After his speech at the UN, September 20. Venezuela's socialist president, Hugo Chavez Frias is once again a name on everybody’s lips, and few remain neutral toward his presidency. Not many, however, take much time to actually read and hear anything the man says. That is why we now bring you this collection of speeches and interviews by and with Hugo Chavez. Why settle for secondary sources? Go to the original source – think for yourself.

WITH THE LAW ON HIS SIDE: Like most Venezuelans, Hugo Chavez always brings the constitution with him when traveling.

Chavez rhetoric may at times seem crude for a western audience, with his colourful characteristics of amongst others the US president. It seems to work well, however, in a Latin-American context. The bad relationship with the US has also forced Hugo Chavez to tactically align himself with other US-critics, like China and Iran. His affiliation with such regimes also lands him a great deal of criticism in the West. It would bee advisable however, to try to look beyond the simple rhetoric, and the tactical power-games of international politics, to see what sort of politics he is actually leading, and what kind of a force he really is – in Venezuela, Latin America, and the World.

When it comes to his rhetoric, I must personally join in the criticism Ecuador’s Rafael Correa has made towards Chavez recent comparison between George W Bush and the Devil. The Devil may be evil, but at least he is intelligent, and he does not deserve such a characteristic. In such a context Chavez’ earlier comparison between Bush and a donkey seems more fitting.

The Sound and Fury - Time magazine interviews Chavez 04 October 2006

Chavez interviewed on US TV show 04 October 2006(video)

George Bush Should Get Down on his Knees and Kiss Hugo ChavezÂ’s Behind - Greg Palast interview September 21st, 2006(video 1, 2)

Chavez press conference at UN 21 September 2006(video - realmedia)

President Hugo Chavez Speech at the U.N. General Assembly September 20, 2006(video pt 1, pt 2, pt 3 - alternate)

World Social Forum — Chavez calls for ‘socialism or death’ January 27, 2006

Hugo Chavez Interview ABC, Sept. 16, 2005

President Chavez's Speech to the United Nations 09/16/05

Capitalism Is Savagery - 2005 World Social Forum, April 10, 2005

VenezuelaÂ’s Chavez Closes World Social Forum with Call to Transcend Capitalism Jan 31, 2005

Speech by President Hugo Chávez, at the opening of XII G-15 Summit Mar 01, 2004

The Military and the Revolution - Harnecker interviews Chavez January 09, 2003

View the film The Revolution Will Not be Televised here:

Links to Venezuela-ralated web pages:
venezuelanalysis.com
handsoffvenezuela.org
venezuelafoia.info
Venezuelan state news agency.
Venezuela Information Office
Green Left Weekly