Posted on 02/10/2007 8:53:42 PM PST by blam
Middle classes escape from Chavez socialism
By Jose Orozco in Caracas, Sunday Telegraph
Last Updated: 1:31am GMT 11/02/2007
Middle-class Venezuelans are queuing to leave the country amid fears that its president, Hugo Chavez, is laying the ground for a dictatorship.
Hugo Chavez said that he intended to nationalise the telecommunications and electricity industries
Opponents of his "20th century socialism" are so desperate to escape that they have resorted to learning new languages and tracking down long lost European relatives in the hope of securing a visa.
At the US Embassy, visa enquiries have almost doubled in recent weeks, from 400 to about 800 a day. "There are normal spikes toward Christmas or another major holiday, but this increase doesn't fall into that category," said embassy spokesman Brian Penn.
The British embassy has seen a similar rise in numbers. "It has been increasing for some time, but what's different now is the tone of desperation," said a British spokesman.
A website for would-be emigrants - mequieroir.com (I want to leave.com) - reports that since Mr Chavez's December 3 election victory, and his announcement last month that he would nationalise the telecommunications and electricity industries, the number of daily visits it receives has soared from 20,000 to 60,000.
"You're getting more families, who are worried about their children's futures," said Esther Bermudez, who runs the site.
At the Italian Culture Institute, registration for Italian language classes is up 20 per cent year on year. Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans have Spanish, Italian or Portuguese relatives who emigrated there after the Second World War.
Ernestina Hidalgo, 40, whose husband is a Spanish citizen, said that she was hoping that their two teenage children would also be granted Spanish citizenship. She said an "enabling law", passed by the National Assembly 10 days ago, granting Mr Chavez 18 months of rule by decree, was the final straw.
"Chavez doesn't accept political dissidence," said Mrs Hidalgo. "Why do they need an enabling law if they already have an absolute majority in the National Assembly?"
The enabling law gives Mr Chavez free rein over 11 strategic policy areas, including defence and energy. In January, Mr Chavez said that he intended to nationalise the telecommunications and electricity industries, as well as take a larger share of oil operations in the Orinoco River belt, which produces 600 billion barrels per day.
He has also said he will not renew the broadcasting license of RCTV, an opposition TV channel.
Outside the Spanish consulate last week, Dayana Ramirez, 20, whose paternal grandmother is Spanish, queued with her boyfriend Jose Antonio Barreiro, 24, as he waited to pick up his passport. She wants to acquire Spanish citizenship and the couple hopes to emigrate to Galicia in northwestern Spain.
"Older people leave because they are concerned about the future of their families," said Mr Barreiro, a graphic designer, "and younger people like us leave because there is no future."
As the world's fifth largest oil exporter, Venezuela has benefited from record oil prices, boosting the scope for Mr Chavez's social spending. Among his poor supporters, he is seen as a politician who acts on his rhetoric.
The National Assembly ceded its legislative function to Mr Chavez in a special session in the Plaza Bolivar in Caracas. In a show of the political participation that Chavez champions, government supporters gathered and raised their hands along with legislators when the law was voted on. "Approved unanimously, including the vote of the people," declared Assembly president, Cilia Flores.
But critics argue that Chavez is only interested in keeping power, not in sharing it.
btt
A story posted just a few days ago described food shortages in Venezuela as the government now dictates the "fair" price of meat and other foodstuffs. Most farmers and ranchers refuse to sell their products for less than it cost to grow them.
The black market is flourishing. Informants on black marketeers are encouraged. People are going to jail for selling above the mandated price.
Anybody with two synapses firing will be out of there posthaste.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Basically we'll see east germany, cuba, iraq, even NK; all over again. Intelligent and talented people voting with their feet, a brain drain if you will. But the whole venezuela issue becomes moot if we can get our alternative energy ACT together.
Robert Zubrin's analysis puts an end to the "hydrogen economy", have you read it? What does that leave? Switch grass? Corn? Pine needles? Fickle wind? Expensive solar? Hot ground rocks? Ocean surf? Nuc power? CTNF?
There is an answer : Bedini's school girl setup that taps into vacuum energy. I've seen it, it WORKS! See cheniere.org for the wider view of ZPE. There are answers to thugs like chavez, you just need to know where to LOOK.
Click the Pic J
His "20th century socialism"..
Uh, it's the 21st century, Huge-Oh. Maybe that's why it doesn't work.
And another nation begins the death spiral around the toilet bowl of history.
Of course since these are the folks with money Castro Lite can explain it away by saying they're capitalist running dogs and he's glad to see them go.
Chavez illustrates that the Left wants power, not democracy.
They'll probably end up sharing the same fate as the "Kulaks" under Stalin.
"600 billion barrels per day" ???????
"Amid Fears"? It's exactly what Chavez is doing -- laying the groundwork for a dictatorship.
feet vote ping
It is sad when people have to play hopscotch all over the world to get away from socialist dictators. They have to go now before they make it impossible to leave. Funny how socialists always end up having to trap people because socialism just doesn't work.
They are also coming to Panama and bringing their money with them. Good.
The TV company that produces soap operas (I forget the name since I have better things to do with my life) is also moving to Panama. They will be filming them here. More money for Panama. Good.
"At the US Embassy, visa enquiries have almost doubled in recent weeks, from 400 to about 800 a day."
The lifeblood of Venezuela is leaving and it won't be long before Chavez simply seals the borders like Castro's Cuba.
"Opponents of his "20th century socialism" are so desperate to escape that they have resorted to learning new languages and tracking down long lost European relatives in the hope of securing a visa."
I predict a new 'Venzuela' scam soon to come. An email arives: "Hello, I'm your third cousin twice removed and I need your help in moving my family and our $100M fortune from Venzuella..."
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