http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/venezuela/ en-us Thu, 31 Dec 2009 08:53:22 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418220/posts Venezuela blames U.S. for destabilizing Iran www.chinaview.cn 2009-12-31 09:02:33 CARACAS, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela on Wednesday blamed the United States for destabilizing Iran by instigating violent protests in the Asian country. The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Venezuela rejects the destabilization attempts "promoted by the government of the United States against the government and people of Iran." "Venezuela is surprised that a group of countries led by the North American Empire are echoing a campaign to divide and spread violence among Iranians, in contravention of the fundamental norms of peace, non-interference and respect for sovereignty," the... Xinhua http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418220/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 08:53:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415045/posts Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has told car companies they must share their technology with local businesses or leave the country. Mr Chavez gave the ultimatum to Toyota, Ford, General Motors and Fiat during a public address. BBC http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415045/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 19:45:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414938/posts CARACAS—Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has threatened to expropriate Toyota Motor Corp.'s local assembly plant if it doesn't produce more vehicles designed for rural areas and increase technology transfer. Mr. Chavez said late Wednesday that the Japanese auto maker needs to transfer more new technologies and manufacturing methods from headquarters to its local unit in Venezuela. While Mr. Chavez directed most of his criticism at Toyota, he said other auto assemblers, including Fiat SpA of Italy and General Motors of the U.S., are also guilty of not sharing technology from abroad with their Venezuelan units. Mr. Chavez said his socialist government... Wall Street Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414938/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 14:57:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414462/posts Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez told foreign automakers to share their technology with local businesses or they will be told to leave the country. http://www.br.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=566&fArticleId=5296745 Business Report http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414462/posts#comment Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:54:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412775/posts BOGOTA — Colombia's defense chief joked Monday that Venezuelan troops might have mistaken Santa's sleigh for a spy plane, dismissing accusations by President Hugo Chavez about drones flying over Venezuela. Chavez on Sunday accused the United States of violating Venezuela's airspace with an unmanned spy plane and ordered his military to be on alert and shoot down any such aircraft. The Pentagon has declined to comment on Chavez's accusations. Colombian Defense Minister Gabriel Silva and armed forces commander Freddy Padilla told reporters Monday that Colombian aircraft couldn't fly the kind of espionage mission described by Chavez. "Colombia doesn't have that... Google/AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412775/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 06:10:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412105/posts Speaking during his weekly television and radio program, Mr Chavez said the aircraft overflew a Venezuelan military base in the western state of Zulia after taking off from neighbouring Columbia. He did not elaborate, but suggested the plane was being used for espionage. "These are the Yankees. They are entering Venezuela," he said. "I've ordered them to be shot down," Mr Chavez said of the aircraft. "We cannot permit this." The Telegraph http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412105/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:14:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2411942/posts Link only because its AP. Title says it all. yahoo / AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2411942/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:13:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411445/posts Colombia has announced it will build a new military base near its border with Venezuela, in a move likely to further strain its tense ties with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Defense Minister Gabriel Silva said Friday that the base, located on the Guajira peninsula near the city of Nazaret, would have up to 1,000 troops. "It is a strategic point from a defense point of view," Silva said. Army Commander General Oscar Gonzalez meanwhile announced Saturday that six air battalions were being activated, including two on the border with Venezuela. Venezuela shares a ...1,250-mile border with Colombia . In November... AFP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411445/posts#comment Sun, 20 Dec 2009 01:37:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409636/posts Here's one from the Department of We Are The World: Hugo Chávez and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will address the U.N.'s climate summit in Copenhagen. Say what you will about these two gentlemen—the support for terrorists, the Holocaust denial, the suppression of civil liberties—at least nobody can accuse them of being global warming "deniers." On the contrary, the two leaders, who met in Caracas last month for at least the 11th time, have been nothing if not cooperative when it comes to environmentally friendly and carbon-neutral technologies. Bicycles, for instance: In 2005, Chávez directed his government to "follow seriously the project of... WSJ http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409636/posts#comment Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:33:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2409350/posts Madman Hugo Chavez in Copenhagen goes after Capitalism calling it a ghost running thought the streets, and then says Obama won the Nobel Prize the same day as he sent 30k troops off to kill innocent people (Video) hotairpundit http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2409350/posts#comment Thu, 17 Dec 2009 06:33:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2408923/posts Bravo to Douglas Farah for disclosing how a terrorist conference is being held in Caracas, featuring representatives from FARC, ETA, the Communist Party of El Salvador, what’s left of the Red Brigades, and other terrorist groups. With the exception of FARC, these aren’t exactly top-tier terrorist groups, but they subscribe to the radical Marxist-Leninist doctrine of Chavez and Castro. Could Venezuela be trying to resurrect the terrorist groups the reigned during the Cold War? World Threats http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2408923/posts#comment Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:19:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2406801/posts Music swells, lights flash and the contestants strut on to the stage, waving and blowing kisses. All wear high heels, bikinis and wide smiles. It is another beauty pageant in Venezuela, a self-styled "beauty superpower" which worships physical perfection and has won the two most recent Miss Universe titles. But this show in Caracas is different. Even from the back of the theatre you noticesomething striking about the contestants. They are men. Large, chubby men. Welcome to Miss Fat Gay Venezuela, a pageant with a new type of queen. The contest, the first of its kind, smashes taboos in a... The Guardian http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2406801/posts#comment Sun, 13 Dec 2009 22:53:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2404217/posts Americas: Venezuela's Hugo Chavez was all bluster last weekend, flashing his missiles, hurling insults and spoiling for a fight with Colombia. The big danger here isn't Chavez, but growing White House indifference to an ally. This fall, when U.S. officials agreed to expanded military-base access in Colombia to fight drug trafficking and terrorism, it never occurred to them how much Chavez would use the arrangement as a pretext for aggression. "They are preparing a war against us," Chavez said Monday. So from Russia, he said, "thousands of missiles are arriving," along with T-72 military tanks "to strengthen our armored divisions."... Investors.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2404217/posts#comment Thu, 10 Dec 2009 01:29:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2403605/posts SNIPPET: "Venezuela's Marxist leader, Hugo Chavez, is receiving "thousands" of reliable, accurate, and very portable Russian ground-to-air missiles as part of a military buildup supposedly in anticipation of an anticipated U.S. assault. Chavez knows that there is no chance that the Obama administration will launch an attack against his regime. The real reason for Chavez's missile purchase and his military buildup in general remains hidden and disturbing. Chavez states that he is enraged that neighboring Colombia is permitting the United States to use six bases on Colombian territory. The troops had been stationed in Ecuador, but were expelled that nation's... INATODAY.com - INTERNATIONAL NEWS ANALYSIS TODAY http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2403605/posts#comment Wed, 9 Dec 2009 12:49:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2402640/posts Note: The following text is a quote: Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Capture of Three Members of Colombian Terrorist Group Charged with Hostage-Taking of U.S. Citizen PREET BHARARA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, JOHN V. GILLIES, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the Miami Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI") and MICHELE M. LEONHART, the Acting Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration ("DEA"), announced today the arrest of EDILBERTO BERRIO ORTIZ, a/k/a "El Gavilan," ALEJANDRO PALACIOS RENGIFO, a/k/a "El Gato," a/k/a "Yimi," and ANDERSON CHAMAPURO DOGIRAMA, a/k/a "El Tigre," a/k/a "Dairon," three members of the... NewYork.FBI.gov - DOJ Press Release http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2402640/posts#comment Tue, 8 Dec 2009 05:56:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2402687/posts Currency, Bonds Fall as Venezuelan President Eyes More Lenders. BY DAN MOLINSKI & DARCY CROWE CARACAS -- Worries grew Thursday that Venezuela is on the verge of a banking crisis, causing a run on smaller lenders, sinking the country's currency and bond prices, and stoking fears that president Hugo Chávez could nationalize the banking system. Venezuelans and investors are concerned about small banks' solvency following this week's seizure of four banks run by a billionaire close to the government of President Chávez. The populist leader may have fanned the fire when he assured Venezuelans twice this week that he stood... The Wall Street Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2402687/posts#comment Tue, 8 Dec 2009 11:19:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2402493/posts CARACAS, Venezuela – President Hugo Chavez said Monday that Venezuela has received thousands of Russian-made missiles and rocket launchers as part of his government's military preparations for a possible armed conflict with neighboring Colombia. "They are preparing a war against us," Chavez said during a televised address, repeating a charge he has been making for months. "Preparing is one of the best ways to neutralize it." Both Colombia and Washington deny having any plans to attack Venezuela, but Chavez argues they are plotting together a military offensive against Venezuela. Chavez says his government is acquiring more weapons as a precaution.... AP on Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2402493/posts#comment Tue, 8 Dec 2009 01:18:43 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2401975/posts The situation in neighboring Venezuela is going from strange to foreboding. President Hugo Chavez has been unsuccessful in getting the voters to make him president for life, but he has used his presidential powers to replace thousands of key officials with people selected mainly for their loyalty to Hugo Chavez. Since the government controls so much of the economy (mainly because of the oil industry), this has had disastrous results. There are increasing power blackouts, and an increasing number of state employees are not getting paid, or paid on time. There are increasing shortages of consumer goods. There is growing... Strategy Page http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2401975/posts#comment Mon, 7 Dec 2009 14:01:46 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2401725/posts ONE of President Hugo Chavez's top collaborators will resign from his post following the arrest of his brother as part of a brewing banking scandal. Jesse Chacon, who currently serves as Science and Technology Minister, offered his resignation after his brother, Arne Chacon, turned himself in to the Venezuelan secret police on Saturday as part of a widening probe by prosecutors into the financial system. Chavez moved to distance himself from the scandal ... Chavez also said that he told the Venezuelan secret police to swiftly imprison Arne Chacon... "I'm very sorry that he is the brother of a minister,... Dow Jones Newswires http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2401725/posts#comment Sun, 6 Dec 2009 23:54:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2399723/posts The Argentinean prosecutor who ferreted out Iranian links to Argentina's largest terror attack warned Wednesday of Teheran's growing terror network in Latin America. "The Iranians are moving fast," assessed Alberto Nisman, who has secured Interpol backing for the arrest of several Iranians, including former president Hashemi Rafsanjani, for ordering the July 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community offices in Buenos Aires. "We see a much greater penetration than we did in 1994." He said that Iran, particularly through Lebanese proxy Hizbullah, has a growing presence in Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador and Nicaragua, using techniques it honed in Argentina before the... Jerusalem Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2399723/posts#comment Thu, 3 Dec 2009 23:10:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2399644/posts Gunmen of the Bolivarian Revolution Photograpy by Alvaro Ybarra Zavala. The people of Venezuela are living in fear. The militias of the Bolivarian Revolution, armed by President Hugo Chavez, have taken control of the country. Fear sets the tempo of Venezuelan society. With estimates in excess of 18,000 homicides each year (approximately 50 per day), violence dictates the future of the country. International pressure and internal divisions with Venezuela have forced the Chavez adminstration to radicalize their political stance, including making use of the criminal gans of Caracas, turning them into gneuine death squardrons serving the revolution. [...] Most of... Reportage by Gettyimages http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2399644/posts#comment Thu, 3 Dec 2009 21:29:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2399357/posts Earlier this week we wrote in a research note: "The market flutter caused by the unilateral debt moratorium by Dubai suggests to us is that the illusion of stability created by the Federal Reserve Board over the past year is starting to dissipate. Specifically, there are many Dubai type situations in the global markets, both sovereigns and corporates, that are over-extended and are unable to service their debts at par. The corporates will end up in restructuring but the sovereigns are an open question." "We would not be surprised to see more sovereign debtors make unilateral announcement of debt moratoriums... Zero Hedge http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2399357/posts#comment Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:44:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2399203/posts The situation in neighboring Venezuela is going from strange to foreboding. President Hugo Chavez has been unsuccessful in getting the voters to make him president for life, but he has used his presidential powers to replace thousands of key officials with people selected mainly for their loyalty to Hugo Chavez. Since the government controls so much of the economy (mainly because of the oil industry), this has had disastrous results. There are increasing power blackouts, and an increasing number of state employees are not getting paid, or paid on time. There are increasing shortages of consumer goods. There is growing... The Strategy Page http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2399203/posts#comment Thu, 3 Dec 2009 12:53:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2399102/posts CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Wednesday said his government may target more banks for state intervention, sparking investor jitters two days after his government shut four private banks. Venezuelan benchmark bonds fell by the most in three months and the cost to insure Venezuelan debt shot to its highest since July amid what one analyst called "significant distress" in the financial system. Authorities closed four small banks on Monday owned by a wealthy businessman with close ties to the government, citing internal irregularities. That brought hundreds of worried depositors onto the streets, and sparked talk among Venezuelans... Reuters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2399102/posts#comment Thu, 3 Dec 2009 07:17:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2397542/posts CARACAS (Reuters) - Russia is building arms plants in Venezuela to produce AK-103 automatic rifles and cartridges and is finalizing contracts to send 53 military helicopters to the Andean nation, Moscow's envoy to Venezuela saidMonday. Ambassador Vladmir Zaemskiy told a news conference that Russian engineers and Venezuelan construction firms were building the rifle and cartridge plants which, when operational, would employ more than 1,500 workers. He gave no completion date for the plants under construction in the central state of Aragua. Details about Moscow's military shipments and projects have been scarce since socialist President Hugo Chavez's government began signing military... Forbes.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2397542/posts#comment Tue, 1 Dec 2009 13:49:10 GMT