A propaganda narrative humanizing and exalting the Venezuelan regime while the country’s economic and human rights crises deepen and elections are celebrated.

Venezuela’s ruling party swept regional and parliamentary elections in a landslide Sunday, tightening President Nicolás Maduro’s grip on power after a low-turnout vote marred by widespread opposition abstention and international criticism.

Venezuelans still reeling from the outcome of last year's presidential election did not respond Sunday to government calls to get out and vote for lawmakers, governors and other officials. That left voting centers practically empty at times and put officials on the defensive.

Nicolás Maduro's regime has transformed Venezuela into an international criminal organization, using state institutions for internal repression, looting national resources and collaboration with organized crime networks.

The Trump administration will let energy giant Chevron keep its key infrastructure in Venezuela — but is standing firm on barring the Houston-based company from importing oil

Venezuela released Joseph St. Clair, a veteran arrested by local authorities last year. His family members said they believe he was held in the notorious Rodeo I prison.

By Mathew Cohen Venezuela conducted regional and parliamentary elections on May 25 for a governor and lawmakers to represent Essequibo, an oil-rich region that remains under Guyana's administration despite Caracas' territorial claims.

Venezuelans on Sunday for the first time elected a governor and other lawmakers for Essequibo, an oil-rich region that Venezuela has laid claim to even though it is widely recognized as being part of neighboring Guyana.