“For big problems, big solutions,” Mr. Maduro said Tuesday night at a ceremony in Caracas. Mr. Maduro blames a conspiracy involving the political opposition working in concert with foreign governments, especially the United States. On Monday, Mr. Maduro made an overture to President Trump, inviting him for bilateral talks through a Twitter post. Russian government officials have also discussed issuing some sort of crypto-ruble, to evade American sanctions. Mr. Maduro directed the state oil company, PDVSA, and other public companies to handle a percentage of their sales and purchases in petros.

Source: New York Times February 21, 2018 02:06 UTC