Our friend Hugo (VZ)

[cannon_fodder]

Following his failed Coup in 1992 and subsiquent rise to power, Hugo has continued to play his hand in South America (feel free to skip to the link at the bottom):

1. Term limits abolished
2. Increase length of term
3. Right to dictate law by decree
4. Executive over site of the judiciary (read: he gets to make the laws, he gets to interpret the laws, he gets to enforce the laws, and he gets to oversee the enforcement)
5. State control of the media (not really enforced)

Even more draconian measures (el presidente for life) were voted down and his military advisor's told him they would not support him against a popular uprising (according to the Washington post).

He has also implemented socialist reforms including:
1. Land redistribution (never really materialized)
2. Nationalizing Oil Company Assets (which recently backfired as Exxon has won a World Court order to freeze VZ assets in response)
3. Increased taxes on the wealthy (causing many to either leave the country or transfer wealth out of VZ jurisdiction)
4. Bans on the export of "essential" Venezuelan goods (bread, rice, shoes, etc.)
5. Added bank regulation (limiting investment while mandating some terms)
6. Continuously threatened nationalization of industries (read: no more investment in those)

Politically has:
1. Grown close ties to Castro & Iran
2. Publicly supported the FARC (once a communist revolutionary force turned drug cartel)
3. Repeatedly threatened the United States (VZ largest trading partner)
4. Withdrawn the VZ ambassador from Israel (calling the Israelis the "new Nazi's")
5. Severed the alliance between the US and VZ military's (while making large military purchases)
6. Irritated many Latin American countries (Columbia, Peru, Mexico...) by commenting on their upcoming elections or currente administrations.


Meanwhile, since he has taken power the per capita GDP has fallen, inflation remains above 10% (well above by many estimates), unemployment has risen to 13%, and foreign investment has nearly dried up.  Food and other necessity shortages are a chronic problem and have been met with threats of nationalizing the dairy industry, grain cooperatives, and various other industries.  The drug cartels are increasing their activity as the production, consumption, and export of cocaine in VZ increases.  

Not that it is all bad.  The infant mortality rate has declined from 18% to 10% thanks to free clinics and VZ was the first country to offer aid to Louisiana after Katrina.   He has also accepted election results thus far and only mildly intimidated/removed political foes.

But what's more interesting than all that, is that the Washington Post is commenting on his:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/10/AR2008021001969.html

It's the economy stupid!  Less jobs, less money, less foreign investment, less necessities on the shelves - even with free gas and improved health care things are no longer going well.  He wanted to turn VZ into the next Cuba and he is close to succeeding.  

Lets hope for a transition soon and hope it's a quick one.

[Breadburner]

Some of his own will take care of him soon enough....