Courtesy of: El Universal

This week: Nicolás Maduro tries to pass an Enabling Law, which would grant him increased decree powers in his alleged fight against corruption; and Henrique Capriles says that if they law was somehow passed, Venezuelans would disregard it. The Venezuelan government hurls anti-gay slurs at the opposition as part of their “war on corruption,” while continuing to preach social inclusion; eight senior journalists quit Venezuela’s former opposition news channel, Globovisión, in protest of government manipulation; and due to increasing government control of the media, Venezuelan officials are communicating first through Twitter, not TV or radio. PSUV members are angry at Maduro for skipping the grassroots election preceding December’s municipal election; infighting and corruption in Maduro’s party threaten Hugo Chávez’s socialist legacy in Venezuela;   the Central Bank issues more bonds to curb liquidity and attempts to boost the failing economy by auctioning $300 million in the currency exchange system; and Venezuelan doctors demand that the government declare a health emergency in the county.

Showdown looms in Venezuela over decree powers plan, Reuters

Venezuelan politicians traded insults over the weekend with a showdown looming in the National Assembly over President Nicolas Maduro’s plans to ask for fast-track decree powers he says he needs to combat corruption. Maduro, who narrowly won an April election to replace his late mentor Hugo Chavez, says he is ready to change “all the laws” if necessary to stamp out widespread graft that is denting his popularity with some core supporters.

Capriles: “If passed, Venezuelans would disregard the Enabling Law”, El Universal

“I say responsibly to the country that if they (pro-government officials) want to pass an Enabling Law throughout abuses and disregarding the Constitution, we, Venezuelans would disregard such law,” Henrique Capriles Radonski, Miranda state Governor and opposition leader stressed on Tuesday on his live web show Venezuela Somos Todos (“Venezuela is all of us”) as he commented that President Nicolás Maduro would request special legislative powers via an Enabling Law to the National Assembly in order to allegedly fight against corruption.

Venezuela Government Under Fire for Anti-Gay Slurs, Wall Street Journal

Venezuela’s leftist government, which often touts its social inclusion and antidiscrimination policies, is under fire from rights groups after a tirade of antigay slurs in the National Assembly, prompting President Nicolas Maduro to take to the airwaves waving a conciliatory gay-pride flag—before continuing to attack his political opponents. Lawmakers from Mr. Maduro’s United Socialist Party of Venezuela released photos that appeared to be from a private gathering in which a top aide to the opposition’s former presidential candidate is seen hugging other men and, in others, mugging for the camera while wearing a shawl and a feathered head piece.

Journalists Quit Venezuela TV News Channel in Censorship Protest, Bloomberg

Eight senior journalists quit Venezuela’s main television news channel Globovision in the past week in protest at alleged government manipulation of coverage. “We have progressively seen changes and unacceptable conditions to the free exercise of our profession,” the anchors and reporters at the broadcaster said in a joint e-mailed statement late yesterday. The journalists resigned in solidarity with director Leopoldo Castillo, who announced his exit from Globovision on Aug. 16 after 12 years at the channel.

Latin American presidents and their often love affair with Twitter, Associated Press

Whenever Argentina’s President Cristina Fernandez uses Twitter, controversy often follows. Although tweet discussions range in content and frequency, there’s never a lack of debate. Fernandez, who almost never gives interviews or takes questions from reporters, often uses her official Twitter account, https://twitter.com/CFKArgentina , which claims more than 2.2 million followers, to have a direct connection to the people.

Maduro’s explanation for skipping grassroots election is rebutted, El Universal

Since its foundation in 2007, the ruling United Party of Venezuela (Psuv) has gone through at least four grassroots elections in preparation of  several municipal, state and parliamentary polls, even for the election of Psuv authorities. This is not the case for the municipal election to be held next December 8. This time, top authorities took care of it. The decision, ultimately in the hands of the High Political Command of the Revolution, was justified recently by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Hugo Chávez: His legacy at stake, Financial Times

When almost 500 families invaded the estate owned by the Santa Teresa rum company in 2000, Alberto Vollmer decided that using brute force to expel them would be futile. Hugo Chávez had just won the presidency and was encouraging Venezuelans to squat on private land. So instead, Mr Vollmer devised a plan to allow some families to remain, so long as the government paid for their housing.

Venezuela Opens Bidding Process for Latest Dollar Auction, Wall Street Journal

Venezuela authorities began accepting bids Wednesday for the government’s latest hard currency auction, which will offer for the first time dollar-denominated bonds issued last year among the $330 million slated to be injected into the import-heavy economy. The central bank will take bids until Thursday from companies in the food sector, those importing goods for the holiday season in December and firms looking to buy textiles and chemicals, among a limited group of permitted participants.

Venezuelan Doctors Say Country Faces Health Emergency, Latin American Herald Tribune

The president of the Venezuelan Medical Association asked the Venezuelan government Tuesday to declare a health emergency and take steps to address serious problems with the Andean nation’s healthcare system. “We demand… a healthcare emergency be declared here in Venezuela,” Dr. Douglas Leon said during a press conference in Caracas.