Home | Columns | Media Watch | Reports | Links | About Us | Contact

Column 101711 Brewer

Monday, October 17, 2011 The Political Tenure of Venezuela's Chavez Requires Scrutiny By Jerry Brewer With over a decade of rule in Venezuela, through his Bolivarian Revolution, President Hugo Chavez Frias is looking for reelection in 2012. He professes a desire to be President until 2031. Contrary to much media speculation and reporting, Chavez claims he is healthy and ready to serve his country and revolution. However, a close examination of his record as Venezuela's socialist leader and his close ties to other world rogue leftist regimes, pose more questions perhaps than votes of support. As Chavez realized that his record might not be a popular one with his Venezuelan constituents in 2007, he made his first attempt to abolish presidential term limits. Many reports by Venezuelan citizens revealed that they wanted to vote against his proposal, but felt obligated to vote yes because of benefits from government social programs. A close look at Chavez's reign to date reveals his penchant for reaching far out to appeal to the common people with empty promises. And he has succeeded in holding on to his power and extended rule - but will 2012 be an election embracing that ostensible previous popularity? Regardless of how any source attempts to spin Chavez's rule, his pattern of governing and behavior are dictatorial, and his rule has transformed Venezuela's democracy into a strong socialist agenda and way of life, much to the detriment of Venezuelan

citizens. In 1998 Chavez claimed a radical departure from existing politics, and touted a platform of eliminating government corruption, convening a constituent assembly to write a new constitution, and "fighting against social exclusion and poverty." In true dictatorial fashion he first began to eliminate most of Venezuela's existing political institutions that included the Supreme Court of Justice, Congress, and the electoral council. Those actions came quickly and they were dissolved in late 1999 and replaced with Chavez's own people. In clear violation of Article 150 of the Venezuelan Constitution, he promoted 33 military officers over the decision of the Senate. Chavez threatened justices of the Supreme Court with retaliation "if they did not rule in line with his wishes." Moreover, he added in a letter that "only the president has exclusive authority on the management of state affairs." The socialist agenda went on fast-track as Chavez manipulated Venezuelan law and exhibited firm restrictions in citizen freedoms and civil rights, while also restricting and intimidating the media. Rapidly becoming a master of double talk, Chavez told the Venezuelan populace that they were on a threshold of change and that they must eliminate corruption, adding that the main risk they faced was not fighting this "with audacity and decision." With a straight face he told them that "this is the only way to reinstate democracy in our country." Chavez was vocal and adamant in his instructions to the people, saying that "if we want to be a lawful state, we need a judicial system we can trust." He claimed that without this trustworthy justice there was no possibility of effectively fighting corruption. The loss of competent checks and balances within the Venezuelan regime began to take a serious toll on Venezuela's political transparency. It was said that corruption thus dominated Chavez's government

through "motive, opportunity, and impunity." Chavez's ironic twist on wealth distribution in Venezuela ultimately resulted in the massive squandering of the nation's oil revenue. This was, and continues to be, one of the greatest unjust acts against poor Venezuelans that were living in squalor, with unsafe homes, little food, and rolling blackouts of electricity. Moreover, their voices are essentially unheard due to the acts resulting from the absence of debate, and the quick changes in ministers and other high-level officials. Chavez's true loyalty appears to simply reside in his mentor Fidel Castro of Cuba, whose own revolution has failed miserably and continues to force horrific sacrifices on the Cuban people. Venezuela was sacrificed by the oil supply agreement Chavez made with Castro. The agreed upon form of payment pledged an oil supply for 15 years at 2 percent interest of 25% of the volume - described as a "gift" estimated at $400 million per year. As well, Cuba's delays in paying or any refusal has not triggered interruptions of supply. A total of $2.2 billion per year is estimated in this Cuban subsidy gift, at much peril to the true needs of the Venezuelan populace. As sidebar notes, while vehemently denying affiliations with FARC guerillas and drug trafficking, Chavez kicked the US DEA out of Venezuela (as did his protg President Evo Morales of Bolivia). Furthermore, Chavez recently stated that he is considering the shooting down of suspected drug trafficker planes. Dead men tell no tales. ---------Jerry Brewer is C.E.O. of Criminal Justice International Associates, a global threat mitigation firm headquartered in northern Virginia. His website is located at http://www.cjiausa.org/. TWITTER:

cjiausa