Venezuela’s top lawmaker says more than 400 prisoners have been released
The announcement contradicts claims from local rights groups that no more than 70 prisoners have been freed.

The announcement contradicts claims from local rights groups that no more than 70 prisoners have been freed.









President Donald Trump said his administration will decide which oil companies are allowed to operate in Venezuela.
Whether Trump or Rodriguez, running Venezuela will need the help of its military, which has incentives to strike a deal.
Experts said oil execs gave a ‘less-than-full-throated’ approval as they waited on terms from US and Venezuela.
US State Department officials are visiting Caracas less than a week after the military abduction of Nicolas Maduro.
Many of the smaller firms have connections to Denver, Colorado, the home turf of Energy Secretary Chris Wright.

The US seized a fifth oil tanker in the Caribbean as Washington ramps up seizing on sanctioned Venezuelan oil shipments.

President Donald Trump aims to control and revive Venezuela’s oil industry. Critics call it modern-day colonialism.
Operation comes days after US seized Russian-flagged tanker; US pledges to continue blockade following Maduro abduction.
US president also says he will meet oil executives at tWhite House on Friday to discuss Venezuela’s oil industry.
Nicolas Maduro’s kidnapping is about the US state’s politics, not Venezuela’s oil.