PING – Hugo is at it again!
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Posted on 04/06/2006 3:28:11 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
A small group in the Venezuelan state of Zulia -- a state critical to the nation's oil industry -- has caused a stir by pushing for more autonomy.
MARACAIBO, Venezuela - The state of Zulia has always thought of itself as the Texas of Venezuela -- a land dominated by oil, cattle and largely conservative politicians. So it's no surprise that some of its people would want more autonomy.
''We want our own government,'' said Néstor Suárez, an economics professor and president of the pro-autonomy group Own Way. ``We are against big central governments.''
That central government, of course, is run by President Hugo Chávez, whose politics and economics are moving toward socialism in the mold of Cuba -- expanding social-service programs and seizing some ''idle'' lands and factories.
Suárez -- whose movement favors traditional capitalist policies -- said the group is still in its early stages but is not seeking independence from Venezuela. He likens its goal to Spain's Catalonia province and China's Hong Kong, areas with semi-autonomous economic and political systems.
But Own Way's ideas nevertheless are causing a national stir, with Chávez charging that the Bush administration, which he has repeatedly accused of trying to topple him, is backing the proposal in an attempt to grab Zulia's vast oil reserves.
The United States has called all of the accusations ridiculous.
Still, Zulia is important. With about four million people in an area the size of West Virginia, it has the second-highest population and is one of the richest of Venezuela's states. Its Lake Maracaibo is one of the country's main oil-producing areas.
VOLATILE AREA
Zulia is also one of Venezuela's most volatile regions.
Gov. Manuel Rosales is one of only two opposition state governors in the country and has been touted as a possible opponent to Chávez in December presidential elections.
Left-wing guerrillas from neighboring Colombia regularly kidnap local landowners for ransom; Zulia farmers have been known to arm themselves in defense.
But although its idea has perked up some ears, Own Way is still a small organization, while Chávez's Bolivarian movement has control over the country's Legislature and, many argue, its courts -- making any legal move toward self-rule difficult.
''Here, there is no ideological counter [to Chávez] . . . and if we don't provide that, we'll lose our individual liberties,'' Suárez told The Miami Herald. ``If we don't change the system of this country, we're going into the abyss.''
`FIFTH COLUMN'
Chávez has tried to use the autonomy rumblings to his political advantage, accusing Rosales of fostering a ''fifth column'' that is trying to subvert his government and lashing out at Washington, which he regularly accuses of having designs on the world's fifth-largest oil exporter.
''They are forming a secessionist, imperialist government to take over the oil wealth from here. They won't succeed,'' Chávez said last month on his weekly TV and radio program, Hello, President! 'Rosales should say, `I'm crazy for you, Mr. Bush.' ''
`REPUBLIC OF ZULIA'
U.S. Ambassador William Brownfield has denied the charges, which he says stemmed from a joking comment he made two years ago about the ''Republic of Zulia,'' where the ambassador once worked early in his diplomatic career.
'Ninety-nine percent of Zulians, just like 99 percent of Texans, like to talk about the `Republic of Zulia,' not because they're planning to secede, but because they think very highly of themselves,'' the native of Texas told The Miami Herald.
''I know young Zulians and old Zulians, tall Zulians and short Zulians, fat Zulians and skinny Zulians, happy Zulians and sad Zulians. I don't know any secessionist Zulians,'' Brownfield added.
Rosales, who has not formally announced his candidacy for the presidency, was not available for comment. But on local radio, he has said that Own Way was turning Venezuelans against Zulians.
''Just as we are proud of being Zulians, our heart pounds for Venezuela,'' he said. ``We wouldn't exchange Venezuela for anyone . . . nor would we sell it to imperialism or any other foreign power -- not Cuba or Fidel Castro.''
GOVERNOR'S PROBLEMS
Despite the governor's efforts to distance himself from Own Way, his problems may be only beginning.
The attorney general's office announced last month that it was formally charging Rosales with participating in a 2002 coup that briefly ousted Chávez from power -- because he signed a decree issued by the interim president.
An investigation is pending, but on Hello, President! Chávez said the governor should be ''taken prisoner'' to preserve the integrity of the country's borders.
For its part, Own Way is proposing an unofficial referendum on the autonomy question, alleging that official channels have been blocked for a formal plebiscite.
Members say they hope their message of opposition to Chávez will spread and provide a voice for other Venezuelans who do not support Chávez.
`THE ANTIDOTE'
Abstention in recent legislative elections reached 70 percent amid a boycott by opposition parties that allege that Chávez also controls the electoral system.
''We're the only ones who have the antidote,'' Suárez said.
For more information on Own Way, go to
http://rumbopropio.org.ve
Countdown to the first charge that the CIA is fomenting revolution in a South American country. 3...2...1....
If they arent , maybe they should. Chavez needs to be stopped.
I agree.
Educational post. Thanks.
No "maybe" about it. Pat Robertson may be a bit of a crackpot, but he was dead on about Chavez.
I have said it before, I will repeat it. I simply cannot understand why a person like Chavez exists. He could take the oil riches of his country and turn that place into a paradise. No one wants to attack his country , he has no need to spend the wealth of his people on arms. What is so hard for me to understand is why his people allow him to waste all that money on weapons he has no need for. He is just another ignorant tin-pot would-be dictator in the same mode as Saddam Hussein and Adolph Hitler. A mad man who will destroy his country while seeking power.
Related info here.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1609813/posts
Thank you for the LINK!
-bttt-
Unfortunately, economic development is not that simple, and the price is not that of 100,000 AK47's.
Nice!
Economic development when you have millions coming in shouldnt be that tough.
And your opinion is based on what? It is tough, no matter what.
I am sorry I forgot I havent a right to an opinion, I bow to your financial acumen, obviously you are an expert.
If all you have is an opinion, it's not worth much. Put an attitude with it and you haven't gained anything, at all. You might look up banana republic to see the disadvantages of economies based on one thing. Check out the curse of petro dollars and see how out of step you are. Then you might explain why someone who believes in central planning is doing in a conservative group?
This is a forum and as you say maybe my opinion isnt worth much. Sorry you dont feel I have a right to be here..
Is it really so wrong that I feel Chavez should stop buying weapons and try to help his people?
The curse of Petro dollars seems to me to be in who gets to decide how to spend them, Kuwait seems to be doing ok by helping its citizens and not wasting it all on weapons.
I really didnt know I was for central planning. I am not, I am for people getting the opportunity to earn themselves a livlihood and I am for spending the Petro dollars to help people in that endeavor. If you properly spend that money the economy wont be based on one thing, . It will be diversified . If you waste money buying weapons to give to insurgents in other countries and seeking to develop a dictatorial power with Cuba and spread Socialism and a dictatorship throughout South America as I believe Chavez is doing you sure arent helping Venezuela. Now if that isnt Conservative thinking dont know what is. Nor do
I care , As Popeye said I am what I am and if that doesnt suit you , you can shove off mate.
Attitude ?/ you must mean your own, I dont have one. I speak my piece and go about my business.
I think everyones opinion is worth something, although i cant see how yours is very helpful , but if you think Chavez is wise to throw away money on weapons while his impoverished people suffer thats fine with me.
You are right it isnt easy to establish an economy but the price of 100,000 AK47 rifles is a start. That and whatever else he is throwing away on weapons.
This comes in the light of the disinformation that Chavez and Russia has came up with regarding weapons sales. According to ONE source, Venezuela cancelled it's AK contract with Russia. I don't believe this, however. I think that it is a way for Russia to reassure the US.
The Weapons will still be sold to Venezuela, however...
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