Evo Morales & Hugo Chávez

[danyjoncew]

So, I have no idea of how much these two are discussed outside Latin America and I was wondering if people here have something to say about Bolivia, Venezuela and their presidents.

Hugo Chávez, president of OPEC member Venezuela, has an odd control of "his" oil and seems to have found a passion in criticizing neoliberal globalization and USA foreign policy, which includes provoking comments on GW Bush. His populist image is supported by his speeches, his plan pretty much sounds like staying in power for decades and turn Venezuela into the most influent contry in South America. He promotes what he calls democratic socialism, anti-imperialism and Latin American integration.

Evo Morales most famous decision so far has been sending soldiers into his country's gas fields and declaring he was nationalizing the gas and oil industries. Not such a warm reaction came from the EU and Brazil. Evo is also called a populist by many.

... A lot can be written, but I don't have much time right now. I just wanted to know if anyone here had thoughts on Chavez and Morales, I can't see many FB'ers talking about them, but it was worth a try :).

[Heather]

Well, considering a friend of mine lives in Venezuela, I have a real iissue with Chavez. You should ask Luis what its like living there with him in power.

Personally, I equate Chavez to Castro. They're the same ilk, imo.

[danyjoncew]

Personally, I equate Chavez to Castro. They're the same ilk, imo.

There are a lot of similarities, yes. A government should be just that, not a face. And the president should never be the heart of the country.

I'm not even saying that people like Morales, Chavez and Castro haven't done any good to their countries, but I think the price their societies are paying is jut not worth it.

And dealing with such personas is hard for Latin America presidents. You can't openly be against them and on the other hand you have to step up and say "back off" a lot of times.

[Heather]

Did you know that the Venezuelan government is buying out all of the US Corporations in his country? Verizon is gone. Electrical companies are on the way out. I find that interesting, he is literally kicking America out.

Which, honestly, makes me sad for those who are against him. Student Visas for Venezuelans to America are impossible since he came to power. And I think that is wrong. If someone wants to study in the US, they should be able to do. But if they are from Venezuela, they cant.

[danyjoncew]

I'm aware of that. And I think is at least better than what Evo Morales did... you can't just send the army to the industries and proclame that you've taken them. At least do it like Hugo Chavez and buy them, don't go simply breaking contracts.

And I understand, a lot of times agree and respect that some societies of Latin America feel contries like a USA and Brazil hold a certain imperialist role here. They have all the right to go against it, but they have to be responsible and fair, even if they think the other side hasn't been fair before. I mean, can you blame Bolivia for wanting to nationalize the gas? No. But the way they did it was just pathetic and puts every part involved in a very delicate situation.

And about the visas... I think it's a very sad decision from the US.

[Heather]

Wow...I didnt know that about Morales. That is shocking, and reminiscent of early Stalin.

[danyjoncew]

And all that for what? After the whole woohoo-we-got-our-things-back-and-kicked-the-evil-guys-out feeling is over, what's gonna be left behind is an awful image and probably weak economies.

[danyjoncew]

I know it's a double post, sorry. Just wanna say that I wish Hugo would just burn in hell already.

[Heather]

Well, I wouldnt disagree with that statement. :lol:

Im just wondering...is there something that brought about this post?

[danyjoncew]

Yes, have you heard about his latest little act? http://www.dailymotion.com/tag/tv/video/x23xvs_hugo-chavez-tv

How can a person support this idiot? *ok, I'm starting to bash, so I'll just shut up*.

[Heather]

I didnt know about that!

So he's censoring the entire nation? OH MY GOD.....

I am speechless. And here in America we bitch about the FCC...but at least our networks arent silenced. I cant even find the words. Right now I just want to give Luis a big hug.

I cant find the words...

Right now, I want to bitchslap Barbara Walters for her interview with that dictator. He's so charming my ass....so was Hitler

[danyjoncew]

He's being doing that ever since he got there, but it never stops to scare the hell outta me. You'd think he could show some respect for a network that has been around for more than 50 years... guess not. Ok, that sounds like I feel sorry for the network when I don't even know if I'd like it, but you know what I mean, how good and fair the network was is not the point, this government's just all over the place and that's no democracy.

She said he's CHARMING? I watched the interview and he looked like a disgusting rat trying to fool her?

[Heather]

Well, it seemed that he did. *shakes head*

What a travesty. He needs to be removed now!

[danyjoncew]

So. I was watching the news last night and Brazilian authorities condemned his decision. He said our congress is... forgot the actual quote, but it was something among the lines of full of aristocrats serving Washington ¬¬. Then the national congress' higher members rolled their eyes and said they have to work for Brazilians and will only listen to Brazilian President.

Now, for the most important country in Latin America, we sure should have a President who's not afraid to speak what the population is thinking. Hugo Chávez always acts like Brazilian President, Lula, is a big friend of him and Lula, in return, is too afraid to teach him a lesson. He is always afraid to declare he's against Chavez and Bush... whenever the press asks for his position he gets away saying all the leaders are just trying to do their best for their country.

I'm all for South America being united, but if being united means pretending I don't see what people like Chaves and Morales are doing and pretending I don't have an opinion on it, I'm out.

[Danizinha]

I heard he (Chavez) said that it would be easier for Brazil to go back to being Portugal's colony than for him to go back on his decision to close the TV network.

I'm disappointed that Lula didn't give a proper response.

I feel for the Venezuela people. You can't just close a TV network because they go against you. I find it funny how people always say bad things about the government when they are opposition but then when they get to the power they don't let the new opposition state their opinion.

[Heather]

The lack of respect for freedom of speech is what has me baffled. The job of the people is to question their governments. Now, the Venezuelan people cant. I couldnt imagine living under that kind of tyranny. My heart goes out to the people of Venezuela.

[danyjoncew]

At least it's good to hear people are protesting big time.

[Heather]

I cant even begin to describe how disgusted I am by Chavez right now. Seriously....the words fail me! :lol:

[danyjoncew]

I know what you mean. Everytime I see him I just wanna punch him so bad! ARGH!

[Heather]

My best friend is part Venezuelan, and her cousins were visiting last weekend. So, she was telling me what its like for them to live there. I feel so bad for them!

[danyjoncew]

Not really the point, but did they have big problems to get the visa?

[Heather]

They dont have a visa. They were on vacation visiting their family. They still live in Venezuela.

[danyjoncew]

But they need the tourist visa, right? Maybe that's just the wrong translation and it's called something else. I mean, you need to have one even for flight scales or so I've heard.

[M&M Vermelha]

Not really, Dany.. from what I know, it's hard to get a visa to go anywhere outside Venezuela.

If they were visiting their family, they probably have rights as citizens.. I know that for instance, Luis can't leave Venezuela if not to Portugual, because he is part portuguese... I don't remember exactly the reason, but I think you now have to be on the army for some years before being able to go outside Venezuela. Or be over 35 years... it's something crazy of the sort.

[danyjoncew]

I had no idea of that. I thought it kinda worked like it does here.