5 of 8 Colombians arrested in March transferred to military court 12 May to face espionage, sabotage charges; 3 others released. Chávez-critic and ex-defence minister Raúl Isaias Baduel 7 May sentenced to nearly 8 years’ prison for corruption. President Chávez continued crackdown on currency speculators and traders he blames for economic woes.

Govt 6 Apr confirmed it had arrested 8 Colombians 29 March, accused of espionage, sabotaging electricity grid; Bogotá denied. Govt 15 Apr launched new youth groups (“communication guerillas”) to respond to anti-govt media “disinformation”; opposition, private media outlets highly critical. Opposition criticised President Chávez for 26 April granting army 40% pay rise amidst growing economic crisis; govt 5 Apr announced further arms deals with Russia that could rise to US$5bn.

Spanish judge 1 March accused ex-ministry of agriculture official Arturo Cubillas of facilitating contacts between FARC and ETA rebels, unclear if with govt knowledge; President Chávez rejected. Govt 23 Feb arrested influential opposition figure Oswaldo Álvarez Paz for “spreading false information” after he accused govt of ties to FARC, ETA; 26 March arrested head of anti-govt TV station Globovision for “contempt”, insulting Chávez in public. 1 March U.S. State Dept report said cocaine trafficking from Venezuela increased sharply during 2009.

President Chávez 9 Feb announced “electricity emergency”, signed 60-day decree authorising govt to fine heavy energy users; opposition criticised govt’s 3 Feb appointment of Cuba VP Ramiro Valdés as head of commission to address energy crisis. OAS human rights body IAHRC 2 Feb asked govt to investigate “improper use of force” by police during late Jan anti-govt protests that left 2 dead. 25 Feb IAHRC report highly critical of deteriorating democratic, human rights situations in Venezuela; Chávez 26 Feb rejected report, announced Venezuela will leave IAHRC. Govt rejected Colombia’s 20 Feb claim that FARC commander “Granobles” hiding in Venezuela’s Apure department. Group of independent media outlets 2 Feb criticised Chávez’s increasing erosion of press freedoms.

Tens of thousands protested govt’s 23 Jan closure of anti-govt TV station RCTVI for failing to comply with broadcast regulations; 2 protestors killed in Mérida 25 Jan when rival groups clashed. President Chávez 8 Jan announced devaluation of bolívar, new exchange rate regime. National electoral council 20 Jan announced modifications to several electoral districts ahead of Sept parliamentary elections; opposition criticised, said changes will favour Chávez’s PSUV party. Chávez 13 Jan dismissed electricity minister Angel Rodríguez as energy crisis continued; govt 1 Jan imposed 20% power rationing on public, private sectors. Govt 6 Jan said alleged May 2009 U.S. warplane incursion on Venezuelan airspace “conclusive proof” of U.S. military threats; U.S. denied.

Tensions with Colombia continued: Colombian president Uribe accused Venezuela of imposing “illegal, unjust embargo” on Colombia as Caracas further cut bilateral trade. Bogotá 19 Dec announced will strengthen troop presence along common border; President Chávez denounced as “Colombian aggression”, 20 Dec claimed Bogotá sent spy drones into Venezuela. Science minister Chacón resigned 6 Dec after his brother arrested on corruption charges related to growing banking scandal; opposition said indicative of large-scale corruption within govt. Chávez 4 Dec announced new 60,000-strong national police force to combat domestic insecurity.

Tensions with Colombia increased significantly as President Chávez stepped up aggressive rhetoric following Bogotá’s controversial 4 Nov military base deal with U.S.. Chávez 9 Nov said U.S. or Colombian attack would trigger “100-year war”, urged military and population to “prepare for war”. After claiming 11 bodies found in Venezuelan border region in Oct were part of Colombian “paramilitary infiltration plan”, Caracas 5 Nov deployed 15,000 border troops to combat drug-trafficking and strengthen security. Colombia in response 13 Nov protested to UNSC, lodged complaint with WTO over Venezuela’s partial blocking of trade across border. Venezuelan military 19 Nov blew up 2 cross-border bridges.

Govt mid-month announced US$2.2bn weapons deal with Russia; U.S. said a “serious challenge to stability” in region. Opposition, Inter-American Press Society said press freedoms increasingly threatened after govt 6 Sept revoked licenses of 29 private radio stations, announced new probe into pro-opposition TV station Globovisión.

Thousands protested education law passed by National Assembly 13 Aug that increases govt control over schools, curriculums. Govt 1 Aug revoked licenses of 34 private radio stations, further 200 under investigation. National Assembly 31 July passed law redrawing congressional districts, opposition said will favour ruling PSUV party. Tensions with Colombia still high as Chávez criticised U.S.-Colombian defence agreement throughout month (see Colombia), but govt 8 Aug reinstated ambassador to Bogotá.