Hugo Chavez, the authoritarian President of Venezuela, died today of cancer. The anti-American leftist strongman had formed alliances with Iran, Syria and China as part of what I have identified as an Axis of Rogues, and had also supported FARC, the Colombian narco-terrorists.
The Socialist dictator had been elected president of democratic Venezuela in 1998, but Chavez pushed through constitutional amendments that repealed presidential term limits in order to allow him to serve for life. Re-elected in yet another rigged election last year, Chavez was unable to be sworn in for his third term, however, because of his illness with cancer.
Chavez had limited press freedom while establishing state control of the media and eliminating the independence of the judiciary. He employed the state to persecute the loyal opposition through criminal prosecutions and the regime and his supporters even used violence. Chavez imposed socialism by nationalizing (stealing) key industries. His demagogic efforts on behalf of the poor – supported by increased oil wealth – resulted in high inflation and power outages. Chavez remained in power by these efforts, as well as through a cult of personality, the demonization of Venezuelan dissidents and his anti-Americanism.
Chavez had also tried to unite all Latin Americans first in a leftist alliance against the U.S., and then into one state. He supported left-wing elected governments throughout Latin America and opposed those that were not leftist. Accordingly, despite Venezuela's economic distress, it nonetheless continued to provide aid not only to the Colombian terrorists who are in rebellion against the democratic government of Colombia that is an American ally, but to Communist Cuba, another state-sponsor of terrorism. Chavez was a strong admirer of Soviet-ally Fidel Castro, the dictator who murdered tens of thousands of his countrymen. Indeed, Venezuela's aid to Cuba propped up the weak Castro regime. In return, Cuba sent doctors to Venezuela. The irony is that because Chavez sought health care for his cancer in the Cuban medical system that is hailed by American liberals for its supposed excellence, he did not receive adequate treatment, which he might have had he come to the United States, which he despised. See also my post from February of 2012, Designate Venezuela a State Sponsor of Terrorism,http://williamcinfici.blogspot.com/2012/02/designate-venezuela-state-sponsor-of.html, in which I note the Chavez regime’s support for Islamist and other terrorists.
The death of the Venezuelan dictator creates uncertainty, first over who will serve as interim president, whether it be the Vice President, who was Chavez’ hand-picked successor, or the head of the national assembly, and then over the snap elections to be held within 30 days. In the meantime, Venezuelans are on edge as thugs working for the regime have already committed violence against protesters. The opposition has an opportunity to rally against the Chavist regime and restore Venezuela to democracy and peaceful relations with the Free World. Regardless of what happens, at least the Left has lost a charismatic leader and Socialist medicine has been exposed as a failure. May Venezuela be peaceful and free!
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