News

On May 24, the United States’ State Department unilaterally imposed sanctions against Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA), accusing it of undermining the US sanctions against Iran by sending two cargo ships delivering US$50 million worth of reformate – a gasoline blending component used to improve the quality of gasoline. The sanctions, which will last for two years, prevent PDVSA from entering into contracts with the US government, and bar it from import-export finance programmes and obtaining licenses for US oil processing technology.

By Kiraz Janicke & Federico Fuentes

As the wave of popular uprisings has spread across the Arab world, a flurry of articles have appeared suggesting Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez could be the next “dictator” to be overthrown.

Such arguments follow a pattern in the corporate media of slandering the Chavez government and the revolutionary process it leads.

They aim to conceal the real threat that haunts imperialism: that the Arab world may follow the example of Venezuela and other countries in Latin America — and break away from Western hegemony.

By Alan Broughton

By FABIOLA SANCHEZ

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela ordered the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador on Tuesday to protest Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip.

President Hugo Chavez has condemned the campaign in Gaza, where nearly 600 Palestinians have been killed in ground and air strikes. Israel launched the attacks Dec. 27 to stop Palestinian militants from firing rockets into southern Israel.

January 7th 2009, by Venezuelanalysis.com

Boston, January 7, 2009-- Contradicting recent reports about the program's discontinuation, the U.S.-based and Venezuelan-owned CITGO Petroleum Corporation confirmed the continuation of its U.S. heating oil program, said CITGO CEO Alejandro Granado during a press conference here today with Citizens Energy Chairman Joseph P. Kennedy II.

Venezuela says it has sent an army Hercules C130 cargo plane bearing 12.5 tonnes of medical supplies and other materials for the besieged opulation of Gaza Strip.

The plane was headed to Cairo, where the relief aid would be
transferred to trucks for their overland trip to Gaza, President Hugo
Chavez said.

"We count on the support of the Egyptian Government and the United
Nations so this life-sustaining shipment can reach the Palestinian
people," Mr Chavez said during his Alo Presidente radio talk show.

Mr Chavez once again slammed Israel for "waging a Holocaust against

The November 20-30, 2008, Venezuela solidarity brigade organised by the Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network spent its first days in the capital city, Caracas, meeting community activists and hearing reports on the progress of the Bolivarian revolution.

On November 20, the 30 brigade participants from Australia, Canada and New Zealand heard talks from Green Left Weekly journalist and researcher at the Miranda International Centre (CIM) Federico Fuentes, as well as Professor Marcelo Alfonzo, the head of the Institute of Experimental Medicine at the Central University of Caracas.

A statement by the Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network
December 10, 2008

The Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network condemns the murder of Venezuelan trade unionist Simon Caldera, who was shot in Aragua state on December 4. Caldera was a leader of the pro-revolution Bolivarian Construction and Industry Union.

To President Hugo Chavez Frias

Congratulations on a decade of Presidency

Dear President Chavez,

The Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network sends revolutionary greetings and our heartfelt congratulations on the 10th anniversary of your election as President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

We are honoured to be actively building solidarity with Venezuela’s Bolivarian revolution among the people of Australia, and will continue to stand up proudly for the remarkable achievements of the Venezuelan people in your struggle to construct socialism of the 21st century.

A statement from the Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network
November 28, 2008

In the aftermath of the November 23 regional elections, Venezuela’s right-wing opposition has launched, in the states it won, an all-out assault on grassroots community organisations.