Hugo Who?

Hugo Chavez’s promise of social and economic equality, democratic socialism, and Latin American integration helped him gain the support of Venezuela’s lower class and win the 1998 presidential election. He was reelected in 2000 and 2006, and as president, has continued to combat disease, malnutrition, poverty, illiteracy, and other social ills through his self-proclaimed “Bolivarian Revolution.” Chavez supports alternative models of economic development and advocates cooperation among the world’s poverty stricken nations, especially those within Latin America.

There is much controversy within Venezuela and in the United States over President Chavez’s policies and actions. Venezuelans are divided between those who believe he has stimulated economic growth and empowered the poor and those who think he has mismanaged the economy and squandered wealth of the nation’s elite. Some foreign governments see Chavez as a threat to global oil prices and regional stability, while others encourage his bilateral trade and reciprocal aid agreement. Though Chavez has brought significant change to a poverty stricken Venezuela, there is still concern over his political actions and decrees.

Like Jacob Arbenz of Guatemala, Salvador Aliende of Chili, Omar Torrijos of Panama, and Jaimi Roldos Ecuador, Chavez’s populist and nationalisti policies run contrary to what the US State Department, the World Bank and IMF, and the Global Corporatocracy consider to be appropriate for a Latin American neighbor, But unlike the afore mentioned, Chavez has a little more leverage— at least for now. As the fourth largest exporter of oil to the United States, Venezuela has proved to be a less malleable candidate for intimidation.

ROCLA will present Hugo Who? a forum on May 2nd at 7pm at the School of the Arts on the corner of Prince and University. Three panelists will discuss alternative views surrounding Hugo Chavez’s presidency the current politics of Venezuela, and the role of the United States.

The Panelists

Charles Hardy is an ordained Catholic priest who spent eight years living in a cardboard and tin shack in the barrios of Caracas. He has been writing and speaking about the political and social reality of Latin America for over forty years.

Daniel Hellinger is a professor of political science at Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri and has distinguished himself as one of the world's leading scholars on Venezuela and Latin America. Hellinger was invited to Venezuela to provide expert commentary on the recall vote of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

Olivia Burlingame Goumbri is the Executive Director of the Venezuelan Information Office in Washington, DC, and is considered an expert on politics in Venezuela and a seasoned professional in the activist community.