Tag Archives: US

Aug
4
2011
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Got Water?

The great American novelist and humorist Mark Twain once said that “water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody.” Not so if you are in Venezuela. Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez is about to expropriate all privately-owned bottled water in the country. Who gets hurt? Besides the Venezuelan people at large, the State’s takeover of bottled water affects none other than the local subsidiaries of U.S.-giants Pepsi and Coca-Cola.

What’s Next Venezuela first warned you about the impending water crisis last week, after Mr. Chávez himself let the cat out of the bag in a recent TV appearance, during which he scolded his Vice President and Minister of the Environment for failing to deliver a plan to nationalize the water-bottling companies. But…who can blame them for stalling?

Venezuela’s Ministers of the Environment and of Health have been traveling in treacherous waters for over a year on this issue. On one hand, they serve at the pleasure of President Chávez. On the other, they are fully aware of the serious health concerns that have arisen from the water bottled by State-sponsored Community Councils. In the State of Zulia, for example, the State-controlled water has resulted not only in cases of cholera but in positive tests for feces and other human waste.

Expropriating important sectors of the Venezuelan economy – and running them to the ground – has become a staple of Mr. Chávez’s economic policies over the past 12 years. A recently published study by experts from the Institute for Higher Studies in Management (IESA) in Caracas looked at the evolution of 16 domestic and foreign companies expropriated by the Chávez government. The experts found significant operational problems and, in some cases, even a complete halt in operations in the State-run companies.

The impending nationalization of bottled water is certain to have a negative impact in Venezuela’s already frail economy and place H2O in the long list of basic goods which are scarce in Venezuela. That is no laughing matter.

 
Jun
29
2011
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Trafficking in Persons 2011 Report

The US State Department has included Venezuela on a list of nations that could face sanctions along with Cuba, Costa Rica, Panamá and the Dominican Republic for their lack of action in combating human trafficking. The 11th edition of the Trafficking in Persons Report did not see much progress in Venezuela’s efforts to  combat human trafficking, for which it can face a number of sanctions ranging from the suspension of non humanitarian and non commercial aid to the US opposing IMF or World Bank financing.

According to the report presented by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, “Venezuela is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor. Venezuelan women and girls are found in conditions of sex trafficking within the country, lured from poor interior regions to urban and tourist centers, such as Caracas, Maracaibo, and Margarita Island”.

The report also stated a number of reforms that must happen in order for Venezuela to get on the right track when it comes to combating human trafficking. These reforms include:

  • Modifying its current laws in order to prohibit and adequately reprimand any type of human trafficking
  • Intensifying its efforts to investigate and prosecute cases of forced prostitution and slave labor
  • Prosecuting and jailing the traffickers
  • Providing better specialized assistance to the victims
  • Identifying the victims among vulnerable groups
  • Improving the current databases in regards to these types of felonies

The listing of Venezuela in the report is likely to further deteriorate the already fragile diplomatic relations between both countries. Both countries lack the representation of ambassadors in their territories. Furthermore, the US imposed economic sanctions on the state owned oil company, PDVA, for their dealings with Iran.

 
Jun
10
2011
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In Case You Missed It… Articles Roundup Week of 6/10/11

In this week’s roundup…Venezuelan opposition leaders react to President Hugo Chávez’s successful bid in raising the national debt limit, more fallout from the U.S.-imposed sanctions on PDVSA, opposition candidates get momentum, and the housing crisis continues to be top of mind for Venezuelans.

Venezuelan lawmakers authorize $22.5B in new debt, Associated Press

President Hugo Chavez won approval from legislators Thursday to increase the amount of new debt Venezuela’s government can take on this year to more than $22.5 billion. In December, lawmakers had authorized the equivalent of $12 billion in new debt this year. But Chavez last week requested that the limit be raised about 86 percent. Opposition lawmakers criticized the change, expressing concerns about the government’s growing debt. They said the boost was unjustified at a time when the OPEC member is enjoying higher prices for its oil.

Venezuela’s foreign minister says relations with Washington are ‘frozen’ following sanctions , The Washington Post

Venezuela’s relations with the U.S. are frozen and President Hugo Chavez’s government sees no possibility of improving them after its state oil company was hit with sanctions by Washington, the country’s top diplomat said Sunday.

The US Has Lost Sight Of Its National Interest In Venezuela, Business Insider

According to the U.S. Energy Administration, two months ago the United States total crude oil imports averaged 9,033 thousand barrels per day (tbpd), with the top five exporting countries being Canada (2,666 tbpd), Mexico (1,319 tbpd), Saudi Arabia (1,107 tbpd), Venezuela (930 tbpd) and Nigeria (918 tbpd.) Notice anything odd about this list?

Chávez Foe Sees Imitation as Best Path, Bloomberg

Henrique Capriles Radonski, whose family members own Venezuela’s biggest movie theater chain, is emerging as President Hugo Chavez’s strongest rival in 2012 elections by copying his favorite ploy of lavishing public money on the poor.

Venezuela’s Chávez says OPEC need not pump more oil, Reuters Africa

Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez on Tuesday said current demand for oil does not justify an OPEC production hike, adding the market was well-supplied. The oil exporters group meets on Wednesday and Gulf Arab members are pushing for an output increase of at least 1.4 million barrels per day.

FACTBOX-Housing among top worries for Venezuelans, Reuters

Venezuela’s housing shortage is a challenge for President Hugo Chavez, a major concern for millions in the South American OPEC member, and one of the issues that could shape next year’s election. With 29 million people, Venezuela is short of 2 million housing units.