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Venezuela’s Failing State
By Leopoldo López - Los Teques, Venezuela — As I compose these words from the Ramo Verde military prison outside Caracas, I am struck by how much Venezuelans have suffered. Read full article
Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesEven I am surprised by the accelerated downward spiral of Venezuela. And I've always had a low opinion if Chavismo.
Mar 29th, 2014 - 06:14 am - Link - Report abuse 0Don Leopoldo - if you get to read this, good! People from all democratic countries of the world are watching Venezuela and are sad to see the decline of democracy there. I wish you a speedy release from custody in order to lead a return to sanity in your sad country.
Mar 29th, 2014 - 07:47 am - Link - Report abuse 0Lopez is failing alright...
Mar 29th, 2014 - 08:53 am - Link - Report abuse 0:)
I love watching Socialist/Populist Dictatorships collapse.
Mar 29th, 2014 - 11:34 am - Link - Report abuse 0Next up Argentina.
The only thing that is collapsing here, is your argument, yanqui.
Mar 29th, 2014 - 11:40 am - Link - Report abuse 0Seems nobody but USA and sidekicks are supporting the riots...
5. And that is enough, the sanctions should be in place soon enough.
Mar 29th, 2014 - 11:45 am - Link - Report abuse 0Your twisted logic and screwed up thinking is disgusting to civilized people.
It is clear why your family was marked for eradication.
@3 Is that it? Best you can do? Got your next bolt-hole prepared? Russia?
Mar 29th, 2014 - 11:45 am - Link - Report abuse 0Like Putin said;
Mar 29th, 2014 - 11:54 am - Link - Report abuse 0Put us all on your lists...
:)
8. I am sure that is why you've never been to SA. When you are weeding a garden you must make sure you get rid of the root and stems of the poisonous plants.
Mar 29th, 2014 - 11:56 am - Link - Report abuse 0:)
Hence we are getting rid of US influence in SA.
Mar 29th, 2014 - 11:59 am - Link - Report abuse 0Except in the successful countries.
Mar 29th, 2014 - 12:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0When Venezuela's firewall of Socialism/Corruption/Dictatorship collapses the rest will fall in line.
The nice thing is we don't have to do anything.
The dictators are collapsing their own country without us having to even think about them.
I hear lot of European countries are getting ready to oust most of the undesirables from their borders. Where oh where will the inferiors flee to then?
:)
Better us failing than having the US failing for us....
Mar 29th, 2014 - 12:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Except you can't point to any country in Latam where that happened.
Mar 29th, 2014 - 01:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Your twisted way of thinking is fascinating and disgusting at the same time.
Think what you want.
Mar 29th, 2014 - 01:12 pm - Link - Report abuse 0From afar.
:)
You are farther than me
Mar 29th, 2014 - 01:14 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I know you've not been to SA in a very long time quite possible your whole adult life.
Ok...
Mar 29th, 2014 - 01:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Not denying it though are you...
Mar 29th, 2014 - 01:23 pm - Link - Report abuse 0pathetic dweeb with twisted morals
sad
I don't feel any need to deny your delusions...
Mar 29th, 2014 - 01:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Of course that is what you'd say.
Mar 29th, 2014 - 01:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 0pathetic dweeb with twisted morals
Watch me :)
Mar 29th, 2014 - 01:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Nice to see MercoPress has finally published this letter. I first read it some time ago.
Mar 29th, 2014 - 01:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Any news on the Air force generals?
Stevie - ever concerned about the people.
Mar 29th, 2014 - 03:23 pm - Link - Report abuse 0As someone on MP said recently, “Stevie believes in Ideology before People”
Stevie is morally bereft - obviates most of his arguments right there.
And yet according to Danny and his deluded cohorts,
Mar 29th, 2014 - 07:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0nothing is wrong, and we no not ,
still,
Who then will follow Venezuela to the toilet..
Still no toilet paper in Venezuela.
Mar 29th, 2014 - 09:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Good luck with that!
YOU ARE MISSING THIS LOPEZ.
Mar 29th, 2014 - 09:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0It's really interesting to see how a hypocrite like this guy, who during the protests said, ....hay que salir de maduro (it's necesary to get out of maduro), now talks about human rights, right to protets, respect for institutions, etc etc.
I have never denied or omitted in any of my lectures about venezuela's situation, the serious structural problems that the country suffers, in fact, most them were described in lopez's report. However, it was obvious that he was going to omit about the hard economic war that his country is suffering, because of the dramatic lack of goods that powerful corporations are producing in his country, which is something that gets worse a problem that the venezuelans had previosuly, due to they aren't producers mostly, in fact, they import most foods that people buy.
If this guy really had a democratic posture, he would never say what he said during the protest.
Maduro's government has serious falencies, and security forces sometimes commit terrible abuses, as it happens with some of our provincial security forces in argentina, however, beyond these objetive facts, in municipal elections in dicember, chavism won in most venezuela, then, if it soposes that most venezuelans are against maduro's government, as it is presented in hegemonical press, how is it posible that his party won the elections in most of the territory?.
On the other hand, if any of the cretins who often compare maduro's government with a dictatorship in this website, lived under the state terrorism as we did in argentina since (1976-1983), i have no doubt that they would think seriously before giving opinions.
If many of them thought, they would realize that if venezulea was a dictatorhsip, this guy would be killed. If you are so detractors of maduro's ideology, there are many legitimate and respectable critics that anybody can make, however it's no necesary to be so misserable and ignorant, and compare venezuela with a dictatorship.
@ 25 axel arg
Mar 29th, 2014 - 10:01 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I rarely bother to respond to your febrile comments but I MUST say this about your post:
You are a morally bereft example of all that is infesting the body of Argentina and think nothing of pervading your infantile “thoughts” to the detriment of your country.
Axel
Mar 29th, 2014 - 11:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0so now you are an expert on Venezuela and an apologist for Maduro?
Quit giving your ridiculous self important 'lectures'.
One of my family was assaulted by gun toting colectivos thugs. In Merida. In daylight. Today.
Yes. A 17 year old girl.
Gotta love your socialist paradise. Is this Chavismo 'winning'?
Bastards!
Axel you really are a moronic twat - you think that the 1970's are the same as the 2010's, you really think that it's acceptable for people to die protesting in a supposed democracy?
Mar 30th, 2014 - 03:04 am - Link - Report abuse 0Videos out on people in Grand Cherokee's and other “poor people vehicles” closing off streets with metal, matrasses and junk, setting a forest afire and all while people from another vehicle distributes food and water.
Mar 30th, 2014 - 06:08 am - Link - Report abuse 0It's illegal.
It's organized.
It's condemned.
It's the poor little rich ones...
and videos and pictures show your government- armed “Collectivos” on motorcycles gunning down unarmed students and citizens - even though the VZ government has tried to shut down non- government media outlets.
Mar 30th, 2014 - 06:55 am - Link - Report abuse 0Liars, murderers, thugs...
What are you talking about, Troy?
Mar 30th, 2014 - 07:14 am - Link - Report abuse 090% of the media outlet in Venezuela is private and non-governmental...
Burning cities and forests, decapitating motor cyclists, rioting and causing general havoc is NOT legal and NO way of imposing your ideology on anybody.
Respect democracy and let your opinion be known in the urns.
Carajo!
31 Stevie
Mar 30th, 2014 - 07:46 am - Link - Report abuse 0“90% of the media outlet in Venezuela is private and non-governmental... ”
You are giving misinformation, again.
Maduro's government censors the media and the Internet:
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Censorship_in_Venezuela
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Censorship_in_Venezuela
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Censorship_in_Venezuela
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Censorship_in_Venezuela
Stevie,
Why do you actively support Venezuelan state- sponsored murder?
Unarmed students and citizens shot by organised gangs on motorcycles who are never stopped by the authorities??
It stinks, Stevie. So do you. Liar.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-19368807
Mar 30th, 2014 - 07:58 am - Link - Report abuse 0At least use your most neutral sources, Troy.
I'm sure Fox News backs your statements up, but I have media outlets stating your sort are a bunch of fascists with only one agenda...
Stevie would crap himself if he had to live in Venezuela.
Mar 30th, 2014 - 08:03 am - Link - Report abuse 0The violence is everywhere.
The socialist government has introduced ration cards now.
is that freedom? Being too afraid to leave the home? The government deciding what you can eat, what you can buy?
The rule of law was usurped a long time ago.
Maduro rules by decree. The colectivos operate with impunity.
The world is becoming aware and the condemnations are building.
The condemnations are building alright.
Mar 30th, 2014 - 08:05 am - Link - Report abuse 0Against the rioters...
33 Stevie
Mar 30th, 2014 - 08:39 am - Link - Report abuse 0“Venezuela is ranked 116th out of 180 countries in the 2014 Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index”
”The head of the National Telecommunication Commission (CONATEL) reacted to the scale of the protests by announcing on 11 February that “coverage of the violent events” was punishable under the Radio, TV and Electronic Media Social Responsibility Law (RESORTMEC), which bans content condoning violence or hatred.”
http://en.rsf.org/venezuela-government-restricts-coverage-of-18-02-2014,45885.html
http://en.rsf.org/venezuela-government-restricts-coverage-of-18-02-2014,45885.html
Your ranks.
Mar 30th, 2014 - 08:42 am - Link - Report abuse 033 Stevie
Mar 30th, 2014 - 08:57 am - Link - Report abuse 0“At least use your most neutral sources, Troy.
I'm sure Fox News backs your statements up, but I have media outlets stating your sort are a bunch of fascists with only one agenda... ”
Do you mean your favourite sources, like the Guardian, or your Russian news sources, the same ones that call the Ukranians, “Nazi's”?
Tell us about fascists. Do you mean the fascist government that arms thugs with AK 47's to shoot unarmed civilians and students.
THAT information DID get out.
You're right - condemnation is coming.
Furthermore, ilsen is Venezuelan, you are not.
He has family there, and has lived there, you haven't.
Ilsen is concerned about the people, the poor, the raging inflation, the worthless currency, the lack of food available, the hardships for families and children.
You aren't.
Who do you think is more credible, ilsen or a callous mouthpiece like you?
As I said before, either you are a stupid dupe or a malicious sleaze bag without compassion.
Lopez is a political prisoner. As are the two elected Mayors who have been removed from their positions and summarily jailed. Those were charged with failing to clear the barricades. At worst they could be accused of incompetence and voted out next time. Not jailed!
Mar 30th, 2014 - 10:07 am - Link - Report abuse 0Also if this is the criteria used, why not jail the Chavista Mayors for the same 'crime'?
If the U.S. invades Venezuela, will start the third world war ...
Mar 30th, 2014 - 01:42 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Dying is part of life!
Auto-determination to Venezuela!
I hope that those genuinely concerned/ interested in Venezuela may find this of interest
Mar 30th, 2014 - 02:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 0http://caracaschronicles.com/2014/03/23/all-because-of-a-broken-fingernail/
comments welcome (the article is in English)
How many American videos like this you want me to show?
Mar 30th, 2014 - 03:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You are an idiot child!
Umm... thanks for your well considered contribution Brasileiro. .. I feel you definitely added something there... some hot air. .
Mar 30th, 2014 - 04:11 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I don't remember asking you to show any American videos at all...
I think you should check your grammar.
For those actually interested the video is Latin American yes.....
Brasso
Mar 30th, 2014 - 04:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0What I have seen of Brazil just lately not only could they not start a third world war you pretentious idiot they couldn't run a third class whore house unless you count what laughingly passes for the “government”.
FFS grow up!
41 ilsen
Mar 30th, 2014 - 05:03 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Thanks for that link - a truly terrifying daily life for ordinary people.
Brasiliero
Do you really support what Maduro is doing to his people ?
How do you feel about Maduro and his government?
We want to hear.
Yes please Brasileiro. We want to hear WHY you support Maduro.
Mar 30th, 2014 - 05:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0If you do of course.
I remember Chavez saying if the USA invaded he'd arm everyone with blow guns and poison darts.
Mar 30th, 2014 - 06:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0It still makes me chuckle.
At least El Commandante had great rhetorical banter! Was it tongue-in-cheek?
Mar 30th, 2014 - 06:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Maburro doesn't even have that. He is getting scared. The bus is out of control.
Insights into half truths and manipulation the other side of the coin http://www.globalresearch.ca/another-color-revolution-the-deceptive-use-of-the-phrase-peaceful-protests-in-venezuela/5375800
Mar 31st, 2014 - 12:17 am - Link - Report abuse 0Haha!
Mar 31st, 2014 - 01:57 am - Link - Report abuse 0An article by the editor and self publicist of some dodgy left wing internet site. A guy who has live in the outback of Venezuela since 1977? Some entrenched old school bearded leftie? Desperate to keep his government sponsored tenure?
Can't return to the US because he is utterly discredited?
A mad boondog conspiracy theorist?
This is your source?
Did you you take a canoe to find him?
Bhaaahahaha! !!!!!!!!!
Its of little interest to me what political orientation, the site is, It does point out the deceptive use of Peaceful Protest, used not only in Venezuela but elsewhere in the world ( What is happening in Venezuela is not unique ) as I said the otherside of the coin. lol..............
Mar 31st, 2014 - 04:32 am - Link - Report abuse 0I've never said the protests in Venezuela are peaceful.
Mar 31st, 2014 - 08:53 am - Link - Report abuse 0They are not. The opposition is divided. Some call for mass peaceful marches
This does happen.
A smaller number call for violence.
The happens also. Although sticks and stones against tear gas and guns is always going to get people killed. Some believe in their cause enough to do so.
I was mocking your source. Not agreeing nor disagreeing with HOW the people of Venezuela protest.
And in yesterday's municipal elections in Mendoza, the K lost considerable momentum...finally people are waking up.
Mar 31st, 2014 - 11:03 am - Link - Report abuse 0ILSEN. CHRIS R. TIK TOK.
Mar 31st, 2014 - 04:57 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Its well known that when reactionary people like you, don't have enough solid arguments, in order to refute somebody's opinion, only insults or underestimation are the recources that you have, with the purpose of invaliding the opinions of all those people who don't think like you, which shows the low level of debate that you have, to discuss about something so complicated and controversial like politic.
If you read my comment 25 again, you'll see that i have never omited the serious problems that the venezuelans suffer, in fact, i refer to the institutional violence, provoked by security forces, and even i said that it's a problen that we have here in arg., with some of our provincial security forces too. Beside, i refer also in other opportunities to the high levels of delincuence of a city like caracas, which is considered like one of the most dangerous from south america. It's just that i won't buy the partial lecture that hegemonical press makes, respecting the context of the country.
On the other hand, i never said neather that maduro's government is perfect, nor that venezuela is a socialist paradise. The fact that i partialy agree on maduro's ideology, or on many of the decisions taken by chavism in social terms, like the missions which improved the lives of millions of venezuelans, doens't mean that i'll ignore or omit the serious problems of the country, don't mix both issues, because although you think the contrary, i'm not neather an idiot, nor a bastard.
Anyway, it's expectable that reactionary people like you, will continue to invalid my opinions, like some people in this forum often do, every time they refer to my lectures, just because i don't think like you.
What the hell is a “reactionary person”. I can't even be eff'd Googling it.
Apr 01st, 2014 - 12:31 am - Link - Report abuse 0Sounds like how someone from the 1970s talked. The world had moved on.
AXEL you wanker
Apr 01st, 2014 - 03:36 am - Link - Report abuse 0You are are probably not a bastard (ask your Mum though) but I do feel you are an idiot.
You say “solid arguments” - your arguments sit on quicksand.
You must be blind, democracy involves freedom, how is that so controversial? Well Venezuela Government kills people through thugs, it mismanages the economy, in reality robs from the poor and then proclaims it is for the good of all. You stink....
51 Paragon
Apr 01st, 2014 - 07:21 am - Link - Report abuse 0”Its of little interest to me what political orientation, the site is, It does point out the deceptive use of Peaceful Protest, used not only in Venezuela but elsewhere in the world ( What is happening in Venezuela is not unique ) as I said the otherside of the coin. lol.............. “
Your source does not appear to be honest or unbiased.
He criticises the violence of the protestors and condemns them for blocking streets and pouring oil on the road, dangerous to motorcycles, and allowing free passage of traffic.
Blocking the roads forces the government to take notice, but there's another factor that the writer ignores. He makes no mention of the ”Collectivos“, government-armed para-military thugs on motorcycles that swarm down on protestors and fire into the crowd. ”Oil on the roads is indeed to stop motorcycles, as I'm sure the barricades might be, too.
While I expect the more militant protestors are violent at times, and vandalising property, much of the reported protestor violence is likely in defence from the government sponsored Collectivos, or in retaliation to them.
Quite right you are Troy.
Apr 01st, 2014 - 10:52 am - Link - Report abuse 0@57 where did I say it was unbiased or honest, ? I said it was the otherside of the coin Both sides of that coin are tainted, Are you one of those that believes all that the media reports be it right or left is the truth LOL......
Apr 01st, 2014 - 10:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Paragon.
Apr 02nd, 2014 - 12:51 am - Link - Report abuse 0why did you post it?
ilsen there is a lot of misleading comments posted on here, influenced by the political dogma of the posters, nearly all get their info from the media who also have their own political interests. I know you are from Venezuela, so you will be aware that, the oligarch class in Venezuela continues to control much of the media and big business interests. They are able to have a big influence on the economy, create scarcity of key goods and can impact the value of Venezuelan currency by flooding Venezuela with off-market US dollars. This is a fact of life and not media reporting. Venezuela is in a mess and it remains to be seen if the cause is left or right wing orchestrated.. I will say here and now I am not a Chavist supporter but am neutral about the situation in Venezuela. There is always two sides to a coin and you will also be aware that dirt can be dragged up against Lopez and Capriles, right or wrong but it exists and can be used by who benefits the most. I was pointing to the other side of the dirty coin of left and right wing reporting in my original comment and not taking sides
Apr 02nd, 2014 - 03:19 am - Link - Report abuse 0ANGLOTINO.
Apr 02nd, 2014 - 03:02 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Here we call reactionary people to all those individualls whose opinions are discriminatory, and aim to invalid and exclude all those people who don't think like them. I don't pretend people here to think like me, i pretend to be respected, but if i am not respected, i won't send flowers to all those people who often insult me.
You and i usually have deep differences between our opinions, but unless you don't insut me, and we respect eachother.
TIK TOK.
I understand that for somebody so reactionary like you, it's easier to make the partial lecture that you make in your comment, about venezuela's situation. However, reality is much more complicated. I have never omited the serious problems that the country suffers, in fact, if i were so blind, as you accuse me, i would omit the serious falencies, and the negative aspects of maduro's government. But i won't never ignore the hypocritical comparisons that some cretins here often do, every time they compare venezuela with a dictatorship, because here we REALLY lived under state terrorism, and nobody could protest, without suffering terrible consecuences for their lives, beside, nobody voted those sons of a bitch, who had made a coup d'etat in 1976.
@ 47 yankeeboy
Apr 02nd, 2014 - 05:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“I remember Chavez saying if the USA invaded he'd arm everyone with blow guns and poison darts.”
But how many would SUCK instead of blowing?
Chubby speaking without thinking, as usual but you have to admit he was funny as well as an idiot, pity the bus driver is only the latter.
F*ck you Axel!
Apr 02nd, 2014 - 10:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0My family suffer.
You live in a fantasy 1970s belief system.
I am too busy trying to help real people in real sh*t situations to reply to your bullshit.
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