Simon Bolivar's Latin America.

[TsarSamuil]

Ecuadorian president warns of possible 'CIA attack' before elections.

RT.com
6 January, 2013, 15:31



Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa has said the CIA may try to kill him prior to upcoming elections. Citing reports of a plot to “destabilize the region,” Correa said the threats were “credible,” given the history of US involvement in Latin America.

Correa alluded to reports by Chilean journalist Patricio Mery Bell, who allegedly passed on information to the Ecuadorian government that President Correa’s life was “under threat” by a CIA plot.

“There are many cases of [the CIA] interfering” in Latin American affairs, Correa said during a campaign tour in the coastal province of Guayas. “These are credible [reports] because this has happened before in Latin America.”

The head of the US diplomatic mission in Quito, Adam Nann, responded to Bell's claims by saying that Washington “would never get involved” in Ecuador's electoral process.

Although Correa conceded that he believed the statements of the US ambassador, he warned that agencies such as the CIA often follow their own agenda and maintain links with organizations representing the extreme right in the countries in which they operate.

Bell first voiced his concerns for the safety of President Correa three months ago when he released a report claiming the CIA sought to “destabilize” Ecuador. He said that the threat to Correa’s life would be at its height from January 15 and onwards, as Correa applies to run for another presidential term.

“We will have to be three times more vigilant with President Correa,” Bell said in an interview with publication El Ciudadano. Bell maintained that although he was not a staunch supporter of Correa, it was his duty as a Latin American citizen to warn of the alleged $88-million CIA plot to destabilize the Ecuadorian government.

The journalist believes that this money will be divided amongst extremist anarchist, leftist and hardline conservative groups, in the hopes of discrediting Correas.

Bell claimed in his report that the main motives behind the CIA plot were the closing of the US Manta military base, hailed as a victory for Ecuadorian national sovereignty, and the granting of asylum to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

President Correa is often described as echoing the policies of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, especially in anti-US rhetoric. The 49-year-old economist has reduced poverty and increased stability and the overall standard of living in Ecuador during his presidency, winning popularity amongst the country’s poorest as well as the educated middle class.

Correa will run for reelection against six other candidates when campaigning begins on January 15. Ecuadorians will vote for the next president and vice president on Sunday, February 17.

[TsarSamuil]

Vid,
rt.com/news/interview-maduro-chavez-venezuela-716/

‘US should realize that world has changed’ – Venezuelan VP (RT Exclusive)

RT.com
25 January, 2013, 10:30

The US has lots of troubles dealing with other nations as they haven’t come to grips with the new global reality, Venezuelan Vice-President Nicolas Maduro told RT in an exclusive interview. He also spoke about the health of President Chavez.

Speaking to RT Spanish host Eva Golinger in Caracas, Nicolas Maduro shared his views on the political and economic future of Venezuela and Latin America’s fight for independence.

Eva Golinger: We would like to ask you a question that’s on everybody’s mind: how is President Chavez doing? Do you have an update on his present condition? Will he be coming back to Venezuela soon?

Nicolas Ìaduro: We’ve already said that President Chavez’s recuperation period is almost over. It has been a long and difficult process. The president was aware of the odds all the way, but his vigor and energy are simply amazing. The surgery was a very difficult. President Chavez suffered internal bleeding, which was a very alarming sign. I should say that Comandante Fidel Castro and his team were with Chavez and his relatives the whole time. We are very grateful for that. For the concern on the part of Comandante Castro, Cuban President Raul Castro, and the doctors.

Now President Chavez feels better than at any other time during his recuperation. I’m flying to Havana to visit the President soon. He will give me necessary instructions and messages to be announced at the summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States. So you could say that President Chavez is in the fight.

EG: Is there any hope that he may return to Venezuela any time soon?

NM: We remain optimistic, but there are too many factors at play. We need to talk to the doctors and President Chavez himself to choose the best moment. As we have repeatedly told Mr. Chavez, and the Venezuelan people know it well, the most important thing now is his recovery. Everybody knows how President Chavez has invested all his efforts and energy into his country, into fighting for the independence of Latin America, how he has persevered in his anti-imperialist struggle for social justice worldwide. It was President Chavez who went vocal about global warming, so that everyone could find out the truth. It was he who championed the struggle against global plunder and the neoliberal policies that are killing Europe.

It was President Chavez who adamantly raised the banner of protecting the Palestinian people, when they were attacked. When so many in the Arab world chose to keep silent out of fear, President Chavez raised that banner and the Arab people cheered him.

So President Chavez was at the helm of great campaigns for the sake of humanity, and today his role in the world is recognized by millions. Here’s why this RT interview is so important for all the viewers in the US, Russia and across the world: we know we are speaking to the hearts of millions on the planet, those who believe in President Chavez, admire him, follow him and love him deeply.

We tell them that the president is fighting the illness; that we, his people, are waiting here for him to come back soon. And one day that will definitely happen.

EG: Speaking of struggle, there is another question I want to ask you. Over the last few days, there has been talk of restoring the relations between Venezuela and the United States, and there has already been a kind of negotiation on the subject between the two governments.

NM: The US is, in fact, an empire that was established as a union of 13 independent colonies located on North America’s East coast. Throughout the 19th century, this nation expanded its territory, asserted its military might and imposed its policies and its trade on neighboring countries, and in the 20th century, it emerged as a global superpower. Ever since the Bolivarian era the US has looked down on Latin America and the Caribbean as its backyard. But President Chavez and the Bolivarian Revolutionary Movement expect that, sooner rather than later, the elite that run that mighty empire will find themselves forced to recognize our region’s independence and respect our leaders.

This is absolutely inevitable. Yet it’s not that they will do us a favor and grant us independence, like we are a former colony of theirs, but as a result of our own efforts. Today, the nations of Latin America and the Caribbean are winning independence once more, just as they did back in the 19th century. In Venezuela, we run our own country, thanks to Hugo Chavez and the victorious people’s revolution. And in tune with the other nations of our continent, our government has conveyed a message to President Obama on behalf of President Chavez during a recent ministerial meeting, saying that we wouldn’t mind improving our relations with the US and restoring mutual respect between our nations as far as possible.

But whenever we would attempt a rapprochement with the Obama administration, we would always face sabotage from the conservatives who build the core of the US military-industrial and media complex, which oppressively controls the entire nation, the same way as it oppresses the rest of the world.

That said, we wouldn’t mind restoring a fully functional relationship with the US based on mutual respect. If it eventually works out, we would be happy with that. But we will not be dominated.

The US is the only country in the world that has that much trouble dealing with other nations, because they haven’t come to grips with the new global reality yet. But they will have to soon. We have been telling them for years, and it’s time they should realize that the world has changed, and they can no longer dominate through air strikes and intimidation.

EG: Mr. Vice-President, not long ago President Chavez appointed a new foreign minister, but you held this position for six years. What are the priorities of Venezuela’s foreign policy now?

NÌ: President Chavez has drafted a program that we are calling Our Homeland’s Plan for 2013-2019. It lists five main strategic, or long-term, goals, which are: building a true democracy in Venezuela, achieving independence and establishing a new socialism. The fourth strategic goal has an international dimension. It reflects the vision of Simon Bolivar. He talked about balance in the world, about the need for Latin American countries, which gained independence from Spanish control 200 years ago, to present a strong united front. He wanted our states to create a union that would make aggressive empires with big military clout that dominated in the international arena back then respect our region and our right to development.

President Chavez revived this doctrine and turned it into our foreign policy. It’s very easy to explain. The fourth strategic goal is: to facilitate the creation of a multi-polar world in which there will be no domineering empires. In terms of our region, it means that we need to strengthen the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) and Petrocaribe. These institutions help forge new economic and social models of cooperation and development in our region. We also aim to strengthen the Union of South American Nations – UNASUR – and promote the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (SELAC) that has been set up. It was Bolivar’s dream, and we brought it to life here in Caracas in December 2011.

Internationally, we need to bolster our strategic alliances with the countries that play a key role both locally and globally, in this new multi-polar world that is emerging. So the strategic alliance between our region and Russia, China and India is growing stronger thanks to our active interaction and through economic and political projects with BRICS. We are convinced there are a lot of opportunities to create a new world order, which will be the result of a continuous and arduous struggle against imperialistic views and concepts in world politics.

EG: And now could you tell us a little bit about your domestic policies? The new administration has just got down to work in its 2013-2019 term. What issues are still outstanding?

NM: In the social sector we need to continue our fight against poverty. It’s our curse, a painful legacy of the 500 years under foreign oppression. We should not forget about all that destruction that colonial empires had brought to our land. I am talking about Venezuela specifically. This was a difficult burden that our country had to carry throughout the whole 19th century. Then our region suffered from North American hegemony. Venezuela became an oil rig to them, an oil colony. They destroyed the natural economic foundations that our republic enjoyed in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Our specialty was food production, we had rich agricultural traditions. We were also influenced by the military dictatorship, established in our country by US transnational corporations, the so-called Bermuda Companies. So they basically implemented an oil-dependent model by establishing the military dictatorship of Juan Vicente Gómez. This has set a course for the whole 20th century. The second half of the 20th century was plagued by terrible corruption, our oil resources were misappropriated. Poverty was at 80 per cent. The goal of our revolution is to bring this number down to zero. This is one of the goals set by Comandante Chavez, our president, for the next six years. And we’ll get it done. We have already brought down the poverty level from 27per cent to 7 per cent.

A large number of our people are still below the poverty line, but we are working on solving this problem. For example, we are implementing a new education plan. Good education, that is also free, is one of the major achievements of the Bolivarian government. We are also implementing reforms for such areas as healthcare, food security and employment. We keep an eye on the wage levels of the working people. By the end of 2012, unemployment dropped from between 20 and 25 per cent to 5 per cent. We have achieved a lot in the social care sector. While in Europe unemployment is at 20-25 per cent and governments cut pensions and salaries, our 21st century revolution is helping us to establish a social model that allows the Venezuelan people to build their own country.

EG: Back in December, prior to his latest surgery, President Chavez explicitly announced that you would be his successor in case he can’t remain in office and at the helm of the Bolivarian Revolution any longer. How would you describe the personality of Nicolas Maduro?

NM: Each of us is first and foremost a fighter, a man of the street. We walk to work, or take the subway. We’ve been engaged in struggle ever since we were kids. Caracas and its various locations have been our battleground, where we engaged in the student movement and the alternative union movement, which dates back to the 1990s, just as Hugo Chavez emerged as a leader. Once he came out in public and made his address to the nation on February 4, 1992, wearing his beret, we told ourselves, “This is the road we shall take.” And ever since that day, there wasn’t a day in my life when I wouldn’t be working for Chavez, because working for him means working for the sake of the country.

That will be the case till our last breath.

We don’t believe in “making a successful career in politics,” as some people’s aspirations are described. That kind of thinking belongs in a bourgeois political culture, which is no longer in our country. The only career we know is one of revolutionary struggle, as soldiers fighting for the cause of Chavez. This is who we are: soldiers who fight for the cause of Chavez, and we’ll go wherever our duty takes us.

EG: Mr. Vice President, thank you so much for the interview and for being with us.

NM: Many thanks to you and the RT channel.

[TsarSamuil]

Chavez Recovered from Respiratory Infection.

Novinite.com
Business | January 27, 2013, Sunday| 255 views

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has recovered from the respiratory infection he suffered after his last cancer surgery, report agencies Sunday.

"45 days after the complicated surgery, Chavez is recovering, and the serious infection has been defeated. The treatment continues, though," stated Venezuelan Minister of Communication Ernesto Villegas.

Villageas said that Chavez is hospitalized in Chile, where a Latin America - EU leaders meeting is taking place.

The minister added that the President is already taking important decisions for Venezuela's internal and foreign policy.

Due to a relapse of his cancer, Chavez was not able to swear in for his 4th consecutive term in office in January 10.

This has sent Venezuela in a constitutional conundrum and embittered divisions between his supporters and the opposition.

Eventually, the Parliament and Supreme Court of Venezuela decided that the oath can be indefinitely postponed due to the circumstances.

[TsarSamuil]

Argentina says it will control Falklands within 20 years.

RT.com
6 February, 2013, 05:25

The Falkland Islands will be under Argentina’s control within 20 years, the country’s foreign minister told British press, claiming that the UK “has never missed an opportunity to miss an opportunity to find a solution” to the issue.

Speaking to reporters from The Guardian and The Independent, Hector Timerman stressed that “not one single country in the world” supports Britain’s claims to right of rule in the Falkands, to which he referred by their Spanish name, the Malvinas.

"I don't think it will take another 20 years,” he said, talking about re-gaining Argentine control over the islands. “I think that the world is going through a process of understanding more and more that this is a colonial issue, an issue of colonialism, and that the people living there were transferred to the islands.”

In the interview, the Argentine foreign minister ruled out military action to resolve the issue, accusing the British government of militarizing the South Atlantic region in a grab for oil and natural resources.

"Wherever there is a smell of oil, big powers start to look around and they find a reason to stay there. I think probably oil will complicate the peaceful solution that is asked for by the United Nations. I think in history that Britain has had a tendency to stay in places where there are natural resources belonging to other people."

Timerman expressed his willingness to discuss the issue with British Foreign Secretary William Hague, who refused to meet his Argentine counterpart in London. The Foreign Office insists that such a meeting will not take place without Falklands Islands representatives present.

Meanwhile Timerman underlined that “according to the United Nations, there are only two parties to the conflict – the United Kingdom and the Republic of Argentina,” and that by insisting on the introduction of a third party, that being the Falkland Islanders, London is ignoring more than 40 UN resolutions calling on the two countries to negotiate.

“I think the fanatics are not in Buenos Aires, [but] maybe in the United Kingdom because they are 14,000 kilometers away from the islands. And I think they are using the people living in the islands for political [reasons] and to have access to oil and natural resources which belong to the Argentine people,” the top Argentine diplomat said, as quoted by The Guardian.

[TsarSamuil]

Chavez returns home after cancer surgery in Cuba.

English.news.cn 2013-02-18 17:49:32

CARACAS, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on his Twitter account Monday that he has returned home after a two-month cancer treatment in Cuba.

"We have arrived again to the Venezuelan homeland. Thank you, God! Thank you, my beloved people! We shall continue the treatment here," Chavez said in a Twitter post.

Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro on Monday hailed Chavez's return, saying in a letter that a long and anxious wait was over for the Venezuelan people.

According to Vice President Nicolas Maduro, Chavez arrived at Caracas at 2:30 a.m. local time and was sent to Dr. Carlos Arvelo Military Hospital for further treatment.

Chavez's return came days after the Venezuelan government released some images of him for the first time since the cancer surgery in Cuba two months ago. Aides said Chavez had difficulty breathing and was being aided by a tracheal tube, making it difficult for him to speak.

Chavez was first diagnosed with cancer in June 2011. He appeared to have overcome the disease after his third operation and was declared cancer-free prior to Venezuela's general elections last fall, in which he was reelected for the third time.

As his recovery was complicated by a lung infection in December, Chavez missed his Jan. 10 inauguration, which was then postponed until his condition improves, despite objection from opposition parties.

[TsarSamuil]

Ecuadorian president wins 2nd reelection: official results.

English.news.cn 2013-02-18 08:26:47

QUITO, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa was re-elected in Sunday's elections, according to preliminary results.

The incumbent won 56.36 percent of the vote against 24.09 percent for his closest challenger, former banker Guillermo Lasso, after about 40 percent of the ballots were counted, figures of the National Electoral Council show.

The final results are not expected to change greatly, said the electoral authority.

Under Ecuador's electoral law, a presidential candidate wins outright in the first round if he or she garners more than 40 percent of the vote and has a 10-point advantage over the closest rival.

Right before the release of the official preliminary results, Correa had already begun celebrating his victory, given his overwhelming advantage against rival candidates in two exit polls.

"Today I am most committed than ever. We can't take a single step backwards. We have the immense trust of the people to definitely change the fatherland. May God reward you, the victory is from each and every one of you," Correa told a crowd of excited supporters.

Born in Guayaquil, Ecuador's second largest city, in 1963, Correa is a U.S.-trained economist who also speaks French, English and some Quechua, one of the country's most prevalent indigenous languages. He has fought for rights of the poor and working class and successfully negotiated to reduce Ecuador's foreign debt burden by some 60 percent.

Correa was first elected president in November 2006 and took office in January 2007 for a four-year term. But a new constitution in 2008 called for new elections, and he was re-elected in April 2009.

Leading one of South America's smallest nations, Correa gained worldwide fame in August 2012 for facing down U.S. and UK authorities and granting political asylum to WikiLeaks' founder Julian Assange, who believed he was being persecuted by those world powers for his whistle-blowing website.

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'Capitalist tyrants shouldn't lead a state, people should' - Correa (RT EXCLUSIVE)

RussiaToday
Feb 20, 2013

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOs4hE8ZYZ8

Rafael Correa, president of Ecuador since 2007, defeated his nearest rival, former banker Guillermo Lasso, by more than 30 percent. Addressing his supporters in the capital, Quito, President Correa called for "another four years of revolution". Talking to RT, Correa detailed his main goals for his third four-year term, including promises to fight poverty, unemployment and social inequality, as well as corruption.

[TsarSamuil]

Pics,
rt.com/news/chavez-iconic-memorable-quotes-885/

Hugo Chavez: Never lost for words.

RT.com
March 06, 2013 13:20

In power for 14 years, the late leader of the New Bolivarian Revolution, Hugo Chavez, has left enough memorable quotes for his successors. Part of his political legacy, some of the phrases showing great wit and sense of humor have made history.

International politics

“No part of the human community can live entirely on its own planet, with its own laws of motion and cut off from the rest of humanity.”

“I hereby accuse the North American empire of being the biggest menace to our planet.”

“We must confront the privileged elite who have destroyed a large part of the world.”

“We're not perfect, but we do have democracy.”

“It wouldn’t be strange that there had been civilization on Mars, but once capitalism got there it would finish the planet.” (2011)

“I think we are suffering from political impotence. We need political Viagra." (2006)

"We’ve been around for 500 years and never shut up, much less to a monarch. The king is the head of state just like me. The only difference is I've been elected three times with 63 per cent. We are equal as heads of state, be it the leader of the Indian State Evo Morales or King Juan Carlos of Spain.” (2007, to the demand of King Juan Carlos I of Spain to be quiet during the XVII Ibero-American Summit in Chile).

"Yesterday the devil came here. Right here. [crosses himself] This place still smells of sulfur." (after getting to the rostrum at the UN General Assembly the day after then-US President George W. Bush in 2006)

"Come here, Mr. Danger, coward, murderer, you’re a mass murderer, you’re an alcoholic, you’re drunk, you’re immoral, you are the worst, Mr. Danger, you’re a sick, I know it personally…You're a fool, Mr. Danger, or to tell you in my bad English - you are a donkey, Mr. George W. Bush… You are the worst I have seen on this planet. God save the world from this threat.” (on the US president in 2006).

"Israel criticizes Hitler a lot, so do we, but they’ve done something very similar, even worse, than what the Nazis did.” (visiting Iran in 2006)

“The Holocaust, that is what is happening right now in Gaza…The president of Israel at this moment should be taken to the International Criminal Court together with the president of the United States.” (2009)

“Fascists are not human. A snake is more human.”

Economic issues and social justice

"Being rich is bad and inhumane. So condemn the rich.” (2005)

"Much of Europe’s wealth comes from the mineral riches of the new world, which fed the coffers of the monarchies of Europe.” (2007)

“The world has enough for everybody, but some minorities, the descendants of the same people that crucified Christ, and of those that expelled Bolívar from here and in their own way crucified him . . . have taken control of the riches of the world.”

"If you get up at three in the morning to go to the bathroom, man, why you have to turn on that little light? Put the torch there on the nightstand.” (2009, when announcing more measures to alleviate the energy crisis)

"If I keep quiet, the stones would cry out for the people of Latin America who are willing to be free after 500 years of colonialism."

About himself

"The eagle does not hunt the fly."

"Next year I'm sure you're going to reelect the president for six years. And in 2019, though I said I was going to go, I won’t either. 2019-2024, 2024-2030, so here we go with the favor of God and the Virgin.”

"It is a victory of shit and our defeat. Call it a defeat, but of courage, value and dignity.” (on his defeat in the referendum for constitutional reform in 2007).

"I bring in my heart the weeping and crying Caribbean Orinoco.” (expression of his grief over the death of former Argentine President Nestor Kirchner, 2010).

"Childbirth is full of optimism, full of light, of faith in Christ, of battling and overcoming.”

“Would it be so strange that they've invented technology to spread cancer and we won't know about it for 50 years?”

[TsarSamuil]

Chavez's pal or US-backed rich kid: Who will inherit Venezuela?

RT.com
March 06, 2013 16:29

An election to be held in Venezuela in 30 days will likely see a tough stand-off between “the Chavez man” Nicolas Maduro and the late president’s main opponent, US-supported Henrique Capriles Radonski.

Three months prior to death, Hugo Chavez made it clear to his loyalists he wanted Vice-President Nicolas Maduro to replace him if he did not win his battle against cancer.

The chosen successor had already made a momentous declaration just hours before Chavez’s death, laying the blame for the Commandante’s illness on his political enemies and announcing that two US Air Force officials had been expelled from the country for spying on the military and plotting to destabilize the country.

Maduro made it all the way up to the top of Venezuelan political elite from a grassroots level. He was a bus driver and later a trade unionist for the workers of the Caracas Metro transport system. Maduro got acquainted with Hugo Chavez while he served his prison term for an unsuccessful 1994 coup. Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, was a lawyer leading Chavez's defense.

n 2006, Maduro became Venezuela’s Foreign Minister. In 2012, he took the vice-presidency, and now he is the country's interim leader.

The daunting task of pursuing ‘Chavismo’ without Chavez now rests upon his shoulders, with the majority of analysts believing Maduro is capable of rising to the occasion. His grassroots past is likely to be advantageous, winning him respect from the poor and the underprivileged, the bulk of the late president’s loyalists ‘Chavistas’. As for the army, it has already pledged support for the interim president.

“Despite his lack of charisma in comparison to Chavez, Maduro is in many ways a very, very popular figure in Venezuela and one who would naturally win election... were it not for meddling from the United States,” geopolitical analyst Eric Draitser told RT.

And that meddling is now embodied in Chavez’s main opponent in the past election, the 40-year-old governor of Miranda State, Henrique Capriles Radonski. He “coincidently enough was in Miami and New York within the last 48 to 72 hours. Obviously, they are going to be gearing up for a battle royal [at the snap presidential elections within 30 days],” author and historian Gerald Horne told RT.

Preferred travel destinations can sometimes tell a lot about one’s political views. For Maduro it’s Cuba, whereas Capriles favors the US.

“This has also been typical… over the past decade, really, for members of the opposition of Venezuela to frequently come to the United States to meet with their… financiers, because they get multimillion dollar funding from the US government or its different agencies,” Eva Golinger, author and lawyer said to RT.

At the previous election, Capriles demonstrated his resolve to change Venezuelan foreign policy radically, heralding a possible strengthening of ties with the US.

Unlike both Chavez and Maduro, Henrique Capriles Radonski comes from a wealthy family of business owners. He is a free market proponent, not approving of the economy regulations practiced by Chavez.

As in October 2012, two different philosophies are bound to clash: “Chavismo”, promoting social democracy in generic sense of the word and pro-US ideology with neoliberal policies, privatization, and primacy of ties with Washington.

Five months ago Chavez got 54 per cent of the vote against 44 per cent for Capriles. The election in 30 days is going to show whether Chavez’s ideology can survive its mastermind’s death.

All signs point towards an electoral victory for the Chavistas, Dr. Francisco Dominguez, head of the Centre for Brazilian and Latin American Studies at Middlesex University and Secretary of the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign, told RT.

“They won the presidential elections in October, they won the governorship elections on the 16th of December – 20 out of 23 governorships – and on the same day they won 22 out of 23 local legislatures, which is quite impressive,” Dominguez said.

“Chavez has been on the ascendency. If you look at what he won: 3.7 million in 1998, 3.8 million in 2000, 5.8 million in 2004, 7.3 million in 2006, and on the October 7 2012 election 8.2 million. The trend is clear. It doesn’t mean the opposition doesn’t have its strengths, but the Chavistas have much more,” he continued.

Dominguez believes the Chavistas have a hard battle ahead of them, however, as some elements within the deeply divided opposition may still rely on “subversive” methods to grab power.

These realities have put maintaining stability throughout the pre-election period high on the agenda.

Pepe Escobar, investigative journalist and author, expects “a lot of disturbances inside Venezuela because the disorganized opposition and some small faction of military will be talking to Washington and New York on a daily basis, asking: ‘What about our next coup?’”

James Petras, professor of Sociology at Binghamton University in New York, however believes the US’s capability of destabilizing Venezuela is overestimated.

“I think the security forces in Venezuela remain loyal to the constitutional process. I think they represent a stabilizing force, being deeply influenced by Chavez’s social and political agenda,” Professor James Petras told RT.


This combination of file pictures shows Venezuelan Vice-President Nicolas Maduro (left) and Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Henrique Capriles Radonski. (AFP Photo / Leo Ramirez)

[TsarSamuil]

Serbia honors Chavez with state decoration.

B92, Tanjug
Politics | March 6, 2013 | 16:21

BELGRADE -- Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić offered his condolences on Wednesday to the family of President Hugo Chavez, the leadership and people of Venezuela.

The president's message was sent on behalf of the Serbian citizens and in his own name.

Hugo Chavez, 58, died on Tuesday after a two-year battle with cancer.

"The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has been left without its president, the Republic of Serbia without a sincere friend," Nikolić wrote, and added:

"The world political scene has been left without a great statesman, whose tolerance, understanding of the historical moment, endurance with which he fought for a better future of his people, contribution to peace in the region and the world, became the characteristics after which the name of Hugo Chavez will in the future be uttered with deep respect."

The president's cabinet also announced on Wednesday that Hugo Chavez has been posthumously honored with the Order of the Republic of Serbia on a sash, for his contribution to the development and strengthening of peaceful cooperation and friendly relations between the two countries.

It has also been announced that Oliver Antić will attend the funeral in Caracas in his role as Nikolić's special envoy.

Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dačić also sent his condolences over the passing of the Venezuelan leader, and addressed them to the country's Vice-President Nicolas Maduro.

"On behalf of the government of the Republic of Serbia and on my personal behalf I wish to express my deep condolences on the occasion of the death of President of Venezuela Hugo Chavez, who was a great friend of Serbia, an advocate of improved relations between our countries, and known for his principled position in favor of a solution of the Kosovo and Metohija problem in line with international law."

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Putin Hails Chavez as ‘Strong’ Leader.

MOSCOW, March 6 (RIA Novosti) - World leaders have been reacting to the death of Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez, the populist figurehead of Latin American socialism whose larger-than-life personality split both international and domestic opinion, with Russian President Vladimir Putin among those praising his legacy.

“He was an unorthodox and strong person, who looked to the future and always set himself the highest standards,” Putin said in a Kremlin message of condolence after Chavez’s death on Tuesday following a prolonged battle with cancer.

Putin added he was confident the Venezuelan people would be able to overcome what he called the “test” presented by Chavez’s death and continue to build a “strong, independent and prosperous” nation.

Ties between Russia and Venezuela flourished under Chavez, whose 14-year-rule brought Moscow a number of lucrative arms deals and a close ally in South America.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Chavez had devoted his life to the battle for "justice and equality."

"We share the pain of your loss - we will always remember this wonderful person, patriot and citizen," he said in a message of condolence to the Venezulean people.

In the former Soviet republic of Belarus, strongman leader Alexander Lukashenko declared a three-day mourning period in connection with Chavez's death.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Venezuela had lost a "brave, wise and revolutionary leader."

US President Barack Obama - whose country was frequently the subject of Chavez’s ire - was much more lukewarm.

“At this challenging time of President Hugo Chavez’s passing, the United States reaffirms its support for the Venezuelan people and its interest in developing a constructive relationship with the Venezuelan government,” Obama said.

“As Venezuela begins a new chapter in its history, the United States remains committed to policies that promote democratic principles, the rule of law, and respect for human rights,” he added.

Former US President Jimmy Carter said in a statement that Chavez would go down in history “for his bold assertion of autonomy and independence for Latin American governments.”

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said simply he was “conveying condolences” to Chavez’s “family and the people of Venezuela."

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said: "I was saddened to learn of the death of President Hugo Chavez today. As President of Venezuela for 14 years he has left a lasting impression on the country and more widely.”

In Cuba, the government said in a statement that Chavez had "stood by Fidel [Castro] like a true son."

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff said: "This death should fill all Latin and Central Americans with sadness," adding "Hugo Chavez was without doubt a leader committed to his country and to the development of the people of Latin America." She described Chavez as “a great leader, an irreparable loss and above all a friend of Brazil.”

(Adds Ahmadinejad comment, Belarus mourning period)



Moscow Sends Oil Boss Sechin as Envoy to Chavez Funeral.

NOVOSIBIRSK, March 6 (RIA Novosti) - Igor Sechin, President Vladimir Putin’s special representative and former deputy prime minister, will head the Russian delegation at Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s funeral, Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday amid concerns about the future of bilateral business ties.

Sechin, president of the Rosneft oil company and chairman of the board at the Rosneftegaz company, is a man who has been closely involved in bilateral Russian-Venezuelan relations, Peskov said.

Hugo Chavez was the architect of the “multidimensional” relationship between Russia and Venezuela while Sechin was “a proactive initiator of energy, banking and other projects,” Peskov said.

The Russian delegation will also include Trade and Industry Minister Denis Manturov and Russian Technologies (Rostekhnologii) state corporation general director Sergei Chemezov.

Ties between Russia and Venezuela flourished under Chavez, whose 14-year-rule brought Moscow a number of lucrative arms and energy deals and a close ally in South America. Manturov said the change of leadership in Venezuela should not affect ongoing Russian-Venezuelan contracts and agreements.

“We have signed contracts with the state, therefore there are federal obligations on the part of our Venezuelan partners. I have no such concerns,” he said.

Russian companies are involved in five major oil projects in Venezuela. The largest is the development of the Junin-6 block in the Orinoco oil belt with a total estimated investment volume of $20 billion. Venezuela is also one of Russia’s leading partners in the defense and technology sector.

Moscow hopes to preserve “constructive, warm relations” with Venezuela, Manturov said.

Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said Chavez was Russia’s friend, adding that all matters of future cooperation should only be addressed after the last respects have been paid to him.

“After that we will start thinking of how not only to preserve but expand on all the agreements achieved under Hugo Chavez, with our traditional partner in Latin America.”

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said Moscow is confident that Chavez’s policies will continue.

“We have no doubts that Hugo Chavez’s noble cause is in reliable hands. We are confident that the focused work to create a strong, independent and prosperous Venezuela will continue,” Lukashevich said.

Venezuelan Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez, who is also president of the state-owned oil and natural gas company PDVSA, said Venezuela will continue Chavez’s policy toward the oil industry, aimed at achieving sovereignty and national control over the sector.

“We will not go against Chavez’s outstanding legacy, such as the president’s oil policy,” he said.

Venezuela is the largest oil exporter in South America, and is among the four largest oil suppliers to the United States and has been steadily increasing oil supplies to China. In 2011, OPEC stated Venezuela overtook Saudi Arabia in its volume of oil reserves.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin conveyed his condolences to the Venezuelan people in a telegram to the Venezuelan vice president.

“He was an unorthodox and strong person, who looked to the future and always set himself the highest standards,” Putin said in a Kremlin message of condolence after Chavez’s death on Tuesday, following a prolonged battle with cancer.

Putin added he was confident the Venezuelan people would be able to overcome what he called the “test” presented by Chavez’s death and continue to build a “strong, independent and prosperous” nation.

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Lukashenko addresses the nation over the death of President Hugo Chavez.

06.03.2013 17:50

MINSK, 6 March (BelTA) - Following the death of the Venezuela President Hugo Chavez, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko addressed the Belarusian people and representatives of the international community, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian head of state.

“Our hearts are paralyzed with the sad news. The close, trusted friend, our brother, President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Hugo Chavez died.

Without trying to conceal our tears, we grieve along with Venezuelan people mourning the tragic abrupt death of Hugo Chavez, one of the greatest statesman and leaders of our time, the great hero, the passionate patriot and the fighter for independence, the outstanding politician, the thinker and speaker, the exceptional strong man who loved life and who dedicated his life to the service for his country.

Under the leadership of Hugo Chavez, the heir and successor of the noble cause led by Simon Bolivar, Venezuela got rid of the heavy and hateful burden of poverty and underdevelopment. It broke free from the political and economic suppression of the foreign countries. President Chavez firmly and strongly led his country to happiness and freedom. He was, and I am sure he will remain, in the hearts of millions of people, the true farther of the Venezuelan nation, the protector of the poor, the suppressed and the underprivileged. He will always be shining hope and the foundation of the democracy in the South American continent.

Today we lost a close relative and a best friend, who passionately loved Belarus and always was there for us when we needed help. Our joint work together for the benefit of Belarus and Venezuela, warm and friendly relationship will always remain the most treasured memories in my life.

The name of President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Hugo Chavez is engraved in the book of our history with the golden letters and he and his deeds now became part of eternity.

Today, in this hour of sorrow and pain, we express our deepest condolences to the relatives and close ones of Hugo Chavez, to all people of Venezuela. In the name of the memory of the great leader, we solemnly promise to execute and accomplish our joint projects and plans, to continue the policy of friendship and mutual assistance, to do everything to further strengthen and develop our collaboration for the benefit of our countries.

Rest in peace, our friend and brother, Hugo Chavez. Your cause will live for ever.”

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Tens of thousands pay respects to Chavez
www.b92.net/eng/news/world-article.php?yyyy=2013&mm=03&dd=07&nav_id=85051
'Farewell, Comandante:’ Venezuelans throng to view Chavez’s body in state (PHOTOS)
rt.com/news/chavez-lies-in-state-920/

Venezuelans and world leaders bid farewell to Hugo Chavez (PHOTOS)
rt.com/news/chavez-funeral-venezuela-maduro-024/


This handout picture released by Venezuelan presidency press office shows Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad(R) and Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko paying their respects at the coffin of late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in Caracas, on March 8, 2013. (AFP Photo/Presidencia/Miguel Angel Angulo)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo3CdIBT92g
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjUz11TGjAk

[TsarSamuil]

Boroslav

is it ok that I changed the title of the thread you created? I can always change it back.

[TsarSamuil]

Russia, Venezuela to Continue Strategic Partnership - Maduro.

MOSCOW, March 8 (RIA Novosti) - Venezuelan Vice President Nicolas Maduro has assured Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone that strategic partnership between the two countries would continue following the death of Hugo Chavez, the Kremlin reported Friday.

President Chavez died in Venezuela on Tuesday night after battling cancer for two years. He was 58.

The Kremlin said in a statement on its website that in the phone conversation with Maduro on Thursday, Putin expressed his condolences to the vice president and said he hoped relations of friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between Russia and Venezuela would keep developing.

Ties between Russia and Venezuela flourished under Chavez, whose 14-year rule earned Moscow a number of lucrative arms and energy deals and a close ally in South America.

As the Russian president was speaking to reporters during a visit to the northwestern Russian city of Vologda, he praised Chavez’s legacy, calling him a bright leader with a strong political will who always prioritized the interests of the Venezuelan people.

“We have established a good-natured, warm, friendly relationship, which, undoubtedly, helped to build relations between our countries,” Putin said. “Hugo Chavez was a dear friend of Russia.”

Chavez named Maduro as his potential successor before undergoing the latest surgery in December.

Venezuela will hold new presidential elections in early April. Maduro has assumed the presidency in the interim period.

[Deleted]

Mar 6, 2013 16:30:59 GMT -5 TsarSamuil said:

Boroslav

is it ok that I changed the title of the thread you created? I can always change it back.

I don't even remember what the original title was, so... ;D

No problem.

[TsarSamuil]

Oki

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Chavez's death leaves Latin America exposed to US influence.

RussiaToday
Mar 8, 2013

www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5eIsj6wgVw

Chavez's death has left uncertainty not just in Venezuela, but across Latin America. With its most vocal opponent out of the picture, some experts are wondering whether Washington will use the chance to increase its influence in the region. RT's Gayane Chichakyan takes a look.

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CrossTalk: Chavez's Legacy.

RussiaToday
Mar 8, 2013

www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo5myplV5m4

Venezuela mourns the death of long ruling President Hugo Chavez. Did he leave the country a better place? Was he a dictator or a populist leader? And what will his lasting legacy be? CrossTalking with George Cicarello-Maher, Alex Main and Alek Boyd.

[TsarSamuil]

Maduro Assumes Office, Calls for Immediate Elections.

Novinite.com
World | March 9, 2013, Saturday| 165 views

Nicolas Maduro has been sworn in as Venezuela's interim President, just hours after hundreds of thousands of mourners attended the state funeral of Hugo Chavez.

Late President Hugo Chavez designated Maduro as his successor before he died Tuesday of cancer. However, the opposition has protested against Maduro's swearing in, arguing that it violates the country's Constitution.

"I swear by the most absolute loyalty to comrade Hugo Chavez that we will fulfill and see that it's fulfilled the constitution ... with the iron fist of a people ready to be free," Maduro said as he was taking oath of office at the National Assembly in the capital Caracas.

Maduro urged the national electoral council to "immediately convene presidential elections."

Maduro also named Jorge Arreaza, Chavez's son-in-law and Venezuela's science and technology minister, as his vice president.

Hugo Chavez, who led Venezuela for 14 years, died on Tuesday aged 58 after a long battle with cancer.

[TsarSamuil]

Vid,
rt.com/news/oliver-stone-venezuela-elections-793/

'Number one US target': Oliver Stone calls media coverage of Venezuela 'shameful'

RT.com
April 13, 2013 03:49

Venezuela is the top target for US media, not to mention the State Department, legendary director Oliver Stone said at a special screening of his film on Hugo Chavez. Sunday's vote is a choice between two very different futures for Venezuela, he said.

American filmmaker Oliver Stone, whose 2009 film “South of the Border” attempted to help Chavez’s image in the US, bemoaned the western media’s portrayal of Chavez as a clownish thorn-in-the-side of democracy. When asked about the perception that US President Barack Obama betrayed the country, Stone reminded the audience that the people of Venezuela will ultimately be responsible for their own success on the global stage.

“I think you’re on the right path,” he said.

“The United States is a system and whoever is president seems to be sucked into this no-choice kind of situation but history has shown us the curve of ball can always break differently. We emphasize that point, there are always breaks. All of a sudden a Martin Luther King comes up, all of a sudden protestors against the Vietnam War come up, all of a sudden people turn down Hillary Clinton, who was the supposed front runner and they go with this semi-black candidate. Surprises are always in the air. What you think is going happen never happens.” Acting President Nicolas Maduro, Chavez’s handpicked successor, is favored to win this weekend’s election over opposition challenger Henrique Capriles. Whatever the result, Stone said, there will be great pressure from outside the country because of Venezuela’s oil supply.

“These bastards can be very upsetting and overwhelming but I always think that we have a lifesaver somewhere and there’s some kind of light that dawns on us as a people and as a world.” The filmmaker known for “JFK,” “Platoon,” “Born on the fourth of July,” and many others as well as “South of the Border” had harsh words for media outlets that spent years painting Chavez in an unfavorable light.

“As a New Yorker and following the New York Times for a long time I am still stunned by how negative these articles have been for so long,” Stone added. “About some of the worst regimes in the world there has never been this amount of coverage. I doubt Adolf Hitler has gotten this much coverage in Germany. These lies and distortions are a shame on them, it’s a disgrace.”

“I would say that Venezuela is the number one target of the United States media and the State Department that exists today. The covert actions that are going on in Venezuela are very scary. I don’t want to be in Nicholas Maduro’s shoes. I’d hate to be him because he’s in a new spotlight,” the director continued.

“They can’t go after him personally but it’s a very scary position to inherit this gigantic power. I’m sure Castro felt the same thing many years ago. This is a tough moment for Venezuela and I hope the people stick together. This is not going away. Even if he wins the election I think the United States is going to be pouring on the heat in the coming months. You’re going to see reactions and more stories. Venezuela is very important to the US and all of Latin America.”

Seated next to Stone was Miguel Tinker Salas, a Latin American historian and professor at Pomona College who specializes in Venezuelan studies. After discussing Hugo Chavez’s impact on the region Salas compared the current political atmosphere to that of the United States before the election last year that saw Americans reinstate Obama into the White House.

“ What’s at stake is really two different visions of Venezuela, two different visions of Latin America, and two different visions of how the north and the south should relate to each other. Fundamentally what’s at stake here is control over the largest oil reserve in the world,” Salas said.

“Previously there’s been a vision of Venezuela as connected to the US, as an oil-exporting country, as a nation rushing to join the first world, and one in which Venezuela is counter-imposed with the US as a model democracy.” But another future could be within sight.

“Or a vision of Venezuela that is part of Latin America that recognizes its own internal heritage and recognizes the solidarity it has with the rest of Latin America. Remember Venezuela was the first of the social conscious left governments to come to power in 1998,” the professor continued.

“So what’s at stake is the future of progressive social movements in Latin America. Hundreds of thousands of people support the change that’s been going on in Venezuela. The opposition is much like the opposition Republicans in the US who say there’s a shifting demographic in the US. Imagine that – after running a campaign that actually tried to make targets of immigrants, women, gay people, and others now they want a shift. That’s the same reality in Venezuela.”