"Chavez Cannot Unite Divided Venezuela, Foes Say"

I'd hate to agree with a Reuter's "journalist", but Pascal Fletcher hit it dead on in his latest article . It's what I've been saying for years now, but former president Carter insists on overlooking the polarizing effect of Hugo Chavez's administration.

"Chavez is going back to what he's always been: an element of discord and division, structurally incapable of promoting dialogue," the opposition statement said.

Enrapturing the poor with his romantic promises of a new "Bolivarian Revolution", Chavez merely aggravates class tensions and polarizes the electorate. I am not by any means asserting the wealthy ricos (elites) of Venezuela are blameless for their end of the conflict (ie: the US-backed coup attempt 2 years ago to insert a wealthy businessman in the presidency), but legitimate dialogue is essential to the functioning of a true democracy. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I've yet to read of any evidence of a sincere attempt to bridge the divide between Chavez and his massive impoverished constituency.

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For more info on the failed coup attempt from 2 years ago, check out Al Giordano's white paper on the crisis, "Three Days that Shook the Media". Though I often loathe his vulgar mouth and his brash self-righteousness at times, Alberto Giordano's Narco News has proven an invaluable resource for finding out what has really been going down with our Neighbors to the South when our big media outlets have either dedicated trivial coverage or NYSlimes-styled outright crooked perspectives. (ahem. Juan Forrero! ahem.)

Meanwhile...Zona Latina has compiled a rather comprehensive list of media correspondence regarding the Venezuela crisis a few years back...

! Man, I can ramble on with sources !

Posted by Kyer at August 23, 2004 01:20 PM