MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Hundreds of thousands turn out to honour President Hugo Chavez
Hundreds of thousands of Hugo Chavez's supporters paraded his coffin draped in Venezuela’s blue, red and yellow national flag through the streets of Caracas on Wednesday in an emotional outpouring. Read full article
Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesFirst, Chavez was no Bolívar!
Mar 07th, 2013 - 09:47 am - Link - Report abuse 0Second, I'd ball my eyes out too if I thought the gravy train was about to stop.
Just one more despot who has died move along please nothing to see here.
Mar 07th, 2013 - 10:10 am - Link - Report abuse 0The only thing I would want to pass at this bastards' coffin would be urine, all over it.
Mar 07th, 2013 - 10:33 am - Link - Report abuse 0We are all Chavez!
Mar 07th, 2013 - 10:48 am - Link - Report abuse 0The only thing I regret, even with the months of excruciating pain he must have been in, is that he wasn't publicly humiliated and dragged through the streets like Mussolini.
Mar 07th, 2013 - 12:18 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I guess I just have to hope to see the other SA Dictators suffer that fate.
“Chavez squandered his nation's oil money on healthcare, education and nutrition when he could have been building the world's tallest building or his own branch of the Louvre. What kind of monster has priorities like that?”
Mar 07th, 2013 - 12:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Not my quote, it's one of the masses
He also managed to squirrel away billions in his personal bank account.
Mar 07th, 2013 - 01:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0So helping the masses is admirable he also feathered his own nest.
I wouldn't say having the highest murder rate is an admirable feat, nor having your citizens line up to get for flour, bread and toilet paper.
Mar 07th, 2013 - 01:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0It will take a generation to fix the mess he created,
Nobody is demonstrably better off then they were before he started ruling them and some are much much worse off.
7
Mar 07th, 2013 - 01:14 pm - Link - Report abuse 0That is so ridiculous, there is no evidence of such, other than FOX News, some Murdoch papers and your local news paper. Better start screaming long and loud with that lie, because anyone who has been to Venezuela before and after, or seen what Chavez done for entire LA, knows that is a bunch of desperate lies.
When he was alive most leaders condemned him,
Mar 07th, 2013 - 02:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Now he is dead, most of them now praise him,
Respect in death perhaps,
Mature response perhaps,
The decent thing to do perhaps,
Or
Just hypocrites perhaps.
.
@10 Mostly it is respect for a dead man. History will judge him for what he was. It is a time for world leaders to respect the family and friends of Chavez and allow his followers to mourn.
Mar 07th, 2013 - 02:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0And, of course we will freely discuss him here as will others where free speech is allowed.
He certainly has left a legacy - Venezuela used to have one of the lowest murder rates (under 10 per 100,000) in Latin America but under his watch it has increased every year and is now 68 per 100,000 (2011). In the same period Colombia's murder rate has halved to 33. Chavez has created a situation similar to that in S.Africa where the govt turns a blind eye to re-distributive criminals. Both the BBC and CNN are completely ignoring this.
Mar 07th, 2013 - 02:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 0en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_intentional_homicide_rate_by_decade
How very interesting that CFK is NOT now staying for the funeral tomorrow. And how very rude.
Mar 07th, 2013 - 03:11 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I suspect she was not given top status at the funeral procession. She has certainly changed her mind for a reason.
@13
Mar 07th, 2013 - 03:23 pm - Link - Report abuse 0If I were a member of the family, I would not want that harridan there either.
Tis all rumour at the moment but it could be that she was due to give a speech and that was cancelled. (Maybe they saw the content and it was all about the Falklands) Another rumour is that she doesn't want a family photo with Ahmadinejad, given the uproar Timmerman's poor diplomacy has caused in Argentina.
Mar 07th, 2013 - 03:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 0In 1992 Hugo Chavez failed to overthrow the government by force, went to jail but somehow was released early. After he came out of jail he went into populist politics and a few years later narrowly won election. Once in power he locked up all his adversaries, muzzled the press, subverted the constitution to keep himself in power for ever, and made a lot of bombastic speeches. What else did he have in common with Hitler and Mussolini...?
Mar 07th, 2013 - 04:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0He knew that if he could get the poor vote, it was the largest vote. (Shame but that is the truth). Like Castro, he knew he had to offer but a little to the poor for them to be his loyal supporters. The more poor and disenfranchised, the easier it is for dictatorships.
Mar 07th, 2013 - 04:52 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I agree he did 'give' to the poor and introduced free healthcare and schooling. Much the same as Castro. But he also ensured his power could never be taken. It is blatant manipulation of people so dependent and grateful for so little that keep these egoists in power.
Interestingly, the majority of Argentines I have spoken to dismissed Chavez as a 'clown' and a 'showman'. I am sure they have not changed their minds now that he is dead.
La Kirchner, el Pepe, la Tronca and Evo as his guard of honour, beautiful to see.
Mar 07th, 2013 - 05:37 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Pepe and Evil Evo are standing in front of the coffi...present's at a funeral.....do they not know how to tie a tie? Geez...can't they ever act presidential....even at a funeral.....albeit Chavos?
Mar 07th, 2013 - 05:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The Herald reports that his last words were.....please don't let me die, I do not want to die.
http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/125814/chávezs-last-words-please-dont-let-me-die
Poppy
Mar 07th, 2013 - 05:56 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You would never appreciate a reality where you don't need a tie to show you the way. It's not a fashion contest, we don't vote for the biggest tie, or best knot, we vote for Presidents. I can understand this might be hard to grasp for you.
I heard Chavez last word were “I'm merely a brick on the road”.
Or as he said himself for sure:
“For those who wish to see me dead. I wish them a long life, for them to see the progress of the Bolivarian revolution”
@20 Stevie / Guzz
Mar 07th, 2013 - 06:12 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I have to hand it to you, you speak utter bollocks and make it sound genuine.
Have you thought of running for President: oh, oh, can you actually come back to Uruguay yet?
It will be fun to watch all of this utter nonsense, ALBA, UNASUR, Bank of the South ( did that ever get funded?) all come crumbling down now that their grant $ is gone.
Mar 07th, 2013 - 06:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/06/reporter-attacked-venezuela_n_2822509.html
Mar 07th, 2013 - 06:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Hugo Chavez, Cristina FK, Obama, and countless more “democratic demagogues” are unjustified beneficiaries of the “one moron, one vote” absurdity with its Marxist implication that everyone is equal in every way. They win power and stay there by buying the stupid vote. Margaret Thatcher said - “the problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other peoples money”. Democracy has been subverted - it must go back to being a qualified vote. One basic vote for everyone, maybe, but with incentives to “earn” extra votes by achievement and by contribution. What better incentive to pay more tax than the next person?
Mar 07th, 2013 - 06:30 pm - Link - Report abuse 024
Mar 07th, 2013 - 07:02 pm - Link - Report abuse 0So you mean that system is good as long as the ones you'd like to win wins, but when the left wing wins, it has to be redone? Chavez marked the end of an era and the start of a new one for LA. You can always wish upon the star though.
Chris
It's the second time you call me Guzz, is that a personal friend of yours?
Of course I can go back to Uruguay, I do so as often as I can. Or where you asking Guzz?
When Cfk goes there will be no 21 gun salute.................................they can't afford the ammo
Mar 07th, 2013 - 07:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 024.
Mar 07th, 2013 - 07:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.
When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.
I too am worried Obama is a wolf. I hope the USA never turns into Argentina. I think we are smarter and more honorable for that to happen though. In general people care what kind of a nation their children will inherit. Apparently they don't there.
According to Clarin, when TMBOA got off the plane and into the cavalcade one of Chubbies daughters had a word with her and that was it.
Mar 07th, 2013 - 07:44 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I thought as much.
The comments about TMBOA started with 'Mare' and decended from there.
There was also a lot of consternation about the cost of the jamboree that 'the people will have to pay for'.
Standby for the Malvanistas: 'it was the liars at Clarin crap'.
I have never seen so many disrepectful comments about TMBOA.
BTW, many of them are calling Chubby an alien: that would explain a lot of things!
Remember folks: “we are all Chavez”. You know it makes sense! Well it does to SA dummies.
LOLs
(27)
Mar 07th, 2013 - 07:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote......”
Timothy McVeigh?
We wonder if that special relationship between CFK and Venezuela
Mar 07th, 2013 - 07:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Still be special,
Now that he has gone.
.
“we are all Chavez” adapted from the famous Le Monde headline “We Are All Americans” after 9/11. I hardly think the world is as united about the death of Chavez.
Mar 07th, 2013 - 07:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You think the world was united in “We are all Americans”? Quite a small world you live in.
Mar 07th, 2013 - 07:59 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Somos todos Chavez!
@15 elaine been confirmed in BA herald she is flying home tonight. lucky escape for venezaula
Mar 07th, 2013 - 08:01 pm - Link - Report abuse 0would she be accused of putting herself and her obsesion of the falklands, before one of her greatest friends,
Mar 07th, 2013 - 08:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0just a thought.
@4 Then you're all DEAD. And beginning to rot. Phew!
Mar 07th, 2013 - 08:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@6 Yep. He turned Venezuela into a food importer. He also turned Venezuela into a one-party state. An essential for a dictatorship. And how was he with the media and the “free” press? Not too much of that left. How nice that he price-capped “private” food retailers and then set up his own supermarkets to undercut them. Subsidised? To make the poor more “grateful”? All so “wonderful”. And how easy it is for the ignorant to lap it up. Let's go with “Santa Fe” until we know his “honest” personal fortune.
@9 Go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Ch%C3%A1vez#Crime_and_punishment Read the references for yourself. Murder rate quadrupled. Good ole Chavez!
@18 Always good to see fellow crims escorting the godfather to his just deserts. Will it be the fires of hell? Or just being eaten?
@20 Are you sure? Didn't he actually say “I'm merely a prick on the road”.
@25 Hopefully, I agree. The end of an era. The last latam military dictator. But will Venezuela take its opportunity? The chance to take the “anointed” Maduro and drown him. Doesn't he look like Saddam? Should we remember how much “Hugo” spent on military equipment from Russia? To guard against what? Taking the U.S. as an opponent, Venezuela can put up 202 aircraft against the U.S. 5,854. At sea, Venezuela can deploy 25 vessels against the U.S. 288 vessels. On land, Venezuela can field 120,000. The U.S. can field 1,129,283. And how much money did Chavez waste for his personality cult? How does it feel to be a dozy, brain-scrubbed, useless tosser?
@32 In the scheme of things, Chavez's death, whilst tragic to some, is not really that significant. (And you are an American, a South American).
Mar 07th, 2013 - 08:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@33 She could have attended the funeral and had the weekend to spout about The Falklands. She might even have wanted to be in Argentina for the G20 audit. But my money is on her throwing a hissy-fit over her not being the centre of attention at the funeral.
36
Mar 07th, 2013 - 08:51 pm - Link - Report abuse 0On that I agree with you, his death is not that important, his life was.
Now try to get LA to change course.
@37 Change course? It is very divided between the Mercosur group and the Pacific Alliance, it is not moving in one direction.
Mar 07th, 2013 - 08:59 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I wonder what Mujica will do now? He cadged a lift to the funeral on Tango 1. Will he hitchhike home?
You are talking about trade alliances. Enough said.
Mar 07th, 2013 - 09:03 pm - Link - Report abuse 0maybe theres something else on her agenda over the weekend, that requires her presence in rgenweener, maybe a publicity stunt over the Falkland Islands perhaps?
Mar 07th, 2013 - 09:07 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Off topic anyone noticed axel arg comments on the thread about wanting the Falklands but in peace, and the demise of the maned wolf, he went from being very eloquent in his english to not being able to spell, unless he was on the vino of course or sat next to Sussie
Look at all u fools arguing about who's thoughts and words are better and more significant. For most of u here(I'm sure there are some Venezuelans), Chavez was not ur president and he definitely didn't do anything for or against u n ur country. Stop hating. The man is dead, show some respect. Yeah I didnt agree with everything Chavez stood for. I disliked some of hos stupid remarks and statements but he did do some good things for his people wether u want to admit it or not. And to the idiot saying he'd like to piss on Chavez's coffin, I'd like to do that to ur coffin just for saying such a stupid thing..oh n to the Brittish and/or Anglos not from the SA continent, get off this site! Yeah these LA countries may seem like tin pot countries compared to urs but that sure isn't thanks to anything you've personally done or accomplished! Lets see how the Eurozone and the US look in 30 years. I'll be laughing my @ss off! Fools..
Mar 07th, 2013 - 09:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@41 wow thats an emotional outburst cheers for that, who's argueing? there is no arguement we're right, your wrong simples, now take your meds and off to bed
Mar 07th, 2013 - 09:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 041
Mar 07th, 2013 - 09:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Don't worry about Chris, when his day comes, they'll be making the coffin with the handles on the inside. Somebody has to carry it, you know.
But as Chavez said, I wish him a long life, so he can witness the achievements of the bolivarian progress.
@43 so he can witness the achievements of the bolivarian progress. Ever heard of a long wait? More chance of rgenweener getting the Falklands
Mar 07th, 2013 - 09:30 pm - Link - Report abuse 0slatzzz
Mar 07th, 2013 - 09:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The fact that you choose to close your eyes, telling yourself it's not there doesn't change anything.
@41 We were having quite an interesting discussion - on an English language site where contributions from all over the world are welcome. If you want to be a site moderator, start your own news message board.
Mar 07th, 2013 - 09:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I don't think SoAm countries are 'tinpot' so try not to play the victim.
@40 I am not so sure. She could have stayed for the funeral tomorrow and arrived back in Argentina by the evening. My money is on her nose being out of joint. It is incredibly rude of her to leave before the funeral, so there has to be a reason other than a need to get home.
#41 Chavez did some good....minally of what he could have accomplished being his goals were to bring his people out of poverty. He tossed bread at them, never showed them how to make it. Wil the amount of oil reserves he has/had, he could have done more. Rather than take care of the Venezuelans, he felt it more important to include Cuba and the rest of Latin America.
Mar 07th, 2013 - 09:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 0As for respect, Chavez recieves the respect he gace to the Anglos and causcasians, which is between not much and none. WHile I may not go as far as to say I would piss on his grave, but knowing he died painfully and begging for life was good enough for me.
PS
no one is leaving this site anytime soon or in the future.
Latin America is in a state of flux. Once the Castro boys go, LA will not know what to do. Trae with the US will most likely open and they will not need SA. Evo is incapable of taking the lead, nor is CFK, she is nearing her end stage. Correa may be the only real hope for continuing the Bolivaran Socialist movement......but I suspect it is nearing it's final throes as Mercosur continues to fracture. Each country will be fighting more for indiviual survival then worry about solidarity.
@45 The fact that you choose to close your eyes, telling yourself it's not there doesn't change anything.
Mar 07th, 2013 - 10:12 pm - Link - Report abuse 0And yours remain firmly shut, blinkered anyone?
there are some who just choose not to see the truth,
Mar 08th, 2013 - 12:11 am - Link - Report abuse 0and he is one of tham.
I don't know if this is true but it just appeared on the news. Chavez is to be embalmed and put on permanent display. He may be lying in state for another week? Really? I thought a funeral was a closing chapter.
Mar 08th, 2013 - 12:20 am - Link - Report abuse 0Maybe that is why CFK left.
perhaps they want him like Evita or Stallin,
Mar 08th, 2013 - 12:28 am - Link - Report abuse 0in a glass see through coffin,
These are real tears, real symtoms of grief. Just like in North Korea.
Mar 08th, 2013 - 12:59 am - Link - Report abuse 0http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2103158,00.html.
@43, ok, I lol'ed.
Mar 08th, 2013 - 02:28 am - Link - Report abuse 0@46 yeah tend to agree, seems to be a little rude and judging by the TV broadcasts she is defo not the centre of attention.
Mar 08th, 2013 - 03:21 am - Link - Report abuse 0@50 yes they now have their very own Peron to worship in the coming years
It makes sense to keep those people in line. Stalin was on display, Evita wasn't. I think maduro will win the election but the country is going hit the shit pool faster and this next president, things will not be so good for him.
Mar 08th, 2013 - 10:50 am - Link - Report abuse 0The news just said that 30 heads of state will be attending the Great Mans funeral. The other 178 will be staying at home. Maybe not such a Great Man after all.
Mar 08th, 2013 - 11:50 am - Link - Report abuse 0And most of those heads will be rotten in some way...
Mar 08th, 2013 - 12:07 pm - Link - Report abuse 041 Logic
Mar 08th, 2013 - 03:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I will be the decider as to who I respect, not you.
Grow a pair you twat.
43 Stevie
That comment about my coffin was very amusing: how uncharacteristic of you to come up with something witty.
We are all Chavez: or not in my case!
#41 respect is an earned feeling. Whether is life or death it is not given because one is this or one is that. He lived without any respect of many posters here and he died just the same.
Mar 08th, 2013 - 04:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Chris
Mar 08th, 2013 - 09:56 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You think so? I'd say it's an integral part of my character.
Poppy
Your lack of respect is the biggest proof Chavez was onto something great.
Ok stevie make the connection for me...lack of respect and greatness? What a nonsense spinless statement.
Mar 09th, 2013 - 12:26 am - Link - Report abuse 0So your lack of respect to anything not south american also means greatness also to those not south american?
Look at those pictures. And then tell me he was a hated despot! RIP companero
Mar 10th, 2013 - 03:57 am - Link - Report abuse 0He was a hated despot. He made the poor dependent and did not give them a chance at self sufficiency, independence and self pride in earning an independent living.
Mar 10th, 2013 - 12:01 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Who wants bread when you can bake it yourself?
Sure Poppy, millions of people on the streets all across Latin America. I don't hear any of them celebrating his death You can lie all you want, the rest of us have access to far too much information for us to believe you.
Mar 10th, 2013 - 02:39 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Why would the poor hate him? They get free handouts, don't have to work and went from caves to tent and infant mortality is now at 20 per 1000, compared to 10 in Argentina, 5.5 in the USA, 4.5 in the UK, 7.2 in Chile. The is no reported data for Healthcare expenditures in Venezuela so that is tough to display. I guess Chubby wanted that suppressed.
Mar 10th, 2013 - 03:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0And the mile, rather km of paved roadways remains unchanged from 1997. But hey, some things went up....inflation went from 12% in 2001 to 30% in 2011.
I know for a fact that inflation in Venezuela was at around 30-40% when Chavez took office, coming from 120%.
Mar 11th, 2013 - 01:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Today it's around 20-25%, having been at around 10% in two ocasions during Chavez terms.
Taking that into account, I will not use many seconds for the rest of your lies.
But your number sound good for your cause. Good on you.
Published facts, something you are not accustomed to. Here is some inflation rates reported by Venezuela themselves:
Mar 11th, 2013 - 03:42 pm - Link - Report abuse 0http://www.indexmundi.com/g/g.aspx?v=71&c=ve&l=en
Only a latin american would think everyone other than a latin american is a liar. Yes....safe your time for the real liars of the bolivarian socialists. Tell me something, what will you socialists do when the “working class”, you know, the ones with self pride, all leaves, whom will you steal from then?
The socialist creed: Why work when government can steal private assets and give us meager handouts?
Here's another link for you, Poppy. Also published facts, have a look at the inflation pre-Chavez and then lets talk improvement. Your index is quite convenient, it only shows inflation during Chavez.
Mar 11th, 2013 - 04:46 pm - Link - Report abuse 0http://www.tradingeconomics.com/venezuela/inflation-cpi
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