to accept the costs that would be associated with a collapsing currency and hyperinflation ... so it is off to China in the hope of getting some money. What's my take on the trip itself .... my prediction is that he will be disappointed. The Chinese will give him a deal .... but knowing the Chinese as well as I do .... they are going to ask for terms that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro would not have even pondered about a year ago .... but today .... beggar bowl in hand .... his options are either to accept these terms, or declare his nation bankrupt. As to visiting OPEC countries to develop a plan of action on oil production and pricing .... I say good luck .... OPEC's members are now focused on keeping their market share, and are not interested in helping Venezuela.

More News On Venezuela's Deepening Economic/Financial Crisis

Venezuela's Maduro to visit China, OPEC nations amid cash crunch -- Reuters
Venezuela's Maduro heads to China to seek financial aid -- AFP
Maduro Travels to China for Financing, Oil Nations for Plan -- Bloomberg
Venezuelan leader Maduro seeks economic help on tour -- BBC
Venezuela Braces For A Tough Year Ahead -- NPR

Update: Talk about bad timing .... Oil Extends Drop From 5 1/2-Year Low on Supply Glut Speculation (Bloomberg)