Mark Levine’s Inside Scoop on Washington



Today Mark Levine talks about human rights issues in Venezuela. He points out that some dictatorships in South America come disguised as democracies.
Levine’s guest on the program is Gonzalo Himiob Santome, an active human rights lawyer in Venezuela. Himiob has been called a “traitor to the nation” by the Venezuelan government because of his investigations of human rights violations in the country. Himiob is a criminal law professor, writer, and lecturer.
Levine and Himiob discuss the history of the democratic process in Venezuela since 1958. Hugo Chavez, as leader of the Bolivarian Revolution, was elected in 1998 and reelected in 2006. Levine points out that progressives originally cheered when Chavez came to power because it was believed that he would look out for the interests of poor people of his country. Unfortunately human rights violations have been an issue throughout his presidency.
Levine asks many questions of Himiob in an effort to understand how Chavez can be acting like a dictator yet be democratically elected. Himiob talks about the history and results of the Constitutional Assembly that Chavez called, which overturned the previous Constitution.
There was a recall election to take Chavez out of office but the recall election failed. Two years later he was elected to a second term. Himiob talks about how this happened.
You’ll enjoy this podcast as Levine and Himiob create clarity about how the current government of Venezuela came to be.
Click here to listen to this podcast.
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The Inside Scoop is nationally syndicated on the Head-On Radio Network and iTunes. The show can be heard on radio weekdays, 5-6 pm Eastern, and can be seen on television Monday 7-8 pm Eastern.
Since June 2003, Mark Levine has given listeners The Inside Scoop from political players inside the Beltway – news that the Media almost never reports and those in power in the Government do not want you to know about. Mark welcomes all during his talk radio hour, and he particularly values calls from folks who disagree with him.
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