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Carta abierta al profesor Noam Chomsky

Estimado Profesor Chomsky:

Somos un grupo de ciudadanos venezolanos que vivimos en el área de Boston y que simpatizamos con su análisis en temas como la política exterior imperialista estadounidense, la influencia de los medios corporativos y la explotación de los países en desarrollo. Sin embargo, desde hace algún tiempo, hemos notado su participación en actos públicos en apoyo al gobierno de Chávez. Esta ha sido una gran sorpresa para nosotros. Su fuerte crítica a las estructuras de gobierno autoritario y en la defensa de la democracia participativa parecen estar en contradicción con las políticas gubernamentales de Chávez, las cuales podríamos definir como militaristas, estatistas, corruptas, polarizantes e insostenibles económica y ecológicamente.

Estamos de acuerdo con usted cuando afirma que depende de nosotros el pueblo venezolano, juzgar al gobierno de Chávez, independientemente de lo que puedan pensar los demás. Sin embargo, su estatura en el mundo como un líder intelectual con una gran cantidad de seguidores entre las personas de mentalidad progresista no puede pasarse por alto. Por lo tanto, le invitamos a reflexionar sobre los temas que le presentamos a continuación, los cuales, a nuestro juicio, revelan claramente la naturaleza contradictoria de la retórica de Chávez versus sus acciones. Con el debido respeto, sus declaraciones de apoyo al gobierno de Chávez son inaceptables para nosotros y no pueden considerarse irrelevantes, ya que dá credibilidad internacional a un gobierno que no sólo está en constante violación de los derechos constitucionales de sus ciudadanos, sino que cada vez actúa de manera más represiva.

Dear Professor Chomsky:

We are a group of Venezuelan citizens living in the Boston area who sympathize with your profound analysis on such subjects as imperial American foreign policy, corporate media influence and the exploitation of the developing world. However, for some time, we have noticed your participation in public events in support of the Chávez government. This has come as a surprise to us. Your strong criticism of authoritarian government structures and your advocacy for participative democracy seem to be in contradiction with Chávez's governmental policies, which are militaristic, statist, monopolistic, corrupt, polarizing, and economically and environmentally unsustainable.

We agree with you when you say that it is up to us, the Venezuelan people, to judge the Chávez government irrespective of what others might think. However, your stature in the world as a leading intellectual with an immense following among progressive-minded people cannot be overlooked. Therefore, we invite you to reflect on the issues presented below which, in our opinion, clearly reveal the contradictory nature of Chávez's rhetoric and actions. With all due respect, your statements supporting the Chávez government are unacceptable to us and cannot be considered irrelevant, as they lend international credibility to a government that not only is constantly violating the constitutional rights of its citizens, but is increasingly operating in a repressive manner.

Recent actions by the Venezuelan government are seriously undermining freedom of speech in Venezuela. Two recent cases show the blatant disregard for free speech and civil liberties:

1.- A well known Venezuelan politician: Oswaldo Álvarez Paz was arrested for saying: "Venezuela has turned into a center of operations that facilitates the business of drug trafficking." For this "insolence" he was promptly charged with conspiracy, spreading false information and publicly inciting to the violation of the law. This statement that is shared by most Venezuelans, has been confirmed by reports issued by international intelligence organizations. For example, the US Government Accountability Office July 2009 report stated: "drug trafficking through Venezuela is increasing". It is also well known that "illegal armed groups continue to find safe haven in Venezuela and receive support from Venezuela". Despite the danger that these criminal groups represent for Venezuelan citizens, Hugo Chávez and his officials have been supporting them publicly.

Two short links:

Amnesty International released on April 1 an alert calling Venezuelan authorities to stop targeting government critics following a series of politically motivated arrests: Venezuelan government deliberately targeting opponents.

The New York Times published an article today entitled: Criticism of Chávez Is Stifled by Arrests which focuses on Judge María Lourdes Afiuni's arrest ordered by Chávez on national TV.

Clip art credit: jcartier
And here is the rest of it.

Leopoldo López: Building a Democratic Future for Venezuela

Objective: Discuss and exchange ideas on how to build a better model of government
Date: Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Location: Starr Auditorium, Harvard Kennedy School of Government
Address: 79 John Kennedy Street. Cambridge, MA

We would be honored to have you there. Please invite anyone who might be interested in learning about Venezuela's current issues and how they relate to leadership strategies for building a better government for its citizens.

And here is the rest of it.

Leopoldo López - Building a Democratic Future for Venezuela

OAS Report: Democracy and Human Rights in Venezuela

The Organization of American States (OAS) just released a critical report on the situation of Human Rights in Venezuela. Here is the link to the report in .pdf format. We strongly encourage you to read the report and to pass it on to your friends. Also, the Boston Globe published today an article about the OAS report. Here is an excerpt:

"WASHINGTON - The human rights branch of the Organization of American States issued a blistering 300-page report against one of its members yesterday, saying the regime of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez constrains free expression, the rights of civilians to protest, and the ability of opposition politicians to function..."

Click here to read the complete article.

Photo credit: Ervega (licensed under Creative Commons)

NK.Profeta Sr. Presidente.. Under Family

And here is the rest of it.

Concentracion mundial CHAVEZ TAS' PONCHAO

21 de Febrero de 2010, Copley Square, Boston, MA.

And here is the rest of it.

Aldo Abreu's Newest CD Release Concert

Distinguished Venezuelan recorder player Aldo Abreu's new CD, Telemann: Twelve Fantasias & Other Works is being released on Monday, December 7th. This recording features Friedrich Von Huene's collection of original, 300 year old recorders by some of the finest makers of the 18th century, including Bressan, Stanesby Junior, Scherer, Denner, and Boekhout. For those of you who are not familiar with these famous names, they are to the recorder what Stradivarius, Amati and Guarnerius are to string instruments.

During this CD Release concert event, Friedrich Von Huene will talk about his collection, and Aldo Abreu will perform some selections on the original instruments.

The program includes selections from the Telemann Fantasies and from the Concerto in E Minor for Recorder, Flute and Strings in collaboration with Suzanne Stumpf, Dan Ryan and Musicians of the Old Post Road. This concerto was performed on the CD with a recorder and flute matched pair made of ivory by the maker Johan Scherer.

Aldo Abreu CD Release Concert
Monday, December 7th at 7:30 PM
Boston University Marsh Chapel
735 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
Admission is Free

Education Reform in Venezuela under Hugo Chávez

The Latin America and Caribbean Education (LACE) student group at the Harvard Graduate School of Education is organizing the following event:

Date: Thursday, October 15, 2009
Time: 6:00pm
Location: Gutman Library, Room 305, Harvard Graduate School of Education
Contact: Cristina Lares, crl248@mail.harvard.edu

Antonio Ecarri, President of the Casa Arturo Uslar Foundation, will speak about the changes introduced in Venezuelan education under President Hugo Chávez and on what to expect in the coming years.

To RSVP go to: http://www.doodle.com/zz9a7nfmipuuc3vw

Otras imágenes de los huelguistas en Caracas

Puedes ver más fotos del día 27 de Septiembre. Aqui está un enlace.

Crónica huelga de hambre en Venezuela -- 28/09/09 (Audio)

El periodista José Gabriel Fuente amablemente nos envió esta crónica de casi cinco minutos de audio sobre la huelga de hambre de los estudiantes del oriente venezolano en la sede caraqueña de la Organización de Estados Americanos.

Actualización 01/10/09: Julio Rivas fue liberado de la carcel y los estudiantes levantaron la huelga de hambre por considerar que los objetivos fueron logrados.

Sigue la huelga hoy en Caracas, suman 27 estudiantes

Unete a través de Twitter #huelgaoea para contribuir con los estudiantes en ampliar el apoyo medíatico y en solidaridad con su objetivo final de

Liberar al estudiante Julio César Rivas

Lograr una visita de la OEA a Venezuela para revisar la situación de 40 presos políticos actuales

Hacer pública la negación del gobierno en autorizar dicha visita de no ser realiza en las próximas 48 horas

La huelga de hambre tiene 4 días y entra en su fase crítica. Los estudiantes en huelga suman hoy 27 con dicho número en vías de aumento. Hoy a las 11 am se hizo presente el Presidente de la Federación Médica de Venezuela, quien conjuntamente con otros médicos voluntarios pasó revista a los huelguistas.

Esta es parte de la noticia original que publicara Associated Press hace un par de días al comienzo de la huelga.

CARACAS -- Más de veinte estudiantes universitarios venezolanos realizaban el viernes una huelga de hambre para exigir una investigación internacional sobre la persecución de opositores políticos por parte del gobierno del presidente Hugo Chávez.