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

May
27
2011
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In Case You Missed It… Articles Roundup Week of 5/27/11

In this week’s roundup…The United States enforces economic sanctions on Venezuela’s state owned oil company, PDVSA, for violations to the restrictions imposed on trade with Iran, prompting a war of words between Caracas and Washington; and Venezuela to acquire space age reconnaissance technology with the help of China by 2012.

U.S. to sanction Venezuela’s PDVSA on Iran trade: sources, Reuters

The United States will sanction Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA on Tuesday for dealing with Iran in violation of a U.S. ban on such trade, sources briefed on the matter told Reuters. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg was expected to announce the sanctions, which could include tough penalties such as being banned from the U.S. financial system or being denied U.S. contracts, the sources said.

Venezuela Official Says US Sanctions To Have Little Impact On Oil Exports, The Wall Street Journal

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro Thursday downplayed the possibility that the country would cut oil shipments to the U.S. because of sanctions slapped on state oil giant Petroleos de Venezuela by Washington.

OPINION: What can U.S. sanctions on Iran do?, Politico

After months of being eclipsed in headlines by the Arab spring, the Iranian nuclear front came alive again Monday. For the first time, the United States imposed sanctions on companies selling gasoline to Iran.

Venezuela condemns US sanctions against state oil firm, BBC News

The Venezuelan government has condemned US sanctions against state oil company PDVSA for trading with Iran. The moves were “imperialist aggression”, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro said. Washington imposed the sanctions on PDVSA and six other firms on Tuesday as part of a campaign to tighten sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program.

Mack: The Next Step Will Be Boycotting CITGO, PR Newswire

Responding to Hugo Chavez’s threats against the U.S. for taking action to eliminate Chavez’s support of the Iranian terrorist regime, Chairman of the Western hemisphere Subcommittee Connie Mack (FL-14) made the following statement: “The insulting and arrogant comments of the Chavez government in response to the U.S. which finally called out Venezuela for aiding Iran, by illegally selling prohibited materials, is unacceptable.

Venezuela threatens to interrupt US oil supply, Christian Science Monitor

Maduro threatened to interrupt US oil supply after Washington placed sanctions on the Venezuelan state oil company, this week. Venezuela’s foreign minister warned late Tuesday that it could no longer guarantee regular oil shipments to the United States after Washington placed sanctions on the Venezuelan state oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA), this week. The spat underscores long-running tensions over what Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez sees as America’s disproportionate, unjust exercise of power on the world stage.

Venezuela, China to launch satellite next year, AFP

Venezuela and China will develop an observation satellite to be built in Asia and launched from South America in 2012, according to Venezuela’s science and technology minister. Ricardo Menendez said Thursday that the earth-observation satellite, to be built at a cost of $140 million, would be used to monitor troop movements and illegal mining as well as study climate change and the environment.

 
May
20
2011
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In Case You Missed It… Articles Roundup Week of 5/20/11

In this week’s News Roundup…A German newspaper reports on the alleged construction of Iranian missile bases in Venezuela; suspected drug lord Walid Makled reveals deals with several Venezuelan government subsidiaries; and Mr. Chávez is forced to implement energy rationing measures in an attempt to combat rolling blackouts, while the opposition gains momentum.

‘Die Welt’: Iran Building Rocket Bases in Venezuela, Jerusalem Post
German newspaper says Iranians paid cash to build mid-range missile launch pads on Paraguana Peninsula in Venezuela. According to the daily, Iranian engineers visited the site in February.

Makled had Deals with PDVAL and CASA, El Universal
The relationship between the Makled Group – the economic empire led by alleged drug kingpin Walid Makled – and state-run oil holding Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) was not limited to Venezuelan Petrochemical Corporation (Pequiven). It also made business in the food sector.

The FARC Enablers, Foreign Policy
When the Colombian military raided a camp of the narco-terrorist group FARC (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia) across the border in Ecuador in 2008, the resulting intelligence haul from computers belonging to FARC capo Raúl Reyes revealed the shocking extent to which the group conspired and colluded with the radical populist governments of Hugo Chávez in Venezuela and Rafael Correa in Ecuador.

Venezuela adopts electricity rationing measures in response to blackouts, The Washington Post
Venezuela’s government is urging people to save energy and has begun rolling blackouts in some parts of the country after two major power outages in the past month. Some units at thermoelectric plants have not been operating, and the government is taking steps to bring them back on line, Electrical Energy Ministry official Igor Gavidia said Thursday. Speaking to reporters, he acknowledged there are “weaknesses” in the country’s power plants. Vice President Elias Jaua urged Venezuelans to save energy, saying demand has been growing and at certain times of day power usage “reaches the electrical generation capacity.”

Venezuela: Chávez Trying to Eliminate Opponent, Hudson New York
The race for Venezuela’s presidential election has already started. Given the fact that Chávez controls the main media outlets, opposition candidates know that the competition will be very stiff and very unfair.

 
May
19
2011
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Chavez perpetuates harassment of private sector and all opposition to his rule

Under the pretext of doing its due diligence in assessing the cause for the country’s food shortage crisis, the Venezuelan government unleashed yet another round of expropriations and threats of expropriations. On Wednesday, Venezuelan government officials carried out a surprise inspection of a warehouse belonging to U.S. agri-business giant Cargill as part of the government’s investigation of retailers for alleged hoarding and price-gouging.

President Hugo Chavez often blames “capitalist speculators” for shortages of goods, but critics insist the food shortages are due to the incompetent policies of the Chavez government. Fernando Morgado, former president of local business chamber Consecomercio, says Chavez’s constant threats and intimidating tone are exacerbating the problem.

Cargill is one of several U.S. companies which have subjected to government intervention and harassment in Caracas. Others include some of America’s most iconic companies – from Pepsi, McDonald’s and Wendy’s to Hilton Hotels.

A report released by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in May 2010 cites watertight evidence that the policies of President Chavez are wreaking havoc on Venezuela’s economy by discouraging foreign investments into the country. The ECLAC report concludes that, in 2009 alone, Mr. Chavez’s systematic nationalization of major industries has caused a negative inflow of $3.1 billion in foreign investment dollars in Venezuela.

Also on Wednesday, the mayor of Caracas ordered the expropriation of the daily El Nuevo Pais. The measure coincided with the paper’s extensive coverage of allegations that Iran is building missile bases in Venezuela, a story that was broken last week by a German newspaper.

“This appears to be a retaliatory measure,” said the paper’s editor, Rafael Poleo.”In the last few days, we had been reporting on the issue of the Iranian missile bases. We were the only daily in Venezuela doing this.”