As the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) announces that it has paid part of what it owes the National Electoral Council (CNE), members have been urged to contribute to the party according to each person's economic capacity as part of a campaign to pay the CNE for organizing its internal electoral campaign three months ago. Contributions can be made by purchasing "socialist bonds" of 5 to 10 bolivares, which will soon start circulating throughout Venezuela. Regional party committees will be responsible for distributing the bonds. PSUV candidate to the Metropolitan Mayor's Office in Caracas, Aristobulo Isturiz has set up parish campaign commands. Party hierarch, Jorge Rodriguez, who is running for the Caracas Libertador Mayor's Office also attended the launch. Both leaders call on members to build a "socialist city." The PSUV has divided the capital city into 33 campaign command posts. Isturiz has promised to strengthen the government missions or social programs and boost popular power.
The meeting on Friday between Colombian President Alvaro Uribe and President Chavez will not take place in Caracas but at the Paraguana refinery in Falcon State. Government groups protesting the visit of Uribe have confirmed that even though the Colombian President will not visit Caracas, they will go ahead with protests in front of the Colombian Embassy. Groups in other parts of the country, such as Barquisimeto where there is a Colombian Consulate will also stage protests rejecting Uribe's visit and supporting peasants and trade unionists who have come under attack from right-wing paramilitaries and Colombian security forces.
President Chavez has ratified the military high command, despite the fact that the majority should have gone into retirement. Defense Minister, G-i-C General Gustavo Rangel Briceno will remain in office, as will as the four commanders of the National Armed Force (FAN). President Chavez questions the fact that the State has to change the Defense Minister every year because of professional military retirement rules. This is not the first time Chavez has kept on military offices after retirement date.
Introducing an important name change in the FAN, President Chavez has ruled that non-commissioned officers will now be called technical officers and NOT sub-officers as they are called in Spanish. Addressing non-commissioned officers receiving promotion, the President has told them that they are as much officers as he is and the government is assessing whether to extend the military technical career from three to four years. Graduates will no longer be called third- class technical sergeants but will graduate as technical officers.
President Chavez has revealed that he has spoken by phone to former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) hostage, Ingrid Betancourt. Chavez says that he has told Betancourt that he is ready to do his best to free all persons currently in the hands of the guerrilla army. Earlier in the day the President spoke to Betancourt's mother and family and the message to both the mother and daughter is that Venezuela celebrates their release and "we all belong to the same homeland." Chavez has confirmed that Betancourt has asked him to continue fighting for the cause of peace in Colombia. The President maintains that he is committed, not just the freeing all hostages but also to the humanitarian agreement and setting up talks that will lead to peace.
A delegation from the National College of Journalists (CNP) has attended a meeting of the National Assembly (AN) permanent committee of social communications to request an investigation into accusations by two journalists regarding nepotism on the part of House president, Cilia Flores. The delegation headed by Roger Santodomingo accuses Flores of violently rejecting the petition and spraying two journalists from El Nacional and El Universal with insults. However, the same accusation was launched several weeks ago in the weekly newspaper, Las Verdades de Miguel providing names of people employed in the AN connected to Flores through family ties. It has been learned that the committee has decided not to rock the boat.
Patrick J. O'Donoghue
patrick.vheadline@gmail.com
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