Brasília - The president of Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, was in the state of Paraná last week on a business trip following a visit by the governor, Roberto Requião, to Venezuela in November. Since the Requião visit, Venezuela has invested some US$300 mi9llion in the state of Paraná.

While he is in Curitiba, the state capital, Chavez will meet with some 1,000 members of the Via Campesina, a Social movement umbrella group which unites activists and militants. He will also sign commercial agreements with state representatives.

Translation: Allen Bennett