Hugos Presidency in Venezuela Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Hugos Presidency in Venezuela - Essay ExampleHugo embarked on a nationwide campaign for the presidency on a program of Bolivarianism. His beliefs included Venezuelan sovereignty, anti-imperialism, populist democracy, mass participation in the government, strong nationalism and economic self sufficiency. Hugo strongly believed that the revenues from oil sales had to be distributed evenly in Venezuela. He later won the election becoming Venezuelas fifty third president. In 2006, Hugo was re-elected as Venezuelas president upon which he make an announcement that he will make radical changes within the country. Some of his radical changes were characteristic of authoritarianism and dictatorship. Chavez withdrew from the IMF, cracked down on all picture stations that were critical on him and nationalized electrical companies. He closed 32 radio stations that were privately owned. He went ahead to propose a lawfulness that would punish media crimes. Chavez was clearly moving to silence all of his critics. He accused the stations of supporting the 2002 coup against his government. He even denied a certain spreader a chance to renew its license claiming that the broadcaster was supporting the opposition (CNN World). Worse still, he proposed a referendum that would see introduction of certain constitutional changes that complete term limits and centralized power in the presidency (New York Times). Despite the problems of electricity shortages and a recessing economy, Chavez still uses certain tactical manoeuvre to consolidate power. He makes use of tactics like expropriation of his supporters businesses and conducting secret police raids. He makes use of military loyalists to execute his orders. His allies had successfully controlled the National Assembly since the year 2005 after the opposition boycotted legislative elections in the same year (New York Times). Despite these actions, Chavez continues to enjoy great support from the poor who feel that they are bett er of with Chavez as the president. Chavez distributed the revenues from oil equitably crossways the nation thereby improving the poor Venezuelans quality of life. Chavez, upon becoming the president in 1998 fired the management of the oil company (state owned) something that angered the middleclass. This resulted in an act coup in 2002 that failed (New York Times). Hugo has been the focus of criticism by the West for his action to support the Syrian president (Mr. Assad) by supplying him with oil. Mr. Assad had taken action against an originate in Syria. This resulted in mass murders and multiple violations of human rights. The UNGA (United Nations General Assembly) had widely condemned President Assad for violating human rights, mass murders of children women and torture. Chavezs choice to support Assad was widely viewed as supporting terrorist activities and was highly controversial (New York Times). Chavez had earlier supported Irans President (Mr. Mahmoud) who had ridiculed claims by the West that his country (Iran) was seeking to acquire the ability to make thermonuclear weapons. Despite the wide condemnation that Muammar president of Libya faced due to his strike back against an uprising in his country, Chavez went ahead and forged close economic and policy-making ties with Libya. Chavez overtime according to a 2009 poll that consisted of a large number of Arab countries, he was the most popular and famous leader both by coast and fear. Chavez had courted almost any