News: Politics

Some Violence and Media Bias as Campaigning Begins for Venezuela’s Presidential Elections

Jul 12th 2012

On the campaign trail: Opposition candidate Henrique Capriles (left) and candidate for the current government, Hugo Chavez (Reut

After the first week of electoral campaigning for the 7 October presidential elections, the National Electoral Council (CNE) has reported some media bias in relation to the campaigns. The national assembly has condemned two acts of violence by the opposition, and President Hugo Chavez has reported that his health is no impediment to his campaign.

Venezuela’s 2012 Presidential Election Campaign Kicks Off

Jul 2nd 2012

Opposition candidate Henrique Capriles during his campaign launch in south-eastern Venezuela (Ana Vanessa Herrero/ Noticias24)

The Venezuelan presidential election race got underway yesterday with the official campaign launches of both President Hugo Chavez and Henrique Capriles, the two main contenders for the 7 October vote.

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.

Chavez to Launch Re-election Bid this Monday

Jun 8th 2012

Chavez campaign chief Jorge Rodriguez (ACN)

President Hugo Chavez is set to register his presidential candidacy for the upcoming October 7 elections this Monday, June 11.

Venezuelan Anti-Capitalists March in Solidarity with Global Movements

Jun 6th 2012

The Revolutionary Popular Alliance marched from Plaza Venezuela to the Miraflores Palace (GG/Aporrea)

Yesterday movements and political currents grouped into the Revolutionary Popular Alliance (APR) marched in Caracas against global capitalism and for a deepening of the Bolivarian revolution.

Chavez’s Socialist Party in Build Up to Presidential Election Campaign

Jun 5th 2012

An event in Miranda state to establish municipal commands in Venezuela’s central region yesterday, as part of President Hugo C

With just under four weeks until the official launch of Venezuela’s presidential election campaign on 1 July, President Hugo Chavez’s United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) is gearing up for a nationwide campaign which seeks to garner 10 million votes for Chavez and secure the Venezuelan president’s third full term in office.

Venezuela’s Great Patriotic Pole Continues to Organise, Forms Culture Council

May 28th 2012

The GPP’s Patriotic Council of Culture was established yesterday with participating intellectuals, artists, musicians and cult

With the formation of its Culture Council yesterday, Venezuela’s Great Patriotic Pole (GPP) coalition of social movements continues to organise itself ahead of the 7 October 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.

Chávez Returns to Venezuela after “Successful” Treatment, Riding High in Polls

May 14th 2012

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez speaks on television from the airport upon his return to Venezuela (AVN).

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez returned to Venezuela on Friday night, announcing a successful conclusion to his radiotherapy treatment in Cuba and his intention to return to the frontline of Venezuelan politics. Meanwhile, polls show him extending his advantage over rival Henrique Capriles Radonski.

Venezuela’s Chavez Designates State Counsel Members

May 3rd 2012

The counsel’s main responsibility will be to recommend policies to the executive which are deemed to be in the national intere

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has named his five delegates who will make up the country’s new “State Counsel,” after announcing in February that he would create the body.

Venezuela’s Chavez Criticises Media Rumours That He Had Died

Apr 24th 2012

President Hugo Chavez (right) with newspapers to prove the date of the photo (Presidential Press)

Yesterday President Hugo Chavez phoned the state television channel VTV in order to dispel the rumours created by the opposition and private media that, following nine days of “absence” from public life while receiving radiotherapy in Cuba, he had “died” or had experienced a medical emergency.

1.3 Million More People Join Venezuela’s Electoral Register, Funding Allocated

Apr 18th 2012

CNE director Sandra Oblitas (archive).

After nine months campaigning for people to sign up for the electoral register, the CNE has closed the process, seeing non-registered voters reduced to 3.5% of the population. President Hugo Chavez also approved financial resources for the upcoming elections, as well as extra resources for state governments and for housing.

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.

Venezuela’s Electoral Body Officially Sets Dates of 2012 National Elections

Mar 30th 2012

Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (RNV).

Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE) has made official the dates for the national elections to be held in the country later this year, while calling on all candidates to make a public commitment to recognise the results.