DOCSLIB.ORG

S/PV.8506 the Situation in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela 10/04/2019

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
S/PV.8506 the Situation in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela 10/04/2019 United Nations S/ PV.8506 Security Council Provisional Seventy-fourth year 8506th meeting Wednesday, 10 April 2019, 10.30 a.m. New York President: Mr. Heusgen ................................... (Germany) Members: Belgium ....................................... Mr. Pecsteen de Buytswerve China ......................................... Mr. Ma Zhaoxu Côte d’Ivoire ................................... Mr. Ipo Dominican Republic .............................. Mr. Singer Weisinger Equatorial Guinea ............................... Mr. Ndong Mba France ........................................ Mr. Delattre Indonesia. Mr. Djani Kuwait ........................................ Mr. Alotaibi Peru .......................................... Mr. Meza-Cuadra Poland ........................................ Mr. Lewicki Russian Federation ............................... Mr. Nebenzia/Mr. Polyanskiy South Africa ................................... Mr. Matjila United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland .. Ms. Pierce United States of America .......................... Mr. Pence Agenda The situation in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela . This record contains the text of speeches delivered in English and of the translation of speeches delivered in other languages. The final text will be printed in the Official Records of the Security Council. Corrections should be submitted to the original languages only. They should be incorporated in a copy of the record and sent under the signature of a member of the delegation concerned to the Chief of the Verbatim Reporting Service, room U-0506 ([email protected]). Corrected records will be reissued electronically on the Official Document System of the United Nations (http://documents.un.org). 19-10510 (E) *1910510* S/PV.8506 The situation in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela 10/04/2019 The meeting was called to order at 10.35 a.m. purchasing power of ordinary people has fallen further, rendering food even less affordable for many families. Adoption of the agenda The scale of need is significant and growing. The agenda was adopted. The United Nations is working in Venezuela to expand the provision of humanitarian assistance. Our The situation in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela efforts are in line with the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, The President: In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the as determined by the General Assembly in resolutions representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela 46/182 and 58/114. to participate in this meeting. The Secretary-General has expressed his concern In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s for the people in Venezuela. I echo that concern. I provisional rules of procedure, I invite the following will focus my briefing today on, first, the priority briefers to participate in this meeting: Mr. Mark humanitarian needs in Venezuela; secondly, our efforts Lowcock, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian to assist the most vulnerable people; and, thirdly, the Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator; Mr. Eduardo areas where we seek the Council’s collective support. Stein, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner We recently produced a draft overview report on for Refugees/International Organization for Migration priority humanitarian needs in Venezuela. The review Joint Special Representative for Venezuelan refugees was based on the best available data from all available and migrants in the region; and Ms. Kathleen Page, official and unofficial sources, including Government Researcher at Johns Hopkins University. data. We gave our draft report to the Government and Mr. Stein is joining today’s meeting via video- the National Assembly on 27 March. teleconference from Panama City. We estimate that 7 million people in Venezuela I also wish to acknowledge and express our pleasure need humanitarian assistance. That is some 25 per cent at the presence here today of the Secretary-General, of the population. There are people in need throughout His Excellency Mr. António Guterres, whom I thank the country, but needs are most severe in the three very much for joining us this morning. states in the south and Zulia and Lara states in the west. People with chronic health conditions, pregnant and The Security Council will now begin its nursing women, children under five, indigenous people, consideration of the item on its agenda. people on the move and those living with disabilities I give the floor to Mr. Lowcock. are among the most vulnerable. Mr. Lowcock: Let me be clear from the outset that The context is a severe and continuing economic there is a very real humanitarian problem in Venezuela. contraction, with associated dramatic increases in The United Nations is willing and able to respond, inflation on a scale seen in few if any other countries consistent with the long-standing mandate that Member around the world in recent years. Our review found States have agreed for principled humanitarian action. that access to nutrient-rich foods and a varied diet has We can do more to relieve the suffering of the people diminished. Historically, Venezuela has imported up to of Venezuela if we get more help and support from all 75 per cent of its food. As a result of the crisis, the stakeholders. availability and affordability of food have fallen, with lower imports, reduced local production and declining Since Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo purchasing power. Many people depend on subsidized last briefed the Council on 26 February (see S/PV.8472), food to meet their needs. Six million families across the humanitarian situation has worsened. Recurrent the country reportedly benefit from food supplies widespread power outages have affected the whole distributed by the Government. country. Without electricity from the grid, many hospitals have struggled to carry out essential surgical Despite this, malnutrition has increased, especially procedures and to sustain intensive-care services and in areas with the highest poverty rates. The United dialysis treatment. Water and sewage systems have been Nations Food and Agriculture Organization has interrupted. Economic decline has continued, and the estimated that in 2018, some 3.7 million people 2/28 19-10510 10/04/2019 The situation in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela S/PV.8506 suffered from undernourishment. The prevalence of The United Nations and other humanitarian undernourishment has almost trebled over a five-year organizations are on the ground, and we have been period. Other aid organizations report an increase in the expanding our operations. Since 2017, the number of global acute malnutrition rate among children under five. United Nations staff has increased from 210 to nearly We estimate that 1.9 million people require nutritional 400. United Nations agencies are working in all assistance, including 1.3 million children under five. 24 states. Our efforts are particularly concentrated in the More data is needed to improve our understanding of vulnerable border states of Zulia, Táchira and Bolívar. the nutrition and food security situation. To support the expansion of humanitarian The Venezuelan health system is strained by assistance, I released $9 million from the Central shortages in personnel, medical supplies, equipment Emergency Response Fund (CERF) in late 2018. and electricity. Reduced access to medicines has Through this grant, as well as bilateral funding from increased the risk of morbidity and mortality from donors, the United Nations has provided 189,000 diabetes, hypertension, cancer and HIV/AIDS. children with preventive and curative treatment for acute malnutrition; expanded maternal and child health Preventable diseases such as tuberculosis, diphtheria, care through the provision of medicines and supplies measles and malaria have resurfaced. The World Health from 74,000 health kits; donated 10 generators to Organization registered more than 400,000 cases of provide emergency power to hospitals; installed water malaria in 2017, nearly 70 per cent more than the year tanks in hospitals to ensure a safe supply of water for before. That was the largest increase in the world that Palestinian Authorityediatric and maternal services; year. Overall, we estimate that some 2.8 million people distributed 10 million tablets for the treatment of HIV need health assistance, including 1.1 million children among 50,000 people across all 24 states; and delivered under five. 176,000 doses of vaccine against measles, mumps and Health problems are exacerbated by insufficient rubella for babies and young children. access to clean water and inadequate sanitation The United Nations and other aid organizations are systems. One estimate suggests that 17 per cent of working with institutions and organizations across the people living in poverty have no access to safe water or spectrum, including line ministries and national civil receive it only once a fortnight. Recent power outages society organizations, and we are in touch with the are making this problem worse. Some families have National Assembly. Under the leadership of the United resorted to using water from unclean sources because Nations Resident Coordinator, we recently established they cannot afford safe water. Sanitation systems a cooperation and assistance coordination team, have deteriorated, affecting solid waste management, bringing together United Nations agencies, the Red among other services. Basic hygiene needs like hand- Cross and
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela: Nicolas Maduro’S Cabinet Chair: Peter Derrah
    Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela: Nicolas Maduro’s Cabinet Chair: Peter Derrah 1 Table of Contents 3. Letter from Chair 4. Members of Committee 5. Committee Background A.Solving the Economic Crisis B.Solving the Presidential Crisis 2 Dear LYMUN delegates, Hi, my name is Peter Derrah and I am a senior at Lyons Township High School. I have done MUN for all my four years of high school, and I was a vice chair at the previous LYMUN conference. LYMUN is a well run conference and I hope that you all will have a good experience here. In this committee you all will be representing high level political figures in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, as you deal with an incomprehensible level of inflation and general economic collapse, as well as internal political disputes with opposition candidates, the National Assembly, and massive protests and general civil unrest. This should be a very interesting committee, as these ongoing issues are very serious, urgent, and have shaped geopolitics recently. I know a lot of these issues are extremely complex and so I suggest that you do enough research to have at least a basic understanding of them and solutions which could solve them. For this reason I highly suggest you read the background. It is important to remember the ​ ​ individual background for your figure (though this may be difficult for lower level politicians) as well as the political ideology of the ruling coalition and the power dynamics of Venezuela’s current government. I hope that you all will put in good effort into preparation, write position papers, actively speak and participate in moderated and unmoderated caucus, and come up with creative and informed solutions to these pressing issues.
    [Show full text]
  • No Room for Debate the National Constituent Assembly and the Crumbling of the Rule of Law in Venezuela
    No Room for Debate The National Constituent Assembly and the Crumbling of the Rule of Law in Venezuela July 2019 Composed of 60 eminent judges and lawyers from all regions of the world, the International Commission of Jurists promotes and protects human rights through the Rule of Law, by using its unique legal expertise to develop and strengthen national and international justice systems. Established in 1952 and active on the five continents, the ICJ aims to ensure the progressive development and effective implementation of international human rights and international humanitarian law; secure the realization of civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights; safeguard the separation of powers; and guarantee the independence of the judiciary and legal profession. ® No Room for Debate - The National Constituent Assembly and the Crumbling of the Rule of Law in Venezuela © Copyright International Commission of Jurists Published in July 2019 The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) permits free reproduction of extracts from any of its publications provided that due acknowledgment is given and a copy of the publication carrying the extract is sent to its headquarters at the following address: International Commission of Jurists P.O. Box 91 Rue des Bains 33 Geneva Switzerland No Room for Debate The National Constituent Assembly and the Crumbling of the Rule of Law in Venezuela This report was written by Santiago Martínez Neira, consultant to the International Commission of Jurists. Carlos Ayala, Sam Zarifi and Ian Seiderman provided legal and policy review. This report was written in Spanish and translated to English by Leslie Carmichael. 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary ...............................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Explaining Chavismo
    Explaining Chavismo: The Unexpected Alliance of Radical Leftists and the Military in Venezuela under Hugo Chávez by Javier Corrales Associate Professor of Political Science Amherst College Amherst, MA 01002 [email protected] March 2010 1 Knowing that Venezuela experienced a profound case of growth collapse in the 1980s and 1990s is perhaps enough to understand why Venezuela experienced regime change late in the 1990s. Most political scientists agree with Przeworski et al. (2000) that severe economic crises jeopardize not just the incumbents, but often the very continuity of democratic politics in non-rich countries. However, knowledge of Venezuela’s growth collapse is not sufficient to understand why political change went in the direction of chavismo. By chavismo I mean the political regime established by Hugo Chávez Frías after 1999. Scholars who study Venezuelan politics disagree about the best label to describe the Hugo Chávez administration (1999-present): personalistic, popular, populist, pro-poor, revolutionary, participatory, socialist, Castroite, fascist, competitive authoritarian, soft- authoritarian, third-world oriented, hybrid, statist, polarizing, oil-addicted, ceasaristic, counter-hegemonic, a sort of Latin American Milošević, even political ―carnivour.‖ But there is nonetheless agreement that, at the very least, chavismo consists of a political alliance of radical-leftist civilians and the military (Ellner 2001:9). Chávez has received most political advice from, and staffed his government with, individuals who have an extreme-leftist past, a military background, or both. The Chávez movement is, if nothing else, a marriage of radicals and officers. And while there is no agreement on how undemocratic the regime has become, there is virtual agreement that chavismo is far from liberal democracy.
    [Show full text]
  • 10 Reports / Year 2002
    VViolenceiolence AgainstAgainst WWomenomen for the protection and promotion of the human rights of women 10 REPORTS / YEAR 2002 Carin Benninger-Budel Joanna Bourke-Martignoni Created in 1986, the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) is an international coalition of over 260 NGOs in 85 countries, the SOS-Torture network, fighting against torture, summary executions, forced disappearances, and all other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. Since 1996, OMCT has had a specific pro- gramme for the protection of women from gender-based violence around the world. This programme draws its strength and approach from other OMCT programmes which have proved consistently effective in the fight against torture. Particular emphasis is placed on drawing attention to and preventing serious human rights violations perpetrated against women through alternative reports on country sit- uations to the United Nations treaty monitoring bodies and urgent appeals on violence against women. Violence against Women: 10 Reports/Year 2002 for the protection and promotion of the human rights of women Authors: Carin Benninger-Budel, Programme Manager Joanna Bourke-Martignoni, Programme Officer Director of Publication: Eric Sottas, Director First Printing: 2003 © 2003 World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) ISBN 2-88477-045-3 Cover design: Thie Reklame, 7944 GV Meppel, The Netherlands www.thie.nl Printed by Abrax, 21300 Chenôve, France World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) P.O. Box 21 8, rue du Vieux-Billard 1211 Geneva 8 Switzerland Tel: 0041 (0)22 809 49 39 Fax: 0041 (0)22 809 49 29 E-mail: [email protected] http://www.omct.org VViolenceiolence AgainstAgainst WWomenomen for the protection and promotion of the human rights of women 10 REPORTS / YEAR 2002 Carin Benninger-Budel Joanna Bourke-Martignoni Violence Against Women: 10 Reports / Year 2002 Acknowledgements OMCT would like to thank consultant Yannick Inyeza Koffigan Bigah of ACAT-Togo for his work on the report on Togo.
    [Show full text]
  • Misión Madres Del Barrio: a Bolivarian Social Program Recognizing Housework and Creating a Caring Economy in Venezuela
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by KU ScholarWorks MISIÓN MADRES DEL BARRIO: A BOLIVARIAN SOCIAL PROGRAM RECOGNIZING HOUSEWORK AND CREATING A CARING ECONOMY IN VENEZUELA BY Cory Fischer-Hoffman Submitted to the graduate degree program in Latin American Studies and the Graduate Faculty of the University of Kansas in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master’s of Arts. Committee members Elizabeth Anne Kuznesof, Phd. ____________________ Chairperson Tamara Falicov, Phd. ____________________ Mehrangiz Najafizadeh, Phd. ____________________ Date defended: May 8, 2008 The Thesis Committee for Cory Fischer-Hoffman certifies that this is the approved Version of the following thesis: MISIÓN MADRES DEL BARRIO: A BOLIVARIAN SOCIAL PROGRAM RECOGNIZING HOUSEWORK AND CREATING A CARING ECONOMY IN VENEZUELA Elizabeth Anne Kuznesof, Phd. ________________________________ Chairperson Date approved:_______________________ ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This thesis is a product of years of activism in the welfare rights, Latin American solidarity, and global justice movements. Thank you to all of those who I have worked and struggled with. I would especially like to acknowledge Monica Peabody, community organizer with Parents Organizing for Welfare and Economic Rights (formerly WROC) and all of the welfare mamas who demand that their caring work be truly valued. Gracias to my compas, Greg, Wiley, Simón, Kaya, Tessa and Caro who keep me grounded and connected to movements for justice, and struggle along side me. Thanks to my thesis committee for helping me navigate through the bureaucracy of academia while asking thoughtful questions and providing valuable guidance. I am especially grateful to the feedback and editing support that my dear friends offered just at the moment when I needed it.
    [Show full text]
  • A Comparative Study of Cervical Cancer Among Indigenous Amerindian, Afro-Guyanese, and Indo-Guyanese Women in Guyana
    Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2017 A Comparative Study of Cervical Cancer Among Indigenous Amerindian, Afro-Guyanese, and Indo- Guyanese Women in Guyana Carol Jones-Williams Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Public Health Education and Promotion Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Health Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Carol Jones-Williams has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Donald Goodwin, Committee Chairperson, Public Health Faculty Dr. Shingairai Feresu, Committee Member, Public Health Faculty Dr. Michael Furukawa, University Reviewer, Public Health Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2016 Abstract A Comparative Study of Cervical Cancer among Indigenous Amerindian, Afro- Guyanese, and Indo-Guyanese Women in Guyana by Carol Jones-Williams MPH, Walden University, 2012 MA, New York University, 1997 BSc, York College, City University of New York, 1994 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Health, Epidemiology Walden University September 2016 Abstract Cervical cancer is a major public health problem in developing countries. In Guyana, factors associated with increasing cervical cancer cases among Indigenous Amerindian women (IAW), Afro- women (AGW), and Indo-Guyanese women (IGW) have not been fully examined.
    [Show full text]
  • Judgment of 18 December 2020
    18 DECEMBER 2020 JUDGMENT ARBITRAL AWARD OF 3 OCTOBER 1899 (GUYANA v. VENEZUELA) ___________ SENTENCE ARBITRALE DU 3 OCTOBRE 1899 (GUYANA c. VENEZUELA) 18 DÉCEMBRE 2020 ARRÊT TABLE OF CONTENTS Paragraphs CHRONOLOGY OF THE PROCEDURE 1-22 I. INTRODUCTION 23-28 II. HISTORICAL AND FACTUAL BACKGROUND 29-60 A. The Washington Treaty and the 1899 Award 31-34 B. Venezuela’s repudiation of the 1899 Award and the search for a settlement of the dispute 35-39 C. The signing of the 1966 Geneva Agreement 40-44 D. The implementation of the Geneva Agreement 45-60 1. The Mixed Commission (1966-1970) 45-47 2. The 1970 Protocol of Port of Spain and the moratorium put in place 48-53 3. From the good offices process (1990-2014 and 2017) to the seisin of the Court 54-60 III. INTERPRETATION OF THE GENEVA AGREEMENT 61-101 A. The “controversy” under the Geneva Agreement 64-66 B. Whether the Parties gave their consent to the judicial settlement of the controversy under Article IV, paragraph 2, of the Geneva Agreement 67-88 1. Whether the decision of the Secretary-General has a binding character 68-78 2. Whether the Parties consented to the choice by the Secretary-General of judicial settlement 79-88 C. Whether the consent given by the Parties to the judicial settlement of their controversy under Article IV, paragraph 2, of the Geneva Agreement is subject to any conditions 89-100 IV. JURISDICTION OF THE COURT 102-115 A. The conformity of the decision of the Secretary-General of 30 January 2018 with Article IV, paragraph 2, of the Geneva Agreement 103-109 B.
    [Show full text]
  • Alba and Free Trade in the Americas
    CUBA AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF ALTERNATIVE GLOBAL TRADE SYSTEMS: ALBA AND FREE TRADE IN THE AMERICAS LARRY CATÁ BACKER* & AUGUSTO MOLINA** ABSTRACT The ALBA (Alternativa Bolivariana para los Pueblos de Nuestra América) (Bolivarian Alternative for The People of Our America), the command economy alternative to the free trade model of globalization, is one of the greatest and least understood contributions of Cuba to the current conversation about globalization and economic harmonization. Originally conceived as a means for forging a unified front against the United States by Cuba and Venezuela, the organization now includes Nicaragua, Honduras, Dominica, and Bolivia. ALBA is grounded in the notion that globalization cannot be left to the private sector but must be overseen by the state in order to maximize the welfare of its citizens. The purpose of this Article is to carefully examine ALBA as both a system of free trade and as a nexus point for legal and political resistance to economic globalization and legal internationalism sponsored by developed states. The Article starts with an examination of ALBA’s ideology and institutionalization. It then examines ALBA as both a trade organization and as a political vehicle for confronting the power of developed states in the trade context within which it operates. ALBA remains * W. Richard and Mary Eshelman Faculty Scholar and Professor of Law, Dickinson Law School; Affiliate Professor, School of International Affairs, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania; and Director, Coalition for Peace & Ethics, Washington, D.C. The author may be contacted at [email protected]. An earlier version of this article was presented at the Conference, The Measure of a Revolution: Cuba 1959-2009, held May 7–9, 2009 at Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
    [Show full text]
  • Venezuela Location Geography Food
    Venezuela Location Venezuela, officially the Republic of Venezuela, is a republic (1995 est. pop. 21,005,000), 352,143 sq mi. (912,050 sq. km), in the northern part of South America. With the Caribbean Sea in the north, Venezuela has a coastline of 1,750 long. It is bordered on the south by Brazil, on the west and southwest by Colombia, and on the east by Guyana. Dependencies include Margarita Island, Tortuga Island, and many smaller island groups in the Caribbean. Caracas is the capital and also the largest city in Venezuela. Geography Venezuela, a third larger than Texas, occupies most of the northern coast of South America on the Caribbean Sea. Mountain systems break Venezuela into four distinct areas: (1) the Maracaibo lowlands; (2) the mountainous region in the north and northwest; (3) the Orinoco basin, with the llanos (vast grass-covered plains) on its northern border and great forest areas in the south and southeast, and (4) the Guiana Highlands, south of the Orinoco, accounting for nearly half the national territory. Food The food in Venezuela is generally easy and flavorful. Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, claims to have a greater variety of restaurants than any other South American city, and it would certainly be a pleasure to try and prove it, even if you failed. Venezuelan cooking has European, indigenous, and African roots – a heterodox cuisine formed over the centuries by immigrants. Some of the native dishes include: Page 1 of 7 - Pabellon - stewed and shredded meat accompanied by rice, black beans, and baban -Hallaca - a traditional Christmas dish.
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding the Characteristics of Remittance Recipients in Venezuela: a Country in Economic Crisis
    Undergraduate Economic Review Volume 16 Issue 1 Article 3 2019 Understanding the Characteristics of Remittance Recipients in Venezuela: A Country in Economic Crisis Nicole A. Degla University of Notre Dame, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/uer Part of the Econometrics Commons, International Relations Commons, Latin American Studies Commons, and the Macroeconomics Commons Recommended Citation Degla, Nicole A. (2019) "Understanding the Characteristics of Remittance Recipients in Venezuela: A Country in Economic Crisis," Undergraduate Economic Review: Vol. 16 : Iss. 1 , Article 3. Available at: https://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/uer/vol16/iss1/3 This Article is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by Digital Commons @ IWU with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this material in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/ or on the work itself. This material has been accepted for inclusion by faculty at Illinois Wesleyan University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ©Copyright is owned by the author of this document. Understanding the Characteristics of Remittance Recipients in Venezuela: A Country in Economic Crisis Abstract This essay analyzes household surveys from the World Bank Global Financial Inclusion Database for the years 2011, 2014, and 2017, as a means to distinguish individual level characteristics of remittance recipients in Venezuela.
    [Show full text]
  • Venezuela: Background and U.S
    Venezuela: Background and U.S. Policy (name redacted) Specialist in Latin American Affairs June 14, 2017 Congressional Research Service 7-.... www.crs.gov R44841 Venezuela: Background and U.S. Policy Summary Venezuela is in an acute political, economic, and social crisis. Following the March 2013 death of populist President Hugo Chávez, acting President Nicolás Maduro of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) narrowly defeated Henrique Capriles of the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) to be elected to a six-year term in April 2013. President Maduro now has less than 20% public approval, and fissures have emerged within the PSUV about the means that he has used to maintain power, including an aborted attempt to have the Supreme Court dissolve the MUD-dominated legislature. Since March 2017, large-scale protests have called for President Maduro to release political prisoners, respect the separation of powers, and establish an electoral calendar. Instead, Maduro has scheduled July 30, 2017, elections to select delegates to a constituent assembly to rewrite the constitution (the opposition is boycotting). Security forces have repressed protesters, with some 70 dead and thousands injured and jailed. Venezuela also faces crippling economic and social challenges. An economic crisis, triggered by mismanagement and low oil prices, is worsening. In 2016, the economy contracted by 18% and inflation averaged 254% according to the International Monetary Fund. Shortages of food and medicine have caused a humanitarian crisis. The Maduro government is struggling to raise the cash needed to make its debt payments and pay for imports. Some economists maintain that Venezuela is at risk of default in 2017.
    [Show full text]
  • Lakewood High School Position Paper for the Commission on The
    Delegation From: Bangladesh Represented By: Lakewood High School Position Paper for The Commission on the Status of Women The topics presented to the Commission on the Status of Women include the Empowerment of Female Entrepreneurs in Developing Countries and Removing Barriers to Justice for Women. Bangladesh fully supports endeavors to advance women’s rights in all areas and would like to see further efforts put forth in the realization of women’s rights, the implementation of effective programs, and overall forward progress in the area of women’s rights as a whole. I. Empowering Female Entrepreneurs in Developing Countries Bangladesh puts its full support behind efforts to empower women not only in the business field, but in all other fields, and is committed to improving women’s rights and gender equality as a whole. While the condition of women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh is not perfect (as is the case in many other nations), considerable progress has been made in this area (along with an array of other areas relating to women’s rights and gender equality); due to the growth of the garment industry women have entered the workforce in significant numbers (over three million women have formal paid employment in this sector alone), the Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been active in promoting targeted government policies (including allocation of sufficient budget funds) to support women entrepreneurs, and nearly all banks in Bangladesh now have desks dedicated solely to women entrepreneurs to ensure that they can access loans on better terms more easily. Bangladesh has expressed its support of women’s rights, gender equality, and the empowerment of women by signing onto/participating in a variety of United Nations programs, campaigns, and plans.
    [Show full text]