Free Republic

A small group in the Venezuelan state of Zulia -- a state critical to the nation's oil industry -- has caused a stir by pushing for more autonomy. MARACAIBO, Venezuela - The state of Zulia has always thought of itself as the Texas of Venezuela -- a land dominated by oil, cattle and largely conservative politicians. So it's no surprise that some of its people would want more autonomy. ''We want our own government,'' said Néstor Suárez, an economics professor and president of the pro-autonomy group Own Way. ``We are against big central governments.'' That central government, of course, is...

Manuel Rosales, the governor of the State of Zulia, Monday will enact a decree on layout and planning of idle lands in this region and will announce the creation of the Zulia's Agrarian Commission. Rosales added that the land decree would be drafted by common consent of all sectors in this state. "The land decree will be worked out and drafted according to the Constitution, the laws of the Republic and the decree enacted by President Chávez. The point is to negotiate, have a dialogue and an agreement so that we can make headway in the two subjects that, as...