EU observers in Venezuela's presidential elections

The delegation of observers from the European Union will have 120 representatives. During the past 10 days, 37 delegates have been monitoring the media and the legal frame, as well as the automated voting system.

Venezuela's Electoral Council and observers finalize preparations

The three main international observer groups, for the upcoming December 3rd presidential election, from the Organization of American States, the Carter Center, and the European Union, have all arrived in Venezuela and began their work.

Carter Center to observe the Venezuelan elections

In response to an invitation from the Venezuelan National Electoral Council (CNE), The Carter Center will organize a specialized, limited technical mission for the Dec. 3, 2006, presidential elections.

Mission Barrio Adentro: appropriate medical care for Venezuelans

This social programme main goal is to guarantee the Venezuelan excluded population to access health services through an integrated health management model, aimed at improving Venezuelan's standard of living.

Venezuelan National Assembly approved 2007 budget of $53.6 billion

44% of that will go on social spending. That is significantly more than the 17% previous governments used to spend and shows why the government is popular among the poorer sections of society.

Minister of planning and development: Venezuelan economy will grow

Jorge Giordani, said Venezuelan economy will grow 6% during the next six years. The Minister says there are real elements that demonstrate this tendency, especially in 2007; thanks to the growth in sectors like oil, construction, services and telecommunications.

Chávez inaugurates blitzkrieg of projects

Over the last two and a half weeks President Chávez has inaugurated three new social missions, two health centers, the first phase of a Sugar Agro-Industrial Complex, a dam and irrigation project, a petrochemical plant, an automobile plant, a massive second bridge over the Orinoco river, two new Venezuelan metros, and launched construction on a new Caracas metro-line and a cable car for Caracas's poor.

Second bridge over the Orinoco river was inaugurated

The second Orinoco Bridge, which will be named Orinoquia, cost $1.2 billion and took five years to build. As such it is one of the Chávez' government's largest infrastructure investments. It spans 4 km and includes both a four-lane highway for vehicles and a rail track.

Metro systems, tramways and railways boost socio-economic development

The government makes investments regarding massive transportation systems that will save around USD $ 2,354 million per year in fuel and roads.

Chávez inaugurated first phase of Valencia underground

President Hugo Chávez inaugurated the Valencia underground which was finished thanks to an investment of 747 million dollars of the Strategic Development Fund.

Private manufacturing sector increased by 11%

The Venezuelan GDP grew 10.2% in the third quarter thanks to the performance of the private sector which registered activities that expanded 12.3% compared to the public sector with 2.7%.

Unemployment rate sinks

A plunge to 8.9 percent was experienced in September 2006 with regard to unemployment rate in Venezuela, compared with 11.4 percent the same period last year, the officiail National Statistics Institute (INE) reported.

Lula and Chávez have common goals for South America

Both leaders increasingly linked their countries through trade, infrastructure projects and deals to jointly explore for and refine oil.

Construction of West Cryogenic Complex set to begin

PDVSA began the construction of this important processing center in order to efficiently use oil liquefied gas (OLG) and strengthen the Venezuelan petrochemical industry's development.

CITGO Venezuela heating oil program makes 1st delivery this winter

CITGO Petroleum Corporation, in partnership with Citizens Energy Corporation, made its first delivery of discount heating oil of the 2006 - 2007 winter season.

First lot of crude oil reserves in Orinoco belt certified

Venezuela received from Canadian Ryder Scott a document attesting to the existence of 45.5 billion barrels of original, onsite oil in bloc Carabobo I.

Land of hope and glory
How do you take kids in the shanty towns of Caracas out of poverty? You turn them into world-beating classical musicians.
Published by The Guardian
By Charlotte Higgins