CARACAS, Wednesday March 16, 2005 | Update
The National Federation of Ranchers president José Luis
Betancourt Wednesday ensured that violations to the
government agricultural land ownership plan is to influence
negatively in the national production.
Betancourt reiterated that the government does not have the
power to take decisions on land expropriations and, therefore,
is incurring in violations by taking over ranches Piñero,
Charcote and Borges, located in western Cojedes state.
"Public sector officials cannot play the role of the State,
and cannot expropriate or seizure lands without a ruling by
the Supreme Tribunal of Justice," he said in a radio interview.
The president of the National Institute of Lands (INTI) Eliézer
Otaiza ensured that he has acted according to the law since
they are "redeeming" public lands and not expropriating private
lands.
02:57 PM. HEAVY RAINS. Venezuelan Executive Vice-President Elias Jaua reported that the government is designing plans to support farmers, cattlemen and peasants of the state of Mérida who have been hit by heavy rains that have caused crop losses.