Opinion
Here are the achievements of Chávez in 10 years of rule: Terrorism: Associations with the FARC, Cuba, Libya, Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, Syria and Iraq under Saddam Hussein were forged. Venezuela became a defender of countries and individuals charged with terrorism, from Carlos the Jackal to Osama bin Laden.

Anti-Semitism: Jewish schools were invaded in searches for weapons and treasonous materials that were never found. Jewish synagogues were trashed by unknown thugs. The president on TV blamed Jews for killing Christ and cornering the world's wealth thereafter. He expelled the Israeli ambassador when Israel invaded Gaza, call it a "holocaust" against Palestinians.

Nuclear Proliferation: Iran's and North Korea's nuclear weapons programs were supported as if they were expressing sovereign rights to peaceful technology. Venezuela announced that nuclear technology would be started with Russia's help.

Arms race: Billions of dollars of weapons from Russia, China, Iran and Spain were purchased. In response, Colombia and Brazil increased weapons purchases.

Anti-Americanism: An economic war was declared and waged against America, with oil being the major weapon and Iran being Venezuela's major ally at OPEC. The high oil price contributed to the recession, which resulted in lowering oil demand and thus the price. The US ambassador and attaches on military and narcotics matters were expelled from the country as spies.

Assassination: Venezuela's president was subject to almost as many thwarted assassination plots as were announced by Fidel Castro of Cuba. Details of the plots are secret and no one has been prosecuted in Venezuela.

Oil: Oil production fell from 3.6 million bpd in 1998 to 2.4 million bpd today according to OPEC and the International Energy Administration. According to the Pdvsa production plan of 1998, Pdvsa should be producing 5.5 million bpd this year.

Poverty: The government claims that poverty has fallen from half to one third of Venezuela's families but these claims are disputed by independent researchers and former Chávez Administration experts who should know. In any case, Venezuela remains the richest state with the largest poor segment of its population on earth.

Democracy: The government claims Venezuela is a democracy but its electoral machinery has not been independently audited since 2003, the legislature and judiciary have become rubber stamps for the executive, and the president commonly orders his employees to vote for his side or lose their jobs.
michaelrowan22@gmail.com