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Column 092010 Brewer

Monday, September 20, 2010

Venezuela's Opposition Hopes for Democratic

Transparency

By Jerry Brewer

With parliamentary elections in Venezuela nearing, on

September 26, the Venezuelan opposition is clearly
announcing their intention to restore democratic freedoms
such as human rights, as well as crystal clarity in their
government’s actions, inactions, motives, and accountability in
performance.

As for Chief of State and President Hugo Chavez, he says,

“We will crush them.”

Chavez has served as the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela’s

supreme leader since February of 1999. Opponents of his
regime are looking to force answers with new political blood as
to why the nation’s latest data graphically indicates one of the
worst economies in the world. With consumer prices currently
up at a 31% minimum, Venezuela’s inflation clearly leads most
of the global community. The expectations for continued
growth are high.

Opponents indicate years of frustration in understanding and

getting the facts on the flow of Venezuela’s oil wealth. Many
believe that Venezuela’s number eight standing in oil-
producing in the world should be “benefiting (Venezuela)
handsomely from high oil prices.” Too, a major concern has
been Chavez’s continued efforts in nationalizing firms in such
industries as cement, steel, agribusiness, banking, tourism, oil,
communications, and electricity. The opposition clearly cites
serious lack of priorities and fiscal mismanagement as the
culprits.

Venezuela’s massive military expansion, with purchases of

armaments including aircraft, tanks and an AK-47 arms
factory, are examples of the opposition’s rationale. Chavez’s
emerging nuclear aspirations are continuing voter’s doubts in
Venezuela’s future under an administration such as this.

So many of these perceptions by the opposition cast doubt in

their minds and a concern of potential threat to democratic
societies throughout Latin America. Are these viable
concerns?

Latin America is no stranger to revolution, dictators, corrupt

governments, and those regimes that seek to perpetuate their
control and power over the people indefinitely, and thus forcing
thousands to flee to countries that are free. Chavez’s courting
of investors from Russia, North Korea, and China doesn’t give
the Venezuelan people much comfort.

Chavez’s close ties to the other leftist regimes in the

hemisphere, with Cuba, Nicaragua, Bolivia and Ecuador, do
little to stimulate Venezuela’s economy. Chavez’s generous
gifts and discounts on oil have placed into serious focus where
a trillion dollars in oil revenue over a 5 year period has gone,
as the economic stability of a nation has fallen. The physical
infrastructure of Venezuela is in shambles, with deficiencies in
public utilities and related services. Inequality and poverty
continue to grow.

As the Chavez government was called on a world carpet of

concern in their alleged support and harboring of FARC
guerrillas and drug trade activity, Chavez once again
threatened war and launched troop movements. Colombia
was clear in their accusations and cited evidence. Chavez
quickly rallied by agreeing to pay Colombia $200 million on a
debt of over $800 million owed.

The obvious financial mismanagement in the Venezuelan

government leading to such misery and despair among the
people is indeed curious with a nation so rich in natural
resources. One wonders just how much corruption and
deception may be inherent in the leadership.

As the national election date nears, opposition voters are

expressing other concerns that demand clear answers.
Human rights have become a major concern, as Venezuelans
are consistently exposed to scandals within their homeland.

Judge Maria Lourdes Afiuni was put into prison for her release
of a banker pending trial. She stated that she acted within the
framework “of my constitutional competence in due process of
law.”

Last March Oswaldo Alvarez Paz was imprisoned after the

former state governor said on television, "The Venezuelan
regime has relations with structures that serve narco-
trafficking, like the FARC and others which exist in the
continent and the world."

And Chavez has responded to many of these incidents by

shutting down media outlets, restricting economic freedoms,
blaming his critics, and throwing other political opponents and
businessmen in jail.

There have also been allegations of a scheduled Venezuelan

airline making “mystery” flights every other Thursday, between
Venezuela, Syria and Iran, flights that were abruptly canceled
recently amid accusations that they were used primarily to
transport spies, terrorists and lethal cargo between the three
countries. Intelligence analysts stated, “There was no way
anyone could buy a ticket and travel without being vetted by
the Venezuelan or Iranian governments. And without passport
controls, flight manifests and other documents, it meant some
of the world's most dangerous men could travel without fear of
being uncovered.”

——————————
Jerry Brewer is C.E.O. of Criminal Justice International
Associates, a global threat mitigation firm headquartered
in northern Virginia. His website is located at www.cjiausa.org.