A Personal Perspective on Venezuela

Though Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez promised sweeping reforms that would improve the lives of the poor, his track record on fulfilling those ideals has been mixed, said David Cubek, Scripps College assistant professor of music, during his recent Tuesday Noon Academy lecture, “The Venezuelan Revolution?: A Personal Perspective.”

Cubek was born in Venezuela and his family still lives there. He left Venezuela in 1999 to study music abroad and that was the same year that Chavez assumed the presidency. Chavez is a controversial political figure known for his staunch criticism of the United States’ foreign policy and for his treatment of political opponents, Cubek said.

“Chavez is an amazing public speaker,” Cubek said. “He has persuaded many Venezuelans that his government is the promise of a better future.”

Chavez has created programs to improve public education and to increase healthcare access for those in poor areas, Cubek noted. Opponents, however, have questioned the effectiveness of these programs.

Many Venezuelan families remain divided about Chavez’s presidency, Cubek concluded.

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