Latest Breaking News

dipsydoodle

(42,239 posts)

36. Venezuela furious at Obama's comments on ailing Chavez

Sat Dec 15, 2012, 05:42 AM

Dec 2012

(Reuters) - Venezuela's government reacted with fury on Friday to U.S. President Barack Obama's criticism of ailing Hugo Chavez's "authoritarian" government at a time of national anxiety over his battle to recover from cancer surgery.

>

Those remarks went down badly with officials in Caracas where emotions are running high over the future of Chavez and his self-styled revolution in the South American OPEC nation.

>

In power since 1999, Chavez is due to start a new six-year term on January 10 after winning re-election just weeks before Obama did. His health crisis has thrown that into doubt, and Chavez has named a successor in case he is incapacitated.

"With these despicable comments at such a delicate moment for Venezuela, the U.S. president is responsible for a major deterioration in bilateral relations, proving the continuity of his policy of aggression and disrespect towards our country," the Venezuelan government said in a statement.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/12/15/uk-venezuela-chavez-idUKBRE8BD1CY20121215

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

177 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Venezuela furious at Obama's comments on ailing Chavez [View all] Zorro Dec 2012 OP

Reminds me of the fifties dipsydoodle Dec 2012 #1

authoritarian policies, suppression of dissent is Obama talking about various Occupy here lunasun Dec 2012 #2

Yeah that too. Actually I was wondering how many drones........ socialist_n_TN Dec 2012 #63

That's messed up Kolesar Dec 2012 #3

I don't think ANYONE has it right about Chevez and Venezuela. randome Dec 2012 #5

Yes. It's a big topic. Kolesar Dec 2012 #6

Obama AND Hillary are dumb on Cuba flamingdem Dec 2012 #24

Hillary's brother, Hugh Rodham's wife....Maria Victoria Arias mithnanthy Dec 2012 #42

Oh that's interesting, I've known about her influence for years flamingdem Dec 2012 #43

I edited my post.. mithnanthy Dec 2012 #46

That's good stuff Kolesar Dec 2012 #49

The Hugo Chavez Show is very informative Carnage251 Dec 2012 #11

For being "ineffective and erratic", Hugo certainly has accomplished quite a bit 99th_Monkey Dec 2012 #35

Yeah, I don't really care about his personality. randome Dec 2012 #41

Don't be so intellectually lazy, by comparing the two men. HoosierRadical Dec 2012 #66

+ 1000 - well said. nt 99th_Monkey Dec 2012 #78

"Intellectually lazy" is the perfect description for all of the anti-democracy trolls bitchkitty Dec 2012 #102

wow, the people support him when he's gained control of all branches of gov., wordpix Dec 2012 #125

Hugo knows that the US/CIA is utterly determined to unseat him somehow 99th_Monkey Dec 2012 #149

oh yeah, the US wants to unseat him and he's the CIA's prime target (sarcasm) wordpix Dec 2012 #174

If Chavez were ineffective, roody Dec 2012 #116

Chavez is neither a monster or the Second Coming, what he is ... HoosierRadical Dec 2012 #65

Why does my opinion of Chavez even matter? MyNameGoesHere Dec 2012 #98

he has changed the Constitution and chipped away at democracy and rights of citizens wordpix Dec 2012 #124

The people of Venezuela got it right and it is no one else's business. The Chavez sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #131

And it ain't the only issue he has never got right. Daniel537 Dec 2012 #48

President Obama didn't start "those three" Kolesar Dec 2012 #154

Authoritarian like extrajudicial killing, kidnapping and imprisonment? Ash_F Dec 2012 #4

Authoritarian like only allowing abortion when there is a threat to the life of the pregnant woman Carnage251 Dec 2012 #8

The US is 47 on that list happyslug Dec 2012 #20

Chinese leaders aren't so great either but we never see them getting called out.. flamingdem Dec 2012 #23

and the Chinese leaders were 'picked' not elected but are the business buddies lunasun Dec 2012 #85

Well, he created the community councils that have given Venezuela real democracy(from the ground up) Ken Burch Dec 2012 #27

And is the opposition pro-choice? JackRiddler Dec 2012 #140

Obama has no moral high ground to be calling Venezuela authoritarian Ash_F Dec 2012 #32

I assume you are aware that Venenuela is predominately Catholic country dipsydoodle Dec 2012 #34

That documentary wasn't that much of an indictment. ronnie624 Dec 2012 #64

Virtually all Latin American countries have strict anti-abortion laws. Ken Burch Dec 2012 #91

It would seem impossible for anyone to be unaware of Latin American Catholicism. Yikes. n/t Judi Lynn Dec 2012 #92

Chavez has had decree powers for much of his tenure. joshcryer Dec 2012 #96

The candidate you were backing was appealing to them as well. Ken Burch Dec 2012 #97

Yeah, I doubt you could get elected there being pro-choice. joshcryer Dec 2012 #100

There's a difference though, in observing that Chavez may have taken social conservative positions Ken Burch Dec 2012 #101

The thing is Obama gets bashed here for that "pragmatism." joshcryer Dec 2012 #103

'lighter-skinned people' King_David Dec 2012 #127

I was talking about a situation where you have LGBT rights and you also have Ken Burch Dec 2012 #133

most of the poor in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay are lighter skinned Bacchus4.0 Dec 2012 #136

OK, I was specifically talking about Venezuela. Ken Burch Dec 2012 #146

no, the indigenous populations in those two countries are quite small Bacchus4.0 Dec 2012 #147

It still applies to Venezuela, though Ken Burch Dec 2012 #150

sure, I would just point out that the current VP Maduro is a homophobe Bacchus4.0 Dec 2012 #152

You'd have to concede, though, that it would be a loss for Venezuela to end up Ken Burch Dec 2012 #166

not really, nobody has ever argued for austerity Bacchus4.0 Dec 2012 #168

The decree powers have always been very limited, both in scope and duration, ronnie624 Dec 2012 #109

He's used them beyond that scope before. joshcryer Dec 2012 #118

So having watched the video... Ash_F Dec 2012 #115

He's right about Gaddafi. leftlibdem420 Dec 2012 #123

And Homeland Security and Loyal Party Mayors tama Dec 2012 #38

yes, that is exactly it, I know someone whose house was searched by Chavez' men twice wordpix Dec 2012 #126

Anonymous internet anecdotes are useless here. Ash_F Dec 2012 #128

I am not revealing the names of my friends whose entire family fled Chavez for their lives and due wordpix Dec 2012 #138

First they were searching their homes, now they're kidnapping them off the streets. Ash_F Dec 2012 #157

read this to get it straight: it was Chavez' thugs TWICE at the father's home and wordpix Dec 2012 #173

20% of crimes in Venezuela are attributed to the police, and that number Bacchus4.0 Dec 2012 #156

And this is relevant reply, how? Ash_F Dec 2012 #158

because you said that Venezuela doesn't do that, you are wrong. Here is your quote Bacchus4.0 Dec 2012 #159

Try reading for comprehension Ash_F Dec 2012 #162

in your first response you also said the military leans right, nope Bacchus4.0 Dec 2012 #164

No, the military leans left so they kidnapped him. Ash_F Dec 2012 #167

correct, the military leans left. You should have stopped there Bacchus4.0 Dec 2012 #170

The military kidnapped Hugo Chavez in 2002 Ash_F Dec 2012 #171

You educated (sic) yourself. You are wrong that the military leans right. Bacchus4.0 Dec 2012 #172

I am furious with him too Proletariatprincess Dec 2012 #7

Yeah, we also should never criticize North Korea and their political prison camps Carnage251 Dec 2012 #10

It's not him(although there was no excuse for Obama to aid and abet the Honduran coup) Ken Burch Dec 2012 #17

I know my history and I don't see Obama attempting a coup in that country Carnage251 Dec 2012 #50

If you really UNDERSTOOD that history, you'd understand Ken Burch Dec 2012 #86

Venezuelans are more than familiar with US butting into their country's personal business. Judi Lynn Dec 2012 #88

Thanks for the eloquent images, Judi. n/t. Ken Burch Dec 2012 #90

So glad to do it. Can't believe people are arguing who are unaware of this OLD, OLD conflict. n/t Judi Lynn Dec 2012 #93

+1 mecherosegarden Dec 2012 #44

Venezuela has nothing in common with North Korea or Syria. Ken Burch Dec 2012 #99

...except for supporting them brooklynite Dec 2012 #135

I agree with President Obama on this. Pterodactyl Dec 2012 #9

Why? Tempest Dec 2012 #12

And I hear the trains are always on time, too. Pterodactyl Dec 2012 #13

Chavez has nothing in common with Mussolini. Ken Burch Dec 2012 #15

Let's go through the list. Pterodactyl Dec 2012 #18

He called George Bush the devil, and I've always appreciated him for that flamingdem Dec 2012 #25

Yeah, we'll see if the new guy is any better when Chavez kicks the bucket. Pterodactyl Dec 2012 #59

I'm more partial to his description of Bush being a donkey...LOL HoosierRadical Dec 2012 #67

eres un burrro! flamingdem Dec 2012 #68

"allies with rogue nations" ie: Nations the U.S. hates Tempest Dec 2012 #29

Yeah, I'm easily annoyed by dictators, theocrats and terrorist sympathizers. I'm just like that. Pterodactyl Dec 2012 #61

Since Chavez is none of those things, your annoyance is misplaced. n/t Tempest Dec 2012 #74

I was talking about Hugo's terrorist allies (FARC) and his theocrat oil buddies in Iran. Pterodactyl Dec 2012 #81

The FARC is a Marxist guerrilla political formation, not "terrorists"... Comrade Grumpy Dec 2012 #145

FARC is engaged in an armed conflict to overthrow the Colombian democratic government Bacchus4.0 Dec 2012 #148

They are a political-military formation. Comrade Grumpy Dec 2012 #153

they conscript child soldiers to fight and die, and girls as sexual slaves Bacchus4.0 Dec 2012 #155

Hey, I gotta trust Barack and Hilary on this one. Pterodactyl Dec 2012 #177

So you don't like his health regime and his, and his supporters, style of dress? fasttense Dec 2012 #37

Fatherland & Homeland Pterodactyl Dec 2012 #56

You have no fucking clue what you're talking about. The word patria is used in every Spanish Guy Whitey Corngood Dec 2012 #76

"Fatherland" is just a word-by itself, it means nothing. Ken Burch Dec 2012 #95

Actually, you can say that at about many Latin American countries RZM Dec 2012 #169

I don't agree with you. mecherosegarden Dec 2012 #45

They might want socialism, but that does not mean it is a good thing. Pterodactyl Dec 2012 #57

As foreigners, It's not our place to say if it "isn't a good thing"-we're not Venezuelan. Ken Burch Dec 2012 #84

They criticize other countries all the time in Venezuela. We can do it, too. Pterodactyl Dec 2012 #104

The diffference is that nobody in Latin America has ever tried to overthrow OUR government. Ken Burch Dec 2012 #112

I would think criticizing instead of overthrowing would be an improvement. Pterodactyl Dec 2012 #120

By many measures, the people are better off under Chavez Tempest Dec 2012 #28

Obama and Hilary know the score. I trust them to judge Chavez. Pterodactyl Dec 2012 #62

Did you trust Mrs. Clinton during all those years she supported her friend Hosni Mubarak? nt Guy Whitey Corngood Dec 2012 #77

Of course! Are you saying Clinton and Obama were WRONG? Pterodactyl Dec 2012 #80

Duh! So you support some dictators then. I thought you said above thread you were "Mr. Democracy". nt Guy Whitey Corngood Dec 2012 #82

Yes...they were wrong to not immediately back the Egyptian Revolution. Ken Burch Dec 2012 #87

Oh, great! First you criticize Obama, now you're slamming Carter! Pterodactyl Dec 2012 #105

It's Democratic Underground...NOT "DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTS MUST NEVER BE CRITICIZED Underground". Ken Burch Dec 2012 #111

Don't feed it. /nt Ash_F Dec 2012 #113

Carter, BTW, was BANNED from watchdogging the last election in Venez. THAT's how "democratic" wordpix Dec 2012 #139

Duh! Of course I support the policies of the Obama admin. Pterodactyl Dec 2012 #106

Great now that you've admitted your hypocrisy. We can move on. nt Guy Whitey Corngood Dec 2012 #110

He should just shut the hell up about Venezuela. Ken Burch Dec 2012 #14

Totally agree, and we almost had a Republican coup here flamingdem Dec 2012 #22

Obama must realize Stewland Dec 2012 #16

People in this thread are misreading what Obama is saying, typically. joshcryer Dec 2012 #19

How so? Tempest Dec 2012 #30

Case in point. joshcryer Dec 2012 #31

Oh, please. Time after time you refer to tyranny and you use bitchkitty Dec 2012 #114

Um, no, I don't. joshcryer Dec 2012 #117

Um, yes, you do. n/t bitchkitty Dec 2012 #121

Nope, chavismo is an ideology followed by chavistas. joshcryer Dec 2012 #122

And means nothing other than support for socialism and human equality. Ken Burch Dec 2012 #151

Venezuelans just put paid to your "chavismo" talk in the latest elections. JackRiddler Dec 2012 #143

Obama is another oaf on Latin America flamingdem Dec 2012 #21

At a time when we can't even protect our children in the USA what is Obama doing dissing flamingdem Dec 2012 #26

He needs to stop John2 Dec 2012 #51

Obama was in Colombia in April, went to Chile too I believe and Mexico Bacchus4.0 Dec 2012 #142

how is Chavez protecting his people with the highest murder rate in South America Bacchus4.0 Dec 2012 #141

I never thought I would see a Chavez thread as a refuge from animosity. Lasher Dec 2012 #33

Venezuela furious at Obama's comments on ailing Chavez dipsydoodle Dec 2012 #36

This message was self-deleted by its author bitchkitty Dec 2012 #39

Riiiiigght. "Authoritarian". In *Venezuela*. (Not here.) So sez the 1 billion dollar man. n/t Smarmie Doofus Dec 2012 #40

Exactly! It's not like Chavez asked for the power to rule by decree hughee99 Dec 2012 #54

Yes, Mr. Pres., Venezuela's future belongs to Venezuelans Daniel537 Dec 2012 #47

The President's remarks have infuriated the Venezuelan people, not just Chavez. amandabeech Dec 2012 #129

The emerging Latin American Democracies... bvar22 Dec 2012 #52

Let's not forget that Chavez was the excuse to let the right wing thugs take over in Honduras flamingdem Dec 2012 #53

It's telling that Zelaya was first taken to a USA military base after being deposed. He was byeya Dec 2012 #55

Haven't South and Central America recently organized an OAS-like hemispheric byeya Dec 2012 #58

I'm not sure but it was discussed flamingdem Dec 2012 #69

Thanks for the information byeya Dec 2012 #73

yes, its known as CELAC but hasn't done anyting at all yet Bacchus4.0 Dec 2012 #144

President Obama You Are WRONG! HoosierRadical Dec 2012 #60

We need to kick his ass on this one flamingdem Dec 2012 #70

There are so many things we must due to ... HoosierRadical Dec 2012 #72

Me too. I listened to his remarks and they aren't as bad as I thought at first flamingdem Dec 2012 #75

Like all autocrats he has done some good and some bad jzodda Dec 2012 #71

Shame on Chavez's authoritarian policies and shame, double shame on his suppression of dissent indepat Dec 2012 #79

McCarthyite tripe. David__77 Dec 2012 #83

Tough crap, Venezuela. Don't allow yourself to be ruled by such a ridiculous dictator Pretzel_Warrior Dec 2012 #89

Take some time to educate yourself with the facts. You'll have to do some reading for that, Judi Lynn Dec 2012 #94

Post removed Post removed Dec 2012 #107

Your concern is noted. Please feel free to share more of your concerns, and enjoy your stay. nt msanthrope Dec 2012 #108

Does Pres. O know anything about Venezuela? roody Dec 2012 #119

He's getting more like Smirk every day Doctor_J Dec 2012 #176

What utter nonsense. Venezuela is more free than this country. sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #130

Sorry our President is behind the times in South American policy. Cleita Dec 2012 #132

CELAC: Will it be able to sustain itself? byeya Dec 2012 #134

The DU chavistas are furious too n/t Bacchus4.0 Dec 2012 #137

"But he did say U.S. policy was aimed at ensuring "freedom" in Venezuela." limpyhobbler Dec 2012 #160

USA loves authoritarian regimes in Bahrain, Yemen, Qatar, etc. limpyhobbler Dec 2012 #161

I am still waiting for the now-free-to-act-like-a-Dem Obama to show up Doctor_J Dec 2012 #163

Maybe ma�ana, amigo, maybe ma�ana. nt Zorra Dec 2012 #175

Hugo's cancer has reportedly metastized into his bones Zorro Dec 2012 #165