In recent days we have learned that support for Hugo Chavez is slipping in Venezuela and that he claims the free media is terrorizing his country and so-called socialist reforms. Just one month removed from the standoff with Colombia, now we are continuing to learn that Chavez has intentions to spread unrest to the rest of Latin America. The latest information comes from an article in the Christian Science Monitor and includes some of this information.In 2006, Hugo Chavez described then-President Alejandro Toledo and the current President Alan García, as “caimans from the same sewer.” The same type of rhetoric he has launched at the United States, Colombia, Mexico and Europe. Keep Reading …

On the day we hear that rebels being expelled by Colombian and U.S. forces are freely setting up shop in neighboring Venezuela, along comes another Chavez maneuver in Venezuela. This time he makes a point to encourage Venezuelans to keep their language strong, but blaming english computer terms on U.S. Imperialism? Th story from the Associated Press follows the link. What do you think? Keep Reading …

The threat to shut down another private media company in Venezuela has been an ongoing topic in Venezuela. Besides our blogging friend Rebeca, I have heard the threats both here in the states via e-mail and also during our recent trip to Caracas. Instead of coming out like he did against RCTV, Chavez has instead supported a group of folks who would do anything for their beloved leader. It’s all a ruse, as he contemplates pulling another TV license.

What amazes me…I still hear criticism about the coverage of the RCTV shutdown last year. Believe it or not, there are people (a significant number here in the United States), who will argue that media and dissent is not being suppressed in Venezuela. These same people fudge the facts to prove their position. Sad really. Here’s the fact, Globovision is in danger of being shut down. They have been in danger and will be in danger.

Don’t be surprised. I am in touch with them and also people at RCTV. This picture comes as Globovision News Director Alberto Federico Ravell met with student supporters during the RCTV shutdown.

Keep Reading …

There are a ton of updates coming out of Venezuela and I have compiled them here.

As we hear that Iran has completed several projects in Venezuela worth 350 million dollars, Venezuela, Cuba, Brazil and Mexico are now some of the Latin American countries most criticized by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in its annual report on press freedom worldwide, where 65 journalists were killed in the line of duty in 2007.
The report, published on Monday, said last year 24 journalist remained detainee in Cuba, Venezuela silenced for political reasons private TV channel Radio Caracas Televisión (RCTV), and three journalists were killed in Mexico, reported AFP. Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez’s Government’s decision not to renew RCT broadcasting license “meant a grave setback for freedom of expression” in a country where “there are left no national TV stations with a critical stance toward the government.” Keep Reading …

So I can hardly go a day without uncovering more Hugo Chavez threats, even while sitting here in Arizona between Super Bowl live shots. In the last day he has called for his “allies” to pull their money out of U.S. banks and to stop all investments in the north. He once again called for strengthening his socialist alliances and goals. At one point he said, “we should start to bring our reserves here.” That seems tame enough as he tries to get the focus on his failing socialist reforms and the deteriorating situation in the country, but he went a bit further when Chavez called on Cuba, Bolivia and Nicaragua to form a military alliance to guard against attacks from the U.S. Keep Reading …