A Decent 90-Minute Overview of Chavez

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/hugochavez/

This video provides an informative, interesting introduction to Venezuela in the era of Hugo Chavez, and raises several points of controversy over the democratic status of his country.

• Freedom of expression exists in Venezuela – it’s just that his supporters don’t have much of it. When leading Venezuelan newspaper Ultimas Noticias published a headline proclaiming “Healthcare in Coma”, Chavez attacked its top journalist on national television for 50 minutes. (The same journalist defended the president’s actions, explaining that he regards criticism from ‘his side’ in the same light as criticism from the opposition.)
  
• Chavez has made 130 changes to his Cabinet over the last 9 years. Ministers are required to participate in his weekly television broadcast Aló Presidente, during which they are fired with random questions to test their decision making skills. Chavez always comes out seeming on top of his game while his Ministers are seen floundering and guilty of not being up to standard.
  
• Chavez is Fidel Castro’s biggest fan. The two leaders are seen everywhere together in the media. Cuba is largely subsidized by Venezuela, and Chavez gives Castro oil in return for political advice, doctors and security forces. The main difference between the two ‘philosophical soul mates’, however, is that Chavez has had to deal with democratic opposition. Despite this, Chavez wants to have an ‘epic story’ – which means he needs to have enemies and be seen as ‘dangerous’.
  
• In 2007, Chavez proposed some controversial Constitutional reforms – in the name of “21st century socialism [and] popular power”. 69 articles of the constitution were to be changed, including some fundamental ones. The gist of these changes was the centralization of power for the president – predominantly the end of presidential term limits. However, this adjustment did not apply to governors. Although the referendum for this was defeated in 2007, a similar resolution passed in 2008, and Chavez pushed through 26 new law reforms, 12 of which closely resembled those of the rejected reform.
  
• In the local and regional elections of November 23, 2008, Chavez barred 100s of opposition candidates from running. The opposition party won 5 governorships (including in Caracas and some of the most populous states.) Chavez’s party won 17 out of 22 governorships.
  

These factors only provide a glimpse into what has been occurring in Venezuela recently. But in what position do they leave Chavez? Benevolent ruler of the people…or power-hungry dictator? That’s for you to decide.