Crisis in Venezuela

In a move set to reverberate through global markets and geopolitical dynamics, the United States has announced the renewal of sanctions against Venezuela, citing unmet political commitments by President Nicolás Maduro. This decision comes amid escalating tensions between the two nations and holds significant implications for Venezuela, a key player in the international oil arena.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has embarked on a diplomatic tour of Latin America, visiting Venezuela following his participation in the G20 in Brazil, then journeying on to Mexico.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro lashed out at his Argentine counterpart Thursday, three days after the United States completed the seizure of a Venezuelan plane held in Buenos Aires since June 2022.

The United States on Monday began reimposing sanctions on Venezuela by restricting its mining sector after the South American nation's top court upheld the disqualification of an opposition presidential hopeful.

The new phase came after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro ordered the deployment of the military near the borders, both on land and at sea.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his Guyanese counterpart, Irfaan Ali, will meet Thursday on their countries' growing dispute over the oil-rich region of Essequibo, amid mounting international warnings against escalating the row.

Türkiye's annual inflation rate dropped below 40 percent in May for the first time in 16 months, pushed down by a temporary offer of free gas to households, official data showed on June 5.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva met Monday with his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro, vowing a new era for a relationship that was severed under far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro.

South Africa, the continent's most industrialized country, is in the grip of an energy crisis that critics say is much deeper
than the authorities openly acknowledge.

The periodic electricity blackouts are expected to reach a critical stage as winter arrives in the Southern Hemisphere and sends energy demand soaring, experts warn.

Japan's consumer prices rose 4 percent in December from a year earlier, a level not seen since December 1981, fueled in part by higher energy bills, government data showed on Jan. 20.

The acceleration came after a 3.7 percent increase in prices in November, and the data from the internal affairs ministry showed inflation for the 2022 calendar year stood at 2.3 percent.