The Chavista money in a suitcase to Argentina scandal is now a Federal indictment and international tension between the US and Argentina, with Chavez. I had a feeling a couple of months ago, that something was going to happen. The suitcase guy -Guido Antonioni- has been talking to the Feds as everyone knew. And as I predicted the Chavista 'establishment' offered him $$$ to shut up, and it looks like the FBI caught it all on tape.
Don't Cry For Me Argentina.
Apparently one of these characters did say the money was destined for President Fernandez' campaign, though it is not clear if its on tape, and if whoever said it, stated it as fact or just in normal Venezuelan over-excageration and innuendo.
The Argentine government is pretty ticked off, says its the White House doing it. Kind of hard to figure out if this is just posturing or the Argentine government doesn't have a good understanding of the US political system - or at least knows how to follow the news from debates.
had this happened while Alberto Gonzalez or Ashcroft at Justice, I would have been inclined to see the hands of the Bush White House behind this.
As it stands now after the Gonzalez hearings that exposed the Bushites machinations, it is unikely they would press this hard. It could well be a more or less independent action by the local Federal Prosecutor and the FBI. If they notified the State Department - given how far down the chain Latin American is - who knows if it even got through.
There is an alphabet soup of agencies that would have interest/jurisdiction, FBI, State, Justice, CIA, Treasury, the White House, Immigration. We all know how badly they coordinated intelligence on something crucial like people coming to blow buildings up. Now their interagency process is supposedly better - for chasing after guys who want to blow up buildings. Chasing guys with suitcases of money from Venezuela is not really a priority.
And if it was the Bushies/CIA? They really are incompetent. You do this before the elections!!!!!
Hows this for a conspiracy theory....what if the Bushies knew, told Fernandez they were going to hold on till after the election.
Again, that does pressupose competence to the Bush white house, and even a passing interest in Latin American affairs.
Tip Of The Hat to
Boz
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
CHAVEZ THREATENS BOLIVIAN OPPOSITION =====AGAIN
Chavez is really out of control, La Razon today quotes what he had to say in Uruguay :
....to those people planning [protests] - behind them the north american empire - need to be warned: that in Bolivia, if something were to happen to this man who is here [Evo], that if the legitimate government were overthrown, Venezuela will not stay with crossed arms.
I pray to God this doesn't happen, because it could be an earthquake that shakes the entire region".......................................
He concluded by warning the U.S. to not "force us to make a violent revolution" in Bolivia
“Evo, que Dios te cuide y que Dios cuide a Bolivia. Ahora, a la gente que está planificando (las protestas) —y detrás de ellos el imperio norteamericano— hay que advertirles: Si en Bolivia, si a este hombre que está aquí llega a pasarle algo, si a aquel Gobierno legítimo llegaran a derrocarlo, Venezuela no se va a quedar con los brazos cruzados”, dijo Chávez.
“Le pido a Dios que eso no ocurra, porque eso puede ser un terremoto que sacuda todo el continente”, concluyó.
El presidente venezolano Hugo Chávez advirtió ayer a EEUU que “no nos obliguen” a hacer “una revolución violenta” en Bolivia, al margen de la Cumbre del Mercosur, en Montevideo.
Chávez dijo a los periodistas: “Kennedy dijo una vez que las revoluciones que no son pacíficas terminan siendo violentas. Nosotros somos dos y queremos hacer la revolución en paz. No nos obliguen a hacerla en forma violenta”. Y agregó, “desde Montevideo quiero advertir al Gobierno de Estados Unidos”.
El presidente boliviano, Evo Morales, se refirió a la situación política de su país y afirmó a la prensa que “el imperialismo creía que este indiecito iba a durar tres meses, pero este indiecito va a durar muchos años”.
Chavez is a tool, it is not enough that his people get busted with suitcases full of dollars on Bolivian soil, that Evo gets "Chavez-checks" to hand out, that Venezuelan troops wander around with impunity in military facilities. He struts around and threatens Bolivian politicians. That is why people stoned his damn planes.
BOLIVIA: AUTONOMY OR SEPARATISM?
Carlos Toranzo - a well respected and very sensible Bolivian political and economic commentator. In this article he criticizes foreign press headlines which make it look like Santa Cruz autonomy is "Separatism". Even some Morales allies, like former energy minister Soliz Rada, agree that the Departments are not asking to separate from Bolivia.
Toranzo points out that Autonomy "simply means political decentralization within a unitary framework." And it is part of "social demands" 150 years in the making, not some simple opposition strategy against Evo. In a country where cities can be 1000km from the capital, it was only till recently that departments could elect their "Prefects" (or governors) by direct vote. What the residents of departments like Tarija and Santa Cruz are asking for is the ability to elect their own 'governors' and for them to have more authority in day to day aspects of government, instead of it being directed from La Paz.
The Spanish left a legacy of centralist rule, and attempts to reform or modify this structure have been a staple of Bolivian political history. Federalism was the excuse for a civil war in 1899 and when subject to a congressional vote lost by a tie-breaker; administrative decentralization was written into the 1930 Constitution but the enabling legislation was vetoed due to the Chaco War. Direct Election of prefects has been argued repeatedly for the past 20 years. Since the return to democracy 25 years ago autonomy for departments has gained momentum, in part spurred on by municipal decentralization and successes in other Latin American countries such as Peru and Venezuela.
As Toranzo points out Evo Morales rise to power was an uncontrolled river, nobody could stop him; departmental autonomies are an equally wide river, it also looks like nobody can stop them. Evo is a "reality" so is Autonomy.
What they say?
If anyone actually bothered to read the statutes, a lot of it is not bad and actually progressive: there is indigenous autonomy (in line with the LPP), free meals for schoolchildren, a percentage split of hydrocarbon revenues, 50 to producing provinces, 40 to non-producing 10 to indigenous peoples.
Problems come up with such things as the ability to create a unique police force - in a country where the state should have the monopoly on the military, any claims of exclusivity on apportioning land ( a huge issue in Santa Cruz), as well as any claim to control of the resources.
That being said the statute on the most part is in line with Bolivia's constitution, laws, and legal thinking. It is much more coherent than the insane MAS-stitution. Powers allocated to the department, are at most "co-equal" with the state. Seems to me that is where the bargaining should be over, what powers are reserved exclusively to the central government, which ones it will delegate to the State. And there might actually be a real Constitutional Assembly, where real issues are discussed.
Toranzo points out that Autonomy "simply means political decentralization within a unitary framework." And it is part of "social demands" 150 years in the making, not some simple opposition strategy against Evo. In a country where cities can be 1000km from the capital, it was only till recently that departments could elect their "Prefects" (or governors) by direct vote. What the residents of departments like Tarija and Santa Cruz are asking for is the ability to elect their own 'governors' and for them to have more authority in day to day aspects of government, instead of it being directed from La Paz.
The Spanish left a legacy of centralist rule, and attempts to reform or modify this structure have been a staple of Bolivian political history. Federalism was the excuse for a civil war in 1899 and when subject to a congressional vote lost by a tie-breaker; administrative decentralization was written into the 1930 Constitution but the enabling legislation was vetoed due to the Chaco War. Direct Election of prefects has been argued repeatedly for the past 20 years. Since the return to democracy 25 years ago autonomy for departments has gained momentum, in part spurred on by municipal decentralization and successes in other Latin American countries such as Peru and Venezuela.
As Toranzo points out Evo Morales rise to power was an uncontrolled river, nobody could stop him; departmental autonomies are an equally wide river, it also looks like nobody can stop them. Evo is a "reality" so is Autonomy.
Fue un río incontenible la llegada de Evo Morales al poder, nadie lo pudo detener; un río igual de ancho es el de las autonomías departamentales, tampoco parece que nadie lo podrá parar.
What they say?
If anyone actually bothered to read the statutes, a lot of it is not bad and actually progressive: there is indigenous autonomy (in line with the LPP), free meals for schoolchildren, a percentage split of hydrocarbon revenues, 50 to producing provinces, 40 to non-producing 10 to indigenous peoples.
Problems come up with such things as the ability to create a unique police force - in a country where the state should have the monopoly on the military, any claims of exclusivity on apportioning land ( a huge issue in Santa Cruz), as well as any claim to control of the resources.
That being said the statute on the most part is in line with Bolivia's constitution, laws, and legal thinking. It is much more coherent than the insane MAS-stitution. Powers allocated to the department, are at most "co-equal" with the state. Seems to me that is where the bargaining should be over, what powers are reserved exclusively to the central government, which ones it will delegate to the State. And there might actually be a real Constitutional Assembly, where real issues are discussed.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
BOLIVIA: AN ANTI-LIBERAL CONSTITUTION - Fernando Molina
Fernando Molina is a well known Bolivian intellectual. Prof. James Dunkerely, an academic authority on Bolivia, cites Molina in a recent essay, describes him as "a leading a leading liberal critic of both Evo Morales and the traditional political class that he has displaced from office." Molina is basically independent.
Molina just wrote in Revista Pulso, on the MAS text that was steamrolled through as Bolivias new constitution. It is a very incisive article that in my opinion should be read by Bolivian's and translated into English. The text itself is so muddled and contradictory that Molina does a service just by breaking it down in several categories.
He sees three Western fundamental rights the right to life, to liberty, and the right to property, and concludes that the Constitution protects the first one, less so the second, and much less the third.
Summary of Some Arguments I will flesh this out more later, and add some of my own comments.
Powers of Central Government - It centralizes a lot of power to the central government - including administrative functions, power of the purse.
Property rights - recognized so long as they serve the "collective interest" as well "contributing to the development of the nation", on top of the existing qualification of "social purpose". which as Molina reminds us, has been around since the Busch Constitution of 1938. (Ironically Chavez 1999 Constitution offered more protections to private property) Foreign investment - heavily restricted. Contracting with other
Monopoly and Private Investment - The State gets a monopoly on energy - might not even subcontract privately. It dissuades ANY future government from ever signing any sort of deal with any foreign corporation.
Autonomy-The document pretty much indicates that only indigenous tribes will get any form of real "autonomy" if we think of autonomy as being able to assert sovereign rights over a territory with your own law.
Judicial Branch-It does re-designs the judiciary, as it exists now. Creates a new judicial branch, based on 'communal law'. (While tribal laws co-existing with traditional justice is nothing new, this scheme here appears to give it co-equal value countrywide)
Overall - He concludes that underneath all the inconsistencies there is a political program at its core, that while not socialist, it is nonetheless "illiberal" and has implications for the country.
Molina just wrote in Revista Pulso, on the MAS text that was steamrolled through as Bolivias new constitution. It is a very incisive article that in my opinion should be read by Bolivian's and translated into English. The text itself is so muddled and contradictory that Molina does a service just by breaking it down in several categories.
He sees three Western fundamental rights the right to life, to liberty, and the right to property, and concludes that the Constitution protects the first one, less so the second, and much less the third.
Summary of Some Arguments I will flesh this out more later, and add some of my own comments.
Powers of Central Government - It centralizes a lot of power to the central government - including administrative functions, power of the purse.
Property rights - recognized so long as they serve the "collective interest" as well "contributing to the development of the nation", on top of the existing qualification of "social purpose". which as Molina reminds us, has been around since the Busch Constitution of 1938. (Ironically Chavez 1999 Constitution offered more protections to private property) Foreign investment - heavily restricted. Contracting with other
Monopoly and Private Investment - The State gets a monopoly on energy - might not even subcontract privately. It dissuades ANY future government from ever signing any sort of deal with any foreign corporation.
Autonomy-The document pretty much indicates that only indigenous tribes will get any form of real "autonomy" if we think of autonomy as being able to assert sovereign rights over a territory with your own law.
Judicial Branch-It does re-designs the judiciary, as it exists now. Creates a new judicial branch, based on 'communal law'. (While tribal laws co-existing with traditional justice is nothing new, this scheme here appears to give it co-equal value countrywide)
Overall - He concludes that underneath all the inconsistencies there is a political program at its core, that while not socialist, it is nonetheless "illiberal" and has implications for the country.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Bolivia: New Constitution, Change For Change's Sake,
So MAS "passed" its "new constitution", steamrolling it through the assembly.
Which brings me to this piece by Jim Schultz of the Democracy Center, a general pro-Evo, pro-MAS group. Seemingly as a rebuke to the Prefect of Cochabamba and many urban residents who have opposed the government, Schultz describes the large pro-MAS pro-MAS constitutional assembly.
Jim quotes some of Bolivia’s poorest citizens, marching through Cochabamba, showing their “agreement with the new constitution”, “recover and industrialize natural resources.” As he warns us to not “underestimate” the “passion” of Bolivia’s rural poor, which is expressed in their demanding “changes vital to their children’s future.”
What makes this whole affair tragic, is that these poor folks are putting their hopes and aspirations into the hands of radicals, whose program (both through the constitution and writings) is utterly and completely destined for failure.
There is no middle ground here. In this era to reduce poverty you need: laws and regulations to impartially and fairly mediate the rights of all actors in society, foreign investment to spur the growth necessary; a vibrant private sector to serve as the engine of the economy to create jobs; an openness towards the world economy; and a “small but muscular” state to provide for the basic human needs, including education, health, basic sanitary needs, and to take care for those who cant help themselves, all done in a decentralized and efficient manner.
MAS’ constitution wants to permanently enshrine in the constitution, an obsolete centralist vision of the State. A state-owned, and planned economy, with some small concessions made for the private sector. This is the same corporatist vision which might have seemed right (and new) in 1952, but in many ways reinforced the old traditional clientilism among the middle class and crony capitalistism Ultimately, it led to a situation where Bolivia went into debt and hyper-inflation fueled in a significant part to pay for state-owned enterprises.
THIS IS NOT CHANGE!!! How is returning to this progressive? How on earth can anyone think this will lead to something better? This is revolutionary sloganeering acting as reality. Wishful thinking of the most perverted form.
All it will do is destroy the chances of those who have joined –or aspire to join- the 21st century, dragging the country down to even more mediocrity. And the poor, the poor will be the ones who will always pay the most.
Which brings me to this piece by Jim Schultz of the Democracy Center, a general pro-Evo, pro-MAS group. Seemingly as a rebuke to the Prefect of Cochabamba and many urban residents who have opposed the government, Schultz describes the large pro-MAS pro-MAS constitutional assembly.
Jim quotes some of Bolivia’s poorest citizens, marching through Cochabamba, showing their “agreement with the new constitution”, “recover and industrialize natural resources.” As he warns us to not “underestimate” the “passion” of Bolivia’s rural poor, which is expressed in their demanding “changes vital to their children’s future.”
What makes this whole affair tragic, is that these poor folks are putting their hopes and aspirations into the hands of radicals, whose program (both through the constitution and writings) is utterly and completely destined for failure.
There is no middle ground here. In this era to reduce poverty you need: laws and regulations to impartially and fairly mediate the rights of all actors in society, foreign investment to spur the growth necessary; a vibrant private sector to serve as the engine of the economy to create jobs; an openness towards the world economy; and a “small but muscular” state to provide for the basic human needs, including education, health, basic sanitary needs, and to take care for those who cant help themselves, all done in a decentralized and efficient manner.
MAS’ constitution wants to permanently enshrine in the constitution, an obsolete centralist vision of the State. A state-owned, and planned economy, with some small concessions made for the private sector. This is the same corporatist vision which might have seemed right (and new) in 1952, but in many ways reinforced the old traditional clientilism among the middle class and crony capitalistism Ultimately, it led to a situation where Bolivia went into debt and hyper-inflation fueled in a significant part to pay for state-owned enterprises.
THIS IS NOT CHANGE!!! How is returning to this progressive? How on earth can anyone think this will lead to something better? This is revolutionary sloganeering acting as reality. Wishful thinking of the most perverted form.
All it will do is destroy the chances of those who have joined –or aspire to join- the 21st century, dragging the country down to even more mediocrity. And the poor, the poor will be the ones who will always pay the most.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
SODA!!!! Soda Stereo Live
Had the chance to catch Soda Stereo's reunion tour here in Miami on Tuesday night, and it rocked!
The place was pretty full (7/8's) according to the Herald's Levine.
It was great hearing their older and newer classics such as Cuando Pase el Temblor, Nada Personal, Primavera Cero. The crowd went absolutely bonkers when they played Persiana Americana, and of course, De Musica Ligera.
Unlike the Herald's Levin, I actually thought the older songs, from their "new wavish" fase held up quite well.
It was a hell of a show, there is a reason why they reached the heights they reached, and had such a dramatic impact among Latin American crowds. You could see it in the crowd, from parents with their kids to teens, every hue of the Latin American rainbow. I could pick out accents from Argentina, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Central America. It was Una Noche De Roqueros - a night for the rockers.Music that is loud, rowdy, powerful, edgy, melodic, played by excellent musicians. Soda is music that will never suck, unlike the cheesy balladeers, pre-fabricated pop bands, and every other tacky indignity that was heaped on us then, and that still gets thrown at us now. Every now and then some "cultural icon" (and this applies to the entire continent) would despair at the youth not listening to local or Latin American artists. Well, give us sommething that is good and then we will, and then came Soda... Soda Stereo rock now and they rocked 20 years ago!
EDIT: Set List
JUEGOS DE SEDUCCION
TELE - K
IMAGENES RETRO
TEXTURAS
HOMBRE AL AGUA
CIUDAD DE LA FURIA
PICNIC EN EL 4 B
ZOOM
EL TEMBLOR
FINAL CAJA NEGRA
TRATAME SUAVEMENTE
SIGNOS
SOBREDOSIS DE TV
DANZA ROTA
PERSIANA AMERICANA
FUE
EN REMOLINOS
PRIMAVERA 0
NO EXISTES
SUELES DEJARME SOLO
SEPTIMO DIA
UN MILLON DE AñOS LUZ
DE MUSICA LIGERA
DISCO ETERNO
CAE EL SOL
PROFUGOS
ZONA DE PROMESAS
NADA PERSONAL
VITAMINAS
Monday, December 03, 2007
NO! Chavez Denied
So with all the resources of the petro-kleptrocracy, including media, state offices, army, Bolivarian "Circles", and with a divided and squabling opposition, Chavez loses.
Credit to the students who woke up the slumbering and defeatist opposition, many whom were boycotting this vote. Students who stayed ahead of the Chavista machine by planning protests through text messages. Who kept an upbeat and inclusive message, even in the face of officialist threats.
Lets see what happens next, but the Lt. Colonel will not have it easy
Credit to the students who woke up the slumbering and defeatist opposition, many whom were boycotting this vote. Students who stayed ahead of the Chavista machine by planning protests through text messages. Who kept an upbeat and inclusive message, even in the face of officialist threats.
Lets see what happens next, but the Lt. Colonel will not have it easy
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Bolivia: Founding Fatalism, MAS' Bloody Constitution
This article in El Deber is a first-hand, rather gripping, blow-by-blow account of how the the officialist group, in Constituent Assembly managed to steamroll through the initial text of the Constitution while opponents fought police. Evo's allies did this by convening in a military school custodied by the police, the army - and crucially - by pro-MAS mobs brought into the city. As I had posted earlier, these officialist groups explicitly threatened the opposition in the assembly, claimed they were going to block the entire city, and to hammer the points home home, allied groups killed two dogs symbolizing the "opposition".
What happened was effectively a lock-out of the opposition, those entering would have to face the angry mob, something that happened later in the Congress in La Paz.
But in Sucre, upon hearing the news of the convening of the "assembly" the students - rose up against the police and set off to confront the assembly. They were joined by a good number of Sucre's citizens in what in effect turned into a battle of two mobs. Even the hardened veterans of Bolivia's street violence - the MAS cocaleros and El Alto activists & the cops who used to beat them up - could not contain the students and residents.
And when the word came down that a protestor was killed, the MAS assembly leader - herself a veteran of many a disturbance, suddenly threw it into overdrive, calling for a quick vote to formalize approval of all the articles. On the outside, even local MAS supporters had joined in, and were close to breaching the gates of the military school. But, it was too late, the assembly had voted, and its members fled.
And that is just another tragic and bizarre chapter in Bolivia's crazed political life. A constitution, which in theory should be the starting point of the Nation's legitimacy, passed by an officialist convention, while opposing mobs and the cops fought it out just outside.
EDIT Here is a first hand account from a Bolivian blogger in Sucre. Here is a good compilation of videos from the events from another person. The writings of a Sucre Blogger.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Bolivia: What Up Willca? Siege In Sucre, Dog Days
By last Thursday (the 22nd) supporters of the government: ocaleros, rural unions, and members of El Alto's neighborhood federation were congregating around Sucre to "shut down" the City, and blockading routes into it. They demanded that the Senate be shut down and the Contitutional Assembly get to work, and forget about the Sucre demands for capital.
The claim against the Senate, is over Evo's cynical ploy re-naming the existing old-age pension, and funding it by cuts to the budgets of (opposition governed) departments. MAS for the record, was vehemently opposed to the original BONOSOL program. After coming to power Morales unilaterally stripping the pension of its most valuable assets: the stock in the oil companies. The government claimed it would have no problems funding it, despite not counting on the dividends. Now at the very end of the current year, Evo again by decree, orders a drastic reduction of the departmental governments share of a hydrocarbon tax to cover the reduction in the pension plan he himself was responsible for. So some people in places like Santa Cruz are understandably upset about this, which places large and well-populated departments in disadvantage to those with less population given the current formula.
The capital argument, or Sucre's pretensions, looks silly in many ways. But the governments arrogance was exposed when the officialist side blocked attempts to even discuss it within the constitutional assembly. It seemed to confirm this governments Chavista-like mania for centralizing power in the capital at the expense of the departments. And re-writing the constitution to institutionalize MAS positions, including Evo re-election, seems like a very bad idea to many of these people.
Dog Day Afternoon
In order to show their dissaproval with the positions of the opposition and Sucre, and doing their best Sendero Luminoso imitation, pro-MAS activists, killed 2 dogs and hung them up as a warning to Bolivia's " oligarchs." No threats to China's current leadership or Michael Vick haters went on the unfortunate canines, but the slit throats implied pretty much what they wanted to do to the opposition leaders.
Students Vs. Cocaleros
Many marchers stayed at the University, and students battled the pro-MAS crowd -
Might be a bit of historical memories, since the last time La Paz and Sucre got into a beef over the capital, the 19th century version of the "indigenous movements" ended up slaughtering many of Sucre's university students.
But even the students at the "Pedagogica" were not quite unified. A minority of the teaching students wanted to allow the strikers to stay at the school, but were voted down and accused of being "Troskyists". Anywhere else, that kind of accusation would draw blank stares. But in Bolivia, since from the 40's, there has been a continuing "Trosko" influence in the teachers and mining unions. Many of the cocaleros and El Alto residents are former miners and come out of that syndicalist tradition; the teachers union has a presence in the teaching university.
And that bit of trivia in many ways symbolizes the whole problem. MAS-istas are mobilizing, arguing, and threatening civil war to press for a new constitution drafted by fools whose point of reference is 60 year old Troskyist arguments. This document is not going to magically "empower" Bolivia's poor and indigenous peoples and make the misery of the past 500 years go away.
Foreign admirers of Morales can repeat his worn mantra of acting on behalf of an 'exploited majority' who voted 'for change', blocked by 'the oligarchs who lost power.' But in its most benevolent interpreation, this "change" is a backwards step to recreating the 1952 model, whose painful collapse led the country to hit rock-bottom 32 years later. To make it worse, they are mobilizing their most radical supporters to try to ram this agenda through by intimidation of the opposition. Playing to inter-ethnic resentment and class warfare is dangerous, and once that genie is out of the bottle it can really get ugly.
Tip Of The Hat to
Norman
The claim against the Senate, is over Evo's cynical ploy re-naming the existing old-age pension, and funding it by cuts to the budgets of (opposition governed) departments. MAS for the record, was vehemently opposed to the original BONOSOL program. After coming to power Morales unilaterally stripping the pension of its most valuable assets: the stock in the oil companies. The government claimed it would have no problems funding it, despite not counting on the dividends. Now at the very end of the current year, Evo again by decree, orders a drastic reduction of the departmental governments share of a hydrocarbon tax to cover the reduction in the pension plan he himself was responsible for. So some people in places like Santa Cruz are understandably upset about this, which places large and well-populated departments in disadvantage to those with less population given the current formula.
The capital argument, or Sucre's pretensions, looks silly in many ways. But the governments arrogance was exposed when the officialist side blocked attempts to even discuss it within the constitutional assembly. It seemed to confirm this governments Chavista-like mania for centralizing power in the capital at the expense of the departments. And re-writing the constitution to institutionalize MAS positions, including Evo re-election, seems like a very bad idea to many of these people.
Dog Day Afternoon
In order to show their dissaproval with the positions of the opposition and Sucre, and doing their best Sendero Luminoso imitation, pro-MAS activists, killed 2 dogs and hung them up as a warning to Bolivia's " oligarchs." No threats to China's current leadership or Michael Vick haters went on the unfortunate canines, but the slit throats implied pretty much what they wanted to do to the opposition leaders.
Students Vs. Cocaleros
Many marchers stayed at the University, and students battled the pro-MAS crowd -
Might be a bit of historical memories, since the last time La Paz and Sucre got into a beef over the capital, the 19th century version of the "indigenous movements" ended up slaughtering many of Sucre's university students.
But even the students at the "Pedagogica" were not quite unified. A minority of the teaching students wanted to allow the strikers to stay at the school, but were voted down and accused of being "Troskyists". Anywhere else, that kind of accusation would draw blank stares. But in Bolivia, since from the 40's, there has been a continuing "Trosko" influence in the teachers and mining unions. Many of the cocaleros and El Alto residents are former miners and come out of that syndicalist tradition; the teachers union has a presence in the teaching university.
And that bit of trivia in many ways symbolizes the whole problem. MAS-istas are mobilizing, arguing, and threatening civil war to press for a new constitution drafted by fools whose point of reference is 60 year old Troskyist arguments. This document is not going to magically "empower" Bolivia's poor and indigenous peoples and make the misery of the past 500 years go away.
Foreign admirers of Morales can repeat his worn mantra of acting on behalf of an 'exploited majority' who voted 'for change', blocked by 'the oligarchs who lost power.' But in its most benevolent interpreation, this "change" is a backwards step to recreating the 1952 model, whose painful collapse led the country to hit rock-bottom 32 years later. To make it worse, they are mobilizing their most radical supporters to try to ram this agenda through by intimidation of the opposition. Playing to inter-ethnic resentment and class warfare is dangerous, and once that genie is out of the bottle it can really get ugly.
Tip Of The Hat to
Norman
Porque No Te Callas? Songs & Videos Around The Internet..
Inevitably (and immediately), the whole King of Spain smackdown on Chavez makes its way through the wonders of commonly available software to the web. Some videos, mainly taking the "original" words and remixing them.
LOL...The Song "Porque No Te Callas
REY-GETTON, sampling Don Omar
A "REMIX" VERSION
UPDATE:
Here is the more appropriate "Spanish" song, which got play in Miami through Jaime Bayly's show.
hahahaha...one where the King himself "sings"...
THE REAL WAY TO SHUT UP CHAVEZ, FIDEL, & EVO
PORQUE NO TE CALLAS? VERSION BENNY HILL
PORQUE NO TE CALLAS? VERSION "EL CHAVEZ DEL OCHO"
LOL...The Song "Porque No Te Callas
REY-GETTON, sampling Don Omar
A "REMIX" VERSION
UPDATE:
Here is the more appropriate "Spanish" song, which got play in Miami through Jaime Bayly's show.
hahahaha...one where the King himself "sings"...
THE REAL WAY TO SHUT UP CHAVEZ, FIDEL, & EVO
PORQUE NO TE CALLAS? VERSION BENNY HILL
PORQUE NO TE CALLAS? VERSION "EL CHAVEZ DEL OCHO"
Monday, November 19, 2007
Bolivia: MAS, Evo's Minions Feud, Attack NGO's, hilarity ensues
Watch Out For The Friendly Fire While Evo is aping (no pun intended) Chavez by firing up anti-US hysteria his underlings and associates are taking it a bit further, and even going after their own. The target Non Governmental Organizations (NGO's). While Evo has made threatening noises against NGO's funded by the US Agency For International Development and some Western governments, others in and around MAS are going after NGO's closely linked to the MAS government.
Bolivia's current Water Minister, Abel Mamami, in words of one leading academic a voice of "constant complaint..[but] irregular proposal", accused Bolivia's ambassador to Spain and 2 MAS senators of corruption and conflict of interest. This is based on their being on the board of a Spanish NGO, which has a consulting contract with the superintendency of water - a regulatory agency separate from the ministry. This sounds like a turf war, or even a sloppy attempt at finding Spanish misdeeds to follow up on King vs. Chavez. Or both.
then there is this fun example:
Former energy minister Soliz Rada is the architect of Evo's "nationalization", so he does have some weight. in this interview he sounds more like a classics professor complaining about deconstructionists in the faculty, when discussing intramural conflicts in the ruling coalition over the new constitution. Soliz Rada claims that indigenista fundamentalist positions of some MAS allied social movements are pretty much an "invention" of US and European NGO's that work with them. Ultimately these NGO's are instruments of the "sources of world power" - meaning the US/Europe/Capitalists. Demands for tribal "autonomy" and for pressing separate identities, are nothing more than a foreign-directed conspiracy to "atomize" and split Bolivia, so foreign powers can seize these resources by dealing with "sub-groups" rather than with a state.
The former minister says that in the constitutional assembly these demands create conflict and stall the process. They also carry a heavy political price since they alienate the nationalist Mestizo-indigenous middle class. While the international press talks about the "indigenous President", Soliz Rada pointedly describes Morales as an "Indo-Mestizo", culturally (and racially) pretty indistinguishable from many urban middle class voters that were crucial in his election.
Since this is Bolivia, there is of course a very real political argument going on here. Some of the social movements claim they were shut out of the Constituent Assembly by MAS. Soliz Rada, on the other hand, uses the term of art "Stalinist" to describe these "sectors" , recalling the bickering between Troskos and Pro-Moscow Communists.
This reveals a cultural cleavage between the Bolivian hard-left which is at the core of the MAS coalition. On the one hand, the old-school Bolivian left-nationalist in the tradition of Marcelo Quiroga Santa Cruz, claiming the mantle of the 1952 revolution. On the other are some social and indigenous movements, which are identified with indigenous and community groups of more recent movilization and who Soliz Rada says tend to be more "single issue" oriented.
Typical of Bolivia's mess nothing fits neatly in one category, there are similarities, grey areas and contradictions. Both "sides" back nationalization and Evo's position against regional claims. Morales' core support is the cocaleros, strongly influenced by mining nationalist traditions, but who also adopted indigenist talk, and who have been supported by some NGO's. Radical middle class elements are present in the social movements and arguably guide their "discourse." Mamami himself is all over the place, coming from the capitals version of the "water wars", having a native surname, and denouncing his erstwhile allies in traditional language straight out of "Bolivian Political Bickering 101".
Foreign-funded NGO's in Bolivia, cross the spectrum in terms of patrons, mission and methods. Some assist in very narrow technical areas, while others are more like think tanks. Then you have some who seem to be nothing more than anti-globalization platforms for Western activists. It is these groups that work with indigenous and social movements, who speak in terms of post-modern, post-colonial, identity politics and link them to a larger anti-capitalist struggle. For that matter, so do many of leftist Bolivians like Vice-President Garcia Linera who are in power.
That kind of stuff makes for some real intense sectarian fun, specially when combined with traditional Bolivian paranoia, suspicion of outsiders, and plain nasty politics and bickering. Once the nationalist genie gets uncorked it can get out of control.
Bolivia's current Water Minister, Abel Mamami, in words of one leading academic a voice of "constant complaint..[but] irregular proposal", accused Bolivia's ambassador to Spain and 2 MAS senators of corruption and conflict of interest. This is based on their being on the board of a Spanish NGO, which has a consulting contract with the superintendency of water - a regulatory agency separate from the ministry. This sounds like a turf war, or even a sloppy attempt at finding Spanish misdeeds to follow up on King vs. Chavez. Or both.
El ministro de Aguas de Bolivia, Abel Mamani, denunció a la embajadora boliviana en España, María del Carmen Almendras, y a dos senadores del oficialista Movimiento Al Socialismo (MAS), en la firma irregular de un contrato entre el Estado y una organización no gubernamental.
Mamani denunció que el hecho, registrado en agosto de este año, tiene que ver en la prestación de servicios de consultoría de la organización no gubernamental "Agua Sustentable" a la estatal Superintendencia de Aguas, informaron este lunes medios locales.
El ministro explicó que la diplomática y los senadores del MAS, María Esther Udaeta y Omar Fernández, son miembros del directorio de la ONG Agua Sustentable.
Manami acotó que se cometieron los delitos de "uso indebido de influencias, negociaciones incompatibles con el ejercicio de las funciones públicas, contratos lesivos al Estado y conducta antieconómica".
"Yo soy ministro de Estado, soy funcionario público, y como dijo el presidente de la República (Evo Morales), tengo toda la obligación respecto a irregularidades, sin importar quién sea", dijo Mamani,
then there is this fun example:
Former energy minister Soliz Rada is the architect of Evo's "nationalization", so he does have some weight. in this interview he sounds more like a classics professor complaining about deconstructionists in the faculty, when discussing intramural conflicts in the ruling coalition over the new constitution. Soliz Rada claims that indigenista fundamentalist positions of some MAS allied social movements are pretty much an "invention" of US and European NGO's that work with them. Ultimately these NGO's are instruments of the "sources of world power" - meaning the US/Europe/Capitalists. Demands for tribal "autonomy" and for pressing separate identities, are nothing more than a foreign-directed conspiracy to "atomize" and split Bolivia, so foreign powers can seize these resources by dealing with "sub-groups" rather than with a state.
Previamente se necesita derrotar a las corrientes fundamentalistas del indigenismo, detrás de las cuales se encuentran ONG norteamericanas y europeas que simulan olvidar que el Viejo Continente no ha adoptado el camino del plurinacionalismo sino del supranacionalismo. Las ONG, con excepciones, forman parte de la estrategia de los centros de poder mundial por apropiarse de los recursos naturales de nuestros países, mediante la parcelación de nuestros estados nacionales.
The former minister says that in the constitutional assembly these demands create conflict and stall the process. They also carry a heavy political price since they alienate the nationalist Mestizo-indigenous middle class. While the international press talks about the "indigenous President", Soliz Rada pointedly describes Morales as an "Indo-Mestizo", culturally (and racially) pretty indistinguishable from many urban middle class voters that were crucial in his election.
Since this is Bolivia, there is of course a very real political argument going on here. Some of the social movements claim they were shut out of the Constituent Assembly by MAS. Soliz Rada, on the other hand, uses the term of art "Stalinist" to describe these "sectors" , recalling the bickering between Troskos and Pro-Moscow Communists.
This reveals a cultural cleavage between the Bolivian hard-left which is at the core of the MAS coalition. On the one hand, the old-school Bolivian left-nationalist in the tradition of Marcelo Quiroga Santa Cruz, claiming the mantle of the 1952 revolution. On the other are some social and indigenous movements, which are identified with indigenous and community groups of more recent movilization and who Soliz Rada says tend to be more "single issue" oriented.
Typical of Bolivia's mess nothing fits neatly in one category, there are similarities, grey areas and contradictions. Both "sides" back nationalization and Evo's position against regional claims. Morales' core support is the cocaleros, strongly influenced by mining nationalist traditions, but who also adopted indigenist talk, and who have been supported by some NGO's. Radical middle class elements are present in the social movements and arguably guide their "discourse." Mamami himself is all over the place, coming from the capitals version of the "water wars", having a native surname, and denouncing his erstwhile allies in traditional language straight out of "Bolivian Political Bickering 101".
Foreign-funded NGO's in Bolivia, cross the spectrum in terms of patrons, mission and methods. Some assist in very narrow technical areas, while others are more like think tanks. Then you have some who seem to be nothing more than anti-globalization platforms for Western activists. It is these groups that work with indigenous and social movements, who speak in terms of post-modern, post-colonial, identity politics and link them to a larger anti-capitalist struggle. For that matter, so do many of leftist Bolivians like Vice-President Garcia Linera who are in power.
That kind of stuff makes for some real intense sectarian fun, specially when combined with traditional Bolivian paranoia, suspicion of outsiders, and plain nasty politics and bickering. Once the nationalist genie gets uncorked it can get out of control.
Bolivia: Evo Claims US & Aznar Out To Get Him P.28888
Who Really Hangs Out With Criminals?
Even before his mentor Chavez made a fool of himself, Evo in Chile for the same conference, was working pretty hard at it too. In comments made during the Ibero-American Summit he claimed that the US was conspiring against him. Evidence? Nuttier than usual - even for his government. US Ambassador Goldberg attends a big Trade Show, apparently poses for a picture with some random Colombian guy and a Santa Cruz leader. Turns out the Colombian guy is a crook. So in the current Bolivian leaderships mind it is all part of a massive plot. Evo brings up "past evidence" - the 500 rounds of .45 caliber ammo found on the girlfriend of a US embassy employees son entering the country. Turns out the staffer is an avid target shooter who owns a .45 pistol, and stupidly requested that the girl buy the ammo in Miami and bring it down with her. Given how easy it is to ship stuff to Bolivia and the availability of diplomatic pouches, the embassy would be really stupid to arm any "plotters" this way, specially with this caliber weapons, retired from military use and found mainly among civilians - in the US. And the ambassador would be pretty dumb in posing with his "fellow conspirators" at a very public export fair.
But Evo, and government spokesmen, continue to vehemently support the "threat" to Bolivia, and the actions of the ambassador.
And they also take a separate approach against the US. A top government spokesman announced that the US Agency for International Development (USAID) was going to be expelled because of its support for the opposition. Then Evo back in Bolivia, tries a different tack, saying that USAID "has a wide open door" to leave, if it doesn't provide "transparency" in the way its disburses funds - including its purchasing policies. That "mystery" policy simply means you buy US-made stuff for a US funded project. Hmmmm. Evo might want to ask the many MAS members who have received training in things like budgeting from US-AID grants.
One thing Evo might consider doing is hiring a Foreign Minister who actually read a book or two in the past 15 years, instead of the current ignoramus to avoid diplomatic gaffes.
Maybe its all irrelevant--Could it be that Evo needs fresh excuses so he can keep up with Chavez demands? Bolivia - according to Venezuela's foreign ministry -is now part of the ALBA "axis" with Venezuela and Cuba, its mission is to fight the "empire." Picking fights with Goldberg, and threatening to kick USAID out seems to be consistent with that.
Reign In Spain, No sooner was Evo back in Bolivia than accusations flew out against former Spanish leader Jose Maria Aznar for allegedly supporting Bolivia's opposition. The timing hardly seems a coincidence fresh after Chavez got smacked down by King Juan Carlos. The Amen chorus of Evo, Daniel Ortega, and Fidel piped up as on cue, bringing out whatever alleged Spanish misdeeds they had lying around in their fertile imaginations.
Evo talking about foreign plots, sovereignity and dignity is laughable while he bends over backwards for Chavez. Evidence is plentiful: Chavez lands AGAIN in Trinidad even after Senate complaints. Venezuelan troops wandering around airports at odd hours of the night. Not to mention Evo cavorting with Cuban survivors of the only real "foreign-directed" military invasion of Bolivia the past 50 years..
No "controls" or transparency over foreign aid? Evo gets checks from Chavez to buy support in the military and municipalities, that are off the books.
Evo would be better served by not listening to "advice and consent" from motormouth in Caracas.
Evo and Chavez' relationship is like a 2 year old holding the leash to a 100 lb over-friendly hyper labrador. Guess who is leading that walk through the neighborhood? It usually also ends really ugly.
Even before his mentor Chavez made a fool of himself, Evo in Chile for the same conference, was working pretty hard at it too. In comments made during the Ibero-American Summit he claimed that the US was conspiring against him. Evidence? Nuttier than usual - even for his government. US Ambassador Goldberg attends a big Trade Show, apparently poses for a picture with some random Colombian guy and a Santa Cruz leader. Turns out the Colombian guy is a crook. So in the current Bolivian leaderships mind it is all part of a massive plot. Evo brings up "past evidence" - the 500 rounds of .45 caliber ammo found on the girlfriend of a US embassy employees son entering the country. Turns out the staffer is an avid target shooter who owns a .45 pistol, and stupidly requested that the girl buy the ammo in Miami and bring it down with her. Given how easy it is to ship stuff to Bolivia and the availability of diplomatic pouches, the embassy would be really stupid to arm any "plotters" this way, specially with this caliber weapons, retired from military use and found mainly among civilians - in the US. And the ambassador would be pretty dumb in posing with his "fellow conspirators" at a very public export fair.
But Evo, and government spokesmen, continue to vehemently support the "threat" to Bolivia, and the actions of the ambassador.
And they also take a separate approach against the US. A top government spokesman announced that the US Agency for International Development (USAID) was going to be expelled because of its support for the opposition. Then Evo back in Bolivia, tries a different tack, saying that USAID "has a wide open door" to leave, if it doesn't provide "transparency" in the way its disburses funds - including its purchasing policies. That "mystery" policy simply means you buy US-made stuff for a US funded project. Hmmmm. Evo might want to ask the many MAS members who have received training in things like budgeting from US-AID grants.
One thing Evo might consider doing is hiring a Foreign Minister who actually read a book or two in the past 15 years, instead of the current ignoramus to avoid diplomatic gaffes.
Maybe its all irrelevant--Could it be that Evo needs fresh excuses so he can keep up with Chavez demands? Bolivia - according to Venezuela's foreign ministry -is now part of the ALBA "axis" with Venezuela and Cuba, its mission is to fight the "empire." Picking fights with Goldberg, and threatening to kick USAID out seems to be consistent with that.
Reign In Spain, No sooner was Evo back in Bolivia than accusations flew out against former Spanish leader Jose Maria Aznar for allegedly supporting Bolivia's opposition. The timing hardly seems a coincidence fresh after Chavez got smacked down by King Juan Carlos. The Amen chorus of Evo, Daniel Ortega, and Fidel piped up as on cue, bringing out whatever alleged Spanish misdeeds they had lying around in their fertile imaginations.
Evo talking about foreign plots, sovereignity and dignity is laughable while he bends over backwards for Chavez. Evidence is plentiful: Chavez lands AGAIN in Trinidad even after Senate complaints. Venezuelan troops wandering around airports at odd hours of the night. Not to mention Evo cavorting with Cuban survivors of the only real "foreign-directed" military invasion of Bolivia the past 50 years..
No "controls" or transparency over foreign aid? Evo gets checks from Chavez to buy support in the military and municipalities, that are off the books.
Evo would be better served by not listening to "advice and consent" from motormouth in Caracas.
Evo and Chavez' relationship is like a 2 year old holding the leash to a 100 lb over-friendly hyper labrador. Guess who is leading that walk through the neighborhood? It usually also ends really ugly.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Venezuela: KING TO CHAVEZ "SHUT UP"
Chavez, in an international conference, seated on the same stage as the King of Spain and Prime Minister Zapatero tears into Zapatero's predecessor, Aznar, calling him a fascist. After his turn was up, he kept on blabbing, and King Juan Carlos tells him: "Why don't you shut up" - "porque no te callas" The King, many people agree was indispensable in helping his people transition from Franco to Democracy, and begin to recover from the dark legacy of the Civil War, Fascism and the Franco era. Throwing around the term "fascist" loose and easy, like Chavez does must have really annoyed the King.
In Latin America, the King is well respected, has a high profile, and has cultivated his image carefully the past decades. Some people seem to think he is sincere in caring the area and its peoples - who after all are the ones guaranteeing the future existence and vitality of the Spanish language. King Juan Carlos by Spanish law has to avoid politics, left to elected officials. This can be difficult, but in the Americas he meets and has met with leaders across the spectrum like Fidel Castro, Uribe, Fox, Evo, and makes standard royal pronouncements.
In Europe, Chavez vulgar display might turn off some people, who otherwise enjoyed his anti-US tirades.
In Latin America however, one problem is that Chavez is a media creature. He is like an American radio shock jock or TV commentator, who plays the common-sensical, irreverent, common man, dealing with the high-thinking, corrupt elites. Chavez "makes his bones" going after regional and international players to get coverage on TV, inspire reactions mentioning him, and ultimately winning votes. Not much different from a Stern or Oreilly feuding with celebrities and politicians to pump up ratings and get tabloid coverage. It makes it harder to figure out the backlash. Some people in Venezuela -and other Latin American countries, might think it hilarious he exasperated the King to such a level he broke protocol. Or see it as pure bravado. "Keeping it Real." One persons vulgarity is another persons irreverence. But, even some ideologues might be put off by Chavez latest display. It reveals an impulsiveness, mixed with a dangerous mix of demagogic certainty, intolerance, and agression. A bully, a loud-mouth, and only 3 weeks from becoming the King of Venezuela.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
CUBA: New Evidence on East German Stasi - Cuba Links
Como Stasi?
Castro's Cuba was an eager adopter of anything Communist Block. Under Soviet "nation building", where everyone has the same system, and speaks the same version of Marxist-Leninist jargon, all sorts of practices transfered over quite easily. The Miami Herald finds, there is new evidence of how the most sinister aspects of Eastern Block rule made their way to Cuba.
Recently found East German documents show the tight relationship between Castro's Ministry of the Interior and the Stasi East German Secret police. Honnecker and Castro had a natural affinity, a relationship that lasted right up to the day the Wall fell. East Germany was a repressive bastion of orthodoxy till the bitter end, the dreaded Stasi with German efficiency kept the population in line. It is hardly surprising that Castro wanted his Interior Ministry patterned on the Eastern Blocks most dreaded secret police.
Basically, Cuba's system of State Security was patterned closely on that of a system, who employed hundreds of thousands of informants to keep track on dissidents and everyday citizens.
Amazing, Cuba is still a one party dictatorship ruled by the Communist Parts, and committed to Marxist-Leninist orthodoxy by its own admission. With a Stasi-trained secret police repressing its people, its hard to not call the place a totalitarian police state.
Castro's Cuba was an eager adopter of anything Communist Block. Under Soviet "nation building", where everyone has the same system, and speaks the same version of Marxist-Leninist jargon, all sorts of practices transfered over quite easily. The Miami Herald finds, there is new evidence of how the most sinister aspects of Eastern Block rule made their way to Cuba.
Recently found East German documents show the tight relationship between Castro's Ministry of the Interior and the Stasi East German Secret police. Honnecker and Castro had a natural affinity, a relationship that lasted right up to the day the Wall fell. East Germany was a repressive bastion of orthodoxy till the bitter end, the dreaded Stasi with German efficiency kept the population in line. It is hardly surprising that Castro wanted his Interior Ministry patterned on the Eastern Blocks most dreaded secret police.
''East Germany had a major role in building up Cuban counterintelligence as well as its foreign intelligence services, providing training for decades . . . right up to the final days of East Germany,'' said Chris Simmon, a career U.S. counterintelligence officer and expert on Cuban intelligence.
Basically, Cuba's system of State Security was patterned closely on that of a system, who employed hundreds of thousands of informants to keep track on dissidents and everyday citizens.
''The repressive system that existed in East Germany . . . is the same one that exists today in Cuba,'' he says. ``What MININT learned from the Stasi has not been forgotten. On the contrary, [the strategies and techniques] are alive today despite the fall of the Berlin Wall.''
Amazing, Cuba is still a one party dictatorship ruled by the Communist Parts, and committed to Marxist-Leninist orthodoxy by its own admission. With a Stasi-trained secret police repressing its people, its hard to not call the place a totalitarian police state.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Venezuela: Stay Hungry,
Hunger and Hummers - Plenty of Both
A top UN official gave a progress report, on Latin American countries committed to the 1996 Global Food Summit goals on reducing hunger by half by the year 2015. Buried in the EFE article, is news that the petro-kleptocracy in power in Venezuela, is lagging the furthest behind in meeting the goals among Latin Americans, joining Bolivia, Peru and Paraguay.
The UN agency (FAO)reported 11 percent of Venezuelans were suffering from malnourishment in 90-92, a number that went up by the late 90's and was at 18% in 2001 and 17% in 2002, already several years into Chavez rule. Since then, and with big fanfare, the Chavista government has enacted and financed all sorts of anti-poverty/anti-hunger schemes. On paper, it looks like the Petro-state, flush with oil revenue, has directed significant resources to try and tackle the problem. The Venezuelan supremo boasts about how much his government has helped the poor the past 9 years, a sentiment echoed by lemmings everywhere who loudly claim that socialism ala Venezuelais the alternative to "evil neo-liberalism." In places like Bolivia this is actually taken seriously.
But according to the regimes own publications, as of November of 06, the number of people suffering malnutrition was still hovering at 19 percent. So it looks like the present government has barely managed to catch up with the population growth, much less do anything to resolve such a basic problem. Chavez is supposed to be an agent of change. Despite much lower oil prices, dealing with food riots, and coup-happy Teniente Coroneles, less Venezuelans went hungry under Chavez nemesis Carlos Andres Perez.
You can argue about the percentages and population increases, but you can't argue with oil prices: a barrel of oil was $25 dollars in 03, and it is nearing $100 now. The governments revenues wildly exceed its own forecasts, and it has more power over it than previous governments. It should have something to show for it. Paraguay, Bolivia and Peru - besides the usual chaos - at least have somewhat of an excuse, since they took a huge pounding with the Argentina/Brazil crisis, and are slowly recovering.
In a bizarre twist, Venezuelan writer, Marianella Salazar points out in this blog, Chavez petro-dollars somehow enabled miserable, broken, Cuba to meet its goals. Truth is, when you are scraping the bottom of the barrel, two slices of bread a day counts as an improvement over one. But still is ironic, considering how backward the place is, that it still tops the country that bankrolls it.
It may be gifted with a once-in-a-lifetime oil bonanza, but disfunction, delusion, and plain waste sums up Chavez' Venezuela. A government that combines the efficiency, incentives, and rationality of central planned economies with the transparency and honesty of crony capitalism. A leader who boasts about being a large donor to eliminate hunger in Africa, but can't do it at home. Where price controls mean the poor do not find milk in stores, but imported cheese and whiskey are available with cash. Where subsidized oil means the rich fill up their Hummer(s) with gas for under a dime a gallon. Don't expect much to change, Chavez new constitution will simply enshrine his way of doing business permanently.
A top UN official gave a progress report, on Latin American countries committed to the 1996 Global Food Summit goals on reducing hunger by half by the year 2015. Buried in the EFE article, is news that the petro-kleptocracy in power in Venezuela, is lagging the furthest behind in meeting the goals among Latin Americans, joining Bolivia, Peru and Paraguay.
The UN agency (FAO)reported 11 percent of Venezuelans were suffering from malnourishment in 90-92, a number that went up by the late 90's and was at 18% in 2001 and 17% in 2002, already several years into Chavez rule. Since then, and with big fanfare, the Chavista government has enacted and financed all sorts of anti-poverty/anti-hunger schemes. On paper, it looks like the Petro-state, flush with oil revenue, has directed significant resources to try and tackle the problem. The Venezuelan supremo boasts about how much his government has helped the poor the past 9 years, a sentiment echoed by lemmings everywhere who loudly claim that socialism ala Venezuelais the alternative to "evil neo-liberalism." In places like Bolivia this is actually taken seriously.
But according to the regimes own publications, as of November of 06, the number of people suffering malnutrition was still hovering at 19 percent. So it looks like the present government has barely managed to catch up with the population growth, much less do anything to resolve such a basic problem. Chavez is supposed to be an agent of change. Despite much lower oil prices, dealing with food riots, and coup-happy Teniente Coroneles, less Venezuelans went hungry under Chavez nemesis Carlos Andres Perez.
You can argue about the percentages and population increases, but you can't argue with oil prices: a barrel of oil was $25 dollars in 03, and it is nearing $100 now. The governments revenues wildly exceed its own forecasts, and it has more power over it than previous governments. It should have something to show for it. Paraguay, Bolivia and Peru - besides the usual chaos - at least have somewhat of an excuse, since they took a huge pounding with the Argentina/Brazil crisis, and are slowly recovering.
In a bizarre twist, Venezuelan writer, Marianella Salazar points out in this blog, Chavez petro-dollars somehow enabled miserable, broken, Cuba to meet its goals. Truth is, when you are scraping the bottom of the barrel, two slices of bread a day counts as an improvement over one. But still is ironic, considering how backward the place is, that it still tops the country that bankrolls it.
It may be gifted with a once-in-a-lifetime oil bonanza, but disfunction, delusion, and plain waste sums up Chavez' Venezuela. A government that combines the efficiency, incentives, and rationality of central planned economies with the transparency and honesty of crony capitalism. A leader who boasts about being a large donor to eliminate hunger in Africa, but can't do it at home. Where price controls mean the poor do not find milk in stores, but imported cheese and whiskey are available with cash. Where subsidized oil means the rich fill up their Hummer(s) with gas for under a dime a gallon. Don't expect much to change, Chavez new constitution will simply enshrine his way of doing business permanently.
Venezuela: The Hummer Revolution
No this is not an offshoot of the 1960's Free Love Movement. It rather has to do with GM's large SUV, and a quote by Hugo Chavez picked up by the NYT...
“What kind of a revolution is this?” the president said on his television show this month, after a report here that General Motors was planning to import 3,000 Hummers to meet a rising demand. “One of Hummers?”
This is hilarious.....In the disfunctional "Boliviarian 21st Century Socialist" Republic there are enough people scamming the Venezuelan governments coffers directly or indirectly - or selling stuff to the first two groups, to be able to import these monsters, which they then fill up with subsidized gas at 7 cents a gallon.
This is typical of the lunacy of the Chavista "robber-lution". On the one hand oil rent is purposefully filtered to the rich in order to keep them happy with the Coup-plotter in chief. On the other hand, many of Chavez' "anti-neo-liberal" policies of centralizing power over finances and oil production and expanding the state, have enabled crazy levels of corruption to go unchecked. More bling for the new and old rich alike.
The poor on the other hand, get good old fashioned socialism: they have to wait a long time for buses.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Chavez Threatens Bolivian Opposition
Looking for proof Chavez has his claws into Bolivia, and that Evo Morales seems almost a puppet of the Venezuelan strongman? Yesterday Chavez directly threatened the Bolivian opposition on his weekly show, broadcast from Cuba of all places. Saying that Venezuelans "will not sit still" if Evo is overthrown or killed by the Bolivian "oligarchy", and that it would be a "Vietnam of machine guns" they would face. He also helpfully indicated that "compromise" with "oligarchs" was impossible.
While the lemmings who are quick to chime in about all sorts of abuses of soveirgnity by the US, World Bank, and IMF, they ignore the Chavista petro-kleptocracy's heavy handed diplomacy. And heavy handed it is. Petro-dollars and bad advice are spread around to ideological allies. And the Boliviarian Supremo then takes a paternal interest in seeing his schemes go through. Take the case of Bolivia's Constituent Assembly - which Chavez brought up in his tirade. The MAS "proposal" is almost a cliff notes version of Chavez own "revisions" to Venezuelas Constitution. That Evo Morales has to contend with an effective opposition, which knows what lies in store if the document is approved, must drive Chavez nuts.
Morales selectively appeals to Bolivian's strong nationalism only when convenient. It is clear he will put his ideological preferences over sovereignity, as when he shamefully celebrated Che and the Cuban communist invaders of 1967 over the protests of his own Army. A U.S. Ambassador making comments about Bolivian politics is a sin, but allowing Evo's ideological mentor and paymaster to bully his opponents is perfectly ok within this context. One word for that: hypocrisy.
While the lemmings who are quick to chime in about all sorts of abuses of soveirgnity by the US, World Bank, and IMF, they ignore the Chavista petro-kleptocracy's heavy handed diplomacy. And heavy handed it is. Petro-dollars and bad advice are spread around to ideological allies. And the Boliviarian Supremo then takes a paternal interest in seeing his schemes go through. Take the case of Bolivia's Constituent Assembly - which Chavez brought up in his tirade. The MAS "proposal" is almost a cliff notes version of Chavez own "revisions" to Venezuelas Constitution. That Evo Morales has to contend with an effective opposition, which knows what lies in store if the document is approved, must drive Chavez nuts.
Morales selectively appeals to Bolivian's strong nationalism only when convenient. It is clear he will put his ideological preferences over sovereignity, as when he shamefully celebrated Che and the Cuban communist invaders of 1967 over the protests of his own Army. A U.S. Ambassador making comments about Bolivian politics is a sin, but allowing Evo's ideological mentor and paymaster to bully his opponents is perfectly ok within this context. One word for that: hypocrisy.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Friday, October 05, 2007
"Suitcase-Gate" Venezuelan Government Now Wants Crony Extradited To Argentina
Remember Guido Antonini Wilson? He is the Key Biscayne, Florida, Venezuelan-American caught in Buenos Aires with 800k in cash in a private plane full of top Venezuelan and Argentinian functiona ries. The Chavez government, through Venezuelan attorney General weighs in on
They are asking the US to extradite Antonini to Argentina where he is sought in charges of money laundering. The official, Isais Rodriguez, claims they want to "clear up why he did not declare that money, establish why he brought it, for what it was [meant] for....whether he was there to "launder money or launder consciences".
In Argentina this is a major scandal; if came right after multinational execs, and a Kirchner cabinet member in separate events were caught with large sums of cash. Argentina wants Antonini extradited to the US.
While Chavez has avoided much of a scandal at home, it has been an international embarrasment, followed up by a report by Transparency International naming Venezuela as one of the most corrupt governments in the world. It also raised the issue of Chavez involving himself in political campaigns, and financing of hard-left groups. But up to now they have managed to contain the damage, by distancing themselves from Antonini. They have also claimed not having jurisidiction over Antonini, a US Citizen and residing in Florida.
Why Venezuela suddenly changed course is unclear. What is clear is that Antonini did business with a circle of companies and individuals close to the Chavista leadership, who got large contracts with the oil-rich state. The businessman obviously beneffited; he went from a modest distributor of tractor parts, to owning millions of dollars worth of condos in luxurious Key Biscayne in a couple of years.
Had this money been on route to Miami or the Caymans, you could chalk it up to money laundering. But it was going to Argentina on a plane full or Venezuelan and Argentinian officials. Some theorized it was a campaign contribution to Mrs. Kirchner, payments to radical mass movements allied of Chavez, or to pay some sort of business deal. Antonini told customs in Argentina that right before this trip, he had been at a luncheon with Chavez and was then and there told to go to Argentina, not even having time to bring a coat along. Antonini - by many accounts an affable fellow - had some level of confidence with top government officials in Venezuela, since he had made several trips to Uruguay and Argentina - accompanied by top Venezuelan officials.
This is a messy picture, it is hard to tell Chavista Official from pro-Chavez businessman, sanctioned or un-sanctioned business, official foreign policy from covert foreign policy, international trade or bribery.
It all boils down to what Antonini knows, and to who he says it to. At the moment the FBI (and one imagines the CIA) are talking to him - and Venezuela's government has a lot of reasons to be concerned. There is an unconfirmed report in South Florida's Venezuelan (anti-Chavez)press, that Antonini has already told them that he was not the "bagman", but was the designated fall guy when it became clear the passengers were going to be searched. That would directly place Argentine or Venezuelan officials with the 800K in cash.
These same reports in Miami also say that Antonini has already given up quite a bit to the Feds: not only Chavista corruption, but also payoffs to foreign governments and leaders. Venezuela's government has million$ of ways to convince him, and something might be worked out with Argentina. You never know, but the guy knows enough to have both governments worried.
They are asking the US to extradite Antonini to Argentina where he is sought in charges of money laundering. The official, Isais Rodriguez, claims they want to "clear up why he did not declare that money, establish why he brought it, for what it was [meant] for....whether he was there to "launder money or launder consciences".
In Argentina this is a major scandal; if came right after multinational execs, and a Kirchner cabinet member in separate events were caught with large sums of cash. Argentina wants Antonini extradited to the US.
While Chavez has avoided much of a scandal at home, it has been an international embarrasment, followed up by a report by Transparency International naming Venezuela as one of the most corrupt governments in the world. It also raised the issue of Chavez involving himself in political campaigns, and financing of hard-left groups. But up to now they have managed to contain the damage, by distancing themselves from Antonini. They have also claimed not having jurisidiction over Antonini, a US Citizen and residing in Florida.
Why Venezuela suddenly changed course is unclear. What is clear is that Antonini did business with a circle of companies and individuals close to the Chavista leadership, who got large contracts with the oil-rich state. The businessman obviously beneffited; he went from a modest distributor of tractor parts, to owning millions of dollars worth of condos in luxurious Key Biscayne in a couple of years.
Had this money been on route to Miami or the Caymans, you could chalk it up to money laundering. But it was going to Argentina on a plane full or Venezuelan and Argentinian officials. Some theorized it was a campaign contribution to Mrs. Kirchner, payments to radical mass movements allied of Chavez, or to pay some sort of business deal. Antonini told customs in Argentina that right before this trip, he had been at a luncheon with Chavez and was then and there told to go to Argentina, not even having time to bring a coat along. Antonini - by many accounts an affable fellow - had some level of confidence with top government officials in Venezuela, since he had made several trips to Uruguay and Argentina - accompanied by top Venezuelan officials.
This is a messy picture, it is hard to tell Chavista Official from pro-Chavez businessman, sanctioned or un-sanctioned business, official foreign policy from covert foreign policy, international trade or bribery.
It all boils down to what Antonini knows, and to who he says it to. At the moment the FBI (and one imagines the CIA) are talking to him - and Venezuela's government has a lot of reasons to be concerned. There is an unconfirmed report in South Florida's Venezuelan (anti-Chavez)press, that Antonini has already told them that he was not the "bagman", but was the designated fall guy when it became clear the passengers were going to be searched. That would directly place Argentine or Venezuelan officials with the 800K in cash.
These same reports in Miami also say that Antonini has already given up quite a bit to the Feds: not only Chavista corruption, but also payoffs to foreign governments and leaders. Venezuela's government has million$ of ways to convince him, and something might be worked out with Argentina. You never know, but the guy knows enough to have both governments worried.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
CIA Tried Killing Castro......Um....We Know....Too Bad They Failed
Too bad they failed. Every now and then I go through the obituaries
in the Miami Herald. Each days tally is invariably full of older
Cubans, forced to leave by Castro's stupidity, who died in exile after
waiting for 50 years for something to change in the island. Just the other day, Dr. Emilio Ochoa the last drafter of Cuba's well-renowned (in Latin America) 1940 Constitution passed away here in Miami. He is emblematic of the parents and grandparents of many Miamians who are slowly dying in exile. All the while Fidel continues to rot away, much like the island he has suffocated for 50 years.
Castro
was not "forced" into his Banana Leninistic rule by US policy, and
given how stubborn the guy is, doubt he would have "changed" in any way
to allow for an opening, at least while the Soviets were around.
At
the time the CIA was plotting to kill and overthrow Fidel, people who
originally sympathized with the revolution and commited democrats like
the late Mr. Ochoa. were leaving in droves. Non-communists were being
purged from the army, civil society was being shut down, prisons were
filling up.
Killing Castro in 61 or 62 might have changed the
internal dynamics of the revolution, which in the long run has depended
on the charisma, leadership, and strategic vision of one person. We
will never know now. But things might have been a lot different, and
older Cubans in Miami might have the confort of living the last days in
their country of birth -- under a democratic government.
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