Chavez throws down the socialist gauntlet

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez echoed Fidel Castro’s cry of “socialism or death” as he was sworn in for a new six-year term today, promising to accelerate Venezuela’s transformation into a socialist state.

Chavez took the oath of office at the National Assembly after a sweeping re-election win that has given him free reign to pursue more radical changes, including plans to nationalise power and telecommunications companies. He said a commission was being formed to oversee constitutional reforms.

His right hand raised, Chavez declared in words reminiscent of Castro’s famous call-to-arms: “Fatherland, socialism or death – I swear it.” He also alluded to Jesus: “I swear by Christ – the greatest socialist in history.”

In a speech that followed, he said the central aim of his term that runs until 2013 will be “to build Venezuelan socialism.”

“I don’t have the slightest doubt that is the only path to the redemption of our peoples, the salvation of our fatherland,” Chavez told lawmakers to applause. He said he believes that socialism – not capitalism – is the only way to guarantee well-being not only for Venezuela, but the world.

He said one of the proposed constitutional reforms would allow “indefinite re-election” by doing away with presidential term limits that bar him from running again in 2012.

Referring to critics’ claims that the action showed he was a tyrant or doing the bidding of Castro, Chavez said: “The important thing is that the people will make the decision, because nothing can be done without that here.” He has said in the past that Venezuelans should decide in a referendum.

Chavez also said he would ask the National Assembly, solidly dominated by his allies, for special powers through a “mother law” allowing him to enact a series of ”revolutionary laws” by decree.

He scolded leaders of the Catholic Church and the Organisation of American States for criticising his decision not to renew the license of an opposition-aligned television station.

Turning to Venezuela’s top Catholic prelate, Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino, Chavez said he could not understand why the church stood up for Radio Caracas Television, which Chavez accuses of subversive activities aimed at ousting him.

“Mr. Cardinal,” Chavez said, “The state respects the church. The church should respect the state. I wouldn’t like to return to the times of confrontation with Venezuelan bishops, but it’s not up to me. It’s up to the Venezuelan bishops.”

With oil profits booming and his popularity high, Chavez seems to be in step with many Venezuelans even as spooked investors rushed to sell off Venezuelan stocks in the affected companies after his nationalisation announcement on Monday.

Referring to that panic, Chavez said “the Caracas stock exchange may fall” but the economy remains strong.

“Everything the man is doing is good,” said Orlando Vera, a 63-year-old window washer, adding that his economic situation has improved under Chavez.

Chavez attended a ceremony this morning at the tomb of Simon Bolivar, the South American independence hero who is the inspiration of Chavez’s “Bolivarian Revolution” movement.

He then rode to the National Assembly in an open car, blowing kisses and waving to supporters who tossed rose petals.

“Nothing and no one can stop ... Venezuela’s socialist revolution, whatever it costs us!” Chavez told lawmakers, drawing a standing ovation. “The hour has arrived for the end of privileges, for the end of inequalities.”

Chavez, an admirer of the 80-year-old Castro, has said he is crafting a new sort of “21st Century Socialism.” Critics say it is starting to look like old-fashioned totalitarianism by a leader obsessed with power.

“They want to nationalise everything. This is the beginning,” said Marisela Leon, a 47-year-old engineer who said she might consider leaving the country because she sees difficult times ahead.

The US government has expressed concern about Chavez’s vaguely defined nationalization plans, which he has said also include bringing under state control four lucrative oil projects now run by foreign companies in the Orinoco River basin.

After Chavez was sworn in by National Assembly President Cilia Flores, some lawmakers shouted “Viva socialism!”

Flores said the National Assembly will approve Chavez’s request for special powers allowing him to enact laws by decree, and Chavez said Flores will head the constitutional reform commission.

An Associated Press-Ipsos poll conducted three weeks before Chavez was re-elected on December 3 found that 62% of those asked supported nationalising companies when in the national interest – a result that paralleled Chavez’s victory with nearly 63% of the votes.

But that support also has its limits. The poll found 84% oppose adopting a political system like Cuba’s, despite Chavez’s reverence for Castro.

Chavez, who was travelling to Nicaragua later Wednesday to attend the inauguration of fellow leftist Daniel Ortega, says he does not aim to copy Cuba’s system.

But he ended his speech with concluding words that Castro has made famous: “Toward victory always! Fatherland, socialism or death! We shall prevail!”