Yesterday, elections took place for the 15-member leadership of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela. Party vice-president, General (ret.) Alberto Muller Rojas has announced the names of those elected with 85% of votes counted: Aristobulo Isturiz, Adan Chavez, Mario Silva, Jorge Rodriguez, Antonia Munoz, Carlos Escarra, Noheli Pocaterra, Vanesa Davies, Cilia Flores, Maria Leon, Ali Rodriguez Araque, Hector Rodriguez, Elias Jaua, Erika Farias and Maria Cristina Iglesias. According to Muller Rojas, participation in the electoral process was higher than 90%. The final results are expected today but analysts suggest few upsets from the above mentioned names. While 7 are women, it has been learned that there is no representation from the trade unions or students. The new board of directors will be sworn in on Friday, March 14.
President Chavez has created a ministry for women's affairs and appointed Maria Leon as its new minister. The announcement was made during an act to commemorate International Women's Day. During his speech, Chavez insisted that there should be more participation of women in running the country and the building of Socialism in Venezuela. The President took the opportunity to urge the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) to free French-Colombian citizen, Ingrid Betancourt whose health is a matter of international concern.
As return to normal relations between Colombia and Venezuela gets underway, President Uribe has stated that the humanitarian agreement is still possible, despite the death of FARC number two, Raul Reyes, whom, Uribe insists, was an obstacle for the agreement and the peace. As regards the clearing of a zone to facilitate the agreement as proposed by the governments of France, Spain and Switzerland, Uribe confirms that he has accepted after speaking to families of hostages and members of the Catholic Church in Colombia. According to the Colombian President, the FARC still controls some areas in the jungle areas but have lost their foothold in Colombia itself ... "all they are doing is moving around within 578,000 km of jungle."
Patrick J. O'Donoghue
patrick.vheadline@gmail.com
No workers in the leadership of the PSUV, eh? Not encouraging. Not encouraging at all.
ReplyDeleteAs for the arrogant colombian narco-oligarchy and its military goons, and their U.S. patrons: you're still going to lose, you bastards. Better make plans to move to Miami.