Only a handful of leaders have travelled to a meeting of a large Cold War-era bloc in Venezuela in an embarrassment for the crisis-hit socialist government.

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro has touted the 17th meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement as one that would "be remembered for centuries", as the unpopular leftist seeks to bolster his international legitimacy.

Yet the turnout from the 120-nation Cold War-era bloc has paled compared with past meetings, including the previous summit in Iran in 2012, attended by some 35 heads of state.

Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, Iran's Hassan Rouhani and Palestine's Mahmoud Abbas, as well as regional allies from Cuba, Ecuador and Bolivia are among the few heads of states who have landed on the Caribbean island of Margarita.

Study says Venezuelans world's most miserable

The half-century old movement formed by nations wanting to avoid aligning with the United States or Soviet Union has dwindled in relevance over the years.

But it appears that heads of states' attendance at the summit in recession-stricken Venezuela is particularly low, possibly even in single digits, although the government did not respond to a request for a list of attendees.

Venezuela's opposition, vying to remove Maduro in a recall referendum, has jumped on low attendance as a sign of his isolation.

"Millions of dollars of Venezuelans' money spent for the government's ego," said opposition leader Henrique Capriles. "Many of the countries didn't come to the show!"

In one glaring absence, cofounder and key member India did not send Prime Minister Narendra Modi, only the second time the country's head of state has missed a summit since its 1961 founding.

Al Jazeera's John Holman, reporting from Isla Margarita, said topics discussed on Saturday included the plight of the Palestinians, Cuba's raprochement with the United States, and Maduro's political woes.

Venezuela is undergoing a major economic crisis that has sparked worsening food shortages and triple-digit inflation.

"President Maduro is having a bit of a hard time at the moment. The Venezuelan economy is pretty near in ruins. He's dealing with security problems. So he sees this as a splash on the international stage as the domestic stuff isn't going so well," Holman said.

Venezuela: Anti-Maduro protesters flood Caracas

Margarita was once known as the "Pearl of the Caribbean", a tourist haven that drew visitors from around the world, but hotel occupancy is under half what it was last year and some islanders recently humiliated Maduro by chasing him in a poor neighbourhood, banging pots and pans.

The delegates who did come complained privately of a lack of organisation, delays and shabby hotels, despite Venezuela's efforts to make Margarita shine by repainting roads, stocking supermarket shelves and boosting security on the crime-ridden island.

Venezuela unveiled a statue of Chavez near the summit on Friday, took over the group's presidency on Saturday, and the summit's final document was set to express solidarity with Maduro.

"The Venezuelan people are full of emotion and pride," Maduro said in a speech on Saturday.</s>Venezuela summit draws few leaders in blow to Maduro

MARGARITA ISLAND, Venezuela, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Only a handful of leaders have traveled to a meeting of a large Cold War-era bloc in Venezuela this week, in an embarrassment for the crisis-hit socialist government.

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro has touted the 17th meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement as one that would "be remembered for centuries," as the unpopular leftist seeks to bolster his international legitimacy.

Yet turnout has paled compared to past meetings, including the previous summit in Iran in 2012, attended by some 35 heads of state.

The half-century old movement formed by nations wanting to avoid aligning with the United States or Soviet Union has dwindled in relevance over the years.

But it appears that heads of states' attendance at the summit in recession-stricken Venezuela is particularly low, perhaps even in single figures, although the government did not respond to a request for a list of attendees.

Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, Iran's Hassan Rouhani and Palestine's Mahmoud Abbas, as well as regional allies from Cuba, Ecuador and Bolivia are among the few heads of states who have landed on the Caribbean island.

Venezuela's opposition, vying to remove Maduro in a recall referendum, has jumped on low attendance as a sign of his isolation.

"Millions of dollars of Venezuelans' money spent for the government's ego," said opposition leader Henrique Capriles. "Many of the countries didn't come to the show!"

In one glaring absence, co-founder and key member India did not send Prime Minister Narendra Modi, only the second time the country's head of state has missed a summit since its 1961 founding.

Venezuela is undergoing a major economic crisis that has sparked worsening food shortages and triple-digit inflation.

Margarita was once known as the 'Pearl of the Caribbean,' a tourist hub that drew visitors from around the world, but hotel occupancy is under half what it was last year and some islanders recently humiliated Maduro by chasing him in a poor neighborhood, banging pots and pans.

The delegates who did come complained privately of a lack of organization, delays and shabby hotels, despite Venezuela's efforts to make Margarita shine by repainting roads, stocking supermarket shelves and boosting security on the crime-ridden island. ]

Venezuela will take over the group's presidency on Saturday, with Maduro due to speak before formal adoption of the summit's final document. A draft seen by Reuters showed it would express solidarity with Maduro.

"In the face of these critics who say Venezuela is isolated, has no cachet, well, here are international leaders," said Venezuela's Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez. (Additional reporting by Diego Ore; Editing by Alexandra Ulmer and Nick Zieminski)</s>Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro has touted the 17th meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement as one that would "be remembered for centuries," as the unpopular leftist seeks to bolster his international legitimacy.

Yet the turnout from the 120-nation Cold War-era bloc has paled compared to past meetings, including the previous summit in Iran in 2012, attended by some 35 heads of state.

Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, Iran's Hassan Rouhani and Palestine's Mahmoud Abbas, as well as regional allies from Cuba, Ecuador and Bolivia are among the few heads of states who have landed on the Caribbean island of Margarita.

The half-century old movement formed by nations wanting to avoid aligning with the United States or Soviet Union has dwindled in relevance over the years.

But it appears that heads of states' attendance at the summit in recession-stricken Venezuela is particularly low, possibly even in single digits, although the government did not respond to a request for a list of attendees.

Venezuela's opposition, vying to remove Maduro in a recall referendum, has jumped on low attendance as a sign of his isolation.

"Millions of dollars of Venezuelans' money spent for the government's ego," said opposition leader Henrique Capriles. "Many of the countries didn't come to the show!"

In one glaring absence, co-founder and key member India did not send Prime Minister Narendra Modi, only the second time the country's head of state has missed a summit since its 1961 founding.

Venezuela is undergoing a major economic crisis that has sparked worsening food shortages and triple-digit inflation.

Margarita was once known as the 'Pearl of the Caribbean,' a tourist hub that drew visitors from around the world, but hotel occupancy is under half what it was last year and some islanders recently humiliated Maduro by chasing him in a poor neighborhood, banging pots and pans.

The delegates who did come complained privately of a lack of organization, delays and shabby hotels, despite Venezuela's efforts to make Margarita shine by repainting roads, stocking supermarket shelves and boosting security on the crime-ridden island. [L2N1BR1XV]]

Venezuela unveiled a statue of Chavez near the summit on Friday, took over the group's presidency on Saturday, and the summit's final document was set to express solidarity with Maduro.

"The Venezuelan people are full of emotion and pride," Maduro said in a speech on Saturday.</s>Venezuela, Cuba warn of US intervention, at Non-Aligned meet

Venezuela’s embattled President Nicolas Maduro opened a Non-Aligned Summit Saturday, warning world leaders that his country is being lashed by a US economic war aimed at toppling him.

His closest regional ally, Cuban President Raul Castro, echoed the charges despite renewed relations with the United States.

“Venezuela is facing an onslaught… that is against all of Latin America and the Caribbean — that is trying to re-impose and recolonize, the politics, economy, culture and life of our countries,” Maduro — a socialist who has made the economy increasingly state-run — charged in his speech after taking over the movement’s rotating presidency from Iran.

Leaders from the 120-nation group including Iranian President Hassan Rouhani gathered for two days on Venezuela’s Caribbean island of Margarita.

Venezuela, an OPEC member and home to the world’s largest proven oil reserves, will seek backing for its campaign to slash abundant global crude production in a bid to raise prices.

While sounding the alarm about a purported international campaign to topple him is not new, Maduro looks keen to recast the Non-Aligned movement — a Cold War relic that has consistently less support — as a bulwark against re-colonization, analysts say.

Founded in 1961 to represent countries resentful of being squeezed in the power-struggle between the United States and the Soviet Union, the Non-Aligned Movement has struggled in recent years to remain relevant in a post-Cold War world.

The Venezuelan opposition is seeking to oust Maduro at the ballot box with a referendum. The president maintains the United States allied with conservative local interests, want to oust him.

Castro, who backs Maduro’s allegations, voiced dismay at the US failure to end its embargo on Havana.

He said regional allies would derail “subversive and meddling” US plans on which he did not elaborate.

And Castro, Maduro, Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa and Bolivian President Evo Morales all slammed the recent impeachment and removal of Brazil’s ex-president Dilma Rousseff.

Rousseff, convicted in the Senate for budget irregularities, was replaced on August 31 by center-right President Michel Temer, her vice president-turned-nemesis.

The oil crunch has triggered an economic crisis in Venezuela, causing food shortages, outbreaks of looting and riots.

The crisis is the biggest threat yet to Maduro and the socialist “revolution” launched in 1999 by his late predecessor, Hugo Chavez.

But as crude prices have plunged since mid-2014, Venezuela’s economy has tanked, and its international influence along with it.

Embattled and unpopular at home, Maduro has nowhere near the international clout once enjoyed by Chavez.

The opposition is pushing for a referendum on removing him from power by the end of the year.

Polls indicate Maduro would lose by a hefty margin. But his opponents say electoral officials are dragging their feet to protect him.

They held fresh protests Friday after the authorities delayed announcing the timeline for the next step in the process for a second time.

Venezuelans spend long hours lining up outside supermarkets and pharmacies only to find bare shelves and soaring prices inside. Shortages have triggered outbreaks of looting and riots.

The country is facing its third year of deep recession this year, with inflation set to top 700 percent, according to the International Monetary Fund.</s>Maduro revels in support from Zimbabwe, Iran as critics decry failed summit

MARGARITA ISLAND, Venezuela, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro reveled in support from leftist allies during a summit of a Cold War-era bloc that wrapped up on Sunday, but critics pilloried him for hosting unpopular leaders such as Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe and for failing to draw many world leaders.

It appears only around a dozen heads of state from the 120-nation Non-Aligned Movement made it to the meeting held on the Caribbean island of Margarita, just off Venezuela's coast, in a blow for a government keen to bolster its international legitimacy.

Authorities did not supply a list of attendees. Maduro, hit by low popularity amid a deep economic crisis, hailed the meeting as a triumph.

"This summit, we can say, has been a total success, a victory of Bolivarian diplomacy," Maduro told a news conference minutes after closing the six-day event, referring to Simon Bolivar, Latin American independence hero and idol of the socialist revolution in Venezuela.

The movement was formed in 1961 by nations wanting to avoid aligning with the United States or Soviet Union though has dwindled in relevance over the years.

The most high-profile heads of states in attendance at Margarita were Mugabe, Cuba's Raul Castro, and Iran's Hassan Rouhani, who passed on the presidency of the group to Venezuela on Saturday.

Venezuelan authorities promoted the hashtag #TheWorldWithVenezuela on state broadcasts in a bid to show a domestic audience that Caracas had international support, as Venezuela suffers a severe economic crisis with shortages of basic goods, many complaining of hunger and a high murder rate.

The opposition decried spending state funds on a lavish summit during the crisis and many expressed outrage that Mugabe - called a dictator by rights groups - was welcomed with open arms.

"This so-called summit  is a devastating failure," read a statement from Venezuela's opposition coalition. "It ratifies (Maduro's) international isolation, his diplomatic ineptitude and the world's rejection of a regime that is a global symbol of corruption and incompetence."

Syria's ambassador to the United Nations, Bashar Ja'afari, used the forum to denounce U.S.-led air strikes he said had killed 83 Syrian soldiers, saying they were aimed at sinking a fragile U.S.-Russia ceasefire plan.

Others leaders lambasted imperialism and pledged their support to Maduro.

Many also called for a reform of the United Nations.

Delegates complained privately of a lack of organization, delays and shabby hotels, despite Venezuela's efforts to make Margarita shine by repainting roads, stocking supermarket shelves and boosting security. (Writing by Girish Gupta; Editing by Alexandra Ulmer)</s>Venezuela to use Non-Aligned summit to push oil consensus

CARACAS, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Venezuela will use this weekend's Non-Aligned Summit to meet fellow oil producers and gather support for a global deal to strengthen oil prices at a gathering in Algeria this month, Oil Minister Eulogio del Pino said.

"Obviously we are going to use this meeting to build consensus," Del Pino told reporters, saying leaders from OPEC nations from the Gulf to Ecuador would be present at the 120-nation bloc's meeting on Margarita island.

"The focus for the consensus is Algeria, where we hope to reach important stabilization accords to obtain a fair price for hydrocarbons that all producer countries are seeking," he said in comments at a pro-government march carried on state television.

Algeria is hosting meetings of the International Energy Forum and OPEC on Sept. 26-28.

Price hawk Venezuela, which has the largest oil reserves in the world, has been one of the worst-hit countries by the fall in crude prices, which has left its economy is in crisis.

Del Pino said he had visited Margarita and seen that opposition hopes the Non-Aligned Movement summit would be a failure, making President Nicolas Maduro's socialist government look weak and isolated, were being dashed.

"It's another failure for the opposition, who were trying to present a non-existing image of the country, aided by unpatriotic international media trying to create a view of Venezuela like they did in Libya, in Iraq," he said.

"And we know what happened there."

Despite the government's upbeat projection of the summit, only one head of state - Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe - had arrived by midday Friday for the leaders' meetings scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani was expected to fly into Margarita, along with Latin American leftist leaders from Bolivia and Ecuador, but overall turnout could be a record low for the Cold War-era group. (Reporting by Andrew Cawthorne; Editing by Billl Trott)</s>Venezuela to use Non-Aligned summit to push oil consensus

CARACAS, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Venezuela will use this weekend's Non-Aligned Movement summit to meet fellow oil producers and gather support for a global deal to strengthen oil prices at a gathering in Algeria this month, Oil Minister Eulogio del Pino said on Friday.

"Obviously we are going to use this meeting to build consensus," Del Pino told reporters, saying leaders from OPEC nations from the Gulf to Ecuador would be present at the 120-nation bloc's meeting on Margarita island.

"The focus for the consensus is Algeria, where we hope to reach important stabilization accords to obtain a fair price for hydrocarbons that all producer countries are seeking," he said in comments at a pro-government march carried on state television.

Algeria is hosting meetings of the International Energy Forum and OPEC on Sept. 26-28.

Price hawk Venezuela, which has the largest oil reserves in the world, has been one of the countries worst hit by the fall in crude prices, which has left its economy in crisis.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has flown into Margarita for the meeting on Saturday on Sunday, where Latin American leftist leaders from Bolivia and Ecuador are also expected. But overall turnout could be a record low for the Cold War-era group.

Before departing from Quito, Ecuador's President Rafael Correa ratified the planned oil producers' discussion, saying delegates from his country, Iran, Algeria, Nigeria and Venezuela would be talking.

"The oil price keeps falling ... this hurts us all," he told reporters. "So we are going to talk in Margarita with bilateral and multilateral meetings between OPEC members and non-OPEC members who are important producers and exporters." (Reporting by Andrew Cawthorne in Caracas, Jose Llangari in Quito; editing by Bill Trott and Mary Milliken)</s>MARGARITA ISLAND, Venezuela (AP) — Crisis-hit Venezuela’s economic and political problems are keeping world leaders away from a meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement that was supposed to hit its full stride on Saturday.

Only eight heads of state have confirmed their presence for the two days of meetings taking place on the Caribbean island of Margarita, including the leaders of Iran, Cuba and Zimbabwe. More than 30 heads of state attended the last summit of the Cold War-era group in Iran in 2012.

President Nicolas Maduro had been touting the meeting as an opportunity to solidify his international credentials.

But the low turnout after months of shuttle diplomacy handing out invitations is likely to embolden Maduro’s opponents, who are pushing for a recall referendum to remove him from office before his term ends in 2019.</s>MARGARITA ISLAND, Venezuela (AP) — Crisis-hit Venezuela's economic and political problems are keeping world leaders away from a meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement that was supposed to hit its full stride on Saturday.

Only eight heads of state have confirmed their presence for the two days of meetings taking place on the Caribbean island of Margarita, including the leaders of Iran, Cuba and Zimbabwe. More than 30 heads of state attended the last summit of the Cold War-era group in Iran in 2012.

President Nicolas Maduro had been touting the meeting as an opportunity to solidify his international credentials.

Youth jump on a trampoline set up on the beach at a pro-government camp in Porlamar on Margarita Island, Venezuela, Friday, Sept. 16, 2016. Hundreds of teenage activists are sleeping in tents and enjoying free concerts on the beach as foreign delegates arrive to attend the non-aligned summit held by a Cold War-era group of 120 nations. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

But the low turnout after months of shuttle diplomacy handing out invitations is likely to embolden Maduro's opponents, who are pushing for a recall referendum to remove him from office before his term ends in 2019.

A statue of Venezuela's late President Hugo Chavez is unveiled during the 17th Non Aligned Summit, a meeting held by a Cold War-era group of 120 nations, in Porlamar on Margarita Island, Venezuela, Friday, Sept 16, 2016. The statue is made of bronze and measures just over three meters. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

A couple sit in a tent at a camp set up by government supporters in Porlamar, Margarita Island, Venezuela, Friday, Sept 16, 2016. Hundreds of activists are sleeping in tents and enjoying free concerts on the beach as foreign delegates arrive to attend the non-aligned summit held by a Cold War-era group of 120 nations. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)</s>VILLA ROSA, Venezuela, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Twenty minutes from the site of a global summit where Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro is proudly welcoming international dignitaries, a poor district of Margarita island has become a microcosm of the tumult the socialist leader is facing at home.

Convoys carrying visiting presidents like Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe or Iran's Hassan Rouhani zoomed by Villa Rosa, where two weeks ago the unpopular Maduro experienced the most embarrassing episode of his three-year presidency.

Hoping to walk through crowds of supporters, Maduro was instead chased by dozens of protesters banging pots and pans, blaming him for the country's major economic crisis that has people skipping meals due to food shortages and spiraling inflation.

"People screamed, 'We don't want you,' 'You're the devil.' They shouted in chorus like a song!" recalled Yalitza Moya, 39, speaking outside her shop where Maduro had first gotten out of his car to walk next to a basketball court.

Grainy cell phone videos from that night show crowds shouting obscenities at the 53-year-old former bus driver and union driver, banging kitchenware in a rare show of public ire against the usually closely-protected president.

The images went viral just as the opposition is pushing to remove Maduro in a recall referendum.

Moya and many others were excited to see their grievances in the spotlight but authorities briefly detained over 30 people after the protest, including prominent journalist Braulio Jatar, who remains in jail on charges of money laundering.

Various Villa Rosa residents said they were too scared to be interviewed but anger continues to run deep here and the lavish summit down the road has further touched a nerve.

Of course, Maduro is still supported among some who fondly recall his predecessor Hugo Chavez's charisma and oil-fuelled largesse.

"I don't agree with aggression against the president," said ardent Maduro supporter Carolina Gomez, 58, who sells coffee on a muddy side street in Villa Rosa, which is dotted with murals of Chavez.

"The summit is fantastic," she said as she sought shade from the Caribbean sun, adding she was proud the island was hosting over 100 delegations.

But Villa Rosa suffers from the same problems afflicting the rest of the country: shortages of basic goods, lines at shops of hundreds or thousands of people, and violent crime.

Many say Villa Rosa is symbolic of Venezuela's shift away from 'Chavismo,' as well as the government's disconnect from angry streets.

"Maduro doesn't know what Villa Rosa is," added Moya, the shopkeeper. "Villa Rosa was once 'Chavista,' but not any more." (Editing by Alexandra Ulmer and Marguerita Choy)
Around ten heads of state attend the 17th Non-aligned Movement summit in Isla Margarita, Venezuela, including Evo Morales of Bolivia, Raúl Castro of Cuba, Rafael Correa of Ecuador, Hassan Rouhani of Iran, Mahmoud Abbas of the State of Palestine, Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, and Venezuela's president Nicolás Maduro.