Changes

16. After the Smartmatic Electoral Management System was put in place, I closely observed several elections where the results were manipulated

16. After the Smartmatic Electoral Management System was put in place, I closely observed several elections where the results were manipulated

using Smartmatic software. One such election was in December 2006 when Chavez was running against Rosales. Chavez won with a landslide over Manuel Rosales - a margin of nearly 6 million votes for Chavez versus 3.7 million for Rosales."<ref>https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.gand.283580/gov.uscourts.gand.283580.6.14.pdf</ref>}}  

using Smartmatic software. One such election was in December 2006 when Chavez was running against Rosales. Chavez won with a landslide over Manuel Rosales - a margin of nearly 6 million votes for Chavez versus 3.7 million for Rosales."<ref>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.gand.283580/gov.uscourts.gand.283580.6.14.pdf Case 1:20-cv-04651-SDG - Filed 11/17/20 (PDF)]</ref>}}  

===Chavez Revolution===

===Chavez Revolution===

A February 26, 2003 report by Robert Tracinski obliterates the left-wing mythology around Chavez:

A February 26, 2003 report by Robert Tracinski obliterates the left-wing mythology around Chavez:

: '''Step four''': Last week, four protesters were kidnapped while returning from an anti-Chavez rally. They were blindfolded, tortured, and shot execution-style. Some of the victims were witnesses to a previous pro-Chavez political killing, and they had planned to testify against the shooter. Consider the message sent to the opposition when the mutilated bodies of their friends start showing up in the city streets. After all, elections don't mean much if your opponents are afraid to leave their houses and walk to the polls.  

: '''Step four''': Last week, four protesters were kidnapped while returning from an anti-Chavez rally. They were blindfolded, tortured, and shot execution-style. Some of the victims were witnesses to a previous pro-Chavez political killing, and they had planned to testify against the shooter. Consider the message sent to the opposition when the mutilated bodies of their friends start showing up in the city streets. After all, elections don't mean much if your opponents are afraid to leave their houses and walk to the polls.  

: '''Step five''': A few days ago, Chavez delivered a speech denouncing Spain, Colombia, and the US for interfering in Venezuela. This morning in Caracas, the diplomatic missions of Spain and Colombia were bombed. Credit was claimed by a splinter pro-Chavez group--but this was not a bunch of kids cooking up homemade bombs in their basement. The bombs were powerful plastic explosives, the kind of weapons that are difficult to obtain without government complicity.<ref>http://www.capitalismmagazine.com/world/americas/2514-dictatorship-by-the-numbers-in-venezuela.html {{dead link}}</ref>

: '''Step five''': A few days ago, Chavez delivered a speech denouncing Spain, Colombia, and the US for interfering in Venezuela. This morning in Caracas, the diplomatic missions of Spain and Colombia were bombed. Credit was claimed by a splinter pro-Chavez group--but this was not a bunch of kids cooking up homemade bombs in their basement. The bombs were powerful plastic explosives, the kind of weapons that are difficult to obtain without government complicity.<ref>Robert W Tracinski, [https://www.capitalismmagazine.com/2003/02/dictatorship-by-the-numbers-in-venezuela/ Dictatorship by the Numbers in Venezuela], Capitalism Mag., Feb 26, 2003.</ref>

</blockquote>

</blockquote>

$4 billion was spent paying paramilitary groups to attack unarmed protestors and other dissidents during and after the elections.<ref>http://www.capitalismmagazine.com/world/americas/2968-venezuela-a-new-junket-for-a-dictator-s-best-friend-jimmy-carter.html</ref>

$4 billion was spent paying paramilitary groups to attack unarmed protestors and other dissidents during and after the elections.<ref>Stephen Johnson, [https://www.capitalismmagazine.com/?s=Junket Venezuela: A New Junket for a Dictator’s best Friend – Jimmy Carter], Capitalism Mag., July 28, 2003.</ref>

The [[European Union]] condemned the conditions placed on election monitors as unacceptable and declined to attend.  The Carter Center was shut out for three days.  Experts from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University have identified signs of fraud based on statistical analysis.<ref>http://www.capitalismmagazine.com/world/americas/3924-the-carter-stamp-of-approval-on-the-venueuzlan-election-less-than-worthless.html</ref>

The [[European Union]] condemned the conditions placed on election monitors as unacceptable and declined to attend.  The Carter Center was shut out for three days.  Experts from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University have identified signs of fraud based on statistical analysis.<ref>[https://www.heritage.org/americas/commentary/carters-bungled-observation-hurts-venezuelan-democracy Carter's Bungled Observation Hurts Venezuelan Democracy], ''Heritage'', Sep 9, 2004.</ref><ref>The Carter stamp of approval on the Venezuelan election - less than worthless [http://www.capitalismmagazine.com/world/americas/3924-the-carter-stamp-of-approval-on-the-venueuzlan-election-less-than-worthless.html] Capitalism Mag.</ref>

==Human rights concerns==

==Human rights concerns==

During an April 2005 trip to Cuba, Presidents Chávez and Castro announced commercial deals worth over $400 million, including a joint shipyard to build small navy ships and a joint housing construction company. In January 2007, a delegation of Cuban officials visited Caracas and signed a number of agreements to increase economic linkages, including an agreement for joint oil exploration in both countries.

During an April 2005 trip to Cuba, Presidents Chávez and Castro announced commercial deals worth over $400 million, including a joint shipyard to build small navy ships and a joint housing construction company. In January 2007, a delegation of Cuban officials visited Caracas and signed a number of agreements to increase economic linkages, including an agreement for joint oil exploration in both countries.

PdVSA is also involved in refurbishing an unfinished oil refinery in Cienfuegos, Cuba. Beyond Latin America, the Bush Administration has expressed concerns with Venezuela's growing relations with Iran. In February 2006, Secretary of State Rice referred to Venezuela, along with Cuba, as "sidekicks" of Iran in reference to those countries’ votes in the International Atomic Energy Agency against reporting Iran to the U.N. Security Council over its uranium enrichment program.<ref>Pablo Bachelet, "Rice Bashes Venezuelan Leader, Politics," [[Miami Herald]], February 17, 2006; House International Relations Committee, Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2007 International Affairs Budget, Testimony of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, February 16, 2006.</ref> In testimony before the Senate Select Intelligence Committee in February 2006, Director of National Intelligence [[John Negroponte]] expressed concern that President Chávez "is seeking closer economic, military, and diplomatic ties with Iran and North Korea."<ref>Senate Select Intelligence Committee, Hearing on World Wide Threats, Testimony of Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte, February 2, 2006.</ref> ran and Venezuela signed an agreement for a $200 million fund to finance joint investment and social projects, and commercial agreements in the early stages include plans for a cement factory, oil exploration in the Orinoco River belt, and a joint operation to build oil and liquid natural gas tankers.<ref>Steven Dudley, "Chávez’s Wooing of Iran Called Troubling," [[Miami Herald]], March 2, 2006.</ref> During a visit by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Venezuela in mid-January 2007, the two countries announced they would use a $2 billion investment fund to finance projects in both countries and other countries as well.<ref>Simon Romero, ''Iranian President Visits Venezuela to Strengthen Ties,'' [[The New York Times]], January 14, 2007.</ref>

PdVSA is also involved in refurbishing an unfinished oil refinery in Cienfuegos, Cuba. Beyond Latin America, the Bush Administration has expressed concerns with Venezuela's growing relations with Iran. In February 2006, Secretary of State Rice referred to Venezuela, along with Cuba, as "sidekicks" of Iran in reference to those countries’ votes in the [[International Atomic Energy Agency]] against reporting Iran to the U.N. Security Council over its uranium enrichment program.<ref>Pablo Bachelet, "Rice Bashes Venezuelan Leader, Politics," [[Miami Herald]], February 17, 2006; House International Relations Committee, Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2007 International Affairs Budget, Testimony of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, February 16, 2006.</ref> In testimony before the Senate Select Intelligence Committee in February 2006, Director of National Intelligence [[John Negroponte]] expressed concern that President Chávez "is seeking closer economic, military, and diplomatic ties with Iran and North Korea."<ref>Senate Select Intelligence Committee, Hearing on World Wide Threats, Testimony of Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte, February 2, 2006.</ref> ran and Venezuela signed an agreement for a $200 million fund to finance joint investment and social projects, and commercial agreements in the early stages include plans for a cement factory, oil exploration in the Orinoco River belt, and a joint operation to build oil and liquid natural gas tankers.<ref>Steven Dudley, "Chávez’s Wooing of Iran Called Troubling," [[Miami Herald]], March 2, 2006.</ref> During a visit by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Venezuela in mid-January 2007, the two countries announced they would use a $2 billion investment fund to finance projects in both countries and other countries as well.<ref>Simon Romero, ''Iranian President Visits Venezuela to Strengthen Ties,'' [[The New York Times]], January 14, 2007.</ref>

Some Members of Congress have expressed concerns about relations between Venezuela and Iran. In the 110th Congress, H.Res. 435 (Klein) would, among its provisions, express concern over national security implications of the relationship between the leaders of Iran and Venezuela.

Some Members of Congress have expressed concerns about relations between Venezuela and Iran. In the 110th Congress, H.Res. 435 (Klein) would, among its provisions, express concern over national security implications of the relationship between the leaders of Iran and Venezuela.

In typical socialist rhetoric, Chavez made wild claims to fund the government by nationalizing foreign assets. Typical reasons included accusing companies of environmental damage and exploiting its workers. In 2010 alone, Chavez seized 195 companies.<ref>[http://english.eluniversal.com/2010/10/20/en_eco_art_a-total-of-195-busin_20A4631291.shtml A total of 195 businesses has been seized in 2010, El Universal, October 20, 2010]</ref> Spanish-owned farm supply and U.S.-based Ohio bottle company were recently taken over. Other recognized multi-national companies such ExxonMobil, steel maker Sidor, cement company CEMEX fell to the same fate.<ref>[http://wellsy.wordpress.com/2010/10/26/chavez-takes-over-venezuelan-plants-of-oh-company/ Chavez takes over Venezuelan plants of OH company, Wellsy's World, October 26, 2010]</ref> Venezuela is supposed to compensate the companies but nobody expects Chavez to provide other than peanuts for assets he steals.

In typical socialist rhetoric, Chavez made wild claims to fund the government by nationalizing foreign assets. Typical reasons included accusing companies of environmental damage and exploiting its workers. In 2010 alone, Chavez seized 195 companies.<ref>[http://english.eluniversal.com/2010/10/20/en_eco_art_a-total-of-195-busin_20A4631291.shtml A total of 195 businesses has been seized in 2010, El Universal, October 20, 2010]</ref> Spanish-owned farm supply and U.S.-based Ohio bottle company were recently taken over. Other recognized multi-national companies such ExxonMobil, steel maker Sidor, cement company CEMEX fell to the same fate.<ref>[http://wellsy.wordpress.com/2010/10/26/chavez-takes-over-venezuelan-plants-of-oh-company/ Chavez takes over Venezuelan plants of OH company, Wellsy's World, October 26, 2010]</ref> Venezuela is supposed to compensate the companies but nobody expects Chavez to provide other than peanuts for assets he steals.

Through Venezuela's state-owned petroleum industry and membership in [[OPEC]], Chávez used powers granted to him by Parliament to increase oil prices, adding revenue for the Bolivarianist projects. Countries such as the United States have criticized Chávez for the increase in cost for crude oil.  Chavez was at the forefront of wanting to set crude oil prices at $60 a barrel minimum, according to the ''Asia Times''<ref>[http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Global_Economy/HL07Dj01.html ''Bush, OPEC and Chavez of Arabia''], Pepe Escobar, Asia Times, 7 December 2006.</ref> The state-owned oil company PDVSA is estimated to have spent in excess of $120 million sponsoring the [[Formula 1]] team, Williams F1, so that they would give the Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado a seat.

Through Venezuela's state-owned petroleum industry and membership in [[OPEC]], Chávez used powers granted to him by Parliament to increase oil prices, adding revenue for the Bolivarianist projects. Countries such as the United States have criticized Chávez for the increase in cost for crude oil.  Chavez was at the forefront of wanting to set crude oil prices at $60 a barrel minimum, according to the ''Asia Times''<ref>[http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Global_Economy/HL07Dj01.html ''Bush, OPEC and Chavez of Arabia''], [[Pepe Escobar]], ''Asia Times'', 7 December 2006.</ref> The state-owned oil company PDVSA is estimated to have spent in excess of $120 million sponsoring the [[Formula 1]] team, Williams F1, so that they would give the Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado a seat.

===Domestic===

===Domestic===

==Anti-Semitism==

==Anti-Semitism==

[[File:Chavez ahmad.jpg|thumb|Hugo Chavez and Holocaust denier [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]]]]

[[File:Chavez ahmad.jpg|thumb|Hugo Chavez and Holocaust denier [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]]]]

Chavez was known to be fiercely [[Anti-Semitism|anti-Semitic]],<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20080914010858/http://www.commentarymagazine.com/viewarticle.cfm/hugo-ch-vez-s-jewish-problem-11455

Chavez was known to be fiercely [[Anti-Semitism|anti-Semitic]],<ref>Travis Pantin, [http://web.archive.org/web/20080914010858/http://www.commentarymagazine.com/viewarticle.cfm/hugo-ch-vez-s-jewish-problem-11455 Hugo Chávez's Jewish Problem], ''Commentary Magazine'', July/August 2008</ref> which was the likely reason for his friendship and political alliance with Iranian dictator and [[Holocaust denial|Holocaust denier]] [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]].<ref>https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/04/AR2008020402428.html</ref> As a result of the anti-Semitic policies of the Chavez regime and the wave of violent attacks on Venezuelan Jews that it caused, the [[Jewish]] population of Venezuela decreased by more than 50 percent within a decade of Chavez coming to power.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20160407204756/http://www.worldjewishdaily.com/venezuela.php Venezuela’s Jewish Population Down 50 Percent; ‘Hitler Didn’t Finish the Job’ a Common Site], WotldJewishDaily, Apr 7, 2016.</ref>

</ref> which was the likely reason for his friendship and political alliance with Iranian dictator and [[Holocaust denial|Holocaust denier]] [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]].<ref>https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/04/AR2008020402428.html</ref> As a result of the anti-Semitic policies of the Chavez regime and the wave of violent attacks on Venezuelan Jews that it caused, the [[Jewish]] population of Venezuela decreased by more than 50 percent within a decade of Chavez coming to power.<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20160407204756/http://www.worldjewishdaily.com/venezuela.php</ref>

==Drug problem in Venezuela==

==Drug problem in Venezuela==