Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez lashed out at an agreement for American troops to use more Colombian military bases on Friday, accusing the U.S. of aiming to start a conflict and urging his military to be prepared.

Five months after Venezuela nationalized dozens of oil service contractors in Zulia state, the once-bustling industrial dock on Lake Maracaibo is nearly abandoned, and the 16 red flags raised to celebrate the takeovers are already tattered and faded.

The island nation of Antigua and Barbuda--hard-hit by the Stanford Financial scandal--is getting a $50 million bailout from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

The government of President Hugo Chavez seized control of two of Venezuela's largest coffee processing plants on Monday, threatening to expropriate them if investigations reveal they have illegally smuggled coffee out of the country.

It's hard to find a spare tire in Cuba these days, or a cup of yogurt. Air conditioners are shut off in the dead heat. Factories close at peak hours, and workers go without their government-subsidized lunches.

President Hugo Chavez on Tuesday alleged that U.S. intelligence agencies were behind a purported assassination plot that prevented him from visiting El Salvador.

President Hugo Chavez ordered the takeover of at least six metal, ceramic and other companies Thursday, accelerating his push to spread socialism and build "an industrial complex" in Venezuela.