Record number of people waiting for operations in Spain, Repsol taking back control of Venezuelan oil assets, and more news from Spain this Friday April 17th.
Repsol taking back control of Venezuelan oil assets
Spanish energy group Repsol said on Thursday it has reached an agreement with the Venezuelan government to regain control of its oil business in the country and sharply increase production over the coming years.
Repsol’s operations in Venezuela have been sharply limited since 2025 after Washington unilaterally revoked its operating license, a move that also affected other foreign companies in the country.
The deal will allow Repsol to resume operational control of its Petroquiriquire joint venture created to develop and operate oil fields in eastern Venezuela, the company said in a statement.
Repsol said it is prepared to increase gross oil production in the country – which currently averages some 45,000 barrels daily – by 50 percent within 12 months and potentially triple output within three years, provided “necessary conditions” are met.
Record number of people waiting for operations in Spain
According to new data published by Spain’s Ministry of Health, 853,509 patients were awaiting surgery in December 2025, an increase of 6,926 people compared to the previous year and 20,781 more than in June 2025.
This figure is the highest since records began in 2003, and still far from pre-pandemic levels, when the figure stood at 691,508 patients.
In December 2015 there were 549,424 patients waiting to be operated on, while ten years later, this figure has risen by 55.3 percent.
The report from the ministry states that the average waiting time is 121 days. Traumatology, ophthalmology and general and digestive surgery have the highest number of patients on waiting lists, while thoracic surgery and cardiac surgery have the least.
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Nine out of ten immigrants whose status will be regularised in Spain are Latin American
The Foundation for Global Citizenship has estimated that 86 percent of undocumented migrants who will be given legal residency under Spain’s new mass regularisation will be from Latin American countries.
The majority will be from Colombia, almost twice as many as the second largest nationality, which is Peruvian. They are followed by Hondurans and Venezuelans, although a significant numbers of Moroccans and Algerians are also expected to apply.
It is expected that papers will be handed out to approximately 503,000 people before the deadline on June 30th.
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New tools rescue old art at Madrid’s Prado museum
In a quiet space secluded from the throngs of daily visitors to Madrid’s Prado art museum, a team of experts perpetuate an ancient tradition of restoring centuries-old European cultural treasures.
Cutting-edge technology and modern tools to analyse and treat paintings and sculptures allow Almudena, Marta, Maria, Alvaro, Alicia, Elena, Sonia and Eva to maintain the tradition.
In February, the Prado launched the restoration of “Pablo de Valladolid”, an emblematic portrait that Spanish master Velázquez produced in the 17th century.
Scanning technology will allow the experts to identify and locate the materials used by the artist, while multispectral infrared reflectography will reveal details invisible to the naked eye. Everything contributes to a deeper understanding of the artist’s technique, the work’s state of conservation and preparing its restoration.
With additional reporting from AFP.
