As Crime Soars for Venezuela, Chávez Coasts

NY Times ^ | 12/1/06 | SIMON ROMERO

[kiriath_jearim]

CARACAS, Venezuela, Dec. 1 — Walk into an emergency room in many poor parts of this booming, oil-rich nation on a weekend night and you will be overwhelmed — victims of gunshot wounds and drunken clashes line the corridors. Homicides are up 67 percent since 1999, and violent crime is the top concern of Venezuela’s voters as they head to the polls on Sunday.

Yet the man in charge since then, President Hugo Chávez, rarely addresses the problem publicly and is sailing toward an easy election for a third time. Analysts say Mr. Chávez is able to ignore the issue by governing through a system of extensive handouts that eases the purchase of basic goods but does little to ensure public order.

“Chávez has shielded himself from the issue because people see his government as an important arbiter in their daily life,” said Miguel Tinker-Salas, an expert on Venezuelan history at Pomona College in Claremont, Calif. “Chávez’s policies have made a difference among the poor, and that’s what is recognized.” He pointed to subsidized groceries, health care and literacy, in particular.

Crime analysts say part of the problem is that the government and its allies have politicized police forces throughout the country, marginalizing officers viewed as disagreeing with Mr. Chávez’s “Bolivarian Revolution,” which uses militaristic and nationalistic rhetoric in an attempt to reconfigure society with vague socialist ideals.

A similar process has taken place in government ministries, the national oil company and the armed forces after the coup that briefly removed Mr. Chávez from the presidency in 2002.

Analysts say police forces have also largely been urged to tread lightly in poor neighborhoods, turning a blind eye to small demonstrations and petty crime like burning tires. Critics say it is part of Mr. Chávez’s efforts to maintain support in poor

[Glenn]

I saw a commercial last night offering 40% off the price of heating oil from Citgo and Chavez if you can't afford the regular price. Whatta guy.

[dead]

He allows the poor to steal and kill on their own, thereby limiting the need for the government to do it for them.

It's a sorta of small-enterprise form of do-it-yourself socialism. Very innovative.

Venezuala is quickly becoming Haiti with oil. And never forget, this jackass is admired among American leftist moonbats. Seriously, they think he's a positive force for change in the hemisphere. His actions look just swell from the safety of New England.

[dead]

That's the commerical with that half-retarded inbred Kennedy kid, pimping for a murderous dictator.

If JFK were alive, he'd beat that kid with a dead hooker.

[CottShop]

sick isn't it? And where are the U.N with their bleetings about 'human rights violations' and 'crimes against humanity' and calls for immediate change in Venezuala & bringing in 'peace keeping' units to hte region? http://sacredscoop.com

[Leftism is Mentally Deranged]

The inevitable result of communism.
People under communism don't have much, and want more.
People under communism are encouraged to have class envy, and to covet one's neighbor's goods.
People under communism are told that no one is responsible for his/her actions, that we shouldn't judge.
So, no surprise.

[elhombrelibre]

Their criminals are self-starters. Ours wait for the Democratic Party to steal for them. All and all, I'll take their criminals over ours even though neither respects law or private property.