Red Pepper's Venezuela Blog

Venezuela: the spectre of Big Oil

[PolEconAnalysis.org's Paul Kellog argues that ExxonMobil isn't suing PDVSA because it needs the money. The world's largest publicly traded corporation recorded profits of $40.6-billion (U.S.) in 2007, up three per cent from 2006's record of $39.6-billion. The truth is, ExxonMobil's ultimatum has more to do with politics than economics.]

 

Chavez, freed FARC hostages call for political solution to Colombian conflict

[Venezuelanalysis.com's Kiraz Janicle reports on Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's call for international mediation group to negotiate a humanitarian accord in neighbouring Colombia. Chavez's call follows a successful Venezuelan led humanitarian mission that secured the release of four former legislators held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), on Wednesday.]

President Chavez rejects anarchical attitudes of groups that say they identify with the revolution

[On Wednesday Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez rejected the anarchical attitudes of some groups that say they identify with the revolution.]

Prominent British Figures Call on ExxonMobil to Respect Venezuelan Sovereignty

[Below is a statement signed by 50 prominent figures representing a wide section of British society that expresses concern over legal action taken by oil giant ExxonMobil to prevent the Venezuelan government from exercising its right to control its natural resources. The statement is published in today's Guardian.]

ALBA: Creating a Regional Alternative to Neo-liberalism?

[Shawn Hattingh argues that the Bolivarian Alternative for Latin America (ALBA) offers real possibilities for future widespread alternatives to the current neo-liberal system.  This means that ALBA is of great symbolic value. It shows that there is an alternative to neo-liberalism, which the governments of the South -- including those in Asia and Africa -- could embark upon.]
Conclusion of the 6th ALBA Summit in Caracas, January 2008. Credit: Telesur

Red Pepper Venezuela Blog January 2008 Enews

[See below. This month we are giving readers the chance to win DVD copies of John Pilger's 'The War on Democracy' and a copy of Steve Ellner's new book 'Rethinking Venezuelan Politics: Class, Conflict, and the Chavez Phenomenon'. For more information click here.]

February 2008 Competitions

[See below for information on how to win DVD copies of John Pilger's 'The War on Democracy' and a copy of Steve Ellner's new book 'Rethinking Venezuelan Politics: Class, Conflict, and the Chavez Phenomenon'.]

Rethinking Venezuelan Politics: Class, Conflict, and the Chavez Phenomenon (New Book by Steve Ellner)

[Below is a slighly amended version of the first chapter of Steve Ellner's new book 'Rethinking Venezuelan Politics: Class, Conflict, and the Chavez Phenomenon' (Lynne Reinner, 2008). For more information about the book click here.]

Responding to The Observer’s Disinformation on Hugo Chavez

[The Venezuela Information Centre (VIC) respond to a piece in Sunday's 'Observer' by John Carlin entitled "Revealed: Chávez role in cocaine trail to Europe". Click here to see other critical responses to Carlin's piece. To see Carlin's 'Observer' piece click here.]

The Observer Exclusive: Hugo Chavez is President of Venezuela

[Toni Solo takes a critical look at a piece in yesterday's 'Observer' by John Carlin entitled "Revealed: Chávez role in cocaine trail to Europe". The BoRev.net blog also criticises Carlin's piece. Click here to read the BoRev post. To see Carlin's 'Observer' piece click here.]