To Fabricate War, Hugo Chavez Does Woody Allen

For fans of Woody Allen, it will come as no surprise that some see similarities between the Latin America despot in the movie Bananas and President Hugo Chavez – to say nothing of Fidel Castro – who the character in Bananas actually parodied. Now that President Chavez has come close to declaring war on Colombia, Maruja Tarre writes for Venezuela’s El Universal, ‘Upon seeing Chavez hip-hop dancing after issuing his mobilization decree, I was reminded of a film by Woody Allen called Bananas. When I saw it long ago I was indignant, since to me, it reproduced every stereotype of banana republics , the military and revolutionaries. As far as our president, Woody Allen described him to a tee.’

By Maruja Tarre

Translated By Miguel Guttierez

March 7, 2008

Venezuela – El Universal – Original Article (Spanish)

After seeing Chavez hip-hop dancing after issuing his mobilization decree WATCH , I was reminded of a film by Woody Allen called Bananas WATCH . When I saw it long ago I was indignant, since to me, it reproduced every stereotype of banana republics , the military and revolutionaries. As far as our president, Woody Allen described him to a tee. Just like Chavez, the President in Bananas declares a quasi-war and his senior military officials stand around seeming to enjoy the presidential show. Could it be that already, no one believes in the heroic combat Chavez has announced? Or perhaps Chavez’ select group of guests were confident that war or no war, nothing would happen to them. Of course some days later, we are likely to see photos of the wives and mothers of the toy soldiers squeezed like meat from a tube along the border – crying desperately because of an armed clash – for it is they who will be the ones to die.

I don’t think there will be war with Colombia. At a meeting of the Organization of American States – even without naming him – Chavez was told that he has nothing to gain in an actual conflict. But Chavez wants war. He’s still looking for an external enemy to coalesce the Venezuelan people around his declining leadership.

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