Venezuela Roundup: New socialist mission, femicide increase, electoral registration

Promotion of tourism

The Bolivarian Government of Venezuela has completed a 400-meter extension of the runway in the renowned Los Roques Archipelago, aiming to position it as the ultimate destination for Latin American and Caribbean tourism. The newly extended runway boasts a revamped pavement and state-of-the-art beacons that adhere to modern international standards. Additionally, the facility includes a comprehensive aircraft fuel system and meets high standards of aeronautical safety, further enhancing the overall infrastructure of the archipelago, El Universal reports. This initiative, led by the National Executive in collaboration with the Island Territory's head, Aníbal Coronado Millán, aims to unleash productive forces for the establishment of a new economic model, facilitating the influx of foreign currency resources into the country. Situated within the Francisco de Miranda island territory, the Los Roques Archipelago features a vast coral atoll with 50 islands, 292 cays, and extensive coral reefs spanning 221,120 hectares.

Permanent electoral registration

The Chief Rector of the National Electoral Council (CNE), Rosalba Gil Pacheco, has announced the locations of permanent points for the electoral registry across the national territory. In a statement shared on her Instagram account, Pacheco outlined that these points will be operational from March 9 onwards, facilitating the registration and updating of data for Venezuelan citizens in preparation for the upcoming presidential election scheduled for July 28, El Universal reports. "Permanent points of the electoral register are now available throughout the national territory. Familiarize yourself with the locations where citizens can register or update their information in the Electoral Registry," announced Pacheco. These permanent registration points will be open from Monday to Friday, operating from 8:30 in the morning to 3:30 in the afternoon. This schedule aims to provide convenient access for citizens to participate in the electoral process and ensure that their information is up-to-date for the upcoming presidential election. The announcement comes as part of the CNE's efforts to encourage voter participation and ensure a transparent and inclusive electoral process leading up to the crucial presidential election in July.

Boris Johnson visits Maduro

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has reportedly made a discreet trip to Venezuela for a meeting with President Nicolás Maduro, sources at The Times newspaper indicate. Johnson is said to have landed in Caracas after discreetly departing from his vacation in the Dominican Republic. The meeting, shrouded in secrecy, addressed pressing international issues, particularly focusing on the relationship between Venezuela and Russia amid the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, El Nacional reports.  One of the key points of discussion during the meeting was the border conflict concerning the Esequibo region with Guyana. The leaders aimed to explore avenues for reducing tensions in the region, especially following the recent deployment of a Royal Navy patrol ship to the area. President Maduro criticized this move as a hostile provocation. Another crucial aspect of the meeting revolved around the Venezuelan presidential elections scheduled for the second half of 2024.

New socialist mission

The Minister for Youth and Sport, Mervin Maldonado, has inaugurated a Socialist Mission Base, "In Union of the Seven Forces of Chávez," in the El Valle parish of Caracas as part of the Maduro-led administration’s key objectives. Maldonado highlighted that the newly established Mission Base will be a key component of the Great Mission Young Venezuela and the Great Mission Equality and Social Justice "Hugo Chávez," both designed to address the needs of the people. He pointed out that this mission base features the first platform of the youth zone, aligning with vertex three of the social program. The president of the Great Mission Venezuela Joven, Génesis Garvett, explained that the inauguration signifies a commitment to addressing and deepening all seven vertices of the social program. Garvett further detailed the comprehensive intervention of the space, transforming it into a functional classroom equipped with amenities such as Wi-Fi, a screen, a sound system, and a cinema club. The Mission Base is set to impact 2,188 families and encompasses seven communal councils. As the Mission Base becomes operational, it is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing the well-being of the community and promoting social equality in the region, Ultimas Noticias reports.

Increased femicides

Human Kaleidoscope, a project focused on monitoring, documenting, and disseminating information through the MonitorDescaVe initiative, has in its latest report unveiled a rise in violence against women and girls in Venezuela. In the report titled "Gender-Based Violence: Femicides 2023," 2023 witnessed a disturbing total of 216 femicides, marking a 22.03% increase from the 177 femicides reported in 2022. The state of Zulia ranked as the most violent for women in Venezuela, with 22 documented femicides, followed closely by Aragua with 21 and the Capital District with 19. Human Kaleidoscope's report also delves into femicides against Venezuelan women abroad, revealing 106 cases, a staggering 135.56% increase compared to the 45 femicides reported in 2022 beyond the country's borders. Research Coordinator, Nataly Carvajal attributes this surge in violence against women to "discrimination against a group, in this case, women; while the other enjoys greater benefits; which accentuates inequality and poverty and ends up increasing all forms of violence against women." “These are not just figures; they are lives that sexist violence is extinguishing. These women had goals, dreams, and desires. They had families waiting for them,” she is quoted by La Patilla.