Hugo Chavez

Background: Hugo Chavez Early Life and Pre-Chavez Venezuela

Early Life• Born Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias on July 28, 1954 in Sabaneta,

Venezuela• The youngest son of schoolteachers Hugo de los Reyes Chávez and

Elena Frías de Chávez• Has two older brothers who also participated in Government• Lived in impoverished conditions and forced to live with

grandparents for most of his childhood and adolescence• At age 17, Chávez enrolled at the Venezuelan Academy of Military

Sciences• After graduating in 1975 as a sub-lieutenant with a degree in

Military Arts and Science, Chávez entered military service for several months

• He was then allowed to pursue graduate studies in political science at the Simón Bolívar University, but left without a degree

Background: Venezuela• President: Carlos Andres Perez• During campaign promised to go against Washington Consensus

and IMF• This sparks public outrage which led to protests and riots• Perez ordered for violent repression and massacre which is known

as El Caracazo • Caracazo: Caracas and azo• Perez ordered for violent repression and massacre which is known

as El Caracazo • El Caracazo left around 257 dead and many more injured and/or

disappeared• Disturbed by the Caracazo, rampant government corruption, the

domination of politics by the Venezuelan oligarchy

Continued

• and what he called "the dictatorship of the IMF" Chávez began making preparations for a military coup d'état

• his coup d’état was known as February 1992 Coup D’état which ultimately failed

Why We Hate Chavez

• OIL!!!• Venezuela has some of the largest oil and natural gas reserves

in the world, and consistently ranks among the top ten crude oil producers in the world

• The US was heavily involved in the Venezuelan oil industry and bought oil relatively cheap

• Venezuelan oil industry being nationalized and Chavez’ anti-US sentiment led to increased prices gas for the US which is bad for Business since we are so dependent on gas

• We don’t like him and he doesn’t like us

Chavez Comes to Power

• Promise of breaking up oligarchy

• New constitution

• Oil industry—liberal reforms and nationalization.

• Election in 2000, enabling act of 2001, and comprehensive land reform.

Chavez as the Incumbent

• Opposition by previous establishment and business

• Autocratic decree and implementation—49 laws

• Strikes and Protests– Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA)

– The Venezuelan Federation of Chambers (cámaras) of Commerce (fedecámaras)

– Confederación de Trabajadores de Venezuela

• Steady economic growth (higher % of growth than United States growth under Reagan)

2002 Coup

• Coordinadora Democrática

• Carlos Ortega, Pedro Carmona, Lucas Romero

• Conflicting reports, possible US involvement, political upheaval

• Chavez returns to power shortly; consolidates power to prevent further danger.– Installation of pro-Chavez commanders

– Increased aid and benefit given to military to discourage insurrection

Post-Coup Politics

• 4 “missions”– Guaicaipuro, Robinson, Sucre, Ribas

– Focus on education (Robinson for illiterate adults, Ribas for High Schoolers, Sucre for university scholarships)

– Guaicaipuro for the preservation of Venezuelan culture

•Presidential recall referendum (provided for in 1999 Const.)Petitions (20% of electorate needed)

Chavez victory (59% vote; illegal immigrant citizenship)

Election legitimacy (Carter Center)

Chavez Foreign Relations

• OPEC “Price Hawk”—focus on economy, anti-US goals

• Relations with Ahmadinejad—joined against United States

• Vocal outbursts against the “imperialist” United States

• Colombian rebel groups, Basque rebels—terrorist training– Ecuador coup attempt—Chavez’s anti-US allegations

• Otto Reich—United States’ rep. of Venezuela

Sources Consulted

• http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2002/apr/21/usa.venezuela

• http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/americas/10/18/insider.chavez/index.html

• http://cidh.org/countryrep/Venezuela2009eng/VE09.TOC.eng.htm

• http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6572615.stm

• http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,312161,00.html

• http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-03/chavez-says-u-s-is-behind-failed-coup-attempt-against-ecuador-s-correa.html