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| quote: | Originally posted by George Smiley
Actually this debate is whether or not Chavez is a dictator...
So perhaps you two can give me factors that would define a dictatorship, I'll throw a few into the ring... |
Check
| quote: | | Other critics, including economists Ricardo Hausmann of Harvard and Roberto Rigobon of MIT, called the results fraudulent, alleging there were "very clear trails of fraud in the statistical record" and alleged electronic voting machines had been reconfigured to allow results to be altered remotely... |
This one is certainly debatable as far as "totally rigged," but is quite suspect IMHO.
| quote: | | Oppression of opposing groups |
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| quote: | | Any more you can think of? |
Che shirts gone wild.
| quote: | On January 8, 2007 President Chávez installed a new cabinet, replacing most of the ministers. Jorge Rodríguez was designated the new Vice President, replacing José Vicente Rangel. Chávez announced that he will send to the National Assembly a new enabling act, asking for the authority to re-nationalize the biggest phone company of the country (Cantv), and other companies from the electrical sector, all previously public companies which were privatized by past administrations. He is also asking to eliminate the autonomy of the Central Bank.[94]
On January 31, 2007 the Venezuelan National Assembly approved an enabling act granting Chávez the power to rule by decree in certain areas for 18 months. He plans to continue his "Bolivarian Revolution", enacting economic and social changes. He has said he wants to nationalize key sectors of the economy.[95][96] Chávez, who is beginning a fresh six-year term, says the legislation will be the start of a new era of "maximum revolution" during which he will consolidate Venezuela's transformation into a socialist society. His critics, however, are calling it a radical lurch toward authoritarianism by a leader with unchecked power.[97][98]
On 8 February, 2007 the Venezuelan government signed an agreement to buy an 82.14% stake in Electricidad de Caracas from AES Corporation. Paul Hanrahan, president and CEO of AES said the deal has been a fair process that respected the rights of investors.[99] In February 2007, the Venezuelan government bought a 28.5% stake of the shares of CANTV from Verizon Communications.[100]
On April 30, 2007 Chávez announced that Venezuela would be formally pulling out of the IMF and the World Bank, having paid off its debts five years ahead of schedule, saving US $8 million in doing so. [101] The debt was US $3 billion in 1999. [102] Chávez then announced the creation of a regional bank, the Bank of the South, and said that the IMF and the World Bank were in crisis [103].
The next day he announced intentions to re-take control of oil projects in the Orinoco Belt, which he said are "the world's largest crude reserve." [104] These reserves, which can be exploited with modern technologies, may place Venezuela ahead of Saudi Arabia in terms of oil reserves. [105]
In May 2007 the Chavez government refused to renew the license of the nation's most popular television station, alleging the company participated in the 2002 coup d'etat. This led to many, prolonged protests in Caracas. Also, tens of thousands have marched through Caracas to support President Chávez's decision.[106] At the same time the Venezuelan Government was also reported by BBC to be suing CNN.
On August 15, 2007, Chavez called for an end to presidential term limits to extend his rule and consolidate a self-styled socialist revolution in Venezuela. He also proposed eliminating central bank autonomy, strengthening state expropriation powers and giving himself control over international reserves as part of an overhaul of Venezuela's constitution. [107][108] |
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