The Easter vacation kicks off today as Venezuela gears to control negative effects of the mass exodus of people treading tourist trails at home and abroad. Civil Protection (PC) director, General Antonio Rivero has launched the Easter Vacation Security Operation 2008 aimed at guaranteeing the prevention of car accidents and protecting citizens on the roads and beaches. According to Rivero, around 40 million people are expected to be on the move during the week-long period and 122,000 people will take part in the security operation. The statistic means an increase of 7.6% regarding the volume of persons traveling compared to the same period last year and an increase of 5.1% in protection personnel. One of the concerns this year, Rivero states, is the danger of forest fires since Venezuela has just gone through a long dry period. Another "dry" period, namely the sale of alcohol will be restricted from tomorrow, Saturday through to March 22. Last year, there were 144 road deaths.
State Security & Political (DISIP) Police have raided several houses and offices in Merida State. The Attorney General's Office has opened an investigation into alleged acts of corruption committed in the Mayor's Office. Raids were undertaken on the municipal tax office, the home of the local IRS/Seniat superintendent and other related offices. The investigation is expected to continue and other raids have been announced to recover pertinent documents. The Attorney General's Office states that it is investigating irregularities in the administration of funds collected in taxes.
After a phone call yesterday afternoon, the Presidents of Venezuela and Colombia have announced their intention to normalize diplomatic relations between the two countries and to re-establish confidence. The announcement was made in a communique issued by Colombia in which it declares that the two Presidents commit themselves to restoring confidence and "mutual collaboration to avoid attacks from violent groups, whatever their origin." One of the resolutions was to fix an early date for a future meeting between the two Presidents.
Venezuelan Communications & Information (Minci) Minister, Andres Izarra has issued a separate communique offering a different angle or interpretation of what was agreed by phone. The communique declares that President Chavez wants to continue strengthening the climate generated at the 20th summit of the Rio Group re-establishing tranquility between the two countries and confidence between the respective governments and heads of state. However, the statement maintains that Chavez expresses his disposition to avoid "aggressions of any type against the integrity of both countries" and on an international level to continue efforts to create the Union of Nations of the South (Unasur).
Last week fighting broke out between pro-government and opposition students at Barquisimeto's Polytechnic University (Unexpo) as the former attempted to organize another squat. Last year, the same university was forced to abandon studies after a pro-government group of students without quota (sin cupo) took over the building for several months. The protest was dropped after negotiations with the Education Ministry and classes resumed last month. According to one newspaper report, five students received bullet wounds and 18 were treated for contusions after both sides engaged in a battle of stone-throwing. The report did not mention injuries on the part of the pro-government party. The Lara State attorney general is currently investigating the incident.
Patrick J. O'Donoghue
patrick.vheadline@gmail.com
Which social class runs Venezuela? The working-class or the bourgeoisie? The question doesn't appear to be settled, does it? Which right away brings into question the nature of this revolution.
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