VICTOR SALMERON
EL UNIVERSAL / SPECIAL ENVOY

Johnny Rangel Yánez, governor of Cojedes State, talked to El Universal about a decree intended to intervene public plots of land, an initiative that was supported by both President Hugo Chávez himself in a satellite broadcast from China and eight pro-government governors nationwide.

Question: What is the exact goal of this decree to intervene lands in Cojedes State?

A: Our goal is to put an end to anarchy in the tenure of lands -an anarchy that has lasted for three years. Once enacted, the Land Law created a legal loophole regarding territory: areas are not clearly defined and people do not have a clear idea on the application of the law. This results in invasions and people taking over estates by moving the boundaries. We are set to launch talks on this matter.

Q: Why have you issued this decree now? You have been the Cojedes State governor for four years now.

A: We are implementing endogenous productive models that seek social justice and that have to be implemented right now. Therefore, we do not have time to wait for territorial reorganization. We are going to eliminate problems related to land tenure, decreased production resulting from land invasions, idle lands. Under these circumstances, private investors do not want to invest, as they fear to lose their investment. I am sure they will be grateful for all I have done to clarify this situation.

Q: Do you promise you will respect private property?

A: The decree refers to private property, but we do want to make people understand that in Venezuela latifundio is prohibited.

Q: Did you already launch talks with the owners of the affected lands?

A: We have already contacted the owners of the biggest estates to open a dialogue. From unofficial sources and informal meetings I have held with the owners, I can ensure that we are going to attain public and notorious agreements in over 90 percent of the cases. Many of the owners have already made the decision to offer us large plots of land free of charge.

Nevertheless, Yánez Rangel added that owners have offered lands "provided that they incorporated to an endogenous development model funded by the state in order to avoid anarchy and prevent some people from settling in those lands with purposes different from production."

Q: Some owners have claimed that most invaders come from other states such as Aragua and Carabobo.

A: We have witnessed some anarchic invasions by people who have interpreted the law to their benefit and pseudo-leaders who take poor people and make them invade lands disrespecting private property. On the other side, we have farmers and cattle-raisers who have been here for 20 or 40 years and they are called invaders. That is not fair.

Q: Why haven't you given these people public lands?

A: I have to say that we the leaders of this process will have to face this responsibility: we have not been as efficient and effective as we should be in enforcing the law.

Q: Is this decree actually going to put an end to land invasions?

A: Absolutely. We are guaranteeing that the estates we have intervened will not be subject to any kind of invasion because public security forces are to protect them. Peasants will be told that the government is to solve their situation. Once we have reached an agreement, peasants will be sent to the areas we may define for their use.

Q: Why did you choose 16 specific estates for intervention, do they represent latifundios?

A: In general, most of these estates face problems. Specifically, investigations have been launched on these plots of land in the last three years. No decision has been made in this sense. Law enforcement in Cojedes State has been very inefficient and ineffective. The regional government should stop this from continuing to happen.

Q: Couldn't you have launched talks with owners without issuing a land intervention decree?

A: This decree has affected not only the private property, but also public lands. We are committed to find solutions rapidly.

Translated by Maryflor Suárez