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

President Chavez has categorically denied that a phone call from him led the Colombian army to localize and eliminate Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) commander, Raul Reyes in a midnight bombardment. A Colombian intelligence officer claimed that a call from Chavez to Reyes after the release of four hostages informing that they had arrived safely was directly responsible for Raul Reyes' death.

While most analysts view the charge as a counter-insurgency laboratory product, President Chavez issued a denial in the presence of Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa, who arrived in Caracas on a whirlwind tour of South American capitals.

Chavez also brushes aside calls from Colombian President Alvaro Uribe to have him hauled as a criminal before international tribunals, challenging Uribe to go with him to an international tribunal to defend himself. Although trade between the two countries has resumed, President Chavez has launched a threat that could affect the stock market once more. Chavez says he will review Colombian companies in Venezuela and some of them could be nationalized because, he quips, Venezuela is not interested in Colombian investment. "Neither Venezuelan nor Ecuador will be affected by the measures but Colombia could be." Colombian-Venezuelan Chamber of Commerce (Cavecol) has reacted with alarm, calling on Chavez to act with common sense.

During a visit to Venezuela, Ecuadorian President Raphael Correa insisted on receiving a full apology from Colombia for the incursion of its armed forces into Ecuador which resulted in the killing of 15 Colombian rebels belonging to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

In a joint press conference with Chavez, Correa pointed out that he is engaging in a diplomatic initiative using international mechanisms to solve the conflict but will not allow Colombia to get away with its violation of Ecuadorian sovereignty. The government of Uribe, Correa stated, has lost all credibility because of its lies to Ecuador and the international community.

Venezuela's representative to the Organization of American States (OAS), Jorge Valero states that the organization's permanent council decision to condemn Colombia's military incursion in Ecuadorian territory is a direct answer to the Colombian and US doctrine of preventive strikes against terrorists. Valero insists that Colombia has adopted the US military doctrine of preventive defense which the latter country has used to invade Iraq and Afghanistan. The OAS permanent assembly did not apply any direct penalty against Colombia and Valero insists that no country is asking for penalties, not even Ecuador. "The penalty in this case is political ... a political condemnation."

Addressing teachers attending the first stage of a national training program, President Chavez says the government is investing 3 billion bolivares in educational infrastructure. The money will go towards refurbishing 2,070 schools, amplifying 2,495 and building 413 new educational institutions. The President also told those attending that this year 28 universities and 29 university polytechnic colleges will be built and calls on educational communities and teachers to help advance and establish the socialist revolution in Venezuela. Chavez insists that he wants to see Venezuela become a power on the American continent through education.

The Venezuelan opposition has come up with a stunt which it hopes will embarrass visiting Argentinean President, Cristina Kirchner and consists of hanging briefcases from balconies and public lampposts. Opposition politician Antonio Ledezma says the protest is to remind the Argentinean President of the $800,000 that was seized in Argentina from Venezuelan businessman, Guido Antonini, money which he claims was allegedly for Kirchner's presidential campaign. The opposition wants the money returned to Venezuela.

Meanwhile, opposition university students have announced their opposition to the government's policy vis-a-vis Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) by retracing Simon Bolivar's Admirable Campaign route but vice versa, that is say, the march will take off from Caracas and end in Cucuta (Colombia). Students leaders insist that they will not take sides in the international conflict but the walk/cavalcade is to promote peace between countries.

The lawyers' firm representing Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) against ExxonMobil at the London High Court is currently exercising its right to reply to arguments lodged by the transnational defending a February court injunction to freeze PDVSA assets. Stephenson Harwood lawyer, John Fordham has declared to VHeadline that if PDVSA feels that the hearing is in its favor it will ask Judge Walker to lift the injunction forthwith and give his reasons afterwards. Normally, the judge could spend several days after the hearing drawing up the reasons for his decision before delivering a ruling. Fordham says there are precedents for the former option and it will be discussed at a sitting. There are indications that a decision could be reached by the weekend or earlier on next week.

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