From: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070121/ap_on_...ca/venezuela_us

In this photo released by Miraflores Press Office, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez gestures during his weekly television show 'Hello President' in Caracas, Sunday. Jan. 21, 2006. Venezuela condemned the U.S. government on Saturday for what it called unacceptable meddling after Washington raised concerns about a measure to grant President Hugo Chavez broad lawmaking powers. (AP Photo/Miraflores Press Office/Francisco Batista)

Chavez to U.S.: 'Go to hell, gringos!'

By CHRISTOPHER TOOTHAKER, Associated Press Writer

11 minutes ago

CARACAS, Venezuela - President Hugo Chavez told U.S. officials to "Go to hell!" on his weekly radio and TV show Sunday for what he called unacceptable meddling after Washington raised concerns about a measure to grant Venezuela's fiery leftist leader broad lawmaking powers.

The National Assembly, which is controlled by the president's political allies, is expected to give final approval this week to what it calls the "enabling law," which would give Chavez the authority to pass a series of laws by decree during an 18-month period.

On Friday, U.S. State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said Chavez's plans under the law "have caused us some concern."

Chavez rejected Casey's statement in his broadcast, saying: "Go to hell, gringos! Go home!"

Chavez, who was re-elected by a wide margin last month, has said he will enact sweeping reforms to remake Venezuela into a socialist state. Among his plans are nationalizing the main telecommunications company and the electricity and natural gas sectors.

The president's opponents accuse him of using his political strength to expand his powers.

Relations between Caracas and Washington have been tense since Chavez was briefly ousted in a 2002 coup that he claimed the U.S. played a role in. The Bush administration has repeatedly denied being involved, although it recognized an interim government established by coup leaders.

Since then, Chavez has consistently accused the U.S. of conspiring to oust him and often asserts the CIA is working to destabilize his government. U.S. officials have denied trying to overthrow Chavez, but they have labeled him a threat to democracy.

Criticizing excessive consumption and self-indulgence, Chavez also announced plans in his broadcast to raise domestic gasoline prices and approve a new tax on luxury goods such as private yachts, second homes and extravagant automobiles.

He did not give details on the gas price hike, which he said would not affect bus drivers who provide public transportation, or the luxury tax. He said revenue from the new measures would be put toward government social programs.

Venezuela is one of the world's leading petroleum exporters and gasoline now costs as little as 12 cents a gallon due to government subsidies.

In typical style, Chavez spoke for hours Sunday during his first appearance on the weekly program in five months. He sent his best wishes to the ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro, his close ally and friend who has been sidelined since intestinal surgery last summer.

Chavez also remarked on the hanging of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein: "They took out Saddam Hussein and they hanged him, for good or worse. It's not up to me to judge any government, but that gentleman was the president of that country."

I'm fond of him for some reason.

Without sounding like I'm un-American, I actually support Chavez. At least he's standing up and telling the US to stop sticking its nose in everyone's business. He's never threatened to kill Bush or cause harm to Americans, so I really don't see him as a threat to the country.

There's a reason why Latin America is getting more and more socialist, and it's b/c they're tired of the US messing things up. The US was responsible for both the coup d'etats in Chile and Argentina in the 70s, and covered the whole thing up. That's really shady! I seriously wouldn't be surprised if the US (through the CIA) had some role in the Venezuelan coup in 2002.

And of course, most of the problems that Bush has w/ Chavez are because of oil (surprise surprise). Now, thanks to the current administration, we can't even go to Venezuela.

Edited January 22, 200718 yr by Ms. Walsh

^^^Did you ever see what Chavez did at the U.N.? He was mocking Bush, declaring that the devil had been there and he could still smell the sulfur.

Finally, someone telling the US to butt out. I am proud to be an American, but enough is enough. Let's bandage our own country's wounds before going elsewhere.

LOL. I love that man. He always is so quotable.

Just another dictator.

Rigs elections, owns the airwaves so competition does not have a chance. I am surprised that so many support him here.

He is not an overall threat, but he has no idea about what the real world is about.

Sad to see someone with no class and no common sense keep his people in poverty for so long.

And the US is in everyones business because we are expected too. The minute we do nothing, we are looked at as horrible people. When we do help, we are horrible.

Because we are a good, caring nation...we can do no right, just wrong

Jealousy...it is a devil isn't it!

The U.S. should not be involved in the affairs of others nations. That is a surveillance duty that belongs to the United Nations as a whole who need to be policing Darfur.

The U.S. should not be involved in the affairs of others nations. That is a surveillance duty that belongs to the United Nations as a whole who need to be policing Darfur.

Well said, Steph.

In this day and age, ALL "super" power nations NEED to be involved.

This is not the same world anymore. All nations need to work together on the issues that are affecting even the smaller nations.

We are a world community, NOT a world that survives soley on itself. We need other nations for our survival and they need ours.

I wish we lived in a time where we could just worry about our own, but each country should be and has a right to help and assist everyone if we want to remain safe and free.

Edited January 24, 200718 yr by Kwing42

In this day and age, ALL "super" power nations NEED to be involved.

This is not the same world anymore. All nations need to work together on the issues that are affecting even the smaller nations.

We are a world community, NOT a world that survives soley on itself. We need other nations for our survival and they need ours.

I wish we lived in a time where we could just worry about our own, but each country should be and has a right to help and assist everyone if we want to remain safe and free.

I actually agree.

It does need to be a collective effort. I just think the U.S. is rightly faulted for entering foreign countries without the supports of its allies or the U.N. coalition. We may be the last remaining superpower, but I could see a shift in allegiances where other countries could make America a very vulnerable place to live. We could end up stripped of our clout if the current adminstration doesn't stop abusing it and practice interference more judicously.

The War on Terror is a good example...what do the terrorists want? TO RULE THE WORLD.

SO we are fighting them, a few countries are helping. Obviously they are not the targets. But those who are fighting to end terror are the ones in their sights. What would happen "IF" they did take over the US or Great Britan, don't those idle countries think they will be next?

The world needs to stick together to fight the problems, the dictaors and the terrorists.

The UN can only do so much.

The big question is: Who defines what terrorism is?

I wish we lived in a time where we could just worry about our own, but each country should be and has a right to help and assist everyone if we want to remain safe and free.

Oh please. Venezuela is in no way a threat to our safety or freedom. Help? Assist? Let's worry about people that actually need and are asking for our assistance (like the starving & diseased in Africa, maybe?).

Sad to see someone with no class and no common sense keep his people in poverty for so long.

This is Venezuela we're talking about, not Iraq. They're not the poorest of countries. Otherwise, a luxury tax probably wouldn't make much of a difference, no?

And the US is in everyones business because we are expected too. The minute we do nothing, we are looked at as horrible people. When we do help, we are horrible.

Uhh, the only people that has that expectation of the US are Americans, who tend to not know sh!t about what's going on in the rest of the world. NEWSFLASH: The rest of the world hates us right now. As Louise Sorel said in her radio interview Monday night (and I quote):

"George W Bush is running around the world now, trying to find somebody who will talk to him."

Couldn't have said it better myself!

Edited January 24, 200718 yr by juniorz1

What is terrorism....why don't you reflect back to September 11, 2001.

Why don't you think about the countries that have used chemical weapons on their own people. I think dictators are terrorists. Killing and raping people becuase they do not agree or go along with their "leader".

I do not consider Venezuela a threat in terms of terrorism, I do feel bad for the people there who are FORCED to live under Chavez's rule. He rigged his own elections, like Saddam used to. Thankfully I do not think he had people killed for voting against him though.

Leaders of countries should be working together for freedom. Working together for the betterment of their people.

And if your political theory comes from a washed up soap opera actress....God be with you my friend.

The rest of the world DOES NOT hate us. Many countries do not agree with our President, but they do not HATE America. It would only take a terrorist attack on their land for them to wise up, but hopefully they never have to endure that. God willing.