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YOU BETTER SHUT YOUR MOUTH IN VENEZUELA

If you are planning to visit, better take notice !!

Sun Jul 22, 8:51 PM ET

CARACAS, Venezuela - President Hugo Chavez said Sunday that foreigners who publicly criticize him or his government while visiting Venezuela will be expelled from the country.

Chavez ordered officials to closely monitor statements made by international figures during their visits to Venezuela — and deport any outspoken critics.

"How long are we going to allow a person — from any country in the world — to come to our own house to say there's a dictatorship here, that the president is a tyrant, and nobody does anything about it?" Chavez asked during his weekly television and radio program.

The Venezuelan leader's statements came after Manuel Espino, the president of Mexico's conservative ruling party, criticized Chavez during a recent pro-democracy forum in Caracas.

Government opponents argue Chavez — a close ally of Cuban leader Fidel Castro — is becoming increasingly authoritarian and cracking down on dissent as he steers oil-rich Venezuela toward what he calls "21st-century socialism."

Chavez rejects such allegations, countering that democratic freedoms have been extended since he was first elected in 1998. The former paratroop commander says his government has empowered the poor by giving them increased decision-making authority in politics.

During Sunday's six-hour program, Chavez assured private property owners their rights will be guaranteed under a pending constitutional reform.

"Private property will respected," he said.

Many wealthy Venezuelans fear second homes, yachts or other assets could be seized as Chavez advances his Bolivarian Revolution, a movement named after South American independence hero Simon Bolivar. Chavez denies any such plans.

Chavez is expected to present his reform proposal to the National Assembly, which is completely controlled by his allies, in the coming weeks. Few details have emerged from a special executive committee that he appointed to draft a proposal for overhauling the country's charter.

Also Sunday, Chavez announced an initiative to slash the salaries of Venezuela's top public servants. He said no public servant should make more than $7,000 a month. Most Venezuelans make minimum wage — roughly $250 a month.

Reducing the pay of top officials has become a popular move in Latin America. The presidents Nicaragua, Bolivia, Peru and Costa Rica recently cut salaries, including their own, in response to widespread criticism.

In his typically wide-ranging television program, Chavez also said Castro recently warned him to take precautions against possible U.S.-backed assassination attempts.

He said Cuba's 80-year-old "Maximum Leader" gave him a copy of former CIA Director George Tenet's recently published memoir and told him: "'Read it, Chavez, because that is the most perfect killing machine ever invented and I'm a survivor ... I survived more than 600 (assassination) attempts.'"

"The CIA is everywhere," said Chavez, who has repeatedly warned that U.S. President George W. Bush could order him killed.

U.S. law has forbidden assassination attempts since the 1970s, and Washington denies the U.S. government has attempted to kill Castro since then.

By BAQ on Jul 23, 2007, 09:19 in Politics & the war.

Simon says on Jul 23, 2007, 09:36:

I wish they'd also expel foreigners who constantly criticize Coliombia while in Colombia. I can think of one I'd love to see kicked out!

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

kalder says on Jul 23, 2007, 09:38:

Second homes should be confiscated. They've played havoc with British rural communities.

Right, rant over. I'll leave the thread alone.

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

elmodefoque says on Jul 23, 2007, 09:45:

this would be a great place for "the kid from brooklyn" to let us know what he thinks of this fokin hugo chavez

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one.Curramba, el mejor vividero del mundo!

vicshere says on Jul 23, 2007, 09:57:

limited or no free speech is the first step towards communism

listo

podborski says on Jul 23, 2007, 10:44:

it makes me laugh that every criticism of chavez is met with "but george bush...."

what will the poor apologists do when dubya is gone?

vicshere says on Jul 23, 2007, 11:04:

I am with VUP .....sooner or later the people will see through him

listo

juancegomez says on Jul 23, 2007, 11:08:

"Leaving him alone" in terms of not doing harm or committing illegal acts is perfectly fine by me, but anyone should still have a right to criticize him, even if they may do so in questionable or even actually inaccurate ways.

Miguel_Clavo says on Jul 23, 2007, 11:11:

El Tomate will become the dictator everyone know he wants and plans on becoming.....the question is not if, but when...and how long will El Tomate last???

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

Miguel_Clavo says on Jul 23, 2007, 11:16:

una pregunta para ti, Vup:

is cotton-eye joe the same as cornholing? =)

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

podborski says on Jul 23, 2007, 11:23:

I'm all for leaving him alone too.'

I'd even say leave him alone when he starts to imprison innocent people and even if he goes beyond that (I don't think he will have to, pretty sure he has folks scared enough to toe the line).

seems to me, though, that the same people who say 'stay out' of other people's affairs are the first ones to criticise when no one jumps into somalia, rwanda, etc.

Sr Tertius says on Jul 23, 2007, 13:59:

I don't agree with restricting foreigners from expressing political opinions in a country. I wouldn't like that to be implemented in Colombia more systematically than it is right now. There is a line that shouldn't be crossed though: Foreign *politicians* should reserve their opinions about what should or should not be national policy. That's why I agreed wholeheartedly with censuring some Venezuelan politicians for meddling with local politics in Colombia--I just wish they had the same standards for the US ambassador. However, the Colombian government also complained about a Venezuelan academic expressing his opinion about the current situation in Colombia (he got deported, last I knew), and I know 2 Spaniards were deported for participating in a peaceful march. That is, as some have pointed out, an inappropriate restriction of free speech. It's saddening that Venezuela is going in the same direction. Mexico has been doing this very explicitly for many years. In other words, as bad as it is, it's hardly new.

Pod: "I'm all for leaving him alone too." Your past constant posting on the inane policies of Chavez suggests the opposite, unless you've had a change of heart since then. As for what "seems to you," well, a lot of what seems to you has very little grounding in reality. Not because it is necessarily false, but because it's based on vague and empty statements, like "he same people who say 'stay out' of other people's affairs are the first ones to criticise when no one jumps into somalia, rwanda, etc." If you give me one recognizable name, I would consider what you say somewhat seriously.

"When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb)

pedro says on Jul 23, 2007, 14:45:

Simon - "I wish they'd also expel foreigners who constantly criticize Coliombia while in Colombia. I can think of one I'd love to see kicked out!"

I like Colombia just as it is. Turn it into a Fascist state? No thanks!

I'm glad that morons like Simon are just a voice in the wilderness and have no influence.

que nota!

podborski says on Jul 23, 2007, 15:18:

It's pure entertainment value sr t, something you seem to have no concept of.

If I ever decide that for some bizarre reason I need to write pompous, footnoted, researched treatises on anonymous internet boards I'd be grateful if someone would shoot me.

Don't you get it? I am selfish. Nothing chavez has ever done or ever will do makes an ounce of difference to my life. So I really don't care.

But it's more fun than watching a football game, and it often provides great money making opportunities when you can find a way to bet against these morons.

Too bad so few socialists are ever willing to put their money where their mouths are.

kalder says on Jul 23, 2007, 15:21:

A hit, a very palpable hit.

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

podborski says on Jul 23, 2007, 15:37:

How about this VUP:

20 mil barra that within 5 years people are trying to escape Venezuela in home made rafts/boats

20 mil barra that within 5 years there will be shortages of certain food items and medicines (ummm, maybe that is already happening, I am not paying that close attention despite someone's claims to the contrary)

20 mil barra that within 5 years ration cards will be issued.

20 mil barra that venezuela's oil production falls steadily, each and every year (based on objective reports, not chavez's own claims)

20 mil barra that within 5 years there will be riots in the streets based on out of control inflation

20 mil barra that within 5 years venezuela will be forced to adopt a new currency, one that has some value as the old one will be worthless. The old currency will continue to be used in the streets, as it will be illegal for locals to hold the new currency. The new currency will be reserved for foreignors and government employees.

You can choose any or all of the above : )

(BTW, I just made these up in 3 minutes, very little thought put into any of them)

podborski says on Jul 23, 2007, 16:07:

No worries VUP, I can't seem to stay away from Colombia for more than 3 months at a time.

And I need to see Bqa one of these days. (But 5 years is a long time. We'll have to come up with something that plays out sooner.)

Not sure what will happen to your import biz....I would think COP will be ever more valuable, so that's a good thing, but it might be hard to get supplies in Vza?

But my bet would be you will do well, but might have to change the type of goods you import. I really don't know to what, but I'm sure you know better than I do.

miamimike says on Jul 23, 2007, 16:11:

Not a Bad Idea to button a person's Yap when he/she visits a foreign Country! Travel 101! Any idea of what may happen to a person mouthing off about the Heirarchy in Saudi Arabia or the Chinese Leader? We know what happens in Russia,,,

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

Sr Tertius says on Jul 23, 2007, 16:23:

Pod: Well, at least that's a candid admission that you write BS. And of the angry kind. Fine by me, whatever makes people happy, but if I ever look around for entertainment in PBH (or internet in general), I'd also be happy to be put out of my sorry misery.

"When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb)

podborski says on Jul 23, 2007, 16:28:

I always try to add 'seems to me' or whatever disclaimer to make sure no one could possibly think I'm spending more than 5 seconds thinking about anything I post.

Also not angry. Sorry if you got that.

Disrespectful is more like it, sorry, but you wanted candid.

podborski says on Jul 23, 2007, 16:40:

as for entertainment, well, I have not had a TV for the past year, and I rented all the worthwhile movies at blockbuster (meaning I left out costa gavras and michael moore).

So, yes, this is my entertainment. I met several PBHrs on my recent trip to bogotá. I imagine they will be long term friends.

Much as I like the opera, I'd rather spend my time drinking a bottle of red wine with good friends while solving the problems of the world.

Or talking about women.

vladimiro says on Jul 23, 2007, 18:52:

Savvy politicians use tactics like this to ramp up patriotic feelings in a country, which in turn increases support for the government.

Sr Tertius says on Jul 23, 2007, 19:55:

Pod: "I met several PBHrs on my recent trip to bogotá."

Tell me, please, that that is not true. It gives me the fucking chills... brrr...

"When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb)

podborski says on Jul 24, 2007, 05:39:

absolutely true sr t!

there was even a thread about it.

What I think you are missing is that most people are not the same as their 'internet' personality. I wouldn't be nearly so abrupt and harsh in real life. Well, not at first anyway.

BAQ says on Jul 24, 2007, 10:39:

Living here in Barranquilla, I can tell you for a FACT the rich are leaving. Every day, I am seeing more and more very nice cars here with Venezuela license plates.

Semper Fidelis !

Miguel_Clavo says on Jul 24, 2007, 10:48:

i think the solution for the Chaves disease is rather simple...he needs a lead enema.....sin vasolina.....Turn El Tomate into salsa de tomate......jajajajajaj

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

robi666 says on Jul 24, 2007, 11:36:

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

miamimike says on Jul 27, 2007, 00:27:

BAQ, you see Venezuelan license plate because Colombians buy cars in Venezuela, changing money in the black market and gaining at least 20 - 30% (after import taxes) on the same car in Colombia.
But, that is not to say that Venezuelan rich are not leaving.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Robi666-the Old Rich are leaving and a new group is in their place,,,They had a good nursing though for the last 30 years at the expense of many poor Venezuelans. They are leaving because they lost their suckling position on the Government Teat and a new group has moved into their place. Like anything in life, all good things come to end,,,Don't feel too bad for them though, they have a very nice life out on Key Biscayne and Weston in their Mansions,,,

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,