Friday, February 15, 2008

Patrick J. O'Donoghue's round-up of news from Venezuela

Miranda State Governor Diosdado Cabello has stated that the "false left" is the government's real enemy and places National Assembly (AN) deputy, Luis Tascon top of the false left list. Tascon accuses Cabello's brother, Jose David, recently appointed IRS/Seniat chief, of embezzlement. Big brother Diosdado rejects the accusations as completely false because the charges, he states, are centered on jeeps that have not yet been bought. Luis Tascon is dubbed an " instrument of the Empire" and his political origins are questioned as pure Fourth Republic, namely Accion Democratica and Christian Socialist. Cabello adds that he has a document proving that Tascon requested a diplomatic passport for a Venezuelan banker accused of narco- trafficking. Deputy Tascon says he will request the Attorney General's Office to open an inquiry into his own finances and assets. Replying to House president, Cilia Flores who quips that by accusing Cabello's brother, he is separating himself from the party, Tascon replies that only he can exclude himself. "If I am expelled, that is another matter."

President Chavez has met Ecuadorian Foreign Minister, Maria Isabel Salvador Crespo in Miraflores Palace. The Minister is currently on a visit to Venezuela to attend a high level bilateral meeting. Attending for Venezuela are: Light Industries & Trade Minister, William Contreras, Food Minister, Felix Osorio, Planning Minister, Haiman El Troudi, Presidential Office Minister Jesse Chacon, Communication & Information Minister Andres Izarra and Exchange control office (Cadivi) president, Manuel Barroso. It has been learned that both delegations are putting the finishing touches to an "integral treaty of food security and sovereignty."

United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) national coordinator, Jorge Rodriguez has announced that party aspirants grouped in battalions will come out in force to defend Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) against the legal attacks of ExxonMobil. Rodriguez urges people to take to the streets because the scenario is similar to that of 2002 when the government and PDVSA came under a coup attack. There are reports that several thousand government supporters held a vigil outside PDVSA HQ in la Campina (Caracas). The party's founding congress will continue meeting this weekend to debate ideology and principles.

According to Venezuelan Agrarian Corporation (CVA) deputy president, Felix Ereu, social production companies (EPS) will guarantee food stocking and security. The statement was issued during a press conference at the Bravo Cacique Yaracuy indirect social production company. Ereu says maize powder production there is running at 65%, which is around 611,000 kilos a month and benefiting 160,000 local families. Journalists were also taken to visit the Jose Prudencio Vasquez socialist production unit where black beans, lentils, peas and other beans are processed. The products are used for school dinner programs. The CVA opened a new unit several months ago aimed at protecting imported machinery and ensuring that cooperatives know how to use and perform maintenance on machinery received to improve production, Last year there were complaints of misuse and sabotage on some of the machines brought in from Argentina and Iran.

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

1 comment:

  1. There are some real phonies in this bolivarian Movement. Now they're competing with each other as to who is "more socialist"... Man. This crap can only end with a sea change in the entire power structure: creating accountability at all levels -- where self-promoters will have no leg to stand on, as people will be voted to leading positions only on the basis of how well they did this week... and are kept close tabs on at all times.

    And frankly, such posts as "governor" and "mayor" should be abolished, toute de suite. Let the councils run the states and the municipalites. In fact, I expect them to insist upon it, soon enough.

    Here's to the socialist revolution.

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