News / People
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Tells U.S. Officials “Go to hell, gringos”
Responding to U.S. skepticism surrounding a recent decision by Venezuela’s National Assembly granting him generous lawmaking powers, President Hugo Chavez struck at Washington officials with a fiery tongue.
Telling to Americans to “go to hell, gringos,” Chavez aired his disdain for Washington on a weekly radio and television show. Chavez has repeatedly demanded that the U.S. stay out of Venezuela’s affairs.
The “go to hell” comment made by Chavez was in response to U.S. State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey declaring the National Assembly’s decision to broaden their leader’s lawmaking abilities “have caused us some concern.”
Chavez’s relationship with the United States has continued to deteriorate over the years. In 2002 Chavez was briefly ousted from power but returned as leader shortly after. He claimed the American government had been responsible for the attempted coup, an accusation denied by the U.S.
Recently Chavez has introduced his plans to create a socialist state in which he will nationalize several sectors that operate within Venezuela.
