Harry Guerrilla
DP Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2008
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Navy deployed to Venezuela airports, seaports - Boston.com
Chavez is gaining more and more power. He is becoming an absolute dictator.
<Queue Chavez apologists>
CARACAS, Venezuela—President Hugo Chavez deployed the navy to Venezuela's seaports on Sunday, and he said state governors who challenge new legislation bringing transportation hubs under federal control could end up in prison.
Speaking during his weekly television and radio program, Chavez ordered naval vessels to seize control of Port Cabello in Carabobo state and Maracaibo Port in Zulia state -- two of Venezuela's largest seaports.
Lawmakers loyal to Chavez voted last week to bring all airports, highways and seaports under federal control, a move government adversaries said was designed to expand the president's power.
"This is a national security issue," Chavez said Sunday, defending the law.
Opposition governors warned that the law approved by the Chavista-dominated National Assembly is designed to strangle the president's foes financially and to undermine support from constituents who elected them in November.
Following the vote, Chavez signed a series of decrees giving his government control over hospitals, sports stadiums and other public institutions in states won by the opposition.
Chavez is gaining more and more power. He is becoming an absolute dictator.
<Queue Chavez apologists>