Your reading stated that Hugo Chavez has some mental health problems. Discuss them in light of his political style and behavior towards the United States.
Hugo Chavez has got some mental health problems. “His main vice appears to be espresso coffee – drinking up to 26 cups a day and sleeping only two to three hours a night.” (Post, 2007, p.11). This intake of a high amount of caffeine results in irritability, weird feeling, and rapid decision-making without pondering. Overall, he is suffering from a narcissistic and paranoid personality which reflects in the above-mentioned feelings.
This kind of behavior always affects his political style. His followers feel that this kind of narcissistic personality causes a sense of insecurity in him. When he is under stress, he blames others without considering his shortcomings. His paranoid fears put him in more trouble. He feels very insecure and he is afraid of everything. This personality trait makes him feel that America will invade Venezuela.
He harbors a hostile attitude towards the United States. His main motive is to cause harm to the United States. Also, he mainly tries to bring all the enemies of the United States together and he believes that the United States is a devilish country. He also called all the developing nations to join together to fight against the United States.
Discuss Chavez’s connection with terrorist groups. Give examples.
Hugo Chavez has got connections with many terrorist groups. He had provided supports to terrorist leaders and groups to operate in the land of Venezuela. The main groups are FARC and ELN. They are permitted to operate safely in Venezuela. Also, FARC leader Olga Martin praised Chavez and mentioned Chavez is a hero of the rebel movement. One of the important truths to highlight this fact is that leader of ELN named Jose Maria Ballestas was captured by Interpol from Venezuela land. Another fact to show his relation with terrorists is “Venezuela’s intelligence chief Jesus Urdaneta denounced Chavez for supporting the FARC, publishing documents showing that the Chavez government offered fuel, money, and other support to the terrorists, including signed letters from a Chavez aide to provide support to the FARC.” (Post, 2007, p.19).
Not only this, video record has been released in which meetings of military leaders of Venezuela and FARC guerilla commanders are shown. There are some reports that Venezuela had an arms deal with Russia. Russia provided 100,000 AK-103s to Venezuela. This raises the question of whether the ultimate end user of this is military people or any terrorist group. There is one more report on Chavez to strengthen his connection with terrorist groups. Chavez had transmitted $1 million to the Taliban, $900,000 to Al Qaeda, and $100,000 to the Afghan government. Also after the 9/11 attack, Chavez and his supporters burned the national flag of America. With this attack, Chavez insisted to have direct contact with the entire terrorist groups in the world.
Do you believe, based on your current knowledge, that Hugo Chavez presents the same or greater risk to the United States than the Iranian government or North Korea?
Hugo Chavez presents a greater risk to the United States than the Iranian government or North Korea. He openly says in his new military Doctrine that “the United States is the main enemy of Venezuela.” (Post, 2007, p.24). He is mainly working to bring together all countries which are opposing the United States. Also, he is establishing a good alliance with big terrorist groups and organizations. This shows that he is a big threat or risk to the United States.
Reference List
Post, J M. (2007). “El Fenomeno Chavez:” Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, modern day Bolívar: Hugo Chavez the men. Alabama: Air University Max Well Air Force Base. 11. Web.
Post, J M. (2007). “El Fenomeno Chavez:” Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, modern day Bolívar: Aspires to be leading Latin American social revolutionary, at Hazard to more broad support of terrorism. Alabama: Air University Max Well Air Force Base. 19. Web.
Post, J M. (2007). “El Fenomeno Chavez:” Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, modern day Bolívar: New military doctrine, at Hazard to more broad support of terrorism. Alabama: Air University Max Well Air Force Base. 24. Web.