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Venezuela outsources
Massively snipped; RTWT.On December 22,Venezuela enacted a law granting Cuban judicial and security forces extensive police powers within Venezuela. Under the new code, Cuban officials are allowed to investigate, seize, detain, and interrogate Venezuelans and Cubans living in the Bolivarian Republic. Suspects taken into Cuban custody in Venezuela could be extradited to the island and tried there without any assurance that they would be returned to Venezuela. The Venezuelan "government" hardly seems to qualify as such. Allowing officials in Mr. Castro's dictatorship authority to conduct police operations in Venezuela has raised concern that Venezuela is no longer safe for the 30,000 Cubans living there, especially members of the anti-Castro opposition. Ya think? Some 27,000 Cuban doctors, teachers, sports trainers, intelligence and police officers, and other workers are currently in Venezuela, sent by Mr. Castro to help Mr. Chävez replicate in his own country many of the social and political structures of the Cuban regime. The workers receive about $15 to $20 a month from the Cuban government. Well, it's better than being in Cuba. In exchange for the assistance Mr. Castro's regime has provided Mr. Chävez Cuba receives roughly 80,000 barrels of oil a day at significantly reduced prices and on very generous credit terms. In a setup very similar to one Castro enjoyed with the Soviet Union, a portion of the Venezuelan oil bypasses Cuba entirely and is resold immediately on the world market, with Mr. Castro pocketing the profits. Surprise, surprise. Posted by: someone 2005-01-26 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=54762 |