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      <title>Venezuela forums on Poorbuthappy.com</title>
      <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/</link>
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         <guid isPermaLink="true">http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/venezuelachavezas-seen-thru-the-lenses-of-manchester-guardian/</guid>
		 <title>Venezuela/Chavez......as seen thru the lenses of Manchester Guardian</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/venezuelachavezas-seen-thru-the-lenses-of-manchester-guardian/</link>
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<p>By treedoc on Mar 19, 2010, 12:13.</p>
		 
		 http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2010/mar/18/venezuela-election
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         <guid isPermaLink="true">http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/visa-required-for-colombian-nationals/</guid>
		 <title>Visa required for colombian nationals?</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/visa-required-for-colombian-nationals/</link>
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<p>By brunito on Mar 15, 2010, 06:29.</p>
		 
		 Hi

This question has probably been asked dozens of times but...

Do colombian nationals require a tourism visa for a trip to Venezuela? Or, is a valid passport sufficient?

Thanks
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         <guid isPermaLink="true">http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/venezuela-seizes-2-tons-of-cocaine-hidden-at-port/</guid>
		 <title>Venezuela seizes 2 tons of cocaine hidden at port</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/venezuela-seizes-2-tons-of-cocaine-hidden-at-port/</link>
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<p>By goin_south on Mar 14, 2010, 21:33.</p>
		 
		 from the AP, updated 6:06 p.m. CT, Sat., March. 13, 2010

CARACAS - A Venezuelan police official says security forces have seized two tons of cocaine that was intended to be smuggled to the Netherlands.

Federal Police Chief Wilmer Flores Trosel says the drugs were hidden in two bulldozers at a port in the central state of Carabobo.

An Information Ministry statement released Saturday quotes Trosel as saying the bulldozers sat in the port for about five months because they didn't have the required export documents.
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         <guid isPermaLink="true">http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/political-asylum---venezuela/</guid>
		 <title>political asylum - venezuela</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/political-asylum---venezuela/</link>
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<p>By whoajo on Jan 14, 2010, 01:43.</p>
		 
		 I wanted to ask if anybody knows of any organisations or bodies (except from the foreign ministry offices of particular countries) that a foreign national living in Venezuela can turn up to if they are unhappy with the political situation of the country, namely with the political regime that operates in Venezuela, and no longer want to stay there. Thank you
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         <guid isPermaLink="true">http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/venezuela-faces-risk-of-devastating-power-collapse/</guid>
		 <title>Venezuela faces risk of devastating power collapse</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/venezuela-faces-risk-of-devastating-power-collapse/</link>
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<p>By scumbuster on Jan 9, 2010, 16:31.</p>
		 
		 Venezuela faces risk of devastating power collapse
 
By FABIOLA SANCHEZ, Associated Press Writer Fabiola Sanchez, Associated Press Writer – Sat Jan 9, 3:29 pm ET

CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuela is at risk of a devastating power collapse as drought pushes water levels precariously low in the country's biggest hydroelectric dam, posing a serious political threat for President Hugo Chavez.
Chavez on Friday said his government is determined to keep Guri Dam from falling to a critical level where the turbines start to fail in the next several months. He has also imposed rationing measures that include penalty fees for energy overuse, shorter workdays for many public employees and reduced hours for shopping malls.
The entire South American country of 28 million people depends to a large degree on the massive Guri Dam, which holds back the Caroni River in southeastern Bolivar state. It supplies 73 percent of the country's electricity by feeding the massive Guri hydroelectric plant — the world's third-largest in power output — along with two other smaller plants.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/lt_venezuela_electricity
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         <guid isPermaLink="true">http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/venezuelas-bolivar-devaluated/</guid>
		 <title>Venezuela´s Bolivar devaluated</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/venezuelas-bolivar-devaluated/</link>
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<p>By JGD on Jan 9, 2010, 06:52.</p>
		 
		 In a direct hit to the poor, private sector (raw material importers) and inflation, Chavez waited until 5 pm on Friday to announce a fixed double exchange rate.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100109/wl_nm/us_venezuela_economy_1;_ylt=AjbyXTcifdv6ngC1iQ_JYU.9IxIF;_ylu=X3oDMTE2ZWE0YjRhBHBvcwMzBHNlYwN5bi1yLWItbGVmdARzbGsDZXYtdmVuZXp1ZWxh

President Hugo Chavez devalued Venezuela's bolivar currency on Friday, attempting to resuscitate local production but running the risk of worsening inflation in the South American oil-exporter's flagging economy.
Facing a recession and galloping prices in the 11th year of his presidency, Chavez had long been pressured by business for an adjustment of the over-valued exchange rate, but was not expected to make the move so close to an election.
Venezuela votes for a new National Assembly in September.
The move will likely boost the state's bolivar revenues from oil and help local exporters, but add pressure on prices, which soared 25 percent in 2009, the highest in the Americas.
The bolivar had been fixed at 2.15 to the dollar since 2005 as part of Chavez's strict controls of Venezuela's economy in line with his "21st century socialism" policies.
But Chavez, in a live address on state TV, said the bolivar would now have two levels -- a preferential rate of 2.6 per dollar for essential imports like food, health and machinery and a 4.3 "petro-dollar" rate for other things.
"This has several objectives, to revive the productive economy, strengthen the Venezuelan economy, slow imports that are not strictly necessary and at the same time ... stimulate production for exports," he said.
"Venezuela has to be a country which exports more than just oil."
Widely considered to have been overvalued for several years, the bolivar also trades on a tolerated parallel black market and will continue to do so.
Ahead of Friday's announcement, the bolivar weakened during the day from about 5.90 to 6.10 to the dollar in parallel trade, on the rumors of a devaluation.
ELECTION COMING
Chavez, whose self-styled revolution since coming to power in 1999 has sharply polarized Venezuela's 28 million people, hopes to stave off an opposition effort to overturn his majority in the September vote.
The devaluation could stoke social tensions and weigh on his ratings, now at about 50 percent.
Asked how the devaluation would impact inflation, Venezuelan Finance Minister Ali Rodriguez told state TV it could add "three to five" percent to the annual rate. It was not clear if he meant percentage points.
Local economists said the main risk from the devaluation was further price pressures. "Among the disadvantages is the inflationary effect," said Pavel Gomez, of local business institute IESA.
But the government hopes the inflationary impact of the devaluation will be offset by subsidies to food and gasoline prices, provision of some free services including health clinics, and frequent increases to the minimum wage.
At the 4.3 percent rate the bolivar is 50 percent weaker, while the 2.6 rate represents a devaluation of 17.3 percent.
Venezuela last devalued its currency in 2005, to 2,150 bolivars per dollar from 1,920 bolivars. In 2008, it re-denominated the currency, lopping off three digits.
Venezuela's economy is estimated to have shrunk 2.9 percent in 2009, and officials are hoping for moderate growth at the very best this year.
"When you depend on oil and you keep increasing spending on social programs and you hold the exchange rate at that level, you are clearly going to have monetary and fiscal deterioration," a New York-based source at a major global bank said just before the devaluation as rumors grew.
"Maybe he didn't want to do this sooner because he doesn't want to show weakness."
The devaluation will affect neighboring Colombia's economy, already hit hard by diplomatic strife with Venezuela as Chavez has clamped down on bilateral trade in protest over a military cooperation deal signed by Washington and Bogota in October.
"All our exports to Venezuela will increase in price overnight," said Camilo Perez, chief economist at Banco de Bogota in Colombia. "This will be true of all countries that export to Venezuela, but Venezuela is Colombia's second biggest trade partner, so the impact will be significant here."
(Additional reporting by Patricia Rondon and Frank Jack Daniel in Caracas; Daniel Bases in New York; Hugh Bronstein in Bogota; Editing by Gary Hill)
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		 <title>A honest opinion?</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/a-honest-opinion/</link>
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<p>By cazadorez on Jan 8, 2010, 21:59.</p>
		 
		 I truly would like to visit Venezuela but I am hesitant. I am Latino descent but born in the USA and speak spanish fluently and look like an average Latino.  I am from LA and I am very street smart, So with that said. How safe is Venezuela......I have been to Colombia and have been in rough neighborhoods and I have always been ok with no issues.......Can I expect the same in Venezuela or are the folks a little rougher over there?  My vacations are purely for adventure and fun and I do alot of RHUMBA and partying......

Is the nightlife similar to Cartagena and Medellin? Do the nationals accept outsiders?

Please only serious answers for this is a serious question?

Thanks in advance!
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         <guid isPermaLink="true">http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/venezuela-devalues-currency-for-1st-time-since-05/</guid>
		 <title>Venezuela devalues currency for 1st time since '05</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/venezuela-devalues-currency-for-1st-time-since-05/</link>
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<p>By cazadorez on Jan 8, 2010, 21:48.</p>
		 
		 So  what does this do for the friendly traveler...will you dollats go farther while in Venezuela? Or during the currency exchange will you get the hit?  SEE BELOW

CARACAS, Venezuela – President Hugo Chavez announced a currency devaluation Friday for the first time since 2005, setting a two-tiered exchange rate designed to help Venezuela's oil earnings go farther domestically while holding down prices of priority imports like food to counter soaring inflation.

Chavez said the bolivar will now have two government-set rates: 2.60 to the dollar for transactions deemed priorities by the government, and 4.30 to the dollar for other transactions. The devaluation dropped the currency's value by 17 percent or 50 percent, depending on the tier.

The higher rate, which he called the "oil dollar," will double the paper value of Venezuela's petroleum earnings when converted to local currency. Oil accounts for about half the government budget, but that income has been squeezed by lower world oil prices and declines in output in the last year.

Chavez said the priority exchange rate will be allotted for food, health care products, school supplies, machinery and equipment for economic development, among other things.

He said the new rates aim to boost the economy — which fell into a recession last year after five years of oil-fueled growth — while also "braking imports that are not strictly necessary and stimulating export policy."

Imports that will fall under the less favorable rate include automobiles, telecommunications goods, computers, appliances, alcohol and tobacco.

The currency's official exchange rate has been held steady by the government at 2.15 bolivars to the dollar since 2005.

Abelardo Daza, an economist and professor at Caracas' IESA business school, said he believes the government is seeking to make up for lost income due to declining oil production, and also to offset the larger amounts of fuel that will need to be dedicated to oil-fired power plants after water levels in the country's main hydroelectric dam plunged to dangerous lows amid a drought.

Chavez will also be looking spend more this year to help boost his allies' chances ahead of congressional elections, Daza said.

"The diminished (oil) exports together with the need to obtain more bolivars for an election year are the two big motivations for the government to adjust the exchange rate," said Daza, who predicted that government income would be about 30 percent higher than budgeted, allowing more spending that will in turn boost the economy.

The country is currently struggling with 25 percent inflation, the highest in Latin America.

And while the devaluation will spur even higher inflation, the government apparently decided it was convenient to do it now rather than closer to the 2012 presidential elections, Daza said. The government also apparently decided a two-tiered rate would be easier to administer than keeping a single rate and trying to subsidize priority imports, Daza said.

The currency devaluation is expected to have a mainly domestic impact, and limited effect internationally. The government has maintained strict currency exchange controls during 2003 to try to contain capital flight, and has set a fixed exchange rate that overstated the bolivar's value on the black market and in bond trading.

Chavez also said the government and the Central Bank will intervene in the lucrative parallel bond market, where the rate has been hovering at about 6 bolivars to the dollar, nearly one-third the official rate. He did not give details about what actions the government would take.

Economist Pedro Palma, founder of the Caracas consulting firm MetroEconomica, said the government was forced to accept that such a large disparity between the official exchange rate and the parallel trading rate was no longer viable.

"Inflation is going to shoot up, but it's a necessity to correct a tremendous accumulated imbalance," Palma said. "I think what the government has had to accept is that the currency distortion can't be sustained anymore. It's absurd."

He likened the situation to a pressure cooker, saying the government opted to let out some steam to prevent an explosive result later on — even as the new rates still inflate the bolivar well above market rate.

Venezuela previously tried a two-tiered exchange rate in the 1980s, long before Chavez's presidency, but later returned to a single, fixed rate after currency-trading corruption soured public opinion.

By IAN JAMES, Associated Press Writer Ian James, Associated Press
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		 <title>Crossing into Venezuela overland via Maicao</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/crossing-into-venezuela-overland-via-maicao/</link>
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<p>By knoxseagle on Jan 2, 2010, 13:12.</p>
		 
		 Hello,

So I´ve been living in Medellin since August, roughly 4 and a half months now. I´ve been renewing my tourist visa every 30 days for about the past three months. I believe that one cannot stay in Colombia for more than 180 days consecutively, and not more than 180 days in a calendar year... Please correct me if that is wrong, but that´s what I´ve heard.

So having come here in mid-August, it seems that I would have to leave Colombia by the middle of February so I do not stay more than 180 days consecutively. I believe I could then re-enter and stay until the end of June, for a total of 180 days in 2010. Hopefully that would give me adequate time to find a good job that will sponsor me for a work visa...

So here is my first question... I´m currently travelling in Colombia over the holidays. I´m in Santa Marta right now, and plan to move on to Tayrona NP, and all the way to the top of La Guajira Peninsula (Punta Gallinas). This would put me very close to Venezuela at the border with Maicao. Now if I went across the border and stayed in Venezuela for a few days (this would be in the middle of January), I could then come back to Colombia with a new 45 to 90 day tourist stamp in my passport obtained at the border, and I would be able to stay 180 days from the day that I re-enter Colombia. If my understanding of this is not correct, please let me know.

Question number 2... My plan would ideally be to cross the border into Venezuela at Maicao and travel by bus to Maracaibo. I´ve heard this is a sketchy and dangerous city similar to Caracas, and I plan to just pass through and take a bus to San Cristobal and Merida, two cities that do interest me. Since I probably have to travel south to Cucuta anyway from La Guajira, I don´t see why I couldn´t travel down that way through western Venezuela instead of eastern Colombia, see Merida and San Cristobal, and cross back into Colombia at Cucuta before making my way back to Medellin. My question is whether I need to be worried about safety at either of these border crossings, any of these cities (I know Maracaibo and Cucuta are bad, but I´ll just pass through them), or travelling by bus between Maracaibo and San Cristobal. 

If I´m in Venezuela can I exchange Colombian pesos or should I rely on USD? Will my American bank cards work in Venezuela without much problem? Is Venezuela more expensive than Colombia? How much should I budget for a 4 or 5 day stay?

Can I get a tourist card at the border, or do I need to arrange this at a consulate beforehand? I´m American.

I know Colombian bureaucracy is often at the whim of whomever you´re dealing with in immigration, but as far as it looks to others with experience, does this plan look solid, and more importantly safe?

Thanks for reading this, and for any helpful advice you can offer. I don´t have time to do a lot of research right now because I´m on the road, so if anyone has done something similar to this I´d love to hear from you. 

Thanks! John

knoxseagle at yahoo.com
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         <guid isPermaLink="true">http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/angel-falls/</guid>
		 <title>ANGEL FALLS?</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/angel-falls/</link>
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<p>By diabloblas on Dec 22, 2009, 09:53.</p>
		 
		 Kerepakupai-Merú,
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         <guid isPermaLink="true">http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/watch-out-venezuela----aruba-is-going-to-attack-you/</guid>
		 <title>Watch Out Venezuela -- Aruba is Going to Attack You!</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/watch-out-venezuela----aruba-is-going-to-attack-you/</link>
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<p>By LifeChange on Dec 17, 2009, 16:16.</p>
		 
		 Venezuela's chief petropayaso is always entertaining..

http://www.eltiempo.com/mundo/latinoamerica/ARTICULO-WEB-PLANTILLA_NOTA_INTERIOR-6801701.html
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         <guid isPermaLink="true">http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/chavez-blast-capitalism-on-the-world-stage/</guid>
		 <title>Chavez blast capitalism. On the world stage</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/chavez-blast-capitalism-on-the-world-stage/</link>
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<p>By elchantajista on Dec 16, 2009, 14:12.</p>
		 
		 In Copenhagen read the link http://www.thestar.com/iphone/news/sciencetech/environment/copenhagensummit/article/739523--blame-capitalism-chavez-tells-climate-summit
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         <guid isPermaLink="true">http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/wheels-of-revolution/</guid>
		 <title>Wheels of revolution</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/wheels-of-revolution/</link>
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<p>By tasco66 on Nov 28, 2009, 11:47.</p>
		 
		 Venezuela's anti-capitalist cars 

Wheels of revolution

Nov 26th 2009 | CARACAS 
From The Economist print edition

An example of socialist production principles—but not a good one

SELDOM, since the day Adolf Hitler gave the order to produce the Volkswagen, has a car been given such an explicitly ideological mission. But the vehicles that roll, occasionally, off the production line at Venirauto’s factory, west of Caracas, will free Venezuelans from the “yoke of capitalism,” declares President Hugo Chávez. The factory was opened with great fanfare by the president three years ago. It is a joint venture between Iran and Venezuela, which Mr Chávez predicts will turn his country into a car exporter. It is also intended to be an example of socialist production principles, although its workers see things a little differently.

In December they downed tools over the company’s refusal to negotiate a collective contract. Their wages, even at the grossly overvalued official exchange rate, are worth around $25 a day. They complained of poor safety conditions and exploitative work practices. Their supposedly socialist employer refuses to recognise trade unions and has ignored the labour ministry’s order to reinstate sacked union activists.

Venirauto’s cars are rehashes of clapped-out 1980s models from the imperialist West. The Turpial, a five-door hatchback, is based on the Ford Festiva, while the Centauro saloon is a clone of the Peugeot 405, though both are fitted with a conversion kit allowing them to run on natural gas. Their capitalist-busting claims are based on price: they undercut rival models by around 50%. If you can get one, that is.

The plant has a production capacity of 25,000 vehicles a year, but is struggling (even by official admission) to produce 10,000. There is no dealer network, and no credit facilities are offered—unless Mr Chávez personally orders a batch of cars for some favoured group of public employees.

Perhaps it is just as well that the 30,000 customers the government says are waiting for an anti-capitalist car should learn to do without one. When not praising the Turpial and the Centauro, Mr Chávez has been known to rail against the whole concept of car ownership. “The urge to get a car,” he told students on one occasion, “is poison to the human soul”. With that, he got into his limousine and rode off.

http://www.economist.com/world/americas/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14969108
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		 <title>That`s the real reason, why Chavez goes crazy in relation of the use of the bases.</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/thats-the-real-reason-why-chavez-goes-crazy-in-relation-of-the-use-of-the-bases/</link>
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<p>By makopp5 on Nov 27, 2009, 13:19.</p>
		 
		 Colombia claim FARC and ELN are hiding in Venezuela
Friday, 27 November 2009 10:06 Ashley Hamer

gabriel silva, ministro defensa, colombia news, Ecuador, Venezuela, eln, farc

Colombia's Defence Minister claimed Friday that ELN and FARC guerrilla bosses are seeking refuge in Venezuela.

The Minister, Gabriel Silva, said that he had reason to believe three of the five ELN bosses and at least one FARC chief were currently conducting activities and seeking refuge in the Venezuelan jungle.

Amid the diplomatic crisis taking place between Colombia and Venezuela, Silva announced that "the frontier line has turned into an unbreachable wall for justice," in a report by newspaper El Espectador.

The Minister said "the problem is not the utilization [by illegal groups] of territory" in another country, but the "will to fight them". Colombia has accused Venezuela of not putting effort into combating guerrillas.

Silva added that the FARC boss believed to be leading the guerrilla movement's eastern front from Venezuela was Ivan Marquez.

In an interview with Caracol Radio, Silva emphasized that if the Colombian government were to discover the exact whereabouts of these subversive groups, they would under no circumstances conduct an operation similar to that made against the camp of FARC leader 'Raul Reyes' in March 2008 (which resulted in the costly rupture of diplomatic relations with Ecuador).

Silva stated that instead, President Alvaro Uribe has given the order that "all necessary allegations" be raised at international level in order to deal with any future cases regarding guerrilla activities in Colombia's neighbouring countries.

The minister defended Colombia's security achievements, claiming that in 2002 there were some 30,000 FARC members, whereas today the number is less than 10,000, with their control centres located outside Colombia's borders.
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         <guid isPermaLink="true">http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/commentary----chavez-desperate-delusional-and-dangerous/</guid>
		 <title>Commentary — Chavez: Desperate, Delusional, and Dangerous</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/commentary----chavez-desperate-delusional-and-dangerous/</link>
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<p>By tasco66 on Nov 26, 2009, 09:22.</p>
		 
		 Posted by SAMUEL GREGG 
on WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
It’s ironic – and tragic – that as the world celebrates the twentieth anniversary of Communism’s defeat in Europe, the comic-opera that is Hugo Chavez’s “21st century socialist” Venezuela is descending to new lows of absurdity. Beneath the buffoonery, however, there’s evidence that life in Venezuela is about to take a turn for the worse.

By buffoonery, I mean President Chavez’s decidedly weird statements of late. These include threatening war against Columbia, advising Venezuelans that it is “more socialist” to shower for only three minutes a day, telling his fellow citizens to eat less because “there are lots of fat people” in Venezuela, eulogizing convicted murderer Carlos the Jackal as “a revolutionary fighter”, defending Zimbabwean dictator Robert Mugabe as a “brother”, and wondering whether Idi Amin was so bad after all.

It’s not unusual for Latin American caudillos to say things that suggest a growing detachment from reality. The truth, however, is that for all Chavez’s eccentricities, it would be a mistake to dismiss these comments as nothing more than egomaniacal ravings.

It’s no coincidence that the noticeable uptick in Chavez’s verboseness corresponds to a radical downturn in Venezuela’s economy. On November 17th, Venezuela’s central bank announced that the country had experienced its second quarter of negative growth. In other words, Venezuela is officially in recession. But while most politicians would consider this a cue for policy-change, Chavez decided to question the entire GDP methodology. “We simply can’t permit”, he said, “that they continue calculating GDP with the old capitalist method.”

One reason for Venezuela’s declining economic fortunes is the fall in global oil prices since July 2008. Given Venezuela’s heavy dependence on its vast petroleum resources, this was bound to affect its economy.

This, however, is exacerbated by deteriorating economic and social conditions throughout Venezuela that flow directly from Chavez’s “21st century socialist” policies. Amidst other data released on November 17, Venezuela’s central bank reported that private sector activity declined 5.8% and inflation was averaging 26.7%. Further complicating matters has been the drying-up of foreign capital. Outsiders are increasingly reluctant to invest in a country where nationalization of private property is a routine occurrence.

Then there’s the rationing. Chavez’s price-controls on goods such as agricultural products have undermined an indispensible element of a prosperous economy: i.e., free prices. Hence food, water, and electricity are increasingly rationed in Venezuela. Naturally there are ways to circumvent this, most notably the black market and corruption. But these merely contribute to Venezuela’s growing crime epidemic, as Venezuelans turn against one another in their daily struggle to survive.

In this light, some of Chavez’s recent remarks seem less odd and far more calculated. His exhortations to eat less and take shorter showers, for instance, sound like a man trying to rationalize growing shortages of essentials.

The same economic problems may explain Chavez’s efforts to generate foreign policy crises. It’s an old tactic routinely employed by most authoritarian regimes, and plenty of Venezuelans know it. The vice-president of Venezuela’s Catholic bishops’ conference, Archbishop Baltazar Porras Cardoso, for example, recently described Chavez’s recent war threats against Colombia as an attempt to cover up the grave crisis now engulfing Venezuela.

But Chavez is not simply relying upon conjuring up a parallel universe to legitimize Venezuela’s deteriorating economic situation. He’s also bolstering his position through increased repression.

This takes many forms. One is his regime’s habit of billeting soldiers on university campuses whose students demonstrate against Chavez’s policies. More recently, the government asserted total control over all schools’ educational curriculum. Protestors against this new educational law were taken into “detention for investigation”. As Venezuela’s Catholic bishops noted, this represents a reversal of the principle that people are normally investigated first before being arrested.

Given the Catholic Church’s prominence in highlighting the illusions and oppression increasingly used by Chavez to shore up his regime, it’s hardly surprising that his intimidation tactics are increasingly being directed against the Church.

Apart from the daily threats made against priests and now-routine public abuse of bishops by government officials, Chavez’s latest gambit is to threaten to confiscate Catholic churches, buildings, and other property in the name of “protecting the national patrimony”. Indeed, plans to this effect have already been announced for parts of the capital Caracas. The historically-aware will know that the very same tactic was employed against the Church by European Communist regimes after World War II.

But however much one might detest Chavez, he is not a stupid man. A fool would not have been able to gain and hold power for so long. Yet reality is starting to catch up with Venezuela’s leftist strongman. Unfortunately that’s no consolation for Venezuela’s long-suffering people for whom religious, political, and economic freedom are increasingly mere memories in a daily world characterized more by fantasy than truth.

http://blog.acton.org/archives/13103-commentary-chavez-desperate-delusional-and-dangerous.html
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		 <title>Hey El Payaso Chavez! The Empire Strikes Again!</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/hey-el-payaso-chavez-the-empire-strikes-again/</link>
		 <description><![CDATA[	
<p>By Miguel_Clavo on Nov 24, 2009, 18:06.</p>
		 
		 Venezuelan Boy Receives New Face
 
  A Venezuelan boy with disfiguring facial tumors has received reconstructive surgery thanks to an organization in New Hampshire. Alejandro Perez, 14, endured ridicule from other children and adults in his hometown and even avoided school, TV station WMUR reported. 
But a charity called Nobody's Child in Windham, N.H., arranged for Alejandro and his mother to fly to the United States, where surgeons in Massachusetts removed part of the tumor for free. "If they need help and if they're in dire straits and they're brought to our attention, then we do what we can when we can," Elaine MacEwen, executive director of Nobody's Child, told WMUR. Through an interpreter, Alejandro's mother, Maria Perez Yoco, said she hopes her son can have a new life now.
 
Link:

http://news.aol.com/philanthropy/nc/article/venezuelan-boy-receives-reconstructive/782005?icid=main|htmlws-sb-n|dl1|link6|http%3A%2F%2Fnews.aol.com%2Fphilanthropy%2Fnc%2Farticle%2Fvenezuelan-boy-receives-reconstructive%2F782005

<object width="400" height="373" data="http://turner.a.mms.mavenapps.net/mms/rt/1/site/cnn-cnnaol-pub01-live/1.52/cnnaolviral/cnnViralPlayer/client/cnnViralPlayer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" /><param name="allowNetworking" value="internal" /><param name="movie" value="http://turner.a.mms.mavenapps.net/mms/rt/1/site/cnn-cnnaol-pub01-live/1.52/cnnaolviral/cnnViralPlayer/client/cnnViralPlayer.swf" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://turner.a.mms.mavenapps.net/mms/rt/1/site/cnn-cnnaol-pub01-live/1.52/cnnaolviral/cnnViralPlayer/client/cnnViralPlayer.swf" height="373" width="400" allowscriptaccess="never" allownetworking="internal" /></object>  

Embedded video from CNN Video
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		 <title>Truth about Venezuela travel</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/truth-about-venezuela-travel/</link>
		 <description><![CDATA[	
<p>By autohog on Nov 3, 2009, 12:49.</p>
		 
		 I am in Cucuta, Colombia and I am thinking about flying out of Venezuela to the U.S. but all I hear are horror stories about Venezuela, the same as I did when I came to Colombia. I would like to know how "bad" or not it would be. I speak very little spanish.
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		 <title>Halloween in Merida, who wants to join us!!!!</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/halloween-in-merida-who-wants-to-join-us/</link>
		 <description><![CDATA[	
<p>By atil80 on Oct 29, 2009, 17:32.</p>
		 
		 Hello,

i was thinking to spend Halloween Saturday in Merida and Saturday to make a trip to Pico Bolivar, to the Mountains of Merida!!!

If somebody is interested let me know

my pm is atil_80@hotmail.com

wish all a nice Halloween Weekend
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		 <title>Chavez , his brainy self</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/chavez--his-brainy-self/</link>
		 <description><![CDATA[	
<p>By Loggi on Oct 2, 2009, 14:01.</p>
		 
		 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOVvVzZ5E4s
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		 <title>Courtney and Hugo</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/courtney-and-hugo/</link>
		 <description><![CDATA[	
<p>By nine inch nails on Sep 29, 2009, 11:59.</p>
		 
		 So what do you think?  Will they be an item?

Wonder what Kurt Cobain would think (jajajajaja)?
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		 <title>Is there a place to discuss tourism/ travel to VENEZUELA without mentioning its President?</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/is-there-a-place-to-discuss-tourism-travel-to-venezuela-without-mentioning-its-president/</link>
		 <description><![CDATA[	
<p>By LoveTheAmericas on Sep 26, 2009, 18:43.</p>
		 
		 Is there a place to discuss tourism/ travel to VENEZUELA without mentioning its President?

Why are those who don't like Chavez and wish to see a different Venezuela don't do something different rather than filling this website for tourism and intercultural change with bitter politics?

Please, don't take me wrong, but I really wanted to get the same sort of information on Venezuela that I can get about Colombia, Bolivia or Argentina.

PS/ Not a Venezuelan and not really into Chavez.

Thanks.
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		 <title>Hugo Chavez On Larry King Live Now</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/hugo-chavez-on-larry-king-live-now/</link>
		 <description><![CDATA[	
<p>By wolfttz on Sep 24, 2009, 18:14.</p>
		 
		 Is he popular in Colombia?
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		 <title>CHAVEZ IS SPEAKING LIVE to the UN!</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/chavez-is-speaking-live-to-the-un/</link>
		 <description><![CDATA[	
<p>By Paisa/Calena/Luver on Sep 24, 2009, 12:10.</p>
		 
		 Lets see what this nincompoop has to say!! Bafoon! jajajaajaj
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         <guid isPermaLink="true">http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/professional-industry-locator-in-chinaa-one-stop-shop-locate-buy-and-ship-to-any-part-of-the-world4/</guid>
		 <title>PROFESSIONAL INDUSTRY LOCATOR IN CHINA,A ONE STOP SHOP, LOCATE, BUY AND SHIP, TO ANY PART OF THE WORLD</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/professional-industry-locator-in-chinaa-one-stop-shop-locate-buy-and-ship-to-any-part-of-the-world4/</link>
		 <description><![CDATA[	
<p>By wellcch on Sep 12, 2009, 03:43.</p>
		 
		 We would like to be your eyes,hands and ears in China and our aim is to help and support your business in China. From the moment you get off the plane in China, you can contact us to arrange for all your business needs, you can count on us to be of help to you and your business. We will give you our best effort. We provide service with a smile and we are your best partner in China, Welcome to China; we will be waiting for you here. 

Services: Souricng, Interpreter,  Shopping,  Sightseeing, Dirver License, Company setup,

 Car service, Real Estate 


Lily Cao

 

PROFESSIONAL INDUSTRY LOCATOR IN CHINA
 

A ONE STOP SHOP, LOCATE, BUY AND SHIP, TO ANY PART OF THE WORLD

 

Email:wellcch@yahoo.com.cn

Mobile phone:8613692124260

Skype: wellcch

MSN:wellcch@hotmail.com

 

SMILE TO EVERYTHING AND MAKE EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE!
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		 <title>Congelan cuentas de allegados a Hugo Chávez</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/congelan-cuentas-de-allegados-a-hugo-chvez/</link>
		 <description><![CDATA[	
<p>By tasco66 on Sep 11, 2009, 15:45.</p>
		 
		 http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/venezuela/story/1226054.html
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		 <title>Best blog on Venezuela</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/best-blog-on-venezuela/</link>
		 <description><![CDATA[	
<p>By tasco66 on Sep 9, 2009, 06:10.</p>
		 
		 http://devilsexcrement.com/
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		 <title>Mercado Libre in Venezuela</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/mercado-libre-in-venezuela/</link>
		 <description><![CDATA[	
<p>By nmspicker on Sep 8, 2009, 10:50.</p>
		 
		 This question is for any one who has been able to sell to Venezuela via Mercado Libre from the U.S.

Question #1 Is it a requirement to be a resident of the country in order to sell to the country or can you sell from the United States to a Latin american country via Mercado Libre? 

I would like to sell in Mercado Libre. I tried signing up with them as a Colombian user so that I could sell in Colombia (I have a Colombian residence, and identification) therefore I provided valid information. However, I wanted to sell in Venezuela also because there is high demand in the country for the product that I am selling. 
Mercado Libre did not allow me to use my Colombian account to sell to Venezuela after trying to log in - I had to make a Venezuelan account, mind you I was not going to lie about my telephone or address so I used my Colombian information on the Venezuelan account. It accepted it, and I posted something immediately. 

A day later: 
Mercado Libre cancels my two accounts (I was notified I could not have two accounts, therefore they were permanently closed). I completely understand that. I then tried to set up an account for a friend of mine (an account to sell to venezuela, but with USA 
information that is valid for my friend, and with her consent). 

12 Hours later, Mercado Libre cancelled it after accepting the account letting us post something to sell. 

I then emailed Mercado Libre and requested a Universal Account, under my name, which I was informed by a friend is the only way to sell from the U.S. as well as have one username for all countries and sell to all countries via one account. I provided them with all my information (passport, address in US and Colombia, as well as even drivers license info and employer info) so they could see i am legit. I have not heard from them. 

So at this point: I do not have an account, I would like to sell immediately with them, but it seems I cannot penetrate their system because I have been previously blocked, or I am just missing something altogether. 

Question #2. Lets just say they allow me to sell to Venezuela and I have my product ready to go. Can I use PayPal? Or do I have to use MercadoPago and open up and account at Mercantil (A venezuelan bank) for direct deposits? I'd like to have this info squared away before continuing my pursuit for an account on ML. I live in Miami and there is a Mercantil here so I can open an account and accept direct deposits from Venezuelan buyer. 

I am so sorry this email is long, but as you can understand, my frustration stems from the fact that ML's website is utterly useless when it comes to guidance and clear direction if you are a seller wanting to sell from another country. They do not have a toll free number, nor do they have a chat and they take literally 24 hours to respond to any message. I am fluent in Spanish so language is not a barrier. 

Your help is greatly appreciated.
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		 <title>China:sourcing, interpreter,visa,driver license,canton fair,company setup</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/chinasourcing-interpretervisadriver-licensecanton-faircompany-setup/</link>
		 <description><![CDATA[	
<p>By wellcch on Aug 27, 2009, 06:56.</p>
		 
		 This is lily from Shenzhen, China, I am sure lily is your best choice in China, I am common lady, however, keep smiling to everything and make everything is possible. I enjoy working hard and very scare of wasting of time and money. all of these make me special for you.

1.Your eyes and ears in China and my aim is to help and support your business in China. From the moment you get off the plane in China, you can contact me to arrange for all your business needs, you can count on me to be of help to you and your business. I will give you our best effort.  find out right person to do right thing with right way, Lily is your best choice in China

2.Work with foreigner for 7 years, I worked in Johnson motor group which next to FOXCONN as administrative officer which position gave me much opportunity to cooperate with foreigner every day and every hour with very strict, efficient, flexible west management environment and also the way to communicate with different people from different country from boss, vice president to worker from 2002 to 2005

3.Start to be sales after Johnson in trading company for electronic products, such as mobile phone, memory card, Bluetooth, and accessories, construction products, furniture 

4.Travel to some cities of Mainland China for business trips with customer

5.Familiar with shopping and sightseeing places in Shenzhen, good communication and negotiation skill with factory. Familiar with international trade, Doing full time sourcing in Shenzhen for customer

6.Have experience for Canton Fair for business trip with customer

7.Have a driver who can be offered with good price daily with tight schedule and driver also can work hard.

8.Enjoy working hard and like to keep smiling to everything and make everything is possible

Lily Cao
 
Your eyes and ears in China
 
Email:wellcch@yahoo.com.cn
Mobile phone:8613692124260
Skype: wellcch
MSN:wellcch@hotmail.com
 
SMILE TO EVERYTHING AND MAKE EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE!
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		 <title>Caracas - Community: No Future For Jews In Venezuela Under Chavez</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/caracas---community-no-future-for-jews-in-venezuela-under-chavez/</link>
		 <description><![CDATA[	
<p>By tasco66 on Aug 24, 2009, 12:47.</p>
		 
		 http://www.vosizneias.com/37161/2009/08/24/caracas-community-no-future-for-jews-in-venezuela-under-chavez/
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		 <title>Is The Direct Bus Service from Santa Marta to Maracaibo any good?Safe?and do they help you cross the Border safely?</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/is-the-direct-bus-service-from-santa-marta-to-maracaibo-any-goodsafeand-do-they-help-you-cross-the-border-safely/</link>
		 <description><![CDATA[	
<p>By jc22ny on Aug 7, 2009, 16:20.</p>
		 
		 So I have heard Horror stories about crossing by land from Colombia to Venezuela By land and that border Guards are very corroupt and will try to scam you out of any money you have on you.My question is if You take the Direct Luxury Bus from Santa Marta to Maraicabo is it safer?do they help you with border formalities?(like collecting all passports &amp;amp; getting them stamped) or is there a better safer way of going between Santa Marta to Maracaibo by land?

Thanks
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		 <title>Dozens of radio stations shut down in Venezuela</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/dozens-of-radio-stations-shut-down-in-venezuela/</link>
		 <description><![CDATA[	
<p>By davidslc46 on Aug 1, 2009, 05:07.</p>
		 
		 CNN) -- At least 34 private radio stations in Venezuela were closed indefinitely Friday, and 206 more were at risk of being shut down, a government official said.

The stations were closed for various reasons, including expired permits and operation by unauthorized personnel, said Diosdado Cabello, minister of Public Works and Housing.

"Freedom of expression is not the most sacred freedom," Cabello was quoted as saying by CNN affiliate Globovision.

Cabello said the closings affected at least 11 states nationwide and 206 additional stations would shut down in the coming days.

Most station owners said the closures were politically motivated. The government of leftist President Hugo Chavez has cracked down on the media.

A "Special Bill Against Media Crimes" was introduced before the National Assembly this week, Cabello said, adding that he hoped the bill would pass.

The government has also heightened its battle against Globovision, the only critical private broadcaster in the nation. In June, it launched a fifth investigation into the network.

In early June, officials arrived at Globovision to accuse the station of not paying about $2.3 million in taxes for certain advertisements it aired in 2002 and 2003.

A few hours before, the government raided the home of Globovision President Guillermo Zuloaga, an avid hunter, to see whether he had killed any protected animals. It was the second raid on Zuloaga's home in two weeks.

"This is something to try to scare Globovision, to silence Globovision, something they are not going to achieve," Zuloaga said at the time.

RCTV, another independent station that criticized Chavez, lost its broadcast license two years ago. It had to go off the public airwaves and transmit solely on cable.

Other TV stations hung on to their frequencies by adjusting their editorial line, the Reporters Without Borders press organization said in its 2009 World Report.

Venezuelan officials have repeatedly denied any political motives. Chavez has labeled as "terrorists" any TV station owners who criticize the government.
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		 <title>Is The International Departure Tax ever Included in your ticket price or you always have to pay it seperatly at the airport?</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/is-the-international-departure-tax-ever-included-in-your-ticket-price-or-you-always-have-to-pay-it-seperatly-at-the-airport/</link>
		 <description><![CDATA[	
<p>By jc22ny on Jul 31, 2009, 11:25.</p>
		 
		 Just curious is International Airport Tax ever included in your Ticket or must you always pay it seperatly at the airport?
What is the current fee?does it vary from Airport to Airport?
Thanks
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		 <title>Arriving, booking flights, storing luggage with limited time.</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/arriving-booking-flights-storing-luggage-with-limited-time/</link>
		 <description><![CDATA[	
<p>By marqual on Jun 26, 2009, 10:55.</p>
		 
		 I haven’t booked any flights or tours yet, because would like to know what to expect.

I’m considering going to Venezuela on a Continental Air flight, arriving at 5:20 am.  How long does it usually take to get luggage &amp; go thru immigration?  
Is it possible to catch an 8:30am Los Roques flight out the same day thru the national airport? (I know they are next to each other)  
Would you advise purchasing the Los Roques ticket prior to arriving in VZ or morning of departure?
I will probably have a medium backpack for Los Roques and a larger suitcase I’d prefer to leave on the mainland due to charges for overweight luggage.  Is there a safe place to stow luggage at or near the airport?
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		 <title>Travelling venezuela to colombia</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/travelling-venezuela-to-colombia/</link>
		 <description><![CDATA[	
<p>By nfb24 on Jun 23, 2009, 08:56.</p>
		 
		 Hello

I arrive in Caracas with a friend in a week! We booked travel to Venezuela because it was all a bit last minute and we needed cheap, but we want to get to Colombia.

The UK Foreign and Commonwealth office advises against bus travel through the Colombia- Venezuela border unless it is at Cucuta, but we want to get to the coast. 

Any advice on whether it is currently dangerous to take a bus via Riohacha towards Santa Marta etc. or whether we should go inland first as the FCO suggests?

We would like to fly, but I think that's out of our price range now...

Thanks
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		 <title>Unfriendly Caracas airport</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/unfriendly-caracas-airport/</link>
		 <description><![CDATA[	
<p>By TravellerNorway on Jun 17, 2009, 04:45.</p>
		 
		 I have seen quite a few airports in my life, but Maiquetia "Simon Bolivar" is probably the worst I have ever visited. After 30 seconds in the check-in area, an unfriendly policeman starts interrogating me about my stay in Venezuela. He finally leaves, but 30 seconds after that another one does the same thing, just as unfriendly. He leaves as well, and while approaching the check-in counter, number three shows up after another 30 seconds. Two minutes of questions, but he is still not satisfied. I have to go to an office, where they do a body-check and then search through all my luggage.The funny thing is, they don't do a good job either. Seems like they work on commission or something. I actually got approached by a couple of others afterwards, but then I could show them the inc after taking my fingerprints. Well, I could finally check in! The area itself is not very nice-looking either, with plain concrete-walls, and the airport fee is also very high. Ok, I seldom get upset about much, and I was more amazed than annoyed though.

TN.
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		 <title>Fighting latifundio: expropiation of the land</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/fighting-latifundio-expropiation-of-the-land/</link>
		 <description><![CDATA[	
<p>By SoyElPueblo on Jun 4, 2009, 21:35.</p>
		 
		 I came across a youtube video where the president to Venezuela is announcing taking the land from its owners because they just use it to show off. "If you don't work the land, you loose the right to it"
It appears to be the real beginning of communism. What do you think?
http://tinyurl.com/rbtbth
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		 <title>I'm from Europe</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/im-from-europe/</link>
		 <description><![CDATA[	
<p>By olandezu on Jun 4, 2009, 10:24.</p>
		 
		 I read some of what you wrote about black money and understand that you pretty hard.I do not know how I can help but are willing to do that for you.I was in South America and I think you must be proud of you.If there is no North America that can live better.
Wait your ideas about the promised aid!!!!!!!!
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		 <title>Venezuela Chavez says "Comrade" Obama more left-wing</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/venezuela-chavez-says-comrade-obama-more-left-wing/</link>
		 <description><![CDATA[	
<p>By tasco66 on Jun 3, 2009, 11:44.</p>
		 
		 ARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez said on Tuesday that he and Cuban ally Fidel Castro risk being more conservative than U.S. President Barack Obama as Washington prepares to take control of General Motors Corp.

During one of Chavez's customary lectures on the "curse" of capitalism and the bonanzas of socialism, the Venezuelan leader made reference to GM's bankruptcy filing, which is expected to give the U.S. government a 60 percent stake in the 100-year-old former symbol of American might.

"Hey, Obama has just nationalized nothing more and nothing less than General Motors. Comrade Obama! Fidel, careful or we are going to end up to his right," Chavez joked on a live television broadcast.

During a decade in government, Chavez has nationalized most of Venezuela's key economic sectors, including multibillion dollar oil projects, often via joint ventures with the private sector that give the state a 60 percent controlling stake.

Obama has vowed to quickly sell off General Motors once the auto giant is back on its feet, but the government will initially control the company after a $30 billion injection of taxpayer funds.

Chavez, a vehement critic of the U.S. "empire," has toned down his rhetoric since Obama took office in January and the two men shook hands during a summit in Trinidad and Tobago in April.

http://www.reuters.com/article/ObamaEconomy/idUSTRE5520GX20090603?feedType=RSS&amp;feedName=ObamaEconomy&amp;virtualBrandChannel=10441
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		 <title>Dudamel in London</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/dudamel-in-london/</link>
		 <description><![CDATA[	
<p>By C5vzla on Jun 1, 2009, 19:52.</p>
		 
		 <object width="425" height="344" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/_El7qwib0dc&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" /><param name="allowNetworking" value="internal" /><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_El7qwib0dc&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1" /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_El7qwib0dc&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="never" allownetworking="internal" /></object>
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		 <title>Temp Job in Venezuela?</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/temp-job-in-venezuela/</link>
		 <description><![CDATA[	
<p>By marqual on May 27, 2009, 17:33.</p>
		 
		 I work for a multi-national company and a there is a chance to do a business trip to Caracas.  The job would last 1-2 weeks and would consist of working with locals in an office in El Rosal.  I would stay in a hotel and have a driver to/from the airport and to work.
I would love to see a bit of the city, maybe go out on the town once, and maybe do a 2 day trip to Los Roques at the end of the business trip.  I speak conversational Spanish.

I've read numerous threads on other sites about safety in Caracas, and know that safety is an issue.  I previously lived in Mariscal district of Quito for 7 months and have also travelled in Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina so I'm not completely clueless about safety in S.A. cities, but Caracas seems to be a scarier place.

Questions:
What do you think about this? Would you take this job? Any other advice?
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         <guid isPermaLink="true">http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/merida---exchanging-money/</guid>
		 <title>Merida - exchanging money</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/merida---exchanging-money/</link>
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<p>By njc on May 26, 2009, 13:40.</p>
		 
		 Because of safety, it seems better to exchange in Merida rather than at the border... but is it easy to sell dollars in Merida at the black market rate?
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         <guid isPermaLink="true">http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/venezuela-sends-uranium-to-iran/</guid>
		 <title>Venezuela sends uranium to Iran</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/venezuela-sends-uranium-to-iran/</link>
		 <description><![CDATA[	
<p>By tasco66 on May 25, 2009, 14:49.</p>
		 
		 First to the Farc now to Iran. This nutcase has to be stopped before it's too late.

JERUSALEM (AP) - Venezuela and Bolivia are supplying Iran with uranium for its nuclear program, according to a secret Israeli government report obtained Monday by The Associated Press.

The two South American countries are known to have close ties with Iran, but this is the first allegation that they are involved in the development of Iran's nuclear program, considered a strategic threat by Israel.

"There are reports that Venezuela supplies Iran with uranium for its nuclear program," the Foreign Ministry document states, referring to previous Israeli intelligence conclusions. It added, "Bolivia also supplies uranium to Iran."

The report concludes that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is trying to undermine the United States by supporting Iran.

Venezuela and Bolivia are close allies, and both regimes have a history of opposing U.S. foreign policy and Israeli actions. Venezuela expelled the Israeli ambassador during Israel's offensive in Gaza this year, and Israel retaliated by expelling the Venezuelan envoy. Bolivia cut ties with Israel over the offensive.

There was no immediate comment from officials in Venezuela or Bolivia on the report's allegations.

The three-page document about Iranian activities in Latin America was prepared in advance of a visit to South America by Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon, who will attend a conference of the Organization of American States in Honduras next week. Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman is also scheduled to visit the region.

Israel considers Iran a serious threat because of its nuclear program, development of long-range missiles and frequent references by its president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, to Israel's destruction. Israel dismisses Iran's insistence that its nuclear program is peaceful, charging that the Iranians are building nuclear weapons.

Iran says its nuclear work is aimed only at producing energy. Its enrichment of uranium has increased concerns about its program because that technology can be used both to produce fuel for power plants and to build bombs.

Israel has been pressing for world action to stop the Iranian program. While saying it prefers diplomatic action, Israel has not taken its military option off the table. Experts believe Israel is capable of destroying some of Iran's nuclear facilities in airstrikes.

Iran, under Ahmadinejad, has strengthened its ties with both Venezuela and Bolivia, where it opened an embassy last year. Its alliance with the left-led nations is based largely on their shared antagonism to the United States but is also a way for Iran to lessen its international isolation.

The Israeli government report did not say where the uranium that it alleged the two countries were supplying originated from.

Bolivia has uranium deposits. Venezuela is not currently mining its own estimated 50,000 tons of untapped uranium reserves, according to an analysis published in December by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. The Carnegie report said, however, that recent collaboration with Iran in strategic minerals has generated speculation that Venezuela could mine uranium for Iran.

The Israeli government report also charges that the Iran-backed Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon have set up cells in Latin America. It says Venezuela has issued permits that allow Iranian residents to travel freely in South America.

The report concludes, "Since Ahmadinejad's rise to power, Tehran has been promoting an aggressive policy aimed at bolstering its ties with Latin American countries with the declared goal of 'bringing America to its knees.'"

The document says Venezuela and Bolivia are violating the United Nations Security Council's economic sanctions with their aid to Iran.

As allies against the U.S., Ahmadinejad and Chavez have set up a $200 billion fund aimed at garnering the support of more South American countries for the cause of "liberation from the American imperialism," according to the report.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor refused to comment about the secret report. 

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D98DEPH80&amp;show_article=1
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		 <title>Hugo Chavez Cartoons</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/hugo-chavez-cartoons/</link>
		 <description><![CDATA[	
<p>By tasco66 on May 18, 2009, 10:40.</p>
		 
		 <img src="http://i39.tinypic.com/1oufb8.jpg" alt="1oufb8.jpg" />
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		 <title>Chavez promises to combat the “terrorist” press of Venezuela</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/chavez-promises-to-combat-the-terrorist-press-of-venezuela/</link>
		 <description><![CDATA[	
<p>By tasco66 on May 17, 2009, 06:42.</p>
		 
		 “Don’t be surprised if the government takes action against a few media which continue to practice terrorism”, said Chavez during a press conference in Buenos Aires where he arrived for a brief visit in support of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner administration.

His warnings follow instructions to his officials to begin legal actions against the “terrorist” media of Venezuela. 

http://en.mercopress.com/2009/05/17/chavez-promises-to-combat-the-terrorist-press-of-venezuela
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		 <title>1st time south america traveler in Venezuela....am i stupid? or can i survive?</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/1st-time-south-america-traveler-in-venezuelaam-i-stupid-or-can-i-survive/</link>
		 <description><![CDATA[	
<p>By sabound2 on May 14, 2009, 20:54.</p>
		 
		 Basically the title says it all I am going to be in venezuela from june 24th to july 1st. I am going to be with my boyfriend. We both have decent Spanish. However, we just kind of jumped into this quite naively   and now I am wondering if this is still a good idea. I would hate to cancel the trip, but so many people have alot of extremely dangerous things to say about venezuela.

What can we do there and be safe about it? and cheap :)
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		 <title>VenEconomy: Sequelae of a Revolutionary Robbery in Venezuela</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/veneconomy-sequelae-of-a-revolutionary-robbery-in-venezuela/</link>
		 <description><![CDATA[	
<p>By tasco66 on May 14, 2009, 07:50.</p>
		 
		 One of the latest disastrous decisions taken by the Chávez administration is the enactment of the Law Reserving Assets and Services Associated with Primary Activities in Hydrocarbons to the State, which was followed by the improper appropriation of oil service companies working on Lake Maracaibo and in eastern Venezuela.

During the oil strike (December 2002-January 2003), the oil company’s crucial processes were closed down gradually and with proper planning. What is more, the personnel responsible for those processes abided by the strictest safety standards so as to minimize any possible damage.

But when the government fired 20,000 of PDVSA’s professionals and started up operations again, it put personnel who were inexperienced but subservient to its project in charge of bringing the company’s complex processes back on line. These employees ignored elementary procedures and wrought considerable damage in wells and equipment, many beyond repair. The consequences of all this are well known: inactive wells, equipment out of commission and reduced to scrap, accidents resulting in deaths, and, above all, a huge cut in production capacity amounting to hundreds of thousands of barrels a day.

Now the government has abruptly confiscated the companies in charge of water, gas or steam injection, in the knowledge that these are highly complex processes. The government is fully aware that these processes require specialized, technically qualified manpower and that this was why the task had traditionally been outsourced to highly specialized companies, which have now been pushed aside. Now that PDVSA is to take on the responsibility of these operations, its lack of experience could result in a reduction of 1,050,000 barrels a day, or half the current level of domestic oil production claimed by the government.

The damage also extends to dozens of small and medium companies specializing in specific processes and with 20, 30, 40, and even 80 years’ experience, which have also suffered this revolutionary snatching of assets, generating unemployment and desperation in these productive regions of the country.

What nobody understands is why the government wants to kill the golden goose that has allowed it by buy loyalties and firmly establish itself in power.

Some say it is because PDVSA is bankrupt and does not want to pay the huge sums it owes. Others claim it is because the government is the sworn enemy of private property of any kind. And yet others believe that the government’s view of the world is short-term, biased, and omnipotent, which is blinding it to the black future it is creating for the country. Those who are inclined to think the worst believe this is the government’s way of getting back at a sector of the population that has refused to vote for it in every election that has been held and that what it is seeking to do is to bankrupt Zulia state in order to then take it by storm. Many more maintain that it is a combination of all the above.

On what everyone is agreed is that this new outrage is a monumental blunder that will only bring more lawsuits for PDVSA and the country in international courts, make borrowing more expensive or even result in PDVSA being excluded from credit markets, put the plans of some oil companies to invest in offshore production projects on hold, and further destroy the country’s production capacity, so hastening PDVSA’s collapse.

http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=334638&amp;CategoryId=13303
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		 <title>Kidnapped!</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/kidnapped/</link>
		 <description><![CDATA[	
<p>By quantum on May 13, 2009, 11:29.</p>
		 
		 Hot off the press, World PrVENEZUELA: "Express" Kidnappings All the Rage
By Humberto Márquez

CARACAS, May 13 (IPS) - Rosa M. was about to blow out the candles on her cake when the phone rang. Instead of another birthday greeting, she heard her coworker Gladys sobbing and asking her for financial help, because on her way to the party in the Venezuelan capital she had fallen prey to an "express kidnapping."

The small social gathering instantly became a collection centre for the ransom money, a little over 15,000 dollars. The cash was put in an envelope and taken to a street rubbish bin, and after an anxious wait the victim was freed, minus her handbag and belongings, but unharmed except for a few bruises. 

A couple, both professionals, were intercepted at the door of their apartment building in a middle class district of Caracas. They were driven all night long in their own car from one friend's home to another, collecting donations for their ransom. Every time their request was fruitless, their captors pistol-whipped them. 

The crime reports in major Venezuelan cities are increasingly filled with stories like these, "which are hugely under-reported, because many people won't make complaints for fear of being attacked again, or because they are discouraged by the scant interest the police show in investigating the cases," criminologist Luis Cedeño of Paz Activa, a non-governmental organisation working for public safety, told IPS. 

The criminals "know that the punishment for an express kidnapping is less than for conventional kidnapping (up to 20 years in prison), as it is defined as aggravated robbery with deprivation of freedom," and the sentence is hardly ever longer than eight years in prison, Cedeño said. 

In express kidnappings, also frequently used in Argentina and to a lesser extent in other countries of Latin America, kidnappers hold their victims for a short time, usually just a few hours, forcing them to get ransom money from their families or their bank accounts or credit cards. 

Express kidnappings have become popular among criminals in Venezuela because they are faster and easier to carry out, bring in money quickly, are less risky, and require hardly any infrastructure or research on the victims, since their own cars can be used by the perpetrators, experts say. 

"Collecting money from relatives and friends is the usual method, but in some cases the victims themselves raise cash by pawning their cars or motorbikes," said retired commissioner Fermín Mármol, a former chief of the judicial police who served as justice minister in 1993. 

Motorbikes, vehicles and recently even pets are also sometimes stolen and offered back to their owners for quick ransom money. But sometimes the property is not returned, even after payment. 

"The global boom in pets and the high value placed on animals as companions has encouraged aberrations, including rampant commercialisation, over-exploitation of breeding females, and crimes like these animal kidnappings," Cristina Camilloni of the Caracas-based Association for the Defence of Animals (APROA) told IPS. 

Joanna González said that in March, her little Schnauzer bitch was stolen from a park in southeast Caracas. The dogsnatchers found her telephone number, called her and asked for the equivalent of 1,400 dollars in ransom. 

She bargained them down to half that sum and left it in an envelope next to a fire hydrant as agreed, but she never got her pet back. 

Police sources say there is even a table of ransom rates. The thieves look for small breeds of dog, demand ransoms of between 1,000 and 2,500 dollars, and prefer bitches, which they can sell to breeders who sell puppies on the street. 

"Institutions like the Caracas city government are responsible, because they grant permission for dog vendors to use city spaces. For instance, a sports field near the APROA headquarters was taken away from the young people in the community, and animals are sold there without proper sanitary precautions, at highly speculative prices," Camilloni complained. 

The police do not investigate thefts of pets or of goods like cars, the recovery of which is left to the insurance companies. They have enough on their hands dealing with major kidnappings, according to experts. 

Cedeño said that the judicial police recorded 25 kidnappings in Venezuela in 1988, 50 in 1998, 67 in 2000, 200 in 2002, 279 in 2007 and 385 in 2008. 

So far this year, the National Cattle Ranchers Federation (FEDENAGA) has recorded 134 kidnappings. Fifty-nine of the victims have been freed, 33 have been rescued, four escaped, four died, and the rest are still being held by their kidnappers. 

The state of Barinas in the southwestern plains has had the highest number of kidnappings of wealthy landowners and ranchers according to FEDENAGA, with 35 abductions, followed by Zulia, on the northwestern border with Colombia, with 28. 

The judicial police have records of 166 kidnappings up to May 8 of this year, that is, more than one a day. 

In the last week of March and the first week of April this year, the judicial police rescued 16 victims, killed 14 kidnappers and captured another 24, according to Luis Fernández, the deputy director of this detective force. 

Cedeño says under-reporting may be as high as 70 percent, "which means that for every case reported, there are two or three more that go unrecorded, and the reason is that the bands of kidnappers are in collusion with the police. This is the first thing the families are told, to stop them from calling the police." 

This criminal "industry" has a turnover of tens of millions of dollars as, based on his investigations of many cases, Cedeño estimates that the average ransom amounts to about 118,000 dollars. 

What can be done? Criminologists call for an end to criminal impunity. In this country of 27 million people, where around 14,000 homicides are committed every year, less than five percent of murder cases result in conviction and sentencing. 

Experts have also recommended purging and restructuring the dozens of national, regional and municipal police forces, improving the administration of justice, and reforming the hellish conditions in the country's 32 prisons. 

Prison violence kills more than one inmate a day, in this country which was one of the pioneers of the abolition of the death penalty in 1863. 

Cedeño advocates urgent measures, two in particular: reactivating or revitalising anti-extorsion and kidnapping units in the main police forces, and forming integrated units with members of several police forces, to combat the collusion with criminals that exists within some of the police bodies. 

In addition, "kidnapping, the worst crime after murder, must stop being treated as a taboo subject," Cedeño said. 

He pointed out, as an example, that commissioner Sergio González, the head of the anti-kidnapping unit of the judicial police, was removed from office in July 2008, after reporting that 179 kidnappings had taken place in the first half of last year, 55 more than in the same period in 2007. (END/2009) 

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ess that is......
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		 <title>Venezuela no es Chavez, pls stop spamming the site</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/venezuela-no-es-chavez-pls-stop-spamming-the-site/</link>
		 <description><![CDATA[	
<p>By C5vzla on May 13, 2009, 09:41.</p>
		 
		 Venezuela no es Chavez !!!
Please stop spamming the site with links to antichavista propaganda.
This site is about tourism and Venezuela has a lot of assets to show.
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		 <title>Venezuela Seizes Assets of 60 Oil Services Companies</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/venezuela-seizes-assets-of-60-oil-services-companies/</link>
		 <description><![CDATA[	
<p>By tasco66 on May 9, 2009, 12:44.</p>
		 
		 http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-05-09-voa16.cfm
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		 <title>Venezuela's Chavez slams Obama</title>
         <link>http://poorbuthappy.com/venezuela/post/venezuelas-chavez-slams-obama/</link>
		 <description><![CDATA[	
<p>By tasco66 on May 9, 2009, 12:34.</p>
		 
		 http://www.reuters.com/article/featuredCrisis/idUSN08512628
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