The Squandering of Venezuela's Wealth

Separating fact from fiction, Hugo Chávez has done little in his past 13 years to further Venezuelan's expectations of much needed prosperity and at least a decent quality of life.

By Jerry Brewer
As Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez approaches his latest reelection possibility, his dominated official government press cadre has risen yet again to purport, "With a socialist-oriented program for the country, the president continues to maintain popular support with an approval rating of over 60 percent, according to recent polls."

Moreover, "The survey showed that 59 percent of Venezuelans believe the Bolivarian Revolution has improved the country's economic and social situation." The obvious question is, what are the true poll "sources" and exactly what is the content validity?

Chávez initially won office via what has been described as false sympathy in declaring that he was the savior to the poor masses. His record of truthfulness in his promises to the poor and hungry never seems to reach fruition until it is time to face the voters for each election in his 13 years of tenure.

What is clear is that the Chávez presidency has been one of the most disorganized in the history of Venezuelan finances. For the most part, the amount of money coming into the country has been the highest in Venezuelan history, but massive squandering of money resulted in the poor continuing to live in squalor, with unsafe homes, little food, and rolling blackouts of electricity. And the voices of the poor continue to go unheard.

The Chávez socialist-oriented Bolivarian Revolution and dictatorial ambitions have also clearly manifested "truth" in his consistent boasting of amassing fortunes in billions of dollars in weapons in modernizing the military for defensive purposes, and increasing the state's role in almost every industry. These actions alone have rocketed Venezuela down a very dangerous and undemocratic path and a notable dialogue of deception by smoke and mirrors in accounting for the massive Venezuelan wealth that cannot be accurately accounted for. Chavez's past actions should easily help the Venezuelan electorate, in 2012, to understand that creating a socialist regime is to unfittingly consolidate government power. Centralizing the government, abolishing the separation of powers, and giving himself more authority and free reign over Venezuela's election process, media and democratic institutions, will, yet again, take an even greater toll on the Venezuelan homeland without the urgent need for competent checks and balances within the Chávez regime.

In 1999, Chávez boasted, "The time for the people of Venezuela has arrived! ... The resurrection of Simon Bolivar's land has arrived... Let's celebrate the birth of the free Venezuela, the Bolivarian Venezuela that we have always dreamed of." What resulted was the inability in finding truth within this oppressed quagmire of confusion.

Where was this confusion? It stemmed from when the Venezuelan president was sworn in at the National Assembly. At that time he said, "I swear before God, I swear before the homeland, I swear before my people that under this moribund Constitution I will boost the needed democratic transformations so that the new Republic can have a great charter suitable for the new times. I swear it. The revolution, with Chávez at the helm, has given participation and power for the people, deepening social change and benefits for all."

Separating fact from fiction, Hugo Chávez has done little in his past 13 years to further Venezuelan's expectations of much needed prosperity and at least a decent quality of life. The fear of corrupt voting processes and intimidation by Chávista agents is a reality among many Venezuelans at home and those living abroad with families remaining in Venezuela.

Freedom loving Venezuelans remember that they once were a rich country under true democracy -- both rich in wealth, as well as rich with a proud nation of citizens and true patriots. What has resulted is sickening poverty, a decaying infrastructure, and a substandard lifestyle that is well below neighboring nations of this hemisphere, along with an incredible rate of violent crime and murder.

As Venezuelans approach the voting process in December of this year they must seek truth, if they can, in demanding as to where the squandered Venezuelan massive oil wealth has gone. Too, they must seek answers as to the severe mismanagement of the nation's national government.

A good place for President Chávez to start is in the explanation of his regime's documented disregard for the rule of law and human rights. (2/6/12) (photo courtesy Internet)

Note: This article was reprinted with permission of the author. It was originally published at MexiData.info. Jerry Brewer is the Chief Executive Officer of Criminal Justice International Associates, a global threat mitigation firm headquartered in northern Virginia. His website is located at www.cjiausa.org.