In a January 13th article in The Economist, it discusses Hugo Chavez's upcoming presidency and his plans to bring Venezuela into a "new era". Chavez's plan to nationalize certain companies has been a widely publicized topic. In this article it informs us that Chavez is not only nationalizing some, but is refusing to renew other companies contracts, mainly in the case of RCTV, a television station run by his opposition. The article states that this particular television station was one of the top supporters in the attempted coup back in 2002. By canceling RCTV Chavez is believed to be sending a message to other media in Venezuela to join him. Besides the non-renewal with RCTV this article discusses the possibility that Chavez with turn the Venezuelan government into a Cuban-style communism. I think that Chavez, despite his push for socialism, will end up turning towards a more communist style rule, during this term. I feel that this is a definite possibility because so far he has discussed the "state's" need to run television shows and to control banks and other businesses. In conjunction with this, he also has declared, for the first time publicly, that he is a communist. "He added that he himself had been a “communist” since at least 2002".
http://global.factiva.com/ga/default.aspx?imt=2
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2 comments:
I thought it is very worrisome that Chavez is canceling some contracts and renewing others. Hopefully, public outcry, if possible will bring this situation to an end.
He sounds like he has an iron fist. I wonder how the people feel. I would certainly not want to live in a society like that. Now as for what Ben b was saying, I do not think public outcry will get in the way of his ambitions. He seems to have the favor of the people or atleast a tight noose around their necks. If there will be any public outcry, it will probably come from pressures from the international community.
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