Last week, Venezuela’s Minister of Science and Technology, Yván Gil, announced the reactivation of two strategic projects in cooperation with the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) in strategic areas such as artificial intelligence, technological modernization, digital rights, and the development of initiatives to strengthen disaster resilience.

In this regard, CAF’s representative in Venezuela, Xavier Prieto, reiterated the organization’s willingness to cooperate with the country in these sectors and to evaluate the construction of a data center.

Both representatives held a meeting to identify projects eligible for these resources. They also considered establishing the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research (IVIC) as the institutional base for monitoring these projects.

The meeting served as a platform for the Venezuelan delegation to present the National Plan for Science, Technology, and Innovation Culture 2025-2050, aimed at strengthening scientific research, recovering professional talent, and promoting the training of new generations of scientists and innovators.

Prieto stated that CAF is prepared to promote technical cooperation mechanisms and provide assistance in areas such as digital transformation, data center modernization, and the optimization of public banking payment systems, in addition to providing specialized assistance to technically evaluate the proposal for the construction of a data center in Venezuela.

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Source: globovision

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La entrada Venezuela and CAF agree on cooperation in artificial intelligence and disaster resilience apareció primero en Bitfinance.

With an eye toward expanding its available content, Instagram launched a Features test in the United States and Brazil. The innovation focuses on long-form videos and Reels, with the ambition of expanding to televisions.

The company has explained that Instagram doesn’t want to abandon Reels or replace the posts its users send to their friends. The proposal also includes tests of links to longer videos from clips, Reels series, and improvements to discovering live streams. Features is a step in the platform’s arrival on television screens.

As is known, the TV app was launched in late 2015 to offer a Reels-centric experience and began with a pilot program for Amazon Fire TV devices in the United States. It then expanded to Google TV, Samsung TV, and Apple TV, in addition to the incorporation of other features, such as the ability to view Stories earlier this year.

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Source: diariobitcoin

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La entrada Instagram tests Features, a long-form video format apareció primero en Bitfinance.

The Venezuelan government lifted the suspension on the use of agricultural and commercial drones, which had been in effect since 2025. This means the sector can now use these unmanned aircraft for monitoring and other functions.

According to a recent announcement by the Minister of Productive Agriculture and Lands, Vladimir Padrino López, the suspension on drone use by the agricultural sector has now ended.

He clarified that operators must comply with the national legal framework, which includes import procedures, certificates, insurance policies, and training. Consequently, agricultural producers and drone pilots are authorized to resume activities in the sector, including monitoring irrigation fields, fertilization, and the application of inputs.

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Source: xinhuanet

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La entrada Venezuelan agricultural sector authorized to use commercial drones apareció primero en Bitfinance.

The World Bank estimates that the use of open source artificial intelligence could help reduce the productivity gap in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as boost regional economic development.

The organization proposes that, instead of funding the development of massive AI models from scratch, countries prioritize “the adoption of open-source technologies and their integration into existing production structures.”

This is reflected in the latest edition of its Economic Panorama of Latin America and the Caribbean report, which emphasizes that “the region’s fundamental constraint is not a lack of primary innovation, but rather the limited absorptive capacity of businesses, governments, and citizens.”

This could be addressed by avoiding the creation of proprietary AI models and instead opting to “adapt open-source solutions to local needs and languages, while governments assume the role of ‘anchor clients’ in public technologies (GovTech).”

The World Bank also proposes the implementation of technology extension services aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These plans include technical assistance with matching grants to guide management in reorganizing workflows and operationally integrating AI.

Regarding the labor sector, the multilateral institution recommends in its report “abandoning generic training programs and replacing them with targeted interventions according to the level of workers’ exposure to automation,” opting for more technical career paths and short-cycle training programs.

The organization urged public administrations to use a portion of the productivity gains generated by the adoption of AI to “expand the funding base for social protection and active employment policies, ensuring an equitable transition for the displaced workforce.”

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Source: finanzasdigital

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La entrada World Bank supports open source AI in Latin America to boost productivity apareció primero en Bitfinance.

Renowned Venezuelan chef Enrique Limardo, awarded a Michelin star in the United States and founder of the restaurant Imperfecto, will offer an exclusive gastronomic experience at the Central University of Venezuela to celebrate the country’s culinary identity through local ingredients and cutting-edge techniques.

A leading figure in modern Latin American gastronomy in the United States, Limardo returned to Venezuela this weekend as part of the “Flavors of the Soul” campaign, an initiative that has allowed Bancamiga Banco Universal to reaffirm its strategic objective of strengthening ties with its clients by recognizing and appreciating Venezuelan excellence through gastronomy.

For three days, he will transform the UCV swimming pool complex, a space that adds profound cultural value to the experience, into a venue where he will celebrate Venezuelan culinary heritage, fusing his roots with the signature style that earned him a Michelin star.

“Returning to Venezuela after 14 years with ‘Flavors of the Soul’ means a complete reunion with my essence and with the ingredients that shaped me. Preparing this experience for Bancamiga clients represents the challenge of offering a gastronomic proposal where signature cuisine intertwines with memory. It’s about bringing the technique and vision of my restaurants, but with my heart set on the flavors of our land,” he expressed.

With the restaurant “Imperfecto” in Washington D.C., Limardo reached a significant milestone in his career when he earned a Michelin Star in 2022. It is a place where he pays homage to the human and artisanal process of cooking, celebrates the beauty of imperfection and the constant search for perfection, which is never fully attained, but which motivates daily innovation.

The evolution of the national palate

Beyond the dining experience, the visit of the culinary director of the Seven Reasons Group has served to analyze the current gastronomic landscape of the country. The chef perceives a significant change in those who sit down to enjoy his dishes today.

He noted that he sees Venezuelan diners as much more curious, daring, and willing to be surprised by innovative combinations. He also explained that his creative process for these dinners with Sabores del Alma cardholders has been based on a rigorous selection of local ingredients, which, when prepared with his distinctive style, not only fuel his creativity for upcoming projects in the United States but also demonstrate the immense potential of local produce to succeed in the world’s most demanding culinary arenas.

International projection of Venezuelan culture

Limardo arrived in the United States in 2014 with an Exceptional Talent Visa. Today, he continues to demonstrate why his comprehensive vision—encompassing his initial success in Caracas with restaurants like Paprika and Yantar, and his rise to the pinnacle of North American haute cuisine—remains a fundamental bridge for the international projection of Venezuelan culture.

Along with other talented Venezuelan chefs who hold Michelin stars abroad, such as Ricardo Chaneton (Mono, Hong Kong) and Santiago Fernández (Maz, Tokyo), Enrique Limardo (Seven Reasons, Washington, D.C.) was also one of the featured chefs in the publication “Flavors of the Soul: Culinary Universes Between Origin and Avant-Garde,” a book published in partnership with Bancamiga and Mastercard that transcends a simple cookbook to become a historical record of contemporary haute cuisine.

Their stay in Venezuela for a few days will undoubtedly be an opportunity to connect with other men and women who share a way of seeing the world, enjoying it, and transforming it through their dishes. They see gastronomy as a space to express who they are and where they want to go.

With information and images courtesy of Bancamiga Banco Universal

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La entrada Enrique Limardo: “Returning to Venezuela with Flavors of the Soul is like reconnecting with the ingredients that shaped me” apareció primero en Bitfinance.

As part of its corporate strategy focused on offering innovative payment solutions and supporting the purchasing power of Venezuelans, Bancamiga has formed a commercial alliance with the TecnoFarma pharmacy chain for the official launch of the Bancamiga TecnoFarma credit card.

In this first phase, the institution assigned 4,000 12-month revolving credit cards, primarily to frequent shoppers at partner stores. The initial allocation was based on a credit evaluation considering average purchase amount, purchase frequency, and the bank’s financial assessment.

For all customers interested in applying for this financial instrument, the application process will be conducted through TecnoFarma store branches. At each location, customers will find a QR code that they can scan to quickly and easily complete the application. An active Bancamiga account is required to process the application.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bancamiga, José Simón Elarba, highlighted the significance of this agreement for the sector:

“With Bancamiga’s first alliance in the pharmaceutical sector, we reaffirm our business vision focused on developing tools tailored to the needs of the Venezuelan market. The strategic alliance with TecnoFarma represents a fundamental step forward in diversifying the bank’s portfolio by segmenting credit and ensuring that funds are allocated to essential items at highly reliable partner businesses.”

Operation and benefits of the instrument

The Bancamiga TecnoFarma credit card operates on a closed-circuit system, limiting its use exclusively to the national network of 57 establishments in the pharmacy chain.

Among its main features are:

Immediate financing: purchase of medications, medical supplies, and personal care products instantly and without a down payment.

Financial conditions: 12-month revolving line of credit with an annual interest rate of 22%.

Fast Checkout: Priority, fast, and secure payment processing for cardholders.

Credit History: An opportunity to build and consolidate a financial record within the Bancamiga banking ecosystem.

Coverage and initial monitoring

In this launch phase, card applications and delivery are available to eligible customers in Greater Caracas, the Central Region, Los Llanos, and the city of Maracay.

Bancamiga will continuously monitor the performance and payment behavior of the first cohort of 4,000 cardholders during the last quarter of the year. Customers can check their card assignment and status through online banking and the institution’s official digital channels.

Information and images are for illustrative purposes only and are courtesy of Bancamiga Banco Universal

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La entrada Bancamiga and TecnoFarma launch closed-circuit credit card apareció primero en Bitfinance.

ESET, a leading company in proactive threat detection, is on the cusp of a new era, breaking new ground with its updated portfolio of B2B (business-to-business) products that directly address current and future risks arising from the advancements of the AI ​​era, the company stated in a press release.

The cybersecurity landscape is being transformed by artificial intelligence

As employees adopt AI tools, developers incorporate programming assistants, and organizations integrate AI agents and AI-powered workflows, new attack surfaces are emerging. ESET has observed, analyzed, and taken action on this shift firsthand. Its research team discovered AI-based threats such as PromptLock and PromptSpy, while also detecting thousands of actionable malicious AI skills. While AI accelerates innovation, it also accelerates risks, demanding a new approach to cyber resilience.

“It is precisely at this point that organizations, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), are facing difficulties. They are expected to stay ahead of this rapidly changing new threat landscape, but many lack the necessary support to do so. In such circumstances, cybersecurity must move beyond simply adapting and instead take the initiative,” said Michal Jankech, Vice President of Enterprise & SMB/MSP.

Maintaining productivity without compromising security

That’s why ESET is enhancing its B2B offering by adding a new AI security module to the ESET PROTECT platform. By helping organizations protect themselves against threats across the entire AI ecosystem, ESET empowers businesses to adopt AI with greater confidence through the following capabilities:

• AI Agent Security: A dedicated security layer protects organizations using autonomous AI agents against malicious AI components. This extends defenses to the AI ​​agent ecosystem to maintain productivity without compromising security.
• AI Behavior Monitoring: A continuous monitoring capability that tracks the behavior of autonomous AI agents, detecting and flagging suspicious actions to help reduce risk, strengthen oversight of AI agent operations, and prevent suspicious AI behavior from becoming a security incident.

Long-term commitment and €40 million investment

ESET has also strengthened its core AI-based detection technologies, decades in development, by investing in AI foundations that prioritize protection and are specifically designed for cybersecurity. These include ESET LiveCortex, a correlation and response engine that spans all perimeters and is part of the ESET PROTECT platform. Similarly, ESET AI Advisor will be renamed ESET LiveAI to better reflect its place in the company’s core product portfolio and its new capability, which provides real-time context for incident resolution.

“As cybersecurity enters the era of autonomous AI, ESET is introducing an updated B2B portfolio designed to help organizations address emerging AI-driven threats. Along with an additional €40 million investment in AI by 2026, this new offering reflects our long-term commitment to closing the AI ​​security gap and ensuring that protection remains fundamental to innovation,” added Jankech.

Discover more about the breadth and variety of ESET PROTECT modules: Cybersecurity with AI.

Read how ESET PROTECT Elite Cloud performed in the latest AV-Comparatives test.

Visit them at:

@ESETLA     /company/eset-latinoamerica      /esetla     /ESETLA     /@esetla.

For more valuable information on cybersecurity, visit the ESET website: https://www.eset.com/ve/. Also follow them on social media: Instagram (@eset_ve) and Facebook (ESET).

Information provided by ESET and Comstat Roland Strategic Communications

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La entrada ESET launches new B2B features specially designed for the AI ​​era apareció primero en Bitfinance.

More than 150 fifth grade students from five educational institutions in Caracas participated in the closing ceremony of the second edition of La Imagen y La Palabra, a creative literacy program promoted by Bancamiga, in alliance with the Fundación por la Lectura MFM, which promotes the development of expression, imagination and literary creation skills in basic education students.

During this edition, students from five schools in vulnerable areas of Caracas were part of the initiative: the Madre Cabrini Educational Unit, from Catia; the U.E.P. María Auxiliadora, from El Hatillo; the Arcángel San Miguel School, in Carapita; the Padre José María Vélaz School, in Caricuao; and the Don Pedro School, in Las Acacias.

The closing ceremony took place at Don Pedro School, where teachers, parents, and partners enjoyed an exhibition showcasing the work developed by participants throughout the program. The event also provided students with the opportunity to share and read their creations aloud, the result of their learning and artistic exploration sessions.

“For the second consecutive year, we have successfully carried out this educational program in partnership with the MFM Reading Foundation, along with a group of Venezuelan intellectuals and artists, coordinated by art curator Lorena González Inneco. They brought a transformative experience to the classroom for these young people, who can express themselves and have new opportunities through this project, which reaffirms our commitment to quality education,” stated José Simón Elarba, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bancamiga Banco Universal.

Mariana Flores Melo, President of the MFM Reading Foundation, highlighted that Image and Word is a solid educational initiative, which is not only measured in numbers, but also in the lives it transforms, by offering participants the possibility of creating, dreaming and learning, opening up possibilities for a different life for each of the young people.

Great authors today, great citizens of the future.

Milagro González, Director of Social Responsibility at Bancamiga, emphasized the scope and meaning of the event, recalling that the institution’s strategy in this area is based on sustainable human development, highlighting that this management is formally aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.

Bancamiga strengthens four fundamental pillars:

• Education: Continuing education programs, including innovative community initiatives.
• Culture: Support and promotion of artistic and cultural expressions with broad impact.
• Sports: Sponsorship and promotion of community and professional sports activities and initiatives.
• Environment: Ecological preservation projects aimed at raising awareness and promoting sustainability.

One of the most significant moments of the event was the presentation of the books compiling the works created by the children during the 2025 and 2026 editions of  La imagen y la Palabra,. Two volumes were launched, preserving the stories and illustrations created by the participants, allowing them to see their efforts materialized in printed publications, thanks to the Bancamiga Publishing Fund. González celebrated this achievement, along with everyone present at the ceremony.

Mariana Flores also spoke about the future, as the program and the books presented relate to “stories already written and yet to be written.” They are committed to “educating children who think, not just who read or write.” A third edition is already being considered, taking into account other regions of Venezuela.

The students in the new cohort also had the opportunity to connect with the young people who participated in the previous edition, thus strengthening a growing community of readers and creators and extending the enjoyment and application of their experiences and new knowledge.

The coordinator of La Imagen y la Palabra program, Lorena González Inneco, highlighted the educational value of the initiative and noted that each workshop was led by an artist-teacher, who guided the students through a creative process that went far beyond writing.

“Each workshop allowed the children to approach creative literacy from a dynamic and participatory perspective. In addition to writing and developing their own stories, they were able to experiment with different publishing formats such as artist’s books, photobooks, fanzines, object books, and audiobooks, discovering new ways to communicate their ideas,” she said.

Video

Through this initiative, Bancamiga reaffirms its commitment to education, the promotion of reading and the strengthening of the creative abilities of new generations, contributing to the comprehensive education of children through experiences that stimulate imagination, critical thinking and cultural expression.

La Imagen y la Palabra continues to consolidate itself as a meeting space between literature, art and education, where each child finds their own voice and discovers new ways of telling the world around them.

Among the attendees, María Beatriz Medina stood out, Executive Director of the Book Bank, a recognized non-profit Venezuelan civil association, which agrees with the idea of ​​promoting children’s and youth reading; and the journalist Ana Virginia Escobar with the responsibility of hosting and facilitating the passage of this morning event.

Cobertura presencial / Producción audiovisual: Jesús Ramírez e Ida Febres

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La entrada Bancamiga concludes the 2nd edition of its ingenious literacy program, “The Image and the Word.” apareció primero en Bitfinance.

Vehicles manufactured in China continue to gain ground in the Brazilian market, the largest in Latin America, with a 106.4 % increase from January to September, reaching 254,900 imported units.

The data was recently revealed by the president of the National Association of Automotive Vehicle Manufacturers (Anfavea), Igor Calvet, who added that Chinese cars accounted for 55 % of all vehicle imports to Brazil in nine months, which represents 11.3 % of the national market.

Along with cars imported from China, production at Chinese plants located in Brazil has also increased, contributing 69 % to the total growth in light vehicle sales over nine months. This segment reached a 20.1 % share of new vehicle registrations.

The circulation of fully electric vehicles also increased during the period, especially those powered exclusively by batteries. The number of these models tripled, reaching 166,529 units (a year-on-year increase of 211.2 %).

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Source: xinhuanet

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La entrada Chinese cars imports increase in Brazilian market apareció primero en Bitfinance.

Mexican health authorities announced the authorization of lenacapavir for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The medication is long-acting and will be administered via subcutaneous injection twice a year.

The drug’s registration was confirmed last week by the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris), which indicated that an analysis of the available evidence regarding its quality, safety, and efficacy was conducted.

Similar alternatives are already being used in other countries such as Brazil and the United States, as well as in the members of the European Union, “which have this alternative for preventing HIV infection, according to the health organization.”

An alternative to previous medical regimens

Health authorities emphasize that lenacapavir represents “a new option compared to PrEP regimens that require daily doses or more frequent injections, a feature that could facilitate adherence to preventive strategies.”

The alternative was proposed in July of last year by the World Health Organization (WHO), highlighting “its potential for people who have difficulty maintaining daily treatments or face barriers such as stigma or frequent access to health services.” In June of the same year, the drug was authorized by the FDA in the United States.

M.Pino

Source: dw

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La entrada Mexico to implement semiannual HIV prevention injection apareció primero en Bitfinance.