'Private Property Becomes a Precarious Right'

Bolivarian socialism marches forward in Venezuela, and El Universal delves into what plans President Hugo Chavez has for private property:

"At the present time, in the case of the houses that are being built by the government, the recipients receive a deed of adjudication and in the award ceremonies the head of state advises families, 'these houses are for you, they cannot be sold.'

Not only there are restrictions with housing, but also with different assets. For instance, during a broadcast of his TV and radio show 'Aló, Presidente,' Chávez commented that a vehicle 'is a good intended to meet a need: transportation –individual transportation, family transportation, transportation for work.'

Attorney José Vicente Haro explained that in the face of the statements, 'private property becomes a precarious right.' In his view, 'there is some form of ownership with some attributes, but wherever is stated that the individual inherits any property, there is an attempt at preventing trade; therefore, it becomes a sui generis property, void of content, because it cannot be transferred, encumbered or mortgaged.'

In the expert's view, upon delivery of a deed of adjudication, a form of ownership which is not under the Venezuelan legislation applies. 'Nothing prohibits it, or regulates it and somehow collective property begins.'"