Venezuela Analysis: News

Fired Venezuelan Labor Leader Orlando Chirino Reinstated in Job

Gregory Wilpert - Venezuelanalysis.com — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:56:43 -0430

Venezuela’s Labor Ministry ruled this Tuesday that the labor leader Oscar Chirino was illegally fired from his job in the state owned oil company PDVSA and must be reinstated.
By Gregory Wilpert - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuela Ready for First Completely Automated Election

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:01:17 -0430

Tibisay Lucena, the president of Venezuela’s National Electoral Council, confirmed Sunday that voting equipment has been audited and delivered to all of the 34,662 voting centers across the country in preparation for this Sunday’s regional and local elections, which are the first elections in Venezuelan to be 100% automated.
By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Communal Banks Of Venezuela Receive Big Boost

Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 16:12:32 -0430

As Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez handed over credits to over a thousand communal banks, he highlighted the need for social networks of distribution and for the private banks to also contribute. By Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuela On Track to Achieve Millennium Development Goals in Education

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:12:01 -0430

Venezuela's improvements in educational access and enrollment over the past ten years have put the country on track to meet the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015, according to the United Nations Science, Education, and Culture Organization (UNESCO). By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuelan Employment, Inflation, and Reserves increase, Oil Price Drops

Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:21:26 -0430

In the last few months Venezuela has been affected by the global financial crisis but still was able to sustain its economic growth. Unemployment has fallen and its international reserves have increased, whilst its inflation has also increased and its price of oil decreased. By Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuela Removes Houston Consul, Resolving Administrative Mishap

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 12:48:43 -0430

Venezuela removed its consul in Houston, Antonio Padrino Quintero, as part of an agreement with the United States government to resolve a recent spat over the unauthorized address change of its Houston consulate, President Hugo Chávez confirmed Monday. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Chávez Says Military to Oppose Destabilization Attempts During Venezuelan Elections

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 12:14:06 -0430

While campaigning in support of candidates for governor and mayor from the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez has threatened to use military force in several states if opposition leaders attempt to sabotage the political process during or after the November 23rd elections. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuela to Increase Military Presence On Conflict-Ridden Colombian Border

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:29:40 -0430

Venezuela's Interior and Justice Minister Tarek El-Aissami confirmed Sunday that Venezuela plans to increase its military presence in five locations along the northern region of the Colombian border called the Sierra de Perijá. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Electoral Council to Investigate Venezuelan State TV

Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:11:31 -0430

Tibisay Lucena, the president of Venezuela's National Electoral Council (CNE) announced on Saturday that her institution would be opening an administrative inquiry into the state TV channel, VTV (Venezuelan TV) for alleged disrespect of article 16 of the Regulation of Publicity and Propaganda. By Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com

U.S. State Dept. Shuts Down A Venezuelan Consulate

Susan Carroll and John Otis - Houston Chronicle — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 14:15:33 -0430

The U.S. State Department has revoked the visas and diplomatic privileges of a dozen Venezuelan consular officials after a two-month dispute over the Venezuelan government's plans to relocate its Houston office. [The Foreign Ministry of Venezuela issued a statement on Sunday that contradicts the report.] By Susan Carroll and John Otis - Houston Chronicle

Venezuela and Russia Initiate Gas Exploration and Expand Strategic Alliance

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 13:20:54 -0430

On Friday, the Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA and the Russian company Gazprom began drilling for gas in the Gulf of Venezuela. Government officials from both energy giants further concretized an alliance with cooperation agreements in a wide variety of areas. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuelan National Assembly Rejects Shorter Working Day For Now

Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:31:38 -0430

On Thursday a majority in the National Assembly rejected the partial reform of the Labor Law, which would have reduced the working day to 6 hours, a proposal made by legislators Luis Tascon, Wilmer Azuaje, and Tomas Sanchez. By Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuela to Nationalize Country’s Largest Gold Mine Las Cristinas

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:17:42 -0430

By 2009, the Venezuelan government plans to nationalize the Las Cristinas gold mine, which is estimated to have the largest gold deposits in the country and is currently conceded to the Canadian company Crystallex, the Minister of Basic Industries and Mining (MIBAM), Rodolfo Sanz, announced Tuesday. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuelan Government Hopes for New Era of Peace and Respect with Obama

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:44:06 -0430

In a statement from the Foreign Relations Ministry on Wednesday, the Venezuelan government congratulated U.S. Senator Barack Obama for being elected president of his country, saying the historic moment could usher in a new era of friendlier relations between the two countries. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Sidor Contract Workers In Negotiations for Bonus, Following Brief Strike

Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 20:22:14 -0430

Contract workers of the nationalized Venezuelan steel company, Sidor, are in negotiations with the Minister for Industry and Mining to receive a one time payment of BsF20,000 (US$ 9,300) instead of their previous demands for a wage increase and other workers’ entitlements. By Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuelan Businessman Convicted in Miami in “Suitcase Scandal”

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:25:36 -0430

On Monday, a Miami jury found Franklin Durán, the co-owner of the private Venezuelan motor oil manufacturer VENECO, guilty of acting as an unregistered agent of the Venezuelan government in the United States. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Chávez Hopes to Improve Venezuela-U.S. Relations if Obama Wins Presidency

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:50:55 -0430

The president of Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, said he is willing to work together with Barack Obama to repair diplomatic relations with the United States if Obama becomes the next president. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Dissident Venezuelan Legislator Tascón Criticizes Right Wing of Chavez’s Party

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:37:44 -0430

Many of the candidates of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) in the upcoming state and local elections are traitors to the revolution who lack truly socialist values, according to Venezuelan National Assembly Deputy Luis Tascón, a leftist known for criticizing the "right-wing within" the Bolivarian Revolution. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuela Advances Integration and Shares New Satellite with Ecuador

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 09:25:42 -0430

The president of Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, and Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa met in the Amazonian town of Puyo, Ecuador, on Tuesday to review ongoing bi-national cooperation initiatives and to discuss Latin American integration as a response to the world economic crisis. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuela Launches its First Satellite

Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 08:56:33 -0430

Venezuela's Satellite Simon Bolivar, also known as Venesat-1, was launched Wednesday at 12:25 pm Venezuelan time, from Xichang, China. It will be used to improve telecommunications and facilitate social and education projects. By Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuela’s National Electoral Council Successfully Concludes Voting Test

Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:03:30 -0430

Venezuel's National Electoral Council (CNE) simulated the voting process on Sunday in order to test its functioning and found no flaws in the process. By Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuelan Opposition Governor Should Go To Prison for Crimes, Says Chavez

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 09:17:55 -0430

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez declared that he intends to have the governor of oil-rich Zulia state, Manuel Rosales, convicted and sent to prison for corruption, drug-trafficking, links to paramilitary death squads, and plotting to assassinate him. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuela Launches Campaign to Overcome “Media Terrorism” Before Elections

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 12:36:21 -0430

Venezuelan Communication and Information Minister Andrés Izarra introduced a media project Thursday that will inform and remind Venezuelans about the achievements of Venezuela's "Bolivarian Revolution" and counter what Izarra called the "media terrorism" waged by the corporate-controlled media against the administration of President Hugo Chávez. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuela Graduates 6,700 Professionals from Low-Income Backgrounds

Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 12:02:22 -0430

Almost 6,000 Venezuelan university students recently graduated through the government's scholarship program, and a further 700 doctors will graduate at the end of this year, significantly filling the shortage of professionals previously experienced by Venezuela. By Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuela Proposes More Inclusive World Assembly on Economic Crisis

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:19:14 -0430

Venezuela proposed an assembly of all world governments to discuss the financial crisis, as an alternative to the meeting of the world’s 20 richest nations organized by French President Nicolás Sarkozy. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuela’s 2009 Budget Plans Increased Social Spending and Stable Growth

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:53:43 -0430

On Tuesday, Venezuela’s Finance Minister Alí Rodríguez presented a national budget proposal for 2009 that will increase social spending and is based on predictions of 6% economic growth, a stable national currency, and oil exports at a price of $60 per barrel. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuelan Steel Workers End Strike

Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:19:11 -0430

Almost 8,000 contract workers of the Venezuelan recently nationalized Sidor Steel plant ceased strikes and protests that they had maintained for more than 90 hours, after the Venezuelan vice president Ramon Carrizalez promised to provide a response to their demands. By Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuelan Government Investigates Possible Sabotage in Massive Power Outage

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 13:34:00 -0430

An "erroneous adjustment of the security system" in Venezuela's electricity grid caused a power outage in 11 of Venezuela's 23 states on Sunday, from 10:40 in the morning until the evening, according to the president of the National Electricity Corporation (CORPOELEC), Hipólito Izquierdo. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Venezuela to Propose Reduced Oil Production at OPEC Meeting

James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 11:53:13 -0430

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez announced Sunday that Venezuela will propose that the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) reduce oil production to maintain oil prices amidst a drop in demand caused by the world financial crisis. By James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com

Half Of Venezuela’s Budget Goes To Social Spending

Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 20:21:57 -0430

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez announced on Friday that around 48% of the national budget for 2009 would go towards social investment. This includes food programs, health, education, and the various social missions. Chavez also provided BsF. 509 million (US$ 237 million) to the communal councils that day. By Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com