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TSPA SPACE ACTIVITIES

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Effective from March 1973 (Revised January 1983)

Research and development leading to and resulting in the exploration and utilization of outer space. (Replaces RCHB file categories: DEF, SP, TEL)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Astronaut
* Astronomy
* Communications Satellite
* Direct Broadcasting Satellite
* ELV
* Exploration
* Geostationary Satellite Orbit
* High Technology Equipment
* Intellectual Property
* Intellectual Property Rights
* Landing Rights
* Navigational Aid
* Orbit
* Outer Space
* Outer Space Commercialization
* Peaceful Use of Outer Space
* Reentry
* Research & Development
* S & T Agreement
* S & T Cooperation
* S & T Development
* Salvage
* Satellite
* Scientific Cooperation
* Space Agreement
* Space Fragment
* Space Law
* Space Liability
* Space Program
* Space Station
* Spacecraft
* Spacecraft Recovery
* Spaceflight
* STRIDE
* Technology
* Technology Transfer
* Telecommunication
* Tracking Station
* UFO

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AA AADP AALC ABER ABLD [+] ABLDG ABLG ABMC ABT ABUD AC ACABQ ACAO ACCOUNT ACDA ACEC ACKM ACOA ACOTA ACS ACTION ADANA ADB ADCO ADCP ADEL ADEP ADIP ADM ADMIRAL ADPM ADRC AE AEC AECL AEGR AEIR AEM AEMED AEMR [+] AER AESC AF AFARI AFDB AFDIN AFFAIRS AFGHANISTAN AFIN [+] AFL AFLU AFOR AFR AFSA AFSI AFSN AFU AFZAL AG AGAO AGENDA AGENGA AGIT AGMT AGOA AGR AGS AGUIRRE AI AIAG AID AIDAC AIDS AIEA AIHRC AIN AINF AINFCY AINR AINT AISG AIT AJ AK AL AL-1 ALAB ALBE ALEXANDER ALI ALJAZEERA ALL ALNEA ALOW ALOWAR AM AMAT AMB AMCHAMS AMCT AME AMED AMEDI AMEMR AMER AMERICAS AMEX AMG AMGE AMGMT AMGT [+] AMIA AMLB AMPR AMT AMTC AMTG AN ANARCHISTS ANC AND ANET ANTITERRORISM AO AOCR AODE AOIC AOMS AOPR AORC [+] AORD AOREC AORG AORL AOWC AP APCS APDC APEC APECO APER [+] APR APRC APRM AQ AR ARAB ARABBL ARABL ARABLEAGUE ARAS ARC ARCH ARENA AREP ARF ARG ARM ARMITAGE ARMS AROC ARR ARRMZY ARSO AS ASA ASAC ASC ASCC ASCE ASCEC ASCH ASE ASEAN ASEC [+] ASECARP ASECE ASECM ASECSI ASECVE ASED ASEDC ASEG ASEK ASES ASEX ASFC ASIC ASIG ASIR ASJA ASO ASOC ASPA ASR ASSEMBLY ASSK ASUP AT ATFN ATPDEA ATRA ATRD ATRN AU AU-1 AUC AUNR AUSGR AUSTRALIAGROUP AV AVERY AVIAN AVIANFLU AVIATION AW AX AY AZ AZE B. BA BAGHDAD BAIO BAKOYANNIS BALKANS BAPOL BARACK BASHAR BATA BB BBG BBSR BC BCW BCXP BD BE BEAN BEN BERARDUCCI BESP BEXB BEXP [+] BEXPC BEXPPLM BEXT BF BFIF BFIN BFIO BG BGD BGMT BH BHUM BI BIC BIH BILAT BIMSTEC BINR BIO BIOS BIOTECH BIOTECHNOLOGY BIT BITO BK BL BLR BLUE BLUNT BM BMENA BMGT BMOT BN BNUC BO BOIKO BOL BOND BOQ BORDER BOSNIA BOU BOUCHAIB KAKA BOUTERSE BP BPIS BPTS BR BRIAN BRPA BRUSSELS BS BSSR BT BTA BTC BTIO [+] BTIU BTRA BTT BU BUD BULGARIA BURMA BUSH BV BW BWC BX BXEP BY BZ CA CAC CACM CACS CAFTA CAIO CAJC CAMBODIA CAN CAPC CARC CARE CARIB CARICOM CARSON CAS CASA CASC [+] CASCC CASCR CASE CASTILLO CAVO CB CBC CBD CBE CBG CBIS CBM CBSA CBTH CBW CCSR CCY CD CDB CDC CDCC CDCE CDG CDI CE CEA CEC CEDAW CEN CENTCOM CENTRIC CEUDA CF CFE CFED CFG CFIS CFSP CG CGEN CGOPRC CH CHAD CHALLENGE CHAO CHELIDZE CHENEY CHERTOFF CHG CHIEF CHN CHR CHRISTIAN CHRISTOF CHRISTOPHER CI CIA CIAT CIC CICTE CIDA CIO CIP CIS CITEL CITES CITIBANK CITT CIVAIR CIVS CJ CJAN [+] CJUS CK CKGR CKOR CL CLEARANCE CLINTON CLMT CLO CLOK CM CMAE CMFT CMGT [+] CMP CMT CN CNAR CNARC CNC CNO CO CODEL COE COL COLIN COLLECTIVE COLOMBO COM COMESA COMMERCE CON CONAWAY CONDOLEEZZA CONDOLEEZZA RICE CONEAZ CONG CONGO CONGRINT CONS CONSULAR CONTROL CONTROLS CORRUPTION COSI COUNTER COUNTER TERRORISM COUNTERTERRORISM COUNTRY COUNTRYCLEARANCE CP CPA CPAS CPC CPCTC CPPT CPUOS CQ CR CRIM CRIME CRIMES CRM CROATIA CROS CRS CRUZ CS CSCE CSEP CSIS CSW CT CTBT CTER CTERR CTM CTR CTRYCLR CU CUCO CUIS CUL CV CVIA CVIC CVIS [+] CVISU CVPR CVR CW CWC CWCM CWG CX CY CYP CYPRUSARMS CZ DA DAC DAFR DAN DANFUNG DANIEL DAO DARFR DARFUR DAVID DAVID LEE HOWES DAVID WELCH DAVID WILLIAM RAY DB DC DCDG DCG DCHA DCI DCM DCOM DCRM DE DEA DEAX DEFENSE DEFENSEREFORM DELTAVIOLENCE DEM DEMARCHE DEMOCRATIC DENNIS DEOC DEPT DEPT FOR DS COMMAND CENTER DESI DHA DHLAKAMA DHLS DHRF DHS DHSX DIEZ DIPLOMACY DISENGAGEMENT DJ DK DKEM DMIN DMINE DO DOC DOD DOE DOJ DOMC DOMESTIC DOMESTICPOLITICS DONALD RUMSFELD DOT DPAO DPKO DPM DPOL DPRK DR DRC DRIP DRL DS DSR DSS DTFN DTRA DTRO DU DVC DY EAC EAD EADI EADM EAG EAGER EAGR [+] EAI EAIC EAID [+] EAIDB EAIDCIN EAIDEGZ EAIDMG EAIDNI EAIF EAIG EAIO EAIR [+] EAIS EAIT EAOD EAP EAPC EAR EARI EASS EATO EAUD EAVI EB EBEXP EBRD EBUD EC ECA ECCP ECCT ECE ECIN ECIP ECLAC ECN ECOIN ECOM ECON [+] ECONCS ECONEGE ECONOMIC ECONOMICS ECONOMY ECONOMY AND FINANCE ECOR ECOS ECOSOC ECOWAS ECPC ECPN ECPO ECPS [+] ECPSN ECRM ECTRD ECUN ED EDA EDEV EDRC EDU EDUC EE EEB EEC EENG EENV EEOC EET EETC EFI EFIC EFIM EFIN [+] EFIS [+] EFLU EFN EFND EFNI EFQ EFTA EG EGAD EGAR EGEN EGHG EGOV EGOVSY EH EI EIAD EIAID EIAR EIB EICN EID EIDE EIDN EIFN EIN EIND [+] EINDIR EINF EING EINN EINO EINR EINT [+] EINV [+] EINZ EIPR EIQ EISL EISNLN EITC EITI EIVN EK EL ELA ELAB [+] ELAD ELAINE ELAM ELAN ELAP ELB ELBA ELBR ELEC ELECTIONS ELF ELIN ELN ELND ELNT ELTD ELTM ELTN [+] ELTRN EMAIL EMED EMI EMIN [+] EMN EMS EMW EN END ENDURING ENEG ENER ENERG ENERGY ENFR ENG ENGR ENGRD ENGRG ENGY ENIV ENLT ENNP ENR ENRC ENRG [+] ENRL ENTG ENV ENVI ENVIRONMENT ENVR ENVT EON EOXC EP EPA EPAT EPCS EPE EPEC EPECO EPET [+] EPIN EPIT EPPD EPRT EPSC EPTE EPTED EPWR EQ EQRD ER ERA ERD EREL ERGR ERICKSON ERIN ERTD ES ESA ESCAP ESCI ESDP ESENV ESF ESLCO ESOC ESOCI ESPS ESS ESSO ESTH ESTN ESTRADA ET ETA ETAD ETC ETCC ETD ETDR ETEL ETER ETEX ETFN ETIC ETIO ETLN ETMIN ETR ETRA ETRAD ETRB ETRC ETRD [+] ETRDECD ETRG ETRK ETRN ETRO ETRP ETT ETTC [+] ETTD ETTF ETTN ETTR ETTRD ETTW ETZ EU EUC EUCOM EUE EUEAID EUFOR EUM EUMEM EUN EUR EUREM EURM EURN EV EVENTS EVN EWRG EWT EWTR EWWT [+] EX EXBS EXEC EXIM EXO EXPORT EXTERNAL EZ FA FAA FAC FAGR FAO FARC FARM FAS FATAH FBI FCC FCS FCSC FCSCEG FCUL FDA FDIC FEDULOV FEMA FERNANDO FGM FI FIN FINANCE FINE FINR FINREF FINV FIR FISO FJ FK FKFLO FKLU FLU FM FMC FMGT FMLN FMS FO FOI FOOKS FOR FORCE FORCES FOREIGN FORWHA FP FPC FR FRA FRANCIS FRANCISCO RODENAS RUIZ FRB FREDOM FREEDOM FRELIMO FRIED FRN FRU FSC FSI FT FTA FTAA FWS GA GAERC GAMES GAO GARCIA GASPAR GATT GAZA GAZPROM GB GBSLE GC GCC GCCC GE GEF GEORGE GERARD GESKE GF GG GH GI GIPNC GIWI GJ GKGIC GL GLOBAL GM GN GO GOG GOI GON GOVPOI GPGOV GPI GPOI GPOV GR GRQ GS GT GTIP GTMO GTREFTEL GU GUAM GUANTANAMO GUIDANCE GUILLERMO GUTIERREZ GV GWI GY GZ GZIS HA HARRIET HARRY HAWZ HCOPIL HDP HE HEAVEN HEBRON HELGERSON HERCEGOVINA HG HHS HI HIGHLIGHTS HIJAZI HILARY HILLARY HILLEN HIPC HIV HIZ HK HKSX HL HLSX HN HNCHR HO HOA HOSTAGES HPKO HR HRC HRCS HRICTY HRIGHTS HRKSTC HSI HSTC HSWG HT HTCG HTSC HU HUD HUM HUMAN HUMANITARIAN HUMANR HUMANRIGHTS HUMOR HUMRIT HUNRC HURI HURRICANE HYDE HYLAND HYMPSK HZ IA IACHR IACI IACO IACW IADB IAEA IAES IAHRC IAIE IAII IASA IATTC IAZ IBB IBD IBET IBPCA IBRB IBRD IC ICAC ICAO ICC ICCAT ICCROM ICES ICJ ICRC ICRS ICSCA ICTR ICTY ID IDA IDB IDLI IDLO IDP IDR IE IEA IEAB IEF IF IFAD IFC IFIN IFM IFO IFR IFRC IG IGAD IGF IHO IICA IINS IIP IK IL ILAB ILC ILEA ILO IMC IMET IMF IMMIGRATION IMO IMSO IMTS IN INAUGURATION INCB IND INDO INF INFLUENZA INL INMARSAT INNP INPFC INR INRA INRB INRD INRO INRPAZ INS INSC INT INTEL INTELLECTUAL INTELSAT INTERNAL INTERPOL INV INVI IO IOC IOM IP IPET IPGRI IPK IPPC IPR IPROP IQ IQNV IR IRAN IRAQ IRAQI IRAQI FREEDOM IRC IRCE IRDB IRE IRL IRLE IRM IRMO IRNB IRPE IRS IS ISA ISAAC ISAF ISCA ISCON ISLAMISTS ISLE ISN ISNV ISO ISPA ISPL ISRAEL ISRAEL RELATIONS ISRAELI ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS ISSUES ISTC IT ITA ITALIAN ITALY ITECIP ITEIND ITELTN ITER ITF ITIA ITRA ITRD ITU IUCN IV IVIANNA IWC IWI IX IZ IZAORC JA JAM JAMES JAPAN JAT JAWAD JCIC JE JEFFERY JEFFREY JHR JI JIMENEZ JIMENEZ CHILDREN JK JKUS JM JN JO JOHNNIE JOSE NEY MILA ESPINOSA JOSE RAMOS HORTA JOSEPH BIDEN JP JS JSRP JUAN JUS JY KA KACP KACT [+] KACW KADM KAID KALM KALR KANSOU KAPO KARIM WADE KATRINA KAUST KAWC [+] KAWK KAWL KAWS KAWX KAYLA KBCT KBDS KBEM KBIO KBNC KBTC KBTR KBTS KBWG KCCP KCEM KCERS KCFC KCFE [+] KCGC KCHG KCIP [+] KCIS KCM KCMA KCMR KCOG KCOM [+] KCOR [+] KCPS KCRCM KCRI KCRIM KCRM [+] KCRN KCRO KCROM KCROR KCRP KCRS KCRT KCSA KCSI KCSY KCUL KCUM KCVM KCWI KDCM KDDEM KDDG KDE KDEM [+] KDEN KDET KDEV KDGOV KDGR KDHS KDM KDMR KDP KDRG [+] KDRL KDTB KDUM KE KEAI KEBG KECF KEDEM KEDM KEDU KEIM KEM KEMPI KEMR KEMS KEN KENV KERF KERG KESO KESP KESS KEVIN KFAM KFCE KFE KFEM KFGM KFIN KFIU KFLD KFLO KFLU KFOR KFPC KFRD [+] KFRP KFSC KFTFN KFTN KG KGCC KGCN KGHA KGHG [+] KGIC [+] KGICKS KGIT KGIV KGKG KGLB KGOR KGOV KH KHDP KHGH KHIB KHIV [+] KHJUS KHLS [+] KHMN KHOURY KHPD KHSA KHSL KHUM KI KIBL KICA KICC KICCPUR KICR KICT KID KIDE KIF KIFR KIIC KIIP KIL KILS KIMMITT KIMT KIND KINF KINL KINP KINR KINT KIPR [+] KIPT KIRC KIRF [+] KIRL KIRP KIS KISC KISK KISL [+] KISM KISR KITA KIVP KIVR KJAN KJRE KJU KJUS [+] KJUST KJWC KK KKIV KKNP KKOR KKPO KLAB KLAP KLBO KLEG KLFLO KLFU KLHS KLIG KLIP KLPM KLSO KLTN KM KMAC KMAR KMCA [+] KMCC KMCR KMDR [+] KMEPI KMFO KMGT KMIG KMNP KMOC KMPF KMPI KMPIO KMPL KMPP KMPT KMRD KMRS KMSG KMVP KMWN KN KNAO KNAP KNAR KNDP KNEI KNEP KNET KNMP KNN KNNA KNNB KNNC KNNF KNNO KNNP [+] KNNR KNOP KNP KNPP KNPPIS KNPR KNPT KNRG KNRV KNSD KNUC KNUP KO KOC KOCI KOCM KOEM KOGL KOLY [+] KOM KOMC KOMCCO KOMCSG KOMH KOMO KOMS KOR KOSOVO KOUYATE KPA KPAD KPAI KPAK KPAL [+] KPALAOIS KPAM KPAO [+] KPAS KPBT KPDD KPEM KPEO KPER KPET KPIN [+] KPIR KPKO [+] KPKP KPLS KPMI KPMO KPO KPOA KPOKO KPOL KPOP KPOV KPOW KPPAO KPPD KPRD KPRM KPRO KPROG KPRP KPRV KPSC KPTD KPTS KPWG KPWR [+] KQ KQM KQRDQ KR KRAD [+] KRAL KRCIM KRCM KRCS KRD KRDP KREC KREF KREL KRF KRFD KRFR KRG KRGY KRIC KRIF KRIM KRKO KRM KRMS KRV KRVC KS KSA KSAC KSAF KSCA [+] KSCI KSCS KSCT KSEAO KSEC KSEI KSEO KSEP KSI KSIA KSKN KSLG KSMT KSOC KSOCI KSPA KSPR [+] KSRE KSTC KSTCC KSTCPL KSTH KSTS KSTT KSUM [+] KSUP KT KTAO KTBD KTBT KTCRE KTDB KTDD KTDM KTER KTEX KTFIN KTFM KTFN [+] KTFR KTFS KTIA [+] KTIP [+] KTLA KTNBT KTNF KTPN KTRD KTRF KTSC KTSD KTTB KTTC KTTP KU KUAE KUIR KUM KUNA KUNC KUNH KUNP KUNR [+] KUS KUWAIT KV KVBL KVIP KVIR KVIS KVPR KVRC KVRP KW KWAC KWAK KWAWC KWBC KWBG [+] KWBW KWCI KWCR KWGB KWHG KWIC KWIM KWIR KWKN KWM KWMJN KWMM KWMN [+] KWN KWNM KWNN KWOMN KWPA KWPB KWPG KWPR KWRC KWRF KWRG KWUN KWWT KWWW KX KY KZ LA LAB LABOR LANSANA LANTERN LARREA LARS LAS LAURA LAVIN LAW LB LBAR LBY LE LEAGUE LEB LEBIK LEGAT LEGATT LEIS LEON LEVINE LEW LG LGAT LH LI LIB LICC LIMA LINE LK LMS LN LO LOG LORAN LOTT LOVE LR LS LT LTG LTTE LU LV LVPR LY LZ MA MAAR MACEDONIA MACP MANUEL MAP MAPP MAPS MAR MARAD MARIE MARINO MARITIME MARK MARQUEZ MARR [+] MARS MARTIN MARV MAS MASC MASS [+] MATT MB MBM MC MCA MCAP [+] MCAPARR MCAPN MCAPP MCAPS MCAT MCC MCCONNELL MCCP MCRM MCTRE MD MDA MDC MDO ME MEA MED MEDIA MEP MEPI MEPN MEPP MERCOSUR MESUR MEX MF MFA MFO MG MGL MGMT MGOV MGT MGTA MH MHUC MI MIAH MIC MICHAEL MICHEL MIGUEL VARGAS MALDONADO MIK MIL MILI MILITANTS MILITARY MILLENNIUM MINURSO MINUSTAH MITCHELL MJ MK ML MLS MMAR MMED MN MNLF MNNC MNNUC MNU MNUC [+] MNUCH MNUCWA MNUM MNUN MNUR MNUS MNVC MO MOHAMAD MOHAMMAD MOLINA MONTENEGRO MONUC MONY MOOPS MOP MOPP MOPPS MOPS [+] MORG MOROCCO MORS MOS MOTO MOTT MP MPOL MPOS MPP MPS MQADHAFI MR MRCRE MRRR MRS MRSEC MS MSG MSIG MT MTAA MTAG MTCAE MTCR MTCRA MTCRE MTRCE MTRE MTRRE MTS MU MUC MUCN MUKASEY MULLEN MUNC MURRAY MV MW MX MY MZ NA NAC NACB NAFTA NAM NAMSA NANCY NAR NARC NARCOTICS NARR NAS NASA NAT NATEU NATGAS NATIONAL NATO NATOAFGHAN NATOBALKANS NATOIRAQ NATOOPS NATOPOLICY NATSIOS NAVO NB NBTS NBU NC NCCC NCD NCT NCTC NDI NDP NE NEA NEC NEI NELSON NEPAD NERG NET NEW NFATC NFMS NFSO NG NGO NGUYEN NH NI NICOLE NIH NIPP NK NKWG NL NLD NLIAEA NLO NMFS NMNUC NMUC NNPT NO NOAA NOI NOK NON NONE NORAD NOTAG NOVO NP NPA NPG NPT NR NRC NRG NRR NRRC NS NSC NSF NSFO NSG NSSP NT NTDB NTSB NTTC NU NUC NUIN NV NW NZ NZUS OA OAO OARC OAS OASC OASCC OASS OAU OBAMA OBS OBSP OCBD OCEA OCED OCHA OCII OCRA OCS OCSE ODAG ODC ODIP [+] ODPC OECD OECS OECV OES OESC OEXC [+] OEXP OF OFDA OFDC OFDP [+] OFDPQIS OFFICIALS OFPD OFSO OGAC OGIV OHCHR OHI OHIP OI OIC OICCO OIE OIF OIG OIIP [+] OIL OIM OLY OLYAIR OLYMPICS OM OMB OMIG OMS ON ONA OPAD OPBAT OPC OPCD OPCR OPCW OPDAT OPDC [+] OPDP OPEC OPET OPIC OPID OPOC OPPC OPRC [+] OPREC OPREP OPS OPSC OPVIP ORA ORC ORCA ORECD ORED OREG OREP [+] ORGANIZED ORP ORTA ORUE OSAC OSCE OSCI [+] OSD OSEC OSHA OSIC OSTA OSTRA OTA OTAR OTP OTR OTRA [+] OTRABL OTRAO OTRAZ OTRC OTRD OUALI OVIP [+] OVP OXEC OXEM OZ PA PAARM PAC PACE PAGE PAGR PAHO PAIGH PAK PAL PALESTINIAN PAMQ PAN PANAM PAO PAR PARALYMPIC PARCA PAREL PARK PARLIAMENT PARM [+] PARMS PARN PARP PARR PARTIES PARTM PARTY PAS PASS PATTY PAUM PB PBGT PBIO PBK PBOV PBPTS PBS PBT PBTS [+] PCI PCON PCOR PCRM PCUL PD PDA PDD PDEM PDIP PDOV PDRG PE PEACE PEACEKEEPINGFORCES PEDRO PEL PELOSI PEMEX PENA PENV PEPFAR PEPR PER PEREZ PERL PERM PERSONS PET PETER PETERS PETR PETRAEUS PETROL PF PFIN PFLP PFOR PFOV PG PGGOC PGIC PGIV PGKV PGO PGOC PGOF PGOG PGON PGOR PGOT PGOV [+] PGOVE PGOVQL PGPV PGREL PGREV PGV PH PHALANAGE PHARM PHAS PHEM PHIM PHM PHSA [+] PHU PHUH PHUM [+] PHUMHUPPS PHUN PHUS PHYTRP PI PIA PICES PIF PIN PINB PIND PINER PINF PING PINL PINO PINR [+] PINS [+] PINT PINV PIR PIRF PIRN PJUS PK PKAO PKBL PKFK PKISL PKK PKMN PKNP PKO PKPA PKPAL PKPO PKPRP PKST PL PLAB PLAN PLEC PLN PLO PLUM PM PMAR PMAT PMDL PMIG PMIL PMIN PMR PMUC PN PNAT PNET PNG PNIR PNNL PNR PNRG PNS PNUC PNUK PNUM PO PODC POG POGV POINS POL POLG POLI POLICY POLINT POLITICAL POLITICS POLM POLMIL POLS POLUN POREL PORG POSTS POTUS POUS POV POWELL PP PPA PPAO PPD PPEF PPEL PPKO PPOL PQL PQM PRC PRE PREC PRED PREF [+] PREG PREJ PREK PREL [+] PRELEVU PRELM PRELPLS PRELTBIOBA PREM PREO PREP PRER PRES PRESIDENT PRESL PREV PREZ PRF PRFE PRFL PRGO PRGOV PRIL PRL PRLE PRM PRO PROB PROCESS PROG PROL PROLIFERATION PROP [+] PROPERTY PROTECTION PROTESTS PROV PROVE PRT PRTER PRWL PS PSA PSCE PSEC PSEPC PSHA PSI PSNR PSO PSOC PSOCI PSOE PT PTBS PTE PTEL PTEP PTER [+] PTGOV PTIA PTR PTRD PU PUAS PUBLIC PUNE PUNR PUOS PV PVIP PVOV PVPR PVTS PWBG PWMN PY QA QADRI QEL QI QIZ QM QT QU QUAN QUOC RA RAED RAID RAS RATIFICATION RBI RCA RCMP RE REA REACTION REALTIONS RECIN REF REFORM REFPAN REFUGEE REFUGEES REGION REGIONAL REID REIN REINEMEYER REL RELAM RELATIONS RELFREE RELIGIOUS REMON RENAMO RENE PREVAL REO REPORT REUBEN RF RFE RFIN RFREEDOM RGOV RGY RHUM RI RICE RICHARD RIGHTS RIGHTSPOLMIL RIMC RIVERA RL RLA RM RMA RO ROK ROME ROSS ROW ROY RP RPEL RPTS RQ RR RRB RREL RS RSO RSOX RSP RSZ RTT RU RUEHZO RV RW RWANDA SA SAAD SAARC SACU SADC SAFE SAIR SAIS SAMA SAN SANC SANR SAO SARB SARGSIAN SARS SASC SASEC SB SBA SC SCA SCCC SCE SCENESETTER SCHUL SCI SCIENCE SCNV SCOI SCOL SCOM SCPR SCRM SCRS SCRSERD SCUL [+] SCVL SD SE SEC SECDEF SECI SECRET SECRETARY SECSTATE SECTOR SECURITY SEMAAN GABY EID SEN SENC SENG SENS SENU SENV [+] SENVQGR SENVSPL SENVSXE SEP SERBIA SERZH SETTLEMENTS SEVN SEXP SF SFNV SG SGNV SGWI SH SHANNON SHI SHUM SI SIMS SIPDI SIPDIS SIPR SIPRNET SIPRS SIUK SK SKCA SKEP SKI SKSAF SL SLM SLOVAK SM SMAR SMI SMIG [+] SMIL SMIT SMITH SMRT SN SNA SNAP SNAR [+] SNUC SO SOC SOCI [+] SOCIA SOCIETY SOCIS SOCISZX SOCR SOCY SOE SOFA SOI SOIC SOLI SOLIC SOM SOPN SORT SOSI SOVIET SOWGC SP SPAS SPC SPCE SPCVIS SPECI SPECIALIST SPILL SPP SPSTATE SR SREF SRIT SRS SRYI SSA SSH ST STAG START STATE STC STEINBERG STET STP STR SU SUCCESSION SULLIVAN SUMMIT SUR SV SW SWHO SWMN SX SXG SY SYAI SYMBOL SYR SYRIA SYSI SYTH SZ TA TAGS TALAL TAUSCHER TAX TB TBI TBID TBIO [+] TBIOZK TBKIO TBO TC TCOR TCSENV TD TDA TE TECH TECHNOLOGY TER TERAA TERFIN TERR TERROR TERRORISM TF TFIN TG TGRY TH THANH THE THERESE THIRDTERM THKSJA THOMAS THPY TI TIA TIBO TIFA TINT TIO TIP TITI TIUZ TJ TK TL TM TN TNDG TNGD TO TOPEC TORRIJOS TOURISM TP TPHY [+] TPKO TPP TPSA TPSL TR TRAD TRADE TRAFFICKING TRBIO TRBY TRD TREAS TREASURY TREATY TREL TRG TRGV TRGY [+] TRIO TRSY TRT TRV TRY TRYG TRYS TS TSA TSLP TSPA [+] TSPL TSRL TSRY TSY TT TTFN TU TURKEY TV TVBIO TW TWRO TX TY TZ TZBY UA UAE UAID UAM UB UDEM UE UEU UG UGA UK UKR UKRAINE UM UMIK UN UNA UNAF UNAIDS UNAMA UNAMSIL UNAORC UNAUS UNBRO UNC UNCC UNCDF UNCDN UNCHC UNCHR UNCHS UNCITRAL UNCND UNCOPUOS UNCRED UNCRIME UNCSD UNCSW UNCTAD UNDC UNDEF UNDOF UNDP UNECE UNEF UNEP UNESCO UNFA UNFC UNFCYP UNFF UNFICYP UNFIYCP UNFPA UNGA UNGAPL UNGO UNHCR UNHRC UNICEF UNIDCP UNIDO UNIDROIT UNIFEM UNIFIL UNION UNKIK UNM UNMEE UNMIC UNMIK UNMIKI UNMIKV UNMIL UNMIN UNMOVIC UNO UNODC UNOMIG UNOPS UNP UNPAR UNPUOS UNRCCA UNRCR UNREST UNRWA UNSC UNSCAPU UNSCD UNSCE UNSCER UNSCR UNSCS UNSD UNSE UNTAC UNTERR UNTZ UNUS UNVIE UNYI UP UPU UPUO UR US USAID USAU USCC USCG USDA USDELFESTTWO USEU USG USGS USMS USNC USOAS USOP USPS USPTO USSC USTA USTDA USTR USTRD USTRIT USTRPS USTRUWR USUN UUNR UV UX UY UZ VA VANG VAT VC VE VELS VEN VENZ VETTING VI VINICIO VIP VIS VISIT VM VN VO VOA VT VTEG VTFR VTIS VTPREL VTTBIO VTWCAR VXY VY VZ WA WAEMU WAKI WAR WB WBEG WBG WCAR WCI WCL WCO WE WEBG WEBZ WEET WEF WEOG WET WEU WFA WFP WFPAORC WFPO WGC WGG WHA WHITMER WHO WHTI WI WILCOX WIPO WIR WJRO WM WMD WMDT WMN WMO WOMEN WPO WRTO WS WSIS WTO WTRD WTRO WTRQ WW WWARD WWBG WWT WZ XA XAAF XB XC XD XE XF XFNEA XG XH XI XJ XK XL XLUM XM XO XP XQ XR XS XT XTAG XU XV XW XX XXX XY XZ YE YEH YI YL YM YMCS YS YU YURIY ZA ZANU ZB ZC ZCTU ZEALAND ZF ZFR ZH ZI ZIM ZJ ZK ZKGM ZL ZM ZN ZO ZP ZR ZS ZT ZU ZW ZXA

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Identifier	Subject	Date	Office	Classification	Tags
01CARACAS182	CHAVEZ AND COLOMBIA: IT WON'T GET BETTER [...] (C) THE RIVALRY BETWEEN VENEZUELA AND COLOMBIA HAS BEEN LONGSTANDING, WITH ROOTS REACHING BACK AS FAR AS THE BREAK- UP OF GRAN COLOMBIA INTO SEPARATE STATES. OVER THE YEARS, THE RIVALRY BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES - AND ESPECIALLY BETWEEN THEIR RESPECTIVE MILITARIES - MANIFESTED ITSELF AS A PER [...]	2001-01-22 20:56:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL VE CO

03CARACAS2865	WILL THE REAL FBL PLEASE STAND UP? [...] (C) An August 8 Bolivarian Liberation Forces (FBL) press release asserted that the group defended Venezuela's sovereignty by attacking the Colombian National Liberation Army (ELN) July 31. Tachira state media, ranchers, and law enforcement officials told poloff August 5 and 6 that the expandin [...]	2003-08-22 18:43:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PINR PTER VE
04CARACAS100	GOV SEIZES USD 2.5 MILLION BELONGING TO LARGEST [...] (C) VENEZUELAN CUSTOMS AUTHORITIES SEIZED A SHIPMENT OF USD 2.5 MILLION IN CASH OWNED BY ITALCAMBIO, THE COUNTRY'S LARGEST CURRENCY EXCHANGE HOUSE. THE MONEY WAS ABOARD A FLIGHT FROM MIAMI. ITALCAMBIO PRESIDENT CARLOS DORADO CLAIMED THE SHIPMENT WAS ROUTINE AND THE SEIZURE IS IN RETALIATION [...]	2004-01-09 19:34:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN PGOV VE
04CARACAS1009	OPPOSITION GOVERNORS, MAYOR: A SNAPSHOT OF [...] (C) The violence that hit Venezuela February 27 to March 4 unmasked the radical bent of President Hugo Chavez's revolution, Caracas Mayor Alfredo Pena and Governors David De Lima (Anzoategui) and Luis Lippa (Apure) told the Ambassador March 16. They noted the influence of Cubans in the Vene [...]	2004-03-24 22:02:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS101	VENEZUELAN OIL PRODUCTION: A LOOK AHEAD FOR 2004 [...] (C) Despite a number of optimistic predictions that Venezuelan oil production will increase by the end of 2004 (which seem largely to be attributable to the success of Venezuelan lobbying efforts in the U.S.),our sources in Venezuela are not as sanguine. While some believe that Venezuela's 2 [...]	2004-01-09 19:34:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET VE
04CARACAS1011	GOV DAMAGE CONTROL OVERWHELMED BY BARRAGE OF [...] (C) The GOV attempted to supersede negative international media and NGO reports about alleged human rights violations by speaking directly to the international community in Caracas March 14 and 16. Among the efforts, President Hugo Chavez called together Ambassadors to Venezuela March 5 and t [...]	2004-03-25 12:22:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS103	CHAVEZ TURNS UP THE HEAT ON CENTRAL BANK FOR [...] (C) President Chavez has renewed his struggle with the Central Bank over USD 1 billion in international reserves, which he has demanded be handed over to the GOV for agricultural spending. The Bank has to this point resisted, citing controlling legal restrictions. The National Assembly joine [...]	2004-01-12 12:09:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN PGOV VE
04CARACAS1031	A PEEK BENEATH LARA STATE'S REVOLUTIONARY FACADE [...] (C) Information Officer traveled March 10-14 to Barquisimeto, Lara state to seek private media views on freedom of expression and on the state's economic and political landscape. Most private media owners and managers maintain a low profile and present both pro- Venezuelan government (GOV) [...]	2004-03-26 14:06:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON KDEM KPAO PGOV PHUM PREL VE
04CARACAS1054	VENEZUELA PREPARES FOR REGIONAL ELECTIONS [...] (C) Opposition and pro-government candidates are registered for the August 1 regional elections as the registration period closed March 25. At stake are 23 governors, the high mayor of the metropolitan Caracas district, 336 mayors, and hundreds of municipal council positions -- in sum, the la [...]	2004-03-26 20:28:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS1080	CHAVISTAS LAND PUNCH IN SUPREME COURT BOXING MATCH [...] (C) THE SUPREME COURT (TSJ) CONSTITUTIONAL CHAMBER MARCH 23 NULLIFIED THE TSJ ELECTORAL CHAMBER'S MARCH 15 DECISION ORDERING THE NATIONAL ELECTORAL COUNCIL (CNE) TO INCLUDE OVER 870,000 DISPUTED SIGNATURES, GIVING THE OPPOSITION ENOUGH FOR A REFERENDUM. D'LSA SOLORZANO, DEMOCRATIC COORDINATIN [...]	2004-03-29 20:34:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS1083	THE OPPOSITION PRESENTS CANDIDATES FOR REGIONAL [...] (C) Opposition political parties have registered their candidates for the August 1 gubernatorial and mayoral elections (ref b) despite criticism from opposition NGOs that see the elections as a distraction from the recall referendum against President Hugo Chavez. Opposition parties largely po [...]	2004-03-29 22:10:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS1087	FOREIGN MINISTER PEREZ: RELATIONS COULD NOT GET [...] (C) In a March 23 meeting with the Ambassador, Foreign Minister Jesus Perez said the relationship between the U.S. and Venezuela could not get worse. Perez said there was a lot of fear in the GoV that the USG was planning to overthrow the Chavez regime. The Ambassador told him that there is n [...]	2004-03-30 17:32:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS1090	PRIVATE TV OWNERS DECRY NEW GOV TAX [...] (U) National tax collection agency SENIAT has ordered Venezuela's four leading television channels to pay SENIAT almost USD 3.3 million in taxes for allegedly donated spots during the December 2002-February 2003 opposition-sponsored national strike. Globovision, RCTV, Venevision, and Televen [...]	2004-03-30 19:40:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM KPAO PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS1107	PROMINENT HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP CRITICIZES GOV [...] (U) The human rights NGO "Committee of the Relatives of Victims of February 1989" (COFAVIC) criticized the GOV March 18 for not appropriately addressing alleged human rights abuses during the February 27-March 4 period. The COFAVIC report describes alleged abuses, including deaths, use of exc [...]	2004-03-31 19:53:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV PINS VE
04CARACAS1114	CELLIST TELLS OF TORTURE AND FLUBBED INVESTIGATION [...] (C) National Guard troops detained Carlos Izcaray, first cellist with the National Symphony Orchestra, March 1 while he was observing demonstrations in Caracas. Guardsmen beat him, subjected him to electrical shocks, forced him to inhale tear gas in an enclosed space, and burned tear gas powde [...]	2004-03-31 20:38:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV PINS VE
04CARACAS1115	FEAR OF REPRISALS AND UNDERREPORTED HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (C) The Coordinadora Democratica (CD) claims its figures on human rights violations are the most accurate in Venezuela, though they are higher than those reported by the media and NGOs. DCC Judicial Advisor D'lsa Solorzano told poloff March 23 that even DCC numbers, do not portray the true ma [...]	2004-03-31 23:01:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS1116	WHEN CHAVISTAS ATTACK: OPPOSITION ACCUSATIONS/GOV [...] (C) The Coordinadora Democratica (CD) documented 210 assaults on opposition supporters by civilians or plainclothes security forces between February 27 and March 5. National Assembly Deputy Pedro Diaz Blum (Proyecto Venezuela) told poloff March 17 that National Guard troops allowed armed Chav [...]	2004-03-31 23:12:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS1133	ELECTORAL CHAMBER REAFFIRMS ITS JURISDICTION [...] (C) The Electoral Chamber of Venezuela's Supreme Court (TSJ) March 29 confirmed its jurisdiction in matters concerning the National Electoral Council (CNE) and urged the TSJ en banc to decide the jurisdictional dispute between the SIPDIS court's Electoral and Constitutional chambers (reftels [...]	2004-04-01 19:10:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS1134	ROPE A DOPE [...] (C) I HOSTED A MEETING THIS MORNING IN WHICH MARK FEIERSTIEN, PROJECT MANAGER FOR POLLING FIRM GREENBERG QUINLAN ROSNER RESEARCH, BRIEFED THE AMBASSADORS OF BRAZIL, CANADA, CHILE, MEXICO, AND PORTUGAL AND MYSELF ON THE RESULTS OF THE POLL HE COMPLETED ON MARCH 27. (HE PROMISED TO SEND US THE P [...]	2004-04-01 21:00:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV VE
04CARACAS1138	EVO, THE ICC, AND THE U.N.: VENEZUELA POLITICAL [...] (U) Leftist Bolivian legislator Evo Morales joined President Hugo Chavez in Caracas March 30 to announce plans to stage international demonstrations to commemorate the events of April 2002, when Chavez was temporarily removed from power and returned in triumph. Members of the Venezuelan human [...]	2004-04-01 22:07:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS1139	CHAVEZ TO ILO: FRY MONKEYS! [...] (C) A preliminary report by the International Labor Organization's (ILO) Committee on Freedom of Association determined that Venezuela's December 2002 - February 2003 work stoppage was tantamount to a general strike. The Committee deplored the mass dismissal of more than 18,000 PDVSA workers [...]	2004-04-01 22:08:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL ELAB PGOV VE
04CARACAS1154	TORTURE VICTIM DIES OF INJURIES [...] (U) ARMY PERSONNEL OF THE 11TH INFANTRY BATTALION DETAINED JUAN CARLOS ZAMBRANO, HIS COMMON-LAW WIFE, HIS BROTHER AND ANOTHER COMPANION MARCH 6 IN LAGUNILLAS, ZULIA STATE. DURING MARCH 6-9, THEY ALLEGEDLY BEAT AND TORTURED THE MEN AND RAPED ZAMBRANO'S WIFE. ZAMBRANO DIED OF HIS INJURIES ON MA [...]	2004-04-02 20:56:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV VE
04CARACAS1155	TORTURED DETAINEES RELEASED FOR LACK OF EVIDENCE [...] (U) SEVEN YOUTHS (DAVID AMUNDARAIN, HEBER GUSTAVO PRADA, JOSE PERALTA, RODRIGUO ALEGRETT, JOSE MOYO ROJAS, ANGEL KENT DAVIOTT, AND JOSE RAMON MERLO) DETAINED DURING POLITICAL DISTURBANCES FEBRUARY 27-MARCH 5 WERE RELEASED FROM LA PLANTA PRISON IN CARACAS MARCH 31, ACCORDING TO NEWS REPORTS. PR [...]	2004-04-02 20:58:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM VE
04CARACAS1156	CHAVISTAS SEE REGIONAL ELECTIONS AS DE FACTO [...] (C) Pro-Chavez political parties registered their candidates in March in anticipation of the August 1 elections for governors and mayors. As with the opposition, the Chavistas see the regional elections as a referendum of sorts on President Hugo Chavez. They also see the elections as an oppo [...]	2004-04-02 21:04:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS1157	CHAVISTAS SEE REGIONAL ELECTIONS AS DE FACTO [...] (C) Pro-Chavez political parties registered their candidates in March in anticipation of the August 1 elections for governors and mayors. As with the opposition, the Chavistas see the regional elections as a referendum of sorts on President Hugo Chavez. They also see the elections as an oppo [...]	2004-04-02 21:04:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS1159	CAPRILES, CNE AND CEV: VENEZUELA POLITICAL UPDATE [...] (U) The Criminal Chamber of Venezuela's Supreme Court (TSJ) dismissed on procedural ground the order to detain Baruta Mayor Henrique Capriles April 1, and ordered the case sent to a new court. Supporters of President Hugo Chavez objected to the possibility National Electoral Council (CNE) alt [...]	2004-04-02 21:08:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PREL PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS1161	GOV REPRESSION'S "FAIR AND REASONABLE" LEGAL FACADE [...] (C) The GOV has been using a range of legal actions, administrative procedures, and illicit activities to punish and harass opponents. Tax investigations, broadcasting private phone conversations, and blacklisting signers of a presidential recall petition from GOV services or employment are a [...]	2004-04-02 21:39:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ELAB PGOV PHUM PREL VE
04CARACAS1169	SIGNATURE TALKS ADVANCE AT CNE [...] (C) National Electoral Council (CNE) Director Jorge Rodriguez announced April 5 that talks between the opposition and the GOV are "well advanced" on an agreement over the appeals process for the signatures collected in support of a recall vote on President Hugo Chavez. Rodriguez said the CNE [...]	2004-04-05 19:42:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS12	CHAVEZ MAINTAINS POPULARITY, BUT STILL VULNERABLE [...] (C) President Hugo Chavez climbed one point to 45 percent in approval ratings in December, according to two polls, after hitting a popularity trough of 30 percent in May 2003. Of the 59 percent of those likely to vote in a recall, however, only 34 percent say they would keep Chavez, with 65 pe [...]	2004-01-02 20:49:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS1203	MURDER CHARGES DROPPED AGAINST FOUR NATIONAL [...] (U) JUDGE JORGE MENDEZ ORDERED FOUR NATIONAL GUARDSMEN (CAPT. WILLIAN CAMPOS, SALVADOR FRANCHI, GUSTAVO PUERTA AND PEDRO BELISARO) RELEASED MARCH 31 AND ALL CHARGES AGAINST THEM DROPPED IN THE NOVEMBER 10, 2003 MURDER OF SEVEN INMATES OF VISTA HERMOSA PRISON IN CIUDAD BOLIVAR, BOLIVAR STATE. T [...]	2004-04-06 19:06:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV VE
04CARACAS1241	PDVSA PRESIDENT RODRIGUEZ COUNSELS PRAGMATISM [...] (C) In an April 2 meeting with the Ambassador, Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) President Ali Rodriguez counseled a "dose of pragmatism" for U.S. relations with Venezuela. He defended the recent OPEC decision to reduce production but said Venezuela would be able to supply gasoline to the U.S. t [...]	2004-04-12 20:24:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET PREL VE
04CARACAS1247	REVALIDATING THE SIGNATURES -- VOICES OF DISSENT [...] (C) The Coordinadora Democratica (CD) has pressed forward, negotiating with the National Electoral Council (CNE) a process for verifying petition signatures for a presidential recall referendum (CNE Director Jorge Rodriguez announced April 6 that the sides were close to agreement). There are [...]	2004-04-12 21:12:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS1267	COURT BATTLE CLOUDS CNE SIGNATURE TALKS [...] (C) Two chambers of the Venezuelan Supreme Court (TSJ) issued conflicting decisions on April 12 regarding the recall referendum against President Hugo Chavez. The Electoral Chamber issued its definitive decision nullifying the National Electoral Council's (CNE) disqualification of 876,000 sig [...]	2004-04-14 21:00:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS1270	CHAVEZ LOSING SUPPORT AMIDST SHIFT IN VOTER MOOD. [...] (SBU) A poll and a focus group study on Venezuelan politics published at the end of March highlighted President Hugo Chavez' job approval rating falling from 44% to 36%. The poll suggests that the National Electoral Council,s handling of the signature verification process for the Presidential [...]	2004-04-15 12:17:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS1313	POLITICIZING VENEZUELA'S ECONOMIC BUREAUCRACY [...] (C) Current efforts to ensure loyalty within Venezuelan government institutions by using the list of persons who signed the recall petition against President Chavez, take place against the backdrop of a longer history of politically motivated firings and personnel shuffling aimed at cementing [...]	2004-04-16 20:52:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON ETRD PGOV VE
04CARACAS1316	DISAPPEARANCES, AN ONGOING CONTROVERSY [...] (U) The Democratic Coordinating Committee (CD) announced March 9 that eight opposition protesters had disappeared during the February 27-March 5 political disturbances. Subsequently, one of the eight reappeared, and the GOV denied that the remaining seven were missing, citing the lack of compl [...]	2004-04-20 13:44:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV VE
04CARACAS1331	MEDIA AND GOV MAKE HAY OUT OF GENERAL HILL [...] (C) Leading Venezuelan national dailies, "El Universal" and "El Nacional," printed articles April 3 and 4 that distort parts of General James Hill's March 24 and April 1 statements on Venezuela to the U.S. House and Senate Armed Forces Committees. Both newspapers' articles were based on an [...]	2004-04-20 19:33:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	KPAO PGOV PINR PM PTER VE
04CARACAS1346	CNE ANNOUNCES SIGNATURE APPEALS PROCESS FOR MAY [...] (C) The National Electoral Council (CNE) said on April 21 it will hold the appeals process May 27-31 for signatures collected in support of the presidential recall referendum. The CNE board approved regulations governing the appeals ("reparos") but did not immediately release the text. The CN [...]	2004-04-21 21:21:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS1347	OAS DEMOCRATIC CHARTER: REACTION TO COLOMBIAN [...] (U) The GOV and the National Assembly reacted harshly to the vote April 13 by the Colombian Senate to request that the OAS consider applying the Democratic Charter to Venezuela. Opponents of President Chavez have generally welcomed the vote as a sign of international support for the opposition [...]	2004-04-21 21:21:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL KDEM VE OAS
04CARACAS1348	SUPREME COURT LAW REEMERGES [...] (U) Pro-GOV National Assembly (AN) deputies reestablished the Supreme Court Law as a legislative priority April 15, after the bill laid dormant since 2003. The Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court removed potential legal roadblocks to the bill with a 3 to 2 January 26 ruling asserting [...]	2004-04-21 21:21:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS1350	CHAVEZ RAISES OIL CUT-OFF AGAIN [...] (C) President Chavez has again raised the threat of stopping oil sales to the U.S., this time in response to President Bush's alleged "intervention." The remarks, made to an Italian newspaper, follow several weeks in which this theme had lain dormant (although he has turned to other forms o [...]	2004-04-21 21:29:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ENRG PREL EPET VE
04CARACAS1368	JULIO BORGES LEANS TOWARDS ACCEPTING [...] (C) Julio Borges told DCM and PolOff April 21 that Primero Justicia would decide whether to participate in the signature verification process once the National Electoral Council released details of the plan on April 23 or 24, with an opposition decision likely 24 hours later. He seemed to be [...]	2004-04-23 18:13:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS1369	CODEL NELSON: GOV REACTIONS TO PRESS STATEMENTS [...] (U) GOV OFFICIALS REACTED STRONGLY TO REMARKS MADE BY SENATOR BILL NELSON (D-FL) TO THE MIAMI HERALD ON APRIL 18TH. IN THE INTERVIEW SENATOR NELSON HAD NOTED THAT THE U.S. KNEW THAT THE GOV WAS AIDING THE FARC, WAS FAILING TO CONTROL A BLACK MARKET IN VENEZUELAN PASSPORTS, AND WAS INTERFE [...]	2004-04-23 18:13:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL KDEM VE
04CARACAS1384	GOV GLOATS OVER CARTER LETTER ON SIGNATURE TALKS [...] (C) The GOV released on April 22 a letter sent a week earlier by former President Carter to President Hugo Chavez registering concerns over delays in the signature appeals process negotiations. The letter offered recommendations to the GOV on the parameters of the appeals process and proposed [...]	2004-04-26 15:40:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS1410	CODEL NELSON: MEETINGS WITH FM PEREZ AND NA VICE [...] (C) In separate meetings, Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) pressed Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jesus Perez and National Assembly Vice President Ricardo Gutierrez on the referendum, relations with Cuba, GOV support to the FARC, passport fraud, and agrement for Ambassador-designate Brownfield. Gutier [...]	2004-04-26 20:42:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PTER KDEM VE
04CARACAS1426	VISIT TO VENEZUELA OF SENATOR NELSON - ECONOMIC [...] (C) During his April 15-17 visit to Venezuela Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) met with representatives of U.S. energy businesses operating in Venezuela, with state oil corporation PDVSA President Ali Rodriguez, and with members of the board of the Venezuela-U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( [...]	2004-04-27 21:27:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON ENRG PREL VE
04CARACAS1431	FORMER FOREIGN MINISTER CHADERTON STICKS TO MESSAGE [...] (C) THE AMBASSADOR HAD BREAKFAST WITH FORMER FOREIGN MINISTER, NOW AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE TO FRANCE, ROY CHADERTON APRIL 22. CHADERTON LAMENTED THE POOR STATE OF U.S.-VENEZUELA RELATIONS, AND BLAMED THE SITUATION ON SCHEMING COLOMBIANS AND ON MEDIA OWNERS LIKE GUSTAVO CISNEROS. THE AMBASSADOR [...]	2004-04-28 16:23:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS1444	VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION GREEN LIGHTS SIGNATURE [...] (C) Venezuela's Coordinadora Democratica (CD) decided April 27 to participate in the appeals process, scheduled for May 27-31, for the signatures collected to petition for a recall referendum against President Hugo Chavez. CD leader Governor Enrique Mendoza told Poloff April 26 it is technica [...]	2004-04-28 21:14:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS1446	GOV DENIES OIL WILL GO TO CHINA [...] (C) The GOV said once again on April 26 that Venezuela would continue to be a reliable oil supplier to the United States. The statement was made in response to a story in Miami's "El Nuevo Herald" picked up by all leading Caracas dailies the morning of April 26, which alleges that Chavez has [...]	2004-04-29 10:51:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ENRG PREL EPET VE
04CARACAS1474	FIRST VENEZUELAN NATIONAL FORUM ON HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (U) AT A HUMAN RIGHTS FORUM ORGANIZED BY THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR AND JUSTICE (MIJ) GOV SPEAKERS DISMISSED ALLEGATIONS OF VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE DISTURBANCES FROM FEBRUARY 27 - MARCH 5. SENIOR MIJ OFFICIALS CONTENDED THAT HUMAN RIGHTS ARE MULTIFACETED, AND THE GOV IS ADVANCING SOC [...]	2004-04-30 20:47:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS1476	GOV: RENEWED OFFENSIVE AGAINST EX-PDVSA EMPLOYEES [...] (U) THE GOV RESUMED FORCED EVICTIONS OF EX-OIL WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES EARLY THE MORNING OF APRIL 22 AT THE CAMPO MEDICO RESIDENTIAL AREA IN FALCON STATE. UP TO 80 NATIONAL GUARD (GN) TROOPS IN FULL RIOT GEAR SURROUNDED THE HOME OF ANDRES AND MARISOL PACHECO AND FORCED THE FAMILY TO VACATE [...]	2004-04-30 21:34:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV VE
04CARACAS1479	VENEZUELA MACROECONOMIC UPDATE [...] (U) Venezuela's most recently published economic indicators illustrate the negative effects of deep recession, exchange and price controls, and chronic fiscal deficits. Strong international reserves position and high average oil prices have contributed to reduce the country risk and facilitate [...]	2004-05-03 16:26:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ECON EFIN PGOV VE
04CARACAS1505	VENEZUELAN READINESS FOR ISPS IMPLEMENTATION [...] REFTELS REQUEST THAT POST INFORM THE GOV REGARDING USG ENFORCEMENT OF THE NEW INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION INTERNATIONAL SHIP AND PORT FACILITY SECURITY CODE (ISPS). 2. ON APRIL 29, THIS INFORMATION WAS FORMALLY CONVEYED TO THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DIRECTORATE GENERAL O [...]	2004-05-05 15:42:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	EWWT ENRG ETRD ECON PHSA PREL VE
04CARACAS1507	VENEZUELA: POTENTIAL FRAUD IN THE APPEALS PROCESS [...] (C) Although the opposition has agreed to participate in the National Electoral Council's (CNE) signature appeals process ("reparos") on May 27-31, which if successful will prompt a recall vote against President Hugo Chavez, most in the opposition do not expect a fair and transparent process. [...]	2004-05-05 18:00:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS1508	SUPREME COURT LAW PASSED [...] (C) The National Assembly completed the second reading of the Organic Law of the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) April 30. The bill, which now goes to committee before further consideration by the plenary, would: -- raise the number of Supreme Court judges from 20 to 32; -- allow the judges [...]	2004-05-05 18:04:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS1510	PRO-CHAVEZ GROUP PLANS LEGAL ACTION AGAINST [...] (C) The pro-Chavez human rights group ASOVIC delivered a letter to the Director General of the Office of the Foreign Minister Demir Porras declaring its intention to begin legal action against the Ambassador for alleged involvement in the April 11, 2002 events. The group cites alleged traini [...]	2004-05-05 18:54:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PHUM VE
04CARACAS1534	SECOND SOLDIER DIES OF BURNS FROM FORT FIRE [...] (C) The Attorney General's Office announced May 5 that a civilian court will take over the case of an army fort fire in Zulia State that resulted in six injuries and two deaths. On May 4, Angel Pedreanez became the second soldier to die after being severely burned in a Fort Mara confinement cel [...]	2004-05-10 23:13:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV VE
04CARACAS1539	VENEZUELA: TWO POLLS CONFIRM POLARIZATION [...] (U) President Chavez would lose a recall referendum, though his support remains strong amidst increasing polarization, according to two polls conducted in March. One poll suggests Chavez would be revoked 59-41 percent, while the other suggests he would be revoked 53-40 percent. Both polls sh [...]	2004-05-11 13:55:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS1540	THE ABCS OF THE VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT'S POLITICAL [...] (U) The Venezuelan government (GOV) has crafted a targeted and generously funded political propaganda strategy to convince Venezuelans and the international community that Chavez's Bolivarian Revolution is the true democratic road to prosperity and to divide, discredit, and demoralize opposi [...]	2004-05-11 14:28:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	KPAO PGOV PREL PINR VE
04CARACAS1542	VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION TESTS APPEALS MECHANISM [...] (U) The Coordinadora Democratica conducted on May 8 a nationwide simulation of the May 27-31 appeals process ("reparos") for the presidential referendum signatures. Press reports estimate that about 950,000 people attended the one-day event, which was carried out peacefully. Signers were invi [...]	2004-05-11 17:33:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS1543	CHAVEZ: COUP ATTEMPT AVERTED WITH ARREST OF [...] (C) Venezuelan authorities detained between 50 and 90 alleged Colombian irregulars in the dawn hours of May 9 in the southern outskirts of Caracas. Calling the men "paramilitaries" in his "Alo, Presidente" program, President Chavez claimed the opposition was training them for another coup att [...]	2004-05-11 18:37:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM PINS VE
04CARACAS1548	FOREIGN EXCHANGE AGENCY: DESPITE CORRUPTION AND A [...] (SBU) Amid considerable press attention on reports of corruption at CADIVI (the Commission for Administration of Foreign Exchange) which has led to the dismissal of 50 employees, a pamphlet bomb exploded at their main office in the early morning hours of April 29. CADIVI's President is more c [...]	2004-05-11 21:02:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN PGOV VE
04CARACAS1549	STEEL STRIKE RAISES ISSUES OF POWER AND [...] (SBU) A strike at the partially privatized SIDOR steel complex in Puerto Ordaz (Bolivar state) by a pro-government union has gone on for two weeks. Company sources express fear that the strike, allegedly over failure to share profits with workers, may be a prelude to an effort to undo the [...]	2004-05-11 21:14:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ELAB ECON PGOV VE
04CARACAS1550	VENEZUELA'S FUEL DEAL WITH ARGENTINA [...] (SBU) Venezuela and Argentina are moving forward with a USD 200 million deal under which state oil corporation PDVSA sells fuel oil and diesel fuel to Argentine firms to ease its energy crisis, and Argentine companies sell a range of food products and manufactures to the GOV. In addition to [...]	2004-05-12 11:15:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ENRG ECON PREL VE AR
04CARACAS1551	LIEUTENANTS DETAINED IN SOLDIER'S DEATH [...] (U) FOUR MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY WERE DETAINED APRIL 28 IN CONNECTION WITH THE MARCH 5 DEATH OF THE SOLDIER ROBERT AGUILAR AT SOCUAVO MILITARY BASE IN ZULIA STATE. AGUILAR'S FAMILY CLAIMS HE DROWNED AFTER SUPERIOR OFFICERS PUT HIM IN A TANK OF SEWAGE AS PUNISHMENT. DEFENSE MINISTER GEN. JORG [...]	2004-05-12 15:03:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV VE
04CARACAS1552	VENEZUELA'S POWER SECTOR: HEADING FOR ANOTHER [...] (C) After dodging the drought bullet in 2003, Venezuela's power sector is once again (still?) in a fragile state. This time, however, other weaknesses in the electric power system caused by lack of investment, government inattention, and political meddling are taking center stage. The problem [...]	2004-05-12 15:03:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ENRG VE
04CARACAS1553	LIEUTENANTS DETAINED IN SOLDIER'S DEATH [...] (U) FOUR MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY WERE DETAINED APRIL 28 IN CONNECTION WITH THE MARCH 5 DEATH OF THE SOLDIER ROBERT AGUILAR AT SOCUAVO MILITARY BASE IN ZULIA STATE. AGUILAR'S FAMILY CLAIMS HE DROWNED AFTER SUPERIOR OFFICERS PUT HIM IN A TANK OF SEWAGE AS PUNISHMENT. DEFENSE MINISTER GEN. JORG [...]	2004-05-12 15:03:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV VE
04CARACAS1554	MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE [...] (U) THE GOV UNILATERALLY DECREED A 30 INCREASE IN THE MINIMUM WAGE, ATTEMPTING TO KEEP UP WITH INFLATION FOR THE LOWEST-EARNING WORKERS. HOWEVER, THOUGH OVERALL INFLATION IS RELATIVELY DOWN, FOOD PRICES ARE INCREASING FASTER THAN ANY OTHER CATEGORY, AND THIS NEW ACTION IS ONLY GOING TO EXACE [...]	2004-05-12 15:03:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ECON EFIN PGOV VE
04CARACAS1561	VENEZUELAN VP RANGEL ON BILATERAL RELATIONS [...] (C) The Ambassador met May 12 with VP Rangel and the FonMin Perez to complain about GOV hostility towards the US, including recent statements, the search of the Embassy warehouse, and the removal of the MILGP from Ven bases. He reiterated our total rejection of extraconstitutional actions ag [...]	2004-05-12 21:50:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PHUM PTER MASS VE
04CARACAS162	GOV FLOATS USD 1 BILLION BOND ISSUE [...] (C) Venezuela issued its fifth tranche of bonds in the past six months on January 7. The new bonds raised USD 1 billion for the GOV and were in heavy demand due to their high offered yield. With a high rate of financing needed for the FY 2004 budget deficit and debt service, more bond operat [...]	2004-01-16 13:47:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	ECON PGOV VE FIN
04CARACAS163	EXXONMOBIL PETROCHEMICAL PROJECT LOOKS LIKELY [...] (U) The following message is Sensitive but Unclassified because it contains corporate information. Please handle accordingly. ------- SUMMARY ------- 2. (SBU) The Ambassador met January 13 with Dan Sanders, President of the ExxonMobil Chemical Company, to discuss the status of a possi [...]	2004-01-16 16:43:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	EPET VE
04CARACAS1646	COLOMBIAN "PARAMILITARIES" IN VENEZUELA [...] (C) The Chavez administration is beside itself that the Venezuelan public in general, the international community, and the media are reacting very skeptically to the allegations of a Colombian "paramilitary" threat to his government. On May 9, Chavez went on a national TV and radio hookup to [...]	2004-05-13 15:54:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL VE
04CARACAS1656	CNE SHOWDOWN WITH OAS AND CARTER CENTER [...] (C) National Electoral Council (CNE) President Francisco Carrasquero issued an ultimatum to the OAS and The Carter Center (TCC) to either retract their statement of May 12 or the CNE would reconsider the OAS/TCC observation mission of the recall referendum against President Hugo Chavez. The Ma [...]	2004-05-13 22:09:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS1658	GOV NABS BARUTA MUNICIPALITY MAYOR HENRIQUE [...] (U) BARUTA MUNICIPALITY MAYOR HENRIQUE CAPRILES RADONSKY (PRIMERO JUSTICIA) PRESENTED HIMSELF BEFORE A CARACAS COURT MAY 11 TO FACE CHARGES REGARDING HIS ALLEGED INVOLVEMENT IN A VIOLENT PROTEST OUTSIDE THE CUBAN EMBASSY ON APRIL 12, 2002 (REF). DURING THE HEARING, PROSECUTOR DANILO ANDERSON [...]	2004-05-14 12:12:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV VE
04CARACAS1692	UPDATE: ALLEGED COLOMBIAN PARAMILITARY COUP PLOT [...] (U) Colombian Foreign Minister Carolina Barco, after meeting with President Chavez May 14, told reporters that her government is cooperating fully with Venezuelan authorities in the investigation of alleged Colombian paramilitaries detained in the southern outskirts of Caracas May 9 (ref). Bar [...]	2004-05-17 18:56:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM PREL PINS VE
04CARACAS1723	CHAVEZ CALLS FOR CITIZEN SOLDIERS [...] (C) President Hugo Chavez addressed a pro-GOV mass march on May 16 against the alleged Colombian paramilitaries detained near Caracas May 9. Outlining a new strategy for the "integral, popular defense" of the country, Chavez pledged to increase the size and budget of the armed forces, root ou [...]	2004-05-18 20:39:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV MARR PINS KDEM VE
04CARACAS1724	SCENARIOS FOR VENEZUELA'S SIGNATURE APPEALS [...] (C) The May 27-31 signature appeals process ("reparos") is a critical juncture in the opposition's attempt to remove President Hugo Chavez via a recall referendum. The National Electoral Council's rigid appeals system will likely result in a slim margin of victory or defeat, which could increa [...]	2004-05-18 21:18:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS1727	HUGO CHAVEZ' MAY 9 ALO PRESIDENTE SPEECH [...] The following is a summary of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez' May 9 Alo Presidente program. Chavez' marathon speeches, of three to five hours, increasingly contain accusations of U.S. interference in domestic affairs and conspiracy to overthrow his government. This 191st Alo Presidente wa [...]	2004-05-19 11:42:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PREL KPAO OPRC KIRC VE
04CARACAS1728	HUGO CHAVEZ' MAY 16 SPEECH [...] The following is a summary of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez' May 9 speech during the Venezuelan government's (GOV) "Rally for Peace and against Paramilitaries, and in Defense of Sovereignty and the Dignity of the Nation" in Caracas, which substituted for Chavez' usual Sunday Alo Presidente [...]	2004-05-19 11:42:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PREL KPAO OPRC KIRC VE
04CARACAS173	OPPOSITION FRAYS OVER ELECTORAL QUESTIONS [...] (C) The National Electoral Council (CNE) officially began the verification process for the three signature drives to recall President Hugo Chavez and numerous National Assembly deputies January 13. The CNE's announcement that gubernatorial and mayoral elections will take place as scheduled in [...]	2004-01-16 17:47:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM PREL VE
04CARACAS1730	VENEZUELA: SIGNATURE APPEALS UPDATE [...] (C) Opponents of President Hugo Chavez and the National Electoral Council (CNE) continue to prepare for the signature appeals process ("reparos") scheduled for May 27-31. Relations between the international observers (OAS and the Carter Center) and the CNE improved slightly, but sensitivities [...]	2004-05-19 18:04:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM VE OAS
04CARACAS1740	VENEZUELA'S DETENTIONS RECORD: POLITICALLY [...] (C) More than 400 persons detained during the February 27-March 5 political disturbances have been released, but many still face pending charges. Since December 2002, the detention, or threatened detention, of individuals aligned with the opposition has increased. Some of the persons detaine [...]	2004-05-20 19:44:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV VE
04CARACAS1748	VENEZUELA: CNE VERSUS OAS-CARTER CENTER OBSERVERS [...] (C) CONTRARY TO HIS COMMENTS TO THE PRESS MAY 20, OAS CHIEF OF STAFF FERNANDO JARAMILLO TOLD ME AND OTHER AMBASSADORS FROM THE GROUP OF FRIENDS THAT HIS AND FRANCISCO DIEZ,S MEETING WITH CNE DIRECTORS MAY 20 HAD BEEN TENSE AND DIFFICULT. CNE DIRECTOR JORGE RODRIGUEZ, HE SAID, ACCUSED THE OAS [...]	2004-05-21 16:42:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS1749	DEPUTIES SIGNATURE APPEALS PROCESS BEGINS [...] (C) The signature appeals process for the recall of 14 National Assembly deputies (13 from the opposition and one from the GOV coalition) takes place May 20-24, with appeals centers operating May 21-23. The CNE decided May 19 to drop two opposition and one pro-GOV deputy from the appeals proc [...]	2004-05-21 19:04:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS176	CHAVEZ HURLS INSULTS AND REACTS TO USG STATEMENTS [...] (C) Seeking to shift attention from the CNE and the recall referendum processes, President Hugo Chavez reacted to recent comments on Venezuela by USG officials, repeatedly calling National Security Advisor Rice "an illiterate." Chavez believes that the USG is meddling in Venezuelan internal af [...]	2004-01-16 21:06:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS1781	ANTI-SEMITIC TRACTS IN INTERIOR MINISTRY OFFICES [...] (U) VISITING AN OFFICE IN THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR AND JUSTICE (MIJ) ON APRIL 29, POLOFF FOUND A LARGE STACK OF PRO-CHAVEZ RELIGIOUS TRACTS IN THE WAITING AREA. THE COLOR-PRINTED LEAFLETS, CONTAINED APOCALYPTIC ANTI-SEMITIC AND ANTI-AMERICAN LANGUAGE AND THREATS. AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAPER, [...]	2004-05-26 17:37:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV SOCI VE
04CARACAS1799	VENEZUELA: PRESIDENTIAL SIGNATURE APPEALS UPDATE [...] (C) The signature appeals process for the recall referendum against President Hugo Chavez will begin May 27, with 2,659 centers opening to the public May 28-30. The pro-Chavez campaign committee Comando Ayacucho formally requested the National Electoral Council (CNE) remove OAS Chief Observer [...]	2004-05-26 21:54:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE OAS
04CARACAS1800	CORRECTED COPY: ANTI-SEMITIC TRACTS IN INTERIOR [...] (U) VISITING AN OFFICE IN THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR AND JUSTICE (MIJ) ON APRIL 29, POLOFF FOUND A LARGE STACK OF PRO-CHAVEZ RELIGIOUS TRACTS IN THE WAITING AREA. THE COLOR-PRINTED LEAFLETS, CONTAINED APOCALYPTIC ANTI-SEMITIC AND ANTI-AMERICAN LANGUAGE AND THREATS. AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAPER, [...]	2004-05-27 12:20:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV SOCI VE
04CARACAS1817	TSJ LAW TAKES EFFECT [...] (U) The Organic Law of the Supreme Court of Justice came into effect May 20 after the National Assembly (NA) passed it on May 18. The Internal Policy committee of the NA made several substantial changes in the law between its second reading and the final vote, which the opposition claims vio [...]	2004-05-27 19:39:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS1837	SIGNATURE APPEALS UPDATE: MAY 27 [...] (C) The signature appeals process formally began on May 27, with armed forces and National Electoral Council (CNE) workers mounting the 2,607 appeals centers throughout Venezuela (centers will be open to the public May 28-30). Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel on May 27 characterized an edito [...]	2004-05-28 21:18:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS1839	VENEZUELA: SIGNATURE APPEALS UPDATE: MAY 28 [...] (U) The appeals centers opened May 28 in an atmosphere of calm. Turnout appeared to be good (anecdotally, between 25 and 30 percent by the afternoon),especially in urban areas, with reports that very few of the participants sought to withdraw their signatures. There were reports across the [...]	2004-05-28 21:29:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS1860	SIGNATURE APPEALS UPDATE: MAY 29 [...] (U) The second day of the signature appeals in the presidential referendum process began slowly with low turnout, picking up by mid-morning. There were multiple reports of violence at appeals centers, including two assaults against journalists. National identity cards continued to be controv [...]	2004-06-01 17:15:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS1861	SIGNATURES APPEALS UPDATE: MAY 30 [...] (C) Venezuelans turned out in lesser numbers on the last day of presidential signature (May 30) appeals. Partial results indicate the opposition collected enough appeals to activate the referendum. There were violent confrontations between Chavez sympathizers and opposition groups near appea [...]	2004-06-01 17:17:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS1878	VENEZUELA: SIGNATURE APPEALS UPDATE, JUNE 1 [...] (C) The Coordinadora Democratica (CD) claimed on June 1 they had collected 131,000 more signature appeal than needed to activate the referendum against President Hugo Chavez. National Electoral Council (CNE) Vice President Ezequiel Zamora (pro-opposition) denounced on May 31 that the CNE had i [...]	2004-06-02 19:54:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE OAS
04CARACAS1879	MYSTERIOUS GASOLINE SHORTAGE AFFECTS EASTERN [...] (C) A gasoline shortage affected the eastern, primarily opposition, portion of the city of Caracas over the weekend of May 29-30. The shortage mysteriously coincided closely with the days of the appeal process for the presidential referendum. While Minister of Energy and Mines Rafael Ramirez [...]	2004-06-02 20:06:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS1880	STATUS OF CAPRILES AND SUMATE CASES [...] (U) Maria Corina Machado, of the electoral NGO Sumate told reporters June 1 that the hearing to charge her with treason and conspiracy had been rescheduled for the second time until June 10. Another Sumate leader, Alejandro Plaz, is scheduled to have his hearing June 2. On May 31, a Caracas c [...]	2004-06-02 20:19:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS1889	WHAT'S NEXT FOR CHAVEZ [...] (C) Pending announcement of the official results of the appeals for the presidential recall referendum signatures, there are rumors and indications that President Hugo Chavez may be willing to accept a National Electoral Council (CNE) decision that results in a recall referendum. If so, the [...]	2004-06-03 16:11:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS1904	GDP GROWTH OR REBOUND? DEPENDS ON WHO YOU ASK [...] (SBU) THE CENTRAL BANK (BCV) HAS REPORTED 1ST QUARTER GDP GROWTH OF 29.8% COMPARED TO THE SAME PERIOD OF 2003, WHEN IT FELL 27.8%. MINISTER OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT JORGE GIORDANI SAYS THAT THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF A PERIOD OF SUSTAINED GROWTH. HIS IS A LONE VOICE, AS INDEPENDENT ECONOMIS [...]	2004-06-04 17:46:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN PGOV VE
04CARACAS1908	CHAVEZ AGREES TO RECALL REFERENDUM [...] (C) The National Electoral Council (CNE) announced June 3 that its preliminary calculations indicated that the opposition had collected enough signatures to activate the recall referendum against President Hugo Chavez. In a national radio and television broadcast (cadena) from Miraflores Pala [...]	2004-06-04 20:36:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE

04CARACAS1910	RETIRED GENERAL ARRESTED FOR DEFAMING MILITARY [...] (U) ON MAY 22 THE NATIONAL GUARD AND DIRECTORATE FOR MILITARY INTELLIGENCE ARRESTED FORMER FINANCE MINISTER, BRIGADIER GENERAL FRANCISCO USON RAMIREZ_ FOR "DEFAMING" THE MILITARY. GENERAL USON HAS BEEN AN OPEN SUPPORTER OF THE POLITICAL OPPOSITION TO PRESIDENT CHAVEZ AND RECENTLY CRITICIZED [...]	2004-06-04 21:29:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS1940	AMBASSADOR'S TRIP TO MARACAIBO [...] (C) On June 5, the Ambassador traveled to Maracaibo, Zulia State, where Esteban Pineda, editor of the Maracaibo daily Panorama, told him that the pro-Chavez gubernatorial candidate suffers from incredibly low support ratings and has few prospects in Zulia's upcoming elections. At a lunch hos [...]	2004-06-08 21:58:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS1942	VENEZUELA REFERENDUM: RECALL OR RATIFICATION [...] (C) Before a multitude of supporters June 6, President Hugo Chavez morphed the recall referendum sought by his opponents into a referendum to ratify his mandate. He called on his supporters to help him once again defeat the enemies of the Bolivarian revolution who would deprive them of the s [...]	2004-06-09 12:47:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS1943	PDVSA MONEY GOES STRAIGHT TO GOV SPENDING [...] (C) SUMMARY: Central Bank (BCV reserves) peaked on May 14, and have since been dropping sharply. The chairman of the National Assembly Finance Committee and the President of state-owned oil company PDVSA have publicly confirmed that the reason for the decline is that PDVSA has ceased turning [...]	2004-06-09 12:50:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN EPET PGOV VE
04CARACAS1950	CNE SETS AUGUST 15 FOR CHAVEZ RECALL [...] (U) FRANCISCO CARRASQUERO, PRESIDENT OF VENEZUELA'S NATIONAL ELECTORAL COUNCIL, OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED JUNE 8 THAT OPPONENTS OF PRESIDENT CHAVEZ HAD OBTAINED SUFFICIENT SIGNATURES TO PETITION FOR A REFERENDUM TO RECALL THE PRESIDENT. ACCORDING TO THE CNE TALLIES, THE OPPOSITION OBTAINED 2,541, [...]	2004-06-09 20:34:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS1957	JOURNALIST PATRICIA POLEO QUESTIONED BY MILITARY [...] (U) A MILITARY JUDGE REFUSED THE PROSECUTOR'S REQUEST JUNE 8 TO JAIL JOURNALIST PATRICIA POLEO. A MILITARY PROSECUTOR CHARGED POLEO MARCH 22 WITH FOMENTING REBELLION AND DEFAMATION OF THE ARMED FORCES BASED ON A VIDEO POLEO MADE PUBLIC SHOWING CUBANS IN A NATIONAL GUARD BARRACKS. MILITARY PRO [...]	2004-06-10 20:20:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS198	DENGUE AND THE POLITICS OF HEALTH CARE IN VENEZUELA [...] (SBU) A significant increase in the number of dengue cases in Caracas in December sparked concern about an epidemic among city residents (including the Embassy community). The upsurge in dengue, following shortly after an October 2003 outbreak of yellow fever, triggered questions about the G [...]	2004-01-20 21:50:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	SOCI ECON PGOV VE
04CARACAS1993	AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH SUMATE LEADERS [...] (C) SUMATE leaders Maria Corina Machado and Alejandro Plaz were charged on June 10 and 11 respectively with conspiracy to "destroy the republican form of government" for accepting funds from the National Endowment for Democracy, but have not been detained. Plaz and Machado told the Ambassador [...]	2004-06-16 15:57:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS1994	UPDATE ON CONDITION OF POLITICAL PRISONERS [...] (U) VENEZUELA'S SUPREME COURT (TSJ) COURT RULED JUNE 10 THAT THE NINE PERSONS DETAINED IN TACHIRA FOR THE PAST YEAR ON CHARGES OF REBELLION SHOULD NOT BE FREED FROM PRISON PENDING TRIAL, AND ORDERED THE TRIAL JUDGE TO BEGIN THE TRIAL WITHIN EIGHT DAYS. DISIP (POLITICAL POLICE) AGENTS TRANSPOR [...]	2004-06-16 15:58:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV VE
04CARACAS1995	CHOOSING THE OPPOSITION'S UNIFIED CANDIDATE [...] (C) The opposition is focusing all efforts toward a united front for the August 15 recall referendum. Opposition leaders told the Ambassador in early June that they will wait to announce a candidate until after the referendum because the referendum is a Chavez/anti-Chavez vote. The opposition [...]	2004-06-16 16:03:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS1998	AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH VICE PRESIDENT RANGEL [...] (C) On June 16, the Ambassador met with GOV Executive Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel. Rangel stated that Chavez and his supporters would accept the results of any referendum and would act as a democratic opposition if they lost. He said that the integrity of Venezuela's electoral insti [...]	2004-06-16 21:33:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV VE
04CARACAS2003	NO PROGRESS ON POVERTY UNDER CHAVEZ - UNDP [...] (SBU) The Chavez government appears to have made little progress on its alleged "flagship" issue - that of alleviating poverty, according to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) office in Caracas. There is no mechanism in place to track the results of its various ad hoc social welf [...]	2004-06-17 11:30:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON PGOV SOCI VE
04CARACAS2009	PARAMILITARIES UPDATE [...] The May 9 discovery of alleged Colombian paramilitaries, replaced in national headlines by the appeals process and the announcement of the recall referendum, remains a salient issue. The National Assembly has convened special investigative commission, which has already interviewed the Minist [...]	2004-06-17 16:47:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS2027	NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIERS HELD IN PRISON KILLINGS [...] (U) The Bolivar state appeals court June 7 ordered four National Guardsmen be detained pending trial for murder. The four are suspected of executing seven prisoners and wounding 200 in the Vista Hermosa prison November 10, 2003. A lower court had set the four free March 9, 2004. The case is be [...]	2004-06-18 20:15:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV VE
04CARACAS2033	THE NEXT ROUND OF ARRESTS? [...] No summary [...]	2004-06-18 20:37:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV VE
04CARACAS2036	REFERENDUM DEVELOPMENTS: QUESTIONS UPON QUESTIONS [...] (C) A Supreme Court (TSJ) decision on June 8 determined that a recalled Chavez may run for president in 2006, but left unclear whether he may participate in presidential election 30 days after the recall vote. The National Electoral Council (CNE) on June 15 approved the question for the recal [...]	2004-06-18 21:01:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS2037	OPPOSITION DEVELOPING A "GOVERNANCE PACT" [...] (C) A "brain trust" of informal consultants is working with the Coordinadora Democratica (CD) to develop a post-Chavez governance plan to help convince Venezuelans to vote against President Hugo Chavez in the August 15 recall referendum. Fernando Martinez Mottola, a consultant for the CD, sa [...]	2004-06-18 21:08:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS2038	PDVSA: AND YET MORE RESHUFFLING? [...] (C) RUMORS OF UPCOMING SENIOR LEVEL DEPARTURES/REASSIGNMENTS WITHIN VENEZUELA'S ENERGY SECTOR ARE ONCE AGAIN REACHING FEVER PITCH IN CARACAS WITH PETROLEOS DE VENEZUELA (PDVSA) PRESIDENT ALI RODRIGUEZ, CITGO PRESIDENT LUIS MARIN, AND VICE MINISTER FOR HYDROCARBONS LUIS VIERMA THE MOST POPULAR [...]	2004-06-18 21:14:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET VE
04CARACAS2045	PDVSA: AND YET MORE RESHUFFLING? [...] (C) RUMORS OF UPCOMING SENIOR LEVEL DEPARTURES/REASSIGNMENTS WITHIN VENEZUELA'S ENERGY SECTOR ARE ONCE AGAIN REACHING FEVER PITCH IN CARACAS WITH PETROLEOS DE VENEZUELA (PDVSA) PRESIDENT ALI RODRIGUEZ, CITGO PRESIDENT LUIS MARIN, AND VICE MINISTER FOR HYDROCARBONS LUIS VIERMA THE MOST POPULAR [...]	2004-06-21 19:50:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET VE
04CARACAS2059	TIP REPORT: GOV REACTS INDIGNANTLY [...] (U) NUMEROUS GOV OFFICIALS RESPONDED WITH INDIGNATION AND CONDEMNATION TOWARD THE STATE DEPARTMENT'S 2004 TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (TIP) REPORT, WHICH LISTED VENEZUELA AS A TIER 3 COUNTRY. THE FOREIGN MINISTRY ACCUSED THE U.S. OF SERIOUS TRAFFICKING AND HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS OF ITS OWN. GOV A [...]	2004-06-22 20:24:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS2060	REVOLUTION FIRST AT GOV DEPOSIT GUARANTEE FUND [...] (U) FOGADE (Banking Protection Guarantee Fund, FDIC-equivalent) President Jesus Caldera Infante proposed raising the assessment (paid by banks) on all bank account deposits from 0.5% to 2.0%. Industry experts say that this will force up interest rates, though Caldera disagrees. With the extr [...]	2004-06-22 20:29:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN PGOV VE
04CARACAS2063	FELIPE MUJICA ON HOW TO BEAT CHAVEZ [...] (C) On June 17, Political officers met with Felipe Mujica, President of Movimiento a Socialismo (MAS) and one of the leading Coordinadora Democratica (CD) negotiators with the National Electoral Council (CNE). Mujica outlined what he thought should be the CD's campaign strategy for the presid [...]	2004-06-22 21:09:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV VE
04CARACAS2064	GOV REACTS HARSHLY TO HRW REPORT ON JUSTICE SYSTEM [...] (C) Jose Miguel Vivanco, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch, released a report in Caracas June 17 strongly criticizing Venezuela's new Supreme Court law, and calling for implementation of the OAS Democratic Charter if the Venezuelan authorities did not act to preserve the balance of pow [...]	2004-06-22 21:42:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PREL PGOV VE
04CARACAS2078	CHAVISTA LEGISLATORS FIRE OPPOSITION SUPREME COURT [...] (U) The National Assembly (NA) removed Supreme Court (TSJ) Vice President Franklin Arriechi Gutierrez June 16. The Chavista-controlled NA used the power given them by the new TSJ law to remove judges with a simple majority vote in some SIPDIS situations. Arriechi, known to oppose Chavez, wil [...]	2004-06-23 21:32:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS2081	CHAVEZ V. CHAVEZ: WHAT'S HIS PLAN? [...] (C) President Hugo Chavez is in full campaign mode for the August 15 referendum on whether he should finish his term. Smarting from the moral defeat of having to accept the referendum, Chavez has recast the referendum as an inevitable victory for his revolution. His strategy rests on mobilizin [...]	2004-06-25 15:05:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS2087	NEW REFERENDUM POLLING FIGURES [...] (C) GREENBERG, ROSNER AND QUINLAN (GRQ) SHOWED THE OPPOSITION THE PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF ITS LATEST POLL REGARDING THE AUGUST 15 REFERENDUM. THE FIGURES SHOW THAT VOTERS ARE SPLIT 48-TO-48 ON WHETHER TO RECALL PRESIDENT HUGO CHAVEZ. GRQ REP MARK FEIERSTIEN CONTENDED THAT WITH THE ECONOMY D [...]	2004-06-25 19:51:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS2088	THE CHAVEZ, CARTER, CISNEROS RUMOR MILL [...] (C) On June 18, President Hugo Chavez, former President Jimmy Carter and media magnate Gustavo Cisneros met behind closed doors for two hours at Fuerte Tiuna in Caracas. While Chavez, Cisneros and the Carter Center have all stated the meeting was simply a first step toward improved dialogue, [...]	2004-06-25 20:53:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS2089	REVOLUTIONARY SOAP OPERA BUBBLES OVER FOR GOV [...] (C) "Amores de Barrio Adentro (Love Inside the Neighborhood)," a state-sponsored soap opera, premiered on national television on June 22 after a two-hour national premiere party. "Amores" is filled with pro-Chavez rhetoric, GoV propaganda, and attacks on the opposition, while providing the cl [...]	2004-06-25 22:02:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS2108	VENEZUELA'S AUTOMATED VOTING SYSTEM: UNDER FIRE [...] (C) Venezuela's new automated voting system will make its premiere in the August 15 recall referendum against President Hugo Chavez. The consortium behind the untested system, led by the U.S. company Smartmatic, has yet to finalize its contracts with the National Electoral Council (CNE). The [...]	2004-06-28 21:49:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS2118	PDVSA - OIL COMPANY OR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY? [...] (C) Through budgetary and non-budgetary spending, Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) is now the primary agent for implementation of Chavez Administration social programs. Over $1.7 billion has been designated to social development programs in PDVSA's 2004 budget while up to an additional $2 billi [...]	2004-06-29 20:16:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET EFIN PGOV VE ECON
04CARACAS2123	OPPOSITION FINALLY LAUNCHES PRESIDENTIAL RECALL [...] (C) After three weeks of wrangling, the Coordinadora Democratica (CD) on June 25 launched its presidential recall campaign committee and swore in members of its 'yes commands.' Enrique Mendoza, Governor of Miranda and likely presidential candidate in a possible follow-on election, said in a [...]	2004-06-29 21:20:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS2130	MAYOR CAPRILES FORMALLY CHARGED IN CUBAN EMBASSY [...] (C) ON JUNE 25, PRO-GOV PROSECUTOR DANILO ANDERSON FILED FORMAL CHARGES AGAINST FORMER MAYOR OF BARUTA MUNICIPALITY HENRIQUE RODONSKI CAPRILES FOR HIS ALLEGED ROLE IN THE APRIL 12, 2002 SIEGE OF THE CUBAN EMBASSY IN CARACAS. CAPRILES CONTINUES TO BE DETAINED WITHOUT BAIL. THIS CASE IS AN E [...]	2004-06-30 11:50:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS2145	MORE POLLING DATA ON RECALL REFERENDUM [...] (C) ON JUNE 23, GREENBERG, QUINLAN, ROSNER RESEARCH INC. (GQR) RELEASED THE RESULTS OF ITS NATIONAL PUBLIC OPINION STUDY (REF). COLLECTED AFTER THE REPAROS PROCESS, THE FIGURES SHOW THAT NATIONAL OPINION IS SPLIT 48-TO-48 ON WHETHER TO RECALL PRESIDENT CHAVEZ. NATIONAL OPINION WAS FAVORABL [...]	2004-07-01 21:52:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS2146	ARRIECHI ACCUSES TSJ JUDGES OF CORRUPTION [...] (C) SUPREME COURT (TSJ) JUDGE FRANKLIN ARRIECHI SPOKE WITH PAO AND POLOFF JUNE 23, AFTER BEING REMOVED FROM THE TSJ (SEE REFTEL.) ARRIECHI REJECTED THE VALIDITY OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY (NA) VOTE TO REMOVE HIM. HE STATED HIS INTENTION TO IGNORE THE RULING, AND CONTINUE TO REPORT TO WORK IN ORD [...]	2004-07-01 21:52:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV VE
04CARACAS2147	TITLE III LIBERTAD ACT WAIVER: VENEZUELA [...] (C) VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT HUGO CHAVEZ IS PERHAPS THE CLOSEST INTERNATIONAL ALLY OF FIDEL CASTRO. THE TWO NATIONS' TRADE RELATIONSHIP IS BASED ON VENEZUELA'S CONCESSIONARY PETROLEUM EXPORTS TO CUBA. THE GOV HAS NOT TAKEN ANY STEPS OF WHICH POST IS AWARE IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS TO ADVANCE DEMOCR [...]	2004-07-01 21:56:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV ETTC KDEM VE
04CARACAS2153	CHAVEZ PADS VOTES WITH NATURALIZATION AND IDENTITY [...] (C) THE GOV'S "MISION IDENTIDAD" (MISSION IDENTITY) IS PROVIDING CEDULAS (IDENTITY CARDS) TO MASSIVE NUMBERS OF UNDOCUMENTED VENEZUELANS AND FOREIGNERS. THE GOV IS WORKING BUSILY VIA THE MISSION TO ISSUE IDENTITY CARDS TO POTENTIAL VOTERS BEFORE THE JULY 10 ELECTORAL REGISTRY DEADLINE FOR THE [...]	2004-07-02 17:21:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE CONS
04CARACAS2158	OPPOSITION RANK-AND-FILE ATTACK CHAVISTAS [...] (C) A GROUP OF OPPOSITION SUPPORTERS ATTACKED A PRO-CHAVEZ COMANDO MAISANTA CAMPAIGN TEAM IN THE WEALTHY ALTO PRADO AREA OF CARACAS ON JUNE 27. A STATE TELEVISION REPORTER WAS THROWN TO THE GROUND, AND A CHAVEZ CAMPAIGN WORKER WAS HIT IN THE HEAD AND LEFT BLEEDING. THE INCIDENT IS BEING USED [...]	2004-07-06 11:53:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS2172	BOLIVAR: POLITICS AND ECONOMICS IN THE LAND OF [...] SUMMARY: (SBU) THE STATE OF BOLIVAR, BY FAR THE LARGEST IN VENEZUELA IN AREA, IS A REGION WITH ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE MUCH HIGHER THAN ITS RELATIVELY LOW POPULATION WOULD INDICATE. (BOLIVAR PRODUCES 100% OF VENEZUELAN ALUMINUM AND GOLD, 90% OF ITS STEEL, AND ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF ITS ELECTRICITY.) [...]	2004-07-07 14:59:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON PGOV VE
04CARACAS2183	CONCERNS ABOUT PRESIDENTIAL RECALL TIMELINE [...] (C) AS VENEZUELA APPROACHES THE AUGUST 15 PRESIDENTIAL RECALL VOTE, UNCERTAINTY REMAINS OVER POSSIBLE DELAYS IN THE RECALL PROCESS AND EXACTLY WHICH EVENT--THE RECALL VOTE OR THE RELEASE OF THE OFFICIAL RESULTS--MUST OCCUR BEFORE AUGUST 19 TO PREVENT TRIGGERING ARTICLE 233 OF THE CONSTITUTION. [...]	2004-07-07 19:46:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV VE
04CARACAS2197	MAVERICK DEPUTY MAKES CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS [...] (C) NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DEPUTY ROGER RONDON (PODEMOS) ATTACKED THE RULING FIFTH REPUBLIC MOVEMENT (MVR) AND HAD HIS HANDS SLAPPED AS A CONSEQUENCE AFTER A WEEK-LONG MID-JUNE CAMPAIGN TO BRING A VOTE OF CENSURE AGAINST MINISTER OF ENERGY AND MINES RAFAEL RAMIREZ_. RONDON FAILED TO BRING THE VOTE [...]	2004-07-09 14:54:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV ENRG VE
04CARACAS2199	PRESIDENT OF TSJ ELECTORAL CHAMBER RETIRES [...] (U) THE PRESIDENT OF THE ELECTORAL CHAMBER OF THE SUPREME COURT (TSJ) ALBERTO MARTINI RETIRED FROM THE TSJ ON JULY 7, ALONG WITH JUSTICES RAFAEL HERNANDEZ AND RAFAEL PEREZ PERDOMO. MARTINI AND HERNANDEZ, BOTH MEMBERS OF THE ELECTORAL CHAMBER, WILL BE REPLACED BY PRO-CHAVEZ ALTERNATES. THE TSJ [...]	2004-07-09 15:11:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KJUS VE
04CARACAS2200	CHAVEZ'S FORMER PARTNER DISCUSSES THE DEVELOPMENT [...] (C) HERMA MARKSMAN, CHAVEZ'S FORMER COMMON-LAW WIFE FROM 1984-1993, SPOKE TO POLOFFS ON JULY 1 ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHAVEZ'S POLITICAL IDEOLOGY. SHE CLAIMS THAT CHAVEZ WAS INFLUENCED BY 1960'S GUERRILLAS. MARKSMAN DISAGREED WITH THE OPPOSITION'S PORTRAYAL OF CHAVEZ AS AN IDIOT AND WARNED THAT H [...]	2004-07-09 15:14:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV VE
04CARACAS2201	GOV GAG RULE ON INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS [...] (C) VENEZUELA'S NATIONAL ELECTORAL COUNCIL (CNE) APPROVED ON JUNE 23 THE REGULATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS DURING THE AUGUST 15 PRESIDENTIAL RECALL REFERENDUM. THE RULES STIPULATE THAT OBSERVERS WILL HAVE FULL ACCESS TO VOTING SITES AND CNE OFFICES, BUT MAY NOT MAKE PRESS STATEMENTS OR [...]	2004-07-09 15:16:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS2202	TRIAL BEGINS IN TACHIRA 9 CASE [...] (U) JUDGE GERSON NINO OPENED THE TRIAL AGAINST NINE OPPOSITION LEADERS WHO HAVE BEEN IN PRISON FOR THE LAST YEAR IN TACHIRA STATE ON JULY 6. THE NINE ARE CHARGED WITH CIVIL REBELLION FOR THE EVENTS OF APRIL 11, 2002 IN SAN CRISTOBAL, TACHIRA. AT THE OPENING OF THE TRIAL, PROSECUTOR JAIRO ESC [...]	2004-07-09 15:19:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV VE
04CARACAS2203	"SI" RECALL CAMPAIGN MOBILIZES [...] (C) VENEZUELA'S COORDINADORA DEMOCRATICA IS GEARING UP ITS CAMPAIGN FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL RECALL REFERENDUM, ORGANIZING ITS GET-OUT-THE-VOTE PROGRAMS THROUGH POLITICAL PARTIES AND CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS. KEY OPPOSITION FIGURES HAVE EMBARKED ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL THROUGHOUT VENEZUELA, THOUGH STAYI [...]	2004-07-09 16:49:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS2207	CARTER CENTER BALKS AT OBSERVER RULES [...] (C) Carter Center (TCC) representative Edgardo Mimica told poloffs July 8 TCC will not accept an invitation from the National Electoral Council (CNE) to observe the August 15 presidential recall referendum without agreement to minimum conditions that guarantee the freedom and autonomy of the o [...]	2004-07-09 20:23:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS2224	UPDATE ON THE USAID/OTI VENEZUELA PROGRAM [...] (U) USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) began its Venezuela program in August 2002 to support a democratic solution to Venezuela's political crisis as part of an overall USG strategy. USAID's overall goal in Venezuela is to support a political process that is democratic, constitut [...]	2004-07-13 17:40:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PREL EAID KDEM PHUM VE
04CARACAS2239	DIVISIONS BETWEEN PROYECTO VENEZUELA AND CD [...] (C) The Coordinadora Democratica in Carabobo is divided over the actions of Proyecto Venezuela, according to local party leaders who talked to PolOffs on July 8 and 9. Leaders of several parties complained that Proyecto Venezuela was not participating enthusiastically in the recall referendum [...]	2004-07-14 20:50:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS2248	OPPOSITION LAUNCHES "NATIONAL CONSENSUS PLAN" [...] (C) On June 9, the Coordinadora Democratica (CD) launched "Plan Consenso Pais" (National Consensus Plan),a set of proposals that address the key social problems in Venezuela. The four major points of the plan are employment, security, health, and education. The plan serves as a guide for rec [...]	2004-07-15 18:22:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS2251	VENEZUELA'S ELECTORAL COUNCIL WOBBLING TOWARD THE [...] (C) The National Electoral Council (CNE) continued preparations for the August 15 recall referendum against President Hugo Chavez. Citing logistical difficulties, the CNE decided July 13 not to expand the number of voting centers, primarily in poor neighborhoods, as contemplated previously. [...]	2004-07-15 18:50:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM PHUM VE
04CARACAS2252	CHAVEZ AND THE EVANGELICALS [...] (C) The GOV is catering to evangelical Christians, who make up nine percent of Venezuela's population, to build the support base of President Hugo Chavez and to win the August recall referendum. Some Evangelicals have plugged into Chavez's coffers and his social message, at times reflecting a [...]	2004-07-15 18:51:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM PHUM KIRF VE
04CARACAS2254	SENIOR OFFICIAL PUTS POSITIVE SPIN ON NEW PROJECT [...] (C) Energy Vice Minister Luis Vierma told Emboffs July 12 that Venezuela is currently producing 3 million b/d of oil. He also provided a glowing overview of upcoming projects, both for Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) and the private sector. Most industry analysts, however, continue to put Vene [...]	2004-07-15 19:17:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ENRG EPET VE
04CARACAS2255	PETROAMERICA: CHAVEZ'S OIL DREAM FOR THE AMERICAS [...] (C) Energy Vice Minister Luis Vierma told Emboffs July 12 that discussions with Caribbean nations on the formation of a "PetroCaribe" joint venture are at a preliminary stage. According to Vierma, the GOV's plans for the Hemisphere envision a holding company "PetroAmerica" that would have thre [...]	2004-07-15 19:19:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ENRG EPET PREL VE
04CARACAS2266	BISHOPS URGE VOTER PARTICIPATION AND CLEAN ELECTION [...] (U) The Episcopal Conference of Venezuela (CEV),comprised of Venezuela's Catholic bishops, July 12 exhorted all actors participating in the August 15 presidential recall referendum to act ethically. The bishops also urged them to ensure that the process remains free of corruption and fraud so [...]	2004-07-16 17:25:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS2309	LACK OF FUNDING WORRIES VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION [...] (C) Coordinadora Democratica (CD) leaders worry they have insufficient funding and time before the recall referendum against President Hugo Chavez scheduled for August 15 to counter Chavez's campaign. CD advisor Jorge Casado told A/DCM July 18 that Chavez appears to be succeeding in projecti [...]	2004-07-21 11:49:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS2312	VOTING SIMULATION: YANKEES NO, RED SOX SI [...] (C) The National Electoral Council (CNE) successfully conducted a voting simulation on July 18 to prepare for the August 15 presidential recall referendum. SBC, the consortium operating the new voting system, reported a 99.2 percent success rate with the 5,200 machines distributed throughout [...]	2004-07-21 15:23:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM PHUM VE
04CARACAS2367	THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE: OPPOSITION PLANS [...] (C) If the August 15 presidential recall referendum passes, opposition leaders propose a primary election, to select a unified opposition candidate for the follow-on presidential election. Beyond the apparent front-runner, Miranda State governor Enrique Mendoza, other opposition leaders insid [...]	2004-07-26 20:40:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM PHUM VE
04CARACAS2387	COMANDO MAISANTA: A MID-CAMPAIGN UPDATE [...] (U) Since its formation, President Hugo Chavez's anti-recall referendum campaign committee, Comando Maisanta, has balanced its activities between concentrated lobbying and widespread propaganda dissemination. Comando Maisanta has pushed for redistributing voting centers and purifying the el [...]	2004-07-27 20:23:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS2389	CITIZENS ASSEMBLIES: CIVIL SOCIETY GETS ORGANIZED [...] (C) Venezuela's Asambleas de Ciudadanos (Citizen Assemblies),as outlined in Article 70 of the 1999 Constitution, are a means through which civil society can organize itself to address political concerns and attempt to establish government accountability. The opposition's answer to Presiden [...]	2004-07-28 13:31:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS2431	VENEZUELA'S RECALL REFERENDUM: OBSTRUCTIONS AND [...] (C) With little more than two weeks to go before the scheduled Presidential recall referendum, Venezuela's National Electoral Council (CNE) refused July 29 to consider requests to changes in voting locations which the opposition claims were done fraudulently. The more than one million chang [...]	2004-07-30 13:21:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE OAS
04CARACAS2432	OPPOSITION UNITES BEHIND GOVERNANCE ACCORD [...] (C) The Coordinadora Democratica is calling on Venezuelans to sign its National Accord for Social Justice and Democratic Peace August 1. Coordinadora leaders publicly signed the document, which establishes a broad framework for an opposition-led transition government, should President Chavez [...]	2004-07-30 13:23:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM PHUM VE
04CARACAS2441	VENEZUELAN TRIAL PROCEDURES AND POLITICAL JUSTICE [...] (U) Court cases against various opponents of President Hugo Chavez are at different stages in the judicial process. The case of Baruta Mayor Henrique Capriles, though he has been in custody for more than two months, is in its initial stages, while the case of National Guard Gen. Carlos Alfonzo [...]	2004-08-02 15:07:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV KJUS VE
04CARACAS2455	VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT AND NGOS UNLIKELY TO SUPPORT [...] (C) President Hugo Chavez's support for Fidel Castro and antagonism towards the United States is well documentd and makes GOV support for a democratic transition in Cuba unfeasible. The cooperation that exists between Castro and Chavez is extensive, as evidenced by the over 10,000 Cuban doctor [...]	2004-08-03 12:04:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PHUM CU VE
04CARACAS2466	VENEZUELAN REFERENDUM UPDATE-AUGUST 3, 2004 [...] (C) Supporters of President Hugo Chavez and the National Electoral Council (CNE) conducted separate voting simulations August 1, while the opposition Coordinadora Democratica rallied supporters to sign its Governance Accord and verify electoral registry entries. Each side of the referendum qu [...]	2004-08-03 18:40:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS2480	VENEZUELA: VIEWS FROM ANDEAN REGIONAL CAPITAL [...] (C) While the Coordinadora Democratica in Merida is divided about local politics and how to run the campaign for the August 15 Referendum, the leaders of several parties agree that President Chavez will be recalled. A barely visible &Si8 campaign for the recall contrasts starkly with overwhelm [...]	2004-08-04 13:20:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS2487	ECONOMY ON UPSWING AS REFERENDUM DRAWS NEAR [...] (SBU) In accordance with a decree issued by President Chavez in May, the minimum wage rose 10% on August 1, after having increased 20% on May 1. Meanwhile, the parallel dollar rate remains steady at lower levels than before, much more foreign currency is available than at any time since excha [...]	2004-08-04 18:26:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN PGOV VE
04CARACAS2509	VENEZUELA'S VP DISCUSSES REFERENDUM AND HR CASES, [...] (C) DCM (charge at the time) met July 30 with Venezuelan VP Rangel. Rangel was upbeat and dispassionate on broad range of issues: the referendum, which the GOV will win; international observers, whom he welcomed; campaign violence and intimidation, which he agreed that the GOV and opposition [...]	2004-08-05 17:51:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PHUM PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS251	CHANGES IN GOV FOREIGN MINISTRY [...] (C) FOREIGN MINISTER ROY CHADERTON CONFIRMED REPORTS ON JANUARY 20 THAT ADAN CHAVEZ, PRESIDENT CHAVEZ'S OLDER BROTHER, WILL BE THE NEW GOV AMBASSADOR TO CUBA. SOURCES AT THE MFA CONFIRM THAT CHADERTON WILL BE REPLACED BY JESUS ARNALDO PEREZ, CURRENT GOV AMBASSADOR TO FRANCE, AND RUMORED TO BE [...]	2004-01-26 13:42:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM PREL VE
04CARACAS2515	VENEZUELA'S VP DISCUSSES REFERENDUM AND HR CASES, [...] (C) DCM (charge at the time) met July 30 with Venezuelan VP Rangel. Rangel was upbeat and dispassionate on broad range of issues: the referendum, which the GOV will win; international observers, whom he welcomed; campaign violence and intimidation, which he agreed that the GOV and opposition [...]	2004-08-05 20:34:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PHUM PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS2516	CODEL BALLENGER: MEETING WITH OAS REPRESENTATIVE [...] (C) Representatives Cass Ballenger, Gregory Meeks, Bill Delahunt and Butch Otter, accompanied by the Ambassador, met with Organization of American States (OAS) representative Patricio Carbacho at the Ambassador's residence August 3. Carbacho said he believed the OAS observer mission could do i [...]	2004-08-05 20:53:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PHUM KDEM VE OAS
04CARACAS2518	BOSTON GROUP AT VENEZUELA'S NATIONAL ASSEMBLY [...] (U) The U.S.-Venezuela Interparliamentary Forum (informally known as the "Boston Group") met at the Venezuelan National Assembly August 4. At the meeting, which was open to the press, U.S. Representatives Cass Ballenger, Bill Delahunt and Gregory Meeks noted the Boston Group's role in stren [...]	2004-08-06 12:27:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PREL KDEM VE
04CARACAS2539	VENEZUELA MAYOR RELEASE AGAIN DENIED [...] (U) Caracas Control Judge Leon Villanueva rejected a defense motion to release jailed Baruta Mayor Henrique Capriles on August 4. Villanueva was assigned the case when an Appeals Court ruled the case be reassigned and defense motions considered again. Villanueva scheduled a hearing for August [...]	2004-08-09 11:48:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV KJUS VE
04CARACAS2540	VENEZUELAN REFERENDUM UPDATE: AUGUST 6 [...] (C) The National Electoral Council (CNE) unanimously agreed to go to a manual vote if the electronic voting machines fail August 15. The CNE also finalized plans to audit the electronic voting machines on August 8. Unidentified persons attacked a pro-Chavez campaign office in Maracaibo August [...]	2004-08-09 11:55:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS2541	LEGISLATORS REHASH RECALL AT BOSTON GROUP MEETING [...] (C) Both pro-GOV and pro-opposition National Assembly Deputies meeting with Codel Ballenger August 3 predicted victory in the August 15 referendum to unseat President Hugo Chavez. According to various deputies, participation of uncommitted voters, particularly in poor and rural areas, will ma [...]	2004-08-09 13:55:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM PREL KDEM VE
04CARACAS2543	REFERENDUM DAY GASOLINE SHORTAGES LIKELY IN [...] (C) ChevronTexaco (CTX) downstream managers confirm they believe the GOV will seek to cut off gasoline supplies in the eastern (opposition) part of Caracas before the August 15 referendum. Such an action could cost the opposition a (very) few votes, but would raise tensions immediately before [...]	2004-08-09 19:46:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV ENRG KDEM VE
04CARACAS2547	VENEZUELAN REFERENDUM UPDATE: AUGUST 9 [...] (U) National Electoral Council (CNE) director Jorge Rodriguez and Valter Pecly Moreira, head of the Organization of American States (OAS) observation mission in Venezuela, told reporters the audit of 150 electronic voting machines on August 8 was a success. Also on August 8, Chavez supporters [...]	2004-08-09 20:57:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS2563	VENEZUELAN REFERENDUM UPDATE: AUGUST 10 [...] (C) National Electoral Council (CNE) President Francisco Carrasquero August 9 warned the opposition and the media not to violate rules prohibiting the announcement of referendum results before the votes are officially counted August 15. Chavez supporters attacked opposition campaign workers in [...]	2004-08-10 21:07:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE OAS
04CARACAS2564	CHAVEZ CHARMING THE OIL SECTOR [...] (C) An August 6 ceremony to mark the opening of drilling by ChevronTexaco in the off-shore Deltana Platform natural gas project provided President Chavez with an opportunity to posture for the nation and to send a message to the United States. Chavez publicly tasked Ali Moshiri, ChevronTexaco [...]	2004-08-11 14:29:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ENRG PGOV VE
04CARACAS2570	EXXONMOBIL TO SIGN PROJECT DOCUMENT [...] (C) ExxonMobil de Venezuela President Mark Ward told the Ambassador August 9 that the company is likely to sign the Preliminary Development Agreement (PDA) for a multi-billion dollar petrochemical project with the GOV on August 12. Ward reported that the signing will take place in PDVSA Presid [...]	2004-08-11 15:00:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ENRG PGOV VE
04CARACAS2575	TERRORIST FINANCE LIST 53 [...] No summary [...]	2004-08-11 17:19:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EFIN KTFN PTER VE
04CARACAS2577	VENEZUELAN REFERENDUM UPDATE: AUGUST 11 [...] (C) The National Electoral Council (CNE) approved the Venezuelan NGO "Electoral Eye" as the only national observation group for the August 15 referendum. Beginning from six different points throughout Caracas and culminating on the highway, opposition supporters will begin a march to conclude [...]	2004-08-11 21:07:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM ELAB VE
04CARACAS2580	VENEZUELAN PRISONER NEWS [...] (U) Judge Carmen Amelia Chacin found Gen. Carlos Alfonzo Martinez guilty of violating security zones and sentenced him to five years probation August 9. The judge also prohibited Alfonzo Martinez from making statements to the media as one of the conditions of his probation. Judge Chacin found [...]	2004-08-12 13:32:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PHUM KJUS PGOV VE
04CARACAS2581	VENEZUELA: CARTER CENTER BRIEFS AMBASSADORS [...] (C) Carter Center delegation representatives, including former Argentine President Raul Alfonsin and former Costa Rican President Rodrigo Carazo, met with resident ambassadors August 10 to discuss the Carter Center's role as international observers of the referendum. They outlined observation [...]	2004-08-12 14:06:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS2582	MAKING SENSE OF VENEZUELA'S POLLS [...] (C) The August 4 release of a poll reportedly by the Venezuelan Institute of Data Analysis (IVAD in Spanish) showing a majority favoring the recall of President Hugo Chavez, prompted a fierce response from Minister of Communication and Information Jesse Chacon, who said he had seen other poll [...]	2004-08-12 14:27:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS2591	COVERING VENEZUELA'S RECALL REFERENDUM [...] (C) Embassy Caracas will field informal observers to cover the presidential recall referendum August 15 in and around the capital, Maracaibo and Puerto LaCruz as well as Carabobo and Aragua States. Lacking National Electoral Council credentials for access to voting centers, our observers wil [...]	2004-08-12 19:13:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS2592	ECONOMIC ASPECT OF OPPOSITION CONSENSUS PLAN [...] (SBU) The Plan Consenso Pais ("National Consensus Plan"),launched June 9 by the Coordinadora Democratica, has a very strong economic focus. However, while long on optimism, it is short on details. For example, while it emphasizes job creation, it provides no specific method to create jobs; i [...]	2004-08-12 20:28:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN PGOV VE
04CARACAS2594	CHEVRONTEXACO: SEIZING THE DAY [...] (C) ChevronTexaco is pushing to expand its business opportunities in Venezuela. The company received the formal license for Block 3 of the off-shore Deltana Platform project at an August 6 ceremony marking the opening of exploratory drilling in Block 2 (see reftel). At that time, ChevronTexa [...]	2004-08-12 20:44:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET VE
04CARACAS2595	SECRETARY POWELL'S STATEMENT ON THE VENEZUELAN [...] On August 12, the last day of campaigning for the presidential recall referendum, the printed and electronic press are full stories on the various aspects of the referendum. While "El Universal" led with the story on the Pope's remarks and prayers to Venezuela, it also picked up Secretary [...]	2004-08-12 20:44:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	KPAO PGOV OPRC KIRC VE
04CARACAS2596	RICE LETTER ON SUMATE GETS ATTENTION [...] On July 31, one of Caracas' most important opposition dailies, "El Nacional" carried an article entitled "Condoleezza Rice Criticizes the Political Persecution of Sumate Directors." That same week the Venezuela press has included coverage of a letter from members of the House Committee on I [...]	2004-08-12 20:45:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PGOV PHUM KDEM OPRC KIRC VE
04CARACAS2597	VENEZUELA REFERENDUM UPDATE, AUGUST 12 [...] (C) National Electoral Council (CNE) director Jorge Rodriguez made clear that the referendum campaign officially closes at midnight August 12, as was initially decided by the CNE, despite Chavez's Comando Maisanta's request to extend the deadline so its campaign closing event could be held Aug [...]	2004-08-12 20:45:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE OAS
04CARACAS2598	LOOKING TOWARD REFERENDUM DAY [...] (C) On August 15, Venezuelans will take a decisive step in finding a peaceful, democratic electoral solution to the country's political crisis. Nearly 15 months since the signing of the OAS agreement, Venezuelans will say whether President Hugo Chavez stays or goes. The CNE appears ready fo [...]	2004-08-12 20:45:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE OAS
04CARACAS2599	VENEZUELA: GOV CONTINUES TO ACCUSE CANTV [...] (C) The GOV continues to accuse CANTV, the telecommunications company handling the automated voting August 15, of attempting to manipulate the referendum results. Vice President Jose Vincente Rangel warned CANTV and its "North American associates" that the GOV would act if the company and its [...]	2004-08-12 20:55:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV ECON KDEM VE
04CARACAS2600	AMBASSADOR'S VIEWS ON VENEZUELA'S REFERENDUM [...] (C) By law, the Venezuelan recall referendum campaign ends August 12 at midnight. Eighteen months ago the idea that Venezuelans could determine their own future through the ballot box seemed a dream, if not a mirage. On August 15 record numbers of Venezuelans will go to the polls and make t [...]	2004-08-12 21:59:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM PGOV PREL VE
04CARACAS2605	VENEZUELA'S REFERENDUM: THE DAY AFTER [...] (C) Venezuelans will vote August 15 on whether to recall President Hugo Chavez. If the opposition wins, it plans to hold primaries to pick a candidate and then battle Chavez again in presidential elections. Though removed from office, Chavez will still lead the country's largest political mo [...]	2004-08-13 17:05:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM PHUM VE
04CARACAS2607	VENEZUELAN REFERENDUM UPDATE: AUGUST 13 [...] (C) As the campaigns for the Presidential recall referendum closed August 12, supporters and opponents of President Hugo Chavez celebrated, each claiming future victory. Chavez said he would extend dialog invitations to opposition leaders who accepted his victory and said he would step down i [...]	2004-08-13 21:10:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE OAS
04CARACAS2611	BUSH, CIA, AND THOMAS JEFFERSON "ENEMIES OF [...] With the referendum just a couple of days away, on August 12, President Chavez held a marathon (four- hour-long) press conference for foreign and international press. Chavez took every opportunity to criticize the U.S., its plots against him/Venezuela, and, more importantly, to tell his [...]	2004-08-13 21:27:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	KPAO PGOV OPRC KIRC VE
04CARACAS2615	VENEZUELA: REFERENDUM DAY, NOON, AUGUST 15 [...] (U) Despite reported delays in the opening of voting locations, long lines of people (between 400-1,000 people) waited patiently to vote in the August 15 presidential recall referendum. As of 10:30 am local, 99% of the voting centers had opened, according to CNE director Jorge Rodriguez. CNE [...]	2004-08-15 15:57:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE OAS
04CARACAS2616	VENEZUELA: REFERENDUM UPDATE, 6:00 P.M., AUGUST 15 [...] (C) National Electoral Council (CNE) director Jorge Rodriguez announced at 1:30 p.m. that polling hours have officially been extended until 8 p.m.; persons still in line at the time would be allowed to vote. CNE directors Francisco Carrasquero and Rodriguez told reporters they obtained a CD [...]	2004-08-15 21:52:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS2624	CHAVEZ DECLARES REFERENDUM VICTORY - SO DOES [...] (C) Venezuelan National Electoral Council President Francisco Carrasquero announced August 16 that preliminary results showed 58% of voters chose not to revoke President Chavez. Opposition leaders rejected the result, claiming their exit polls showed that 59% voted in favor of revocation. In [...]	2004-08-16 17:12:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV VE
04CARACAS2629	VENEZUELA: NO CLOSER TO ACCEPTANCE OF GOV VICTORY [...] (U) In a press conference August 16, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General Cesar Gaviria announced that the results of SIPDIS their quick count coincide with the results announced by the National Electoral Council (CNE) giving Presiden [...]	2004-08-16 20:48:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE OAS

04CARACAS2643	VENEZUELA REFERENDUM UPDATE: AUGUST 17 [...] (C) Violence in Altamira Plaza in Caracas left one dead and 10 injured when a group of opposition demonstrator?T?Qi"QQ\s August 16, President Hugo Chavez said the attack was orchestrated by the opposition to destabilize the country. Chavez once again invited the opposition to a dialogue and [...]	2004-08-17 22:09:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM PHUM VE
04CARACAS2644	CHAVEZ CAMPAIGNS ON THE PUBLIC'S DIME IN REFERENDUM [...] (C) Using state finances and manipulation of the structure established in the media accords, President Hugo Chavez mounted a much more impressive campaign in the referendum than the opposition. Pro-government advertising and propaganda filled Venezuelan newspapers, overshadowing the little op [...]	2004-08-18 14:01:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KIRC PHUM KDEM EPET VE
04CARACAS2655	VENEZUELAN REFERENDUM UPDATE: AUGUST 18 [...] No summary [...]	2004-08-18 20:45:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS2668	VENEZUELAN BUSINESS ADJUSTS TO CHAVEZ'S VICTORY [...] (C) Venezuela's business community has absorbed the unpleasant news of Chavez's referendum victory. Albis Munoz, President of umbrella business confederation FEDECAMARAS, made a relatively conciliatory public statement (even as the opposition Democratic Coordinating Committee, with which it [...]	2004-08-19 19:47:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON PGOV VE
04CARACAS2669	OPPOSITION ALLEGES ELECTRONIC FRAUD IN REFERENDUM [...] (U) Miranda state Gov. Enrique Mendoza told reporters August 18 the opposition would not participate in the audit of election results agreed to by the National Electoral Council (CNE) at the suggestion of the OAS and Carter Center. The Coordinadora instead wants an audit that would look at th [...]	2004-08-19 19:50:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS2671	VENEZUELA: WHY CHAVEZ "WON" [...] (C) The Organization of American States (OAS) and Carter Center are auditing ballots now, but assuming that charges of electoral fraud are not substantiated, one must ask what happened and how Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez won the August 15 recall referendum by such a large margin. Chavez [...]	2004-08-19 21:05:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV ECON KDEM VE
04CARACAS2687	GOV. ROJAS BRIEFS AMBASSADOR ON FRAUD CHARGES [...] (C) Bolivar State Gov. Antonio Rojas Suarez and Bolivar state legal advisor Juan Jose Rendon briefed the Ambassador August 19 on the allegations of fraud uncovered by Rendon in the August 15 presidential recall referendum. Rojas said the opposition has found 1920 voting machines with what they [...]	2004-08-20 19:36:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS2688	MENDOZA TO TAKE FRAUD ARGUMENT BEFORE [...] (C) Miranda State Gov. Enrique Mendoza told the Ambassador August 20 that the opposition had formed a commission to compile the "evidence" supporting the allegations that the GoV committed fraud in the August 15 referendum. Personally convinced that the GoV committed fraud, he said the Coor [...]	2004-08-20 19:41:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS2689	REFERENDUM UPDATE: AUGUST 19-20 [...] (C) On August 17 political police service DISIP and local police authorities arrested the three men suspected of shooting on demonstrators in Altamira on August 16. On August 18 and 19, the government heavily criticized the opposition's latest claims of fraud and calls for public protests an [...]	2004-08-20 20:42:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS2692	CORRECTED COPY: REFERENDUM UPDATE: AUGUST 19-20 [...] (C) On August 17 political police service DISIP and local police authorities arrested the three men suspected of shooting on demonstrators in Altamira on August 16. On August 18 and 19, the government heavily criticized the opposition's latest claims of fraud and calls for public protests an [...]	2004-08-23 13:59:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS2695	LABOR LEADERS WRESTLE TO MOVE PAST REFERENDUM [...] (C) Organized labor is willing to test the GOV's call for dialogue in post-referendum Venezuela, but doubts President Hugo Chavez's sincerity. Venezuelan Workers Confederation (CTV) Secretary General Manuel Cova believes his organization needs to re-focus on issues affecting the daily lives of [...]	2004-08-23 20:13:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ELAB KDEM PHUM VE
04CARACAS2702	VENEZUELAN MAYOR CARPRILES (STILL) HELD FOR TRIAL [...] (U) A Caracas judge ruled August 18 that Baruta Mayor Henrique Capriles should stand trial for the events at the Cuban Embassy on April 12, 2002. The judge also ruled that Capriles should remain in jail. PolOff attempted to attend the Capriles trial August 17, but was denied entry as was the [...]	2004-08-24 20:19:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV KJUS VE
04CARACAS2705	ELECTORAL COUNCIL'S SECOND AUDIT BACKS AUGUST 15 [...] (C) Carter Center and OAS representatives found no merit in the arguments made by the opposition that the GoV committed fraud in the August 15 presidential recall referendum. OAS/TCC reps are convinced the audit of 150 voting tables completed on August 21 was sufficient to conclude that the a [...]	2004-08-25 14:41:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM PHUM VE
04CARACAS2725	MVR DEPUTIES ESPOUSE RECONCILIATION [...] (C) Fifth Republic Movement (MVR) Deputies William Lara (Miranda) and Jose Khan (Caracas),told poloffs August 23 that they hoped to devise a plan for reconciliation in the National Assembly. Lara and Khan had avoided EMbassy contact for almost a year. They also expressed objections to post [...]	2004-08-27 12:06:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM PHUM VE
04CARACAS2726	CHAVEZ INCREASING HIS INFLUENCE [...] (U) President Hugo Chavez announced his intentions to deepen the "revolution" and disqualified the Coordinadora Democratica as a legitimate political opposition during his 5-hour television show "Alo, Presidente" on August 22. During the program, Chavez also designated Andres Izarra, the Press [...]	2004-08-27 12:22:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS2728	VENEZUELA MACROECONOMIC UPDATE [...] (U) Venezuela's most recently published economic indicators illustrate an economic rebound based on increasing government expenditures. Levels of new foreign direct investment remain low. A strong international reserves position and high average oil prices have contributed to reduce the cou [...]	2004-08-27 13:38:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ECON EFIN PGOV VE
04CARACAS2730	OPPOSITION REFERENDUM FRAUD THEORIES [...] (C) The Venezuelan opposition has developed theories -- though no solid evidence -- of alleged fraud and irregularities in the August 15 presidential recall referendum. Among the theories, mathematicians have proposed that the election results were manipulated using a pre-determined percentag [...]	2004-08-27 16:39:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM PHUM VE
04CARACAS2734	ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE REQUIRES DIP NOTE FOR [...] (C) Alis Boscan, Director of the Office for the Protection of Fundamental Rights at the Attorney General's office, told PolOff August 26 that the Embassy would have to make a formal request to the Attorney General to get information for the Human Rights Report. Boscan promised to begin compil [...]	2004-08-27 18:03:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PREL VE
04CARACAS2739	VENEZUELA: EXTRA HEAVY CRUDE-BEST CHANCE FOR [...] (C) The prospects for additional Venezuelan oil production in the short term come from the four projects that produce synthetic crude from Venezuela's abundant resources of extra heavy crude. We calculate that Venezuela's syncrude production could increase to as much as 634,000 b/d by the en [...]	2004-08-30 14:42:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET VE
04CARACAS2740	EXXONMOBIL: STAYING THE COURSE IN VENEZUELA [...] (C) With the August 12 signing of the Preliminary Development Agreement (PDA) for a giant petrochemical project, ExxonMobil finally looks to have overcome the disappointment of being shut out of the Mariscal Sucre natural gas project in 2002. Econoff met July 22 with ExxonMobil de Venezuela P [...]	2004-08-30 14:43:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET ENRG VE
04CARACAS2754	CHAVEZ REVIVES NEW MEDIA LAW - VENEZUELAN PRESS [...] (C) President Hugo Chavez, exulting in the officially announced overwhelming victory for the NO vote in the presidential recall referendum revived the idea of the media law on August 22 during his regular &Alo Presidente8 television program. The law was proposed in January 2003. Despite [...]	2004-08-30 17:58:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM KPAO PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS2758	REGIONAL AND MAYORAL ELECTIONS [...] (U) Venezuela's gubernatorial and mayoral elections are scheduled for September 26, but National Electoral Council (CNE) director Jorge Rodriguez told reporters on August 23 that the CNE is discussing changing the date of the regional elections for logistical reasons. President Hugo Chavez's [...]	2004-08-30 21:01:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS2759	OPPOSITION DIGS IN FOR THE LONG FIGHT [...] (C) The Coordinadora Democratica plans to contest the National Electoral Council's (CNE) certified results announced August 26 that President Hugo Chavez won the August 15 recall referendum. The Coordinadora is working toward documenting its case. A Coordinadora commission headed by constitu [...]	2004-08-30 21:05:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM PHUM VE
04CARACAS2807	ROCKY START TO BUSINESS-GOVERNMENT DIALOGUE [...] (C) The GOV rejected talks with umbrella private sector organization FEDECAMARAS after the latter issued a "Business Manifesto" which cast doubts on the results of the recent referendum on President Chavez's tenure in office and sharply criticized other GOV policies. Interior Minister Chacon [...]	2004-09-08 12:04:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON PGOV VE
04CARACAS2808	VENEZUELAN MAYOR RELEASED FROM PRISON [...] (C) Judge Dayva Soto Vallenilla released Baruta Mayor Henrique Capriles from pre-trial detention September 6, following a defense motion on September 2. Capriles must appear before the court every 15 days, remain in Venezuela, and is not allowed to make public comments on the case against him [...]	2004-09-08 13:08:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM KJUS PGOV VE
04CARACAS2811	GOV DENIES LABOR CLAIMS OF EX-OIL WORKERS [...] (C) Venezuela's Minister of Labor rejected on August 31 a petition to reinstate 14,000 ex-workers of Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) fired in the wake of the December 2002 - January 2003 national strike. Minister of Labor Maria Cristina Iglesias ruled the dismissals do not meet the legal defin [...]	2004-09-08 13:27:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ELAB PGOV PHUM ENRG VE
04CARACAS2812	CHAVEZ CALLS FOR LAND REFORM ON "ALO PRESIDENTE" [...] Agriculture was the main topic of President Chavez's 202nd "Alo, Presidente" which aired August 29. Indeed his choice of a rural town, El Socorro, in the state of Guarico helped to set the stage. During this event, as in recent speeches before the National Assembly and other venues, he calle [...]	2004-09-08 13:34:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	KPAO PGOV OPRC KIRC VE
04CARACAS2814	GOV TAKES FULL CREDIT FOR GDP GROWTH, BUT STILL [...] (SBU) First half GDP statistics show a 23.1% increase over last year, which also represents the first improvement over 2002 figures. Second quarter growth was 13.6%, led by non-petroleum growth of 15.0%. Considering these factors, the GOV has revised its 2004 growth estimate from 6 to 12%. M [...]	2004-09-08 16:28:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN PGOV VE
04CARACAS2817	VENEZUELA'S COORDINADORA DEMOCRATICA AT A [...] (C) Venezuela's Coordinadora Democratica is hobbling after its defeat in the presidential recall referendum August 15. Some Chavez opponents blame the Coordinadora's leadership for either losing the referendum via an inept campaign or for not preventing the alleged fraud. The dozens of opposit [...]	2004-09-08 20:41:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM PHUM VE
04CARACAS2840	VENEZUELA: OPPOSITION FIGHTS BACK ON FRAUD [...] (C) Opponents of President Hugo Chavez put forward their preliminary findings of the investigation of alleged fraud during the August 15 presidential recall referendum September 8. Lawyer Tulio Alvarez, presenting a 70-page preliminary report, noted irregularities in all stages of the referen [...]	2004-09-09 20:06:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM PHUM VE
04CARACAS2885	VENEZUELAN REGIONAL ELECTIONS: WHAT SHOULD BE AND [...] (C) Venezuela's gubernatorial, mayoral, and regional deputy elections, scheduled for October 31, are cloaked in uncertainty with little more than six weeks before the date. Procedurally, there are questions regarding who the members of the regional and municipal electoral boards will be, if th [...]	2004-09-16 11:24:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS2902	VENEZUELA ASKS FOR U.S. SUPPORT TO WIN ECOSOC SEAT [...] No summary [...]	2004-09-17 13:04:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PHUM PINR PREL VZ
04CARACAS2903	OAS REFERENDUM WRAP-UP GETS SPUN BY BOTH SIDES [...] (C) The report issued by OAS Secretary General (SYG) Cesar Gaviria on September 13 gave ammunition to both the GOV and the opposition regarding the question of fraud in the August 15 presidential recall referendum. The GOV played up Gaviria's admonitions to the opposition to begin to accept t [...]	2004-09-17 13:17:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM PHUM VE OAS
04CARACAS2907	THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARKET - THERE OUGHTTA BE A LAW [...] No summary [...]	2004-09-17 16:17:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN PGOV VE
04CARACAS291	DAS DESHAZO'S MEETING WITH CNE PRESIDENT [...] (C) WHA DAS Peter DeShazo and the Ambassador discussed the verification process for the recall referendum with National Electoral Council (CNE) President Francisco Carrasquero and CNE Secretary General William Pacheco January 22. Carrasquero assured DeShazo that the process is on track to be c [...]	2004-01-27 18:49:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL VE
04CARACAS292	DAS DESHAZO'S MEETING CHIEF JUSTICE RINCON [...] (C) DURING A JANUARY 22, 2004 MEETING WITH SUPREME COURT (TSJ) CHIEF JUSTICE IVAN RINCON, WHA DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY PETER DESHAZO NOTED THAT THE USG REMAINS VITALLY SIPDIS INTERESTED IN A DEMOCRATIC AND ELECTORAL PROCESS, SUPPORTS THE EFFORTS OF THE CARTER CENTER AND THE ORGANIZATION O [...]	2004-01-27 19:33:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV VE OAS
04CARACAS293	WHA/DAS PETER DESHAZO,S 1/22/04 MEETING WITH [...] (C) During a January 22, 2004 meeting with Supreme Court (TSJ) Chief Justice Ivan Rincon, WHA Deputy Assistant Secretary Peter DeShazo noted that the USG remains vitally SIPDIS interested in a democratic and electoral process, supports the efforts of the Carter Center and the Organizatio [...]	2004-01-27 19:34:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV VE
04CARACAS294	DAS DESHAZO MEETING WITH FOREIGN MINISTER CHADERTON [...] (C) On January 22, WHA DAS Peter DeShazo and Ambassador met with Foreign Minister Roy Chaderton. In addition to the Venezuelan recall referendum process, they discussed: DeShazo's speech to the Venezuelan American Chamber of Commerce, recent comments by USG officials regarding Venezuela, GOV- [...]	2004-01-27 19:50:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS295	DAS DESHAZO'S MEETING WITH G-5 OPPOSTION LEADERS [...] (C) On January 22, WHA DAS Peter DeShazo gave opposition leaders (4 of 5 of the members of the so-called G-5) a positive assessment of his meetings earlier in the day with officials from the OAS, Carter Center, and UNDP, and of their ability to monitor the signature verification process in the [...]	2004-01-27 20:25:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV VE OAS
04CARACAS3013	COORDINADORA LOSES SOME LESSER LIGHTS [...] (C) Five groups nominally associated with the Venezuelan opposition -- including political parties Alianza Bravo Pueblo and Causa R -- announced their separation from the Coordinadora Democratica on September 21. The groups criticized the Coordinadora's handling of the referendum campaign an [...]	2004-09-24 12:54:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM PHUM VE
04CARACAS3015	TAX COLLECTION PLAN: A SERIOUS EFFORT OR [...] (SBU) The head of the Venezuelan tax authority (SENIAT) announced on September 7 that the GOV's goal for 2005 tax collections (including taxes on oil revenues) would be 56% higher than the 2004 goal. This comes at a time when tax collection methods, particularly a program called "Plan Zero Ev [...]	2004-09-24 15:15:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN PGOV VE
04CARACAS3025	MFA RESPONDS TO TIP DEMARCHE [...] (C) Responding to reftel demarche regarding trafficking in persons, September 21, Venezuelan MFA officials insisted that the TIP report had not accurately assessed Venezuela's anti-trafficking initiatives under its treaty obligations with the United Nations. PolOff reiterated USG reasoning be [...]	2004-09-24 18:50:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PHUM KWMN VE
04CARACAS3031	AIRCRAFT CONTRACT RUMORS RESURFACE (U) [...] (C) A 10 September newswire reporting Venezuela's alleged interest in procuring Russian jet fighters has renewed media speculation that the two countries may be close to an arms deal. Chavez has already purchased Russian helicopters, according to DAO and press reports. Although he is seeki [...]	2004-09-27 11:40:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV VE
04CARACAS3032	GOV MAKES BORDER AMBUSH LATEST CRISIS [...] (C) Five Venezuelan soldiers and an oil worker died on September 17 near the Colombian border in an apparent ambush by unidentified irregular forces. Speculation about the identity of the attackers includes the range of armed groups operating in the area. President Hugo Chavez deployed add [...]	2004-09-27 11:42:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV MOPS PTER VE
04CARACAS3050	VENEZUELAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY EYES AGENDA [...] (C) Venezuela's National Assembly (AN) reportedly plans to tackle four controversial bills in its new session that started September 17. The Assembly's pro-Chavez majority will push to pass controversial laws on the media, a national police force, reform of the penal code, and the organization [...]	2004-09-28 20:15:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM PHUM VE
04CARACAS3070	VENEZUELA: CNE DISCARDS FRAUD CHALLENGES [...] (U) Venezuela's National Electoral Council (CNE) found the Coordinadora Democratica's challenge of the results of the August 15 recall referendum against President Hugo Chavez inadmissible on September 23 and said the matter should be taken to the Supreme Court instead. CNE Director Jorge Rod [...]	2004-09-30 12:22:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM PHUM VE
04CARACAS3077	PRIMERO JUSTICIA JUMPS FROM THE SINKING OPPOSITION [...] (C) Venezuelan opposition party Primero Justicia withdrew from the Coordinadora Democratica September 24. Lines of cooperation among groups opposed to President Hugo Chavez have been reduced to documenting fraud claims related to the referendum, negotiating with the National Electoral Council [...]	2004-10-01 11:55:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM PHUM VE
04CARACAS310	SIGNATURE CHECK TURNS INTO SAUSAGE FACTORY [...] (C) The verification process of the signatures in support of recall votes against President Hugo Chavez and various National Assembly deputies proceeds at a snail's pace at the National Electoral Council (CNE). The CNE board initially proposed restricting the access of international observers [...]	2004-01-28 18:38:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM PREL VE
04CARACAS3110	PRESSURE ON CENTRAL BANK INCREASES ON THREE FRONTS [...] (C) The GOV has renewed pressure on the Venezuelan Central Bank (BCV),by again demanding a large sum of money. It asserts the BCV owes more than USD 2 billion from improperly accounting for foreign exchange profits. While the BCV has resisted this demand, it may be caving in another area. I [...]	2004-10-05 11:17:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN PGOV VE
04CARACAS3116	AMBASSADOR'S PRESENTATION OF CREDENTIALS TO FM [...] (U) Ambassador, accompanied by DCM, presented copies of his credentials to Foreign Minister Perez late afternoon Oct. Â [...]	2004-10-05 12:08:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV VE
04CARACAS312	CARTER VISITS VENEZUELA TO OBSERVE REFERENDUM [...] (C) From January 25-27, former President Jimmy Carter visited Venezuela to observe the referendum process and meet with the National Election Commission (CNE),Organization of American States, the National Assembly (AN),the Supreme Court, the Group of Friend's ambassadors, business leaders, p [...]	2004-01-28 20:58:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS3124	GOV EFFORTS TO COMBAT TIPS [...] (C) Venezuela's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) chairs a 22-person interdepartmental working group that meets approximately once a month to coordinate efforts to combat trafficking in persons. Representatives from the MFA and the Ministry of Interior and Justice (MIJ) told Poloff on Septemb [...]	2004-10-05 18:44:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PHUM KWMN VE
04CARACAS3125	TOBACCO FIRMS COMPLAIN OF CIGARETTE SMUGGLING FROM [...] (SBU) SUMMARY On October 1, Economic and Commercial Counselors met with representatives of Philip Morris and British-American Tobacco, the two largest cigarette companies in Venezuela, who raised the impact of contraband cigarettes in the domestic Venezuelan market. The particular focus was on [...]	2004-10-05 19:57:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ECON ETRD KIPR PGOV VE
04CARACAS3156	ARDENT PRO-CHAVEZ DAILY GIVES GUARDED WELCOME AND [...] The regular "Stumbling Block" column published under the pseudonym "Marciano" in the very pro-Chavez daily DIARIO VEA, offered both a guarded welcome and a warning to Ambassador Brownfield. "Martian" noted that Ambassador Brownfield seemed to be bringing a new approach based on mutual respect [...]	2004-10-13 14:37:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	KPAO PGOV OPRC PREL VE
04CARACAS3164	LABOR STRUGGLES AMID THE BOLIVARIAN REVOLUTION [...] (C) The assimilation of organized labor into the Bolivarian Revolution continues to elude supporters of President Hugo Chavez. Two rival labor confederations -- the anti-Chavez Venezuela Workers Confederation (CTV) and the pro-Chavez National Workers Union (UNT) -- plan to hold elections in e [...]	2004-10-13 19:39:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV ELAB PHUM VE KEDEM
04CARACAS3173	RUMORS STILL SPINNING ON APURE AMBUSH [...] (C) Summary: The media has continued to report on the killing of a PDVSA engineer and five soldiers in Apure State. The opposition and the Colombian Government continue to fault the government for complicity in border violence. The GOV and its supporters have blamed the United States and [...]	2004-10-14 16:01:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV MOPS VE
04CARACAS3203	AMBASSADOR'S PRESENTATION OF CREDENTIALS [...] (C) I presented my credentials to President Hugo Chavez October 15. We were a package of four ambassadors (Barbados, US, Norway, South Korea) handled in assembly line fashion. The President devoted roughly 15 minutes per country separately. Each ambassador took DCM plus four. In my case, t [...]	2004-10-18 20:14:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL VE
04CARACAS3213	COLUMNIST IN PRO-CHAVEZ DAILY CALLS RESIGNATION OF [...] The regular "Stumbling Block" column published under the pseudonym "Marciano" in the very pro-Chavez daily DIARIO VEA, bitterly attacked the resignation of Costa Rican Secretary General Miguel Angel Rodriguez. It described this SIPDIS as a U.S. coup to maintain control of the OAS. The Sal [...]	2004-10-18 21:15:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	KPAO PGOV OPRC PREL VE
04CARACAS3215	FRANCISCO ARIAS CARDENAS' OUTLOOK ON CHAVEZ AND [...] (C) Former Zulia State Governor, Francisco Arias Cardenas, told the Ambassador on October 14 that President Hugo Chavez's antagonism had served Chavez well in the past, but he was now looking to improve relations with the U.S. Arias asserted that the President would not let the differences es [...]	2004-10-19 19:49:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL KDEM VE
04CARACAS3216	VENEZUELA: REVOLUTIONARY CONTRADICTIONS IN LABOR [...] (C) Supporters of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez are stuck on how to roll back market-oriented reforms of worker benefits from the 1990s. The 1999 Constitution reversed changes to the severance, health care, pensions, and housing regimes, replacing them with impractical and, so far, impossi [...]	2004-10-19 21:31:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ELAB PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS3219	VENEZUELAN PROSECUTOR INVESTIGATES 400 FOR [...] (U) Venezuelan prosecutor Danilo Anderson took testimony from three media executives at the beginning of October as part of his investigation into the events of April 12-13, 2002. Anderson announced on September 17 that he was reopening the investigation of persons who had supported the inte [...]	2004-10-19 21:53:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV KJUS VE
04CARACAS3220	COPEI PRESIDENT FAVORS US/GOV RAPPROCHEMENT [...] (C) Summary: Christian Democratic Party (COPEI) president Eduardo Fernandez offered the Ambassador on October 14 his views on US policy in Venezuela and on best strategies to implement it. Fernandez supported current efforts to improve the bilateral relationship and urged respect for Venez [...]	2004-10-20 11:27:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PINR VE
04CARACAS3230	VENEZUELAN-RUSSIAN COOPERATION [...] (C) Venezuelan Vice-President Jose Vicente Rangel led a delegation to Moscow from October 2-6 for the first meeting of the High-Level Russo-Venezuelan Intergovernmental Commission (CIAN). Rangel discussed joint efforts to combat international terrorism and military-technological cooperation w [...]	2004-10-20 20:16:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL ETRD VE
04CARACAS3251	BLAZE DESTROYS GOVERNMENT OFFICES IN TALLEST SOUTH [...] (U) A fire ripped through 20 floors of the East Tower of Caracas' Parque Central complex the night of October 16. No one was killed, but the top third of the building was completely burned and the tower is unusable. Finger pointing to place the blame for the fire began immediately between the [...]	2004-10-21 18:26:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ECON EAIR EAGR PGOV VE
04CARACAS3270	CONVICTIONS IN USON AND TACHIRA CASES [...] (U) On October 13 a court in Tachira State convicted eight persons on charges of rebellion in relation to the events of April 2002. The court found on of the original nine defendants not guilty, and five of them are free one probation. On October 11 a military court convicted retired Army Gen [...]	2004-10-22 20:33:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV KJUS VE
04CARACAS3271	VENEZUELAN AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES BILATERAL AGENDA [...] (C) Venezuela's Ambassador to the U.S. Bernardo Alvarez_ told us October 18 he is amenable to meeting with National Endowment for Democracy (NED) President Carl Gershman to discuss GoV perspectives regarding NED support to NGOs such as Sumate. In a breakfast meeting with Ambassador and PolC [...]	2004-10-22 20:33:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS3273	LEAD EDITORIAL IN PRO-CHAVEZ DAILY ATTACKS `FRAUD' [...] The lead editorial in the 10/22 edition of very pro- Chavez daily DIARIO VEA, signed by editor Guillermo Garcia Ponce, accused the followers of President Bush of having committed massive voter fraud in Florida in 2000. It says that the close 2004 race is raising fears that the Bush campaign w [...]	2004-10-22 21:13:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	KPAO PGOV OPRC PROP VE
04CARACAS329	DAS DESHAZO'S MEETING WITH CHIEF JUSTICE RINCON [...] (C) During a January 22, 2004 meeting with Supreme Court (TSJ) Chief Justice Ivan Rincon, WHA Deputy Assistant Secretary Peter DeShazo noted that the USG remains vitally SIPDIS interested in a democratic and electoral process, supports the efforts of the Carter Center and the Organization o [...]	2004-01-29 20:45:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV VE OAS
04CARACAS3291	OPPOSITION FRAUD UPDATE HITS DATA TRANSMISSION, [...] (C) The Coordinadora Democratica issued on October 12 its second report on alleged electoral fraud in the August 15 recall referendum on President Hugo Chavez. Using statistical analyses, the report alleges that some 2.5 million votes were manipulated during the referendum to reverse what sho [...]	2004-10-25 20:38:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM PHUM VE
04CARACAS3292	VENEZUELA'S REGIONAL ELECTIONS: COMING TO AN END [...] (C) National Electoral Council (CNE) President Francisco Carrasquero declared October 19 that only 2.1% of Venezuelan voters registered did not have addresses. Opposition leaders, who had alleged that more than a million persons did not meet the legal requirement of having an address, challen [...]	2004-10-25 20:59:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS3340	CHALK ONE FOR CHAVEZ IN ANZOATEGUI [...] (C) Candidates are battling against voter apathy for gubernatorial, mayoral, and state legislative positions in the oil-rich Anzoategui State, currently controlled by the opposition. The administration's candidate, National Assembly deputy Tarek William Saab, is close to President Hugo Chav [...]	2004-10-28 19:39:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS3341	EFFICIENCY TRUMPS POLITICS IN VENEZUELA'S BOLIVAR [...] (C) Both sides in the race for governor of Bolivar State are confident their candidate will be elected in the regional elections on October 31. Efficiency, rather than politics, is the main theme in the campaign, and both campaigns hope to draw supporters away from their opponent. The GoV wa [...]	2004-10-28 19:42:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM PHUM VE
04CARACAS3342	VENEZUELA REGIONAL ELECTIONS: VIEWS FROM CARABOBO [...] (C) Political party representatives in Carabobo State each told Poloff October 21 that polls showed its candidate in the lead in the gubernatorial race, and in a majority of mayoral races. Chavez's Fifth Republic Movement (MVR) representative asserted that Chavista candidates would sweep all t [...]	2004-10-28 19:47:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS3361	VENEZUELA'S REGIONAL VOTE: PROCESS BODES [...] (C) The voting process for Venezuela's October 31 regional elections is complicated. In a process akin to the recall referendum, voters will elect governors, mayors, and state legislators. Screens will have dozens of options, which are organized by political parties rather than by races. [...]	2004-10-29 19:14:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS3365	CONTENT LAW FRIGHTENS MEDIA AND FREE SPEECH [...] (U) Pushing to advance the "revolution" following the favorable outcome of the recall referendum, the GoV has made good on its promise to seek enactment of the "Law of Social Responsibility in Radio and Television." The private media insist it's a significant step toward the muzzling of free e [...]	2004-10-29 21:30:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM KDEM PGOV VE
04CARACAS3368	CODEL BALLENGER RAISES SUMATE CASE [...] (C) Congressman Cass Ballenger and three House staffers visited Caracas October 28-29 with the principal objective of raising the case of the four representatives of the NGO Sumate, who have been charged with treason for supporting the recall referendum against President Hugo Chavez. To this [...]	2004-10-29 22:01:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM PHUM VE
04CARACAS3369	SUPREME COURT PRESIDENT URGES WORLD BANK LOANS [...] (C) Ivan Rincon Urdaneta, President of Venezuela's Supreme Court (TSJ),touted past judicial cooperation with the U.S. and World Bank in a meeting with the Ambassador October 25. Rincon suggested it would be in Venezuelan and U.S. interest for the World Bank to approve the $45 million loan for [...]	2004-10-29 22:44:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM KJUS VE
04CARACAS337	PRIVATE SECTOR OIL PRODUCTION [...] Sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly. ------ SUMMARY ------- 2. (SBU) A document prepared following a December luncheon in which private sector company representatives shared average monthly production numbers for both oil and gas production from their fields has g [...]	2004-01-29 22:31:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	EPET ECON VE
04CARACAS3373	AMBASSADOR'S TRAVEL TO MARACAIBO [...] (C) The Ambassador visited Maracaibo, Zulia State, October 26-27, to meet with U.S. organizations, local leaders, and the press. He called on Governor Manuel Rosales, Maracaibo Mayor Giancarlo DiMartino, and San Francisco Mayor Saady Bijani. The Ambassador attended a lunch with business lead [...]	2004-11-01 12:55:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL ECON PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS3374	HENRIQUE SALAS ROEMER SHRUGS OFF STRATEGY [...] (C) Proyecto Venezuela leader Henrique Salas Roemer said that the government would win by fraud in the regional elections during a short courtesy call on the Ambassador at the Residence October 22. Salas Roemer criticized the Carter Center for legitimizing what he described as a fraudulent [...]	2004-11-01 12:58:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV VE
04CARACAS338	CHAVEZ CARRIES BOLIVIA'S WATER IN CHILE SEA SCUFFLE [...] (C) Three months ago President Hugo Chavez began a rhetorical offensive in support of Bolivia's claim to its historic Pacific coastline, seized by Chile in 1879. Chavez's campaign has made international headlines, and resulted in Venezuela and Chile recalling their ambassadors for consultation [...]	2004-01-30 12:43:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM PREL VE
04CARACAS3382	CHAVISTAS WIN BIG IN REGIONAL ELECTIONS [...] (U) Pro-Chavez candidates won 20 of 22 governorships and the mayoralty of metropolitan Caracas in the October 31 regional elections. Governors Enrique Mendoza (Miranda State) and Henrique Salas Feo (Carabobo) trailed their Chavista opponents and challenged the accuracy of the preliminary resu [...]	2004-11-01 16:25:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM PHUM VE
04CARACAS3395	VENEZUELAN SUPREME COURT INTERVENES IN SUMATE CASE [...] (C) The Penal Chamber of the Venezuelan Supreme Court November 2 suspended the case against four members of the NGO SUMATE facing charges of conspiracy to overthrow the government. The Penal Chamber agreed to investigate whether the crime the prosecutor alleges that the Sumate representative [...]	2004-11-02 20:06:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM KJUS VE
04CARACAS3426	BOSTON GROUP PLANS DECEMBER MEETING [...] (U) During a meeting at the Ambassador's residence on October 28, Rep. Cass Ballenger (R-NC) accepted an invitation from Venezuelan National Assembly deputies to return to Venezuela for a plenary Boston Group meeting in early December. The legislators also discussed a potential National Ass [...]	2004-11-05 17:42:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS3431	VENEZUELA JUDICIAL UPDATE: CASES DISMISSED, NEW [...] (C) A Caracas Appeals Court overturned the conviction of National Guard Gen. Carlos Alfonzo Martinez on November 1 on grounds that the actions alleged by the prosecutor did not constitute a crime under Venezuela's Penal Code. The same court, citing similar grounds, dismissed the charges agai [...]	2004-11-05 20:08:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM KJUS VE
04CARACAS3432	RED MAP IN VENEZUELA: WHAT CHAVEZ WON IN THE [...] (C) Pro-Chavez mayors won 270 of 337 municipalities in the October 31 regional elections, up from the previously held 115. The National Electoral Council settled the one remaining dispute in the governors' races November 4, giving the victory to the pro-Chavez challenger in Carabobo State. I [...]	2004-11-05 20:24:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM PHUM VE
04CARACAS3434	A VIEW OF VENEZUELAN ARMS PURCHASES FROM RUSSIA [...] (C) According to Jose Rafael Gomez, a former Presidential staffer who participated in Vice President Rangel's recent trip to Moscow, the Venezuelan-Russian deal for MI-17 helicopters is not yet final because of financial issues, and might go forward initially at least with a limited number. [...]	2004-11-05 21:36:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PARM PREL ETRD VE RU
04CARACAS3501	AMBASSADOR'S TOUR D'HORIZON WITH FINANCE MINISTER [...] (C) At a November 10 luncheon with the Ambassador, Finance Minister Nobrega touched on a range of issues including: Eximbank lending (he'd like it to return, but downplays the impact of its absence); the GOV's surprise increase in petroleum royalties (he admits it was badly handled); Minist [...]	2004-11-15 17:13:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN PGOV PREL VE
04CARACAS3506	CHAVISTAS AT THE HELM IN A SEA OF RED [...] (C) October and August electoral successes have renewed President Hugo Chavez's mandate, placed his loyalists in most of the governorships and key mayoralties, and positioned the Chavista movement to capture an overwhelming majority in next year's National Assembly elections. Chavez supporters [...]	2004-11-16 14:49:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM PHUM VE
04CARACAS3536	LEVIATHAN'S RETURN: CHAVEZ'S NEW ECONOMIC [...] (C) With his pockets full of petro-dollars, Chavez has created new Ministries of Food, Housing, Popular Economy, and Development Finance. He is also moving forward with the creation of a new state airline and a telecommunications enterprise. The establishment of the Ministries of Food and [...]	2004-11-16 20:07:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON PGOV VE
04CARACAS3542	SHATTERED OPPOSITION SHORT ON STRATEGY [...] (C) Venezuela's Coordinadora Democratica, the amalgamation of opponents to President Hugo Chavez that had begun to disintegrate before the regional elections on October 31, has been deemed dead by opposition parties and Chavez supporters alike. Many opposition members, who tend to blame th [...]	2004-11-17 13:49:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS3575	CAUTION: THE ROAD IS WET - TREASURY REP GETS VIEWS [...] (C) U.S. Treasury representative for South America Mathew Haarsager visited Caracas from November 2-5, and in a series of meetings with the Venezuelan private and public sectors was treated to a variety of perspectives. GOV officials asserted that, with the strike, presidential referendum, and [...]	2004-11-19 18:10:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN PGOV VE
04CARACAS3577	KILLING OF POLITICAL PROSECUTOR [...] (C) Venezuelan prosecutor Danilo Anderson was killed the night of November 18, according to press reports and the GoV, as he traveled home in his personal vehicle. More than a dozen GoV officials and government supporters, among them Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel, went to the site of th [...]	2004-11-19 18:39:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS3583	NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PRESSES FORWARD ON MEDIA LAW [...] (C) Veneuela's National Assembly approved 17 more articles in sessions on November 9, 11, 15, and 18. A top priority of President Hugo Chavez, the GoV seeks to complete the legislation by December 15. Beginning November 8, opposition parties withdrew from negotiations begun on September 23 with [...]	2004-11-19 20:21:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM KDEM PGOV VE
04CARACAS3584	"HEGEMONY IS A CHALLENGE:" CHAVISTA LEADER VIEWS [...] (C) Summary: Chavez supporter and Patria Para Todos (PPT) secgen Jose Albornoz talked with DCM November 18 about impending cabinet changes, policy challenges for Chavez and the MVR party, and potential to improve bilateral relations. PPT accepts that party stalwart Ali Rodriguez will leave [...]	2004-11-19 20:45:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL EPET PGOV PHUM ENRG VE
04CARACAS3588	VENEZUELAN POSITION ON 3RD COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS [...] No summary [...]	2004-11-22 11:40:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PHUM PREL VE
04CARACAS3617	TRANSPARENCY OF BUDGETS/MILITARY SPENDING [...] This message responds to action request (REFTEL). 2. Q: How (or are) military expenditures audited? A: Each branch of the Venezuelan Armed Forces (army, navy, air force, and national guard) has its own budget and planning office. The services submit proposed expenses and acquisit [...]	2004-11-23 18:26:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	EFIN EAID MARR VE
04CARACAS3618	SUMATE CASE TO GO FORWARD, BUT SLOWLY [...] (C) A ruling by the Penal Chamber of Venezuela's Supreme Court November 16 is likely to result in a long delay in the case against the NGO Sumate. The Chamber's ruling requires the lower court to admit several pieces of evidence into the case prior to a preliminary hearing, including testimo [...]	2004-11-23 18:34:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM KJUS VE
04CARACAS3622	CHAVEZ LOOKING INSIDE AND OUT [...] (C) Fresh from electoral victories in August and October, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is deepening his Bolivarian Revolution with a new ten-point strategy. Chavez now plans to create a "new political infrastructure" that integrates social action groups and forces political parties to elec [...]	2004-11-23 19:21:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS3624	AMBASSADOR'S VISIT TO MARACAY [...] (U) The Ambassador visited Maracay, Aragua State, November 16, 2004 and met with the president of the Aragua State judges, the mayor, business leaders and the press. He also stopped by an agricultural laboratory that receives U.S. funding (despite the Ministry of Science and Technology declin [...]	2004-11-23 20:35:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL VE

04CARACAS363	CHAVEZ CONTINUES FIGHT WITH CENTRAL BANK AT A [...] (C) President Chavez has continued his campaign against the Central Bank of Venezuela (BCV),on January 18 characterizing the Bank's international reserve holdings as "excessive." In a speech January 28, BCV Director Domingo Maza Zavala held firm, saying the reserves were necessary to maintai [...]	2004-02-02 16:54:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN PGOV VE
04CARACAS3638	Ramirez_ TAKES OVER PDVSA WHILE KEEPING ENERGY [...] (C) Minister of Energy and Mines Rafael Ramirez_ has been sworn in as President of state oil corporation PDVSA, while maintaining his ministerial position. Energy experts who have opposed Chavez publicly assert that his appointment marks the definitive end to PDVSA as a commercial (vice poli [...]	2004-11-24 19:48:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ENRG PGOV VE
04CARACAS3639	"RE-DISCOVERING" THE OPPOSITION [...] (C) Movement to Socialism President Felipe Mujica believes a first step for the Venezuelan opposition is to wage a "campaign of rights," perhaps beginning with a referendum to overturn the soon-to-pass media content law. Additionally, the opposition must regain institutionality in the National [...]	2004-11-24 20:10:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM PHUM VE
04CARACAS366	PDVSA POWER STRUGGLES: THE REVOLUTION DEVOURS ITS [...] (C) With street battles between opposing labor groups, mass protests to force the removal of managers, new allegations of corruption in internal product sales, and rumors of yet another new Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) board, January has demonstrated yet again the disarray in the Venezuelan [...]	2004-02-02 18:46:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET ECON PGOV VE
04CARACAS3677	RESULTS OF JUDICIAL REFORM IN VENEZUELA: MOVING [...] (C) The administration of justice in Venezuela faces criticism on two principal grounds. The first is the claim, voiced by the political opposition, NGOs, judges, and the World Bank, that the justice system is not politically neutral, and that prosecutors and judges are acting according to [...]	2004-11-29 12:20:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KJUS VE
04CARACAS3679	RECENT HISTORY OF JUDICIAL REFORM IN VENEZUELA [...] (C) Venezuela's judicial system, according to a variety of experts, suffers a number of structural flaws, including politicization of the courts and the shock waves of the switch to an adversarial court system. Judges, academics, and journalists concur that judicial reform has had mixed res [...]	2004-11-29 12:43:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KJUS VE
04CARACAS3686	MICRO-LENDING BOOM - QUANTITY VS. QUALITY [...] (C) Micro-lending has long been a neglected area in Venezuela, though it is currently getting more attention than ever. Banks have been required since November 2002 to commit at least three percent of their credit portfolio to micro-lending, but the GOV is now taking more direct role through [...]	2004-11-29 21:03:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN PGOV VE
04CARACAS369	VENEZUELAN GOVERNORS: ELECTIONS, POLLS, AND HEALTH [...] (C) President Chavez, though buoyed by the spread of benefits and end of year spending, will likely suffer a hard drop in popularity when the National Electoral Council (CNE) announces a referendum, a group of Venezuelan Governors told the Ambassador January 14. The four Governors (including [...]	2004-02-02 20:12:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS3704	VENEZUELAN POLICE RAID HEBREW CULTURAL CENTER [...] (U) Venezuelan police investigating the killing of prosecutor Danilo Anderson searched the Hebrew Club in Caracas November 29 for three hours. The search, which began at 6:30 a.m. and disrupted the arrival of 1,500 students to the school on the premises, turned up no evidence or weapons. L [...]	2004-12-01 12:41:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM KJUS KIRF VE
04CARACAS3711	VENEZUELA'S NEW FOREIGN MINISTER: ALI RODRIGUEZ [...] (U) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez swore in Ali Rodriguez Araque as Foreign Minister on November 21, replacing outgoing Minister Jesus Perez. Rodriguez was most recently president of the state-run oil company PDVSA. Rodriguez, who served one year as the Secretary General of OPEC, was a cong [...]	2004-12-01 16:43:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PINR VE
04CARACAS3715	CHAVEZ-URIBE SUMMIT: ECONOMICS FOCUS WITH SECURITY [...] (C) Most Venezuelan press reports on the Chavez-Uribe summit in Colombia November 9 focused on security issues, especially Chavez's declaration that the GOV does not support the FARC. The joint declaration, on the other hand, avoided such topics, focusing almost completely on economic issues [...]	2004-12-01 19:03:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL ECON PINS ENRG ETRD VE
04CARACAS3728	GOV REQUESTS SUPPORT FOR CANDIDATE TO UN HUMAN [...] (U) In a Diplomatic Note dated November 11 and received in the Embassy December 2, Venezuela's Ministry of Foreign Affairs requests USG support for Venezuela's candidate to fill a seat on the UN Human Rights Committee. The note refers to the candidacy that Venezuela put forward in May 2004 [...]	2004-12-03 15:29:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PREL VE USUN
04CARACAS3745	UPDATE ON ANDERSON INVESTIGATION [...] (U) Police investigating the assassination of Venezuelan prosecutor Danilo Anderson have killed two suspects, while a judge has ordered three former police officers (two brothers and their cousin),detained on charges of murder. Lawyers and family members allege that the three were tortured [...]	2004-12-06 15:18:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PTER KJUS VE
04CARACAS3747	GROWTH IS NOT ENOUGH - HAND OVER THE CASH! [...] (C) Amidst good news on the economic front, the GOV's thirst for cash remains unslaked. Third quarter GDP grew 15.8% versus the same period in 2003, and the official unemployment figure for October was 13.7%, the lowest since 2001. However, the GOV's row with the Venezuelan Central Bank con [...]	2004-12-06 18:53:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN PGOV VE
04CARACAS3748	AFTERSHOCKS OF VENEZUELAN PROSECUTOR'S KILLING [...] (U) At President Hugo Chavez's order, following the killing of prosecutor Danilo Anderson, Venezuela's National Defense Council November 23, began to define a GOV anti-terrorism strategy. Measures will include tighter border and communications security, and bodyguards for GOV officials. Th [...]	2004-12-06 18:56:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PTER PHUM PGOV KJUS VE
04CARACAS3779	VENEZUELA: RESPONSE ON TITLE III OF CUBA LIBERTAD [...] (C) In response to tasking in ref a, Post sees no evidence that the GOV has undertaken policies or actions to advance democracy, human rights, or fundamental freedoms in Cuba over the last six months. President Hugo Chavez is a close ally of Fidel Castro and often praises Cuba as a "bastion of [...]	2004-12-07 20:39:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL ETTC VE CU
04CARACAS3781	VENEZUELA: POLICE OFFICIALS IN CUSTODY AFTER [...] (U) Venezuelan authorities took former Metropolitan Police commissioners Henry Vivas and Lazaro Forero into police custody on December 3, after the government of El Salvador refused their request for political asylum. The former police leaders sought asylum at the Salvadoran Embassy in Caraca [...]	2004-12-08 14:40:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PHUM VE OAS
04CARACAS3788	VENEVUELAN VICE PRESIDENT RANGEL ON BILATERAL [...] (C) Summary: The Ambassador met December 8 with Vice President Rangel to get a read on bilateral access. Stressing he would meet with GOV officials at whatever level the GOV determined, the Amb noted the relatively restricted current access to the GOV made it more difficult to address issue [...]	2004-12-08 20:44:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL VE US
04CARACAS3805	VENEZUELA'S ATTORNEY GENERAL CHALLENGES APRIL 2002 [...] (U) Attorney General Isaias Rodriguez asked Venezuela's Supreme Court (TSJ) December 2 to overturn its decision which freed four alleged military leaders of the April 2002 events and rejected his request to try the officers for military rebellion. The case is important because it established [...]	2004-12-09 19:09:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KJUS VE
04CARACAS3806	NEW MINISTER OF FINANCE - SAME AS THE OLD MINISTER [...] (C) On December 5 President Chavez announced that Finance Minister Tobias Nobrega would be replaced by Nelson Merentes, a former Minister of Finance and current Minister of Development Finance and President of the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BANDES). While Chavez gave n [...]	2004-12-09 19:47:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN PGOV VE
04CARACAS3817	VISIT TO MASS MARKET AND BOLIVARIAN SCHOOL [...] (C) Caracas' El Coche food market is a blend of formal, informal, public and private economies. Accompanied by members of the NGO Asociacion Nina Madre (Child Mother Association, ANM),poloff visited the market December 7 to observe child labor conditions there. More than a dozen children ag [...]	2004-12-10 19:38:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ELAB PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS3826	CHAVEZ'S ANTI-IMPERIALIST MISSIONARY JOURNEY [...] (C) President Hugo Chavez visited Spain, Libya, Russia, Iran, and Qatar during November 23-30 as part of what GOV officials called an "international offensive" to promote the new phase of the Bolivarian Revolution. In Spain, Chavez capitalized on Foreign Minister Moratino's assertion that the [...]	2004-12-10 21:13:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PHUM ECON VE SP RS IR QA
04CARACAS3834	A PIOUS CHAVEZ CALLS FOR ANTI-U.S. UNITY ON [...] (C) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez told an Al-Jazeera interviewer December 3 that the U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq were "more horrendous terrorism" than the terrorist acts they were intended to combat. Speaking in a televised interview from Doha, Qatar, Chavez called for world solidari [...]	2004-12-14 11:21:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PTER VE ZP XD
04CARACAS3846	VENEZUELAN ASSEMBLY APPOINTS NEW SUPREME COURT [...] (U) Venezuela's National Assembly appointed 17 new Supreme Court justices and 32 alternates December 13. The appointments expanded the Court by 12 justices, and replaced 5 retired or removed justices. Opposition Deputies boycotted the vote. Among those appointed are two Deputies from Pres [...]	2004-12-15 13:44:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KJUS VE
04CARACAS3855	COPEI ON THE ROPES [...] (C) Venezuela's Christian Democratic party (Copei) agreed to restructure during party federal council and general assembly meetings December 8-9. Frustrated with Copei's refusal to cede leadership space at the national level and failure to share funds, the leadership of the Copei youth wing [...]	2004-12-15 20:19:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS3892	TACHIRA STATE: VISIT TO THE VENEZUELAN BORDER [...] (C) Representatives of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) working near Venezuela's border with Colombia described the refugee situation as a growing political problem, particularly in the face of increasing security concerns on the border, during Poloffs visit to Tachira [...]	2004-12-17 20:10:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREF PREL PHUM VE
04CARACAS3917	VENEZUELA MACROECONOMIC UPDATE [...] (U) Venezuela's economic recovery continues based on high government expenditures and strong consumption levels. Unemployment has continued its slow decline. Inflation, while slowing, remains somewhat high. The balance of payments has moved from strong surplus to a near even position. Fore [...]	2004-12-22 15:56:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ECON EFIN PGOV VE
04CARACAS3918	VENEZUELA MACROECONOMIC UPDATE [...] (U) Venezuela's economic recovery continues based on high government expenditures and strong consumption levels. Unemployment has continued its slow decline. Inflation, while slowing, remains somewhat high. The balance of payments has moved from strong surp lus to a near even position. Fo [...]	2004-12-22 16:40:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ECON EFIN PGOV VE
04CARACAS3926	CONTENT LAW NOW IN EFFECT, MEDIA STRUGGLE TO ADJUST [...] (U) Signed by President Hugo Chavez Frias on December 7, the "Law for Social Responsibility in Radio and Television" went into effect with its publication in the official gazette December 8. The final legislation reflects some last minute changes to a handful of articles, but remains much the s [...]	2004-12-23 11:05:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM KDEM KPAO PGOV VE
04CARACAS3927	THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE MESSY - VENEZUELAN [...] (C) Recent economic news in Venezuela is mixed. Third quarter GDP growth is an impressive 15.8%, and total 2004 growth estimates are being revised upward to as much as 18%, though the GOV predicts 15-16%. Venezuelan oil prices for December, on the other hand, are 28% below their October high [...]	2004-12-23 11:55:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN PGOV VE
04CARACAS3928	CHAVEZ GIVES MARCHING ORDERS FOR THE REVOLUTION [...] (C) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez laid out plans for his Bolivarian Revolution to a group of loyalist governors, mayors, and other officials November 12-13 in Caracas. According to an account of Chavez's presentation put together by veteran Marxist writer and Chavez adviser Martha Harnecker [...]	2004-12-23 12:30:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL ECON VE
04CARACAS3929	MEETING WITH TUPAMAROS WORKING IN CARACAS [...] (C) Alberto "Chino" Carias, a member of the urban guerrilla group Tupamaros (now a political party) and now a public security official for the Caracas metropolitan district, discussed with poloff December 21 the re-structuring the Metropolitan Police and the December 8 street vendor riot in do [...]	2004-12-23 14:42:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS3936	AMBASSADOR VISITS VALENCIA, CAPITAL OF CARABOBO [...] (C) Ambassador's visit to the central city of Valencia on December 9 - 10, 2004 included meetings with the Governor and Mayor, although for the third consecutive trip, the military declined to meet. Newspaper coverage was excellent, and there was an abundance of media reporters and questions a [...]	2004-12-27 14:17:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL ECON VE
04CARACAS3940	VENEZUELA 2005 NATIONAL TRADE ESTIMATE REPORT [...] (U) Summary: The Following is Embassy Caracas' submission for the 2005 National Trade Estimate Report. This document was also submitted as a MS Word document to G. Blue and B. Harmon at USTR by e-mail on December 23, 2004. End Summary ------------- TRADE SUMMARY ------------- 2. (U) The [...]	2004-12-27 18:47:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ECON EFIN ETRD VE
04CARACAS3944	ARREST WARRANTS FOR STRIKE LEADERS, TRAVEL LIMITS [...] (C) Venezuelan judges issued arrest warrants on December 23 for eight former state oil company executives accused of civil rebellion and other crimes for their role in the December 2002 - February 2003 national strike. Included among those sought are Juan Fernandez, leader of the civil societ [...]	2004-12-27 21:01:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS3956	VENEZUELAN ELECTORAL COUNCIL EYES THE FUTURE [...] (C) National Electoral Council (CNE) Director Jorge Rodriguez is the odds-on favorite to replace outgoing CNE President Francisco Carrasquero, who will move to the recently-expanded Supreme Court (TSJ) in January. Carrasquero's departure will leave two vacancies on the CNE's five-person board [...]	2004-12-29 13:36:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS3977	VENEZUELA'S MAGNATE DISCUSSES CHAVEZ AND THE REGION [...] (C ) SUMMARY. Gustavo Cisneros, who has massive business interests in Venezuela and throughout the Western Hemisphere, believes we should prepare for a more confrontational, long-term approach to Hugo Chavez; we have a lot of work ahead of us to develop a coherent regional containment policy; [...]	2004-12-30 17:23:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL KDEM VE
04CARACAS3979	LAND "INTERVENTIONS" PRESAGE REDISTRIBUTION [...] (C) Venezuelan Governors in Cojedes and Monagas States have issued decrees ordering land "interventions" and charging committees of government and goverment-allied officials to review the ownership rights of over three dozen ranches and rural properties. The first decree, issued by Governor [...]	2004-12-30 18:31:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV ECON EAGR VE ENV
04CARACAS407	ONE STEP FORWARD, TWO STEPS BACK ON SIGNATURE COUNT [...] (C) Technical and organizational problems, suspected employee sabotage, and lethargic decision making continue to stymie progress of signature verifications collected to convoke recall referendums on President Hugo Chavez and 67 National Assembly deputies. National Electoral Council (CNE) Pre [...]	2004-02-05 12:45:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS425	HUMAN RIGHTS STRATEGY FOR VENEZUELA [...] Venezuela continued to be embroiled in a political crisis over the government of President Hugo Chavez, who was elected in July 2000 in generally free and fair elections. The democratic environment suffered from deteriorating rule of law and weakened institutions that were increasingly subord [...]	2004-02-09 14:56:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PHUM PGOV PREL VE
04CARACAS430	READOUT ON CARTER VISIT: SHORING UP THE REFERENDUM [...] (C) Carter Center representative Francisco Diez believes the January 27-29 visit of former President Carter was pivotal in keeping the signature verification process at the National Electoral Commission (CNE) on track. In meetings with President Chavez, Carter emphasized the need for Chavez to [...]	2004-02-09 21:52:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS437	SIGNATURE COUNT FACES ROCKY WEEK [...] (C) The National Electoral Commission (CNE) faces a tough week, as the politically symbolic deadline of February 13 will come and go without a definitive decision on the recall referendum against President Chavez. Opposition groups plan a march on February 14 to "defend" their signatures and k [...]	2004-02-10 17:16:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS501	UPDATE ON THE USAID/OTI VENEZUELA PROGRAM [...] USAID'S OFFICE OF TRANSITION INITIATIVES (OTI) BEGAN ITS VENEZUELA PROGRAM IN NOVEMBER 2002 TO SUPPORT THE PRIMARY USG GOAL OF SUPPORTING DEMOCRACY AND DEMOCRATIC SOLUTIONS TO VENEZUELA'S POLITICAL CRISIS. USAID'S OVERALL GOAL IN VENEZUELA IS TO SUPPORT A POLITICAL PROCESS THAT IS DEMOCR [...]	2004-02-11 15:26:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PREL EAID KDEM PHUM VE
04CARACAS503	VENEZUELA POLITICAL UPDATE: 2/11/2004 [...] CNE: -- (C) CARTER CENTER REPRESENTATIVE FRANCISCO DIEZ TOLD THE AMBASSADOR THAT THE NATIONAL ELECTORAL COUNCIL (CNE) NOW CLAIMS THAT THERE ARE ONLY 3,000 SIGNATURE FORMS (OR 30,000 SIGNATURES) THAT ARE BEING QUESTIONED, A SIGNIFICANT DOWN-GRADE FROM THE 65,000 FORMS (OR 650,000 SIGNATURES) [...]	2004-02-11 20:18:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM VE
04CARACAS527	CNE DIRECTOR MEJIAS INVOLVED IN NATIONAL GUARD [...] (C) An alleged attack on a National Assembly (AN) Deputy Edgar (Democratic Action) Zambrano and National Electoral Council (CNE) Director Sobella Mejias (pro-opposition) by National Guard (GN) troops as the two dined on February 7 created a political firestorm. At issue is whether GN Gen. Mar [...]	2004-02-12 15:55:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS532	CARTER CENTER BRIEFING ALARMS WESTERN HEMISPHERE [...] (C) The Carter Center held a briefing on February 10 at the Ambassador's residence for Western Hemisphere ambassadors on the status of the signature verification process at the National Electoral Commission (CNE). Carter Center representatives described the numerous administrative problems (i [...]	2004-02-12 17:30:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS533	THE "TROPICAL UNITY" OF THE OPPOSITION [...] (C) The opposition remains convinced that the referendum is on track, according to a top aide for Enrique Mendoza. Organizers of the February 14 march to defend the signatures calling for a recall vote on President Hugo Chavez are planning on 100,000 (some hope for one million) to participate [...]	2004-02-12 17:51:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS535	VENEZUELA POLITICAL UPDATE: 2/12/2004 [...] CNE: -- (C) OAS observers told poloff on February 11 that the National Electoral Council (CNE) will re-submit the remainder of the signature forms for the presidential recall referendum to a verification using their stricter criteria. This move will certainly slow the verification process a [...]	2004-02-13 12:31:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM VE
04CARACAS545	ARIAS CARDENAS: OPPOSITION FACES UPHILL BATTLE [...] (C) Francisco Arias Cardenas, former presidential candidate and ex-Governor of Zulia, told the Ambassador February 11 that President Hugo Chavez's increased control of the military and the state oil company (PDVSA) following the events of April 11, 2002, make it unlikely that he could be force [...]	2004-02-13 20:08:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV VE
04CARACAS546	GROWING PRESSURE FOR RENEGOTIATION OF OIL SERVICE [...] (C) There are signs that the GOV has started playing hardball in its efforts to force the oil companies that signed operating service agreements in the 1990's to convert these contracts into the majority GOV-owned joint ventures mandated under the 2001 Hydrocarbons Law. Public claims by the [...]	2004-02-13 20:21:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET ECON VE
04CARACAS548	ANOTHER CUBAN DOCTOR ATTEMPTS TO FLEE [...] ON FEBRUARY 4, NATIONAL GUARDSMEN ARRESTED ULISES BERNAL PEREZ, A CUBAN DOCTOR ASSIGNED TO THE "BARRIO ADENTRO" (INTO THE SLUMS) PROGRAM, AFTER HE ALLEGEDLY TRIED TO DEFECT BY FORCING TWO JOURNALISTS TO DRIVE HIM TO THE COLOMBIAN BORDER, ACCORDING TO PRESS REPORTS. BERNAL PEREZ REPORTEDLY BELI [...]	2004-02-13 20:52:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PGOV PHUM PREF VE
04CARACAS549	AFTERMATH OF DEVALUATION: INFLATION AND PRIVATE [...] (C) THE GOV FOLLOWED ITS FEBRUARY 9 DEVALUATION (REF A) WITH PRICE INCREASES ON SOME IMPORTANT PRICE-CONTROLLED STAPLES THE NEXT DAY. THE CHIEF ECONOMISTS OF VENEZUELA'S TWO LARGEST BANKS SAW THE DEVALUATION DIFFERENTLY IN CONVERSATIONS WITH ECONOFF. LUIS ZAMBRANO OF BANCO MERCANTIL SAID THE [...]	2004-02-13 20:59:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN PGOV VE
04CARACAS552	VENEZUELA POLITICAL UPDATE: 2/13/2004 [...] Carter Center: -- (U) In a February 13 statement the Carter Center called on the National Electoral Council (CNE) to publish a firm schedule to finish their verification of signature sheets by February 28. 2. OAS: -- (C) OAS observers told poloff that a February 28 deadline would most [...]	2004-02-13 21:28:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM VE
04CARACAS559	BRAIN TRUST PREVIEWS PRIMARY PLANS [...] (C) On 07 February, the Ambassador met with a group of opposition "wise-men" who made a presentation on a plan for a unified candidate to run for president in elections following an eventual recall referendum. The group claimed that the plan had possible widespread support among leaders of the [...]	2004-02-17 19:32:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS560	DAS DESHAZO PRESSES SIGNATURE COUNT WITH VP RANGEL [...] (C) WHA DAS Peter DeShazo told Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel on February 16 that the world is watching the manner in which the National Electoral Council(CNE) carries out the signature count on the recall petition against President Hugo Chavez. DAS DeShazo expressed full support for the w [...]	2004-02-17 19:35:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS577	CARTER CENTER/OAS RAISE CONCERNS WITH DAS DESHAZO [...] (C) WHA DAS Peter DeShazo expressed USG support for the OAS and the Carter Center in a lunch on February 16 for representatives of both organizations hosted by the Ambassador. OAS Chief of Staff Fernando Jaramillo said it is clear the National Electoral Council (CNE) is attempting to invalida [...]	2004-02-18 12:21:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS578	VENEZUELA POLITICAL UPDATE: 2/14/2004 [...] OAS: -- (C) OAS chief of staff Francisco Jaramillo told the Ambassador February 13 that the National Electoral Council (CNE) board meeting with the Carter Center and OAS was "a disaster." Jaramillo said the CNE refused an OAS and Carter Center proposal to bring fingerprint experts from the [...]	2004-02-18 15:33:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM VE
04CARACAS610	IMF REP SEES LITTLE TO CHEER ABOUT IN VENEZUELA'S [...] (C) In a February 19 meeting with Econcouns, IMF Resident Representative Humberto Arbulu expressed deep skepticism over Chavez administration economic policies and frustration over the lack of transparency in economic information made available to him. He gave the Finance Ministry high mark [...]	2004-02-20 13:50:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN PGOV VE
04CARACAS612	CHAVEZ TAKES AIM AT HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS [...] (C) During his February 15 "Alo Presidente" broadcast, President Chavez accused several human rights organizations of receiving funding from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) through the Washington-based Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL) to help overthrow the GOV. Seve [...]	2004-02-20 16:10:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV VE
04CARACAS620	ADVANCING THE REVLUTION: BRINGING THE ATTORNEY [...] (C ON FEBRUARY 18, CARMEN ALGUINDIGUE, DIRECTOR OF PROCEDURAL ACTION AND ONE OF THREE KEY CAREER EMPLOEES IN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, WAS FIRED. ACCORDING TO LEGATT, AT LEAST TWO MORE TOP EMPLYEES IN THE ORGANIZATION WILL BE FIRED AS PART O A STRATEGY TO FORCE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFI [...]	2004-02-20 20:22:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KJUS VE
04CARACAS627	EMBASSY CARACAS COMMENTS ON 2004 SPECIAL 301 REVIEW [...] (SBU) The GOV continues to show signs of slippage in its commitment to the protection of intellectual property rights. In 2003 the government persisted in its policy of approving domestic copies of internationally patented pharmaceutical products for sale in Venezuela. Venezuela's anti-trust [...]	2004-02-25 12:32:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	KIPR ECON VE
04CARACAS628	DAS DESHAZO'S MEETING WITH AMBASSADORS ON 2/16/2004 [...] (C) During a February 16 meeting in Caracas, DAS Peter DeShazo told ambassadors from interested countries that the international community needs to make clear its strong and unified support for the democratic process, the OAS and the Carter Center. The Spanish ambassador worried about a CNE [...]	2004-02-25 13:42:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM VE
04CARACAS634	CHAVEZ ACCUSES USG OF FUNDING "COUPMONGERS" [...] (C) During his February 8 and 15 "Alo, Presidente" broadcasts, President Chavez accused the USG of supporting opposition efforts to oust him by funneling $60,000 to the NGO Sumate and millions more to assist other opposition groups. Chavez also claimed that the CIA's refusal to provide any in [...]	2004-02-26 14:08:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PROP VE
04CARACAS649	VENEZUELA REFERENDUM UPDATE: 2/25/2004 [...] (C) The National Electoral Council (CNE) announced February 24 that petition forms with more than one third of the signatures to petition the recall of President Chavez will be submitted to the CNE's Superior Technical Committee (CTS) for further review because they were filled in with the sam [...]	2004-02-26 22:21:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM VE
04CARACAS651	CIVIL REBELLION CHARGES SPARK PROTESTS IN MERIDA [...] (C) Pro-GOV Merida State Governor Florencio Porras ordered an investigation against 24 opposition-aligned citizens in January, alleging civil rebellion stemming back to events in April 2002, when President Hugo Chavez was briefly removed from power. Students led violent protests January 29 and [...]	2004-02-26 22:32:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS699	REPORT ON STAFFDEL FEBRUARY 18-20 [...] (C) House Western Hemisphere Subcommittee staff members met with opposition and government leaders, members of the National Assembly, and the UNHCR representative in Caracas February 18-20. Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel emphasized the importance of maintaining a good Venezuelan-U.S. bil [...]	2004-03-01 20:37:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PREF VE
04CARACAS700	WEEKEND OF CONFLICT IN CARACAS; NO CNE DECISION YET [...] (C) Opposition groups staged two days of protests in the wake of the February 27 march that left one dead and dozens injured. The GOV staged its own march of hundreds of thousands on February 28 to protest U.S. intervention in Venezuelan affairs. Speaking to the crowd, President Chavez deliv [...]	2004-03-01 21:35:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS708	CHEVRONTEXACO GRANTED SECOND OFF-SHORE GAS BLOCK [...] (C) Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez_ announced February 19 the award of Block 3 of the off-shore Deltana Platform natural gas project to ChevronTexaco. Despite the fact that ChevronTexaco was the only bidder for the block in December 2003, ChevronTexaco de Venezuela President Ali Moshiri said [...]	2004-03-02 17:39:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET ECON VE
04CARACAS714	ECONOMIC FALL-OUT FROM INCREASED POLITICAL TENSIONS [...] (SBU) The rise in political tensions over the revocatory referendum on Chavez's tenure in office and attendant violence is beginning to spill over into the economy. The parallel market bolivar/dollar rate has spiked as has the spread on Venezuelan bonds. It appears, however, that a planned [...]	2004-03-02 20:41:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ECON PGOV EFIN ENRG VE
04CARACAS728	THE OPPOSITION'S NEGOTIATING DILEMMA [...] (C) The Democratic Coordinating Committee (DCC) is negotiating with National Electoral Council (CNE) Director Jorge Rodriguez to design a workable appeals process ("reparo") for regaining the signatures petitioning a presidential recall referendum not initially accepted by the CNE. The DCC wa [...]	2004-03-04 19:07:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS731	HOW REAL IS CHAVEZ'S OIL THREAT? [...] (C) On February 29, President Chavez threatened to cut off Venezuelan oil supplies to the U.S. or to nationalize U.S. company assets if the U.S. were to seek to "blockade" or impose sanctions against Venezuela. The U.S. majors in Venezuela dismiss his words as bluster but do not totally disco [...]	2004-03-04 22:57:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET PGOV VE
04CARACAS740	WHERE THE OPPOSITION STANDS ON CNE TALKS [...] (C) OPPOSITION LEADERS BEGAN DISCUSSIONS WITH NATIONAL ELECTORAL COUNCIL (CNE) JORGE RODRIGUEZ ON MARCH 3 TO WORK OUT A FORMULA FOR THE REFERENDUM SIGNATURES APPEALS PROCESS. IN ADDITION TO NEGOTIATING WITH THE CNE, THE OPPOSITION LEADERS FACE FUNDAMENTAL INTERNAL DIVISIONS AS TO WHETHER TO PU [...]	2004-03-05 19:36:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS746	CHAVEZ RENEWS ALLEGATIONS OF U.S. PLOTTING [...] (C) President Hugo Chavez repudiated international criticisms against the GOV for human rights violations and undemocratic practices, speaking to the diplomatic corps March 5. DCM attending on behalf of the Ambassador, walked out after Chavez reasserted allegations, made most recently Februar [...]	2004-03-05 20:57:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS749	OAS AND CARTER CENTER PUT PRESSURE ON GOV [...] (C) CARTER CENTER REPRESENTATIVE MATTHEW HODES TOLD THE AMBASSADOR MARCH 4 THAT FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER AND OAS SYG CESAR GAVIRIA WOULD PULL THEIR MISSIONS OUT OF VENEZUELA IF THE GOV INSISTS ON UNWORKABLE RULES FOR THE PROPOSED APPEALS PROCESS (REPARO). CNE DIRECTOR JORGE RODRIGUEZ WANT [...]	2004-03-05 21:35:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM VE
04CARACAS752	IS ANYONE KEEPING SCORE? HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS [...] (U) Growing violence since February 27 has produced a sharp rise in the number and types of human rights violations throughout Venezuela. Several local human rights organizations, Amnesty International, and the Inter-American Human Rights Commission issued statements condemning the violence [...]	2004-03-08 11:08:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM KDEM VE OAS
04CARACAS786	CNE EMPLOYEES: GOV TAKING OVER, RECALL UNLIKELY [...] (C) Diego Acevedo, aide to CNE Director Sobella Mejias, claimed even if the presidential referendum signature appeals process overcomes significant technical hurdles, it will nonetheless be vulnerable to pro-Chavez sabotage from the overseeing officials. He claimed all of the CNE's regional o [...]	2004-03-09 15:32:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
04CARACAS801	THE NARROW ROAD TO THE SIGNATURE APPEALS PROCESS [...] (C) The GOV and the opposition continue to negotiate the appeals process ("reparos") that will determine the fate of the signatures presidential referendum against President Hugo Chavez. The National Electoral Council (CNE) March 7 delivered its computerized version of the results of the veri [...]	2004-03-09 21:52:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS851	IN GAS CEREMONY CHAVEZ SOUNDS A LESS AGGRESSIVE [...] (C) President Chavez pointedly lowered his anti-U.S. rhetoric in a March 9 ceremony hurriedly organized by the GOV to recognize the award to ChevronTexaco (CTX) of an exploration license for an off-shore natural gas block. While agreeing that Chavez had sought to send a message to the USG, sen [...]	2004-03-12 16:18:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET PREL ECON VE
04CARACAS882	CHAVEZ'S LONG ARM CHOKES JUDGES AND PROSECUTORS [...] (C) Recently fired chief prosecutor Ramon Medina told poloff March 9 that the Attorney General's Office is increasingly focused on solidifying Chavez's hold on domestic institutions. Medina, a long-time contact of the Embassy's LegAtt and PAS offices, said he was dismissed because he resisted [...]	2004-03-12 21:12:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM VE
04CARACAS883	SUMATE SCRUBS THE CNE'S PRELIMINARY RESULTS [...] (C) The NGO Sumate presented to the diplomatic corps on March 11 its initial impressions of the signature verification data given to the opposition by the National Electoral Council's (CNE). The CNE's work is full of errors that, in Sumate's opinion, imply an intentional effort to ruin the ch [...]	2004-03-12 21:12:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS884	INCREASED OIL SALES TO CUBA? [...] (C) Venezuela's crude and refined product exports to Cuba have been increased by an additional 25,000 b/d for an official total of 78,000 b/d, according to a maritime industry contact. Another Embassy source asserts that Cuba is now paying a larger portion of its debt to Venezuela with bonds [...]	2004-03-15 13:20:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET ECON VE CU
04CARACAS890	DUELING CLAIMS OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS [...] (C) Nearly a dozen Venezuelans died, 1,758 were wounded or injured, and 410 were detained during disturbances in the country from February 27 to March 5, according to the opposition Democratic Coordinating Committee (DCC). Amid the claims of government human rights abuses, the GOV has mounted [...]	2004-03-15 16:08:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV VE
04CARACAS898	TSJ ELECTORAL CHAMBER ORDERS CNE TO VERIFY [...] (U) The Electoral Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ),issued a ruling March 15 ordering the National Electoral Council (CNE) to include more than 800,000 presidential referendum signatures among the valid signatures that will be subject to the appeals process (reparo). In theory, th [...]	2004-03-15 20:09:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS908	CHESS GAME IN THE SUPREME COURT OF JUSTICE [...] (C) Venezuela Supreme Court's (TSJ) Constitutional Chamber declared March 11 that it alone is the appropriate forum to hear cases regarding the National Electoral Council (CNE) and the proposed presidential recall referendum. Constitutional Chamber president Ivan Rincon told the Ambassador Mar [...]	2004-03-16 12:56:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS920	BIOGRAPHY OF VENEZUELA'S NEW FOREIGN MINISTER [...] (C/NF) Jesus Arnaldo Perez became Venezuela's Minister of Foreign Relations on February 13, 2004. Having served as Ambassador to France (2002-2004) and to Algeria (2001-2002),Perez replaced outgoing Minister Roy Chaderton, who will replace Perez as Ambassador to France once the GOV receives [...]	2004-03-17 20:27:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PINR VE
04CARACAS922	U.S.-LED CONSORTIUM TO PROVIDE ELECTORAL [...] (SBU) The U.S.-based company Smartmatic (Boca Raton, Florida) is the managing partner of the SBC Consortium that recently won the contract to provide automated electoral equipment and services for Venezuela's August 1 regional elections (and a presidential referendum if necessary). The consor [...]	2004-03-17 20:29:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM BEXP VE
04CARACAS945	VENEZUELA ON THE VERGE OF A PURGE [...] (C) The GOV appears to be engaged in a broad effort to ensure loyalty and punish opposition using the list of persons who signed the recall petition against President Hugo Chavez. Since the beginning of March, reports have emerged of GOV offices and state enterprises using signature data from [...]	2004-03-19 21:36:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV ELAB PHUM VE
04CARACAS946	SUPREME COURT DONNYBROOK STALLS RECALL [...] (U) The Supreme Court (TSJ) Constitutional Chamber ordered the Electoral Chamber to stop all activity related to the National Electoral Council (CNE) March 17. In a March 18 letter, the Electoral Chamber reaffirmed its jurisdiction in the matter and refused to give up its files. For its part, [...]	2004-03-19 21:39:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS947	NUMBER THREE PROSECUTOR BECOMES CHAVEZ POLITICAL [...] (C) Carmen Alguindigue, the former number three prosecutor in the Attorney General's Office, said March 17 she was fired for refusing to support the Chavez political agenda. The increasing number of politically-motivated firings in government will further weaken the nation's institutions, she [...]	2004-03-19 21:41:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE
04CARACAS949	REGIONAL ELECTIONS WILL TEST OPPOSITION UNITY [...] (C) THE REGISTRATION OF CANDIDATES FOR VENEZUELA'S AUGUST 1 GUBERNATORIAL AND MAYORAL ELECTIONS BEGAN MARCH 16. OPPOSITION GROUPS FACE THE CHALLENGE OF MAINTAINING UNITY IN THEIR EFFORTS TO REVOKE THE MANDATE OF PRESIDENT HUGO CHAVEZ WHILE COMPETING FOR THE REGIONAL ELECTIONS. OPPOSITION LEAD [...]	2004-03-19 21:46:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS950	WANTED: BARUTA MAYOR, FOR INCITING CROWD AT CUBAN [...] (C) Baruta Mayor Henrique Capriles Radonsky said March 18 he will not present himself to the court as summoned until after he sees the case file alleging his involvement with a violent protest at the Cuban Embassy April 12, 2002. The court has refused Capriles' lawyers access to the case file [...]	2004-03-19 21:50:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM VE
04CARACAS967	NEW PDVSA BOARD ANNOUNCED [...] (C) A new, expanded Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) board was announced on March 12. The change is not likely to have any near term effect upon operations. The board, the ninth named in the five years of the Chavez government, will continue to be led by Ali Rodriguez and will have three vice [...]	2004-03-22 17:57:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET ECON VE
04CARACAS975	HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS CLOSE-UP: DETENTIONS [...] (U) The GOV has detained hundreds of individuals since February 27 on charges ranging from "violent behavior" to civil rebellion. The detentions share certain characteristics, including little concern with the detainee's relation to the alleged charges, beatings and torture while in National [...]	2004-03-23 14:59:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV PINS VE
05CARACAS100	US SERVICES IN VENEZUELA- MARKET ACCESS PRIORITIES [...] (U) The following is Embassy Caracas' response to reftel request for market access priorities and openness in the Venezuelan services sector for US commercial interests. SERVICE Priority Openness ------- -------- -------- Legal [...]	2005-01-13 13:12:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ECON ETRD WTO
05CARACAS1011	ACCION DEMOCRATICA: LOOKING FOR VOTES IN ALL THE [...] (C) Accion Democratica (AD),Venezuela's largest opposition party, lacks a credible strategy to confront the administration of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. AD does not appear to be either revising its platform or attempting to build coalitions with other parties. Instead, the party is [...]	2005-04-08 13:06:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM PREL VE
05CARACAS1012	HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS DEFEND FORMER IAHRC PRESIDENT [...] (C) Venezuelan prosecutors postponed until April 14 the opening of a formal investigation against former Inter-American Commission on Human Rights President Carlos Ayala. All the major Venezuelan human rights groups and Human Rights Watch rallied to support Ayala April 5, when he went to ap [...]	2005-04-08 13:08:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV KJUS VE
05CARACAS1029	SENATOR COLEMAN MEETS WITH ENERGY COMPANIES IN [...] (C) During his visit to Venezuela, Senator Norm Coleman held two meetings with leading energy companies. In the first, a meeting with several members of the Venezuelan Hydrocarbons Association (AVHI) hosted by ChevronTexaco President Ali Moshiri, the Senator was given a mixed but somewhat favo [...]	2005-04-11 14:29:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ENRG EPET PREL VE
05CARACAS1038	CHAVEZ DECREES FORMATION OF MILITARY RESERVES [...] (C) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez made official his plans to increase military reserves and call up a civilian militia with two decrees published April 4. On his "Alo Presidente" program April 3, Chavez said the new military reserves will number more than 1.5 million and the rest of the [...]	2005-04-11 18:52:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV MARR VE
05CARACAS1045	SENATOR COLEMAN'S MEETING WITH VENEZUELAN CIVIL [...] (C) During Senator Norm Coleman's (R-MN) visit to Venezuela April 1-3, he met with leading Venezuelan civil society figures at a dinner hosted by the Charge. The guests told the Senator of their deep concerns for the future of democratic institutions in the country. They also expressed their [...]	2005-04-11 19:44:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
05CARACAS1047	SEN. COLEMAN MEETS WITH POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS [...] (C) Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) visited Venezuela on April 1-3, 2005 and held talks with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, business and religious leaders, and representatives of the country's opposition legislators. President Chavez, according to the Senator was gracious and spoke of trying to [...]	2005-04-11 20:08:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM VE

05CARACAS1049	NDI AND IRI WORK TO STRENGTHEN POLITICAL PARTIES [...] The National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Republican Institute (IRI) are in a strong position to facilitate the renovation/transformation of Venezuela's political parties, building on the Qationships developed with party membership over the past year, and the institutiona [...]	2005-04-11 20:20:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PREL EAID KDEM PHUM VE
05CARACAS1088	VENEZUELA'S FINANCIAL SECTOR FACING MORE POLITICAL [...] (C) Several issues are causing heads to turn in Caracas financial circles. It is rumored that the Central Bank is unloading its U.S. treasury instruments, for fear that they might be vulnerable to a U.S. economic embargo on Venezuela. Meanwhile the Finance Ministry has successfully carried o [...]	2005-04-14 19:52:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EFIN ECON PGOV VE
05CARACAS1105	CHAVEZ: MAKING FRIENDS AND INFLUENCING PEOPLE [...] (C) One of President Hugo Chavez's principal mechanisms for influencing regional leaders have been international conferences such as the Bolivarian People's Congresses, a push to spread his ideology and influence through a conference similar to Cuba's Tri-Continental Congress in the 1960's. M [...]	2005-04-15 18:36:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL KDEM VE
05CARACAS1139	VENEZUELA: PLAN PETROLEUM SOVEREIGNTY ADVANCES [...] No summary [...]	2005-04-18 20:30:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET EINV PGOV VE
05CARACAS1157	VENEZUELAN FOREIGN MINISTER TO ATTEND COMMUNITY OF [...] No summary [...]	2005-04-20 14:56:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PREL KDEM VE
05CARACAS1188	SUMATE: PRESSURE CONTINUES [...] (C) Maria Corina Machado, Executive Vice President of the Venezuelan NGO Sumate, said April 11 that judicial and social pressure against Sumate leaders was growing. Machado told poloffs that Venezuelan electoral officials continue to violate electoral law, and said she could not recommend p [...]	2005-04-21 20:09:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
05CARACAS1205	AMBASSADOR'S TRIP TO ANZOATEGUI STATE [...] (C) The Ambassador's trip to Anzoategui State March 8-9 concentrated on the Barcelona/Puerto La Cruz area and the Jose industrial complex - a multi-billion dollar US investment. The objectives were to emphasize the importance of the US-Venezuelan oil relationship, to get a better sense of the [...]	2005-04-22 18:06:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM ECON VE ENGY
05CARACAS1230	VENEZUELA: GOV PARTIALLY WALKS BACK ON OIL TAX [...] (C) GOV officials carefully walked back from President Chavez's April 15 announcement that a 50 percent tax would be levied on the four projects that upgrade extra-heavy crude. In fact, the tax increase will apply to the companies that operate in Venezuela under 32 Operating Service Agreements [...]	2005-04-26 18:03:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET EINV PGOV VE
05CARACAS1235	CHAVEZ CELEBRATES APRIL 13 ANNIVERSARY [...] (U) President Hugo Chavez celebrated the third anniversary of his return to power of 2002, after a two-day temporary ouster, with three commemorative acts on April 13. While swearing in what the GOV claimed were approximately 29,000 new military reservists in Caracas, Chavez explained his vis [...]	2005-04-26 19:36:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL VE
05CARACAS1283	VENEZUELA: THE MILITARY IN GOVERNMENT [...] (SBU) At least 180 military officers, both active and retired, currently occupy positions in the Venezuelan government. Some estimates range higher, but this figure reflects Embassy's specific information at this time. Seventy-nine of the 179 are/were in the Army (44%),25 the Navy (14%),25 [...]	2005-04-28 11:48:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV MARR KDEM VE
05CARACAS1285	VENEZUELAN LEGISLATIVE AGENDA: SO MUCH TO DO, AND [...] (C) The Venezuelan National Assembly plans to pass a number of important laws before the summer recess August 15, according to Movimiento Quinta Republica Deputy Calixto Ortega. Ortega and other deputies cited the National Police Law, the Organized Crime Law, and the Drug Law as priorities [...]	2005-04-28 19:33:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV VE
05CARACAS1286	CHAVEZ'S MVR PARTY: PRIMARIES FOR LOCAL ELECTIONS [...] (U) President Hugo Chavez's Movimiento Quinta Republica (MVR) held the first Venezuelan primaries April 10 to elect candidates for the August 7 parochial board and local councilmen elections. Delays and disagreements caused the postponement of the contests by several days in Zulia, Anzoategui [...]	2005-04-28 19:36:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
05CARACAS1298	THE TELESUR SAGA: CHAVISTA CNN, THE MANAGER'S [...] (C) President Hugo Chavez has been vigorously pushing for the creation of TELESUR, a hemisphere-wide, multi-national, Latin American satellite television network, to offer a different point of view from CNN. TELESUR would promote GOV interests, and it would promote Chavez,s ambitions for cont [...]	2005-04-29 18:05:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECPS KPAO OPRC PGOV PINR XM VE
05CARACAS1332	IMPORT REGULATIONS FOR USED MEDICAL EQUIPMENT [...] The questions asked in reftel will be answered in the same sequence: A.There are no special regulations or customs tariffs that apply to used or refurbished medical equipment, which do not apply to new products. No customs duties discounts are granted for the import of used equipment. Howeve [...]	2005-05-02 19:56:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	BEXP ETRD VE
05CARACAS1336	CAN YOU SPARE A BILLION? NO? HOW ABOUT SEVEN? [...] (C) As Venezuela's international reserves continue to grow - to over USD 27 billion - the GOV continues to pursue methods to gain control of part of them. The amount the GOV wants also continues to rise. While a year ago Chavez wanted a "mere billion" ("un millardito"),and later that year go [...]	2005-05-02 20:21:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN PGOV VE
05CARACAS1355	CHAVEZ CALLS FOR END TO BLACK LISTING: OPPOSITION [...] (U) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez called on officials to stop using the so-called Tascon List to discriminate against opponents April 15. The list contains the names of all the Venezuelans who signed petitions calling for the presidential recall referendum, and has been used by officials [...]	2005-05-04 14:02:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM VE
05CARACAS1356	LAND LAW CHANGES TO LEGALIZE CURRENT GOV ABUSES [...] (C) The Venezuelan National Assembly amended the 2001 land law on April 14 to increase the types of land subject to expropriation, to grant squatters more rights, and to empower the National Land Institute (INTI). The modifications, however, do not provide INTI objective standards to use as [...]	2005-05-04 14:08:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV EAGR SENV VE
05CARACAS1359	CHAVEZ VISIT TO HAVANA LEAVES PLETHORA OF ECONOMIC [...] (C) In Havana April 28, Presidents Hugo Chavez of Venezuela and Fidel Castro of Cuba signed a series of economic agreements which will assertively strengthen trade between the two countries. In addition to sending USD 412 million of various products duty free to Cuba, Venezuela will also incr [...]	2005-05-04 17:09:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN PGOV VE
05CARACAS1389	VENEZUELAN POLITICAL PROSECUTIONS UPDATE [...] (U) Venezuelan judges will soon open hearings to decide whether Venezuelan Workers' Confederation President Carlos Ortega, detained since March 1 2005, and former Miranda Governor Enrique Mendoza will stand trial for civil rebellion. A judge in Aragua is in the midst of hearings to decide w [...]	2005-05-06 11:32:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KJUS VE
05CARACAS1431	VENEZUELA: A SHORT PRIMER ON OIL SECTOR CORRUPTION [...] (C) Several different corruption scandals are brewing in Venezuela's oil sector. In PDVSA's western operational area, the scandals range from allegations about garden variety contracting corruption to questions about the procedures following in the hiring of thousands of employees who were hi [...]	2005-05-09 17:18:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET VE
05CARACAS1441	LAND "REFORM" PLACES NATURE RESERVE IN JEOPARDY [...] No summary [...]	2005-05-09 19:23:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON PGOV SENV VE
05CARACAS1459	EXXONMOBIL SAYS PRESS REPORTS OF SETTLEMENT WITH [...] (C) ExxonMobil denies recent press reports that the company has reached a settlement with the GOV over the increase of the royalty payments levied on its Cerro Negro project. ExxonMobil de Venezuela President Mark Ward said its discussions with the GOV are "at a complete standstill" and that t [...]	2005-05-10 19:07:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET VE
05CARACAS1485	CHAVEZ'S BRIEF CHARM OFFENSIVE [...] (U) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez speaking May 4 and Vice-President Jose Vincente Rangel speaking May 2 each made statements calling for a "constructive" relationship with the U.S. Rangel spoke in response to Brazilian President Luiz Lula de Silva's April 29 call for better U.S.-Venezuelan [...]	2005-05-12 20:02:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL VE
05CARACAS1496	VENEZUELA: THE TAX MAN COMETH TO THE OIL COMPANIES [...] (C) As of April 18, the GOV increased the tax rate levied on the 22 international oil companies operating in Venezuela under "Operating Service Agreements." The GOV then declared May 10 that the companies had cheated on their taxes to the tune of some $2 billion over the past ten years and th [...]	2005-05-13 17:45:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET VE
05CARACAS1498	KELLER POLL: VENEZUELANS SUPPORT CHAVEZ AND THE [...] (C) Respected political analyst and pollster Alfredo Keller met with poloff May 10 to discuss his and the public's views on the GOV and the Venezuelan military. According to Keller's most recent (February 2005) survey, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, the GOV, and the armed forces all rece [...]	2005-05-13 19:09:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV MARR VE
05CARACAS150	VENEZUELA: CODEL DODD MEETS BUSINESS, POLITICAL [...] (C) CODEL Dodd met January 9 with Venezuelan business leaders who noted their concern with increased GOV involvement in the private sector and recommended the USG emphasize multilateral cooperation in dealing with President Hugo Chavez. Meeting with the National Assembly leadership, the CODE [...]	2005-01-18 19:50:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL ECON OVIP VE
05CARACAS1501	BANKS FACE INTEREST RATE CONTROLS [...] (C) On April 28, the Venezuelan Central Bank published new regulations capping the interest rates at which Venezuelan banks can lend money, as well as setting minimum interest rates for both savings accounts and time deposits, effective May 1. Embassy economic contacts agree that while this wi [...]	2005-05-13 19:38:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN PGOV VE
05CARACAS151	CODEL DODD MEETS AN EFFUSIVE CHAVEZ [...] (C) Reversing course, on short notice President Hugo Chavez decided to meet with Senators Dodd, Chafee and Nelson and the Ambassador at Miraflores palace on January 10. An effusive and gregarious Chavez explained his commitment to Venezuela's poor and said his land reform plans were only part [...]	2005-01-18 19:52:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL OVIP KDEM VE
05CARACAS1511	EDUCATION, BOLIVARIAN STYLE [...] (U) The Venezuelan Ministry of Education has published five books outlining Venezuela,s educational plans from pre-school through the post-secondary level. The books appear to be geared to school teachers, administrators and others who deal directly with public education. As a drawn-out missio [...]	2005-05-17 13:57:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
05CARACAS152	SHUFFLE OF ECONOMIC MINISTRIES - THE MORE, THE [...] (C) President Chavez announced on January 9 several Ministerial changes. The Ministry of Production and Commerce has been divided, as has been the Ministry of Energy and Mines, and there are three new institutions: the Ministry of Light Industry and Commerce, the Ministry of Basic Industries [...]	2005-01-18 20:00:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN PGOV VE
05CARACAS1522	VENEZUELAN JUDICIAL PURGES: ENDING CORRUPTION OR [...] (U) The Venezuelan Supreme Court removed 53 judges, a mix of tenured and provisional magistrates, in the states of Lara, Tachira, Falcon, Vargas, and the city of Caracas in early May, accusing them of complicity with drug traffickers and other irregularities. Supreme Court Judicial Committee [...]	2005-05-17 21:02:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KJUS VE
05CARACAS1546	VENEZUELAN OIL PRODUCTION: THE EMPEROR IS LOSING [...] (C) The decline in Venezuelan oil production, long predicted by industry observers, has become public as apparent corruption and diversion of funds and alleged sabotage at state oil company PDVSA became the center of debate in early May. According to a local international oil services compan [...]	2005-05-20 16:37:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET VE
05CARACAS1551	SPEAKER EXPLAINS U.S. VIEWS ON GLOBAL AND [...] (SBU) Rand Corporation Senior Policy Analyst, Dr. Angel Rabasa, traveled to Venezuela February 28-March 5 to address the media, national police, private security organizations, and academic audiences on the topic of terrorism. Rabasa's visit was designed by PAS Caracas to lay the groundwork fo [...]	2005-05-20 17:00:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	KPAO PTER VE
05CARACAS160	CHAVEZ'S LAND REFORM JUGGERNAUT [...] (C) Summary: President Hugo Chavez signed a decree to "Reorganize the Use and Tenure of Agricultural Land" before thousands of cheering supporters January 10. Prior to the decree, several governors issued decrees to register property or otherwise assist the land reform process. The Nationa [...]	2005-01-18 20:30:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV ECON EAGR KDEM VE ENV
05CARACAS162	VENEZUELA: CONOCOPHILLIPS - BACK IN THE GAME? [...] (C) On January 12, a report hit the international news wires that ConocoPhillips, the single largest foreign investor in Venezuela, would pull out following the breakdown in its negotiations with the GOV on the development of the Corocoro offshore oil field. By week's end, ConocoPhillips and [...]	2005-01-19 13:09:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ENRG PGOV VE
05CARACAS163	EXXONMOBIL READY TO TAKE ON THE GOV OVER ROYALTY [...] (C) ExxonMobil informed the Embassy January 12 that it intends to take legal action in response to the GOV's unilateral decision to increase the royalty payments levied on the Orinoco extra heavy oil projects. (Note: Exxonmobil and other international oil companies had embarked on these tech [...]	2005-01-19 13:15:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ENRG PGOV VE
05CARACAS1635	GOV HOLDS TIPS HEARING IN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY [...] (C) At the behest of Venezuelan Ambassador to the U.S. Bernardo Alvarez, National Assembly Foreign Relations Committee president Saul Ortega (MVR),convened a hearing May 25 on organized crime, particularly trafficking in persons. In addition to poloffs, three National Assembly deputies and so [...]	2005-05-31 22:03:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM KWMN VE
05CARACAS165	GRANDA AFFAIR CAUSES TRADE JITTERS [...] (C) SUMMARY: On January 14, in a speech to the Venezuelan National Assembly, President Chavez announced that he was suspending trade ties with Colombia as a result of the alleged kidnapping of FARC "Foreign Minister" Rodrigo Granda. In the aftermath of this announcement, banks and companies w [...]	2005-01-19 17:27:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON ETRD PGOV VE
05CARACAS1657	GOV POSTURES AGAINST GUERRILLAS AND ALLEGED [...] (C) The Venezuelan Government and Armed Forces are scrambling to assert their authority after a Venezuelan soldier died in a shoot-out with Colombian guerrillas May 17. The military has sent more troops to the border with Colombia, and the GOV has adopted a slightly firmer rhetorical positi [...]	2005-06-02 17:46:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV MARR VE
05CARACAS1658	PDVSA OIL EARNINGS - WHAT THEY MEAN ABOUT [...] (C) A controversy is raging in Venezuela over just how much money state-owned oil company PDVSA delivered to the Venezuelan Central Bank (BCV) in the first quarter of 2005, which in turn calls into question whether its claimed oil production is accurate. (As we reported ref A, industry observ [...]	2005-06-02 18:30:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EPET ENRG EFIN PGOV VE
05CARACAS1666	GOV UNLIKELY TO SUPPORT DEMOCRATIC TRANSITION IN [...] (C) President Hugo Chavez,s support for Fidel Castro and antagonism toward the United States is well publicized and makes GoV support for democratic transition in Cuba improbable. The cooperation that exists between Castro and Chavez is extensive, as evidenced by the over 10,000 Cuban doctors [...]	2005-06-03 15:00:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL ETRD ETTC CU VE
05CARACAS1673	AMBASSADOR VISITS MIRANDA STATE [...] The Ambassador's visit to the central northern coastal state of Miranda on April 20, 2005 included meetings with the Governor, the Dean of the Andres Bello Catholic University, the Electricity Plant of Caracas, as well as a USAID funded NGO. Miranda is the state in which the nation's capital, [...]	2005-06-03 19:13:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PREL ENRG EAID VE
05CARACAS168	CHAVISTAS GET TOUGH: VENEZUELA'S PENAL CODE [...] (C) The Venezuelan National Assembly approved amendments to the Penal Code January 6, which a prominent Venezuelan lawyers criticized as repressive, and unconstitutional, while a Chavez supporter called them "fascist". The amendments criminalize popular forms of protest such as banging pots [...]	2005-01-19 19:58:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KJUS VE
05CARACAS169	UPDATE ON THE USAID-FUNDED VENEZUELAN ELECTORAL [...] The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) has been working in Venezuela since September 2003, to support the establishment of a domestic electoral observation organization that is widely perceived as credible and impartial by a majority of Venezuelans. This is even mo [...]	2005-01-19 20:18:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PREL EAID KDEM PHUM VE
05CARACAS1703	MEDIA PLAY 6/1-7: BUSH-MACHADO (SUMATE) MEETING [...] The May 31 meeting between Maria Corina Machado, the director of Venezuelan pro-democracy NGO SUMATE and President Bush has created outraged reactions from Chavez supporters. Comments made by senior government officials claim Machado is trying to garner support from the U.S. in preparation for [...]	2005-06-06 20:45:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	KPAO OPRC PGOV PREL VE
05CARACAS1706	CODEL DAVIS VISITS CARACAS [...] (U) Representative Tom Davis (R-VA),Chairman of the House Government Reform Committee, led a Congressional delegation to Venezuela on May 31 and June 1. The delegation which included Rep. Candice Miller (R-MI),Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD),Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA),and Rep. Carolyn Malon [...]	2005-06-06 21:39:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL KDEM VE
05CARACAS1721	OIL COMPANIES WITH OPERATING SERVICE AGREEMENTS [...] (C) The foreign oil companies holding Operating Service Agreements (OSAs) signed in three bid rounds in the Venezuelan oil liberalization of the 1990's (the "apertura") are now facing additional pressure from the GOV to migrate these contracts to mixed companies/joint ventures under the 2001 H [...]	2005-06-07 22:01:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET EINV VE
05CARACAS1786	SPEAKER EXPLAINS U.S. VIEWS ON GLOBAL AND [...] (SBU) Rand Corporation Senior Policy Analyst, Dr. Angel Rabasa, traveled to Venezuela February 28-March 5 to address the media, national police, private security organizations, and academic audiences on the topic of terrorism. Rabasa's visit was designed by PAS Caracas to lay the groundwork fo [...]	2005-06-13 14:08:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	KPAO PTER VE
05CARACAS1805	VENEZUELA'S SUMATE AFTER THE WHITE HOUSE [...] (C) Venezuelan pro-democracy NGO Sumate has been strengthened by the meeting between President Bush and Sumate's Maria Corina Machado May 31. The meeting riled supporters of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and gave his opponents a much-needed moral boost. For the latter, in fact, the meeti [...]	2005-06-14 18:41:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
05CARACAS1807	CHINA'S INCREASING COMMERCIAL TIES WITH VENEZUELA [...] (U) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has identified China as an alternative commercial partner to the "imperialistic" United States and has moved aggressively to cultivate Sino-Venezuelan relations. Recent state visits between the two countries have yielded dozens of agreements; however, mos [...]	2005-06-14 19:00:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON PREL ENRG ECPS CH VE
05CARACAS1808	U.S. INDEPENDENT OIL COMPANY IN FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL [...] (U) The following message is Sensitive but Unclassified. It contains company confidential information and should be handled accordingly. ------ SUMMARY ------- 2. (SBU) A senior executive of U.S. independent Harvest Natural Resources, Inc. says his company is in a fight for its surviva [...]	2005-06-14 20:25:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	EINV EPET VE
05CARACAS1822	NUCLEAR VENEZUELA A LONG WAY OFF [...] (C) In public comments on May 22, President Chavez raised the prospect of Venezuela (with Iranian assistance) developing nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. But to undertake any new nuclear program the GOV would have to start from scratch. Venezuela's small research reactor, built in the [...]	2005-06-15 19:19:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ENRG MNUC PREL VE
05CARACAS1829	GOV DOGGED BY REPORTS OF MILITARY DISSENSION [...] (C) Summary: The Venezuelan Armed Forces' operations against illegal armed groups on the Colombian border begun after a Venezuelan soldier died in a May 17 shoot-out with irregular troops have not yet abated despite some internal disagreements over the new policy, accusations of human righ [...]	2005-06-16 17:47:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV MOPS PHUM VE
05CARACAS1842	FREEDOM HOUSE WORKING WITH VENEZUELA HUMAN RIGHTS [...] USAID Venezuela entered into a cooperative agreement with the US-based human rights organization Freedom House in September 2004. Through this project, Freedom House is increasing the capacity of Venezuelan human rights defenders to document and report on the human rights situation in Venezue [...]	2005-06-17 21:24:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PREL EAID KDEM PHUM VE
05CARACAS1851	VENEZUELA'S REFERENCE PRICES FOR TEXTILES IMPORTS: [...] We will attempt to answer the questions posed by reftel providing the reasons for the measures and background information which might be useful in the evaluation of the measures. 2. Upon receipt of the Official Gazette announcement that textile reference prices will be applied to calcul [...]	2005-06-20 17:21:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ECON ETRD KTEX VE
05CARACAS1865	VENEZUELA-DUTCH ANTILLES: SOME IDEAS [...] (C) The Ambassador discussed Dutch concerns about Venezuelan intentions vis-a-vis the Netherlands Antilles with his Dutch counterpart June 20. The Ambassadors agreed to submit to their capital suggestions for how to respond to GoV assertiveness in the Antilles. The suggestions include a sig [...]	2005-06-21 14:38:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL EPET MOPS VE
05CARACAS1866	MORE ALLEGED INFIGHTING IN THE VENEZUELAN MILITARY [...] (C) Summary: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez fired the National Guard General in Bolivar State for corruption June 3 and replaced the National Guard Regional Command June 7 with Army personnel from the Fifth Infantry Division. Opposition media sources have alleged other National Guard unit [...]	2005-06-21 15:01:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV MARR VE
05CARACAS1867	AMBASSADOR'S TRIP TO ZULIA STATE - JUNE 3-5 [...] (U) The Ambassador's trip to Zulia State June 3-5 concentrated on the Maracaibo area. The trip marks the Ambassador's second trip to the region since October 2004. The Ambassador met again with the mayors of Maracaibo and San Francisco, as well as state's Governor. He also met with local busin [...]	2005-06-21 15:14:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM ECON VE ENGY
05CARACAS1906	UPDATE ON OPERATING SERVICE AGREEMENT PAYMENTS [...] (C) The Corporacion Venezolana de Petroleo (CVP, the affiliate of state oil corporation PDVSA that handles the relationship with international oil companies) has signalled that it will "soon" pay the Operational Service Agreement (OSA) companies for their first quarter or April monthly payment [...]	2005-06-23 20:34:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET VE
05CARACAS1913	VENEZUELAN POLITICAL MOVEMENTS MULTIPLY [...] (C) Since early 2005, several political opposition movements defending democracy or human rights have appeared in Venezuela, each spurred by an opposition political activist. The organizations include Federacion Verdad Venezuela (Tulio Alvarez_),Alianza Popular (Oswaldo Alvarez_ Paz),Electo [...]	2005-06-23 20:45:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM VE
05CARACAS195	HOW LOW MUST IT GO? OIL REVENUES AND CHAVEZ'S [...] (C) Key to President Chavez's political success thus far has been his expansive fiscal policy, in which large sums, only partially accounted for in budgeting procedures, are provided to pay for popular social "missions" in education, health care, and job creation, and for (promised) big-ticke [...]	2005-01-21 19:23:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON PGOV EFIN ENRG VE
05CARACAS1951	THE HEIGHTS OF THE VENEZUELAN ANDES - AMBASSADOR'S [...] (C) During a visit to the Venezuelan state of Merida on June 9 and 10, the Ambassador met with the governor, a close ally of President Hugo Chavez. This was the first time a pro-GOV governor has agreed to meet with him in 2005. The conversation was cordial, with the Governor offering to help [...]	2005-06-27 19:47:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PREF VE
05CARACAS1954	PROBLEMS WITH VENEZUELAN COOPERATIVES [...] (C) Summary: Rural cooperatives are a pivotal part of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's land redistribution effort. Thousands of agricultural cooperatives are forming to petition land and monetary grants from the GOV as participants in Chavez's "Mision Vuelvan Caras" job training program [...]	2005-06-27 21:21:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV EAGR VE
05CARACAS1974	LIMIT ON AMERICAN AIRLINES' FLIGHTS ROLLED BACK, [...] (C) The decision by civil aviation authorities to reduce American Airlines' (AA) flights on the Miami-Caracas route has been suspended at least through the summer. This follows vigorous representations by the Ambassador on AA's behalf (including with the office of GOV Executive Vice Presid [...]	2005-06-29 19:55:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EAIR PREL VE
05CARACAS1983	AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH NEW JUDICIAL NGO [...] (C) Members of the newly constituted Venezuelan judicial NGO "Foro Penal" (Penal Forum) briefed the Ambassador June 23 on their organizational goals and informed him of the group's work to date. The group released a report June 6 criticizing the politicization of the justice system in Venezue [...]	2005-06-30 20:35:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV KJUS VE
05CARACAS20	CHAVEZ: CHINA MY OLD FRIEND [...] (U) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez visited China from December 21-26 and met with Chinese President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao, ex-president Jiang Zemin, and other senior GOC and business officials. Chavez claimed that Venezuela has become the number one destination for Chinese investmen [...]	2005-01-05 14:36:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL ECON PHUM KDEM VE
05CARACAS202	PROJECT PROPOSALS: VENEZUELAN NGO TAKES ON TIPS [...] (U) Per reftel instructions, Embassy is submitting a proposal by the NGO FUNDACEM for funding consideration. The proposal includes research to understand Venezuela's trafficking problem culminating in a published report, developing training and public awareness materials, workshops with gover [...]	2005-01-24 19:42:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PHUM SMIG KCRM KWMN ELAB EAID VE
05CARACAS2072	SUMATE LEADERS TO BE TRIED; NO INCARCERATION [...] (C) A Caracas court ruled July 7 that Sumate's leaders - Maria Corina Machado, Alejandro Plaz, Luis Enrique Palacios and Ricardo Estevez - would stand trial for conspiracy for accepting National Endowment for Democracy (NED) funds. The court did not/not order detention measures for Sumate's [...]	2005-07-08 16:15:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM VE
05CARACAS2088	VENEZUELAN MILITARY DOCTRINE STILL EVOLVING [...] (C) Summary. The July 5 deadline President Hugo Chavez gave the Venezuelan Armed Forces to present its new doctrine has passed unfulfilled. Notwithstanding, the GOV has begun trying to prepare for "asymmetrical warfare"--and the strategy's chief corollary, the establishment of a civilian r [...]	2005-07-08 20:55:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL MARR VE
05CARACAS2140	US AERONAUTICS COMPANY BREAKS DEAL WITH GOV [...] (C) Concerned about safety issues since the expulsion of US personnel from Venezuelan military bases, Lockheed Martin plans to withdraw its engineer responsible for servicing the Venezuelan Air Force's F-16 squadron. The engineer told poloff July 12 he met Israeli contractors at the base who [...]	2005-07-14 17:31:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL MASS VE
05CARACAS2174	KILLING OF STUDENTS LEADS TO PROTEST, GOV RESPONSE [...] (C) The killing of three university students June 27 prompted protests at universities across Venezuela in early July, culminating in the student presentation of demands for justice to National Assembly President Nicolas Maduro on July 12. Some two dozen criminal investigative police (Cicpc) [...]	2005-07-19 13:28:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM VE
05CARACAS219	CHAVEZ IN 2005 -- SCANT POLITICAL OPPOSITION [...] (C) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is unlikely to face significant political opposition in 2005. The opposition political parties are in a re-building phase after being smashed in last year's presidential recall vote. Civil society groups which railed against the President until recently a [...]	2005-01-25 12:17:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
05CARACAS220	VENEZUELA CONTENT FOR "SUPPORTING HUMAN RIGHTS AND [...] (U) This cable contains post's proposed draft for the country narrative for the 2004 "Supporting Human Rights and Democracy: The U.S. Record" report. 2. (U) Begin text: In 1998 Venezuelans elected Hugo Chavez president. Since then, the political situation has become highly polarized as [...]	2005-01-25 12:27:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PHUM PREL VE
05CARACAS2201	CAPEL TO AUDIT VENEZUELA'S ELECTORAL REGISTER [...] (C) Venezuela's National Electoral Council (CNE) commissioned the Costa Rica-based Center for Electoral Promotion and Assistance (CAPEL) in late June to perform an audit of the Electoral Register. The CNE is relying on CAPEL, an organization affiliated with the Inter-American Institute of [...]	2005-07-22 15:52:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL KDEM VE
05CARACAS2206	CARDINAL'S COMMENTS DRAW CHAVEZ'S IRE [...] (C) Retired Cardinal Rosalio Castillo Lara called the GOV a dictatorship and elections a farce in an interview published July 17, prompting President Hugo Chavez to call the prelate a bandit, coupster, devil, and a hypocrite on his Alo Presidente broadcast later that same day. Church and oppo [...]	2005-07-22 18:35:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM PREL VE
05CARACAS221	UPDATE ON INVESTIGATION INTO VENEZUELAN [...] (C) On January 13 Venezuelan prosecutors formally accused three suspects as the material authors of the murder of Venezuelan prosecutor Danilo Anderson. According to information investigators provided EmbOffs, there are no solid leads as to the intellectual authors of the crime. (The invest [...]	2005-01-25 12:45:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	PGOV PTER KJUS VE
05CARACAS2228	AMBASSADOR'S VISIT TO LARA STATE [...] (C) The Ambassador visited Barquisimeto in Lara state 14-15 July to inaugurate the first American Corner and Virtual Presence Post in Venezuela, visit social programs, and meet with local business executives, media outlets, religious leaders, and a Venezuelan baseball hero. Politicians fr [...]	2005-07-25 18:53:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL VE
05CARACAS2242	VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION GROUPS CHALLENGE CNE'S [...] (U) Venezuela's National Electoral Council (CNE) drew criticism after a national voting simulation on July 10 failed to mobilize a significant portion of the electorate. Opposition groups continued campaigns to expose the CNE's deficiencies and to question its legitimacy. They argue that auto [...]	2005-07-26 14:47:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PHUM KDEM VE
05CARACAS2258	THE CHURCH (FINALLY) STIRS IN VENEZUELA [...] (U) This is an action request. See Para. 8. 2. (C) SUMMARY. After a year of relative silence, the Venezuelan Church has come alive in challenging President Hugo Chavez's authoritarian tendencies. Chavez has counterattacked viciously. The Vatican in-country representatives are not suppor [...]	2005-07-26 20:09:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL
05CARACAS2267	TELESUR DEBUTS WITH MUCH FANFARE, LITTLE [...] (SBU) THE MUCH-AWAITED LAUNCH OF TELESUR, THE REGIONAL TELEVISION STATION HATCHED BY VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT HUGO CHAVEZ-WITH NOMINAL COOPERATION FROM ARGENTINA, BRASIL, CUBA, AND URUGUAY-OCCURRED ON SUNDAY, JULY 24. THE INITIAL BROADCAST ORIGINATED FROM A THEATER IN CARACAS WHERE SELECT INVITED [...]	2005-07-27 15:53:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	KPAO PGOV VE
05CARACAS2277	MEDIA PLAY- TELESUR DEBUT AND U.S. [...] Telesur, the regional TV channel backed primarily by the Venezuelan government, debuted July 24. Recent comments made by officialist press reflect disappointment in the United States for what they consider another attempt to hinder efforts towards regional integration. They further claim the U [...]	2005-07-28 13:56:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	KPAO PGOV VE
05CARACAS2286	OPPOSITION LEADER DETAINED AT AIRPORT [...] (C) Venezuelan National Guard and Intelligence Services (DISIP) officers temporarily detained Tulio Alvarez_, the head of the opposition group Verdad Venezuela, at the airport in Maracaibo July 27 as he was departing for Caracas. Minister of the Interior Jesse Chacon claimed that security forc [...]	2005-07-29 13:10:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM PTER VE
05CARACAS2317	ATTORNEY GENERAL ANNOUNCES INVESTIGATION AGAINST [...] (C) Attorney General Isaias Rodriguez announced the launch of a criminal investigation against Caracas daily El Universal July 27. The Attorney General called the paper's July 25 editorial entitled "Justice Kneels Down" "a journalistic plot taken from the next chapter in the CIA's Manual of C [...]	2005-08-01 21:25:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM VE
05CARACAS2326	AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH CATHOLIC CHURCH LEADERS [...] (C) In a July 29 meeting with retired Cardinal Castillo Lara and Catholic Bishops Conference President Archbishop Porras, the Ambassador recognized the growing tension between the Catholic Church and the GOV, and offered United States support for any statements or actions taken by the Church in [...]	2005-08-03 13:05:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM PREL KIRF VE
05CARACAS2371	AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH EVANGELICAL COUNCIL LEADER [...] (C) The Ambassador met with Evangelical Council (CEV) leader Samuel Olson (dual national AmCit) July 29. Olson told the Ambassador the CEV was beginning to emerge as a public voice, and that plans were underway to institutionalize this development. Olson said that after years of operating un [...]	2005-08-05 14:30:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM PREL VE
05CARACAS2381	VENEZUELAN YOUTH FESTIVAL: IT'S NO WOODSTOCK [...] (U) Over 20,000 international delegates from more than 130 countries are expected to attend the 16th World Youth and Students Festival in Caracas from August 7 to 15. Organized by the World Federation of Democratic Youth, the theme is "For Peace and Solidarity We Fight against Imperialism a [...]	2005-08-05 18:23:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PGOV PREL PINR VE
05CARACAS2385	VENEZUELA GEARS UP FOR MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS [...] (C) This Sunday Venezuelans will go to the polls to elect the equivalent of city and neighborhood councils. The outcome is not in doubt-- Chavez' ruling coalition is expected to do at least as well as it did in the regional elections last October when it won all but two governorships and a ma [...]	2005-08-05 20:36:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV VE
05CARACAS2388	AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH OAS MISSION LEADER PERINA [...] (C) Ambassador met with OAS mission head Ruben Perina and local OAS Representative Patricio Carbacho Thursday, August 4 to emphasize USG concerns that the OAS and European Union coordinate their strategies to ensure a credible international observation of the legislative elections in Decemb [...]	2005-08-05 21:54:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL VE
05CARACAS2404	REACTION TO IACHR VARGAS DECISION [...] (C) The Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) passed a resolution accepting Venezuela's admission of responsibility for all charges in the case of Blanco Romero y Otros vs. Venezuela. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (the Commission) and representatives for the victims (th [...]	2005-08-08 19:47:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM PREL SOCI CS VE
05CARACAS2406	CNE PERFORMANCE IN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS CONFIRMS [...] (C) The National Electoral Council (CNE) showed its continued bias in favor of the governing coalition during municipal elections on Sunday. Despite media and opposition reports of low turnout, CNE President Jorge Rodriguez arbitrarily extended voting hours twice, citing problems in some sta [...]	2005-08-08 21:46:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV VE
05CARACAS2667	CNPC EXECUTIVE'S THOUGHTS ON VENEZUELA [...] (C) Gong Xun Lu, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) America's President and General Manager of Sorifules Sonoven visited the Embassy on September 1 for a visa interview and a courtesy call with the Ambassador. During the wait for his visa interview, Lu told the Petroleum Attache (Pe [...]	2005-09-02 13:16:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET EINV CH VE
05CARACAS2807	THE OIL AND GAS SECTORS: NEW DETAILS EMERGE [...] (C) The GOV announced the winning bids for Phase A of the Rafael Urdaneta offshore gas tender on September 8. Five out of a total of twenty-nine companies that purchased data packs bid on four blocks. An oil executive, who previously held senior positions in PDVSA, expressed surprise over th [...]	2005-09-15 19:50:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET EINV VE
05CARACAS288	GOV CONSOLIDATES CONTROL AT CENTRAL BANK [...] (C) Leftist economist and former state oil company head Gaston Parra has been confirmed as the new President of the Venezuelan Central Bank, just a few days after President Hugo Chavez hand-picked him as the replacement for out-going President Diego Castellanos. The Bank also agreed to give up [...]	2005-01-28 17:10:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN PGOV VE
05CARACAS293	GOV TAKES ANTI-US TACK ON GRANDA AFFAIR [...] (C) Venezuelan officials shifted from the battle with Colombia over the capture of FARC leader Rodrigo Granda to anti-US criticism January 19. The officials took advantage of comments regarding Venezuela by the Secretary designate in her Senate confirmation hearings and began painting the G [...]	2005-01-28 20:32:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV KDEM VE
05CARACAS2934	GOV HYDROCARBON POLICY: UNDERLYING ASSUMPTIONS [...] (C) GOV hydrocarbon policy is driven by ideology, oil prices, and, to a lesser extent, production levels. The basic contours of the GOV's hydrocarbon policy are the maximization of state control over reserves, the maximization of state revenues, and the use of oil as a significant tool in ad [...]	2005-09-28 20:45:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET EINV VE
05CARACAS294	NEW CNE SLATES 2005 ELECTIONS [...] (C) Venezuela's Supreme Court (TSJ) appointed the new President, vice-president and two new Directors to the National Electoral Council January 20, even though under the constitution it is the National Assembly that makes the appointments. The TSJ named former Director Jorge Rodriguez to repla [...]	2005-01-28 20:52:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE
05CARACAS2944	GOV HYDROCARBON POLICY OPTIONS [...] (C) Reftel A outlined Embassy's views that declining production stemming from inadequate maintenance and a decline in PDVSA's administrative and operational abilities could have a significant impact on GOV revenues. It is not clear at what point declining production will start to squeeze the [...]	2005-09-30 11:05:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET EINV VE
05CARACAS299	VENEZUELA: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH NEW VICE [...] (C) The Ambassador and DCM met with Vice Foreign Minister for North America, Maria Pilar (Mari Pili) Hernandez, January 26 at the Foreign Ministry. It was the Ambassador's first meeting with Hernandez, and the DCM's first meeting with her since being appointed Vice Minister. 2. (C) Notin [...]	2005-01-28 20:54:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL KDEM VE
05CARACAS3000	THE TRANSITION TO JOINT VENTURES: BAD TO WORSE [...] (C) SUMMARY: Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez raised the pressure last week on foreign oil companies holding Operating Service Agreements (OSAs) to migrate their contracts to joint ventures under the 2001 Hydrocarbons Law when he publicly threatened to take over OSA fields if the companies did n [...]	2005-10-06 12:11:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET EINV ENRG VE
05CARACAS305	VENEZUELA FAVORS INSULZA OVER FLORES [...] No summary [...]	2005-01-28 21:03:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL AORC VE OAS

05CARACAS3113	CAPEL AUDIT SUGGEST VOTER ROLLS UNTRUSTWORTHY [...] (C) In a meeting with poloff October 11, Ricardo Valverde, the Program Director for the umbrella organization for the Center for Electoral Assistance and Promotion (CAPEL),said CAPEL's audit would likely conclude that the electoral registry is too unreliable to hold meaningful elections. T [...]	2005-10-19 12:38:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
05CARACAS324	WOMEN'S GROUPS REGISTER SUPPORT FOR SECRETARY RICE [...] (U) Leaders of women's rights groups came to the Embassy on January 28 to deliver a letter repudiating the comments made by President Hugo Chavez about Secretary-Designate Rice during a rally on January 23 (ref a). The letter is signed by the National Women's Front, a group of 26 organizations [...]	2005-01-31 20:05:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PREL KWMN PHUM VE
05CARACAS334	CBD AND GENETIC RESOURCE SHARING IN VENEZUELA [...] (U) This telegram is in response to reftel's request for information regarding access and procedures for access to genetic resources in Venezuela. --------------------------- Laws and National Authority --------------------------- 2. (U) Access to genetic resources is controlled by the [...]	2005-02-01 13:52:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	EAGR EAID ECON SENV TBIO VE
05CARACAS3552	SHELL'S VIEWS ON OSA MIGRATION AND TAXES [...] (C) SUMMARY: Shell Venezuela President Sean Rooney (strictly protect) stated during a November 23 meeting with Petroleum Attach (Petatt) that he fully expects the GOV to follow through on threats to take over fields operated by foreign companies under operating service agreements (OSA) if the [...]	2005-11-25 11:45:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET EINV ENRG VE
05CARACAS3558	NEW FX REGULATION FOR THE HYDROCARBON SECTOR [...] SUMMARY: A new foreign exchange regulation states all foreign currency derived from oil and gas exports must be sold to the Venezuelan Central Bank (BCV). However, PDVSA must only sell to the BCV the amount of foreign currency equal to its domestic operating expenses and tax obligations in V [...]	2005-11-25 18:34:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	EPET ENRG EINV VE
05CARACAS3560	PETROCARIBE RECAP [...] (C) SUMMARY: The GOV has begun negotiations with Haiti over its accession to Petrocaribe. If Haiti joins Petrocaribe, it will receive better financing terms than it currently receives under the Caracas Energy Accord, which it signed in 2000. International oil companies operating in Venezuel [...]	2005-11-25 20:37:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET EINV BH VE
05CARACAS3584	TELESUR MARCHES FORWARD [...] (C) Summary: On October 31, 2005 the Venezuelan Government supported international, cable channel TELESUR began broadcasting 24 hours a day. PD officer conversations with both the President and Director General of TELESUR reveal that they remain concerned with financial and programming issue [...]	2005-11-29 18:17:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	KPAO OPRC PGOV PREL VE
05CARACAS3594	OVERVIEW OF PETROAMERICA [...] (U) SUMMARY: The Chavez administration's Petroamerica initiative envisions a Latin American energy integration model with Venezuela acting as the hub. The initiative is composed of three components: Petrocaribe (the Caribbean),Petroandina (Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru),and Petrosur [...]	2005-11-30 16:56:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET EINV VE
05CARACAS36	DEMARCHE ON COUNTERTERRORISM CONVENTIONS AND [...] No summary [...]	2005-01-06 11:53:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PTER ASEC PREL VE
05CARACAS3654	STATOIL'S VIEWS ON HYDROCARBON SECTOR [...] (C) SUMMARY: Statoil Venezuela President Thore Kristiansen (strictly protect) was upbeat on the migration of Operating Service Agreements to joint venture companies. He believes Energy Vice Minister Bernard Mommer has shown increased flexibility in the negotiations and understands the current [...]	2005-12-05 17:18:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET ENRG EINV NO VE
05CARACAS3659	PIPELINE EXPLOSIONS QUICKLY CONTROLLED [...] (C) SUMMARY: As noted in reftel, an explosion, possibly caused by an explosive device, occured on the Ule-Amauy oil pipeline on Saturday evening. Authorities quickly controlled the explosion and it will not have an impact on production in western Venezuela. Another explosion occured on a nea [...]	2005-12-05 20:24:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET EINV PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE
05CARACAS3662	VENEZUELA POLITICAL UPDATE: DECEMBER 5 [...] (C) After most opposition parties pulled out of the process, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez' Fifth Republic Movement (MVR) and its allies swept the December 4 National Assembly elections, according to preliminary results reported by the GOV. The MVR received more than two-thirds of the 167 [...]	2005-12-05 21:02:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
05CARACAS3713	WHY THE OPPOSITION WITHDRAWAL SURPRISED OBSERVERS [...] (C) Five of six major Venezuelan opposition parties withdrew from the December 4 National Assembly elections in a move that surprised political experts and international observers. The pullout was also unplanned by the parties themselves. Eleventh-hour cooperation by the National Electoral [...]	2005-12-09 18:49:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
05CARACAS3829	EXXONMOBIL FEELING THE HEAT [...] (C) SUMMARY: ExxonMobil Venezuela (XM) President Tim Cutt (strictly protect) told the Ambassador on December 20 that his company is under increasing pressure from the GOV to sign a transitory agreement by December 31. The GOV has publicly stated that it will seize fields if the operators do n [...]	2005-12-21 18:40:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET ENRG EINV VE
05CARACAS3879	VENEZUELA: 2005 COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM [...] (SBU) Post's POC is Political Officer Charles Ridley: TEL 58-212-907-8052, FAX 58-212-907-8033, EMAIL RidleyCL@state.gov. In April 2006 POC will be Political Officer Adam Center, EMAIL CenterAM@state.gov ------------------ GENERAL ASSESSMENT ------------------ 2. (U) Venezuelan coope [...]	2005-12-30 17:43:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PTER ASEC KCRM VE
05CARACAS41	VENEZUELA: NAMES, TITLES AND CONTACT NUMBERS FOR [...] No summary [...]	2005-01-06 17:18:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	PGOV PINR PREL VE
05CARACAS412	WTO NON-AGRICULTURAL MARKET ACCESS NEGOTIATIONS: [...] (U) Per reftel request, Embassy Caracas has identified a number of organizations that could be contacted to discuss the sectoral approac liberalization. 2. (U) Organizations and contact information: Federation of Venezuelan Chambers of Commerce, Fedecamaras (Federacio Camaras y Asociacion [...]	2005-02-04 20:08:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ETRD VE WTO
05CARACAS42	DEMARCHE ON IAEA SAFEGUARDS AND ADDITIONAL PROTOCOL [...] No summary [...]	2005-01-06 17:19:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	KNNP TRGY PREL AORC XM XL OPDC VE IAEA
05CARACAS450	COUNTRY CLEARANCE REQUEST FOR REGINAL REFUGEE [...] The Embassy grants country clearance for Regional Refugee Coordinator Colleen Hoey's visit to Venezuela from February 13-19, 2005 for consultations with Embassy Caracas UNHCR, CARITAS, Jesuit Refugee Service, and Government of Venezuela officials in charge of refugee matters. Embassy point [...]	2005-02-09 20:35:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	OTRA PREF PHUM CO VE
05CARACAS458	DISASTER DECLARATION DUE TO FLOODING IN NORTHERN [...] SUMMARY: Heavy rains have been falling throughout much of northern Venezuela for nearly three full days. Serious flooding has occurred in many parts of the country, primarily coastal areas, but also parts of the capital, Caracas. At least thirteen (13) people are reported dead, and upwards of [...]	2005-02-11 11:06:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	EAID VE
05CARACAS470	DISASTER DECLARATION DUE TO FLOODING IN NORTHERN [...] CORRECTED COPY - REPLACES CARACAS 458. 2. SUMMARY: Heavy rains have been falling throughout much of northern Venezuela for nearly three full days. Serious flooding has occurred in many parts of the country, primarily coastal areas, but also parts of the capital, Caracas. At least thirteen [...]	2005-02-11 14:32:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	EAID VE
05CARACAS471	CHAVEZ-URIBE MEETING STILL PENDING [...] (C) Summary: The dispute between Venezuela and Colombia over the capture of senior FARC official Rodrigo Granda remains on hold after Colombian President Alvaro Uribe's postponement of the February 3 scheduled meetings. Venezuelan press, distracted by a holiday weekend and destructive loca [...]	2005-02-11 14:32:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PTER VE
05CARACAS472	REVOLUTIONARY JUSTICE: CHANGES IN VENEZUELA'S TOP [...] (U) The new Venezuelan Supreme Court (TSJ) elected Justice Omar Mora President of the Court in its first plenary session February 2. Former TSJ President Ivan Rincon announced his resignation from the Court the same day. In his first public remarks as TSJ President, Mora said that those ju [...]	2005-02-11 14:32:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KJUS VE
05CARACAS485	GRANDA DISPUTE UPDATE [...] (C) One of five Venezuelan national guard officers in custody for his alleged involvement in the capture of FARC leader Rodrigo Granda has accused the GOV of torturing him and denying him due process. GOV spokespersons have continued to rail against Washington for fomenting the crisis and [...]	2005-02-11 20:24:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PTER VE
05CARACAS486	CHAVEZ VETOES PENAL CODE REFORM [...] (U) On February 3 President Hugo Chavez vetoed amendments to Venezuela's Penal Code approved by the National Assembly on January 6, according to press reports and public statements by various legislators. In vetoing the legislation, the President returns the bill to the Assembly with observ [...]	2005-02-11 20:25:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV KJUS VE
05CARACAS498	OPPOSITION LEGAL CRUSADER SENTENCED FOR DEFAMATION [...] (C) Constitutional lawyer Tulio Alvarez_ was sentenced on February 10 to two years and three months in prison for defamation of character in a trial fraught with irregularities. Alvarez_ received the sentence for accusing pro-Chavez legislator Willian Lara of corruption in the handling of Nat [...]	2005-02-14 18:35:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
05CARACAS509	UNION LEADERS DIVIDE WHILE WORKER DISCONTENT GROWS [...] (C) Senior leaders of Venezuela's two principal labor confederations -- one pro-Chavez, the other in opposition -- are gridlocked over upcoming elections in their respective organizations. The traditional Venezuelan Workers Confederation (CTV) is split over whether to roll back a reform for t [...]	2005-02-15 15:25:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ELAB PGOV KDEM PHUM VE
05CARACAS512	VENEZUELA: BIOS OF SELECTED GOVERNORS [...] (C) Candidates backed by President Hugo Chavez won 20 of 22 gubernatorial races on October 31, 2004, in addition to the Caracas mayoralty. Chavez's Fifth Republic Movement (MVR) and allied parties picked up 7 states and lost only one. The new governors' competence varies; some are career p [...]	2005-02-15 17:57:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PINR KDEM VE
05CARACAS527	LULA COMES TO CARACAS [...] (SBU) Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva concluded a 24-hour visit to Venezuela on February 14. His visit included public appearances at a conference of business leaders along with a joint Brazilian-Venezuelan declaration and signing ceremony for more than two dozen agreements. The [...]	2005-02-16 20:44:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON ETRD PREL ENRG MASS BR VE
05CARACAS53	CHAVEZ SPEECH SHOWS MILITARY "CUBANIZATION" AFOOT [...] (C) Summary: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on December 27 addressed the armed forces in an over two hour pep rally and romanticized Venezuelan history lesson that glorified the military's growing role in society. Peppering his remarks with anti-US rhetoric, he unveiled to the public a r [...]	2005-01-07 12:03:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL KDEM VE
05CARACAS546	FLOODING: DECENT GOV RESPONSE, WITH LOTS OF SPIN [...] (SBU) From February 7 to February 13, heavy rains fell through much of Venezuela, along the north coast at first and later in the Andean region. As a result, President Hugo Chavez declared states of emergency in nine states, plus the capital district of Caracas. The death toll to date is at [...]	2005-02-18 20:36:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EAID PGOV VE
05CARACAS563	CARDINAL SEES REBUILDING YEAR FOR CATHOLIC CHURCH [...] (C) Retired Venezuelan Jose Cardinal Castillo Lara sees the Catholic Church in Venezuela keeping a low profile in 2005. Appointments of a new papal nuncio and archbishop of Caracas will likely tone down the heated rhetoric exchanged by the bishops and the GOV throughout Venezuela's political [...]	2005-02-22 21:00:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KIRF VE
05CARACAS577	JUDGES UNDER FIRE: INTIMIDATION IN VENEZUELA'S [...] (C) Venezuela's "judicial revolution", heralded by Supreme Court (TSJ) President Omar Mora, has already begun, according to reports from judges. The lawyer of a Chavista leader told one judge she would be fired for refusing to attend a political meeting. Another has resigned just before bein [...]	2005-02-23 20:12:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV KJUS VE
05CARACAS578	THROUGH DISCOUNT CHAIN, THE STATE TAKES OVER MUCH [...] (C) The state-owned "Mercal" chain of discount food stores may be for lowest income Venezuelans the most visible sign of the Bolivarian revolution. Paid for with petroleum revenue, it has become a massive undertaking, with thousands of outlets, either state-run or franchised, that provide s [...]	2005-02-23 20:46:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EAGR PGOV VE
05CARACAS598	BOLIVARIAN HUBRIS: CHAVEZ WARNS OF US [...] (C) Summary: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez February 20 accused the USG, and President Bush specifically, of plotting to kill him. During his weekly television program, he warned the US President that if he were killed, his people would fight a follow-on US invasion and sever US oil shi [...]	2005-02-24 20:44:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL VE
05CARACAS603	"GO TO HELL" VENEZUELAN MINISTER OF INFORMATION [...] Summary: (U) Venezuelan Minister of Communication and Information Andres Izarra followed up on President Hugo Chavez's February 20 claim that the U.S. was trying to kill him by launching his own attack on the U.S. and Venezuelan media, starting with a February 21 press conference. He claimed [...]	2005-02-25 20:24:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	KPAO OPRC PGOV PREL PROP
05CARACAS621	UPDATE: VENEZUELAN RADIO INTERFERENCE [...] (U) This cable updates previous reporting regarding USG efforts to eliminate potentially dangerous radio transmissions by the Venezuelan Navy on frequencies reserved for aeronautical stations. 2. (U) Following our demarche to Layla Macc Adan, Director of International Relations of CONATEL, [...]	2005-02-28 18:08:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ECON ECPS VE
05CARACAS624	VENEZUELA'S FIFTH ANNUAL TIP REPORT SUBMISSION [...] (SBU) Per reftel A instructions, the following is post's input for the fifth annual anti-trafficking in persons (TIP) report. Political officer Carolina Hidea is the point of contact. Telephone: 58-212-907-8493; Fax: 58-212-907-8033; Email: hideac@state.gov. Hours spent compiling the report: [...]	2005-02-28 20:09:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	PREL PHUM KCRM KWMN KFRD ELAB SMIG ASEC PREF
05CARACAS636	VENEZUELA: JUDICIAL CORRUPTION V. POLITICS [...] (C) Venezuelan Supreme Court (TSJ) Justice Luis Velazquez Alvaray, in charge of the administration of Venezuela's court system, told poloff February 24 there is widespread mismanagement and corruption in the judicial system. Velazquez said he intends to remove corrupt judges, whatever their [...]	2005-03-01 19:12:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KJUS VE
05CARACAS646	BINGO! GOV CAPTURES LABOR LEADER [...] (C) Venezuelan authorities captured Venezuelan Workers' Confederation (CTV) President Carlos Ortega outside a Caracas bingo hall March 1. Ortega faces charges of treason, conspiracy and rebellion in connection with the opposition marches and the two-month national strike from December 2002 [...]	2005-03-02 20:05:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM ELAB VE
05CARACAS648	VENEZUELA DEFERS AGREEMENT ON CNIES [...] (C) Venezuela deferred indefinitely agreement on the sharing of counter narcotics interception-related data February 25, responding via Diplomatic Note to our request of November 2004 to formalize the sharing of radar track data under the Cooperating Nation Information Exchange System (CNIES [...]	2005-03-02 21:14:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL SNAR VE
05CARACAS649	COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR WHA/AND DIRECTOR LISA [...] The Embassy grants country clearance for WHA/AND Director Lisa Bobbie Schreiber Hughes to visit Venezuela from March 9-13, 2005 for consultations with Embassy and Government of Venezuela officials. The control officer is Carolina Hidea. Address: Embassy of the United States, Calle F con Cal [...]	2005-03-03 11:22:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	OTRA APER VE MGMT
05CARACAS651	AMBASSADOR VISITS BOLIVAR STATE [...] (U) The Ambassador,s visit to the state of Bolivar on February 16 and 17, included meetings with the Mayor of Ciudad Bolivar, Director General of Ciudad Guyana, a local Chavista university, local press, various business leaders, American citizens in the area, as well as visits to USAID-support [...]	2005-03-03 14:27:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV ECON EAID PINR VE PIR
05CARACAS669	VENEZUELA DEVALUES TO KEEP THE SPENDING MACHINE [...] (C) The GOV has announced announced the devaluation of the bolivar from 1920 to 2150 bolivars per dollar. The rise will mean that the GOV will have more local currency at hand to continue its highly aggressive spending policies, which have proven to be so politically popular. With high oil [...]	2005-03-04 20:01:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN PGOV VE
05CARACAS670	HOW DARE YOU! GOV REACTS TO HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT [...] (C) Venezuelan government officials reacted angrily to the release of the Human Rights Report February 28. Vice President Juan Vicente Rangel said the USG lacked "moral authority" to talk about human rights, and accused the USG of being the country that most violated human rights, alleging [...]	2005-03-04 20:17:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PREL VE
05CARACAS671	CUBA-VENEZUELA MLAT: REPRESSIVE INTEGRATION? [...] (C) The Venezuela-Cuba Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) came into effect on December 22, 2004. Beyond standard provisions, the Treaty allows cooperation in investigating political crimes and offenses which are considered illegal in only one of the two countries. Some Venezuelan legal [...]	2005-03-04 20:17:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PREL PGOV KJUS VE
05CARACAS713	CHAVEZ SHARPENS OIL RHETORIC, FOREIGN MINISTER [...] (C) While in India, March 7, President Chavez revived his threat to cut off oil sales to the U.S. in the event of U.S. "aggression" while proclaiming the end of the era of cheap oil. Foreign Minister Ali Rodriguez, however, reaffirmed the importance of the oil relationship with the U.S. Pr [...]	2005-03-10 14:50:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ENRG EPET PREL VE
05CARACAS729	MVR DEPUTY ON PLAN COLOMBIA: REDUCING FARC [...] (C) Movimiento Quinta Republica (MVR) Deputy Saul Ortega, President of the National Assembly International Relations Commission, said increased counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism cooperation would be an excellent basis for improved US-Venezuela relations, in a meeting with poloff March [...]	2005-03-10 19:32:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PTER VE
05CARACAS741	COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR GARY W. DODSON MARCH 11- [...] The Embassy grants country clearances for the visit to Venezuela of Political Officer Gary W. Dodson from March 11 through March 18, 2005 to provide support to the embassy. Embassy point of contact will be Political Officer Charles Ridley. Address: Embassy of the United States, Calle F con [...]	2005-03-11 20:36:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	OTRA APER VE MGMT
05CARACAS742	VENEZUELA: VP'S SON SOUNDS US OUT [...] (C) SUMMARY: Jose Vicente Rangel Jr., mayor of Caracas' Sucre district and son of Venezuelan Vice President Rangel, met with DCM March 11 primarily to discuss bilateral relations. Rangel declined to support President Chavez' claims that the USG sought to kill him, but otherwise defended the [...]	2005-03-11 20:37:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV US
05CARACAS750	VENEZUELAN MILITARY: SEEKING PLOTTERS BEHIND [...] (C) Summary: The Venezuelan Government and supporters of President Hugo Chavez continue to prepare for a suspected US coup attempt and invasion. Although the Venezuelan Navy chief played down the late February visit of a US Navy vessel at Curacao, Chavez and other GOV officials called it a [...]	2005-03-14 18:39:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL MOPS VE
05CARACAS759	THE BOLIVARIAN REVOLUTION IN CARABOBO STATE [...] (C) Movimiento Quinta Republica's (MVR) Carabobo State coordinator Luis Medina told poloff the selection of MVR candidates by the people is a sign the Bolivarian Revolution has evolved and is becoming more democratic. By 2007 President Hugo Chavez's supporters would unite under the MVR party, [...]	2005-03-14 20:21:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE
05CARACAS766	HARASSMENT OF VENEZUELAN HUMAN RIGHTS NGO [...] (C) The GOV has taken several steps recently which have intimidated the human rights NGO Committee for the Families of the Victims of February 1989 (COFAVIC),according to the NGO's director, Liliana Ortega (please protect). The harassment, she told poloff, has included: a public letter fro [...]	2005-03-15 13:47:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV VE
05CARACAS767	LAND "REFORM" FITS AND STARTS [...] (C) Repeating Venezuelan land reform history, the GOV's Bolivarian push to seize property is falling short of its ambitious goals. It is encountering opposition from various interest groups, public insecurity generated by land invasions, and backpedaling from some regional leaders. Nonethel [...]	2005-03-15 13:50:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV ECON KDEM VE
05CARACAS768	CUBAN DOCTOR SEEKS ASYLUM [...] (C) Cuban medical doctor Ulises Bernal Perez requested political asylum March 2. He did not claim or appear to fear for his safety, nor fear political persecution. Poloff explained the procedure for political asylum and referred Bernal to UNHCR. Bernal told poloff he arrived in Venezuela Oc [...]	2005-03-15 14:58:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PREF CVIS VE
05CARACAS772	VENEZUELA CERTIFICATION DEMARCHE BENCHMARKS [...] (U) As promised in Caracas 710, the text of the non- paper on 2005 certification benchmarks, delivered February 18, follows: VENEZUELA'S 2005 CERTIFICATION BENCHMARKS To comply with current U.S. law establishing the narcotics certification mechanism and to respond to calls for a more tra [...]	2005-03-15 20:28:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	SNAR PREL KJUS KCRM VE
05CARACAS773	VENEZUELA: CRUDE DIVERTED FROM U.S. TO CHINA AND [...] (C) A Venezuelan shipping agent has reportedly brokered the lease of two VLCCs (very large crude carriers) to PDVSA for use in shipping crude to China and India. Our source believes this trader is now negotiating the lease of two additional VLCCs. Another source reports that the Energy Minis [...]	2005-03-15 20:42:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET VE
05CARACAS786	CHILD MARRIAGE [...] (U) Underage marriage in Venezuela poses significant problems to minors and tends to perpetuate poverty, abandonment and mistreatment. Needed programs are lacking, and no U.S. institutional support currently exists. END SUMMARY. 2. (U) The following responses are keyed to reftel question [...]	2005-03-16 18:49:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PHUM PGOV SCUL SOCI KWMN VE
05CARACAS790	2005 INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT FOR VENEZUELA [...] (U) Per Reftel, the 2005 Investment Climate Statement for Venezuela is presented below. 2. (U) 2005 Investment Climate Statement for Venezuela Contents A. Openness to Foreign Investment A.1 The New Constitution A.2 Legal Framework: Decree 2095 A.3 Limitations under Decree 2 [...]	2005-03-16 21:19:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ECON KTDB ETRD PGOV VE OPIC USTR
05CARACAS805	EXXONMOBIL MEETS WITH THE GOV [...] (C) ExxonMobil representatives met with Vice Minister of Energy and Petroleum Bernard Mommer on March 15 in what they termed a "cordial" meeting. This was the first meeting the company had won in its attempt to engage the GOV on its unilateral decision to increase the royalty levied on the f [...]	2005-03-17 13:48:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET VE
05CARACAS806	BANKS UNDER PRESSURE [...] (C) Government intervention in the economy has taken another step forward with the issuance of regulations which force the banking sector to devote 10% of its lending portfolio to mortgage and home construction loans and which increase from 10% to 16% the portion which must be dedicated to the [...]	2005-03-17 15:51:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN PGOV VE
05CARACAS813	APRIL 11 REVISITED: VENEZUELAN SUPREME COURT [...] (C) The Constitutional Chamber of the Venezuelan Supreme Court March 11 annulled the 2002 decision which ruled that the events of April 2002 constituted a power vacuum and not a coup. The decision now allows the Attorney General to bring four high ranking military officers to trial on charge [...]	2005-03-17 17:35:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KJUS VE
05CARACAS828	VENEZUELAN FONMIN CALLS FOR MEETING WITH AMBASSADOR [...] (C) Summary: Venezuelan Foreign Minister Ali Rodriguez called to meet March 17 with Ambassador Brownfield. Rodriguez' ostensible purpose was to finally meet the Ambassador four months after becoming FonMin. Real reason probably was to support Chavez' "charm offensive" towards the USG. The [...]	2005-03-18 21:38:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV US VE
05CARACAS839	TOUGH TALK, BRAVE FACES, AND SELF-CENSORSHIP IN [...] (U) Three months after President Hugo Chavez signed the "Law of Social Responsibility in Radio and Television" (the content law),the GoV phased-in the second tier of requirements on March 7. Regulations have yet to be published, and the telecommunications regulatory agency (CONATEL) is final [...]	2005-03-21 18:06:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV KDEM VE
05CARACAS847	CHAVEZ GOES INTERNATIONAL AGAIN [...] (C) President Hugo Chavez visited Uruguay, India, Qatar, and France March 1-9 establishing Ministerial-level commissions and pushing for energy and commercial cooperation. In Uruguay, he pushed regional integration. While in India, he espoused a "new socialism" and supported his idea of a "mu [...]	2005-03-21 20:08:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PHUM ECON ENRG VE
05CARACAS855	VENEZUELA: ACCIDENTALLY COMBATING TERRORISM [...] (C) Venezuelan national police captured FARC official Gentil Albis "El Chiguiro" Patino in Bolivar State during a February 18 operation to rescue the kidnapped mother of a Venezuelan major league baseball player. Although the GOV initially did not admit to Chiguiro's capture and refused to [...]	2005-03-22 15:57:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PTER VE
05CARACAS857	FINANCE MINISTRY OFFICIAL MAKES SALES PITCH [...] (C) In a March 21 meeting with econcouns, Rudolfo Romer, the head of the Finance Ministry's National Public Credit Office (and thus chief liaison with the international investment community),expressed satisfaction with a recently concluded billion euro bond issue. He asserted that the GOV [...]	2005-03-22 19:10:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EFIN ECON PGOV VE
05CARACAS869	AMBASSADOR VISITS MAJOR U.S. OIL SECTOR INVESTMENT [...] (C) During a March 8-9 visit to Anzoategui state, the Ambassador visited the Hamaca heavy oil processing facility, a key element of the approximately $7 billion in U.S. investment in the Jose industrial complex, and received briefings by project partners ConocoPhillips and ChevronTexaco on thi [...]	2005-03-23 13:51:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET VE
05CARACAS871	GOV NOMINATES DELGADO FOR OAS'S JUDICIAL COMMITTEE [...] (U) The GOV notified the Embassy through a diplomatic note dated March 14 that it is nominating Dr. Jose Manuel Delgado Ocando for the Interamerican Judicial Committee (IJC) of the Organization of American States (OAS) for the 2006-2009 period, and asked for U.S. support for Delgado's candidacy [...]	2005-03-23 15:09:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PGOV VE OAS
05CARACAS872	CIVILIAN RESERVES: DEFENDING THE REVOLUTION [...] (C) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has begun organizing civilian units to defend the country from potential invasions. The GOV has not made clear the relationship between military reserves and civilian militias, but Chavez announced that Maj. Gen. Julio Quintero Viloria would emerge from [...]	2005-03-23 17:24:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV MARR VE
05CARACAS874	NEW OFF-SHORE OIL & GAS ROUND IMMINENT [...] (C) After more than a year of delays, it appears the GOV is ready to launch a new bid round for oil and gas exploration blocks in the Gulf of Venezuela and off Falcon state. ChevronTexaco de Venezuela confirmed March 23 that it had received an invitation to an April 4 ceremony launching the r [...]	2005-03-23 18:27:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET VE
05CARACAS878	VENEZUELA CHARM OFFENSIVE -- MEETING WITH [...] (C) Acting on GoV instructions, Venezuelan Minister of Communication Andres Izarra met with the Ambassador March 23. Izarra suggested cooperation on journalist exchanges, an idea which the Ambassador found lacking for among other reasons, the Minister's severe public criticism of U.S. journal [...]	2005-03-23 20:28:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PHUM KDEM VE
05CARACAS90	ARCHBISHOP URGES MORE USG CRITICISM OF CHAVEZ [...] (C) Venezuelan Archbishop Baltazar Porras, head of the council of Catholic bishops of Venezuela, told Ambassador January 6 the USG ought to be more outspoken in its criticism of Hugo Chavez. Porras urged more international community involvement to contain Chavez's regional aspirations, though he ad [...]	2005-01-12 15:06:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM KIRF VE
05CARACAS917	PRIMERO JUSTICIA: FLEDGLING OPPOSITION [...] (C) Primero Justicia President Julio Borges and Sec Gen Jose Luis Mejias lamented the opposition's inability to offer the public an alternative to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Meeting with the Ambassador March 22, they outlined the party's political strategy, noting especially its effor [...]	2005-03-30 20:15:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
05CARACAS921	FREEDOM HOUSE STRENGTHENS VENEZUELAN HUMAN RIGHTS [...] In response to the alleged human rights violations of February/March 2004, USAID Venezuela entered into a cooperative agreement with Freedom House in September 2004. Through this project Freedom House will increase the capacity of human rights defenders in Venezuela to document and report on t [...]	2005-03-31 10:29:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PREL EAID KDEM PHUM VE
05CARACAS925	LONG LIST OF INVITEES FOR NEW VENEZUELAN OFF-SHORE [...] (C) Venezuela's newest off-shore natural gas bid round, the "Rafael Urdaneta" project, will be launched at 10:30 am on April 4 in Punto Fijo, Falcon state. Six blocks will be offered for bid. We have received the names of 37 of 46 companies invited to participate. The list is heavy on third [...]	2005-03-31 15:45:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET VE
05CARACAS93	CODEL DODD MEETS WITH SUMATE LEADERS [...] (C) Maria Corina Machado and Roberto Abdul, leaders of the NGO Sumate, briefed CODEL Dodd on January 10 on future plans of the electoral advocacy group. Machado lamented the tightening control President Hugo Chavez now held over Venezuela's branches of government, especially the National Elec [...]	2005-01-12 15:15:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
05CARACAS943	VENEZUELA: SIX WEEKS AFTER THE FLOODS [...] (C) Venezuelan Red Cross officials remain highly critical of the GOV's handling of the major floods which hit the central coast (especially Vargas state) and western Venezuela in February, telling econoff that the NGO continues to get a cold shoulder at the national level and inadequate inform [...]	2005-04-01 19:19:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EAID ECON PGOV VE
05CARACAS951	CIUDAD GUAYANA SUMMIT: QUADRIPARTITE LOVE FEST [...] (C) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez hosted the Presidents of Brazil, Colombia, and Spain March 29 in a summit concerning national security, poverty reduction, democracy, and regional integration. Chavez interspersed his remarks at the follow-on press conference with some anti-US invective. [...]	2005-04-04 13:22:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PTER VE
05CARACAS953	PURGE POLITICIZES VENEZUELAN PROSECUTORS [...] (C) Venezuela's Attorney General's Office, under Isaias Rodriguez, has become a hierarchical and centralized organization, closely linked to the executive branch through Rodriguez's personal loyalty to President Hugo Chavez. Over 80 prosecutors have been fired in the last year, in alleged v [...]	2005-04-04 17:00:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KJUS VE
05CARACAS98	COLOMBIANS ALLEGEDLY CAPTURE FARC "FORMIN" IN [...] (C) The alleged abduction from Caracas to Colombia of FARC "foreign minister" Rodrigo Granda during December 13-14 has become the most publicized news story of the new year after initially garnering little attention from the Venezuelan press. On December 15, the Colombian Defense Ministry c [...]	2005-01-12 20:42:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PTER VE
06CARACAS1017	1001 STEPS TO OBTAINING A BOLIVARIAN DOCUMENT [...] (C) Poloff spent days battling Venezuelan bureaucracy to obtain a Venezuelan birth certificate for his child. The inefficient and Byzantine processes encountered by poloff plague Venezuelan government operations and have become an accepted element of Venezuelan society. Red tape drives weal [...]	2006-04-11 19:22:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV VE
06CARACAS1026	ACCION DEMOCRATICA: A HOPELESS CASE [...] (C) Accion Democratica (AD),Venezuela's largest opposition party, is going nowhere fast. Its leader, secretary general Henry Ramos Allup, is unimaginative, SIPDIS overconfident, and even repellent. Rather than seeking unity among the opposition, Ramos Allup insults other party official [...]	2006-04-17 12:34:00	Embassy Caracas	SECRET	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS1032	BRV IRRITATED BY AMBASSADORIAL OUTREACH ACTIVITIES [...] (C) VFM Maripili Hernandez convoked the Ambassador on April 12 to complain that his public diplomacy visits to poor communities were inadequately coordinated, and to suggest that we were collaborating with the independent media to provoke incidents during such visits. The Ambassador rejecte [...]	2006-04-17 19:14:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV ASEC VE
06CARACAS1052	COPEI: LAST DITCH SCRAMBLE FOR REJUVENATION [...] (C) Venezuelan Christian Democratic party COPEI shuffled its executive after young party members revolted against the leadership of former secretary general Cesar Perez Vivas in March. Former international relations secretary Sadio Garavini told poloff the new leaders were good but criticize [...]	2006-04-18 18:19:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS1059	YOUNG POLITICO CHALLENGES GOVERNMENT, OPPOSITION [...] (C) Alexandra Belandia Ruizpineda is a 35-year-old leader of the small Caracas-based Grupo Cambio ("Group for Change") that gained notoriety in September 2005 for surreptitious placement of paper skeletons to protest Venezuela's deteriorating security environment. While the skeletons incident [...]	2006-04-20 13:12:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM ELAB KDEM SCUL VE
06CARACAS1067	GIVING MONEY DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE: CHAVEZ' [...] (C) On April 8, the National Assembly passed the Law on Community Councils (Ley de Consejos Comunales),significantly modifying the allocation of municipal government funds by placing Community Councils at the center of municipal governance. The measure effectively reduces the clout of mayor [...]	2006-04-21 19:15:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	ECON PGOV VE
06CARACAS1085	STUDENTS "LAY DOWN FOR LIFE", POLITICS AS USUAL [...] (U) On April 22, streets throughout Caracas were overtaken by three separate protests; the most organized of the three led by university students protesting deteriorating public security conditions in Venezuela and the other two by pro-government and opposition factions. Despite competing eve [...]	2006-04-24 20:29:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM ELAB KDEM SCUL VE
06CARACAS1093	"URGENT" VENEZUELAN NATIONAL POLICE LAW DELAYED [...] (C) The National Police Corps Law, whose passage various deputies and Venezuelan government spokesmen have described as urgent, has been delayed again pending a review by the recently composed national committee for police reform. The law aims to centralize and militarize Venezuela's some 20 [...]	2006-04-25 18:40:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KCRM VE
06CARACAS1096	VENEZUELA: RESPONSE ON TITLE III OF LIBERTAD ACT [...] (C) Post sees no evidence that the BRV has undertaken policies or actions to advance democracy, human rights, or fundamental freedoms in Cuba over the last six months. In fact, Venezuela has continued to provide financial support to the Castro regime and strengthen its trade relationship wit [...]	2006-04-25 18:42:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ETRD ETTC PREL VE
06CARACAS1104	HAITI'S PRESIDENT-ELECT MAKES BRIEF VISIT TO [...] (U) Haiti's President-elect Rene Preval arrived in Caracas April 24 for a brief bilateral meeting with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, which included discussions on energy and implementing effective strategies for improving the country's social conditions. During a joint press conference f [...]	2006-04-26 13:19:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL KDEM VE
06CARACAS113	VENEZUELA'S OPPOSITION LOOKS FOR A FUTURE [...] (C) After basking in its self-perceived moral victory following the low turnout in the December 4 legislative elections and international observers' calls for a new National Electoral Council, the opposition is trying to figure out how to stay relevant and position themselves for the presid [...]	2006-01-18 17:51:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS1152	NEW VENEZUELAN ELECTORAL BOARD 4 TO 1 FOR CHAVEZ [...] (C) On April 28, the National Assembly completed selection of and swore in Tibisay Lucena, Sandra Oblitas, Vicente Diaz, German Yepez, and Janeth Hernandez as the new directors of the National Electoral Council (CNE),as well as their 10 alternates. Not surprisingly, the all-Chavista legisla [...]	2006-05-02 19:16:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS1169	IS CHAVEZ LOSING IT? [...] (C) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez' rhetoric has always been radical. Yet, up until the last six to 12 months, he reserved his most extreme statements for domestic audiences. Lately, he has flown off the handle in front of international microphones. He has criticized regional counterpar [...]	2006-05-03 16:38:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL MARR VE
06CARACAS1173	VENEZUELAN LABOR DAY: TALE OF TWO MARCHES [...] (C) The twin marches held separately by the pro-government and opposition labor centrals May 1 in commemoration of Labor Day illustrate well the dilapidated state of organized labor in Venezuela. The National Workers' Union (UNT) was dedicated to anti-imperialism and saw a sea of crisp red te [...]	2006-05-03 19:33:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM ELAB KDEM SCUL VE
06CARACAS1174	TAKING THE BAIT: CHAVEZ CREATES ANOTHER [...] (C) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez started a diplomatic row with the Peruvian Government after Peruvian presidential candidate Alan Garcia questioned Chavez' "Bolivarian" credentials in late April. Chavez called Garcia a corrupt thief on April 28, adding that Garcia and Peruvian President [...]	2006-05-03 20:31:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL VE
06CARACAS1199	BRV REACTS TO COUNTRY REPORT ON TERRORISM [...] (C) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez blasted the Department's Country Report on Terrorism in almost real time April 28, claiming that the USG was the real terrorist state. The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry followed his remarks April 29 with a communique detailing alleged U.S. "terrorist" abus [...]	2006-05-04 20:46:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PTER PREL VE
06CARACAS1207	NGO HIGHLIGHTS BRV'S USE OF ELECTORAL BLACKLISTS [...] (C) Opposition NGO Ciudadania Activa (Active Citizenry) produced the documentary "La Lista Tascon" ("The Tascon List"),a film that dramatically portrays the Venezuelan government's systematic persecution of persons who signed petitions against President Hugo Chavez in 2002-2004. The organiza [...]	2006-05-05 19:23:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM SCUL VE
06CARACAS1209	CHAVEZ' "BOLIVARIAN" BUSINESS MODELS: THE TRIUMPH [...] (SBU) As part of his "XXI-Century Socialism" project, President Chavez has chosen to reward business models that conform to his political vision via financial incentives and preferential treatment. The BRV has supported the creation of thousands of cooperatives, which have largely failed to [...]	2006-05-05 19:38:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ECON VE
06CARACAS1213	MURDER OF PRIEST PITS BRV AGAINST CHURCH [...] (C) The recent murder of Catholic Priest and senior official of the Venezuelan BishopsÂ´ Conference (CEV) has touched off another round of recriminations between the church and state. Father Jorge Pinango was found murdered in a seedy Caracas hotel room on April 24, two days after disappearing. A [...]	2006-05-05 19:42:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KIRF KCRM VE

06CARACAS1215	HOW VENEZUELANS OBTAIN FOREIGN CURRENCY IN THE [...] (SBU) Average Venezuelans have found a variety of ways, beyond the official Foreign Exchange Administration Commission (CADIVI),to convert Bolivars to foreign currency. Options include trading Bolivar-denominated bonds for foreign currency-denominated bonds, purchasing dollar-denominated BR [...]	2006-05-05 19:59:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	EFIN ECON PGOV VE
06CARACAS123	CATHOLIC CHURCH AND CHAVEZ ON A BUMPY RIDE [...] (C) The Catholic hierarchy in Venezuela is trying to re-establish a working dialogue with President Hugo Chavez, but the efforts are riddled with problems. Emotions were gushing during the World Peace Day mass on January 8, attended by the Vice President and other senior GOV officials. The E [...]	2006-01-19 15:02:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KIRF PHUM KDEM VE
06CARACAS1231	OAS EOM FINAL REPORT ON VENEZUELA ELECTIONS -- [...] (C) On April 25, the OAS electoral observation mission (EOM) quietly released its final report on the December 2005 legislative elections. The report, like the preliminary version, was less critical of the electoral process than the EU EOM (refs a and b). In general, most criticism of the g [...]	2006-05-08 20:28:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM OAS VE
06CARACAS1238	PDVSA: DIVERSIFICATION, CORRUPTION, AND [...] (C) SUMMARY: The politicization of PDVSA appears to have an increasingly negative impact on how it carries out its operations and conducts long term planning. As a result of Bolivarian ideology, PDVSA appears to be making a concerted effort to shed itself of long-term supply contracts as well [...]	2006-05-09 12:29:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET ENRG EINV VE
06CARACAS124	CARACAS WORLD SOCIAL FORUM IV/AMERICAS [...] (C) The Fourth World Social Forum (Americas Region) will take place January 24-29 in Caracas. GOV organizers say more than 100,000 representatives of NGOs and social movements have registered for the event, which is billed as a mirror event to the Davos World Economic Forum. Like its sister [...]	2006-01-19 15:06:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV SOCI SENV ELAB PHUM VE
06CARACAS1252	PARANOIA IN INTERNAL VENEZUELAN MILITARY DOCUMENT [...] (C) Embassy received from opposition contacts CD copies of two internal Venezuelan military powerpoint presentations that appear to date from around 2003. The presentations contain charts so complex, intricate, and overlapping as to be hardly readable. They portray revisionist history and [...]	2006-05-09 18:14:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV MARR PREL VE
06CARACAS1262	ALIANZA POPULAR TOUTS ABSTENTION MESSAGE [...] (C) Veteran Christian Democrat politician Oswaldo Alvarez Paz has just completed his first year building his "Alianza Popular," a center-right micro-party that prefers to throw rocks at the 2006 presidential elections rather than participate with other opposition groups. Alvarez Paz denies he [...]	2006-05-10 19:12:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
06CARACAS1263	CARACAS-LA GUAIRA BYPASS ROAD CLOSED AGAIN [...] (SBU) On May 8, after heavy rains, a landslide blocked the newly-constructed Bridge Bypass Road (BBR) built to link Caracas to the main air and sea ports. The 2.5 km road, opened in late February as an alternate route after the closure and collapse of the highway bridge, has steep pitching a [...]	2006-05-10 19:12:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ECON EAIR ETRD KDEM PGOV ASEC VE
06CARACAS1266	GERMAN FOUNDATIONS FRUSTRATED IN VENEZUELA [...] (C) Major German foundations such as the Friedrich Ebert and Konrad Adenauer Stiftungs have been active in Venezuela for decades. In recent years their efforts have declined somewhat due to the extreme polarization of the Venezuelan society and the resultant reluctance of both sides to enter [...]	2006-05-10 19:27:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM ELAB KDEM SCUL VE
06CARACAS1276	BRAZIL STILL INTERESTED IN TUCANO SALES, PROPOSES [...] Actions requested - see para 12. Summary ------- 2. (C) Brazilian Ambassador Joao Carlos da Sousa Gomes, acting on instructions, proposed that we trade licensing for U.S. components in the Tucano aircraft for Brazilian support for Sumate with the BRV. That sounds like a bad trade to [...]	2006-05-11 19:24:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EPET PREL PTER BL BR IR VE UN CU
06CARACAS1287	VENEZUELAN CNE: "WE WILL NOT NEGOTIATE" [...] (C) In its first two weeks in office, the National Electoral Council's (CNE) initial actions suggest it will be similar to the previous one. The bid of the single pro-opposition member to head the National Electoral Junta and Electoral Registry Committee--and thus give some hope for independ [...]	2006-05-12 15:15:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS1291	BOLIVARIAN SPENDING UNSUSTAINABLE BELOW USD [...] (C) SUMMARY. Milton Guzman, the Vice President of Research with the Banco de Venezuela Santander Investment Group, said that if the Venezuelan oil basket price dropped to USD 40 per barrel (from the current USD 60.29 per barrel for April 2006),the current levels of BRV central government sp [...]	2006-05-12 18:36:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EFIN ECON PGOV VE
06CARACAS1293	UPDATE ON CARACAS-LA GUAIRA BRIDGE BYPASS ROAD [...] (SBU) Traffic on the Bridge Bypass Road built to link Caracas to the main air and sea ports has resumed on both lanes for heavy and light traffic, with some intermittent closures. The Ministry of Infrastructure (MINFRA) has announced possible closures from 10PM-4AM to reinforce the steep pit [...]	2006-05-12 20:21:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ECON EAIR ETRD KDEM PGOV ASEC VE
06CARACAS1363	PDVSA PUSHES FOR MORE CONTACT WITH USG [...] (U) Action requested. Please see paragraph 11. 2. (C) SUMMARY: PDVSA Vice President Luis Vierma suggested that senior USG and PDVSA officials meet on a regular basis to discuss a wide variety of energy issues. He also offered to host a week long visit for Departments of State and Energy [...]	2006-05-16 17:02:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET ENRG EINV VE
06CARACAS1364	VENEZUELA'S INAC ASKS FOR CIVAIR PARITY [...] (SBU) Via diplomatic note, the BRV thanked the FAA for elevating Venezuela to Category 1 and mentioned the "good disposition" of the FAA team that visited on March 27-30. The BRV also communicated the desire to expand its airlines' services to more U.S. destinations, and seek "equilibrium of [...]	2006-05-16 17:48:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	EAIR VE
06CARACAS1397	VENEZUELAN CATTLEMAN'S ASSOCIATION: VIEWS ON [...] (C) On May 10, Econoffs met with Genaro Mendez, President of the Venezuela's Cattleman's Association (Fedenaga). Mendez has been outspoken against the BRV on rural expropriations, criticizing the National Land Institute's (INTI) support of land invasions. Fedenaga has chosen to fight the BRV [...]	2006-05-17 16:56:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON PGOV VE
06CARACAS1400	SUDDEN DROP IN VENEZUELAN EXPORTS [...] (C) A senior ExxonMobil representative told Petroleum Attache on May 17 that Venezuelan crude exports have fallen by 300,000 barrels. (COMMENT: We believe, given the context of his remarks, that the representative meant per day. END COMMENT) The representative also stated ExxonMobil employee [...]	2006-05-17 18:02:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET ENRG EINV VE
06CARACAS1402	SPANISH POLITICAL COUNSELOR REVIEWS VENEZUELAN [...] (C) Poloff met with Spanish Political Counselor Gonzalo Fournier May 12 to discuss Venezuelan political developments and Spanish-Venezuelan relations. Fournier told Poloff that Cuban diplomats had visited members of the electoral observer group Ojo Electoral and claimed that the USG was oppos [...]	2006-05-17 18:38:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS1417	NO SURPRISES IN BRV RESPONSE TO CT DESIGNATION [...] (C) The Department's May 15 announcement that the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (BRV) is not fully cooperating in the global war on terrorism unleashed a series of scathing but typical responses from President Hugo Chavez and his senior mouthpieces. Chavez called the USG an "impotent empi [...]	2006-05-17 22:12:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PARM PTER VE
06CARACAS1426	BCV'S ABILITY TO DEFEND BOLIVAR WEAKENED [...] (SBU) After delaying the issuance of its financial statements for a month, the Central Bank of Venezuela (BCV) finally published its March 2006 financial statement showing cumulative 2006 first quarter losses of USD 136 million. These losses are mainly due to the increasing cost of BCV's effo [...]	2006-05-18 14:54:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	EFIN ECON PGOV VE
06CARACAS1445	TEMPERATURE RISES FOR STRATEGIC ASSOCIATIONS [...] (C) SUMMARY: The National Assembly on May 16 approved amendments to the Organic Hydrocarbons Law (OHL) that raise income taxes on the strategic associations from 34 to 50 percent and introduced a 33.3 percent extraction tax. It appears that the six international oil companies (IOCs) that are [...]	2006-05-19 16:58:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET ENRG EINV VE
06CARACAS1448	KEY DATES FOR VENEZUELAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION [...] (SBU) With a little under seven months before the December 3 presidential elections, key dates are coming up fast for the newly inaugurated National Electoral Council (CNE). On May 11, the CNE told opposition presidential candidates it would have electoral norms established by the end of Jul [...]	2006-05-19 20:08:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS1449	BOLIVARIANS IN THE OLD COUNTRY: CHAVEZ DOES EUROPE [...] (C) President Hugo Chavez conducted an array of state business and outreach to sympathizers during a six-country swing through Europe and North Africa, May 10-18. The trip began with Chavez getting a stern message on human rights from Pope Benedict XVI. In Rome, Chavez met with communist Ita [...]	2006-05-21 19:36:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL KDEM VE IT IZ AU AG UK VT
06CARACAS1461	BRV VICE MINISTER DISCUSSES TERRORISM, EXTRADITION [...] (S//NF) Venezuelan vice foreign minister Maria Pilar Hernandez called in the Ambassador on May 17 to discuss the status of BRV extradition requests on alleged terrorist bombers Jose Antonio Colina, German Varela, and Luis Posada Carriles. She said her government had taken the position that [...]	2006-05-22 17:44:00	Embassy Caracas	SECRET	PREL SNAR PTER KSAF VE
06CARACAS1468	DIVISIONS AND DISSENT IN CHAVISMO [...] (C) The diversity of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez' "Bolivarian Revolution" often makes it appear divided. For example, differences have emerged between the movement's civilians and soldiers, its democrats and dictators, and its ideologues and crooks. Nonetheless, these disputes have bee [...]	2006-05-22 20:33:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV VE
06CARACAS1469	HOW CHAVEZ MANAGES PROBLEMS [...] (C) SEPTEL addresses the divisions within President Hugo Chavez' administration and the dissent among his support base. This cable shows that Chavez has sought with some success to deflect his administration's failures by blaming the USG, chastising his own subordinates, and holding rallies [...]	2006-05-22 20:35:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL VE
06CARACAS1543	READY OR NOT HERE COMES THE OPPOSITION PRIMARY [...] (C) After months of planning, Sumate announced its intention to hold a primary to choose a single opposition candidate on July 16. As of May 22, 14 candidates have registered, including Julio Borges, one of the three best known possible candidates. The other two, Teodoro Petkoff and undecla [...]	2006-05-24 21:26:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS1544	VENEZUELA: PRESS FREEDOM UPDATE [...] (C) The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (BRV) employs a variety of mechanisms -- legal, regulatory, judicial, and rhetorical -- to harass the private media. Post will provide periodic press freedom updates to document these subtle yet effective tactics that reveal a repressive -- indeed, aut [...]	2006-05-25 10:17:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM SCUL VE
06CARACAS16	EVO MORALES VISITS VENEZUELA [...] (U) Bolivian President-elect Evo Morales arrived in Caracas January 3 for a brief visit that included paying homage to Simon Bolivar at the National Monument, a two-hour bilateral meeting with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, and a lengthy joint press conference in "Cadena Nacional." In addi [...]	2006-01-04 21:01:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS1612	FORMER OPPOSITION GOVERNOR HELD ON CORRUPTION [...] (U) Eduardo Lapi, the former opposition governor of Yaracuy State, was detained by state security police (DISIP) in the state capital of San Felipe on May 30 in relation to charges of corruption during his administration. Lapi had been accused in January of violating bidding procedures in awa [...]	2006-06-01 17:42:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
06CARACAS1614	BRV SUSPENDS ANTI-DUMPING RESTRICTION ON U.S. [...] (U) Post received the following letter from the BRV's Antidumping and Subsidies Commission (CASS),asking Post to notify four U.S. companies that the antidumping restrictions on their products have expired. According to the Report on Essential Facts provided by CASS, the two products are unm [...]	2006-06-01 19:10:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ETRD VE
06CARACAS1616	CHAVEZ OPENS OPEC 141ST EXTRAORDINARY MEETING [...] SUMMARY: President Chavez opened the 141st Extraordinary Meeting of OPEC mid-day June 1 with a speech of almost two hours that was long on attacks on U.S. imperialism and short on substance. After giving a rambling verion of Venezuelan and OPEC history, he proposed a 50 USD floor for oil pri [...]	2006-06-01 20:34:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	EPET ENRG EINV VE
06CARACAS1617	VENEZUELA: LUKEWARM REACTION TO STATEMENT ON IRAN [...] (C) The Ambassador called Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (BRV) Foreign Minister Ali Rodriguez on May 31, to deliver the points in reftel. The Ambassador conveyed our strong hope that the BRV would issue a public statement of support, publicly encourage Iran to suspend its enrichment and p [...]	2006-06-02 14:01:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PARM VE IR
06CARACAS1627	STUDENTS PROTEST IN MERIDA [...] (U) Student protests in Merida on May 24-25 turned violent, resulting in dozens of injuries and drawing the attention of top BRV officials in Caracas. A Supreme Court (TSJ) decision to suspend annual university elections ignited a battle pitting students and university officials on one side, [...]	2006-06-02 20:48:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM SCUL SOCI VE
06CARACAS1628	WE LOVE CHAVEZ! WE WANT WATER! [...] (C) A peasant protest over a water shortage in the rural countryside outside of Caracas blocked a highway Polcouns and Poloff were traveling to attend an appointment on June 2. The angry residents of Portachuelo in Miranda State blocked the road for hours to draw attention to their plight of a [...]	2006-06-02 20:58:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM SOCI VE
06CARACAS1634	BRV TAKES AIM AT INDEPENDENT CIVIL SOCIETY [...] (C) Civil Society within Venezuela is raising serious concerns over the potential passage of a law designed to effectively eliminate NGOs in Venezuela as independent bodies (ref a). Embassy shares their concerns that if the law is passed in anything like its currently form it would severely [...]	2006-06-05 16:17:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS1635	THE VENEZUELAN MILITARY IN GOVERNMENT AND SOCIETY [...] (C) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez continues to nominate military personnel to serve in the most senior elected and appointed positions of his administration. Although we lack precise numbers, Embassy contacts and research suggest the military's presence in civilian government continues to [...]	2006-06-05 16:21:00	Embassy Caracas	SECRET	PGOV MARR VE
06CARACAS1639	VISAS DONKEY -- TASCON GUTIERREZ, LUIS [...] (C) Post requests SAO on the prudential revocation of the B1/B2 visa of Venezuelan citizen Luis Tascon (DPOB: 27AUG1968, Venezuela) on Foreign Policy grounds under INA 212(A)(3)(C). Post believes that his entry in the United States would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy conse [...]	2006-06-05 17:40:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	CVIS PGOV PREL PHUM ELAB KDEM PTER VE
06CARACAS1642	VENEZUELA: FINAL ANTIDUMPING DECISION ON POLYVINYL [...] (U) Post received the following letter (see Para 2) on June 1 from the BRV Ministry of Light Industry and Commerce's Antidumping and Subsidies Commission (CASS),notifying its final decision on existing antidumping orders for two varieties of polyvinyl chloride (Ref A). The CASS decision was [...]	2006-06-05 20:38:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ETRD VE
06CARACAS1661	SUPREME COURT JUSTICE LOUDLY OBJECTS TO HIS REMOVAL [...] (C) On May 24, the Venezuelan Government's Moral Republican Council suspended Supreme Court Justice Luis Velasquez Alvaray for alleged mismanagement of public funds earmarked to purchase property for the construction of a judicial complex. His case is now with the National Assembly (AN),whi [...]	2006-06-06 22:22:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KJUS KDEM VE
06CARACAS1662	STATE MACHINERY DRIVING CHAVEZ' CAMPAIGN [...] (C) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez abuses state power and the public purse to benefit his reelection campaign. He has ordered public officials to get out the pro-Chavez vote, and his administration has forced them to participate in Chavista rallies. Through his control over off-budget ex [...]	2006-06-06 22:22:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS1665	LEADING OPPOSITION CANDIDATES SET DEADLINE FOR [...] (U) In a joint press conference June 5, leading opposition presidential candidates Julio Borges, Teodoro Petkoff, and Manuel Rosales announced their agreement to choose a single opposition candidate by July 31. They are also creating a commission comprised of a representative from each candi [...]	2006-06-07 16:55:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS1674	CHAVISTA LABOR FEDERATION DELAYS ELECTIONS -- AGAIN [...] (U) The pro-Chavez National Workers Union (UNT) held its second congress May 26-28 with the objective of setting a date for internal elections for the trade confederation. The congress was billed as a landmark event for the labor confederation because in the three years since the group's foun [...]	2006-06-07 21:24:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM ELAB KDEM VE
06CARACAS1680	AMBASSADOR VISITS CHAVEZ'S HOME STATE [...] (C) The Ambassador traveled to Barinas on May 18, visiting two USAID projects and a radio station, and meeting with the local bishop and civic leaders. Surprisingly, no untoward incidents marred the visit of the Ambassador to the heart of chavismo, Chavez's home state. The Ambassador reques [...]	2006-06-08 16:00:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL KDEM ASEC ECON EAGR EIND VE
06CARACAS1709	UPDATE ON PETROAMERICA [...] (C) SUMMARY: Petroamerica, the Chavez administration's initiative for Latin American and Caribbean energy integration, is composed of three parts: Petrocaribe (Caribbean),Petroandina (Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru),and Petrosur (Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay). In addition, the BRV h [...]	2006-06-12 15:36:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET ENRG EINV VE
06CARACAS1712	UPDATE ON PETROCARIBE [...] (C) SUMMARY: During the past seven months, the BRV appears to have focused on building institutions such as joint venture companies to support the Petrocaribe initiative (Reftel A). Shipments of oil still appear to be relatively few in number. Although the lines between various BRV initiati [...]	2006-06-12 15:48:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET ENRG EINV VE
06CARACAS1713	STUDENT-GOVERNMENT SHOWDOWN CONTINUES [...] (C) The dispute between university students and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (BRV) continues to fester. What started with violent protests at the University of the Andes (ULA) in Merida on May 24 over student union elections has devolved into a rhetorical war, waged mostly in the pre [...]	2006-06-12 16:45:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM SCUL SOCI VE
06CARACAS1719	CNE DERAILS INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL REGISTRY AUDIT [...] (C) Via national broadcast June 8, National Electoral Council (CNE) President Tibisay Lucena announced the proposed audit of the electoral registry (REP) would proceed under the terms agreed to by seven Chavista universities and thus without the participation of the three independent universi [...]	2006-06-12 18:41:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS1736	VENEZUELA RESPONDS TO TIER 3 PLACEMENT [...] (C) After several days of working to arrange an appointment, Poloff delivered 2006 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and mini-plan demarches to BRV Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Director for North American and Multilateral Affairs Yaneth Arocha on June 8. Poloff confirmed BRV's criticism of t [...]	2006-06-13 17:17:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	KCRM KWMN PHUM PREL SMIG VE
06CARACAS1739	CENTRAL BANK DIRECTOR'S VIEWS ON ECONOMIC AND [...] (C) Central Bank (BCV) Director Armando Leon told EconOffs May 31 that, despite first quarter BCV cumulative operational losses of USD 136 million, the BCV would end May and June 2006 without losses, and was working with the Finance Ministry to mitigate anticipated BCV financial losses in July [...]	2006-06-13 18:43:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EFIN ECON PGOV VE
06CARACAS1758	BRV CONTINUES TO TOY WITH BARUTA MAYOR [...] (C) Baruta Mayor Henrique Capriles Radonski's trial, scheduled to begin June 9, was postponed for another ten days. Prosecutors allege Capriles incited the uprising that occurred at the Cuban Embassy in Caracas during the April 2002 coup attempt (reftels). The failure of the prosecution to [...]	2006-06-14 19:53:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	PGOV PREL KDEM VE
06CARACAS1768	PRESS FREEDOM UPDATE [...] (C) This cable is the second in a continuing series of updates detailing the accelerating repression of freedom of expression by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (BRV). As indicated in reftels, the BRV employs a variety of mechanisms - legal, economic, regulatory, judicial, and rhetorica [...]	2006-06-15 16:25:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM SCUL VE
06CARACAS1777	VISIT TO VENEZUELAN CATTLE FARM AND ECOLOGICAL [...] (C) SUMMARY. On June 7-8, EconOffs visited Hato Pinero and Hato Paraima, large cattle ranches in Cojedes state. Hato Pinero, also an ecological preserve, has been under threat of expropriation but has not been occupied by squatters. Hato Paraima has squatters on over 60 percent of the proper [...]	2006-06-16 16:10:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON PGOV SENV VE
06CARACAS1778	BRV INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DRAFT LAW AND THE [...] (U) As part of an ongoing effort by the BRV to promote open-source software (OSS) as a "revolutionary" alternative to profit-driven commercial software, the National Assembly has proposed a draft Information Technology Law. The legislation would require government entitites at all levels (pl [...]	2006-06-16 16:18:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ECON KIPR VE
06CARACAS1779	NGO LAW ONE STEP CLOSER TO PASSAGE [...] (C) The National Assembly took the legislatively significant step of approving "in first discussion" the International Cooperation Law, which seeks to control foreign financing of Venezuelan NGOs and bring the entire sector under Bolivarian control. Speeches from the pro-Chavez deputies said [...]	2006-06-16 16:38:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM ELAB KDEM SCUL VE
06CARACAS1781	NOMINATION FOR THE SECRETARY'S CORPORATE [...] (U) Embassy Caracas is pleased to nominate Citibank Venezuela for the Secretary's 2006 Award for Corporate Excellence. American companies operating in Venezuela today face significant challenges, including threats to property rights and an uncertain judicial environment. Intense adversarial [...]	2006-06-16 19:50:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	BEXP EINV ELAB ERTD SENV VE
06CARACAS1787	BOLIVARIANS READYING NEW ATTACK ON EDUCATION [...] (C) The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (BRV) is preparing new legislation that aims to increase State control over Venezuela's public and private schools. The law's most contentious issues are the requirement to include representatives of neighborhood "social organizations" on all school bo [...]	2006-06-19 15:46:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM ELAB KDEM SCUL VE
06CARACAS1788	NO OBJECTION TO PROPOSED RESEARCH PROJECT NO. [...] (U) Post has no foreign policy concerns/objections regarding the proposed NIH research project No.AI07048401 ("Automated point-of-care PCR for hemorrhagic fever diagnosis") to be conducted with the Venezuelan grantee institutions in reftel. WHITAKER [...]	2006-06-19 15:52:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	KSCA TBIO OSCI
06CARACAS1789	CHAVEZ AND THE RHETORIC OF HATE [...] (C) President Hugo Chavez has successfully filled the Venezuelan political lexicon with hate-inspiring concepts to create and enlarge fissures within Venezuelan society and cement his domestic support. Unfortunately, it is already changing the way average Venezuelans think and act. Since tak [...]	2006-06-19 17:24:00	Embassy Caracas	SECRET//NOFORN	PGOV PHUM ELAB KDEM SCUL VE
06CARACAS1791	VENEZUELA,S PROPOSED MEGA NATURAL GAS PIPELINE FOR [...] (U) SUMMARY: Venezuela's proposed mega natural gas pipeline for South America (GASUR) -- which could span 12,000 to 15,000 kilometers and cost $20 to $40 billion to construct -- is Chavez's most recent and audacious effort to use the country's hydrocarbon endowment to expand his influence in t [...]	2006-06-19 19:34:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	ENRG EPET SENV EINV VE
06CARACAS1837	MANUEL ROSALES: RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT, SLOWLY [...] (C) The campaign committee for Zulia Governor Manuel Rosales believes that, if he runs, the as-yet-undeclared candidate has a good shot at unifying the fractured opposition for the December presidential elections. Rosales is currently working with fellow opposition candidates Teodoro Petkoff [...]	2006-06-19 23:14:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM ELAB KDEM SCUL VE
06CARACAS1849	PDVSA'S TERMINAL WOES [...] (C) SUMMARY: According to a PDVSA sub-contractor, PDVSA terminals suffer from poor recordkeeping, staffing problems, and inadequate equipment. As a result, PDVSA has incurred millions of dollars in demurrage (payments for the delay in loading a vessel). PDVSA's books do not reflect many of [...]	2006-06-20 19:19:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	EPET ENRG EINV VE
06CARACAS1892	LONG KNIVES COME OUT FOR IMPEACHED TSJ JUSTICE [...] (C) On June 8, the National Assembly unanimously voted to remove Supreme Court Justice Luis Velazquez Alvaray. Velazquez Alvaray did not attend the legislative hearing, as was his right, citing fears of persecution and arrest. Post confirmed through DHS that he fled to Miami June 7 via Aruba, [...]	2006-06-23 15:08:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS1897	MERCAL: THE BRV'S MOST POPULAR MISSION [...] (U) Since its inception in 2003, the government-owned and subsidized food chain, Mercal, has grown exponentially. It now holds nearly half of the market share for domestic food. At a 92 percent public approval rate, it ranks as the most popular BRV mission, even penetrating into the upper-midd [...]	2006-06-23 17:42:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ECON EAGR PGOV VE
06CARACAS1898	MEETING WITH OUSTED FX COMMISSION PRESIDENT AND [...] (C) Econoffs met with ousted Foreign Exchange Commission (CADIVI) President Mary Espinoza de Robles (protect) June 19. Espinoza said she "resigned" her position June 7 because the CADIVI Board continued to impose random requirements (not supported by law or regulation) on foreign currency req [...]	2006-06-23 17:58:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	EFIN ECON PGOV VE
06CARACAS1909	CHAVEZ TO "REVIEW" PRIVATE TV AND RADIO LICENSES [...] (C) President Chavez threatened on June 14 to review private television and radio licenses. Senior chavistas affirmed the President's call, claiming that private channels often violate the Venezuelan media law and even promote pornography. A prominent private television channel president t [...]	2006-06-23 21:43:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM SCUL PHUM VE
06CARACAS191	VENEZUELAN ATTORNEY GENERAL SEEKS TO SILENCE PRESS [...] On January 18 Venezuelan Attorney General Isaias Rodriguez responded to press reports that severely undermined the credibility of his key witness in the case of assassinated prosecutor Danilo Anderson by asking a judge to prohibit writings or acts that would call the witness and case into dou [...]	2006-01-26 14:36:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	KPAO PHUM OPRC VE
06CARACAS1915	VIOLENCE RETURNS TO MERIDA UNIVERSITY [...] (U) After weeks of relative calm following violent protests by rival student factions at the University of the Andes (ULA),there was another violent confrontation on June 21, including a shooting. One opposition student leader was shot, three others were briefly detained, and yet another r [...]	2006-06-26 15:17:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM SCUL SOCI VE
06CARACAS1995	CO-MANAGEMENT IN VENEZUELA: THE CRACKS ARE [...] (SBU) In early 2005, President Chavez hailed "co-management" (a management model that distributes company ownership among the government, workers and/or original owners) as a powerful initiative to make the economy more "human" and "productive." Sixteen months later, a single successful BRV [...]	2006-06-30 21:07:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ECON VE
06CARACAS1996	REQUEST FOR FOLLOW-UP WITH BRV ON EMBASSY SECURITY [...] (C) Post has attempted to engage locally the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry and National Guard to improve host government response time to demonstrations at the Embassy. This action was prompted by a meager demonstration on June 6 of a few dozen people who were able to hamper Embassy activities f [...]	2006-06-30 22:30:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM ELAB KDEM SCUL VE
06CARACAS1997	PRIMARY MELTDOWN? [...] (C) Despite Sumate's June 27 announcement canceling the primary to choose a single opposition candidate, there is still time to organize the vote, according to Sumate President Alejandro Plaz. Plaz told the DCM that Sumate's announcement was meant to force the leading opposition candidates J [...]	2006-06-30 22:49:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS2005	PRESS FREEDOM UPDATE [...] (U) This cable is the next in a series of updates on the repressive tendencies of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (BRV) towards the freedom of press. As indicated in reftels, the BRV employs a variety of mechanisms - legal, economic, regulatory, judicial, and rhetorical - to harass the [...]	2006-07-03 20:08:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL KDEM SCUL VE
06CARACAS203	VENEZUELA: CNE PROCEEDS WITH BUSINESS AS USUAL [...] (C) The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (BRV) has no apparent plans to replace or restructure the National Electoral Council (CNE) in the near future, despite dismal voter confidence, OAS and EU observer recommendations, and calls by the opposition for change. On January 16, ruling party s [...]	2006-01-27 18:20:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS2032	VENEZUELAN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION IN THE BOLIVARIAN [...] (C) Catholic education may be dramatically scaled back if the new education law is passed. The new law will cut out traditional religious training in public schools and private religious schools, the latter as part of the broader Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela's (BRV) campaign against non-g [...]	2006-07-07 20:09:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM SCUL VE
06CARACAS2034	HE'S GOT ALL THE MARBLES: WHY ABSTENTIONISM SELLS [...] (C) While the December presidential election is still months away, massive abstention still remains a possibility. Convincing defeatist, suspicious, and fatigued voters to turn out will depend on conditions granted by the National Electoral Council (CNE); the selection of a unified opposition [...]	2006-07-07 20:12:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
06CARACAS2043	CHINESE AMBASSADOR ON US-PRC SUB-DIALOGUE ON [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador met July 6 with PRC Ambassador Jiu Yijie to discuss A/S Shannon's meetings in Beijing last April (ref a). Ambassador walked Jiu through the PRC-Venezuela relationship, which is focused on energy, raw materials, and commercial issues. Ambassador suggested our two coun [...]	2006-07-10 15:46:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	OTRA PREL ETRD PGOV CH JA KS VE
06CARACAS2044	NOTES FROM THE BARRIO: INSIDE CARACAS' POOR [...] (SBU) On July 1, EconOff visited the Caracas barrio (improverished neighborhood) of San Juan, alongside AmiSucre, an NGO that provides specialist medical care to marginalized communities. The popularity of these medical services highlighted the need for this type of care -- and the inadequa [...]	2006-07-10 15:46:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PGOV ECON VE
06CARACAS2046	CAN HUMOR BEAT CHAVEZ? [...] (C) While the "serious" opposition candidates quibble over who will face President Hugo Chavez, Venezuelan super-comedian Benjamin Rausseo is mulling over a tongue-in-cheek presidential bid. Despite his plans to make a "three month fiesta" out of the campaign, Rausseo, known to Venezuelans as [...]	2006-07-10 15:47:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM PINR VE
06CARACAS2047	THE BRV'S PROPOSED MINING SECTOR REFORM: CHAVEZ [...] (U) SUMMARY: On June 20, 2006, the Ministry of Basic Industries and Mines (MIBAM) proposed legislation in the National Assembly to reform Venezuela's mining laws and thereby empower the BRV to increase its control over the mining sector. Modeled on its reform of the petroleum sector, the bill [...]	2006-07-10 15:47:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EMIN EINV EIND VE
06CARACAS2063	CARACAS' VIEW OF SMARTMATIC AND ITS VOTING MACHINES [...] (C) The Venezuelan-owned Smartmatic Corporation is a riddle both in ownership and operation, complicated by the fact that its machines have overseen several landslide (and contested) victories by President Hugo Chavez and his supporters. The electronic voting company went from a small technol [...]	2006-07-10 18:01:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
06CARACAS2065	VENEZUELA, COLOMBIA AND PANAMA INAUGURATE [...] (U) On July 8, 2006, Presidents Alvaro Uribe of Colombia and Martin Torrijos of Panama joined President Chavez to inaugurate the "Trans-Caribbean" Natural Gas Pipeline. To be constructed by Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) and Ecopetrol, Colombia's state oil firm, with private-sector supervision [...]	2006-07-10 18:01:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET ENRG EINV VE
06CARACAS2067	BRV PUBLIC CREDIT CHIEF'S VIEWS ON DEBT MANAGEMENT [...] (C) On July 6, econoffs met with Public Credit Chief Rudolf Romer to discuss the BRV's debt management strategy and upcoming bond issues, including the recently announced joint Venezuelan-Argentine "Bonds of the South." Noting Venezuela's debt profile had improved significantly in recent yea [...]	2006-07-10 19:11:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	EFIN PGOV VE
06CARACAS2085	UNIVERSITY DIRECTOR ON ELECTORAL REGISTRY AUDIT [...] (C) In a lunch on June 27, Simon Bolivar University rector Benjamin Sharifker told the Ambassador and PAO that the three main opposition candidates had asked the three rectors to reach an accommodation with the National Electoral Council (CNE) over their participation in a university-led aud [...]	2006-07-12 18:39:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS2095	VENEZUELA: CNE HAS YET TO MAKE HARD CONCESSIONS [...] (C) The National Electoral Council (CNE) is nearly two-thirds through its self-imposed schedule for deciding on the opposition demands it has received so far. Most of the CNE's decisions have ratified conditions agreed to in previous elections, such as eliminating the electronic voter lists, [...]	2006-07-13 18:13:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS2104	VENEZUELAN HARASSMENT OF NGOS - UPDATE [...] (C) The impending passage of the International Cooperation Law represents a major step towards Chavista control of Venezuelan NGOs. Even without the law's proposed regulations and limitations on the activities of NGOs, the Chavistas are instilling a high level of apprehension among organizatio [...]	2006-07-14 16:36:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM ELAB KDEM SCUL VE
06CARACAS211	US SUPPORT REQUESTED FOR VENEZUELAN DISASTER [...] No summary [...]	2006-01-30 16:25:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV MASS VE
06CARACAS2131	DEMARCHE ON DPRK MISSILE LAUNCH [...] (C) Poloff delivered points contained in reftel to Yaneth Arocha, Office Director for the Vice Ministry of North American and Multilateral Affairs, on July 17. Poloff provided Arocha with a translated copy of the White House Statement on the missile launch. The BRV provided no substantive [...]	2006-07-18 14:34:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL KN PARM KNNP VE
06CARACAS2132	61ST UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY: HIGH-LEVEL ATTENDANCE [...] (C) Poloff met with Yaneth Arocha, Office Director for the Vice Ministry of North American and Multilateral Affairs, on July 17, to discuss possible attendance of senior BRV officials at the 61st UN General Assembly. Arocha said she could not make firm commitments, nor did she expect to be [...]	2006-07-18 14:35:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL OTRA OVIP KSEP UNGA VE
06CARACAS2141	SUMATE FOCUSSING AHEAD DESPITE NEW BRV PRESSURE [...] (C) On July 13, PolCouns met with Sumate President Alejandro Plaz to discuss the government's latest moves against the electoral NGO and their progress in organizing the primary. Although the trial against Sumate's leaders has been suspended since February 2006 (refs a-c),on July 12 the Nat [...]	2006-07-18 18:21:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
06CARACAS2165	HUMAN TRAFFICKING NGO A.M.B.A.R. - PROGRESS REPORT [...] (C) Summary. Poloffs visited the Women's Association for Well-Being and Reciprocal Assistance (A.M.B.A.R.),a recipient of an Economic Support Fund (ESF) Grant approved by the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (G/TIP). (reftel) Highlights of its volunteered three-month prog [...]	2006-07-21 12:11:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ELAB KCRM KDEM KWMN PGOV PHUM SCUL SNAR VE
06CARACAS217	ZULIA GOVERNOR ACCUSED OF COUP PLOTTING [...] (C) Zulia Governor and potential presidential contender Manuel Rosales is engaged in heavy mudslinging with the mayor of Venezuela's second largest city, Maracaibo. Mayor Gian Carlo Di Martino accuses Rosales of traveling to Bogota to meet with Colombian military officials and exiled Venezue [...]	2006-01-30 18:19:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS2183	TEODORO PETKOFF'S PRESIDENTIAL BID MAY BE RUNNING [...] (C) PolCouns met with opposition presidential candidate Teodoro Petkoff's campaign manager Francisco Layrisse July 12 to discuss the campaign's progress and the recent rift between Petkoff, Sumate, and other leading contenders, Julio Borges and Governor Manuel Rosales, over the primary to cho [...]	2006-07-21 19:40:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS219	CUBA/VENEZUELA AXIS OF MISCHIEF: THE VIEW FROM [...] (S//NF) As noted in REF A, the Venezuelan relationship with Cuba continues to intensify. Thousands of personnel sent by the Cuban Government are involved in the Venezuelan health sector and other BRV social missions. Cubans cooperate extensively with Venezuelan intelligence services. Cubans ma [...]	2006-01-30 19:12:00	Embassy Caracas	SECRET	PGOV PREL VE
06CARACAS220	US SUPPORT REQUESTED FOR VENEZUELAN DISASTER [...] (C) Post strongly endorses the fulfillment of a Venezuelan Government request for Southcom to help update its disaster prevention operations center, a project that would cost about USD 170,000. In addition to its value in humanitarian terms, the project would serve as a timely contrast of U [...]	2006-01-30 19:59:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV MASS VE
06CARACAS2215	CAPRILES TRIAL RETURNS TO SQUARE ONE [...] (C) Summary. On July 21, poloff attended the latest episode of the ongoing Henrique Capriles Radonski trial at Caracas's Palacio de Justicia (reftels). The Mayor of Baruta faces charges for allegedly inciting violence at a disturbance at the Cuban Embassy during the 2002 attempted coup. How [...]	2006-07-26 14:47:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM ELAB KDEM SCUL VE
06CARACAS2227	REFINERY FIRE FUELS RUMORS [...] (C) SUMMARY: A fire broke out at the Amuay Refinery, part of the Paraguana Refining Complex, the world's largest refinery, on July 17. Experts state the fire will result in a gasoline production curtailment of 100 to 120 thousand barrels per day and that it will take four to five months to re [...]	2006-07-27 14:41:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON ENRG EPET ENIV VE
06CARACAS2238	AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH EU TROIKA -- ELECTION [...] (C) During a lunch for EU Troika representatives at the Ambassador's residence July 26, Finnish Ambassador Mikko Pyhala said the EU received a formal invitation to observe the December 3 presidential elections. (Note: Venezuelan-based representatives of the OAS and Carter Center report they [...]	2006-07-28 15:20:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV KDEM EU OAS VE
06CARACAS2244	"TAN BARATO, DAME DOS" (SO CHEAP, GIVE ME TWO): [...] (U) SUMMARY: Record high petroleum prices have handed Venezuela strong economic growth and a sharp increase in national income. BRV fiscal and economic policies are incentivizing Venezuelans to direct this newfound wealth toward credit-financed consumption, in general, and consumption of impo [...]	2006-07-28 18:34:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ECON VE
06CARACAS226	ILO VISITS VENEZUELA, ORIT LEAVES [...] (C) The International Labor Organization (ILO) Direct Contact Mission visiting Venezuela told Poloff January 25 the Venezuelan government had promised, once again, to make necessary changes to laws governing unions to comply with ILO Agreement 87 on the Freedom of Association. Venezuelan Work [...]	2006-01-31 15:39:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM ELAB KDEM VE
06CARACAS2268	PDVSA PUMMELS JBIC [...] (C) SUMMARY: The PDVSA board scuttled a major gas project in March when it rejected project financing by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC),Japan's version of EXIM. The decision severely embarrassed JBIC and it is not clear if it will be willing to finance Venezuelan projects [...]	2006-08-01 13:23:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON ENRG EPET ENIV VE

06CARACAS2272	VENEZUELAN ATTACKS ON PRESS CONTINUE [...] (C) This cable is the next in a series of updates on Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (BRV) harassment of and limitations on the freedom of press. The BRV uses the courts, government media outlets, regulations and verbal threats to create not only a system of government-imposed censorship, [...]	2006-08-01 17:41:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL KDEM VE
06CARACAS2275	CHAVEZ' GUIDE TO DISMANTLING THE JUDICIARY [...] (C) When President Hugo Chavez came to power in 1999, there was general dissatisfaction with the judicial system, which the Venezuelan public viewed as extremely corrupt. He used his mandate and his majority in the National Constituent Assembly to create laws that purported to make the judici [...]	2006-08-01 19:06:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KJUS KDEM VE
06CARACAS2279	NO SURPRISE ON CNE'S CAMPAIGN ADVERTISING AND [...] (C) The National Electoral Council announced on July 31 the regulations that will govern campaign publicity and advertising for during the presidential campaign period. The new regulations do not limit Chavez,s weekly Alo Presidente television address, nor will they restrict his use of "cad [...]	2006-08-02 22:29:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS2286	NO SURPRISE ON CNE'S CAMPAIGN ADVERTISING AND [...] (C) The National Electoral Council announced on July 31 the regulations that will govern campaign publicity and advertising for during the presidential campaign period. The new regulations do not limit Chavez,s weekly Alo Presidente television address, nor will they restrict his use of "cad [...]	2006-08-03 14:22:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS2295	AVIAN INFLUENZA IN VENEZUELA: DIALOGUE, OUTREACH, [...] (U) On July 19, the Economic Section held an Avian Influenza Seminar in the Embassy, which drew over 20 participants from the poultry processing sector and the Ministry of Agriculture (MAT). The Seminar provided a forum to better understand the BRV's plans for Avian Influenza as well as to h [...]	2006-08-03 17:10:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	KFLU TBIO EAGR ECON VE
06CARACAS2297	PDVSA'S FOUNDATION CONTINUES TO ROT [...] (C) SUMMARY: Repairs at the Amuay refinery appear to be dragging as investigators look for evidence of sabotage. Crude destined originally for Amuay is being shipped to China. Production of roofing flux has stopped as a result of the fire, which could have a significant impact on the U.S. co [...]	2006-08-03 20:56:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON ENRG EPET EINV VE
06CARACAS2321	VENEZUELA: OPPOSITION PRIMARY MAY PROVE UNNECESSARY [...] (C) Sumate's representatives have indicated publicly and privately that preparations for the opposition primaries scheduled for August 13 are on track, but may be scuttled if the leading opposition candidates are able to agree on a consensus candidate. Rumors, fueled by Zulia State Governor [...]	2006-08-04 21:23:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS2322	NEW CENTRAL BANK RESERVE REQUIREMENT FOR BANKS [...] (U) On July 18, 2006, in an effort to mitigate inflationary pressures, the Central Bank (BCV) raised the reserve requirement on deposits and money market funds for financial institutions from 15 to 30 percent for all funds accumulated beginning July 14, 2006 (BCV Resolution 06-07-01). The BC [...]	2006-08-04 22:18:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	EFIN PGOV VE
06CARACAS2331	IPR IMPLICATIONS OF LEAVING THE ANDEAN COMMUNITY [...] (SBU) Venezuela's hasty withdrawal from the Andean Community (CAN) has left a legal void regarding intellectual property rights protection. Though some BRV agencies, such as the Autonomous Intellectual Property Service (SAPI),continue to apply CAN norms, legal experts are questioning whethe [...]	2006-08-07 16:28:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	KIPR ETRD VE
06CARACAS2348	HARD-LINE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT MADURO NAMED [...] (C) Summary. According to a well-placed BRV official, President Chavez will soon name National Assembly president Nicholas Maduro, an anti-American aparatchik, to be his new Foreign Minister. Maduro can be expected to inject new, but continued hostile, energy into the Ministry of Foreign Aff [...]	2006-08-08 19:35:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS2367	CASTRO'S ILLNESS; IMPACT ON THE BRV, ON BRV-GOC [...] (S/NF) BRV reaction to the announcement of Castro's illness and recovery directly mirrored that of the Cuban regime. There is no reason to believe that the fundamentals of the Cuba-Venezuela relationship -- with Venezuela providing huge resource flows, and the Cubans providing tens of thousand [...]	2006-08-10 02:26:00	Embassy Caracas	SECRET//NOFORN	PREL PGOV KDEM VE CU
06CARACAS237	LIFE IN THE RED ASSEMBLY NOT THAT ROSY [...] (C) Newly elected Deputy Francisco Torrealba, a pro-Chavez union leader, told Poloff January 25 his initial impression of the all pro-Chavez National Assembly (AN) is that there is unity in objectives, but "discrepancies" on how to achieve them. Deputies receive little parliamentary training d [...]	2006-01-31 20:27:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM ELAB KDEM VE
06CARACAS2374	WHAT OUR FOREIGN ASSISTANCE IS REALLY DOING IN [...] No summary [...]	2006-08-10 14:56:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS2392	MANUEL ROSALES: CREDIBLE CANDIDATE, UNLIKELY WINNER [...] (C) Summary. Zulia Governor Manuel Rosales was named the opposition unity candidate for the December 3 election on August 9. Rosales is an experienced and tested politician who has secured the broad support of a significant portion of Venezuela's fractious opposition, is a serious presidentia [...]	2006-08-11 21:26:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS2393	CHAVEZ RETURNS, RESHUFFLES HIGH-LEVEL BRV POSTS [...] (C) President Chavez's return from his most recent world tour sparked a series of shifts in the BRV leadership. Several high-level officials have been moved, resigned, threatened to resign, or been replaced. Along with Nicolas Maduro's appointment as Foreign Minister (ref a),Chavez announce [...]	2006-08-12 11:16:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS2405	SUMATE ASKS FOR ASSISTANCE [...] (C) Action Request - Paragraph 7. 2. (C) Summary: Sumate continues to be under pressure, including threat of prosecution because of the USD 300,000 DRL grant. On August 4, Sumate board member Roberto Abdul asked poloff for a letter from the Department noting the return of the DRL funds. [...]	2006-08-14 21:00:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS2406	CHAVEZ ROMANCES THE CARIBBEAN TO GAIN UNSC VOTE [...] (C) Summary. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela,s (BRV) bid for a seat on the UN Security Council will depend partially on the support of the fifteen CARICOM countries (almost half of the 33 Latin American votes). A CARICOM consensus in favor of support for Venezuela, while assumed by Pres [...]	2006-08-14 21:35:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM PGOV PREL VE
06CARACAS2414	ACCION DEMOCRATICA DIVIDED OVER ELECTION [...] (C) Accion Democratica's (AD) public debate over whether to participate in the December 3 presidential election highlights continued internal leadership struggles. One faction, led by Secretary General Henry Ramos Allup, is firmly advocating a boycott of the vote, while a separate group is [...]	2006-08-15 14:15:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS2424	POLITICAL PRISONER FACING THREATS [...] (C) Former Finance Minister and retired Brigadier General Francisco Uson Ramirez, incarcerated since 2004, faces threats of physical harm, according to reports to the Embassy from family members. Uson, openly supportive of the opposition, was listed as a political prisoner in the Department [...]	2006-08-15 18:46:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	PHUM PGOV SOCI VE
06CARACAS2431	CITGO SELLS LYONDELL REFINERY [...] (U) SUMMARY: Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez announced that PDVSA's wholly owned U.S. subsidiary Citgo was selling its interest in Houston's Lyondell-Citgo Refinery to partner Lyondell Chemical Company. The sale comes as no surprise and is the result of a long running dispute between the two [...]	2006-08-15 21:21:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ECON ENRG EPET EINV VE
06CARACAS2449	NEW NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT TO CARRY ON [...] (C) National Assembly (AN) Deputy and hard-line Chavista Cilia Flores was unanimously elected to the AN presidency. She replaces her common-law husband, Nicolas Maduro, following his resignation from the post on August 8 to assume his new role as Foreign Minister. President Chavez once again [...]	2006-08-17 18:30:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS2450	2006 SECTION 527 REPORT ON INVESTMENT DISPUTES IN [...] No summary [...]	2006-08-17 18:36:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	EINV KIDE OPIC PGOV
06CARACAS2466	WHERE IS CARLOS ORTEGA?: BRV CAPITALIZING ON LABOR [...] (C) Summary. Carlos Ortega, the leader of the anti-Chavez Venezuela Workers Confederation (CTV),along with three jailed military officers, reportedly escaped August 13 from a maximum security military prison. Going on the offensive, the BRV is accusing the opposition of engaging in a "U.S.- [...]	2006-08-18 18:21:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV ELAB KDEM PHUM VE
06CARACAS2472	PRIMERO JUSTICIA POWER PLAYS COULD RISK OPPOSITION [...] (C) The latest public skirmish between Primero Justicia (PJ) President Julio Borges and now ousted Secretary General Gerardo Blyde raises questions about the future of the only growing opposition party, and provides fodder for the already well-armed President Chavez. On August 12, Borges' fac [...]	2006-08-18 21:16:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS2478	SUMATE UNDER SEIGE [...] (C) The National Assembly committee investigating Sumate released an August 15 report claiming Sumate committed tax evasion, fraud, foreign exchange law violations, false accounting, and treason, and called on the tax authority, foreign exchange commission, and banking officials to investigat [...]	2006-08-21 14:41:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL KDEM VE
06CARACAS2485	THE STATE OF VENEZUELAN-ISRAELI RELATIONS [...] (C) President Chavez has been exploiting violence in the Middle East to seek international media attention and to burnish his pro-Arab and "anti-Empire" credentials. Chavez's inflammatory and extreme anti-Israel rhetoric first headlines while he was in Iran, and has continued since his retur [...]	2006-08-21 19:28:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF VE
06CARACAS2489	INSIDE BARRIO ADENTRO: THE BRV'S PRIMARY HEALTH [...] (SBU) Mision Barrio Adentro ("Inside the Neighborhood") is a network of BRV-sponsored primary health care modules largely staffed by Cuban medical personnel. Current statistics and financial information about this BRV program are very difficult to obtain. Venezuelan physicians' groups alleg [...]	2006-08-21 20:16:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV ECON VE
06CARACAS2520	INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION LAW STALLED - FOR NOW [...] (C) A three part deterrence strategy which included civil society involvement, media pressure and diplomatic efforts dissuaded the National Assembly from approving the International Cooperation Law by the August 15th deadline it initially set for its passage. This law would effectively put [...]	2006-08-23 15:50:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM VE
06CARACAS2527	HUGO CASTRO?: THE TORCH PASSING VIEWED FROM [...] (C) Summary. The media images of President Chavez's August 13 visit with the ailing Fidel Castro have received wide press play in Venezuela. For many Venezuelans, they confirmed that Chavez aspires to succeed Fidel as the leader of the international socialist movement. Key Embassy contacts [...]	2006-08-23 20:40:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL KDEM VE
06CARACAS2529	PRESS FREEDOM UPDATE: BRV PRESSURE CONTINUES INTO [...] (U) This cable is an update on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela's (BRV) efforts to restrict freedom of press. As indicated in reftels, the BRV employs a variety of mechanisms - legal, economic, regulatory, judicial, and rhetorical - to harass the private media, inducing self-censorship a [...]	2006-08-23 21:43:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PGOV PREL PHUM VE
06CARACAS2535	THE FENCE CONTINUES TIGHTENING AROUND THE PRIVATE [...] (SBU) Two pieces of draconian draft legislation currently in the National Assembly - the Anti-Monopoly and Public Services Draft Laws - manifest the BRV's intention to further restrict and control the private sector. The draft Anti-Monopoly Law proposes replacing the existing anti-trust regu [...]	2006-08-24 21:19:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON PGOV VE
06CARACAS254	AMBASSADOR VISITS MARACAIBO JAN. 26 [...] (C) Maracaibo, Venezuela's second largest city and a current political hotspot, was the destination for the Ambassador's most recent in-country outreach program on January 26. During his visit the Ambassador presented scholarships to nine indigenous students on behalf of the Venezuelan-Amer [...]	2006-02-02 13:38:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS259	PRIMERO JUSTICA STRUGGLING TO STAY TOGETHER [...] (C) A long-brewing rivalry is threatening to weaken Primero Justicia (PJ) as Secretary General Gerardo Blyde and Chacao Mayor Leopoldo Lopez fight party president and presidential candidate Julio Borges and Baruta Mayor Henrique Caprilles for control of the party. To keep the party together, [...]	2006-02-02 14:40:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS260	BOLIVARIANS BRING OUT THE "RED CARPET" FOR WORLD [...] (C) The Venezuelan government of President Hugo Chavez put the best face on the Bolivarian Revolution to participants of the Sixth World Social Forum -- Americas Region (WSF) in Caracas January 24-29. The government did an adequate job at managing the unwieldy event, made both easier by low tu [...]	2006-02-02 15:41:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM ELAB KDEM VE
06CARACAS2620	CARACAS MAYORAL TIRADE HIGHLIGHTS POLITICAL [...] (C) Summary. Metropolitan Mayor Juan Barreto used the podium at an August 22 public event to obscenely berate the popular opposition mayors of Chacao and Baruta, Leopoldo Lopez and Henrique Capriles Radonski. Barreto's assault on two of Venezuela's most charismatic anti-Chavez leaders embar [...]	2006-08-30 20:23:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS2621	AD LEADERSHIP STILL AT WAR WITH ITSELF [...] (C) Accion Democratica (AD) is still divided over whether to boycott the December 3 presidential election. Secretary General Henry Ramos Allup rammed through a party SIPDIS line that it will abstain from the vote, but defections from the abstentionist camp, particularly at the rank and fil [...]	2006-08-30 20:29:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ELAB KDEM PGOV VE
06CARACAS2622	BANKING SECTOR UPDATE: SNAPSHOTS AND [...] (SBU) From December 2005 to June 2006, reported bank profits (return on equity) declined from 32.5 to 30.7 percent (17 percent real profit after adjusting for inflation, which is in line with bank returns in the region). During this period, the sector has faced increasing regulatory control [...]	2006-08-30 20:30:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	EFIN PGOV VE
06CARACAS2623	BRV RELEASES NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND FINANCIALS [...] (U) SUMMARY: The BRV,s National Development Fund (FONDEN) published a financial statement for the first time since its inception 11 months ago. Coupled with a recent presentation by Finance Minister Merentes, the documents show that Fonden has received USD 14.9 billion in combined Central Bank [...]	2006-08-30 20:49:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	EFIN ECON PGOV VE
06CARACAS2624	PAR FOR THE COURSE: MAYOR OF CARACAS EXPROPRIATES [...] (SBU) During an open session of the Metropolitan Council of Planning and Public Policy held in Caracas on August 22, Mayor Juan Barreto announced that he was going to issue expropriation decrees for all three golf courses in the Caracas metropolitan area and use the terrain to build 25,000 f [...]	2006-08-30 20:59:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ECON PGOV VE
06CARACAS2625	FROM LAUGHS TO VOTES: EL CONDE DE GUACHARO'S [...] (C) Summary. Comedian-turned-politician Benjamin Rausseo (a.k.a., "El Conde de Guacharo") has launched a semi-serious, but long-shot independent presidential campaign (Reftel). So far, Rausseo has been better at attracting publicity than organizing a nation-wide, grassroots political campaign [...]	2006-08-30 21:28:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL VE
06CARACAS2626	SPECIAL COORDINATOR FOR VENEZUELA MCCARTHY'S [...] (C) Summary. Special Coordinator for Venezuela McCarthy and Charge called August 28 on MFA Vice Minister for North America Mary Pili Hernandez. McCarthy pressed the BRV for counter-narcotics and counterterrorism cooperation and urged the BRV to promote continued strong bilateral commercial t [...]	2006-08-30 21:33:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL SNAR ECON PGOV AMGT VE
06CARACAS264	DETAILS OF VENEZUELAN ENERGY COOPERATION AGREEMENTS [...] SUMMARY: On January 23 President Chavez signed two bilateral agreements with Bolivian President Evo Morales: the Broad Scope Energy Agreement and the Caracas Energy Accord. Both are aimed at expanding regional integration through the BRV's Petroamerica initiative and the consolidation of its [...]	2006-02-02 17:01:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	EPET ECIN EINV VE
06CARACAS265	WSF: BOLIVARIAN HIJACK OR ANTI-IMPERIALIST FIZZLE? [...] (C) President Hugo Chavez probably fell short of dazzling anti-globalist activists during the January 24-29 World Social Forum (WSF) in Caracas. The six-day event ended without fanfare, suggesting that activists either were disenchanted with the progress of their yearly pow wow or annoyed by the Bo [...]	2006-02-02 17:57:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM ELAB KDEM VE
06CARACAS2655	VENEZUELA/CUBA: MORE TORCH-PASSING VIEWS [...] (C) Summary. Charge met August 25 with several Venezuelan Cuba experts to solicit informed views on the likely impact Fidel Castro's absence from the scene would have on Venezuela and President Chavez. The Venezuelan Cuba-watchers predicted that the death of Fidel Castro would be a severe ps [...]	2006-09-01 21:16:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV VE CU
06CARACAS2656	BRV BOGIES: GOLF COURSE EXPROPRIATIONS CAUSE A STIR [...] (SBU) Summary: Opposition is mounting to the expropriation decrees issued by Caracas Mayor Juan Barreto for the Valle Arriba Golf Club and the Caracas Country Club. A Caracas municipal councilman, Carlos Ciordia, published maps on his website showing that the decrees also encompass areas arou [...]	2006-09-01 21:19:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ECON PGOV VE
06CARACAS2667	STRATEGIC ASSOCIATION MIGRATION: THE GAME'S AFOOT [...] (C) SUMMARY: After months of speculation, the BRV has contacted international oil companies (IOCs) with stakes in the Faja strategic associations to begin negotiations on migrating the associations to joint ventures in which PDVSA holds a majority stake. Although the BRV has spoken with indi [...]	2006-09-06 12:06:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON ENRG EPET EINV VE
06CARACAS2682	SNAPSHOT OF VENEZUELAN MILITARY OFFICIALS IN [...] (C) President Chavez continues to stack Venezuelan civil society with military loyalists, and a uniformed presence extends from ministries to national banks to local government. Chavez' BRV is at a profound level a militaristic regime, characterized by a strict hierarchy. The pervasive presen [...]	2006-09-06 18:39:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS2684	MFA PLEDGES TO SPEED UP ACCREDITATION PROCESS; NO [...] (C) Summary. A/Management Counselor met September 1 with MFA Division Chief for Immunities and Privileges Alberto Armas to press reciprocity issues as a follow-up to Special Coordinator for Venezuela McCarthy's and Charge's August 28 meeting with MFA Vice Minister Hernandez (Ref A). Armas said [...]	2006-09-06 18:55:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	AMGT PREL SNAR VE
06CARACAS2692	FORMER FM ALI RODRIGUEZ NAMED AMBASSADOR TO CUBA [...] (C) Summary. President Chavez's designation of former foreign minister Ali Rodriguez as Ambassador to Cuba on August 31 demonstrates that Chavez continues to make Venezuelan-Cuban relations one of his top foreign policy priorities. It may also portend the BRV's determination to play an impor [...]	2006-09-06 21:12:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV VE CU
06CARACAS2693	THE BOLIVARIAN PLAYBOOK: WRITING A CONSTITUTION [...] (C) Post offers this look at President Chavez' Constituent Assembly in order to provide insight to other governments in the region that may follow a similar path (reftels). Chavez convoked in 1999 a Constituent Assembly that, in the end, provided Chavez with a constitution that abetted his [...]	2006-09-06 22:07:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS2708	BRV SPENDING GROWING BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS SECRET [...] (U) From 1999 to 2006, BRV central government expenditures in dollar terms increased 95 percent and BRV central government spending as a percentage of GDP increased from 25 to 37 percent (including off-budget spending). In bolivar terms, BRV spending increased 700 percent from 1999 to 2006. [...]	2006-09-07 15:33:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	EFIN PGOV ECON VE
06CARACAS2718	BRV SPENDING GROWING BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS [...] (U) From 1999 to 2006, BRV central government expenditures in dollar terms increased 95 percent and BRV central government spending as a percentage of GDP increased from 25 to 37 percent (including off-budget spending). In bolivar terms, BRV spending increased 700 percent from 1999 to 2006. [...]	2006-09-07 20:45:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EFIN PGOV ECON VE
06CARACAS2736	IMPLICATIONS OF VENEZUELA'S LEAVING THE CAN AND [...] (U) SUMMARY: Venezuela's April withdrawal from the Andean Community (CAN)and subsequent July Mercosur accession has cast much of Venezuela's trade law into limbo, while its agreement to open the country's doors to Brazilian and Argentine imports by 2012 raised alarms among local manufacturers [...]	2006-09-08 15:33:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ETRD ECON EPET BEXP VE
06CARACAS2740	OAS AMB. VALERO NAMED MFA VICE MINISTER FOR NORTH [...] (C) Summary. The BRV announced on September 5 that Jorge Valero, Venezuela's Ambassador to the OAS, will be the new MFA Vice Minister for North America. Valero replaces the self-professed Bolivarian "revolutionary" Mary Pili Hernandez. USOAS will have more up-to-date impressions of Valero, [...]	2006-09-08 18:03:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV VE
06CARACAS2742	VENEZUELANS TO CHAVEZ ON MURDER OF CUBANS: "WHAT [...] No summary [...]	2006-09-08 19:54:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PGOV PREL PHUM VE
06CARACAS2758	VENEZUELANS TO CHAVEZ ON MURDER OF CUBANS: "WHAT [...] (SBU) The September 2 murder of Cuban doctor Raquel de los Angeles Perez Ramirez in a Caracas barrio struck a raw nerve with President Chavez. With his administration currently criticized for not being tough on crime, the murder of a Cuban doctor somehow provoked a reaction in Chavez that t [...]	2006-09-11 17:42:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	PGOV PREL PHUM VE
06CARACAS2762	GUILTY RULING IN "CASO KENNEDY" - BRV TRIES TO [...] (C) One of Caracas' more controversial criminal cases, the 2005 murder of three university students at a police roadblock, reached its pre-appellate conclusion August 31 with the sentencing of 24 police officers. The case epitomizes Venezuela's security problem, police corruption and resulti [...]	2006-09-11 20:17:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS2799	BRV: 61ST UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY: HIGH-LEVEL [...] (C) As of 12 September, Post's Consular Diplomatic Window has received 213 applications for visas to travel to the 61st UN General Assembly. The 213 applications can be broken down as follows: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 42; Ministry of Defense, 138; Ministry of Communications, 32; and Min [...]	2006-09-13 20:00:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL OTRA OVIP KSEP UNGA VE
06CARACAS28	CHAVEZ MEDDLING CAUSES PERU TO WITHDRAW AMBASSADOR [...] (C) On January 3, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez pledged his support for leftist Peruvian presidential candidate Ollanta Humala, a move that prompted the GOP to withdra7 )43-"!33!$/2 4/ -%.%:5%,! &/2#/.35,4!4)/.3). ,)-!. ^5-!,!-!$% ! 3urprise appearance at a ceremony honoring the visit of [...]	2006-01-05 21:40:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS2817	BRV: DEMARCHE ON UN PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN DARFUR [...] No summary [...]	2006-09-15 13:15:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	PREL PHUM PINS KPKO UNSC KDEM PGOV VE
06CARACAS2825	BITS AND PIECES FROM THE HYDROCARBON SECTOR [...] (C) SUMMARY: PDVSA's books continue to be in complete disarray due to problems with tax authorities and the state petrochemical company. The BRV is pressing PDVSA to act as a central bank. PDVSA's recent shabby treatment of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) has come back to [...]	2006-09-15 19:35:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON ENRG EPET EINV VE
06CARACAS2826	VENEZUELA POLITICAL PROSECUTIONS: SIMONOVIS, [...] (C) On September 6, Poloffs attended the ongoing trial of former Caracas Metropolitan Police officials Ivan Simonovis, Henry Vivas, and Lazarro Forero, and eight other police officers, who are being charged as accomplices to murder for events related to the civil disturbances and the temporary [...]	2006-09-15 19:46:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS2827	ELECTION VIOLENCE: CHAVISTAS ATTACK ROSALES MARCHES [...] (C) Summary. While Venezuela has generally been less prone to electoral violence than its Andean neighbors, President Chavez may be starting to re-write Venezuela's unwritten election rules. Chavista rock-and-bottle attacks on Rosales campaign events in Vargas and in Caracas September 5 and [...]	2006-09-15 20:02:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM VE
06CARACAS2829	THE OUTSIDERS: BRV RECRUITMENT OF ROGUE STATES [...] (C) President Chavez' September 5-7 meeting with Belarussian government officials provides another example of the BRV's strategic partnerships with the most troublesome of bedfellows. In part through his extensive international travel schedule, Chavez has strengthened ties around the globe to [...]	2006-09-15 20:12:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL VE
06CARACAS2830	CHAVEZ AND THE GLOBAL CHESSBOARD [...] (U) With his eye towards increasing his international stature and gaining a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC),President Chavez is literally traveling to all ends of the earth. As a part of this strategy, and in addition to his visits and signing of multiple b [...]	2006-09-15 20:39:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV VE
06CARACAS2831	INFLATION GOING UP, UP, AND AWAY IN THE BRV [...] (SBU) Inflation rose 2.2 percent in August, reaching a total of 10.4 percent for 2006 and implying an annual rate exceeding 15 percent. The BRV is now incapable of meeting its inflation target for 2006 of 10 percent and recent statements by Chavez and senior BRV officials demonstrate that the [...]	2006-09-15 21:21:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	EFIN ECON PGOV VE
06CARACAS2832	VENEZUELA REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE ELECTED MEXICAN [...] (C) Summary. President Chavez announced publicly September 12 that Venezuela does not yet recognize the elected Calderon government in Mexico. Chavez also criticized EU observer missions as having been excessively lax in Mexico and severe in Venezuela. Mexico and Venezuela, which downgraded [...]	2006-09-15 21:30:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV VE MX
06CARACAS2845	THE CHAVEZ CAMPAIGN: VICTORY, AT ANY COST? [...] (C) Summary. President Hugo Chavez' re-election campaign is a disturbing mix of retrograde authoritarian tactics and creeping totalitarian tendencies. Chavez and his close campaign team exercise tight control over a formidable, country-wide grassroots electoral organization and an administra [...]	2006-09-18 20:32:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM VE
06CARACAS2852	DIPLOMATIC CARGO IMPOUNDED [...] (C) The Venezuelan National Guard (GN) seized and opened part of an inbound U.S. Military Group (MILGP) shipment on August 23. The seized cargo consists of household effects (HHE) and commissary rations. A shipment of FMS materials ordered and purchased by the BRV and consisting of ejection [...]	2006-09-18 21:30:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ADPM MARR MASS PGOV PREL VE
06CARACAS2877	BRV ATTACKS ON A FREE PRESS CONTINUE UNABATED [...] (U) SUMMARY. This cable updates the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela's (BRV) efforts to restrict freedom of press. As indicated in reftels, the BRV employs a variety of mechanisms - legal, economic, regulatory, judicial, and rhetorical - to harass the private media, inducing self-censorship [...]	2006-09-19 17:28:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM SCUL KDEM VE
06CARACAS288	CHAVEZ MEETS WITH JEWISH LEADERS, OFFERS TO [...] (C) President Hugo Chavez met with Venezuelan Jewish community leaders January 31 in response to recent allegations of anti-Semitism against Chavez. Jewish leaders complained of anti-Semitic statements in official media; proposed legal punishments for anti-Semitic attacks; and expressed conce [...]	2006-02-03 19:52:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KIRF KDEM VE IR
06CARACAS2881	CNPC'S VIEWS ON THE VENEZUELAN HYDROCARBON SECTOR [...] (C) SUMMARY: CNPC executives are frustrated with the migration of their former Operating Service Agreement (OSA) fields to joint ventures. They do not believe that CNPC is receiving any special treatment from the BRV and argued instead that they are in worse shape than a major American compa [...]	2006-09-20 14:00:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON ENRG EPET EINV VE
06CARACAS289	UNHCR CONCERNED ABOUT REFUGEE SITUATION AT [...] (U) Over the last few years, the expansion and intensification of Colombia's conflict has forced an increasing number of Colombians to flee their homes in search of protection in neighboring countries. In Venezuela, officials estimate there are currently two to three million Colombian migrant [...]	2006-02-03 20:01:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PREF VE
06CARACAS2900	CHAVEZ HOSTSAHMADINEJAD: BRV FORGING EVER CLOSER [...] (C Summary. President Chavez hosted Iranian Presidet Ahmadinejad for a September 17-18 red carpet vsit to Venezuela, a follow-on to Chavez' July 29August 1 state visit to Iran. The two leaders reortedly signed 34, mostly commercial, accords aspart of a "strategic alliance" against American m [...]	2006-09-21 17:40:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV ECON VE IR
06CARACAS2911	MEETING WITH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DEPUTY CALIXTO [...] (C) Summary. MVR National Assembly Deputy and Chavez Campaign Coordinator in Maracaibo Calixto Ortega told PolCouns September 8 that President Chavez and his campaign team are remobilizing their nation-wide political machine and are confident of victory on December 3. PolCouns raised concern [...]	2006-09-22 12:37:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL VE
06CARACAS298	CHAVEZ CELEBRATES SEVEN YEARS IN POWER, GOES FOR [...] (C) In a six-hour presentation celebrating his seventh year in office on February 2, President Hugo Chavez enjoyed musical performances, conferred several awards, summarized his administration's accomplishments, announced the expulsion of the US Naval Attache, warned the Embassy against futur [...]	2006-02-06 19:15:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM ECON ELAB SOCI VE
06CARACAS2980	GOLF COURSE EXPROPRIATION UPDATE [...] (C) One month after Caracas Municipal Mayor Barreto's expropriation decree, the two golf courses affected are preparing to submit their legal defense. The directors of the Valle Arriba Golf Club and the Caracas Country Club are confident the BRV will not move on the decrees until after the e [...]	2006-09-29 19:56:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	ECON EINV PGOV VE
06CARACAS2983	POLLS SHOW ROSALES ADVANCING, BUT ABSTENTIONISM [...] (C) Pollster Alfredo Keller told PolCouns September 20 that while his latest poll indicates hard-core opposition support (32 percent) outranks that of hard-core Chavismo (25 percent),continued distrust in the electoral system will result in high abstention rates that will almost certainly al [...]	2006-09-29 21:12:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS2990	MINERS MASSACRED; MILITARY IMPLICATED [...] (C) SUMMARY. Military forces killed at least six miners in the La Paragua area of Bolivar state on September 22. The killings quickly elevated to a massacre in the public eye, and the number of killed miners could be as high as two dozen. Defense Minister Baduel's initial reaction was to [...]	2006-09-29 21:37:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM VE
06CARACAS2991	BRV TARGETS ROSALES ADVISOR [...] (C) Attorney General Isaias Rodriguez announced September 18 the re-opening of a 20-year-old police shooting case against Henry Lopez Sisco, a long-time confidant of opposition candidate Manuel Rosales. Sisco is a former DISIP Commander who allegedly participated in the 1986 shooting deaths [...]	2006-09-29 21:44:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM VE
06CARACAS2998	MONAGAS STATE: THE CHAVEZ MACHINE VS. STRUGGLING [...] (C) Summary. President Chavez dominates the political landscape of the eastern plains state of Monagas and at this stage appears likely to carry the state of over 480,000 registered voters by a wide majority. Chavez' pet infrastructure projects and social programs in the state are having onl [...]	2006-10-02 17:06:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL VE
06CARACAS3018	CHAVEZ CAMPAIGN TACTICS: MORE VIOLENCE, MORE [...] (C) Summary. President Chavez and his supporters continue to use coercive tools in the run-up to the December 3 presidential election. Chavistas attacked consensus opposition candidate Rosales' campaign events three times in the last two weeks of September, in addition to two previously repo [...]	2006-10-04 20:37:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV ELAB VE
06CARACAS3037	THE BRV SOAPBOX: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ADOPTS THREE [...] (C) Summary. The National Assembly has passed three foreign policy resolutions in the last two weeks to lend political support to the Chavez administration's ever more radical foreign policy. On September 26, the National Assembly passed both a resolution praising President Chavez' September [...]	2006-10-06 20:01:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV VE
06CARACAS3038	PPT SECRETARY GENERAL: "ONE PARTY IS UN-DEMOCRATIC" [...] (C) Summary. During a September 26 meeting with PolCouns and Poloff, pro-Chavez Patria Para Todos (PPT) Secretary General and National Assembly Deputy Jose Albornoz criticized both the Chavez and Rosales campaigns, but expressed confidence that President Chavez would be re-elected. He accuse [...]	2006-10-06 20:16:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL VE
06CARACAS3041	PDVSA RELEASES 2005 FINANCIALS [...] (U) SUMMARY: PDVSA released its 2005 financial results on October 3. According to a presentation by PDVSA President and Minister of Energy and Petroleum (MEP) Rafael Ramirez, PDVSA had worldwide revenues of USD 85.73 billion in 2005 and USD 6.483 billion in profits. These results shed a lit [...]	2006-10-06 20:58:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	ECON ENRG EPET EINV VE
06CARACAS3042	VENEZUELAN IMPORTS SURGING AS ECONOMIC POLICIES [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: With implicit BRV blessing, the Commission for the Administration of Foreign Exchange (CADIVI) has significantly increased foreign exchange authorizations in recent weeks, much of which have gone to fuel the on-going import binge in Venezuela. These purchases seem to contradi [...]	2006-10-06 21:12:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN PGOV VE
06CARACAS3066	EVEN VENEZUELA CONDEMNS NORTH KOREAN NUCLEAR TEST [...] (SBU) Embassy conveyed Ref A points regarding North Korea's nuclear test plans to MFA North American Affairs Director Yaneth Arocha prior to North Korea's October 8 announcement of a nuclear weapons test. In addition, Ambassador spoke on the phone with MFA Vice Minister for Asia and the Middl [...]	2006-10-11 14:29:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PARM KNNP VE KN
06CARACAS3068	CHAVEZ ANNOUNCES INTENTION TO CREATE A SINGLE [...] (C) Summary. During his September 9 campaign rally in Caracas, President Chavez announced his intention to hold a party conference in early 2007 to create a unified revolutionary party. Chavez has reiterated the need for such a single party at more recent campaign events. Leaders of parties [...]	2006-10-11 17:58:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL VE
06CARACAS3069	ROSALES RALLY GIVES OPPOSITION A BOOST [...] (C) Summary. Opposition candidate Manuel Rosales, October 8 "Avalanche" Rally in Caracas, the biggest opposition event since the 2004 presidential recall referendum, put some new life into Rosales' long-shot campaign. The opposition also demonstrated that it retains residual "street power" a [...]	2006-10-11 17:59:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM PREL VE
06CARACAS307	ATTORNEY WARNS EMBASSY OF SPY CHARGES [...] (C) The attorney for five Venezuelan naval officers accused of espionage on behalf of the USG described to Poloff the details of the case being developed against his clients. Bastidas said the Bolivarian Government accessed e-mail accounts of the defendants and altered messages, including ones [...]	2006-02-07 20:13:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
06CARACAS3082	MEETING WITH VENEZUELAN CIVAIR AUTHORITIES [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On October 10, Econoffs met with the president and representatives of the National Civil Aviation Institute (INAC) to discuss various pending aviation issues. The group discussed formalizing a Federal Air Marshals program in Venezuela, rumors about Caracas-Tehran-Damascus flight [...]	2006-10-13 13:15:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	EAIR ECON VE
06CARACAS3131	MEP PRESENTS TERMS FOR STRATEGIC ASSOCIATION [...] (C/NF) Chevron Latin America Upstream President Ali Moshiri (strictly protect throughout) and ExxonMobil Venezuela (XM) President Tim Cutt (strictly protect throughout) paid separate calls on the Ambassador the week of September 29 to update him on the upcoming forced migration of the Faja st [...]	2006-10-17 20:09:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON ENRG EPET VE
06CARACAS3164	MVR DEPUTY: CHAVEZ CAMPAIGN MOVING TO "NEXT PHASE" [...] (C) Summary. Francisco Torrealba, MVR National Assembly Deputy and member of Chavez' national campaign team, told PolCounselor and Poloff October 17 that the organization of Chavez' grass-roots supporters is now "90 percent" complete. Torrealba attributed a recent softening of the tone of the [...]	2006-10-19 21:23:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV ELAB VE
06CARACAS3171	SUMATE PREPARES FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION [...] (C) Summary - Ambassador met October 10 with the subdued, but determined leadership of election NGO Sumate to discuss the upcoming December 3 presidential election. Despite the ongoing threat of political persecution, Sumate is teaming up with the opposition to mount an ambitious election obs [...]	2006-10-20 16:51:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM PREL VE
06CARACAS3173	INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS CONDEMN BRV'S RECORD [...] (U) SUMMARY. The Inter American Press Association sharply criticized Venezuela's track record on press freedom during its 62nd General Assembly, convened September 29 in Mexico City. Separately, on October 12, the Office of the OAS Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter- [...]	2006-10-20 20:01:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM VE
06CARACAS3174	MILITARY CLASHES WITH FISHERMEN, LEAVES NINE [...] (U) SUMMARY Violent clashes in the port of Guiria in Sucre state left nine fishermen injured on October 19. Fishermen took control of the port in early October, protesting the awarding of a contract to a new port administrator. Police and military forces, accompanied by state governor Ramo [...]	2006-10-20 21:39:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM VE
06CARACAS3175	OPPOSITION CANDIDATE MANUEL ROSALES' INNER CIRCLE [...] (C) Summary. While consensus opposition candidate Manuel Rosales continues to work with the "big tent" campaign team he announced on August 18, he relies more heavily on a smaller, less visible "kitchen cabinet" from his home state of Zulia. Former Zulia Governor Omar Barboza, for example, i [...]	2006-10-20 21:47:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PINR VE
06CARACAS3194	STAFFDEL MEACHAM BREAKFAST WITH DIPLOMATS [...] (C) Summary. Visiting Senate Staff Member Carl Meacham, accompanied by Ambassador and DCM, met October 23 with diplomats from Chile, Mexico, the UK, and Canada. The diplomats predicted President Chavez will win the December 3 presidential election, but said Rosales is running a strong campai [...]	2006-10-24 17:25:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV UNSC VE
06CARACAS3214	ROSALES ADVISOR: "WE'RE PULLING EVEN" [...] (C) Summary. Angel Emiro Vera, close advisor to consensus opposition candidate Manuel Rosales, told the DCM October 24 that the Rosales campaign is gaining momentum and could defeat President Chavez in a free and fair election. The Rosales campaign is focused on trying to win the December 3 [...]	2006-10-26 14:46:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL VE
06CARACAS3224	RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE HYDROCARBON SECTOR [...] (C/NF) SUMMARY: ConocoPhillips received a term sheet on the strategic association migration at roughly the same time as Exxon Mobil and Chevron. The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum (MEP) has made it clear that it does not want state owned oil company PDVSA to operate the strategic associati [...]	2006-10-26 20:14:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON ENRG EPET EINV VE

06CARACAS3231	AMBASSADOR VISITS ANZOATEGUI STATE [...] SUMMARY: (U) With an eye to highlight USG-related activities and institutions in eastern Venezuela, Ambassador Brownfield visited the state of Anzoategui on October 19-20, 2006. When BRV meddling prohibited visits to U.S. business plants in the Jose industrial complex, he met with Exxon Mobi [...]	2006-10-27 17:28:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	PGOV PREL ECON VE
06CARACAS3238	KEY BRV ADVISOR ON UNSC RACE, POSSIBLE CABINET [...] (C) Ambassador and DCM met on October 27 with Rene Arreaza of the vice president's office, about our only reliable contact within the BRV. Arreaza said that the BRV had concluded it could not win a UNSC seat, and so was aiming at a seat-sharing arrangement with Guatemala. This would be an [...]	2006-10-27 21:33:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV VE GT UN
06CARACAS3239	ELECTORAL LOGISTICS CONTINUE TO FAVOR CHAVEZ [...] (C) The National Electoral Council's (CNE) preparations for the December 3 presidential election give President Chavez a significant electoral advantage. Four of the five CNE directors are pro-Chavez. The directors have consistently denied opposition requests, such as eliminating fingerprin [...]	2006-10-27 21:39:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS3240	STAFFDEL MEACHAM MEETS SUMATE LEADERS [...] (C) Visiting Senate Foreign Relations Committee Staff Member Carl Meacham, accompanied by USAID officer and poloff, met October 23 with the leadership of the electoral NGO Sumate. Sumate leaders predicted Chavez would likely win the December 3 presidential election through a combination of f [...]	2006-10-27 21:52:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS3241	STAFFDEL MEACHAM MEETS WITH CIVIL SOCIETY [...] (U) Carl Meacham, visiting Staffer for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, visited Caracas October 22-24. This cable addresses Meacham's meetings with several members of Venezuelan civil society, with whom he discussed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's ongoing global study on the [...]	2006-10-27 21:58:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM VE
06CARACAS3257	CHAVEZ' DOLLAR DIPLOMACY: SPREADING WEALTH AND [...] (C) Since 2005, President Chavez has verbally pledged over USD 90 billion for bilateral agreements, regional initiatives, government contracts, binational funds, donations, investments and joint ventures involving foreign countries. The total figure is approximately one third of combined GDP [...]	2006-10-31 18:54:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	ECON EAID PREL VE IR
06CARACAS3259	CTV WORKING FOR ROSALES [...] (C) Summary. The Venezuelan Workers Confederation (CTV) is bucking the abstentionist policy of its patron party, Accion Democratica (AD),and supporting the presidential campaign of consensus opposition candidate Manuel Rosales. The CTV can help staff Rosales' voter mobilization and poll watc [...]	2006-10-31 19:44:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV ELAB VE
06CARACAS3284	CHAVEZ DEMANDS MILITARY LOYALTY -- AND WARNS [...] (C) Summary. President Chavez' televised October 31 speech to a large group of senior military officials appeared to be a very public effort to cement the military's loyalty prior to the December 3 presidential election. Chavez accused the opposition of trying to conspire with unidentified m [...]	2006-11-01 21:58:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL VE
06CARACAS3296	COMPETING ECONOMIC PLANS: CHAVEZ AND ROSALES [...] (U) Consensus opposition candidate Manuel Rosales released his "Proposal for Change toward a New Social Democracy" on October 25. This platform details his populist economic plans for distributing the country's oil wealth to the neediest through "Mi Negra" debit cards, respect for private pro [...]	2006-11-02 15:53:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	ECON PGOV PREL VE
06CARACAS330	VENEZUELAN AGRARIAN LAND "REFORM": AMBITIOUS [...] (C) Venezuelan President HugoChavez' unrealistic goals for agrarian land refom--including the redistribution of 1.5 million hctares in 2006--are a smokescreen. It appears that the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Veneuela (BRV) has no plan to achieve its stated aims. Demand for rural [...]	2006-02-08 19:46:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV SENV VE
06CARACAS3311	CHEVRON'S CRYSTAL BALL [...] (C) SUMMARY: Econ Counselor and Petroleum Attache (Petatt) met with Chevron Latin America President Ali Moshiri (strictly protect throughout) on October 31 to discuss a variety of issues in the hydrocarbon sector. Moshiri believes the BRV will face serious problems in 2008 as a result of a de [...]	2006-11-06 13:17:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON ENRG EPET EINV VE
06CARACAS3313	ROSALES FOREIGN POLICY PLATFORM - CHIDING CHAVEZ [...] (C) Summary. Consensus opposition candidate Manuel Rosales has prepared a written foreign policy platform. It is a moderate and savvy alternative to President Chavez' anti-American foreign policy. Rosales pledges to prioritize relations with Latin America and "normalize" relations with the [...]	2006-11-06 16:33:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PTER ETRD VE
06CARACAS3316	BRV RELEASES 2007 NATIONAL BUDGET [...] (U) SUMMARY: The Minister of Finance delivered the proposed 2007 budget for Venezuela to the National Assembly (AN) on October 17, 2006. The budget calls for spending 115.2 trillion Bolivars (USD 53.6 billion) in 2007. The proposal assumes an exchange rate of 2150 Bs/USD, an average oil exp [...]	2006-11-06 20:29:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	ECON EFIN VE
06CARACAS3318	UNSC DEFEAT: CHAVEZ TRYING TO SAVE FACE [...] (C) Summary. After publicly predicting that Venezuela would definitely win a rotational seat on the UN Security Council, President Chavez has been forced to backtrack systematically as Venezuela subsequently lost 46 (and tied one) UNGA ballots to Guatemala. Chavez and BRV officials are lamel [...]	2006-11-06 21:39:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV VE
06CARACAS3319	ROSALES CAMPAIGN ON THE MARCH [...] (C) Summary. While he still faces an uphill struggle to defeat President Chavez' electoral machine, consensus opposition candidate Manuel Rosales continues to campaign hard and intelligently. Rosales' November 4 city-wide Caracas march attracted several hundred thousand participants and his [...]	2006-11-06 22:11:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV ELAB VE
06CARACAS332	CHAVEZ CONVOKES MEGA-MARCH, TARGETS "THE EMPIRE" [...] (C) President Chavez convoked a march of more than a million supporters February 4 to commemorate the anniversary of his failed 1992 coup. During his march speech and the following day's Alo Presidente broadcast, Chavez called on his supporters to unite and prepare themselves for what he pr [...]	2006-02-08 20:52:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM SOCI VE
06CARACAS3345	THE VENEZUELA-IRAN ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP [...] (SBU) In the last two years, Venezuela and Iran have signed at least 61 agreements, respective presidents have visited each other at least four times, and trade between both countries has increased exponentially in percentage terms. However, the number of joint ventures in operation on the g [...]	2006-11-08 12:59:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	ECON ETRD PGOV PREL EFIN VE IR
06CARACAS3346	BRV: DEMARCHE ON UNSCR 1718 OBLIGATIONS ON DRPK [...] No summary [...]	2006-11-08 14:15:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PARM XX VE
06CARACAS3347	BRV: DEMARCHE ON CUBA AND THE IBERO-AMERICAN [...] No summary [...]	2006-11-08 14:15:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL CU EU PHUM VZ
06CARACAS335	CARACAS URBAN EXPROPRIATIONS SPURS WAVE OF [...] (SBU) After the Mayor of Caracas announced the expropriation of thirteen (mostly vacant or under construction) residential buildings on Jan 5 to provide housing for those displaced by heavy rains, a wave of illegal occupations swept through the city. The occupations were aided directly by po [...]	2006-02-09 16:12:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	ECON PGOV VE
06CARACAS3350	OPPOSITION RAISES DETENTION OF EX-GOVEROR LAPI AS [...] (U) SUMMARY. Eduardo Lapi, former opposition governor of Yaracuy state, remains in jail five months after his arrest for mismanagement of government funds (reftel). As Lapi faces prolonged pre-trial incarceration inconsistent with the treatment of other officials facing similar charges, op [...]	2006-11-08 16:35:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM VE
06CARACAS3351	NO LETTING UP: THREATS TO A FREE PRESS CONTINUE [...] (U) SUMMARY. This cable updates the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela's (BRV) continuing efforts to stifle the media and to restrict freedom of press. As indicated in reftels, the BRV employs a variety of mechanisms - legal, economic, regulatory, judicial, and rhetorical - to harass the priv [...]	2006-11-08 17:03:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM VE
06CARACAS3353	BRV: DEMARCHE ON COUNTRY SPECIFIC HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (C) Poloff verbally delivered points contained in ref a to Yaneth Arocha, Office Director of North American and Multilateral Affairs, on November 6. No substantive response is expected. BROWNFIELD [...]	2006-11-08 21:35:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PREL KTIA UN VE
06CARACAS3356	USAID/OTI PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT FOR COUNTRY TEAM 5 [...] (S) During his 8 years in power, President Chavez has systematically dismantled the institutions of democracy and governance. The USAID/OTI program objectives in Venezuela focus on strengthening democratic institutions and spaces through non-partisan cooperation with many sectors of Venezue [...]	2006-11-09 15:03:00	Embassy Caracas	SECRET	PGOV PREL PHUM VE
06CARACAS337	CATHOLIC RECTOR SAYS OPPOSITION MUST PLAY CHAVEZ' [...] (C) Catholic University Rector Luis Ugalde told A/Polcouns February 7 the opposition must see the presidential elections through despite the obstacles President Hugo Chavez is sure to throw up. Ugalde said Chavez' recent dialogues with the church and private sector are an obvious ruse designed [...]	2006-02-09 16:14:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KIRF KDEM VE
06CARACAS3374	VENEZUELA LAUNCHES UNREALISTIC ETHANOL PLAN AGAIN [...] (SBU) On October 26, PDVSA unveiled their Ethanol Agro-Energy Development Project, designed to produce over 10 million barrels of ethanol per year by 2012. The plan differs very little from previous PDVSA ethanol plans in scope, but incorporates new social development models. The ethanol wi [...]	2006-11-13 14:49:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ECON ENRG EPET EINV VE
06CARACAS3375	BRV TO ISSUE BONOS DEL SUR [...] (U) SUMMARY: The Ministry of Finance (MF) announced the imminent issuance of the long-awaited "Bonos del Sur" on November 7. The bonds, issued jointly by Venezuela and Argentina, will be worth USD 1 billion and are expected to start trading the week of November 13. The bonds will likely be [...]	2006-11-13 15:28:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	ECON EFIN VE
06CARACAS339	SUMATE DIRECTORS HARASSED, FACING POSSIBLE [...] (C) SUMMARY. The case of four directors of Sumate accused of conspiracy for having accepted a US$30,000-grant from National Endowment for Democracy (NED) entered a dramatic new phase on February 7 when, after months of delays, a Caracas judge initiated the trial. In the clearly orchestrated [...]	2006-02-09 16:19:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
06CARACAS340	SUMATE TRIAL: RECOMMENDED NEXT STEPS [...] (U) This is an action request. See paragraph 6. 2. (C) SUMMARY. Unlike in the past, the current process against the NGO Sumate's leadership may result in their going to jail. Here in Caracas, we are in regular contact with Sumate, monitoring the hearings, engaging the press, and pressi [...]	2006-02-09 16:25:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
06CARACAS3402	SERVICE COMPANIES FACE A NEW GAME: JOINT VENTURES [...] (C) SUMMARY: The BRV and PDVSA have announced in very vague terms that it expects service companies to enter into joint ventures in order to provide goods and services to PDVSA. It appears that the joint ventures will be limited to individual downstream projects at this point, but service com [...]	2006-11-15 14:14:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON ENRG EPET EINV VE
06CARACAS3411	SAVING FOR A RAINY DAY? BRV ACCUMULATES CASH [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Embassy estimates are that the BRV currently has between USD 40 and 50 billion in available funds, apart from the USD 35 billion in foreign exchange reserves, distributed between the Central Bank (BCV) and private and public sector banks. These funds represent "excess" oil rev [...]	2006-11-15 19:52:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	ECON EFIN VE
06CARACAS3412	ELECTION RUMOR MILL IN HIGH GEAR [...] (C) Summary. Venezuela, a country with a tradition of conspiracy theories, is rife with election rumors. At least five different major themes are circulating in the rumor mill in Venezuela right now suggesting that President Chavez, opposition candidate Manuel Rosales, or the military will d [...]	2006-11-15 21:40:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL VE
06CARACAS3413	LULA BACKS CHAVEZ, CNE DIRECTOR AND OPPOSITION BALK [...] (U) During the inauguration of a second bridge connecting Venezuela and Brazil across the Orinoco River on November 13, Brazilian President Lula gave his strongest endorsement of President Chavez in years. Lula proclaimed that the same people that had elected him and the Presidents of Argent [...]	2006-11-15 22:12:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL VE
06CARACAS3414	INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY FROM THE REVOLUTIONARY [...] (SBU) The BRV's Autonomous Intellectual Property Service (SAPI) held a conference on November 3-4 to discuss intellectual property from the ALBA (Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas) perspective. The event brought together government officials, Cuban regime panelists, and members of left [...]	2006-11-16 12:15:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	KIPR ECON ETRD WIPO VE
06CARACAS3425	FOREIGN MINISTER MADURO BLASTS PERUVIAN COUNTERPART [...] (C) Summary. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Maduro lashed out at the Peruvian government in the wake of Peruvian Foreign Minister Garcia Belaunde's reported reference to Venezuela's unsuccessful bid to secure a rotational UNSC seat. Maduro told reporters November 11 that his Peruvian counterpar [...]	2006-11-17 18:41:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV VE
06CARACAS3426	OAS AND EU EOMS SET, BUT PROSPECTS FOR ROBUST [...] (C) Summary. The BRV's deliberate policy of delay has successfully impeded effective, impartial international observation of the December 3 presidential election. After receiving an invitation to observe in June, the EU was not able to sign an MOU with the National Electoral Council (CNE) unt [...]	2006-11-17 18:52:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS3427	ELECTION UPDATE: ROSALES INROADS, STILL UPHILL [...] (C) Summary. Consensus opposition candidate Manuel Rosales continues to wage a strong, credible campaign against President Chavez. Rosales' political strength is now greater than the sum of the parts of the opposition that united behind him in August, and recent endorsements of his candidac [...]	2006-11-17 19:15:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL VE
06CARACAS3432	DEMARCHE ON BELARUS ANTI-U.S. RESOLUTIONS DELIVERED [...] No summary [...]	2006-11-20 14:25:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PREL BO VZ
06CARACAS3433	DEMARCHE ON EMERGENCY SPECIAL SESSION OF UNGA [...] No summary [...]	2006-11-20 14:25:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PREL UNGA IS VE
06CARACAS3434	PARALLEL RATE SPIKES AS DEMAND FOR DOLLARS GROWS [...] (U) SUMMARY: The recently-issued Bonos del Sur (see reftel A) were being re-sold in Venezuela at a rate in excess of 3400Bs/USD this week as Venezuelans are increasingly demanding dollars. The demand is driven by continued excess liquidity, problems with the Commission for the Administration [...]	2006-11-20 15:30:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ECON EFIN VE
06CARACAS3437	DEMARCHE ON CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION NATIONAL [...] No summary [...]	2006-11-20 21:21:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	PARM PREL CBW BWC CWC OPCW VE
06CARACAS3439	DEMARCHE ON COUNTRY RESOLUTIONS DELIVERED [...] No summary [...]	2006-11-20 21:37:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	PHUM PREL UNHRC VZ
06CARACAS3448	THE MILITARY'S INCREASINGLY RED ROLE IN THE [...] (C) Summary. President Chavez and his hand-picked military leaders are coordinating the armed forces' efforts to provide Election Day security in ways that are likely to intimidate some opposition voters. Under the auspices of "Plan Republica," the Venezuelan National Armed Forces (FAN) will [...]	2006-11-21 21:00:00	Embassy Caracas	SECRET//NOFORN	PGOV PREL KDEM MARR VE
06CARACAS3456	ROSALES' PLANS TO DETER/DETECT ELECTORAL FRAUD [...] (C) Summary. The Rosales campaign is preparing what appears to be well-organized and sophisticated electoral monitoring operations to deter and detect government fraud. Rosales' witnesses at election tables will be asked to help ensure that voting machines are not corrupted as well as transmi [...]	2006-11-22 22:07:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS3462	BARINAS STATE: OPPOSITION UNABLE TO CAPITALIZE ON [...] (C) Summary. President Chavez' campaign team announced that Chavez will hold one of his last major campaign rallies in his native state of Barinas. Chavez is an odds-on favorite to carry the western plains state of Barinas, but he is not running as strong as might be expected in a state wher [...]	2006-11-24 18:53:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS3465	CANDIDATE CHAVEZ CONTINUES TO THREATEN PRESS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: This press freedom report focuses on President Chavez's threats to Venezuela's independent media related to the December 3 presidential election. In response to media reporting of Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez's threats to PDVSA managers to support the Chavez re-election ca [...]	2006-11-24 20:53:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM VE
06CARACAS3466	ELECTION UPDATE: CAMPAIGN HEADS INTO THE FINAL [...] (C) With less than two weeks before the presidential election, both President Chavez and opposition candidate Rosales are trying to shore up their bases as well as attract undecided voters. President Chavez has considerable inherent advantages as he continues to inaugurate ambitious public wo [...]	2006-11-24 21:20:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS3476	CHAVEZ AND ROSALES MOBILIZE HUGE CROWDS IN FINAL [...] (C) Summary. Opposition candidate Manuel Rosales and President Chavez both held their last major campaign rallies in Caracas November 25 and 26, respectively. Rosales delivered a milestone stump speech November 25 to hundreds of thousands of supporters, easily his biggest campaign rally to d [...]	2006-11-27 21:48:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS3477	VENEZUELAN ELECTION UPDATE: SIX DAYS OUT [...] (C) Both opposition candidate Manuel Rosales and President Hugo Chavez took advantage of the last weekend of campaigning before the December 3 elections to stage some of the largest rallies seen in Venezuela in recent years. The OAS and EU electoral observation missions met with electoral offi [...]	2006-11-27 22:14:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE
06CARACAS3483	VENEZUELAN ELECTION UPDATE: FIVE DAYS OUT [...] (C) Summary. President Chavez continues to travel widely in Venezuela and open major public works projects during the final days of campaigning. Opposition candidate Manuel Rosales met November 27 with members of the European Union's Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) and publicly urged th [...]	2006-11-28 20:46:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE
06CARACAS3493	SHOW TRIAL RESUMES AMIDST ELECTION SEASON [...] (U) The trial of opposition mayor Henrique Capriles Radonski resumed November 27. The timing of the trial's resumption occurred as the country's attention is universally focused on the December 3 presidential elections. The case has languished in the BRV judicial system for over four years [...]	2006-11-29 21:20:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM VE
06CARACAS3495	CARABOBO STATE: ROSALES AND CHAVEZ CAMPAIGNS SEE [...] (C) Both the Chavez and Rosales campaigns claim they will win in the hotly-contested state of Carabobo, the state with the fourth largest number of voters. The Chavez campaign is focusing on its grassroots get-out-the-vote efforts to woo an estimated 30 percent of voters planning to abstain f [...]	2006-11-29 22:09:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS3500	STOCKING UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS [...] (U) SUMMARY: Economic inefficiencies, coupled with retrograde government policies, future uncertainty, and record-high consumer spending are making shortages an increasing part of life in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Recent weeks have seen recurring shortages of sugar and milk and m [...]	2006-11-30 15:21:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	ECON EAGR VE
06CARACAS3501	ROSALES READIES ELECTORAL MACHINE FOR SUNDAY [...] (C) Summary. As the December 3 presidential vote nears, the Manuel Rosales campaign is still struggling to get its organization in place. Senior campaign officials insist their vote tabulation network will work faster than the National Electoral Council (CNE) on election day, though there ar [...]	2006-11-30 20:21:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
06CARACAS3505	AN OVERVIEW OF THE BRV'S 24 MISSIONS [...] (SBU) According to the Ministry of Finance, since 2003, President Chavez has spent USD 12.9 billion to create 24 "missions" - government funded social programs - in a variety of areas. The first missions focused on basic needs of the poorest sectors of society. Chavez then took advantage of [...]	2006-11-30 21:28:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	PGOV ECON VE
06CARACAS3507	CHAVEZ DIRTY TRICKS, THE ROSALES "BUBBLE," AND THE [...] (C) Summary. Apart from a few rock-throwing attacks by Chavistas, the Rosales and Chavez campaigns have to date largely stayed away from each other. However, the December 3 presidential election will inevitably put ardent activists of both camps in close proximity. Both the Chavez and Rosale [...]	2006-11-30 22:05:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM ASEC VE
06CARACAS3513	STATE OF VENEZUELAN ELECTORAL OBSERVATION EFFORTS [...] (C) Summary. The electoral observation missions (EOMs) have missed most of the key "lead-up" events in the electoral preparation process and have had to scale back previously planned activities. Post believes it to be very unlikely that they will be able to mount a comprehensive observation e [...]	2006-12-01 16:45:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE PREL
06CARACAS3516	VENEZUELAN ELECTION UPDATE: TWO DAYS OUT [...] (C) Summary. President Chavez and opposition candidate Manuel Rosales officially concluded their campaigns November 30 with press events and final rallies. Chavez claimed without proof that his government recently foiled an assassination attempt against Rosales aimed at discrediting Chavez. [...]	2006-12-01 17:05:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE
06CARACAS3518	CORRECTED COPY: STATE OF VENEZUELAN ELECTORAL [...] (C) Summary. The electoral observation missions (EOMs) have missed most of the key "lead-up" events in the electoral preparation process and have had to scale back previously planned activities. It will be very difficult for them to mount a comprehensive observation effort. In effect, they w [...]	2006-12-01 20:30:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE PREL
06CARACAS3527	JOE Q. VOTER'S DECEMBER 3 EXPERIENCE [...] (U) On December 3, approximately sixteen million Venezuelans will be registered to vote for the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela's (BRV) next President. Using one of approximately 33,000 voting machines at about one of 11,000 voting centers, the voters will go through a fairly convoluted el [...]	2006-12-01 22:37:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS3529	CHEVRON'S TAKE ON VENEZUELA [...] (C) SUMMARY: The BRV is serious about maintaining OPEC production cuts. PDVSA owes Chevron USD 800 million in operating expenses for the Boscan field and seems incapable of paying operators of the joint ventures in a systematic way. Chevron has met with Rosales advisors and given advice on hy [...]	2006-12-03 18:07:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON ENRG EPET EINV VE
06CARACAS3530	VENEZUELAN ELECTION UPDATE - NOON (EST) [...] (SBU) Summary. Opposition candidate Manuel Rosales told the media that he is concerned that voting delays are occurring disproportionately in traditional opposition strongholds. Rosales nevertheless said that voting was occurring with "a certain degree of normality." A relaxed President Cha [...]	2006-12-03 18:31:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
06CARACAS3531	ELECTION UPDATE - DEC 3, CLOSE OF POLLS [...] (C) Summary. While the Venezuelan presidential election was conducted December 3 without major incidents, both the Chavez and Rosales campaigns have access to widely varying exit polls. We do not place much faith in any of these polls at this point. The National Electoral Council (CNE) is e [...]	2006-12-03 23:27:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
06CARACAS3532	USAID/OTI VENEZUELA ELECTION RELATED ACTIVITIES [...] (C) During President Chavez' launch of his reelection campaign in February this year he stated that the real opposition was the Empire and not its Venezuelan lackeys, a position he has maintained throughout the campaign. In this environment, USAID/OTI has prudentially kept a low profile, av [...]	2006-12-04 14:17:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PHUM VE
06CARACAS3547	TIME TO REDOUBLE OUR PRO-DEMOCRACY EFFORTS IN [...] (C) Summary. We understand the Deputies Committee asked in November whether Embassy has the needed resources to promote our country team strategy. We waited until after the Venezuelan presidential election to respond. The answer is that we are grateful for all resources made available, but i [...]	2006-12-05 17:16:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL EAID KDEM VE
06CARACAS3548	VIEWS ON BARRIO ADENTRO FROM CUBAN DOCTORS [...] (C) Since August 2006, when DHS created the Significant Public Benefit Parole for Cuban Medical Personnel Program, over 80 Cuban doctors have applied for parole in Caracas. Over half filled out an anonymous, completely voluntary, written survey answering questions about Barrio Adentro (BA),t [...]	2006-12-05 17:29:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV ECON VE
06CARACAS3557	CHAVEZ WELCOMES NICARAGUAN PRESIDENT-ELECT ORTEGA [...] (C) Summary. President Chavez received Nicaraguan President-Elect Daniel Ortega at Maiquetia International Airport December 5. Ortega is the first foreign leader to visit Venezuela after Chavez was re-elected December 3, albeit for a visit of less than 24 hours. In brief remarks to the pres [...]	2006-12-07 15:18:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV VE
06CARACAS3558	WORKING FOR THE MAN IN MARACAIBO [...] (C) SUMMARY: International oil company (IOC) executives paint a uniformly dismal picture of life as a partner with PDVSA in western Venezuela. Production at joint venture fields appears to be falling as costs escalate rapidly, private companies refuse to invest due to a lack of reimbursemen [...]	2006-12-07 15:21:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON ENRG EPET EINV VE
06CARACAS3559	MIXED BAG FOR SERVICE COMPANIES [...] (C) SUMMARY: Service company representatives in western Venezuela present a mixed picture when it comes to dealing with PDVSA. Companies that provide services report payment problems and administrative arrangements straight from the pages of Kafka. However, equipment companies frequently be [...]	2006-12-07 17:26:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON ENRG EPET EINV VE
06CARACAS3561	BRAZILIAN FIRMS SAMBA ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Venezuelan-Brazilian trade is expected to reach USD 4 billion this year, representing a 60 percent increase over 2005. This increase is consistent with Venezuela's import boom and with the growing relationship between the two countries. Brazilian firms also seem to be winning [...]	2006-12-07 18:52:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	ECON ETRD VE
06CARACAS3571	VENEZUELAN ELECTIONS WRAP UP: OBSERVERS ENDORSE [...] (C) The OAS, EU, and domestic NGO Ojo Electoral observation missions released on December 4 and 5 their preliminary assessments of the presidential election. All congratulated the National Electoral Council (CNE) for providing adequate electoral conditions and abiding by its agreements, desp [...]	2006-12-08 14:47:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS3572	PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: WINNERS AND LOSERS [...] (C) Summary. The National Electoral Council (CNE) officially declared President Chavez the winner of the December 3 election on December 5; he was re-elected for six more years. While the presidential election did not usher in any tectonic shifts, it did reveal some clear winners and losers. [...]	2006-12-08 15:01:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM PREL VE
06CARACAS3585	A NEW DIRECTION IN THE CAPRILES TRIAL? [...] (C) SUMMARY The trial of outspoken opposition mayor of Baruta (a Caracas municipality) Henrique Capriles Radonski resumed on December 6. Capriles is accused of unlawful entry and violation of international principles for his role in the events of April 12, 2002, at the Cuban Embassy. Polof [...]	2006-12-08 18:38:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM PGOV PHUM VE
06CARACAS3598	VENEZUELAN ELECTIONS: ISSUES FOR FUTURE [...] (C) A comparison of the 2005 EU and OAS electoral observation missions' (EOM) reports and the 2006 missions' preliminary observations reveals the BRV has resolved less than half of the issues singled out last year. Some of the so-called improvements, such as the naming of a new National Elec [...]	2006-12-11 14:48:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS3604	POST-ELECTION: CAN ROSALES STAY THE COURSE? [...] (C) SUMMARY Although he lost to President Chavez by a substantial margin on December 3, Zulia Governor Manuel Rosales emerged from the presidential election as Venezuela's preeminent opposition leader. It remains to be seen whether the momentum Rosales enjoyed as a candidate will continue. [...]	2006-12-12 20:37:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM PGOV PREL VE
06CARACAS3609	VENEZUELAN ELECTIONS: THE EMBASSY'S TAKE ON VOTING [...] (C) Post sent out roughly 40 observers to seven states and Caracas for the December 3 presidential election. Although they did not have official observer credentials, Embassy observers were able to enter approximately 75 percent of the roughly 120 voting centers visited. Emboffs were thus ab [...]	2006-12-13 13:51:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS3617	NO PLANES, SOME TRAINS AND MANY, MANY AUTOMOBILES [...] (U) Caracas roads and highways are congested like never before, leading to massive gridlock and huge productivity losses. A result of insufficient infrastructure and over a 100 percent increase in car sales during the past two years, the plight of Caracas residents seems unlikely to be resolve [...]	2006-12-13 19:44:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	ECON SOCI VE
06CARACAS3621	POST-ELECTION SCENESETTER FOR CODEL DELAHUNT/MEEKS [...] (SBU) Representatives Delahunt and Meeks are already very familiar with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (BRV). They will be the first congressional visitors to come to Caracas since their April 23-24 visit, and this visit comes on the heels of President Chavez's re-election on December 3. [...]	2006-12-14 18:09:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	PREL PGOV VE
06CARACAS3623	VENEZUELA: UPDATE OF WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR [...] Venezuelan law protects children from exploitation in the workplace, but enforcement is often lacking. The Ministry of Labor and the National Institute for Minors enforces child labor policies effectively in the formal sector, but less so in the informal sector. According to official Ministry [...]	2006-12-14 19:58:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ELAB EIND ETRD PHUM SOCI
06CARACAS3628	VENEZUELAN ELECTION SEASON MORE PEACEFUL THAN [...] (SBU) Before the December 3 presidential elections, isolated attacks on opposition challenger Manuel Rosales' campaign rallies in September and October suggested the likelihood of an increasing spiral of electoral violence (reftels). President Chavez' campaign tried to blame the opposition f [...]	2006-12-15 16:41:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS3633	OPPOSITION LEADER ROSALES PLANNING US VISIT [...] (C) The Ambassador spoke by phone December 14 with Zulia Governor Manuel Rosales, their first conversation since before Rosales' four-month campaign for the presidency as the opposition's consensus candidate. The Ambassador congratulated Rosales on a hard fought and skillful campaign. He als [...]	2006-12-15 21:15:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV VE
06CARACAS3646	CAPRILES ACQUITTED ON ALL CHARGES [...] (C) SUMMARY After four years and eight months, Baruta Mayor Henrique Capriles Radonski was acquitted December 15 of all charges stemming from incidents at the Cuban Embassy on April 12, 2002. The opposition mayor of Baruta municipality (a metropolitan Caracas borough where the U.S. Embassy [...]	2006-12-18 21:49:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM PGOV PREL PHUM VE
06CARACAS3652	CAF PRESIDENT DISCUSSES INSTITUTION'S GROWING ROLE [...] (C) SUMMARY: The President for the Andean Development Corporation (CAF) Enrique Garcia detailed recent successes and plans for the future at a meeting with Econoffs on December 13. Garcia noted the significant increase in CAF funding and its prominent development role in Latin America. Garcia [...]	2006-12-19 20:19:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN VE
06CARACAS3653	VENEZUELA: THE BEST IS YET TO COME [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Two days after the Presidential election, the BRV instituted several changes to customs and currency control regulations. The measures included a 15 percent luxury tariff, price controls on construction materials, and changes to the list of goods which qualify for foreign exch [...]	2006-12-19 21:27:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	ECON EFIN VE
06CARACAS3667	MEETING WITH VENEZUELAN DEVELOPMENT BANK PRESIDENT [...] (SBU) At a November 29 meeting with EconCouns, Vice Minister of Finance and President of the Bank for Economic and Social Development (BANDES) Edgar Behrens outlined BANDES's operations in Venezuela and abroad and detailed future plans to fund the development of Venezuela through promoting coo [...]	2006-12-21 18:48:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	ECON EFIN VE
06CARACAS3670	TWO YEARS AND LITTLE RESOLUTION IN DANILO ANDERSON [...] (C) Summary. After two years of searching for the intellectual authors of prosecutor Danilo Anderson's November 2004 murder, Attorney General Isaias Rodriguez' December 14 announcement of the so-called conclusive findings indicated the BRV is no closer to discovering the masterminds. Rodrigu [...]	2006-12-21 20:10:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS3671	THE DO-NOTHING NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF 2006 POISED TO [...] (C) Summary. The National Assembly, although composed entirely of pro-Chavez party members after the opposition boycotted the December 2005 parliamentary election, passed little important legislation in 2006. Among the more memorable National Assembly "Bolivarian accomplishments" of 2006 are [...]	2006-12-21 20:15:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV ECON PHUM PREL VE
06CARACAS3688	ECUADORIAN PRESIDENT-ELECT CORREA'S VISIT TO [...] (SBU) Summary. President Hugo Chavez hosted Ecuadorian president-elect Rafael Correa December 20-21. Both Chavez and Correa pledged to enhance bilateral economic integration, particularly energy cooperation. Chavez also said he would consider the request of Correa and Bolivian President Mora [...]	2006-12-27 17:13:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV SNAR ETRD VE EC
06CARACAS374	CHAVEZ BASHES BLAIR [...] (C) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez launched into one of his customary tirades on February 8 after British Prime Minister Tony Blair offered measured criticism of his government. Chavez' diatribe against Blair is the latest example of Chavez' increasing tendency to provoke leaders in the i [...]	2006-02-10 18:36:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL VE
06CARACAS39	VENEZUELA BLAMES USG FOR DELAYED ANTI-DRUG [...] (C) Venezuelan Interior Minister Jesse Chacon blamed the USG January 4 for delays in normalizing the U.S.-Venezuelan counternarcotics relationship. Chacon complained that the accord had been hard to settle because "the DEA keeps modifying its text." (Note: the USG and GOV already have a b [...]	2006-01-06 16:03:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KCRM VE
06CARACAS394	CURRENT STATUS OF OSA MIGRATIONS: NOT VERY PRETTY [...] (C) SUMMARY: Progress on negotiations on the migration from operating service agreement (OSA) to joint venture companies continues to be bogged down over basic issues such as block reserves certification and value assessment, the formula for valuing crude production, and royalty calculations [...]	2006-02-14 15:26:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET ENRG EINV VE
06CARACAS397	VENEZUELA: BOSTON GROUP FUTURE MURKY [...] (C) With the current climate of bilateral relations, post is not optimistic about the future of the US-Venezuelan bipartisan legislative forum, known as the Boston Group (BG). Even before President Chavez' February 2 and 4 speeches (ref a and b),post was unable to secure meetings with Natio [...]	2006-02-14 18:22:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS399	OPPOSITION MAYOR LOPEZ HELD FOR TWO HOURS BY GUNMEN [...] (C) On February 10, 20 armed gunmen forced their way into a college seminar at the University of Carabobo in which Chacao Mayor Leopoldo Lopez was speaking and threatened the mayor for nearly two hours. Government officials refused to respond, citing legal prohibitions from entering college [...]	2006-02-14 20:14:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS444	VENEZUELA WAKES UP AND SMELLS THE COFFEE [...] (U) After the BRV doubled the price roasters had to pay farmers for raw coffee beans, and fixed the price of ground coffee below cost, a nationwide shortage of ground coffee took effect in late December 2005. Roasters refused to sell their product at a loss and hoarded it in an attempt to pr [...]	2006-02-16 20:56:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	ECON EAGR VE
06CARACAS445	PROJECT PROPOSALS: NGOS TAKE ON TIPS [...] (U) Per reftel instructions, Embassy is submitting a proposal by the NGO Association for the Well-being and Reciprocal Assistance for Women (AMBAR) for funding consideration. A description of a backup proposal submitted by UNICEF is included in paragraph 5 should Washington decide not to fun [...]	2006-02-16 20:59:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PHUM SMIG KCRM KWMN ELAB EAID VE
06CARACAS457	AMBASSADOR URGES EU/LATAM SUPPORT FOR SUMATE [...] (C) Ambassador convened a meeting of European and Latin American diplomats February 10 to discuss diplomatic steps to support the four Sumate directors charged with conspiracy, after it appeared some of the defendants might be detained pending the outcome of the trial. Ambassador reviewed USG [...]	2006-02-17 19:23:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM ELAB KDEM VE
06CARACAS458	IRANIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION VISITS VENEZUELA [...] (U) On February 14, the Venezuelan National Assembly received a delegation of Iranian legislators, including the President of the Iranian Parliament Gholamali Haddad Adel. Adel emphasized that the governments of Venezuela and Iran were united in the fight against imperialism and committed to s [...]	2006-02-17 19:38:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL VE
06CARACAS459	CARACAS BRIDGE CLOSURE: WEEK SIX [...] (SBU) Six weeks after the Caracas-La Guaira bridge closure, transportation remains cumbersome and important sectors of the greater Caracas-area economy continue to be affected. BRV plans for a February 26 opening of the bypass road will not restore pre-closure traffic volume. U.S. airlines [...]	2006-02-17 20:53:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ECON ELTN EAIR ETRD KDEM PGOV ASECVE VE
06CARACAS460	BRV ON DEFENSIVE AFTER SECRETARY'S REMARKS [...] (C) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez called U.S. officials "crazy" in response to Secretary Rice's criticism of the BRV on February 16. Suggesting that USG policy was inconsistent, he said the Secretary's remarks came after a "good conversation" between Assistant Secretary Shannon and Venez [...]	2006-02-17 21:11:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL VE
06CARACAS461	SUMATE REPRIEVE MAY BE BRIEF INDEED [...] (C) A Caracas appeals court accepted on February 9 a motion by lawyers for the four Sumate directors that vacates the entire process to date, and requires a new trial to be initiated. That new trial may not kick off until sometime between May and August, however Sumate's lawyers warned Polcoun [...]	2006-02-17 23:45:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM ELAB KDEM VE

06CARACAS473	WHAT TO EXPECT FROM CHAVEZ' PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN [...] (C) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez' history of dirty campaigning and his announcement that he is running against President Bush have several implications for how he will prepare for Venezuela's December 3, 2006 presidential election. Many of these actions violate the letter and spirit of [...]	2006-02-21 18:12:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL VE
06CARACAS480	NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TAKES UP CNE REPLACEMENT [...] (C) On February 7, the National Assembly (AN) began the process of appointing a new National Electoral Council (CNE) by naming 11 AN deputies to the candidate selection committee. The committee is currently receiving nominations for the committee's remaining 10 civil society members, who ar [...]	2006-02-21 20:44:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS484	NEW TRIBES MISSION COMPLYING WITH WITHDRAWAL ORDER [...] (C) The New Tribes Mission (NTM) has removed all of its personnel from indigenous tribal areas in compliance with the February 12 deadline given by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (BRV). The Supreme Court (TSJ) on February 3 denied NTM's request for a stay of the Interior Ministry's Nove [...]	2006-02-22 19:07:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KIRF KDEM CACS VE
06CARACAS485	THE CENTRAL BANK: THE BRV'S ELEPHANT BRIGADE [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Central Bank (BCV) Director Domingo Felipe Maza Zavala told Econoffs February 15 that the BCV's primary role these days is to mitigate/accommodate the monetary affects of the BRV's "enormous" fiscal expenditures. The always understated and professorial Maza maintained that the [...]	2006-02-22 19:10:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	EFIN ECON PGOV VE
06CARACAS486	2006 SPECIAL 301 RECOMMENDATION - KEEP VENZUELA [...] (SBU) The BRV continues to exhibit lackluster performance in protection and enforcemnt of intellectual property rights. In the pastyear, little has been done to strengthen an alredy weak enforcement regime. The market for legiimate music CDs is minuscule, and CD, DVD, and software piracy re [...]	2006-02-22 19:10:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	KIPR VE
06CARACAS492	AMBASSADOR DELIVERS IRAN DEMARCHE TO BRV MFA [...] (C) Ambassador delivered reftel points on Iran's nuclear program to Vice Foreign Minister for Asia, the Middle East and the Pacific Alcides Rondon on February 10. Rondon said the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (BRV) saw no evidence of non-peaceful purposes for Iran's nuclear program and cha [...]	2006-02-22 20:53:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM ELAB KDEM VE
06CARACAS493	BRV OFFICIALS DEMAND RESPECT FROM VISITING WHA/AND [...] (C) During an orientation visit by WHA/AND Director, Deputy Director, and Desk Officer, senior Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (BRV) officials echoed the common theme of wanting improved bilateral relations based on respect for sovereignty. Rene Arreaza, chief of staff to Vice President Rang [...]	2006-02-22 20:53:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM ELAB KDEM VE
06CARACAS494	CHAVEZ NATURALIZES COLOMBIANS TO GET VOTES [...] (C) In an effort to reach President Chavez' goal of obtaining 10 million votes in December's presidential elections, the BRV is using the tried and true method of stuffing the voter registry by naturalizing migrants and handing out identification cards through its Mision Identidad (Mission I [...]	2006-02-22 21:09:00	Embassy Caracas	SECRET	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS495	CARACAS ARCHBISHOP RAISED TO CARDINAL [...] (U) The Vatican announced February 21 that Caracas Archbishop Jorge Urosa had been nominated by Pope Benedict XVI as Cardinal. Press reports said Urosa would be formally installed at a meeting of cardinals in the Vatican on March 24. Urosa, 63, is one of 15 new cardinals to be appointed in [...]	2006-02-23 10:56:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM ELAB KDEM VE
06CARACAS503	MESSAGE ON PALESTINIAN ASSISTANCE DELIVERED [...] (SBU) Ministry of Foreign Affairs Third Secretary for Multilateral Affairs Aldo Perfetto had no substantive response to ref A regarding the US government's conditions for providing future financial assistance to the new Palestinian Authority government. Perfetto agreed, however, to pass talki [...]	2006-02-23 19:06:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	PREL IS KPAL
06CARACAS510	CHAVEZ PUSHES A STEP CLOSER TO PRESIDENT FOR LIFE [...] (C) During his weekly Alo Presidente television show President Chavez warned that if the opposition decided not to participate in the December 3 presidential election, he would convoke a referendum on whether he should run for re-election in 2013. If approved, Chavez could overturn the const [...]	2006-02-24 13:10:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS512	BRV CONTINUS TO FIGHT EXCESS LIQUIDITY [...] (SBU) The BRV continues to struggle with rapidly increasing money supply resulting from xpansionary fiscal policy, booming oil revenues, and foreign exchange restrictions. The money suply (M2) increased by 52.7 percent in 2005 and ha grown approximately 260 percent since the BRV iplemented [...]	2006-02-24 15:42:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	EFIN PGOV PINR VE
06CARACAS514	VENEZUELAN CORRUPTION CRACKDOWN: A DAY LATE, A [...] (C) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is making corruption a campaign issue, according to Presidential speeches and MVR strategy documents. National Assembly deputies have prioritized the passage of at least five laws dealing with corruption. The Venezuelan Government, however, has a poor r [...]	2006-02-24 16:54:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KCRM VE
06CARACAS520	FREEDOM HOUSE - CATALYST FOR AN EMERGING HUMAN [...] (C) The Freedom House USAID project began operations in Venezuela in late 2004, in an environment of reported increases in human rights abuses and judicial impunity. The community of human rights organizations in Venezuela continues to be ill-equipped to deal with the unfolding scenario and [...]	2006-02-24 18:45:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM PGOV PHUM VE
06CARACAS523	VENEZUELA'S SIXTH ANNUAL TIP REPORT SUBMISSION [...] (SBU) The following is post's input (ref A) for the sixth annual anti-trafficking in persons report (TIP). Political officer LaTranda Martin is Embassy,s point of contact. Telephone: 58-212-907-8531; Fax: 58-212-907-8033; Email: martinls@state.gov. Hours spent compiling the report: 31. 2 [...]	2006-02-24 21:11:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	KCRM PHUM KWMN ELAB SMIG ASEC KFRD PREF
06CARACAS532	CHAVEZ RESHUFFLES CABINET MINISTERS [...] (C) On February 24, President Chavez swore in six new members of his cabinet, including the Minister of Light Industry and Commerce, Minister of Land and Agriculture, Minister of Labor, Minister of the People's Economy, the Minister of Food, and the newly created Minister of the Secretariat [...]	2006-03-02 16:24:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS535	AMBASSADOR HOSTS LUNCHEON FOR UNIVERSITY DIRECTORS [...] (C) The Ambassador hosted a luncheon on February 9 for administrators of several Venezuelan universities. In addition to expressing their eagerness for greater educational exchanges between Venezuelan and American universities, representatives also expressed concern that a proposed education [...]	2006-03-02 18:24:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL VE
06CARACAS536	NOOSE TIGHTENS AROUND VENEZUELAN PRESS [...] (C) The government stepped up its actions against the Venezuelan press recently in a concerted bid to muzzle the opposition media during this election year. Following a January 23 court ruling that severely limited the media's ability to report on the case of assassinated prosecutor Danilo And [...]	2006-03-02 18:25:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KPAO KDEM VE
06CARACAS573	CIVAIR VENEZUELA: ENGAGING WITH INAC AND VP CHIEF [...] (SBU) On March 1, EconCouns met with the President of Venezuela's National Civil Aviation Institute (INAC) to deliver talking points (Ref A),underscoring that the USG objected to the unilateral restrictions on U.S. air carrier frequencies and that we had no political agenda regarding air saf [...]	2006-03-03 11:09:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	EAIR VE
06CARACAS581	EMBASSY SAYS NIGERIA'S SUPPORT FOR BRV'S UNSC BID [...] (U) Venezuela's Vice-Minister for Africa Reinaldo Bolivar met February 24 with Nigeria,s Ambassador to Venezuela Samson Ayodole Adepoju. Following the meeting, the Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported Adepoju saying he believed Venezuela would be accepted as a non-permanent member [...]	2006-03-03 19:03:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL VE
06CARACAS588	MESSAGE ON HOST COUNTRY MEETINGS WITH HAMAS [...] No summary [...]	2006-03-06 16:01:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PREL
06CARACAS590	REQUEST FOR STATEMENTS CONDEMNING AL-ASKARIYA [...] (SBU) Ministry of Foreign Affairs Third Secretary for North America Robinson Zapata had no substantive response to reftel demarche requesting that host countries issue statements condemning the Al-Askariya shrine bombing. Zapata agreed, however, to pass talking points to Vice Minister for Nor [...]	2006-03-06 17:16:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV KDEM KPOA PTER IZ
06CARACAS595	BRV COMMUNIQUES CONDEMN U.S. POLICY [...] (C) The Embassy received two written communiques from Venezuelan government officials the week of February 20, both condemning U.S. policy in Venezuela and demanding the cessation of U.S. "imperialist aggression." On February 7, the National Assembly passed a resolution condemning the expulsio [...]	2006-03-06 18:20:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL VE
06CARACAS598	VIVA ZULIA - CHAVEZ AGAIN HITS ROSALES [...] (C) Chavez accused the U.S. government March 5 of working behind the scenes to create a secessionist movement in Zulia to gain control of the state's rich oil industry. Chavez implicated the state's governor Manuel Rosales with the group and threatened Rosales with jail time if his accusations [...]	2006-03-07 15:11:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL VE
06CARACAS614	BRV REQUESTS SUPPORT FOR ITU COUNCIL CANDIDACY [...] (U) This is an action request. Post requests Department guidance to respond to the BRV diplomatic note No. 269 in para (2) dated January 25, 2006 requesting USG support Venezuela's candidacy for re-election as a member of the International Telecommunications Union council. A copy of the note [...]	2006-03-08 13:40:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ECPS VE
06CARACAS630	UPDATE ON CARACAS AVIAN INFLUENZA CONTINGENCY [...] (SBU) On January 19, Post Emergency Action Committee (EAC) Avian Influenza (AI) Subcommittee met with the Regional Medical Officer (RMO) to discuss Post preparedness. The Subcommittee then held a follow-up meeting on January 26 to review the preparedness checklist as it pertains to Post oper [...]	2006-03-08 20:43:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	AEMR AMGT ASEC CASC AMED KFLO VE
06CARACAS631	JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF VENEZUELA DISTANCES FROM [...] (SBU) Recently, the president of Junior Achievement Venezuela visited the Embassy to convey his organization's decision to cancel a planned annual reception for supporters which was to be held at the Ambassador's residence. The decision was the result of a split vote by their board of director [...]	2006-03-08 20:49:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	KDEM KPAO VE
06CARACAS632	BRV DEBT MANAGEMENT STRATEGY [...] (U) SUMMARY: Since Chavez assumed office in 1999, BRV debt stock increased 70 percent, to USD 46.6 billion at the end of 2005. In 2005, debt stock grew by USD 5.4 billion, despite an estimated 2005 total central government fiscal surplus of approximately USD 3 billion. Despite the increase [...]	2006-03-08 20:50:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	EFIN ECON PGOV VE
06CARACAS633	COUNTRY CLEARANCE APPROVAL FOR US DELEGATION TO [...] The Embassy grants country clearances for the visit to Venezuela of T. March Bell, Mark Mittelhauser, Pedro Moreno, Stacy D. Williams, and Carla Menares Bury from Monday, March 13 through Saturday, March 18. This approval is granted on the condition that the travelers will be utilizing an off [...]	2006-03-08 20:52:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ASEC EAGR ECON KCRM KFRD OAS AMGT APER VE
06CARACAS655	DEMARCHE ON SUPPORTING US-INDIA CIVIL NUCLEAR [...] (U) On March 9, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Third Secretary for North America, Robinson Zapata, had no SIPDIS substantive response to reftel demarche, regarding the US-India civil nuclear cooperation initiative. Robinson agreed, however, to pass talking points to Vice Minister for North Am [...]	2006-03-10 18:11:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL ENRG KSCA IN PARM KNNP ETTC
06CARACAS656	CHAVEZ USES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY FOR EMBASSY [...] (C) An estimated 2,500 protesters, supported by prominent Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (BRV) officials, staged a demonstration at the Embassy on March 8 to protest the U.S. government's policies in Iraq. The group's leadership, National Assembly deputies Celia Flores and Desiree Santos, p [...]	2006-03-10 18:15:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL ASEC VE
06CARACAS659	CORRUPTION IN BRV ARGENTINE BONDS TRANSACTIONS [...] (C/NF) SUMMARY. On March 3, 2006, Nelson Ortiz, the Caracas Stock Exchange (BVC) President, outlined the BRV mechanism undertaken for the purchase and re-sale of Argentine bonds. The BRV has reportedly sold USD 1.1 billion, of a reported USD 2.8 billion in Argentine bonds originally purchase [...]	2006-03-10 18:33:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	EFIN ECON PGOV VE
06CARACAS66	VENEZUELAN MILITARY MORALE DECLINING? [...] No summary [...]	2006-01-11 17:06:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	PGOV MARR VE
06CARACAS661	TAMPING DOWN IRANIAN URANIUM RUMORS IN VENEZUELA [...] No summary [...]	2006-03-13 11:04:00	Embassy Caracas	SECRET//NOFORN	PGOV PREL MASS PARM VE IR
06CARACAS662	BRV BACKS OFF ZULIAN SEPARATIST ALLEGATIONS "FOR [...] (C) Zulia state governor Manuel Rosales came out swinging March 7 against the separatist allegations launched against him by President Chavez on March 5. On his weekly television program "Alo Presidente", Chavez accused Rosales of working hand in hand with the United States to create a secessio [...]	2006-03-13 11:04:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM PREL KDEM VE
06CARACAS663	CHAVEZ APPOINTS NEW COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION [...] (C) In a press conference on March 9, Communications and Information Minister Yuri Pimentel announced that he would be replaced by current National Assembly Deputy and major player in the Movimienta Quinta Republica (MVR),Willian Lara. Lara said his ministry would be open to the media, but [...]	2006-03-13 13:07:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS664	JOURNALIST IMPRISONED PENDING CORRUPTION CHARGES [...] (C) Talk show host Gustavo Azocar was arrested March 6 in connection with a corruption investigation against him for allegedly defrauding the Tachira state lottery in 2000. A Tachira state court March 7 sustained the prosecution's argument that Azocar posed a flight risk because of his suppose [...]	2006-03-13 18:59:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KPAO KDEM VE
06CARACAS666	CHAVEZ VS. BUSH 2006 [...] (C) An apparently authentic 2006 campaign plan for President Chavez's political party, the Movimiento Quinta Republica (MVR),has been circulating on the internet and reported on by the press. The plan includes campaign themes and objectives as well as strategies for communication and party [...]	2006-03-13 20:02:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS688	VENEZUELA'S NEW CARDINAL: CAUTIOUSLY [...] (C) On March 10, the Ambassador met with Archbishop (and Cardinal-designate) Jorge Urosa and the Papal Nuncio Giacinto Berlocco at the Nunciature in Caracas to discuss the current situation in Venezuela, as well as ways the Embassy and the Church might cooperate in the future. The Ambassador [...]	2006-03-14 20:50:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS698	ANOTHER TRANSPORTISTA PROTEST OUTSIDE EMBASSY [...] (U) The transport workers held a small peaceful demonstration on March 15 outside the Embassy. This, like the February 23 demonstration (ref a),was likely organized by the BRV. At about 1 pm roughly two dozen almost empty buses arrived at the Embassy. The caravan had been driving around t [...]	2006-03-16 11:59:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ASEC KDEM PGOV VE
06CARACAS702	COPEI LEADERSHIP STEPS DOWN [...] (C) COPEI (Christian Democracy) President Eduardo Fernandez and Secretary General Cesar Perez Vivas resigned from their positions March 10 after the board rejected the party's annual report, according to press reports. Fernandez, a popular but figurehead leader, was gracious in his resignation [...]	2006-03-16 12:02:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM ELAB KDEM VE
06CARACAS703	VENEZUELAN ADVENTISTS ALSO UNDER BRV SUSPICION [...] (C) The Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church is depicted in a government training film for "Ribas Mission" students as a fanatical religious sect that spreads terror among indigenous tribes and spies for the CIA, according a video shown to Emboffs by SDA officials February 21. SDA officials thou [...]	2006-03-16 12:02:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KIRF KDEM VE
06CARACAS704	VENEZUELA MACROECONOMIC UPDATE [...] (SBU) Venezuela,s strong economic growth performance will most certainly continue through 2006 given the continued high oil price scenario and profligate BRV spending this election year, which is fueling a consumption boom. We also expect the state to continue to consolidate its role in th [...]	2006-03-16 12:03:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ECON EFIN PGOV VE
06CARACAS717	BRV PUMMELS THE PRESS AGAIN [...] (C) The BRV moved again against the opposition media, implicating a total of six journalists in legal actions in the past week. Two columnists at Caracas daily El Nacional and four local radio announcers at an Anzoategui state radio station were caught up in the latest sweep. The move follows [...]	2006-03-17 14:47:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KPAO KDEM VE
06CARACAS718	VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION DEBATES BETWEEN CONDITIONS [...] (C) Since early January, the opposition has debated whether and how to unite forces for the December 3 presidential election. The current dilemma over whether to focus solely on securing transparent electoral conditions or to also choose a single opposition candidate has resulted in three pr [...]	2006-03-17 15:16:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS719	BRV REACTS TO EU OBSERVERS FINAL REPORT [...] (SBU) The EU international observation mission released its final report in Caracas on March 15. Observers met with government officials in advance to prepare them for the report. Government response has been relatively positive, although National Electoral Council President Jorge Rodriguez [...]	2006-03-17 15:34:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS720	URUGUAY PRESIDENT'S STATE VISIT TO VENEZUELA [...] (C) During his state visit to Venezuela March 14-15, Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez and President Chavez signed 12 cooperative agreements, discussed the revitalization of MERCOSUR, and held a joint press conference on free trade. The two also toured a shoe-manufacturing cooperative and [...]	2006-03-17 16:19:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ETRD KDEM PGOV VE
06CARACAS723	VENEZUELA CIVAIR UPDATE [...] (SBU) On March 15, EconCouns met with INAC General Manager for Air Transport, who stood firm on the March 30 deadline to cancel U.S. carrier flights if the FAA hadn't sent an IASA team by then, despite an informal agreement with FAA for an April 17 visit. Blanco also pushed for a meeting bet [...]	2006-03-17 17:29:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	EAIR VE
06CARACAS735	NATIONAL RESISTANCE COMMAND READIES ABSTENTIONIST [...] (C) The opposition group National Resistance Command (CNR) is organizing nationwide to force a political crisis related to the December presidential elections, according to CNR leaders. If demands for transparent elections are not met by June 3 (at which time election law would require closure [...]	2006-03-20 18:42:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM ELAB KDEM VE
06CARACAS742	CARACAS-LA GUAIRA BRIDGE COLLAPSES [...] (SBU) On March 19, the closed bridge linking Caracas and its international air and sea ports collapsed. Chavez and the Ministry of Infrastructure (MINFRA) both stated that the BRV had knowledge of the imminent collapse and were planning to demolish the bridge, but that they didn't release thi [...]	2006-03-21 15:19:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ECON EAIR ETRD KDEM PGOV ASEC VE
06CARACAS744	MAYOR CAPRILES -- THIS MAY BE MY LAST TRIP [...] (C) The Ambassador and PolCouns met with Baruta Mayor Henrique Capriles Radonski to discuss the Mayor's late March trip to Washington. Capriles had initially planned to travel later in the Spring, but the government has re-instituted criminal charges against him related to the April 12, 2002 [...]	2006-03-21 16:42:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM PREL KDEM VE
06CARACAS751	CHAVEZ' ANGER-BASED LEADERSHIP [...] (C) President Hugo Chavez currently faces the conundrum of whether he can maintain a leadership style of exploiting resentment among Venezuela's poor while extolling the benefits of a seven-year revolution, according to anti-Chavez psychiatrist Roberto de Vries. De Vries describes Venezuelans' emot [...]	2006-03-22 14:22:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM ELAB KDEM VE
06CARACAS756	TWO IVLP CANDIDATES DROP OUT AMIDST BOLIVARIAN [...] (C) A labor leader from the Confederation of Venezuelan Workers (CTV) and one from the National Workers Union (UNT) withdrew suddenly from the International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) after one of them received threats from the government. CTV Executive Secretary Antonio Suarez said he [...]	2006-03-22 21:06:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM ELAB KDEM SCUL VE
06CARACAS757	SUMATE'S ALEJANDRO PLAZ REVIEWS ONGOING PROJECTS, [...] (C) PolCouns met with electoral NGO Sumate President Alejandro Plaz March 21 to discuss the progress of Sumate's audit of the electoral registry and his recent trip to Peru and the United States. Their temporary reprieve from trial is allowing them to re-focus on their electoral activities. [...]	2006-03-23 10:53:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM OAS VE
06CARACAS76	MAJOR CARACAS HIGHWAY SHUTS DOWN AS RESIDENTS [...] (SBU) On January 9, residents of "El Chupulun" in the municipality of Baruta staged protests on the Prados del Este highway, a major Caracas thoroughfare, shutting it down for two and half hours and causing major traffic congestion. The residents were demanding that the mayor of Baruta take [...]	2006-01-12 18:28:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS776	CARRIER VISIT TO BENEFIT US POLICY TOWARD VENEZUELA [...] (U) See Ambassador's comment para 9. 2. (S) Post supports Southcom's planned "Partnership of the Americas" maritime surge to the Caribbean to be led by the aircraft carrier U.S.S. George Washington. The deployment will help us to counter President Hugo Chavez' courtship of Caribbean co [...]	2006-03-23 19:26:00	Embassy Caracas	SECRET	PGOV MOPS MASS VE
06CARACAS779	CHAVEZ ALLY AND FOE NOMINATED AS USUN PERM REP [...] (C) On March 21, President Chavez nominated Francisco Arias Cardenas as Venezuela's Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Arias was a comrade-in-arms of Chavez during the failed 1992 military coup against then President Carlos Andres Perez. Arias later split ways with Chavez accus [...]	2006-03-24 16:50:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS78	VENEZUELAN MILITARY MORALE DECLINING? [...] (C) Because of the unreliability of its sources, Post cannot assess with certainty the state of Venezuelan military morale. Nonetheless, Post has received over the last six to nine months more credible indications that military morale is declining. The most convincing reports concern disgr [...]	2006-01-12 19:02:00	Embassy Caracas	SECRET//NOFORN	PGOV MARR VE
06CARACAS784	LOOMING OSA DEADLINE INCREASES UNCERTAINTY [...] (C) SUMMARY: The BRV has stated that companies with Operating Service Agreements (OSA) must sign MOUs which commit them to sign joint venture agreements by April 1. Key issues still remain unresolved and it appears companies would waive rights if they signed the MOU. The BRV has stated it [...]	2006-03-24 21:01:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET ENRG EINV VE
06CARACAS785	AMBASSADOR GETS DELAYED BY PROTESTERS IN GUARICO [...] (C) Ambassador Brownfield and Emboffs were tracked by an aggressive and ultimately violent group of protesters on March 22 during an outreach trip to the state of Guarico (though there were no injuries to Embassy personnel). A noon-hour press conference and lunch at a local club dragged into [...]	2006-03-27 10:40:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM ELAB KDEM SCUL EAID ASEC VE
06CARACAS80	GOV GRANTED OBSERVER STATUS IN AU [...] (U) Vice-Minister for Africa Reinaldo Bolivar announced December 23 that the African Union (AU) had approved Venezuela's May 2005 request for observer status. Venezuela is now one of 23 non-African states, including Cuba, granted observer status since the AU established guidelines for their p [...]	2006-01-12 20:08:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	PGOV PREL VE
06CARACAS808	VENEZUELAN URBAN AND RURAL EXPROPRIATIONS CONTINUE [...] (SBU) On March 6, President Chavez signed a Presidential Decree declaring a "housing emergency." The decree makes it easier to import construction materials and allows for further expropriations, stating only that they will occur "without violation of the law." The BRV has fallen short of pro [...]	2006-03-27 15:42:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ECON PGOV VE
06CARACAS839	BRV OFFICIALS TRADE CORRUPTION ACCUSATIONS [...] (C) Venezuelan officials are beginning to turn on each other as the government's pre-election anticorruption campaign heats up (REFTEL). Interior Minister Jesse Chacon has demanded an investigation of the Supreme Court's anticorruption crusader, Justice Luis Velazquez Alvaray, for public pu [...]	2006-03-27 18:50:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KCRM VE
06CARACAS840	HIGHLIGHTS FROM OAS TIP MEETING [...] (U) On March 14-17, the Organization of American States (OAS) held its first Meeting of the National Authorities on Trafficking In Person (TIP) on Margarita Island, Venezuela. During their opening remarks, Attorney General, Isaias Rodriguez, and Venezuela'a Deputy Permanent Representative to t [...]	2006-03-27 21:15:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL VE
06CARACAS852	BRV COUNTERDRUG AMBIVALENCE [...] (C) SUMMARY: The BRV's CN relationship with us continues to be ambivalent. On one hand, the Antidrogas command of the National Guard (GN) is increasingly willing to work with us within our Port Security Project, while BRV Drug Czar Luis Correa appears to be penalizing NGO Alianza for having to [...]	2006-03-28 19:45:00	Embassy Caracas	SECRET	SNAR PREL PINR VZ
06CARACAS854	BOLIVARIAN DOLLAR DIPLOMACY [...] (U) SUMMARY: During the past year President Chavez has undertaken an extensive dollar-diplomacy campaign to win friends and influence countries in the region and beyond. Two recent studies, drawn from Chavez' announcements, place BRV public commitments of support (donations, discounts, gover [...]	2006-03-29 16:52:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	ECON EAID PREL VE
06CARACAS872	VICE MINISTER FOR NORTH AMERICA SANCTIONED AND [...] (C) On March 27, Venezuela's Supreme Court decided to lift a stay on a Comptroller General sanction against Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs for North America and International Organizations Mari Pili Hernandez for mishandling public funds. The Comptroller sanctions, if applied, would requi [...]	2006-03-30 16:59:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS874	VENEZUELA'S NEW LABOR MINISTER A LOYAL PROFESSIONAL [...] (C) In a rare departure for Venezuelan ministerial appointments, new Labor Minister Ricardo Dorado is a qualified and experienced expert in his field. Dorado most recently served as Vice Minister of Labor, often representing Venezuela at International Labor Organization (ILO) meetings. Thoug [...]	2006-03-30 17:48:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM ELAB PINR VE
06CARACAS879	AMBASSADOR DELIVERS ESF FUNDING TO LOCAL NGO [...] No summary [...]	2006-03-30 20:55:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PGOV PHUM PREL KCRM KWMN SNAR VE
06CARACAS880	AMBASSADOR DELIVERS ESF FUNDING TO LOCAL NGO [...] (U) In accordance with the Economic Support Fund (ESF) grant approved by the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, the Ambassador delivered on March 29 a check in the amount of USD 129,375 to Venezuelan NGO Women's Association for Well-Being and Reciprocal Assistance (AMBAR). ( [...]	2006-03-31 14:02:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM PREL KCRM KWMN SNAR VE
06CARACAS882	ZULIA GOVERNOR PROBES FOR USG SUPPORT TO [...] (C) Zulia Governor and possible presidential candidate Manuel Rosales asked the Ambassador March 30 what kind of support the USG was willing to give to the opposition given President Hugo Chavez' overwhelming advantage in the December 3 presidential elections. The Ambassador outlined Embassy [...]	2006-03-31 15:20:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM ELAB KDEM SCUL VE
06CARACAS903	TO BE OR NOT TO BE: INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS IN [...] (C) We have carefully considered whether or not it makes sense for the USG to advocate (and possibly substantially fund) an international election observation mission (EOM) for the December presidential elections. While an EOM would likely act as a brake on Bolivarian electoral excesses, we [...]	2006-04-03 16:37:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM ELAB KDEM SCUL VE
06CARACAS904	NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PROPOSAL TO REGULATE NGO [...] (C) The National Assembly's Permanent Committee on Foreign Policy has put forth a proposal to regulate the activities of NGOs within Venezuela. It comes on the heels of another proposal in 2005 which surprised the NGOs, who technically have observer status on the committee. The previous pr [...]	2006-04-03 18:07:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
06CARACAS905	VENEZUELAN OIL PRODUCTION AND OUTLOOK [...] (C) SUMMARY: A number of private sector contacts believe that Venezuelan crude production has dropped to 2.3 million barrels per day. Conventional wisdom had placed production at 2.4 to 2.6 million barrels per day. PVDVSA has substantially increased its number of rigs but it does not appea [...]	2006-04-03 18:48:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET ENRG EINV VE
06CARACAS909	LOOMING OSA DEADLINE INCREASES UNCERTAINTY [...] No summary [...]	2006-04-03 21:54:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET ENRG EINV VE
06CARACAS910	OIL COMPANIES SIGN OSA CONVERSION MOU [...] (C) SUMMARY: Representatives from sixteen oil companies signed memorandums of understanding converting their operating service agreements (OSA) to joint ventures in a televised ceremony on March 31. ENI (Italy) and Total (France) did not sign a MOU and PDVSA has taken control of their fields. [...]	2006-04-03 23:21:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET ENRG EINV VE
06CARACAS911	CHAVEZ'S MEDIA WAR WAGES ON [...] (C) The first quarter of this year saw another BRV offensive against the media -- one of the few remaining independent democratic institutions in Venezuela. The BRV launched a new series of high profile legal attacks targeting members of the opposition press, a Caracas court ruled in favor of [...]	2006-04-03 23:31:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM KPAO VE
06CARACAS913	BETTER LATE THAN NEVER: RUSSIAN CHOPPERS ARRIVE [...] (U) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez presided over the formal handover of three Russian MI-17 helicopters to the Venezuelan Army's helicopter battalion in Yaracuy State on April 3. The three aircraft, which arrived in Venezuela unassembled on February 21, are part of a contract Chavez annou [...]	2006-04-04 12:12:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV MASS VE
06CARACAS939	PROTESTS BREAK OUT OVER YOUTH SLAYINGS [...] (U) Venezuelans were shocked by the April 4 discovery of the slain bodies of three young brothers and their driver who had been kidnapped in Caracas 41 days before. The kidnappers, alleged publicly to be Caracas Metropolitan Police officers, demanded a US$4.5 million ransom from the children' [...]	2006-04-06 10:49:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM ELAB KDEM SCUL VE
06CARACAS942	CHILD SLAYINGS DEMONSTRATIONS CONTINUE FOR SECOND [...] (C) The government has begun reacting to the spontaneous public outcry over the murder of three kidnapped children and their driver (Reftel). Venezuelan Interior Minister Jesse Chacon expressed his government's condolences late April 5 for the deaths amidst widespread pot-banging protests. [...]	2006-04-06 18:57:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM ELAB KDEM SCUL VE
06CARACAS944	VENEZUELA URBAN AND RURAL EXPROPRIATIONS CONTINUE [...] (SBU) Threats of rural land expropriations continue in Venezuela. The private agricultural landholders are suffering, as squatters occupy and destroy land under the complicit eye of authorities. The National Assembly also passed legislation allowing seizure of agricultural stockpiles in cas [...]	2006-04-06 20:59:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	ECON PGOV VE
06CARACAS958	EXPLAINING VENEZUELA'S COZINESS WITH IRAN, [...] (S//NF) Manifest in the public rhetoric of both countries, a shared hatred for the USG is the driving factor in the budding relationship between Iran and Venezuela. The BRV is favoring Iran with petroleum deals and other contracts that appear to make little commercial sense. Although rumors of [...]	2006-04-07 20:19:00	Embassy Caracas	SECRET//NOFORN	PGOV MASS PARM VE
06CARACAS959	MURDER PROTESTS DIE DOWN IN VENEZUELA [...] (C) After three days of mourning and protests over the tragic kidnap/murders of three Venezuelan-Canadian youths, Venezuela appears to be returning to normal. This latest spate of protests was unconventional in that it stemmed from social unrest rather than traditional political strife and th [...]	2006-04-07 20:55:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM ELAB KDEM SCUL VE
06CARACAS960	OSA CONVERSION: DUST STILL SETTLING [...] (C) SUMMARY: Companies are still negotiating significant provisions of their joint venture contracts. It is not clear if additional companies will drop out of the process. Negotiations on the signing of the conversion MOUs were down to the last minute. Vice Minister Mommer has stated his go [...]	2006-04-10 11:05:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET ENRG EINV VE
06EFTOCARACAS2252	MEETING WITH FINANCE COMMITTEE PRESIDENT RODRIGO [...] (SBU) Summary: EconCouns, accompanied by Econ Specialist, met July 12 with Rodrigo Cabezas and Ricardo Sanguino, President and Vice President, respectively, of the National Assembly's Finance Committee. During a 90-minute tour d' horizon, Cabezas said reform of the banking law was still und [...]	2006-07-31 14:56:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	EFIN PGOV VE
06EFTOCARACAS943	FONDEN: A BLACKBOX [...] (SBU) Created by the July 2005 Central Bank Reform Law, the National Development Fund (FONDEN) is the BRV's multibillion dollar off-budget fund. Established to pay for the foreign component of investment projects, pay down foreign debt, and pay for other special projects, FONDEN, as of March [...]	2006-04-06 20:44:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	EFIN ECON PGOV VE
07CARACAS1003	VULNERABILITIES OF THE VENEZUELAN ECONOMY [...] Summary: (C) Although Venezuela has a strong external position, we continue to maintain that the economy is very vulnerable in the next 12-30 months due to increasing economic distortions (caused by increasing statist/retrograde economic policies) that will eventually lead to an economic/finan [...]	2007-05-22 15:15:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN
07CARACAS1008	CHAVEZ WORKING ON MANY FRONTS, SLOW TO USE [...] (C) Summary: Since January, President Chavez has tried to radicalize and deepen his "revolution" on many fronts, nationalizing key sectors of the economy, politicizing the armed forces, pushing the creation of a single revolutionary party, and strengthening ties with countries such as Iran, B [...]	2007-05-22 21:29:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
07CARACAS1011	CTV TO WAGE ILO CREDENTIAL FIGHT/PDVSA BEGINS [...] (C) Summary. The opposition-linked Confederation of Venezuelan Workers (CTV) plans to contest the seating of leaders of the pro-government National Workers Union (UNT) at the May 30-June 15 International Labor Conference in Geneva. CTV Secretary General Manuel Cova, in his capacity as an inte [...]	2007-05-23 18:59:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ELAB PHUM PGOV EPET ENGR EINV VE
07CARACAS1014	MORE RCTV SOLIDARITY MARCHES AS MAY 28 APPROACHES [...] (C) Summary. Radio Caracas Television (RCTV) supporters took to the streets once again May 19 to protest the BRV's decision to revoke the broadcasting license of Venezuela's oldest and most popular television network, making it the largest demonstration since the December 2006 elections. Sepa [...]	2007-05-23 20:53:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV KDEM ELAB VE
07CARACAS1015	PPT: WHAT DOESN'T DESTROY US, MAKES US STRONGER [...] (C) Summary: A perhaps over-optimistic Patria Para Todos (PPT) Secretary General and National Assembly Deputy Jose Albornoz told PolCouns May 18 that he was confident his party would survive the current pressure to join Chavez' United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV),and would eventually [...]	2007-05-24 12:58:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
07CARACAS1016	RCTV CLOSURE: UNSUBSTANTIATED RUMORS OF VIOLENCE [...] (C) Summary. The Caracas rumor mill is in full gear as the BRV's announced May 28 date for the closure of independent broadcaster RCTV approaches. Most of these rumors are being fueled by President Chavez and other senior BRV officials who have alleged for several months that the opposition, [...]	2007-05-24 19:14:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV ASEC PREL PHUM VE
07CARACAS102	CONOCOPHILLIPS' CUBAN CONCERNS [...] (U) Action Requested: Please see Paragraph 5. 2. (C) SUMMARY: Petroleum Attache (Petatt) met with ConocoPhillips (CP) executives at their request to discuss a recent visit by a Cuban delegation to the Petrozuata strategic association. CP is concerned that PDVSA will try to use Petrozuata [...]	2007-01-17 21:01:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET ENRG EINV ETTC ECON CU VE
07CARACAS1030	FAJA NEGOTIATIONS: NO NEWS IS BAD NEWS [...] (C) SUMMARY: The BRV and international oil companies (IOCs) have not started negotiations to migrate the four Faja strategic associations despite the rapidly approaching June 26 deadline. ExxonMobil (XM)(strictly protect throughout) will send the BRV and PDVSA a red-lined draft contract. Howe [...]	2007-05-25 20:21:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	EPET ENRG EINV ECON ASEC VE
07CARACAS1031	POVERTY AND JOBLESSNESS IN THE BRV [...] (SBU) BRV data indicates that poverty and unemployment are lower today than they were in 1999 when Chavez came to power. The oil windfall and attendant massive government expenditures and transfers makes this a plausible contention. However, the BRV's National Statistics Institute (INE) seems [...]	2007-05-25 20:25:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	ECON EFIN SOCI VE
07CARACAS1033	IV PROGRAM INVITEES AND PARTICIPANTS OUTED [...] (U) Summary: During a press conference from Telesur headquarters May 25, Amcit Eva Golinger released names of prominent, mostly pro-opposition, journalists who had either been selected for or had participated in the International Visitors (IV) Program. She claimed the IV participants were US [...]	2007-05-25 21:30:00	Embassy Caracas	UNCLASSIFIED	PREL PGOV KDEM VE
07CARACAS1053	BILKING THE BRV [...] (C) SUMMARY: Venezuela's currency control regime and fixed exchange rate, administered by CADIVI, have become huge wealth generators for Venezuelans and foreigners playing the unregulated parallel market. As has been the case with previous currency control regimes in Venezuela, the current sy [...]	2007-05-30 18:25:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN VE
07CARACAS1054	RCTV CLOSURE, BRV FUELS GROWING INTERNATIONAL [...] (C) Summary: After 53 years on the air, Radio Caracas Television (RCTV),Venezuela's oldest network, ceased broadcasting at midnight May 28 and was replaced with state-run, "public service" station TVes. Despite the shutdown, RCTV's problems with the BRV continue unabated. RCTV management acc [...]	2007-05-30 18:56:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM PGOV KDEM SCUL VE
07CARACAS1055	RCTV CLOSURE: PROTESTS ENDURE, TEST BRV [...] (C) Summary: Pro-RCTV marches have continued since May 27 as university students and other RCTV supporters have held protests around the country, blocking major roads. While typically not large--up to several thousand participants--the demonstrations are widespread, occurring in Caracas and in [...]	2007-05-30 19:07:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM VE
07CARACAS1062	FIFTH DAY OF NATIONWIDE RCTV SOLIDARITY MARCHES [...] (C) Summary. On the fifth day of widespread and peaceful demonstrations, students and opposition groups took to the streets to register their displeasure with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela's (BRV's) decision to close independent broadcaster Radio Caracas Television (RCTV). The governmen [...]	2007-05-30 21:39:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM PGOV SCUL SOCI VE

07CARACAS1068	RCTV PROTESTS CONTINUE, BRV CONTINUES PRESSURE [...] (C) Summary: On May 31, students and other opposition groups continued protests over the closure of RCTV. Chavez supporters have sought to intimidate and attack marchers, and at least one student may have died as a result of clashes. National Assembly Deputy and Chavista march organizer Dario [...]	2007-05-31 21:53:00	Embassy Caracas	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM KDEM VE

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KT
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PNAT
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