CHAVEZ SHARPLY CRITICIZES NEW U.S. PRESIDENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 000077 SIPDIS USSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD DEPARTMENT PASS TO AID/OTI (RPORTER) E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2029 TAGS: PGOV PREL VE SUBJECT: CHAVEZ SHARPLY CRITICIZES NEW U.S. PRESIDENT REF: 08CARACAS1556 Classified By: Political Counselor Francsico Fernandez, Reason 1.4 (D) ¶1. (C) Summary: President Chavez aggressively responded to remarks made by then President-Elect Obama during a recent interview with Mexico-based Univision TV in which Obama reportedly criticized the Venezuelan President. Chavez accused Obama of having the "same stench" as former President Bush, of exporting terrorism, and of aiding purported coup-plotters among the Venezuelan opposition. Chavez's remarks come less than a month before his controversial February 15 referendum on removing term limits for elected officials. His public remarks appear to have been aimed at his domestic audience and predate the Foreign Minister's Chief of Staff calling in the Charge January 19 to discuss improving bilateral relations (Septel). End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) Chavez responded sharply to a 13-minute, two-part interview granted by then President-Elect Obama to the Spanish-language Univision television network that aired January 13 and 18. Obama criticized the Venezuelan President as "a force that has interrupted progress in the region" and said support for the terrorist groups in Colombia is "unacceptable." Chavez publicly retorted that Obama "has the same stench" as former President Bush and that "no one should say that I threw the first stone at Obama. He threw it at me." Chavez nevertheless added that "there is still time" for Obama to correct his views. ¶3. (SBU) In a January 18 speech to supporters in Caracas, Chavez contended that "(Obama) said I'm an obstacle for progress in Latin America. Therefore, it must be removed, this obstacle, right?" He added that if the new American president "doesn't obey the orders of the empire, they'll kill him." He asked rhetorically, "Haven't you realized the terrible damage the United States has done to this continent? If there is a country that exports terrorist activities in this continent, it is yours, Obama." Chavez also labeled Obama an ally of the Venezuelan opposition, claiming he is "trying to give oxygen to the wannabe Yankees here" who allegedly seek to topple his government. ¶3. (C) Comment: President Chavez typically overreacts to any perceived public criticism, particularly from the United States. Moreover, he frequently picks fights with foreign leaders to try to attract international media attention as well as to distract domestic attention from pressing problems in Venezuela. His most recent criticism of the new American President appears principally aimed at rallying his base in the run-up to his February 15 referendum on eliminating term limits. Chavez is trying -- again-- to frame the upcoming domestic election as a contest between the United States ("the empire") and his Bolivarian revolution. Interestingly, the Foreign Minister's Chief of Staff called in the Charge January 19, after Chavez's remarks, to pledge privately to improve bilateral diplomatic relations. End Comment. CAULFIELD