Chavez: Will Nationalize Telecoms, Power

[LaoSexMachine]

Chavez: Will Nationalize Telecoms, Power

Venezuela's Chavez Says He Will Nationalize Telecommunications, Electrical Companies

By IAN JAMES

The Associated Press

CARACAS, Venezuela - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced plans Monday to nationalize the country's electrical and telecommunications companies, his boldest move yet to transform Venezuela into a socialist state.
"All of those sectors that in an area so important and strategic for all of us as is electricity all of that which was privatized, let it be nationalized," Chavez said in a televised speech after swearing in a new Cabinet.
"C.A. Nacional Telefonos de Venezuela (CANTV), let it be nationalized," Chavez said. "The nation should recover its property of strategic sectors."
When Chavez was re-elected by a wide margin last month, he promised to take a more radical turn toward socialism. Monday's announcement appeared likely to affect Electricidad de Caracas, owned by AES Corp., and CANTV, which is the country's largest publicly traded company.
CANTV's American Depositary Receipts plunged 14.2 percent to $16.84 (12.95 euros) before the New York Stock Exchange halted trading. The ADRs had been moderately higher before the announcement.
An NYSE spokesman said it was unknown when trading in the ADRs might resume and that CANTV is the only Venezuelan company listed on the stock exchange.
Chavez also said he would soon ask the National Assembly, which is solidly controlled by his allies, to approve a special law giving him powers to approve such changes by decree and without further approval.
Chavez also said that lucrative oil projects in the Orinoco River basin involving foreign oil companies should be under national ownership, though he did not spell out if that meant a complete nationalization, or under what terms for companies that have been viewed as investing partners by his government.
He said a period known as the "oil opening" that preceded his government should be reversed. "I'm referring to how international companies have control and power over all those processes of improving the heavy crudes of the Orinoco belt no that should become the property of the nation," Chavez said.
Since last year, Chavez's government has been in talks with foreign companies involved in four heavy crude upgrading projects in the Orinoco on the formation of so-called "mixed companies" in which the state holds a majority stake.
Chavez threatened last August to nationalize CANTV, a Caracas-based former state firm that was privatized in 1991, unless it adjusted its pension payments to current minimum-wage levels, which have been repeatedly increased by his government.
Chavez's nationalization annoucement came in his first speech of the year, a fiery address in which he also called Organization of American States Secretary-General Jose Miguel Insulza an "idiot" and urged him to resign.
Chavez lashed out at Insulza for questioning his government's decision not to renew the license of an opposition-aligned TV station.
"Dr. Insulza is quite an idiot, a true idiot," Chavez said in a speech after swearing in new Cabinet members. He used a vulgar Spanish term that translates roughly as idiot. "The insipid Dr. Insulza should resign from the secretariat of the Organization of American States for daring to play that role."
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=2779166

[Ghelp]

Then he will Nationalize the Oil companies.Venezuela is turning into Cuba and the USSR more each day.

[LaoSexMachine]

And when 2012 rolls around he will cahnge the constitution so he can run again.


Mr Chavez has made no secret of the fact that he is in favour of amending the constitution so that he can run again for president in 2012.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4502272.stm

[helomech]

This is like a bad dream that keeps getting worse.I agree with the analogy about turning into Cuba and Russia more each day.But there are some on this forum that think Cuba is AOK,in what way I'm not sure....

Chavez needs to go the way of the dodo.....

[Rictor]

Just as a comparison, the vast majority of Canada's hydro-electric utilities are government owned. Oh noes, socialism ahoy!

Now the telecom nationalization is a bit more controversial, but hardly unusual. Such hotbeds of radicalism as France, Germany, Italy and Brazil all have national telecoms, most of which are the largest in the country, and they seem to be doing fine.

[LaoSexMachine]

Chavez also said he would soon ask the National Assembly, which is solidly controlled by his allies, to approve a special law giving him powers to approve such changes by decree and without further approval.
Oh yeah no need to worry. I wonder if the PM from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Brazil can do the same.

[NuclearHead]

And when 2012 rolls around he will cahnge the constitution so he can run again.



http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4502272.stm

You gotta be kidding me. That would officially make him a dictator. I mean common, 4 terms?

[LaoSexMachine]

You gotta be kidding me. That would officially make him a dictator. I mean common, 4 terms?

Socialist are angels and capitalist are devils. So no.

[D-gin]

Socialist are angels and capalist are devils. So no.

And if I recall we smell of sulfur.p-)


He just keeps driving to the far left each day.

[Five-to-One]

vast majority of Canada's hydro-electric utilities are government owne

Ah, but thats a complicated situation, the only two provinces with real potential for hydro electricity are Quebec and BC. We all know BC is a step away from communism and Quebec didnt have any money once it got rid of its xenophobic, amish modeled rulers in the 60's so it got a sh$tload of national money to invest in economy and industry.

Its alot more complicated than that but hydro electric power is run as a competative business to the extent that if compared to nationalised industry in Cuba we look like a nationalist fascist government.

Im no expert though, feel free to correct me if im wrong

[Aztec Eagle 201st]

I think we should keep an eye on this guys he is most defenitly a DICTATOR who will try to emulate Castro and will bring chaos to the region.

THE AXIS OF EVIL
Iran, Venezuela and Cuba joined North Korea in leading efforts to forge an anti-U.S. ,Anti-Democracy alliance.



http://www.spreadinternetexplorer.com/files/images/ChavezCastroFireFox_proof_0.png
http://endefensadeoccidente.blogia.com/upload/20060616135603-hugo-chavez-frias.jpg
http://www.lanuevacuba.com/graficas/rastro-177-b.jpg

http://lavozdelpueblo.com/imagenes/de_articulos/01D_1-m.jpg (http://lavozdelpueblo.com/articulo.php?edicion_id=703&articulo_id=210)

HAVANA -- Developing countries yesterday wrapped up a multinational summit with North Korea charging that U.S. threats drove it to acquire deterrent atomic weapons and Iran winning solid support for its nuclear ambitions.
Iran, Venezuela and Cuba joined North Korea in leading efforts to forge an anti-U.S. alliance. Summit leaders, in a statement on Iran, "reaffirmed the basic and inalienable right of all states to develop research, production and use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes."
They warned that any attack or threat against any nuclear facility used for peaceful purposes was a violation of international law.
North Korea took the opportunity to assail the United States for unilateral actions against individual countries and called for a revitalization of the 118-nation Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
"The United States is attempting to deprive other countries of even their legitimate right to peaceful nuclear activities," said North Korea's second-ranking leader, Kim Yong-nam.
Mr. Kim blamed Washington for "threatening Korea using all sorts of maneuvers, accusing it of being part of an 'Axis of Evil.'"
He added: "Korea has nuclear arms as a deterrent to firmly guarantee the peace and security of the Korean Peninsula and the region."
The leaders' statement on Iran, released as the meeting ended, was an updated version of a document adopted in May at a NAM ministerial meeting in Malaysia.
They stressed that the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency found that all nuclear material declared by Iran had been accounted for.
Governments with friendly ties to Washington, among them India, Pakistan, Chile, Peru and Colombia, sought to steer the summit away from confrontation and finger-pointing at the United States.
"I do not see this summit as anti-U.S.," Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi told reporters. "NAM has been set up not to be anti-any country."

Chavez has been trying to gain support from latin american region but enconter strong oposition from Mexico Pro-US policy.

Tensions between Fox and Chavez spilled over after this month's Summit of the Americas in Argentina, where Fox sought to defend a U.S.-backed proposal for a free trade zone while Chavez proclaimed the idea dead.

"President Fox left bleeding from his wound," Chavez said during his weekly radio and TV show, echoing remarks days ago in which he accused Fox of being a "puppy" of the U.S. government for supporting its plans for the Free Trade Area of the Americas.

Chavez recalled a folk song from Venezuela's cattle-raising plains about a thorn, saying it seems appropriate for Fox since "you're a man of horses." After reciting the lyrics, Chavez said: "Don't mess with me, sir, because you'll come out pricked."

The Venezuelan leader has proclaimed the recent summit a victory, noting Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay brought up opposition to the free trade pact.

Fox, apparently irked by the resistance of Chavez and Argentine President Nestor Kirchner, said after the summit that "there we have some presidents, fortunately a minority, who blame other countries for all their problems."

Chavez accused Fox of "attacking" him and Kirchner, and of violating summit protocol in trying to press for an agreement on the free trade zone when that wasn't on the agenda.

"The only very hard response I've given to any president was... to President Fox. He disrespected me," Chavez said, adding that by responding he was simply defending his country.

Chavez's stinging accusations against Fox on Wednesday sparked a diplomatic response, with Mexico demanding a "satisfactory explanation."

Venezuela has offered no apologies while top diplomats have held talks on the matter. Chavez's latest accusations showed he had no intention of backing down.

He said Fox and other leaders who sought to back the free trade plan "weren't able to achieve their plan" at the summit.

The U.S.-proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), which aims to create the world's largest free trade zone, was first proposed in 1994 and was supposed to have been finalized in January but has been stalled amid deep divisions in Latin America.

Chavez argues the plan would help big U.S. companies at the expense of Latin America's poor and has instead proposed a "Bolivarian Alternative" pact based on socialist principles.

The Venezuelan leader said U.S. President George W. Bush left the summit "with his tail between his legs." He called Bush "Mr. Danger" and said he stands for "false democracy, democracy of the elites."

In a program that lasted about six hours, Chavez also replayed videos of debates in the summit and criticized Peru, Panama and Trinidad and Tobago for favoring the free trade pact.
He said Venezuela, though a member of the Andean Community, "has nothing to look for" in that organization since its members aim to join the FTAA, and is instead looking to join like-minded nations such as Brazil and Argentina in the Mercosur trade bloc.
Chavez called for applause on his program as he replayed videos from the summit, praising Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay for opposing the U.S. plan. He also said Venezuela, though a member of the Andean Community, "has nothing to look for" in that organization since its members aim to join the free trade zone.
Playful as usual, Chavez sang lyrics from folk songs and replayed a video of Bush tepidly applauding and looking on blankly, saying leaders' expressions "speak a world" about what they wanted to say but didn't.
As for Trinidadian Prime Minister Patrick Manning, "he has a world vision very different from ours," Chavez said, noting that Trinidad hopes to host the FTAA headquarters.
Chavez says he is leading Venezuela away from U.S.-style capitalism and toward socialism _ a mission he says Jesus would have approved of because he spoke for the poor. Chavez recalled telling Manning: "Remember Jesus.", AP reported.
V.A.

[Rictor]

He supports Firefox! I knew it, that slimy commie has finally gone too far!

;);)

Enjoy our stay here Aztec Eagle. I can already tell it will be quite...eventful.

[Cedan]

Thats a bold move from Chavez. If he play his cards right it might bolster his popularity and be good for Venezuela as well.

Maybe this is why he replaced his air force, because he has imminent plans to move to a planned economy.. who knows..

[juliuspret]

I really dont see the problem!

So what if the man is a socialist....he just trying to better the people who voted him into office..the poor!

Damnit I wish we had a leader with half the guts he has here in Ireland....and YES Bertie Ahern our Prime Minster has also proclaimed himself a socialist but we dont see much crap about him here because Ireland doesnt have OIL!!!!

If Venezuela was somewhere in Africa and had no oil, do you think we would ever hear about him???

[VetsandVettes]

I really dont see the problem!

So what if the man is a socialist....he just trying to better the people who voted him into office..the poor!

Damnit I wish we had a leader with half the guts he has here in Ireland....and YES Bertie Ahern our Prime Minster has also proclaimed himself a socialist but we dont see much crap about him here because Ireland doesnt have OIL!!!!

If Venezuela was somewhere in Africa and had no oil, do you think we would ever hear about him???

Good points. Chavez is playing chess while Bush is playing checkers. If the US thinks it's money is endless it will go the way of the USSR, bled dry trying to appease everybody and fix all the problems in the world. North Americans should concentrate on North America. In Canada, stable oil supply to the US is a reality, why poke a hornet's nest looking for more?
As allies, Cuba still remembers when it's people were either slaves for the US industrial machine, or hookers for it's politicians/criminals, and as such, combined with the very generous oil deal worked out with Venezuala, supports further Socialist expansion.

[XShipRider]

And when 2012 rolls around he will cahnge the constitution so he can run again.



http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4502272.stm

"Change?" More aptly he will discard the country's constitution so he
doesn't have to run again. Declaring himself El Presidente for life is
so much easier than wasting time winning the hearts and minds. Once
that's done he can "detain" his political enemies rather than answer
to them.

[VetsandVettes]

"Change?" More aptly he will discard the country's constitution so he
doesn't have to run again. Declaring himself El Presidente for life is
so much easier than wasting time winning the hearts and minds. Once
that's done he can "detain" his political enemies rather than answer
to them.


It worked for Castro back then but in today's world is less likely to succeed. Too much enlightenment.
Wouldn't it be easier to invade Venezuala for their oil than Iraq?

[2Sheds_Jackson]

I don't think some of you people get it. Who is the richest man in Cuba? Under their collective system, there should not even be a richest man, but take a guess who it is. And who do you think is setting himself up as the richest man in Venezuela? He is already going around the courts and around the legislature - is this OK by everybody, as long as he soothes you by telling you it's for your own good? Holy crap - Venezuela doesn't need a leader with backbone, it needs citizens with a backbone. Once Chavez appoints himself leader for life, guess where the net worth of all those foreign owned telecoms, utilities (and later oil no doubt) will go - straight into his pocket. What happens to the people who have poured their money into building those businesses, the electric infrastructure etc. - now that all is up and running and actually returning some of that investment, along comes Chavez to simply steal it with the stroke of a pen, just like his rich buddy Fidel. Honest to god, I can't believe some of you are still towing the line of the Latin socialist revolution - haven't you been paying attention over the past 50 years? This is nothing new.

[Hellfish]

I really dont see the problem!

So what if the man is a socialist....he just trying to better the people who voted him into office..the poor!

Damnit I wish we had a leader with half the guts he has here in Ireland....and YES Bertie Ahern our Prime Minster has also proclaimed himself a socialist but we dont see much crap about him here because Ireland doesnt have OIL!!!!

If Venezuela was somewhere in Africa and had no oil, do you think we would ever hear about him???

If Chavez was in Africa he'd have his gangs of 12 year old boys lopping off the hands and heads of his political opponents.

Besides that, you're an idiot. Socialism has rarely benefitted the poor. Some animals are more equal than other animals.

[Mr. JOSHUA]

If Chavez was in Africa he'd have his gangs of 12 year old boys lopping off the hands and heads of his political opponents.

Besides that, you're an idiot. Socialism has rarely benefitted the poor. Some animals are more equal than other animals.



Some of these guys replying sound like their fresh out-the socialist universities on the west coast and the northeast, don't they Hellfish?

I've already heard Chavez say that he will reform their constitution to accomadate the new socialist movement.

[3rdMillhouse]

Man, this is bad, Venezuela is getting close to comunism every day.

I hope this bastard doesn't think of sponsoring comunist-terrorists like Cuba and the USSR did through the whole South America during the 60s, 70s and 80s.

These comunist revolutionary bastards are responsible for the death of 200 people, in murders, car thefts, bank robbery and bomb explosions. Amongst other crimes.

[Cedan]

I don't think some of you people get it. Who is the richest man in Cuba? Under their collective system, there should not even be a richest man, but take a guess who it is. And who do you think is setting himself up as the richest man in Venezuela? He is already going around the courts and around the legislature - is this OK by everybody, as long as he soothes you by telling you it's for your own good? Holy crap - Venezuela doesn't need a leader with backbone, it needs citizens with a backbone. Once Chavez appoints himself leader for life, guess where the net worth of all those foreign owned telecoms, utilities (and later oil no doubt) will go - straight into his pocket. What happens to the people who have poured their money into building those businesses, the electric infrastructure etc. - now that all is up and running and actually returning some of that investment, along comes Chavez to simply steal it with the stroke of a pen, just like his rich buddy Fidel. Honest to god, I can't believe some of you are still towing the line of the Latin socialist revolution - haven't you been paying attention over the past 50 years? This is nothing new.

Fidel isn't the "richest man on Cuba".. Well maybe if you believe Forbes assessment that Fidel has large portions of the Cuban economy in his own pockets.. Which is simply false. And Chavez hasn't appointed himself to anything, in all honesty, the Venezuelan people has.

[Jobu]

Yet another socialist dictator. I guess some people never learn.

[chaz]

As allies, Cuba still remembers when it's people were either slaves for the US industrial machine, or hookers for it's politicians/criminals, and as such, combined with the very generous oil deal worked out with Venezuala, supports further Socialist expansion.

Oh really? You've actually asked all the 75 year old Cuban hookers if they remember that?

[Vorian]

A theoretical question to American friends: If Chavez turned Venezuelan political system to communism, but didn't have any aggressive behaviour against its neighbours, or US, would you bother?

[Mr. JOSHUA]

A theoretical question to American friends: If Chavez turned Venezuelan political system to communism, but didn't have any aggressive behaviour against its neighbours, or US, would you bother?


He's already said he would bring down "Imperialist America", is that aggresive to you?

[VetsandVettes]

Oh really? You've actually asked all the 75 year old Cuban hookers if they remember that?

Of course. Actually, it is kind of a national historical period that is common to the young people of Kooba today, passed down through both the educational system and the old school folks of whom an unbelievable number still exist.
However, that being said, the historical results of a dictator siezing assets as described in this thread are eventual falling apart of the utilities under government control.

[VetsandVettes]

I don't think some of you people get it. Who is the richest man in Cuba? Under their collective system, there should not even be a richest man, but take a guess who it is. And who do you think is setting himself up as the richest man in Venezuela? He is already going around the courts and around the legislature - is this OK by everybody, as long as he soothes you by telling you it's for your own good? Holy crap - Venezuela doesn't need a leader with backbone, it needs citizens with a backbone. Once Chavez appoints himself leader for life, guess where the net worth of all those foreign owned telecoms, utilities (and later oil no doubt) will go - straight into his pocket. What happens to the people who have poured their money into building those businesses, the electric infrastructure etc. - now that all is up and running and actually returning some of that investment, along comes Chavez to simply steal it with the stroke of a pen, just like his rich buddy Fidel. Honest to god, I can't believe some of you are still towing the line of the Latin socialist revolution - haven't you been paying attention over the past 50 years? This is nothing new.


I hear ya. Problem is, the biggest ally these guys have is Bush himself. He is easy to villify to the peoples of these backwards countries.

[Jobu]

A theoretical question to American friends: If Chavez turned Venezuelan political system to communism, but didn't have any aggressive behaviour against its neighbours, or US, would you bother?

I don't think you understand how communist "revolutions" work. They don't stop at the border.

[2Sheds_Jackson]

Fidel isn't the "richest man on Cuba".. Well maybe if you believe Forbes assessment that Fidel has large portions of the Cuban economy in his own pockets.. Which is simply false. And Chavez hasn't appointed himself to anything, in all honesty, the Venezuelan people has.

Neither of us has a personal insight into Fidel's finances, but I choose to believe the prevailing opinion of those experts who have reviewed and published it. You can pretend that the data isn't there, but numbers don't lie. Even his own family has said as much. BTW, as the subject of hookers has been brought up - Cuba currently has a horrendous prostitution problem, with a massive surge after the Soviets cut off aid in 1990 - now turning to entertaining the tourists staying at Fidel's hotels.

The Venezuelan people have elected Chavez as President - an office which comes with limited power, and which must, by law, follow the Constitution, which calls for the Legislature and the Courts to fulfill their duties and obligations. There are supposed to be checks and balances. Chavez is simply going around them, which is not what the people expect, any more than Americans expect Bush to break the law at his whim to get his polices through.

That's the test, isn't it? If Bush did what Chavez is doing, the outcry from the American left would be deafening. But when Chavez does it, because it suits their anti-US agenda, the left supports it. I think that in time, even they may realize their foolishness.

[Jobu]

I think that in time, even they may realize their foolishness.

Doubtful, they're still making excuses for the USSR.

"That wasn't socialism, that was Chavezism" will be the mantra.

[sir-chimp]

I think that in time, even they may realize their foolishness.

Bah - revisionist history is so much easier to swallow then admit you were wrong.

[Hellfish]

Oh really? You've actually asked all the 75 year old Cuban hookers if they remember that?

Aren't most of the Cuban women nowadays hookers for the European tourists? p-)

[Jobu]

Aren't most of the Cuban women nowadays hookers for the European tourists? p-)

If Castro allowed them to have internet access, we might have a Cuban here to be offended by that remark.

[Miles.]

And Chavez hasn't appointed himself to anything, in all honesty, the Venezuelan people has.

Chavez is seizing all forms of power for himself. It's becoming a gangster state.

Remove the bong from your face.

[Hellfish]

Which is simply false. And Chavez hasn't appointed himself to anything, in all honesty, the Venezuelan people has.

You seriously trust a politician to back up his rhetoric?

[loganinkosovo]

Lets stop calling them "Socialist" please, they are out and out COMMUNISTS!!!!

They are subjugating the population with brute force, intimidation and murder.

They are the Scum of the earth and need to be eradicated like the disease that they are.

If you really want to know what is going on down there....

http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/2006-archive.html

U.S.-Venezuela Policy: A Reality Based Approach (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/usa-venezuela_policy.html)
December 21, 2006
Chávez threatens military intervention in Bolivia (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/hugo-chavez+military+bolivia.html) December 20, 2006
In Venezuela, A Looming Battle for Freedom (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/venezuela+battle_for_freedom.html)
Decenber 6, 2006
The fear factor and the AP/Ipsos poll (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/ap-ipsos_poll_venezuela.html)
November 27, 2006 Chavenomics: The Chávez answer to Milton Friedman (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/hugo-chavez+milton-friedman.html)
November 19, 2006
Coup d'État under way in Venezuela: An Urgent Memo to the OAS (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/hugo-chavez_coup+venezuela_oas+insulza.html)
November 10, 2006
Insulza: A True Democrat or A Trojan Horse for The Authoritarian Left? (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/oas+jose-miguel-insulza_venezuela.html) October 31, 2006
Protesting the intervention of Hugo Chávez in Latin America (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/hugo-chavez_oas+insulza.html)
October 16, 2006
In Venezuela: the poor find a new candidate who looks like them (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/venezuela_manual-rosales.html) October 10, 2006
Chávez, Stiglitz and other Populists (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/hugo-chavez_populism+venezuela_joseph-stiglitz.html)
October 3, 2006
Hugo Chávez at the U.N. : The heavy burden of the ridicule (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/hugo-chavez+UN-speech.html) September 24, 2006
Chávez at the United Nations Security Council: where psychiatry meets politics (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/hugo-chavez+security-council.html) September 14, 2006
The Hezbollah Venezuelan Metastasis (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/hizbula-hezbollah-hizbullah+venezuela+hugo-chavez.html)
September 4, 2006
Hezbollah in Venezuela: Chávez joins the terrorists on his path to martyrdom (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/hezbollah+venezuela_hugo-chavez_syria-iran_wmd+terrorism.html)
September 2, 2006
Chávez can, should and must be out by 2007 (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/hugo-chavez_out-by-2007.html) August 23, 2006
In London and Caracas: scoundrels at work (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/hugo-chavez_ken-livingstone+alfredo-toro-hardy.html) August 18, 2006
Chávez, Smartmatic and U.S. National Security (http://venenews.net/gustavo_coronel/venezuela_smartmatic-sequoia_cfius.html)
August 12, 2006
Venezuelan children: the greatest victims of Hugo Chávez (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/venezuela+children_victims_hugo-chavez.html) August 9, 2006
Will the real Bolivan Vice President Álvaro García Linera please stand up? (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/alvaro-garcia-linera_csis.html) July 23, 2006
Chávez: In the threshold of terrorism (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/chavez_venezuela_terrorism.html)
July 19, 2006
Chávez and North Korea: A Dr. Strangelove scenario becomes more probable (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/hugo-chavez+dprk+north-korea.html) July 17, 2006
Belafonte and Sheehan love Chávez, not Venezuela (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/cindy-sheehan_harry-belafonte+venezuela.html)
July 9, 2006
Chávez in North Korea: The New Dr. Strangelove (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/hugo-chavez+venezuela_north-korea+dprk.html) July 2, 2006
A summary of the crimes against Petróleos de Venezuela (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/summary_crimes_pdvsa.html) June 20, 2006
Andres Manuel Chávez Frias or Hugo Rafael Lopez Obrador? (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/amlo+obrador_hugo-chavez.html)
Juner 12, 2006
The impact of Alan Garcia's victory on the Latin American political scenario (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/alan-garcia_peru+venezuela.html) June 5, 2006
Hugo Chávez is in clear violation of the Inter-American Democratic Charter (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/venezuela_hugo-chavez_oas+inter-american-democratic-charter.html)
May 29, 2006
The prostitution of the Venezuelan electoral system (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/cne_venezuela.html) May 22, 2006
In Bolivia: The Mouse That Roared (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/bolivia+venezuela.html)
May 12, 2006
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights fingers Venezuelan regime (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/iachr_cidh+venezuela.html)
May 3, 2006
Immigration: the cases of Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and the U.S. (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/venezuela+immigration.html)
May 1, 2006
Hugo Chávez: a leader of the extreme Right (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/hugo-chavez_extreme-right.html)
April 24, 2006
A Venezuelan Magistrate on a U.S. tour (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/magistrate_on_tour.html) April 17, 2006
Venezuelan Ambassadors to the UN and the UK: dishonesty rewarded (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/arias-cardenas+toro-hardy_un_venezuela.html)
April 3, 2006
From lack of governance to hyper-corruption (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/venezuela_hyper-corruyption.html)
March 28, 2006
The U.S. - Venezuela energy showdown (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/u.s.-venezuela_energy_showdown.html)
March 19, 2006
I went to see the Chávez circus in Washington, D.C. (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/hugo-chavez+circus_washington-dc.html)
March 4, 2006
Chávez's Circus is coming to Washington, D.C. (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/chavez-circus.html) February 27, 2006
The Trans-Amazonian Gas Line: Project or Deal? (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/trans-amazonian-pipeline.html)
February 19, 2006
Hugo Chávez: A Fascist Fox in the Latin American Democratic Coop (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/hugo-chavez+fascist.html)
February 12, 2006
Latin America's Lurch to the Left (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/lurch_to_the_left.html)
February 2, 2006
The Chávez gas duct: irresponsible madness (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/chavez-pipeline.html)
January 26, 2006
Venezuela: the real and the fake (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/venezuela+real+fake.html) January 22, 2006
Does Hugo Chávez have a death wish? (http://venenews.net/gustavo-coronel/hugo-chavez+death-wish.html)
January 14, 2006



http://caracaschronicles.blogspot.com/


http://www.vcrisis.com/


http://blogs.salon.com/0001330/categories/venezuela/


http://venezuela-usa.blogspot.com/2006/09/fair-elections-in-venezuelan.html


http://feathersblog.blogspot.com/2006/09/on-why-true-leftist-doesnt-believe-on.html


http://pmbcomments.blogspot.com/2006/09/sep-1406-on-futility-of-appeasement.html

[khukuri]

Before in SWEDEN, energy, telecom, public transport, taxis svervice etc were alla state owned. Does this mean Sweden were a communist country?


You gotta be kidding me. That would officially make him a dictator. I mean common, 4 terms?

There are many countries were they dont have that rule, Sweden for example. The day Chavez is sitting there without the will of his people his a dictator, but so far he havent done anything that havent had him re elected. As long as he sttys being elected he is not a dictator no matter what you say!

[Cedan]

Neither of us has a personal insight into Fidel's finances, but I choose to believe the prevailing opinion of those experts who have reviewed and published it. You can pretend that the data isn't there, but numbers don't lie. Even his own family has said as much. BTW, as the subject of hookers has been brought up - Cuba currently has a horrendous prostitution problem, with a massive surge after the Soviets cut off aid in 1990 - now turning to entertaining the tourists staying at Fidel's hotels.

The Venezuelan people have elected Chavez as President - an office which comes with limited power, and which must, by law, follow the Constitution, which calls for the Legislature and the Courts to fulfill their duties and obligations. There are supposed to be checks and balances. Chavez is simply going around them, which is not what the people expect, any more than Americans expect Bush to break the law at his whim to get his polices through.

That's the test, isn't it? If Bush did what Chavez is doing, the outcry from the American left would be deafening. But when Chavez does it, because it suits their anti-US agenda, the left supports it. I think that in time, even they may realize their foolishness.

Let me ask you, what use would a 70+ year old dictator have for 700 (was it?) million dollars? I mean, he's the top dog in Cuba but he's not going to spend that much on personal enjoyment, if he'd doing it on a foreign business trip or something it would give him very much bad publicity which politicians hate. He's even went as far as saying something along the lines of "if you can prove that much money is on a swiss bank account I will step down"... Problem is that nobody has been able to do so. Just look at every dictator, from Hitler, Stalin, Mao, and Fidel. Most of them led very spartan lives. Stalin never ate warm lunch, lived in a 2-room Moscow apartment, Mao never brushed his teeth, Hitler had a very limited salary etc etc.. They simply don't need that much money because they have the power instead. And thats why Forbes is wrong. Because Fidel doesn't personally own the Cuban economy. Look at it objectively and you'll see its very much politics behind that "revelation".. And I don't think that many people believe in it, especially in Cuba or he would be preaching revolution from somewhere else

And to answer the last things you wrote, Chavez went to a election with a even more radical program. And he got voted in. Sounds like they want the stuff he's talking about!

[Cedan]

Before in SWEDEN, energy, telecom, public transport, taxis svervice etc were alla state owned. Does this mean Sweden were a communist country?


Of course not, its called a mixed economy, something Chavez is trying to move towards, just look what it did for Scandinavia its not something bad at all.

[BCE_CYKU]

Chavez has the right to do what he wants, his people chose him, its all fine, its his country

[WARPIG]

Chavez has the right to do what he wants, his people chose him, its all fine, its his country

It isn't his country.. his people didn't chose him, it isn't fine.

[Hellfish]

Chavez has the right to do what he wants, his people chose him, its all fine, its his country

Is he chosen fairly if he's also suppressing his opposition?

[2Sheds_Jackson]

Let me ask you, what use would a 70+ year old dictator have for 700 (was it?) million dollars? I mean, he's the top dog in Cuba but he's not going to spend that much on personal enjoyment, if he'd doing it on a foreign business trip or something it would give him very much bad publicity which politicians hate. He's even went as far as saying something along the lines of "if you can prove that much money is on a swiss bank account I will step down"... Problem is that nobody has been able to do so. Just look at every dictator, from Hitler, Stalin, Mao, and Fidel. Most of them led very spartan lives. Stalin never ate warm lunch, lived in a 2-room Moscow apartment, Mao never brushed his teeth, Hitler had a very limited salary etc etc.. They simply don't need that much money because they have the power instead. And thats why Forbes is wrong.

Hitler was the unquestioned head of a government that had untold amounts of gold and treasure looted from throughout Europe. Mao's dental health had nothing to do with his bank account. Why in the world would Fidel use a Swiss bank account - he has his own country, and runs his own banks, who do business and report according to what he says. If Forbes is wrong, it would have to be because the figures they researched were wrong, not because of some rationale you've come up with.



Look at it objectively and you'll see its very much politics behind that "revelation".. And I don't think that many people believe in it, especially in Cuba or he would be preaching revolution from somewhere else

You do understand that all newspapers in Cuba are owned and run by the Communist party, and that the Communist party is the only party, right? So where exactly do Cubans get their objective information from, and who do they vote for to effect change?



And to answer the last things you wrote, Chavez went to a election with a even more radical program. And he got voted in. Sounds like they want the stuff he's talking about!

Let's follow your logic, because IMHO it's mired in moral relativism. Say we get some candidate in the US who preaches radical reform like Chavez is talking about. And 6 out of 10 voters (not citizens) vote for him, so he wins. He is then sworn in, swearing to uphold the law, govern according to the constitution etc. He then proceeds to utterly ignore Congress and the Senate, govern by fiat, ignore the courts, consolidate power in the military, and attempt to install himself, personally, as a permanent leader, and put all big industry under him. Is that right? Should the people of the United States accept that, just saying "well, he won"? And if not, why is it right for Venezuela?

Not a question of nationalizing industry - as others have said - there are plenty of places that do that. The problem is that he's doing it while he is attempting to make himself the nation, and doing it via a process that is outside the law of Venezuela. How anybody can look at that and not see a problem is beyond me.

That being said, Chavez is a brilliant man - very shrewd, and a marvelous rhetorician. He's great at what he does. He and his pal in Iran are working overtime to beat the drums of capitalist worry and drive up oil prices (which, after all, is the factor sustaining both Chavez and Iran at the moment). If oil gets cheap again, his little miracle will fade away, so it's wise of him to diversify his portfolio.

[Cedan]

Hitler was the unquestioned head of a government that had untold amounts of gold and treasure looted from throughout Europe. Mao's dental health had nothing to do with his bank account. Why in the world would Fidel use a Swiss bank account - he has his own country, and runs his own banks, who do business and report according to what he says. If Forbes is wrong, it would have to be because the figures they researched were wrong, not because of some rationale you've come up with.
I'm trying to prove a point, and that is that most (but not all) socialist or fascist dictators did not need money simply because the power they had (or have) makes up for it. It also serves as a good propaganda opportunity to show that the dear leader doesn't have the lifestyle like their old reactionary factory boss enjoyed. Sure Fidel has access to some privileges but not on the scale of owning large portions of the Cuban economy. What Forbes did was simply calculate how much the Cuban economy is worth (or somewhere around that number), attribute it to Fidel (because he is dictator in town, so he's gotta own it for himself!) and say "Look he's a bad socialist leader, he's stealing from Cuba". In real world it isn't that easy.

You can look here if you don't believe me: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbes#Errors


Let's follow your logic, because IMHO it's mired in moral relativism. Say we get some candidate in the US who preaches radical reform like Chavez is talking about. And 6 out of 10 voters (not citizens) vote for him, so he wins. He is then sworn in, swearing to uphold the law, govern according to the constitution etc. He then proceeds to utterly ignore Congress and the Senate, govern by fiat, ignore the courts, consolidate power in the military, and attempt to install himself, personally, as a permanent leader, and put all big industry under him. Is that right? Should the people of the United States accept that, just saying "well, he won"? And if not, why is it right for Venezuela?
Problem is, the opposition thought it would be smart to boycott elections so he's got a very large portion of parliament and the supreme court loyal to him, the military tried a 2-day-long coup d'etat on him (so who can blame him for shaking it up a bit? what do you think would have happened in the USA?) etc etc...


Not a question of nationalizing industry - as others have said - there are plenty of places that do that. The problem is that he's doing it while he is attempting to make himself the nation, and doing it via a process that is outside the law of Venezuela. How anybody can look at that and not see a problem is beyond me.
I don't see whats the problem really... Several countries has had leaders and parties run the country for decades and they are fine today without and lack of democracy.. Chavez knows that at different times different parts of the populations will try to step on the political stage, in Venezuela (and a lot of other places in Lat. America) its the poor and working people who's getting a hard on for politics and he's trying to exploit this since he knows he has a pretty good chance of running the show to 2012 and maybe further, some might call it creating political stability in a "banana republic" only now its not the military calling the shots, other might call him a dictator who oversteps the boundaries of democracy.. some people just differ in political opinions I guess

[Bandeirante]

Venezuela is a sovereign nation and they have the right to decide about the country's policies in telecomunications and energy.
The political process is following a specific direction in the region. Chavez had a recent electoral victory. The poor people gave him a landslide of votes. And now Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua will invite Chavez and the Iranian Ahmedinejad for his inauguration. A strong anti-US rethoric is gaining momentum in those countries. Bolivia has for the first time a nationalistic Indian president. Ecuador has a new president.
And the United States is stucked in an Al-Qaeda's long war from Somalia to Kabul.
Brazil must try to equilibrate the geopolitical balance in the Hemisphere because things are changing in a fast lane in those countries. Bush can't do it, perhaps a pragmatic Lula can offer an alternative to radical Chavismo.

[Miles.]

Venezuela is a sovereign nation and they have the right to decide about the country's policies in telecomunications and energy.
The political process is following a specific direction in the region. Chavez had a recent electoral victory. The poor people gave him a landslide of votes. And now Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua will invite Chavez and the Iranian Ahmedinejad for his inauguration. A strong anti-US rethoric is gaining momentum in those countries. Bolivia has for the first time a nationalistic Indian president. Ecuador has a new president.
And the United States is stucked in an Al-Qaeda's long war from Somalia to Kabul.
Brazil must try to equilibrate the geopolitical balance in the Hemisphere because things are changing in a fast lane in those countries. Bush can't do it, perhaps a pragmatic Lula can offer an alternative to radical Chavismo.

Why is it so hard to convince people not to turn their continent into a social and economic toilet? :oops:

[Bandeirante]

500 years of poverty and exploration of the Indians, Blacks and dispossessed.
It's time to develop prosperity and citizenship or the "Barbarians" will try to assault our homes !
And yea, a have an arsenal in my compound but we must develop a modern democracy for everybody here !

[2Sheds_Jackson]

I'm trying to prove a point, and that is that most (but not all) socialist or fascist dictators did not need money simply because the power they had (or have) makes up for it. It also serves as a good propaganda opportunity to show that the dear leader doesn't have the lifestyle like their old reactionary factory boss enjoyed. Sure Fidel has access to some privileges but not on the scale of owning large portions of the Cuban economy.

First, I would point out that you're arguing a different point - you're arguing that Fidel doesn't need the money, that's entirely different than arguing that he has the money. Paris Hilton doesn't need all the money she has, but she still has it. Fidel has worked all his life to build a personality cult around himself, to make himself the state. His word is law, with paperwork to follow afterwards. That's why there's so much distress over who will replace him, because that's where all those assets go. Cuba is not like the rest of the world, it is not transparent and open, and it is silly to analyze it as if it were.



Problem is, the opposition thought it would be smart to boycott elections so he's got a very large portion of parliament and the supreme court loyal to him, the military tried a 2-day-long coup d'etat on him (so who can blame him for shaking it up a bit? what do you think would have happened in the USA?) etc etc...

OK, here again you're arguing why things happened, not whether or not they did happen. Is a bad thing still not a bad thing, no matter why it happened?



I don't see whats the problem really... Several countries has had leaders and parties run the country for decades and they are fine today without and lack of democracy.. Chavez knows that at different times different parts of the populations will try to step on the political stage, in Venezuela (and a lot of other places in Lat. America) its the poor and working people who's getting a hard on for politics and he's trying to exploit this since he knows he has a pretty good chance of running the show to 2012 and maybe further, some might call it creating political stability in a "banana republic" only now its not the military calling the shots, other might call him a dictator who oversteps the boundaries of democracy.. some people just differ in political opinions I guess

This I find very puzzling - would you be content living in a nation where free press was limited, you had no choice in determining who led the nation, and what polices were enacted? I wouldn't. In my view, just because they are Venezuelan and there's a lot of turmoil there does not change the rules of the game IMHO. I'm not sure what it is about them that makes them less deserving of freedom in some people's eyes. Until I receive a memo stating otherwise, people should control their own destiny, a free press is a good thing, political choice is a good thing, and rulers who condense all power in themselves is bad...in Venezuela, the US, wherever. Certainly Venezuela is not there yet, but certainly under Chavez, that is where they are headed.

[khukuri]

It isn't his country.. his people didn't chose him, it isn't fine.

youre saying Chavez didnt get elected?

[Kilgor]

Chavez also said he would soon ask the National Assembly, which is solidly controlled by his allies, to approve a special law giving him powers to approve such changes by decree and without further approval.

Extended terms, rubber stamping of laws, suppression of the free press. Ah... the famous "road to socialism" is looking even more familiar each day.

[Cedan]

First, I would point out that you're arguing a different point - you're arguing that Fidel doesn't need the money, that's entirely different than arguing that he has the money. Paris Hilton doesn't need all the money she has, but she still has it. Fidel has worked all his life to build a personality cult around himself, to make himself the state. His word is law, with paperwork to follow afterwards. That's why there's so much distress over who will replace him, because that's where all those assets go. Cuba is not like the rest of the world, it is not transparent and open, and it is silly to analyze it as if it were.

Yes, I'm putting across a reason as for why Forbes is wrong, not looking at how they magically managed to come to the conclusion that Fidel has a vast fortune..

BTW, compare today's Cuba with say, China during the Cultural Revolution or USSR during the 5 year plans.. Thats what you call personality cult, Cuba wouldn't match up by a long shot! Where's all the pictures of Fidel? His statues etc.. There's pictures of Che sure but he's not calling the shots today.



OK, here again you're arguing why things happened, not whether or not they did happen. Is a bad thing still not a bad thing, no matter why it happened?

I'm just trying to put across why I think Chavez is doing some of the things he is...



This I find very puzzling - would you be content living in a nation where free press was limited, you had no choice in determining who led the nation, and what polices were enacted?

If the choice was between living a good (by 3'rd world countries standards) life and having very limited political freedom, and more political freedom but no prospect of a good life I'd chose less political freedom... And I think most people wood confronted with that situation, I mean whats most important, that you get education and health care or that you are able to voice your opinion in the paper but very limited education and health care?

And I just have to say, political freedom in Venezuela isn't that bad.. Opposition is allowed to mass for rallies, mainstream anti-Chavez TV stations and newspapers daily criticizes him etc.. I think proof enough that Chavez isn't some bloodthirsty dictator is that we are actually speaking about an opposition. Who's the opposition in DPRK f.ex?

[Miles.]

And I just have to say, political freedom in Venezuela isn't that bad.. Opposition is allowed to mass for rallies, mainstream anti-Chavez TV stations and newspapers daily criticizes him etc.. I think proof enough that Chavez isn't some bloodthirsty dictator is that we are actually speaking about an opposition. Who's the opposition in DPRK f.ex?

I really hate to get in between you and 2_Sheds' fabulous conversation, but I know this statement of yours to be untrue, at best naive. I know people who have fled Venezuela, and can't return.

It is rapidly becoming a socialist gangster state. This guy Hugo Chavez is pretty much consolidating all of his power through fear and sometimes brute force, kidnapping, extortion, and murder. He's not a nice guy. He's not concerned with the poor and downtrodden.

[Amerikosskiy_xyu]

If the US thinks it's money is endless it will go the way of the USSR, bled dry trying to appease everybody and fix all the problems in the world.

It seems to be going that way.

[Ordie]

Big picture:

Venezuela's economy as well as its social programs are highly dependant on higher oil reveunes. Chavez's plan will only work if the oil revenues and demand is there.

The fact of the matter is, the consumer demand for alternative eneergy sources, and fuel efficient vehicles many have an impact on the oil exporters.

Here are some obervations in the United States.

Mild winter has reduced the demand for heating oil thus lowering projected revenues from the oil companies.
Public Transit Ridership in the US has increased 25% since 1996. Elimniating the need for 33 biliion barrels annually. (Source: Marketwatch.com)
Toyota is planning to sell up to 300,000 hybrid cars in 2007 up from 191,000 cars in 2006. Expect the big three to follow to stay alive(Source: *******)
Venture capitalists have poured $761.4 million into clean tech, up 50 percent from $504.1 million in the same period in 2005. In the United States alone, $585.6 million has been invested in 60 companies, up 30 percent from 2005 (Source:SFGATE.COM)I think Venezuela will be in a world of hurt in the near future.

[LaoSexMachine]

Chavez plans hit Venezuela market
Venezuela's financial markets have tumbled after President Hugo Chavez promised to nationalise the biggest phone and power companies. The Caracas Stock Exchange closed nearly 19% down, with bonds also lower.
Telecoms firm CA Nacional Telefonos (CANTV) was suspended from trading after closing 30% lower, while power firm Electricidad de Caracas fell 20%.
While Mr Chavez had outlined some of his plans, analysts said he had decided to go further than previously thought.
'Fairly compensated'
"The news comes as a surprise, as we were under the impression that President Chavez supported direct foreign investments," said Bank of America analysts in a research note.


Wall Street heavyweight Merrill Lynch said the situation was very serious.
Mr Chavez, who is due to be inaugurated for the third time, unveiled his plans during a speech to the nation.



Nationalization has a long and inglorious history of failure around the world
Tony Snow, White House spokesman
"All of that which was privatised, let it be nationalised," he said, adding that the central bank's autonomy would be removed as part of wider plans to change Venezuela's constitution.
The plans are all part of a wider changes aimed at developing a "Socialist Republic of Venezuela".
Mr Chavez's announcement drew criticism from the US.
"Nationalisation has a long and inglorious history of failure around the world," said White House spokesman Tony Snow.
"If any US companies are affected, we would expect them to be promptly and fairly compensated," said Gordon Johndroe, spokesman for the White House National Security Council.
The US state department said it expected Venezuela "to follow through on all of its contractual obligations".
Foreign players
Foreign investors were shaken by the news, and shares were hit in Mexico where the main stock index lost 2% because a number of companies have close business links with Venezuela.


Among the other foreign firms that are likely to be affected, are US power company AES and US phone firm Verizon, both large shareholders in Venezuela.
AES lost more than 4% in New York, while Verizon was little changed.
The changes would also end foreign control of crude oil refineries in Orinoco.




Another factor hurting Venezuela's markets on Tuesday was a dip in the price of crude oil that threatens to dent the nation's most lucrative natural resource.
Earlier in the day crude oil fell below $54 a barrel in New York despite previous threats by oil group Opec that it may trim output, and a spat between Russia and Belarus that has hurt European supplies.
Much of Mr Chavez's poverty plans have been based on securing money from Venezuela's energy sector.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/business/6245995.stm

[maloryII]

How many of you have watched The Revolution Will Not Be Televised?

Check it out.

Did I read a Paris Hilton analogy in there somewhere?! Aaaaaah! I'm going back to Strictly Photos!! :)

[raph_g]

if there's one person in the world i can't stand....its hugo chavez. the man is nothing but a pathetic little opportunist. he hates america because its the hot thing to do, no other reason.

[Lerclair]

if there's one person in the world i can't stand....its hugo chavez. the man is nothing but a pathetic little opportunist. he hates america because its the hot thing to do, no other reason.Or that US had suspected support for the coup against him in 2002..

Frankly, I have lived thru Privatisation of national essential services (Water, power, public transport, Telecom services etc) in my country. As a lower middle income group.. It would say that the first think that I noticed is that all charges across the board had increased within the half year. Then within the third yr charges had increased 40-50 percent.. and service standards hasn't increase.. but BS marketing to increase fares and prices.. stating perpetual loses.. yet post ever constant 10 to 15% profit annually... that and ever pay increases to board members are often huge... because all this privatisation are now profit driven...

In the end.. it's the poor and middle income people that are largely affected. Thus in my opinion.. essential service should not be privatised.. but made to run like a private corporation.

[Violet Fashion by Mindy]

Ah, but thats a complicated situation, the only two provinces with real potential for hydro electricity are Quebec and BC. We all know BC is a step away from communism and Quebec didnt have any money once it got rid of its xenophobic, amish modeled rulers in the 60's so it got a sh$tload of national money to invest in economy and industry.

Its alot more complicated than that but hydro electric power is run as a competative business to the extent that if compared to nationalised industry in Cuba we look like a nationalist fascist government.

Im no expert though, feel free to correct me if im wrong

Most of Australia's power, water, rail transport are all government owned and in the case of rail the most profitable and fastest growing company is a government company. We used to have a single telephone company owned by the government.

The key point with government enterprises is that they must remain flexible and run for profit. The Australian example is a good example how government owned companies can be efficient and profitable.

[juliuspret]

It isn't his country.. his people didn't chose him, it isn't fine.

Yes his PEOPLE did CHOOSE him!!!!

After reading through this thread one can clearly see the Americans fighting against the rest of the world on this issue.

In the US very few things are controlled by semi-state companies so they have no idea what they are talking about when they voice their opinions against such things.
Most of Europe has had state companies in control of electricity/telecoms/transport but under EU law such state monopolies have been made illegal and are slowly being broken up i.e. BT/Deutsche Telekom for Telephones.

In Ireland we had Telecom Eireann which was sold off by the government, bought by venture capitalists and a new name given. Our line rental is now the highest in Europe by a LOT!

I really cant fight against the massive onslaught by American posters against this man...simply because ignorance is bliss Im afraid.

Oh if Chavez made agreements to supply all their oil exports to the US at a discount would he still be demonised here?

[3rdMillhouse]

A theoretical question to American friends: If Chavez turned Venezuelan political system to communism, but didn't have any aggressive behaviour against its neighbours, or US, would you bother?

I'm not american (brazilian), but I wouldn't give a damn if he choose not to "export his bolivarian revolution".

[Kant]

I for one shall not be losing any sleep over it what so ever.
I live a long,long way from him, and I don't care.
Western apathy at it's best.

[khukuri]

Privatisation?

in sweden we privatized energy, tele,taxi, public transport and railway. In every branch apart from taxi service the prices have gone up according to a govrement report! The only one which have gone down is taxi, and that because 99% of taxi drivers are now immigrants who are willing to work for lower prices.

[foxtrot023]

As history has proven, Chavez´s ¨reforms¨ will come back and bite Venezuela on the ass. Anyone with 2 pennies to rub in Venezuela is bailing out.

[VetsandVettes]

As history has proven, Chavez´s ¨reforms¨ will come back and bite Venezuela on the ass. Anyone with 2 pennies to rub in Venezuela is bailing out.

Yep. When you remove the financial incentive to be industrious and to work hard, you get apathy like I see much of in Cuba. The utilities fall into disrepair and failure as qualified operators go where they can make a buck. Lots of bartenders and maids in Cuba are doctors and engineers by trade, there's just no money in those professions ($20-$30 per month) so they sling drinks for tourists.
As for Chavez...

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Echoing Fidel Castro's cry of "socialism or death," President Hugo Chavez was sworn in for a new six-year term on Wednesday, promising to accelerate Venezuela's transformation into a socialist state.
Chavez took the oath of office at the National Assembly after a sweeping re-election victory that has given him free reign to pursue more radical changes, including plans to nationalize power and telecommunications companies.
His right hand raised, Chavez declared: "Fatherland. Socialism or death - I swear it," invoking the Cuban leader's famous call to arms.
Chavez also alluded to Jesus, saying: "I swear by Christ - the greatest socialist in history."
In a speech that followed, he said the central aim of his term that runs until 2013 will be "to build Venezuelan socialism."
"I don't have the slightest doubt that is the only path to the redemption of our peoples, the salvation of our fatherland," he told applauding legislators.
Chavez has said he believes that socialism - not capitalism - is the only way to guarantee the general well-being of people, not only in Venezuela but over the entire world.
Chavez has said he will ask the National Assembly, solidly dominated by his allies, for special powers allowing him to enact a series of "revolutionary laws" by decree.
With oil profits booming and his popularity high, Chavez seems to be in step with many Venezuelans even as spooked investors rushed to sell off Venezuelan stocks in companies targeted for nationalization.

[foxtrot023]

Yes his PEOPLE did CHOOSE him!!!!



But check this out- He was the only one on TV, newspapers, etc. He controls the electoral college, the people that count, and were it is counted. Small wonder he won. I agree he is popular with the poor in Venezuela, but Venezuela has a travesty of a democracy, thaks to Chavez.

[Hellfish]

But check this out- He was the only one on TV, newspapers, etc. He controls the electoral college, the people that count, and were it is counted. Small wonder he won. I agree he is popular with the poor in Venezuela, but Venezuela has a travesty of a democracy, thaks to Chavez.

My Iberian friend speaks the truth.

[WARPIG]

Yes his PEOPLE did CHOOSE him!!!!

After reading through this thread one can clearly see the Americans fighting against the rest of the world on this issue.

In the US very few things are controlled by semi-state companies so they have no idea what they are talking about when they voice their opinions against such things.
Most of Europe has had state companies in control of electricity/telecoms/transport but under EU law such state monopolies have been made illegal and are slowly being broken up i.e. BT/Deutsche Telekom for Telephones.

In Ireland we had Telecom Eireann which was sold off by the government, bought by venture capitalists and a new name given. Our line rental is now the highest in Europe by a LOT!

I really cant fight against the massive onslaught by American posters against this man...simply because ignorance is bliss Im afraid.

Oh if Chavez made agreements to supply all their oil exports to the US at a discount would he still be demonised here?

Ignorance seems to be a familiar term with you.

Venezuelans overwhelmingly voted for Chavez's opposition.
I know this because I have family in Venezuela. My brother in law works for the government and most of my family lives in Zulia. If that name doesn’t mean anything to you then maybe ignorance IS bliss. Most of the country openly supported Rosales and looked to him to lead a protest against the fixed election. He quickly disappeared from the spotlight after some rumors that his family was being threatened. Not much of a protest was mustered. Most of the opposition came by way of mainstream media during the election. It is no surprise that telecom was the first thing he took control of.

The US has done nothing more than ignore his dumb ass, yet any negative remark is generalized as outright animosity. The worst the US has done is not allowed US military technology to be sold to him. Yet, Chavez is playing up his saber rattling to make himself look like the revolutionary he says he is.

Way to turn this into a US bashing fest. Chavez is slowly oppressing that country and turning it into a dictatorship. If that meant a stronger more prosperous Venezuela.. then maybe no one would criticize.. but instead, he is slowly destroying the country. I have seen it first hand.

[VetsandVettes]

I think the main threat with Castro was the percieved furtherence of Communism lead by Russia. Since the fall of the USSR, Castro is more of a thorn than threat. Chavez has something that Cuba never did. OIL, and lots of it. Hope he knows how to duck-and-cover...

[Ghelp]

He is building up a impressive military.If he is to stay in power over 2012+ he will have some real Regional military capability at his disposal.Venezuela is looking for new SSK's the U-214 and Russian Amur are one of them up for export.Both are good submarines and could pose a threat to even the USN.Add this to the Venezuelen purchases of Russian weaponry.

[XShipRider]

Say goodbye to foreign investment. His oil, ultimately it will be his, will
continue to sell on the world market making him quite rich. I predict
Venezuela will suffer. What company in their right minds will want to
invest billions or even millions in a country that nationalizes private
industries because it doesn't like your politics?

He could save face by buying out the companies for a fair price
then nationalizing them.