Investigators believe prisoners started the blaze that killed 68 people in one of the worst jail fires in Venezuela's history by setting some mattresses on fire, the country's chief prosecutor said.

Allies of President Hugo Chavez assured Venezuelans the leftist leader is firmly in control of the country and improving after emergency surgery in Cuba, comments meant to dampen speculation about his health.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s government says it is considering a decree to ban the production of cigarettes and tobacco.

President Hugo Chavez warned the US ambassador to Venezuela that he could be asked to leave the country for saying American investors must receive a fair price for their shares of Venezuela’s largest telephone company when it is nationalised.