Democracy

all the facts and news in Venezuela on democracy and how it influences all decisions made by Hugo Chavez as president implications for democracy of the Venezuelan people

Aug
2
2013
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In Case You Missed It…Articles Roundup Week of 8/2/13

caprilesguarenas guatire.520.360 e1375469944950 In Case You Missed It…Articles Roundup Week of 8/2/13

Courtesy of: El Universal

This week: The Venezuelan government tightens its control over the media as authorities freeze the assets of “El Nacional” owner Miguel Henrique Otero; Otero then accuses the government of trying to intimidate and silence his paper; pro-government deputies in Venezuela revoke the immunity of opposition lawmaker Richard Mardo and drum up “corruption” charges; Henrique Capriles responds by accusing the PSUV of “trashing” the Venezuelan constitution. An Economic Survey conducted by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean shows that inflation takes a bigger toll on Venezuela’s poor than in any other Latin American country; daily sales of U.S. dollars to the private sector sink 13 percent as the cost of government imports and foreign debt payments take money from the private sector; Venezuela’s strong currency controls create opportunities for illegal profiteering schemes. A poll conducted by the Venezuelan Data Analysis Institute (Ivad) reveals that today 45.1 percent of Venezuelans would vote for Capriles, while only 39.3 percent would choose Maduro; former ambassador Otto Reich files a lawsuit against three Venezuelan businessmen for bribery; seven U.S. Senators introduce a bill condemning violence against the opposition in Venezuela.

Venezuela Freezes Assets of Opposition Newspaper Editor, Wall Street Journal

Venezuelan authorities have frozen the assets of Miguel Henrique Otero, the editor and owner one of the country’s largest opposition-leaning newspaper, the attorney general’s office announced Saturday.

Editor: Venezuela Government Trying to Silence Us, Associated Press

The head of one Venezuela’s last two nationally circulating opposition newspapers accused the leftist government on Monday of trying to intimidate and silence it.

Pro-gov’t deputies lift immunity of opposition lawmaker Richard Mardo, El Universal

During the regular session held at the Venezuelan Parliament on Tuesday, pro-government legislators lifted the parliamentary immunity of opposition legislator Richard Mardo on corruption accusations filed by Parliament’s Speaker Diosdado Cabello and endorsed by the president of the Comptrollership Committee of the Parliament, Pedro Carreño, both ruling party legislators.

Capriles: Deputies trashed the Constitution by revoking Mardo’s immunity, El Universal

During a public event at a local community, Venezuelan opposition leader Henrique Capriles Radonski brought out the issue of opposition Legislator Richard Mardo and his parliamentary immunity –revoked– in Parliament, and stated that the “circumstantial majority in Parliament trampled on the Constitution and the decision of the Supreme Tribunal of Justice.”

Venezuela the only country where inflation lashes the poor the most, El Universal

Fairer distribution of national income has not been enough to solve the imbalance of the Venezuelan economy, which lashes the most vulnerable sector of society: the poor.

Daily US dollar sale to the private sector down 13%, El Universal

Claiming that the Venezuelan private sector was sold USD 125 million on a daily basis for ordinary imports in the first half of the year via both the Latin America Integration Association (Aladi) and the Unified System for Regional Compensation (Sucre), Armando León, member of the board of directors of the Central Bank of Venezuela, rejected allegations that authorities sold a lower amount of foreign currency with respect to the same period last year.

Venezuelan gov’t sucks up the dollars required by the private sector, El Universal

The minutes of meetings recording the decisions made by the Central Bank of Venezuela’s Board of Directors; the bank’s balance of payments; and the performances of both the Transaction System for Foreign Currency Denominated Securities (Sitme) and the Ancillary Foreign Currency Administration System (Sicad) are all cut pieces that are to be fitted together into a big jigsaw puzzle wherein foreign currency availability for the private sector is plummeting.

Venezuela central bank to sell $180 mln in forex auction, Reuters

Venezuela’s central bank said on Friday it would auction $180 million under its revamped currency exchange system known as Sicad, part of an effort to boost the flow of dollars to the economy and ease product shortages.

How Venezuelan Used ‘Scrape’ to Make Six Times Her Salary, Bloomberg

Venezuela’s currency controls are turning trips abroad into profitable junkets. A 27-year-old trade analyst from Caracas said she earned six times her monthly salary by traveling in April to Lima, where a business swiped her credit card and gave her $1,600 cash, charged at the official exchange rate of 6.3 bolivars per dollar.

Poll shows 45.1% of Venezuelans would vote Capriles, El Universal

Regardless of the outcome of the presidential election held in Venezuela last April 14, a survey conducted by the Venezuelan Data Analysis Institute (Ivad), Government Management, and Political Situation, showed that 45.1% of Venezuelans would vote Henrique Capriles over 39.3% who said would vote Nicolás Maduro.

Presumed corruption in Pdvsa and CVG aired in the United States, El Universal

The New York District Court admitted last Tuesday a racketeering and defamation lawsuit filed by US former ambassador Otto Reich against the partners of Derwick Associates in relation to contracts for the installation of electrical system executed with state-run oil holding Petróleos de Venezuela, electricity utility Corpoelec and the Venezuelan Guayana Corporation.

Suit Alleges Graft in Venezuelan Contracts, Wall Street Journal

A former top U.S. diplomat filed a lawsuit against three young Venezuelan businessmen whom he accuses of bribing senior Venezuelan officials in exchange for contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars. The suit puts a spotlight on a group of executives who the diplomat, Otto Reich, and other critics say have made fortunes from links to Venezuela’s self-proclaimed socialist government.

US senators condemn political violence in Venezuela, Global Post

Seven US senators from both parties introduced a bill condemning violence against the opposition in Venezuela, calling for dialogue after a contested election.

 
Jul
19
2013
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In Case You Missed It…Articles Roundup Week of 7/19/13

capriles denuncia en 16083903 In Case You Missed It…Articles Roundup Week of 7/19/13

Courtesy of: EFE

This week: Henrique Capriles arrives in Chile to meet with President Sebastián Piñera, as well as other ruling party leaders and the Venezuelan community in Santiago; Human Rights Watch says Venezuela should guarantee the right of free speech of its own citizens before offering to defend Edward Snowden; U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry tells Venezuelan Foreign Minister Elías Jaua that Washington will halt all refined-oil sales if Snowden takes refuge in Venezuela; and Nicolás Maduro fumes after U.S. envoy to the United Nations criticizes Venezuela’s regime as “repressive.” Annual inflation reaches 39.6 percent, far exceeding the government’s stated goal of 14 – 16 percent; purchasing power declines 10 percent as a result of rising inflation; and the Venezuelan government recognizes scarcity of dollars as a big problem, but only takes tepid steps to solve it. The devaluation of the bolívar is complete with the Central Bank’s auction of dollars, doubling the exchange rate; a new Fitch Ratings report confirms that the country’s foreign exchange policy continues to face challenges; and Maduro marries his longtime companion and prominent PSUV figure, Cilia Flores.

Capriles arrives in Chile; confirms appointment with Sebastián Piñera, El Universal

Venezuelan opposition leader Henrique Capriles arrived in Chile on Wednesday in the first leg of a tour that will also take him to Peru. He confirmed that he will meet with President Sebastián Piñera, without specifying the time or place. “It is not important whether we will talk at La Moneda Palace, the seat of the Chilean government, or elsewhere,” Capriles told reporters at the airport of Santiago.

Human Rights Watch: Snowden should steer clear of Venezuela, Salon

If US whistleblower Edward Snowden takes refuge in Venezuela he might quickly wish he hadn’t. At least that’s the verdict of Chilean lawyer Jose Miguel Vivanco, who heads the Americas division of Human Rights Watch, the New York-based advocacy group.

Kerry said to give stern warning to Caracas on Snowden, UPI

Washington is reported to have warned Caracas it would be barred from entering any NATO airspace if it flies U.S. secrets leaker Edward Snowden to Venezuela. Secretary of State John Kerry, who Spanish newspaper ABC said made the warning to Venezuelan Foreign Minister Elias Jaua, also said Washington would halt all sales of vital gasoline and other refined-oil products to Venezuela if Snowden gets refuge in that country, the newspaper said.

Venezuela slams U.S. over ‘repressive regimes’ remarks, Reuters

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro demanded the United States apologize on Thursday after the Obama administration’s nominee for envoy to the United Nations said there was a crackdown on civil society in the South American country.

Venezuela Inflation at 39.60%, Latin American Herald Tribune

The inflation rate for the month of June was at 4.7%, lower than that of May’s 6.1%, according to the Venezuelan Central Bank. This brings the rate of inflation for just the first half of 2013 to a total of 25% and the annualized rate at 39.6% — far from the Venezuelan government’s stated goal of keeping it between 14% and 16%.

Purchasing power down 10% due to inflation, El Universal

Venezuela’s minimum wage was increased by 20% on May 1 to USD 390, yet soaring prices have made such increase lose strength rapidly. In May-June this year, inflation shot up reducing purchasing power by 10%.Data from the Central Bank of Venezuela (BCV) indicates that since May 1, prices have swollen 17% in the case of food, 11.2% in transport, and 9% in clothing.

Venezuela: let there be dollars, Financial Times

The Venezuelan toilet paper shortage story says a lot about economic management in a country where the greenback fetches five times its official value on the parallel market. While Venezuelans have struggled to get their hands on everything from loo roll to toothpaste, authorities have been in denial about the grinding liquidity crunch that makes ordinary life – and business life – a daily struggle.

BCV sells US dollars at VEB 10.9 and VEB 11.7 in Sicad auction, El Universal

Devaluation of the bolivar was completed upon the auction sale of US dollars conducted by the Central Bank of Venezuela (BCV) through the Ancillary Foreign Currency Administration System (Sicad), where the exchange rate doubled that of VEB 5.30 per US dollar at its predecessor, the Transaction System for Foreign Currency Denominated Securities (Sitme).

Fitch: Venezuela’s Foreign Exchange Policy Faces Challenges, Reuters

Venezuela’s foreign exchange (FX) policy adjustments in 2013 could reduce fiscal imbalances and limit the need of continued external debt issuance. However, the room to stabilize creditworthiness could be constrained by weaker external buffers, limited upside for oil revenues and non-debt capital inflows, a rapidly decelerating economy, and political changes, according to a new Fitch Ratings report.

Venezuelan President Marries Longtime Companion, Wall Street Journal

Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro said on Tuesday that he had married his longtime companion, Cilia Flores, a prominent ruling party figure. Mr. Maduro, speaking during a cabinet meeting broadcast on state television, said the small ceremony was held Monday and was conducted by Jorge Rodríguez, a Caracas-area mayor.

 
Jul
12
2013
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In Case You Missed It… Articles Roundup Week of 7/12/13

1 photo e1373659882830 In Case You Missed It… Articles Roundup Week of 7/12/13

Courtesy of: Policy Mic

This week: In defiance of Washington, Venezuela offers asylum to NSA leaker Edward Snowden; 44 percent of Venezuelans seek better relations with the United States; if asylum is granted, Venezuela may face economic and diplomatic sanctions by the United States; Maduro faces a potential revolt from radical sectors of his party who think he is negotiating with the United States. Human Rights Watch sends a letter to the United Nations criticizing the Venezuelan government for using criminal investigations to intimidate the opposition; Venezuelan “birther” movement further questions Maduro’s legitimacy; swarms of motorcycles in Venezuela’s capital are linked to violent crime; facing a shortage of hard currency, Christmas toys may be in short supply this year in Venezuela. Venezuelan inflation rises to 4.7 percent in June, reaching a staggering 40 percent for the past year; Venezuelan Central Bank says it will sell $200 million at auction in an attempt to alleviate shortages; the Central Bank of Venezuela removes the cap on the amount of U.S. dollars individuals are allowed to buy via Sicad; Venezuela’s restrictive hiring and firing practices discourage companies from filling openings, further dampening investment in the country; and Venezuelan daily oil exports to US fall 8.3 percent in the first half of 2013.

Venezuela offers asylum to U.S. fugitive Snowden, Reuters

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro offered asylum to Edward Snowden who is believed to be holed up in the transit area of Moscow’s Sheremetyevo international airport; this action was made in defiance of Washington, which is demanding his arrest for divulging details of secret U.S. spy programs.

Many Venezuelans want better relations with the U.S., Pew Research Center

Poll shows that a plurality of Venezuelans (44%) prefer to have a closer relationship with the US than existed during the presidency of Chavez, while Maduro’s offer of asylum to Snowden would entail worsening ties with US, something that the Venezuelan public would avoid.

Venezuela may face economic sanctions if it grants asylum to Snowden, El Universal

Venezuela will face economic and diplomatic sanctions by the United States if Nicolás Maduro’s government grants asylum to former CIA agent Edward Snowden, who formally requested asylum to Venezuela on Monday.

With Snowden offer, Venezuela’s Maduro is on world stage, The Washington Post

American fugitive Edward Snowden’s diminishing possibilities of remaining free to continue releasing information about secret U.S. surveillance programs increasingly appear to hinge on Venezuela, which awaited word Monday on whether the former National Security Agency contractor would accept its offer of asylum and fly to the oil-rich country.

Letter to the UN about post-electoral violence in Venezuela, Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch is extremely concerned that Venezuelan authorities are using criminal investigations as a political tool to accuse the opposition, without adequate justification, of the commission of crimes.

Venezuela ‘Birther’ Movement Questions President’s Eligibility, Bloomberg

Venezuela’s opposition has been questioning Maduro’s Venezuelan nationality, since he was born in Colombia to Colombian parents, which would make his presidency fall foul of the constitution.

A circus without a ringmaster, The Economist

During the presidency of Hugo Chávez, who ruled from 1999 until his death from cancer in March, the domineering personality of the comandante left no doubt as to who was in charge of Venezuela.

Swarms of motorcycles in Venezuela’s capital tied to traffic chaos, violent crime, Washington Post

Ronald Alvarez was driving in chaotic, bumper-to-bumper traffic when he heard a throaty buzz and insistent “Beep! Beep! Beep!” approaching rapidly from behind.

Christmas toys may be in short supply in Venezuela, Reuters

Whether they’ve been naughty or nice, Venezuelan children might be stuck without Christmas presents this year.

Venezuela’s 12-Month Inflation Rate Advances to Just Shy of 40% in June, The Wall Street Journal

Venezuela’s 12-month inflation approached 40% in June after jumping 4.7% in June and 6.1% in May, pressured by a rise in government spending last year and in the wake of the country’s latest currency devaluation in February.

Venezuela central bank to sell $200 mln in forex auction, Reuters

Venezuela’s central bank said it will sell $200 mill at auction, of which $170 million would be allocated to businesses and $30 million to individuals, under its revamped currency system as government increases imports to alleviate the product shortages.

Central Bank of Venezuela removes cap in sale of US dollars to individuals, El Universal

The Central Bank of Venezuela (BCV) removed a cap limiting the amount of US dollars that individuals are allowed to buy via the Sicad.

Venezuela Forces Employment Even With Shuttered Factories, Bloomberg

Jean Salero gets up at dawn to clock in for his daily shift at a shuttered beer factory in the Venezuelan city of Barquisimeto.

Venezuela’s oil exports to the US fall in 2013, El Universal

Venezuelan oil exports to the US in the period Jan-Jun 2013 hit their lowest level since the 1990s, hitting 754,000 barrels per day from 823,000 bpd in 2012, amidst Venezuela’s strategy to prioritize clients and allies such as China or India and curb oil shipments to the US.