In the 1960s, Venezuela was the poster child of democracy in Latin America. It was one of the only countries moving towards it, while other countries were falling to communism. Then Hugo Chavez ratified in a national referendum and abolished congress and the judiciary. This moved Venezuela’s political rights from 2-4, and its status under the Freedom House Index from Free to Partly Free. In 1999, Venezuela received a 4.0. This was the year Chavez spend dismantling Venezuela’s checks and balances system. Congressional power was pulled, and the judiciary was placed under executive branch guidance. A new constitution drafted by Chavez censored the press, and strengthen the president’s power. This meant he could get rid of congress and made it available for him to retain presidency until 2013.
In 2001, it received a 4.0 yet again. Chavez won yet another election. With 60 percent of the vote. Throughout the years 2000 Chavez abused the media and organized labor, and continued an anti-US campaign. This …show more content…
Venezuela saw economic growth, an abuse of state resources, and an increase in general public love for Chavez grew due to his declining health state. This all successfully destroyed the opposition rising unity. In 2013, Chavez died of cancer. There was also an increase in the government’s law and regulation to stop opposition check on government.
In 2014 there is a lot of protests, violence and arrests of public officials. And a lot of problems with the legal system arose. This was due to their inability to protect detained Venezuelan basic rights. (Freedom House 2014 report). Chavez’s tactics changed Venezuela forever. His authoritarian ways replaced liberal democracy and created a government in which checks and balances lost its popularity. Executive power therefore brought about increased economic, social, and political dysfunction, as well as violate rights and liberties of the population. (Freedom House 2014
In 2001, it received a 4.0 yet again. Chavez won yet another election. With 60 percent of the vote. Throughout the years 2000 Chavez abused the media and organized labor, and continued an anti-US campaign. This …show more content…
Venezuela saw economic growth, an abuse of state resources, and an increase in general public love for Chavez grew due to his declining health state. This all successfully destroyed the opposition rising unity. In 2013, Chavez died of cancer. There was also an increase in the government’s law and regulation to stop opposition check on government.
In 2014 there is a lot of protests, violence and arrests of public officials. And a lot of problems with the legal system arose. This was due to their inability to protect detained Venezuelan basic rights. (Freedom House 2014 report). Chavez’s tactics changed Venezuela forever. His authoritarian ways replaced liberal democracy and created a government in which checks and balances lost its popularity. Executive power therefore brought about increased economic, social, and political dysfunction, as well as violate rights and liberties of the population. (Freedom House 2014