A recent BBC article outlines a war of words between the Venezuelan and Spanish heads of state at the recent Ibero-American summit in Chile. Even King Juan Carlos of Spain became involved.
The series of events seems farcical, but there was a serious undertone.
Mr. Chavez called former Spanish Prime Minister Aznar, a close ally of US President George W Bush, a fascist, adding “fascists are not human. A snake is more human.”
Mr Zapatero, the current Prime Minister responsed saying: “Aznar was democratically elected by the Spanish people and was a legitimate representative of the Spanish people.” He also continued to say “I think there is an essential principle to dialogue, and that is, to respect and be respected; we should be careful not to fall into insults.”
Despite his microphone being turned off, Mr. Chavez repeatedly tried to interrupt. The king then leaned forward and said: “Why don’t you shut up?” More specifically he used the diminutive Spanish phrase “Por que no te callas?” often used when scolding children.
The king then stormed out of the conference.
“I do not offend by telling the truth,” Mr. Chavez later responded, “The Venezuelan government reserves the right to respond to any aggression, anywhere, in any space and in any manner.” He also gave some insight into his possible motivations, “Mr. King, did you know about the coup d’etat against Venezuela, against the democratic, legitimate government of Venezuela in 2002?”
Is it real or just theater? Whatever it is, Mr. Chavez seems to have struck a nerve. According to the BBC, “Labeling a Spanish prime minister a fascist carries a serious undertone in Spain, considering the country’s bloody civil war and General Franco’s 36-year-long military rule that followed.”
This is certainly true. A central theme in much of modern Spanish cinema revolves around the years of the Spanish Civil War and subsequent dictatorship. It is a topic that clearly evokes emotion in the country’s population.
Spain’s national newspapers echoed this sentiment. El Mundo’s opinion was clear. “The king has put Chavez in his place in the name of all Spaniards.” El Pais said Mr. Chavez’s outburst was “intolerable”.
Spain’s Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos clarified his government’s position by saying, “We want to have good relations with everyone, but always with respect for institutions. If we are not shown respect, we must react.”
This spat is also newsworthy because an international conference was used to accuse a foreign power of meddling in the affairs of a sovereign nation. It highlights events of the two-day coup in April 2002 when Aznar called interim President Pedro Carmona, and the Spanish ambassador to Venezuela met with Carmona. Ironically, in December 2004 Moratinos charged that Aznar had in fact given the putsch his diplomatic blessing by citing diplomatic cables from the period and other government documents. Chavez was restored to power after massive street protests.
But why now? There may have been hostility in 2002, but in 2006, more than 50% of the foreign investment in Venezuela came from Spanish firms. Iberian firms have used their capital to bet on Venezuelan stability. The relationship has clearly changed.
Some memories don’t fade away. The question is whether an old ideological conflict will affect the new economic partnership.
