Venezuela Update
Many people have asked me, “how do you get your stories?” It’s an easy answer I say, because we get them 3 ways. Breaking news and who might be available and nearest is one way. Secondly, we are assigned a story by our bosses in New York or my regional boss here in LA. The third way we pitch and follow a story ourselves. At any given time we are following, working or reporting on 10-20 stories. One I continue to follow is the loss of Democracy and the rise of a brutal dictatorship. I will update you on stories I consider important and continue to follow. Today, we have some interesting news out of Venezuela….
FIRST UPDATE
For a leader that claims to be free, Hugo Chavez sure likes to shut things down. He and his government have blocked a popular Spanish singer from using a stadium because he criticized President Hugo Chavez three years ago. Alejandro Sanz is not being allowed to hold his scheduled Nov. 1 concert at the Poliedro — a state-controlled stadium — because of his past criticism of the Chavez and his “Bolivarian Revolution.”
SECOND UPDATE
Chavez continues to use Venezuela’s soaring oil revenues to spread his influence to countries like Nicaragua, Ecuador, Argentina and especially to Bolivia, where he has helped President Evo Morales meet social spending promises to the indigenous majority that elected him in 2005. Chavez has sent cash and advisors to sponsor two of Morales’ key reforms, nationalizing the natural gas industry and overhauling the constitution. Critics say Morales has repaid Chavez by joining him and Cuban leader Fidel Castro in attacking U.S. policies in Latin America and criticizing Brazil’s biofuels industry. In Nicaragua, a country I have also reported from, opposition to Chavez says the the Venezuelan aid is being used as a political weapon by Daniel Ortega, a former Marxist revolutionary who led Nicaragua during the 1980s and returned to power in a presidential election late last year with the help of Hugo.
Adam Housley has been with FNC since 2001 as a Los Angeles-based
correspondent. He has covered news ranging from wildfires in California
to political unrest in Venezuela and was one of the few reporters who
witnessed the execution of Stanley “Tookie” Williams. 
Wouldn’t hurt to have some of the stuff that goes on in our country blocked too, but then it wouldn’t be a democracy then would it ?
Instead of the Middle East we’ll be fighting our southern neighbors. It just doesn’t seem like anybody can get along with anybody any more without bribes and $$$$ being involved, but then look at all the stuff that goes on in this country. Wish I could turn the clock back abut 30-40 years. Boy does that date me ! ! !
Thanks for the info and updates.
Hugo Chavez is one scary leader………Everyone I know is not purchasing his Citgo gas anymore and yes we do have to worry about those southern countries….hopefully Washington will not let his power get out of control ……..I think it is a shame that some of our talented actors embrace him as friend….thank you for writing about it……
Interesting. It is so chilling how these men with such evil intentions get into power and then strengthen the ties with like-minded leaders. Where are all the educated people when these political ploys get started?
Hi Adam,
Unfortunately Hugo Chavez is going to be in the news for many years to come. I don’t know who’s worse, Chavez or his pal Ahmadinejad. Are there any restrictions on the American media going into Venezuela?
So Adam since you studied International studies and travel to Latin countries are you bi-lingual?
Adam,
Why is it the people of Venezuela don’t see what an overblown, self-serving person that Hugo Chavez is? Are they crippled with fear of retribution, or are they passively letting this egomaniac take away their freedoms? How can this happen yet again? I’m so glad to be an American!
Keep safe!
Thank you for keeping us posted on the situation oin those Latin Countries. But you know as long as there is such poverty Chavez is going to have his way with the people. Look at the Soviet Union. Some of the people like the idea of the Gov. running their lives, they know no better. It takes too many yrs. for some to catch the financial dream. Look at how many we have on welfare and don’t seem to mind enough to work out of it. I think I can understand both side, I just think if we would work hard at conserving our gasoline (oil) we could hurt Chavez in his pocket and therefore with his people. If you don’t have anything, no one can take anything away. I grew up before all the oil money in the 3rd World countries, what a blessed time that was.
Good grief this sounds like Saddam all over again with a splash of George Soros.
OK… so he’s taking the revenue from oil and using it for his own personal gain… meanwhile his hospitals are horrific (I saw the report and video, I think on Sean’s show).
I remember a couple of months ago he was supposed to shut down a TV program or station (can’t remember what it was) and there were protests over that.
He’s cosying up to 3rd world countries… independently these countries are harmless to the USA… but if they unite, they become stronger, in some areas.
I know we can start to get concerned if we can link them to Iran, Syria or even North Korea. I’m sure that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is keeping an eye on Chavez waiting for the right moment to suck him into his circle.
Venezuela is closer to the USA than Iran is and certainly Iran has a vested interest in being physically close to us. What better way than to dock in Venezuela. The terrorist are already crossing our borders… we hope congress enjoyed themselves while on summer leave instead of sitting down and muddling over how to solve the border issue.
Thank you Sean Penn and Danny Glover for befriending the enemy.
Adam… thanks for the update… this stuff makes me nuts… and it’s just the begining.