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Subscribe to RSSIn Venezuela, Hugo Chavez won another 6-year term as president of the oil-rich nation with official results showing the socialist leader garnering 54 percent of the vote. NBC's Kerry Sanders reports.
CARACAS, Venezuela – President Hugo Chavez scored a comfortable election victory and vowed to deepen his self-styled socialist revolution after a bitterly fought race against a youthful rival who has galvanized Venezuela's opposition.
The state governor who lost Sunday's presidential vote, Henrique Capriles, accepted defeat as Chavez swept to a 10-point victory margin, the smallest yet for him a presidential race. Chavez won 55 percent of the vote against 45 percent for Capriles with more than 90 percent of the vote counted.
Venezuela's Hugo Chavez wins 3rd term
NBC News’ Kerry Sanders is in Caracas reporting on the elections. Earlier today he answered reader questions about Chavez re-election.
Click on the link below to replay the informative chat.
Photoblog: Chavez wields Bolivar sword at victory rally
Leave a Comment:
Is this for real? Romanticizing the government of Chavez to make him look like a leader for the people? This can't be real.
Robert where did you get your story never saw any Romanticizing on here just plain reporting.
This is outrageous and he should be impeached for the stuff he does! Chavez is a dictator and he forces people to follow him. You have to sign a paper saying that you fully support him in order to get hired for any job. Once you sign that paper your name is entered in the national database and you are obligated to attend political campaigns, meetings, and vote for Chavez.
I know because I was born and raised in Venezuela. Chavez is nothing like they try to describe him here. He hates the USA, he has said it many times, he also said that the USA is the filth of the world and that Americans are imperialists and that the USA should be eliminated off the face of the Earth. I have lived in Venezuela, no one can tell me that it's a lie when Chavez himself said many times during his speeches. Why do you think I left my country?
This is the guy O is so chummy with. He'd like you to think the reason he's so chummy with Chavez is so that Chavez will not allow Ahmadinijad (sp?) to build missile silos in his country. Obama also wants Chavez's oil. But Chavez finds O laughable, because he's clueless, when it comes to foreign policy. God help us!!
THERE are many countries that hate the USA.WE have over 700 military bases in other countries. We have helped over throw many elected goverments in other countries and keep the people from voting. IRAN 1953 no voting for 30 years. INDONESIA , CHILE , ETC: WE will try to do the same in VENEZUELA . Get rid of CHAVEZ and keep the people from voting for many years. That's the AMERICA way!
I don't think there will be much left after six more years of this Idiot.
Not much for the international oil companies
But a lot more in the average Venezualians pocket
I'm glad Hugo Chavez won the election. At least I know that there is one less U.S. puppet government in the world. You go Mr. Chavez. Not all Americans hate you. I think you are ten times a better president that G.W. Bush ever was. Not that Bush was ever president. We all know he stole two elections.
Poltergiest,
I am a Venezuelan and you apparently have been living in freedom way too long. Chavez isn't what you think. I have lived there, and no I am not wealthy, I actually had to sell hot dogs and arepas on the street to save the money for me to leave that hell hole. The international oil companies aren't even there, Chavez only sells oil to Iran, Russia, Cuba, and Syria. Also, you can't work in Venezuela unless you sign documentation saying that you will support Chavez no matter what. Many people who don't support Chavez get shot because they disagree with the government. Don't about stuff you don't know, I was born and raised there and lived under Chavez's ruling, and I was poor and my family is still poor.
Chavez has said many times that the USA needs to be eliminated, so basically killing everyone off, that includes you. He said that Americans are worst of the worst, he says that every time he talks about foreign policy during his speeches.
Like Chaves the Dog won this time
The exit polls showed that Hugo was not winning.......so he put tanks and armed soldiers on the streets . Voter fraud and guns win every time ! The man needs to be assasinated !!!!!!
Cancer will assasinated him
Oh quit crying
At least Venezuela uses it's oil to lower energy costs for it's citizens
In the US we let the oil companies take OUR oil sell it on the international market and then lie saying that more drilling will make us energy independant
You think Chavez rigged the election? Maybe you should worry more about our rigged elections here in the US
Are you talking about how the left is fighting any attempt to insure that only qualified voters vote ???
The Dems have a long historu of voter fraud .
Bill,
Venezuela only has one oil company PDVSA which Chavez declared bankruptcy on already. Who is paying for the so called social programs? Venezuela doesn't have an income tax system like we do here in the US, you don't pay taxes on your income even if you're wealthy. There is no unemployment insurance, there are no food stamps, there is no Medicaid or Medicare, and there is no income tax return. Small businesses don't exist there because in order for you to have a business you have to let Chavez's administration manage your business. I come from Venezuela and the USA never compares to that country. Besides, they hate Americans!
Brian-774710..........so what record is there or any meaningful number of non-qualified voters attempting to vote ? There is none, never has been . Of course if by "qualified" you mean white tea baggers, then that is something else.
Bill-1169807 Re: Rigged Elections
You think the elections here are rigged? Just wait til you see what happens in November. But before you vote, see the movie 2016 and read The Amateur. Then use your head. If you want a Socialistic government, you know who to vote for.
Viva Chavez! The man has committed the unpardonable sin of using Venezuela's oil wealth to decrease poverty, infant mortality, and illiteracy among the people of Venezuela, instead of enriching foreign oil companies and the wealthy, parasitic Venezuelan ruling class. For that, he's villified as a "dictator" even though he's won every free and fair election he's stood for in the las 14 years.
And he has done so standing behind the barrel of a gun !
Thomas,
Have you been in Venezuela? Have you lived there? I have, I was born and raised there. I am not wealthy, my family is very poor and many of my family members had to sign the paper agreeing that they support Chavez just so they can get a job. Literacy in Venezuela is worse than before, just because MSN tells you that Chavez has done so many things, it doesn't mean that it's true. I have lived there, I have seen my family members get killed because they give a different opinion. God forbids you disagree with Chavez, you will be killed. The wealthy have already left Venezuela, many people who actually cared about the country have left.
You really need to download some of Chavez's speeches in English so you know what he really think about Americans. He thinks Americans need to be eliminated and that's the word he uses. He said that Obama was a N*** and I'm not an Obama supporter and that offended me. How can you justify that? The poor in Venezuela are living off whatever Chavez gives them from the country's only oil company PDVSA which by the way Chavez has already filed for bankruptcy for that company so who do you think is paying for that? In Venezuela we don't have income taxes or SS like here. There is no welfare system, there is no Medicaid, Medicare, or anything like that.
If Chavez wasn't a dictator, he would not have changed the constitution to allow for endless presidential terms, he would not have taken control of all media, he would not be indoctrinating children to his socialist ideology, he would not have expropriated private properties, and he would not have suppressed Venezuelans' right to free speech. But he did all of the above and then some, so yeah, Chavez is a dictator.
almost there,
I agree. My mom is a teacher in Venezuela and she told me that now all children starting in preschool must take premilitary classes and be taught about the Revolution. My mom was crying this morning because she feels she's working for nothing. She loves teaching and she thought she was helping a cause, but not anymore. Even a good friend of mine who is a Chavista, told me this morning that I have no right to give my opinion and I told him that freedom of speech is a right and no one will take that away from me, not even Chavez.
MOM 101: My heart goes out to you and all Venezuelans who wanted to live in a country free from radical and extreme socialist ideals, a country without Chavez.
I have been following Henrique Capriles since I first saw him being interviewed back in 2010. In that interview he was lauded as the Venezuelan opposition's strongest card, one that could actually beat Chavez in the 2012 elections. He struck me as a fellow who really wanted to bring change to his country and I'm just truly sorry that he wasn't elected.
By the way, I am not affiliated with any political party nor am I being paid to write this stuff. I too am from Latin America, naturalized US citizen, and a registered independent who is still not sure about who to vote for in November. I just disagree with oppressive governments of any political alignment.
I don't know much about Venezuela but I'd agree that socialist regimes have raised the standard of living in many countries. Certainly China and Russia advanced immensely. No one can really question this.
What can be question is what was lost in the process. Leaving aside the tremendous body count that leftist regimes have left behind there's the more important issue of freedom and whether its worth living in a society where every meaningful decision is forfeited in the name of an increased standard of living.
Impossible to tell what is true from these comments. If you believe MOM101 then Chavez fits the stereotype that we have of a dictator--but MOM1 could also be a right wing shill. There are several Koch bro financed groups who get on forums and try to slant the response--I mean you have paid people or volunteers who come up with a response strategy and then sit there all day churning out responses--This kind of question about the validity of Chavez would be exactly the kind of thing they would want to weigh in on. On the other hand MOM101 could be real. I am inclined to believe that Chavez is a thug who uses the "people" as his excuse for seizing power. On the other hand I know places like Venezuela have been ruled for most of their history by a alliance of the rich and the military. The people get screwed either way.
Mike,
I am quite real. I live in the USA and I am not of any political affiliation. I like this country, that's why I left Venezuela. I can send you proof that I am real, a full time student pursuing my Master's degree in Education.
I am proud to be in the USA and I am actually working towards my naturalization. I know what you mean, but no, I don't work for anyone. My husband is actually an Army Vet and we love this country. I have two children and I pay my taxes just like everyone else. I am just disappointed in my own country how they have behaved. Every time I visit Venezuela, it looks bad, dirty, people on the streets begging, children on the streets with no shoes on, and asking me for food.
Oh great, now the usa has to look forward to 6 more years with this pin head running the show in venezuela.
Oh well, I don't buy their gas anymore, and the very stupid, worthless congress needs to ban the sale of their gas here in our country.
This is the most devastating thing that could happen to Venezuela and their people. I can't stand hearing or reading another American article making Chavez look like he cares for his people! Are you blind America? Or do you simply like playing dumb? So many people are suffering. Chavez is a thief. He pays people to go to his senseless rallies, and to vote for him. Nobody likes him, he pays for his friends. The insecurity in Venezuela has risen dramatically since Chavez took power. He doesn't care about anyone except himself. He is brain washing our youth by making them take classes on Revolution, he is rewriting history to make himself sound like a God. He keeps the ignorants ignorant and as poor as dirt so they have to need him for the three peanuts he gives them every 6 years in order to get votes. Brian Williams mentioned something on his broadcast tonight that hurt dearly. Brian I love watching your show, but I must correct you...Chavez does not use the oils' wealth to help its people. He doesn't give anything to his people. He sends all the money abroad to buy massive weapons to the Russians and gives FREE oil to the Chinese!! God knows what for. Venezuela is nearly bankrupt, there is no food in the country, babies don't have diapers not baby formula, there are shortages of everything in Venezuela, toilet paper, toothpaste, power outages monthly. Please realize how devastating this is for Venezuela, Latin America, and the world.
Mitt wants to start another land war in Middle East ! Of course his family will not participate, his sons and grandkids will go to France. Only us 47%'ers are "entitled" to die and get maimed in Republican wars !
MOM101 - I am an American and have worked and lived in Venezuela. I think about half of what you say is true. Chavez is a thug and will further isolate the country from development that could benefit the average citizen. Like all central/south american politicians, they feel naturalization of the countries natural resources is the way to go while their friends and families rob the system blind. Chavez does not hate the US or it's people, just the political establishment and oil companies, most of which want him overthrown or asasinated. The northern coast of Venezuela is so incredibly beautiful and the people I worked with highly educated and hard working, it's unfortunate that they couldn't elect better leaders (but people could say the same about the US).
Venezuela had 81% of it's voters turn out.Here we are lucky to get 50%. Some states are trying to get much less that's why they enacted so many different voter laws this time. Suppressing the vote has always been the AMERICA way. Excluding the poor with POLL taxes, No voting rights for Women or Blacks.