Freedom of Expression

RCTV, one of the most popular channels in the country, was taken off the air for seven weeks since the government had not renewed its telecasting license. The Venezuelan government argued that this channel was showing the public “capitalist” shows and that it voiced the opinion of the opposition party. RCTV viewers could only see the show if they had access to a cable or satellite connection while the channel was off the air on the local network. The channel was eventually brought back to satisfy the demand of the public and to not make the citizens unhappy with Chávez’s decision. Even if it is now shown on local networks, the government says that they might make it a condition for the channel to show Chávez’s speeches addressed to the country. (Broadcast battles; Venezuela) This event violated Human Rights Article 19, which ensures the freedom of expression.

Chávez and the Human Rights Watch

In mid-September, Chávez expelled two men working for the Human Rights Watch from Venezuela. These activists were documenting the discrimination in the country towards those with opinions opposing Chávez’s politics. They were also reporting the corruption in the judicial system. These two men were Jose Miguel Vivanco, director for the New York-based group in charge of the Americas, and Daniel Wilkinson, deputy director for the Americas. Armed men confiscated their BlackBerries so that they could not inform anyone of their expulsion. (Romero (b)) Wilkinson said this was “evidence of Venezuela’s descent into intolerance”. (Mander (c)) The 1999 constitution for Venezuela, which reinforced human rights, has evidently not been applied sufficiently. (Mander (c))

Term Limits

Abolishing term limits for quasi-infinite re-election is an area where President Chavez ignores what his political role-model, Simon Bolivar, once said: “Nothing is as dangerous as allowing the same citizen to remain in power for a long time.” In December 2007, Chavez called a referendum to eliminate term limits, yet Venezuelans voted against this idea. However, in February 2009, Chavez called a second referendum, where the term limits were abolished by 55% of votes. (Romero (a)) Although his term ends in 2013, he will now be able to run for presidency many more times until he chooses to step down from the position. As the oil prices continue to decrease, fewer assets will be available for Chavez’s socialist projects. (Romero (a)) United Nations Article 21 states “Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.” (The Universal Declaration of Human Rights) If Chavez continues in power for decades ahead, this will be preventing new ideas from circulating in the country as well as inhibiting other parties and representatives to rise to power.

Works Cited:

• Barry, Ellen. “Russia Strikes Oil Deal With Chavez and Plans Modernization of Military.” The New York Times 27 Sept 2008: 7.

• “Broadcast battles; Venezuela.” The Economist 21 July 2007

• Dyer, Geoff, and Benedict Mander. “‘Maoist’ Chavez strengthens oil ties with China.” The Financial Times 25 Sept 2008: 8.

• “Exxon’s wrathful tiger takes on Hugo Chavez; Oil in Venezuela.” The Economist 16 Feb 2008

• Guevara, Aleida. Chávez: Venezuela & The New Latin America. New York: Ocean Press, 2005.

• Gott, Richard. Hugo Chávez and the Bolivarian Revolution. New York: Verso, 2005.

• Mander (a), Benedict. “Caracas banks hit by Lehman failure.” The Financial Times 15 Oct 2008: 11.

• Mander (b), Benedict. “Chavez eyes ‘strategic sectors’ for state control.” The Financial Times 11 April 2008: 5.

• Mander (c), Benedict. “Venezuela expels two activists over attack on Chavez rights record.” The Financial Times 20 Sept 2008: 9.

• Oxford American Dictionary and Thesaurus. 2008.

• Parker, George. “London ends cheap oil deal with Chavez.” The Financial Times 26 May 2008: 4.

• Romero (a), Simon. “Chávez Looks Beyond 2013 as He Faces Serious Challenges.” Chávez Looks Beyond 2013 as He Faces Serious Challenges. 16 Feb 2009. New York Times. 15 Jun 2009 <http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/17/world/americas/17venez.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Ch%C3%A1vez%20Looks%20Beyond%202013%20as%20He%20Faces%20Serious%20Challenges&st=cse>.

• Romero (b), Simon. “Venezuela Expels 2 After Report on Rights.” The New York Times 20 Sept 2008: 8.

• Romero (c), Simon. “Venezuela’s Hope of More Sway Dims as Riches Dip.” Venezuela’s Hope of More Sway Dims as Riches Dip. 19 May 2009. New York Times. 15 Jun 2009 <http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/20/world/americas/20venez.html?scp=1&sq=Venezuela%92s%20Hope%20of%20More%20Sway%20Dims%20as%20Riches%20Dip&st=cse>.

• Rothkopf, David. “The Fund faces up to competition.” The Financial Times 22 Oct 2008: 11.

• Schwirtz, Michael. “Russia Loans Venezuela $1 Billion for Military.” The New York Times 27 Sept 2008

• “The mouse that roared; Venezuela.” The Economist 2 Feb 2008

• “The rise of the “Boligarchs”; Venezuela.” The Economist 11 Aug 2007

• “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 10 Dec 1948. United Nations. 15 Jun 2009 <http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/>.

• “The world according to Chavez; Venezuela and the United States.” The Economist 30 Sept 2008

• “‘Twixt Washington and Caracas; Nicaragua.” The Economist 13 Jan 2007

• “Using oil to spread revolution; Venezuela and Latin America.” The Economist 30 July 2008

• Wilpert, Gregory. Changing Venezuela by Taking Power. New York: Verso, 2007.