Monday, July 28, 2008

Patrick J. O'Donoghue's round up of news from Venezuela -- July 28, 2008

On arrival in Venezuela from a tour of Europe, President Chavez says a new stage has been opened in relations between Venezuela and Spain. Speaking on Spanish television, the President described a meeting with King Juan Carlos as "marvelous," "full of jokes," "memories and plans for the future." Among the topics discussed in Spain were energy, the Return Directive and the uncertainties that the directive has created in Latin America. Among other agreements reached, Chavez states that Venezuela has guaranteed Spain oil supplies for a hundred years given the reserves in Venezuela. Both countries agreed to undertake a shared refinery in Spain and Chavez adds that it is a matter of "accelerated business." Part of the agreement will include an exchange of oil for food and technology from Spain. The only government with which Venezuela has deep-rooted and constant problems, Chavez comments, is the US government.

The United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) has opened the process for pre-candidates to regional legislatures and councils. PSUV heirarch and official candidate to the state governorship of Miranda, Diosdado Cabello calls the exercise a strengthening of democracy and says this type of activity is the correct methodology to follow to deepen democracy.

In an effort to end the increasingly bitter debate between the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) and minority parties composing the Patriotic Alliance (AP), President Chavez warns that if no consensus is reached regarding candidates, then the minority parties can go their own way. The President forecasts that if they do not reflect on the situation, their names will disappear in the next elections. On the contrary, the PSUV, Chavez maintains, will never disappear. Chavez calls on the parties to stop making public declarations and diatribes and he has given them a week to think about things and change course. The AP has criticized the PSUV national directorate for failing to turn up at national meetings.

Speaking on his Sunday radio address, President Chavez says that deep down Patria Para Todos (PPT), the Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV), the People's Electoral Movement (MEP) and the Popular Unity of Venezuela (UPV) do not recognize him as the leader. "They will never say so but deep down they are not with Chavez ... talk privately to them and that's what they say." Speaking directly to PPT, Chavez says they are playing at division, seeking out candidates and getting those who lost the primaries excited ... "that's called disloyalty." Chavez has backed PSUV vice president, General (ret.) Alberto Muller Rojas calling on minority parties to respect the General.

During his Sunday radio address, President Chavez inspected several infrastructure works in the Caracas area, specifically the Metrocable project in the San Augustin district. The President calls on government employees working on different infrastructure works in Caracas to speed things up and to fight against bureaucracy. "Sometimes work can be held up a year because somebody has not signed a paper or because they haven't passed on the problem and that has got to stop."

Defining Venezuela's policy towards Colombia, President Chavez insists that Colombia should stop accusing Venezuela of supporting terrorism and the guerrillas and being an enemies of Colombia. Venezuela has a different focus, Chavez admits, but does not see Colombia as an enemy. The President insists that there are some people in Colombia such as Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos, who considers Venezuela an enemy. Chavez dubs Santos a representative of the oligarchy and the extreme right in Colombia and criticizes the level of subordination that Santos shows towards the United States ... "it harms Colombia and South America and is dangerous for peace."

Patrick J. O'Donoghue
patrick.vheadline@gmail.com

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Venezuela is facing the most difficult period of its history with honest reporters crippled by sectarianism on top of rampant corruption within the administration and beyond, aided and abetted by criminal forces in the US and Spanish governments which cannot accept the sovereignty of the Venezuelan people to decide over their own future.
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