The Dr. Rafael Belloso Chacín University (Universidad Dr. Rafael Belloso Chacín, URBE), founded on 5 October 1989, is located in the city of Maracaibo in the State of Zulia (URBE n.d.). During a telephone interview, the director of inter-institutional relations at the URBE indicated that the university had no student association (ibid. 1 Oct. 2003). However, there are several "action groups" (grupos de acción) that consist of students enrolled in different faculties who organize educational, cultural and sport activities (ibid.). According to the director, these groups do not take part in political activities (ibid.). The action groups have a horizontal structure and no secretary-generals or other executive members (ibid.). The director did not want to talk about the participation of URBE students in demonstrations.

No mention of a demonstration organized by persons affiliated with the URBE in March 2003 could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. Sources did indicate, however, that URBE students took part in two demonstrations in 2003 (El Universal 4 Feb. 2003; ibid. 22 Jan. 2003).

The first demonstration, involving hundreds of students, professors and employees from the URBE, the Monseñor de Talavera University Institute (Instituto Universitario Monseñor de Talavera), the Cecilio Acosta University (Universidad Cecilio Acosta) and the University of Zulia (Universidad del Zulia, LUZ), was held on 21 January 2003 (ibid.). According to the newspaper El Universal, the demonstrators were protesting the financial crisis at several non-identified public institutions (ibid.).

In early February 2003, URBE students and members of the opposition demonstrated in front of university buildings to protest the university's resuming activities during a general strike (ibid. 4 Feb. 2003).

No information on the treatment of organizers of the demonstrations could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

El Universal [Caracas]. 4 February 2003. "'Rematazo' hasta el viernes." http://www.eluniversal.com/2003/02/04/04153DD.shtml [Accessed 30 Sept. 2003]

_____. 22 January 2003. Monica Castro. "Los universitarios manifestaron por el SI en Maracaibo." http://www.eluniversal.com/2003/01/22/22103BB.shtml [Accessed 30 Sept. 2003]

Universidad Dr. Rafael Belloso Chacín (URBE), Maracaibo. 1 October 2003. Telephone interview with the director of inter-institutional relations.

______. n.d. "Su creación." http://www.urbe.edu/universidad/creacion.shtml [Accessed 30 Sept. 2003]

Additional Sources Consulted

IRB Databases

Internet sites, including:

Panorama [Maracaibo]

El Universal [Caracas]. 2002-2003

Universidad Dr. Rafael Belloso Chacín (URBE), Maracaibo

Venezuela Analítica [Caracas]

Venezuelan Program of Action and Education in Human Rights (PROVEA)

Vheadline [Caracas]