APRNEWS - Oil prices rose on Tuesday above $73 a barrel but then eased off the session high after Venezuela’s president Nicolas Maduro said military leaders remained loyal to his government despite an attempted coup that could further threaten the OPEC producer’s oil exports.

APRNEWS - Venezuelans reacted with despair and resourcefulness on Tuesday as nationwide power cuts closed schools and businesses, paralyzing a nation that was only starting to recover from its worst blackouts earlier this month.

APRNEWS - Spain, France, UK and Sweden announced Monday that they are recognising Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country's interim president after an eight-day deadline for President Nicolas Maduro to call elections were not met.

APRNEWS - Venezuelans braced for the deepening of a brutal economic crisis on Tuesday after the United States imposed sanctions sharply curbing the country’s vital oil exports, while the socialist government responded by refusing to load crude cargoes without payment.

APRNEWS - Venezuela's self-proclaimed president Juan Guaido called Sunday for two new protests, in an effort to push the military to turn against leader Nicolas Maduro and back a European ultimatum demanding free elections within the week.

APRNEWS - In a coordinated response to the Venezuelan crisis, France, Germany and Spain have said they are ready to recognise opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country’s interim president if elections are not called in the coming week.

APRNEWS - Oil prices edged up on Friday as turmoil in Venezuela increased the chances of tighter global supply if the United States makes good on signals that it could impose sanctions on Venezuelan exports.

But fresh data on surging U.S. fuel stocks and worries about U.S.-China trade talks weighed on prices.

APRNEWS - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday renewed his accusation against his Colombian counterpart, blaming him for what Caracas has called a drone “assassination” attempt on the Socialist leader over the weekend.

APRNEWS - Oil prices edged higher on Tuesday, staying near their strongest levels in three-and-a-half-years as investors fretted over the future output from Venezuela and Iran.

AP - Venezuela's ruling socialist party has officially tapped President Nicolas Maduro as its candidate for this year's election.
Socialist party chief Diosdado Cabello on Friday announced the unanimous decision. The government has said the election will be held by the end of April.