Venezuela's Chavez swaps coffee for coca in speech

[Joanne98]

Source: Reuters

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez switched from coffee to another stimulant during a speech on Saturday -- he popped a coca leaf into his mouth and chewed it while defending the use of the plant.

Bolivian President Evo Morales, an advocate of the Andean nation's indigenous coca growers, brought Chavez coca leaves while in Caracas for a summit of Latin American leaders allied with Chavez.

"I knew you wouldn't let me down, my friend, I was running out," Chavez said as he received the leaves from Morales during the televised summit. He broke one in half and chewed it, drawing applause.

"Capitalism and international mafias have converted (it) into cocaine, but coca is not cocaine," he said.



Read more: http://uk.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUKN2638848320080126

---

Oh God I love this guy!

[angstlessk]

1. I recon a coca leaf is no more stimulating one of those soft drinks kids drink

with about 8 cups worth of caffine in them?

[Judi Lynn]

5. Very mild as a LEAF! Used to make tea, aids in high altitude, helps people feel less hungry,

and, as this photo shows, sold in the market place to everyone.



Sorry, first photo wouldn't come through. Here's another.

[DiamondJay]

2. not only is a dictator, but a cokehead

i see similarities between Hugo Chavez and George W Bush

[dipsydoodle]

3. Would you like to expand on that drivel

or did you just to forget add the sarcasm smiley ?

[Judi Lynn]

4. So the indigenous population of all the Andes countries are cokeheads, going back for

thousands of years? Is that right?

Please feel free to share your evidence with DU'ers to substantiate your claim Hugo Chavez is a "dictator." It's always good to deal with reality when you make statements you expect to have to defend.

[DiamondJay]

12. shutting down the opposition's TV station for one

two, he's socialized nearly all industry, and three i've met people at college, a girl whos family had to flee venezuela because they were upper class jews. he also admires fidel castro, admenijad, and other crazies.

[boricua79]

14. didn't shut down the station

he refused to give them a license, or rather, his government refused to give them a license to PUBLIC airwaves. Kinda of like the FCC does in this country. If it's ok here, it's ok over there.

You're "girl" is lying. Jews are not being persecuted in Venezuela, though it's possible they've had runnings with the government because of their "upper class" assets. How are they using those assets? how did they acquire them? Are those assets preventing the Venezuelan majority from achieving its national goals? Etc. We have eminent domain over here too, friend.

You insinuate and imply a lot, but back it up with very little.

And it's ok to admire people like Fidel Castro and ahmedijinad. I admire SOME of the qualities of those men, and some things about them I despise. It is possible to see grays. Not everything is black and white.

[ooglymoogly]

17. You sound parched.... have some more $tate dpt. kool-aid.

Try the cherry-propaganda. They do not like anyone stepping on their operations.

[davidinalameda]

20. but persecuting the Jews is okay

just ask Chavez' buddy in Iran

he's the one who wants to wipe Israel off the map

and I'm guessing that means Jews as well

[ooglymoogly]

27. dwickham you are a fool in fools clothing.

wouldn't you be more comfortable on a freeper site where your bullshit is a perfect fit.

[ooglymoogly]

26. To all you folks who are trying to blow smoke up the ass of truth

for god sakes get a clue....Here is a quick education if you can stand the truth http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5832390545689805144

[Joanne98]

6. He is not a dick-tator!

[SlavesandBulldozers]

7. you really should educate yourself on the matter.

its normal to react like that if you're not really knowledgeable about the issue. its not your fault.

[frylock]

8. i blame dick cheney's education program

[SlavesandBulldozers]

9. perhaps he got his education at the School of the Americas.

heyo. try the lobster.

[DiamondJay]

22. FACE IT, HE IS A TYRANT!

just because he is a leftist does not mean he is virtuous or democratic. he is in the mold of stalin imprisoning political enemies and censoring opposition

[ooglymoogly]

23. Is he a tyrant to you in particular

because his people do not think he is a tyrant except for the people having a stranglehold on Venezuela's natural resources which belong to the people of venezuela. Do some research for cripe sake.

[DiamondJay]

24. i beg to differ

so if he weren't a tyrant, why did they reject his bid to be able to reign forever? its because they know he's up to no good.

[ooglymoogly]

25. Now there is a nuclear extrapolation of delusion if I ever heard one.

Wanting to be able to run for president for life is the dream of every politician but few of the governed want to take that chance, nor should they. The C-eye-A tried to topple Hugo with the help of the old ruling classes and a similar corporate press as ours and their military but after imprisoning Chavez and installing one of their own as president the military coup failed when the people of Venezuela encircled the Presidential palace and threatened to storm it. The military had to retreat but of course there was nothing in the corporate media here or there. That should tell you something and it should tell you why he came down on the corporate Venezuelan press as well he should. If you can stand the truth about Chavez and Venezuala this is a must watch. "The revolution will not be televised". you have to Google it. Never mind here is the link http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5832390545689805144

[davidinalameda]

10. welcome to DU

make sure to keep your head down around the Chavez apologists

[fascisthunter]

11. yes... just know that corporatist wannabes like dwickham

are here to hold your hand while we serve you your ass

[davidinalameda]

15. thank you

:hi:

[fascisthunter]

16. you're welcome

wannabe

[davidinalameda]

18. you're so sweet

:hug:

[fascisthunter]

19. sweet like stevia

[boricua79]

13. moron statement of the day

get educated on the differences between cocaine and coca leaves.

and he's been elected EVERY TIME.

Unlike Bush, who stole 2 elections and was a proven COCAINE snorter (not coca leaves).

Get your facts right, friend.

[dipsydoodle]

21. Welcome to the wonderful world

of the Latin America Forum. Sure beats getting moved to the Lounge.

[lostnfound]

29. Except Hugo is much more likeable. And smarter. nt

[roody]

28. Let's go see for ourselves. DU meetup in last half

of July, 2008, in Venezuela.