VÍCTOR SALMERON
EL UNIVERSAL

During a meeting held in Cojedes State, nine governors and other representatives undertook, "in line with the regulations and needs of individual states, to follow the initiative of Cojedes governor, lieutenant colonel Jhonny Yánez Rangel, with regard to the struggle against large estate, idle lands and regularization of tenure". Local rulers claim that they want to ensure agro-alimentary welfare 

In this connection, governors Tarek William Saab (Anzoátegui), Jesús Aguilarte Gámez (Apure), Hugo de los Reyes Chávez (Barinas), Luis Felipe Acosta Carlés (Carabobo), Jesús Antonio Montilla (Falcón), Didalco Bolívar (Aragua), Francisco Rangel Rojas (Bolívar), Yelitza Santaella (Delta Amacuro) and Eduardo Manuitt (Guárico), gave their "most unrestricted and full support to the initiative taken by the fellow citizen, National Guard lieutenant colonel Jhonny Yánez Rangel in order to look for alternate solutions of conflicts and enforce the decree under the Law of Lands and Agrarian Development."

Eduardo Manuitt was entrusted with the task of reading the agreement. He acknowledged that "firstly, in my opinion, it should be clarified that the national government is the major landowner in Venezuela. There are waste lands, IAN (National Agrarian Institute) lands, state lands¿ all of this should be reviewed."

"A detailed study of land ownership in Venezuela should be conducted. Of course, the first step will include the utilization of state lands and then idle lands."

Local rulers declared in a communiqué that the aim is to "ensure agro-alimentary welfare and the implementation of the endogenous model as a constitutional principle of national security and sovereignty."

"We back the proposal of Cojedes governor on the launching of Land and Free Men Missions, in order to help consolidate social justice and agro-alimentary security -the flagship of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela," they added.

According to the governors, "rather than punishing unproductiveness of private, idle lands, the initiatives approved in Cojedes want them to be productive."

On his part, Jhonny Yánez Rangel added that "large estate should not be permitted. We need to create round tables. I am sure that most cases will be solved by common consent."

Beyond the frontier

While having the support of pro-government local rulers, the Cojedes governor reported that he received "a letter from the British government, particularly concerning Charcote Ranch."

He explained that the notice included "some considerations that virtually are a protest against a state governor, involving directly the British government."

"I would like to say to the British government that we abide by the law, we respect the territory of the English company. But as far as I am concerned, in Venezuela and Cojedes State, the British territory that should be respected includes embassies and consulates."

"For me, remaining portions are private; with all their constitutional and legal rights as private property," he added.

Translated by Conchita Delgado