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Chavez Slams Quinceañera Implants

Venezuelan prez hates popular sweet-15 gift of enlargements

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 26, 2007 1:07 PM CDT

(Newser) – Hugo Chavez has aimed his anti-consumerist wrath at one of Venezuela’s bustiest trends. In a record eight-hour TV address Sunday, the barn-storming president assaulted his countrymen for giving breast implants as presents to girls celebrating their quinceañeras, the traditional 15th-birthday coming-of-age party.  

Chavez blamed Western icons such as Barbie for what he termed “the ultimate degeneration,” Reuters reports.  But there’s much for cosmetic surgery critics to rail against in the Latin American nation itself—Venezuelan TV advertises breast enlargements and banks offer special surgery credit lines.

President Hugo Chavez, foreground in shadow, talks to a supporter as he drives a SUV  in San Fernando de Apure, Venezuela, June 10, 2007. His message, as he takes a road trip accompanied by an AP reporter, is clear
President Hugo Chavez, foreground in shadow, talks to a supporter as he drives a SUV in San Fernando de Apure, Venezuela, June 10, 2007. His message, as he takes a road trip accompanied by an AP reporter,...   (Associated Press)
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez poses with a tourist upon his...
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez poses with a tourist upon his...   (Getty Images)
A woman takes part in a Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's political...
A woman takes part in a Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's political...   (Getty Images)
Jessica Rodriguez wows her friends as she makes her grand entrance into the family room wearing her Quinceanera gown.
Jessica Rodriguez wows her friends as she makes her grand entrance into the family room wearing her Quinceanera gown.   (KRT Photos)
A 15-year-old girl dances during a coming-out ball in Mexico City, Saturday, April 28, 2007. Mexico City's government offered Saturday a mass coming-out ball for 189 disadvantaged teenagers that otherwise might never get to experience the elaborate quinceanera party that young girls here dreams of. (AP Photo/Cecilia Larrabure)
A 15-year-old girl dances during a coming-out ball in Mexico City, Saturday, April 28, 2007. Mexico City's government offered Saturday a mass coming-out ball for 189 disadvantaged teenagers that otherwise...   (Associated Press)
President Hugo Chavez, left, talks with reporters in San Fernando de Apure, Venezuela, June 10, 2007. His message, as he takes a road trip accompanied by an AP reporter, is clear
President Hugo Chavez, left, talks with reporters in San Fernando de Apure, Venezuela, June 10, 2007. His message, as he takes a road trip accompanied by an AP reporter, is clear   (Associated Press)
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