Eye on Mr. Chavez

Washington Post ^ | December 13, 2003 | staff

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Mr. Chavez will allow a referendum and respect its results only if he is convinced that fraud or violence won't work for him. That's where the Bush administration should come in, along with Venezuelan neighbors such as Brazil. In the coming weeks, as the referendum process proceeds, they must insist to Mr. Chavez that he not disrupt it -- and be prepared to respond if he tries. If the president can persuade Venezuelans to keep him in power through a democratic vote, his country and the outside world will owe him a fresh chance. But he must not be allowed to complete his depredations on Venezuela by destroying the last vestiges of its democracy.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Stability and Democracy, Not Oil, Are at Risk in Venezuela*** Since April 2002, Chávez has pursued a two-track strategy to maintain his hold on power. On the domestic front, he discarded initial promises of reconciliation in favor of bullying opponents and manipulating national institutions. In June, he began warning media owners of unspecified consequences if their outlets broadcast stories disrespectful of his government. In October, he appointed Lenín Ramírez Sánchez, brother of convicted terrorist Illich Ramírez Sánchez (Carlos the Jackal), as a director in the energy and mines ministry.

Crises in Venezuela*** Soon afterward, the trouble began. Mr. Chavez established friendships with the most radical leaders in the world, beginning with Cuba's Fidel Castro, but also including Libya's Moammar Gadhafi, Iraq's Saddam Hussein (whom he called "My brother"), North Korea's Kim Yong-Il and the Palestinian Yasser Arafat, among others. Mr. Chavez celebrated the September 11 attacks in the United States, and reportedly gave money to the Taliban and al Qaeda. He has supported terrorist Carlos the Jackal, and established close ties with Colombia's narco-terrorists (ELA and the FARC), permitting them to operate, train and rest in Venezuelan territory.***

Venezuela shifts control of border (mounting terrorist allegations)*** Venezuela is also facing mounting allegations by U.S. officials, and regional security analysts, over ties to terrorism. Middle Eastern terrorist groups operate "support cells" in Venezuela, according to U.S. military and intelligence officials. Left-wing guerrillas in neighboring Colombia also have training bases inside Venezuelan territory, they say. [SP Times emphasis]***

Hugo Chavez - Venezuela

[witnesstothefall]

What Chavez deserves is a bullet. He is an unreconstructed Stalinist and a menace to liberty. The United States needs to get back in the business of killing Communists rather than enriching and legitimizing them.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

As tempting as it is to take the easy path, countries to our south, actually, all around the world, must strengthen their judical systems, fight corruption and graft, build strong politcal opposition to these communists and hold safe and fair election. We need to do what we can to encourage and facilitate this.

[meenie]

Expecting Chavez to abide free and honest elections is wishful thinking. The communists are coming back all over South America.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I agree.

[Paul Ross]

The United States needs to get back in the business of killing Communists rather than enriching and legitimizing them.

[Jeff Head]

Due to the ability for people like Chavez and Castro to remain in power, even while their people suffer so...in my book series about a world war that arises out of current conditions...Venezuela ends up on the side of the agressor nations along with Red China, the fundamental Islamic nations and N. Korea and others.

We'd better be careful and watch all of them IMHO. This latest trial balloon about amnesty for illegals does not help my gut feeling regarding all of this either.