Chavez to expel foreign critics

[michaels]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6911246.stm

Chavez to expel foreign critics
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. File photo
Mr Chavez said public criticism by foreigners would not be tolerated
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has vowed to expel foreigners who publicly criticise him or his government.

"No foreigner can come here to attack us. Anyone who does must be removed from this country," he said during his weekly TV and radio programme.

Mr Chavez also ordered officials to monitor statements made by international figures in Venezuela.

His comments came shortly after a senior Mexican politician publicly criticised the Venezuelan government.

"How long are we going to allow a person - from any country in the world - to come to our own house to say there's a dictatorship here, that the president is a tyrant, and nobody does anything about it?" Mr Chavez said during his "Hello, President" broadcast on Sunday.
So I assume he thinks he was wrong for his speech at the Useless Nations earlier this year?

"It cannot be allowed - it is a question of national dignity," he said.

He did not mention any names, but his comments came on the same weekend that Manuel Espino, president of Mexico's ruling National Action Party, criticised Mr Chavez at a pro-democracy conference in Caracas.

Mr Espino told the conference a plan by Mr Chavez to end term limits on Venezuela's presidency were a threat to democracy.

He accused Mr Chavez of trying to extend his rule indefinitely with the proposed constitutional reform, which would let Mr Chavez run for the presidency again in 2012.

Mr Chavez said the reform package would increase the influence of local community councils and student groups as part of his "21st-Century socialism" revolution.

He is due to present the proposal to Venezuela's National Assembly next month. The assembly consists solely of politicians who back the president.

Mr Chavez was re-elected to a third term last year with support from the millions of impoverished Venezuelans who back his social development policies.

 

[K1052]

Not much of a surprise unfortunately, Chavez is willing to go to almost any lengths to stifle criticism of his government.

 

[Jaskalas]

This is the sort of real life example that makes me gawk when people spit vitriol at our President for being a dictator. Typically they install themselves for a life long crusade and silence all other views. Case in point.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Yay for the communist utopia! Yay for Chavez, he cares about the poor people!

I can't believe there are people here who still support this guy. Castro Jr. Once the outsiders are evicted, prison for dissenters is next. Death camps. Executions. Political opponents "disappearing".

There are some people on here who will roll their eyes at that. Just wait and watch.

 

[ProfJohn]

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
Yay for the communist utopia! Yay for Chavez, he cares about the poor people!

I can't believe there are people here who still support this guy. Castro Jr. Once the outsiders are evicted, prison for dissenters is next. Death camps. Executions. Political opponents "disappearing".

There are some people on here who will roll their eyes at that. Just wait and watch.

You forgot "President for life because it is the will of the people"

 

[AnandTech Moderator]

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
Yay for the communist utopia! Yay for Chavez, he cares about the poor people!

I can't believe there are people here who still support this guy. Castro Jr. Once the outsiders are evicted, prison for dissenters is next. Death camps. Executions. Political opponents "disappearing".

There are some people on here who will roll their eyes at that. Just wait and watch.

Some of those people is no longer allowed to be able to defend themselves. Therefore please do not throw stones at them.

Senior Anandtech Moderator
Common Courtesy

 

[StageLeft]

Let it be a lesson to us all that those who don't understand history are doomed to repeat it. In the case of Venezuela, the collective stupidity of the masses has gotten them in a situation they well deserve because it's precisely what they asked for. Though I sympathize with those who intelligently considered him a poor choice, those who will find their lot in life shrinking and who voted for him deserve every second of it. Too bad for their kids, though, who rely upon the guidance of their parents and country and who have been let down by their elders.

 

[techs]

Chavez is the result of a country that so favored the rich that the great majority were looking for an extreme change. And they got it.
Which should be lesson to countries that concentrate money and power in an elite that cares nothing and does less for the great majority of its people.

 

[GDaddy]

Originally posted by: techs
Chavez is the result of a country that so favored the rich that the great majority were looking for an extreme change. And they got it.
Which should be lesson to countries that concentrate money and power in an elite that cares nothing and does less for the great majority of its people.

But in Chavez, as history as shown us, the people are still in the same place. Only the money has changed hands from one rich guy to another.