Venezuela: Protests in Caracas Venezuela civil unrest breaking point

Social unrest has simmered in Venezuela for the last few years, at times breaking out in widespread protests, and tensions have mounted this year, as an opposition-led legislature leads an effort to recall President Nicolas Maduro.

But a protest that broke out near the presidential palace in Caracas on Thursday indicates that the strife has reached a segment of the country critical to the government's popular support.

A group of Venezuelans waiting in line at a supermarket in Caracas made a run for Miraflores, the presidential palace, after they saw what appeared to be people affiliated with the government taking food they had been waiting for hours in the heat to buy.

According to The Associated Press, over 100 people ran down the city's main street, chanting "No more talk. We want food," before encountering riot police less than six blocks from Miraflores.

The protesters clashed with the police, striking their shields, as other Venezuelans leaned out of windows to yell insults at police and bang pots. Police eventually deployed tear gas against the demonstrators.

Read more: Protests in Caracas Venezuela civil unrest breaking point - Business Insider

Chile: Summit of the European Union and the Community of Latin America and Caribbean States

EU leaders have arrived in Santiago, Chile for the January 26 - 27  summit with their counterparts from Latin America and the Caribbean under the theme "Alliance for Sustainable Development: Promoting Investments of Social and Environmental Quality".

The summit is bringing together the economic, social and environmental dimensions of the bi-regional partnership, the Summit will give new impetus to cooperation and the building of common positions on global issues and shared challenges. Summit discussions will also review political developments and address crucial issues and opportunities currently faced by the EU and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Opening session EU -CELAC Summit, Santiago, Chile

The EU is represented at the Summit by European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President José Manuel Barroso. A high level of participation is also expected from EU member states and virtually all leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean are expected to attend the Summit, hosted by President Piñera of Chile, which currently holds the CELAC Presidency.

President Van Rompuy said: "In Santiago, we will reaffirm the strategic nature of our relationship based on common values. We will review the main challenges that the international community is facing and consider ways to strengthen our cooperation in working towards a more just, secure and prosperous world. We will discuss regional integration as well as cooperation on international fora."

European Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani will be in Chile accompanied by a large business delegation composed of 51 representatives of 40 European companies and industry associations, from ten EU Member States. 

This  is part of a series of "Missions for Growth" to help European businesses, in particular small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), to better profit from fast-growing emerging international markets. Vice-President Tajani will hold a range ministerial-level meetings intended to deepen the implementation of political agreements signed in June 2011 with the Chilean authorities on SME development, industrial cooperation, tourism and space. Discussions will also focus on encouraging the promotion of clusters and business networks to boost SME internationaliszation. 

European Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht, will also be in Santiago and will use the opportunity to engage with counterparts from the region on the trade agenda, giving particular priority to ensuring progress allowing for an imminent provisional application of free trade agreements with Colombia and Peru, and of the trade pillar of the Association Agreement with Central America.

Throughout the discussions in Santiago at all levels, the EU side will stress the importance of an open, transparent, non-discriminatory, stable and business-friendly environment. Legal certainty for investors is essential for the fostering of high-quality, socially responsible investment. The EU will also underline the importance of promoting open trade and refraining from protectionist measures so as to ensure continued growth and development. It will also underline its readiness to work together with LAC partners on Corporate Social Responsibility, which is an integral part of the EU's investment strategy.

Presidents Van Rompuy and Barroso and Commissioner De Gucht will also participate in the Business Summit, which will bring together businessmen, political leaders and business-related institutions from both regions. The central topic will be ‘Investments for Economic Growth, Social Inclusion and Environmental Sustainability’.

The Santiago summit will be the EU's seventh summit since the inaugural EU-LAC summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1999, which launched a "strategic partnership" between the two regions. It will be the first Summit with CELAC - the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States - as the EU's counterpart.

EU-Digest