PKKH Editorial
“Because Chavez doesn’t lie. Because Chavez doesn’t sell out. Because Chavez is the people. Because Chavez is truth. Because all of you are Chavez. We all are.” Hugo Chavez in a charismatic electoral speech. – Source
The whole of Venezuela is in tears, while the major media outlets on the payroll of Imperial American Establishment are loathing a fearless, patriotic and above all an independent ruler of the South American oil giant, late Hugo Chavez, 58. He died of cancer after a two year battle with the callous disease.
Much tribute has been paid to honor Chavez for what he did. What remains incomprehensible is why the pro-Imperialist media is lying? What is the motive? Is it because Chavez was a dictator? No, he always came through elections into power. Was he a tyrant? No, no contemporary today has been more charismatic than him. Was he a bad president? If so, then why did people choose him so many times? Even if he ruled incorrectly or harmed this or that sector, what can explain the trust people have shown in him?
In 1922 oil was first discovered in Venezuela. Venezuelans imprudently thought that the golden key to all of their problems was solved. It was not to be. Within fifty years the country transformed into one of the wealthiest countries of Latin America. But, the crash of 1989 oil prices failed it and brought it in conflict with America. Why?
The country being in proximity to America was open to molestation from the day oil was discovered. Economic Hitmen (EHM) were brought in to usurp by most immoral of manipulations. They are the front line attackers to take booty for Imperial America. Their job is to convince, through lobbying, false prospects and even bribing, the ‘third world’ victim to accept unpayably huge loans from American banks or institutions like IMF or World Bank. Since the country cannot pay back the super power, they have to give the “pound of flesh” back by surrendering their resources, sovereignty or both.
Venezuela was a playing field for American EHMs to make fortunes, and they did quite well, documents John Perkins, one such EHM. The bonanza of 1973 oil embargo literally ‘quadrupled’ the national budget of the country, and drew EHMs to sell them loans for vast infrastructure projects. As we noted 1989 oil price crash brought the honeymoon to a halt and ugly face of EHMs was exposed when they couldn’t rid of Chavez in 1990s who challenged Bush administration’s bullying policy to make a farm out of the oil giant. Since oil in post-9/11 situation was as important as it can be, In 2002, the way Iran’s Mossadegh was ousted, so was the fate of Chavez. But he remained relentless. And, he made a comeback thanks to support of his people. His survival was not, however, without luck. And therein lies the rationale for so much anti-Americanism in the third world: US literally wanted to “take care” of Chavez once for all, like it had killed Omer Torrijos or Saddam Hussein. But, wrote Perkins, 2004 Iraq war came in their way and they couldn’t fulfill their mission.
Whatever the case maybe, Chavez stood his ground by his country, knowing that a hostile America was after his life. He did not just fight American imperialism but worked really hard for the economy, welfare and education. The real question is: Has Chavez transformed Venezuelans in his own image as ultimate resistance fighters? Time will tell!