|
From the NewsMax.com Staff
|
|
For the story behind the story...
|
Sunday, Nov. 21, 2004 3:36 p.m. EST
Beware Venezuela, Warns Washington Post
As President Bush visited Chile and Colombia over the weekend, the Washington Post warned in an editorial that political conditions have seriously deteriorated in several key Latin American countries – and may grow worse if "U.S. neglect continues."
Story Continues Below
The Post targeted Venezuela, a country of 25 million that supplies the United States with 13 percent of its oil.
Since President Hugo Chavez survived a recall, his supporters have gained control of 21 of 23 states, as well as the capital, in local elections, noted the Post.
In the wake of his success, Chavez has been able to throttle forward his so-called "Bolivarian revolution" – a push toward authoritarian rule at home and a deepening alliance abroad with Cuban leader Fidel Castro.
In the meantime, the former military rebel leader has been hard at work consolidating power and beating back the opposition:
Chavez engineered a new media law that will allow his government to suspend the licenses of radio and television stations for content deemed "contrary to the security of the nation."
He established a new penal code that will outlaw most forms of public protest and designate some as terrorism.
The Supreme Court has been expanded to allow the president to stack the only judicial body that has retained some independence.
A campaign has been launched against civil society groups, beginning with the election-monitoring group Sumate, whose organizers are threatened with charges of treason.
Chavez is using Venezuela's oil revenue to fund anti-democratic or populist movements in nations such as Bolivia and to subsidize Castro's bankrupt regime.
Secretary of state nominee Condoleezza Rice was quoted recently, describing Chavez as "a real problem" and saying that "the key there is to mobilize the region to both watch him and be vigilant about him and to pressure him when he makes moves in one direction or another. We can't do it alone."
In its editorial, the Post argued that Rice should follow through on such thoughts and "end the administration's passivity toward this important region."
Editor's note:
If you love George Bush – you’ll love NewsMax’s "Bush Collection" – Check it out – Click Here Now
Hey: Browse NewsMax’s Online Classifieds for Great Offers – Click Here Now!
Condi Rice for president? Find out the details – Click Here Now
Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
Bush Administration
Castro/Cuba
Latin America
Inside Cover Stories
FBI Seeks 2 Mysterious Men on Ferry
Publisher: Conservatives Do Read As Much As Liberals
Romney Shrugs Off Mormon History Film
Bob Grant to Return to Radio
Carville Seeks Perfect '08 Bumper Sticker
More Inside Cover Stories
Print Page 
Forward Page 
