Understanding Hugo Chavez is no easy task. He is charismatic and colorful in the eyes of many, cruel and a megalomaniac to his enemies. Unlike the traditional image of a president, he is unpredictable. He has his own radio and TV show, which can last over 7 hours, and he loves to interrupt regular programming to speak for hours about his hate for the "Empire" (the US government), surprise measures to control every area of the economy and to nationalize industries, or to remember his childhood days in a rural area in southwest Venezuela.
Today, the government of Venezuela declared a national holiday to commemorate his 10 years in power. It's been a long 10 years. The country has passed from having one of the most prominent oil companies in the world (state-owned PDVSA), to seeing its oil production fall considerably after Chavez fired 20,000 employees from the company because he considered them enemies of the "revolution". He has survived a coup and several national strikes, the longest of which lasted two months and crippled the economy. In these years he and his followers have sucked up the country's resources and he now controls almost all the institutions of the country, including the Supreme Court, the National Assembly, the Attorney General's Office and many regional government posts.
But ten years in power is not enough for him. Since he came into power, he has been announcing longer stays in power. One of his first moves in power was to change the Constitution, which now allows for one reelection and stretched the presidential period to 6 years. But that is not enough for him. He has organized a referendum on Feb. 15, when Venezuelans will vote for indefinite reelection. He has already been hit hard in the last elections for regional posts, where the opposition won the major states and municipalities in the country.
I've been asked many times if Venezuela has a democracy or a dictatorship. It is hard to answer. I usually say a "democracy". A true democracy would imply separation of power and rule of law. Chavez controls almost all the institutions in the country and is known for implementing highly questionable rulings to suddenly nationalize private enterprises, close TV channels and put political prisoners in jail. However, some opposition leaders still campaign publicly against him and some are now in office in state and municipal government.
But my answer could change completely on Feb. 15. If Chavez wins the election, he will stay permanently in power. A lifelong ruler, even if chosen by vote cannot be considered a democratic leader.
I believe that Chavez's rule has taught us much about the country, about the needs of the poor and about taking freedom for granted. Chavez has taught Venezuelans to hate themselves in a way that we had not known since the war of Independence in the early 1800's.
But it's time to see something new. I dream of seeing a day of change in Venezuela. Obama's inauguration made that dream even closer to my heart. Will that day come soon? We'll know on Feb. 15.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Excellent article. We all hope the change that Venezuela deserves. It is enough of incompetences and bad managers, it is enough of people that doesn't care about Venezuela and its people. It's a time for a change, and for this February 15 I have two words NO AGAIN...
Excellent article Alice!! Even thoug is it true that Chávez is not a democrat, the situation for him is not easy in Venezuela -speaking about his future leading the country. There is a third component which seriously can harm his performance: the world economic crisis. The oil is now decreasing its price and he has a lot of debts which he cannot pay. The Venezuelan people is now experiencing how is to go to a supermarket without enough money for buying basic products. Furthermore, the supermarkets are quite empty, because there you cannot find toilet paper, sugar, coffee, beans...and others. As well his speech is not atractive anymore...I am positive: he will leave the power sooner than we think.
Post a Comment