Monthly Archives: August 2009

Juan Cristóbal says: – As you probably know, the recent controversy surrounding Venezuela and Colombia has to do with an agreement allowing the US Armed Forces to use 7 military bases inside Colombian territory. The deal has caused a diplomatic … Continue reading →

Taunus, Germany: 7:18 p.m. Feel like sharing the view from your window? Send a snapshot along to caracaschronicles at fastmail dot fm Please ensure the window frame is visible, and tell us the place and time the picture was taken.

Quico says: Everyone knows that the Big Crisis affecting Venezuelan journalism is that the news business just doesn’t gel with a government congenitally allergic to criticism. Chavismo now openly advocates substituting a free and vibrant press with a subservient, quasi-statist … Continue reading →

Juan Cristóbal says: – Hugo Chávez gave an off-limits-to-the-locals press conference today. In it, he went in depth about the AT-4 missile launchers belonging to the Venezuelan Armed Forces and found in the hands of the FARC. He gave a … Continue reading →

New York, NY: 1:35 p.m. Feel like sharing the view from your window? Send a snapshot along to caracaschronicles at fastmail dot fm Please ensure the window frame is visible, and tell us the place and time the picture was … Continue reading →

Heidelberg, Germany: 3:23 p.m. Feel like sharing the view from your window? Send a snapshot along to caracaschronicles at fastmail dot fm Please ensure the window frame is visible, and tell us the place and time the picture was taken.

Juan Cristóbal says: – Former Constitutional Assembly member and former Ambassador to Mexico Vladimir Villegas wrote a stinging op-ed piece trashing the new Media Law under discussion in the legislature. Villegas, who is also a former president of government mouthpiece … Continue reading →

Quico says: Can you believe that the revelation that Venezuelan army AT4 rocket launchers were found in FARC’s possession is less than one week old!? After Twittergate, the Ley CDM, the closing of three dozen radio stations, Chávez’s groin injury, … Continue reading →

Quico says: A group of some 35 pro-Chávez thugs, have just stormed Globovisión and tossed multiple tear gas canisters into the building. The group, led by notorious Chavista shocktroop leader Lina Ron, subdued the station’s security personnel using firearms and … Continue reading →

Juan Cristóbal says: -The government’s takeover of 34 radio stations over the weekend has gained considerable attention. In spite of the bad PR it is getting and bound to continue getting, the assault on free speech is picking up speed. … Continue reading →

Juan Cristóbal says: – Over the weekend, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos opined that the freedom of expression situation in Venezuela is “satisfactory.” Reports linking that view to the sweet deals the Venezuelan government recently signed with Spanish company … Continue reading →

George Orwell might have said: In our country, political speech and writing are largely the defence of the indefensible. Things like the abolition of Proportional Representation, the arbitrary seizure of private firms , the open politization of the judiciary and … Continue reading →

Tokyo, Japan, 34th floor, 4:15 PM. Feel like sharing the view from your window? Send a snapshot along to caracaschronicles at fastmail dot fm Please ensure the window frame is visible, and tell us the place and time the picture … Continue reading →

Quico says: Simón Romero’s NYTimes story today detailing new evidence of Venezuela’s continued, close cooperation with FARC will send a chill down your spine. We learn that he-who-shall-soon-have-the-power-to-block-access-to-Caracas-Chronicles, Gen. Henry Rangel Silva, was involved in helping to provide FARC with … Continue reading →

Quico says: El Chigüire Bipolar long ago cemented its position as the place for the most incisive, wicked and hilarious satire in Venezuela today. But their last few posts – especially adapted to the Ley Contra Delitos Mediáticos (CDM) – … Continue reading →