President(dictator) Hugo Chavez

[RED FIRE COW]

I have a Venezuelan friend and when he told me all about this guy I couldnt believe it. How could this guy get away with all this withought getting overthrown? how could he change their countries constitution just like that?

 

Why is this happening and nobody doing anything about this? They were a democracy for gods sake. He closed down their school system, he doesent let anybody under the age of 18 leave the country, plus you cant take your money from the bank out of th country ect...

 

I thought we learned from past expiriences so why do w let anoter Cuba be born?

 

If anybody needs to get shot by a DAKOTA T-76 LONGBOW its him and Saddam.

[aman]

I had a friend in Belize. He started a company making fiberglass water tanks for on top of houses and was an instant success. The Gov't demanded partnership and when he refused he was jailed and finally escaped. The Gov't confiscated his business.

Also

Colombia printed new 500 peso notes and had about 20 million US worth in circulation. The rebels robbed a train of 25 million US worth of the 500 peso notes so the Gov't just said, from now on they are worthless. The people got screwed.

If you don't live in the US, don't expect it to be fair.

Just aman

[RED FIRE COW]

True but we are talking about a country that was run by democracy up until this year, this just should not happen. We spend years trying to take Castro out of power because his communist and causing trouble but Hugo Chavez shows up and we dont even try to threaten the guy.

[Hitman47]

He did step out of power. I believe it was in 2002. The people in Venezula were cheering, but then suddenly he came back on a helicopter and regained his power.

 

FUNNY OCCURANCE

[RED FIRE COW]

I heard he also took either all police weapons away from them or he completely removed all the police from the country because they were standing against him.

 

But the most insane thing is he removed all the head military guys (because they also didnt want him) and replaced them with prisoners.

[aman]

Solutions: None easy, I'm old and I've seen it and I try to figure out how to fix it. I saw protesters that say don't and when you ask then what else should we do they don't know and act like dummies. I like people with ideas on "DO". Too bad we don't have any Venezuelans on the forum. I don't want to see a civil war break out. Military rule sucks. I lived in Venezuela a short time and it is as corrupt as anywhere else down there. When I escaped I swore they could ride their little portion of the world to hell, but I was kinda upset at the time. So anybody got any ideas on what can be done?

Just aman

[RED FIRE COW]

Well I hope somebody has a good answer to your question though it seems like assasination is the only solution since you really cant overthrow him since its military rule.

 

I dont think taking out a dictator by honest means is easy or that possible, unless you kill him. But yeah if anybody has any Ideas on this situation it would be great to see.

[aman]

I'm worried it will just boil and broil and people will get killed and the UN isn't going to do anything. If Iraq, North Korea, Palastinian/Israel, Syria, Lebenon, Libya, Chechnya, Burma triangle, Indonesia, China/Tiawan, get settled. Maybe the world can concentrate on some of the other horrors that countries can't get out of by themselves. I think it's going to take help from outside and not like the aid we gave the Nicaraguans against the Sandanistas.

Just aman

[Guest Zorro3]

Chavez is a breath of fresh air. He is a genius at preempting the murderous intentions of the Bush junta. He is also funny, hilarious, I don’t think he goes far enough in insulting the monkey in the White House and the Condosleez who should be shipped back to her turnip patch in Trashville Alabama. I love seeing the consternation on Condo’s face when she gets exposed for the spiteful self-impressed b itch she truly is. Chavez should be made President of the U.S., LOL

 

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Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez was warmly received at the 2005 edition of the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil, where he held several meetings with local leaders, intellectuals and activists, and gave the closing speech at the Gigantinho Stadium. Chavez generated great interest among Forum participants, many of whom see Chavez and his project of political transformations being implemented in Venezuela, as an inspiration in the struggles for a more better world.

 

“The great people of the United States are our brothers, my salute to them,” Chavez told the 15.000 World Social Forum participants that managed to get inside the Gigantinho Stadium in Porto Alegre to hear him speak.

 

The Venezuelan President visited the Lagoa do Junco agrarian settlement in Tapes set up by Brazil’s Landless Movement (MST), and later held a press conference with more than 120 media organizations, where he criticized the U.S. government for claiming to lead a fight against terrorism while undermining Democracy in Venezuela.

 

Chavez highlighted the recent creation of Latin American satellite TV network TeleSur, “which will allow us to tell our people’s reality in our own words.” He added that TeleSur will be at the disposal of the people, not of governments.

 

The leader added that his country’s military forces are undergoing a period of modernization of its weapon systems and resources, but asserted that it is aimed at defending the country’s sovereignty. “Venezuela will not attack anybody, but don’t attack Venezuela, because you will find us ready to defend our sovereignty, and the project we are carrying forward,” he added.

 

During the closing speech at the Gigantinho Stadium, the president added that 2005 arrived and the FTAA was not implemented. “The FTAA is death, what they go was mini-FTAA’s because the U.S. imperialism did not have the strength to impose the neocolonial model of the FTAA.”

 

The President highlighted the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA), a proposal made by Venezuela in opposition to the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas (FTAA), and which emphasizes social and cultural exchanges above profit-based economic deals. “We can’t wait for a sustained economic growth of 10 years in order to start reducing poverty through the trickledown effect, as the neoliberal economic theories propose.”

 

He praised the cooperation with Cuba, which, along with several Central American countries, receives Venezuelan oil at below market prices, in exchange for assistance in healthcare, education, agriculture and other areas. He highlighted that about 20.000 Cuban doctors work in Venezuela at free medical clinics in poor neighborhoods, and that Venezuela has used a Cuban literacy method approved by UNESCO that has allowed more than 1.3 million Venezuelans learn how to read and write. He said Venezuela is using Cuban vaccines, which now allow poor children to be vaccinated against diseases such as hepatitis.

 

The President criticized alleged media distortions with regard to plans by Fidel Castro and him to spread Communism in the Americas, overthrow governments and set up guerrillas, “after 10 years it seems like we haven’t been very successful.”

 

“Cuba has its own profile and Venezuela has its own, but we have respect for each other, but we celebrate accords and advance together for the interest of our peoples.” He said that any aggression against either country will have to confront the other, “because we are united in spirit from Mexico down to the Patagonia.”

 

Chavez said U.S.-Venezuela political relations are unhealthy because of “permanent aggressions from there”. He criticized U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice who recently asserted that Chavez was “a negative force in the region.” He said those relations will stay unhealthy as long as the U.S. continues its policies of aggression. “The most negative force in the world today is the government of the United States,” he said.

 

The President criticized the U.S. government for asking other countries to pressure Venezuela in the crisis with Colombia over the kidnapping of a Colombian guerrilla activist in Caracas last December. “Nobody answered their call… they are more lonely everyday.” He praised the cooperation of other Latin American countries in the resolution of the crisis, and mentioned that Cuban President Fidel Castro held talks with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe to try to help in the resolution of the crisis. Chavez agreed to meet Uribe early in February to settle the dispute.

 

Chavez added that U.S. imperialism is not invincible. “Look at Vietnam, look at Iraq and Cuba resisting, and now look at Venezuela.” In reference to the recommendations of some of his close advisors, he said that “some people say that we cannot say nor do anything that can irritate those in Washington.” He repeated the words of Argentine independence hero José de San Martin “let’s be free without caring about anyone else says.”

 

“When imperialism feels weak, it resorts to brute force. The attacks on Venezuela are a sign of weakness, ideological weakness. Nowadays almost nobody defends neoliberalism. Up until three years ago, just Fidel [Castro] and I raised those criticisms at Presidential meetings. We felt lonely, as if we infiltrated those meetings.”

 

He added that those ideological and economic weaknesses will continue to increase. “Just look at the internal repression inside the United States, the Patriot Act, which is a repressive law against U.S. citizens. They have put in jail a group of journalists for not revealing their sources. They won’t allow them to take pictures of the bodies of the dead soldiers, many of them Latinos, coming from Iraq. Those are signs of Goliath’s weaknesses.”

 

He said there were old and new actors in the geopolitical map who are coming into the scene and have an influence in the weaknesses and strengths of the U.S. hegemony. “Today’s Russia is not Yeltsin’s… there is new Russian nationalism, and I have seen it in the streets of Moscow… there is a good president, Mr. Putin, at the wheel.” He also praised China’s fast economic growth, and highlighted the new Spanish socialist government, “which no longer bends its knees in front of U.S. imperialism.”

 

“The south also exists… the future of the north depends on the south. If we don’t make that better world possible, if we fail, and through the rifles of the U.S. Marines, and through Mr. Bush’s murderous bombs, if the is no coincidence and organization necessary in the south to resist the offensive of neo-imperialism, and the Bush doctrine is imposed upon the world, the world will be destroyed,” he said.

 

Chavez warned of drastic weather changes that would bring catastrophic events if no action is taken soon, in reference to uncontrolled or little regulated industrial activity. Chavez added that perhaps before those drastic changes take place, there will be rebellions everywhere “because the peoples are not going to accept in peace impositions such as neoliberalism or such as colonialism.”

 

He added that all empires come to an end. “One day the decay inside U.S. imperialism will end up toppling it, and the great people of Martin Luther King will be set free. The great people of the United States are our brothers, my salute to them.”

 

“We must start talking again about equality. The U.S. government talks about freedom and liberty, but never about equality. “They are not interested in equality. This is a distorted concept of liberty. The U.S. people, with whom we share dreams and ideals, must free themselves… A country of heroes, dreamers, and fighters, the people of Martin Luther King, and Cesar Chavez.”

 

Chavez thanked Spanish intellectual and director of Le Monde Diplomatique Ignacio Ramonet for saying that Chavez was a new type of leader. He said he is inspired by old types of leaders such as Christ, whom he described as “one of the greatest anti-imperialist fighters, the redeemers of the poor, and one of the greatest revolutionaries of the history of the world.” The President mentioned Venezuela’s independence hero Simon Bolivar, Brazil’s José Ignacio Abreu Elima, Che Guevara, “that Argentine doctor that traveled through the continent in a motorcycle and who was a witness of the U.S. invasion of Guatemala in 1955, one of the many invasion of the U.S. empire in this continent,” and Cuban President Fidel Castro.

 

“Everyday I become more convinced, there is no doubt in my mind, and as many intellectuals have said, that it is necessary to transcend capitalism. But capitalism can’t be transcended from with capitalism itself, but through socialism, true socialism, with equality and justice. But I’m also convinced that it is possible to do it under democracy, but not in the type of democracy being imposed from Washington,” he said.

 

“We have to re-invent socialism. It can’t be the kind of socialism that we saw in the Soviet Union, but it will emerge as we develop new systems that are built on cooperation, not competition,” he added.

 

Chavez said that Venezuela is trying to implement a social economy. “It is impossible, within the framework of the capitalist system to solve the grave problems of poverty of the majority of the world’s population. We must transcend capitalism. But we cannot resort to state capitalism, which would be the same perversion of the Soviet Union. We must reclaim socialism as a thesis, a project and a path, but a new type of socialism, a humanist one, which puts humans and not machines or the state ahead of everything. That’s the debate we must promote around the world, and the WSF is a good place to do it.”

 

He added that in spite of his admiration for Argentine revolutionary Che Guevara, he said Che’s methods are not applicable. “That thesis of one, two, or three Vietnams, did not work, especially in Venezuela.”

 

The President cited Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky by saying that “each revolution needs the whip of the counterrevolution to advance.” He listed actions by the opposition and the U.S. government to drive him out of power. “But we resisted, and now have gone into the offensive. For instance, we recovered our oil industry… In 2004, from the oil industry budget we utilized $4 billion in social investments, education, health, micro-credits, scholarships, and housing, aimed at the poorest of the poor, what neoliberals call waste of money. But that is not a waste of money because it is aimed at empowering the poor so that they can defeat poverty. He added that “that money before stayed out of Venezuela or just benefited the rich.”

 

He criticized privatizations by saying that “privatization is a neoliberal and imperialist plan. Health can’t be privatized because it is a fundamental human right, nor can education, water, electricity and other public services. They can’t be surrendered to private capital that denies the people from their rights.”

 

Chavez defended Brazilian President Luis “Lula” Da Silva, who has been sharply criticized by the Latin American left, and who was booed during his speech at the World Social Forum.

 

“I say this from the bottom of my heart. In Venezuela at the beginning of my presidency, many of my supporters criticized me and asked me to go at a faster pace [to implement changes], and be more radical, but I considered that it was not the right moment because each process has several phases and different rhythms that not only have to do with internal situations in each country, but with the international situation at the time. So, risking that you make some strange noise, I want to say that I like Lula, I appreciate him, and he is a good man, of a great heart. He is a brother, a comrade and I send him a hug, my love and affection. I’m sure that with Lula and the people of Brazil, with Nestor Kirchner and the Argentine people, with Tabaré Vasquez and the Uruguayan people, we will be opening the path to realizing the dream of a united Latin America.”

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Latin America in Revolt: Rice on Four-Country Tour As Leftist Victories Sweep Region

 

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=05/04/29/1351254

 

Venezuela Experienced Record Growth of 17% in 2004

 

http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news.php?newsno=1512

 

Venezuela’s gross domestic product grew 17.3% in 2004, closing the year with a “notable recuperation” according to the Central Bank of Venezuela. The oil economy, which accounts for 80% of the country’s exports, experienced an 8.7% growth rate. This growth “constitutes the highest level reached since the Central Bank of Venezuela began to calculate the figure (GDP),” said the Central Bank.

 

The average growth rate for non-oil economy was 17.8%. All non-oil sectors demonstrated “significant growth", with a particularly strong showing in construction (32.1%), financial institutions and insurance (26.6%), transportation and warehousing, (26.4%) commerce and repair services (25.5%), and manufacturing and industry (25.4%). Mining (11.8%), communications (10.2%), and electricity and water (6.9%) also registered notable growth rates. The private sector grew 18.6% and the public sector grew 11.0%.

 

According to analysts in the Central Bank of Venezuela, this economic growth can be attributed to a wide array of factors. In addition to having recovered from the two-month oil industry shut-down (December 2002-February 2003), in which the economy contracted 7.7%, the Venezuelan economy has grown due to an increase in the demand for consumer goods and an increase in investment. Inflation, unemployment and interest rates have also decreased, enabling consumers to spend more and businesses to continue to borrow at a healthy rate. Economic agencies have also benefited from preferential financing.

 

Oscar Salcedo, an economist for Sintesis Financiera, an economic consultancy in Caracas, acknowledges that the growth of the Venezuela’s economy is in part due to its recovery from the oil strike. However, he notes that the economy was able to continue to grow throughout the remainder of 2004 due to government spending and low interest rates. “A rebound was present, but saying that it was the main cause of the growth would be unfair,” he emphasized.

 

Currently, Venezuela has a surplus of $14.6 billion, an increase of over $3 billion from 2003, when the surplus amounted to 11.4 billion dollars.

 

“There is a positive momentum, not only in oil, that has trickled down to other areas of the economy,” notes José Cerritelli, an Andean economist with Bear Stearns in New York. “This would not have happened if oil prices were not so high, allowing the government to increase spending.”

 

The Central Bank of Venezuela maintains a positive outlook for 2005. “Evidently, the indicators registered in 2004, in GDP as well as balance of payments, allow for the prediction of sustainable growth in economic activity for 2005. High oil prices, political stability and a favorable outlook for consumer activity and investment will allow for continued growth this year,” the Bank reported.

[chatlack]

Hell!! What do you want from people?? Do you have democrasy??

 

Some can be in bad situation in a revolution. Thats normal. While some important things are running people arent important too much.

 

Hugo Chavez has beaten America's force on Venezuella and gain its freedom.(Now I dont care about the goverment type-in hard times governments goes hard, its natural)

 

America tries to take over any government as Turkey -I live in Turkey and know america made several juntas here to kill any freedom fighters(:who people not armed. Do not say terrorist: There is no terrorism here). What is Turkey look like now??

 

You cant beat people with some stupid missiles. (Maybe you can with this media shit)

 

Now america is too strong that only because of that america must go...Not chavez...

[Aardvark]

Hugo Chavez has beaten America's force on Venezuella and gain its freedom.(Now I dont care about the goverment type-in hard times governments goes hard' date=' its natural) [/quote']

 

Venezuela was already independent and free.

 

America tries to take over any government as Turkey -I live in Turkey and know america made several juntas here to kill any freedom fighters

 

That's not true

 

Now america is too strong that only because of that america must go...Not chavez...

 

America must go because America is 'too strong'? That doesn't make any sense. It seems to be irrational resentment based on envy.

[Coral Rhedd]

I find this thread interesting because this is a subject I know little about. But where are some links? Some references? Only Zorro is providing some.

 

I would be interesting in hearing more than just personal opinion. Where can I go to learn more about this?

[chatlack]

Aardwark I think you dont know anything about Turkey....also america

 

Many country seems independent and free. But in fact they are not. They are managed by america by force or money , if these dont work America takes the country over burocrasy and people have no chance to change this.

 

In Turkey , 1960-1970-1980 juntas just happened. Only taking idea writers to kill. Many jailed for many years or many killed by assasins...

 

First junta was nearly about tabacco. Turkey resisted on growing tabacco in areas but amerika didnt want it to be. So an american (dependent) junta came and killed president and many people who wants Turkey independent...

 

I said america is too strong. Yes it is. Many country cant get free because of power. America is growing a addicted and easy to manage population everywhere. America keeps his power by those. And maybe it is the best way...

 

Also people in Turkey do not hate america. Saying "Turkey hates us" is maybe equal to bomb twin towers and make everybody hate arabs....

[chatlack]

Sorry I dont know any English link about these...

[chatlack]

What do you think? Chavez is bad??

[-Demosthenes-]

Sorry I dont know any English link about these...

Google will translate most sites, come on the rest of us want to read about how American is taking over the world.

[chatlack]

Ok I will try to find something ,but you dont believe these really???

[Sayonara]

how could he change their countries constitution just like that?

Have you actually established that there's a reason he shouldn't, or are you Americamorphising Venezuelan politics?

 

 

(reply to a post made in 2003. yeah good luck sayo)

[Aardvark]

Aardwark I think you dont know anything about Turkey....also america

 

Actually i do know something about both countries.

 

Many country seems independent and free. But in fact they are not. They are managed by america by force or money , if these dont work America takes the country over burocrasy and people have no chance to change this.

 

Do you know what the word 'Paranoid' means? Ever heard the phrase 'Conspiracy theorist'?

 

In Turkey , 1960-1970-1980 juntas just happened. Only taking idea writers to kill. Many jailed for many years or many killed by assasins...

 

The Secularist army seeking to protect Kemel Ataturks ideals acted with force. That's nothing to do with America.

 

Blaming America for all your problems is a sign of inadequacy.

 

First junta was nearly about tabacco. Turkey resisted on growing tabacco in areas but amerika didnt want it to be. So an american (dependent) junta came and killed president and many people who wants Turkey independent...

 

Get a sense of perspective.

 

America doesn't care less about the tobacco growing in Turkey, much less go to the bother of arranging a Junta to take over because of it.

 

The Juntas and repeated army interventions in Turkey were internal Turkish problems. Blaming them on outsiders is feeble.

 

 

I said america is too strong. Yes it is. Many country cant get free because of power. America is growing a addicted and easy to manage population everywhere. America keeps his power by those. And maybe it is the best way...

 

This is nonsense. Anti-American prejudice based on envy and unsubstantiated paranoid fears about 'growing addicted populations (sic)'. America is powerful, but not that powerful.

 

Also people in Turkey do not hate america. Saying "Turkey hates us"

 

Why did you put 'Saying "Turkey hates us"' in quotation marks? Putting something in quotation marks which is not a quote is wrong, it is deliberately misleading and dishonest. Don't do it.

 

No one in this thread has suggested that Turkey or Turks in general hate anyone.

 

is maybe equal to bomb twin towers and make everybody hate arabs....

 

As no one has suggested anything about Turks hating anyone that statement makes no sense.

 

You will have noted that Western leaders, including George W Bush have gone out of their way to state that they do not hate Arabs or Muslims and that people should not blame Arabs and Muslims for the actions of a unrepresentative few terrorist.

 

Rather than blaming every ill in the world on America the more mature response is to allocate responsibilty where it belongs, even if that means having to accept some responsibility for your own problems. Seeking to blame everything on outsiders like the Americans is childish.