Good info, Z'Pancho. Thanks for taking the time.
Just finishing the issue of Latin Trade that I'd mentioned. Says in a couple of places that 1999 may have to be written-off, i.e. don't expect much in the way of a return on investment in Venezuela.
Too, I just can't help recalling where it was that John Templeton put-up one of his men to study the situation and report back.
Peru.
You mentioned Fujimori, Z.
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More background on Hugo Chávez:
"We need to put personal and group interests aside to hear the voice of the people, which is the voice of God. There is no hate or vengeance in the people, there is love. I am not being proclaimed president, all of you are," said Hugo Chávez after his electoral victory last year.
The docile and humble tone of his acceptance speech, laced with poetry, historical and Biblical references was a far cry from the image of a military strongman, who led a failed coup attempt in 1992. And yet, the speech reflects his strong idealism, his belief in divine destiny, historical determinism, and some say, in economic justice and democracy.
Chávez began forming his political ideals in the military academy, which he joined in 1970 to pursue his promising baseball career (has insert of Chávez in baseball uniform). The academy was said to have the country's best coaches then. "In order to under Chávez you have to understand the military environment he comes from: patriotic, highly nationalistic; and imbued with Bolivarian ideals of good government, honesty, and moral rectitude," says Eric Ekvall, a political consultant.
Armed with these ideals he and a group of fellow officers formed an underground military movement to fight wide-spread corruption and create a more "egalitarian society." Eventually the group staged a military coup but failed. Chávez spent two years in prison only to be pardoned by outgoing President Rafael Caldera.
Could such fervor and idealism lead Chávez out of democratic bounds once again? "He's a democrat," insists his mother, Elena Frias, in an interview, "he is just looking for real democracy, not this corrupt system we have now."
"There is a risk he could be carried away by his idealism but I think he stands firmly on the ground and has shown so in recent months," says retired general Alberto Muller, Chávez's former campaign manager.
Chávez himself admits he has evolved. "These four years have been an intense learning experience for me. I think it's a normal evolution -- learning, studying, better understanding a reality. We all do that."
The conciliatory approach and apparent candor and humility have disarmed some of Chávez's most fierce critics, while heightening suspicion among others, who are confounded by the soft talk of the would-be strongman.
Observers say his perceived moral rectitude will be put to the test when his government begins cracking down on corruption in customs, a stronghold of organized crime. Former government officials have publicly said that some of Chávez's campaign contributions are tied to contraband operations.
Pundits will also be closely watching the role of the military, which Chávez has promised, "will be assuming a larger role in the country's economic development."
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At the moment, Chávez Frias has both army and people in his favor and politicians are generally afraid of people power.
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He's not as pretty as Irene Sáez, Pancho, but I guess he'll have to do.
( chacao.com ) |
