Venezuela News

CARACAS, Venezuela A union leader said Wednesday that Venezuela's government has decided to nationalize the country's largest steel maker, only days after announcing takeover of major cement companies.Carlos ... via WBMA

“They were infringing many things in the television and radio social responsibility law.”

Caracas - Venezuela has forced U.S. cartoon "The Simpsons" of its airwaves, calling the show a potentially bad influence on children, and filled its morning slot with reruns of the beach-and-bikini show ... via BruDirect

“It will be difficult, our hands are tied. Other activities that we could convert to are banned by international conventions or require more time, financial help, and other support from the state”

Trawl fishing is on its way out in Venezuela, amid demonstrations by artisanal fisherfolk who support the new law as amended by President Hugo Chavez. via Oneworld

Caracas, Apr 8 India and Venezuela representatives signed on Tuesdy an agreement to create the Indo-Venezolana Ltd joint oil company, with a view to operate in the San Cristobal bloc of the Orinoco Strip. via Prensa Latina

“They consider it to be a series that isn't appropriate for that time because it isn't appropriate for children.”

CARACAS, Venezuela - D'oh! A Venezuelan TV channel has yanked " The Simpsons " off the air because it may be inappropriate for children. via Hartford Courant

“I asked for them to be told that, 'No, what we're going to do is nationalize what was privatized'”

Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez made the announcement after talks with representatives of Mexico's Cemex SAB, France's Lafarge SA and Switzerland's Holcim Ltd. via SF Gate

Asia Pacific News.Net Sunday 6th April, 2008 Caracas, April 6 China and Venezuela have agreed to set up a joint venture in oil exploration in the South American country. via Asia Pacific News .Net

“The FARC consider the request for the release of Ingrid Betancourt unacceptable”

Analysis by Diana Cariboni MONTEVIDEO - Colombian and international media outlets reported Thursday and Friday that the FARC guerrillas had "ruled out" the release of Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt in an ... via Inside Costa Rica

“If the cement factories do not (sell in Venezuela), we will occupy them.”

In this picture released by Miraflores Press Office, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez gestures in front of products made in Venezuela during a meeting with his Cabinet at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas, ... via Kansas.com

The revolution does indeed work in mysterious ways. You have to wonder what would happen if they applied the same creativity they use in making money for themselves to real problems, how much better things will ... via The Devil's Excrement

“The transfer of power in Cuba from Fidel Castro to his brother Raul did not improve the status of the 25 journalists still in prison or the adverse working conditions of independent journalists”

CHICAGO Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's government is trying to impose by decree measures against freedoms of press and expression that voters rejected in a referendum last December, the Inter American Press ... via Editor & Publisher

Newspaper executives from across the Americas accused President Hugo Chavez on Saturday of harming media freedoms in Venezuela, warning that he is using "attacks and intimidation" to curb criticism of his ... via Carlsbad Current-Argus

“That sewer pipe should be left open”

Newspaper executives from across the Americas accused President Hugo Chavez on Saturday of harming press freedoms in Venezuela, warning that he is using 'attacks and intimidation' to curb criticism of his government.

The Inter American Press Association opened the second day of its midyear meeting in Caracas with stinging criticism of Venezuela's stance toward the media, even as Chavez supporters attended a parallel, government-organized 'Latin American Meeting on Media Terrorism' just a few blocks away. Read more

“Physicians should be aware that mental stress, such as the anniversary effect, may induce sudden death in susceptible individuals”

The anniversary of the death of a parent can trigger sudden death -- especially in men -- according to research to be presented over the weekend at the American College of Cardiology's annual meeting in Boston. via KLTV Tyler

“It's a conflict that is not ours, and we are not going to fight in the place of the Colombian armed forces.”

President Rafael Correa's outrage over Colombia's cross-border raid on a rebel camp in Ecuador has improved his popularity, strengthening his chances of gaining approval for constitutional reforms later this year.

Correa declared the incident over after rightist Colombian President Alvaro Uribe apologized and promised not to repeat such an attack at a summit of Latin American leaders.

But that detente has proven to be short-lived, and with the discovery that an Ecuadorean man was killed in the raid along with Colombian rebels and several Mexican leftist students, Correa is now threatening a new diplomatic offensive against Colombia. Read more

Venezuela's military bombs clandestine airstrips as part of anti-drug effort ELORZA, Venezuela Venezuelan combat helicopters and F-16 fighter have opened fire at a clandestine airstrip as part of a government ... via KXMA-TV Dickinson

“The most important thing is that there's going to be a great debate.”

President Hugo Chavez said Thursday he expects a 'great debate' this weekend as dueling media conferences dissect and defend Venezuela's stance toward the press.

The Inter-American Press Association, or IAPA, one of the region's largest free speech groups, kicks off its semiannual meeting in Caracas on Friday. A day earlier, Chavez backers opened the 'Latin American Meeting on Media Terrorism' forum to examine what they call slanted coverage of his government.

Chavez predicted that IAPA delegates 'are going to be saying there's a dictatorship in Venezuela,' while his supporters will explore issues including alleged links between media outlets and the U.S. government. Read more

Union Radio, Mar 25, 2008 .- The vice president of the Venezuelan Bishops' Conference, Archbishop Roberto Luckert of Coro, criticized a proposal by President Hugo Chavez to create Soviet-like commune cities ... via Global Catholic Network EWTN

Venezuela's National Assembly opened an investigation Wednesday into accusations that two of President Hugo Chavez's brothers acquired 17 ranches in recent years if true, a potential stain on the image of ... via International Business Times

“And if the father comes to reclaim his son, he's a terrorist, too.”

There is little chance Colombia rebels will free one-time Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt after that country's March 1 attack on a rebel camp inside Ecuador, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez ... via CNN