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Russia boosts soft power with energy investments

Nov 2, 2017
Venezuela’s state-owned oil company must make a $1.2 billion payment to creditors tomorrow as it risks defaulting it’s debt. Russia’s state-owned oil company Rosneft has made billions of dollars in loans to cash-strapped Venezuela and is likely to step in again. This is part of a strategy for making energy investments in unstable countries where […]

Venezuela’s debt could give China and Russia an oil market edge

Aug 2, 2017
As chaos in Venezuela continues, the Trump administration has imposed sanctions on President Nicolás Maduro and is threatening an embargo on Venezuelan oil. But that could backfire: if Washington pushes hard enough, Venezuela could go belly up on its debt, and that debt is owned in large part by Russia and China. The U.S. doesn’t want […]

Ahead of the controversial election, the scene in Venezuela is chaotic

There’s an election in Venezuela this Sunday that’s bringing the years of political and economic crisis to a head. Venezuela has suffered through general strikes and economic downturn, with skyrocketing inflation rates. And more than 100 people have been killed in violence related to political protests since April. Now President Nicolas Maduro wants to elect a new national […]

Venezuela votes on new constitutional body

Jul 28, 2017
Venezuelans head to the polls on Sunday to elect members for a “constituent assembly” that would rewrite the country’s 18-year-old constitution. This week, the United States imposed new sanctions on top officials in President Nicolas Maduro’s government to try to stop the rewrite.  Click the audio player above to hear the full story.

Goldman Sachs: When protests and profits collide

May 31, 2017
There were protestors in front of Goldman Sachs’ offices in Manhattan yesterday who were angry with the bank for a purchase it made. Goldman bought $2.8 billion worth of Venezuelan bonds from the state-owned oil company through a broker. It struck a real bargain, too, getting them for 31 cents on the dollar. That means […]

What you need to know about Venezuela’s 'hunger bonds'

May 31, 2017
Goldman Sachs faces criticism for buying $2.8 billion worth of bonds from the country that's facing critical food shortages.
Activists protest against Goldman Sach's purchase of $2.8 billion worth of Venezuela bonds outside Goldman Sachs' New York headquarters on Tuesday.
Bryan R. Smith/Getty Images

Can Venezuela's Maduro survive the latest riots?

Apr 13, 2017
The economy is a hot mess and allegiances are shifting.
Venezuelans protest the government of President Nicolas Maduro last week in Caracas.
FEDERICO PARRA/AFP/Getty Images

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Venezuelan politicians meet as economy sputters

Nov 3, 2016
Critics have accused the government of economic mismanagement.
People demonstrate against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas on October 26, 2016.
RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP/Getty Images

Devendra Banhart takes the Marketplace Quiz

Oct 21, 2016
And explains why money really can buy you happiness.
In a next life Devendra Banhart would be a dried persimmon dealer.
Osk Studios/Nonesuch Records

Venezuela opens border; relief is limited

Aug 16, 2016
Opening the border may relieve shortages, but not prices.
Venezuelans cross the border from San Antonio del Tachira, Venezuela, to Cucuta, Colombia on Saturday.
GEORGE CASTELLANO/AFP/Getty Images