Adieu, Hugo!
The Socialist revolution in Venezuela was meant to lift all boats, particularly the country's poor, thanks to a geography very well endowed with fossil fuels. Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, a proud revolutionary, is so given to acts of generosity that he not only promised his own that they would find a better standard of life with him, but he also offered, as a sharp poke in the eye to the United States, big energy breaks to America's poor.And he enjoyed rallying his South American counterparts in a pact of contempt against the United States, and became an ally and confidant of Iran and of Syria. Anything to stick it to the United States. Mostly under George W. Bush; he's been relatively quiescent with the presidency of Barack Obama. So how well has Venezuela fared under his socialist dictatorship? Well, not so well, after all. The poor whom he has always championed and depended upon for those critical votes are somewhat conflicted now.
Prices for common goods and for food staples have risen painfully. Violence has untethered itself from fear of consequences, and Venezuela is now the third most violent, crime-ridden country in the world. Relations with a few of the country's neighbours could be a whole lot better, but tub-thumping Mr. Chavez isn't about to lose his confrontational style, and if he decides to support guerrillas threatening the stability of a neighbour, he damn well will.
Freedoms have been truncated under the Chavez administration, targeting political critics, and resulting in politically motivated arrests. Press freedom is continually threatened. The OAS cited concerns with freedom of expression, human rights abuses, authoritarianism, and threats to democracy. Along with interference in the appointment of judges to federal courts.
Opposition candidates in the country, running toward a late September election, see some openings now that haven't presented themselves previously. The support that Hugo Chavez has always depended upon is wilting. His fourteen years at the helm of the country haven't produced the gains he promised and the electorate has turned somewhat sour on him. The champion has become a chump.
They're getting fed up with being told by him that "no one loves you like I do", and that they should be aware that the "squalid bourgeoisie" is out to cheat them, should they consider handing their ballots elsewhere. Gross domestic product is expected to shrink, and inflation is expected to hit 30% this year. About 77% of the country is considered to be lower to lower-middle class and they're kind of disappointed.
The capital city has become even more dangerous for its residents - thanks to a continuing upsurge in violence - than Baghdad. Venezuela challenges Honduras and Jamaica for the crown in murder per-capita. The government is lax in funding social services. The latest polls indicate a mere 36% of Venezuelans are in approval of their president's performance.
Mr. Chavez's vaunted charisma is being irremediably tarnished by his miserable performance. No one in the international community will mourn his passing.
Labels: Human Relations, Human Rights, Political Realities
posted by Pieface @ Friday, September 03, 2010
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