Tag Archives: Jaua

Oct
17
2012
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REPORT: CHÁVEZ EXPROPRIATES 1,168 COMPANIES IN A DECADE; JAUA SAYS THERE’S MORE TO COME

agropatria1210 REPORT: CHÁVEZ EXPROPRIATES 1,168 COMPANIES IN A DECADE; JAUA SAYS THERES MORE TO COME

Courtesy of: Jack Bocaranda / AVN

During the last 13 years, Hugo Chávez has earned his reputation as a fierce opponent of private industry. Even as inflation soared and Venezuelans experienced shortages of even the most basic goods, Chávez held true to his socialist ideology, nationalizing huge swaths of the nation’s economy – from farming to oil production to the media. A report from the analysis firm Conindustria indicates that from 2002 to 2012 Chávez’s government nationalized 1,168 private companies. From the seizure of private oil operations to the expropriation of millions of hectares of farmland to the takeover of vacation homes on Los Roques, Chávez has shown that no sector of the economy is beyond his grasp.

However, the pace of expropriations slowed drastically in the months before the election. It seemed that even Chávez recognized his crusade did not represent sound economic policy. The trend began late last year, when Chávez slowed the rate of expropriations and began striking deals with companies he once derided – part of an effort to prop up Venezuela’s economy in an election year.

But now, having been granted the political cover of a new six-year term, Chávez has vowed to deepen his socialist revolution. A reinvigorated opposition can challenge the president on many fronts, but on his bread and butter policy of expropriations, Chávez will likely have free rein. Former Vice President Elias Jaua said in an interview last week that Chávez plans to take full advantage of that power. He told media that the “strategic expropriation” of companies is again on the agenda for Chávez’s next term. Since that time, Jaua has been replaced by Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro and now stands as a candidate for Governor of Miranda state against Henrique Capriles.

Economists agree that Chávez’s policies have made Venezuela one of the hardest countries on the world in which to do business.  And Venezuela’s people have felt the consequences: foreign direct investment has fallen to less than $1 billion per year from $3.9 billion the year before Chávez took office. Meanwhile, government policies have kept arable farmland idle, forcing Venezuela to raise imports by more than 400 percent to make up for the losses.

Unfortunately for Venezuelans, the situation seems unlikely to improve in the immediate future.

 
Jul
3
2012
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Who will Succeed Hugo Chávez?

Over the past several months, What’s Next Venezuela has reported on the uncertainty surrounding Hugo Chávez’s health, including the speculation about who will take Chávez’s place on the ballot should he be unable to stand for re-election on October 7. Over the next several weeks, we will profile the most likely successors to Hugo Chávez, starting today with Elías Jaua.

VICE PRESIDENT ELÍAS JAUA

elias jaua Who will Succeed Hugo Chávez?

Courtesy of: Reuters

Named earlier this year as the head of the newly-created Council of State, current Vice President and Minister of Agriculture Elías Jaua is one of several on the short list to succeed Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.

Since the return of Chavez’s cancer in February, Jaua has spent significant time in the spotlight. Polls show that he is the most popular member of Chávez’s party, after the president himself. In recent months, he has served as a proxy for Chávez, leading rallies, giving speeches, and attacking the opposition while the president received treatment in Cuba. He remains the government’s point-man for denying any negative reports about President Chávez’s health; when bad news breaks in Venezuela about Chávez’s cancer, Jaua is often the first to brand the stories as rumors and publicly state that the president is in recovery.

He also made headlines after the public allegations of judicial corruption made by former Supreme Court judge Eladio Aponte Aponte. Aponte claims that Jaua held weekly meetings with judges of the Venezuelan high court, telling them how to rule on sensitive cases.

Despite his high profile, Jaua lacks the charisma and eloquence of Chávez, who seems to keep Jaua by his side for his fierce loyalty. Recently, the president showed his gratitude, by putting Jaua in charge of the new Council of State, which many have claimed is charged with planning the transition of power if Chávez succumbs to his battle with cancer. If recent history is any indication, Jaua may just have both the political clout and leadership skills to keep things on track within the PSUV, even if Chávez continues his long absences from the political scene.

Legally, he is next in line should Chávez no longer be able to serve. Article 233 of the Venezuelan constitution states that if the president cannot execute his responsibilities, the vice president will take his place until the next election. If Chávez dies, or is declared incapable performing his duties, Jaua will become the next president of Venezuela, at least until October. Such a scenario would only increase the likelihood that Jaua, as incumbent president, would seek outright election against MUD candidate Henrique Capriles Radonski. As of now, Jaua plans to run for governor of Miranda state in the fall, but if Chávez becomes gravely ill or incapacitated, anything goes.

Originally from the Miranda state, Jaua made his name as a student leader in the 90s. His first meeting with Chávez was in 1996, when he participated in the founding of the Fifth Republic Movement, which is now the PSUV. He was one of the authors of the 1999 Constitution, and has since held various positions under Chávez, mostly in economic roles. He was named Minister of Land and Agriculture in 2006 and Vice President in 2010.

Jaua is currently the default replacement for Chávez, and it’s clear, given his appointment to the Council of State, that he has the leader’s trust. But his apparent lack of personality may be a liability in what will certainly be a difficult election. Timing may be everything; if Chávez is able to win re-election himself he might simply pass on the reigns to Jaua to manage his government. But if his health takes a turn for the worst, he may need to pick someone with more public appeal to get his party past its biggest hurdle yet on October 7.

 
May
18
2012
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In Case You Missed It… Articles Roundup Week of 5/18/12

This week: As Venezuela’s October 7 elections approach, opposition candidate Henrique Capriles spends time speaking to Venezuela’s poorest, a demographic that Chávez has long dominated; Hugo Chávez’s prolonged illness and absence from the spotlight has some wondering whether his party is preparing contingency plans for the elections, including delaying or canceling them entirely, and possibly an alternative candidate, such as Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro. Similarities between Chávez and Putin prompt a columnist to wonder why the Venezuelan president receives less international criticism. Meanwhile, investors continue to devalue Venezuela’s debt, which is increasing at record pace due to Chávez’s election-year spending. The increased spending has also helped hide the shrinking private sector in recent GDP numbers. Venezuelan carmakers expect production to decline for the fourth consecutive year due to a lack of dollars available from the government. Finally, recent violence in a Caracas prison exposes deeply rooted corruption, violence, and drugs within Venezuela’s prison system.

Hugo Chávez’s Enemy No. 1, Businessweek

In the ramshackle town of Anaco in eastern Venezuela’s oil-rich Anzoátegui state, three yellow-shirted bodyguards rush a trim, perspiring, boyishly handsome 39-year-old in a baseball cap from house to shabby brick house through 500 cheering, flag-waving fans. Most in the throng are visibly poor, some are young women with tears of joy running down their cheeks. All are sweaty under a hot April sun.

Chavez opponent wants to be a uniter, CNN

He is running against one of the world’s most recognized presidential strongmen, but Henrique Capriles, the governor of the Venezuelan state of Miranda, exudes confidence.

Venezuela analysts cast doubt on presidential election, The Miami Herald

Is the Venezuelan government laying the groundwork to delay or even suspend the Oct. 7 presidential elections due to President Hugo Chávez’s failing health?

In Venezuela, top diplomat steps into the void while cancer forces lower profile for Chavez, The Washington Post

After nearly a year of cancer treatment that has forced President Hugo Chavez to step back from the spotlight, a burly former bus driver with a dark mustache and affable smile is emerging more than ever as the president’s stand-in.

Chávez vs. Putin, The New York Times

He came to power in the late 1990s, his energetic governing style ushering in an era of increasing prosperity that earned him plenty of goodwill. Luck also helped some: his rule coincided with an era of rising oil prices, and he used the petrodollars that flooded the state’s coffers to finance a dizzying consumption boom throughout the country.

As Chavez Resurfaces, Venezuela’s Debt Plunges, The Wall Street Journal

Signs that President Hugo Chavez has no intentions of backing down from Venezuela’s upcoming presidential elections, despite his battle with cancer, are putting a damper on the country’s red-hot sovereign debt.

Venezuela’s GDP grows amid sustainability worries, The Financial Times

If men are from Mars and women are from Venus, then “chavistas” (followers of Hugo Chávez) are from Mercury and their opponents are from Neptune.

Domestic debt up USD 40.6 billion in four months, El Universal

A Venezuelan government immersed in the election campaign has resorted to the largest spending ever over the past five years.

Outlook of automotive industry cools, El Universal

Growth expectations in the automotive industry were revised downward in 2012. Once again, delays in authorizations of US dollars by the Foreign Exchange Administration Commission (Cadivi) are present.

In Venezuela’s prisons, inmates are the wardens, Global Post

A cloud of marijuana bounces along with the bass line from a stack of six-foot high speakers in the corner of this large hall, its smell infused with that of urine.