Ortega's friend Cavez

Submitted by peter on 12 May, 2008 - 08:44.

A few days before the EU - Latinamerican summit in Peru, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez made another controversial comment. He called Germany's Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel the political heir of Adolf Hitler.

Wenige Tage vor dem EU-Lateinamerikagipfel in Peru hat Venezuelas umstrittener Präsident Hugo Chavez erneut für einen Eklat gesorgt: Der Links-Exzentriker bezeichnete Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel als politische Nachfahrin Adolf Hitlers.

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The statement that triggered it

Submitted by dixietraveller on 12 May, 2008 - 17:33.

Spiegel's English edition also has an article on this including what what evidently triggered it: "Merkel had told DPA: "President Chavez does not speak for Latin America. Every country has its own voice with which it pursues its own interests." She had also noted that Venezuelan voters had rejected (more...) his push for wider powers in a referendum last December." http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,552797,00.html

O quantum est in rebus inane! / A palabras necias, oídos sordos.

I know the answer! The answer lies within the heart of all mankind! The answer is twelve? I think I'm in the wrong building. - Peanuts (Charles M. Schulz)

Hugo Chávez is a troublemaker

Submitted by Daddy-YO on 12 May, 2008 - 14:26.

From the AP, Chávez said that "Merkel recently urged some Latin American leaders to avoid forging ties with Venezuela's government." So, beyond the Hitler comment, he said on his weekly TV & radio program, "Ms. Chancellor, you can go to ..." pausing, then added: "Because you are a lady, I won't say any more." Class, huh?

According to today's NY Times, he also has problems with another prominent woman politician, his ex-wife (divorced in 2003). He dropped his recent lawsuit against her for better visitation rights with their 10-year-old daughter after she went public. “I declare myself a victim of violence, harassment and persecution on the part of the president,” she said, adding she could "press charges against Mr. Chávez under statutes barring aggression against women." “I could be attacked at any time by these hordes he has on the street,” she told a news conference. She is running for mayor of a city with a population of more than a million. Venezuelans may have their problems, but they don't lack for entertainment.

I would suggest that President Ortega, for the sake of the Nicaraguan people, should begin to distance himself from Chávez, that the association can only lead to grief in the long run, but I fear he's on a leash, and cannot but follow.

Cavez's Open Mouth

Submitted by fyl on 12 May, 2008 - 18:08.

Yes, he regularly says stuff that pisses people off. However, it is his presentation that tends to cause Latin American leaders to not jump up and support him publically. Virtually all of South America seems to be in agreement with the majority of his positions these days.

Brazil is a good example and a very important one. You don't see Lula da Silva making pro-Chavez statements but you see him quietly moving along and supporting Chavez when it is necessary.

While it may not be credited to Chavez, I would not be surprised if 10 years from now Latin America looks more like the EU. That is, integrated trade, travel and a common currency.

BRAZIL DOES NOT SUPPORT CHAVEZ

Submitted by gueguense on 12 May, 2008 - 18:19.

Brazil is aghast at how Chavez has usurped what is rightfully the leadership position in Latin America.

Chavez has bribed his way to a position of prominence. However, compared to Brazil, Venezuela is an industrial midget. Venezuela under Chavez may have oil, but cannot feed its own people.

He is slowly wrecking agriculture like our sandinista comandantes did in the 1980's. Big ranches have been confiscated with the result that now Venezuela has to get meat from Argentina.

He cut his own nose, by his anti-colombian policies. Colombia was his main food supplier.

Just wait and see and he will end up like Mussolini whom he resembles in his penchant for bombastic self-aggrandisement!