Venezuela Analysis: News

Venezuelan Police Dismantle Major Secret Bullet Factory

Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 22:59:17 -0430

This Monday the Metropolitan Police of Caracas (PM) discovered and dismantled a secret bullet factory in an important step in the struggle against organized crime, according to the Minister for the Interior, Tarek El Aissami. By Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com

Sexual Assault Victim Protests Vatican’s Asylum for Venezuelan Student Leader

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 22:40:15 -0430

Venezuelan police officer Sofia Aguilar denounced the Vatican Tuesday for granting asylum to Nixon Moreno, the leader of a violent opposition student group called March 13th Movement (M13) that waged violent protests in 2006, during which Aguilar was assaulted and nearly raped, and Aguilar's police partner was left in a coma. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Investigations Reveal Illicit Business of Murdered Venezuelan Student Leader

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:04:13 -0430

Investigators of the murder of Julio Soto, the student government president at the University of Zulia, have uncovered evidence linking the crime to Soto's illicit selling of government-subsidized student bus tickets and his affiliations with competing political parties within the Venezuelan opposition. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuela Plans “Austerity Budget” for 2009

Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 09:25:46 -0430

Ali Rodriguez, Venezuela's minister for economy and finances, announced the need for a tight 2009 budget on Sunday, but assured that Venezuela's international reserves are safe and the economy remains unaffected by the global financial crisis. By Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com

Ex Coca-Cola Workers in Venezuela Blockade Factories After Pay Negotiations Stall

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:30:19 -0430

Nearly 5,000 former Coca-Cola workers in Venezuela have blockaded 23 bottling facilities since last Tuesday to demand compensation for having been laid off when the Mexican firm FEMSA took over the Venezuelan operations from Panamco in 2003. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

France Solicits Venezuela’s Help in Negotiations with Iran

Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 10:13:03 -0430

During talks between French and Venezuelan government officials on Thursday in Paris, during which the two countries reached ten bilateral cooperation agreements, France asked Venezuela to facilitate dialogue between the European Union and Iran. By Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuelan Government Promises Rapid Investigation of Murder of Student Leader

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 22:51:59 -0430

On Thursday, the Venezuelan government launched an investigation into the murder of Julio Soto, the president of the student government at the University of Zulia, and asked that the crime not be used as a pretext for violent destabilization as the November regional and local elections approach. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuela and South American Allies Advance Integration

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:31:31 -0430

The presidents of Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Brazil met in Manaus, Brazil, on Tuesday to advance the economic and political integration of the South American continent. They discussed plans for expanded infrastructure, the formation of new banks among nations in the Global South, and the impact of the world financial crisis on their countries. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuelan President Congratulates Ecuador for Ratifying New Constitution

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:12:59 -0430

In a phone call, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez congratulated Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa for the ratification of a new national constitution by 63.9% of voters in a nation-wide referendum Sunday. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez Launches Campaign for Regional Elections

Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 21:54:03 -0430

At the main national launch of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela's (PSUV) electoral campaign on Sunday Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez declared that it would be possible to win all the governor positions but warned against complacency and betrayal and also looked at the tasks of the revolution beyond the elections. By Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com

“Ahead of Financial Crisis,” Venezuela’s Chávez Spins through Europe

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:02:38 -0430

Continuing on a world tour that started with Cuba and China, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez concretized plans for a joint energy company and bank with Russia, strengthened political ties with France, and secured the importation of one million laptop computers from Portugal this Thursday and Friday. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuelan Government and its Allies Respond to Human Rights Watch Report

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:58:10 -0430

Over the past week, Venezuelan government officials, labor union leaders, and journalists criticized what they say are inaccuracies in the report on Venezuela that the NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) published last Thursday. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuela and China Expand Joint Oil and Investment Accords

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:27:54 -0430

Venezuela and China signed accords Tuesday to increase the flow of Venezuelan oil to China, increase Chinese investments in Venezuelan telecommunications and agriculture, and double the size of a previously established joint investment fund. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

United Socialist Party of Venezuela Launches Electoral Campaign

Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:46:14 -0430

The United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) officially launched its campaign for regional and municipal elections of November 23 on Tuesday. By Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuela Expands Electricity Production, Conserves Energy Amid Shortages

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 21:56:02 -0430

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez announced Sunday that the government will build 21 local electricity generating plants to reduce Venezuela's dependence on hydroelectricity and satisfy the rapidly growing energy demand nationwide. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

London Protesters Demand an End to US Coups

Paul Haste and Charley Allan - Morning Star — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 11:26:24 -0430

Scores of solidarity campaigners picketed the US embassy in London on Wednesday night before a huge rally at the National Union of Journalists head office to demand an end to US interference in Latin America. By Paul Haste and Charley Allan - Morning Star

Venezuela Expels Human Rights Watch Director for “Meddling Illegally”

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 17:12:14 -0430

The Venezuelan government expelled two employees of the U.S-based NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW), Americas Director José Miguel Vivanco and Americas Deputy Director Daniel Wilkinson, after the two presented a report that harshly criticized the "government's willful disregard" for fundamental rights. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Former Venezuelan Vice President Testifies on Recent Coup Plot

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 21:35:54 -0430

In a presentation to the Venezuelan National Assembly (AN) on Wednesday, former Vice-President José Vicente Rangel detailed the results of his ongoing investigations into plots to assassinate President Hugo Chávez and overthrow the government. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuela Says U.S. Uses Anti-Drug List as “Weapon of Domination”

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 20:33:19 -0430

Venezuelan government officials rejected the U.S. government's renewed placement of Venezuela on a list of principal countries where illegal drugs are transported or produced, calling it a political maneuver meant to weaken the Venezuelan and Bolivian governments. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuelan Economy Stays Strong Despite US Financial Crisis

Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 19:59:20 -0430

The Venezuelan economy is solid, in contrast to current world financial turbulence and despite the drop in oil prices, Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez said in a press conference yesterday. By Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com

South American Presidents Unite to Defend Bolivia Against Destabilization

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 09:05:34 -0430

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez and the leaders of 11 other South American nations held an emergency meeting of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) in Santiago, Chile, Monday to form a joint strategy to deal with the violent destabilization waged by wealthy right wing separatist groups in Bolivia. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuela Expands Preschool and Drug Prevention Programs

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 20:25:51 -0430

Venezuela's national preschool program known as Simoncito has been expanded to serve 70% of Venezuelan children, and a new drug prevention program will be launched in high schools this year in cooperation with the National Anti-drug Office, Venezuelan government officials announced over the weekend. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Youth Wing of United Socialist Party of Venezuela Born

Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 19:58:15 -0430

Between September 11 and 13, approximately 1,400 youth delegates from all states of Venezuela met in Puerto Ordaz, Bolivar state, to construct the new organisation of the youth of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV). By Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com

U.S. Retaliates against its Ambassador’s Expulsion from Venezuela

Gregory Wilpert – Venezuelanalysis.com — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 21:38:15 -0430

Reacting to the expulsion of its ambassador to Venezuela, the Bush administration attempted to retaliate by expelling the already withdrawn Venezuelan ambassador to the U.S. By Gregory Wilpert – Venezuelanalysis.com

Russian Bombers Land in Venezuela for Training, Part of Bilateral Agreement

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 21:36:22 -0430

As part of a bilateral deal between Venezuela and Russia to promote a "pluri-polar world" by increasing political, military, and economic cooperation, two Russian Tu-160 bombers arrived in Venezuela Wednesday to carry out training exercises over neutral Atlantic and Caribbean waters. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuelan Government to Investigate Coup Plot

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 21:35:39 -0430

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez confirmed that several people have been detained for suspected involvement in a recently foiled plot to assassinate him and to take over federal government buildings. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Chavez Orders U.S. Ambassador to Leave Venezuela Within 72 Hours

Jose Orozco and Matthew Walter - Bloomberg — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 23:28:35 -0430

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez ordered the U.S. ambassador to leave within 72 hours, in a show of support for Bolivian President Evo Morales, who also expelled the top U.S. diplomat from his country. By Jose Orozco and Matthew Walter - Bloomberg

Coup Plot Against Chavez Disclosed on Venezuelan TV

Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 22:39:38 -0430

On Wednesday night Mario Silva, on the program "La Hojilla" (The Razor Blade) showed a recording from an unidentified source in which various military personnel, some retired and some active, were planning a coup against Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez. By Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuelan “Street Parliaments” to Discuss 26 Law-Decrees

Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 22:09:12 -0430

The Venezuelan government and the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) started a National Plan of Mobilization for the Defense of the 26 Law-Decrees President Chavez passed last July. By Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com

Rural Venezuela Town Hosts International Forum on Alternatives to Capitalism

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 21:46:01 -0430

Farmers, industrial workers, community councils, students, local and national government officials, and international experts converged in an economic forum titled "Local Alternatives to Confront the Crisis of Capitalism" in the rural town of Carora in central Venezuelan state of Lara last week. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com