Green Left Weekly - Ryan Mallett-Outtrim

Venezuela: New labour law 'part of transition to socialism'

stuart_m — Mon, 20 May 2013 06:50:25 +0000

Mon, 20/05/2013

Venezuela's new Labour Law for Workers came into effect on May 7, guaranteeing shorter working hours, longer maternity leave and pensions for all Venezuelans.

Described by the Venezuelan government as the “most advanced labour law in the world”, the law reduces the working week from 44 hours to 40, and requires that employers provide two consecutive days a week off.

When the law came into effect, labour minister Maria Iglesias said the new working hours are part of the process towards a “just distribution of wealth”.

Western Sahara: The UN remains 'blind, deaf and dumb'

stuart_m — Mon, 20 May 2013 05:54:42 +0000

Mon, 20/05/2013

By Ryan Mallett-Outtrim

After 40 years of struggle, in the place known as “Africa's last colony”, human rights abusers continue to be given a free hand by the international community.

As Western Sahara's independence movement, the Polisario Front, commemorated four decades of struggle on May 10, news broke of a Sahrawi activist who died in a Moroccan prison three days earlier.

Venezuela: Opposition's ridiculous claims mar political scene

stuart_m — Mon, 06 May 2013 06:48:43 +0000

Mon, 06/05/2013

By Ryan Mallett-Outtrim, Merida

It would be hard to find somewhere that celebrates May Day more enthusiastically than Venezuela. But this year celebrations were marred by claims made in a document that could easily be mistaken for a lift-out from a UFO enthusiasts' magazine.

Venezuela: Solidarity needed to defend democracy

stuart_m — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 03:07:15 +0000

Fri, 19/04/2013

By Ryan Mallett-Outtrim, Merida

As the Venezuelan opposition is emboldened by chaos on the streets, reactionary propaganda on the private airwaves that still dominate Venezuela's media landscape and firm support from Washington, now is the time for the international left to galvanise support for the Bolivarian revolution.

Under the false pretext of electoral fraud, the right-wing opposition leader Henrique Capriles tried for a power grab after losing presidential elections on April 14, threatening to destabilise the country.

Venezuela eyewitness: Maduro's uncomfortable victory

stuart_m — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 09:34:49 +0000

Tue, 16/04/2013

By Ryan Mallett-Outtrim, Merida

The room erupted into cheers when the election results were announced. For hours, the city of Merida's most ardent supporters of socialist presidential candidate Nicolas Maduro had gathered in the local offices of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV). However, after a few moments, the closeness of the numbers sank in.

At the time of writing, the National Electoral Council (CNE) had announced that with 99% of votes counted, the PSUV's Maduro won with 50.6%. His closest rival, Henrique Capriles, received 49.1%; giving Maduro a slim 1.5% victory.

Venezuela: WikiLeaks shows US use 'NGOs' to cover intervention

stuart_m — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 05:37:51 +0000

Mon, 15/04/2013

By Ryan Mallett-Outtrim, Merida

In the week leading up to Venezuela’s April 14 presidential elections, whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks published a classified cable indicating that US-based aid organisations were working to overthrow the government and defend US corporate interests in the Andean country.

Venezuela: Washington's doublespeak hides true agenda

stuart_m — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 07:48:21 +0000

Mon, 25/03/2013

By Ryan Mallett-Outtrim

Washington has simultaneously called for cooperation from Venezuela and worked to undermine the oil-rich nation's interim government.

Shortly after the death of socialist president Hugo Chavez on March 5, the White House issued a statement expressing an “interest in developing a constructive relationship with the Venezuelan government”.

“As Venezuela begins a new chapter in its history, the United States remains committed to policies that promote democratic principles, the rule of law, and respect for human rights,” the statement read.

Guatemala: The people await true justice

stuart_m — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 11:51:15 +0000

Mon, 18/03/2013

By Ryan Mallett-Outtrim

Former Guatemalan dictator Efrain Rios Montt will finally face prosecution for his crimes.

After a year of house arrest, Montt became the first former head of state to be charged with genocide in a Latin American court on January 28.

The prosecution believe they have compelling evidence that Montt led a campaign to ethnically cleanse the Central American state of its indigenous Mayan population.

Though he is being charged in relation only to the deaths of 1771 Mayans, about 200,000 people were killed or went missing during Guatemala's 1960-96 civil war.

Venezuela: Polls suggest fresh Chavista win

jay_f — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 06:57:34 +0000

Wed, 13/03/2013

By Ryan Mallett-Outtrim, Merida

When Venezuelans return to the polls in new presidential elections on April 14, analysts are predicting a decisive win for Nicolas Maduro, the candidate of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV).

In December, the late president Hugo Chavez urged his supporters to back Maduro as PSUV candidate should Chavez’s worsening health prevent him from fulfilling his presidential term.

Under the Venezuelan constitution, new elections must be held within 30 days of the resignation or death of the president.

Eyewitness: Venezuelans vow to continue revolution

stuart_m — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:03:07 +0000

Thu, 07/03/2013

By Ryan Mallett-Outtrim, Merida

At about 5.30pm on March 5, life in Venezuela came to a sudden halt. In a speech broadcast live, Vice President Nicholas Maduro publicly announced that President Hugo Chavez had lost his two year battle with cancer.

Maduro stated that at 4.25pm, Chavez was pronounced dead after the emergence of a severe respiratory infection the previous day.

After urging for calm, the Maduro announced a number of security measures, including the deployment of the Bolivarian National Guard and police to maintain order.