Patrick J. O'Donoghue's news and views from Venezuela -- January 29

VHeadline News Editor Patrick J. O'Donoghue reports:

Confederation of Industry (Conindustria) president, Eduardo Gomez Sigala has launched another attack on the government, saying that Venezuela is losing its productive capacity and possibility of generating employment. The Captain of industry wants to see a correction of economic policies and warns of dangerous times ahead, if the measures are not taken. Definitely tongue-in-cheek given his own commercial record, Gomez Sigala denies any possibility of Venezuela becoming competitive and blames it on the government's failure to adjust the exchange rate that would allow domestic production to develop. Pointing to Venezuela's inflation record and serious problems of shortages related to production, the business leader dismisses the State solution which, he groans, consists of "more intervention, more regulation and more control." Gomez Sigala criticizes the government's export record, revealing that while Columbia exports to Venezuela $6 billion worth of goods Venezuela is exporting to Colombia only $1 billion and statistics are even more alarming when it comes to Brazil, China and Argentina.

Interior & Justice (MIJ) Minister, Tarek El Aissami says five people have been arrested for the murder of several persons in El Vigia (Merida). Those responsible for the deaths are, believe it or not, Merida State police officers and State Security & Political (DISIP) agents. On January 24, 8 citizens, of whom 4 were adolescents, were assassinated in the Brisas de Ona barrio while traveling inside a black truck. One of the occupants was wounded and lived to tell the tale. El Aissami claims that the murder of the eight is related to the homicide of Jose Luis Albornoz Escalona in Merida on January 22. In a public statement, the Minister categorically declares that the government will not tolerate any members of the security forces committing crimes against the public and there will be zero tolerance towards the use of extrajudicial mechanisms. The public ministry, he rounds up, will guaranteed legality and due process, while the judicial power will administrate objective and impartial justice in all cases.

Former Defense Minister, Gen (ret.) Raul Baduel has returned to the public arena, criticizing State security forces for repressing student demonstrations over the last few days, calling it a "sign of weakness and an antidemocratic spirit." According to Baduel, opposition students represent the most genuine future of the country and its families. This is Baduel's first statement against the government for some time and is seen to coincide with the opposition's campaign rejecting President Chavez' constitutional amendment proposal. The General maintains that the university is one of the most "genuine representations of plurality of ideas and exercise of dissent within respectful and civic terms." Coinciding with the opposition, Baduel contends that President Chavez has embarked on a career of personal ambition to become life President of Venezuela, which, he claims, the latter is destroying.

When asked about the situation inside the Armed Forces (FAN), the former Defense
Minister admits that those in high command do represent the military institution
but are by no means a "genuine representation of the feeling of the majority of
men and women in the FAN." No less than 80%, he asserts, want to abide by the
Constitution as it stands, the laws and defense of democracy. The General refers
to the recent arrest of 31 alleged Colombian paramilitaries in Petare and
arrests of retired FAN officials supposedly linked to an assassination plot
against the President as "smokescreens to divert the attention of the country"
from the political arena.

Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro has reacted angrily to the Israeli decision to expel two Venezuelan diplomats, calling it a violation of international agreements. According to the Minister, the expulsions demonstrate that the Palestine State does not exist for Israel. The two Venezuelan diplomats were expelled after opening an office in Ramala and each of them declared persona non grata. The two diplomats in question are Roland Betancourt accredited in Israel and Jonathan Velasquez accredited before the Palestine National Authority. Maduro confirms that Venezuela now has no representation with the State of Israel and reiterates the "just and correct" decision to break relations after its invasion of the Gaza Strip.

Communication & Information (Minci) Minister, Jessie Chacon insists that the private media in Venezuela have shown a definite bias in favor of the opposition "No" campaign against the constitutional amendment proposal. The Minister made a statement after visiting the National Elections Council (CNE) to lodge a formal complaint. The Minister argues that private TV stations, the majority of radios and the newspapers are supporting the opposition. The Minister maintains that Venezuelans want to reach February 15 receiving balanced information. Of each 10 articles published in the papers, the Minister quips, eight (8) are in favor of the "No" option and in the case of news, 55% published in the media tow the opposition line. Chacon points to the El Universal broadsheet which, he says, uses up 74% of its space to the "No" vote and El Nacional newspaper, which dedicates 20 pages in favor of the opposition and 5 in favor of the "Yes" vote. Chacon reports that in going to the CNE what he is proposing is to create a mechanism of balance. An opposition web retorts that percentages in the government media are overtly lob-sided in favor of government propaganda.

President Chavez has confirmed a visit to Belem, Brazil today to attend the World Social Forum. The presidents of Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador and Paraguay are expected to attend the annual event in which thousands of social leaders and civil sector movements are taking part. The President made the announcement during a visit to Zulia State to review the regional electoral command working for the constitutional amendment campaign. Chavez says he will be meeting the Presidents attending the forum. President Chavez has told followers to read carefully a new article in his column, which comes out today and which deals with instructions to coordinate the electoral battle. Two weeks ago, Chavez writes, he launched a lightning campaign and not a minute should be lost in fighting opposition lies about the amendment, adding that it's not a matter of passion but organization ... "without a machinery, the (election) commands cannot function, plans can't work and there will be no victory."

Labor & Social Security Minister, Roberto Hernandez has met with hierarchs of the opposition Confederation of Workers of Venezuela (CTV), Confederation of Autonomous Trade Unions of Venezuela (Codesa) and the General Confederation of Workers (CGT) to discuss the national minimum wage, as well as other labor matters. The trade union leaders proposed the setting up of tripartite commission to review and fix the new minimum salary as established by law. They requested that they be allowed to take part in public discussions on the Labor Law reform bill, stating that they have already presented proposals to the National Assembly (AN) social development committee. The once-powerful CTV general secretary, Manuel Cova points to the unification of international trade union organizations, despite ideological differences and insists that in Venezuela the same could happen starting with the setting up of an joint working agenda. It is highly unlikely that the Minister will agree to resurrecting a tripartite commission, owing to obstacles and aggressive anti-government attitude adopted by the main employers associations.
Patrick J. O'Donoghue
patrick@vheadline.com