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Originally Posted by Pacridge When you decode Canuck's posts, let me know.
How has Chavez made his country less free? More poor? I thought their economy was rebounding lately. |
The Venezuelan economy is so unstable that it undergoes wild swings. For example, GDP fell -18% in 2003, rebounded 11% in 2004, and underwent another nasty recession during the first half of 2005. If its economy is currently on an uptick, it doesn't mean the economy is rebounding. The long-term trend for the Venezuelan economy since Hugo Chavez came to power has been very much downward.
He has made Venezuela less free by harassing and intimidating journalists, imprisoning political opponents on petty charges, accepting bribes from local and foreign groups, and (according to some election monitors) fixing the last referendum.
Chavez has driven away almost all foreign investment in his country and has made Venezuela even more dependent on oil for its economy. He has nationalized many foreign-owned businesses, so it's no surprise that other foreign-owned businesses have been scared away.