VHeadline News Editor Patrick J. O'Donoghue reports:
Currency Administration Committee (Cadivi) president, Manuel Barroso says the measure limiting the amount of foreign currency for Venezuelans wishing to travel abroad is based on the current international economic situation, which, he admits, is uncertain as regards its length and depth. Barroso declares that in 2009 the government hopes to economize around $2.3 billion in preferential credit card facilities, which reached $5 billion in 2008. The grant has been cut from $5000 a year to $2500 for all citizens. Barroso has confirmed that the current individual rate for citizens as of January 2 is the purchase of $400 per year via the Internet, $250 cash withdrawals and $500 in cash for those wishing to travel outside of Venezuela. The system has come under severe abuse from people who have found ways of personal enrichment by using up quotas of people who do not travel to purchase dollars at favorable government rates, which is currently $1/2.15 bolivares.
Venezuela's international reserves closed 2008 at $43 billion, of which $42.2 billion are deposited at the Central Bank of Venezuela and $828 million in the Macro Economic Stabilization Fund.
Petroleos De Venezuela (PDVSA) has announced a profit of 225% between January and September, 2008.
According to El Universal broadsheet, the government is assessing a mechanism to introduce a new tax of 2% on each transaction done by credit/debit cards and electronic transfers. The move is said to be one of several measures the government is studying to make up for the shortfall in next year's budget since it was originally set at $60 a barrel. Oil income fell from $129 pbd in July 2008 to $32.14 on December 19.
The National Assembly (AN) will debate the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip during its first session on Monday, January 5. Deputy Elvis Amoroso says Venezuela cannot stand aside in such cases where there is an obvious violation of the sovereignty of peoples and countries. Venezuela will also take the case to a meeting of the World Inter-Parliamentary Union sets for the middle of March in Switzerland.
There have been protests in Venezuela about the Israeli bombardment of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and there have been plenty of articles written in pro-government websites supporting the Palestine cause, which can be taken as a new phenomenon in Venezuelan grassroots politics.
The opposition health director of the Caracas Metropolitan Mayor's Office has confirmed the closure of the emergency room of Concepcion Palacios Maternity Hospital, owing to a two-month absence of specialist doctors.
According to the Interior & Justice Minister, Tarek El Aissami, Venezuela has as sent 67 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Zimbabwe, currently in the throes of a cholera epidemic.
The second vice president of the Federation of Chambers of Industry & Commerce (Fedecamaras), Noel Alvarez says every businessman in Venezuela should get involved in the constitutional amendment campaign.
Colombian Senator, Piedad Cordoba has announced that the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) could release six more hostages before January 15. The Senator also confirmed that Venezuela will not be involved in this case of hostage exchange.
Patrick J. O'Donoghue
patrick.vheadline@gmail.com
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