June 11th

Los Andes University students reject attempts at "relinquishing autonomy"
Members of the University Council, Los Andes University (ULA), issued a communiqué rejecting the attitude of the students who openly or "quietly purport to surrender university autonomy."

In the document signed by students Alfredo Contreras, Héctor Quiñones and Lawrence Castro, and published by TV news channel Globovisión, the students rejected the servile behavior of Jeison Guzmán, president of the Federation of University Students' Centers, ULA, claiming that he called for the intervention of the university.

In Carabobo state students clash during debate on RCTV case
A group of students at Carabobo University (UC), in central Carabobo state, took the issue Monday during a debate on the government decision not to renew a broadcast license for private TV channel Radio Caracas Televisión (RCTV).

According to Rafini Piñero, student leader of the Law Faculty Rafini, government followers started the attacks and hurt student Antonio Ecarri.

During the event held in the Faculty of Sciences and Education, the government supporters threw tear gas canisters and fired some shots.

For her part, Osly Hernández, a student of Central University of Venezuela (UCV) rebutted Piñero's remarks. "We were invited by them, but this time, there was a violent answer from a group."

Hernández lamented the outcome. "We could not finish the debate. We deem it unacceptable that no security could be ensured."

University students and RCTV workers stage demonstration in Caracas
Catholic University (UCAB), Monteávila University (UMA) and Central University of Venezuela (UCV) stood by the traffic lights on Casanova Avenue, north Caracas, to reject discontinuation of private television station RCTV two weeks ago.

Enrique González, a student at UMA, said "we are going to perform similar activities on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in several places in Caracas."

"The student movement is awake now. We are in the streets and we will stay in the streets as long as the Venezuelan Government does not give us a concrete response on the situation of freedom of expression."

RCTV artists, producers and other workers also joined the protest.

June 12nd

Students march to demand university autonomy
A march organized by students and authorities of Simón Bolívar University (USB) following the remarks from the Ministry of Higher Education on university autonomy arrived Tuesday in the ministry headquarters, downtown Caracas.

Demonstrators went quietly and smoothly through Universidad Avenue. During their walk, the students made a short stop at Andrés Bello High School, while chanting "Autonomy," "Hey, Simón Bolívar" and "Freedom of expression," among other slogans.

USB students were joined by their peers from Central University of Venezuela (UCV), Andrés Bello Catholic University (UCAB), Monte Ávila University (UMA), Santa María University (USM), Metropolitan University (Unimet) and Libertador Experimental Pedagogic University (UPEL).

A delegation of the university students submitted a paper to Minister of Higher Education Luis Acuña, asking for an official statement on the issue of autonomy.

Minister Acuña said that the autonomy of the Simón Bolívar University would have to wait, since this university does not meet the requirements.

Pro-government students march to reject "imperialist intervention"

Students supporting President Hugo Chávez' government rallied in Plaza Venezuela, north Caracas, and marched to Brión Square, Chacaíto.

Student leaders from Simón Rodríguez College said their goal is to repudiate alleged US government interventions in Venezuela, in connection with the demonstrations university students have staged over the last two weeks to advocate freedom of expression.
Pro-government students said they were willing to debate the topic with anyone attending their rally in Brión Square. 
 
University students deny plans to sabotage Copa América soccer tournament
The university students who have staged demonstrations to advocate freedom of expression and civil rights Tuesday rejected Venezuelan government officials' claims that they are plotting to sabotage Copa América, the soccer tournament of the Americas to be held in Venezuela on June 26-July 15.

The university leaders told foreign reporters that, on the contrary, they were proud that the tournament is taking place in Venezuela.

Yon Goicoechea, member of the University Students' Center, Andrés Bello Catholic University (UCAB), vowed that students "would not sabotage it, as some government spokespersons have claimed," AFP reported.


June 14 th

University students march to Caracas downtown
Alejandro Narváez, student delegate of the Political Studies School, Central University of Venezuela (UCV), Thursday said the university students advocating freedom of expression and civil rights are staging a march for national reconciliation.

Narváez said that Thursday noon the students gathered in Brión Square, Chacaíto, north Caracas, to march to Parque Carabobo, central-north Caracas. In Parque Carabobo the university students were to read a manifesto inviting to hold a national debate on their demands.

The march was originally scheduled to end in Caracas Square, downtown Caracas. However, Libertador Municipality Mayor Freddy Bernal said earlier on Thursday that demonstrators were authorized to arrive in Parque Carabobo only. This decision was rejected by the students who said that they asked for the permission in advance and this authorization had been granted.

June 15th

University students hold national meeting
Students at a number of Venezuelan universities gathered Friday in Caracas-based Central University of Venezuela (UCV) for a national assembly intended to fight for civil rights, freedom of expression, university autonomy and against repression, the students organizing the meeting said.

Jesús Armas, a leader of the engineering students' center, Andrés Bello Catholic University (UCAB), said that "over the last three weeks we have seen the student movement rising nationwide, and today (Friday), for the first time, the student leaders from all of the autonomous universities in the country, such as Los Andes University, UCAB, UCV  and Oriente University have gathered to discuss a number of topics concerning Venezuelan university students."

"So far, we have agreed on the agenda by consensus. Basically, we agree that rights are not negotiable, and that rather than begging for our rights, we are going to demand respect for our rights. We are therefore trying to set our agenda for this debate, and then we will take it to the country."

Student representatives file a complaint at the Attorney General Office
Stalin González, the president of the University Student Council (FCU), Central University of Venezuela (UCV), appeared Friday at the Attorney General Office to file a complaint.

According to González, during a demonstration Thursday that went to Parque Carabobo, downtown Caracas, just in front of the Attorney General Office, he was asailed by some Metropolitan Police agents.

"We came to file charges against the Metropolitan Police and Mayor Freddy Bernal, who denied us our right to demonstrate," he said.

González provided his version of the events. "Yesterday (Thursday) afternoon, we asked to talk to a public prosecutor, but nobody showed up. We came here and had requested our permit through Caracas Square. We got clearance until the Attorney General Office. We came here and found a picket line of the Metropolitan Police. We just want to notify that we wanted to get to Caracas Square in order to read out a paper."

"There was a point where the Metropolitan Police used paralyzer against the students and one of them hit me on the head with his shield."

University students launch campaign for national settlement
University students asked Friday the Attorney General to act as middleman for the purposes of national rapprochement, and reported on a new march next week to Caracas Square.

As stated by student leader Yon Goicoechea, of Andrés Bello Catholic University (UCAB), his peers are set to launch a reconciliation campaign. The leader regretted discrimination and disregard of students' civil rights as they were denied a permit to get to Caracas downtown.

"We will ask for it (clearance) everyday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. Someday, mayor Freddy Bernal will have to give it," he said.

Goicoechea explained that a complaint filed Friday at the Attorney General Office is rather a petition for Venezuelans to come to terms.