Venezuelans hold vigil to block seizure of Pepsi facility

[naaman fletcher]

Workers are holding overnight vigils this week at a Pepsi-Cola warehouse in central Venezuela in an attempt to block President Hugo Chavez's plans to seize the site, the latest in a series of nationalizations that have divided the nation.

The site of warehouse, along with other buildings in the city of Barquisimeto's industrial zone, has been targeted for new housing development by Chavez. The facility is owned by Polar, a food services conglomerate with which Chavez has often been at odds.

The nationalization of the site, which was formally decreed by Chavez this month, prompted Lara state Gov. Henri Falcon to resign from the president's party. In a recent interview with The Times, Falcon, who previously was mayor of Barquisimeto, said Chavez's autocratic ways prompted his decision to jump to the splinter socialist Party for Everyone.

About 800 workers in the industrial park, including 450 with Pepsi, are in danger of losing their jobs.

Chavez has promised to pay companies for seized properties, but many are still waiting for compensation, including many of the 60 oil field service companies whose assets were seized in May 2009.

[naaman fletcher]

1. forgot to add link:

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/latinamerica/la-fg-venezuela-vigil-20100512,0,1625603.story

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2. But wait, Peace Patriot says they are all compensated

I think he must have heard it from that gringo blonde who writes for Venezuelanalysis.com :-)

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3. LOL. Vigils to defend the Pepsi warehouse from nationalization.

The governor actually resigns over the Pepsi warehouse. Clearly the last straw.

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4. He didn't resign over the Pepsi warehouse.

The governor resigned from Chavez' party, the PSUV, and joined a different party. He said the reason why he resigned was because Chavez was an autocrat who wouldn't listen to anybody, and the PSUV is full of trained seals who only know how to clap whatever Chavez says. The man is also explaining the nationalizations have led to the loss of jobs for hundreds of workers, and he's a leftist, his support comes from the working class, including those "Pepsi workers" you laugh at. So you see, the working class, the unionized workers, are now turning against Chavez. Guess what else is happening? His popularity is plummeting day by day.

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5. Tsk:

"The nationalization of the site, which was formally decreed by Chavez this month, prompted Lara state Gov. Henri Falcon to resign from the president's party."