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| Caribbean-Latin America |
| Venezuela Seizes Sugarcane Plantations |
| 2008-04-11 |
| Okay, Bob. What do I do next? Ya got any war veterans? CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- Government officials accompanied by National Guard troops seized control on Thursday of 30 sugarcane plantations in central Venezuela that have been classified as "idle" under a nationwide land reform initiative, officials said. Welcome to Government Sugarcane Farm No. 22. Farmino B. Hardo: Proprietor. Authorities seized control of the plantations spanning 5,900 acres as part of a land reform program aimed at turning dormant farmlands over to peasants. For the people! Juan Carlos Loyo, president of the National Land Institute, denied the government of President Hugo Chavez was trampling on private property rights, saying those operating the plantations lack legal documents proving ownership of the lands. "When a measure like this is taken it's because we are sure that the private ownership of this property cannot be demonstrated," Loyo told the Globovision television channel. "All the studies and inspections that were done showed there was no production." But Alfredo Jose Arevalo, director of Venezuela's Sugarcane Producers Association, accused the government of illegally confiscating the plantations. The owners possess documents showing their rightful ownership of the lands, he said. Officials say the lands are not being put to adequate use or lack documents to prove ownership dating back as far as 1847. Critics of the reform effort, including Venezuela's largest business chamber and cattle ranchers association, argue it violates property rights guaranteed under the constitution. Loyo justified the presence of troops during the takeover, saying soldiers were "safeguarding" the plantations and "providing security" for authorities responsible for the seizure. Just trying to help out, amigo... Chavez argues the land reform initiative that began more than six years ago is an essential step toward making this oil-rich yet poverty-stricken South American country self-sufficient in food production. Venezuela, which continues to import most of the food it consumes, has struggled over the last year with sporadic food shortages, which have made it difficult to find products such as fresh milk, chicken, beef and sugar in supermarkets. Coming up next: the 10 Million Bolivar Bill... |
| Posted by:tu3031 |
| #10 Next: General BoliviarsÂ’ Premium Rum |
| Posted by: DepotGuy 2008-04-11 21:19 |
| #9 Way too long, OS. :-( |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2008-04-11 20:33 |
| #8 grr. wrong article for that post able. Burg taking 3minutes+ to load the page and even more to post. Under attack? Hugo taking lessons from ZimBob. How long til the miltiary simply kills him? |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2008-04-11 20:30 |
| #7 Told ya so, back on day one when this happened. DSGE was already rolling. |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2008-04-11 20:25 |
| #6 Welcome to Government Sugarcane Farm No. 22. Farmino B. Hardo: Proprietor. LOL! TU, you get snark of the day award! |
| Posted by: Zorba Sletch9834 2008-04-11 18:31 |
| #5 you are right CF, thanks..... |
| Posted by: USN,Ret. 2008-04-11 15:41 |
| #4 Your thinking Juan Valdez and his magic donkey which allows him to pop and and out of pantries, closets, grocery stores, and single women's apartments worldwide.... |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2008-04-11 14:08 |
| #3 Juan Carlos: didn't he used to do coffee or sumpin???? |
| Posted by: USN,Ret. 2008-04-11 13:43 |
| #2 They really are working hard at starving their population, aren't they? |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2008-04-11 11:55 |
| #1 Next: Big Rock Candy Mountain! |
| Posted by: Chief Running Gag 2008-04-11 11:22 |