This week in Venezuelan news...

Hi readers,

As always, it has been a controversial and exciting week in Venezuela. Chavez took a few days off for the first time in ten days and the mainstream media had a bit of a nervous breakdown and a bit of a fiesta, speculating over what on earth could have happened to him. The opposition/Chavista war manifested itself in various ways as wel0 from a debate that didn't happen (but perhaps did happen, in other ways), an assassination plan that didn't happen either, and the finalisation of some court cases against opposition channel Globovision.

Venezuelan Government Fines Opposition TV Globovision

Right wing TV station Globovision must pay over $US 3 million for using unauthorized microwaves and for evading taxes on advertising. Also, its president, Guillermo Zuloaga, was charged yesterday with usury connected to his selling of cars.

Venezuelan Government Forms Multi-Institutional Council Against Crime

The Minister for Justice and Internal Affairs, Tarek El Aissami, established a new National Council of Prevention and Citizen Security yesterday.

Chávez Cancelled Trip to El Salvador Due to Assassination Threat

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez did not attend the swearing in ceremony of new left wing president of El Salvador, Mauricio Funes on Monday, because of suspected assassination plans.

Venezuelan Opposition Intellectuals Reject Chávez's Invitation to Debate

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez invited participants from a right wing conference taking place in Caracas, four times, to a live debate on the show. After initially accepting, the right wing intellectuals refused to participate.

Venezuela Distributes Free Books and Movies, Promotes Cultural Development

Throughout the past week, the Venezuelan Ministry of Culture distributed free books, children's stories, magazines, movies, and documentaries, and hosted public theatrical and musical presentations in the central plazas in major cities across the country.

...See the website for more details http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/, and while you're there, check out these interesting analysis articles:

* Venezuela: ‘When the working class roars, capitalists tremble'

* Bolívar and "The Mysterious Unknown..."

* US Policy and Democracy in Latin America: The Latinobarómetro Poll

Tamara, for the Venezuelanalysis crew