Russian warships arrived in Venezuela to perform joint exercises with the South American country's navy. The exercises will begin today, the first day of Russian President Dimitry Medvedev's scheduled two-day visit with Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez.

Hugo Chávez's ex-wife, Marisabel Rodriguez, is running for mayor in Barquisimeto, the fourth largest city in Venezuela. Since their divorce in 2002, Rodriguez has embarrassed Chávez with a "soap opera" of constant criticism. (via Foreign Policy)

The Venezuelan government closed all McDonald's restaurants for 48 hours citing "tax irregularities."

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez says he wants to develop a nuclear program with the help of Russia: "We certainly are interested in developing nuclear energy, for peaceful ends of course, for medical purposes and to generate electricity."

A few weeks back, the government of Venezuela seized the local assets of the Mexican company Cemex. Now Cemex is fighting back in court.

The prices of beef, bread and salt have risen by as much as 50 percent in Venezuela, as the government loosened price controls on basic food items in an effort to combat food shortages.

In an effort to protect Venezuela from what he calls the "North American empire," President Hugo Chávez proposed a military alliance with Russia: "If Russia's armed forces want to be present in Venezuela, they will be given a warm welcome."

Wisin y Yandel will join RBD to perform in this year's edition of Miss Venezuela beauty pageant.

Venezuela President Hugo Chávez has called on FARC – the left-wing guerrilla group Colombian officials once accused him of financing – to end its fight and release all hostages.

Former presidential candidate and current governor of New Mexico Bill Richardson traveled to Venezuela to meet with President Hugo Chávez over the fate of hostages in Colombia.