Political opponents ousted Venezuelan President Hugo Ch?vez from power last Thursday. Ch?vez’ attempts to replace the executives of the state-owned oil monopoly, in conjunction with a series of labor strikes and protests, convinced an alliance of military and business leaders that he was unable to rule the country effectively. As a result, Ch?vez was deposed and placed under house arrest, and the coup’s leader, businessman Pedro Carmona Estanga, proceeded to dissolve the National Assembly, the Supreme Court and to arrest a series of high-level government officials. Suddenly, Venezuela had a new leader.
Yet, in a stunning blow to what appeared to be a new dictatorial regime, the Venezuelan people took to the streets to protest the forcible removal of the democratically elected Ch?vez. Elements of the military also spoke out in favor of reinstating Ch?vez, Internationally, the coup was unpopular and, furthermore, the mob refused to accept the legitimacy of the coup’s leaders. So, two days after forcing his way into power, Carmona was forced to step down on Saturday and Ch?vez triumphantly returned to the presidential palace. Suddenly, Venezuela had a new leader?again.
If these 48 hours of political musical chairs teaches us anything, it is that people are willing to speak out against the removal of leaders they themselves elected. Democracy should be respected.
Unfortunately, the United States didn’t give it enough respect during this crisis. Noticably absent was any significant condemnation by the Bush administration of Carmona and the coup leaders. In fact, almost the opposite took place. “I hope that Hugo Ch?vez takes the message that his people send him: that his policies are not working for the Venezuelan people,” National Security Adviser Condolezza Rice told The Washington Post.
Actually, the Venezuelan people sent quite a different message. They spoke out in favor of the legitimately elected Ch?vez and against the illegitimate Carmona. They waged their own successful democratic revolution.
In some respects, Rice might be correct. Venezuela is not without its problems?in particular, the economic inequalities between different segments of the population as well as deep social divisions. Ch?vez, furthermore, may not be the most democratically minded leader in Latin America?he himself led a failed military coup against the elected Venezuelan government in 1992.
Despite all this, the Venezuelan people eventually elected Hugo Ch?vez to rule them. He may not be governing in the most effective manner, but he is governing by popular mandate. The United States should remember that next time.
