President Nicolás Maduro says Venezuela will use the "petro," backed by oil reserves and other natural resources, to defeat a financial blockade on his country.
After months of popular unrest, President Nicolas Maduro appears to have cemented his grip on power. But the towering economic troubles that helped inspire that unrest are only getting worse.
Opposition leaders have denounced what they say are widespread voting irregularities after pre-election polls indicated big wins for parties opposed to President Nicolas Maduro.
Some of the world's best cacao grows in Venezuela, a country roiled by political turmoil. One chocolatier is betting those beans can propel a whole industry and turn women into micro-entrepreneurs.
To combat chronic food shortages in his country, President Nicolas Maduro is trying to convince Venezuelans that cottontails are a good source of protein. The plan has been met with much contempt.
The latest restrictions are the first to target President Nicolas Maduro's regime directly, and they prevent U.S. institutions from buying new debt issued by the government or state-owned oil company.
The move Friday marks a new milestone in President Nicolas Maduro's campaign to consolidate power, giving the lawmaking power of the opposition-packed congress to the legislative superbody he created.
The Pentagon says it has not received any orders from the White House concerning such action. Trump has criticized President Nicolas Maduro's moves to consolidate power.