Anti-Chavez Venezuelan students in Belgrade

This article has some key factual errors. Namely the standard of living has improved drastically in the past 8 years. Poverty has dropped from 60% to 30% and extreme poverty has dropped from 20% to less than 10%. When Chavez was elected President in 1998 there were fewer than 2000 doctors in the entire country. Now there are nearly 30,000. Venezuelans now have access to free universal health care and subsidized food as well as adult education programs.

I would say that this article has MANY key factual errors. Not only poverty is in sharp decrease in Venezuela, as well as illiteracy (see UNDP reports), but it is totally false to write that Chavez’ “regime is characterized by a complete control of the media.” A vast majority of Venezuelan media, especially TV networks, are still controlled by the sharply anti-Chavez private sector, even after the “closure” of “the oldest television station”, RCTV, which has never been closed. The state did not extend its broadcasting licence, but RCTV can still be watched by satellite. It should be reminded that, in April 2002, RCTV supported a military coup, aborted after a huge popular reaction. Under such circumstances, no country in Western Europe would have allowed such broadcasting during so many years. Chavez just decided not to extend the licence after it expired. Thanks to Chavez, Venezuela and many countries in Latin America are on the way to independence and development. Just wish Serbia and other European countries could follow their example.

This article sounds like is was written by FOX news or CNN. It is full of fabricated statements. Chavez has done a lot for his people and was put there with grass roots democracy, by the people for the people. I bet the students that came to Belgrade to learn how to topple this so called elected dictator have wealthy parents and white skin. Do your research people and stop reading CNN! These are the same news outlets that still to this day broadcast propaganda about the Serbs. Latin America is waking up, while Eastern Europe is queuing to become Americas 'friends'. Remember Nato and 1999 and think about which country really spreads violence and which countries are true democracies.

I wonder how from 2000 doctors we got to have 30000 doctors under Chavez rule. I will be very sceptical to go and visit a doctor in Venezuela, but I have to see the date in their diploma first and if the date is during Chavez rule I am out of that clinic.
Chavez is a commy and nothing else.

Milosevic openly allowed free media. The only difference between him and Chavez is that Milosevic did not sence the danger that the western support for the opposition had. The difference between the two is that Chavez is a harder nut to crack.

Not until one visits Caracas can fully understand what the Chavez government is doing for the people. I was able to witness first hand, kids of the "Chavistas" parents (term locally used to described people who work for Chavez government) having their own body guards, chauffeurs, maids, etc. The other 80% of the population lives in poverty. There is absolutelly no need for this in the country where a gallon of gasoline is less then a dollar!!!

Good luck to the brave and clever Venezuelans standing up to the dictator. no dictatorship lasts forever and this one will be no exception.

Interesting how their names have been provided. I guess the big test will be to see if they are arrested when the get back to Venezuela.

This article has some key factual errors. Namely the standard of living has improved drastically in the past 8 years. Poverty has dropped from 60% to 30% and extreme poverty has dropped from 20% to less than 10%. When Chavez was elected President in 1998 there were fewer than 2000 doctors in the entire country. Now there are nearly 30,000. Venezuelans now have access to free universal health care and subsidized food as well as adult education programs.

Milosevic openly allowed free media. The only difference between him and Chavez is that Milosevic did not sence the danger that the western support for the opposition had. The difference between the two is that Chavez is a harder nut to crack.

I would say that this article has MANY key factual errors. Not only poverty is in sharp decrease in Venezuela, as well as illiteracy (see UNDP reports), but it is totally false to write that Chavez’ “regime is characterized by a complete control of the media.” A vast majority of Venezuelan media, especially TV networks, are still controlled by the sharply anti-Chavez private sector, even after the “closure” of “the oldest television station”, RCTV, which has never been closed. The state did not extend its broadcasting licence, but RCTV can still be watched by satellite. It should be reminded that, in April 2002, RCTV supported a military coup, aborted after a huge popular reaction. Under such circumstances, no country in Western Europe would have allowed such broadcasting during so many years. Chavez just decided not to extend the licence after it expired. Thanks to Chavez, Venezuela and many countries in Latin America are on the way to independence and development. Just wish Serbia and other European countries could follow their example.

Good luck to the brave and clever Venezuelans standing up to the dictator. no dictatorship lasts forever and this one will be no exception.

Interesting how their names have been provided. I guess the big test will be to see if they are arrested when the get back to Venezuela.

This article sounds like is was written by FOX news or CNN. It is full of fabricated statements. Chavez has done a lot for his people and was put there with grass roots democracy, by the people for the people. I bet the students that came to Belgrade to learn how to topple this so called elected dictator have wealthy parents and white skin. Do your research people and stop reading CNN! These are the same news outlets that still to this day broadcast propaganda about the Serbs. Latin America is waking up, while Eastern Europe is queuing to become Americas 'friends'. Remember Nato and 1999 and think about which country really spreads violence and which countries are true democracies.

I wonder how from 2000 doctors we got to have 30000 doctors under Chavez rule. I will be very sceptical to go and visit a doctor in Venezuela, but I have to see the date in their diploma first and if the date is during Chavez rule I am out of that clinic.
Chavez is a commy and nothing else.

Not until one visits Caracas can fully understand what the Chavez government is doing for the people. I was able to witness first hand, kids of the "Chavistas" parents (term locally used to described people who work for Chavez government) having their own body guards, chauffeurs, maids, etc. The other 80% of the population lives in poverty. There is absolutelly no need for this in the country where a gallon of gasoline is less then a dollar!!!