Venezuela?

AZZenny · February 20th, 2006, 07:01 AM

Does Hugo Chavez concern you? Is the Admin right to identify him as a serious threat? Or do you think the US is cultivating an unnecessary enemy and driving jhim into a more radical posture -- just as Castro starts to lose his teeth?

Quote:

Chavez Warns Rice, 'Don't Mess With Me, Girl'
Venezuelan Leader Responds to U.S. 'Inoculation' Plan

CARACAS, Venezuela (Feb. 19) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Sunday warned Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice not to "mess with" him days after Rice described Venezuela as a menace to regional democracy in the midst of tense diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has repeatedly accused the U.S. of trying to overthrow him, and has made Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice a favorite target.

"Don't mess with me Condoleezza. Don't mess with me, girl," Chavez said during his weekly Sunday broadcast, sarcastically offering her a kiss and jokingly referring to her as "Condolence."

The warning comes days after Rice described Venezuela as one of the "biggest problems" for the Western Hemisphere and promised to develop regional alliances as part of an "inoculation" strategy to expose what the State Department calls anti-democratic behavior in Venezuela.

Chavez has repeatedly accused Washington of trying to topple him, and says the United States will attempt to sow chaos this year as he launches a re-election bid.

Diplomatic relations between the United States and Venezuela, the world's No. 5 oil exporter, have been strained since Chavez accused the United States of plotting a coup d'etat that briefly ousted him in 2002.

Chavez, a former soldier turned populist leader, has promised to create socialist revolution in Venezuela and promote regional integration in Latin America to roll back U.S.-supported economic reforms.

The State Department says Chavez is using the nation's bountiful oil wealth to meddle in the affairs of neighboring countries, and has slammed him for boosting ties to U.S. foes like Cuba and Iran.

Tensions between Washington and Caracas increased in February after Chavez expelled a U.S. naval attache for alleged espionage. The State Department responded by expelling a top Venezuelan diplomat.

02/19/06 14:04 ET

DjaugheOld · February 20th, 2006, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZZenny

Does Hugo Chavez concern you? Is the Admin right to identify him as a serious threat? Or do you think the US is cultivating an unnecessary enemy and driving jhim into a more radical posture -- just as Castro starts to lose his teeth?

I'll let my vote speak for itself.

DjaugheOld · February 20th, 2006, 07:22 AM

I voted to strengthening pro-US Latin American relations...but I wanted to add that he's a blowhard that will fade away because of strengthened relations.

Chris_Sanders · February 24th, 2006, 04:29 AM

I think his entire regime maintains power by making the US this big international boogeyman. Taking him out would only martyr him.

Southpaw · February 24th, 2006, 09:24 AM

Venezuela is a modern era Caste system. 2 % of the people control 95 % of the wealth. One man = one vote in a democracy. The math is easy. They happen to have a vast reserve of oil and under the old system, the revenue never made it back to the people. Chavez is " the people's" choice. U S needs to stay out of Venezuelan politics, which is something they have not been doing of late, if ever. Chavez replaced a banana republic dictator regime. One extreme to the other.

justAndy · February 24th, 2006, 11:59 AM

The US govenment ALWAYS hates it when oligarchs lose power in "our" client states. Our governments HATES populist movements.

CardLogic · February 27th, 2006, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallyburger

Venezuela is a modern era Caste system. 2 % of the people control 95 % of the wealth. One man = one vote in a democracy. The math is easy. They happen to have a vast reserve of oil and under the old system, the revenue never made it back to the people. Chavez is " the people's" choice. U S needs to stay out of Venezuelan politics, which is something they have not been doing of late, if ever. Chavez replaced a banana republic dictator regime. One extreme to the other.

I agree completely!

But

, as you know, we will never keep our nose out of it!!