AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Belize Life News The uprising in Venezuela

The Venezuelan government is bracing for more protests which have now spread to the capital, Caracas.� The United Nations, as well as the Pope speaking from the Vatican, has called for peace. The government today organized a peace conference inviting the opposition which is also organizing a women's rally led by congresswomen, Maria Corina Machado, and the wife of jailed opposition politician, Leopoldo Lopez. In the sustained uprising, dozens of persons have been injured, hundreds detained and at least thirteen persons have been killed during the protests.� The Venezuelan Ambassador to Belize, Yoel del Valle Perez Marcano sat down with News Five today to give his government's perspective on the crisis.

Yoel del Valle P�rez Marcano, Venezuelan Ambassador

"It is important to state that in Venezuela exists a political process, which was initiated by the victory of Commandant Hugo Chavez in 1999. This caused the displacement of the old elitist system, along with all its economic policies. As a result of this, there have been many institutional, democratic, political, economic and social changes in our society. Those sectors, which have been displaced from power, have resisted these changes, not only democratically, but they have also provoked revolutions in 2002 and strikes in the oil industry, which is our main industry, with the aim of collapsing the government of Venezuela. They have also used violent actions and manifestations in order to erode and bring down the government.� At the moment Venezuela finds itself being attacked by minority groups from the Opposition in five states. They have blocked roads, burned public buildings, damaged private property and hindered public transportation. Our government has proved that these actions were initiated last year in September when they launched an economic war.� That sector that is responsible for the violence in Venezuela is a radical group of the Opposition. It is not the entire Opposition. The majority of the Opposition has been at the margin of that process, including the ex-presidential candidate, Capriles Radonski, who has claimed that he is not responsible. And we believe that he is not involved in these actions. The other traditional parties, such as Democratic Action and COPEI, have also distanced themselves from all this, even though they do not agree with the policies of our government. It is important to note that this commotion is concentrated in five states and eighteen municipalities. We have twenty-four states and three hundred and thirty-six municipalities. This means that the majority of Venezuelans are working, going to school and going about their daily way of life."

Channel 5

Important for Belizeans to note our fuel accommodation deal with Venezuela as well as the vital eye surgeries, all expenses paid including air, gifted by Venezuela to Belize and other countries in the region. Anyone thinking of doing the surgery, do it now

PM speaks on uprising in Venezuela

There is currently civil unrest which has resulted in numerous casualties in Venezuela, as troops mass to quell anti-government protests. Normally, while that would be cause for interest and commiseration it wouldn't enter the realm of serious concern locally. But there is, not least because the entire infrastructure works being carried out today are being funded by the Petrocaribe initiative, made possible by the largesse of Venezuela.� The initiative, however, is dependent on the stability of the Venezuelan government. Prime Minister Dean Barrow spoke on the situation in Venezuela, stating that, as a nation, Belize cannot support any move to oust a constitutionally elected government.

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

"Naturally, we've been observing the situation with a great deal of disquiet because whenever you are seeing images of violence and whenever you are hearing death tolls that reach in excess of a dozen, by last count, you have to be concerned. Venezuela is a sister country, a member of the O.A.S. and we do have the excellent bilateral relations with them. I'm not quite sure what happens in terms of the possibility of some kind of external effort at conciliation mediation. There is a suggestion coming from Panama that the O.A.S. at the Foreign Minister level should try to mount some sort of a mission. I believe there is a resistance to that on the basis that the O.A.S. is dominated by the United States of America-something that I don't particularly accept. All I will say is that we are ready, perhaps anxious, to be part of any initiative that could help to broker some kind of understanding going forward. We, I am not going to�.there are Belizeans with Venezuelan roots that view what is happening very passionately and would like to see this government take a particular stand. I will say this; by however narrow a margin, Maduro was legitimately elected. We cannot support any notion of the illegal removal of a constitutional government."

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Venezuelan Ambassador says uprising does not affect PetroCaribe

Violent protests continue to rock Venezuela, where the government is coming under heavy pressure from opposition parties. But according to news reports, even as the unrest continues, a rift between the two main opposition leaders has been exposed. On Wednesday, the Venezuelan Ambassador spoke about the uprising, tonight he tells us about the Petrocaribe Agreement and if it will continue to flow to some eighteen countries given Venezuela's economic woes.

Yoel del Valle P�rez Marcano, Venezuelan Ambassador (Translated)

"We believe that the events that are taking place in Venezuela will not affect the development of Petro Caribe as an oil provider to countries which are capable of paying to the program. In the first place, this is our government's firm decision to maintain a program that is essential, not only to economies of our neighboring countries, but also to our political stability. If Petro Caribe would cease to exist, then that would affect job creation, economic development and political stability. Last November, we approved in Nicaraguathe creation of a Petro Caribe Economic Zone, which not only includes the 18 countries of Petro Caribe, but also the member countries of ALBA that were not a part of Petro Caribe. The purpose of this is to develop five fundamental initiatives for the region:in transportation, infrastructure, education, tourism and agriculture. Those who wish to eliminate Petro Caribe are those who are in Opposition. They believe that Petro Caribe's functionis to give away our petroleum. But the fact is that all the governments that form part of Petro Caribe need to fulfill their agreements on a long-term basis. The relationship we have with Belize is an excellent one. Last September we negotiated the provision of four thousand five hundred barrels of oil daily. At the moment it is only diesel, but soon we will be providing other oil�bi-products to Belize. Belize has been very responsible in its obligations to Petro Caribe. In March, the president of PDV Caribe will be coming to Belize in order to negotiate some new business opportunities with the country of Belize."

Channel 5