RAQUEL BARREIRO C.
EL UNIVERSAL

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez Monday is to issue a decree to expedite agricultural land redistribution nationwide amid his campaign to fight latifundio.

Agriculture and Land Minister Arnoldo Márquez Thursday said "the spirit of this decree is to consolidate a process of reorganization without prejudice to the measures some regional governors have adopted in this sense. In this way, we are going to take the necessary steps throughout the country to tackle this problem together. (This decree) does not undermine direct actions provided under the Land Law or moves that governors may adopt."

Márquez would not provide more information on the contents of the decree. He said, however, the decree is to set forth a committee comprised by representatives from the ministries of Agriculture and Land, Environment and Natural Resources, Popular Economy, the Unified Command of the National Armed Force, three Governor's Offices, the Solicitor General's Office, and the National Land Institute (INTI). This taskforce is to draft the rules to be followed, together with the INTI, to make decisions regarding idle tracts of land.

Legal changes

Alfredo D'Ascoli, legal advisor of the Cojedes State Governor's Office, said a local committee created to fight latifundios is pondering over the possibility to introduce changes in the current Land Law, "to take it back to its original form," but he would not elaborate.

He added that authorities in Cojedes State are working to frame a Land Law to govern municipal plots of land.

Since some landowners have expressed concern at the possibility that local land seizure decrees may violate private property rights, Rafael Alemán, secretary general of Cojedes State Governor's Office, ensured that "the state is guaranteeing private property because it is provided for under our Constitution. Agrarian leaders in the country should not panic."

Nevertheless, Cojedes State Solicitor General Alexis Ortiz said collective rights are above individual rights. D'Ascoli said "the Supreme Tribunal of Justice has determined that property rights are not absolute rights."

Regarding "El Charcote" cattle ranch, owned by the British Vestey Group, authorities in Cojedes State said it would be seized on Saturday. The operation is to take one week. Some 10 experts and four National Guard troopers are to set a camp at the estate to determine the real surface of the farm, its productive area, soil characteristics, premises, land exploitation, invasions, among other aspects.

Translated by Maryflor Suárez