Venezuela: Will Chavez Get a Reality Check?
Venezuela has gone to the polls for Congressional Elections. Chavez has had near dictatorial powers since 2005 as the Economy has continued to deteroirate and the carefully crafted social compact that Chavez seems to be falling apart.
What is the truth about Venezuela? Venezuela today is another tragic story. As I have been assessing Venezuela, I have to wonder why Chavez did not act more like Lula. Brazil is a success story because Lula understood what needed to be done. As he prepares to leave office, he leaves a legacy that he should be proud of.
What I am disappointed about Chavez is how his rhetoric and his practice of realpolitik seems to be at profound odds. One of Chavez' cronies is Ortega. Ortega gets overt support from Chavez that he has used to perpetuate his role and enrich his family and cronies. It was quite disappointing to see how Ortega evolved from the ideals he espoused during the 1979 Sandinista Revolution to a mere thug. It seems as if the people on Main Street seem to be lost in the shuffle.
As I await the results of the elections, I wonder whether Chavez will truly abide by the results of the election.
What is the truth about Venezuela? Venezuela today is another tragic story. As I have been assessing Venezuela, I have to wonder why Chavez did not act more like Lula. Brazil is a success story because Lula understood what needed to be done. As he prepares to leave office, he leaves a legacy that he should be proud of.
What I am disappointed about Chavez is how his rhetoric and his practice of realpolitik seems to be at profound odds. One of Chavez' cronies is Ortega. Ortega gets overt support from Chavez that he has used to perpetuate his role and enrich his family and cronies. It was quite disappointing to see how Ortega evolved from the ideals he espoused during the 1979 Sandinista Revolution to a mere thug. It seems as if the people on Main Street seem to be lost in the shuffle.
As I await the results of the elections, I wonder whether Chavez will truly abide by the results of the election.
Mike Pouraryan
