Hugo Chavez blames massive flooding on capitalism as 70,000 remain homeless in Venezuela

[The Straight Story]

Hugo Chavez blames massive flooding on capitalism as 70,000 remain homeless in Venezuela

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez said he knows what's been causing the floods that have killed 32 people in his country and left 70,000 homeless: "criminal capitalism."

"The developed nations irresponsibly shatter the environmental order, in their desire to maintain a criminal development model while the immense majority of the earth's people suffer the most terrible consequences," he said on Venezuelan television Sunday.

Always a theatrical political figure, Chavez invited everyone left homeless by the flood to come sleep in the presidential palace last Monday.

While he couldn't fit all 70,000 flood victims into his plush mansion, he did allow 25 to stay in the presidential palace, according to Reuters.

He also ordered space for those affected by the flooding to stay in army barracks, ministries and a Caracas shopping mall, while placing the blame for the natural disaster on other countries.

"The world's powerful economies insist on a destructive way of life,” he said on Sunday. "And then refuse to take any responsibility."


Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2010/12/05/2010-12-05_hugo_chavez_blames_massive_flooding_on_capitalism_as_70000_remain_homeless_in_ve.html#ixzz17I0cSGgT

[slackmaster]

1. Is this the same Venezuela that recently had shortages of electric power due to a drought?

I feel sorry for the people. Their infrastructure is in sad shape.

[happyslug]

9. Venezuela primary source of Electrical power is hydro electric dams

Do to a severe drought, those dams had been running low, this recent flooding had filled those same dams. Venezuela is one of the wettest countries on earth, thus its use of dams for electrical power. Every so often (i think it is about every 10-20 years) you get low rainfall and thus a drought and with it a drop in electrical out put (During the other 10-20 years the dams produce more power then the Country needs). Thus the lack of electrical power do to the recent drought has nothing to do with Chavez, the commitment to Hydro had been made over the last 30-50-100 years since it is such an obvious solution to how to produce electrical power in that area.

No one complained about the conditions of the dam, or the hydro electrical generation equipment. That is top-notch equipment, but if you have no water flow, the generators stop running till the water flow resumes with rain. A back up system that is used once every 10-20 years will deteriorate with non-use between the times it is needed, thus the lack of alternatives during the drought.

[jefferson_dem]

2. I feel sorry for the people of Venezuela.

Hugo's still :crazy:

[Puregonzo1188]

3. In this in reference to what he said? Or just a general jab at Chavez?

[ananda]

4. Capitalism is a culprit...

... along with over population and climate change.

[malaise]

6. Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Chavez cannot be right...he disagrees with US policy so he's a lying terrorist :sarcasm:

[malaise]

5. There's also massive flooding in Columbia

Hundreds are dead and millions are affected.
The Amazon drought is over.

[hughee99]

7. I 100% agree, if only countries would stop producing and using fossil fuels,

this sort of thing might be prevented.

[UTUSN]

8. NOW you've really done it. Boy, are YOU in trouble with the Huguito crowd!1 n/t

[Catherina]

10. He's 100% correct.

"The developed nations irresponsibly shatter the environmental order, in their desire to maintain a criminal development model while the immense majority of the earth's people suffer the most terrible consequences,"

[Forkboy]

11. And?

[La Lioness Priyanka]

12. i have my issues with chavez, but he aint wrong on this one