Takeovers of Venezuelan Idle Factories and Land Spark Controversy

[buzzsaw_23]

Takeovers of Venezuelan Idle Factories and Land Spark Controversy

Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005

By: Bernardo Delgado - Venezuelanalysis.com


Caracas, Venezuela, September 13, 2005—The recent spate of factory and land takeovers, some by workers and some by government security forces and some by both, have caused a storm of controversy over the legality of such takeovers. Chavez supporters, such as union leaders of the UNT union federation have supported the actions, while opposition leaders warned that private property is at risk in Venezuela. Venezuela’s attorney general, Isaias Rodriguez said that the issue is being politicized unnecessarily.

Venezuela’s Minister of Agriculture and Land, Antonio Albarrán, announced that in an effort to explain and clarify the Venezuelan government’s actions, it would meet with representatives of the Polar company, whose subsidiary Prombrasa, which includes silos and corn processing plant, was recently taken over by members of the nearby community and by former workers of the plant, with the help of government officials. The meeting is take place on Thursday. “We will act in strict compliance with the law and with a social and humanist sentiment,” said Albarrán. “The Ministry of Agriculture and Land has no plan for taking over agro-industry,” he added.

Meanwhile, Fedecamaras, the country’s main chamber of commerce, issued a statement today, in which it said that it rejects the government’s actions to take over idle land and idle industrial installations throughout the country. The president of Fedecamaras, José Luis Betancourt, read his group´s oficial statement today, which demands, “the immediate cessation of arbitrary and illegal actions against private property and the restitution of affected property to its legitimate owners.”

The food and beverage company Polar denies that the plant or the silos were idle when they were taken over and is seeking a retraining order from the country’s Supreme Court. Polar's legal representative said today that it will present proof to the Supreme Court that its silos are being used on a regular basis. According to the spokesperson, the company has payroll and delivery documentation that support its claim.

http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news.php?newsno=1753

[ugarte]

1. A small number of super wealthy absentee landlords own most of Venezuela

Something like 5% own 80% of the land. No wonder they're trying to spin this in terms of "property rights."

[buzzsaw_23]

2. The supremacy of private property

and those who stole it feel perversely entitled.

[IndianaGreen]

3. So the workers took over the idle factories... What's the problem?

Oh poor industrialists.... booo hooo!

How come I feel no empathy for the owners...

[BayCityProgressive]

4. Good

the one good thing about Bush being trapped in Iraq and Afghanistan. he doesn't have enough power to crush all of the left wing governments popping up everywhere. Norway just elected a Center-Left coalition today comprising ofthe Labor Party and the Soialist Left party. The Socialist Left is fast becoming a powerful party in Norway and allies itself with Cuba. I bet that gives the Chimp a nervous breakdown.

[Frederik]

9. Thread on the Norwegian election

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1777091

[ret5hd]

5. if the silos are TRULY idle, but company records show use...

i would think the venezuelan gov't has a good case for money laundrying.

[loudsue]

7. Good point!

:applause: Let's do an audit!! :bounce:

:kick:

[RedCloud]

6. Vaya Chávez. Exert complete hegemony!

Using the land to help the people, not starve them.

[tinymontgomery]

8. use the * reply

now is not the time for trying to politicize this, or some people are just using the problem for politics.