I know nothing about Venezuela's politics. What do people there think of Chavez?

Question

Is he popular? What are his good points/bad points?

What is it like living there as compared to the US?

Answer 1

Most corrupt leader in Latin America - High Oil Prices have given him the ability to pay off all of PDVSA's (Venezuelas oil company which has assets 5X the size of Exxon) debt on the New York Stock Exchange so they no longer need to be audited and report to the SEC.  Unaudited Statements and Political appointees after firing the technically adept personnel from before = Massive Party for Chavez and friends while paying off the supporters with easily affordable social programs.

Prior to Chavez oil was $10 a barrel and they produced 3.5 million per day.  It is now $70 a barrel and they only produce 2.5 million per day.  Nobody notices the waste because 2.5 X 70 is far greater than 10 X 3.5.  Chavez won the lottery with the Middle East crisis and Chinese consumption, but the people are poorer than they would have been under a less corrupt regime. Also, the spending is not on investment and the future it is for consumption, so when oil prices drop so may Chavez.  If oil prices don't drop, he will probably go on until he overspends or production grinds to a halt.

Answer 2

Chavez is a socialist but a socialist with a lot of money. Generally it's the poor that love him and the rich land owners that hate him. But he has done quite a lot of good in the country and still has massive support.

Ironically Venezuelan life is quite "American" (I'm from UK) but with a much more laid back latin feel. The people are great. One of the main differences between the US and Europe is the relaxed attitude to life. Despite the socialist leanings there is little "red tape" (pun intended).

I hope and pray that some how the extreme actions like closing RCTV can some how be checked politically.

Answer 3

i don't have anything against him. people ( the news, media etc.)talk **** because they happen to be rich and don't like the fact that someone is trying to speak up. he even made the pope apologize for the atrocities the catholic church did to indigenous people (slavery).

Answer 4

Here you go.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americas/0...

Someting conveiniantly left off CNN's front page.  He is a socialist in a time when socialism isn't working.

Answer 5

He is a socialist dictator that restricts freedom of speech.  He just shut down a TV station there just because he did not like it.  Wow, socialism is soooo wonderful.