Monthly Archives: July 2011

Jul
8
2011
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In Case You Missed It… Articles Roundup Week of 7/8/11

In this week’s round up…In the midst of the veil of secrecy around President Chavez’s condition, reports point to colon cancer. Venezuelan presidential contender Henrique Capriles still hopes he will face Chávez in the 2012 presidential elections. As speculations loom over Chavez’s cancer, the military might play a key role in the country’s future, Venezuela becomes the only oil producing country that has increased its debt, the nationwide consumer price index has jumped 2.5% in the month of June and Venezuela’s telecommunications agency began a new investigation of the TV channel Globovision for its coverage of violence in the Rodeo II riots.

 

Chávez Is Believed to Have Colon Cancer, Wall Street Journal

President Hugo Chávez appears to be suffering from colon cancer, according to two people with direct knowledge of the president’s condition. Mr. Chávez admitted he had cancer last week, but hasn’t disclosed what type.

Challenger for Venezuela Presidency Still Hopes to Face Chávez, Wall Street Journal

A state governor who is a leading contender to challenge the re-election bid of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez said Wednesday that he hopes the incumbent will remain in the race despite questions about his health.

Venezuela’s military a key player amid uncertainty, AP via Newsday

As Chavez fights cancer, military could be key player in Venezuela’s political future

Venezuela’s military took center stage in the country’s bicentennial celebrations Tuesday, and it likely would be a key player in the country’s political future if Hugo Chavez were to be forced out of the presidency by cancer.

Venezuela is the only oil producer that increases debt, El Universal

Average debt-to-GDP ratio in the Middle East will drop 14.1 percent this year, according to the IMF

After eight years of high oil prices, it has become clear that oil exporters, except for Venezuela, have a consistent policy to save a part of revenues and reduce debt.

Data and projections from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) show that the Middle East and Central Asia petro-states have realized that oil does not escape the law of gravity. Therefore, they avoid the lack of fiscal control during times of booming oil prices.

UPDATE: Venezuela June Consumer Prices Up 2.5% On Month, Dow Jones Newswires via WSJ

Venezuela’s nationwide consumer price index jumped 2.5% in June, the central bank said Thursday, maintaining a quicker pace of inflation after three months of tamer increases.

Government officials have said they were making progress at slowing the country’s inflation rate, which is perpetually among the highest in the world. But many analysts believe consumer prices will likely increase even faster amid the uncertainty surrounding President Hugo Chavez’s illness.

Venezuela launches probe of TV channel’s coverage, Associated Press

Venezuela’s telecommunications agency began a new investigation of the TV channel Globovision on Thursday, this time for its coverage of violence at two prisons where inmates have battled troops.

Globovision takes a strident stance against President Hugo Chavez’s government. It has been the subject of six prior probes, including allegations of tax evasion and investigations of its coverage of protests, an earthquake and on-air remarks about Chavez.

 
Jul
1
2011
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In Case You Missed It… Articles Roundup Week of 7/1/11

In this week’s round up… Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez breaks his silence, admitting he had surgery in Havana to remove a cancerous tumor; Chavez’s absence from Caracas raises questions about the future of the ruling party, PSUV, and his ability to continue to govern from abroad; Despite the President’s health crisis, the Chavez government continues its attacks against the free press, launching yet another questionable investigation against TV giant Globovision; and Venezuela has faltered in its fight against human trafficking.

 

Snap analysis: Chavez’s cancer surgery rocks Venezuela, Reuters

President Hugo Chavez’s announcement that he had surgery to remove a cancerous tumor has shaken up Venezuelan politics ahead of what was already looking like a tight race for the 2012 election. In an emotional speech from Cuba where he said he is recovering, the 56-year-old socialist did not give a timetable for his return to Venezuela and did not name a temporary leader. Here are some implications of his announcement:

Health Woes Cause Chávez to Postpone Key Summit, The Wall Street Journal

Venezuela postponed a regional summit to celebrate its 200th anniversary of independence, a move that is fueling widespread speculation that President Hugo Chávez is gravely ill. Mr. Chávez, holed up in a hospital in Cuba since June 10, was slated to host the two-day summit of Latin American and Caribbean leaders on the resort island of Margarita on July 5 and 6.

Venezuela To Probe Coverage Of Prison Riot By Local TV Network, The Wall Street Journal

Venezuelan authorities announced Thursday an investigation into the last major television station in the country openly critical of the government for allegedly attempting to fan civic unrest with what officials called misleading coverage of a prison riot. Globovision, which has been targeted by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in the past, faces a fine of 10% of gross revenue and could be taken off the air for up to 72 hours for its reports of the ongoing inmate uprising that officials say aimed to generate public unease and disorder.

 

Venezuela’s endeavors against human trafficking deemed insufficient, El Universal

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton released the “2011 Trafficking in Persons Report.” A total of 184 countries, including the United States, were examined in the paper and it is concluded that as many as 27 million people might be living in slavery throughout the world.