News: Opposition

Venezuelan Opposition: “No More Preferential Oil Deals”

Aug 2nd 2012

Capriles said that oil-rich Venezuela would not give away even “one drop” of “free oil” to other countries if he were el

In his first public statement on his prospective oil policy were he to be elected, opposition candidate Capriles Radonski said that he would put an end to Venezuela’s current preferential oil deals with governments abroad, in favour of spending the revenue from the country’s petroleum industry on domestic “social programs”.

Presidential Candidates Sign Electoral Agreement for “Democracy”

Jul 19th 2012

MUD representative, Juan Carlos Caldera, signed the document on behalf of Capriles (cne.gov.ve)

Candidates for the Venezuelan presidential elections signed an agreement drafted by the National Electoral Committee (CNE) on Tuesday, obliging candidates to “respect the laws which regulate the electoral process” and to “recognise the results” announced by the CNE in October.

Former Colombian Senator Accuses Henrique Capriles of Paramilitary Ties

Jul 2nd 2012

Piedad Cordoba (EPA)

Colombian ex-senator and peace activist Piedad Cordoba accused Venezuelan presidential candidate Henrique Capriles of receiving paramilitary support.

Extreme Right of Opposition “Planning a Boycott” of Elections, Says Venezuela’s Chávez

Jun 19th 2012

President Hugo Chávez speaking on public television yesterday via telephone (VTV).

President Hugo Chávez said yesterday that he has become aware of a “hidden” plan by the extreme right of the opposition to “boycott” or not recognise the results of the 7 October presidential elections.

Chavez and Capriles Launch Bid for Venezuelan Presidency

Jun 13th 2012

President Hugo Chavez addressed the crowd after he registered as a candidate (agencies)

President Hugo Chavez, with a clean bill of health, registered as a candidate for the upcoming presidential elections yesterday, while opposition member Henrique Capriles registered on Sunday, both accompanied by large marches. Five other people have also registered as candidates.

Opposition Candidate’s Campaign Plans a “Copy” of Current Venezuelan Government Initiatives

May 31st 2012

Capriles Radonski speaking yesterday (agencies)

After opposition presidential candidate Henrique Capriles presented his “plans” for security yesterday, and unemployment on Sunday, members of the government have responded, calling them “disguises” and pointing out the hypocrisy of the opposition, given Capriles’ own poor current record as governor of Miranda state.

EU Parliament Rejects Resolution Questioning Venezuela’s Withdrawal from IACHR

May 27th 2012

The European Parliament overwhelmingly rejected a resolution expressing “worry” over Venezuela’s possible IACHR withdrawal

With a massive walk-out on Thursday, members of the European Parliament rejected a resolution expressing “worry” over Venezuela’s possible withdrawal from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).

Venezuela’s Chavez Back in Public, Says Opposition “Going Crazy”

May 23rd 2012

Chavez (centre back) at the ministers’ council yesterday (tmaniglia)

After eleven days out of the public spotlight since he returned from Cuba, President Hugo Chavez appeared live on public television yesterday during a ministers’ council meeting and criticised the opposition candidate, said that he will register as a presidential candidate in June, and announced that the new anti-crime mission will also be launched in June.

Germany Asks European Union to Step Up Support for Venezuela’s Opposition

May 18th 2012

The German Parliament (archives)

A German news website has revealed that the German government has been pushing for Eurozone countries to adopt a more active role in backing the current Venezuelan opposition coalition, the Roundtable of Democratic Unity (MUD), in the run up to this year’s presidential elections.

Venezuelan Opposition Candidate’s Campaign “Stagnating”, Journalists Attacked

May 16th 2012

Opposition candidates Henrique Capriles in Bogota, Colombia last week (agencies)

Government representatives and private media have said opposition presidential candidate Henrique Capriles’ campaign is “stagnating” as he fails to gain support, while journalists also marched yesterday protesting violent attacks committed against them by Capriles’ supporters.

Opposition Vandalises Venezuelan Embassy in London

Apr 17th 2012

The Venezuelan embassy in London (archive)

Members of the Venezuelan opposition in London stormed premises of the Venezuelan Embassy last Friday 13 April to express their disagreement with the government of Venezuela.

Venezuela Marks 10th Anniversary of April 2002 Coup Attempt against the Chavez Government

Apr 14th 2012

The capital was flooded by tens of thousands of government supporters, who had turned out to commemorate the historic event (Rac

With debates, exhibitions, workshops and demonstrations, this week Venezuela marked a decade since the coup and counter-coup of April 2002 which removed President Hugo Chavez from power in just under 48 hours.

Venezuelan Communist Party Warns of Opposition Destabilisation Plans, Possible Foreign Intervention

Apr 5th 2012

Pedro Eusse (centre) of Venezuela’s Communist Party warned of opposition plans to destabilise the government in the wake of th

The National Secretary of Venezuela’s Communist Party, Pedro Eusse, has warned that the opposition coalition, the Roundtable of Democratic Unity (MUD), is laying the foundations to dispute the results of this year’s presidential elections in October, as well as to possibly incite violence.

Venezuelan Telecommunication Commission Takes Television Station to Court over Unpaid Fine

Mar 29th 2012

Globovision offices (archive).

Venezuelan’s National Telecommunication Commission (Conatel) has taken rightwing news station Globovision to the Supreme Court for not paying a Bs 9.3 million (US$ 2.2 million ) fine by the due date, 1 January 2012.

Venezuelan Opposition’s Accusations of Water Contamination a “Scare Tactic”

Mar 21st 2012

The Carobobo water plant, Hydrocentro (notitarde)

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has urged the Supreme Court and the public prosecutor, Luisa Ortega, to investigate the private media and opposition spokespeople for “spreading information about supposed contamination of some of the country’s water supplies” and called it “war propaganda”.