Venezuela's success under Chavez overlooked by world, says ambassador

By Claire Fuller

The Ambassador of Venezuela to the UK questioned George Bush's definition of an ‘axis of evil' at a lecture recently. Alfredo Toro-Hardy, who is considered to be one of the top specialists and academics in Latin American Foreign relations and US-Latin American relations, asked how Bush can define what is evil and what is good: “Friends get into one classification, people counted as not-so-friendly are put in another.”

Toro-Hardy has been Venezuelan Ambassador to the UK since 2001. He believes that his country is improving vastly under the Chavez government: “Illiteracy has been eliminated, higher education has been expanded, treatment for AIDS/cancer is free, subsidized pharmacies and grocery stores have been set up and community organizations have been set up – this is why the people are happy with democracy.

“So why is the Venezuelan government treated so badly by the American government? Because it is close to Fidel Castro.”

As with many other countries, the element that has helped Venezuela to grow like never before is oil. Oil profit surpluses boost the economy, and 25% of Venezuelans are now starting their own businesses.

Sounds like good news, according to Toro-Hardy. So why is the Venezuelan government lambasted in the press? “Because the media that matter are the Western media – they construct opinion.

“Why the media specifically dislikes Chavez needs examination. There is a tremendous gap between reality and perceived reality.”