EL UNIVERSAL
CARACAS, Saturday November 07, 2009 | Update
Works flying high
Economy If any country has cashed in on the Bolivarian revolution, that is Brazil, particularly the private companies of the southern neighbor. Over the past five years, it has been awarded contracts for works to be carried out in Venezuela for over USD 14 billion. This puts it as the first recipient of government-to-government contracts, that is, without bidding, since Hugo Chávez took office.
The second bridge over River Orinoco, built by Brazilian Odebrecht, has been regarded as one of the most significant works under Chávez (Photo: Gustavo Bandres)
Quotable
"Some people said that all car assembly plants working in Venezuela were leaving. They are still operating and many more want to start operations in our country. Executives from Renault and Fiat, that left Venezuela, called me to say that they want to start assembling cars here."
Minister Jesse Chacón
Top Stories
Pdvsa intends to issue more bonds by the end of the year
Economy
Rafael Ramírez, the CEO of the state-run oil company Petróleos de Venezuela (Pdvsa), is determined to pay off the debt the company has with providers. Therefore, he announced a new Pdvsa's bonds issue by the end of the year.
Venezuelan government moves to cope with electricity crisis
Energy
Hugo Chávez's government urged private companies that own thermoelectric power plants and have industrial and commercial activities to become power self-sufficient and contribute with the National Interconnected System.
Killing of troops exacerbates Colombia-Venezuela tensions
Western Hemisphere
Following the massacre of 10 Colombians in Venezuela and the killing of two Venezuelan military officers near the border with Colombia, Venezuelan officials claimed that a plot involving Bogotá and Washington is under way to destabilize Venezuela by igniting violence on the border with Colombia and in major towns in Venezuela.
Highlights
- IPYS has recorded 107 attacks on both journalists and mass media so far this year
- Venezuela inflation stands at 1.9 percent in October
- Venezuelan non-traditional exports sink to 4-year lows
- Israel accuses Chávez of turning Venezuela into an Iranian outpost
- Venezuela to expand oil production capacity to 4.25 million by 2015
- Venezuela demands replacement of IACHR Secretary
- Trade Minister: Patents promote exorbitant enrichment of pharmaceutical firms
Recommended 1
Two years at odds with Colombia
Western Hemisphere Timeline of the diplomatic spat between Venezuela and Colombia.
Databank
Cooperation
Cooperation programs between Venezuela and Cuba hit almost USD 1.5 billion in 2009, reported Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade Rodrigo Malmierca. He noted that 31 Cuban organizations and institutions are engaged in 107 bilateral projects, including services and medical staff commissioned by the Cuban government to work in Venezuela. According to the minister, bilateral trade exchange has grown 81% since 2008.
Background
Influenza
An outbreak of A/H1N1 influenza hit the Yanomami tribe, an Amazon Indian community, the Venezuelan government confirmed. Health officials sent a team to the region to investigate and assess the situation facing people affected by the disease. Meanwhile, NGO Survival International, based in London, said that at least seven members of the Yanomami tribe have already died of the flu. About 1,000 are reported to be infected with the A/H1N1 virus. The figures were not confirmed by the Venezuelan government.
Interview 1
"Brazil, US arrested Chávez's project in Honduras"
Politics "Former Chávez’s allies are moving away from his model," says Fernando Gerbasi, an expert in foreign affairs.
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