The modern day che

 

 

Hugo Chavez, the 21st century mix of Che & Castro, just refuses to be cowed down by the constant criticism of his policies orchestrated by his detractors. Or put another way, he is not impressed by western style democracy and its criticism. He is more than convinced that he has a task to perform and all impediments that act as a roadblock in his endeavors to free his country from the clutches of all forms of American imperialism are just and valid. With this determination, he recently announced his plan to change 33 articles in the Constitution, that is roughly 10% of the total Venezuelan constitution.

The major changes being envisaged include increasing the Presidential term from six to seven years, approving a six-hour working day, tightening the state grip over the nation’s economic assets and activity, including the Banks. Now, to expect the Venezuelan elite and the American multinationals to receive these proposed changes with open arms, is asking for a bit too much.

So the expected cadences and clamour in the pro-Western media obviously, refers to Chavez’s plans as murder of democracy and crazy attempts to perpetuate dictatorship. Countering such rather clichéd arguments against the President’s attempts to extend his term, Roman Ortiz, a scholar with a Bogota think tank told TSI, “Sometimes such changes are warranted by the needs of the democracy, which would like a particular leader to continue with the good work.” Further extending intellectual support to his leader, Ortiz added that before the US constitution could set a limit of two-term for the President, President Franklin Roosevelt won four elections in a row.

Chavez is the leader of a sovereign nation enjoying majority support in his country. So, the changes too are his prerogative.