Fascism at work: Caracas Mayor in action

Miguel reported on the latest outburst of Juan Barreto, the Mayor "at large". Someone sent me the link of the video published in Noticiero Digital. If you can understand Spanish you can watch how Barreto verbally abused a journalist trying to ask him the tough questions that someone in his position should be able to reply. What did Barreto do? Disqualify the journalist. Just like so many chavista supporters do when they hit the comment section of this or other blogs written from an opposition point of view.

But if in a blog this might even be amusing, when it comes from the mayor of Caracas at large, the Mayor of ALL of Caracas, addressing a crisis situation (bridge down, people displaced, building invasions, etc...) who ends up with his court of hanger-on thugs insulting the journalists doing their work, well, you should worry. In this video, where Barreto had even the gall to offer journalism classes to the aggrieved journalist, you can see how fascism works in real life.

Incidentally, a gossip, that I cannot verify but I will work on it, reached me. When Barreto goes to teach, his bodyguards serve him with coffee and light up his cigarettes. I do not know if this is true or not, but after this video, why doubt it?

Barreto of course is our first nominee for Fascist of the Year 2006 by Venezuela News and Views. But I am afraid that the competition will be tough.