In Venezuela, an inept “Loyal Chavezie” keeps his job - sound familiar?
These days in Venezuela, if you came up with Hugo Chavez, you’ll stay with Hugo Chavez. Such is how things work when feverish ideologues run a nation - it has nothing to do with ability, but everything to do with loyalty. Because when it comes to ideologues, the health of a nation be damned. Maintaining power is the only thing of importance to you, and you had better align yourself with slavish “yes men” or risk the consequences.
Now replace “Venezuela” with “the U.S.” and “Hugo Chavez” with George Bush” and see how well it works.
Basically, Chavez is taking one of his nation’s most important assets - oil - and putting it in the hands of someone loyal to only him, regardless of complaints from outsiders. But, you know how that works, right?
Venezuela’s Chavez backs oil chief despite criticism
CARACAS (Reuters) - President Hugo Chavez endorsed his oil chief on Sunday despite repeated criticism from the opposition and some government supporters over his management of the industry, particularly over a lack of rigs.
“In the face of so many attacks against (state oil company PDVSA chief) Rafael Ramirez, I will make clear here that Rafael will be around a good while yet in PDVSA,” Venezuela’s president said on his weekly TV program that he hosted from the Orinoco oil belt.
“We have a tremendous colleague at the head of PDVSA and I call for support for him,” Chavez added. “Carry on Rafael, you are a revolutionary.”
Ramirez has been one of Chavez’s closest aides in recent years, leading the president’s drive to nationalize the OPEC nation’s oil industry, which provides the bulk of the income that the leftist leader lavishes on the majority poor.
In recent weeks, Ramirez, who is also Venezuela’s energy minister, has come under increasing pressure and there had been some local media speculation Chavez could replace him.
Ramirez said last week Venezuela needed to address an “operational emergency” that could lower national output if the state company did not quickly acquire more rigs.
Workers have protested losing jobs, the opposition and media have criticized his crisis-management and lawmakers have alleged corruption in some contract awards.
“I know what is behind (the attacks) to get me to get rid of him, because people have plans, power struggles,” Chavez said without elaborating.
–WKW