Chavez Continues to Abuse Power

May 17, 2010 Published under Democracy and Freedom (or lack of), Latin America

By Adeena Schlussel on behalf of Daniel Lubetzky

The dictator Hugo Chavez continues to use the judicial system to jail judges who disagree with him and to expropriate property of any one he is “threatened” by. He is out of control and the global community should be more serious about condemning and countering his totalitarianism.

Chavez expropriates major Gruma operation

FoodBusinessNews.net, May 14, 2010

by Josh Sosland

CARACAS, VENEZUELA — The government of President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela is expropriating the property and assets of Molinos Nacionales CA, or Monaca, from Gruma S.A.B. de C.V. The action has been linked to steps taken against Ricardo Fernandez, a banker who is a minority shareholder in Monaca. Venezuelan authorities have accused Mr. Fernandez of inappropriate banking practices. In December, the Venezuelan government named a representative to the Monaca board in connection with the actions taken against Mr. Fernandez. Gruma Venezuela, comprising Monaca and a second subsidiary called Demaseca, is the second largest corn and wheat miller in Venezula, operating 13 mills. In the most recent quarter, Gruma Venezuela accounted for a little less than 10% of the overall sales of Monterrey, Mexico-based Gruma.

Chavez and the FARC

Most of the world’s attention is zoned in on the US elections or on the Middle East. But very worthy of concern is the increasingly destabilizing behavior of Hugo Chavez from Venezuela. He praised FARC commander Raul Reyes as a "good revolutionary" hero. The FARC is the terrorist guerrilla group that has killed thousands of [...]
The Real Axis

Worthy of real concern is the relationship between Venezuela’s dictator-in-development Hugo Chavez, Iran’s Ahmadinejad and the Hezbollah terrorist network, which has been reported to be basing itself in Venezuela to target anti-US operations.
Victory for Venezuela – and Democracy

As ABC pointed out, "After harnessing every mechanism of government within his reach to win this referendum, Chavez had lost." Building on his increasing monopolization of government powers, Hugo Chavez tried to pass through 69 referendum initiatives that would have cemented his power almost irreversibly, borrowing tactics from Castro and Iran, to use "democracy" as [...]
The $1.8 TRILLION Transfer to Oil-Producing States

Goldman Sachs reckons consumers are handing over $1.8 trillion a year to oil producers. -The Economist These states include Iran, Venezuela, Russia… No wonder "authoritarian-driven economies" have looked so good over the last few years. No wonder Iran and Venezuela can afford divisive hegemonic policies.
Quote of the week: Love of Power vs Power of Love

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power , the world will know peace." – Jimi Hendrix (thanks to Len and Libby Taubman for forwarding)

Daniel Lubetzky