Separatist campaign intensifies in Zulia State

The daily newspaper VEA reported today (February 24th) that the separatist campaign in Zulia state is gaining momentum.

There has been a multimillion dollar publicity campaign in the state with advertising hoardings, tee shirts and slots on local TV and radio. The slogans being used are “Own direction for Zulia”, and “Zulian capitalism in favour of the poor”.

The publicity campaign has coincided with the re-opening of the US Consulate in Maracaibo which was closed several years ago. Political observers have commented that the funds for the campaign are coming form the same sources in the US which fund Sumate.

Veteran oil union leaders pointed out that in 1935 a similar campaign was openly carried out with US backing to separate Zulia from the rest of Venezuela in order to constitute as an “Associated State of the United States of America”. This would place Zulia on the same status as Puerto Rico.

The connivance of Zulia Governor Manuel Rosales in this campaign cannot be ignored since he held at least 17 meeting with US Ambassador Brownfield in 2005.

After President Chavez’ recent visit to Zulia where a number of initiatives to improve living and working conditions were announced with central government funding, the presence of Governor Rosales was earmarked by his glaring absence at these events.

Any attempt at separating Zulia from the rest of Venezuela would be unconstitutional and would cause destabilization ripples across the country, which is exactly what the US and its internal lackeys are aiming for, to undermine the national government and President Chavez in particular.

Trouble in the air
Besides the internal tension building up in Zulia, another dispute with the US erupted overnight when the Venezuelan Aviation Authorities decided to limit the number of flights of US carriers to Venezuela. After months of arduous negotiations, the US FAA has refused to grant more access of Venezuelan carriers to US airports.

Venezuela was audited by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and received a certificate from the audit on the restructuring and modernization of the aeronautical sector, confirming that Venezuela was complying in 89% with all ICAO norms, far above the world average.

This decision taken by the Venezuelan authorities will effectively cancel all flights to Venezuela by Delta and Continental Airlines and severely restrict the operations of American Airlines. The measure will come into force on March 1st.

Andy Goodall
VSC Coordinator
andy.goodall@venezuelasolidarity.org.uk
www.venezuelasolidarity.org.uk