Patrick J. O'Donoghue's round up of news from Venezuela -- April 29, 2008

During his Sunday radio address, President Chavez has appointed a committee to inspect the hacienda (estate) of British citizen, William Harcourt-Cooze, a cocoa exporter to the United Kingdom. The hacienda is called El Tesoro and is situated in the region of Chuao (Aragua) where President Chavez held his latest radio show. The committee will consist of Agriculture & Lands Minister Elias Jaua, Defense Minister General Gustavo Rangel Briceno and United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) vice president for the Aragua region, Carlos Escarra. According to a report in Aporrea.org, Harcourt-Cooze buys raw material at 8 bolivares, which is said to be below the real price in Choroni, namely, 16.70 bolivares. The processing factory for Venezuelan chocolate is situated in the English county of Devon where bars sell at $14 each. According to the President, the presence of the Englishman is a sign that the colonialism is still active in Venezuela ... "the gentleman has become rich and the workers are living in poverty ... it's 500 years of exploitation." During his visit to the village, the President was informed by villagers about the Englishman buying cheap cocoa and not allowing local farmers to work on the lands where the product is being cultivated.

United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) electoral technical director, Willian Lara has asked National Elections Committee (CNE) president, Tibisay Lucena to change the venue of updating the electoral register, currently situated in municipal offices. Lara says there is concern that the updating of the electoral register is taking place within the confines of municipalities because a number of situations have arisen whereby persons who are not of the confidence of the mayor are being denied access to the service. According to Lara, the reply of the CNE has been positive. It may be worth noting that while Communication & Information (Minci) Minister, Lara himself was accused of denying opposition journalists access to public institutions for news and information.

Barinas State deputy to the National Assembly (AD), Braulio Alvarez has confirmed the assassination of two peasant leaders. Alvarez reports that Freddy Aragosa and Luis Perez, who have been important figures in the fight for lands in the area died after receiving bullets in the back on Sunday evening. In Cojedes State, three persons involved in the agrarian struggle were wounded after a surprise attack by an armed group. Alvarez denounces a destabilizing plan in the countryside that has been placed in action and calls on State security agencies and the Attorney General's Office to start an investigation. The two incidents highlight a series of attacks on agrarian leaders throughout Venezuela. Assassinations of leaders have been part and parcel of the situation in the states of Zulia and Tachira over the past few years.

The Patriotic Alliance of pro-government parties is expected to meet today for the third time to discuss regional elections and the selection of candidates. It has been learned that the Patria Para Todos (PPT) party will raise the issue of nepotism in the choice of candidates and propose mechanisms to avoid corruption in the process. It would also appear that the PPT is not satisfied with the way conversations have been held with allied parties coordinated by the PSUV vice president, General (ret.) Alberto Muller Rojas. However, it would appear that political motivations are behind the move because PPT general secretary, Jose Albornoz is slotted for the Guarico governorship. Although Albornoz has not confirmed his aspiration, he has let it be known that he will attend political meetings in Calabozo, the state capital.

Prices for chicken and flour have been given a rise, while the price of eggs has been deregulated. The changes have appeared in the Gaceta Oficial. Last week, President Chavez adjusted maize prices and this week it's the turn of chicken. The price of chicken has received an 84.8% average adjustment from Bs.F 4.50 to 8.39 bolivares. While eggs have been deregulated, the government affirms its faculty to regulate prices at any given time. Harina Pan (maize bread powder) will go from 1.40 a kilo to 2.07 bolivares (47.8%).

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