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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.

 
Jun
24
2011
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In Case You Missed It… Articles Roundup Week of 6/14/11

In this week’s roundup… President Hugo Chávez’s illness and absence from the limelight have sparked persistent rumors and speculation about his health and ability to lead; In Chávez’s absence, blackouts, the economy and violence at El Rodeo prison place the president’s actions under harsh scrutiny.

Chávez Illness Sparks Succession Talk, The Wall Street Journal

Venezuelan officials scrambled Thursday to reassure compatriots that President Hugo Chávez was not seriously ill after his brother said the president would remain in a Cuban hospital for up to 12 more days, making it likely that Mr. Chávez will be away from the country for nearly a month.

The absence has sparked furious speculation about the president’s health and led many in Venezuela to ask: What happens if the former army officer who has ruled Venezuela for 12 years is suddenly incapacitated or even dies?

Venezuela prison stand-off: Families’ anxiety grows, BBC Mundo

Relatives wait for news as some inmates are bussed out on Sunday and a stand-off continues in one part of El Rodeo jail Families are unsure when they will see their imprisoned relatives. On 12 June, a riot in one section of the jail, El Rodeo I, left some 20 people dead.

After surgery, Chavez faces troubles in Venezuela, AP

While President Hugo Chavez has been recovering from pelvic surgery in Cuba, his troubles at home in Venezuela have been accumulating.

Hugo Chávez silence fuels fears of power vacuum in Venezuela, Guardian

President has gone uncharacteristically quiet as he recovers from surgery in Cuba, prompting rumours over his health and warnings of instability.

Power shortages dim Chavez’s reelection hopes, Foreign Policy

Venezuela’s President Hugo Chávez faces the real possibility that he may lose the 2012 presidential election after more than a decade in office, in part because of his administration’s failure to ensure adequate power supplies.

Is Chavez on the electoral ropes?, The Economist via Star Tribune

Hugo Chavez is unwell. The normally voluble, hyperactive Venezuelan president is running his country from a hospital bed in Havana, after emergency surgery June 10 to deal with a “pelvic abscess” that interrupted the latest of his many visits to Cuba. What caused the abscess, or how severe it was, has not been revealed.

 
Jun
10
2011
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In Case You Missed It… Articles Roundup Week of 6/10/11

In this week’s roundup…Venezuelan opposition leaders react to President Hugo Chávez’s successful bid in raising the national debt limit, more fallout from the U.S.-imposed sanctions on PDVSA, opposition candidates get momentum, and the housing crisis continues to be top of mind for Venezuelans.

Venezuelan lawmakers authorize $22.5B in new debt, Associated Press

President Hugo Chavez won approval from legislators Thursday to increase the amount of new debt Venezuela’s government can take on this year to more than $22.5 billion. In December, lawmakers had authorized the equivalent of $12 billion in new debt this year. But Chavez last week requested that the limit be raised about 86 percent. Opposition lawmakers criticized the change, expressing concerns about the government’s growing debt. They said the boost was unjustified at a time when the OPEC member is enjoying higher prices for its oil.

Venezuela’s foreign minister says relations with Washington are ‘frozen’ following sanctions , The Washington Post

Venezuela’s relations with the U.S. are frozen and President Hugo Chavez’s government sees no possibility of improving them after its state oil company was hit with sanctions by Washington, the country’s top diplomat said Sunday.

The US Has Lost Sight Of Its National Interest In Venezuela, Business Insider

According to the U.S. Energy Administration, two months ago the United States total crude oil imports averaged 9,033 thousand barrels per day (tbpd), with the top five exporting countries being Canada (2,666 tbpd), Mexico (1,319 tbpd), Saudi Arabia (1,107 tbpd), Venezuela (930 tbpd) and Nigeria (918 tbpd.) Notice anything odd about this list?

Chávez Foe Sees Imitation as Best Path, Bloomberg

Henrique Capriles Radonski, whose family members own Venezuela’s biggest movie theater chain, is emerging as President Hugo Chavez’s strongest rival in 2012 elections by copying his favorite ploy of lavishing public money on the poor.

Venezuela’s Chávez says OPEC need not pump more oil, Reuters Africa

Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez on Tuesday said current demand for oil does not justify an OPEC production hike, adding the market was well-supplied. The oil exporters group meets on Wednesday and Gulf Arab members are pushing for an output increase of at least 1.4 million barrels per day.

FACTBOX-Housing among top worries for Venezuelans, Reuters

Venezuela’s housing shortage is a challenge for President Hugo Chavez, a major concern for millions in the South American OPEC member, and one of the issues that could shape next year’s election. With 29 million people, Venezuela is short of 2 million housing units.