At least five regional vice presidents of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSU the) will run as candidates in the upcoming regional elections. Aristobulo Isturiz is slotted as candidate to the (Caracas) Metropolitan Mayor's Office, Rodrigo Cabezas State governor of Zulia, Diosdado Cabello to repeat in Miranda, Carlos Escarra for Aragua and Adan Chavez for Barinas. It would also appear that the TV presenter, Mario Silva will sign on as candidate for Carabobo, while Jorge Rodriguez and Jacqueline Farias have their eyes on the Caracas mayorship, Willian Lara on Guarico and Freddy Bernal on Vargas. Patria Para Todos (PPT) pro-government party has expressed more concern regarding the method the PSUV is using to select candidates for regional elections. PPT leader and candidate to the Libertador Mayor's Office, Andrea Tavares argues that no method has been agreed to regarding the building of unity. The selection method approved by the majority party is contradictory to the building of revolutionary unity, Tavares claims, because it puts minority parties at a disadvantage. Top priority in talks to build unity among government forces , she says, is to seek the best method for sharing in the discussion of candidacies. PPT, Tavares states, is a party of cadres and she recalls the way her party was supposedly marginalized in the last municipal and parish council elections in 2005. The PPT will announce its candidates on May 24, among whom are the following: Carlos Martinez in Sucre, Jose Albornoz for Guarico, Gustavo Hernandez in Carabobo and Bella Petrizzo in Portuguesa.
The Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV) is preparing a series of proposals to present at a meeting of the Patriotic Alliance. The proposals revolve around drawing up strategic lines on which to build a revolutionary bloc. The PCV is pushing for a broad anti-imperialist front to be set up in all regions. PCV general secretary, Oscar Figuera says the party will undertake a final consultation regarding pre-candidates on May 16-18 in time for a key meeting of the Patriotic Alliance on May 27. The Communists are putting forward candidates for three State Governorships. Both parties, the PPT and the PCV call on President Chavez not to present the final PSUV candidates, otherwise, they warn, it would give the impression that PSUV candidates have greater support than the rest. It has been learned that the Communist Party and other minor parties have already been meeting to discuss the basis of the Patriotic Alliance and waiting until the majority PSUV completes organizing its structure, programs and platforms. PCV international bureau chief, Carolus Wimmer is winding up a visit to Europe and the UK where he has been strengthening links with local Communist parties as well as meeting broad solidarity groups.
Opposition Un Nuevo Tiempo (UNT) party president, Omar Barboza says the party has already selected a list of pre-candidates they will take to a meeting with other opposition groups to seek unitary candidates for the upcoming regional elections. Among the candidates are the following: Luis Emilio Rondon in Anzoategui, German Rodriguez in Apure, Hiram Gaviria in Aragua, Rafael Simon Jimenez in Barinas, Rafael Enrique Casal in Carabobo, Leopoldo Lopez as Metropolitan Mayor, Enrique Mendoza in Miranda and independents, such as Andres Velazquez in Bolivar and Morel Rodriguez in Nueva Esparta. As regards the country's 365 municipalities, Barboza indicates that 313 candidates have been selected by consensus. Barboza insists on the importance of the November elections and in fielding candidates who can guarantee triumph on the front line. The agreement of national unity which the UNT signed in January, Barboza maintains, is a guarantee that the democratic opposition will enter elections with unitary candidates to defend peace, freedom and progress.
The Ministry of Foreign Relations (MRE) has issued a communique replying to remarks made by the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel and stating that the Chancellor is not the only voice of the European Union. Placing her remarks within the context of the European Union-Latin American summit which will take place in Lima on Friday, the communique calls them "unfriendly." The Venezuelan government says it is surprised by the timing of the Chancellor's declaration that President Chavez is not the only voice in Latin America, insisting that such comments not only alter bilateral relations but also raise doubts about the German government's intention to strengthen friendly relations with Latin American and Caribbean countries. The Venezuelan government has always been respectful in its relations with Germany, the communique continues, and expects that country to return the respect if bilateral, bi-regional and international relations are to develop within a climate of cordiality, dialogue and understanding.
Portuguese Prime Minister, Jose Socrates and President Chavez have signed energy and food agreements during a visit of the former to Venezuela. President Chavez says the agreements will kick-start a network of just and necessary relations between the two countries. The agreement centers around supplying oil to Portugal and receiving payment through goods and services. The agreement took the form of a memorandum of understanding aimed at setting up technical details to ensure the success of the exchange program. Venezuela will receive 5,000 tonnes of milk powder, 21,000 tonnes of pasta and another 21,000 tonnes of soya oil. Both countries have agreed to a joint study of the Boyaca 6 block of the Orinoco Oil Belt by Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) and its Portuguese counterpart. Both heads of state also signed several cooperation measures to fight drug-trafficking.
Patrick J. O'Donoghue
patrick.vheadline@gmail.com
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