Chavez demonstrates fear of criticism

Times:

Hugo Chávez, the Venezuelan President, has tightened the noose on the last opposition news channel broadcasting freely in the country after government agents raided the offices of Globovision’s president amid threats to take the station off the public airwaves.

The channel, which is vehemently opposed to Mr Chávez’s socialist project, has been in the President’s crosshairs for weeks. He says that the private media are “fascist bourgeoisie” that are “inciting hate — even war” and has ordered Globovision to be investigated under legislation that allows the Government to shut broadcasters down.

The moves are the latest in a series of strikes against opponents as Mr Chávez seeks to deepen socialism in the Opec nation, one of the world’s largest oil exporters. Since a February referendum victory allowing his indefinite re-election, he has sharpened his assaults on the private sector, curbed the powers of opponents in public positions and ordered corruption inquiries against critics.

The showdown with Globovision took an aggressive turn when a property belonging to Guillermo Zuloaga, the company’s president, was raided at dawn.

On Thursday morning, as government helicopters circled overhead, a team of agents and military entered the building, alleging criminal activity relating to Mr Zuloaga’s car business.

The agents demanded the keys to more than 20 vehicles before bringing in 11 cranes and three police units to seize them.

During the operation, filmed by Globovision and state media, shoving broke out between agents and Mr Zuloaga’s female lawyer. Mr Zuloaga said that the operation was designed to intimidate. “They are looking for a way to find something to shut me up,” he said.

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This fear of criticism suggest that Chavez is insecure, at least mentally. He has never been subjected to the abuse that President Bush got from the Kos kids. It will be interesting to see if the US media covers the story.

Chavez's buddy in Ecuador is also attacking the media. These guys can't seem to stand up to criticism. Correa is looking to seize stations run by people who don't like him.