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☆ Venezuelans to vote in referendum on disputed territory with Guyana
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro shows his ballot during a referendum over Venezuela's rights to the potentially oil-rich region of Esequiba in Guyana, in Caracas, Venezuela, December 3, 2023. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria Acquire Licensing RightsCARACAS/GEORGETOWN, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Venezuelans will vote on Sunday in a referendum backed by President Nicolas Maduro's government over a potentially oil-rich territory that is the subject of a long-running border dispute with Guyana. The five-question referendum includes a question rejecting International Court of Justice (ICJ) jurisdiction to decide to which country the territory around the Esequibo river belongs. On Friday, the court responded to a request from Guyana to halt the referendum, ordering Venezuela to refrain from taking any action that would alter the status quo, without expressly forbidding the vote. The Sunday vote has caused anxiety in Guyana, with the government urging citizens to keep calm.

Persons: Nicolas Maduro, Leonardo Fernandez Viloria, Nicolas Maduro's, Maduro, Ricardo Sucre, Benigno Alarcon, Andres, Rocio San, Kim Rampersaud, Vivian Sequera, Julia Symmes Cobb, Will Dunham Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, of Justice, Central University of Venezuela, Center for Political Studies, Andres Bello Catholic University, Kiana, Thomson Locations: Esequiba, Guyana, Caracas, Venezuela, Rights CARACAS, GEORGETOWN, Sucre, Rocio San Miguel, Georgetown, Brazil

WASHINGTON, Dec 1 (Reuters) - The White House said on Friday it was prepared to "pause" sanctions relief for OPEC member Venezuela in coming days unless there is further progress on the release of Venezuelan political prisoners and "wrongfully detained" Americans. Any “snapback” of partially lifted U.S. sanctions would mark a major shift from President Joe Biden's new approach toward Venezuela. In the most significant lifting of tough Trump-era sanctions, Washington issued a six-month general license authorizing U.S. transactions with Venezuela’s vital oil and gas sector and a second license authorizing operations of state gold mining company Minerven. Washington had vowed to reverse that sanctions relief unless the Venezuela's Socialist government took steps by the end of November to release political prisoners and three Americans it considers unlawfully jailed, and also lift public-office bans on opposition candidates. The Venezuelan government released five political prisoners in October but there have been no releases since.

Persons: Nicolas Maduro, John Kirby, Joe Biden's, Washington, “, ” Kirby, ”, we're, Kirby, Maria Corina Machado, Matt Spetalnick, Steve Holland, Mayela Armas, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Venezuelan, White House, Trump, Socialist, Thomson Locations: Venezuela, Venezuelan, Maduro, Washington, U.S, Israel, Gaza, Ukraine, Caracas

[1/2] A couple who bought a television on sale had their motorcycle towed while shopping in a store during Black Friday sales, in Caracas, Venezuela November 25, 2022. The government allows banks to lend only 27% of their total cashflow, rendering credit cards largely useless as prices balloon on annual inflation of more than 300%. "Consumer credit has died in Venezuela," said Luis Vicente Leon, director of consulting firm Datanalisis, calling credit limits "ridiculous." "The economy needs consumption to be more dynamic," said Gustavo Valecillos, president of the Consecomercio retailers guild, adding layaway helps move inventory. I paid half and the rest in two installments," said construction worker Juan Vegas as he left a shoe store in Caracas.

Persons: Leonardo Fernandez Viloria, Nicolas Maduro, Ernesto Urdaneta, Urdaneta, Betsy Perez, Luis Vicente Leon, Pedro Vallenilla, Ecoanalitica, Gustavo Valecillos, Juan Vegas, Mayela Armas, Mariela Nava, Tibisay Romero, Julia Symmes Cobb, Emelia Sithole Organizations: Black, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Caracas, Venezuela, CARACAS, Latin America, Maracaibo, Valencia, Banks

☆ A Venezuelan vote on an oil-rich region of Guyana raises concerns of a South American military conflict
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( David Shortell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

The area in question, the densely forested Essequibo region, amounts to about two-thirds of Guyana’s national territory and is roughly the size of Florida. The recent discovery of vast offshore oil fields in the region has heightened the stakes of the dispute. Venezuelans in Caracas take part in a rally during the closing of the campaign for the Essequibo referendum, on December 1. It owns the congress of Guyana,” Maduro told supporters last week. Matias Delacroix/APOn Wednesday, Brazil announced that it was increasing its military presence with “defensive actions” along its northern border with Venezuela and Guyana.

Persons: Nicolas Maduro, Miguel Gutierrez, Shutterstock, Robert Persaud, Venezuela doesn’t, Matias Delacroix, ” Maduro, Maria Corina Machado, Maduro, ”, Phil Gunson, Irfaan Ali, Paul J, Angelo, Wazim Mowla, Adrienne Arsht, Vladmir Putin’s, Bharrat Jagdeo, “, ” Jagdeo, ” Gunson Organizations: CNN, Quarterly, Court of Justice, UN, International Court of Justice, ExxonMobil, AP, International Crisis, Venezuelan, Foreign Relations, Caribbean Initiative, Atlantic, America, Crisis Locations: Guyana, Essequibo, Florida, Venezuela, British, Venezuelan, Caracas, Ukraine, Guyanese, The Hague, Guyana's, Paris, Guiana, Georgetown, AP Venezuela, ”, Demerara, Brazil, Crimea, that’s

☆ World Court orders Venezuela to refrain from action in border dispute with Guyana
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The court did not expressly forbid Venezuela to hold a planned Dec. 3 referendum over its rights to the region around the Esequibo river, the subject of the long-running border dispute, as Guyana has requested. However, judges at the International Court of Justice - as the World Court is formally known - made clear that any concrete action to alter the status quo should be stopped. "The court observes that the situation that currently prevails in the territory in dispute is that Guyana administers and exercises control over that area," presiding judge Joan Donoghue said. "Venezuela must refrain from taking any action which would modify that situation," she added. Venezuela reactivated its claim over the area in recent years after the discovery of offshore oil and gas.

Persons: Joan Donoghue, Nicolas Maduro, Irfaan Ali, Stephanie van den Berg, Bart Meijer, Kiana Wilburg, Alex Richardson Organizations: HAGUE, International Court of Justice, Thomson Locations: Essequibo, Esequiba, Guyana, Caracas, Venezuela, Georgetown

☆ US Threatening to Reimpose Venezuelan Sanctions if Commitments Not Kept
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

The Biden administration reiterated that it has told the Venezuelan government it must, by the end of November, lay out steps for lifting election bans on opposition candidates and begin releasing Venezuelan political prisoners and "wrongfully detained" Americans, the spokesperson said. If the U.S. deems Maduro's actions insufficient, it was not immediately clear how extensively or quickly it would roll back sanctions relief. "We haven’t seen any progress yet," White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters earlier on Thursday when asked whether Maduro was meeting his commitments and if the U.S. was prepared to reimpose sanctions. The Venezuelan government may allow appeals from banned politicians to progress in court as a way to partially comply with U.S. demands, sources told Reuters this week. The Venezuelan government released five political prisoners in October but there have been no releases since.

Persons: Matt Spetalnick WASHINGTON, Nicolas Maduro, Joe Biden's, Biden, Antony Blinken, Maduro, November's, Jorge Rodriguez, John Kirby, Maria Corina Machado, Matt Spetalnick, Vivian Sequera, Chris Reese, Josie Kao Organizations: State Department, Venezuelan, The State Department, U.S, House Locations: U.S, Venezuela, Venezuelan, Washington, Caracas

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a meeting with Colombia's President Gustavo Petro at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela, November 18, 2023. "The Political Administrative Court of the Supreme Justice Tribunal will rule on the admission of the suit and the protection requested," the statement said. Those taking their cases to the tribunal must abstain from disrespect toward the state and respect the country's constitution, the statement added. Reuters reported this week that the government could allow appeals to advance as a way to partially comply with U.S. demands. The State Department did not immediately reply to a request for comment after the statement was published.

Persons: Nicolas Maduro, Gustavo Petro, Leonardo Fernandez Viloria, Jorge Rodriguez, Gerardo Blyde, Maria Corina Machado, Maduro, Biden, Matt Spetalnick, Vivian Sequera, Mayela, Lincoln, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, United, Reuters, State Department, The State Department, Mayela Armas, Thomson Locations: Miraflores, Caracas, Venezuela, WASHINGTON, CARACAS, United States, Norway, U.S, Venezuelan

One-litre bottles of extra-virgin olive oil are selling for as much as 14.5 euros ($15.77) in some supermarkets, propelling olive oil into the category of products retailers fit with security tags, alongside spirits, cosmetics and appliances. "Olive oil has become an ideal product for them to steal." STC, a Spanish company providing anti-theft solutions to retailers, saw a 12-fold increase in orders this summer from supermarkets for devices to protect olive oil bottles, managing partner Salvador Canones told Reuters. Spanish police have also uncovered thefts of olive oil from mills and in October arrested two people as part of an investigation into the theft of 56 tonnes of extra virgin olive oil. Among the world's biggest consumers of olive oil, they have already significantly cut back: sales volumes of extra-virgin olive oil fell by 17% in the 12 months to September, according to NielsenIQ.

Persons: Jon Nazca, Ruben Navarro, Navarro, Tu, " Navarro, Salvador Canones, Corina Rodriguez, Helen Reid, Elaine Hardcastle Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Tu, STC, Reuters, Spanish, Thomson Locations: Olive, Malaga, Spain, Rights MADRID, Spain's Andalucia, Carrefour, Madrid, Spanish

☆ Colombia's Petro says he proposed U.S. pay bonuses to Venezuelan migrants
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Colombia's President Gustavo Petro speaks during a meeting with Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela November 18, 2023. Petro did not provide details about the bonuses nor did he say when he made the proposal. "I believe that this exodus ... should reroute toward their country of origin because, for the most part, they are Venezuelans," Petro added, emphasizing that migrants could choose to return to Venezuela or stay in Colombia. The Maduro government claims that around two million people have left Venezuela, and the Venezuelan president made no further reference to Petro's proposal. On other topics, Petro said it was "very likely" Colombia's majority state-owned oil firm Ecopetrol will partner with Venezuelan state-run oil company PDVSA in the exploration of gas and oil.

Persons: Gustavo Petro, Nicolas Maduro, Leonardo Fernandez Viloria, Petro, Vivian Sequera, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Venezuelan, OPEC, Thomson Locations: Miraflores, Caracas, Venezuela, Rights CARACAS, United States, Colombia, Venezuelan

But all Wright's family wants is for the 38-year-old businessman to be returned home. That position was reaffirmed Friday by the U.S. State Department in response to questions about Wright’s arrest. Some former Trump administration officials say Wright’s arrest is just the latest example of Maduro acting in bad faith. “He loved the nomadic lifestyle,” said Stewart, who didn't know her son was in Venezuela until she learned of his arrest. Wright’s family is speaking out because they feel the U.S. government hasn’t done enough to free him.

Persons: Biden, Savoi Wright’s, Nicolás, hasn’t, “, ”, Erin Stewart, Wright, Joe Biden, Maduro, Maria Corina Machado, Machado, Matthew Miller, Donald Trump's, Juan Guaidó, Kimberly Breier, Trump’s, Elliott Abrams, Maduro’s, Stewart, ” Stewart, Venezuela’s, Tarek William Saab didn’t, Luke Denman, Airan Berry —, — Eyvin Hernandez, Jerrel Kenemore, Joseph Cristella —, Moizeé Stewart, Wright’s, ” ___ Goodman, Tucker Organizations: U.S, Venezuelan, Associated Press, Oakland, U.S . State Department, Trump, Maduro, State Department, Loyola Marymount University, Green, FBI, U.S . Embassy, The State Department Locations: California, Venezuela, OPEC, Barbados, United States, Latin America, Washington, Colombia, Houston, Berkeley , California, Oakland, Miami, South America, U.S, Investigative@ap.org

☆ Venezuela parliament chief rejects 'ultimatums' as US threatens sanctions review
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Venezuela's National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez addresses the media at the Federal Legislative Palace, in Caracas, Venezuela October 24, 2023. Washington eased some oil sanctions last month after an electoral deal between President Nicolas Maduro's government and the political opposition was signed in October. The easing of U.S. sanctions is also conditional on release of political prisoners and "unjustly detained" U.S. citizens. But Rodriguez, who also heads the government delegation in the opposition negotiations, told a press conference on Friday that Venezuela would not accept ultimatums. "Venezuela does not accept ultimatums from anyone, by now everybody should know that, we don't care", he said.

Persons: Jorge Rodriguez, Gaby Oraa, Nicolas Maduro's, Maria Corina Machado, Rodriguez, PDVSA, Deisy Buitrago, Mayela Armas, Sarah Morland, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Federal, REUTERS, Rights, National, U.S, Thomson Locations: Caracas, Venezuela, Rights CARACAS, Washington, U.S, Venezuelan, State

☆ Paraguay to reestablish ties with Venezuela after extended pause
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Paraguay's President-elect Santiago Pena speaks during an interview with Reuters ahead of his inauguration, in Asuncion, Paraguay August 7, 2023. REUTERS/Cesar Olmedo/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsASUNCION, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Paraguay and Venezuela have decided to reestablish diplomatic ties, the Paraguayan foreign ministry said in a statement on Wednesday, after the South American countries broke off relations nearly five years ago. Formal diplomatic ties were severed in January 2019, when Paraguay recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's interim president. Following talks between Paraguay's recently-elected President Santiago Pena and his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro, the ministry said ambassadors should be formally accredited in the coming days. Reporting by Daniela Desantis; Writing by Sarah Morland; Editing by David Alire GaricaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Santiago Pena, Cesar Olmedo, Juan Guaido, Paraguay's, Nicolas Maduro, Daniela Desantis, Sarah Morland, David Alire Garica Organizations: Reuters, REUTERS, Rights, South, Venezuelan, Thomson Locations: Asuncion, Paraguay, Rights ASUNCION, Venezuela, Paraguayan

Washington in mid-October issued a general license lifting through April sanctions on the country's oil production and exports. POLICY SHIFTThe U.S. imposed sanctions on Venezuela's oil industry to try to oust President Nicolas Maduro, whose 2018 re-election it considers a sham. In the last three weeks, PDVSA has signed new term deals to sell products, including fuel oil and asphalt cement with little known firms. LINING UPShortly after sanctions were eased last month, Trafigura chartered a vessel to pick up a fuel oil cargo at a Venezuelan port. The firm that won the offer is Romania-registered Ke Lo Ke Mgmt, PDVSA documents seen by Reuters showed.

Persons: Marco Bello, Nicolas Maduro's, PDVSA, Nicolas Maduro, Joe Biden's, Trafigura, Lo, Ke Lo Ke, Gunvor, Marianna Parraga, Gary McWilliams, Barbara Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, Gunvor, Reuters, Bloomberg, Thomson Locations: Puerto Cabello, Carabobo, HOUSTON, Washington, U.S, Venezuela, PDVSA, Venezuelan, Romania

The relaxed sanctions could lead to $1.4 billion in additional income for Venezuela over the next six months, analyst firm Sintesis Financiera said in a report. The additional oil income is expected to arrive gradually, partly though the redirection of exports. "The contribution will go to social spending and services." The government has traditionally increased social spending, public sector salaries, food distribution and housing construction projects ahead of elections, though national income has been limited over the last five years because of the sanctions and problems at PDVSA. Public spending has fallen to 15% of gross domestic product from 40% a decade ago, according to economic analysts.

Persons: Gaby Oraa, Nicolas Maduro, Sintesis Financiera, PDVSA, Jose Vielma, PSUV, Ecoanalitica, Oswaldo Ramirez, Jose Guerra, Maduro, Mayela Armas, Deisy, Julia Symmes Cobb, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Venezuelan Finance Observatory, Thomson Locations: Petare, Caracas, Venezuela, Rights CARACAS, Venezuelan, United States, Washington

☆ Venezuela Tries to Squash Opposition Campaign Before It Even Starts
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Genevieve Glatsky | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

It seemed like a small glimmer of hope for supporters of democracy, after years of authoritarian rule. The election of an opposition candidate to challenge Venezuela’s president, which followed on a commitment from the government to hold free and fair elections next year, led to cautious optimism among Venezuelans and international observers about the possibility of establishing a path back to democracy. But now the government of President Nicolás Maduro is taking aim at the opposition election held this month, raising concerns that Mr. Maduro will resist any serious challenge to his 10-year hold on power even as his country continues to suffer under international sanctions. The opposition primary in Venezuela, a South American nation of roughly 28 million people, took place with no official government support. Instead, the vote was organized by civil society, with polling stations in homes, parks and the offices of opposition parties.

Persons: Nicolás Maduro, Maduro Locations: Venezuela, American

☆ Venezuelan Court Suspends Results of Opposition Primary
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Kejal Vyas | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Maria Corina Machado at news conference in Caracas, Venezuela, last month. Photo: Carlos Becerra/Bloomberg NewsVenezuela’s highest court suspended the outcome of a primary that the opposition held to choose a presidential candidate, casting doubts over a deal that President Nicolás Maduro had reached with the Biden administration to pave the way for free and fair elections. The Supreme Court’s decision on Monday came after a series of public comments by Maduro and other high-ranking regime officials in recent days deeming the opposition’s Oct. 22 primary a fraud, though no evidence for the assertion was offered.

Persons: Maria Corina Machado, Carlos Becerra, Nicolás Maduro, Biden, Maduro Organizations: Bloomberg Locations: Caracas, Venezuela

☆ Opinion | I’ve Seen It: Maduro Could Lose Venezuela’s Presidential Election
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Roberto Patiño | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Despite encouraging participation in the primaries and advancements in negotiations, there is a pervasive narrative — both abroad and in Venezuela — that Mr. Maduro will inevitably hang on to power. In fact, the presidential election next year offers the best opportunity yet to defeat Chavismo, the socialist-inspired movement begun by Hugo Chávez that Mr. Maduro embraces, since it came to power over two decades ago. Since 2013, I have worked as a community organizer in marginalized neighborhoods, known as barrios in Venezuela, which used to be Chavismo’s strongholds. I worked with community leaders, most of whom were Chavistas when we started. The Maduro regime is aware of the risk it faces in the presidential election next year.

Persons: Maduro, Chavismo, Hugo Chávez, Chávez, Maduro’s Locations: Venezuela

CARACAS, Oct 30 (Reuters) - Venezuela's Supreme Justice Tribunal said on Monday it has suspended the results of an opposition presidential primary that took place this month, despite an electoral deal between the government and the opposition that allows each side to choose its candidate. The opposition and the primary's winner Maria Corina Machado have insisted repeatedly the Oct. 22 vote was transparent and fair. Both the investigation and the ruling come at the request of lawmaker Jose Brito, who the court said wanted to participate in the primary. The ruling "temporarily suspends the primary until there is a final decision from the tribunal," said lawyer and university professor Jose Vicente Haro. Some observers said the opposition parties that participated in the primary should simply recognize Machado once again as their unity candidate, making any ruling on the contest moot.

Persons: Nicolas Maduro, Maria Corina Machado, Jose Brito, Brito, Machado, Jose Vicente Haro, Mayela Armas, Vivian Sequera, Matt Spetalnick, Julia Symmes Cobb, Jonathan Oatis, Bill Berkrot Organizations: U.S . State Department, State Department, National, Thomson Locations: CARACAS, United States, Maduro, Barbados, Caracas, Washington

☆ NY Fed can cut off Puerto Rican bank in Venezuela-related crackdown -US judge
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Jonathan Stempel | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] The entrance to The Federal Reserve Bank of New York is seen in New York City, U.S., March 13, 2023. The New York Fed agreed to keep the bank's master account open until Koeltl ruled on the preliminary injunction motion. The New York Fed declined to comment. In 2019, the New York Fed said it would stop approving new master accounts for Puerto Rican offshore banks because of sanctions aimed at ousting Venezuela's socialist President Nicolas Maduro. The case is Banco San Juan Internacional Inc v Federal Reserve Bank of New York et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No, 23-06414.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, John Koeltl, BSJI, Koeltl, Nicolas Maduro, Jonathan Stempel, Diane Craft, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Federal Reserve Bank of New, REUTERS, District, Banco San Juan Internacional, New York, New, Fed, New York Fed, Venezuela's, Banco San Juan Internacional Inc, Reserve Bank of New, Court, Southern District of, Thomson Locations: Federal Reserve Bank of New York, New York City, U.S, Puerto Rican, Venezuela . U.S, Manhattan, Venezuela, OPEC, Reserve Bank of New York, Southern District, Southern District of New York, New York

☆ NY Fed Can Cut off Puerto Rican Bank in Venezuela-Related Crackdown -US Judge
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

"Accepting deposits from and providing financial services to a financial institution with BSJI's record of noncompliance exposes the FRBNY and the financial system to risk," Koeltl wrote. The New York Fed agreed to keep the bank's master account open until Koeltl ruled on the preliminary injunction motion. The New York Fed did not immediately respond to similar requests. In 2019, the New York Fed said it would stop approving new master accounts for Puerto Rican offshore banks because of sanctions aimed at ousting Venezuela's socialist President Nicolas Maduro. The case is Banco San Juan Internacional Inc v Federal Reserve Bank of New York et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No, 23-06414.

Persons: Jonathan Stempel, John Koeltl, BSJI, Koeltl, Nicolas Maduro, Diane Craft Organizations: Federal Reserve Bank of New, District, Banco San Juan Internacional, New York, New, Fed, New York Fed, Venezuela's, Banco San Juan Internacional Inc, Reserve Bank of New, Court, Southern District of Locations: U.S, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Puerto Rican, Venezuela . U.S, Manhattan, Venezuela, OPEC, Reserve Bank of New York, Southern District, Southern District of New York, New York

☆ Machado formally wins Venezuela primary, government warns against foreign interference
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado attends an event to receive the credential as winner of the October 22 opposition's primary election, in Caracas, Venezuela October 26, 2023. The country's attorney general said on Wednesday his office has launched a criminal investigation into the primary and members of its organizing commission. Machado, who won about 93% of votes in the primary, met with about 10 foreign diplomats on Wednesday at her party's headquarters, sparking the government's objections. Rodriguez, the government's top negotiator in talks with the opposition, told the diplomats the primary violated electoral rules because it was organized without the help of electoral authorities and violated the Barbados deal. Machado, however, said the investigation into the primary is a "clear" violation of the Barbados deal.

Persons: Maria Corina Machado, Leonardo Fernandez Viloria, Nicolas Maduro, Machado, Maduro, Jorge Rodriguez, Rodriguez, Jesus Maria Casal, Vivian Sequera, Mayela Armas, Deisy, Julia Symmes Cobb, Rod Nickel Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Venezuelan, The U.S . State Department, Thomson Locations: Caracas, Venezuela, Rights CARACAS, U.S, Barbados, The

REUTERS/Arriana McLymore/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMADRID/LONDON, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Zara owner Inditex (ITX.MC), the world's biggest clothing retailer, has agreed to buy recycled polyester from U.S. start-up Ambercycle, the companies said on Wednesday. As fast-fashion retailers face pressure to reduce waste and use recycled fabrics, Inditex is spending more than 70 million euros ($74 million) to secure supply of Ambercycle's recycled polyester made from textile waste. Under the offtake deal, Inditex will buy a "significant" portion of Ambercycle's production of recycled polyester, which is sold under the brand cycora, over three years. Textile-to-textile polyester recycling is in its infancy, though, and will take time to reach the scale required by global fashion brands. The Ambercycle deal marks the latest in a series of investments made by Inditex into textile recycling start-ups.

Persons: Arriana, Inditex, Zara Athleticz, Javier Losada, Corina Pons, Helen Reid, Cynthia Osterman, David Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, Infinited, Thomson Locations: Zara's Soho, New York City, U.S, MADRID, LONDON, Zara, Los Angeles, Circ, Spain

The opposition and the primary's winner Maria Corina Machado have insisted repeatedly it was transparent and fair. The U.S. State Department is aware of the accusations and called for an investigation, a spokesperson said, adding the primary was "an important milestone" for Venezuela. The investigation, requested by lawmaker Jose Brito, will center on accusations of electoral violations, financial crimes and conspiracy, Saab said during a press conference. The electoral violations stem from the primary being organized without the National Electoral Council, Saab said. Voter rolls for the primary included 2 million people who neither registered nor participated, Saab said, and financing for the primary has not been made public.

Persons: Tarek Saab, Maria Corina Machado, Machado, Nicolas Maduro's, Nicolas Maduro, Jose Brito, Saab, Jesus Maria Casal, Mildred Camero, Roberto Abdul, Hadi, Vivian Sequera, Mayela Armas, Julia Symmes Cobb, Natalia Siniawski, Oliver Griffin, Helen Popper, Marguerita Choy, Rod Nickel Organizations: Venezuela's, Washington, U.S . State Department, Electoral Council, Saab, Voters, Thomson Locations: CARACAS, Washington, Maduro, Barbados, U.S, Venezuela, Sumate

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s chief prosecutor on Wednesday announced a criminal investigation into organizers of this past weekend's primary election that was meant to let voters choose an opposition candidate to run against President Nicolás Maduro next year. Attorney General Tarek William Saab told reporters the probe would look at allegations including that the independent National Primary Commission that organized Sunday's balloting was illegally usurping the duties of a government entity. The latest partial results released by the commission showed at least 2.3 million people within Venezuela and more than 132,000 outside the country voted Sunday. Machado, a former lawmaker, already has declared herself the winner after results showed her far ahead of nine other candidates. The partial results showed that with about 92% of tally sheets counted, Machado had 2,253,825 votes, or 92.35% of the total.

Persons: — Venezuela’s, Nicolás Maduro, Tarek William Saab, María Corina Machado, Saab, buffoonery, ” Saab, “, Machado Organizations: Wednesday, Commission, Saab, Electoral Council Locations: CARACAS, Venezuela

☆ Venezuelans in Primary Cast Ballots for Candidate to Challenge Maduro Regime
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Kejal Vyas | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

A voter cast his ballot at a polling station in Caracas, Venezuela, on Sunday. Photo: Associated PressBOGOTÁ, Colombia—In polling stations from Venezuela to the U.S. to Europe, Venezuela’s opposition put on a primary election Sunday in which a conservative, pro-business engineer was expected to be chosen as the candidate to challenge authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro’s regime in next year’s presidential election. Maria Corina Machado held a commanding lead in polls, and her victory was foretold in a field of 10 candidates. But as of early Sunday night, it remained unclear if she would be permitted to run in the general election because Maduro’s government has barred her, as it has other prominent dissident politicians, from holding office.

Persons: Nicolás Maduro’s, Maria Corina Machado Locations: Caracas, Venezuela, Colombia, Europe

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