Tag Archives: government

Feb
11
2011
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U.S. Foreign Policy and Latin America

The U.S. House Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere and its Chairman, Rep. Connie Mack (R-FL), will be holding a hearing on February 15 with the objective of assessing U.S. foreign policy toward Latin America( Does the U.S. have a Policy toward Latin America? Assessing the Impact to U.S. Interests and Allies). Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Arturo Valenzuela, the top U.S. diplomat on Latin America, will serve as the main witness at the hearing.

Venezuela is likely to be one of the focal topics of discussion at the hearing.  Members are likely to be interested in the state of democracy in the country and the impact of Chávez’s domestic and international policies on U.S. national interests.  Since we here at whatsnextvenezuela live and breathe the issues occurring in Venezuela, we would like to suggest some questions for  members of the committee to ask Assistant Secretary Valenzuela at the hearing:

  1. The evidence that Venezuela has aided members of ETA and FARC has resulted in some calling on the U.S. to designate Venezuela as a state sponsor of terrorism. Do you believe Venezuela should be designated as a state sponsor of terrorism? There are increased concerns that a number of high ranking Venezuela military officers may be involved in drug trafficking. Already, Walid Makled, the alleged Venezuelan drug trafficker arrested in Colombia and whom the U.S. is seeking to extradite, has said as much. Do you believe the Venezuela government is aiding and abetting drug trafficking in the region?
  2. What is the administration doing to protect American companies in Venezuela threatened by the Chávez government increased expropriations of private property?
  3. Is the administration doing anything to seek just compensation for the myriad of American companies such as Owens-Illinois, ConocoPhillips, Helmerich & Paine and others that have been expropriated and have yet to receive restitution?
  4. What are your plans on how to handle increasing threats to American interests and private industry in Venezuela?
  5. Is the administration at all nervous about the Venezuelan government’s close ties with Iran?
  6. When is the administration planning to appoint its next ambassador to Venezuela?
  7. Is the administration concerned about the recent agreement between Venezuela and Russia that will provide the government of President Chávez with nuclear assistance?
  8. Would the Administration object to Venezuela pursuing a nuclear program?
  9. What are some of the challenges the administration faces in addressing Venezuela?
  10. Do you think Venezuela could become the next Egypt?
  11. Last week, director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, told a congressional committee that the  Venezuelan government may face increased protests because of the deteriorating economic conditions in the country. Do you agree?
  12. What can we expect for South America if Chávez wins the 2012 elections?  In your opinion, what’s next for Venezuela?
 
Feb
7
2011
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What is the most absurd thing Chávez has done in 12 years as president?

If you follow us on Twitter or Facebook, you know that last Wednesday marked the 12th anniversary of Hugo Chávez’s swearing-in as president of Venezuela. There’s no doubt that Mr. Chávez has accomplished some major things in 12 years – most notably, though, are his failed policies, a key factor in the slow but steady eradication of democracy, human rights and economic stability…

Today, we are counting down what you have told us are the TOP 12 MOST ABSURD CHÁVEZ MOMENTS. Below, are some of the most shameful and downright harebrained things “El Presidente” has done or said in the past 12 years…

#12: Hugo Chavez Mouthpiece Says U.S. Hit Haiti With ‘Earthquake Weapon’

Portavoz de Chávez dice que EE.UU. provocó el terremoto en Haití con un arma marino

#11: Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez has called for Barbie to be replaced

Chávez gira su atención a bancos y a la muñeca Barbie

#10: Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez Calls PlayStation Games ‘Poison’

Hugo Chávez de Venezuela llama los juegos de PlayStation “venenosos”

#9: Hugo Chávez calls for dieting in streets of Caracas

Hugo Chávez pone al país de Venezuela a dieta

#8: Chavez Asking Cubans to ‘Bomb Clouds’ Amid Drought

Chávez le pide a los cubanos que bombardeen las nubes durante sequía

#7: Hugo Chavez bans singing in the bath

Hugo Chávez prohíbe cantar en la ducha, limita la ducha a tres minutos

#6: Venezuela is ranked as one of 11 countries with the highest political risk in the world in 2011.

Venezuela está calificada como uno de 11 países con un alto riesgo político en el 2011.

#5: Chavez declares, “No private property is sacred because the Constitution doesn’t say so.” (April 2010)

2010 abril: “La propiedad privada no es sagrada por que no lo dice la Constitución.”

#4: In 2010, Inflation rose to 27.2%, the highest rate in the region.

En el 2010, la inflación en Venezuela aumento un 27.2%, la más alta en la región.

#3: Venezuela ranks at the bottom of the 2011 Index of Economic Freedom.

Venezuela tiene una pobre calificación en el Índice de Libertad Económica del 2011.

#2: Chavez demands Colombian soap opera be dropped because of “Little Hugo” character.

Chávez exige la cancelación de una telenovela Colombiana por su personaje de “Pequeño Hugo.”

And the #1 MOST ABSURD CHAVEZ MOMENT is…

Jan 5, 2011: Chavez signs the Rule by Decree into law, quashing basic tenants of democracy in Venezuela.

Chávez’s antics, both outrageous and tyrannical, have brought Venezuela to the brink of economic failure, political revolution and international ridicule. We have but one question: What’s Next Venezuela?

We would like to thank the following tweeps for sending in their most absurd Chávez moments: @Hugoandres1984, @felipelfonseca, @ Jacogori, @ojcf1977, @nyckika, @NeyLaGuerita, @orvex, @mariannperez and @belkysleahy. Keep sending us your comments on Twitter with #12ChavezQPena!

Gracias a los siguientes tweeps por enviarnos los momentos más absurdos de Chávez: @Hugoandres1984, @felipelfonseca, @ Jacogori, @ojcf1977, @nyckika, @NeyLaGuerita, @orvex, @mariannperez and @belkysleahy. Sigan enviado sus comentarios a Twitter con #12ChavezQPena!

 
Jan
14
2011
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In Case You Missed It…Articles Roundup Week of 1/10/11

Venezuela in the news: In addition to more reports of a broken economic system and international criticism of Chavez’s tyrannical rule, two indexes were published this week showing poor rankings for the oil-giant in both freedom and democracy. It’s not a great week to be a Venezuelan.

Here are the articles you should be reading:

Obama, Chavez And The American Shareholder Forbes

You never know what Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez will say, one American investor told me recently, but whatever it is, it will cost you money.

Venezuela among the countries where democracy has reversed El Universal

Democracy significantly moved back in 25 countries in 2010, and the democratic world did not resisted the process, Freedom House, an independent group which monitors the status of liberties, reported on Thursday.

Watchdog group: Freedom slipped worldwide in 2010 AP

Twenty-five countries showed significant declines in democracy in 2010 with little serious resistance from the democratic world, the watchdog group Freedom House reported Thursday.

Venezuela Tax Agency Closed 2,022 Businesses In Zulia During 2010 The Wall Street Journal

Venezuela’s tax authorities shut down more than 2,000 businesses in the oil-rich state of Zulia in 2010, for what they called bookkeeping “irregularities,” the government said Thursday.

Venezuela’s Chavez Defends Seizing Land From Food Company NASDAQ

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez fired back Sunday at critics of the recent government’s seizure of land from the country’s top food processor and distributor, Empresas Polar.

Chavez condemns OAS ‘interference’ in Venezuela BBC

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has accused the Organization of American States of interfering in Venezuela.

Venezuela to cut lights at late-paying state firms Reuters

Venezuela warned mayors, governors and the South American country’s numerous state-run companies on Monday to pay overdue electricity bills or face being cut off in a drive to stop waste and balance its accounts.

Venezuelan State-Run Securities Exchange To Open Next Week The Wall Street Journal

Venezuela’s state-run securities exchange, or La Bolsa Publica de Valores Bicentenaria, will begin operations next week, the country’s superintendent of securities told government news agency AVN Tuesday. Two companies “that never had access to the Caracas Stock Exchange,” will be the first to make offerings on the new exchange, Tomas Sanchez said, though he declined to disclose the names of the companies.

Spain is certain that ETA members seek refuge in Venezuela El Universal

Seventeen out of a list of ETA residents became Venezuelan citizens and some of them work with government agencies

Defusing Venezuela’s Nuclear Threat? Huffington Post

Venezuela’s close relationship with Iran and plans to build nuclear facilities with Russian help are raising fears in Washington of another nuclear crisis. The incoming Republican House majority may place increased pressure on the Obama administration to confront Caracas.

Hugo Chavez in Trouble as Russia and China Begin to Look Elsewhere for Energy Security OilPrice.com

Russia and China are also two of the main providers of loans and investments to Venezuela.  Both countries have a similar impetus for investment—oil resources.  Russia has begun to look elsewhere for economic relationships and energy security.  China continues to rely on Venezuela to provide cheap energy for the country’s development and expansion, but is diligently working to build new partnerships and energy resources that are closer and less controversial than a Hugo Chavez led Venezuela.