U.S. Treasury Secretary Yellen visited China, focusing on concerns about China's 'excess capacity' in production, which has impacted global markets, including the U.S. Yellen and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng discussed these issues, with Yellen also meeting Prime Minister Li Qiang to reinforce dialogue despite differences. China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, during a visit to Paris, dismissed U.S. and European accusations of 'excess capacity' as unfounded. Both countries agreed to continue discussions on production capacity. Yellen also had 'difficult conversations' about national security, warning China against military support for Russia and discussing economic measures for national security. Yun Sun from the Stimson Center viewed Yellen's visit positively, noting the expression of U.S. concerns and testing China's reaction, but did not expect China to change its growth model soon.

The Venezuelan Parliament, dominated by the ruling party, will propose at least 27 dates for presidential elections to the National Electoral Council (CNE), as part of a consensus document signed on Wednesday. The document is seen as a development of the Barbados Agreement, which aims for competitive presidential elections in the second half of 2024. The proposal includes electoral guarantees and a regulatory proposal for social media during campaigns. The opposition's Plataforma Unitaria did not participate in the act. The CNE has not yet revealed an election date or calendar. The United States reimposed sanctions on Venezuela following the disqualification of opposition presidential candidate María Corina Machado. The Venezuelan Parliament initiated a consultation and proposed an election schedule with a group of presidential pre-candidates. Venezuela remains the only Latin American country without a concrete presidential election date for 2024. The electoral law and constitution do not specify the election date, only the start of the presidential term on January 10, 2025. The electoral registry's update and international observation are also key elements, with at least 1.3 million young Venezuelans abroad needing to register to vote. Machado's campaign maintains adherence to the Barbados Agreement and asserts her victory regardless of the election date. The government and the Plataforma Unitaria have accused each other of violating agreements.

On January 9, impoverished educators, workers, and retirees from the public administration protested in various states of Venezuela demanding higher wages and better working conditions in a country experiencing one of the highest inflation rates in the world and a recurring crisis.

Following negotiations with the United States, the Venezuelan government under President Nicolás Maduro has begun releasing individuals considered political prisoners, including Roberto Abdul, president of Súmate, and six union leaders. The releases were unexpected by the activists, who initially thought they were being transferred. The six activists had been detained since July of the previous year and were sentenced to 16 years in prison for 'conspiracy' and 'association to commit crimes.' Civil society organizations have reported irregularities in the detentions, and the International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela has highlighted ongoing human rights violations in the country. The US government has temporarily lifted some sanctions on the Venezuelan oil sector for six months but has warned that non-compliance with agreements could lead to a reversal of these measures.

Javier Milei, a far-right politician and self-described anarcho-capitalist, assumes the presidency of Argentina with a promise to make deep public spending cuts to address a severe economic crisis. Facing an annual inflation rate of 143% and a poverty rate around 40%, Milei plans to implement a 'shock therapy' approach, including privatizations and significant reductions in public spending. Despite his radical campaign promises, such as dismantling the Central Bank and dollarizing the economy, some of his proposals have been moderated. Milei's political party, La Libertad Avanza, holds a minority in Congress, and he will face opposition from the outgoing Peronist party, now the largest force in opposition. The International Monetary Fund has emphasized the need for a strong and politically supported stabilization plan for Argentina.

Over two million Venezuelans voted in the opposition primaries on Sunday, with María Corina Machado garnering 92.35% of the votes, according to the Comisión Nacional de Primaria.

José Sebastián Manrique, a 30-year-old Venezuelan, was on a vacation tour in Jerusalem, Israel, with his family when they were caught in the midst of Hamas' largest attack against Israel in years, resulting in hundreds of deaths and hostages. Initially unaware of the severity, they continued their tour until being sent to their hotel by the Ministry of Tourism. Stranded, they rented a bunker in Tel Aviv through Airbnb and are pressing to leave Israel, with flights from various airlines, including Manrique's Iberia flight, canceled. The Venezuelan government has expressed concern but has not announced any evacuation efforts. Manrique and his family, who had planned the trip four months in advance, are now without money and fearful of further bombings.

María Corina Machado, a potential presidential candidate in Venezuela, promises to dismantle socialism and move towards a liberal republic if she comes to power. Her political project includes privatizing public companies, establishing economic order, and seeking international financing. She plans to engage with multilateral organizations like the IMF and the Inter-American Development Bank for funding public sector investments in health and education, and to restructure public debt. Machado also aims to privatize the oil industry, specifically PDVSA, in an orderly fashion, and reduce the size of the state to focus on essential services. She envisions Venezuela as the Energy Hub of the Americas through a transparent privatization process.

Cocuy, a traditional Venezuelan agave-based spirit similar to Mexican mezcal, is overcoming its negative reputation in Venezuela. Producers like María Durán and José de Luca from Magno Cocuy are working to elevate the drink's status, which was once associated with poverty and drunkenness. Despite the challenges, cocuy is gaining international recognition, with Magno Cocuy winning awards at the New York International Spirits Competition. Efforts are underway to expand the Denomination of Controlled Origin (DOC) nationwide and to promote semi-industrial and industrial production through new legislation. The industry aims to become a source of national pride and a significant contributor to Venezuela's economy.

The Médanos de Coro, a small desert in Venezuela, accumulates vast amounts of sand, some of which originates from the Sahara Desert in Africa. This phenomenon occurs annually as massive amounts of sand are lifted into the atmosphere by the trade winds and deposited across the Atlantic. Venezuelan geographer Rafael Ruano explains that the accumulation is facilitated by the region's scarce rainfall and contributions from marine currents. Despite the dynamic nature of the Médanos, with dunes constantly moving, Ruano believes they are unlikely to disappear unless there is a catastrophic change in atmospheric wind circulation.

Analysts consulted by VOA agree that the conflict between the Communist Party of Venezuela and Nicolás Maduro's government, which has been ongoing for some time, has escalated following the intervention of the party by the Supreme Court, which is aligned with the official government line.

In La Vela, Venezuela, a port city, traders and sailors are attempting to recover from a four-year halt in maritime exports to the Dutch islands of Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire, following the closure of maritime borders in 2019. The closure, ordered by the Venezuelan government to block US humanitarian aid, severely impacted the local economy, with a significant dependency on trade with Curaçao. Despite the gradual reopening of borders since May, challenges such as the need for costly permits, equipment, and the competition from other countries like Colombia, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic, have made it difficult for local shipowners like Ángel Higuera to resume operations. The Chamber of Commerce of La Vela de Coro's vice president, Juan Gotopo, highlighted the economic blow to the community and the recent modest exports of fruits and vegetables to the islands.

In Venezuela, a traditionally conservative country without laws recognizing same-sex marriage or homoparental families, Geraldine Trujillo and Samaira Patiño, a lesbian couple, share their experience of raising their daughter Aliana. Despite legal challenges, such as having to register Aliana as the child of a single mother to avoid bureaucratic obstacles, the couple emphasizes the privilege and planning involved in their journey. The article highlights the lack of legal protection for homoparental families in Venezuela, despite a 2008 Supreme Court ruling that does not prohibit same-sex unions and a 2016 determination that homoparental families should have protection. The National Assembly has not yet legislated on marriage equality, and the government and opposition ignore the issue. The article also touches on the discrimination faced by homoparental families in education and health, as reported by Quiteria Franco of the NGO Unión Afirmativa.

For the first time, Venezuelan children and youth will participate in a robotics world championship, with preliminary local tournaments serving as a testing ground for their skills. Stefhanie Lúquez, 16, is among those aiming to represent Venezuela at the World Robotics Olympiad in Panama this November. Despite the public education crisis in Venezuela, with many schools lacking basic resources, the Centro de Innovación Educativa at the Universidad Católica de Venezuela is supporting these students by providing robotics kits and computers. Assaf Yamin, a consultant at CIED, emphasizes the need for more political will to promote such subjects within the educational system. The students are currently focused on constructing a robot that can precisely and quickly move a ship to a designated area, a challenge that mirrors the operations of the Panama Canal they are emulating.

Venezuelan-style Chinese rice is a culinary adaptation created by Cantonese immigrants in Venezuela, blending traditional Chinese cooking with local tastes. The dish has undergone modifications such as darker soy sauce and substituting chicken or pork with ham. Venezuelan gastronomy expert Miro Popic and anthropologist Ocarina Castillo discuss the dish's evolution and its significance among Venezuelan migrants abroad. Aneuclis Campos, owner of Apetitos Delivery in Caracas, shares her experience starting the business during the pandemic and the importance of high-heat cooking for the dish's distinct flavor.

Inspiring Girls, an NGO operating in 30 countries, is working to change the perception of girls and adolescents in vulnerable areas of Venezuela who often see their future limited to caregiving or domestic work. The organization's director in Venezuela, Meily Chang, highlights the structural crisis affecting the country and how it shapes the girls' views of their future. With many young girls taking on responsibilities due to parents migrating, Inspiring Girls aims to boost their professional ambitions through talks and sharing success stories of women engineers. The NGO notes a 30% loss in self-confidence among girls between the ages of 8 and 14, and emphasizes the importance of self-confidence. The article also mentions Venezuela's low rate of female labor participation as reported by the Inter-American Development Bank.

Tamara Adrián, a 69-year-old transgender lawyer and former parliamentarian, has officially announced her candidacy for the Venezuelan presidency, aiming to become the first transgender woman to run for this office in a deeply conservative country. Despite limited resources and support, Adrián is determined to prioritize Venezuela's transition to democracy over a specific transgender agenda. She does not align with traditional left or right political categories, instead advocating for maximum economic development with social inclusion. Adrián is supported by Unidos por la Dignidad, a movement that represents various minority groups. She acknowledges the challenges ahead, including skepticism about the National Electoral Council, but remains committed to creating a broad coalition necessary for change.

Valeria Torres, a 16-year-old Venezuelan, became an impromptu teacher for her cousins and neighbors in Maracay during the COVID-19 school closures. Without access to internet or televised lessons, Valeria improvised a classroom in her home, assisting students aged 4 to 16 with their education. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced the resumption of in-person classes with safety measures, as the country received 100,000 doses of the Sputnik V vaccine. The distance education system, which relies on online and pre-recorded TV classes, has been criticized for its ineffectiveness, especially given Venezuela's poor internet service and economic crisis. Valeria, who aspires to study law, uses a cellphone with limited internet access to research and complete assignments, sometimes receiving small financial contributions from parents of the children she helps.

Venezuela, once a rich oil-producing country, is now facing severe shortages of gas and gasoline, forcing residents like Kira Pimentel in Maracay to cook with wood. The crisis is attributed to the decline of the energy sector, with the state oil company PDVSA's deterioration and the impact of US sanctions according to President Nicolás Maduro, while the opposition blames corruption and mismanagement. The industrial and agricultural region of Aragua has seen a dramatic reduction in operational businesses, and residents are struggling to make ends meet, with some resorting to selling traditional food or buying gas at exorbitant black market prices. The government has proposed a 'plan leña' to provide wood for cooking to avoid deforestation, highlighting the severity of the situation.

Twenty-seven Venezuelans, including 16 children, were deported from Trinidad and Tobago but had to be returned after their boat failed, leaving them adrift for 48 hours. Upon return, they were detained, and their situation has raised human rights concerns. David Smolansky of the OAS and attorney Nafeesa Mohammed confirmed their detention. Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister Keith Rowley accused OAS officials of using the children for political purposes, while National Security Minister Stuart Young defended the deportations. The UN Human Rights Office and the IACHR have expressed concern and called for the protection of the migrants' rights.

The U.S. political climate has created a sense of déjà-vu for Venezuelan-Americans, reminiscent of the political fractures experienced in Venezuela. Families are divided, with some supporting Trump and others Biden. Joaquín Pérez, a naturalized U.S. citizen who opposed Chávez in Venezuela, will vote for Biden, while his son Alberto will vote for Trump. Despite agreeing on similarities between Trump and Chávez, they have different conclusions about the implications. The Venezuelan-American community in Florida is closely watched by both candidates, with Trump's administration taking a hard stance against Maduro's government. Joaquín hopes for a Biden presidency that would engage in dialogue, while Alberto supports Trump's economic message and pressure on Venezuela. The Venezuelan-American vote is seen as pivotal in the upcoming U.S. elections, with both candidates seeking their support.

Amira, a pseudonym to protect her identity due to her immigration status, is a Syrian woman who immigrated to Venezuela at the age of three and later moved to the United States in 2015 with her two teenage children. In Venezuela, she was a successful businesswoman but had to reinvent herself multiple times due to the country's economic crisis. In the U.S., she works as a truck driver and faces the fear of deportation, which could affect her children's future. Despite the challenges, Amira is determined to provide for her family and is open to moving to Canada if necessary.

Thousands of Venezuelans, who had left their country due to the crisis and became unemployed due to the pandemic, are desperate to return home. With Venezuela's airports closed since March and limited access through the Colombia-Venezuela border, an illegal market and corruption have flourished. People pay bribes to cut in line or purchase travel packages that bypass quarantine protocols. David Smolansky of the OEA criticizes the violation of citizens' rights to return to their birth country. The Venezuelan government has set up quarantine shelters, which have been described as unsanitary and extortionate. Despite the challenges, some Venezuelans, like Luis, have managed to return home after enduring long waits and difficult conditions.