<nettime> More on Venezuela [2x]

[Ricardo Bello <aracal@well.com>]

Table of Contents:

   Venezuela -TV shut down by government                                           
     "Ricardo Bello" <aracal@well.com>                                               

   More on Venezuela                                                               
     Ricardo Bello <aracal@well.com>                                                 



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Date: Thu, 11 Apr 2002 14:16:55 -0700
From: "Ricardo Bello" <aracal@well.com>
Subject: Venezuela -TV shut down by government


The press coverage of around one million people marching against the
government was a success. Coronel Chavez, the President, then close all
private TV stations to prevent news reaching everyhome. So much for the
left in Latin America.

A link with new on the general strike:
http://www.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/americas/04/11/venezuela.oil.protest.ap/index.html



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Date: Thu, 11 Apr 2002 22:02:46 -0400
From: Ricardo Bello <aracal@well.com>
Subject: More on Venezuela

	So far, 12 dead by gunshot and 30 or so wounded in Caracas.
Several generals from the Air Force, Marine, National Guard and Army asked
the President to step down from office. Chavez called his loyal troups and
reinforce Palace surroundings. I don´t think he will give up that easily.  
This will be a long night for him, although I prefer he would make his
Gilmore´s statement in The Executioner´s Song by Mailer (or was it In Cold
Blood?). When a journalist told Gilmore it would be a very long night (he
was getting the death penalty at dawn), he corrected him, "Actually, it
will be the shortest night of my life." I don´t think Chavez deserves
death, or anyone else for that matter. In punishment, he should be sent to
work with Castro in La Habana, selling ice creams for the rest of his
life.

	Today was a peaceful march, many young and old people, children
even.  Armed circles close to the President (Circulos Bolivarianos they
are called) fired upon them. At first I was amazed CNN had nothing on
Venezuela (CNN in Spanish is running it), but it makes sense: Colin Powell
and Bush stand on Chavez has been clear. Venezuela democracy is not an
important issue, unless oil productions (basically for American markets)
is at risk.  Now, with our oil company on strike, maybe today´s killing
will make headlines. Still, democratic values are not conditioned to US
approval nor do they come easy, they have to be defended and fought for,
that´s today´s lesson.



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