Oil services expropriated, private media investigated, human rights report, teacher salaries
Dear Venezuelanalysis.com readers,
This week, the Venezuelan government took control of most oil-related activities, which were previously privatized. Venezuela accused the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of becoming a "political instrument" to "attack the progressive governments of the region," and President Hugo Chávez said Venezuela will consider withdrawing from the OAS. Also, Venezuela increased public school teacher salaries by 30%, and began inspections of private media outlets. Click on the headlines below to read the news at www.venezuelanalysis.com!
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This week's news:
Venezuelan Government Expropriates Petroleum Related Activities
The National Assembly passed a law on Thursday assigning goods and services connected to the petroleum industry to the state. The law re-establishes government control over a range of activities that were previously contracted out to foreign transnationals, and transfers the corresponding contract workers to the state oil company PDVSA or its affiliates.
Venezuelan Police Discover Large Arms Cache
Venezuelan police arrested four men and confiscated a large quantity of sophisticated weaponry that government officials speculate could have been part of an assassination plan against President Chávez. This discovery occurred in the context of a wave of apparently politically motivated violence.
Venezuela Rejects Inter-American Human Rights Commission Report
On Saturday, the Venezuelan government rejected the annual report of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), which categorized Venezuela as one of four countries in the hemisphere where human rights are particularly threatened. President Hugo Chávez said Venezuela will consider withdrawing from the Organization of American States (OAS) and forming a separate regional organization with its allies.
Venezuela Investigates Radio and Television Stations for Irresponsible Behavior
Venezuela's National Telecommunications Commission (CONATEL) began inspections of all radio and television stations in the country on Tuesday, two days after President Hugo Chávez vowed to put an end to the irresponsible behavior of one of the largest television stations, Globovision.
Venezuela Increases Public Teacher Salaries by 30%
The Venezuelan government enacted a 30% salary increase and expanded a range of benefits for Venezuela's approximately half a million active and retired public school teachers on Tuesday, as a result of a collective contract agreement signed with teachers unions last Friday.
Venezuela's Finance Ministry announced it would take custody of the state-owned Industrial Bank of Venezuela (BIV). The Ministry also met with officials from the Spanish Santander banking group to finalize a compensation agreement for the Bank of Venezuela, which was nationalized last year.
Polls Show Economic Optimism and Strong Support for Venezuelan President
Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez's approval rating remains above 60%, according to recent polls by Datanalisis, which is considered to be sympathetic to the opposition and private business interests, and Social Investigation Group XXI (GIS), which is considered to be sympathetic to the government.
Venezuela Uses Recovered Land to Plant Rice with Vietnamese Assistance
As part of Venezuela's food sovereignty and security plan, and as a result of an agreement with Vietnam, Venezuela has increased its rice cultivation by farming land that was previously privately owned and unused.
This week's analysis:
US Strategy in Latin America Was Wrong by Mark Weisbrot for Comment is Free
Call for International Solidarity with the Workers of Occupied Factories in Venezuela by FRETECO
Separating Fact from Fiction: An Analysis of Venezuela's Military Power by Alex Sánchez for COHA
Beyond the Media Hysteria on Hugo Chávez by Daniel Denvir for NACLA.org
- James for the venezuelanalysis.com crew
