Word: venezuelanizing
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...first time Chávez has attempted to perpetuate himself in power. Two years ago, he proposed a referendum to modify the constitution to allow him to seek unlimited re-election and better implant his version of “21st-century socialism”. He argued that the Venezuelan constitution constrained his grip on power in a way that prevented his model society from coming to fruition...
...despite Chávez’s subsequent crackdown on the political opposition, his proposal was narrowly defeated, 51 to 49 percent. According to press reports, it was a cinematic ending to a dramatic saga in Venezuelan politics. Upon hearing the news, Chávez promised a sequel, grumbling that “For now, we couldn?...
...repeatedly attacked any media outlet that opposes his rule. Most notably, two years ago he refused to renew the broadcasting license of a TV station, RCTV, that he identified with the political opposition. With such dismal track record, the power of unlimited re-election would be tantamount to burying Venezuelan democracy forever...
...even as Chávez puts a gloss on the economic outlook, some Chavistas wonder if venality has seeped into his own government - including millions of dollars in alleged payoffs to officials described last year at the Miami trial of a wealthy Venezuelan businessman. (Chávez officials deny the charges.) "Chávez needs to know that we see the tremendous houses and cars these so-called socialists have," says Isabel de Lemus, 70, a shop owner in La Silsa who sits on a revolutionary community council...
Another problem is land invasions by local farmers who chop down cacao to plant faster-yielding banana trees. "They destroy the forest forever," Rosenberg complains, pointing to a hole in one of his plantation's barbed-wire fences. Jorge Redmond, president of Chocolates El Rey, a Venezuelan company that has been processing premium cacao since 1929, says El Rey saw almost 865 acres (350 hectares) decimated recently when 40 families invaded. "A 10-year effort was destroyed in days," he says. "We were able to produce one batch of San Joaquin Private Reserve chocolate before this happened, but we will...