News briefs on Venezuela’s government

* Argentine president Nestor Kirchner has directly intervened in the Venezuelan government’s attempt to buy the country's largest steel maker. Sidor-Ternium is controlled by Argentine firm Techint.

* Venezuela’s government rejected White House remarks criticizing the country’s anti-drug efforts, but not before accusing the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration of helping drug traffickers.

* Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro said that the government will still seek the extradition of Luis Posada Carriles after he was freed on Tuesday.

* The government’s stake in Venezuela’s largest telecom company increased to 86.2% after having purchased millions of dollars worth of stocks.

Links- International Herald Tribune, SignOnSanDiego.com, Prensa Latina, CNN, The Latin Americanist, MSN Money

Images- travel-images.com