Hugo Chavez calls Muammar Gaddafi's death an 'outrage'

VENEZUELAN President Hugo Chavez expressed anger over the death of Muammar Gaddafi, calling it an "outrage" and saying the ousted Libyan strongman was a "martyr".

"Sadly the death of Gaddafi has been confirmed," said Chavez, who had just returned to Venezuela from cancer treatment in Cuba.

"They assassinated him. It is another outrage," the Venezuelan leader told reporters in the town of La Grita.

"We shall remember Gaddafi our whole lives as a great fighter, a revolutionary and a martyr," he said.

Chavez had defended Gaddafi since the start of the uprising against the Libyan leader's regime in February, and accused NATO of using the conflict to gain control over Libya's oil.

"The saddest thing is that in its quest to dominate the world, the empire and its allies are setting it on fire," Chavez said, referring to the US by his preferred nickname.

Chavez has refused to recognise the new Libyan regime, and has ridiculed Libya's new UN representative as a "puppet" and a "dummy".

In 2004, Chavez was awarded the Al-Kadhafi International Prize for Human Rights, a prize granted by the Libyan leader. Cuba's Fidel Castro and Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega have also won the award.

Source: News.com.au

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Chavez reveals he is fighting cancer after surgery

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez revealed that he is fighting cancer after having a tumor removed in Cuba, raising uncertainty about his political future even as he assured his country he expects to fully recover.

Chavez was noticeably thinner and paler as he appeared on television Tuesday night, reading from a prepared speech with a serious and at times sad expression. He said he is resolved to "be victorious in this new battle that life has placed before us."

Chavez said he has undergone two operations in Cuba, including one that removed a tumor in which there were "cancerous cells." The 56-year-old president said the surgery was performed after an initial operation nearly three weeks ago for the removal of a pelvic abscess.

In this frame grab taken from Venezolana de Television, VTV, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez delivers a televised speech aired from Cuba, Thursday, June 30, 2011. Chavez said he underwent a second surgery in Cuba that removed a cancerous tumor. It was unclear when and where the message was recorded. At right, a painting depicting Venezuela's Independence hero Simon Bolivar. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Chavez said the tumor was in the pelvic region but didn't say exactly where or what type of cancer was involved. He said he is continuing to receive treatment in Cuba but did not give details.

He said it was a mistake not have taken better care of his health through medical checkups.

"What a fundamental error," he said at a podium, flanked by the Venezuelan flag and a portrait of 19th-century independence hero Simon Bolivar, the namesake of his Bolivarian Revolution political movement.

"Now I wanted to speak to you from this steep hill, from which I feel that I'm coming out of another abyss," Chavez said. "I wanted to speak to you now with the sun of daybreak that I feel is shining on me. I think we've achieved it. Thank you, my God."

Expressing confidence that he will continue to get better, Chavez said: "I invite you all to continue climbing new summits together."

Chavez didn't say how much longer he expects to remain in Cuba recovering, and there was no information on when or where his message was recorded.

His appearance came after days of anxious speculation among Venezuelans about Chavez's health. State television on Tuesday had shown photos and video of Chavez chatting animatedly with Fidel Castro, but officials had been vague about the reasons for Chavez's continued seclusion in Cuba.

Citing Chavez's health, the government announced Wednesday that it was canceling a two-day summit of Latin American leaders that Chavez would have hosted next week on the 200th anniversary of Venezuela's declaration of independence from Spain.

Chavez's revelation, and the lack of any return date, is likely to further generate speculation in Venezuela about which of the president's allies could potentially take his place if necessary. Vice President Elias Jaua has led government events in Chavez's absence, and the leftist president's elder brother, Adan, recently stepped up his public profile by rallying supporters at a weekend prayer meeting for Chavez's health.

A group of Chavez supporters gathered in Plaza Bolivar in downtown Caracas late Thursday chanting before television cameras: "Chavez, friend, the people are with you!"

There was no immediate reaction from the main opposition coalition, which earlier had demanded that the government provide details about Chavez's condition.

Chavez said his first surgery was carried out June 11 for a "strange formation in the pelvic region that required an emergency operation due to the imminent risk of a generalized infection."

He said that when he arrived in Cuba after visits to Brazil and Ecuador, he had intended to have a simple checkup for a knee injury that had forced him to use a cane in recent weeks. But he said Castro had questioned him "like a doctor" and that tests confirmed the need for urgent surgery.

After that initial operation, Chavez said, doctors began to suspect other problems, and Castro gave him the news of the tumor. A series of tests "confirmed the presence of an abscessed tumor with the presence of cancerous cells, which made necessary a second operation that allowed for the complete extraction of the tumor," Chavez said.

He didn't say when the second operation was performed.

Chavez said his condition has been "evolving satisfactorily while I receive a complementary treatment to combat the different types of cells found, and thereby continue on the path to my complete recovery."

After Chavez's speech, the vice president appeared on television at the presidential palace, calling for support and unity among Venezuelans.

"There is no time for sadness, but rather for courage and for work," Jaua said. "Unity is what's needed at this time."

During the past few weeks, Chavez has largely remained out of sight, and some of his opponents had accused the government of maintaining secrecy about his ailment. Some opposition politicians had called for the president to temporarily cede his duties to the vice president while recovering in Cuba.

Chavez's allies, however, insisted he remained firmly in control of government affairs, even as he has been recovering.

The leftist leader has been in office for more than 12 years and has said he plans to run for re-election in 2012. He did not address that issue in his remarks on Thursday.

Venezuelan pollster and analyst Luis Vicente Leon said on Twitter that Chavez will likely enjoy an initial boost in his approval ratings due to public sympathy and solidarity, but that "the political risks for Chavez are notably amplified" due to his condition.

In videos released Wednesday, Chavez smiled and discussed Latin American history and his days as an army paratrooper with Castro. Two of Chavez's daughters and a granddaughter joined in the encounter as the two men sat chatting.

Finishing his speech Thursday, Chavez recited a revolutionary slogan often used by Castro: "Forever onward toward victory! We will be victorious!"

Before finishing, he added: "Until my return!"

After his appearance, some of his closest allies went on state television. National Assembly president Fernando Soto Rojas, who days earlier had denied rumors that Chavez was diagnosed with cancer, said the president is in good hands in Cuba.

"We wish for him to get better soon! Onward, commander!"

Source: The Associated Press
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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OpVenezuela

The parliament in Venezuela has approved a law which will tighten the rules regulating internet content. Under the bill, online messages inciting hatred, or political and religious intolerance, are banned.

The new law also prohibits contents which is deemed to disrespect public officials.

Source: AnonOps

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Chavez backers, foes rally for Venezuela parliament

Supporters and opponents of Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez gathered for rival rallies on Wednesday to mark the start of a new parliament shorn of power by the radical socialist leader's assumption of decree rule.

The outgoing National Assembly gave Chavez special decree powers for 18 months, hobbling an incoming parliament with a larger presence of opposition legislators who had hoped to put a brake on the former soldier's leftist "revolution."

Opposition supporters -- who were grouping in downtown Caracas before their new lawmakers were to take their seats -- accuse the president of staging a "coup" against the Assembly and say he is turning Venezuelainto a dictatorship.

"Our tasks in the National Assembly are now very clear: to stop the imposition of communism in Venezuela, this communism that creates death, sadness and darkness, and robs our children of their future," said one opposition leader and new Caracas legislator, Maria Corina Machado.

Chavez, 56, says he needs decree powers for urgent reconstruction after floods swept the South American OPEC member and left nearly 140,000 homeless.

He insists he is ruling in the name of a poor majority downtrodden for decades until he took office in 1999.

CHAVEZ: I'M NO DICTATOR

On the eve of Wednesday's convening of parliament, Chavez surprised Venezuelans with a late-night speech announcing he was not approving a controversial new university law nor would he raise sales taxes as previously announced.

Both measures had been fiercely criticized by the opposition, so Chavez's announcement may have been intended to reduce tension and undermine protesters' slogans.

All sides are eyeing the next presidential vote in December 2012, when Chavez will seek re-election and the opposition hope to find a unity candidate who can unseat him.

A newly united opposition coalition won about half the popular vote in a September legislative election, giving them 40 percent of seats in parliament and an important symbolic boost in their long and largely fruitless battle against Chavez.

But Chavez moved quickly to sideline the opposition's advance by pushing a host of laws through the outgoing parliament to entrench socialism and increase state control of areas from the Internet to the financial sector.

A New Year's devaluation of the currency has further stirred passions, with the opposition saying it shows Chavez's mismanagement of the economy and oil revenues.

The opposition is returning to parliament for the first time in five years following a boycott of the 2005 legislative election that they now regret.

The Democratic Unity opposition coalition has 65 seats in the 165-member Assembly, compared to 98 for Chavez's ruling Socialist Party. A smaller party, which recently broke with Chavez, has two seats.

Chavez said his decision not to approve the new university law proved he was no tyrant.

"This demonstrates, yet again, that Venezuela has a democratic government which listens and reasons, and a president who is willing to rectify and appeal for debate and reflection when necessary," he said.

Source: Reuters

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Wikileaks Leaks BAG Archive: MEXICO REBUILDING TIES TO VENEZUELA, SLOWLY

  


Reference ID 08MEXICO3178
Created 2008-10-27 18:06
Released 2010-12-18 21:09
Classification SECRET//NOFORN
Origin Embassy Mexico

VZCZCXRO5863
RR RUEHCD RUEHGD RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHRD RUEHRS RUEHTM
DE RUEHME #3178/01 3011811
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
R 271811Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY MEXICO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3711
INFO RUEHXC/ALL US CONSULATES IN MEXICO COLLECTIVE
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1442
RHMFISS/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RHMFISS/HQ USNORTHCOM
RHMFISS/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC
RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 04 MEXICO 003178

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR MX
SUBJECT: MEXICO REBUILDING TIES TO VENEZUELA, SLOWLY

REF: A. MEXICO 000185
¶B. MEXICO 000886
¶C. LIMA 000663

Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Charles V. Barclay.
Reason: 1.4 (b), (d).




¶1. (C) Summary. President Felipe Calderon has attempted since taking office to repair ties with Venezuela, and the Foreign Ministry has said that Mexico is slowly making improvements. Nevertheless, several points of friction, such as the lack of a Venezuelan ambassador in Mexico City, suspicions about Venezuelan outreach activities in Mexico, and the expropriation by Venezuela of Mexican assets have prevented\ and probably will continue to prevent the relationship from becoming truly warm. On the Bolivarian promotion front, Venezuela is clearly conducting outreach activities in Mexico, but to what appears to be little avail. Mexico does not offer the kind of fertile ground for Bolivarian activism as do some other countries in the hemisphere. A mistrust of foreign interventionism and lessons learned from the 2006 presidential election probably will prevent the Bolivarian movement from impacting significantly the Mexican political or social scene. End Summary.

Mexico Working to Strengthen Ties
---------------------------------

¶2. (C) President Calderon since taking office in 2006 has sought to repair Mexico's tattered relationship with
Venezuela as part of his efforts to position Mexico to take a stronger leadership role in Latin America and conduct "respectful relations" with all nations (ref a). Despite Chavez's initial refusal to recognize the legitimacy of Calderon's victory in the contested 2006 presidential election, the two countries reinstated full bilateral
ties--the Fox administration had revoked the Venezuelan Ambassador's credentials and recalled its own ambassador in Caracas--and Mexico has sought to maintain a cordial tone in the conduct of its affairs with its southern neighbor. The Calderon government responded relatively quietly even to Chavez's contentious decision to nationalize Mexican cement giant Cemex's Venezuela-based assets, expressing concern and
promising to protect Mexican interests abroad, but without taking any retaliatory measures. The Foreign Ministry's (SRE) Director for South America, Rafael Bernal Cuevas, told Poloff on October 23 that Mexico's relations with Venezuela have not recovered their pre-Chavez cordiality, but that they are slowly moving in that direction. In her September testimony before congress, Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa also outlined steps Mexico had taken and continues to take to improve relations with Venezuela.

A Few Bumps in the Road
-----------------------

¶3. (C) Despite the improvement in bilateral relations since the Fox administration, Bernal outlined several points of friction. He noted that Venezuela still had yet to replace former Venezuelan Ambassador to Mexico Roy Chaderton after he was named Venezuela's Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States in April. Bernal said the extended absence of an ambassador made the conduct of bilateral relations in Mexico City "uncomfortable." He also said that Mexico is not heavily involved in the Cemex negotiations at Cemex's request, but is carefully monitoring the progress of the talks.

¶4. (C) Like Venezuela, Mexico is also looking to assert its leadership in the region, particularly in Central America. Bosco Marti, the Director of SRE's Plan Puebla Panama Office, complained to Poloff that Mexico could not compete with Venezuela when it came to the kind of money it was tossing at member countries through its ALBA (Bolivarian Alternative of the Americas) initiative.

¶5. (S/NF) In response to Poloff's question about press reports that Mexico would look to put an end to Miracle Mission flights into the country, Bernal said that Mexico was trying to regulate the program and codify it in official bilateral channels, rather than allowing it to be negotiated

MEXICO 00003178 002 OF 004


and executed at the local level. One article had reported that the Foreign Ministry wanted flights to be registered as commercial airline and pass through appropriate security measures upon landing in Mexico rather than entering with "extraordinary permits," as had been occurring. Bernal made discreet reference to Mexican concern about the ideological component to the program, and said that at the very least, Mexican patients were returning to Mexico with the message that the Venezuelan government provided a service to them their own government could or would not. Sensitive collateral reporting suggests that the GOM as of September was concerned that Miracle Mission patients received pro-Venezuelan and anti-US briefings as part of their stay in Venezuela. The GOM was reportedly worried that such patients returned to Mexico more sympathetic to pro-Chavez themes and were more likely to participate in associated marches or rallies. Bernal mentioned the presence of Bolivarian groups in Mexico, but noted that such groups exist throughout the
world and that, as a democracy, Mexico had to offer them freedom of expression.

Venezuela Looking to Spread the Revolution
------------------------------------------

¶6. (C) Mexico City daily El Universal reported in October 2007 on a purported Venezuelan government document laying out a 2007-2013 political and economic development plan which included points on strengthening alternative movements in Mexico to "break away from imperial domination" with the
larger goal of rallying "the masses" worldwide in "support of
the revolutionary process." In line with this strategic
objective, Venezuela is seeking to cultivate support at the
grassroots level in Mexico, primarily through social programs
and low levels of financial and logistical support.

Who Is Involved?
----------------

¶7. (C) Analysts from the Mexican National Intelligence Center (CISEN) told Poloffs on October 2 that they have identified some 500 serious Bolivarian activists--all Mexican citizens--across the country, which are often in contact with each other and tend to be linked to larger social movements. CISEN noted that many Bolivarian sympathizers are tied back to the Red de Solidaridad con Cuba, which has been active for decades but which has appropriated Chavez's rhetoric in order to freshen its own discourse. In addition to the Cuban support networks, a chapter of the region-wide Bolivarian Continental Coordinator operates in Mexico, and other pro-Venezuela activists are linked to the Worker's Party (PT) and different student groups operating out of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). XXXXXXXXXXXX a recent XXXXXXXXXXXX confirmed to Poloff that most pro-Venezuelan student groups are run from the political science and philosophy departments, from which hailed Lucia Morett, the Mexican student who survived the bombing of Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) leader Raul Reyes' Ecuadorian camp in March. He also noted that in a school with a population over 300,000, political ideologies of every persuasion are bound to be represented.

¶8. (S/NF) Minister Counselor Jaime Acosta and Political Officer Paola Holguin from the Colombian Embassy in Mexico City told Poloff that Venezuela has a considerable presence in Mexico, noting that a number of legislators (who they did not name) openly support Chavez. Sensitive collateral reporting indicates that Venezuelan officials also have regular contact with members of the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), specifically Ruth Zavaleta and members of the New Left Faction, the New Alliance Party (PANAL) and the Workers Party (PT).

Who Is (Maybe) Not
------------------

¶9. (S/NF) After Chavez's public endorsement of 2006 presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador did nothing but tarnish the PRD leader's campaign, many Mexican politicians are wary of cozying too much up to the Venezuelan president. CISEN told Poloff that it has no evidence, for

MEXICO 00003178 003 OF 004


example, that Venezuela currently is providing direct funding to Mexican political candidates, nor to they think it is likely in the runup to the 2009 legislative and gubernatorial elections. The analysts believe that most political leaders have learned from 2006 not to risk their candidacy by accepting Chavez's support, either overtly or covertly. Sensitive collateral reporting also indicates that the Venezuelan Embassy has been unsuccessful in building rapport with Lopez Obrador, who has reportedly decided not to
establish a relationship with the GOV so as not to risk his
reputation.

¶10. (C) CISEN is looking for close links between Venezuela and the more radical, violent groups in Mexico. CISEN has yet to uncover concrete links between the Popular Revolutionary Party (EPR) and Venezuela, but continues to investigate given the ideological affinity between them.

What Is Offered
---------------

¶11. (C) As it has throughout the hemisphere, Venezuela seeks to woo Mexicans via social handouts to impoverished groups and modest financial support to its like-minded Mexican cohorts. CISEN reported that the Venezuelan Embassy in Mexico is providing small donations to pro-Bolivarian organizations, mostly for operating expenses such as vehicles and propaganda. CISEN suspects, however, that the Embassy also provides funding for members of these organizations to travel to Bolivarian Congresses of Latin American leftist groups, such as the event Morett attended in Quito prior to leaving for Reyes' camp (ref b).

¶12. (C) Venezuela's ability to implement large-scale or effective social programs in Mexico seems limited, at best. CISEN said that Venezuela has established two medical clinics in northern Mexico, including in Nuevo Leon State, but they have yet to open for business. Moreover, CISEN reported that only a handful of Mexicans have participated in Venezuela's "Miracle Mission," which offers low-cost eye surgery to
Mexicans in Venezuela. El Universal reported on October 20 that some 509 Mexicans have received treatment, which is in sharp contrast, for example, to the tens of thousands of Peruvians who have partaken (ref c) in the program. CISEN opined that, unlike some of their poorer and smaller Latin American neighbors, Mexico offers significantly more social support. The Health Secretary, for example, published figures indicating that between January and July 2008, over 26,000 Mexicans have received eye surgeries through Mexico's own programs. CISEN noted that Cuba also provides a literacy teacher training program in Michoacan, Guerrero, Oaxaca, and
Tabasco and scholarships for Mexican students to study in
Cuba, but that the Venezuelan and Cuban Embassies seem to
operate quite independently on most matters in Mexico.

¶13. (S/NF) Venezuela's efforts are being further circumscribed by resource limitations and GOM trepidation.
Sensitive collateral reporting indicates that as of early October, the Venezuelan Embassy was finding it virtually impossible to undertake pro-Bolivarian activities in Mexico--such as holding events or hosting
delegations--because of lack of funding from the Venezuelan government. The Mexican government is also less than receptive to Venezuela's outreach efforts. The attempt to more strictly regulate the Miracle Mission program in Mexico, for example, probably reflects GOM suspicion as the Venezuela's goals for and conduct of the program.

Comment
-------

¶14. (C) Calderon and the Foreign Ministry still appear committed to strengthening Mexico's ties with Venezuela as part of a strategy to position Mexico in a leadership role in the region and maintain friendly relationships with all itsneighbors. Nevertheless, due to the ideological gap between Calderon and Chavez and several points of minor--but still significant--irritation, relations will probably continue to be less than warm. Chavez's tardiness in appointing a new ambassador to Mexico, for example, certainly has rankled the protocol-obsessed SRE, and has hampered progress on bilateral

MEXICO 00003178 004 OF 004


issues in Mexico City.

¶15. (C) Venezuela is conducting outreach activities in Mexico, but to what seems to be little effect. Mexico does not offer the kind of fertile ground to Bolivarian activism as compared with some other countries in the hemisphere. A mistrust of foreign interventionism and lessons learned from the 2006 presidential election probably will prevent the Bolivarian movement from having much influence in the Mexican political or social scene. Post will continue to watch for signs that Venezuela is increasing ties to some of Mexico's more dangerous radical groups, in particular the EPR. Visit Mexico City's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity and the North American Partnership Blog at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap /
GARZA

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WikiLeaks: Socialist tortillas offer a taste of Venezuelan revolution

The U.S. Embassy in Caracas appears to have put in long hours examining President Hugo Chavez's efforts to build a socialist economy in Venezuela. But out of all the dense analysis springs one cable -- about the role of the humble tortilla in building a brave new world.

A customer buys food as others line up at an Arepera Socialista restaurant in Caracas, Venezuela

The cable, obtained by WikiLeaks and published on its website, starts in appetizing fashion. "President Chavez made socialism taste better with the December 22 (2009) opening of a 'socialist arepera' serving Venezuelan-style tortillas at a fraction of their usual price."

The arepa is a thick cornmeal tortilla popular in Colombia and Venezuela.

In a section titled "Socialism's Tangible -- and Tasty -- Benefits," the cable continues: "The restaurant, located in a lower middle class neighborhood of Caracas, serves 'arepas' for about a fourth of their regular price."

There follows a colorful description of the eatery, which is run by the Ministry of Commerce.

"On a January 8 visit, EmbOffs (Embassy Officers) witnessed a long line of people waiting to get into the restaurant but surprisingly rapid service. Inside, one wall was dominated by a quote in large red lettering from Simon Bolivar: "The best system of government is that which produces the greatest happiness."

The visiting diplomats were told by an employee that the restaurant served 1,200 customers per day.

The cable quotes Eduardo Saman, who was then minister of commerce, as saying that customers could rely on low prices because all the ingredients came from government-owned companies.

Saman said there was another another "key difference between socialist and capitalist arepera: customers pay only after eating," while "in fast food chains ... they only think about money." And in the arepera, he said, customers told cashiers how much they'd eaten.

Since he came to power in 1998, Chavez has extended the role of the state in major industries, nationalizing Venezuela's oil fields and much of its agricultural sector.

The state's venture into the fast-food sector involves the "Arepera Socialista" chain as part of the country's socialist market cooperatives.

The cable suggests that the introduction of the arepera is due to the president's populist instincts ahead of elections.

"Facing high inflation, electricity and water rationing, and failing public services, Chavez may see the 'Arepera Socialista' as a relatively quick and easy way to promote the benefits of 'socialism' to his electoral base before the September legislative elections."

But there's nothing to suggest the Venezuelan leader ever said, "Let them eat arepa."

Source: CNN

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Venezuela

Venezuela Population: 26,414,816

Background

Venezuela was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Ecuador and New Granada, which became Colombia). For most of the first half of the 20th century, Venezuela was ruled by generally benevolent military strongmen, who promoted the oil industry and allowed for some social reforms. Democratically elected governments have held sway since 1959. Hugo CHAVEZ, president since 1999, seeks to implement his "21st Century Socialism," which purports to alleviate social ills while at the same time attacking globalization and undermining regional stability. Current concerns include: a weakening of democratic institutions, political polarization, a politicized military, drug-related violence along the Colombian border, increasing internal drug consumption, overdependence on the petroleum industry with its price fluctuations, and irresponsible mining operations that are endangering the rain forest and indigenous peoples.

Map data ©2009 Europa Technologies - Terms of Use

Geography
On major sea and air routes linking North and South America; Angel Falls in the Guiana Highlands is the world's highest waterfall.
Location:	Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana
Geographic coordinates:	8 00 N, 66 00 W
Area:	total: 912,050 sq km land: 882,050 sq km water: 30,000 sq kmSize comparison: slightly more than twice the size of California
Land Boundaries:	total: 4,993 km border countries: Brazil 2,200 km, Colombia 2,050 km, Guyana 743 km
Coastline:	2,800 km
Maritime claims:	territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 15 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:	tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands
Terrain:	Andes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands in northwest; central plains (llanos); Guiana Highlands in southeast
Elevation extremes:	lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Pico Bolivar (La Columna) 5,007 m
Natural resources:	petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other minerals, hydropower, diamonds
Land use:	arable land: 2.85% permanent crops: 0.88% other: 96.27% (2005)
Irrigated land:	5,750 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:	subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodic droughts
Current Environment Issues:	sewage pollution of Lago de Valencia; oil and urban pollution of Lago de Maracaibo; deforestation; soil degradation; urban and industrial pollution, especially along the Caribbean coast; threat to the rainforest ecosystem from irresponsible mining operations
International Environment Agreements:	party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed but not ratified:: none of the selected agreements
People
Population:	26,414,816 (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:	0-14 years: 31% (male 4,162,862/female 4,034,044) 15-64 years: 63.8% (male 8,299,266/female 8,562,290) 65 years and over: 5.1% (male 602,725/female 753,628) (2008 est.)
Median age:	total: 25.2 years male: 24.6 years female: 25.8 years (2008 est.)
Population growth rate:	1.498% (2008 est.)
Birth rate:	20.92 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate:	5.1 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:	-0.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Sex ratio:	at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate:	total: 22.02 deaths/1,000 live births male: 25.61 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:	total population: 73.45 years male: 70.4 years female: 76.65 years (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate:	2.52 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:	0.7%; note - no country specific models provided (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:	110,000 (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:	4,100 (2003 est.)
Nationality:	noun: Venezuelan(s) adjective: Venezuelan
Ethnic groups:	Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, indigenous people
Religions:	nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%
Languages:	Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects
Literacy:	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93% male: 93.3% female: 92.7% (2001 census)
Government
Country name:	conventional long form: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela conventional short form: Venezuela local long form: Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela local short form: Venezuela
Government type:	federal republic
Capital:	name: Caracas geographic coordinates: 10 30 N, 66 56 W time difference: UTC-4.5 (half an hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:	23 states (estados, singular - estado), 1 capital district* (distrito capital), and 1 federal dependency** (dependencia federal); Amazonas, Anzoategui, Apure, Aragua, Barinas, Bolivar, Carabobo, Cojedes, Delta Amacuro, Dependencias Federales**, Distrito Federal*, Falcon, Guarico, Lara, Merida, Miranda, Monagas, Nueva Esparta, Portuguesa, Sucre, Tachira, Trujillo, Vargas, Yaracuy, Zulia note: the federal dependency consists of 11 federally controlled island groups with a total of 72 individual islands
Independence:	5 July 1811 (from Spain)
National holiday:	Independence Day, 5 July (1811)
Constitution:	30 December 1999
Legal system:	open, adversarial court system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:	18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:	chief of state: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February 1999); Executive Vice President Ramon Alonzo CARRIZALEZ Rengifo (since 4 January 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February 1999); Executive Vice President Ramon Alonzo CARRIZALEZ Rengifo (since 4 January 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 3 December 2006 (next to be held in December 2012) note: in 1999, a National Constituent Assembly drafted a new constitution that increased the presidential term to six years; an election was subsequently held on 30 July 2000 under the terms of this constitution election results: Hugo CHAVEZ Frias reelected president; percent of vote - Hugo CHAVEZ Frias 62.9%, Manuel ROSALES 36.9%
Legislative branch:	unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (167 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; three seats reserved for the indigenous peoples of Venezuela) elections: last held 4 December 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - pro-government 167 (MVR 114, PODEMOS 15, PPT 11, indigenous 2, other 25), opposition 0; total seats by party as of 1 January 2008 - pro-government 152 (PSUV 114, PPT 11, indigenous 2, other 25), PODEMOS 15
Judicial branch:	Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Tribuna Suprema de Justicia (magistrates are elected by the National Assembly for a single 12-year term)
Political parties and leaders:	A New Time or UNT [Manuel ROSALES]; Christian Democrats or COPEI [Cesar PEREZ Vivas]; Communist Party of Venezuela or PCV [Jeronimo CARRERA]; Democratic Action or AD [Henry RAMOS Allup]; Fatherland for All or PPT [Jose ALBORNOZ]; Justice First [Julio BORGES]; Movement Toward Socialism or MAS [Hector MUJICA]; United Socialist Party of Venezuela or PSUV [Hugo CHAVEZ]; Venezuela Project or PV [Henrique SALAS Romer]; We Can or PODEMOS [Ismael GARCIA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:	FEDECAMARAS, a conservative business group; VECINOS groups; Venezuelan Confederation of Workers or CTV (labor organization dominated by the Democratic Action)
International organization participation:	Caricom (observer), CDB, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, LAS (observer), Mercosur (associate), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:	chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Angelo Rivero SANTOS chancery: 1099 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 342-2214 FAX: [1] (202) 342-6820 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico) note: as of September 2008, the US has expelled the Venezuelan ambassador to the US
Diplomatic representation from the US:	chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires John CAULFIELD embassy: Calle F con Calle Suapure, Urbanizacion Colinas de Valle Arriba, Caracas 1080 mailing address: P. O. Box 62291, Caracas 1060-A; APO AA 34037 telephone: [58] (212) 975-6411, 907-8400 (after hours) FAX: [58] (212) 907-8199 note: as of September 2008, the Venezuelan Government has expelled the US Ambassador to Venezuela
Economy
Venezuela remains highly dependent on oil revenues, which account for roughly 90% of export earnings, about 50% of the federal budget revenues, and around 30% of GDP. A nationwide strike between December 2002 and February 2003 had far-reaching economic consequences - real GDP declined by around 9% in 2002 and 8% in 2003 - but economic output since then has recovered strongly. Fueled by high oil prices, record government spending helped to boost GDP by about 9% in 2006, 8% in 2007, and nearly 6% in 2008. This spending, combined with recent minimum wage hikes and improved access to domestic credit, has created a consumption boom but has come at the cost of higher inflation-roughly 20% in 2007 and more than 30% in 2008. Imports also have jumped significantly. Declining oil prices in the latter part of 2008 are expected to undermine the govenment's ability to continue the high rate of spending. President Hugo CHAVEZ in 2008 continued efforts to increase the government's contol of the economy by nationalizing firms in the cement and steel sectors. In 2007 he nationalized firms in the petroleum, communications, and electricity sectors. In July 2008, CHAVEZ implemented by decree a number of laws that further consolidate and centralize authority over the economy through his plan for "21st Century Socialism."
GDP (purchasing power parity):	$368.6 billion (2008 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):	$331.8 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:	5.7% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):	$14,000 (2008 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:	agriculture: 3.6% industry: 35.3% services: 61.1% (2008 est.)
Labor force:	12.49 million (2008 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:	agriculture: 13% industry: 23% services: 64% (1997 est.)
Unemployment rate:	8.5% (2008 est.)
Population below poverty line:	37.9% (end 2005 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:	lowest 10%: 0.7% highest 10%: 35.2% (2003)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:	48.2 (2003)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):	31% (2008 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):	20.5% of GDP (2008 est.)
Budget:	revenues: $106.2 billion expenditures: $100.8 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:	17.4% of GDP (2008 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Industries:	petroleum, construction materials, food processing, textiles; iron ore mining, steel, aluminum; motor vehicle assembly
Industrial production growth rate:
Electricity - production:	110.7 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - consumption:	83.84 billion kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - exports:	542 million kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - imports:	0 kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:	2.667 million bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - consumption:	738,300 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - exports:	2.203 million bbl/day (2006 est.)
Oil - imports:	0 bbl/day (2006 est.)
Oil - proved reserves:	87.04 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.)
Natural gas - production:	26.5 billion cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:	26.5 billion cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - exports:	0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - imports:	0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:	4.708 trillion cu m (1 January 2008 est.)
Current account balance:	$48.44 billion (2008 est.)
Exports:	$103.5 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.)
Exports - commodities:	petroleum, bauxite and aluminum, steel, chemicals, agricultural products, basic manufactures
Exports - partners:	US 42.7%, Netherlands Antilles 8%, China 3.1% (2007)
Imports:	$53.44 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.)
Imports - commodities:	raw materials, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, construction materials
Imports - partners:	US 26.6%, Colombia 13.5%, Brazil 9.5%, China 6.7%, Mexico 5.2%, Panama 5% (2007)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:	$36.36 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Debt - external:	$47.99 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:	$44.31 billion (2008 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:	$15.81 billion (2008 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:	$8.251 billion (2006)
Currency (code):	bolivar (VEB)
Exchange rates:	bolivars (VEB) per US dollar - 2.147 (2008 est.), 2,147 (2007), 2,147 (2006), 2,089.8 (2005), 1,891.3 (2004) note: On 1 January 2008 Venezuela revalued its currency with 1000 old bolivares equal to 1 new bolivar
Fiscal year:	calendar year
Telephones in use:	5.082 million (2007)
Cellular Phones in use:	23.82 million (2007)
Telephone system:	general assessment: modern and expanding domestic: domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations; recent substantial improvement in telephone service in rural areas; substantial increase in digitalization of exchanges and trunk lines; installation of a national interurban fiber-optic network capable of digital multimedia services; fixed-line teledensity 20 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity more than 90 per 100 persons international: country code - 58; submarine cable systems provide connectivity to the Caribbean, Central and South America, and US; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 PanAmSat; participating with Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia in the construction of an international fiber-optic network (2007)
Radio broadcast stations:	AM 201, FM NA (20 in Caracas), shortwave 11 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:	66 (plus 45 repeaters) (1997)
Internet country code:	.ve
Internet hosts:	145,394 (2008)
Internet users:	5.72 million (2007)
Transportation
Airports:	390 (2007)
Airports (paved runways):	total: 128 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 34 914 to 1,523 m: 61 under 914 m: 18 (2007)
Airports (unpaved runways):	total: 262 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 97 under 914 m: 149 (2007)
Heliports:	2 (2007)
Pipelines:	extra heavy crude oil 992 km; gas 5,400 km; oil 7,607 km; refined products 1,650 km; unknown (oil/water) 141 km (2007)
Railways:	total: 682 km standard gauge: 682 km 1.435-m gauge (2006)
Roadways:	total: 96,155 km paved: 32,308 km unpaved: 63,847 km (2002)
Waterways:	7,100 km note: Orinoco River (400 km) and Lake de Maracaibo navigable by oceangoing vessels (2008)
Merchant marine:	total: 62 by type: bulk carrier 9, cargo 16, chemical tanker 3, liquefied gas 5, passenger/cargo 10, petroleum tanker 17, refrigerated cargo 2 foreign-owned: 12 (Chile 1, Denmark 1, Greece 3, Mexico 5, Panama 1, Spain 1) registered in other countries: 12 (Bahamas 1, Panama 10, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:	La Guaira, Maracaibo, Puerto Cabello, Punta Cardon
Military
Military branches:	National Armed Forces (Fuerza Armada Nacionale, FAN): Ground Forces or Army (Fuerzas Terrestres or Ejercito), Naval Forces (Fuerzas Navales or Armada; includes Marines, Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerzas Aereas or Aviacion), Armed Forces of Cooperation or National Guard (Fuerzas Armadas de Cooperacion or Guardia Nacional)
Military service age and obligation:	18-30 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; 30-month conscript service obligation - all citizens 18-50 years old are obligated to register for military service (2008)
Manpower available for military service:	males age 16-49: 6,647,124 females age 16-49: 6,801,133 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:	males age 16-49: 5,280,974 females age 16-49: 5,768,814 (2008 est.)

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