Venezuela Analysis: News

Venezuela Bridges Diplomatic Fissures, Polishes Alliances in European Tour

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:54:27 -0430

Rounding off a diplomatic tour of Europe that began with Tuesday’s controversial visit in Russia, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez mended relations with the Spanish government, set up a bi-national commerce commission with Portugal, and eliminated visa requirements to facilitate bilateral accords with Belarus this week. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

International Media Distorts Venezuelan Military Deals with Russia, says Chavez

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:22:37 -0430

In response to widely circulated international news reports that Venezuela plans to spend $30 billion on Russian weapons and host Russian military bases on its soil, President Hugo Chávez said Wednesday that the reports are false and denounced the international media’s consistent efforts to slander the Venezuelan government. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuela Strengthens Alliance with Russia to Promote “Polycentrism”

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:10:39 -0430

President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela met for the first time with Russian President Dimitri Medvedev on Tuesday, to strengthen bilateral relations and discuss economic and military cooperation, which could expand the relationship between Russia and Latin America as a whole. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Food Production on the Rise, Venezuelan Producers and Government Say

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:09:19 -0430

The Venezuelan government’s agricultural policies and the efforts of national food producers have significantly increased national food production amidst global shortages, the Venezuelan Agriculture and Land Minister, Elías Jaua, and several food producer federations reported last week.
By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Hospitals Federalized, Health Care Salaries Boosted in Venezuelan Capital

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 09:37:15 -0430

The President of Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, transferred the administration of public hospitals in the country’s capital from the municipal to the federal government Thursday, increased the salary of doctors on the public payroll, and allocated bonuses and permanent positions to public health care workers.
By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

U.S. to Send Envoy for Counternarcotics Cooperation, Chavez Responds to Obama

Venezuelanalysis.com — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:52:21 -0430

As a U.S. government official announced new negotiations over drug control cooperation, relations between President Chavez and U.S. Presidential nominee Barak Obama cooled when Obama called Venezuela “a destructive force” earlier this week. By Venezuelanalysis.com

Amnesty International: Venezuela’s Record Mixed on Eliminating Violence Against Women

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:02:21 -0430

Amnesty International called Venezuela’s 2007 Law on the Right of Women to a Life Free of Violence “an example for the rest of the region,” but said practical implementation of the law has been slow. Meanwhile, the Venezuelan Supreme Court created a special tribunal to manage domestic violence cases. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuelan Opposition Parties Nominate Seven Unity Candidates Despite Discord

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:07:07 -0430

The President of the Venezuelan opposition party Un Nuevo Tiempo announced Tuesday that a coalition of opposition parties has selected unified candidates for governor in seven of Venezuela’s 23 states. However, only four of the nine parties in the coalition were present during the announcements, indicating internal strife. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuela to Give Energy-Saving Light Bulbs to Low-Income U.S. Communities

Venezuelanalysis.com — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:33:51 -0430

The Venezuelan-owned Oil Company Citgo, together with the organization Citizen’s Energy, will provide about 460,000 energy efficient light bulbs to low-income households throughout the U.S., according to Citgo’s CEO Alejandro Granado.
By Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuelan Newspaper: Most Candidate Disqualifications Are Not of Opposition Supporters

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:47:18 -0430

Comptroller General Clodosbaldo Russián presented a revised list of people sanctioned for corruption during their terms in public office and who have been disqualified from running for office in the upcoming regional and local elections. According to Venezuela's largest newspaper, a majority of these are not opposition supporters. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuela Increases Oil Financing for Petrocaribe Nations

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:12:05 -0430

Member countries of Petrocaribe, the Caribbean energy integration organization that Venezuela initiated in 2005, agreed Sunday to adjust the terms of financing for the purchase of Venezuelan oil in order to lower the impact of soaring oil prices on Caribbean countries. Also, Guatemala joined the association as its 18th member. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Anti-Chávez Student Group Attacks Police, Creates Chaos in Mérida, Venezuela

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 09:39:28 -0430

Students opposed to the Chavez government fired gunshots and threw Molotov cocktails at police officers, blockaded streets using seized university buses, and ransacked sections of the Andean town of Mérida on Thursday and Friday, to protest crime and insecurity in the city. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuelan and Colombian Presidents Mend Fences

Venezuelanalysis.com — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 15:14:34 -0430

Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez and Colombia’s President Alvaro Uribe reconciled and said they “moved on” to overcome differences, following a two-hour private meeting on Friday. By Venezuelanalysis.com

Chávez Criticizes Divisions, Urges Dialogue within Venezuela’s Bolivarian Alliance

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:56:19 -0430

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez criticized allies in the Patriotic Alliance - a coalition of political parties which support the “Bolivarian Revolution” led by Chávez - for supporting candidates in the upcoming regional and local elections who will compete with PSUV candidates. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuelan Consumption Increases and Inflation Remains High

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:16:18 -0430

According to the Central Bank of Venezuela (BCV), consumer prices rose by 2.4% in June, bringing total accumulated inflation for the first half of this year to 15.1%. Meanwhile, Venezuelans are spending more with their credits cards, while new car sales have cooled off relative to the 2007 boom. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Chávez Calls for Renewal of U.S.-Venezuela Dialogue

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:59:46 -0430

While celebrating Venezuela’s Independence day on Saturday, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez expressed his desire to renew anti-drug collaboration and re-open dialogue with the United States. Chávez also guaranteed that his administration has no desire for war. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuela Reduces Malnutrition in Children to 4%

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:14:48 -0430

According to Venezuela’s National Nutrition Institute (INN), slightly more than 4% of Venezuelan children under the age of 5 suffered malnutrition in 2007 according to the standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO). By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Non-Aligned Countries Endorse Venezuelan Proposal for Alternative World Media

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 13:04:01 -0430

At the 7th Conference of Information Ministers of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries held in Venezuela’s Margarita Island last week, more than 80 country delegations endorsed Venezuela’s proposal to create an alternative worldwide media network. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuela Celebrates Liberation of 15 FARC Hostages

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:47:35 -0430

The Venezuelan government expressed its “jubilation” Wednesday about the liberation of 15 hostages who had been held captive for years by the Armed Revolutionary Forces of Colombia (FARC). Venezuela also reiterated its call for the FARC to liberate all its hostages.
By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuela Urges United Response to Food and Energy Crises at MERCOSUR Summit

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:36:02 -0430

At the 35th Summit of the Common Market of the South (MERCOSUR) on Tuesday, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez advocated deepening South American independence from imperialist countries through united responses to social problems. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Brazil and Venezuela Strengthen Bilateral and Regional Integration

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:25:07 -0430

The President of Brazil, Lula, and Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez met in Caracas last Friday to discuss the progress of bilateral accords regarding the production and distribution of energy and food, MERCOSUR, educational exchange, border relations, and the nascent South American Defense Council. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuela Halts Mining in Forest Preserve, but Renews Permit Discussions

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 08:49:33 -0430

Despite the Venezuelan Environment Ministry’s proclamation of sweeping restrictions on mining in southeastern Venezuela’s Imataca Forest, Toronto-based Crystallex and Spokane, Washington-based Gold Reserve, Inc. have told investors that the ministry might still grant them permits for new gold mines. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuela's National Assembly Rejects Petition to Impeach Two Supreme Court Judges

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 10:52:24 -0430

Venezuela's National Assembly dismissed what had become a highly politicized motion for the impeachment of two judges on the Venezuelan Supreme Tribunal of Justice. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

New Venezuelan Finance Minister Presents Plan to Fight Inflation

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:07:53 -0430

Ali Rodriguez, Venezuela's new Finance Minister, detailed ministry plans on Sunday to take on the “immediate challenge” of inflation by investing Venezuela’s “overflowing” oil revenues in a broadened state apparatus to stimulate agricultural production and gradually leave behind “state capitalism.” By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuela and OAS Reject EU Anti-Immigrant “Law of Shame”

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 06:39:10 -0430

The immigrant incarceration and deportation law passed by the European Union’s (EU) parliament on Wednesday is a “law of shame,” according to Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, who threatened economic retaliation and urged Latin American and world leaders to unite against the measure. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

U.S. Accusations of Venezuelan Support for Hezbollah “Mud Slinging” Says Venezuelan Official

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:20:45 -0430

A “new, unfounded accusation” is how the President of Venezuela’s Bolivarian Civil-Military Front, Lieutenant Colonel Héctor Herrera, described allegations by the U.S. Treasury Department that a Venezuelan diplomat and Venezuelan travel agent, both of Lebanese decent, are financial supporters of Hezbollah. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuela Removed from ILO List of Labor Union Freedom Violators

Kiraz Janicke - Venezuelanalysis.com — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:54:26 -0430

Venezuela’s Minister for Labor and Social Security, Roberto Hernández, said that the International Labor Organization (ILO) removed Venezuela from a list of 29 countries classified as violating trade union freedoms. By Kiraz Janicke - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuela’s Electoral Council to Respect Disqualification of Candidates Accused of Corruption

Kiraz Janicke - Venezuelanalysis.com — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:18:04 -0430

National Electoral Council (CNE) member Germán Yépez confirmed Tuesday that the CNE will respect a ruling by the government’s top anti-corruption watch dog, Comptroller General Clodosbaldo Russian, disqualifying nearly 400 people who areaccused of corruption from running in the upcoming regional elections in November. By Kiraz Janicke - Venezuelanalysis.com

New Venezuelan Finance Minister Promises No Financial Policy Shift

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 09:35:18 -0430

Ali Rodríguez, the new finance minister that President Chavez appointed last Sunday, promised to hold the course in financial policies as he took over his new post on Tuesday. Rodríguez is a former Secretary General of OPEC and has held numerous important posts in the Chavez government, such as Foreign Minister and PDVSA President. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuela Launches New Social Program for Poor Children

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 08:59:43 -0430

President Chávez announced the creation of a new social program, which will provide treatment and rehabilitation to children in situations of drug and alcohol addiction, abandonment, exclusion, or vulnerability. The new program will be known as the “Children of the Neighborhood” mission. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com