MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chavez suffers “ideological delirium symptoms” claims Caracas mayor

Mayor Antonio Ledezma currently visiting Spain

Venezuela’s capital Caracas Mayor Antonio Ledezma said that President Hugo Chavez suffers from “ideological delirium symptoms” because one day “he enshrines Fidel Castro, another Mao” and sometimes he “even praises Pinochet and Hitler”.

In an interview with El Pais from Madrid, Spain, Ledezma who has become a leading member of the Venezuelan opposition, claims that the government of President Chavez has “no course, no direction, the only thing he’s interested is in perpetuating himself in power”.

The elected mayor of Caracas said there’s “no dialogue” with the head of the Capital Caracas District, a special jurisdiction which Chavez created when his candidate lost to Ledezma.

The special district has more power and financial resources than Caracas town hall revealed Ledezma but “even worse is the intolerant spirit of the head of the district who blindly follows President Chavez instructions”.

“When I won the election I met Chavez and told him that in spite of our difference we both had to work for the good of Caracas. What did he do? He violated the constitution naming a de facto mayor which retains 90% of my powers; that’s caveman’s politics”, said the frustrated mayor of Caracas currently visiting Spain.

“I’ve asked the Spanish government to give preponderance to human rights policies above trade, investment and economics in relations with Venezuela”.

“(Spanish president Rodriguez) Zapatero should feel closer to those of us who struggle for freedom and the rule of law, than to Chavez who has links with terrorism”, added mayor Ledezma.

The elected mayor of Caracas also attacked the Organization of American States, OAS, Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza who “must choose between defending his job, or defending democracy in the continent”.

“Chavez banned Inter American Human Rights Commission from entering Venezuela, which depends from OAS, and Mr. Insulza says there’s nothing more he can do because the Venezuelan government must allow them in. It’s like if a policeman commits a felony and he’s not investigated because he won’t permit it”.

However Ledezma admits that the Venezuelan opposition has committed “too many mistakes” enabling President Chavez to turn defeats into victories.

“Now we are working to consolidate a unified front not only to win elections but to ensure governance”, said Ledezma.

“The majority of Venezuelans reject authoritarianism but that majority needs to be led and a clear message of hope”, he concluded.