Fourteen traffic wardens robbed; 22 crimes of violence against women defined by law; Bad debts more than double at Venezuelan banks

Fourteen traffic wardens have been robbed in the last three months, most by bandits on motor bikes, according to the national terrestrial traffic institute (Inttt). This was announced at the official launch of a crackdown on road offences, particularly bad bikers. The first step was to enforce the law, Inttt said.


The Supreme Justice Tribunal (TSJ) swore in judges to on new special courts that will try cases involving violence against women. No less than 22 such crimes are defined by law, but the trouble until now has been bringing cases to court and securing convictions, officials say.


Yaracuay Governor Carlos Gimenez can only be removed from his post if he is convicted of a crime in a court, according to Alberto Arteaga Sanchez, a lawyer and specialist in penal law. Similar arguments have been put forward on behalf of aspirant candidates included in Comptroller General Clodosbaldo Russian's controversial ban.


Bad debts more than doubled at Venezuelan banks, leaping by 109.46 percent to a little over Bs.Fs.1.73 billion in the year up to and including April, from Bs.Fs.827 million in the same period 12 months before, said the Banking Superintendent's Office (Sudeban). Growth in credit card use slowed slightly at the same time, but was still up 41.8 percent. Officials at the Light Industries and Commerce Ministry (Milco) say they're being "saturated" by requests for certificates of Venezuelan origin. This is a new requirement for exporting food under government efforts to prevent shortages.


Officials have declared 22 cultural institutions including the Teatro Teresa Carreño and the national dance and music companies as being of a "socialist" character. The measure is seen as part of the government's policy of ensuring greater "popular participation" in the arts. All together, now.