Changes

[[Image:chavez.jpg|175px|right|thumb|Hugo Chavez]]

[[Image:chavez.jpg|175px|right|thumb|Hugo Chavez]]

'''Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías''' (b. July 28, 1954) is the repressive [[leftist]] [[dictator]] of the Bolivarian Republic of [[Venezuela]].  Chávez assumed power as President in 1998 and pledged to aid Venezuela's poor majority. Fraudulent elections were held in 2000 and in 2006 Chavez retained his authoritarian power. His disastrous socialist economic policies have lead to food shortages, quotas, and rationing in his country, and caused thousands to flee.<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/venezuela/4938993/Venezuelas-Hugo-Chavez-tightens-state-control-of-food-amid-rocketing-inflation-and-food-shortages.html</ref>

'''Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías''' (b. July 28, 1954) is the Socialist president of the Bolivarian Republic of [[Venezuela]].  Chávez was elected as President in 1998 and pledged to aid Venezuela's poor majority. Elections were held in 2000 and in 2006 Chavez retained his office.  These elections were fraudulent and a survey conducted by the Associated Press showed that 57 percent of Venezuelans were afraid of reprisals. However, it's widely believed he would have won but only by a much smaller margin. His policies have proved succesful and have have significantly reduced poverty in the country..<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/venezuela/4938993/Venezuelas-Hugo-Chavez-tightens-state-control-of-food-amid-rocketing-inflation-and-food-shortages.html</ref>

==Election fraud==

==Election fraud==

*[http://www.latinbusinesschronicle.com/app/article.aspx?id=706] An overview of articles on Venezuela's business under Hugo Chávez.

*[http://www.latinbusinesschronicle.com/app/article.aspx?id=706] An overview of articles on Venezuela's business under Hugo Chávez.

*[http://www.realclearpolitics.com/Commentary/com-2_24_06_AVL.html ''Why The Left Should Cringe at The Mention of Hugo Chavez''], Alvaro Vargas Llosa, Independent Institute, February 24, 2006.

*[http://www.realclearpolitics.com/Commentary/com-2_24_06_AVL.html ''Why The Left Should Cringe at The Mention of Hugo Chavez''], Alvaro Vargas Llosa, Independent Institute, February 24, 2006.

*[http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_kmnew/is_200108/ai_kepm313968 ''Bolivar, Dictator or Paladin?''] Interview: Hugo Chavez talks about Venezuela, Maria Amparo Lasso, Newsweek, Aug 20, 2001.

*[http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_kmnew/is_200108/ai_kepm313968 ''Bolivar, Dictator or Paladin?''] Interview: Hugo Chavez talks about Venezuela, Maria Amparo Lasso, Newsweek, Aug 20, 2