Category Archives: Chavismo

Rewarding “Ch”ailure

Posted on June 12, 2013 by

Argenis Chávez failed miserably as the head of the National Electric Corporation (CORPOELEC), so he was forced to leave. But a short time later, he publicly criticized the guy who replaced him, Electricity Minister Jesse Chacón. He also denied rumours … Continue reading →

Posted in Chavismo, Politics | 35 Comments

Hugo Chávez: paragon of journalism

Posted on June 5, 2013 by

Today, Hugo Chávez won the 2013 Simón Bolívar National Journalism Award, three months after his passing to the day. The jury’s citation credits him for: “… the creation and support of public and popular media outlets, fighting the media’s lies … Continue reading →

Posted in Chavismo, In Other News, The Media | 35 Comments

Hard-knock life in a “socialist city”

Posted on June 5, 2013 by

Not long ago, the Caracas housing complex known as Ciudad Caribia was being touted by the then-living comandante supremo as the model of a “21st Century socialist city”, but its brief existence has been pretty overwhelmed with problems since late … Continue reading →

Posted in Chavismo, infrastructure, Society, Violence | 9 Comments

Alexis Ramírez: Grand Media Inquisitor

Posted on May 30, 2013 by

The Chavista onslaught against independent media (domestic or foreign) has been escalating pretty quickly: Nicolás Maduro has now accused CNN en Español of promoting a coup against him and putting Venezuela to shame. This just after Maracaibo TV channel ATEL … Continue reading →

Posted in Chavismo, Politics, Repression, The Media | 7 Comments

Chávez or bust, cont.

Posted on May 26, 2013 by

Looks like I was right after all: the bust of the late comandante supremo located outside the IPSFA shopping center in Caracas will be the first of many. Nicolás Maduro presented a new bust this week, made by Russian artist … Continue reading →

Posted in Chavismo, In Other News, International, Nicolas Maduro, Politics | 14 Comments

Capriles announces high drama (Updated)

Posted on May 20, 2013 by

A cryptic Henrique Capriles took to social media last night to tell us of a dramatic announcement, which should be coming today at 11:30 AM Venezuela time. I have no idea what it could be, but according to well-placed sources … Continue reading →

Posted in Chavismo, Corruption, Opposition | 103 Comments

How do you eat a barrel of oil?

Posted on May 16, 2013 by

I ask ’cause if the dire predictions come true, that’s what we’re gonna have to do. In the Transitions blog, I wonder if we’re on the road to becoming a failed state. My money quote: Venezuela has so far avoided … Continue reading →

Posted in Chavismo, Drugs, Society | 16 Comments

The PSUV outsources to China

Posted on May 15, 2013 by

The recently named Vice-President of China Li Yuanchao visited Venezuela and met with Nicolás Maduro in Miraflores Palace to sign a new batch of deals between both governments. Instead of focusing only on the economic front, it looks like our … Continue reading →

Posted in Chavismo, International, Politics | 18 Comments

Luisa Estela is down, but not out

Posted on May 13, 2013 by

The Venezuelan Supreme Court (TSJ) selects its leadership at the beginning of the judicial year, every January. This time, it took them until May to finally reach a consensus on its leadership. Even if incumbent TSJ President Luisa Estela Morales … Continue reading →

Posted in Chavismo, In Other News, Justice System, Society | 17 Comments

Chávez or bust

Posted on May 8, 2013 by

A reporter from El Nacional newspaper took a picture of this bust of the late comandante supremo outside of a shopping mall of the Military Social Prevision Institute (IPSFA) in Caracas. A full statue of Chávez was unveiled in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Chavismo, In Other News | 25 Comments

Communicational hegemony vs. copyright

Posted on May 5, 2013 by

Because using music of a videogame as the soundtrack for a cadena nacional wasn’t enough, State TV channel VTV decided to use “Detalles”, one of the greatest hits of Brazilian singer Roberto Carlos in this TV spot to show Nicolas … Continue reading →

Posted in Chavismo, In Other News, The Media | 64 Comments

Things I learned watching last night’s cadena (UPDATED)

Posted on May 2, 2013 by

Last night’s cadena nacional presenting the regime’s “evidence” that the opposition is to blame for getting their faces kicked in at the National Assembly is the stuff of legend. Here’s the belief-beggaring goebbelsian job: Here’s what I’m thinking as I see this: … Continue reading →

Posted in Chavismo, Diosdado Cabello, Politics, The Media | 116 Comments

The fate of Lácteos Los Andes

Posted on April 30, 2013 by

More than five years ago, Hugo Chávez announced that the government bought private dairy company Lácteos Los Andes, making it part of his “food sovereignty” plan, along with other companies like coffee maker Fama de America. For years, it was presented … Continue reading →

Posted in Chavismo, In Other News, The Economy | 33 Comments

Tim Tracy and the April connection

Posted on April 29, 2013 by

New Interior Minister Miguel Rodríguez Torres made public last week details about what he calls the “April connection”: an alleged plot where student groups were financed by an unnamed nation to create unrest in the country. The main announcement was … Continue reading →

Posted in Chavismo, In Other News, International | 71 Comments

Burocracia o nada! (Updated)

Posted on April 26, 2013 by

Because having more than thirty Ministers, six Vice-Presidents and six Regional Coordinators was not enough for his Cabinet, Nicolas Maduro has now named three brand new Presidential Commisioners to help him out. One of these commisioners will be in charge … Continue reading →

Posted in Chavismo, Nicolas Maduro, Politics | 32 Comments