Chavez Suffers Setback, Sends Greetings to Venezuelans from Cuba
By Circles Robinson
HAVANA TIMES — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez suffered a setback in his recovery this weekend that was the “result of a respiratory infection,” informed Vice President Nicolas Maduro from Havana, Cuba.
“I decided to stay in Havana to accompany the commander and his family over the coming hours,” said Maduro in his message broadcast on Venezuelan radio and television on Sunday.
The VP emphasized that “the health of President Chavez continues to be delicate…not without risks,” reported the Telesur network.
Through his vice president, Chavez sent a New Year’s greeting to Venezuelan families, who are “closely keeping up on the progress of their president,” recently re-elected to govern from 2013 to 2019.
Chavez underwent surgery in Cuba on December 11 for the fourth time since cancer was originally detected in his “pelvic region” in June 2011. No other details about the illness have been made public.
Maduro remained optimistic that “the spiritual strength of the leader of the Bolivarian Revolution, and the prayers that have been felt throughout the world for his recovery, will help our President to overcome” the disease.
“Venezuelan politicians demand ‘the whole truth’ over condition of President Hugo Chavez after rumours circulate that he has died”
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2255939/Hugo-Chavez-Venezuelan-politicians-demand-truth-condition-President.html#ixzz2Gw9NMAxn
The only thing more surprising than the great distance between the rhetoric of a ruler like Chavez, and the reality of his regime, is the ability of foreigners to fill the gap with fantasy, to paste over the chasm with slogans. In that light, it is amusing to read Cort’s use of the term, “Boli-bourgeoisie”, as if this element rose up in opposition to Chavez’ programme. Not so:
“Boliburguesía (English: Bolibourgeoisie, a portmanteau of the words Bolivarian and Bourgeoisie) is a term describing the new bourgeois created by the Venezuelan government of Hugo Chávez and Chavismo, made up of people who became rich under the Chavez administration. The term was coined by journalist Juan Carlos Zapata, to “define the oligarchy that has developed under the protection of the Chavez government”.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boliburgues%C3%ADa
As for Cuba’s Plan B, his name is Maduro. The cadre of Cuban advisors who guided Chavez are now working to ensure a smooth transition of their oil lifeline to the post-Chavez era.
A cooperative socialist republic was not achieved because it was never attempted. Chavez has intended and built a patron-client society. He gets the best votes in the countryside where the poor depend economically on his patronage. That is the exact opposite of emancipatory politics, dependency on the leader from the cradle to the grave. It is bound to collapse. Does it work in Cuba. It works for the leadership as they rely on the kindness of strangers.
Let us hope that Hugo beats the cancer and returns to active leadership.
Venezuela unfortunately has not achieved a socialist cooperative republic, and has not transferred most big industry and commerce into the hands of cooperative working associates. Most remains in the hands of the capitalists or the social-democratic, capitalist state.
The Bolivarian Revolution consequently is shallow and very fragile, built around the charisma of its leading patriot. If and when Hugo passes away therefore, it is probable that the US will reassert its control via the collaborationist Venezuelan traitors.
We can only hope this is a temporary setback and he recovers to good health.
Otherwise all hell could break loose in many different directions, I only wished the revolution could have been completed and a collective leadership of the grassroots had been formed rather than being sabotaged by the bureaucracy in concert with the Boli-bourgeois.
Ted Grant last message to President Chavez:
“If you were to meet with Chavez, what would you say to him?” He answered immediately: “I would tell him to take power.”
I hope Cuba’s dictators have a PLAN B. The Venezuelan teet of 100,000 barrels of oil, nearly 40% of the island’s consumption, appears to on its last legs. Since there are no more like-minded despots, like Chavez, with the cash flow to make up for Cuba’s lack of productivity and state mismanagement, Cuba’s transition to Vietnam-style socialism must be expedited. The impact of the embargo will be an even more important factor as Cuba must find new markets to generate trade. The upcoming year may finally see a free Cuba.