Venezuelan dictator for life, Hugo Chavez, has died, apparently of cancer. The BBC has more…
Nicolas Maduro made the announcement on Tuesday evening, flanked by political and military leaders.
Earlier, he said the 58-year-old Venezuelan leader had a new, severe respiratory infection and had entered “his most difficult hours”.
In Tuesday evening’s emotional address, a tearful Mr Maduro said Mr Chavez had died at 16:25 (17:55 GMT) “after battling a tough illness for nearly two years”.
And, following the time tested liberal pattern, the death of “dear leader” was someone else’s fault.
He spoke of a plot against Venezuela, saying he had no doubt that Mr Chavez’s cancer, first diagnosed in 2011, had been induced by foul play by Venezuela’s enemies – the US promptly rejected the accusations as “absurd”.
He said a scientific commission could one day investigate whether Mr Chavez’s illness was brought about by what he called an enemy attack.
Now, let’s think a bit. They are saying that an “enemy attack” caused the death of “dear leader.” Now, the dictatorship in Venezuela was held together by Chavez’s personality, and then, when he fell ill, his image. With the personality cult in disarray, will the regime be able to hold the tyrannical state together? Also, we must consider that any dictatorship lives on a balance of terror. People must be kept off guard, and in fear in order for the state to maintain power. So, a “enemy attack” would require “conspirators,”or “traitors against the people, ” so to speak. Will the government, while in transition, round up opposition leaders and try them in kangaroo courts? Time will tell. I would say that it will be entertaining, but for the good people of Venezuela, it might be a nightmare.
UPDATE: Jimmy Carter, the former worst President in US history, has written a brief statement honoring the dictator for life…
Update (AP): You outdid yourself on this one, Jimbo. I want to say “unbelievable,” but no, it’s quite believable.
Statement From Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter on the Death of Hugo Chavez
Rosalynn and I extend our condolences to the family of Hugo Chávez Frías. We met Hugo Chávez when he was campaigning for president in 1998 and The Carter Center was invited to observe elections for the first time in Venezuela. We returned often, for the 2000 elections, and then to facilitate dialogue during the political conflict of 2002-2004. We came to know a man who expressed a vision to bring profound changes to his country to benefit especially those people who had felt neglected and marginalized. Although we have not agreed with all of the methods followed by his government, we have never doubted Hugo Chávez’s commitment to improving the lives of millions of his fellow countrymen.
President Chávez will be remembered for his bold assertion of autonomy and independence for Latin American governments and for his formidable communication skills and personal connection with supporters in his country and abroad to whom he gave hope and empowerment. During his 14-year tenure, Chávez joined other leaders in Latin America and the Caribbean to create new forms of integration. Venezuelan poverty rates were cut in half, and millions received identification documents for the first time allowing them to participate more effectively in their country’s economic and political life.
At the same time, we recognize the divisions created in the drive towards change in Venezuela and the need for national healing. We hope that as Venezuelans mourn the passing of President Chávez and recall his positive legacies — especially the gains made for the poor and vulnerable — the political leaders will move the country forward by building a new consensus that ensures equal opportunities for all Venezuelans to participate in every aspect of national life.
Why is it that regressives always praise dictators? They loved Hitler, Mussolini, Lenin and Stalin during their times. They cozied up to the Soviets during the entire existence of the “evil empire.” And just this past week, Obama had to go to the trouble of saying that he wasn’t one.
He didn’t die. As a socialist he simply redistributed his life.
Thank god we in America don’t live with a dictator held together by the cult of his personality. Um. Wait.
Chavez wo his first election honestly. After that, I watched the communist, Jimmy Carter, give his blessing to three fraudulent elections in a row. He and Hugo were great buddies.