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.
05:09 PM. Economy. If any country has cashed in on the Bolivarian revolution, that is Brazil, particularly the private companies of the southern neighbor. Over the past five years, it has been awarded contracts for works to be carried out in Venezuela for over USD 14 billion. This puts it as the first recipient of government-to-government contracts, that is, without bidding, since Hugo Chávez took office.