In this week’s roundup…Venezuelan opposition leaders react to President Hugo Chávez’s successful bid in raising the national debt limit, more fallout from the U.S.-imposed sanctions on PDVSA, opposition candidates get momentum, and the housing crisis continues to be top of mind for Venezuelans.

Venezuelan lawmakers authorize $22.5B in new debt, Associated Press

President Hugo Chavez won approval from legislators Thursday to increase the amount of new debt Venezuela’s government can take on this year to more than $22.5 billion. In December, lawmakers had authorized the equivalent of $12 billion in new debt this year. But Chavez last week requested that the limit be raised about 86 percent. Opposition lawmakers criticized the change, expressing concerns about the government’s growing debt. They said the boost was unjustified at a time when the OPEC member is enjoying higher prices for its oil.

Venezuela’s foreign minister says relations with Washington are ‘frozen’ following sanctions , The Washington Post

Venezuela’s relations with the U.S. are frozen and President Hugo Chavez’s government sees no possibility of improving them after its state oil company was hit with sanctions by Washington, the country’s top diplomat said Sunday.

The US Has Lost Sight Of Its National Interest In Venezuela, Business Insider

According to the U.S. Energy Administration, two months ago the United States total crude oil imports averaged 9,033 thousand barrels per day (tbpd), with the top five exporting countries being Canada (2,666 tbpd), Mexico (1,319 tbpd), Saudi Arabia (1,107 tbpd), Venezuela (930 tbpd) and Nigeria (918 tbpd.) Notice anything odd about this list?

Chávez Foe Sees Imitation as Best Path, Bloomberg

Henrique Capriles Radonski, whose family members own Venezuela’s biggest movie theater chain, is emerging as President Hugo Chavez’s strongest rival in 2012 elections by copying his favorite ploy of lavishing public money on the poor.

Venezuela’s Chávez says OPEC need not pump more oil, Reuters Africa

Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez on Tuesday said current demand for oil does not justify an OPEC production hike, adding the market was well-supplied. The oil exporters group meets on Wednesday and Gulf Arab members are pushing for an output increase of at least 1.4 million barrels per day.

FACTBOX-Housing among top worries for Venezuelans, Reuters

Venezuela’s housing shortage is a challenge for President Hugo Chavez, a major concern for millions in the South American OPEC member, and one of the issues that could shape next year’s election. With 29 million people, Venezuela is short of 2 million housing units.