Tag Archives: property rights

Apr
27
2011
Posted by
admin
Comments

Another “Accolade” for the Chávez Government… Dead Last on the 2011 International Property Rights Index

The results of the 2011 International Property Rights Index (IPRI) are in and they are not very complimentary of the Chávez government’s economic policies. The Index is an annual comparative study that aims to quantify the strength of property rights – both physical and intellectual. With a score of 3.4, Venezuela scored the lowest ranking among 129 economies.

The IPRI ranks each country based on 11 factors reflecting the state of its Legal and Political Environment (LP), Physical Property Rights (PPR) and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). According to the study, countries hungry for foreign investment must demonstrate a healthy economy and a business-friendly environment.  The report points out that there is an important correlation between countries where private property is respected and economic prosperity.

“This reflects that excessive control, constant attacks against private property through expropriations and nationalizations, laws that limit investment freedoms and the highest inflation in Latin America make the Venezuelan economy one of the most repressed economies in the world,” said CEDICE President Rafael Alfonzo Hernández reacting to the report.

The report was published by the Property Rights Alliance (PRA) based in Washington, DC. The PRA has the support of 67 think tanks and policy organizations in 53 countries involved in research, policy development, education, and promotion of property rights in their countries.

 
Jul
29
2010
Posted by
admin
Comments

Venezuela seizes anti-Chavez TV owner’s ranch

This article was originally posted by The Canadian Press

CARACAS, Venezuela –An attorney representing the owner of a television channel critical of President Hugo Chavez says officials, accompanied by National Guard troops, have seized control of her client’s ranch.

Lawyer Perla Jaimes argues the takeover of the ranch belonging to Guillermo Zuloaga is part of a vendetta aimed at destroying a government opponent. Zuloaga’s Globovision TV is the only station in Venezuela that remains highly critical of Chavez.

Jaimes called Thursday’s takeover illegal, arguing it violated property rights.

Zuloaga, who owns several car dealerships, is facing charges of usury for keeping new vehicles stored at a home. Investigators allege Zuloaga was waiting for prices to rise, which is punishable under Venezuelan law.