A request: Venezuelan history, 2002-present

[nickgutierrez]

I'm looking for mainstream news stories from the 2002 coup in Venezuela, including the people behind it and the details of the coup itself, followed by the same information about the counter-coup that followed. I would prefer news reports, rather than opinion pieces or editorials, because I want to present the information in an unbiased manner and draw my conclusions from there.

Also, I remember reading here about a recount election in Venezuela last year, that was certified by Jimmy Carter and other international monitors. I would like to have the details on that as well.

I tried running google searches for both iteams, but it largely pulled up opinions and editorials, which, as I mentioned, I would like to avoid. I know that some members have this information bookmarked and readily available, and any help would be greatly appreciated.

[silverlib]

1. I had this bookmarked - hope it helps

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2029862

[nickgutierrez]

2. Indeed, that did help.

I was able to get the name of the guy that briefly replaced Chavez in 2002, Pedro Carmona, and some evidence of American involvement.

[Qibing Zero]

3. As for the coup...

You're going to have to look outside of the country (I would think) for the more unbiased news reports, as the entire US media at the time was seemingly unaware and only repeated what the white house was saying.

I strongly suggest finding a copy of The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, a documentary shot during the time of the coup by a few Irish journalists. They were there doing a documentary on Chavez himself when it all happened. The documentary itself is not only telling of the entire situation there in Venezuela, but of what happens when the media is completely corrupted by the interests of it's owners. It's really as disturbing and emotional as it is informative.

I'm really one to never trust anyone completely, but after seeing what actually happened THERE (and what the media was meanwhile reporting all over), I certainly gained a bit more for chavez and lost what little I had left of it for the news media. Trust for the administration? Are you kidding? ;)

[MelissaB]

6. Welcome to DU, Qibing Zero!

:hi:

[nickgutierrez]

7. I'll try digging through the UK's Independent for articles

Welcome to DU, by the way. :hi:

[punpirate]

4. Another possible source is...

... http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/

Pro-Venezuelan, generally, but may have lots of news of the coup in their archives. Just put "coup" in their search box, and you'll get lots of stories.

Cheers.

[nickgutierrez]

8. I'll check it out, thanks. n/t

[NorCalDem]

5. Watch the documentary

"The Revolution will not be Televised"

That will show you A LOT about the coup, and how the media played right along to make sure that it happened according to schedule.

It's also shows the power of the human spirit. When Chavez was being taken from the palace under military arrest he says "The people will come, they will save us." And the beautiful part, they do. Millions cram into Caracas and surround the palace demanding justice. It's absolutely beautiful to watch!

I recommend this movie to anyone who is interested in the Bolivarian Revolution and/or Venezuela in general.


Also: http://www.vheadline.com

[nickgutierrez]

9. Where/how can I find the documentary?

I would imagine I can't just walk to my local Blockbusters and find it...

Or can I? :)

[silverlib]

10. If not at Blockbuster

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/104-4162845-8567136

[AP]

15. You can put it in your Netflix queue

http://www.netflix.com/MovieDisplay?movieid=60032552&trkid=181026

but I don't think it's available yet.

When it comes out, it would be inexcusable for people who want to be informed to not, at the very least, get the free two-week subscription just to see this movie.

[NorCalDem]

20. No, Blockbuster doesn't carry it (surprised?)

If their is a local, non-corporate video store in your town/city, that would be the place to look for it. Go run, now! :D

[scarletwoman]

11. Go to ZNet Venezuela Watch

http://www.zmag.org/venezuela_watch.cfm

The above link takes you to the main Venezuela page. From there you can navigate to information about the coup: Go to the "by topic" section at the upper left of the page.

Be sure to to also check out the links in the "outside links" section on the lower left. One of the links is to NarcoNews.com who had some excellent on-the-ground reporting during the coup itself. I did a quick search and came up with this page which will at least make a good starting point: %3BGL:2%3BBGC:black%3BT:%23ffffff%3BLC:%23ffff00%3BVLC:%23ffff00%3BALC:%23ffff00%3BGALT:%23ff0000%3BGFNT:%23808080%3BGIMP:%23ffffff%3BDIV:%23ffff00%3BLBGC:black%3BAH:center%3BS:http://narconews.com%3B&domains=narconews.com&sitesearch=narconews.com&q=Venezuela+coup&spell=1">Venezuela Coup (hope that link works, it's pretty darn long...)

Be sure to also check out Greg Palast's reporting on Venezuela: http://gregpalast.com/ -- right now he's got some Chavez peices on his opening page, but he also has a Venezuela section with archived artcles about the coup. He's an investigative journalist (in case you're not familiar with him) who's met with and written about Chavez for several years.

Pay NO attention to anything written about Chavez in the WaPo or the NYT, it's all corporatist, neoliberal/neocon bullshit.

sw

[scarletwoman]

12. More links...

While googling around for one particular article by Mark Weisbrot that appeared in the Washington Post a couple years back, which I remembered as being a striking anomaly -- honest coverage of Venezuela in the mainstream press -- I came upon this whole big page of links:

http://www.arena.org.nz/venezhm.htm

Arena is a New Zealand "people-centered development" resource -- great bunch of links!

sw

[rhite5]

13. A current first-hand report; someone who just came back from Venezuela

This article should provide some feedback as to how successful and how democratic the Chavez leadership has been for the country. The information is very current. Chavez is a remarkable man.

http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0829-25.htm

Published on Monday, August 29, 2005 by the Minneapolis Star Tribune (Minnesota)

Robertson's Not Alone in his Dislike of Chavez

by Mattie Weiss

Last Monday, Christian televangelist Pat Robertson called for the assassination of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez. While Robertson's remarks were shocking in their utter disregard for global democracy and the rule of law (he eventually apologized), he is by no means the first to beat the drum against Venezuela.

In fact, his comments were merely a more vitriolic version of what the Bush administration has been saying for some time, with declarations to "contain" Chavez and the funneling of millions of dollars to opposition groups within the country. The White House even supported a 2002 military coup, before popular uprisings restored Chavez to power. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and now Robertson are all in their own ways trying to build the case that Chavez is a menace, a danger to democracy and a source of instability in the region.

But I was in Venezuela just this month. And I saw a different reality.

I attended the 16th World Festival for Youth and Students, which drew more than 15,000 young peace and justice activists from across the globe.

What I saw, in the enormous city of Caracas and the rural towns of Monagas state, were huge numbers of people who, for the first time in their lives, have free and adequate health care, the opportunity to attend university, access to land grants and work contracts, constitutionally assured rights for women and indigenous people, and free breakfast programs for children. And with all this, a sense of dignity and ownership over their lives.

Let me show you.

The article has several examples, all different, where specific personal lives have changed. Because of DU rules, you will need to go to the link to read the rest of the article.

I personally strongly support Venezuela's right to choose its own direction, its own leader and its own form of government which now looks far more democratic than ours.

[AP]

14. Venezuelanalysis.com is a great resource

And if you want to know about the coup, find a copy of The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.

[silverlib]

16. Since the above link that I posted

seems to have a problem, try this one.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006G8KP/qid=1125373071/sr=2-1/104-4162845-8567136?v=glance&s=dvd

[scarletwoman]

17. Kicking this back up -- there's some great resources in this thread! (n/t)

[nickgutierrez]

18. Yeah, there is!

I thought this thread died two hours ago, and I come back with twice as many replies. Great stuff, too. :)

[scarletwoman]

19. Oh yaaaaay! I was worried you'd miss all the new stuff!

Thanks for asking a great question! Gives us old Chavez defenders a chance to spread the truth! :D

sw

Edit: Wrong emoticon! D'oh!