VENEZUELA
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Venezuelanalysis Weekly News Round-Up
In the news last week, Venezuela continued to sign international oil deals and invest oil profits in food production. Contrary to U.S. claims that Venezuela does not cooperate in the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking, Venezuela extradited a suspected terrorist to Cuba and three suspected drug traffickers to the U.S. Domestically, the National Union of Workers decried the continued assassinations of labor organizers, and stepped up its efforts to promote worker control of the economy. Finally, the Banco de Venezuela, one year after being nationalized, showed unprecedented growth in deposits and loans to the country's productive sector.
In our analysis section below, you will see the latest report on U.S. funding to Venezuelan opposition journalists and other articles defending Venezuela against U.S. imperialism, as well as some critical pieces focused on the ALBA trade bloc, LGBT issues, and contradictions in the PSUV.
Regards,
James for VA
News
Chavez Praises Banco de Venezuela Growth on the First Anniversary of its Nationalisation
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez declared the performance of the nationalized Banco de Venezuela unprecedented, one year after it passed formally into public hands.
Venezuelan National Workers Union Calls for Greater Worker Control
Steel worker giving worker control workshop at Sidor factory (Prensa Sidor)
Venezuela’s principal union federation, the National Union of Workers (UNETE), recently circulated a document calling for broader nationalizations, a revolutionary labor law, and a radical shift toward a democratic, worker-led management model to stave off state bureaucracy.
Colombia’s Accusations a “Pathetic Media Spectacle” against Venezuela
Following accusations by the Colombian government that Venezuela is purposefully tolerating the presence of Colombian guerrilla “terrorists” in its territory, Venezuelan government officials have responded, saying the accusations are part of a “defamation” media campaign and attempts by the outgoing Colombian government to prevent good relations between the two countries.
Venezuelan Right-Wing Opposition Figure Held on Terror Charges
Yesterday, Venezuelan Minister for Internal Affairs Tarek El Aissami announced the arrest of opposition figure Alejandro Peña Esclusa after police supposedly found explosive materials in his home during a raid on Monday. The raid comes after the detention in Caracas last week of known Salvadorian terrorist Francisco Chávez Abarca who confessed to having been contracted by Luis Posada Carriles to carry out destabilizing acts in Venezuela.
Socialist Party of Venezuela’s Electoral Campaign Includes Political Training
United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) electoral campaign leaders met yesterday to evaluate the progress of the first stage of their electoral campaign for the parliamentary elections on September 26 and to plan the second stage.
Two More Trade Unionists Murdered in Venezuela; National Union of Workers Demands Justice
Following the murder of two Venezuelan trade unionists this week, the National Union of Workers (UNETE) demanded that state security forces carry out efficient investigations and adopt preventative measures to protect union leaders.
Venezuela Extradites Three Suspected Drug Traffickers to US
On Tuesday, Venezuela extradited three suspected drug traffickers, one of whom was on the US Drug Enforcement Agency’s top ten most wanted list.
Venezuela Edges Closer to Food Sovereignty by Increasing Milk Production by 50%
Venezuelan Minister for Land and Agriculture Juan Carlos Loyo declared on Monday that his country has made great strides in developing the dairy and beef sectors of the economy in its efforts to achieve food and agricultural sovereignty.
Venezuela Signs Oil Deals with Vietnam, Belarus and Angola
Venezuela has increased its number of oil joint ventures with developing countries after signing agreements with Vietnam, Belarus and Angola.
Analysis
Venezuela, Worker Control, and Self-management
In the middle of the deepest crisis that the capitalist system has ever seen, when it’s already showing its cruellest face, when anger and sometimes impotence spreads among those of us with years fighting and predicting the consequences, the lights of hope that show us that another world is possible pass us by unnoticed.
Washington Still Has Problems With Democracy in Latin America
Imagine if Barack Obama, upon taking office in January 2009, had decided to deliver on his campaign promise to “end business as usual in Washington so we can bring about real change.”
A Tale Of Two Extraditions
The United States government should practise what it preaches on terrorism. But the way it deals with terrorist extradition requests from Venezuela and its history of intervention in countries in the region - such as Jamaica - show terrorism, terrorists and the selective use of the terms are merely a function of a self-interested ideological foreign policy.
ALBA: How Much of a Turn to the Left in Latin American Governance and Economic Policy?
The Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) regional integration model is based on a solidaristic approach to trade among member states. However, the over-dependence on Venezuelan oil could mean it has an uncertain future as sustainable integration project.
Venezuela Should Follow Argentina's Example on Gay Rights
After Argentina made history yesterday morning by legalising same sex marriage, Venezuela should follow Argentina’s lead and likewise erase the legally bigoted conception of marriage as defined by a union that exists between a man and a woman only.
Documents reveal multimillion-dollar funding to journalists and media in Venezuela
US State Department documents declassified under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) evidence more than $4 million USD in funding to journalists and private media in Venezuela during the last three years. This funding is part of the more than $40 million USD international agencies are investing annually in anti-Chavez groups in Venezuela in an attempt to provoke regime change.
Bolivarian Venezuela at a Crossroads, Part 2: Debate and Contradiction in the PSUV
During the 2007 constitutional referendum, one might have thought that the party created by Hugo Chávez in 2006 was stillborn since fewer people voted ‘Yes’ than the number of people officially enrolled in the party. But this impression was partially belied in the following months.
Oil in Venezuela: The Lesser of Two Evils
Venezuela´s oil riches have enabled its government to begin building a new society, enabled it to help its neighbours and stand up for itself in the world, demonstrating to the world that many positive outcomes are possible even from a resource with such potential for destruction