Carter: Chavez Becoming Authoritarian

BOGOTA, Colombia — Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter says he is disappointed by Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez and concerned he is increasingly shifting toward an authoritarian regime.

Carter says Chavez initially helped the country by sharing national wealth. But Carter says Chavez is now consolidating political power, making it "almost impossible" for the Obama Administration to establish friendly relations with Venezuela.

Carter also said the United States may have played a role in an abortive coup against Chavez.

"I think there is no doubt that in 2002, the United States had at the very least full knowledge about the coup, and could even have been directly involved," Carter said.

His interview was published Sunday by Colombia's newspaper El Tiempo.

Comments

[anticapitalist1983]

here is a good chavez coup documentary, shot by an Irish film crew who happened to be there when the coup was attempted.
it shows the US involvement: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5832390545689805144

here's the wikipedia entry for the documentary: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Revolution_Will_Not_Be_Televised_(documentary)

also, why is there all these rightwing israelis on here talking about hamas?
its israel's fault hamas was elected, because they refused to stop their APARTH.EID under Fatah so people said "why are we sticking with the moderates when they aren't able to make our lives better?" stop aparth.eid israel!
jews against the oc.cupation: www.jatonyc.org/

[Alabama John]

Yes known at least by everyone in Central and South America, that our hero Chávez is fantastic revolutionary who is destined to shake Empire USA square out of its boots.

Could be that President Obama is secretly planning to turn all of our hemisphere into a perfect form of democracy, one totally free of the inherent corruption in capitalism with all its excessive wealth.

Just look at the way he is handling the military coup in Honduras, for a popular uprising is growing in leaps and bounds.

Just look at how Obama is installing three new military bases in Columbia for an instant invasion of Venezuela, moved into South American waters the U.S. Navy Forth Fleet complete with two aircraft carriers, and has all of the Americas so upset that they may do to us what we have done to Cuba for a half century.

[Alabama John]

And look at how Obama has allowed capitalist medicine to establish an excessive wealth dictatorship over all who are sick. Also given it 50 million new customers in addition to compulsory health insurance, surely an excessive wealth dictatorship over all who are well.

[Alabama John]

I know it’s pure illusion, but we can dream, at least capitalism can’t take that away from us.

[jsijason]

We're beholden to the military industry here and all the nefarious groups that pull the levers of that behemoth vacuum. The President is largely ornamental when it comes to foreign affairs.

The US military is becoming the international bulldozer for the 1% club. Knocking countries over and protecting the resources so Big Biz can come in and "rebuild".

The corruption is very obvious to the people in the US paying attention. The challenge is not enough are paying attention yet.

[MaxwellEdison]

"Chavez becoming authoritarian"????

Carter, becoming coherent, is surprised by what everyone else has known for years.

[somefool]

Too bad Ronnie was never coherent.

[Alabama John]

Yes known at least by everyone in Central and South America, that our hero Chávez is a fantastic revolutionary who is destined to shake Empire USA square out of its boots.

[Rule Of Law]

A real funny thing just happened.

I opened my paper to the letters to the Editor.

And there I found 3 letters from hard-core neocons "citizens" who write regularly (one might almost say, like they were on a deadline) regarding President Carter that sounded like a shopping list of the same complaints were getting here from the "hate anyone who's a Democrat" crowd.

I mean, almost word for word. Too close for coincidence.

A carefully structured re-writing of history hitting all the same lies and distortions, almost to the letter.

I've seen it on other issues too, where the right tries to bury the truth beneath an avalanche of right wing talking points.

They need to be more careful. Their slip is beginning to show...

[lj9283]

Right Wing propaganda organizations do email blasts with talking points that the Right Wing posters copy and paste.

[Rule Of Law]

I had a feeling about that. They are organized. All that writing off of the Repub party earlier this year was just MSM hype.

[Alabama John]

Our CIA organized, executed and to a large part funded the 2002 military coup in Venezuela, which lasted two day, the time it took a majority of the people to organize a mass rebellion.

So now as Empire USA needs to stop Chávez from using his oil to establish true democracy throughout the hemisphere, as it would surely bring true democracy to our capitalist Congress, first thing on the agenda is to erase from memory the evil we did to Venezuela in the past.

So comes now Carter, a rich plantation owner from the deep south, and he to tell us that President Chávez is a dictator and that the CIA really have had nothing to do with the coup of 2002.

[John Cockreham]

The folks that are agreing with Pres. Carter are probably smoking the same peanut shells.

[SmileyBrooks]

First he is saying there is a racial problem in America, now we were part of a Coup...
Can someone please post the warning signs of alzheimer's again?!!

[PortlandZoo]

you wish you were as smart as this guy. Do you have a Nobel Prize? did you serve as POTUS? Carter actually loves his country and isn't afraid of the wingers - an anomaly these days.

[Rule Of Law]

I think for the warning signs of Alheimer's, folks here could just read more of Smiley's post. LOL

I agree with you, Portland--Carter is a real patriot with a conscience, and he's more than earned the right to his opinion.

[Badfickle]

Why does the US being part of a Coup surprise you? do you seriously believe we don't do that? here are Nixon's declassified documents detailing our involvement in the coup against Allende in Chile so that we could set up Pinochet.

http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB8/ch20-01.htm

[Badfickle]

http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB8/nsaebb8.htm

[skaprt]

Let's see Carter put Khomeini into power in Iran, he let Cuba send boat loads of convicted criminals to the U.S., he conducted a flawed and foolish effort to rescue the Iranian hostages and he drove the U.S. economy into the ground. Now he's a spokesman for Chavez, a dictator who has nationalized Venezuela's private industry, shut down 80% of it's free media, imprisoned political opponents and is militarizing central America. Let's just name Carter the moro**n, dictator supporter, ex-President of the United States.

[Rule Of Law]

No, the CIA put Khomeini into power by engineering the coup in 1953 that installed the Shah against the wishes of the people. That puppet dictator of the US set the stage for the uprising that led to the Khomeini. Blame the US government one more time for meddling where it shouldn't--Just like in Venezuela and Honduras!

[Alabama John]

To qualify as a paid actor president, one must not only know what is going on, but be purchased body and soul by those rich and powerful who control what is going on.

Comes now Carter, a millionare plantation owner from the deep south, and he to communicate thought control brainwash to lock us in darkness with the fiction idea that President Chávez is a dictator and that the CIA may have had nothing to do with the 2002 military coup destruction of all democracy in Venezuela.

For Venezuela has the largest oil reserves on earth, Empire USA is in a hurry to plunder it by a preemptive envision, but first all evil done to Venezuela must be erased from memory.

[constitutional 1]

Carter didnt know what was going on when he was president. He is defintely one the 35 million with dimensia NPR was discussing this morning.

[Rule Of Law]

I think you meant "dementia" but you probably forgot...

[Badfickle]

lol

[Passenger57]

I recall when Chavez was kicked out and the new Carmona administration was "introduced"... did the freedom-an­d-democrac­y-loving Bush administration condemn them for overthrowing the democratic­ally-elect­ed Chavez? No, they WELCOMED the Carmona administration to the fold...for the two days it lasted.
Then, when Chavez was reinstalled, the Bush administration made it out like it was a 'lesson learned'...for Chavez!
When I think of how woefully undercovered that was - along with the spiriting away of Haiti's Aristide in 2004, and compare it to what's getting coverage with Pres. Obama today, I wonder if the media ever takes a good look at themselves in the mirror.

[Alabama John]

Our mainstream media is all owned or financed by rich multinational corporations, and a great many have billions invested in Central and South America, especially their natural resources.

Surely we are being brainwashed by a media to a large extent not owned by those who live in the U.S., a freighting thing to reflect on.

[guajiro]

It is certainly frightening.
" the magazine Newsweek noted that Pedro Carmona "was seen leaving Cisneros' office" before going to the Government Palace to swear in as provisional president.

According to Newsweek, Venezuelan legislator Pedro Pablo Alcantara said that the brief Carmona dictatorship was organized in Cisneros' offices, and that Cisneros was the "supreme commander" of the operation.

* Newsweek also said that Otto Reich had spoken with Cisneros "two or three times" during the events of the coup.

One of the calls was made by Cisneros to warn Reich on April 13 that a crowd of angry Chavez supporters had surrounded the building housing his TV station, Venevision.

According to Venezuelan sources, on April 11, 2002, when a confrontation took place between Chavez supporters and opponents resulting in 25 deaths, most of them Chavez supporters, Pedro Carmona wasn't in the streets. Rather, he was comfortably installed in Venevision's bunker, together with Episcopal Conference President Baltazar Porras, journalistic businessman Rafael Poleo, and other figures.

Billionaire Gustavo CisnerosTherefore, it's not strange that Cisneros has been identified as Bush Jr.'s prospect to confront Hugo Chavez in future presidential elections, which could take place earlier than scheduled if the opposition wins the US-supported presidential recall referendum. "
http://www.globalexchange.org/countries/americas/venezuela/2181.html

[Peelo]

"May have had"....Lmao.
"Sky may be blue..."

[ayito]

I've just registered as a new user to this blog, just to reply this news about carter. In 2004 The carter center was mediating a electoral dispute in Venezuela. Chavez clearly cheated and Mr. Carter said at that moment that the results were ok. If he hadn't, then Chavez would probably not be in power today. Every single Venezuelan who hates chaves, also hates mr carter for being on Chavez side when it mattered.

[Alabama John]

Chavez has won 11 elections, all by an overwhelming landslide, and latest poll shows 71% popular support.

As the rich nobility own 70% of media in Venezuela, as they are now broadcasting daily, "Assonate Chavez," if what you say is true, why have they not accused him of election fraud?

[guajiro]

Sorry, NOT posting any links or way to verify your accusation about such a serious violation of law by President Carter makes it only.........how should I say it........­.hmmm.....­.......I know, AN OPINION !!. Were it to be true, or at least have some substance of veracity to it, the media, especially the conservative media, would be on it like oil lobbyists on politicians when they see oil in a country militarily weaker than the U.S. Lemme S'plain. Example 1: Did you hear about Bush admitting that the U.S. financed the insurrection in Georgia last year? What? You didn't? Of course not, because I j ust made it up. See how that works? Now if I had posted links verifying my accusations, why then they'd be plausible, no? Try it.

[lj9283]

It's always good to not post fake information when posting, as facts are easy to look up.

The false "electoral dispute" to which you refer is the 2004 recall election which a record number Venezuelan of voters turned out to defeat the recall attempt with a 59% "no" vote. (70% of the electorate turned put to vote).

[escomments]

Gee. It's interesting how most posters are more indignant that the US might have helped to overthrow a wanna-be dictator than they are that Chavez is becoming a dictator. After years of watching this guy, Carter is just now getting it.

[Alabama John]

Something key about this article on Venezuela. All these war loving capitalist posters coming in here, all these want-to-be dictators who hate the way Chavez is establishing true democracy throughout the Americas. Well eat your heart out conservatives, you are an ungodly dying race.

[PortlandZoo]

right you are John. Maybe these cons are upset at Chavez's "satan" remarks about their fave prez W - they were hilarious actually - Hugo said what we all were thinking. And given their penchant for only being interested in what's happening inside the lower 48, it's funny that they now have an "authoritative" opinion about south America.

And is it just me, or do some Americans criticize Jimmy Carter for sport - not for anything concrete?

[plaidsportcoat]

If the USA has apologized for trying to overthrow him BEFORE he was a dictator (he wasn't ALWAYS one) he and Venezuela's electorate that elected him several times would have felt more secure in their country. If the USA had acknowledged and apologized for their coup support BEFORE he was authoritarian leaning, he most likely would not have turned in that direction. The USA's threatening actions toward a democratic country, with a democratically elected president - which there was no question about at the time of the coup - caused a lot of problems with one of our MAJOR oil suppliers. Because Bushco wants to support only their OWN dictatorships of rich people like in Honduras, Chavez took a defensive stance of necessity - the USA tried to overthrow him by supporting the MINORITY that lost the election in Venezuela. Venezuela has been run by a bunch of rich families, even during their democratic years. It used to always be in the top 5 most corrupt countries. in the world. It's still corrupt, but I tell ya, the POOR people, who have always been the LARGE majority, are mostly happier on the whole. NOthing's perfect, but Chavez gave American citizens cheap heating oil so they wouldn't get completely in debt - or just die of the cold.

[Alabama John]

Same old clap-trap, he was good, but now is bad and therefore he is rotten.

Well eat your heart out capitalist, for our hero Chavez is a great orator, gifted statesman and destined to save the Americas from ungodly Empire USA.

[guajiro]

"Because Bushco wants to support only their OWN dictatorships of rich people like in Honduras, Chavez took a defensive stance of necessity - the USA tried to overthrow him by supporting the MINORITY that lost the election in Venezuela. Venezuela has been run by a bunch of rich families, even during their democratic years."
Boy, is your statement "Right on".
http://www.globalexchange.org/countries/americas/venezuela/2181.html
" Billionaire Gustavo CisnerosTherefore, it's not strange that Cisneros has been identified as Bush Jr.'s prospect to confront Hugo Chavez in future presidential elections, which could take place earlier than scheduled if the opposition wins the US-supported presidential recall referendum.

57-year-old Gustavo Cisneros Rendiles has a fortune of around US$5 billion, one of the largest in Latin America, after Mexican Carlos Slim.

Of Cuban origin, Cisneros is the majority shareholder in Univision, the largest Spanish language TV chain in the United States, and he possesses channels with vast audiences in other countries, such as Venevision in Venezuela, ChileVision, Caracol Television of Colombia, and Caribbean Communications Network. He also owns the bottler Panamco, and is a major shareholder in Coca Cola.

Gustavo Cisneros goes on fishing excursions in Venezuela as well as Florida with his friend George Bush, demonstrating that capital has neither scruples nor ideology. Cisneros also cultivated relationships in the Clinton administration through former Carter administration Secretary of State Cyrus Vance. "
It's one of the reasons Hillary Clinton was not supported by liberal voters.

[plaidsportcoat]

Poor people care less about what form of government as long as they are getting a better deal in life, duh. Let's not forget, Chavez is very well educated and is the FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN president of Venezuela. He also accomplished something, and he means a lot to the poor and lower middle classes. They are the great majority in VZLA, that's because of the greed of the previous "owners" - entirely their fault.

[VanillaCreme]

FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN president of Venezuela? LMAO.
Chavez is American? It's sad that uneducated people like you can vote in America.

[Alabama John]

Carter a paid actor then, a paid actor now and the smoke screen goes on. For we think we have a real government because many theatrics blind the mind by burning the emotions.

Empire USA ,

(1) Just made safe and secure its base in Honduras by a military coup.

(2) Just made sure it can invade Venezuela instantly by three more military bases in Columbia.

(3) Just reactivated the entire Forth Fleet of the U.S. Navy complete with two state-of-the-art aircraft carriers and has it deployed throughout Central and South America.

(4) Just had Ms. Clinton make big banks on her war drum accusing Venezuela of starting a weapons buildup, even though it is a fraction of the military budget of Brazil, Columbia and a half dozen other nations in our hemisphere.

Comes now smoke screen artist Carter, and he imploring us to focus on something that happened six years back in ancient history. Don't be brainwashed, it’s happening big and its happening now.