Speaking in Lisbon, Portugal, President Chavez has called on Europe not to treat Latin Americans as criminals. The President aims his batteries at Spain and Portugal urging them to accompany Latin America in the fight to modify the so-called European Union (EU) Return Directive, which he says violates basic human rights. Chavez insists on sitting down with other leaders to analyze the problem and reveals that he has already commented on the directive with other Latin American presidents. What he would like to see, Chavez announces, is a unitary formula that solves the situation of many migrants who have left their countries to seek a better life.President Chavez says he is skeptical about any change of US policy on the part of Democrat candidate to the White House, Barack Obama. The President holds no illusions and prefers to adopt a wait and see approach. "Whether it's Obama or John McCain, the next president of the USA should understand what is happening in the world and Latin America." Chavez made the statement during a press conference in Portugal. Referring to a famous speech of John F. Kennedy in the US Congress when he asked for resources for social programs in Latin America, Chavez recalls that at the time there was a social revolution going on in South America and the cause was not Communism but poverty and hunger. A phrase used by Kennedy during his speech that those who close the way to a pacific revolution open the doors to violent revolutions is cited by the Venezuelan President ... "both Obama and McCain should remember that phrase."
Executive Vice President, Ramon Carrizalez has dismissed as completely false, allegations that Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) plane transported Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrillas to Nicaragua to attend the anniversary of the Sandinista revolution. Carrizalez also denies that President Chavez is spending $30 billion to purchase weapons and plans to allow Russian bases in Venezuela as international media inventions.
On the eve of President Chavez' much announced visit to Spain, Ambassador Alfredo Toro Hardy has confirmed that the energy, food and financial crisis will top the agenda. The visit will also be an occasion to turn the page on the misunderstanding that arose during the Iberian-American summit in Santiago de Chile last December in which the famous exchange between King Juan Carlos and President Chavez took place. Toro Hardy states that Spanish businessmen continue to be interested in investing in Venezuela that has the biggest oil reserves in the world and an economy that is growing. Domestic markets. he argues, have extended as the result of the government's distribution policies, social spending and investment in development and infrastructure. According to the Ambassador, there is a big divide between what the main media sources say against President Chavez and the sympathy that the Spanish population has towards Venezuela and its president.
The FARC has handed the International Red Cross 8 hostages of a group of 17. In a press release, Red Cross reveals that the handover took place North East of Antioquia. The operation was made possible because of confidential and discreet exchange between the concerned parties and under the humanitarian, neutral and independent action of the Red Cross.
There has been wide spread criticism against the Colombian government and army's use of Telesur TV and the Red Cross logos in the operation to rescue presidential candidate, Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other hostages several weeks ago. A group of Latin American journalists have stated that it was an act of irresponsibility and places the life of journalists in danger in the future. Cynical Colombian Defense Minister, Juan Manuel Santos admits that two army officers passed themselves off as a journalist and cameraman of Telesur to confuse rebels holding the hostages.
Patrick J. O'Donoghue
patrick.vheadline@gmail.com
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