International

Maduro signs Economic Emergency Decree to counter U.S. sanctions on Venezuela

The National Assembly of Venezuela approved on Thursday an economic emergency decree presented this week by the government of President Nicolás Maduro, in response to sanctions and tariffs imposed by the United States.

In March, the government of Donald Trump began suspending licenses for foreign oil companies operating with the state-owned Venezuelan oil company PDVSA and imposed secondary tariffs on crude oil and gas exports. Maduro signed the decree on Tuesday, invoking constitutional articles that allow him to declare states of exception, temporarily restrict constitutional guarantees, or declare a state of emergency in the event of disasters, public calamities, or events that seriously threaten the country’s security.

The emergency decree “is to support national production,” said Delcy Rodríguez, Vice President and Minister of Hydrocarbons, during the document’s presentation.

“The affected oil markets, the fall in oil prices, have already surpassed 30% in our measurement, and this, as we say, is just the beginning,” Rodríguez stated, clarifying that Venezuela’s oil and gas production continues.

Rodríguez also mentioned that foreign oil companies are welcome to operate in Venezuela in accordance with local laws.

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The United States has set a deadline of May 27 for oil companies operating in Venezuela, including Chevron (U.S.), Eni (Italy), and Repsol (Spain), to wind down their operations and exports.

The decree grants Maduro the authority to implement measures he deems necessary to ensure economic growth, contain inflation, offer special treatment to investors, suspend taxes, or apply exceptions to tax laws, and establish import substitution mechanisms, among other measures.

Maduro and his government have consistently rejected sanctions imposed by the United States and other countries, arguing that they are illegitimate measures constituting an “economic war” designed to cripple Venezuela.

The president and his allies have celebrated what they describe as the country’s resilience despite these measures, although they have historically attributed some economic difficulties and shortages to the sanctions.

This is not the first time Maduro has governed under an emergency decree. In 2016, he signed a similar decree, which was extended until 2021 under the argument of sanctions imposed on Venezuela by Washington.

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With the Assembly’s approval, the decree must now be sent to the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice.

International

Venezuela accuses Guyana of “warlike intentions” after UK defense deal

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez denounced what she called “warlike intentions” from Guyana on Saturday (April 12, 2025), following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Guyana and the United Kingdom aimed at strengthening bilateral defense cooperation.

“Guyana threatens Venezuela with its founding fathers. The UK and the U.S. are the architects behind the territorial dispossession of our Guayana Esequiba. These are the same actors who forged a fraudulent arbitration award in 1899 to strip Venezuela of its land,” Rodríguez stated via Telegram.

Rodríguez, who also serves as Venezuela’s Minister of Hydrocarbons, warned the region about “these drums of war, in clear violation of the CELAC declaration that recognizes Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace.”

“Venezuela will stand firm in defending its legitimate rights, sovereignty, and territorial integrity in all scenarios,” she added.

International

Nightclub Collapse in Dominican Republic Claims 226 Lives

The death toll from the collapse of a nightclub in the Dominican Republic has risen to 226, authorities confirmed on Saturday after completing the recovery and identification of the bodies.

The tragedy occurred in the early hours of April 8, when the roof of the venue collapsed during a concert by popular merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who also died at the scene.

“There were 221 victims found at ground zero and four more who died in hospitals,” said Health Minister Víctor Atallah during a press conference. Later, his office confirmed the death of a Costa Rican national on Saturday, bringing the total to 226.

Atallah added that the number of fatalities could still rise, as several people remain in critical condition.

International

Trump Authorizes Military to Take Control of Federal Land Along U.S.-Mexico Border

In a presidential memorandum issued Friday afternoon, Trump directed the Secretaries of Defense, Homeland Security, Interior, and Agriculture to facilitate the transfer of designated public lands to allow for “military activities” under the jurisdiction of the Pentagon.

According to the document, the land transfer must begin within the next 45 days. The only area specifically named in the order is the so-called “Roosevelt Reservation”, a narrow strip of federally owned land—approximately 20 meters wide—that runs parallel to the U.S.-Mexico border for about 1,000 kilometers, stretching from New Mexico to California.

The memo does not clarify what specific military operations will take place on these lands or what their exact purpose will be.