Venezuelan President (aka dictator) Hugo Chavez was back in the news this weekend because (this is great) the King of Spain told him to shut up!! I laughed out loud when I read this. What is so incredibly infuriating and entertaining at the same time is the reason for the King’s outburst. Chavez had the audacity to call the former Spanish Prime Minister a fascist. Let’s just review the definition of fascism, shall we?
A governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism.
First I realise Chavez was democratically-elected but he has recently tried to push through legislation abolishing term limits and thereby giving him the ability to remain in office for life, just like a dictator. Second, I am not saying Chavez is racist but he definitely is nationalist. He recently announced that any foreigners caught speaking badly of the Venezuelan government could be forcibly thrown out of the country. As for suppressing opposition and criticism, just look at his recent backlash against critical media organisations. He shut down one of the television stations because they were too critical of him.
So, let’s look at the big picture here. Can we say HYPOCRITE?! Good on the King of Spain for standing up to him. It certainly made my weekend a bit cheerier.