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UNDERNEWS

Undernews is the online report of the Progressive Review, edited by Sam Smith, who covered Washington during all or part of ten of America's presidencies and who has edited alternative journals since 1964. The Review, which has been on the web since 1995, is now published from Freeport, Maine. We get over 5 million article visits a year. See prorev.com for full contents of our site

December 29, 2009

CHAVEZ SEES CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES MORE COMFORTABLE WITH SOCIALISM

Reuters - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez said in a New Year's message the "illusion" around President Barack Obama was over and rich nations had left the world on the verge of ecological disaster.

Quoting from both Karl Marx and the Virgin Mary, Latin America's leading critic of U.S. power said only socialist and Christian principles could right the wrongs of capitalism. . .

Chavez initially sought to foster good ties with Obama, shaking his hand and giving him a book at a regional summit. But he has been increasingly critical of late, saying Obama failed to curb "imperialist" policies in Afghanistan and Iraq, and was tolerant toward a coup leader in Honduras.

"Let's not kid ourselves: the Obama illusion has finished, and the shameless interventionism of the American administration shows that," wrote Chavez.

Having opposed the Copenhagen climate change summit's final agreement as a behind-doors deal between major powers that ignored nations on the margins, Chavez said rich nations were making a mockery of U.N. principles of equality.

"Those leaving us on the verge of an unimaginable 'ecocide,' those who caused climate change, should be forced to accept their responsibilities," he said.

Chavez has ruled South America's top oil-exporter for more than a decade, and faces legislative elections in 2010, then a presidential vote in 2012.

His normally high popularity has slipped to around 50 percent this year, with Venezuelans increasingly anxious over crime, stuttering water and power services, harsh measures against opposition parties, and an economic recession.

Analysts expect Chavez to win the 2010 National Assembly vote, albeit it with a reduced majority.

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