Latest News #236
March 7, 2003

The following news concerns Venezuela.

United Bible Societies in Venezuela contributes to peace talks

CARACAS, Venezuela — In the midst of political unrest, which has crippled the economy and brought the country to a standstill, the United Bible Societies (UBS) in Venezuela has been participating in talks aimed at easing tensions between local government leaders.

Venezuela has been racked by political instability since November 2001, when President Hugo Chavez announced a program of controversial economic and land reforms. A series of general strikes and massive demonstrations, in which more than 10 people died, have paralysed the country and left Venezuelans bitterly divided.

At the invitation of the Christian Institute for Social Studies, Luis Magín Álvarez, Executive Secretary of UBS in Venezuela, addressed a meeting of mayors on December 21. The meeting was aimed at starting a process of reconciliation between mayors on opposite sides of the political divide.

Mr Álvarez, who spoke first, emphasised the importance for Venezuelans to listen to each other and build bridges of understanding, especially during times of trouble. Commenting on the bitter war of words between Mr Chavez and his opponents, which has heightened tensions, Mr Álvarez asked the gathering to take to heart the teachings of the Bible about the use of language. He particularly focused on James 3, which speaks about the power of words, and how each person bears a responsibility to use them wisely.

Two mayors representing opposing sides also addressed the gathering: Dr Armando Rodríguez, Vice-President of the National Association of Mayors and Mayor of the city of Araure, spoke for mayors opposed to Mr Chavez's government, while William Páez, Mayor of the city of Guarenas, spoke for Mr Chavez's supporters. Other speakers included Dr Lorenzo Tovar, former head of the consumer protection body set up by the government, and the Rev Roland Cox, an American missionary who has made Venezuela his home.

The meeting, attended by about 100 invited people, including members of the media, concluded with a question-and-answer session, in which Mr Álvarez answered questions on the Bible and its relevance to the situation in Venezuela today. At the end of the conference, Dr Rodríguez and Mr Páez publicly asked for each other's forgiveness and promised to work to bring peace between the mayors of Venezuela.

In the meantime, although shops, factories and universities recently re-opened after the latest general strike, which lasted nine weeks, Venezuela is still in a state of uncertainty. The opposition claims that Mr Chavez is too authoritarian and blame him for the country's economic woes. They want him to step down and call a referendum on his rule, but he has refused to consider a vote until August.

Three months of talks, facilitated by the Organisation of American States, have yielded little other than a non-violence pact, which both sides signed earlier this month. The pact is not legally binding and in it both sides agree to tone down the language they use against each other and "create a climate of peace and calm".

Since then, however, Mr Chavez has arrested an opposition leader, Carlos Fernandez, stepping up the tension in Venezuela and causing widespread international concern.

Mr Álvarez has called on the UBS fellowship to pray for an end to the turmoil and for peace and stability to return to Venezuela. (545 words - VENEZUELA.7.3.03)
For further information please contact Andrew Mathewson, UBS Editor.
Alternatively, write to:

Andrew Mathewson
UBS Editor,
UBS World Service Center
Reading Bridge House, 7th Floor
Reading
RG1 8PJ
England