UPDATE 1-Venezuela Q3 GDP drops unexpected 4.5 pct -source

Venezuela's GDP down about 4.5 pct in third-quarter

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.

UPDATE 1-Venezuela economy shrinks in 3rd-qtr: official

The price of oil looks set to rise further as political factors limiting investment will join rising demand and a weak dollar among factors pushing up prices, analysts told CNBC Wednesday.

UPDATE 2-Venezuela inflation rate falls, but seen spiking

REFILE-UPDATE 1-Venezuela inflation slows to 1.9 pct in October

Venezuela inflation up 1.9 pct in October- Central Bank

Venezuela seeks single-digit inflation 2012-paper

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.

Venezuela lawmakers approve central bank reform law

STOCKS NEWS US-Blackstone Group call options draw interest

The deep waters off the coasts of countries like Brazil and Sierra Leone have become hot spots for large discoveries of oil this year as exploration continues to move further from shore.

The Miss Venezuela pageant is getting leaner. The legendary beauty contest that has produced six Miss Universe winners — including the current one and the last one — has been forced to eliminate 10 contestants this year to cut costs amid an economic downturn.

Russia and Venezuela on Saturday moved closer to an oil venture deal and discussed arms trade, forging a partnership that may drag Russia into a row over the U.S. military presence in Colombia.