CARACAS, Tuesday August 12, 2008 | Update
Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez congratulated his Bolivian
counterpart Evo Morales for the Bolivians' decision to ratify
his mandate in a recall vote last Sunday, Venezuelan President's
Office reported.
During a telephone conversation with Morales on Sunday night,
Chávez assured Morales of the Venezuelan government support
in his search of a "peaceful transformation" of Bolivia, through
a "democratic and cultural" revolution, DPA reported.
"Once again, the truth triumphs over the campaigns of
the empire (the United States) with this glorious election
day, which is the most vivid historic demonstration of the
Bolivian people's desire to control its destiny," Chávez
told Morales.
For its part, the Organization of American States (OAS) said
that Bolivian political leaders are obliged to sit down to
reach an accord after the recall vote. The OAS chief recommended
to set clear rules of negotiation, EFE reported.
11:00 AM. Economy. Based on the official data, more and more families failed to get out of poverty in 2008; the exclusion status of more people moved faster and fewer people are on their way to overcome this situation. According to the data provided by the official National Statistics Institute (INE), last year the poorest homes in the country recorded an average monthly income of USD 401.82, whereas the food basket amounted to 417.77