The Devil's Excrement

The Venezuelan Foreign Minister said yesterday that “Venezuela will not qualify the Colombian guerrilla as terrorists as that would be getting involved in Colmbian affairs”. The Colombian Government has asked the Venezuelan one to do this.

Is this doublespeak or it reaches triplespeak?

To give an idea of the way people feel by now and why things are tense, here is a report from a friend (TE) about last Saturday’s rally and what happened when the intelligence police patrol’s showed up( his father is approximately in his mid 60’s if not older) showing the level of frustration and despair of the people:

“I was a couple of meters away from one of the DISIP (intelligence police) patrol cars that were damaged by the fury and rage in the ramp towards Chuao, parallel to El Guaire at the end of the event. Unfortunately, I could not take part because I was trying to protect my mother and contain my father who in fury wanted to kill the DISIPs with his fists. I tell you, if it were not because of Enrique Mendoza (governor of Miranda State) who came to placate people and open the way for the patrols to leave speedily, there could have been a tragedy.

It matters little to be good citizens at this point. This is a demonstration that the BRAVE PEOPLE are sick and tired and it would seem the levels of being pissed off are overflowing fear… Good for Juan Fernandez and his bravery…Good slap in the face for the incapable talibans of the political police”

The “Group of Friends” that  is trying to help in the mediation between the Government and the opposition will meet in Brazil tomorrow. Each side, the Government and the opposition will have a chance to present their point of view in a forty minute presentation. This is what they indicate they will say:

–The Government: The Ambassador to the OAS Jorge Valero says he will emphasize that the political and economic life of the country is going back to normal; that the oil industry is back to normal and political confrontation has been minimized.

–The Opposition: The representative of the opposition will emphasize the escalation of violence and the persecution of the opposition. He also said that the Government has tried to prolong negotiations. (he also said that obviously Valero does not live in Caracas)

Now, it is obvious which side I am on, but I would definitely refuse to call “normal” the following: Excahnge controls have been imposed and not a single dollar has been sold by the Central Bank since January 23d. in a country that relies on imports for foods and technology, the oil industry is producing less than half its usual production, the country is importing gasoline, inflation was up 5.5% in February, 17,000 people have been fired from PDVSA, the US has called Venezuela an unreliable oil supplier, people have dissapeared and turned up tortured and dead, there have been three terrorist attempts in two weeks of a magnitude not seen in the country in decades, a truck carrying over a ton in explosives was captured by the Army, the Government has failed to attend meetings of the negotiation table, there can be no elections in the country and one leader of the opposition has been arrested and warrants for the arrest of seven orders have been issued. They call this “normal”?

In an energy seminar in New York Undesecretary of State Larson explicitly stated the US position on Venezuela. Some excerpts:

Traditionally, we had considered Venezuela to be one of our most reliable oil partners, and we still very much want this to be the case. Venezuelan oil policy, until recently, has been built upon a reputation of reliability to international markets, which was of great mutual benefit. Through World Wars, politically inspired embargoes, and global dislocations, Venezuela found that its national interest was best advanced through maintaining a reputation of reliability.

Unfortunately, through a collective failure to come to consensus within the boundaries of their political system, it has been clearly demonstrated that Venezuela’s democratic institutions and its reputation in the United States as a reliable supplier appear no longer matters of primary importance to President Chavez, PDVSA or the political opposition. Venezuela’s turmoil has come at a difficult period for the world economy.

The United States will continue to work to help Venezuelans resolve their political differences. The key to reverse the severe economic and political decline in Venezuela is a renewed dedication to find a constitutional, democratic, peaceful and electoral solution to the crisis. Democracy and the rule of law are essential elements of a sound investment climate. We are disturbed by measures taken by President Chavez and the Government of Venezuela that can only be seen as polarizing the conflict and eroding Venezuela’s democratic institutions.

We hope that Venezuelans, both in the Government and those involved in the strike, will take the necessary additional steps to restore confidence, stability and rule of law.

There will be protests worldwide tomorrow against Hugo Chavez, this link has the protest closest to you. Please attend!

The opposition held its first rally today, since a judge issued a warrant for the arrest of some of its most important leaders two weeks ago. The rally started slow but it got better with time, climaxing when Juan Fernandez, one of the leaders of the PDVSA workers who have gone into hiding, showed up and spoke to the crowd in a clear challenge to the Government. More than half an hour later, intelligence police patrols showed up, a little late to catch Mr. Fernandez. But the crowd was outraged by the presence of the patrol cars and began throwing stones and surrounding them, blocking their way out. The intelligence police threw tear gas at the crowd when they started stoning them, interestingly enough and as we have been accustomed to, the leading stone throwers were female. What a way to celebrate Women’s day! The Governor of Miranda State, one of the speakers during the rally, had to intervene to allow the cars to leave, even if some windows were broken. This is certainly going to upset the Dictator!!!