lunes, 5 de agosto de 2013

100 días de incongruencias, improvisaciones y contradicciones en política exterior

Maduro cumple cien días en funciones y su actuación exterior ha sido incoherente, contradictoria y extraviada. 

Ha transmitido al mundo una imagen de país desorientado, debilitado y a la deriva. Su alejamiento de los preceptos y valores constitucionales ocasionan perjuicios innecesarios para la imagen y credibilidad del país. 

Ha caído en confrontaciones absurdas y gratuitas con naciones que han sido nuestros amigos y socios. 

A comienzos de año, pretendió normalizar las relaciones con EEUU, luego de un largo período de crispación que mantuvo las relaciones diplomáticas al más bajo nivel. El incipiente diálogo se suspendió pocas semanas después a raíz de unas declaraciones de la Subsecretaria de Estado Roberta Jacobsen que provocaron una desmedida y airada reacción del gobierno. 

Un segundo intento se llevó a cabo en Junio pasado en el marco de la Asamblea General de la OEA, en un encuentro entre el Secretario de Estado y el Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores. En paralelo, se designó a un Encargado de Negocios en Washington, a fin de conducir el diálogo político que, sopresivamente, el gobierno venezolano decidió “dar por terminados los procesos iniciados en las conversaciones 
en Guatemala, que tenían por fin la regularización de nuestras relaciones diplomáticas.”

El manejo del Gobierno del caso de Edward Snowden ha sido desafortunado en la forma, en el fondo y en el tono, debido a la manipulación de nociones equivocadas y a las contradicciones en su actuación internacional. En este sentido resultan inoportunas, incoherentes e incomprensibles las manifestaciones y ofertas de asilo de Nicolás Maduro como cabeza de un gobierno que de manera contumaz graba conversaciones privadas, irrumpiendo en la intimidad de una casa o de una oficina y después las divulga en los medios oficiales, en flagrante violación de disposiciones constitucionales que garantizan el secreto e inviolabilidad de las comunicaciones privadas en todas sus formas. 

Las bravuconadas contra líderes de otros países han sido también una práctica constante en estos primeros cien días de gobierno. Así pues el Canciller de Perú recibió una recriminación pública por haberse atrevido a hacer un llamado a la “tolerancia y diálogo” entre los venezolanos. Los insultos al Canciller Roncagliolo fueron seguidos de otras decisiones como la amenaza de retirar al embajador de Venezuela en Lima y el envío de una nota de protesta, si no se disculpaban “por la intromisión en los asuntos internos de Venezuela.”

En lo que significa una nueva escalada en el clima de confrontación, los más altos voceros oficiales han arremetido una vez más contra el Presidente del Gobierno español por sus vínculos con los sectores de la oposición venezolana, como consecuencia del inadecuado trato dado al avión presidencial del presidente Evo Morales. 

En ese mismo orden, a raíz del encuentro privado entre el presidente Juan Manuel Santos y Henrique Capriles, en mayo en Bogotá, el régimen puso en peligro, una vez más, las relaciones bilaterales colombo venezolanas. La reacción del oficialismo fue desproporcionada, grosera y altanera y para nada cónsona con las prácticas que deben regir el devenir de las relaciones entre dos Estados destinados, por la geografía, a entenderse. Aparentemente el incidente habría quedado saldado con el encuentro en Puerto Ayacucho, de hace pocos días, entre Santos y Maduro; no obstante, habrá que esperar para ver si en realidad este encuentro relanza las relaciones bilaterales colombo venezolanas y las coloca en el prioritario lugar de importancia que merecen en las relaciones externas de nuestro país.

En relación con la asunción por parte de Maduro de la Presidencia Pro témpore en MERCOSUR, cabe decir que en su discurso no pareciera haber cabal comprensión de lo que significa el bloque comercial. Quedó al descubierto el desconocimiento que sobre esa materia tiene el gobierno, cuando se sigue subrayando lo político-ideológico en detrimento de lo sustantivo. 

Finalmente, no por ello menos lamentable, es la actitud de cuestionamiento permanente a los organismos de tutela internacional de Derechos Humanos. El informe de la Comisión Interamericana presentado ante la reciente Asamblea General de la OEA celebrada en Guatemala coloca al gobierno de Maduro al margen del Derecho Internacional por negarse a cumplir con los fallos de la Corte Interamericana. “El Estado no puede poner como justificación de su incumplimiento una decisión de un tribunal interno…La existencia de una decisión como la del TSJ, que considere que el fallo emitido por la Corte es inejecutable, desconoce los principios del Derecho Internacional sobre los cuales se fundamenta la Convención Americana.” 

En conclusión, podemos afirmar que estos 100 días de Gobierno de Nicolás Maduro, en política exterior, han sido erráticos e incoherentes, donde se ha privilegiado lo ideológico por encima de los intereses nacionales.

Caracas, julio de 2013

Venezuela Developments, July 2013

Political Issues

Bipartisan Group of Senators Introduce Resolution Supporting Democracy in Venezuela, Condemning Violence against Political Opposition
August 1, 2013 (US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations <http://t.ymlp207.net/bqavausmjhaaawsaiausq/click.php> )
Following Venezuela's highly contested presidential elections and in response to growing political polarization, sporadic acts of violence against political opposition members, and an absence of political dialogue, a bipartisan group of senators introduced a resolution supporting Venezuelan democracy, and condemning violence and intimidation against the country's political opposition. The resolution was introduced by U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman, and Sens. Rubio (R-FL), Nelson (D-FL), Kaine (D-VA), Udall (D-NM), McCain (R-AZ) and Kirk (R-IL).

Poll shows 45.1% of Venezuelans would vote Capriles
July 31, 2013 (El Universal <http://t.ymlp207.net/byazausmjhaoawsalausq/click.php> )
Regardless of the outcome of the presidential election held in Venezuela last April 14, a survey conducted by the Venezuelan Data Analysis Institute (IVAD), Government Management, and Political Situation, showed that 45.1% of Venezuelans would vote Henrique Capriles over 39.3% who said would vote Nicolas Maduro. Meanwhile, some 15.7% of Venezuelans did not make up their minds or did not answer to the question.

Capriles: Richard Mardo is not an offender
July 29, 2013 (El Universal <http://t.ymlp207.net/hsaxausmjhatawsaaausq/click.php> )
In solidarity with opposition Deputy Richard Mardo, who faces charges for suspected tax evasion and money laundering, Venezuelan opposition Governor Henrique Capriles said on Monday that Mardo has not committed any offense, and stressed that he was just set up a trap.

Recent Poll
July 28, 2013 (Noticiero Digital <http://t.ymlp207.net/huarausmjhatawsafausq/click.php> )
According to a recent poll conducted by Varianzas, if April 14 election were held today 50 percent of the electorate would support Henrique Capriles and 44,6 percent would vote Nicolas Maduro.

Venezuela Gov't Targets Newspaper Editor
July 28, 2013 (by The Associated Press, Miami Herald <http://t.ymlp207.net/heaaausmjhafawsaiausq/click.php> )
Venezuela's chief prosecutor said she has asked a court to freeze the assets of the editor of one of the country's two major opposition newspapers. El Nacional editor Miguel Henrique Otero called the move an attack on freedom of expression in statements published Sunday.

Chasing after Deputy Mardo
July 20, 2013 (El Universal)
Without referring to the "little" detail about holding charges against a deputy of the Republic, based on a forged proof and another one: a manipulated one, government representatives forge steadily onwards in its desire to eliminate Richard Mardo's parliamentarian immunity, in a crusade that president of the Comptroller's Commission, Pedro Carreño, has taken quite seriously.

Maduro Attacks Opposition's Governors
July 9, 2013 (by Antonio Maria Delgado, El Nuevo Herald <http://t.ymlp207.net/hmaaausmjhavawsaaausq/click.php> )

Carter Center Issues Report on Venezuela Election
July 3, 2013 (by The Carter Center <http://t.ymlp207.net/hjalausmjhacawsatausq/click.php> )
The Carter Center released a preliminary report on Venezuela's April 14, 2013, special presidential elections recommending electoral reforms to ensure greater campaign equity, increased efforts to improve the electoral climate for voters, and more information about the effectiveness of the biometric identification system and procedures to prevent usurpation of voter identity and multiple voting.

Why Venezuela Offers Asylum to Snowden
July 7, 2013 (by Mary Anastasia O'Grady, The Wall Street Journal <http://t.ymlp207.net/hbapausmjhanawsarausq/click.php> )
Mr. Maduro offered asylum to the fugitive, who was running out of prospects. Nicaragua and Bolivia have chimed in with similar offers. What plans are afoot to spirit Mr. Snowden from his Moscow airport sanctuary—assuming he accepts refuge in Latin America—are of course secret.
Economic and Social Issues

Over USD 180 million sold at SICAD's auction
July 31, 2013 (by Mayela Armas, El Universal <http://t.ymlp207.net/hhatausmjhaaawsacausq/click.php> )
The official amount will be disclosed by the Central Bank of Venezuela later.

SICAD fails to meet companies' urgent need for US dollars
July 29, 2013 (by Roberto Deniz, El Universal <http://t.ymlp207.net/hwalausmjhafawsarausq/click.php> )
Jorge Roig, the president of the Venezuelan Federation of Trade and Industry Chambers (FEDECAMARAS), stressed that the Ancillary Foreign Currency Administration System (SICAD) "is raising expectations impossible to fulfill." Just like other entrepreneurs, Roig believes that the amount of foreign currency put up for sale is not enough to supply the market.

Maduro's First 100 Days in Office: A Hundred Days of Demagogy and Incompetence
July 29, 2013 (Statement by the Democratic Unity Platform <http://t.ymlp207.net/hqazausmjhanawsaiausq/click.php> )
Since Nicolas Maduro was sworn as President, 4200 murders have been committed, a large number of jobs have been eliminated, Venezuela's food shortages have been worsening.

Nicolas' First 100 Days in Office
July 29, 2013 (Noticiero Digitial <http://t.ymlp207.net/hyarausmjhaoawsakausq/click.php> )
According to Congressman Julio Borges, more than a 1000 protests have taken place since Nicolas Maduro was sworn as President: 569 workers' protests; 390 protests related to the housing crisis; 265 protests demanding greater political rights.

Venezuelans believe SICAD will not meet US dollar demand July 22, 2013 (El Universal <http://t.ymlp207.net/wsadausmjhaxawsalausq/click.php> )
A survey conducted by daily newspaper El Universal found that 90% of individuals think the alternative mechanism is discretionary and foreign currencies are insufficient.

Venezuelan Inflation Surges
July 9, 2013 (by Ezequiel Minaya, The Wall Street Journal <http://t.ymlp207.net/wuakausmjhaiawsaoausq/click.php> ) Inflation in Venezuela reached a new milestone Tuesday: Prices measured on a yearly basis are now rising at the fastest rate since the late President Hugo Chávez took power in 1999 and upended this oil-rich nation's politics and economy.

Venezuela to boost dollar supplies through forex system revamp
July 3, 2013 (By Brian Ellsworth and Eyanir Chinea, Reuters <http://t.ymlp207.net/weaxausmjhapawsazausq/click.php> )
Venezuela on Wednesday revamped a currency exchange system to boost the flow of dollars into the economy and ease nagging product shortages, a move that further devalues the local currency and may aggravate spiraling inflation.
Social Actions

Venezuela's Ferrominera comes to a halt amid militarization
July 25, 2013 (El Universal <http://t.ymlp207.net/wmaaausmjhazawsafausq/click.php> )
A group of workers with Venezuelan state-owned iron company CVG Ferrominera on Thursday blocked both the gate seven and the railways leading to the plant, in rejection of the militarization of the firm on Wednesday evening.

University Crisis in Venezuela. Violence, Financial Encirclement, and Infiltration
July 9, 2013 (by Trino Márquez <http://t.ymlp207.net/wjaoausmjhacawsapausq/click.php> )
A month ago, the Federation of University Teachers Associations of Venezuela (FAPUV) went on an indefinite hunger strike. Then three weeks ago, another twenty teachers and students started their own hunger strike. Despite protests and national support, the government does not even bother with dialogue.

Venezuelan university workers take to the streets
July 2, 2013 (by David Smilde, The Christian Science Monitor <http://t.ymlp207.net/wbagausmjhaaawsavausq/click.php> )
University faculty in Venezuela began protesting their low wages with a series of strikes dating back to February. The university system has expanded rapidly over the past 14 years.

viernes, 2 de agosto de 2013

Bipartisan Group of Senators Introduce Resolution Condemning Violence against Political Opposition

WASHINGTON, DC - Following Venezuela's highly contested presidential elections and in response to growing political polarization, sporadic acts of violence against political opposition members, and an absence of political dialogue, a bipartisan group of senators introduced a resolution today supporting Venezuelan democracy, and condemning violence and intimidation against the country's political opposition.

The resolution was introduced by U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman, and Sens. Rubio (R-FL), Nelson (D-FL), Kaine (D-VA), Udall (D-NM), McCain (R-AZ) and Kirk (R-IL).

Joining Latin American legislatures and international organizations concerned about the political climate in Venezuela, the senators called for greater dialogue between all political actors in the country. They also appealed to multilateral organizations and democratic leaders in the region to not abandon commitments made after the elections for a full audit and recount of election results.

Since President Maduro's razor-thin victory on April 14, Venezuelan democracy has experienced setbacks. Pledges made by Maduro to South American heads of state in Lima, Peru on April 19th to address all claims and questions about the Venezuelan electoral process have gone unfulfilled. And two legal challenges to the election outcome submitted to Venezuela's Supreme Court by the Unified Democratic Platform (MUD) have been entirely ignored.

"The way forward in Venezuela is through strong adherence to the principles of democratic governance and increased dialogue between all political actors," said Menendez. "The Maduro government must recognize the legitimacy of the opposition and its concerns. It must also refrain from tactics of violence and intimidation, and commit to working within the rule of law. Venezuelan democracy cannot afford to take any further steps backward."

"Freedom and democracy in Venezuela were under constant attack under the nation's last strongman, and things have not gotten any better under his successor," said Rubio. "The unconstitutional transition of power and an April 14 presidential election plagued by irregularities confirmed this reality, which must not go unchallenged. The U.S. and OAS should stand with the Venezuelan people whose voices have been silenced at the voting booth, in parliament and through violence committed by thugs in the ruling party."

"Transparency and accountability are the fundamental tenets of a true democracy," said Nelson. "And the various reports of voter irregularities and intimidation on election day have yet to be satisfactorily explained to the Venezuelan people, who deserve an unbiased account of what happened. It's the best way for them to have greater confidence in their government going forward."

"I'm pleased to support efforts to normalize relations between the United States and Venezuela, but the situation in Venezuela is far from normal," said Kaine. "The violence directed against members of opposition parties in the Venezuelan National Assembly and the temporary curtailment of their parliamentary rights raise serious concerns that must be addressed."