Farewell

Hugo Chavez Watch is defunct. My interest in analyzing the Venezuelan dictator has dissipated quite dramatically since I started this blog, as I think it has for a few of our contributors. It was a good run, and was enlightening.

If there are anti-Chavez writers that are interested in taking up the mantle of this blog, I will be very willing to hand over this domain to them. Otherwise, consider this blog defunct.

Thank you for reading.

Video: Bolivian President Evo Morales on The Daily Show

Hugo latching onto power

It's hardly news to anyone following the man's career, but it appears that Hugo Chavez plans on lengthening his stay in order to build the socialist economic framework for his country ( a feat that would take a long, long time, since socialism doesn't work). From Fox News' political grapevine:

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez — who has likened President Bush to the devil — wants to eliminate presidential term limits so that he can remain in power for another 20 years.

In his weekly radio and television program yesterday, Chavez said he needs more time in office to establish a socialist economic model in Venezuela and that if voters approve his constitutional reforms, he could continue governing until the year 2027.

Government opponents are crying foul, accusing Chavez of trying to become a dictator like his close friend Fidel Castro. Venezuela's National Assembly is expected to approve the proposals in two to three months, after which they'll be presented to voters.

Castro's acolytes in the Western Hemisphere

Evo Morales.

Hugo Chavez.

Daniel Ortega.

Rafael Correa.

And now, if the American Left has it's way: Sen Barak Obama.

What do all these men have in common?

Apparently they all think the U.S. is far too mean to that noble democrat Fidel Castro. (They also think the U.S. is imperialist).

I exaggerate.

I hope.

Overblown Ego

Quiz time...Study the following AP photo carefully:

Ready? Okay...Which of the following two captions appeared with the photo?

1. Aug. 15: Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez smiles prior to delivering a speech to the National Assembly in Caracas.

2. In a speech to the National Assembly President Hugo Chavez compares his love of Venezuela to that of a father to his baby: "Who's my cute little bootsy-boo...goochy, goochy, goochy..." (Rough translation).

The answer is of course #2. (I'll make the next quiz a little tougher.) You see, Papa Hugo gave a speech last night to "his people" informing them that they are not ready to live on their own, away from his protective embrace. To keep a watchful parental eye on their development to "21st Century Socialism", Hugo has presented a plan to the "legislature" for perpetual "reelection". While critics claim this stunt is nothing but a naked power grab in a string of such grabs, supporters agree with Hugo or wind up in prison.But...the most important development last night was the unveiling of the first ever literal demonstration of an inflated ego:

Ahead of Chavez's speech, actors sang in the National Assembly as they performed a scene from the life of South American independence hero Simon Bolivar, the spiritual father of the socialist movement that Chavez calls the Bolivarian Revolution.

Crowds of red-clad supporters cheered outside the National Assembly, holding flags and signs reading: "Yes to the reform, on the path to 21st Century Socialism." Giant video screens were set up, and folk music blared from sound trucks near a two-story-tall inflatable figure of Chavez.

BBC

Here's to hoping the Venezuelan people reach adolescence quickly and steal daddy's car keys.

The "hero of Latin America" continues media consolidation

It's been over half a month since I've updated this blog, and even that last post was the first in a previous absence. There has been plenty of news swirling around that tied in with the ghoul in Caracas, most notably the shutting down of a major private news source in Venezuela by the Chavez government.

The Paris group Reporters Without Borders condemned the action, claiming that Chavez is seeking media "hegemony:"

"It was a political move, one that establishes government hegemony over the broadcast media and constitutes a grave danger for editorial pluralism," the Paris-based group said.

The organization said Chavez's decisions "were conducted outside of all regular legal channels and in defiance of the jurisprudence established by the Organization of American States."

HCW regular Scatbug also posted on this story over at his Townhall.com blog.

Meanwhile, this cartoon was delivered to me via commentor Pedro Morgado:

Chavez Government to Finance Glover Film

Here's the story:

Venezuela's Congress says it has approved financing for two films by actor Danny Glover, a close supporter of President Hugo Chavez.

The lawmaking body, which is closely allied with Chavez, said in a statement on its Web site Thursday that it approved $20 million for two Glover productions.

They include "The General in His Labyrinth," which deals with the life of South American liberator Simon Bolivar. It is based on a novel by Colombian Nobel Prize-winning writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez and will be directed by Venezuela-born director Alberto Arvelo.

The other is "Toussaint," which the statement said Glover plans to direct documenting the life of Haitian revolution leader Toussaint Louverture.

Government officials and Glover's representatives were not immediately available for comment.

The statement said that the funds will come from proceeds Venezuela obtained from a recent bond sale with Argentina.

Glover is among a number of high-profile U.S. supporters of Chavez. The group also includes singer Harry Belafonte and Princeton University scholar Cornel West, who have defended the Venezuelan president against accusations of democratic abuses.

Glover has met Chavez during visits to Venezuela and even appeared on his television and radio talk show, "Hello, President."