Chavez' Term Ends Today/Will Not Take New Oath, Violates Constitution: DOES U.S. RECOGNIZE CHAVEZ?

Free Republic consolidating El Nacional, El Universal, TELESUR, Globovision, etc. ^ | 9 January 2013 | AmericanInTokyo

[AmericanInTokyo]

Dictator Hugo Chavez and friend of Sean Penn and Oliver Stone was mandated to take a sworn presidential oath before the National Assembly in Caracas, Venezuela this morning due to the specifics of their Constitution and that he won the Oct. election (unfortunately) for another six-year term starting today. However Hugo "smells of sulphur", it is reported, and is out of the country and deathly ill in Havana, Cuba of apparently malignant cancer, so he is not exercising his duties in addition to being absent from the country in the first place.

There are succession plans in place in Venezuelan Law. The normal and legal plan per the Venezuelan Constitution is for him to be declared "absent" and the President of the National Assembly assumes presidential powers. But his Socialist "Chavista" supporters, including the handpicked Vice President Maduro, President of the National Assembly, etc. and all Chavez-controlled media there simply said, inauguration or no inauguration, "Hugo Chavez just automatically continues as president from today", a major violation of law. (Even though technically her previous term has just ended). The opposition parties are up in arms and screaming bloody murder, and will take this to regional bodies like OAS or Mercosur.

[AmericanInTokyo]

QUESTION: Does the US Government/State Department officially recognize the Government of Venezuela from today, 9 January 2013? Do they recognize Hugo Chavez as the legitimate, de-facto president of Venezuela? Or do they listen to the anti-Chavez opposition down there that says this is a travesty. Which one is it Obama and Hillary? You had a lot to say about a failed Socialist coup in Honduras back in the day with Zelaya (which you supported). What about socialist Venezuela?

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

Does the US recognize? Does this answer your question?

[illiac]

Don’t know why not...the more “excremental” people are, the more likely this administration will gladly recognize them...

[AmericanInTokyo]

That’s probably not ALL those two did!

[AmericanInTokyo]

I just simply want those in D.C. to make an official statement and take an official diplomatic stance. But I doubt anybody in the White House Press Corps has the cajones to ask over there or at State Dept. briefings today about it, ignoring the 800 pound elephant in the room and this whole Venezuelan power crisis. It is no small issue. Shredding their Constitution like that. (Sound familiar?)

[Lazamataz]

However Hugo "smells of sulphur", it is reported,

How fitting.

Burn in Hell, you communist murdering bastard.

[C210N]

Does the US Government/State Department officially recognize the Government of Venezuela from today, 9 January 2013?

Of course they do; as they would expect in return on January 20, 2016.

[Enterprise]

So what’s the problem here? He smells of sulfur. He stinks. Most of our politicians stink.

[LibFreeUSA]

They will not recognize the ‘old Chavez’ (after today), but they WILL recognize the ‘new Chavez’ (starting tomorrow), but the ‘new Chavez’ will not be ‘sworn in’, so they will only recognize the ‘new Chavez’ in spirit, so long as the ‘old Chavez’ is still alive.

[Armando Guerra]

The Obama administration would have no problem with this. Following the law or constitution is inconvenient? Just ignore it. It's happening here all the time. The constitution is becoming more irrelevant every day. "Natural Born Citizen?" No problem, just ignore it and ridicule anyone who mentions it. Second Amendment? No problem, an Executive Order will take care of that. We no longer have the moral authority to criticize the third-world countries and their cult of personalites. The people here have spoken. "Free stuff" trumps freedom and the rule of law.

[hummingbird]

Whoa...I know there are customs with other countries, but this is not US custom. A simple handshake or fist/chest bump would have sufficed.

[righttackle44]

Well, gee, let's take the time to recognize Chavez.

H'o dere, Hugo. Cancer hurtz doughnut?

[DallasDeb]

Gross, especially since their eyes are closed. Is this for real?

[MurrietaMadman]

cause/effect bump