Hugo Chavez..What do you think about his policies?

Question

He has gotten a pretty bad wrap from the U.S media. I would be particularly interested in the opinions of those from Latin America, especially Venezuelans.

If you answer, can you please tell me what country you are from.

Answer 1

Bad rap from the media ? I think they consider him their friend ...like the rest of the liberals . I'm boycotting Citgo stations ; that's what I think of his policies .

Answer 2

I'm Brazilian.

I don't like Chávez. I'm not leftist. Latin America has right-winged people and leftists, just like US or Europe. The leftists tends to like Chávez, while the righ-winged hate him. I don't like him cause he's paranoiac with the US, controls too much the economy, created hatefulness among Venezuelan social classes, etc.

But some people in the US has a too biased vision from him. He's not a ruthless dictator, as some say, he was ellected and re-ellected by the people in democratic election. The oposition to him is open, the four main private TV channels of Venezuela are anti-Chávez.

But he has autocratics tendencies, he wants to add a paragraph to the constitution that would give him the right to re-ellect how many times he wants.

Answer 3

Chavez should be a good person for the lower class in venezuela. Middle class and High class people don't like him. He imposes severe taxes on private companies, so they'll be forced to close down. he hampers private entrepeneurship which is the motor of economical development. When nationalizing everything he creates bureaucratic companies which doesn't work very efficiently.

On the other hand he's improving health care seriously (with the help of Cuban medical docters) and there is improvement in hygiene and living conditions.

In brief, he's ruining his country's economy by helping the poorest people of his country.

Answer 4

Chavez is a typical socialist politico. It depends on the level of education and income of the person you ask.

So far, he's exhibited the following:
Misdirection of people's anger about their own lot (towards the U.S.),
Violently suppressing political opposition (last election)
Nationalizing industries (oil, now telecom & ISP)
Little or no support from middle (merchant) or upper (business) class (tried to stage a coup two years ago against him).

Answer 5

Don't believe so.

Answer 6

wait and see.