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.

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

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.

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

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.

Chevron (CVX) stock was in the spotlight after reports said that President Donald Trump’s administration would allow the oil producer to conduct minimal maintenance of its essential assets in Venezuela.

The State Department says elections called by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to elect a governor and legislators for the oil-rich region of El Esequibo are a ‘sham.’

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.