Crackpot Dictator

The BBC web site has a excellent report on the President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, being awarded the powers of a 'dictator' for the next 12 months by his own National Assembly.

Now Latin America had a well earned reputation in the past, for various countries of the 'left' and the 'right' being run by tinpot dictators - but this is the first time I can recall one being run by a 'crackpot' dictator like Big Nic.

The next twelve months in Venezuela will be very interesting I'm sure - although not necessarily for the people living there since their President is clearly wired to the moon.

Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro gets special powers

Nicolas Maduro, right, signed the bill watched by National Assembly President Diosdado Cabello

Venezuela's National Assembly has given final approval to special powers for President Nicolas Maduro.

Under the measures Mr Maduro will be able to govern without consulting Congress for 12 months.

After signing the bill, he promised to keep prices down and conduct a "ground-shaking" anti-corruption offensive.

The president says the aim of the new powers is to tackle the economic crisis. However, critics fear he may use them against the opposition.

Venezuela is facing shortages of food and other essential goods, as well as power cuts and about 54% inflation.

Mr Maduro has already forced retailers to slash prices by up to 60%, as part of his fight against what he calls "economic sabotage".

'Economic war'

The government has also imposed strict controls over the sale of foreign currency, to combat a growing black market of dollars.

But it says the special powers will allow it to step up its "economic war" and bring the country back to growth.

But Mr Maduro said the law will also be used in a "higher fight" against corruption.

"The prices came down and with the Enabling Act, they will stay where they should," he said.

The opposition, however, says Mr Maduro already had enough powers.

"What does Maduro needs more powers for? He handles the economy," opposition MP Andres Velasquez told the Venezuelan TV Globovision.

Approval of the "Ley Habilitante", or Enabling Act, was widely expected after the first reading on 14 November. The government needed 99 votes to pass the bill.

The deeply divided oil-producing country is going to the polls on 8 December for local elections.

Former President Hugo Chavez, who died of cancer in March, resorted to Enabling Acts four times during his 14 years in power.

His vice-president and handpicked successor, Mr Maduro, has pledged to continue his policies but does not command the same support enjoyed by Mr Chavez.

Dead Ringer (13 November 2013)

For the sceptics amongst you who don't believe that a 'spitting image' of Hugo Chavez appeared miraculously on an underground wall - I give you proof positive with this picture of the former Venezuelan President with a green parrot or parakeet on his shoulder.

Now the green parrot or parakeet doesn't appear miraculously on the underground wall along with Hugo Chavez, but that is a minor point of detail which may be explained by the fact that the bird was a not a hero of the socialist revolution in Venezuela - even though it appears to be wearing a rather fetching, matching red beret.   

So, what I'd like readers to consider is the remarkable similarity between the two images - they are, as they say, like two peas in a pod - and a sure sign from God Almighty himself that Venezuela is safe in President Maduro's hands.

Long live the revolution!