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Venezuela Politics - Page 8

Chavez extends state oil industry

Venezuela's President Chavez announces plans to nationalise companies that provide services for the country's oil industry. Ref. Source 9

Politics Venezuela

CIA 'plot to kill Hugo Chavez':

The Venezuelan president said on state television that he had eluded an assassination attempt in El Salvador where he was due to attend the swearing in of its new leader, a Left-wing ally. Ref. Source 1

Venezuela Politics History & Civil Business Politics

Chavez freezes ties with Colombia

Venezuela withdraws its envoy in Colombia and freezes relations in a row over arms supplied to Colombian rebels. Ref. Source 3

Page 8 Politics Venezuela

Venezuelan election law approved

Venezuela's National Assembly passes an election law that critics say will benefit President Hugo Chavez's party. Ref. Source 9

Politics Venezuela

There are a couple of different items of interest in this article. Specifically, there is the reference to giving the National Election Council the right to redraw district boundaries, and there is a reference to the government closing down many private media outlets.

The first item certainly does appear to be designed to keep Mr. Chavez in power. By redrawing the boundaries as desired, they can break up the opposition power blocs and give Mr. Chavez' supporters a stronger hold on political position. It is absolutely necessary to redraw election boundaries on occasion, since population shifts can cause severe imbalances pretty easily.

However, when you already have a despot like Chavez, who is pushing ever more towards totalitarian rule, this becomes simply a new tool to oppress the people.

The second item, the closure of media outlets, is obviously another ploy to increase Chavez' power and influence. A free media that is in opposition to the ruling powers, is one of the most valuable institutions when it comes to creation and preservation of liberty. It is only the despotic and totalitarians that find a need to shut down all opposition voices.

Venezuela Politics

Venezuelans go to the polls:

Elections are seen as critical test of support for president Hugo Chavez, who has had control of parliament since 2005. Ref. Source 4

Venezuela Politics - Page 8

To those who thought Chavez was losing ground with his people and becoming unpopular I guess they will have to think again.

Venezuela Politics Politics Business Civil & History - Page 8

Venezuelan journalist flees threat

She witnessed the police attack citizens - women and children included - during a ceremony for public housing and watched in dismay as the governor fled the scene and did nothing to stop the violence. She returned to her office and began to work on her story; her boss got wind of it and told her the governor had called about her potential news report and to back off. Ref. Source 6