VENEZUELA

BART JONES, author, September 4, 2007
CZIKOWSKY: Is there good data that can determine how much greater income has been provided to the poorer classes in Venezuela? How much have the economic policies in fact helped those that were the most disadvantaged?
JONES: There are some studies indicating that poverty during Chavez’s Presidency has dropped from 44 percent to 30 percent. These figures do not include the benefits poor people are deriving from various social “missions” Chavez has instituted targeting health and education, but rather count only cash income. The numbers originate from the government but are accepted by many international organizations. It also stands to reason that poverty has dropped, since the country has been flooded with dollars from the boom in oil prices. Chavez has redirected much of that money to the majority poor.
CZIKOWSKY: How aware of the Venezuelan people of the bobliburguesia, and how upset are those who are aware of these privileged individuals?
JONES: I think many in the opposition of aware of the allegations that there is a “bobliburguesia” or a group of Chavez loyalists who have made significant money form the Revolution. This is a topic that has received a lot of media coverage. I point out in the book (“Hugo”) that two of the major areas where many people—even some of his supporters—think Chavez has not done enough are crime and corruption. Few “big fishes” have gone to jail for corruption, in a country where it has long been almost endemic. Corruption is almost a way of life for some people in Venezuela, where the oil wealth has also had negative influences over decades. Chavez really has to fight a cultural battle to show people that being what they call “un vivo” in Venezuela—a person who knows how to get over on the system—isn’t really something that should be admired. But it’s a fair criticism that the government has not done enough to fight corruption, including within its own ranks.