Hugo Chávez

Introduction President of Venezuela in 1998 A passionately disputed personality

Introduction A liberator who fights for Latin American integration and against imperialism, neoliberalism and poverty An authoritarian demagogue who threatens Venezuela's economy and democracy, meddles in the affairs of other Latin American countries, and exacerbates international tensions

Introduction A threat to Latin America ’ s future ? A thriving force for a better future on the Latin America continent ? Do the US have reasons to fear Hugo Ch á vez ?

Introduction Who is Hugo Ch á vez ?

SUMMARY Introduction I.Biography II.Chávez’s domestic policy III.Chávez’s foreign policy IV.US reactions V.Chávez’s popularity Conclusion: Chávez, a threat?

I. Biography Born in 1954 Educated at the Military Academy of Venezuela. A career army officer, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel.

I. Biography 1992 : participated in an unsuccessful coup against President Carlos Andr é s P é rez : imprisoned 1997: creation of the Fifth Republic movement (Movimiento V (Quinta) Republica, MVR) 1998: President (56% of the votes)

I. Biography A peaceful social revolution to help Venezuela ’ s poor majority 1999: creation of a constitutional assembly to draft a new constitution

I. Biography Main changes : 1) The change of the Republic ’ s name 2) More power for the president 3) Less power for the legislative and judicial institutions 4) Guarantee of Human Rights

I. Biography Referendum: constitution passed with 71,78% of the votes 2000: re-elected President (59,5% of the votes) 2004: a recall referendum (58,91% of the Venezuelans against his recall, 40,60%, for 0,49% null and void)

II. Chávez’s domestic policy 1)Aim: Implementation of Bolivarism 6 political components: 1. Venezuelan economic and political sovereignty 2. Grassroots political participation of the population through popular votes and referenda 3. Economic self-sufficiency (in food, consumer durables … ) 4. Instilling in people a national ethic of patriotic service 5. Equitable distribution of Venezuela's vast oil revenues 6. Eliminating corruption

II. Chávez’s domestic policy 2) Concrete measures Many referenda Bolivarian Missions (a series of social programmes whose stated goals are to combat disease, illiteracy, malnutrition, poverty, and other social ills) Bolivarian Circles Measures against corruption

II. Chávez’s domestic policy 3) Criticisms Authoritarian direction abandoning democratic traditions Rampant corruption A threefold higher murder rate Controversial poverty and unemployment figures

III. Chávez’s foreign policy 1)Latin American integration Integration model strongly opposed to the neoliberal model (against the FTAA) Own regional integration mechanism : the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (2001)

III. Chávez’s foreign policy Petrocaribe: a Carribbean oil alliance with Venezuela to purchase their oil on conditions of preferential payment (June 2005) Telesur : a pan- Latin American television network  a counterweight to networks like CNN (December 2005)

III. Chávez’s foreign policy Other projects: - Petrosur - A gas pipeline from Venezuela to Argentina - Bank of the South - A common Latin American Currency

III. Chávez’s foreign policy 2) Fight against imperialism and neoliberalism The main target: the US Many criticisms against the US-policy (e.g. Iraq, Haiti) Strategic alliances

India Russia China

Cuba Venezuela will “ stay by Iran at any time and under any condition ” Chavez “ I feel I have met a brother and trench mate after meeting Chavez ” Ahmadinejad Iran

IV. US-reactions 1)Massive accusations Threat of a second Cuba Venezuela portrayed as a threat to international peace and a negative force in the region

IV. US-reactions 2) Offensive measures Searching for support from Venezuela’s neighbours (bilateral trade agreements, military bases, joint military operations) High activism to avoid election of potential new allies Opposition to Venezuelan arms purchases Support for domestic opposition

V. Chávez’s popularity A)In Venezuela Increasing popularity among the poor Growing Opposition (e.g. Coup in April, 2002)

V. Chávez’s popularity B) In Latin America Sympathy among neighbouring countries -> integration into the Mercosur (December 2005) -> bilateral agreements Chávez, Kirchner, Lula

V. Chávez’s popularity No real support from the newly leftist politicians Only two key allies on the continent: Fidel Castro and Evo Morales Setbacks in Peru and Mexico

V. Chávez’s popularity C) Internationally Gained sympathy around the world =>The symbol of resistance against neoliberalism and US hegemony

V. Chávez’s popularity Resounding success at the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre (Jan. 2005) Chávez’ s speech to the opening of the 61st UN General Assembly greeted with applause (Sept. 2006)

V. Chávez’s popularity Failure to gain a non permanent seat on the UN Security Council => Mixed success in the international arena

Conclusion: Hugo Chávez, a threat ? US have failed thus far to isolate Chávez diplomatically

Conclusion: Hugo Chávez, a threat ? Failure of Chávez’s « oil diplomacy »

Conclusion: Hugo Chávez, a threat ? =>No high popularity, especially among Latin American politicians => No threat of a « Chavez wave » => No massive loss of US influence on the continent

Conclusion: Hugo Chávez, a threat ? Opportunity for the US to keep their influence on the continent One condition: negociations on equal terms

Conclusion: Hugo Chávez, a threat ? A threat to his own country - Radicalisation of the regime - A hostile climate for foreign investment - Economic development based on the oil industry

Conclusion: Hugo Chávez, a threat ?

References The Economist (Sept 28th 2006, August 31th 2006, June 8th 2006, Jul 28th 2005, June 9th 2004,) Courrier International (Nov 9th 2006, Jan 19th 2006, Nov 13th 2003) Le Monde diplomatique (March 2005, April 2004,Nov 2000) Vocable (Nov 16-29th 2006)