Upper crust Venezuelans extend Xmas holidays and stay put in Miami

www.vheadline.com: Monday, January 27, 2003 - 3:01:38 PM By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

The Miami Herald says many Venezuelans who flew to the United States to pass the Christmas vacations in Florida have decided to stay on and not return even though they had bought a return ticket.  Many claim that they cannot face a return to scarcity of foodstuffs, insecurity and political unrest in Venezuela.

• A local Miami school reports that 80 Venezuelan families have signed their children up for primary school since Christmas.

The Venezuelan-American Brotherhood has confirmed the trend adding that the situation is even more critical since US firms are not investing in Venezuela any more. Some of the Venezuelans say they expect aid from Miami’s Cuban community, which has espoused the Venezuelan opposition cause because of President Chavez Frias’ alleged close friendship with Cuba's Fidel Castro.