Kerry Attacks Venezuela's Chavez

Reuters ^ | 3-22-04 | Pascal Fletcher

[Indy Pendance]

CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - U.S. Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry has attacked Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez as a dubious democrat hostile to U.S. interests, delivering a slap in the face to the leftist leader who had portrayed Kerry as a potential friend.

The Kerry statement on his Web site made front-page news in Venezuela on Monday, nearly two weeks after Chavez had publicly praised the Democrat contender, hailing his health care plans and likening him to assassinated U.S. President John Kennedy.

In his declaration dated March 19, the Massachusetts senator accused Chavez of undermining Venezuela's democracy, supporting Colombian rebels and "narco-terrorists" and trying to torpedo a constitutional bid by foes to hold a referendum on his rule.

Condemning Chavez's policies as "detrimental to our interests," Kerry said the United States should lead international pressure to persuade him to allow a recall vote.

Venezuelan officials did not immediately respond.

Political analysts said the harsh condemnation of the populist Venezuelan leader aimed to tell him he should not consider Kerry an ideological soul mate united through their opposition to President Bush.

"This gives no reassurance to Chavez. I don't think he's going to find a lot of sympathy from Kerry and the statement makes that clear," said Michael Shifter of the Inter-American Dialogue, a Washington think tank.

Relations between Venezuela, the world's No. 5 oil exporter, and its main petroleum client have been strained by Bush administration criticism of Chavez's self-styled "revolution," his friendship with Cuba's Communist President Fidel Castro and his resistance to the referendum challenge.

Chavez, a former paratrooper elected in 1998, has repeatedly condemned Bush's trade and foreign policies as "imperialist" and accused the U.S. government of trying to topple him, a charge denied by Washington.

'MIXED SIGNALS'

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jesus Perez said in an interview published on Monday his country's relations with the United States could not be worse and would improve if Bush lost the November election.

Perez told El Universal newspaper Bush was to blame for the tense ties "because of his hostile statements."

But Kerry's declaration firmly quashed Chavez's apparent hopes of a more friendly U.S. policy if Kerry won in November.

"It separates his image from that of Chavez, and it's not just a distancing, it's a clear break," said Venezuelan political analyst and author Alberto Garrido.

Analysts said Kerry's criticism went well beyond a U.S. campaign tactic to win votes in key states like Florida, where anti-Castro and anti-Chavez sentiment is strong among exiled Cubans and Venezuelans.

Kerry said Chavez's "close relationship with Fidel Castro has raised serious questions about his commitment to leading a truly democratic government."

But his statement also chided the Bush administration for sending "mixed signals by supporting undemocratic processes in our own hemisphere," saying it had "acquiesced" to a brief 2002 coup against Chavez. Washington denies it was involved in the coup.

"Kerry is saying there is a lot at stake in Venezuela and that we need to be engaged and firm. He's trying to show he's not a wimpy democrat, that he's a tough-minded, hard-headed guy," Shifter said.

[John Jorsett]

Kerry to Chavez: "Get away from me! [Whack whack] GET AWAY FROM MEEEEE!"

[bayourod]

"Chavez, ... accused the U.S. government of trying to topple him, a charge denied by Washington. "

You will know when we decide it's time for a regeme change. The noise will be deafning (no pun intended).

[livius]

Kerry will backtrack on this one, too, and he's only being allowed or probably instructed to say it by the Dems because they've probably done some studies that indicate that most Americans perceive Chavez as a dangerous nut.

However, Chavez is a Dem soulmate (along with Fidel), so I think once Kerry has gotten "credit" for this, it will quietly drop.

Anybody notice that the Dems are trying to appear more conservative than the President? Toughskis, because we all really know where their heart lies.

[Fiddlstix]

It's all a Smoke Screen!

He just doesn't want us to figure it out yet........
It's supposed to be a supprise........
When the time is right, Ho Chi Kerry will announce that Chavez will be his running mate for Vice President.

[xm177e2]

Good for Kerry. This sort of thing needs to be said.

But not by Bush. Chavez wants Bush to criticize him so he can portray himself as a victim of imperialism. It's best for Bush to keep quiet on this, and to work quietly to ensure that the next round of elecitons takes place before or on schedule and that they are fair.

[CFC__VRWC]

Kerry to Chavez: "Get away from me! [Whack whack] [Wink wink, nudge nudge] GET AWAY FROM MEEEEE!"

[.cnI redruM]

John Kerry, the favorite candidate of foreign leaders. I can't see why Kerry would be so upset. He likes the endorsement of foreign leaders.

[the Real fifi]

CORRECT--This is a ridiculous piece of reporting--the statment was planned 2 weeks ago and was designed to appeal to Venezuelan, Cuban and Haitian immigrants in Florida It was a ridiculously twisted mixed message. Usual Kerryopportunism (and I mean to join his name and that word).