UPDATED.
Reader Syd sent me that link to interview yesterday of Renée Fregosi. The interview is in French but in case some of you can understand I am putting it up anyway because she is the best, more coherent, more rational, more subtle "specialists" on Venezuela I have heard (and I have watched a lot of CNN notable guests....). As I was watching the interview I was my usual on edge, ready to find fault as I am doing every time these days. I did not find a mistake. Then again basically all what she says has been written through the posts of this blog in recent days, from electoral fraud to the abandonment by Latin America. So maybe I am biased :)
Update. One of the comments of the video has the full transcript in French so you can use Google translate. Do not be lazy. The more so that the comment by Thibaud Lopez has even a time line so you can click and see what part of the video he is transcribing!!!!!
You are right. She knows exactly what is happening here. She is "clarita, clarita". I will share it. Excellent
ReplyDeleteHi Yvonne! Long time!
DeleteCare to translate? I have just linked tot he transcript!!! :)
Sorry, I just saw your answer today. I came back because someone asked me for a text explaining about the Venezuelan situation in French and I recalled this interview. I saw you already got some translation below, but have not checked how accurate it is.
DeleteThe very best I have heard. I listened to the BBC newshour on Monday and the so called experts were clueless and shameful. Thank you for posting, I know these are all items you have addressed, but it is hopeful to hear this from a French broadcast.
ReplyDeleteBBC=leftie Marxist multi-culti synchophants, supporting the immigration madness that is trashing their country and dragging it steadily to civil insurrection. How many burned cars, rapes, and pedophile gangs can one country stand? BBC used to be a respected news source.
DeleteYes, BBC is miserably failing on Venezuela and other topics. But, David, please, stop the preposterous hijacking of the comments for your xenophobic comments.
DeleteExcellent! Wish our Foreign Minister would listen to her! (He was exiled in Paris, I believe). Yesterday he was called to parliament because of the government's attitude regarding Venezuela, defended Maduro, said the dead belonged to both sides (eight pro-government and seven from the opposition (sic), which made me sick, and replying to: do you think Cuba is a democracy? he answered: yes, different to ours, is a participative democracy instead of a representative democracy. And we are a so-called moderate leftist government! Phew!
ReplyDeleteThis is simply astounding!!!! And what did the Colorados/Blancos said after that? How can you have such a foreign minister!? I mean, the creep sounds left of Mujica!!!!!
DeleteGracias a un comentario en el blog de Quico o Miguel, aquí les va otro que lo ve clarito clarito:
ReplyDeleteel senador Marco Rubio (R-Florida), en la mejor presentación de su carrera política, pide, no tan solamente por la continuación de sanciones en contra de Cuba, sino también por castigo para el gobierno venezolano.
(en inglés)
Marco Rubio (R-Florida) sees what's happening in Venezuela like no other US politician. He gives the best speech of his political career, threading an educational primer with some mockery of how the more idealistic members of Congress see Cuba, and by extension, Venezuela.
A must-view:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_wKhXurFyI .
I like Rubio but I hope the U.S. does not apply the same type of economic sanctions on Venezuela that they have on Cuba. That would not help one bit. For one thing, such approach would hurt only the population and not the leaders. Second, it would be a huge strategic mistake giving the government ample justification to accelerate their planned transition to a communist economy and a perfect excuse to put the blame for shortages and other economic ills on the "imperio".
DeleteThings usually have to get worse before they can start to get better.
DeleteThe government needs no excuse Anonymous, it IS converting the country already into a communist economy.
As for blaming the US....that never stops no matter what they do.So why should the US care about that?If people want an ally they have to treat that ally well.Blame will get them nowhere.Would you like to befriends with someone who unfairly blames you for all their mistakes?
firepigette
Right, they will always blame the US for everything since Marxists are perfect and cannot make mistakes. They will just have to reconcile that to the curious, hypocritical fact that they still sell oil to the wicked empire and would starve otherwise. Uribe makes a nice scapegoat also.
DeleteThe United States isn't going to do anything. Frankly it can't do anything here except point out the situation and morally support the students.
Delete@firepig @david1952000 of course the government will always recourse to blaming the U.S., but that does not mean we should make it easier for them to do so... As for things getting worse before they get better, tell that to Cubans. For them things got worse first, and then even worse later. Economic sanctions are a failed strategy. Don't interfere with the people's ability to see who are truly responsible for the economic crisis.
Delete@HalfEmpty agree; let's keep it that way
Wish more people in Venezuela were Crystal Clear
ReplyDeleteFirepigette
A breath of fresh air.
ReplyDeleteThe other side of the coin:
Deletehttp://www.noticias24.com/internacionales/noticia/76343/brasil-defiende-el-principio-de-no-injerencia-en-la-crisis-de-venezuela/
how refreshing to see a non-socialist french...
ReplyDeleteFregosi IS a member of the Socialist International. Takes one to know the ones who have gone over the deep end...
Deletecorrection: Renée Fregosi is a member of the Socialist Party (France), which in turn, is a member of Socialist Internationale.
DeleteThe Socialist Party of France has been critical of Chavismo for probably a decade now, if not longer.
DeleteThey have written several statements on that, even if Venezuela is not even on the second row of French interests.
There are socialists of different types (and mind: I am not a socialist)
From what I can discern from friends and family , it looks like quite a few of "opposition" are celebrating Carnival.Now howsabout that for understanding the situation?
ReplyDeletefirepigette
As usual Old Parr + BBQ taking precedent over real issues. Why nothing will ever change, they don't want it bad enough.
DeleteAnalyse impeccable. Elle a pratiquement tout dit. Tout est clair comme de l'eau de roche. She said everthing the way it is "clear and neat". I wish more people from the international opinion can have such a view of what is really going on in Venezuela. Thanks Daniel for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteSoleil
Beaucoup de Francais ont marre de la gauche et de son appui pour le ridicule Union Europeene et sa merde de politique multiculturelle (lourde immigration du tiers monde). On sort un matin pour aller au boulot et on decouvre que sa voiture a ete brulee par un gang musulman. Si on se plaint a la police, on est appelle raciste! Les Francais comprennent de plus en plus ce que c'est que la demence marxiste et comme elle detruit un pays. Dans les chavistas, ils peuvent voir clairement une dictature qui S'AMUSE a massacre les etudiants, pas une revolution honnette qui apporte bonheur au pays. C'est un cauchmar communiste qui descend sur le people.
DeleteAssuming that most people will be too lazy to use Google Translate, below the transcript written by Thibault Lopez google-translated to English (part 1/2):
ReplyDelete0:00 : Reporter: [...] between students and police . Clashes that have already been twelve deaths. The protests began against insecurity and the high cost of living today give rise to a broader challenge to the power of Nicolas Maduro called the president on Wednesday a peace conference in the presence of all parties concerned. Renée Fregosi then joined us on the board France24 to discuss it. You are the director of research at the Institute for Advanced Studies of Latin America. You are a political scientist specializing in Venezuela. Thank you for joining us . Good evening. This is not the first time that the protests began , the challenge begins with student protests in Venezuela.
0:40 : Renée Fregosi : Yes, not only in Venezuela elsewhere. Young people are spontaneously mobilized. And it is true that students are a prime target of these groups could be called assault sections of red shirts. Because we know very well when you are in college you are part of the middle class , so they are a prime target . And students are also very sensitive to violations of civil liberties , violations of human rights , et cetera. So they were the first to mobilize. But in fact the whole Venezuelan population is completely overwhelmed by the economic situation , insecurity , shortages . Life is increasingly made unviable . So it is true that students are supported in fact the majority of the population.
1:38 : Reporter : We had actually seen the opposition down the street alongside the demonstrators.
Renée Fregosi : Yes of course , because in fact the opposition is an opposition [...] You know we often hear both side of power , that here in France often by analysts that the opposition would right . The government deals with fascists, Nazis . It is really cynical. Because in fact the opposition is an alliance of left and center . In opposition we find such a man as Teodoro Petkoff , an old Venezuelan extreme left. And in fact it is the parties decomposed - recomposed the Copei and Democratic Action , which form the opposition alliance . So it's not the political right . In fact the political right there is not really politically organized . So what are people , progressives who supported Capriles . Henrique Capriles has also probably won the last election. In fact Maduro in my opinion [...]
Reporter: He denounced fraud.
Renée Fregosi : Yes, and I think Maduro stole his election. There is that too if you want. Population feels [...]
Reporter: This is not proven.
Renée Fregosi : There is a huge issue . There are tests that can converge. There are many converging elements. In all cases , it makes sense if you want the people that stole them some sort of election . So it also adds to the discontent that you see.
3:08 : Reporter: You mentioned several motors of the challenge : insecurity , shortages , inflation .
Renée Fregosi : Yes , it's a lot. Food shortages . But it is a sign of neglect , inability to manage both the economy, the social and the political . Venezuela is a rich country. But not only rich in oil. It is also rich , the land is rich. Or when you realize that the country imports 90% - or more - food - especially the United States for that matter - it really is a madness. All circuits of production and distribution of food were completely disrupted. It's like the Soviet Union. Shortage of toilet paper, toothpaste, all consumer goods .
4:02 : Reporter: So I was just talking toilet paper because it had become a symbol under Hugo Chavez and what does not work, systemic deficiencies in the Venezuelan governance. Is that things have changed with the coming to power of Nicolas Maduro ? Do we find, for example toilet paper now in Venezuelan supermarkets ?
part 2/2:
ReplyDeleteRenée Fregosi : Not more than is found in the Soviet Union. In fact it is a little the same type of phenomenon , mutatis mutandis, of course. But we are in a government [...] no, it can not be better with Maduro , obviously since it is the same authoritarian system that endures . We know very well that especially in times of crisis it is democracy that can manage conflicts peacefully precisely . This is the very definition of democracy. This government is not democratic . And it is not by authoritarianism that solves problems nor that manages a complex economy obviously.
4:57 : Reporter: But Chavez could still boast the support of a large section of the population. What the Venezuelan political landscape today? Is this still the case ? Are those who supported Chavez yesterday today support Nicolas Maduro ?
Renée Fregosi : So first we must see that Chavez himself with gradually lost support , both major figures , such as General Baduel who had saved the coup in 2002, which was prison, was convicted because he was opposed to Chavez , who founded the party of Chavez in the 80s with him, an old companion. He was in prison because he dared oppose him because he did not want Bolivarian socialism . So he lost a lot of support these individuals but also of its popular support. But it is true that Chavez was a bright intelligent man , and seduced . So he still supports some popular , especially he held together the different factions Chavism . And in particular he had in his hands the income of PDVSA , petroleum, which enabled him to buy votes in particular in large numbers, that can no longer Maduro . Maduro did not unites various Chavista groups. It belongs to a group. But the other [...] this is why you hear a sort of over- bidding within the Chavista power aro on the opposition. We made a verbal on - bid to show which is the strongest , most so-called left , against " right " in quotes , et cetera. There are also internal conflicts.
6:38 : Reporter: A lot has actually said that Nicolas Maduro in any case did not have the same charisma as Chavez and do not have the same ability to seduce with Venezuelans . So Nicolas Maduro to convene this week, on Wednesday , a peace conference . Everyone should meet to negotiate. You seem skeptical.
6:58 : Renée Fregosi : Yes, I would chiquée . That is to say that for a real conference , a real negotiation should be that the opposition end the right to express themselves . You know there is not a single radio or TV - especially - private , independent, where the opposition to express themselves. There is no freedom of expression, nor political , nor the press, also in general. So real negotiations that would mean recognizing the opposition as an interlocutor to equality. But in fact this is not the case . Attempts in the past already , there a few months of negotiations fact, were a kind of show. But the opposition is not recognized . That is their authoritarian side. Maduro , he was trained in Cuba. He did not have the notion that the opposition , the minority , which is perhaps a majority moreover, but let the minority has rights.
8:05 : Reporter: How to calm then growls ?
Renée Fregosi : Listen . What I think is that it would probably end, as it happened also in Ukraine , international intervention. I 'm very surprised , very disappointed by the governments of Latin American left. In Europe it is normal , it is more oriented towards Europe. But even in Latin America , governments, Brazil and Chile for example, could send their foreign ministers , who are brilliant men who know , and international organizations to have been ambassadors , both also as well as Muñoz Figueredo , for example, could make an inter- mediate species as was done in Ukraine.
8:50 : Reporter: The last events in any case three weeks ago , I said in the introduction , they have yet twelve dead. This is a situation that we will continue to follow on France 24. Renée Fregosi , thank you very much for joining us on this board.
Alguien en Peru tambien esta viendo las cosas clarisimas:
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/aRwsT8mpb-E
El peligro esta claro tambien. La revolucion chavista/castrista puede pasar rapidamente en otros paises con resultados semejantes.
DeleteFYI: Venezuela prosecutor: 5 more from domestic spy agency arrested in deaths of 2 at protests
ReplyDeleteVenezuela's chief prosecutor says five more members of a national intelligence agency have been arrested on murder charges related to the shooting deaths of two people in anti-government street demonstrations.
In a statement Wednesday, the office says the five agents were present at protests Feb. 12 in Caracas where 24-year-old university student Bassil Da Costa and government supporter Juan Montoya died. They were among the first of at least 16 killed in the protests.
Chief prosecutor Luisa Ortega said Monday that three others from the same agency had been arrested on similar charges.
The protests began with students and were soon joined by tens of thousands in several cities, upset over economic problems and heavy-handed government response to the protests.
Interesting. This will probably result in a backlash in the intimidation brigades, because they had been led to believe they could act with impunity.
HT: Instapundit
Instapundit
Daniel, what do you make of the news that Russia has just dispatched a warship to Havana?
ReplyDeletehttp://news.yahoo.com/russian-spy-ship-docked-havana-224015753.html;_ylt=AwrBJR5Abg5TY3cAUS_QtDMD
The US probably should not land one soldier in Venezuela, but can send aid if the centre and rational left unite and remain strong. Also, it can force Cuba to fight on two more fronts, and to defend its' oil terminal and the CANTV cable. Frankly, if Uncle Sam cares to sneeze Raoul must cower. And now, he must look over his shoulder.
ReplyDeleteChapeau Madame Fregosi!
ReplyDeleteDroit dans le mille.