1. Hugo Chavez

2. Background: Hugo Chavez Early Life and Pre-Chavez Venezuela

3. Early Life Born Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias on July 28, 1954 in Sabaneta, Venezuela The youngest son of schoolteachers Hugo de los Reyes Chávez and Elena Frías de Chávez Has two older brothers who also participated in Government Lived in impoverished conditions and forced to live with grandparents for most of his childhood and adolescence At age 17, Chávez enrolled at the Venezuelan Academy of Military Sciences After graduating in 1975 as a sub-lieutenant with a degree in Military Arts and Science, Chávez entered military service for several months He was then allowed to pursue graduate studies in political science at the Simón Bolívar University, but left without a degree

4. Background: Venezuela President: Carlos Andres Perez During campaign promised to go against Washington Consensus and IMF This sparks public outrage which led to protests and riots Perez ordered for violent repression and massacre which is known as El Caracazo Caracazo: Caracas and azo Perez ordered for violent repression and massacre which is known as El Caracazo El Caracazo left around 257 dead and many more injured and/or disappeared Disturbed by the Caracazo, rampant government corruption, the domination of politics by the Venezuelan oligarchy

5. Continued and what he called "the dictatorship of the IMF" Chávez began making preparations for a military coup d'état his coup d’état was known as February 1992 Coup D’état which ultimately failed

6. Why We Hate Chavez OIL!!! Venezuela has some of the largest oil and natural gas reserves in the world, and consistently ranks among the top ten crude oil producers in the world The US was heavily involved in the Venezuelan oil industry and bought oil relatively cheap Venezuelan oil industry being nationalized and Chavez’ anti- US sentiment led to increased prices gas for the US which is bad for Business since we are so dependent on gas We don’t like him and he doesn’t like us

7. Chavez Comes to Power Promise of breaking up oligarchy New constitution Oil industry—liberal reforms and nationalization. Election in 2000, enabling act of 2001, and comprehensive land reform.

8. Chavez as the Incumbent Opposition by previous establishment and business Autocratic decree and implementation—49 laws Strikes and Protests – Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA) – The Venezuelan Federation of Chambers (cámaras) of Commerce (fedecámaras) – Confederación de Trabajadores de Venezuela Steady economic growth (higher % of growth than United States growth under Reagan)

9. 2002 Coup Coordinadora Democrática Carlos Ortega, Pedro Carmona, Lucas Romero Conflicting reports, possible US involvement, political upheaval Chavez returns to power shortly; consolidates power to prevent further danger. – Installation of pro-Chavez commanders – Increased aid and benefit given to military to discourage insurrection

10. Post-Coup Politics 4 “missions” – Guaicaipuro, Robinson, Sucre, Ribas – Focus on education (Robinson for illiterate adults, Ribas for High Schoolers, Sucre for university scholarships) – Guaicaipuro for the preservation of Venezuelan culture Presidential recall referendum (provided for in 1999 Const.) Petitions (20% of electorate needed) Chavez victory (59% vote; illegal immigrant citizenship) Election legitimacy (Carter Center)

11. Chavez Foreign Relations OPEC “Price Hawk”—focus on economy, anti-US goals Relations with Ahmadinejad—joined against United States Vocal outbursts against the “imperialist” United States Colombian rebel groups, Basque rebels—terrorist training – Ecuador coup attempt—Chavez’s anti-US allegations Otto Reich—United States’ rep. of Venezuela

12. Sources Consulted http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2002/apr/21/usa.venezuela http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/americas/10/18/insider.ch avez/index.html http://cidh.org/countryrep/Venezuela2009eng/VE09.TOC.eng. htm http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6572615.stm http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,312161,00.html http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-03/chavez-says-u- s-is-behind-failed-coup-attempt-against-ecuador-s-correa.html