Hugo Chavez must really be hard up for material; perhaps his writers from the demagogue’s guild are on strike this week. This is clearly evident in Chavez’s latest tirade. Chavez has felt it necessary to criticize the US for Halloween festivities around the nation. Chavez has called on his countrymen not to emulate American families who observe Halloween, noting the custom is foreign to South America. This speaks to Chavez’s mentality, and his aversion to the concept of the individual, because something is strange or foreign to him it must be irradiated. Perhaps what is most telling is Chavez’s latent hypocrisy. Chavez links Halloween celebrations in America to our supposed “culture of fear,” terrorism, and America’s tendency to instill fear into its people.

Chavez's words also speak to his ignorance. Halloween, is recognized in one form or another around the world, including Latin America. In Mexico and many other Latin American countries its called El Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead), in Sweden its Alla Helgons Dag, in China its known as Teng Chieh. And let us not forget Ireland, the birthplace of the custom, where it has been recognized for over 3000 years. Who knew the Irish were cultivating terrorism for all that time. Of all people, Chavez is certainly an expert on putting fear into people. Chavez has frequently told his people an invasion was eminent and of course only Chavez could repel such a threat. Is Chavez so desperate to criticize the US, that he will say and do just about anything, including complaining about a meaningless custom, which has absolutely nothing to do with Chavez and his socialist stronghold? Clearly the answwer is yes. He will do anything to garner media attention.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4391166.stm