Peru author criticizes Chavez, Venezuela
- |
CARACAS, Venezuela - Peruvian author Mario Vargas Llosa warned yesterday that Venezuela is headed toward a dictatorship under President Hugo Chavez, and the country may eventually resemble Cuba's communist-led autocracy.
The acclaimed writer, who was told to limit his political statements, opened a pro-democracy forum by saying Chavez's government "is moving farther away from a liberal democracy."
"There's still space for criticism," Vargas said in Caracas. But "the threat of a blackout in the area of liberties, freedom of expression and the press, has increased significantly."
Vargas Llosa and other guests were invited to speak at the forum organized by Cedice, a conservative, Caracas-based think tank that has come under criticism from Chavez allies.
They pledged to speak their mind despite warnings from officials, who also stopped other participants earlier this week and told them not to criticize Venezuela's government.
Without specifically referring to Vargas Llosa, Chavez said visiting intellectuals have come to "offend" and "provoke" him.
