The Revolution will Not be Televised the events of April 11

A few weeks ago the documentary "X-Ray of a Lie" which analyzes how the film " The revolution will not be televised" distorted the truth and lied about what occurred during those chaotic few days in April. Below is a video showing what happened on April 11, 2002 during the day, and during Chavez's address to the nation via his "cadena". Do note there is no narration, it is simply and days events on tape for all to see. You can also see it in a larger version on google video.



Now I ask you, does Chavez looked scared and worried about the advancing protesters? Does the opposition look blood thirsty? Why do government officials call on their supporters to defend the revolution, isn't that a call to violence? Why does Chavez force a media blackout?

Join the FARC, I mean National Guard!

According to reports the FARC and the ELN are fighting over drug smuggling routes into Venezuela. However, what is of particular interest is that it appears that the FARC and members of the Venezuelan National Guard (NG) have joined forces against the ELN and the Venezuelan paramilitary group FBL Fuerzas Bolivarianas de Liberacion.

If a FARC - NG vs. ELN - FBL alliance is in the making the outcome can not be good, and could quickly escalate depending on the financial and personal interest these parties have in a confrontation.

Venezuela mayor tried over siege

The mayor of Baruta Henrique Capriles has been accused repeatedly and imprisoned for inciting the siege on the Cuban embassy during the "coup" in 2002. Well obviously since Mr. Capriles belongs to the political party Primero Justica, thus isn't a government party allinged to Chavez he is being persecuted. Since the Chavez government and Cuba are law abiding, peace loving, honest, and are world leaders in terms of democracy they taking Mr. Capriles to court, of course it is the "revolutionary" court of justice.

To see what happened inside the Cuban embassy that day click here and you can judge if it looks like Mr. Capriles was inciting violence against the Cuban embassy?

Venezuela flying Americans to Cuba?

Well this is what I was told by the Venezuelan consulate a few months ago when I inquired about the free eye surgery for Americans that was being offered to US citizens. Back then I was told they would be flown to Venezuela and have eye surgery done, although they couldn't tell me at what hospital. Moreover, the consulate representative mentioned that in some possible cases the patient would be flown to Cuba, YES you read right, they told me some might be flown to CUBA!

I would like to know what legal protection do US citizens get in Venezuela or Cuba? Can family go with the patient? Is it all expenses paid? Isn't going to Cuba illegal? What happens if there is a problem with the patient in Venezuela or Cuba?

Lou Dobbs where are you?

The Revolution will Not be Televised - or will it?

Important announcement I would like to thank Mr. Wolfgang Schalk for allowing me to provide for free the the film "Radiografia de una mentira" (X-Rays of a Lie). This film shows how the "documentary" "The revolution will not be Televised" distorted and lied about what happened on April 11, 2002 during the "coup" against Chavez.

Please spread the word.

Please click here to see the documentary.

and the bully of Havana

Well it looks as if Chavez's mentor is also in the bullying mood.

"The Cuban government cut off electricity to the U.S. diplomatic mission in Havana a week ago..."

The bully of Miraflores

Well not even the World Cup and the presidential win of Alan Garcia of Peru (thanks to Chavez) can keep the loud mouth Chavez from giving his sunday "Alo Presidente". As is typical of a bully, Chavez keeps trying to get a reaction from Washington and now Garcia, or anyone that will fight him in the sand box that has become Latin America.

Unfortunately for Chavez he has been unsuccessful at picking a fight with Washington and now Garcia, after winning, seems to want to get to work helping the Peruvian people versus fighting and wasting time with Chavez. I say good for him

"No pretendo ningún liderazgo sudamericano ni continental. Ahora, si alguien quiere molestar, se encontrará conmigo, pero por el momento prefiero ver las cosas con optimismo"

"I'm not seeking to be the leader of South America or the continent. However, if someone wants to cause trouble they will have to confront me, but for now I would rather see things with optimism"

Thankfully, Washington has kept its mouth shut and decided not to get into a verbal war with Chavez, since this has been shown to only help Chavez. Instead, Washington is letting Chavez become more and more isolated by himself. Case in point is the recent Chavez interference in the Peruvian elections and in getting Bolivia to nationalize the oil industry which has caused quite the problem between Brazil and Bolivia. But do not worry, with each ignored action, the subsequent one out of the caudillos mouth becomes more bold and explicit, ike a bully desperately trying to pick a fight but is continuously ignored. Meanwhile, the bystanders look upon the bullies actions with amazement and seeking to distance themselves as much as possible from him.

The caudillo of Miralfores today announced that relations with Peru will remain cold and that he demands an apology from Garcia. In addition, Chavez decided to up the ante with the US by announcing that he will be visiting Iran, North Korea, and "North Vietnam". Umm... hasn't anyone told him that it is now just Vietnam? It goes to show what world Chavez is living in.

Why is Chavez visiting Iran (again) and North Korea? One simple reason, they have nuclear weapons research and/or weapons! and Chavez knows that the only way to get Washington's attention is to have nuclear technology. From what play book does this come from? Cuba of course. Fidel did it during the cold war by having the USSR construct silos for nuclear missiles. If it wasn't for this the US would have ignored Cuba, and Fidel wouldn't have a life long enemy to accuse and hide behind due to the failures of his revolution.

Venezuela Forcast

Jun 7th 2006
From the Economist Intelligence Unit

The opposition remains fragmented and unpopular and the Economist Intelligence Unit expects the president, Hugo Chavez, to be re-elected in December 2006, despite rising problems of corruption and inefficiency. Beyond the election, internal divisions in the government over economic policy have the potential to erode governability. High oil prices will ensure an expansionary fiscal policy. The increase in permanent spending commitments is likely to store up problems in the medium term, assuming a gradual decline in oil prices. Investment inflows to exploit Venezuela’s abundant energy reserves will be maintained in the face of more difficult operating conditions, but will be below potential. Much non-oil investment will continue to be put off by the uncertain legal and regulatory regimes and by price and exchange controls, which will be maintained through the outlook period. Fiscal spending will help to underpin economic activity, but growth will soften more markedly from 2007 as investment falls.

Key changes from last update

Political outlook
The new board of the Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE, the electoral authority) has been appointed. The opposition claims that the board is still biased in favour of the government, and continues to press for further changes to the voting system.


Economic policy outlook
On the basis of upward revisions to our oil price forecasts, we assume that there will be little need to devalue the currency for balance-of-payments or fiscal reasons in the foreseeable future. We forecast a devaluation of the exchange rate late in 2007, but it is possible that this will not occur until after the forecast period ends.


Economic forecast
First-quarter data show that economic activity remains strong and our forecast of 8.4% real GDP growth in 2006 remains unchanged.