Chavez' dangerous revenge

Charleston Post and Courier ^ | February 10, 2003 | staff

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has taken two decisive steps away from democracy by imposing exchange controls and intensifying his offense against the press after surviving a strike that paralyzed the country for eight weeks. Opponents of his demagogic regime, who have always insisted that Mr. Chavez intends to impose a Castro-style dictatorship on the oil-rich nation, believe their worst fears are coming true.

For the United States, which relies heavily on oil imported from Venezuela, problems loom. Even if thousands of holdout oil workers return to their jobs, it will be months before oil output returns to normal. With war in the Middle East on the horizon, threatening to cut off oil supplies from the Arab world, Washington needs to keep oil flowing from the world's fifth-largest producer. But now that President Chavez has been strengthened by the failure of the strike, supplies of oil to the United States cannot be taken for granted.

The president announced that a commission appointed by him and the Central Bank will decide who can buy dollars to import products. Most of Venezuela's food and 60 percent of the raw materials and supplies needed for its industries are imported.

Leaders of the opposition believe that President Chavez will use the new controls to silence the press, which relies on imported newsprint, and take revenge on companies that joined the strike. In a televised speech, the president openly threatened, "Not one dollar for coup-mongers." According to The New York Times, Mr. Chavez also promised retribution for his enemies. "The coup-mongering, fascist opposition had their turn with the bat and they have struck out three times. Now it's our turn to bat." He went on to announce that this will be the "year of the revolutionary offensive," and speaking in the third person, added: "Chavez is still here, tougher and stronger than ever."

President Chavez has ordered investigations into all four national private TV networks, and many regional TV and radio stations and is also seeking a new law to regulate the media. In a recent speech, Mr. Chavez said that the new media law will protect young people from abuse by the media, which, he charged "trample the truth ... sow terror and fear and create ghosts for our children." He is also demanding a guarantee of "balanced media coverage" before agreeing to the opposition's petition for a recall election. The opposition claims that it has gathered 4 million signatures in support of a referendum on the president's continuance in office, more than twice the number required under the constitution. The strike was called to back the demand for early elections.

The influence of the United States, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Portugal and Spain, the group of nations known as the "Friends of Venezuela" that has been trying to mediate between the government and the opposition, is of crucial importance if the most enduring democracy in South America is to be saved from Hugo Chavez' stated intention to follow the Cuban model in shaping Venezuela.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

What is Really Happening in Venezuela?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez talks with children during his weekly broadcast program at 'El Palito' refinery in western Venezuela late February 9, 2003. Chavez said that foes who tried to oust him through a two-month strike should be sent to prison and he threatened to close private television channels that backed the stoppage. REUTERS/Mirflores Palace/HO NO SALES

Cuban President Fidel Castro(C) embraces Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez while Brazilian President Luis Ignacio Lula Da Silva (R) and Spain Prince Felipe de Borbon (L) look on prior to the swearing in ceremony for Ecuadorean President Lucio Gutierrez', in Quito, January 15, 2003. Chavez sought backing from fellow Latin American leaders to resolve a six-week-old opposition strike that has crippled his country's vital oil exports. Photo by Mariana Bazo/Reuters

Hugo Chavez - Venezuela

Fidel Castro - Cuba

[livius]

Chavez needs to go, and he has no intention of doing this voluntarily or in response to the democratic process. That leaves only one way, and I hope it happens soon, before he consolidates his power even more by opening a Caribbean Gulag.

[Tom Bombadil]

Caribbean Gulag.

Another Communist tragedy.

[Free the USA]

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