U.S. diplomat Roger Noriega, a former ambassador to the Organization of American States, says that reliable "inside sources" have told him that Chávez is "in very serious condition and is not reacting well" to the latest round of treatment. Chávez flew to Havana last weekend in the company of Bolivian president Evo Morales, and predicted that this week's chemotherapy would be his final. Apparently it's not working out that way. Noriega has allegedly told U.S. officials that they should prepare for "a world without Hugo Chávez," or at least one with a greatly reduced Chávez presence.
Noriega says that Chávez is concealing the truth about his condition because he believes he can be reelected only if the Venezuelan people are confident that he is recovering, and that he'll actually be able to serve as president for a few more years. The plan, according to Noriega, is just to get Chávez' name on the ballot, assuming that he is marginally well enough to make a few campaign appearances. Noriega says that Chávez' still wide-spread popularity in the country is not transferable to other political candidates he might endorse.
In Havana today Chávez' brimmed with confidence as he told Venezuelan television, "God willing, this last treatment will be enough."
I am sad to hear this. For all of his faults ~ ~ and what leader doesn't have faults? ~ his ideas gave hope to millions of Venezuela's disenfranchised. I don't think it is possible to understand Chavez without looking outside of the US for information about him and his plans, his hopes, and his efforts in behalf of his people. I hope he survives this. Prayers for one of my heroes.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading and for your note, Lynette. I can't say that Hugo Chavez is one of my "heroes," but I think I understand the spirit of your Comment. Chavez has indeed been a vigorous advocate for Venezuela's poorest. The problem is, the country has (or had) an educated, emerging middle class which slowly but surely was improving its overall economy -- as the saying goes, "a rising tide raises all boats." But Chavez really turned against -- and turned off! -- a lot of people in that group. More than a few have left Venezuela, out of fear, disgust or both. That doesn't help the situation of its most impoverished. And Chavez' decision to closely ally himself with the utterly archaic and authoritarian regime in Cuba was awful for Venezuela. Cuba will go nowhere in the world until the Castro brothers and their fellow travelers are gone. It doesn't help Venezuela any to be in bed with Cuba.
ReplyDeleteA dictator by any other name...
ReplyDelete