Hugo Chavez has now been sworn in for a third term as Venezuela’s president, following a landslide victory in last December’s election. He took his wide margin of victory (63% of the popular vote) as a mandate to move the nation on an even more radical path toward socialism, promising to extend his so-called “Bolivarian revolution” and asking the National Assembly to grant him more power to rule by decree and to remove presidential term limits so that he may keep his office later than 2013, when his new term expires. Chavez has also announced plans to nationalize certain strategic industries, sending shockwaves through American companies with assets there. Chavez’ supporters claim that his agenda will ultimately bring about social equality in Venezuela, but his critics accuse him of attempting to consolidate a leftist dictatorship similar to Fidel Castro’s (“Chavez accelerates on path to socialism”).
Chavez has been positioning himself as the Western Hemisphere’s antithesis to George W. Bush, leading the movement against the so-called “Washington consensus” of promoting free trade worldwide and becoming friendly with Iran’s regime. He is also known to Americans recently for his infamous “Bush is the devil” speech to the United Nations, but also for his subsidizing of heating fuel to poor households in areas of the U.S.
Should the U.S. worry of a “domino effect” as seemingly more and more Latin American nations elect anti-American socialist leaders? Do you think Hugo Chavez is actually concerned with the welfare of his people, or simply trying to build more power for himself? Would Venezuela’s political situation dissuade you from accepting their subsidized fuel if you were in need?
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Comments: 13
As the price of oil goes down the pace of freedom goes up in countries like Nigeria, Iran, Russia, and Venezuela and as the price of oil goes up the pace of freedom goes down.
If the price of oil goes down you will see Chavez authoritarian government crumble. The US does not have to fear a domino effect. In order for countries to follow Chavez Petro-Authoritarian regime they will need two things
• Substantial oil
• High oil prices.
Yes, he is concerned for the welfare of his people, that's why they have come out en masse to support him at the polls in record numbers. He was DEMOCRATICALLY elected. In fact, when a US supported coup deposed him, it only lasted for a day because the people marched en masse and overtook the main government building with the help of some of the guards who were working at the time and reinstated the DEMOCRATICALLY elected Chavez. The people love him because he supports the needs of all his people and not just the rich, unlike Bush whose tax cuts favored only those families who earned over a million dollars.
Glen, if you think Chavez respects the American people, you are losing it.
As far as Socialism catching on in the west, I agree with Mickey b. His 'programs' have been made capable by the surge in oil prices, as they fall so will his bank roll to keep funding them. Yet another great reason to find alternative sources of energy.
Much like his role model Castro, Chavez's aim is to keep the southern hemisphere of the Americas poor and dependent on the exploitation of minerals and farming.
I once worked with a African-Cuban who left the island by way of Haiti (a more prosperous country than Cuba), I chided him one day for leaving the people's paradise of Cuba, he replied "I ain't chopping sugar cane for no white man".
My friend had it dead cold right, Cuba is nothing more than a paternal plantation where the white elite run an agrairan economy where people of color are the peaents.
As for Chavez, at least he is not the direct descendent of the Spanish, so in that he holds a few cards over Castro, but his policy of petro-imperialism is pure old school capitalism.
His country also does a lot of business with the US, but doesn't seemed concerned about losing it, at least not openly. I'd say he is well on his way to a dictatorship and seeks more power in South America. It always starts this way.
I'm sure we will be butting heads more later...
Chavez may not be my choice as a leader, but I think his bluster (and seeming compassion) probably come across as strength to Venezuelan citizens. Operating in the shadows of the US, they likely feel Venezuela lacks power in the global economy. Chavez gives them a new identity, a unity, and a sense of belonging on the world stage. Don't most of us want to belong, to be affirmed in who we are, and to be part of something larger than ourselves?
Except of course across Scandinavia!
"Chavez is a dictator who seeks only to entrench his own power and make himself rich."
Just admit that you don't know anything about Chavez that didn't come from biased sources. He was DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED. Unlike the South American Dictators implemented by the Reagan/Bush1 Administration.
"Cond\sider the company he keeps."
That would be like keeping company with the likes of Saddam Hussein, Auguste Pinochet, Manuel Noriega... oh wait a minute that was a well-respected Republican Administration closely linked to the current one who did that!
"Glen, if you think Chavez respects the American people, you are losing it. "
It really spites you that he donates millions of gallons of heating fuel every year to our nation's underprivleged doesn't it?