The row between Miranda State Governor, Diosdado Cabello and National Assembly (AN) deputy, Luis Tascon continues with the latter denying that he has been expelled from the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV). The controversial announcement of former executive vice president and PSUV national coordinator, Jorge Rodriguez last Saturday, Tascon states, was a crude attempt to push him to the sidelines. Rodriguez used all the wrong procedures and abused his power, the deputy maintains, which was one of the reasons why the government was defeated on December 2. The deputy claims that the Founding Congress of the party currently in session, is discussing internal democracy and collective leadership models.
Fellow National Assembly deputy and lawyer, Carlos Escarra states that Tascon has not been expelled, while at the same time defending Jorge Rodriguez, claiming that what the national coordinator was trying to say was that such irresponsible situations cannot be accepted inside the party and Tascon's behavior merits expulsion. However to be expelled, the lawyer states, Tascon must be given the right to defend himself. Escarra criticizes Tascon's timing and choice of venue for his denunciations of alleged corruption against IRS/Seniat, Jose David Cabello. The way Rodriguez and Diosdado Cabello dealt with the accusations has caused heated debate inside the party with many people in the grassroots condemning the practice and asking the questions, such as how can there be a disciplinary committee if there is no official party as yet and raising concerns about the right to criticize. Observers suggest that the future direction of the new political party will be clearer once the names of those elected to top positions are announced at the beginning of March.
President Chavez has announced that a new tax on sudden hikes in oil prices to be applied to oil companies working in Venezuela will be between 3 to 5% and will probably come into force at the end of the year.
Speaking on VTV State television, National Elections Council (CNE) president, Tibisay Lucena says the most likely date for the upcoming elections will be November 23. Lucena has also ruled out the possibility of holding separate elections for state governors and mayors. "Separate elections is not a matter for the electoral power ... what we have is a expiration of mandates and we assess the lapse of mandates." The CNE, Lucena adds, is continuing to improve the electoral register to ensure more transparency in the electoral process. However, she attacks several media sources that continue to publish information and opinion pieces aimed at smearing the CNE and creating doubts among the population.
Exchange administration office (ITV) president, Manuel Barroso has denied that the government is thinking of increasing the quota of dollars for products purchased on the Internet. The current roof is $400 a year. However, he did say that the office is seeking mechanisms to help those who are undertaking licit activities and need the purchases for productive and scientific activity. The mechanism, it appears, will be different from the credit card. The health sector and spare parts dealers will be treated as special cases. Barroso has revealed that more than 32,000 persons have been suspended from using the quota system because they have been unable to demonstrate a correct use of dollars received at the official rate and he warns that they can expect penalties.
Patrick J. O'Donoghue
patrick.vheadline@gmail.com
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