Analysis: Law and Justice

From Tucson to Venezuela: Using the Banner of “Free Expression” to Spread Hate

By Edward Ellis - Correo del Orinoco International, Jan 20th 2011

From the terrorist lynchings carried out by the Ku Klux Klan to the more recent “hate crimes” perpetrated against non-white, nonstraight, immigrant communities across the US, violence has been the palpable result of a coordinated campaign of bigotry and fear that has been the mainstay of right-wing media discourse for decades. Venezuela, by way of comparison, has also been no stranger to political violence.

The Facts: Venezuelan's Enabling Law

By Embassy of Venezuela to the United States, Jan 17th 2011

In response to many distortions by the mainstream press, the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to the United States put out this factsheet to clarify he history, limits, and context of the enabling law.

Note To Amnesty Regarding Venezuela

By Joe Emersberger, Jan 17th 2011

Emersberger writes to Amnesty International, criticising one of its "urgent action" notes where it argues that "criticis" of the Venezuelan government are being shut down and "detained".

Former CIA Asset Luis Posada Goes to Trial

By Peter Kornbluh - The Nation, Jan 11th 2011

On January 10 one of the most dangerous terrorists in recent history will go on trial in a small courtroom in El Paso, Texas. This is not the venue the Obama administration has finally selected to prosecute the perpetrators of 9/11; it is where the reputed godfather of Cuban exile violence, Luis Posada Carriles, may finally face a modicum of accountability for his many crimes.

Why Washington Hates Chavez: Venezuela vs. the Banks

By Mike Whitney - Counterpunch, Jan 5th 2011

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez shake hands as other Latin American leaders l

Caracas suffers from a massive housing shortage that's gotten much worse because of the flooding. Tens of thousands of people need shelter now, which is why Chavez is putting pressure on the banks to lend a hand. In Chavez's Venezuela, the basic needs of ordinary working people take precedent over the profiteering of cutthroat banksters.

Reform of the Social Responsibility in Media Law: 4 Questions & 4 Answers

By International Media Department - MinCi, Jan 5th 2011

Venezuela's Ministry of Communication and Information provides this valuable Question & Answer (Q & A) brief on Venezuela's new Law on Social Responsibility in Media:

A Few Facts about Recent Venezuelan Laws and the Case of Judge Afiuni

By Fernando Vegas Torrealba – Znet, Jan 3rd 2011

Some of my friends in the States have had some concerns about recent events in Venezuela. From here in Venezuela, however, it seems there may be some misinformation, something common, of course, to media portrayals.

If Venezuela were Measured by the Majority

By Tamara Pearson – Venezuelanalysis.com, Dec 30th 2010

What real democracy looks like: A communal council in Merida votes for its electoral commission in July 2010 (Tamara Pearson).

When Newsweek ranked Venezuela last out of 100 countries for “economic dynamism” it had a certain kind of economy and benchmarks in mind. Venezuela is constantly attacked and demonised by U.S based “studies”, “experts”, and “reports”, but what if its economy and political life were to be measured according to the benchmarks of the Venezuelan majority?

Venezuela’s Enabling Law: 5 Questions & 5 Answers

By MinCi - Correo del Orinoco International, Dec 30th 2010

Venezuela's National Assembly in December passed the Ley Habilitante, or Enabling Law, granting the President the authority

Correo del Orinoco International provides this valuable Question & Answer (Q & A) brief on Venezuela's new Enabling Law.

Audio: Venezuelanalysis.com Discusses New Venezuelan Laws

By Michael Fox & James Suggett - Venezuelanalysis.com, Dec 27th 2010

VA produces original daily news written by well-informed writers with substantial experience living in Venezuela and working wit

Michael Fox interviews Venezuelanalysis staff writer James Suggett about the recent laws passed by Venezuela's National Assembly, including President Hugo Chavez's new law decree power. (14 mins, 50 secs)

Venezuela: Parliament Passes Enabling Law, Chávez Begins Offensive against Landlords and Speculators

By Patrick Larsen - In Defence of Marxism, Dec 24th 2010

The Enabling Law effectively cuts across all the legal excuses of the reformists for not completing the revolution. The law should be quickly put to use, for the purpose of nationalizing the banks, the industry, the food-production chain and the land, drawing up a Socialist plan for the reconstruction of houses and infrastructure.

For US Officials in Venezuela, Ideology Trumps Competent Analysis

By Joe Emersberger, Dec 20th 2010

Wikileaks is an organization that promotes transparency and democracy by leaking sensitive documents, videos, and other media on

Looking at how US officials have privately assessed press freedom in Venezuela provides a good way to judge their ability to put ideology aside when they analyze Venezuela - and reality in general. It's easy to judge the extent to which anti-government views can be expressed in Venezuela and - most crucially - reach a wide audience.

US Foes are Among the More Democratic Regimes in Latin America, According to their People

By Kevin Young - ZNet, Dec 13th 2010

Of the 18 countries surveyed, US foes Venezuela, Ecuador and Bolivia were three of the most "democratic," according to

On December 3 the Chilean polling firm Latinobaró metro released its annual public opinion poll of eighteen Latin American countries. The poll provides valuable clues about citizens’ views, and should be taken seriously in any assessment of Latin American political and social realities.

Venezuela: Thousands Demand Passing of Radical Labour Law

By JANET DUCKWORTH – GREEN LEFT WEEKLY, Nov 17th 2010

Marchers carried banners such as this one that read, "New Revolutionary Labour Law Now! Vital Instrument for the Working Cl

More than 5,000 workers from across Venezuela marched to the Venezuelan National Assembly in Caracas, demanding a new labour law that would, "place in the hands of Venezuela’s workers the direction of this revolutionary process.”

As Expected the Venezuelan Opposition Cries “Fraud!”

By Ramón Santiago and Les Blough - Axis of Logic, Oct 6th 2010

Ramón Santiago provides an excellent explanation of how democracy works in Venezuela and how individual and "list votes" work. A careful understanding of these details is especially important for dismantling the manipulation and false claims of the opposition.