Home > Hugo Chavez: U.S. citizens are oppressed by their own government

Hugo Chavez: U.S. citizens are oppressed by their own government

by Open-Publishing - Saturday 30 April 2005
13 comments

Democracy Governments USA South/Latin America

Venezulean leader: U.S. citizens oppressed
Hugo Chavez in Havana for trade talks

HAVANA, Cuba (AP) — Saying that U.S. citizens are oppressed by their own government, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez promised Friday that he would not visit the United States again until Americans "liberate" their nation.

Chavez, in Havana for trade talks, told an international gathering of activists here that before an earlier trip to Cuba, a U.S. State Department undersecretary he did not identify warned him not to go because he would no longer be received in Washington.

He said he went ahead with that trip anyway, and later traveled to the United States to visit U.S. President George W. Bush, who he said greeted him with a Coca-Cola in his hand.

"I have not returned, nor do I think about returning again, until the people of the United States liberate that nation," said Chavez, saying that Americans are "oppressed" by their government and U.S. media.

Chavez considers Cuban President Fidel Castro a political ally and close personal friend, and Washington has grown increasingly alarmed by their deepening political and economic alliance.

During Chavez’s current visit, the two countries have signed a host of economic and other accords, including a deal for Cuba to buy $412 million in goods from the South American nation, with Cuba waiving all import duties.

Venezuela’s state oil company also has opened an office in Havana this week, agreeing to help explore for and refine any crude deposits discovered off the island’s coast. It also announced that the 53,000 barrels it has been sending to Cuba since 2000 at preferential terms was recently increased to up to 90,000 barrels daily.

Chavez also criticized the current Latin American tour by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, referring to her as an "imperial lady" who is trying to divide and conquer the hemisphere’s developing nations.

Despite Chavez’s anti-U.S. comments, his country is the world’s fifth largest oil exporter and a top crude supplier to the United States.

http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/a...

Forum posts

  • I agree with Chavez.

    What kind of response do you get from your leaders? I find my letters are completely ignored or I get a condescending general note in return. I am not a dem nor repub, but a citisen of this country and like many the government completely ignores and so does ths press.

    When are Americans going to stop mumbling under their breathes at what is going on and take action? Hard to say, I’m trying to figure out what is going to make them take action. This is not freedom, but as someone else pointed out on another topic, polite socialism. My question is when is it going to turn to marshel socialism, like the former USSR (100s of millions of Christains killed by jews and) or former Germany (100s of thousands of jews killed by jewish banker funding and anyone that stood out and up, true Christains, gays, etc). Something to ponder, Hitler was the "savor" of Germany, than they were "attacked" and turned it’s democracy into pure socialism over time. It didn’t happen over night, same with former USSR.

    Much to be learned from history and the possibilities of it being repeated, which it usually is, sadly.

    But what is a definite truth is it is all banker and corporate led.

    • Intersesting book sort of on this issue. America’s crisis of values: reality vs perception, by Wayne Baker

      It basically comes down to we really are not a split nation (as the media and government likes to tout), most hold the same thoughts, desires, morals, etc, etc, etc

      But we (as a people) don’t really protest when the survival for food and health isn’t there as an issue i.e we are fed and clothed. It makes since. We have extreme left/right "representing" us that we don’t agree with as a whole nation and people, (most Americans are moderate @80%) That means @ 80% are not happpy with their government which is extreme left/right, but we are not at that survival index that makes ua as a nation to hit the streets in mass and demand answers.

      When we don’t have food, and home safety is when we’ll hit the streets. Human nature, I suppose

    • I think that many Americans do not feel oppressed by their government - they still have "enough" freedoms to get by, go to work, put gas in their cars, drink their lattes, etc.

      In agreement with the 2nd poster, I believe it’s a matter of perception. Most Americans are hand-fed news by corporate interests and are generally fat, stupid and happy, just the way the government wants them to be. It’s the radical thinkers that hold all the cards - always have - but they’re extremely splintered and unfocused.

      Now, I’ve been railing against high taxes and the Social Security system and the military industrial complex since the end of the 60s, when I was old enough to actually understand what was going on (Vietnam, and my first paychecks). Sorry to say, I have been largely ineffective in making great changes. However, I have lived my life on my terms, giving to the government whatever I thought it deserved from me (not much, considering how they waste so much), as the government allows lots of deductions for business, and I have always run my own business. I was always interested in self-determination and tried as best I could to influence others towards my way of thinking. I did an OK job in that regard.

      Self-interest is at the top of priorities for everyone, be they Venezuelan, American, an FBI agent, a solitary citizen, and there’s nothing wrong with that. What is troubling is the overabundance of government influence in our lives, especially when that government (and I don’t blame Reps or Dems, I blame them all and the people who voted for them) also imposes its military will upon other nations without provocation. That, in my opinion, is wrong and should be stopped. As a nation, the United States should lead by example, and the examples being presented to the world are misguided and disturbing.

      I truly feel that our leaders in Congress and the administration have an agenda that is not in the best interests of the average American citizen, nor citizens and nations of the world. Until the American public comes to the realization that our contrived two-party system keeps both parties in power and essentially sets up a one-party aristocracy of government and big business, the American citizen is not well represented. It is up to each individual citizen to use reason and action to forment change in his/her own life. I advocate non-participation in as much American normative behavior as possible. Not voting, not engaging in activities which promote corporatism and/or socialism (the left needs to understand that’s not the answer - less government is better) is action that has the potential to free us all.

      It’s very true that the vast majority of Americans are dissatisfied with their government, but the way we’ve been TOLD to change is to vote, though our choices are usually between bad and worse. I believe much more can be accomplished by NOT VOTING and letting our "elected" representatives know that they do not represent us (they know; they represent the corporations who pay for their campaigns) and that their choices are not our choices.

      If we challenge the system, we can change the system. Challenging only parts of it only can change those parts.

      Rick Gagliano
      Publisher, Downtown Magazine

      http://www.dtmagazine.com

    • Hugo Chavez is the victim of the oil thugs who have tried to assassinate him and overthrow his democratically elected government. Even though the United States passed laws in the early 80s making it illegal for our CIA to go to another country and kill their leaders like we used to do, the CIA has continued to break those laws and send hit squads to remove other countries leaders when they won’t do as they are ordered to by our government.

      But he somehow escaped these assassination attempts and has declared that if the CIA does assassinate him, the people of Venezuela will make sure the U.S. doesn’t get one more drop of their oil. It makes one wonder why we don’t just pay for the oil and save the taxpayers enormous sums of money and actually make friends with the other peoples of the earth? With the billions of dollars we spend trying to steal other countries resources we could buy them 10 times over and make our country less hated as well as a huge bonus.

      Look at the huge expendature of blood and money we squandered in Vietnam, we could have bought every inch of that country for less than a quarter of the money we spent, and we wouldn’t have had to murder 3 million Vietnamese and 58,000 Americans, and we wouldn’t have had to try to live down the shame we are still under for our actions there. Those of us that lost friends and family there for nothing, will never forget how terribly wrong our government was for what they did there.

    • No America is not split into Right/Left. It is only "Right" and a reactionary right at that. There is no difference between the Dems and Repubs — and no difference in the opinion of the public.

      I am not sure what it is that people don’t see or that what I don’t see in the "differences".

  • Dear Mr. Chavez stop oil exporting to the U.S. and start invoicing oil exports in other currencies. That will hurt the American/British/Jewish war industry.

    • Right on. Venezuela es un ejemplo al lado de Cuba en su lucha por la independencia Yanyee
      Todos ( LatinoAmerica ) hemos dido y siguiendo oprimidos por el capitalismo de u.s.a.
      Quisiera visitar Venezuela y hablar con la gente, para convencerlas de su buena fortuna Gracias a Un Presidente que losQuiere y busca lo mejor para su Pueblo. Deseandoles Todo Lo Mejor: Ricardo - rfelippa@bigpond.net.au

  • ARE YOU ALL OUT OF YOUR MINDS. The fact that you are allowed to voice your objections and not face any type of arrest shows how free this country is. I dare any of you that agree with a dictator such as Chavez to go to Venenzuela and see how much freedom you would have. Try and criticize the government and enjoy being arrested.This country has many faults but only a COMPLETE FOOL would believe in the positions held by Chavez and His friend Castro. Again I CHALLENGE ANY OF YOU TO GO AND LIVE IN EITHER VENEZUELA OR CUBA AND SEE FOR YOURSELF.

    Also remember no one is forcing you to stay here. If you feel oppressed leave.

    • The only reason we are allowed to voice our ’freedom’ is because they don’t care.

      We are insignificant.

      They have the power and they intend to keep it hook or crook. Both really.

      When the time comes that we start to be noticed, then you will hear the rants about the Internet.

      Already there are processes in place to stop this medium ’in the name of a terrorist threat’

      And by the way are you ’Crazy’

      A dictator is someone who is:

      a. An absolute ruler. b. A tyrant; a despot. 2. An ancient Roman magistrate appointed temporarily to deal with an immediate crisis or emergency. 3. One who dictates.

    • I have friends who moved to Venezula in the 90’s and they like it very much there and they like Mr. Chavez very much. So what is your point?

    • "..see how much freedom you would have..."

      Contrary to what the US Media may have told you, Mr. Chavez was the first president to lift censorship and media pressure. In Venezuela there is only one state owned channel and five privately owned channels. These private oligarch channels bash and swear at Hugo Chavez everyday and Hugo does nothing about it, because like he says "How can I be in favor of free speech if I attempt to suppress my opposition. Let the people judge themself". Besides the 5 private channels, Venezuelians are free to receive any cable or satellite channels they deserve including CNN, BBC, FOX, etc...

      There is freedom of speech in Venezuela.

      I encourage you to http://www.rethinkvenezuela.com/

    • I AM A VENEZUELAN, WHO IS VERY HAPPY TO BE PUT OF VENEZUELA SINCE CHAVES HAS COME TO THE GOVERMENT.

      NO, THERR IS NOOOOO FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN VENEZUELA. YES, THERE ARE PRIVATELY OWN CHANNELS BUT THEY HAVE HAD TO EITHER AVOID TELLING THE TRUTH, OR JUST IGNORE IT, FOR THE SAKE OF CONTINUE BEIONG IN BUSINESS, WITH THE HOPE SOMEDAY CHAVES WILL GO AWAY, CUBAN’S HAVE INVADED VENEZUELA, ALL DOCTOR, MILITARY PERSONELL, ARE FROM CUBA, THEY CUBAN GOVERMENT GETS MONEY FOR THEIR WORK, THEY DO NOT, THEY JUST GET A MISERY COMPARE TO WHAT CHAVES PAIS FIDEL FOR HAVING THEM IN VENEZUELA, DID YOU KNOW THAT???? VENEZUELAN PEOPLE ARE POOR, AND JUST BECAUSE CHAVEZ IS GIVEN SOME OF THE POPULATION A MISERY PEOPLE ARE HAPPY, AND THAt IS WHY THE POOR HAVE SO HIGH REGARDS FOR HIM, BUT CAN’T YOU SEE? VENEZUELA IS THE SAME AS CUBA...THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THAT VENEZUELA HAS OIL, WHICH MEANS MONEY, WHICH BY THE WAY CHAVEZ HAS MANAGE TO CONTROL AT ALL, IT USE TOP BE THE THE CENTRAL BANK OF VENEZUELA WAS A A-POLITICAL INSTITUTION, SO THAT THE VENEZUELAN RESERVES COULD BE PROTECTED AGAIST THE CORRUOTION THAT USUALLY CAME WITH ANY POLITICAL SIDE THAT WAS ON POWER AT THE TIME, BUT GUESS WHAT....CHAVEZ JUST CHANGE THAT, NOW HE CONTROLS EVERYTHING, THE BANK, THE RESERVES, PDVSA, ALL OD IT, HE WILL DESTROY MY COUNTRY, HE WILL MAKE IT THE POOREST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD WITHIN A FEW YEARS, BEACUSE EVENTHOUGH HE MAY HAVE MANY IDEAS TO HELP PEOPLE, THERE IS SOMETHING HE CANNOT CONTROL: VENEZUELANS DO NOT LIKE TO WORK, HE CANNOT CONTROL THE MANY PEOPLE WHO WORK AROUNG HIM, HE CANNOR DO IT, ALL THE PEOPLE WHO WORK AROUND HIM STEAL, WILL STEAL, EVEN MORE THAT ANY OTHER GOVERMENT ON POWER, BECASUE NOW THE GOVERMENT HAS THE CONTROL OF ALL THE MONEY VENEZUELA HAS, THEY WILL STEAL, THEY WILL LEAVE SOMEDAY, CHAVEZ IS THE WORST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPEN TO ANY COUNTRY, WE WILL SUFFER THE CONCECUENCES OPF HAVING SO MANY YEARS OF CORRUOPCION THAT LEFT US WITH A SICKENESS CALLED HUGA CHAVEZ THAT WILL KILL US ALL AT THE END.....

      ONLY BY GOING THERE, TO VENEZUELA, THAT IS THE ONLY WAY YOU WILL KNOW, I WRITE BECAUSE MY FAMILY IS STILL THERE, THEY TELL ME HOW THEY LIVE, HOW THEY SEE THINGS CHAGING AVERY DAY, CUBA, CUBA, CUBA, THAT IS ALL THEY HEAR ALL DAY, EVERY DAY, FIDEL OWNS VENEZUELA, WE HAVE LOST A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY......

    • Ypu are one million of american ( asi en minuscula ) pues yo tambien soy de AMERICA.
      Si no entiendes mi mensaje Because you do not spech spanish, i feel sorry for you, narrow mindew imbesil. rfelippa@bigpond.net.au