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POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
Iranian, Venezuelan Presidents to meet in Caracas in September. No specific day in September,
just that it will be in September.
Communist party says that without Chavez´s presence there is no polo democratic.
President Chavez said that he is preparing himself for another possible chemotherapy phase.
Voluntad Popular will wait untilAugust 31 to announce whether former mayor of Chacao,
Leopoldo Lopez, as its candidate for the primary presidential elections or not.
President of UNT, Manuel Rosales, announced the governor of Zulia, Pablo Perez, as UNT
presidential candidate for the primaries in Feb 2012.
President Chavez announced the creation of a new state called Territorio Insular Miranda, the
capital will be Los Roques.
ECONOMY
President Hugo Chávez signed the decree-law to nationalize the Venezuelan gold industry. "All
primary, related, and auxiliary activities of gold development are reserved to the State, given
their strategic nature," he said.
President Hugo Chávez again threatened to nationalize banks if they fail to finance productive
projects.
Milk production dropped 60% in Sur del Lago.
Venezuela had its long-term and local currency ratings cut to B+ from BB- by Standard & Poor’s
Ratings Services.
President Chavez ordered to transfer 211 tons of gold that Venezuelan has in foreign banks to the
Venezuelan Central Bank. The deadline to transfer the 211 tons of gold to the Central Bank is
within 2 months. Venezuela has gold deposited in the UK at Standard Chartered and Barclays, in
the US at JP Morgan, France at BNP Paribas, and Switzerland at Bank for international
settlements. Venezuela also announced that it will deposit part of its international reserves in
banks in Brazil, Russia and China.
Unemployment rate of 8% in July, reduction of 0.7% in comparison to the same period in 2010.
Venezuela announces temporary freeze of hospital fees as government aims to contain costs.
Food basket increased 3.81% in July, said the national institute of statistics. The products that
increased the most were: tomato 57.52%, pepper 29.87%, carrot 17.73%, watermelon 37.4%,
melon 14.37%.
Govt will create a new food transportation network.
Inflation in July was 2.7% and in the first semester of 2011 inflation rate has reached 16%.
ENERGY
Iran and Venezuela started construction on a petrochemical complex in the southern Iranian
province of Bushehr, Press TV reported, citing National Iranian Petrochemical Organization
Managing Director Abdolhossein Bayat. The countries are building a methanol unit in the
southern port town of Assaluyeh, Bayat said.
Venezuelan vice-minister of electric development said that by December 2011 the govt will
eliminate power cuts. The electrical generation boats Josefa Rufina I and Margarita I are already
producing 342 megawats in the capital region.
PDVSA and Petrobras did not come to an agreement over the financing of the Abreu e Lima
refinery project August 21st. PDVSA still disagrees with the amount that needs to be paid.
PDVSA Gas transfers gas distribution plant to popular power. New gas distribution plant will be
inaugurated August 27.
PDVSA operates its first tug boat manufactured in Cuba
President Chavez approved 1.2 billion bolivares for Corpoelec´s expenses.
Scandal over embezzled pension funds at state oil company PDVSA has renewed concerns about
corruption and mismanagement. Retired workers from the oil behemoth have taken to the streets
in protest. Their beef: nearly half a billion dollars of pension fund money was lost after it was
invested in what turned out to be a Madoff-style Ponzi scheme run by a U.S. financial advisor
who was closely linked to President Hugo Chavez's government.
The increase in the demand for electricity due to visitors in the Falcón region and the high
temperature has caused a failure in the electrical system in Paraguaná peninsula.
Petropiar breaks the 160, 000 barrel a day barrier.
Several parts in the state of Anzoategui stayed more than 5 hours without electricity, reported
National Electric Corporation (Corpoelec).
Crude oil production averaged 2.77 million barrels per day (bpd) in June, versus 2.97 million bpd
the prior month.
Electricity failure affected the operations of Sidor and Venalum August 1st, the failure occurred
at a electricity station in Guayana Amaya.
SECURITY
Venezuela´s vice-minister of interior and security, Edwin Rojas, announced that more than 100
thousand weapons that were seized will be destroyed.
Marco Da Costa, an assistant to the president of weekly journal Sexto Poder, said he was served
a notice whereby a court banned the publication and distribution of the journal.
Operational strategic commander, Henry Rangel Silva, said that Bolivarian armed force has
prioritized the eradication of illegal mining
3 inmate from prison Puente Ayala in the state of Anzoategui were killed while trying to escape
from the prison
At least 1070 ammunition disappeared of the Army´s command stationed at the Hydroelectric
dam Guri.
President Hugo Chavez's political rivals are on notice that anything they say over the phone
might be not only recorded by eavesdroppers but also played and flaunted on national television.
Fight in prison Yare III resulted in 1 inmate dead and another one wounded.
Venezuela´s interior minister, Tareck El Aissami said that a commission is evaluating an action
plan for arms control
As Venezuela halts new prison admissions, cells at police stations are filling up.
More than 90% of transportation workers adhered to the strike in the state of Zulia.
El Oriente and Yiofre will not be able to communicate with one anoterh in La Minima jail.
Venezuelan police seized 31.3 kilos of cocaine on the border between the states of Lara and
Zulia.
http://en.trend.az/regions/iran/1919688.html
[17.08.2011 18:05]
The Iranian and Venezuelan presidents will meet in Caracas in September to discuss
ways of promoting bilateral ties and cooperation, IRNA reported with reference to
Venezuelan Foreign Ministry's press-release.
The Ministry said in a press release, that a decision to that effect was made during
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s phone call to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
on Monday.
The statement said the two sides also agreed to holding the 7th joint commission
session in September.
El secretario general del PCV, Oscar Figuera, reiteró que están comprometidos con la unidad
del chavismo; sin embargo, admitió que aún los candidatos a integrar la alianza no han
precisado cuál será su carácter.
Del 14 Congreso del PCV emanaron otras metas a alcanzar: convertir al partido en "una
poderosa fuerza afincada en la clase obrera", acompañar la formación y organización del
movimiento de "control obrero", y respaldar a los delegados de prevención. Además,
pretenden apuntalar un "bloque de fuerzas populares revolucionarias para acumular fuerzas
que fortalezcan las posiciones de izquierda", donde no tendrían lugar burgueses ni
latifundistas, aunque voten por Chávez.
CPV General Secretary Oscar Figuera, reiterated that are committed to the unity of
Chavez, but admitted that even the candidates for the alliance did not specify what his
character.
Figuera acknowledged that the disease of President Hugo Chavez has affected the
formation of the Patriotic Pole. "Without the presence of Chavez today, no pole, I must
say it clear," he said.
PCV of 14 Congress to achieve other goals emerged: to turn the party into "a powerful
force based in the working class", accompanying the formation and organization of the
movement of "workers' control, and support for safety representatives. Also, try to prop
up a "block of popular revolutionary forces to build up forces to strengthen the positions
of left," which would not occur bourgeois or landowners, but vote for Chavez.
Finally, the Communists in 2012 reaffirmed that their candidate is the President.
Paulo Gregoire
Latin America Monitor
STRATFOR
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El presidente Hugo Chávez desde el balcón del pueblo realizó una cadena nacional de radio
y televisión para hacer entrega en el Palacio de Miraflores de textos escolares que entregará
el Gobierno Nacional a propósito del inicio del periodo de clases, en septiembre.
Desde allí el primer mandatario nacional anunció que actualmente se está preparando para
una "posible una etapa de quimioterapia".
Durante la entrefa de textos escolares el Jefe de Estado se refirió a su enfermedad como
algo del pasado; sin embargo, resaltó que no ha sido algo fácil. "Para mí no es fácil
atravesar esta situación", dijo.
Reiteró que se trata de un nuevo retorno. "En esta nueva vida voy a aprender a tocar
guitarra y a mejorar la voz", indicó.
Paulo Gregoire
Latin America Monitor
STRATFOR
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On August 31st, the Interamerican Human Rights Court will pronounce about the decision of
Vecchio dio por descontado que el fallo será favorable a López. "Estamos convencidos de
que con los argumentos que hemos presentado, (el tribunal) abriría la posibilidad que
Leopoldo pueda presentarse a las primarias", dijo, al tiempo que hizo un llamado a las
autoridades para cumplan lo establecido en la Convención Americana de Derechos Humanos
y acate la decisión.
Attorney Carlos Vecchio called on national authorities to abide by the decision of the
court continental
Popular Caracas .- Will not waiver to participate in primary elections where the
opposition will be a flagship unit for the 2012 presidential. This was made clear leader of
the awning, CarlosVecchio, who nonetheless said they will wait to August 31 to see
For the August 31 is scheduled to Human Rights Court to rule onthe disqualification of
Vecchio took for granted that the ruling will be favorable to Lopez. "We are convinced
that the arguments presented here,(the court) would open the possibility that
Leopold could be presented to the primaries," he said, while he called on the authorities
to comply with the provisions of the American Convention on Human Rights and abide
by the decision.
Paulo Gregoire
STRATFOR
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"No es mi hora, es la hora de la patria", señaló Rosales, quien destacó que Pérez encarna
"la esperanza y el norte de los que sufren" y es "un símbolo para la unidad y el progreso de
Venezuela".
Tras reconocer que "he venido meditando sobre la pertinencia de mi regreso" al país, el ex
alcalde de Maracaibo apuntó que esa decisión de retonar "no puede estar atada al conflicto
por una candidatura presidencial".
Rosales launches presidential primary to Paul Perez
"It's not my time, time is of the motherland," said the leader of Un Nuevo Tiempo (UNT),
Manuel Rosales from Lima, Peru.
PEDRO PABLO PEÑALOZA | EL UNIVERSAL
Wednesday August 17, 2011 01:00 PM
Caracas .- From Lima, Peru, the founder of Un Nuevo Tiempo, Manuel Rosales,
said the candidate of that party's primary toFebruary 12, 2012 is the governor of Zulia
state, Pablo Perez.
"It's not my time, time is of the motherland," said Rosales, whosaid that Perez embodies
"hope and north of the suffering" and is "a symbol for unity and progress of Venezuela."
“Mucha gente cree que esa territorio (Dependencia Territorial Insular) es libre, pero no
señor. Entonces aprovechan para meterse al territorio cuando quieren, no señor, eso
también es Venezuela”, afirmó al anunciar que se creará una Ley por Habilitante para la
creación del Territorio Insular Miranda.
A través de una llamada telefónica con el canal de Estado, el presidente Chávez señaló que
hoy observó una situación extraña: ningún periódico, incluido el Correo del Orinoco, están
hablando del Día de la Bandera. “De verdad que es curioso. Ahí está la autocrítica”, añadió.
Declaró que salió un oficial colombiano dando unas declaraciones incendiarias acerca de
presencia de las FARC, las cuales el presidente Santos “responsablemente desmintió”.
Paulo Gregoire
Latin America Monitor
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Venezuela's President Hugo Chávez said that state-run oil company Petróleos de
Venezuela (Pdvsa) will set up joint ventures with other state-run
companies under
President Chávez stated at a Council of Ministers on Tuesday that the legal framework provides
the creation of joint ventures. He noted that small-scale mining will have to migrate.
The Venezuelan State will have a majority stake in these companies. Chávez set
royalties in the sector at three percent.
The Venezuelan Head of State announced the Strategic Plan of the Orinoco Belt and the Mining
Region, which provides for the creation of more joint ventures between Pdvsa and other state-run
companies.
He also said that the first shipments of gold repatriated to Venezuela will arrive in a few weeks.
They will be held in the vaults of the Central Bank of Venezuela.
Chávez said that if it progress is made towards the creation of Banco del Sur and the South
American Reserve Fund, then the assets can be transferred to these institutions.
"We will bring the reserves to the BCV and in the future, when we have the bank or the fund, we
will take the lingots to Lima or Brasilia, depending on the place that is agreed for operation."
the Strategic Plan of the Orinoco Belt and the Mining Region
Paulo Gregoire
Latin America Monitor
STRATFOR
www.stratfor.com
President Hugo Chávez again threatened to nationalize banks if they fail to finance
productive projects. During a council of ministers on Tuesday, he instructed Vice-President
Elías Jaua to "contact private bankers and schedule some meetings. They must comply with
the law, otherwise (...) I have no problem to nationalize those banks (...) Private banks
have enough resources to fund projects."
The Venezuelan president said, "the banking sector holds deposits that virtually
equal
According to Chávez, financial institutions have failed to grant mandatory loans to agricultural
projects.
"The banking sector holds deposits amounting to VEB 200 billion (USD 46.5 billion). The banking
sector's deposits are virtually the same as the annual domestic budget," Chávez said.
the annual domestic budget"
Paulo Gregoire
STRATFOR
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Durante ese período, las precipitaciones afectaron las unidades de producción y el ganado, y
los productores no han podido invertir en la recuperación de sus fincas porque están
registrando pérdidas.
Labarca explicó que los productores reciben sólo 50% de lo que cuesta producir un litro de
leche, y no obtienen ninguna rentabilidad.
"Hay menos producción, porque mientras el costo de producción es de 5,5 bolívares el litro,
el Gobierno tiene el precio de la leche en 2,50 bolívares, 50% de lo que cuesta producir. Los
ganaderos así no puede producir", señaló.
Labarca explicó que los productores han tenido que llevar a matadero las vacas lecheras y
las novillas de reposición, para poder cumplir con los compromisos que tienen con los
bancos, y evitar los embargos.
"Eso ha mermado la producción de las fincas. Eso las está volviendo menos productivas.
Además no se pueden reponer las cercas de alambre ni el pasto, ni los insumos que se
necesitan para el mejoramiento de las fincas, y eso hace que la producción vaya en picada",
apuntó Labarca.
Antes de las intervenciones del Instituto Nacional de Tierras (INTI) en esa región, la
producción leche se ubicaba en un millón de litros diarios y ahora ronda los 400.000 litros.
Labarca señaló que los productores necesitan que el Ejecutivo nacional aumente los precios
de la leche a nivel de productor, a fin de recuperar la rentabilidad y poder invertir en la
producción, para evitar que siga mermando el rebaño nacional.
Los precios de la leche a puerta de corral no han sido revisados desde hace 17 meses, por
lo que los productores han tenido que absorber el alza en el costo de los insumos, mano de
obra e inflación.
Asimismo, considera que es pertinente que el INTI entregue todas las fincas que resultaron
afectadas con la medida de rescate en diciembre pasado, debido a que eran productoras de
leche. De las 47 fincas que fueron afectadas por esa medida, actualmente quedan unas 27
que siguen intervenidas.
Venezuela had its long-term and local currency ratings cut to B+ from BB- by
Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, which cited a revised rating methodology with
heavier weight on political risk.
The nation’s “changing and arbitrary” laws, price controls and other factors have hurt
its domestic economy, S&P said.
The deadline to transfer the 211 tons of gold to the Central Bank is within 2 months. Venezuela
has
gold deposited in the UK at Standard Chartered and Barclays, in the US at JP Morgan, France at
Al cierre del 8 de agosto las barras de oro en el exterior tienen un valor de 11 mil 058
millones de dólares, una magnitud que equivale a 38% del tanque de 29 mil 097 millones
que tiene el país para pagar importaciones y deuda externa.
De acuerdo con lo señalado por Hugo Chávez; el presidente del Banco Central, Nelson
Merentes y el ministro de Finanzas, Jorge Giordani, el movimiento busca proteger los
activos de la República ante la crisis que atraviesan Estados Unidos y Europa, donde está
colocado el oro a ser transferido.
Un punto de cuenta enviado al Presidente por el BCV y el Ministerio de Finanzas registra que
el oro está depositado, mayoritariamente, en el Banco de Inglaterra, Standard Chartered
(Inglaterra), JP Morgan (Estados Unidos), Barclays (Inglaterra), BNP Paribas (Francia) y
Banco Internacional de Pagos (Suiza).
La propuesta enviada al Presidente por Nelson Merentes y Jorge Giordani consiste en traer
al BCV las barras de oro en un plazo máximo de dos meses y Hugo Chávez ordenó "acelerar
el proceso".
Aparte del oro en el exterior las reservas del país, mayoritariamente, están compuestas por
oro que ya está en las bóvedas del BCV y la porción operativa, que incluye las colocaciones
en cuentas bancarias o bonos que permiten tener efectivo de inmediato.
Esta última porción está colocada 67,7% en dólares y 32,3% en euros y libras esterlinas. En
términos generales suman 6 mil 285 millones de dólares y el Gobierno contempla
depositarlas en economías que consideran más sólidas que Estados Unidos y Europa como
Brasil, Rusia y China.
"Se están hundiendo las economías de Europa y Estados Unidos, pero hay que ver cómo
está de sólida la economía de China, cómo está de sólida la economía rusa, Brasil".
Hugo Chávez dejó ver que existen otras motivaciones. "A pesar de que nuestras reservas
están colocadas en bancos franceses, Basilea, Estados Unidos, Londres, en esos países no
conseguimos un centavo, en cambio hace poco conseguimos con China un crédito de 20 mil
millones de dólares".
El presidente explicó que entre las opciones en consideración está invertir las reservas
operativas en "una canasta en dólares, euro, yuanes, rublos, Sucre, ojalá tengamos pronto
el Banco del Sur y metamos allí parte de nuestras reservas".
Jorge Giordani explicó que la reubicación de activos que concretará en poco tiempo
Venezuela, forma parte de un plan que estudia Unasur para que las reservas internacionales
que tienen 12 países de Surámerica en bancos de Estados Unidos y Europa sean traídos a
América Latina y el Caribe.
El ministro de Finanzas señaló que este tema fue tratado en la reunión que tuvo Unasur el
viernes pasado en Argentina.
"Son 600 mil millones de dólares que tienen en reservas internacionales los países de
Unasur y eso lo pueden manejar América Latina y el Caribe con autonomía" afirmó Jorge
Giordani.
The President of the Republic, Hugo Chavez, ordered transferred to the Central Bank of
Venezuela, 211.35 tons of gold that the country has deposited in financial institutions
abroad and represent the bulk of international reserves.
At the end of August 8th gold bars on the outside have a value of 11 000 058 000 000
dollars, an amount equivalent to 38% of the tank 29 000 097 000 000 that the country
has to pay for imports and external debt.
According to the statement by Hugo Chávez, the president of the Central Bank, Nelson
Merentes and Finance Minister Jorge Giordani, the movement seeks to protect the
assets of the Republic to the crisis afflicting the United States and Europe, where the
gold is placed to be transferred.
One point of note sent to the President by the BCV and the Ministry of Finance records
that the gold is deposited mainly in the Bank of England, Standard Chartered (England),
JP Morgan (USA), Barclays (United Kingdom), BNP Paribas (France) and Bank for
International Settlements (Switzerland).
The proposal sent to President Nelson Merentes and Jorge Giordani BCV is to bring the
gold bars in a maximum period of two months and Hugo Chavez ordered "to accelerate
the process."
Apart from gold reserves outside the country, mostly, are composed of gold already in
the vaults of the BCV and the operating portion, which includes placements in bank
accounts or bonds that allow effective immediately.
This last portion is placed 67.7% in dollars and 32.3% in euros and pounds
sterling. Overall 6 000 add $ 285 million and the government provides deposit in
economies considered stronger than the U.S. and Europe such as Brazil, Russia and
China.
"We are sinking economies of Europe and America, but look how it is in China's
economy strong, how strong the economy is in Russian, Brazil."
Hugo Chavez made to see that there are other motivations."Despite our reservations
are placed on French banks, Basel, USA, London, in those countries do not get a
penny, in contrast with China recently got a loan of 20 billion dollars."
The President explained that among the options under consideration is operating
reserves to invest in "a basket in dollars, euro, yuan, rubles, Sucre, hopefully soon have
the South Bank and Go for there part of our reserves."
Jorge Giordani said the relocation of assets to materialize soon Venezuela, is part of a
plan for studying Unasur international reserves are 12 countries in South America in
banks in the U.S. and Europe are brought to Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Finance Minister said this issue was discussed in his meeting last Friday Unasur
Argentina.
"There are 600 billion dollars in foreign reserves that have the countries of UNASUR
and that it can handle Latin America and the Caribbean autonomy," said Jorge
Giordani.
Paul Gregoire
Latin America Monitor
STRATFOR
www.stratfor.com
Paulo Gregoire
STRATFOR
www.stratfor.com
Las cifras del Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), evidencian una mejora en la tasa de
desocupación de 0,7 puntos porcentuales al compararla con las cifras registradas durante
julio del pasado año.
El presidente del organismo, Elías Eljuri, señaló que "la reducción en la tasa de
desocupación respecto del mes anterior es el resultado del crecimiento de la población
ocupada en 158.394 personas, cantidad que pudo más que compensar la incorporación de
25.924 personas a la edad de trabajar y de 60.237 personas inactivas".
The council president, Elias Eljuri said that "reducing the unemployment rate in the
previous month is the result of the growth of population in 158,394 people, an amount
that could more than offset the addition of 25,924 people at the age of work and 60,237
inactive people. "
The move comes as government officials are attempting to curb soaring inflation that
is running at an annual rate of 25.1 percent, the highest in Latin America.
President Hugo Chavez last month signed a decree that creates a new state authority to
oversee prices. Details of the plan to expand price controls have yet to be spelled out,
but Vice President Elias Jaua has said the new measures are to affect everything from
hospital services to clothing.
Health Minister Eugenia Sader said Tuesday that private hospitals agreed not to raise
fees for a period of two to three weeks. She said that period will allow for lawmakers,
government authorities and representatives of private hospitals to discuss ways of
keeping costs in check.
“There’s a commitment to freeze the fees until further notice,” Sader said. Hospital
representatives also promised to guarantee care for patients needing emergency
medical care even if they lack full insurance coverage, she said.
Hipolito Garcia, of the Association of Private Clinics and Hospitals, said the group’s
members agreed to temporarily keep fees steady and will fully cooperate with the
government.
“We will attend to those patients who come for emergencies just as we have at other
times,” Garcia said during the televised news conference.
Chavez has long accused the country’s private hospitals of taking advantage of
patients by charging excessive fees and occasionally denying access to poor and
middle-class Venezuelans who lack insurance and cannot afford treatment.
Chavez has sought to expand and improve the public health system during his 12
years in power, and thousands of Cuban doctors now work in the slums providing care
to the poor at neighborhood clinics in exchange for shipments of Venezuelan oil.
But many Venezuelans still perceive public health services as inferior and prefer
private hospitals despite the higher costs.
--
The products that increased the most were: tomato 57.52%, pepper 29.87%, carrot
17.73%, watermelon 37.4%, melon 14.37%.
INE: Canasta Alimentaria Normativa aumentó en 3,81% en
julio
http://www.globovision.com/news.php?nid=198987
15/08/2011 1:05:22 p.m.
Los rubros que presentaron una variación más acentuada al alza fueron en el grupo de
Hortalizas: Tomate (57,52%); Pimentón (29,87%), y Zanahoria (17,73%); y en el grupo de
Frutas, Patilla (37,4%);Melones (14,37%) y Lechosas con un alza del 10,93%.
8/15/2011 1:05:22 PM
The National Institute of Statistics reported that the average value of the standard food
basket stood at 1576.11 VEB, which represents 3.81% increase compared to the
previous month.
The variation between the group Food and Non Alcoholic's Price Index (INPC),
calculated by the INE and the Central Bank, was 4.8% and Food Sub-
group 5.1%, significantly lower than FoodSubgroup.
The items that showed a sharp upward variation were in the group
of vegetables: tomato (57.52%), paprika (29.87%), Carrot(17.73%) and in the fruit
group, Pin (37.4%), Melons (14.37%) and milk with a rise of 10.93%.
STRATFOR
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Next Monday, the govt will meet with 1196 transportation workers to discuss how this new
"Hemos hablado de lo que tienen que ser unas redes de transporte, de soporte, que son
novedosas (...) Son los casi 1.196 compatriotas que se han financiado, en términos del
transporte de carga, a través del Gobierno revolucionario y que esos compañeros están
siendo llamados para que el lunes próximo a través de las unidades territoriales del
ministerio de Agricultura y Tierras y del ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología se presenten en
cada uno de los puntos y van a tener lo que es el sistema de guías para incorporarse en una
nueva red de soporte para el transporte de los alimentos".
"We talked about what they have to be transport networks, support, that are new are the
nearly 1196 (...) compatriots who have been funded in terms of freight, through the
revolutionary government and that these colleagues are being called for next
Mondaythrough the territorial units of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands and the
Ministry of Science and Technology are presented in each of the points and will have
what the guide system for incorporation into a new support network for the transport of
food. "
As part of the meeting of ministers in the productive economy, Menendez said the
National Executive continues to review all issues related to financing of projects and
mechanisms to increase the production of different items. In this sense, the official
announced that the Food Ministry will hold a meeting tomorrow with the livestock sector
to discuss plans and import prices of meat.
Menendez also stressed the need to set price band for the marketing of products within
the framework of what will be the implementation of the Coastal Act and Fair Prices. "In
Venezuela we have the go seeing it, analyzing it. What does a band? Since the price of
production to a logical marketing margin, after that is theft."
Paulo Gregoire
Latin America Monitor
STRATFOR
www.stratfor.com
Inflación se ubica en 2,7% en el mes de julio
04 Ago 2011 - http://www.el-nacional.com/www/site/p_contenido.php?q=nodo/226545/Econom
%C3%ADa/Inflaci%C3%B3n-se-ubica-en-2,7%-en-el-mes-de-julio
El informe señala que la variación acumulada del INPC en los primeros 7 meses del año 2011 se
ubicó en 16%, lo cual representa 2 puntos por debajo de la observada en el mismo período de
2010, cuando fue de 18,0%
Dicha cifra resultó superior a la variación registrada en junio, que fue de 2,5% así como a la de
julio de 2010 con 1,4%.
El informe señala que la variación acumulada del INPC en los primeros 7 meses del año 2011 se
ubicó en 16%, lo cual representa 2 puntos por debajo de la observada en el mismo período de
2010, cuando fue de 18,0%.
Asimismo la variación anualizada del índice fue de 25,1% en julio, significativamente inferior al
30,5% correspondiente al mismo mes del año pasado.
En contraste con este resultado, cuatro agrupaciones se ubicaron por debajo de 1,0%: como fue
el caso de los Servicios de la vivienda con -0,2%; Comunicaciones 0,2%; Alquiler de viviendas
0,7% y Bebidas alcohólicas y tabaco 0,8%.
El informe recalca que estos eventos favorables que se complementan por el hecho de que sólo 4
de las 13 categorías registraron una variación de precios superior a la del mes previo, en donde,
Alimentos y bebidas no alcohólicas pasó de 3,3% a 4,8%; esparcimiento y cultura de 1,5% a
1,9%; servicios de educación de 1,0% a 1,2% y alquiler de viviendas de 0,6% a 0,7%.
De las 9 categorías restantes, 7 arrojaron en julio tasas menores a las de junio: como Transporte
que pasó de 3,5% a 1,9%; bebidas alcohólicas y tabaco de 2,3% a 0,8%; salud de 2,1% a 1,5%;
bienes y servicios diversos de 2,5% a 2,1%; equipamiento del hogar de 2,0% a 1,6%; vestido y
calzado de 1,3% a 1,0% y comunicaciones de 0,3% a 0,2%.
Durante el período en estudio mantuvieron la tasa los rubros de Restaurantes y hoteles con 2,2%
y Servicios de la vivienda -0,2%.
En el ámbito geográfico, 8 de los 11 dominios de estudio registraron en julio una tasa mayor a la
de junio.
En Caracas, pasó de 2,2% a 2,5%; Maracay, de 2,1% a 2,5%; Ciudad Guayana, de 2,2% a 2,4%;
Valencia, de 2,2% a 2,7%; Barquisimeto, de 2,6% a 3,1%, Maturín, de 2,3% a 2,8% y Resto
Nacional, de 2,6% a 2,9%.
Los dominios con menor crecimiento que en julio fueron: Maracaibo, de 2,8% a 2,6%;
Barcelona-Puerto La Cruz, de 2,5% a 2,3% y Mérida, de 2,3% a 1,8%. En San Cristóbal se
observó la misma tasa de crecimiento, de 2,0%.
La evolución del INPC en los bienes fue de 3,6% mientras que en los servicios de 1,4%.
El índice de escasez bajó de 12,1% en junio a 11,8% en julio, nivel que sigue por debajo de lo
registrado a comienzos de año mientras que el índice de diversidad de productos en el mercado
mejoró notablemente, al pasar de 165,4 a 174,8.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-21/iran-venezuela-start-building-petchem-
complex-press-tv-says.html
Iran and Venezuela started construction on a petrochemical complex in the southern Iranian
province of Bushehr, Press TV reported, citing National Iranian Petrochemical Organization
Managing Director Abdolhossein Bayat.
The countries are building a methanol unit in the southern port town of Assaluyeh, Bayat
saidyesterday, according to a report published on the website of the state-run news
channel. Agreements for a similar project in the South American country have yet to be
completed, he said, without giving details of the costs.
Iran and Venezuela agreed in October to jointly build petrochemical plants and for
Venezuela’s state oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela SA, to participate in Iran’s South
Pars natural-gas field.
To contact the reporter on this story: Ladane Nasseri in Tehran at lnasseri@bloomberg.net.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Andrew J. Barden
at barden@bloomberg.net.
Paulo Gregoire
Latin America Monitor
STRATFOR
www.stratfor.com
"Conscientes estamos de las molestias que a nivel nacional están causando los bloques de
racionamiento", dijo Chávez en el marco de la instalación de la unidad 3 de la fase 1 del
centro de generación La Raisa.
STRATFOR
www.stratfor.com
Venezuelana PDVSA questiona valor de refinaria em PE
24/08/2011 - 07h30
http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/mercado/964334-venezuelana-pdvsa-questiona-valor-
de-refinaria-em-pe.shtml
Na prática, investir em Abreu e Lima tem, atualmente, pouco sentido econômico para
a PDVSA.
Cada vez mais demandada pelo caixa estatal de Hugo Chávez e com as dívidas com
prestadores de serviço em alta --acréscimo de 55% em 2010 em comparação ao ano
anterior--, a empresa anunciou que o foco será investir para aumentar a produção
interna, estancada.
Além disso, a PDVSA tem orçamento global de investimentos muito mais enxuto, de
US$ 12 bilhões para 2011 --enquanto a previsão de investimentos da Petrobras é de
US$ 84 bilhões no período.
Mas o custo político de uma renúncia pura e simples ao projeto de Pernambuco seria
alto para a PDVSA. Por isso, a estatal "estaria" enrolando para desistir formalmente,
segundo uma pessoa próxima às negociações.
Dos R$ 26 bilhões de custo total da refinaria, R$ 16 bilhões serão por caixa próprio
dos sócios, além dos R$ 10 bilhões provenientes do empréstimo do BNDES.
A PDVSA tem até o último dia útil de setembro para entregar garantias junto ao
BNDES e assumir 40% do empréstimo de R$ 10 bilhões tomado pela Petrobras, ou R$
4 bilhões.
Caso o BNDES aceite as garantias, novembro será a data final para que a empresa
faça o aporte do dinheiro.
--------------
The Venezuelan state company PDVSA (Petroleos de Venezuela) and Petrobras have
not signed the agreement last weekend setting a new schedule of financial
contributions to the project in Abreu e Lima refinery in Pernambuco, as expected.
People linked to Petrobras PDVSA argued that unilaterally imposed the deadline for
signing up to day 20 (Saturday).
PDVSA, which does not participate in budget planning of the work, disagrees with the
value of the project.
Initially budgeted at $ 4 billion in 2005, when the partnership was celebrated, the
refinery is expected to cost four times: $ 16 billion (U.S. $ 26 billion).
In practice, invest in Abreu e Lima currently has little economic sense for PDVSA.
Increasingly demanded by the government of Hugo Chavez box and with debts to
service providers on the rise - an increase of 55% in 2010 compared to the previous
year - the company announced that the focus will be to invest to increase domestic
production, stagnant.
There are other edges. Petrobras gave up the concession to exploit the Orinoco Belt
in Venezuela, home to the largest heavy oil reserves in the world, according to OPEC.
But the political cost of an outright renunciation of Pernambuco to the project would
be high for PDVSA. Therefore, the state "would be" winding to give up formally,
according to a person familiar with the talks.
Of the $ 26 billion total cost of the refinery, will be $ 16 billion per box of its own
members, in addition to the $ 10 billion loan from BNDES.
Of the total, Petrobras has invested $ 7 billion alone. It says it will build anyway Abreu
e Lima, even with the withdrawal of the Venezuelan partner.
PDVSA has until the last day of September to give guarantees to BNDES and take 40%
of the loan of $ 10 billion taken by us, or U.S. $ 4 billion.
If accepted the guarantees BNDES, will be the November deadline for the company
to make the supply of money.
En este sentido, mencionó que se instaló una sala situacional para determinar los
despachos de los cilindros en los sectores populares, "esta nueva iniciativa de la
revolución permite generar empleos directos".
Por su parte, Marcelino Araujo vocero del circuito comunal 072 de la zona Colonia de
Italven, agregó que esta planta constituirá a 105 consejos comunales integrados en
cinco circuitos comunales.
"Este compromiso es un nuevo reto para el Poder Popular, cumpliendo con la tarea
que el Presidente Hugo Chávez nos ha encomendado para brindar soluciones a través
de políticas públicas en beneficio del pueblo", subrayó.
En este sentido, mencionó que se instaló una sala situacional para determinar los
despachos de los cilindros en los sectores populares, "esta nueva iniciativa de la
revolución permite generar empleos directos".
Por su parte, Marcelino Araujo vocero del circuito comunal 072 de la zona Colonia de
Italven, agregó que esta planta constituirá a 105 consejos comunales integrados en
cinco circuitos comunales.
"Este compromiso es un nuevo reto para el Poder Popular, cumpliendo con la tarea
que el Presidente Hugo Chávez nos ha encomendado para brindar soluciones a través
de políticas públicas en beneficio del pueblo", subrayó.
"Pdvsa Gas por otro lado nos suministró cinco nuevos vehículos para garantizar los
traslados a todas las zonas incluyendo los sectores rurales", puntualizó.
Pdvsa opera ya su primer remolcador de manufactura cubana
23 ago. 2011 8:26 AM
http://espanol.upi.com/Politica/2011/08/23/Pdvsa-opera-ya-su-primer-remolcador-de-
manufactura-cubana/UPI-26641314098760/
Pdvsa recordó que el primero en llegar a puerto venezolano fue el Kariña, con
similares características operacionales, y construido también por la compañía cubana
Astillero Caribbean Drydock Company INC. Estas naves auxilian en las tareas de
carga y descarga de los buques petroleros que atracan en los muelles de Guaraguao.
"Acabo de firmar 1.245 millones, recursos para fortalecer Corpoelec. Más (para pagar)
deudas con los trabajadores", dijo Chávez, en un contacto telefónico con el programa
Contragolpe, de Venezolana de Televisión, informó AVN.
Al respecto, el ministro del Poder Popular de Energía Eléctrica, Alí Rodríguez Araque, que los
recursos aprobados por el jefe de Estado beneficiarán a unos 35 mil trabajadores de la
referida empresa nacional.
"I just signed 1.245 million, resources to strengthen Corpoelec.More (to pay) payable
to workers," Chavez said in a telephone contact with the program Backlash, Venezolana
de Television, according to AVN.
In this respect, the People's Minister of Electricity, Ali RodriguezAraque, that the
resources approved by the Head of State will benefit some 35 000 workers of the
said national company.
He also said that the amount will be used to honor some of the concepts contained
in the point of account signed by the nationalpresident.
Paulo Gregoire
Latin America Monitor
STRATFOR
www.stratfor.com
Special report: Pension scandal shakes up Venezuelan oil giant
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/17/us-venezuela-pdvsa-idUSTRE77G2D220110817
CARACAS | Wed Aug 17, 2011 9:08am EDT
The South American nation has struggled to take advantage of its bonanza of expanding reserves.
And a scandal over embezzled pension funds at state oil company PDVSA has renewed concerns
about corruption and mismanagement.
Retired workers from the oil behemoth have taken to the streets in protest. Their beef: nearly half a
billion dollars of pension fund money was lost after it was invested in what turned out to be a Madoff-
style Ponzi scheme run by a U.S. financial advisor who was closely linked to President Hugo
Chavez's government.
The fraud case centers on Francisco Illarramendi, a Connecticut hedge fund manager with joint
U.S.-Venezuelan citizenship who used to work as a U.S.-based advisor to PDVSA and the Finance
Ministry.
Several top executives at PDVSA have been axed since the scandal, which one former director of
the company said proved Venezuela under Chavez had become "a moral cesspool."
Pensioners are not the only ones still wondering how such a large chunk of the firm's $2.5 billion
pension fund was invested with Illarramendi in the first place.
The question cuts to the heart of the challenges facing PDVSA, one of Latin America's big three oil
companies alongside Pemex of Mexico and Brazil's Petrobras.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries issued a report last month showing
Venezuela surpassed Saudi Arabia as the largest holder of crude oil reserves in 2010.
PDVSA is ranked by Petroleum Intelligence Weekly as the world's fourth largest oil company thanks
to its reserves, production, refining and sales capacity, and it has been transformed in recent years
into the piggy-bank of Chavez's "21st Century Socialism."
The timing of the scandal is not good for Chavez: the charismatic, 57-year-old former coup leader
underwent cancer surgery in Cuba in June and is fighting to recover his health to run for re-election
next year. He needs every cent possible from PDVSA for the social projects that fuel his popularity.
MULTI-TASKING
The company does a lot more than pump Venezuela's vast oil reserves. Tapped constantly to
replenish government coffers, PDVSA funds projects ranging from health and education to arts and
Formula One motor racing. From painting homes to funding medical clinics staffed by Cuban
doctors, the restoration of a Caracas shopping boulevard and even a victorious team at the Rio
carnival, there's little that PDVSA doesn't do.
Jeffrey Davidow, a former U.S. ambassador to Venezuela who now heads the Institute of the
Americas at the University of California, San Diego, points to the occasion when PDVSA senior
executives turned down invitations to a regional energy conference at the last minute back in May,
saying they were too busy because of PDVSA's leading role in the government's "Gran Mission
Vivienda" project. It aims to build two million homes over the next seven years.
"In poorly-managed societies, national oil companies tend to be the most efficient organizations, so
the government gives them more work to do, instead of letting them focus on being better oil
companies," Davidow told industry executives in the ballroom at a luxurious La Jolla hotel.
That's the kind of criticism that Chavez, who has nationalized most of his country's oil sector since
he was elected in 1999, says is rooted in a bankrupt "imperial Yankee" mind-set.
He purged perceived opponents from PDVSA's ranks in response to a crippling strike in 2002-
2003 that slashed output, firing thousands of staff and replacing them with loyalists. Since then, the
company has endured one controversy after another.
There was the "maleta-gate" affair in 2007, so-called after the Spanish word for suitcase, when a
Venezuelan-American businessman was stopped at Buenos Aires airport carrying luggage stuffed
with $800,000 in cash that U.S. prosecutors said came from PDVSA and was intended for Cristina
Fernandez's presidential campaign in Argentina. Both Fernandez and Chavez denied the charge.
There have also been persistent allegations by industry experts and international energy
organizations that Venezuela inflates its production statistics -- which PDVSA denies -- and a string
of accidents, including the sinking of a gas exploration rig in the Caribbean last year and a huge fire
at a giant oil storage terminal on an island not far away.
In a big blow to its domestic popularity, tens of thousands of tons of meat and milk bought by
PDVSA's importer subsidiary, PDVAL, were left festering in shipping containers at the nation's main
port last year, exacerbating shortages of staples on shop shelves. Opposition media quickly
nicknamed the subsidiary "pudreval" in a play on the Spanish verb "to rot" - "pudrir".
In an apparent damage-limitation exercise after the pension scandal, five members of the PDVSA
board were relieved of their duties in May, including the official who ran the pension fund. They were
replaced by Chavez loyalists including the country's finance minister and foreign minister.
Gustavo Coronel, a former PDVSA director in the 1970s and later Venezuela's representative to anti-
graft watchdog Transparency International, said the fraud had been going on right under the noses
of the PDVSA board.
"What this scandal shows is that Venezuela has become a moral cesspool, not only restricted to the
public sector but to the private sector as well," he wrote on his blog.
"Money is dancing like a devil in Venezuela, without control, without accountability. Those who are
well connected with the regime have thrown the moral compass by the side Venezuelan justice will
not move a finger. Fortunately, U.S. justice will."
SHOW ME THE MONEY
U.S. investigators say Illarramendi, the majority owner of the Michael Kenwood Group LLC hedge
fund, ran the Ponzi scheme from 2006 until February of this year, using deposits from new investors
to repay old ones. He pleaded guilty in March to multiple counts of wire fraud, securities and
investment advisor fraud, as well as conspiracy to obstruct justice and defraud the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission. He could face up to 70 years in prison.
By those outside the circles of power in Venezuela, Illarramendi was seen as one of the "Boli-
Bourgeoisie" -- someone who was already wealthy but grew much richer thanks to the "Bolivarian
Revolution," named by Chavez after the dashing 19th century South American independence hero
Simon Bolivar. In one widely-circulated image, Illarramendi is seen overweight and balding, wearing
a dark blue overcoat and clutching a blue briefcase as he left federal court in Bridgeport, Connecticut
after pleading guilty.
An ex-Credit Suisse employee and Opus Dei member in his early 40s who lived in the United States
for at least the last 10 years but traveled frequently to Venezuela, Illarramendi is on bail with a bond
secured on four U.S. properties he owns.
He was close to PDVSA board members and Ministry of Finance officials, but is not thought to have
known Chavez personally. The son of a minister in a previous Venezuelan government, Illarramendi
did enjoy some perks -- including using a terminal at the capital's Maiquetia International Airport
normally reserved for the president and his ministers, according to one source close to his business
associates.
His sentencing date has not been set yet, but a receiver's report by the attorney designated to track
down the cash is due in September. In June, SEC regulators said they found almost $230 million of
the looted money in an offshore fund.
That was just part of the approximately $500 million Illarramendi received, about 90 percent of which
was from the PDVSA pension fund, according to the SEC.
PDVSA has assured its former workers they have nothing to worry about, and that the money will be
replaced. But what concerns some retirees are allegations the company may have broken its own
rules for managing its pension fund, which should have provided for more oversight by pensioners.
A representative of the retirees should attend meetings where the use of the fund is discussed, but
no pensioners have been called to attend such a meeting since 2002.
PDVSA's investment in capitalist U.S. markets may seem to be incongruous given the president's
anti-West rhetoric, but the scale of such transfers is not known, and the investment options for such
funds at home in Venezuela are sharply limited, not least by restrictive currency controls.
Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez told Reuters that Illarramendi only had an advisory role with
PDVSA, and that it ended six years ago. So quite how he came to be managing such a big chunk of
the pension fund is a hotly debated topic. Ramirez said the pension fund had been administered
properly, and that the losses were of great concern to the company.
In July, PDVSA boosted pension payments to ex-employees by 800 bolivars a month, or about $188.
The government also allocated nearly half the income from a new 2031 bond issue of $4.2 billion to
the company's pension fund -- probably to replenish deposits lost in the scandal.
Still, ex-PDVSA worker Luis Villasmil says his monthly stipend barely meets the essentials for him,
his wife, a diabetic son and a niece. One morning in April, he rose early and met several dozen other
PDVSA retirees to march in protest to the company's local headquarters in Zulia, the decades-old
heartland of Venezuela's oil production.
"I never thought we would be in this situation," the 65-year-old told Reuters with a sigh. "I think
PDVSA should show solidarity with the retirees and pay their pensions whatever happens because it
is responsible. But that's not the heart of the issue, which is to recover the money if possible."
Ramirez, who once proclaimed that PDVSA was "rojo rojito" (red) from top to bottom, says the firm's
90,000 staff have nothing to worry about. "Of course we are going to support the workers," he told
Reuters in March. "We will not let them suffer because of this fraud. We have decided to replace it
(the lost money) and to make ourselves part of the lawsuit (against Illarramendi)."
ORINOCO FLOW
The latest scandal comes at a time when observers are focused on the future of PDVSA, given
Chavez's uncertain health, next year's election and OPEC's announcement on reserves.
The producer group said in July that Venezuela leapfrogged Saudi Arabia last year to become the
world's no.1 reserves holder with 296.5 billion barrels, up from 211.2 billion barrels the year before.
"It has been confirmed. We have 20 percent of the world's oil reserves ... we are a regional power, a
world power," Chavez said during one typical recent TV appearance, scribbling lines all over a map
to show where planned refineries and pipelines to the coast would be built.
The new reserves were mostly booked in the country's enormous Orinoco extra heavy belt, a remote
region of dense forests, extraordinary plant life and rivers teeming with crocodiles and piranhas.
And there lies the rub. Not only is the Orinoco crude thick and tar-like, unlike Saudi oil which is
predominantly light and sweet, it is also mostly found in rural areas that have little in the way of even
basic infrastructure. It costs much more to produce and upgrade into lighter, more valuable crude.
So hopes now rest on a string of ambitious projects that Venezuela says will revitalize a declining oil
sector, eventually adding maybe 2 million barrels per day (bpd) or more of new production to the
country's current output of about 3 million bpd, while bringing in some $80 billion in investment.
The projects are mostly joint ventures with foreign partners including U.S. major Chevron, Spain's
Repsol, Italy's Eni, Russian state giant Rosneft and China's CNPC, as well as a handful of smaller
companies from countries such as Japan, Vietnam and Belarus. Even after the nationalizations of
the past, investors clearly want a seat at the Orinoco oil table.
In June, Ramirez announced new funding for Orinoco projects this year of $5.5 billion through
agreements with Chinese and Italian banks.
The question remains: will PDVSA have the operational capacity required as the lead company in
each project, and will it be able to pay its share?
"Processing that extra heavy crude requires a lot of capital and equipment, and the climate is not
good for that at the moment," said one regional energy consultant who has worked with PDVSA and
asked not to be named.
There may be billions of barrels in the ground, but the pension scandal will only underline the risks
going forward for foreign companies with billions of dollars at stake.
Paulo Gregoire
Latin America Monitor
STRATFOR
www.stratfor.com
Around 1:30 pm on Tuesday there was a fault in the plant Josefa Camejo, which
supplies electricity to the peninsula, which led to the departure of 13 circuits, which
were fully restored about 3 : 30 pm.
Earlier on Monday, August 15, events at the Planta Centro Isiro-lines leading to
discontinuation ofservice in almost every state.
Este Plan, diseñado por el Gobierno Nacional y ejecutado por Petróleos de Venezuela,
a través de sus negocios y empresas de la Faja Petrolífera del Orinoco (FPO) se
desarrolla en las áreas Ayacucho, Carabobo y Junín de la Faja, las cuales van a ir
aportando semanalmente los barriles necesarios para alcanzar una producción de 146
MBD adicionales a la producción de la FPO para finales de 2011, tal como lo anunció
el Ministro del Poder Popular para Energía y Petróleo y Presidente de PDVSA, Rafael
Ramírez, la semana pasada.
Entre los sectores que llevan más tiempo afectados se encuentran: Casa Fuerte, La
Gobernación, Barrio Venezuela, Urbanización 29 de Marzo, en Barcelona. Además de la
mayor parte de Lecherías, según informó el canal de noticias Globovisión.
Barcelona and dairies with more than 5 hours without electricity
A report by National Electricity Corporation (Corpoelec) in the eastern state indicates
that the service will be restored aroundmidnight on Sunday.
EL UNIVERSAL
Sunday August 14, 2011 9:40 PM
Caracas .- Various sectors of Dairy and Barcelona in Anzoategui State are more
than five hours without electricityservice due to the departure of the bars one and two
of the substation "Barracks."
Among the sectors that take longer affected are: Strong House, the Interior,
Barrio Venezuela, Urbanization March 29 inBarcelona. In addition to most dairies,
according to the news channel Globovision.
Paulo Gregoire
Latin America Monitor
STRATFOR
www.stratfor.com
Venezuelan oil output and export slump
http://www.eluniversal.com/2011/08/11/venezuelan-oil-output-and-export-
slump.shtml
Venezuelan oil output and exports plummeted in June relative to the previous month, reported
onThursday the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum.
Crude oil production averaged 2.77 million barrels per day (bpd) in June, versus 2.97 million bpd the
prior month. Meanwhile, exports stood at 2.41 million bpd, compared with 2.48 million bpd in May,
Reuters reported.
Paulo Gregoire
Latin America Monitor
STRATFOR
www.stratfor.com
Destacó que este año el gobierno destruirá más de 100 mil armas de fuego que fueron
incautadas por el Dispositivo Bicentenario de Seguridad (Dibise) en diferentes operativos en
el país. "Son armas fuera del alcance de la delincuencia y que hoy están en manos de las
autoridades", subrayó.
Informó, en una entrevista por el canal del Estado, que próximamente 40 mil armas serán
destruidas en la ciudad de Barquisimeto y agregó que 60 mil ya fueron desechas por las
autoridades. Detalló que la destrucción se realiza siguiendo los protocolos internacionales.
Sobre la reciente medida para el control de armas, municiones y desarme en los autobuses
y terminales, dijo que el Ministerio de Interior y Justicia diseñará y ejecutará una campaña
comunicacional, de 90 días de duración, en la que se colocarán grandes etiquetas en estos
espacios y unidades con la leyenda de: "Zona libre de armas de fuego".
"La idea es que todos sepamos la aplicación de esta medida del Presidente de la República,
Hugo Chávez, es por el bienestar y la paz pública", dijo Rojas.
Sostuvo que pueden crearse infinidad de leyes para el control de armas pero es solo la
conciencia del pueblo la que puede lograr que se cumpla con la medida y por enden mejore
la seguridad en transportes colectivos y terminales.
El viceministro recordó que se realizará un censo de las armas de los cuerpos de policiales
para evitar que las incautadas retornen a los delincuentes.
Este miércoles fue anunciada la resolución de la Comisión Presidencial para el Desarme que
prohíbe el porte de armas de fuego y municiones en las unidades de transporte público y
terminales, reseñó AVN.
El ministro para Relaciones Interiores y Justicia, Tareck El Aissami, informó que la medida
abarca a unidades de transporte urbanas, suburbanas, interurbanas, sistemas de metro y
ferrocarril.
Destacó que este año el gobierno destruirá más de 100 mil armas de fuego que fueron
incautadas por el Dispositivo Bicentenario de Seguridad (Dibise) en diferentes operativos en
el país. "Son armas fuera del alcance de la delincuencia y que hoy están en manos de las
autoridades", subrayó.
Informó, en una entrevista por el canal del Estado, que próximamente 40 mil armas serán
destruidas en la ciudad de Barquisimeto y agregó que 60 mil ya fueron desechas por las
autoridades. Detalló que la destrucción se realiza siguiendo los protocolos internacionales.
Sobre la reciente medida para el control de armas, municiones y desarme en los autobuses
y terminales, dijo que el Ministerio de Interior y Justicia diseñará y ejecutará una campaña
comunicacional, de 90 días de duración, en la que se colocarán grandes etiquetas en estos
espacios y unidades con la leyenda de: "Zona libre de armas de fuego".
"La idea es que todos sepamos la aplicación de esta medida del Presidente de la República,
Hugo Chávez, es por el bienestar y la paz pública", dijo Rojas.
Sostuvo que pueden crearse infinidad de leyes para el control de armas pero es solo la
conciencia del pueblo la que puede lograr que se cumpla con la medida y por enden mejore
la seguridad en transportes colectivos y terminales.
El viceministro recordó que se realizará un censo de las armas de los cuerpos de policiales
para evitar que las incautadas retornen a los delincuentes.
Este miércoles fue anunciada la resolución de la Comisión Presidencial para el Desarme que
prohíbe el porte de armas de fuego y municiones en las unidades de transporte público y
terminales, reseñó AVN.
El ministro para Relaciones Interiores y Justicia, Tareck El Aissami, informó que la medida
abarca a unidades de transporte urbanas, suburbanas, interurbanas, sistemas de metro y
ferrocarril.
Marco Da Costa, an assistant to the president of weekly journal Sexto Poder, said
he was served a notice whereby a court banned the publication and
distribution of the journal
Caracas Ninth Crime Court, presided by Judge Denise Bocanegra Díaz, issued a precautionary
measure banning publication and distribution of weekly journal Sexto Poder.
Marco Da Costa, an assistant to the president of weekly journal Sexto Poder, said he was served a
notice whereby a court banned the publication and distribution of the journal by any means.
"Once again they are closing a media outlet. They are harming freedom of expression (...) We are
being hit," said Da Costa.
Paulo Gregoire
Latin America Monitor
STRATFOR
www.stratfor.com
http://www.eluniversal.com/2011/08/24/dos-reclusos-muertos-y-14-heridos-en-penal-
de-uribana.shtml
Se han escuchado disparos desde hace varias horas y a medio kilómetro fue instalada
una barricada de efectivos que no permiten el acceso al área externa del recinto.
La versión que se maneja y espera ser confimada es que se produjo una situación
irregular entre las presas que permanecen en el área masculina y que originó un fuerte
tiroteo que duró más de 45 minutos a media mañana.
De otro lado, los internos exigen la destitución de la presidenta del circuito penal, la
Defensora del Pueblo y el director de la cárcel. También aspiran que las reclusas que
permanecen en el área masculina desde hace casi dos semanas regresen a su anexo.
Las visitas fueron suspendidas desde hace dos semanas. Los familiares de los reos se
instalaron desde esta mañana en las afueras del penal esperando respuesta,
manifestando angustia y desconcierto.
--
http://www.eluniversal.com/2011/08/23/aseguran-que-hay-una-
disminucion-de-mineria-ilegal-en-el-pais.shtml
"Abordamos el tema con labores de inteligencia y llegamos con una acción militar de
diálogo, de interacción con los mineros, porque estábamos seguros de que el minero que
estaba en la selva no era una persona enemiga de las Fuerzas Armadas", sostuvo.
Rangel Silva detalló que han constatado que las personas que trabajaban en las minas eran
explotadas por mafias, que los mantenían en situaciones de pobreza en los campamentos,
destacó AVN.
Sostuvo que gracias a las labores del Ejecutivo en la lucha contra la minería ilegal, las
mafias que se dedican a esta práctica han sido identificadas y disminuidas. "Si estas mafias
llegan a algún sitio, nosotros inmediatamente estamos ahí para cesar esta actividad",
explicó.
Caracas .- Strategic Operational Commander (CEO), G /
JHenry Rangel Silva, stressed Tuesday that the Bolivarian National Armed Force has
given priority to the mechanism of dialogue to end the practice of illegal mining
and regularize the situation of people exploited by the mining mafia.
"We approached the subject with intelligence work and arrived with a
military dialogue, interaction with the miners, because we were confident that the
miner was in the jungle was not oneenemy of the armed forces," he said.
Rangel Silva explained that they have found that people workingin the mines were
exploited by mafias, which kept them in poverty in the camps, said VNA.
He said that thanks to the work of the Executive in the fight against illegal mining, the
gangs that engage in this practice have been identified and reduced. "If these mafias to
get somewhere, we are there to immediately cease this activity," he said.
Paulo Gregoire
Latin America Monitor
The ammunition actually disappeared on Aug 12, 8 suspects have been identified already.
Al menos 1070 municiones fueron sustraídas del comando del Ejército ubicado en la Central
Hidroeléctrica Guri. Ocho personas, seis militares y dos civiles, fueron detenidas por presunto
robo. El hecho ocurrió el pasado viernes 12 de agosto en el puesto de Guaraguao, de donde
fueron sustraídas balas de 9 mm, 2 granadas de humo y 26 cartuchos de escopetas.
Las detenciones se ejecutaron por el delito de sustracción de municiones según lo contemplado
en el artículo 570 de Código de Justicia Militar "concatenado con unas circunstancias
agravantes de acuerdo establecido en el artículo 402 del mismo código, numerales 1,6, 7 y 15",
señaló Carolina Viña, asesor jurídico de los imputados.
Los abogados y familiares de los detenidos aseguraron que se les viola el debido proceso.
"Fueron golpeados y maltratados por los funcionarios del Teatro de Operaciones nº5 y de la
Dirección de Inteligencia Militar", denunciaron.
Los 8 involucrados en el presunto robo de municiones fueron identificados como: Eduard David
Campos Maican, soldado; Luis Alfredo Pérez, Cabo 2do; José Francisco Lira Rodríguez, Cabo
2do; Diego José Rojas, Cabo 2do; Jormer Jesús Jiménez Ramos, soldado; Luis Alfredo Dallas,
soldado; y los civiles José Antonio Rodríguez Silva y Yurber Viña, ambos taxistas.
Informaron que el caso es llevado por la Fiscalía Militar 43 a cargo de la capitana Nazareth
Padrón, y que tiene el expediente 26-2011, del Tribunal Militar Décimo Séptimo de Control de
ciudad Bolívar ubicado en el Teatro de Operaciones nº5.
"Aquí se viola todo debido proceso porque incluso este Tribunal Militar está procesando a 2
civiles, lo que viola el Código Orgánico Procesal Penal", dijo Viña.
Los detenidos fueron trasladados a la cárcel de La Pica ubicada en Maturín, estado Monagas.
Paulo Gregoire
Latin America Monitor
STRATFOR
www.stratfor.com
Desaparecieron 1070 municiones del Ejército en Guri
http://www.globovision.com/news.php?nid=199523
Al menos 1070 municiones fueron sustraídas del comando del Ejército ubicado en la Central
Hidroeléctrica Guri. Ocho personas, seis militares y dos civiles, fueron detenidas por presunto
robo. El hecho ocurrió el pasado viernes 12 de agosto en el puesto de Guaraguao, de donde
fueron sustraídas balas de 9 mm, 2 granadas de humo y 26 cartuchos de escopetas.
Las detenciones se ejecutaron por el delito de sustracción de municiones según lo contemplado
en el artículo 570 de Código de Justicia Militar "concatenado con unas circunstancias
agravantes de acuerdo establecido en el artículo 402 del mismo código, numerales 1,6, 7 y 15",
señaló Carolina Viña, asesor jurídico de los imputados.
Los abogados y familiares de los detenidos aseguraron que se les viola el debido proceso.
"Fueron golpeados y maltratados por los funcionarios del Teatro de Operaciones nº5 y de la
Dirección de Inteligencia Militar", denunciaron.
Los 8 involucrados en el presunto robo de municiones fueron identificados como: Eduard David
Campos Maican, soldado; Luis Alfredo Pérez, Cabo 2do; José Francisco Lira Rodríguez, Cabo
2do; Diego José Rojas, Cabo 2do; Jormer Jesús Jiménez Ramos, soldado; Luis Alfredo Dallas,
soldado; y los civiles José Antonio Rodríguez Silva y Yurber Viña, ambos taxistas.
Informaron que el caso es llevado por la Fiscalía Militar 43 a cargo de la capitana Nazareth
Padrón, y que tiene el expediente 26-2011, del Tribunal Militar Décimo Séptimo de Control de
ciudad Bolívar ubicado en el Teatro de Operaciones nº5.
"Aquí se viola todo debido proceso porque incluso este Tribunal Militar está procesando a 2
civiles, lo que viola el Código Orgánico Procesal Penal", dijo Viña.
Los detenidos fueron trasladados a la cárcel de La Pica ubicada en Maturín, estado Monagas.
Paulo Gregoire
Latin America Monitor
STRATFOR
Phone taps target Chavez opponents in Venezuela
APBy IAN JAMES - Associated Press | AP – 6 hrs ago
http://news.yahoo.com/phone-taps-target-chavez-opponents-venezuela-
092001239.html;_ylt=Aqv9pes_trUKhZf5DoSem49vaA8F;_ylu=X3oDMTNmZ2I5d
GI1BHBrZwNkZTUzNWQ1YS04MjFiLTNiZDctYWY2ZS1hNTI1NDdmNDkwMG
MEcG9zAzEEc2VjA2xuX0xhdGluQW1lcmljYV9nYWwEdmVyAzRiZWViNWIwL
WNhNGUtMTFlMC04ZmJlLTAxNzVhZmEzYjM2OQ--;_ylv=3
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — President Hugo Chavez's political rivals are on notice
that anything they say over the phone might be not only recorded by eavesdroppers
but also played and flaunted on national television.
"That made me feel indignation and made me laugh, because it's not the first time.
They've already put me on that program like four times," Alvarez told The Associated
Press in an interview last week.
He said he isn't sure who is tapping his phones but he's certain they are working for
the government and suspects the state phone company is complicit.
"They're criminals," Alvarez said. "I sincerely believe that the hand of Hugo
Chavez ... is in all of this. He's the one who conducts the orchestra."
Mario Silva, who hosts the late-night talk show "La Hojilla," or "The Razor," on state
television, smiled mischievously when he played the recordings. "There are some very
good things here," said Silva, who suggested the opposition's divisions were apparent
in the cursing and irritated remarks by Alvarez and activist Beatriz Contreras.
In another episode, Silva denied the government was making the recordings and said
he was picking them up after they were posted on YouTube by others. He said it's the
work of a new, unsigned blog known as "Mesa de Alacranes," or "Table of
Scorpions," a play on the name of the opposition coalition, the Democratic Unity
Table.
"I want to clear up the following for people: The Mesa de Alacranes ... is a tweet
created by opposition people who are very upset with certain decisions that are being
made within the opposition," Silva said.
Silva sits on the board of directors of Chavez's socialist party and dedicates his
program to mocking and at times crudely insulting the president's political opponents,
among others.
It's unclear who's behind the blog and how they gained access to the recordings. The
Venezuelan government did not respond to a request for comment.
That and other recordings have been released just as Chavez, who is undergoing
cancer treatment, has been intensifying his verbal assaults on his adversaries and
seeking to portray the opposition as riven with divisions ahead of the 2012 elections.
Chavez has pointed specifically to the leaked recordings as proof of such infighting.
"Look at how the opposition ... is a sack of serpents," Chavez said in a televised
speech the day after Alvarez's conversations were aired on state TV. "Did you all see
La Hojilla last night?"
Chavez reiterated that the recordings came from the blog and said of the opposition,
"they themselves, it seems, are sending" the videos.
"They're stabbing at each other," Chavez said. "Those people cannot come back to
govern this country."
The blog has aired the conversations of several Chavez opponents and recently posted
a video featuring animated scorpions and merengue music mixed with fragments of
Alvarez's comments.
In Colombia, more than 20 former officials of the state security agency have been
jailed for their alleged roles in eavesdropping on judges, journalists and political
opponents of former President Alvaro Uribe. His former chief-of-staff has been jailed
on criminal conspiracy and other charges, accused of ordering the eavesdropping. A
congressional committee grilled Uribe about the caseThursday, and the ex-president
denied ordering illegal wiretaps, as has his ex-chief of staff.
In Venezuela, there have been no arrests and the occasional stream of recordings aired
over the past several years seem aimed mainly at discrediting opposition politicians.
What's more, state media openly promote the recordings.
"Making private conversations public through the state media appears to be another
tactic to harass government opponents," said Jose Miguel Vivanco, Americas director
of the U.S.-based group Human Rights Watch. "Without an independent judiciary that
acts as an effective check on government power, authorities and state media
representatives have limited incentives to abide by basic rules."
Opposition newspaper editor Teodoro Petkoff had one of his conversations aired on
state television in 2009, and he condemned the latest wiretapping in an editorial
calling it disgraceful "when the abuse of power leaves us indifferent and we accept it
as a normal component of the political landscape." A photo montage accompanying
the article depicted Chavez listening on headphones.
Alvarez seemed unfazed by the leaks of his calls, and demanded in one subsequent
newspaper column that "Chavez should quit." The president called that an indication
of a conspiracy against his government, a claim Alvarez denied as absurd.
In another recording aired this month, opposition politician Daniel Santolo and
another man are heard complaining about other members of the opposition. Asked
about the incident, Santolo said it was not only illegal but also the sort of behavior
that has no place in a democracy.
"This is a government that violates the constitution and uses state media to commit
crimes," Santolo said.
Alvarez said the fact that broadcasting private conversations has become a routine
political strategy means that for many Chavez opponents, "you have to be prepared
for anything."
Some Chavez rivals have also faced criminal charges that they condemn as politically
motivated. Alvarez was jailed for nearly two months last year and was eventually
convicted on a charge of spreading false information during a TV talk show.
He called that charge bogus and has stood by his critical remarks about Venezuela
cooperating with Colombian rebels and becoming a haven for drug traffickers.
The former congressman and state governor said he no longer has confidence in a
judicial system that he views as under Chavez's influence.
"Everywhere in the world, they act against this sort of practice and those who are
responsible are sanctioned," Alvarez said. "Not here, because all the powers are under
the control of a single person."
____
Associated Press writer Frank Bajak in Lima, Peru, contributed to this report.
___
Riña en Yare III deja un recluso
muerto y un herido
15/08/2011 7:54:46 p.m
http://www.globovision.com/news.php?nid=199007
Los reclusos del Centro Penitenciario Yare III dejaron en libertad de tres custodios que
mantenían secuestrados como medida de protesta para impedir la destitución de la
directora del penal. Asimismo, se conoció que una riña entre reos del sector La Torre y Los
Talleres dejó un herido y un muerto. El herido fue identificado como Jesús Nieves y el
fallecido como Giusepi Sibilli.
Cabe destacar, que referidos reclusos tienen casi 30 días con las bocas cosidas y han
iniciado pernotas en los patios.
Yare está compuesto por el "Área Talleres", donde están los procesados, el "Área La Torre",
donde están los penados (Yare I). En Yare I hay aproximadamente 1.400 internos y en Yare
III 600.
En Yare III se encuentran recluidos el psiquiatra Edmundo Chirinos, Larry Tovar Acuña y
psicólogo Luis Alberto Morales.
Paulo Gregoire
Latin America Monitor
STRATFOR
--
1.400 kilogramos de cocaína incautaron en Falcón
http://www.eluniversal.com/2011/08/13/1400-kilogramos-de-
cocaina-incautaron-en-falcon.shtml
-- areck El Aissami said that soon they will announce a structural plan that will address
bear of weapons in public transportation.
12/08/2011
El ministro de Interior y Justicia, Tareck El Aissami informó que una comisión ha estado
evaluando un plan de acción para el control de armas. Apuntó que pronto se anunciará un
plan estructural que tratará el porte de armas en transportes colectivos.
Asimismo, aseguró que la acción está en consulta y comprometerá a las instituciones del
Estado y al sector privado.
Los transportistas anunciaron la reactivación de las cinco mesas técnicas que mantenían con
el gobierno nacional e informaron que a partir de la semana que viene el Dispositivo
Bicentenario de Seguridad garantizará la seguridad de todos los terminales del país.
El Gobierno Nacional emitirá un decreto que prohibirá el porte de armas para los usuarios
que utilicen el transporte público. El presidente de la Federación Unitaria de Transporte,
José Betancourt, explicó que la medida fue tomada para garantizar la seguridad de los
usuarios, al salir de una reunión con el ministro de Transporte y Comunicación.
Paulo Gregoire
Latin America Monitor
STRATFOR
www.stratfor.com
As Venezuela halts new prison admissions, cells at police stations are filling up
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/americas/as-venezuela-halts-new-prison-
admissions-cells-at-police-stations-are-filling-up/2011/08/10/gIQAdCIL7I_story.html
By Associated Press, Updated: Thursday, August 11, 11:06 AM
CARACAS, Venezuela — Holding cells in Venezuelan police stations have begun to fill
up a week after a government order to temporarily halt new admissions to the
country’s overcrowded and violent prisons.
Some police chiefs said Wednesday the lockups in their stations are either at capacity
or nearly full as a result of the order for prisons to stop accepting new inmates for a
month. The order came last week from President Hugo Chavez’s newly appointed
prisons minister, Iris Varela.
Police Chief Manuel Furelos of Caracas’ Sucre district said many local police forces
are running out of room in their holding cells.
“All of the municipal and state ... police are having that problem,” Furelos told The
Associated Press in a telephone interview.
Opposition politicians were also highly critical of Varela’s order. Carlos Ocariz, the
opposition mayor of Sucre, said in a statement that the local police station is now
about 80 percent full.
“With this measure, the human rights of detainees are being violated. Viable
measures should be used to deal with the prison crisis,” Ocariz said.
Attorney General Luisa Ortega Diaz defended Varela’s decision, saying it aims to
“humanize the penitentiary system.” Speaking in an interview with the private
television channel Venevision, Ortega denied authorities had cut down on arrests as
a result of the order.
She also said authorities had decided to set up special “chambers” to reduce
crowding in the prisons, though she didn’t specify how they would work.
Police Chief Pedro Granadillo in central Carabobo state expressed similar concerns,
saying there are already about 40 detainees in police holding cells built for no more
than 30. He said if there is no way to send inmates to prisons soon, the police station
could be overwhelmed.
Venezuela’s 34 prisons were built to hold about 12,000 inmates but now are filled
with about 44,000 inmates.
Chavez has repeatedly promised to fix the prison system. He decided to create a new
government ministry to oversee prison issues last month, shortly after inmates
staged an armed, weekslong uprising that caused seven deaths at two adjacent
prisons. The uprising, which pitted rebellious prisoners against troops, ended after a
27-day standoff.
Chavez reiterated his commitment to overhauling the prison system before leaving
for Cuba on Saturday to undergo his second round of cancer treatment. He told
Varela that one of her main objectives should be dismantling “prison mafias.”
The country’s prisons have suffered repeated violent outbursts as rival gangs fight for
control of cellblocks and sell weapons and drugs with the help of corrupt prison
guards.
Last year, 476 people died and 967 were injured in prison violence, according to
figures compiled by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
Unas 200 rutas de un total de 240 que operan en Maracaibo, Guajira, Mara, San
Francisco, Santa Rita y Lagunillas acatan la "Hora Cero" para exigir el cumplimiento
de pagos a Fontur y mayor seguridad.
http://www.eluniversal.com/2011/08/11/caos-y-especulacion-por-paro-de-transporte-en-el-zulia.shtml
EL UNIVERSAL
jueves 11 de agosto de 2011 08:24 AM
Maracaibo.- Hasta las 8:00 de la mañana de este jueves, el paro
de transporte en la capital zuliana se cumple en más de 90%,
informó Erasmo Elián, secretario de la Central Única de Transporte.
Paulo Gregoire
Latin America Monitor
STRATFOR
www.stratfor.com
otín en La Máxima de Tocuyito dejó un muerto y siete
heridos
07/08/2011 10:16:45 p.m.
None of the sectors involved in the mutiny is where they are held the "prana" Rodeo,
"The East" and "Yoifre."
Family members who remained outside the prison demanded official information from
the occurrence of the brawl, were evacuated and are currently more than two hours,
closing the highway in the South, the road that runs from Valencia to Cojedes. Relatives
of inmates do require a Presence in the human rights commission of a ministerial body.
Earlier, it was learned unofficially that four inmates were injured and 2 people that were
in place visiting relatives.
Paulo Gregoire
Latin America Monitor
STRATFOR
Incautan 30 panelas de presunta cocaína en los límites de
Zulia y Lara
http://www.globovision.com/news.php?nid=197690
Globovisión/AVN
04/08/2011 07:28:14 a.m
Un total de 30 panelas de presunta cocaína incautó la Guardia Nacional Bolivariana (GNB)
en los límites de los estados Zulia y Lara.
El General de Brigada, Valentino Valente, jefe del Estado Mayor del Comando Regional
Número 4, informó que la droga era trasladada por una pareja y estaba oculta en los
compartimientos internos de un vehículo, refiere boletín de prensa.
Indicó que la mercancía iría a los Valles del Tuy, estado Miranda, de acuerdo a
informaciones de inteligencia.
En ese sentido, Valente señaló que los adultos involucrados fueron detenidos y se
encuentran a orden del Ministerio Público (MP).
“Esta droga tiene como origen la República de Colombia, y presumimos que su destino era
ser enviada a las Islas de El Caribe y posteriormente a otras regiones del mundo", explicó.
30 panels of alleged seized cocaine within the limits of Zulia andLara
http://www.globovision.com/news.php?nid=197690
Globovisión / AVN
08/04/2011 7:28:14 a.m
A total of 30 panels of alleged cocaine seized the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB)
in the limits of the states of Zulia and Lara.
He said the goods would go to the Valles del Tuy, Miranda State, according
to intelligence information.
The panels, weighing approximately 31.3 kilograms were seized in a routine carried
out at the toll Jacinto Lara, road Lara-Zulia.
In that sense, Valente said the adults involved were arrested and are to order the Public
Ministry (MP).
"This drug has its origin in the Republic of Colombia, and we presume that his
destiny was to be sent to the islands of the Caribbean and later to other regions of
the world," he said.
Paulo Gregoire
Latin America Monitor
STRATFOR
www.stratfor.com