Chavez Says He Will Expel Foreign Critics of Regime

Visitors to Venezuela may face deportation
By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 24, 2007 7:30 AM CDT
Chavez Says He Will Expel Foreign Critics of Regime
Felix)   (Associated Press)

Hugo Chavez says he will expel any foreigner criticizing his regime from Venezuela, an apparent reaction to skeptical remarks by a Mexican politician who recently visited Caracas. The warning came in a 6-hour television address that suggests a drift away from democracy, the Guardian reports; a draft constitution due next month does away with presidential term limits.

"No foreigner, whoever he may be, can come here and attack us," Chavez said. "Here is your bag, sir, go." Critics fear the polarizing president is planning a socialist dictatorship, but some analysts say Chavez simply shoots from the hip. Under the proposed constitution, he would be able to seek re-election after his third term ends in 2012. (More Hugo Chavez stories.)

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