Revision 70625371 of "Criticism of Hugo Chávez" on enwiki

{{Unbalanced}}
{{Politics of Venezuela}}
'''Criticism of [[Hugo Chávez]]''' discusses allegations and criticism against the current [[List of Presidents of Venezuela|President]] of [[Venezuela]].  

Hugo Chávez is a passionately disputed personality.  Supporters view him as a [[socialism|socialist]] [[liberator]], hailing him for promoting [[Latin America]]n integration, [[anti-imperialism|fighting imperialism]] and [[neoliberalism]], empowering Venezuela's poor and indigenous communities, and reducing [[poverty]] and [[unemployment]].  Meanwhile, his opponents see him as an [[authoritarianism|authoritarian]] [[militarism|militarist]] and [[demagogue]] who has failed to deliver on his promises, violated fundamental rights, meddled in the affairs of other [[Latin America]]n countries, threatened Venezuela's economy and democracy, and destabilized global oil prices.  

==Background==
{{see|Hugo Chávez}}
A career [[military]] officer, Chávez founded the [[left-wing politics|leftist]] [[Fifth Republic Movement]] after being a leader of a failed [[Venezuelan coup attempts of 1992|1992 coup d'état]] against the democratically-elected [[List of Presidents of Venezuela|President of Venezuela.]] Chávez was imprisoned, was later pardoned and released, and [[Venezuelan presidential election, 1998|was elected President of Venezuela in 1998]] on promises of aiding Venezuela's poor majority.  He was [[Venezuelan presidential election, 2000|reelected in 2000]], after the rewrite of the [[Constitution of Venezuela]] approved by referendum, it provided for interim elections and the possibility of a consecutive second term, not allowed under Venezuela's previous constitution.  The combined effect of these changes was to extend the previous 5-year presidential term limit to a potential 12-year term plus the two years interim.  During massive public protests over Chávez's firings of seven striking executives of [[Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A.]] (PDVSA), Venezuela's state-owned oil company,<ref>''BBC News''. (''BBC'' 7 April 2006). [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1916181.stm Venezuela president sacks oil executives] Retrieved 21 July 2006</ref> and a resulting strike which crippled the nation's oil industry, he was briefly ousted on [[April 11]], [[2002]] by a military [[Venezuelan coup attempt of 2002|coup]], with street clashes resulting in injuries and deaths.  He was returned to power after the brief ouster, and survived a [[Venezuelan recall referendum of 2004|recall referendum in 2004]].  He is running for re-election in 2006.

==Domestic==
Chávez's domestic policy relies heavily on the "[[Bolivarian Missions]]," a series of political campaigns aimed at radically altering the economic and cultural landscape of Venezuela.  The Missions are a series of social justice, social welfare, anti-poverty, educational, electoral and military recruiting programs.

According to ''[[The Boston Globe]]'', the president of the National Assembly's finance commission, Rodrigo Cabezas, says that PDVSA, the state-owned oil company, will generate nearly US$19 billion which will go to social spending in 2006.  Another US$4.5 billion will be set aside for antipoverty projects, and PDVSA is depositing about $100 million a week into a discretionary presidential spending fund.  Seventy percent of Chávez’s so-called Fund for National Development is earmarked for infrastructure projects, and 25 percent for social spending, according to Cabezas.  Oil revenues and royalties have yielded US$50 billion available for public spending in 2006.  The government says this oil windfall is "transforming the lives of the poor".<ref name=Windfall>Lakshmanam, Indira A.R. [http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2006/08/13/critics_slam_venezuelan_oil_windfall_spending?mode=PF Critics slam Venezuelan oil windfall spending.]  Boston.com ''Boston Globe'' (13 August 2006).</ref>

===Allegations of electoral fraud and abuse ===
Critics claim that the Chávez government is leading Venezuela in an authoritarian direction, abandoning democratic tradition, extending state control over the economy, eliminating dissent, and carrying out "social programs that will set Venezuela back".<ref name=FAInSearch>Shifter, Michael. [http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20060501faessay85303/michael-shifter/in-search-of-hugo-ch-vez.html "In Search of Hugo Chávez"]. ''Foreign Affairs'', May/June 2006. '''85''':3 "But Chávez's policy ideas are mostly dubious.  (Despite the record old profits that are funding social spending, his initiatives have yielded only very modest gains.)  His autocratic and megalomaniacal tendencies have undermined governance and the democratic process in Venezuela."  "Available data of these measures' effect are mixed and not altogether reliable ... The government has also just changed its methodology for measuring poverty to reflect improvements in nonincome criteria such as access to health servies and education, which, it argued, were not reflected in past figures."</ref><ref name=StateDem1>U.S. Department of State (December 1, 2005). [http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/57714.pdf "The State of Democracy in Venezuela".] Accessed 18 June 2006.</ref>

Following the changes made to [[Constitution of Venezuela|Venezuela's Constitution]] and electoral processes in 1999, [[Súmate]], a Venezuelan, not-for-profit civil association, was founded in 2002, and began work towards a constitutional [[Venezuelan recall referendum of 2004|referendum to recall Chávez]].  
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{| cellpadding="3" cellspacing=0 style="margin: 0em 0em 1em 1em; width: 200px; border: 1px #bbbbbb solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 85%; text-align: center; "
|- bgcolor="#E0E0FF"
! colspan="3" style="padding: 1px 1px 1px 1px;" | Hugo Chávez's [[Elections in Venezuela|Election]] Results
|- bgcolor="#F6F6FF" 
! colspan="3" style="padding: 1px 1px 1px 1px;" | &mdash; [[Venezuelan Presidential Elections, 1998|1998 presidential election]] &mdash;
|-
! Candidate    !! Votes     !! %
|-
| Chávez:      || 3,673,685 || 56%
|-
| Salas:    || 2,613,161 || 40%
|-
| Valid votes: || 6,537,304 || &mdash;
|-
| Abstention: || 3,971,239 || 36%
|-
|}
|
{| cellpadding="3" cellspacing=0 style="margin: 0em 0em 1em 1em; width: 200px; border: 1px #bbbbbb solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;"
|- bgcolor="#E0E0FF"
! colspan="3" style="padding: 1px 1px 1px 1px;"  | Hugo Chávez's [[Elections in Venezuela|Election]] Results
|- bgcolor="#F6F6FF"
! colspan="3" style="padding: 1px 1px 1px 1px;"  | &mdash; 1999 referendum &mdash;<br>Enact the new constitution?
|-
! Option      !! Votes     !! %
|-
| Yes:        || 3,301,475 || 72%
|-
| No:         || 1,298,105 || 28%
|-
|| Abstention: || 6,041,743 || 56%
|-
|}
|
{| cellpadding="3" cellspacing=0 style="margin: 0em 0em 1em 1em; width: 200px; border: 1px #bbbbbb solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 85%; text-align: center; "
|- bgcolor="#E0E0FF"
! colspan="3" style="padding: 1px 1px 1px 1px;" | Hugo Chávez's [[Elections in Venezuela|Election]] Results
|- bgcolor="#F6F6FF"
! colspan="3" style="padding: 1px 1px 1px 1px;" | &mdash; [[Venezuelan presidential election, 2000|2000 presidential election]] &mdash;
|-
! Candidate                  !! Votes     !! %
|-
| Chávez:                    || 3,757,773 || 60%
|-
| [[Francisco Arias|Arias]]: || 2,359,459 || 38%
|-
| Valid votes:               || 6,288,578 || &mdash;
|-
| Abstention: || 5,120,464 || 44%
|-
|}
|}
<br clear=all/>
The recall vote was held on [[August 15]], [[2004]]. A record number of voters turned out to defeat the recall attempt with a 59% "no" vote.<ref>''BBC News''. (''BBC'', 21 Sep 2004). [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3587184.stm "Venezuelan Audit Confirms Victory"]. Retrieved 05 Nov 2005.</ref>  The [[Carter Center]] "concluded the results were accurate",<ref>Carter Center (2005).  [http://www.cartercenter.org/documents/2020.pdf Observing the Venezuela Presidential Recall Referendum: Comprehensive Report.]  Accessed 25 January 2006.</ref> and economist Mark Weisbrot reports that the [[Organization of American States]] certified the election.<ref>''Weisbrot,Mark && Birns, Larry''. (''Venezuela Analysis'' 1 Dec 2005) [http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/articles.php?artno=1618 Open Letter to the Journalists Covering the Venezuelan Elections] Retrieved 11 Aug 2006</ref>  European Union observers did not oversee the elections, saying too many restrictions were put on their participation by the Chávez administration.<ref>de Cordoba, Jose and Luhnow, David. "Venezuelans Rush to Vote on Chavez: Polarized Nation Decides Whether to Recall President After Years of Political Rifts". ''Wall Street Journal''. (Eastern edition). New York, NY: Aug 16, 2004. pg. A11.</ref>

The referendum results were controversial.  A [[Penn, Schoen & Berland]] Associates (PSB) exit poll predicted that Chávez would lose by 20%, but the election results showed him to have won by 20%. Schoen commented, "I think it was a massive fraud".<ref name=Barone>Barone, M. [http://www.usnews.com/usnews/opinion/baroneweb/mb_040820.htm "Exit polls in Venezuela".] ''U.S. News & World Report.'' August 20, 2004.</ref> ''US News and World Report'' offered an analysis of the polls, indicating "very good reason to believe that the (Penn Schoen) exit poll had the result right, and that Chávez's election officials &mash; and Carter and the American media &mdash; got it wrong".<ref name = Barone/> ''IndyMedia'' says PSB used Súmate volunteers for fieldwork, and its results contradicted five other opposition exit polls. Publication or broadcast of exit polls was banned by electoral authorities, but ''IndyMedia'' says that results of the PSB poll went out to media outlets and opposition offices several hours before polls closed.<ref>[http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2004/08/296520.html U.S. Poll Firm in Hot Water in Venezuela.] ''Associated Press'', Accessed 9 June 2006.</ref> The Schoen exit poll and the government's programming of election machines were the basis of claims of election fraud.  

{{ChavezElections2004}}
Regarding the [[Venezuelan recall referendum of 2004]], according to the [[Center for Security Policy]], Carter's "continued international work certifying election results has provided essential political cover to anti-democratic forces in the region. Indeed, it might be said that over the past four years, Jimmy Carter has been the most visible and arguably most influential U.S. leader in Latin America." The article goes on to say that, "The ([[Hugo Chávez]]) regime delayed and obstructed the recall referendum process at every turn. Once the regime was forced to submit to such a referendum, moreover, it used a fraud-filled voting process to ensure victory. The government did everything—including granting citizenship to half a million illegal aliens in a crude vote-buying scheme and “migrating” existing voters away from their local election office—to fix the results in its favor. The outcome was then affirmed and legitimated by ex-President Jimmy Carter’s near-unconditional support." "Jimmy Carter ignored pleas from the opposition and publicly endorsed the results, despite the fact that the government reneged on its agreement to carry out an audit of the results."<ref name=CSP>Waller, J. Michael. [http://www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/What_to_Do.pdf What To Do About Venezuela.] Center for Security Policy. May 2005.</ref> 

Economists [[Ricardo Hausmann]] of [[Harvard University]] and Roberto Rigobón of [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]]'s [[Sloan School of Management]] performed a statistical analysis at Súmate's request, analyzing how fraud could have occurred during the referendum.  They concluded that the vote samples audited by the government were not a random representation of all precincts,   noting that the Chávez-backed [[National Electoral Council (Venezuela)|CNE]] had "refused to use the random number generating program offered by the Carter Center for the August 18th audit and instead used its own program installed in its own computer and initialed with their own seed."  They also noted that opposition witnesses and international observers were not allowed near the computer hub on election day.<ref name=CEPRBlackSwan>Weisbrot M, Rosnick D, Tucker T (September 20,2004). [http://www.cepr.net/publications/venezuela_2004_09.htm Black Swans, Conspiracy Theories, and the Quixotic Search for Fraud: A Look at Hausmann and Rigobón's Analysis of Venezuela's Referendum Vote]. ''CEPR:  Center for Economic and Policy Research''. Accessed 30 June 2006.</ref><ref name=UniversalElectionFraud>Juan Francisco Alonso (September 06 , 2004). [http://www.eluniversal.com/2004/09/06/en_pol_art_06A489963.shtml Súmate: There is a 99% probability of fraud in referendum]. ''El Universal''. Accessed 6 August 2006. </ref> 

The Carter Center investigated the statistical study and found that "none of the statistical studies examined here present evidence
that fraud occurred during the 2004 presidential recall referendum".<ref>''Carter Center'' [http://www.cartercenter.org/documents/2020.pdf Observing the
Venezuela Presidential Recall Referendum COMPREHENSIVE REPORT. (PDF)] p. 130. Retrieved 11 Aug 2006.</ref> They also say they used a random number generator that the CNE provided, and that the opposition was invited but declined to participate in the event.<ref> ''Carter Center'' [http://www.cartercenter.org/documents/2020.pdf Observing the
Venezuela Presidential Recall Referendum COMPREHENSIVE REPORT. (PDF)] p. 90. Retrieved 11 Aug 2006.</ref>  Economist Mark Weisbrot of The Center For Economic Policy and Research, a liberal think tank<ref>Dorell, O. (4/12/2005). [http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/retirement/2005-04-12-benefits-calculators_x.htm Benefit estimates depend on who calculates them.] ''USA Today''.  Accessed 30 June 2006.</ref> based in Washington, reports that other economists have called the Harvard/MIT assumptions about how the alleged fraud was conducted unlikely.<ref name=CEPRBlackSwan>Weisbrot M, Rosnick D, Tucker T (September 20,2004). [http://www.cepr.net/publications/venezuela_2004_09.htm Black Swans, Conspiracy Theories, and the Quixotic Search for Fraud: A Look at Hausmann and Rigobón's Analysis of Venezuela's Referendum Vote]. ''CEPR:  Center for Economic and Policy Research''. Accessed 30 June 2006. </ref>  

''Foreign Policy Magazine'' reports that the opposition was "shocked not so much by the results as by the ease with which international observers condoned the Electoral Council's flimsy audit of the results."<ref name=HugoBoss>Corrales, Javier. [http://www.keepmedia.com/pubs/ForeignPolicy/2006/01/01/1111144/print Hugo Boss.] ''Foreign Policy'' (Jan 1, 2006).</ref>  ''Sumate'' says the sample for the audit was selected by the Chávez-controlled National Electoral Council, and was not of sufficient size to be statistically reliable.<ref>[http://web.sumate.org/documentos/PrelimRRP1-2%20main%20text2.pdf Preliminary Report: The Presidential Recall Referendum.] [[Súmate]] (September 7, 2004). Accessed 8 August 2006.</ref> 

The [[U.S. Department of State]] accepted that the results of the audit were "consistent with the results announced by (Venezuela's) National Electoral Council."<ref>Pravda. [http://english.pravda.ru/world/americas/25-08-2004/6685-chavez-0 Venezuelan opposition seeks revenge as audits confirm Chavez’s victory] Retrieved August 5, 2006</ref><ref>U.S. Department of State [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2004/35296.htm Daily Press Briefing for August 17 -- Transcript] Retrieved August 5, 2006</ref>  [[John Maisto]], U.S. Permanent Representative to the [[Organization of American States]], added that the results of the referendum "speak for themselves", saying that the quest for Venezuelan democracy "does not end with a single electoral process or referendum" and urging the "democratically elected government of Venezuela to address and recognize the legitimate concerns, rights, and aspirations of all of its citizens".<ref>[http://usinfo.state.gov/wh/Archive/2004/Sep/14-795264.html U.S. Urges Venezuela to Choose "Peaceful Path" to Democracy] Retrieved August 6, 2006</ref>  Regarding the recall effort, in testimony before the U.S. Senate, Maisto also pointed out that Carter had said that " 'expression of the citizen must be privileged over excessive technicalities' in resolving issues surrounding the tabulation of the signatures".<ref>Maisto, John F.  [http://www.senate.gov/~foreign/testimony/2004/MaistoTestimony040624.pdf STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR JOHN F. MAISTO.] United States Senate, Committee on Foreign Relations, June 24, 2004.</ref>

After the referendum failed to revoke Chávez's mandate, Chávez's government charged the founders of [[Súmate]] with treason and conspiracy for receiving foreign funds, earmarked for voter education, from the [[United States Department of State]] through the [[National Endowment for Democracy]], triggering commentary from human rights organizations and the [[U.S.]] government.<ref>Human Rights Watch.[http://hrw.org/english/docs/2005/07/08/venezu11299.htm Venezuela: Court Orders Trial of Civil Society Leaders.] Accessed 8 June 2006.</ref><ref>World Movement for Democracy. [http://www.wmd.org/democracyalerts/july1504.html Democracy Activists in Venezuela Threatened.] (July 16, 2004) Accessed 8 June 2006.</ref><ref>Embassy of the United States, Venezuela (July 8, 2005). [http://caracas.usembassy.gov/wwwh2678.html "Súmate Trial Decision".] Accessed 18 June 2006.</ref> The trial has been postponed several times.

===Authoritarian rule and power consolidation===
In spite of a presidential term limit of 12 years, Chávez often suggests that he will remain in power for 25 years,<ref name=EconForPol>The Economist, (June 8, 2006), [http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=7037554 "Venezuela's foreign policy: Bruised but unbowed,"] ''The Economist,'' Accessed 20 June 2006.</ref> a claim he denies as a misinterpretation of his intent.<ref>Holland, Alex. (''Venezuela Analysis'' 21 Feb 2006). [http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news.php?newsno=1901 Chavez Threatens Opposition with Referendum on Third Term in Office]. Retrieved 21 Jun 2006. Chávez argued that this was necessary as the job of rebuilding Venezuela was so big that it could not be done in 5 years. At other times Chávez has said that this project will not be finished until 2021. Chávez has also said he will retire from politics in 2021. This has led many to conclude that Chávez wants to be President until 2021. Chávez has denied this, though.</ref> However he recently proposed a constitutionally binding referendum to allow for a third term.<ref> Holland, Alex. (''Venezuela Analysis'' 21 Feb 2006). [http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news.php?newsno=1901 Chavez Threatens Opposition with Referendum on Third Term in Office]. Retrieved 21 Jun 2006. “I might sign a decree calling for a popular referendum - Do you agree that Chavez should run for a third term in 2013?”</ref>  Chávez has said that if the opposition boycotts the [[Venezuelan presidential election, 2006|2006 Venezuelan presidential election]], he might hold a [[referendum]] to abolish the presidential term limit of 12 years and allow him to run for re-election "indefinitely".<ref>{{cite news | first = Christopher | last = Toothaker | author = | coauthors =| url = http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-chavez07.html | title = 25 more years of Hugo Chávez? | work = Associated Press | publisher = Chicago Sun-Times | pages = | page = | date = [[2006-05-07]] | accessdate = 2006-07-24 | language = }}</ref>  According to an article in ''The Washington Post'' a program called [[Mission Identidad|"Mission Identity"]], to fast track voter registration of immigrants to Venezuela &mdash; including Chávez supporters benefiting from his subsidies &mdash; has been put in place prior to the upcoming 2006 presidential elections.<ref name=PostVoterRolls>Bronstein, H. (June 14, 2006), [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/14/AR2006061400486.html "Colombians in Venezuela thank Chavez for new life",] ''Washington Post'', Accessed 22 June 2006. Also available [http://www.boston.com/news/world/latinamerica/articles/2006/06/14/colombians_in_venezuela_thank_chavez_for_new_life/ here.]</ref>

According to the US State Department, Chávez has abandoned democratic traditions, and placed democracy in peril with unchecked concentration of power, political persecution, and intimidation.<ref name=StateDem1/>  ''Foreign Affairs Magazine'' says that, to his critics, Chávez is a power-hungry dictator whose authoritarian vision and policies are a formidable menace to his people, with autocratic and megalomaniacal tendencies.<ref name=FAInSearch/>  The [[Center for Security Policy]] calls Chávez a "self-absorbed, unstable strongman" who has found "common cause with terrorists and the regimes that support them."<ref name=CSP>Waller, J. Michael.  [http://www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/What_to_Do.pdf What To Do About Venezuela.]  Center for Security Policy.  May 2005.</ref> 

''Foreign Policy Magazine'' says that Chávez has "updated tyranny for today" and "is practicing a new style of authoritarianism".<ref name=HugoBoss>Corrales, Javier.  [http://www.keepmedia.com/pubs/ForeignPolicy/2006/01/01/1111144/print Hugo Boss.]  ''Foreign Policy'' (Jan 1, 2006).</ref>  The article adds that Chávez has achieved absolute control of all state institutions that might check his power, and unrivaled political control.  They also note that, more importantly, "Chávez commands the institute that supervises elections, the National Electoral Council" and say, "If democracy requires checks on the power of incumbents, Venezuela doesn't come close."  

In testimony before the U.S. Senate, the South American Project Director for the Center for Strategic International Studies characterized Venezuela's democracy as "now in intensive care", saying that Chávez's government has weakened the foundations of Venezuela's democracy by systematically hacking away at the institutional checks on Chávez's authority".  The testimony also included statements that the Chávez government had crossed the line by "selectively arresting opposition leaders, torturing some mebers of the opposition (according to human rights organizations) and encouraging, if not directing, its squads of [[Bolivarian Circles]] to beat up members of Congress and intimidate voters &mdash; all with impunity".<ref>Diaz, Miguel. [http://www.senate.gov/~foreign/testimony/2004/DiazTestimony040624.pdf “The Threat to Democracy in Venezuela and its Implications for the Region and the United States”.]  June 24, 2004.</ref>  [[Amnesty International]] reports that Venezuela lacks an independent and impartial judiciary.<ref name=AI2006>Amnesty International (2006). [http://web.amnesty.org/report2006/ven-summary-eng "AI Report 2006: Venezuela".] Accessed 22 June 2006.</ref>

====Bureaucratic chaos====
''Foreign Policy Magazine'' says that Chávez is "rewriting the manual on how to be a modern-day authoritarian" by means which include allowing the bureaucracy to decay "with one exception:  the offices that count votes" where he has assigned "the best minds and the brightest ''técnicos''". "Perhaps the best evidence that Chávez is fostering bureaucratic chaos is cabinet turnover.  It is impossible to have coherent policies when ministers don't stay long enough to decorate their offices."<ref name=HugoBoss/>  In August, 2006, following reported differences with Chávez during his recent international tour, Presidential Secretary Delcy Rodríguez was replaced by [[Adán Chávez]], the brother of Hugo Chávez.  Adán Chávez had previously been the ambassador to Cuba.<ref>[http://www.eluniversal.com/2006/08/08/pol_art_08108C.shtml Adán Chávez asume Secretaría de la Presidencia.] ''El Universal'' (August 8, 2006).</ref>

[[Adina Bastidas]] was appointed Production and Commerce Minister less than two weeks after she was fired as vice-president.<ref name=LBC>Bamrud, Joachim.  [http://www.latinbusinesschronicle.com/reports/reports/venezuela.htm Investors in Venezuela: Waiting for Change.] ''Latin Business Chronicle'' (April 4, 2002).</ref> Her appointment as Commerce Minister, coming after weeks of protests against Chávez's economic policies,<ref name=BBCChurch/> was seen as a further radicalization of Chávez's government, according to the ''BBC''.<ref name=BBCChurch/>  A professor at IESA &mdash; Venezuela's Graduate Institute for Business Administration Studies &mdash; referred to her and other Chávez appointments as, "politicians and government ministers who individually and collectively lack the competence, vision, talent, skill, savvy and the proper political and economic orientation to produce the necessary changes to move the country forward."<ref name=LBC/>

The head of the Venezuelan Internationalists' Association described the August 2006 appointment of [[Nicolás Maduro]] to Foreign Minister as "choosing officials lacking any training at all," saying "the current government thinks that there is no need to have much knowledge, studies, any experience in international affairs or negotiation ability."<ref>[http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2006/08/11/en_pol_art_11A763789.shtml Internationalists regret appointment of new Foreign Minister.] ''El Universal'' (11 August 2006).</ref>  ''El Universal'' reports that critics say his appointment "exacerbates the lack of professionalism and the politization of Venezuelan diplomacy" and "reinforces the fact that the legislative branch of the Venezuelan government 'is just an extension of the executive power'."  Former Venezuelan ambassador to the United Nations Milos Alcalay said "Maduro ... has no experience at all in foreign affairs and is to take office as a kind of secretary to President Hugo Chávez. He just lacks the useful training in domestic and foreign policy to project his image."  Alaclay said an experienced Minister was needed "to bring an end to the growing radical stance of Venezuelan President."<ref>Diaz, Sara Carolina. [http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2006/08/11/en_pol_art_11A763599.shtml "Venezuelan diplomacy has become increasingly politicized".] ''El Universal'' (11 August 2006).</ref>

===Human rights===
[[Human Rights Watch]] expressed concern in a personal letter to Chávez over the safety of human rights defenders in Venezuela.<ref> Human Rights Watch (April 19, 2002).  [http://www.hrw.org/press/2002/04/chavez0419-ltr.htm Safety of Human Rights Defenders in Venezuela.]</ref>  Human rights organization [[Amnesty International]] has catalogued a number of human rights violations under Chávez's administration.<ref name="ai_2005_1">Amnesty International. (AI, 2005). [http://web.amnesty.org/report2005/ven-summary-eng "AI Summary Report 2005: Venezuela".] Retrieved 01 Nov 2005.</ref> As of [[December 2004]], Amnesty International had documented at least 14 deaths and at least 200 wounded during confrontations between anti-Chávez demonstrators and National Guard, police, and other security personnel in February and March 2004, and continuing reports of unlawful killings by the police.  

In 2003, family members of the victims of the events of April 11, 2002, represented by a team of lawyers from Venezuela and Spain, filed a lawsuit at the [[International Criminal Court]] (ICC) in [[The Hague]] against Chávez and several of his government officials for [[crime against humanity|crimes against humanity]]. The lawsuit was first filed in Spain on January 28, 2003, but it was decided by Judge Fernando Andreu of the National Audience that the Spanish courts would not be able to try Chávez because of his position as an acting President. However, the Spanish State's Attorney and the magistrates of the Penal Court of Appeals stated that the lawsuit was well founded and the case was consequently forwarded to the ICC (The International Criminal Court June 2003, Victims Compensation; Vol. 19, No. 6).<ref>No Peace Without Justice.  [http://www.npwj.org/?q=node/1545 "Venezuela's Hugo Chávez investigated by the International Criminal Court."] Accessed 23 May 2006.</ref> On February 9, 2006 [[Luis Moreno Ocampo]], Chief Prosecutor of the ICC, concluded that the requirements to continue the investigation were not satisfied according to the [[Rome Statute]]. However, this conclusion could be reconsidered in the light of new evidence.<ref>International Criminal Court.  [http://www.icc-cpi.int/library/organs/otp/OTP_letter_to_senders_re_Venezuela_9_February_2006.pdf "re: Venezuela".] Accessed 9 February 2006.</ref>

Chávez was critized when he was elected president for inviting former dictator [[Marcos Pérez Jiménez]], who was living in exile in Spain, to Venezuela to attend Chávez's inauguration.  The ''[[Associated Press]]'' reported that the move "provoked an outcry among older Venezuelans who remembered the brutal side of his dictatorship" and political repression.<ref>''Associated Press'' (September 22, 2001). "Marcos Perez Jimenez Dies at 87; General, Venezuelan Dictator."  ''Washington Post'', p. B06.  Available at [http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/venezuela/perez-jimenez-obituary.htm].  Accessed August 13, 2006.</ref>

====Free speech====
As opposition to Chávez grew, owners, managers, commentators, and other personnel affiliated with private mainstream television networks and most major mainstream newspapers stated their opposition to the Chávez administration. These media accuse the Chávez administration of intimidation and censorship. Chávez in turn alleges that the owners of these networks have primary allegiance to Venezuela's elite and U.S. interests.

During the [[Venezuelan coup attempt of 2002]], domestic and international observers criticized the Government for excessive abuse of its right to call national broadcasts requiring all broadcast media to cease scheduled programming and transmit the broadcasts in their entirety. Between April 9 and 11, the government required all radio and TV stations to transmit numerous speeches by President Chávez, other government officials, and other programming favorable to the Government, even shutting the signals of the stations who refused, in an attempt to block coverage of the demonstrations and ensuing violence.<ref name=USStateHRP2002>U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (March 31, 2003). [http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2002/18348.htm Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2002.] Accessed 4 Aug 2006.</ref><ref>[http://www.freemedia.at/cms/ipi/freedom_detail.html?country=/KW0001/KW0002/KW0032/&year=2002 Venezuela - 2002 World Press Freedom Review] ''[[International Press Institute]]'' Accessed 14 August 2006.</ref>

The [[freedom of the press]] is seriously threatened in Venezuela according to various [[journalism]] organizations and [[NGO]]'s.  According to the [[International Press Institute]], the [[Inter-American Press Association]] and [[Human Rights Watch]], the administration of President Hugo Chávez tightened its grip on the press in 2005, while groups close to the government, including the [[Bolivarian Circles]], hampered journalists’ ability to report. President Chávez’s government introduced harsher penalties for libel, defamation and insult, which resulted in a growing number of journalists appearing before the courts. The [[National Assembly of Venezuela|National Assembly]] approved by a simple majority the controversial ''Law on the Social Responsibility of Radio and Television'', or [[gag law]], which, in effect, makes the private radio and television system part of the state, which controls its schedules, programs and content.<ref>Haas, Nayeli Urquiza Haas.  [http://www.freemedia.at/cms/ipi/freedom_detail.html?country=/KW0001/KW0002/KW0032/&year=2005 Venezuela - 2005 World Press Freedom Review.] ''[[International Press Institute]]''. Accessed 6 August 2006.</ref><ref>[http://www.sipiapa.org/pulications/report_venezuela2005.cfm Venezuela - Country by Country Report.] ''[[Inter-American Press Association]]''. Accessed 6 August 2006.</ref><ref>Green, Eric.[http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2006&m=June&x=200606121239531xeneerg0.5350153 Global Press Groups Condemn Attacks on Journalists in Americas.] ''Bureau of International Information Programs, [[United States Department of State]]''. Accessed 6 August 2006.</ref><ref>[http://hrw.org/english/docs/2005/03/24/venezu10368.htm Venezuela: Curbs on Free Expression Tightened] ''Human Rights Watch'' Accessed 08 May 2006.</ref>

The [[freedom of the press]] is secured by two key clauses in Chávez' [[Constitution of Venezuela]] of [[1999]]. The right to freedom of expression is set out in Article 57 and Article 58 of the Constitution. The right to express opinions freely without censorship (Article 57) and the right to reply (Article 58) are generally in line with international standards.  However, the [[Inter-American Commission on Human Rights]] (IACHR) expressed concern about Article 58 of the [[Constitution]], which provides that "Everyone has the right to timely, truthful, impartial and uncensored information." The Commission took issue with the right to "truth and timely" information arguing that this is "a kind of prior censorship prohibited in the [[American Convention on Human Rights]]."<ref>Canton, Santiago A. [http://cidh.oas.org/Comunicados/English/2002/Press5.02.htm Preliminary Evaluation by the IACHR of the Visit to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.] ''[[Inter-American Commission on Human Rights]]''. Accessed 6 August 2006.</ref>

In 2005, [[Reporters Without Borders]] ranked Venezuela 90th out of 167 countries in its global press freedom listing.<ref>[http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=15335 Worldwide Press Freedom Index 2005.] ''[[Reporters Without Borders]]''. Accessed 6 August 2006.</ref>  [[Freedom House]] rates Venezuela as "Partly Free" according to its 2006 global survey "[[Freedom in the World 2006 |Freedom in the World]]".<ref>[http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=22&year=2005&country=6862 Country Report - Venezuela (2005).] ''[[Freedom House]]''. Accessed 6 August 2006.</ref>

===Economic policy===
{{see|Bolivarian Missions}}
Domestically, Chávez has launched the [[Bolivarian Missions]]: a series of social programs whose stated goals are to combat disease, [[illiteracy]], [[malnutrition]], poverty, and other social ills.  The Missions have entailed, among other things, the launching of massive government anti-[[poverty]] initiatives,<ref>Niemeyer, p. 36. "The World Bank asserted on 7th October 2003 that Latin America's biggest issue is the fight against poverty. The [[Bolivarian Revolution]] seems to be the only process worldwide which is taking this problem seriously and is effectively tackling poverty with government programs. The financing of these programs by spending a good portion of the Nation's [[GDP]] (0.2% in August 2003 alone) ... "</ref><ref>UNICEF. (UNICEF, 2005). [http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/files/IPlusQuarterlyeNewsletterJanMarch2005.pdf "Venezuela’s Barrio Adentro: A Model of Universal Primary Health Care"]. Retrieved 15 Oct 2005. UNICEF, p. 2. "''Barrio Adentro'' ... is part and parcel of the government's longterm poverty-reduction and social inclusion strategy to achieve and surpass the Millennium Development Goals."</ref> the construction of thousands of free medical clinics for the poor,<ref>Kuiper, Jeroen. (''Venezuela Analysis'', 28 Jul 2005). [http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/articles.php?artno=1510 Barrio Adentro II: Victim of its Own Success]. Retrieved 18 October 2005. "After spreading primary health care through the ''Mision Barrio Adentro'' all over Venezuela in just two years, by constructing thousands of ''consultorios'' (doctor's offices) ... "</ref> the institution of educational campaigns that have reportedly made more than one million adult Venezuelans literate,<ref>Niemeyer, pp. 14-15. "With high levels of illiteracy to be found amongst the population the alphabetisation campaign called 'Mission Robinson' was brought into action. It has already taught more than a million people how to read and write and gained widespread support. Older people participate while youngsters enjoy access to University through a program guaranteeing equal access to Universities. This program is referred to as 'Mission Sucre'."</ref><ref>Burbach, Roger. (''CounterPunch'', 7 Nov 2005). [http://www.counterpunch.org/burbach11082005.html "Bush Versus Chavez"]. Retrieved 08 Nov 2005.</ref> and the enactment of food<ref>Niemeyer, p. 15. "Probably the most important achievement can be seen in the state run supermarkets, referred to as 'Mercal' which provide the basic necessities at affordable prices which are in many cases more than 30 percent cheaper than in regular shops."</ref> and housing subsidies.<ref>''Venezuela Analysis'', [http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news.php?newsno=1704 "Chavez Disappointed with His Government’s Public Housing Achievements"]. " ... government is investing $2.8 billion in the housing program ... According to a report that Julio Montes, the Minister of Housing and Habitat, presented, only 43,000 homes had been constructed so far this year, while the government’s goal is to construct at least 120,000."</ref> 

Chávez was first elected on an anti-corruption platform and on promises of redistributing wealth to the poor, but Michael Shifter of [[Georgetown University]]'s School of Foreign Service says that "despite record oil profits that are funding social spending, his initiatives have yielded only very modest gains",<ref name=FAInSearch/> and ''The Economist'' reports that his policies are most vulnerable in the areas of corruption, jobs and crime.<ref name=EconCrime>The Economist, (April 20, 2006), [http://www.economist.com/displayStory.cfm?story_id=6832058 "Venezuela: Crimes and misdemeanours".] ''The Economist''. Accessed 26 June 2006.</ref>  

During Chávez's presidency from 1999 to 2004, per-capita [[gross domestic product|GDP]] dropped 1&ndash;2 %,<ref name=Econ1>Economist (June 2003). [http://web.archive.org/web/20030604104250/http://economist.com/countries/Venezuela/profile.cfm?folder=Profile-FactSheet "Country Briefings:  Venezuela Factsheet".] ''The Economist''. Accessed June 4, 2003.</ref> but with the help of rising oil prices, the end of the oil strike, and strong consumption growth, recent economic activity under Chávez has been robust.  GDP growth rates were 18% in 2004,<ref name=EconPov>The Economist (Feb 16, 2006), [http://www.economist.com/displayStory.cfm?story_id=5526589 Venezuela: Mission Impossible,] ''The Economist'', Retrieved 22 June 2006.</ref> 9% in 2005,<ref name=BCV2005>[http://english.eluniversal.com/2006/08/09/en_eco_art_09A762255.shtml Imported goods are cheaper, BCV acknowledges.] ''El Universal'' (August 9, 2006).</ref> and 9.6% in the first half of 2006, with the private sector growing at a 10.3% clip.<ref name="BCV06Growth">''Banco Central de Venezuela'' (''BCV'' 15 Aug 2006). [http://www.bcv.org.ve/c4/notasprensa.asp?Codigo=4943&Operacion=2&Sec=False Actividad económica crece en 9,6% durante el primer semestre de 2006] Retrieved 16 Aug 2006 {{es icon}} "Este resultado, unido al aumento de 9,9% observado en el primer trimestre, ubica el crecimiento del primer semestre en 9,6%." "Desde el punto de vista institucional, el sector público creció en 4,6% y el privado en 10,3%." ""La inversión bruta fija continuó su ritmo expansivo, alcanzando niveles superiores a los observados en toda la serie desde el año 1997."</ref> From 2004 to the first half of 2006, non-petroleum sectors of the economy showed growth rates greater than 10%.<ref>''El Universal (2006) [http://economia.eluniversal.com/2006/05/18/PIB-TRIMESTRAL-May-2006g.jpg  Movimiento del producto interno bruto]. Retrieved 25 Jun 2006</ref>  Most of that growth was in the poorest sectors of society, with real income growth of 55% reported between 2003 and 2005.<ref>''Datos'', (2006). [http://www.datosir.com/images/perspectivas2006.pdf Perspectivas del Mercado y del Consumidor Perspectivas Venamcham 2006,] p.8. Retrieved 21 Jun 2006. {{es_icon}}</ref>  Some economists argue that this subsidized growth could stop if oil prices decline,<ref name=PostVoterRolls>Bronstein, H. (June 14, 2006), [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/14/AR2006061400486.html "Colombians in Venezuela thank Chavez for new life",] ''Washington Post'', Accessed 22 June 2006.</ref> and some social scientists and economists claim that the government's reported poverty figures have not fallen in proportion to the country's vast oil revenues in the last two years.<ref name=EconPov/>  
The president of the private Venezuelan research firm which documented 55% real income growth among the poorest sectors of society said that, although his surveys showed rising incomes because of subsidies and grants, the number of people in the worst living conditions has grown.  "The poor of Venezuela are living much better lately and have increased their purchasing power . . . [but] without being able to improve their housing, education level, and social mobility," he said. "Rather than help [the poor] become stakeholders in the economic system, what [the government has] done is distribute as much oil wealth as possible in missions and social programs."<ref name=Windfall>Lakshmanam, Indira A.R. [http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2006/08/13/critics_slam_venezuelan_oil_windfall_spending?mode=PF Critics slam Venezuelan oil windfall spending.]  Boston.com ''Boston Globe'' (13 August 2006).</ref>

According to government figures, unemployment has dropped by 6.9% since the start of Chávez's presidency.  <ref>''Instituto Nacional de Estadistica''.(''INE'', Jan 1999) [http://www.ine.gov.ve/hogares/Hogares2.asp?Periodo=M&Ano=1999&R_Desde=Ene&R_Hasta=EneIndicadores Globales de Fuerza de Trabajo]. Retrieved 13 Jun 2006."Taza de Desocupacion 16.6%" {{es icon}}</ref><ref>''Instituto Nacional de Estadistica''.(''INE'', April 2006) [http://www.ine.gov.ve/hogares/Hogares2.asp?Periodo=M&Ano=2006&R_Desde=Abr&R_Hasta=Jun Globales de Fuerza de Trabajo]. Retrieved 13 Jun 2006."Taza de Desocupacion 9.7%" {{es icon}}</ref> Despite high oil revenues, Venezuela's [[unemployment|rate of unemployment]] remains at 10% in February 2006 from the 2003 high of 20%, which occurred during a two-month strike and business lockout that shut down the country's oil industry. However, some economists argue that recent job creation may not be permanent, for it relies on an expanded public payroll that will become unaffordable if oil prices fall.<ref name=EconPov/>  With the help of an expanded public payroll, unemployment has been reduced from the 2003 high under Chávez of 20%, but some economists argue that the jobs may not be permanent, and critics question the government's reported poverty figures, based on contradictory statistics and definitions,<ref name=FAInSearch/> which they say have not fallen enough considering the country's vast oil revenues in the last two years.<ref name=EconPov>The Economist (Feb 16, 2006), [http://www.economist.com/displayStory.cfm?story_id=5526589 Venezuela: Mission Impossible.] ''The Economist''. Retrieved 22 June 2006.</ref>   ''The Economist'' reports that both poverty and unemployment figures under Chávez have not seen significant improvement and that official corruption under his government continues to be rampant,<ref>The Economist (Mar 30 2006), [http://www.economist.com/World/la/displayStory.cfm?story_id=6749208 "Venezuela:  The sickly stench of corruption".]  ''The Economist.  Accessed 19 June 2006.</ref> and point to the 1-2% drop in Venezuela's per-capita [[gross domestic product|GDP]] early in Chávez's term, before the 2004 surge in oil prices.<ref name=Econ1>Economist (June 2003).  [http://web.archive.org/web/20030604104250/http://economist.com/countries/Venezuela/profile.cfm?folder=Profile-FactSheet "Country Briefings:  Venezuela Factsheet".] ''The Economist''. Accessed June 4, 2003.</ref> According to ''[[The Boston Globe]]'', critics say the government defines "informal workers, such as street vendors, as employed, and exclud[es] adults who are studying in missions from unemployment numbers."  When the president of the Venezuelan National Statistics Institute released numbers in 2005 which showed that poverty had actually risen by more than 10 points under Chávez (to 53% in 2004), Chávez called for a new measure of poverty, defining a "social well-being index".  Under this new definition, poverty registers at 40 percent.<ref name=Windfall/>  The minimum wage in Venezuela in July 2006 covered only 65 percent of the cost of the basic food basket.<ref> [http://english.eluniversal.com/2006/08/02/en_eco_art_02A758309.shtml Food basket heightens.] ''El Universal'' (August 2, 2006).</ref>

The [[Heritage Foundation]]'s [[Index of Economic Freedom]] ranked Venezuela 152 out of 157 countries, among the 12 economies of the world labelled "repressed".<ref> Heritage Foundation (2006), [http://www.heritage.org/research/features/index/country.cfm?id=Venezuela "2006 Index of Economic Freedom:  Venezuela".] Accessed 27 June 2006.</ref>

The government and independent observers refute the charges of economic decline by pointing out that the renewed economic growth of the last two years has brought rapid reductions in poverty, especially when one considers the vast expansion of non-cash income represented by subsidized food distribution and other social programs.<ref name="CEPR_2006">Weisbrot, M., Sandoval, L., and Rosnick, D. (2006), [http://www.cepr.net/publications/venezuelan_poverty_rates_2006_05.pdf "Poverty Rates In Venezuela: Getting The Numbers Right".] ''Center for Economic and Policy Research''. Accessed May 31, 2006.</ref>

At the same time, [[The Economist]] opines that the administration's unwillingness to utilize private sector resources has resulted in a crumbling public infrastructure and a deficit in housing.<ref name=EconPov>The Economist (Feb 16, 2006). [http://www.economist.com/displayStory.cfm?story_id=5526589 Venezuela: Mission Impossible.] ''The Economist'', Retrieved 22 June 2006.</ref>  Critics cite the many public hospitals that lack basic medicine and hygienic supplies.  They also question the the motives behind the [[Bolivarian Missions]]' regular cash and in-kind payments to the millions of poor Venezuelans enrolling in their social programs.  With many enrollees participating in more than one Mission simultaneously, receiving a steady and unearned income, critics worry that work ethic will be corrupted and enrollees will be predisposed to support and vote for Chávez.  Supporters would respond that the opposition was not similarly worried about economic policy influencing political allegiances in the years when the current Venezuelan opposition promoted policies that re-distributed income upward.  There have been marked improvements in the infant mortality rate between 1998 and 2005.<ref>Central Intelligence Agency. (CIA, 1998). ''[http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/wofact98/259.htm The World Factbook 1998: Venezuela.]'' Retrieved 18 Oct 2005.</ref><ref name=CIA2005>Central Intelligence Agency. (CIA, 2005). ''[https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ve.html The World Factbook 2005: Venezuela.]'' Retrieved 18 Oct 2005.</ref>  

According to Venezuela's ''El Universal'', one of the Chávez administration's outstanding weaknesses is the failure to meet its goals of construction of housing.  Chávez promised to build 150,000 houses in 2006, but in the first half of the year, completed only 24 percent of that target, with 35,000 houses.<ref>[http://english.eluniversal.com/2006/07/31/en_eco_art_31A756381.shtml http://english.eluniversal.com/2006/07/31/en_eco_art_31A756381.shtml] ''El Universal'' (July 31, 2006).</ref>

Venezuela's non-traditional exports decreased by 20 percent in the first quarter of 2006.  The drop was attributed to uncertain regulations on exports, markets lost because of politics, restrictions on purchasing US dollars, and bureaucratic delays affecting exporters, according to Francisco Mendoza, president of the Venezuelan Exporter's Association (AVEX).  Mendoza said Venezuela is losing five large trade partners by withdrawing from the Group of Three (G-3) and the Andean Community of Nations (CAN), exchanging them for less valuable markets in the Common Market of the South ([[Mercosur]]).  He says that only 10 percent of AVEX members have been granted certificates to purchase USD dollars needed for exports, and that overvaluation of the Venezuelan bolivar undermines the competitiveness of Venezuelan products abroad.<ref>[http://english.eluniversal.com/2006/07/28/en_eco_art_28A754689.shtml Venezuelan exports plummet 20 percent.] ''El Universal'' (July 28, 2006).</ref>

To combat the high rate of inflation in Venezuela, the National Assembly (AN) Finance Committee submitted a proposal to the Venezuelan Central Bank (BCV) to remove three zeroes from the local currency (bolivares).  Economist Pedro Palma explains that this move will have no effect on the economy or consumers, saying, "The trouble with zeros in the currency is that they are the result of inflation; not the other way around."<ref>[http://english.eluniversal.com/2006/08/07/en_eco_art_07A760879.shtml Removing zeros cannot control inflation, economist agree.] ''El Universal'' (August 7, 2006).</ref>

According to ''[[The Boston Globe]]'', the head of [[Mission Sucre]], a program to provide free and ongoing education, says that “investments in education, health, and infrastructure will have a lasting effect on standard of living”.  Data from a private Venezuelan research firm shows the incomes of the “poorest Venezuelans have risen because of subsidies and grants”.   The ''Globe'' reports that the government has “subsidized markets in poor neighborhoods that sell staple foods up to 40 percent cheaper than elsewhere.”  Low income residents are reportedly living better because of subsidies that that boost household income, decrease food costs, and provide access to free schooling and basic medical care.   Chavez’s “missions” offer education, aid to the needy, soup kitchens, and medical care.<ref name=Windfall/>

===Corruption===
Members of the Venezuelan Armed Forces are alleged to be involved in supplying arms to Colombia's [[FARC]],<ref name=ISN>Logan, S. (February 6, 2006).  [http://www.isn.ethz.ch/news/sw/details.cfm?id=16085 "The Kalashnikov threat in Venezuela".] International Relations and Security Network (ISN). Accessed 27 June 2006.</ref> and U.S. anti-drug officials allege that corruption within the Chávez administration is converting Venezuela into a trafficking route for Colombian drugs.<ref name=Goodman>Goodman, J. ''AP'', [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/20/AR2006062000728.html "Coca Production Increases in Colombia".] ''Washington Post'' (June 20, 2006). Accessed 24 June 2006.</ref>  Critics also allege widespread corruption in the police force.<ref name=PostCrime>Reel, M.  [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/09/AR2006050901803.html "Crime Brings Venezuelans Into Streets".] ''Washington Post'' (May 10, 2006), p. A17. Accessed 24 June 2006.</ref>

''The Economist'' reports that "Mr Chávez has grasped all the powers of state into his own hands, and eliminated all independent oversight of his government. The opposition argues that the inevitable result of this is graft on an increased scale."  Berlin-based [[Transparency International]], in its annual survey [[Corruption Perceptions Index]], ranked Venezuela as one of only a dozen countries where perceived corruption had "greatly increased", resulting in a ranking of 130 out of the 150 countries surveyed,<ref name=EconCorrupt>The Economist, (Mar 30, 2006), [http://www.economist.com/World/la/displayStory.cfm?story_id=6749208 "Venezuela: The sickly stench of corruption.] ''The Economist''. Accessed 20 June 2006.</ref>
<ref>Phil Gunson [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13989898/site/newsweek/print/0/displaymode/1098/ A Question of Graft] ''Newsweek International'' Accessed 14 August 2006.</ref> to become the nation perceived as the third most corrupt in Latin America, above Paraguay and Haiti. Critics claim that rampant corruption reaches the highest levels of Venezuelan airport and security officials, that billions of dollars have been siphoned away from social programs by corrupt officials, and that leaders of the military have limited oversight, creating an environment in which impunity and corruption develop.<ref name=EconCorrupt/><ref name=ISN/><ref name=PostCrime/><ref name=Goodman>Goodman, Joshua.  [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/20/AR2006062000728.html Coca Production Increases in Colombia.] ''The Washington Post'' (June 20, 2006).</ref>

===Crime===
Since he took office, ''[[The Economist]]'' reports that the murder rate has almost tripled, and that Venezuela's capital &ndash; Caracas &ndash; has become South America's most violent, with police implicated in some of the crimes.<ref name=EconCrime>The Economist, (April 20, 2006), [http://www.economist.com/displayStory.cfm?story_id=6832058 "Venezuela: Crimes and misdemeanours.] ''The Economist''. Accessed 26 June 2006.</ref><ref name=AI2006>Amnesty International (2006), [http://web.amnesty.org/report2006/ven-summary-eng "AI Report 2006: Venezuela".] Accessed 22 June 2006.</ref> The [[United Nations]] reported in 2005 that Venezuela had the highest number of deaths by gunfire per capita in the world,<ref>Chicago Tribune (June 12, 2006), [http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0606120144jun12,1,7033002.story?ctrack=1&cset=true "In Venezuela, crime runs 'absolutely out of control' ".] Accessed 22 June 2006.</ref> garnering for Venezuela claim to the title of the world's most violent crime capital.<ref name=PostCrime>Reel, M.  [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/09/AR2006050901803.html "Crime Brings Venezuelans Into Streets".] ''Washington Post'' (May 10, 2006), p. A17. Accessed 24 June 2006.</ref> 

Critics claim that Chávez's policies are responsible for some of these declines.<ref name=HugoBoss>Corrales, Javier.  "Hugo Boss".  ''Foreign Policy''.  Jan 1, 2006.</ref><ref name=PostCrime>Reel, M.  [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/09/AR2006050901803.html "Crime Brings Venezuelans Into Streets".] ''Washington Post'' (May 10, 2006), p. A17. Accessed 24 June 2006.</ref> and the U.S. State Department says there is unchecked concentration of power in the executive.<ref name=StateDem1>U.S. Department of State (December 1, 2005). [http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/57714.pdf "The State of Democracy in Venezuela".] Accessed 18 June 2006.</ref>

Critics accuse the [[Bolivarian Circles]] Chávez founded of furthering violence<ref name=BolCir>Morsbach, Greg. (''BBC'', 12 Jun 2002). [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2038827.stm "Chavez accused of fostering militia links"]. Retrieved 13 Jun 2006.</ref>, and say Chávez's new civil reserve defense force is intended to intimidate domestic opponents and repress internal dissent.Chávez government officials respond that the reserve is similar to civilian reserves and forces in many nations, including the United States.<ref name=BBCCitMil>Ceaser, M. (''BBC'', 1 Jul 2005). [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4635187.stm "Chavez's 'citizen militias' on the march".] Retrieved 27 June 2006.</ref>  According to a study by [[Brigham Young University]] scholars, the "Bolivarian circles" also help the government identify opponents, who are then denied services.<ref>Davis, Bob. "Move Over, Che: Chavez Is New Icon of Radical Chic." ''Wall Street Journal'' (Eastern edition). New York, N.Y.: Jun 16, 2006. p. A1.</ref>

According to an article in ''Foreign Policy Magazine'', "On average, Chávez shuffles more than half of his cabinet every year."<ref name=HugoBoss/>  During his presidency, Chávez has had six Ministers of Interior and Justice.  In August 2006, following assaults on a squatter and a National Assembly member, ''El Universal'' says that Chávez called on the latest Minister, [[Jesse Chacón]] to quit if he could not do the job, demanding more rigor in the fight against corruption, and affirming the need to clean up and transform the local police forces.  He questioned the impunity that exists in the country, and challenged authorities, like Chacón, to resign if they couldn't make progress against crime.  He also called for greater protection of squatters settling on landed estates.<ref>Diaz, Sara Carolina.  [http://www.eluniversal.com/2006/08/07/pol_art_07104A.shtml Chávez exige acabar con latifundios.]  ''El Universal''  (7 August 2006).</ref>  

===Other===
Some criticism has come from Chávez's supporters. Chávez's own political party, [[Fifth Republic Movement]] (MVR), has been criticized as being riddled with the same cronyism, political patronage, and corruption that Chávez alleged were characteristic of the old "Fourth Republic" political parties. Venezuela's trade unionists and indigenous communities have participated in peaceful demonstrations intended to impel the government to speed up labor and land reforms. These communities, while largely expressing their sympathy and support for Chávez, criticize what they see as Chávez's slow progress in protecting their interests against managers and mining concerns, respectively.<ref>Fuentes, F. (2005), ''Venezuela Analysis'', [http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/articles.php?artno=1564 "Challenges for Venezuela's Workers’ Movement".] ''Venezuela Analysis''. Accessed 15 February 2006.</ref><ref>Márquez, H. ''Venezuela Analysis'' (2005), [http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/articles.php?artno=1414 "Venezuela's Indigenous Peoples Protest Coal Mining".] ''Inter Press Service''. Accessed 2 February 2006.</ref><ref>Parma, A. ''Venezuela Analysis'' (2005a), [http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news.php?newsno=1780 "Pro-Chavez Union Leaders in Venezuela Urge Chavez to Do Better".] ''Venezuela Analysis''. Accessed 26 January 2006.</ref>

Farmers have protested about the lack of a consistent policy addressing prices, smuggling, insecurity and crime.<ref>[http://english.eluniversal.com/2006/08/03/en_eco_art_03A758801.shtml Farmers' protests escalate.] ''El Universal'' (August 3, 2006).</ref>

==Foreign policy==
{{see|Foreign policy of Hugo Chávez}}
<!-- Image with disputed fair-use status removed:  [[Image:National Review 11 Apr 2005 Chavez Castro.jpg|thumb|right|225px|Chávez and Cuban leader [[Fidel Castro]] on the [[2005-04-11]] cover of the [[National Review]].]] -->
''[[The New York Times]]'' has represented Chàvez as "thriving on the atmosphere of confrontation" between Venezuela and the U.S.<ref> Forero, J. NY Times.[http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/11/international/americas/11venezuela.html?n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fPeople%2fC%2fChavez%2c%20Hugo People:  Hugo Chávez.]</ref> ''[[The Washington Post]]'' has described him as an "ideologue".<ref name=Sanchez>Sanchez, Marcela. (''Washington Post'', 25 Aug 2005). [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/25/AR2005082501420.html "Dealing With the Good and Bad Hugo Chávez".] Retrieved 05 Nov 2005.</ref> A [[PBS]] discussion panel has said that  Chávez's actions are "hurtful to Venezuela's democracy" and that he is "making all types of unfounded allegations about what the U.S. is up to in Venezuela."<ref>Suarez, R.[http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/latin_america/jan-june05/chavez_4-25.html U.S.-Venezuelan Tensions Persist.] ''PBS''.  Accessed 23 May 2006.</ref>

Chávez's foreign policy conduct and anti-Bush rhetoric has occasionally reached the level of personal attacks. In response to the ousting of [[Haiti]]an President [[Jean-Bertrand Aristide]] in [[February 2004]], Chávez referred to U.S. President [[George W. Bush]] as a ''[[Spanish profanity|pendejo]]'' ("dumbass"). In a later speech, he made personal remarks regarding [[Condoleezza Rice]], referring to her as a "complete illiterate" with regards to comprehending Latin America.<ref>Ministerio de Comunicación e Información. (23 Jan 2005).[http://www.minci.gov.ve/imagnot/23-ENE-2005%20-%20MARCHA%20-%20CORREGIDO.DEFINITIVO..doc "Marcha Defensa de la Soberanía".] Retrieved 10 Nov 2005.</ref><ref name="diehl_28mar2005">Diehl, Jackson. (''Washington Post'', 28 Mar 2005). [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A5755-2005Mar27.html "Chavez's Censorship: Where 'Disrespect' Can Land You in Jail".] Retrieved 10 Nov 2005.</ref><ref>''People's Daily''. (12 Jan 2004). [http://english.people.com.cn/200401/12/eng20040112_132386.shtml "Chavez calls Condoleezza Rice an 'illiterate' following sharp criticism".] Retrieved 10 Nov 2005.</ref> 

The [[United States]] administration of [[George W. Bush]],<ref name=StateDem1>U.S. Department of State (December 1, 2005). [http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/57714.pdf "The State of Democracy in Venezuela".] Accessed 18 June 2006.</ref> described the ''State of Democracy in Venezuela'' as "in grave peril", with "unchecked concentration of power in the executive", saying Chávez has "turned his back on the Venezuelan electorate", "suffocated the democratic debate", "resisted external efforts to support democratic political activity", and committed an "assault on Venezuela's democratic institutions".

President Chávez has developed strong ties with the government of [[Iran]], in particular in the area of energy production, economic, and industrial cooperation.<ref name=alianza>[http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2001/05/21/eco_art_21204AA.shtml VENEZUELA E IRÁN EN CAMINO HACIA UNA 'ALIANZA ESTRATÉGICA'.] ''El Universal (21 May 2001).''  Accessed 1 July 2006. {{es_icon}}</ref>  He has visited Iran on several occasions, the first time in 2001,<ref>[http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2001/05/18/eco_art_18202GG.shtml Hugo Chávez de visita en Irán hasta el lunes.] ''El Universal (18 May 2001).''  Accessed 1 July 2006. {{es_icon}}</ref> when he declared that he came to Iran to "prepare the road for peace, justice, stability and progress for the 21st century".<ref name=alianza>[http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2001/05/21/eco_art_21204AA.shtml VENEZUELA E IRÁN EN CAMINO HACIA UNA 'ALIANZA ESTRATÉGICA'.] ''El Universal (21 May 2001).''  Accessed 1 July 2006. {{es_icon}}</ref>  [[Mohamed Khatami]] also has visited Venezuela on three occasions. During his 2005 visit, Chávez awarded him the ''Orden del Libertador'' and called him a "tireless fighter for all the right causes in the world".<ref>[http://www.rnv.gov.ve/noticias/index.php?act=ST&f=2&t=14704&hl=jatami&s=4a1ae9096a123385575142033afa5b96 Presidente Jatami recibió condecoración Collar de la Orden del Libertador.] ''Radio Nacional de Venezuela (1 Mar 2005). {{es_icon}}</ref> In May of 2006, Chávez expressed his favorable view of the production of nuclear energy in Iran announced by [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]] and denied that they had plans to develop [[atomic weapons]].<ref>[http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2006/05/21/pol_ava_21A710337.shtml Chávez exige respetar Irán y aclara que no tiene plan nuclear.] ''El Universal (21 May 2006).''  Accessed 1 July 2006.  {{es_icon}}</ref>  His relationship with the government of Iran and his support for their nuclear program has elicited the concern of the U.S. government. [[Condoleezza Rice]] commented that, given the political strategy of President Chávez in relation to Iran, "Venezuela has become a negative force in the region".<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/latin_america/newsid_4349000/4349301.stm EE.UU. preocupado por Venezuela.]  ''BBCMundo.com (14 Mar 2005).'' Accessed 1 July 2006.  {{es_icon}}</ref>

President Chávez's has made a number of trips to [[Libya]] in his role as [[OPEC]] representative to discuss the international situation, declining oil prices, and OPEC production<ref>El Universal (28 Oct 2001). [http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2001/10/28/apo_art_28184FF.shtml Libia.] Accessed 1 July 2006. {{es_icon}}</ref>. The first occurred in 2001 after a personal invitation he received in 1999 by [[Muammar al-Gaddafi]].<ref>El Universal (4 Feb 1999). [http://buscador.eluniversal.com/1999/02/04/apo_art_04112DD.shtml Invitaciones reacciones e informes.] Accessed 1 July 2006. {{es_icon}}</ref> Some members of the [[National Assembly of Venezuela]] accused Chávez of not reporting his trip to Libya and hiding it under a tour of Europe and Africa.<ref>El Universal (16 Oct 2001). [http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2001/10/16/pol_art_16208DD.shtml Presidente 'trampeó' a la AN, según Mujica.] Accessed 1 July 2006. {{es_icon}}</ref>  Venezuela's former ambassador to Libya Julio César Pineda said in 2003 that Chávez was coordinating an anti-American strategy with terrorist states following his visit to Libya,<ref>El Universal (21 Feb 2003). [http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2003/02/21/int_art_21158CC.shtml Diplomático denuncia plan Chávez-Gaddafi.] Accessed 1 July 2006. {{es_icon}}</ref> but today, Libya is moving closer to alignment with the United States at a time that Chávez is setting himself up as South America's leading anti-American.<ref>Williams, Daniel.  [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/15/AR2006051501443.html Lack of Surprise Greets Word of U.S.-Libya Ties.] ''Washington Post'' (May 16, 2006), p. A12.</ref><ref>MSNBC.com. [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12837050/ Venezuela’s Chavez meets with Gadhafi in Libya: Meeting comes as leaders move on opposite trajectories in U.S. relations.] ''Associated Press'' (May 17, 2006).</ref>

Chávez's trips abroad have also caused some criticism within his own coalition.  For example, in July 2006 the [[National Assembly of Venezuela|National Assembly]] refused to ratify a trip to [[North Korea]].<ref name=BBCtrips>''Morsbach, Greg''. (''BBC news'' 24 July 2006). [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5205770.stm Chavez tour piques US interest]. Retrieved 24 July 2006</ref> The [[BBC]] reports that Chávez has spent 365 days abroad since taking office.<ref name=BBCtrips />

===Terrorism and weapons acquisitions===
''[[U.S. News & World Report]]'' and U.S. government officials claim that the Chávez administration allows alleged [[terrorist organizations]] to operate within Venezuela's borders, including [[Hamas]], [[Hezbollah]], and [[Islamiyya al Gammat]].  U.S. officials also allege that the Venezuelan government is knowingly providing identity documents these organizations.  The Venezuelan government flatly denies all of these claims, however.<ref>Robinson, Linda. (''US News and World Report'', 06 Oct 2003). [http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/031006/6venezuela.htm "Terror Close to Home"]. Retrieved 04 Nov 2005.</ref> The U.S. government criticizes Venezuela's cooperation in the "[[War on Terrorism]]" as negligible or purposely indifferent, particularly with regards to [[FARC]] and [[ELN]] in neighboring [[Colombia]], which the U.S. government considers to be terrorist organizations,<ref>Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism. (US State Dept., April 28. 2006). [http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/crt/2005/64346.htm "Country Reports: Western Hemisphere Overview".] Retrieved June 26, 2006.</ref> while Venezuela accuses the U.S. government of having a double standard for giving safe haven to [[Luis Posada Carriles]].<ref>The Christian Science Monitor. [http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0929/dailyUpdate.html "Venezuela accuses US of 'double standard' on terrorism".] Retrieved August 5, 2006.</ref> However, U.S. officials acknowledge that there is no evidence of Chavez engaging directly in terrorism.<ref>Kraul, Chris. (''LA Times'', 25 Jun 2006). [http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-veniran24jun24,1,553347.story?coll=la-headlines-world "U.S. Eyes Venezuela-Iran Commercial Alliance".] Retrieved 25 Jun 2006.</ref>

Critics say that Chávez's large purchases of military hardware are for reasons other than the defence of his country in the event of the "imminent US invasion", which he has repeatedly claimed will take place and which has used as a reason to justify these large transactions. Colombian military analyst Alfredo Rangel says that Chávez's new civil reserve defense force, claimed to consist of approximately two million members, may be intended to intimidate domestic opponents and supress internal dissent, dismissing the possibility of a U.S. invasion. Chávez government officials respond that the reserve is similar to civilian reserves and forces in many nations, including the United States.<ref name=BBCCitMil>Ceaser, M. (''BBC'', 1 Jul 2005). [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4635187.stm "Chavez's 'citizen militias' on the march".] Retrieved 27 June 2006.</ref>

=== Venezuelan-Israeli relations ===
{{main|Venezuelan-Israeli relations}}
On [[August 3]], [[2006]] Chávez ordered the Venezuelan [[charge d'affaires]] to [[Israel]], to return to Venezuela, protesting the [[2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict]]. Israel responded by recalling its ambassador to Venezuela.<ref>[http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2006/08/04/en_pol_art_04A759315.shtml President Chávez recalls chief of mission to Israel.] ''El Universal'' (4 August 2006). Accessed 4 Aug 2006.</ref><ref>[http://english.eluniversal.com/2006/08/09/en_pol_art_09A762277.shtml Israel is not informed about Venezuela's plans to break off relations.] ''El Universal'' (August 9, 2006).</ref><ref>Haaretz.com.  [http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/747797.html ADL: Chavez comparison of IDF and Hitler is outrageous.] ''Haaretz service'' (August 8, 2006).</ref>

In an interview with the [[news agency]] [[Al Jazeera]], Chávez made the first of two controversial statements regarding Israel, saying, "They are doing what [[Hitler]] did against the [[Jews]]."<ref name=MiamiUproar>Shoer-Roth, Daniel. MiamiHerald.com (9 August 2006) [http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/15229406.htm Uproar: Chávez equates Nazis, Israelis.] Accessed 9 Aug 2006.</ref>  Chávez later said Israel had "gone mad and is inflicting on the people of [[Palestine]] and [[Lebanon]] the same thing they have criticized, and with reason: the Holocaust. But this is a new Holocaust" with the help of the [[United States]], which he described as a ''terrorist'' country.<ref name=MiamiUproar/>

Chávez has been accused of anti-Semitism because of these comments.  The [[Anti-Defamation League]] asked him to consider how his statements might effect Venezuela, and the southern area director of the ADL accused Chávez of "distorting history and torturing the truth, as he has done in this case, it is a dangerous exercise which echoes classic [[anti-Semitic]] themes."<ref name=MiamiUproar/>  The president of a Miami-based Venezuelan citizens group said "That's what you expect from someone who surrounds himself with the dregs of the world. He seeks out terrorists and dictators. It's predictable that he wouldn't defend a democratic country like Israel."  Jewish-Venezuelan community leaders in Caracas told ''El Nuevo Herald'' that Chávez's statements have created a situation of "fear and discomfort... The president is not the president of a single group but of Venezuelan Jews as well."<ref name=MiamiUproar/>

The Federation of Israeli Associations of Venezuela condemned "attempts to trivialize the Holocaust, the premeditated and systematic extermination of millions of human beings solely because they were Jews ... by comparing it with the current war actions." <ref name=MiamiUproar/>

In [[International reactions to the 2006 Qana airstrike|response to the Israeli airstrike of Qana]], on July 31, Vice President [[José Vicente Rangel]] said, "This murder of dozens of women and children has no justification whatsoever." The UN and other powerful nations shared blame for the attack because they had responded to Israel's military campaign in Palestine and Lebanon with "silence and omissions. Venezuela has never had any anti-Jewish attitudes, recognizes the existence of Israel as a state, welcomes the Jewish community and guarantees its total respect."<ref name=Qana>"Roundup: Latin American countries condemn Israeli brutal attack on Lebanon. People's Daily Online. (July 31, 2006).  Available [http://english.people.com.cn/200607/31/eng20060731_288443.html here.] Accessed 14 August 2006.</ref>

Critics of Israel have hailed Chávez.  The vice-chairman of [[Hizballah]]'s political council, Mahmoud Komati, called his actions an example for "revolutionaries", and a "London, left-wing lawmaker" said that Chávez was a "real leader of the Arab people."<ref>Goodenough, Patrick.  [http://www.cnsnews.com/news/viewstory.asp?Page=%5CForeignBureaus%5Carchive%5C200608%5CINT20060807a.html Critics of Israel Hail Hugo Chávez.] CNSNews.com (7 August 2006).</ref>

===Calls for assassination===
Chávez has consistently said that he expects America to assassinate him, further to suppress Latin American growth and revolution. Several public figures have called for the assassination of Chávez, most notably televangelist [[Pat Robertson]], saying, "We have the ability to take him out, and I think the time has come that we exercise that ability," and "If he thinks we're trying to assassinate him, I think that we really ought to go ahead and do it... It's a whole lot cheaper than starting a war…and I don't think any oil shipments will stop".<ref>ABCNews. "Televangelist Calls for Chavez's Death. Accessed 23 May 2006. [http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/wireStory?id=1060460]</ref>

Other notable figures calling for his assassination include former president of Venezuela, [[Carlos Andrés Pérez]],<ref>Branford, Becky. ''BBC News'' (August 13, 2004). [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3559668.stm "Analysis: Chavez at eye of storm".] ''BBC''.  Accessed 26 June 2006.</ref> and Venezuelan actor, [[Orlando Urdaneta]].<ref>Gobierno Bolivariano de Venezuela. [http://www.rnv.gov.ve/noticias/index.php?act=ST&f=2&t=9999 Urdaneta llama al magnicidio desde Miami.] Accessed 8 July 2006.</ref> The US Ambassador to Venezuela between 2001 and 2004, [[Charles S. Shapiro]], also reported to the Chávez administration two potential assassination plots.<ref name=Crosshairs>''Márquez Humberto''. (IPS March 9 2006) [http://www.ipsnews.net/interna.asp?idnews=27799 "Statements Indicate Chávez May Indeed Be in Somebody's Crosshairs".] Accessed 21 Jun 2006.</ref>

==Personal==
Hugo Chávez has been married twice. He first married [[Nancy Colmenares]] and they remained married for eighteen years. They separated soon after Chávez's 1992 coup attempt, but have remained good friends since,<ref>''La Semana''. [http://semana.terra.com.co/opencms/opencms/Semana/articulo.html?id=36699 "Entrevista Hugo Chávez: Me declaro amigo de Colombia".] Retrieved 09 Nov 2005.</ref> although she has denounced his policies on Venezuelan television.{{fact}} 

During his first marriage, Chávez also had a nine-year affair with young historian [[Herma Marksman]],<ref>Guillermoprieto, Alma (2005), [http://www.nybooks.com/articles/18302 "Don't Cry for Me, Venezuela",] ''New York Review of Books.'' Accessed 26 June 2006.</ref><ref>Byrne, Jennifer. (''Foreign Correspondent'', 03 Jun 2003). [http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/stories/s882059.htm "Venezuela - Bolivarian Revolution".] Retrieved 11 Nov 2005.</ref> a [[Venezuela]]n [[historian]].  She wrote the book "Chávez me utilizó" (''Chávez used me'', ISBN 980-6598-05-9) with her views and opinions about Hugo Chávez. Her beliefs are that Chávez is a person without values, ambitious, disloyal and who uses others to later "discard" them: "... (he) has turned into an assassin".

Chávez has had a series of disputes with both the Venezuelan Catholic clergy and [[Protestantism|Protestant]] church hierarchies.<ref name=NewTribes>Alford, Deann. (''Christianity Today'', 14 Oct 2005). [http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/141/53.0.html "Venezuela to Expel New Tribes Mission"]. Retrieved 09 Nov 2005.</ref><ref>Kozloff, Nikolas. (''Venezuela Analysis'', 24 Oct 2005). [http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/articles.php?artno=1584 "Venezuela’s War of Religion"]. Retrieved 11 Nov 2005.</ref>

==Notes==
<div class="references-small">
<references/>
</div>

==References==
* Amnesty International. [http://web.amnesty.org/library/eng-ven/index "Venezuela".] Accessed 20 June 2006.
* Human Rights Watch. [http://hrw.org/doc/?t=americas&c=venezu Venezuela.] Accessed 20 June 2006.
* {{Harvard reference
 | Author=Niemeyer, Ralph T.
 | Last=Niemeyer
 | First=Ralph T.
 | Title=Under Attack: Morning Dawn in Venezuela
 | Publisher=iUniverse
 | Year=2004
 | ID=ISBN 0-59566-208-0
 }}.
* [http://infovenezuela.org/ On the State of Democracy in Venezuela.]  ''InfoVenezuela.org'' Accessed 20 June 2006.
* U.S. Department of State (December 1, 2005). [http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/57714.pdf "The State of Democracy in Venezuela".] Accessed 18 June 2006.
* U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations (June 24, 2004).  [http://www.senate.gov/~foreign/hearings/2004/hrg040624p.html The State of Democracy in Venezuela: Hearing before the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate.]  Accessed 30 June 2006.

== See also ==
{{Topics related to Hugo Chávez}}

[[Category:Anti-Semitism|Chavez, Hugo]]
[[Category:Criticisms|Chávez, Hugo]]
[[Category:Freedom of expression|Chavez, Hugo]]
[[Category:Human rights|Chavez, Hugo]]
[[Category:Hugo Chávez]]
[[Category:Politics of Venezuela]]


[[es:Controversia Hugo Chávez]]