Salon.com > Fabiola Sanchez

Torrential rains leave 21 dead in Venezuela

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 22:43:00 +0000

Flooding and landslides unleashed by torrential rains have killed at least 21 people in Venezuela, forced thousands from their homes and idled an oil refinery.

The death toll rose on Tuesday as authorities confirmed eight additional deaths in Caracas and nearby states. Vice President Elias Jaua said there had been 21 deaths nationwide since Thursday and about 5,600 people fled their homes.

Gov. Henrique Capriles decreed a "state of alarm" in Miranda state, which includes parts of the capital, aiming to speed aid to flood victims. Capriles, speaking to Venezuelan television station Globovision, called on President Hugo Chavez to declare an emergency in the state.

Chavez has already declared an emergency in the western state of Falcon, which has been particularly hard hit, and the military has been dispatched to aid victims.

Officials said the storms caused a power outage Monday that stopped operations at the Cardon oil refinery in Falcon, and similar problems shut down some units at the adjacent Amuay refinery. Venezuela's state oil company said it had adequate supplies on hand and the problems would not affect fuel shipments.

33 survive Venezuelan plane crash

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 19:41:00 +0000

A plane carrying 51 people from a Caribbean island crashed Monday in eastern Venezuela, and officials said 33 survived, while the rest were killed or missing. At least 14 people were killed and four were missing in the crash about six miles (10 kilometers) from the eastern city of Puerto Ordaz, Bolivar state Gov. Francisco Rangel Gomez told reporters.

The French-built ATR-42 from the state airline Conviasa slammed into a lot used by the state-run Sidor steel foundry, leaving its smashed fuselage among barrels and shipping containers.

The governor said 33 people survived and were being treated at hospitals.

The plane, a twin-engine turboprop, was carrying 47 passengers and four crew members, Rangel Gomez said.

He said that Conviasa Flight 2350 had taken off from Margarita Island and crashed shortly before reaching its destination, the airport of Puerto Ordaz.

It was unclear what caused the crash.

The state airline, Consorcio Venezolano de Industrias Aeronauticas y Servicios Aeros SA, began operations in 2004. It says it serves destinations in Venezuela, the Caribbean, Argentina, Iran and Syria.

Venezuelan plane crashes with 51 aboard

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 18:39:00 +0000

A plane carrying 51 people crashed Monday in eastern Venezuela, and officials said at least 21 people survived.

The French-built ATR-42 from the state airline Conviasa crashed about 6 miles (10 kilometers) from the eastern city of Puerto Ordaz at about 10 a.m. (1430 GMT), Transportation Minister Francisco Garces told state television. He said the plane went down on the property of the state-run Sidor steel foundry.

Rescue workers were tending to injured victims, and at least 23 survivors were taken to hospitals, Bolivar state Gov. Francisco Rangel Gomez told the Venezuela-based television network Telesur.

Two of the injured died, while 21 others were being treated, hospital official Yanitza Rodriguez said.

Venezuela breaks ties with U.S.-allied Colombia

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:45:00 +0000

Venezuela's defense minister on Friday warned Colombia against provoking a conflict after President Hugo Chavez severed ties with the neighboring country and placed his military on alert.

Defense Minister Carlos Mata read a statement on state television promising "a strong response" if foreign forces cross into Venezuelan territory.

Chavez announced he was breaking off diplomatic relations with Colombia on Thursday, accusing its U.S.-allied government of fabricating evidence showing Colombian rebel bases inside Venezuela.

Despite the diplomatic dispute, cars and pedestrians were moving between the countries as usual at border crossings on Friday, officials on both sides said. Venezuelan Vice President Elias Jaua called the situation on the border normal.

The diplomatic dispute over the presence of Colombian rebels in Venezuela has worsened just as Colombian President Alvaro Uribe prepares to leave office.

Uribe has frequently feuded with the Venezuelan president, and Colombian officials have long complained, mostly in private, that Chavez has harbored leaders of its two main rebel groups.