CHAVEZ: UPSET 'IMPOSSIBLE' IN PRESIDENTIAL VOTE
Venezuela's Hugo Chavez called his leading presidential challenger a liar and urged his enemies to respect the result of Sunday's election, saying an upset would be impossible.
Ref. https://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/americas/11/...n.ap/index.html
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and urged his enemies to respect the result of Sunday's election, saying an upset would be impossible. |
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ELECTION OFFICIALS: CHAVEZ WINS BY WIDE MARGIN
President Hugo Chavez, an outspoken opponent of the United States who has used Venezuela's oil wealth to give handouts to the poor, won re-election to another six-year term by a wide margin on Sunday, official results showed.
Ref. https://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/americas/12/...n.ap/index.html
I would like to know how everyone feels about Chavez. He seems to be a leader you either love or hate based on your ideological convictions. Many people in Latin America view him as a champion of the poor and someone who will stand up to the US. While those who champion capitalism view him as the devil!
He is obviously very blunt in his assessment of President Bush and the current US Administration. But does his reluctance to cosy up to the US make him a bad leader?
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QUOTE (arvhic @ 6-Dec 06, 6:11 AM) |
He is obviously very blunt in his assessment of President Bush and the current US Administration. But does his reluctance to cosy up to the US make him a bad leader? |
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 1089 100%
Yeah I must admit his record in coming to and holding onto power is certainly questionable. Didn't he change the laws so that presidents can only stay in power for two terms, but changed it again so he could remain in power?
I think anyone who needs a coup to come to power is shady, but I am not sure of the political climate when he attempted this. Was Venezuela ruled by a dictator beforehand?
Chavez is an interesting character because he has actually done a lot of good for the poor. Some of his projects have directly improved the conditions for many Venezuelans and he has invested heavily in the education and health systems. His control over his nation's oil supply isn't such a bad thing in my opinion because it benefits Venezuelans. I think the US demonises Chavez a lot for his control of oil, but why shouldn't he? Does anyone tell the US what they should do with their natural resources? You also have to look past his rhetoric of the US leadership. Maybe Chavez is sick of the US Government pretty much doing as it pleases with poorer neighbours?
I also think there is merit in his idea for Latin America to unite, especially economically. Whether this is practical or not remains to be seen, but regional consolidation is a good thing in a global economy.
Then of course there is the power hungry, authoritarian side of Chavez"¦ what do you all think?
International Level: Negotiator / Political Participation: 453 45.3%
arvhic said:
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Didn't he change the laws so that presidents can only stay in power for two terms, but changed it again so he could remain in power? |
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Was Venezuela ruled by a dictator beforehand? |
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Chavez is an interesting character because he has actually done a lot of good for the poor. Some of his projects have directly improved the conditions for many Venezuelans and he has invested heavily in the education and health systems. |
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Maybe Chavez is sick of the US Government pretty much doing as it pleases with poorer neighbours? |
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 1089 100%
I can't stand Chavez, he is a dangerous guy and a dictator. He decided not to renew the license of a TV station just because basically they disagree with him and his decisions. No freedom of speech in Venezuela while Chavez on power. Really scary.
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CARACAS, Venezuela (CNN) -- Venezuelan police on Sunday used water cannons and what appeared to be tear gas to break up thousands of demonstrators protesting the government's decision to close the country's most-watched television station. The protest began in front of National Telecommunications Commission headquarters after members of the National Guard seized broadcast equipment, including antennas, the result of a Supreme Court order on Friday. During the clash, two or three bullets were shot into a nearby traffic light, police said. Soon afterward, the director of the Metropolitan Police, Juan Francisco Romero, pointed to the light, and said on television that police were "not going to accept the situation." It was not immediately clear who had fired the shots. Police told The Associated Press that at least four officers were slightly injured after some of the protesters threw rocks and bottles. After police stopped using the water cannons, the crowd regrouped, and video of the scene showed a peaceful mood, with people waving flags and chanting as night fell. Inside the studios of Radio Caracas Television, employees cried and chanted "Freedom!" on camera, AP reported. "We are living an injustice," presenter Eyla Adrian said, according to AP. "I wish that tonight would never come." President Hugo Chavez announced in January that the government would not renew the broadcast license for the station, long an outlet for opposition parties. Chavez has accused the station of supporting the failed 2002 coup against him and violating broadcast laws. He called the station's soap operas "pure poison" that promote capitalism, according to AP. RCTV, which has been broadcasting for 53 years, is slated to be off the air at midnight. It will be replaced by a state-run station... |
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