US Navy Jet Buzzes Curacao, Venezuela Furious

(AP) - Honduras' ousted president, bolstered by international support, said he will return home to regain control and urged soldiers to stop cracking down on thousands of supporters who have protested his overthrow. Flanked by Latin American leaders who have vowed to help him regain power, Manuel Zelaya said yesterday he would accept an offer by the OAS secretary-general to accompany him back to Honduras. More»

Chavez looks healthy in new video and pictures

(NEWSER) - Rumors of Hugo Chavez's pending death have been greatly exaggerated—or at least somewhat exaggerated—as new video aired on Cuban television yesterday shows a healthy looking Chavez talking with Fidel Castro, reports the BBC . Reports have swirled that the Venezuelan president is in critical condition in a Cuban hospital, possibly with prostate cancer, although officially he is getting minor surgery for a "pelvic abscess." "To those of you who are speculating over the president's health, there he is... fine, recovering well," said a spokesman for the Venezuelan government. More»

WBC Lightweight TItle Holder Edwin Valero Detained in Venezuelan

(AP) - Former lightweight champion Edwin Valero was detained today on suspicion of killing his wife, the gravest in a string of problems that have threatened to derail his career. The Venezuelan federal police chief said Valero was arrested after police found the body of his 20-year-old wife in a hotel in Valencia. Valero left the hotel room around dawn and allegedly told security he had killed Jennifer Viera. More»

(NEWSER) - Hugo Chavez paid President Obama a high compliment at the UN today, asserting that he doesn't have the same satanic odor as George Bush. "I don't smell sulfur anymore," the Venezuelan leader told the General Assembly. "It's gone. Now it's the smell of something else—it's the smell of hope." A few years ago, Chavez famously took to the UN podium where Bush had spoken and said it smelled of sulfur, suggesting he was the devil, notes the Wall Street Journal. More»

Venezuela recognizes breakaway republics ahead of arms deal talks

(NEWSER) - Hugo Chávez arrived in Moscow today, where the Venezuelan president is reportedly ready for an arms "shopping spree." Chávez is ready to buy at least 100 tanks for $500 million, reports the Times of London, and a Kremlin aide said Venezuela may get loans for helicopters, submarines, and other military hardware. Chávez began his charm offensive today by recognizing as sovereign states South Ossetia and Abkhazia, the two pro-Russian republics at the heart of last year's war with Georgia. More»