Venezuela Limits Hugo Chavez
Hugo Chavez suffered his first real political defeat since becoming Venezuela’s president in 1998. His supporters failed to turn out in numbers that would have allowed him to run for re-election when his term ends in 2012. The ardent support he had gained among the nations poor by redistributing the nations oil wealth has not bought their trust that he would act in their best interest indefinitely.
In uncharacteristic tones the aspiring despot accepted the outcome of the referendum humbly stating
“I understand and accept that the proposal I made was quite profound and intense.”
Voters rejected the sweeping reforms by a narrow margin of 51% to 49%. Voter turnout was just 56% compared to the 63% of eligible voters who turned out for his re-election last year.
In the weeks leading up to Sundays referendum, Chavez was expanding restrictions on the media shutting down a major broadcaster critical of his regime and employing other harsh measures to quash public opposition to his proposals. Thousands of students protested in the streets against the threat to democracy that included:
- Extending the presidential term from six to seven years and eliminating term limits.
- Placing control of the now autonomous Central Bank in the hands of the President.
- Re-districting with the President selecting provincial and municipal leaders.
- State of Emergency for as long as “the causes that motivated it remain.”
- Confiscating large land estates for redistribution subject to court approval.
- Prohibit foreign funding of “associans with political aims” which could potentially block international human rights organizations.
- Creation of new classes for communal property in addition to private and state property
- Implementing a new economic system based on “socialist, anti-imperialist principals.”
- Reduction of the official workday from eight to six hours.
- Reduction of the voting age from 18 to 16 years.
- Provide for social security benefits independent workers such as street vendors and domestic help.
In the aftermath street celebrations broke out in Caracas where businessmen were joined by students and trade union members providing evidence of the widespread opposition to the referendum which was defeated in spite of the Presidents ironclad grip on the machinery of government.
Rejection of Chavez and/or Bolivarianism?
After completing military academy in 1975 Chavez was allowed to pursue political science studies where he and like minded students adapted the nationalistic ideology termed Bolivarianism named for the liberator Simon Bolivar which sought the unification of Latin America. In stark contrast to Bolivar’s ideals of free markets and popular democracy, Chavez Bolivarian Revolution became ever more socialistic and autocratic particularly after the failed recall referendum of 2004.
Chavez came to national attention in a with a 1992 coup attempt to unseat then President Carlos Perez. Even though the coup failed Chavez was allowed to make a public television address to call on his forces to cease hostilities. During the address he commented he had only failed for now. He would be released after only two years imprisonment. Poor Venezuelans would remember him as someone who stood up to the corrupt authoritarian regime of Perez which had instituted austerity measures to right a struggling economy.
Once in power Chavez nationalized the nations oil, telephone and electricity companies, restricted media critical of his government and steered funds to revitalize education for the poor and provide food for the needy. But like all managed economies shortages began to appear creating long lines for these scarce staples at the reduced costs. Be they basic necessities such as milk and chicken or materials such as asphalt for street repairs the shortcomings of his economic policy are becoming apparent even to his supporters.
Chavez has created a disturbing presence throughout Venezuela. The federal bureaucracy has been politicized to the extent that school teachers constantly extol his virtues. He has an almost continuous dialog over a nationally broadcast television show where he constantly lashes out at the Bush Administration and economic globalization. While few supporters object to slandering the American President, his outbursts at more traditional Venezuelan relations such as the Catholic Church, the former president of Spain, and neighboring governments have deminished his popularity. This, along with his cozy relationship with Cuba’s Fidel Castro and Iran’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, have caused many to reconsider.
A robust international economy has caused oil prices to skyrocket in recent years. Chavez has used much of the oil revenues to gain international favor in addition to expanded domestic programs. He even went so far as to provide low cost fuel to Boston residents to gain popular approval in the U.S. in hopes of embarrassing the Bush Administration. Much to his dismay Americans were not impressed.
As the U.S. economy cools off international demand for oil will follow as will the foreign currency flows to Venezuela. It will become apparent to all Venezuelans that Chavez has squandered much of their national wealth and blocked the international investment community which has participated in the impressive growth seen in other Latin American nations such as Chile and Brazil. Chavez will be forced to use extra-democratic means to achieve his goals and cloak the shortcomings of his agenda. It will be a long 5 years in Venezuela waiting for the next presidential election. [ro_22]
March 7th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
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