Venezuela Information Office
Encyclopedia
The Venezuela Information Office (VIO) was a Washington, DC-based lobbying
agency with the goal of improving the perception of Venezuela
in the United States; its stated mission was "to prevent US intervention in Venezuela". Founded in 2004 by the government of Venezuela
, VIO was funded by the Venezuelan government and therefore registered with the United States Department of Justice
under the Foreign Agents Registration Act
.
As of February 2010, the organisation has issued no press releases via its website since November 2008.
. In addition to maintaining a public websiteand a blog
, VIO promoted its views in the media in a number of ways, including issuing press releases, contributing articles (such as responses to the 2008 Human Rights Watch
report on Venezuela), and being available for interviews.
According to public records the VIO spent $379,000 on lobbying the US Congress
in the years 2004 to 2007. In 2004 it also contracted public relations
company Lumina Strategies to improve the image of Hugo Chávez
and of the Venezuelan government in the United States, supporting and coordinating the media relations work of the VIO.
Lobbying
Lobbying is the act of attempting to influence decisions made by officials in the government, most often legislators or members of regulatory agencies. Lobbying is done by various people or groups, from private-sector individuals or corporations, fellow legislators or government officials, or...
agency with the goal of improving the perception of Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
in the United States; its stated mission was "to prevent US intervention in Venezuela". Founded in 2004 by the government of Venezuela
Government of Venezuela
|Venezuela is a federal presidential republic governed by a constitution. There are five branches of government: Executive, Legislative, Judicial, Citizen, and Electoral....
, VIO was funded by the Venezuelan government and therefore registered with the United States Department of Justice
United States Department of Justice
The United States Department of Justice , is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.The Department is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated...
under the Foreign Agents Registration Act
Foreign Agents Registration Act
The Foreign Agents Registration Act is a United States law passed in 1938 requiring that agents representing the interests of foreign powers be properly identified to the American public. The act was passed in response to German propaganda in the lead-up to World War II...
.
As of February 2010, the organisation has issued no press releases via its website since November 2008.
Work
A key part of VIO's function was responding to negative coverage of Venezuela in the US mediaMedia of the United States
Media of the United States consist of several different types of communications media: television, radio, cinema, newspapers, magazines, and Internet-based Web sites. The U.S...
. In addition to maintaining a public websiteand a blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
, VIO promoted its views in the media in a number of ways, including issuing press releases, contributing articles (such as responses to the 2008 Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch is an international non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights. Its headquarters are in New York City and it has offices in Berlin, Beirut, Brussels, Chicago, Geneva, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, Paris, San Francisco, Tokyo,...
report on Venezuela), and being available for interviews.
According to public records the VIO spent $379,000 on lobbying the US Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
in the years 2004 to 2007. In 2004 it also contracted public relations
Public relations
Public relations is the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc....
company Lumina Strategies to improve the image of Hugo Chávez
Hugo Chávez
Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías is the 56th and current President of Venezuela, having held that position since 1999. He was formerly the leader of the Fifth Republic Movement political party from its foundation in 1997 until 2007, when he became the leader of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela...
and of the Venezuelan government in the United States, supporting and coordinating the media relations work of the VIO.