CHAVEZ TO PRESIDENT OBAMA: GO (EXPLETIVE) YOURSELF

C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 000265

SIPDIS

HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
DEPARTMENT PASS TO AID/OTI (RPORTER)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/02/2029
TAGS: PREL PGOV SNAR VE
SUBJECT: CHAVEZ TO PRESIDENT OBAMA: GO (EXPLETIVE) YOURSELF

Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR FRANCISCO FERNANDEZ,
FOR REASON 1.4(D)


1. (C) Summary: In two mandatory "en cadena" TV broadcasts
February 28 and March 1, President Chavez verbally assailed
President Obama in response to the recent public release of
the U.S. Human Rights Report and the International Narcotics
Control Strategy Report (INCSR). More specifically, Chavez
told the American president to "lavar el palto" using a
colloquial and extremely vulgar Venezuelan expression that
means to "go f**** yourself". Chavez also compared Obama to
former President Bush, asking rhetorically whether Bush was
"still in charge" in Washington. Despite some suggestions
that Chavez would be open to improving bilateral relations,
the Venezuelan president appears to be suggesting that
improving bilateral relations depends on the USG not
criticizing the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of
Venezuela (GBRV). End Summary.


2. (SBU) Chavez went on the offensive against President
Obama during a mandatory "en cadena" broadcast February 28
commemorating the twentieth anniversary of the 1989 Caracas
riots ("Caracazo"). In response to the recent releases of
the annual U.S. Human Rights Report and the International
Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR),Chavez retorted,
"Mr. Obama, worry about your own issues. Go and f***
yourself (vayase a lavar el palto). Don't mess with me.
Don't make a mistake and follow the stupid path of the Bush
government. Show a little bit of intelligence, don't follow
the path of stupidity." He added, "the United States is the
first consumer of drugs in the world. How can they not stop
the entrance of drugs? Here, the DEA supports narcotrafficking,
coup-plotters."


3. (SBU) Chavez deployed similar vitriol during the March 1
"Alo, Presidente" broadcast, which was also en cadena. He
asserted that, "Yesterday, I had to respond to Obama because
they continue abusing us, and so I ask myself, is there a new
president in the United States or is Bush still in charge?"
Chavez contended that "the United States lacks a leader,
(they should) convert Obama into a leader of the (American)
people and worry about their hunger, the misery and poverty
of the United States, the violence, the drugs, the insanity
that has invaded sectors of that society . . . Venezuela is
not its problem." Chavez finally asserted that it was US
government institutions that were responsible for human
rights abuses and riddled with corruption.


4. (C) Comment: President's Chavez's most recent personal
attacks on President Obama contradict Chavez's
post-inauguration rhetorical overtures as well as suggestions
by Venezuelan diplomats and pro-Chavez legislators that the
GBRV wants to improve bilateral ties over the "medium term."
They mirror similar comments that Chavez made regularly about
President Bush; in fact, Chavez deployed the same vulgar
phrase last year about President Bush after the USG declared
in September 2008 that Venezuela "failed demonstrably" to
meet its international counter-narcotics obligations.
Nevertheless, Chavez's latest comments indicate that he is
perfectly willing to continue vilifying the United States --
and President Obama's administration -- in the face of any
perceived criticism. Apparently, for Chavez, a mature and
respectful bilateral relationship means one where the USG is
unable to make any comment that could be interpreted as a
criticism of his Bolivarian revolution. End Comment.
GENNATIEMPO