Al’s Loupe

Hugo Chavez

By Alvaro F. Fernandez
alvaro@progresoweekly.com

MIAMI – Hugo Chavez’ reelection in Venezuela was important news for Venezuelans. It was welcomed news for most Cubans. The Venezuelan leader garnered more than 54% of the vote in his favor. Chavez’ victory also allowed most Cubans on the island to breathe much easier when the results were announced.

Of course, 44% of Venezuelans (and a great majority of those living in Miami) were disappointed with the results. But le me also add there was little doubt that the election was fair. Henrique Capriles, the opposition candidate, accepted his defeat without questioning the process. And Jimmy Carter and his Carter Center recently said of Venezuela’s elections: “…of the 92 elections that we’ve monitored, I would say that the election process in Venezuela is the best in the world.”

Columnist and economist Mark Weisbrot wrote in Britain’s The Guardian days before the election that “the opposition will most likely lose this election … because the majority of Venezuelans have dramatically improved their living standards under the Chávez government.”

In other words, when 80% of the electorate participates in an election, many of the poor and the once disenfranchised by the country’s elite are now suddenly flexing their muscles. And those who were once in power don’t like the results. In U.S. terms, one that the Occupy Wall Street crowd would understand, imagine the 99% in this country suddenly turning the power structure around on the 1%…

But back to Cuba and its relationship with Venezuela. Many here criticize it. They claim that like the former Soviet Union who helped Cuba with millions in subsidies, Venezuela is Cuba’s new “sugar daddy.”

Don’t know and don’t care…

The fact of Venezuela’s importance to Cuba came through loud and clear for me during a recent trip to Havana – the election still a couple of weeks away.

Just regular Cubans

Boris and his wife do whatever it takes to make a living – from car mechanic for him, to cleaning houses for her, and driving this Miamian to the airport for my return trip to the U.S. on that day. They are nice, courteous, humble and hard working like so many Cubans on the island. She has a son from a previous marriage and a 10-year-old with Boris, my chauffeur.

Like most Cubans, they deal on a day-to-day basis with the realities of a choked economy, one trying to find its new way. It’s not easy, they say.

It’s not something they need to explain. Just take a look at the situation on the island: Times are very tough.

On the way to the airport our conversation turned to the upcoming Venezuelan election for president.

“A Cuban friend from Miami told us that the best thing that could happen is for Chavez to lose,” the wife told me from the back seat of the car. “But this man Capriles has announced he would basically cut off all help to Cuba if he is elected,” she added.

“It worries us,” interjected Boris while he drove. “We can’t afford to return to the days when Havana spent part of every day without electricity,” he told me. “In a lousy economy, like we have…” he paused, “what would that mean for us?”

Venezuela provides subsidized oil to Cuba. The high price of oil in the world market allows it to do this. But it is also important to note that Venezuela’s generosity under Chavez has not only helped Cuba. There are many other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean who benefit from the country’s crude oil reserves – the largest on earth, according to OPEC. And in winter, there are areas of the U.S. which have also benefitted from Chavez’ largesse.

So if there’s one Cuban in Miami who is ecstatic with the Chavez victory, that person would be me. I know that Boris, his wife and children, along with millions of others on the island will sleep better at night and have one less worry to deal with because of the Chavez victory on Sunday.

As for the Miami Cuban who considered a Chavez loss the best thing that could happen… It’s so easy to sacrifice others for what you want, while eating well and sleeping in air-conditioned comfort.

Finally, for those who don’t believe Chavez has a majority of Venezuelans on his side. I am reminded of my visit to Caracas a few years back, weeks before another election. It was a Sunday and Chavez would be speaking that day. A friend and I left our hotel early and headed to where the President would speak. As we walked we started to see thousands of people from every direction walking towards the same place. A sea of red, many singing and chanting, people who before 1999 had never participated in Venezuelan elections, all wanting to hear Chavez speak.

Mr. Chavez may have his faults. But he’s still got a great number of followers – and people who vote for him. And an honest democracy does not get to choose who the right winner should be. It elects the person who garners the greatest number of votes.