Why Chavez Isn’t Just Another Castro

Staff / Truthdig Feb 12, 2007 While Hugo Chavez is often presented in the West as the second coming of Fidel Castro, the reality is far more complex. For example, critics who chastise Chavez for silencing a critical television station often fail to mention that the same media outlet promoted and participated in a military coup against the democratically elected Venezuelan president. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Bush Turns CIA Loose on Chavez

Staff / Truthdig Jan 22, 2007 CIA Director Gen. Michael V. Hayden told the House Intelligence Committee that President Bush has ordered him to "pay more attention" to Hugo Chavez. According to former intelligence czar John Negroponte, U.S. intelligence already pays a great deal of attention to Chavez, leaving one to wonder exactly what kind of action has been authorized, particularly for an agency with a long history of meddling in Latin America. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Chavez Raises Doubts Over Castro’s Health

Staff / Truthdig Jan 20, 2007 Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has reinvigorated speculation over Fidel Castro's health after announcing that the Cuban leader is "locked in a battle for his life." The two leaders are known to be close, and Castro has yet to make a public appearance since undergoing surgery in July. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Chavez Consolidates Power

Staff / Truthdig Jan 19, 2007 Hugo Chavez has won preliminary approval to rule by decree for 18 months. The Venezuelan president has said he intends to enact sweeping reforms, including the elimination of term limits for the president and the nationalization of some key industries. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Paul Cummins: We Reap What We Sow

Paul Cummins / Truthdig Jan 18, 2007 A wildly successful Venezuelan governmental program that makes free musical instruments and training available to all children should serve as a model for the U.S. as we struggle to keep guns out of kids' hands. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Chavez Terrifies Corporations

Staff / Truthdig Jan 9, 2007 Hugo Chavez announced plans on Monday to nationalize companies in Venezuela's telecommunications and power industries, saying: "All that was privatized, let it be nationalized." The recently re-elected president has ramped up efforts to transform Venezuela into a socialist society, while at the same time consolidating his power. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Chavez Wins Third Term

Staff / Truthdig Dec 4, 2006 Hugo Chavez has successfully defended his post and secured another six-year term as Venezuela's president following an election held on Sunday. During his acceptance speech, Chavez reprised his pet name for President Bush, saying his victory was "another defeat for the devil." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

U.S.-Venezuela Relations Go Fowl

Staff / Truthdig Aug 26, 2006 Tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela took a bizarre turn this week after Venezuelan authorities confiscated diplomatic cargo headed for the American Embassy in Caracas and accused Washington of smuggling. Included in the shipment were parts for ejector seats and 176 pounds of chicken. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Venezuela to Sever Ties With Israel

Staff / Truthdig Aug 9, 2006 Hugo Chavez, Venezuela?s feisty president, said he intends to cut diplomatic relations with Israel in protest of its attack on Lebanon, which he called "a new holocaust." Tensions began to build between Venezuela and Israel after Chavez visited Iran last month, saying he would ?stand by Iran at any time and under any condition.? Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Argentina defeats the IMF and moves South America left

Staff / Truthdig Jan 3, 2006 Just four years after defaulting on more than $100 billion in debt, Argentina is expected to completely re-pay its debt to the International Monetary Fund and strengthen its alliance with Venezuela's populist leader, Hugo Chavez. Read the story. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

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The Big Blowup Over Venezuela

Marc Cooper / Truthdig Dec 14, 2005 Update: Hugo Chavez and the Latin American left picked up an important new ally when, a few weeks ago, peasant leader Evo Morales (shown at right here) was elected as president of Bolivia. What's all the fuss over Hugo Chavez? Marc Cooper examines the mercurial leader and his contentious relations with the Bush administration. Dig deeper ( 16 Min. Read )