Chavez Threatens to Nationalize Banks

[Logan13]

Chavez Threatens to Nationalize Banks
05/03/07
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Thursday threatened to nationalize the country's banks and largest steel producer, accusing them of unscrupulous practices.

"Private banks have to give priority to financing the industrial sectors of Venezuela at low cost," Chavez said. "If banks don't agree with this, it's better that they go, that they turn over the banks to me, that we nationalize them and get all the banks to work for the development of the country and not to speculate and produce huge profits."

It was not clear if Chavez was only referring to Venezuelan banks like Mercantil Servicios Financieros CA and Banco Provincial SA, or if he was also aiming the threat at major international banks with subsidiaries in the country, such as Citigroup Inc. (C) and Spanish banks Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA (BBV) and Banco Santander Central Hispano SA. (STD)

Chavez also warned the government could take over steel producer Sidor, which is majority controlled by Luxembourg-based Ternium SA. (TX) Shares of Ternium fell 3.9 percent to $26.15 in U.S. trading after Chavez's comments.

Sidor "has created a monopoly" and sold the bulk of its production overseas, forcing local producers to import tubes and other products from China and elsewhere, Chavez said.

"If the company Sidor ... does not immediately agree to change this process, they will obligate me to nationalize it," Chavez said.

"I prefer not to," Chavez added, as he ordered Mining Minister Jose Khan to ***art immediately for the company's headquarters and come back with a recommendation with 24 hours.

"Sidor has to produce and give priority to our national industries ... and at low cost," he said.

Chavez initiated a nationalization drive in January that is bringing the country's largest telephone company CANTV and the electricity sector under state control. The state oil company also took over the last privately run oil operations in the country from major international oil companies on Tuesday.

Chavez, a close ally of Cuban leader Fidel Castro, says the nationalization of "strategic" companies are part of Venezuela's transition to a socialist system.

"I'm not deceiving anyone," Chavez said. "I'm only governing the country, and the country has elected me various times ... All of those who voted for me backed socialism, and that is where we are heading."

[alphaman]

Socialism, huh?

[biglouie250]

the united states has a national bank system.

[Logan13]

the united states has a national bank system.

You are referring to logistics, not ownership.

[biglouie250]

You are referring to logistics, not ownership.

correct but i dont see how it would affect the world markets. he can manipulate his country's money all he wants his inflation is still 4000% and unemployment is high as well. also the bolivar, their dollar, sucks.

[Logan13]

correct but i dont see how it would affect the world markets. he can manipulate his country's money all he wants his inflation is still 4000% and unemployment is high as well. also the bolivar, their dollar, sucks.

It won't effect the world markets, but I just find it hard to believe that a gov't is taking over all of these private entities and yet no one is talking about it....?

[kfrost06]

Imagine waking up one day to find that the government now owns your business. Chavez is a lunatic and even the liberals are distancing themselves from him.

[biglouie250]

It won't effect the world markets, but I just find it hard to believe that a gov't is taking over all of these private entities and yet no one is talking about it....?

if a tree falls in the woods and no one is there does it make a sound?

same principle.

[alphaman]

if a tree falls in the woods and no one is there does it make a sound?

same principle.

Huh?

The point is that it's wrong for a government to seize a private or public business.